My Carpool Family

In the late ‘80s, gasoline became quite expensive due to the Middle East crisis. (What else is new?!?!) I didn’t know how to drive and so I commuted. Bus fares increased and I tightened the purse strings.

Every now and then I would be lucky to get a ride with a next door neighbor who happened to work in the same office as I did. In one of those rides together, we thought it would be a good idea to start a carpool among neighbors and friends living nearby.



Initially, we were a group of five. We came up with a schedule on who would bring their car each day. And for those like me who did not have cars, we chipped in for the gasoline. In the next 12 years, our little group grew to 12 carpoolers. Or “carfoolers” as we laughingly referred to ourselves for the fun times we shared on our rides to and from work.

With a growing work force population, it was only natural that roads were widen; flyovers built; and rail tracks added on the main thoroughfare. The resulting traffic brought the carfoolers even closer. For what was one to do in the one and a half, sometimes three hour traffic jams? Well, what eleven women do best: talk!!  The twelveth member was a man and we treated him like he was one of the girls.  And with so much time on our hands, we were able to solve world problems, debate current issues and exchange tips on how best to be a wife, mother, boss, employee, daughter, cook and all the many roles we played in our lives.

Our children were another reason that brought us closer to each other. Since we lived in the same area, it was a given that our children went to the same schools—even ending up as classmates. We had turned into one big support group. For advise given and taken on OBG matters and hairdressers, for borrowed cups of sugar and kids’ assignments, for rides to the emergency rooms and for a response to a knock on the gate in the middle of the night. We had become more than friends--- we were family.

----xoxoxoxox----

Marinating in daily traffic has now become a distant thing of my past. Although I do not miss the stress that comes with going to work, I miss the carfoolers’ camaraderie.  A majority of the carfoolers have retired or taken a slower work pace as well. Two have migrated to another country and sadly, one had passed away.

We continue to keep in touch— albeit now less frequently. Where once we used to gather in each others homes during special occasions during the year, we now contend ourselves with a reunion once a year. Where once we used to have the energy to come up with all sorts of party motifs, games, dances and potluck menu, we now are happy stirring our coffee or tea in a nearby restaurant. Where once our husbands and children came along and participated in such gatherings, we gamely leave them behind and welcome the temporary separation. The one big constant is how we can still sit together for more than three hours and never run out of topics to talk about.

----xoxoxox----

Recently, six of the carfoolers were able to make it to a reunion in a nearby Chinese restaurant for some afternoon tea. Nothing fancy— a little dimsum and noodle place. Perfect for the long updates of each others’ lives. We ordered some steamed pork dumplings (siomai) and shrimp dumplings (hakaw), a giant meat bun (siopao), and bowls of hot noodle soup. And as was to be expected, we shared and swapped stories until it was 8 in the evening over bottomless house tea!!  Not because we did not have anything more to say to each other by then but that our families were waiting for us at home.

Now here’s a steamed dumpling recipe I would like to share with you. This recipe was given to me by an officemate who sold them at breaktime during those 80s crisis years. There will be lots to talk about once you steam up a couple of these mini-delights for friends and family.

Ludy's Siomai

1/2 k ground pork (best if not lean-- the fat makes for tender siomai)
1/4 c chopped water chestnuts (or if not available, singkamas will do)
1/4 c chopped shrimps ( about 1/8 kilo)
1/4 c chopped spring onions
2 t sugar (may be omitted)
1 T salt
1 t MSG (may be omitted)
1 t sesame oil
1/2 t white pepper
1 egg

wanton wrappers

Mix all of the ingredients except for the wrappers together.  Chill the mixture for about 30 minutes. 

Next, take a teaspoon of the mixture and put in the center of a wanton wrapper. Gather the wrapper around the mixture. Repeat until all of the mixture is wrapped up.

Brush some cooking oil on the bottom of a steamer-- to prevent the siomai from sticking to the pan.  Arrange the siomai in the steamer.  Make sure that they are not packed tightly. The water must be boiling before you start to steam your siomai. Steam for 20-30 minutes.

Serve with a sauce consisting of soy sauce, calamansi, and some oyster sauce.  Also great with bottled chili garlic sauce or hot sauce.