We were supposed to go to Vegas, to stay in the Stratosphere for New Year’s, and to visit my dad and his girlfriend’s family, but my mom got sick so we had to cancel — thank goodness for sparing me from an awkward situation.

Anyway… For fun, my mom decided to hold a “Kitchen Challenge.” Each of us made something for our New Year’s Eve dinner. I baked brownies. My brother made spaghetti. My mom cooked “pinapaitan.” My sister was the judge.

Everything was good, but none of us won. The appetizer I prepared, which was just celery sticks, carrots, grapes and oranges with garlic ranch, was the most popular though…so technically, I won. ;’b

But the highlight for me was what my mom said while she was pouring a drink from a bottle into her glass.

Mom: I’m going to get drunk tonight!

Me: Uhm… That’s cider.

Oh Mother, how I love you. Happy new year, everyone!