Books to be kept forever, marriage surprises, and cleaning (Part 3 of my interview with Batjay)

This is Part 3 of my interview with Jay David, a.k.a. popular blogger Batjay. In Part 1 of our interview, Batjay wrote his 12-year-old self a letter. In Part 2, he talked about health, laughter and adobo. In this part of the interview, he shares his thoughts on books to be kept forever, marriage and a very important cleaning tip.

Toni: “Blankets” is one of my favorite books. You recommended that book to me and now it’s on my “To be kept forever” part of the bookshelf. Thank you! What other books do you recommend that one keeps forever?

Batjay: Interesting question. The books I keep going back to that are similar to Blankets are…

1. The bittersweet Jimmy Corrigan’s “The Smartest Kid on Earth” – like Blankets, it’s a perfect example of what a graphic novel should be like.
2. Marjane Satrapi’s “Persepolis” – the true story of a little girl growing up in the Ayatollah’s Persia.
3. Joann Sfar’s “The Rabbi’s Cat” – A talking cat owned by a Jewish Rabbi and her daughter.
4. “One Hundred Demons”, Lynda Barry – Half Pinoy author/artist telling semi-autobiographical stories through comics.
5. Maira Kalman, “The Principles of Uncertainty” – there’s nothing like this book. Jet found this in a bookstore one evening and it’s been our favorite ever since.

Fiction without pictures
1. The World According to Garp by John Irving. Funny and true.
2. Jem, Atticus and Scout in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird.
3. Noli, Jose Rizal.

Toni: You and Jet are one of my favorite married couples. Throughout so many years, you’re still very much in love with each other. You know each other in and out, but still, the two of you seem like you’re still dating! It’s like you’re always learning something new about each other. How important is it to keep the element of surprise alive in a marriage?

Batjay: The element of surprise. I don’t work too hard at it because it just comes. Oo nga, we’ll celebrate our 18th year of marriage this May. Not bad for a childless couple, no? We just have fun when we’re together. Normally, we just stay at home and cook, watch DVD movies, have sex all the time. Sometimes we go out for dinner, watch a movie and have sex afterwards. Is sex important in a marriage? Hindi naman.

I also try to be cool as much as I can. It helps when you’re upset. For instance, when I’m mad, I’d rather go out for a 3 mile run instead of lashing out or writing an email. Hindi mo na kasi mababawi pag may nasabi ka o nasulat na hindi maganda.

Oh and I always say yes all the time kahit hindi.

Toni: You have a beautiful home. How do you keep your house so clean?

Batjay: I have an obsessive compulsive wife.

Toni: Last question. Could you share a special message to your fans and soon-to-be-fans? Kumbaga sa slum book, ito yun “Dedication” portion.

Batjay: Dear Wifelysteps Readers,

Maraming salamat sa pagtangkilik ninyo sa interview post. Sana nag enjoy kayong basahin ito katulad ng pag enjoy ko sa pagsagot sa mga tanong. Iba talaga pag matalino yung nag interview, nag-iisip ka rin ng matalinong sagot. Dahil dito, wala na akong matalinong masasabi hanggang sa April 2009 dahil naubos na sa kakasagot ko kay Toni. Sana huwag akong pagalitan ng boss ko pag tinanong ako kung anong oras na at sinabi kong “oras na para mag techno gas fan”. Kung natawa kayo rito, malamang ka edad ko kayo.

Bago pa ninyo tanungin kung “Ano ba ang pinagsasabi ng bwakanginang BatJay na yan?” ay magpapaalam na ako. Maraming salamat Toni. Sana hindi ka magsawa. Kamusta na lang sa iyong pinakamamahal na animal husbandry.

Stay pretty and cool.

Jay

*****

Thank you Batjay for this awesome interview. And thanks to Shai for a great round of 52WoC!

Hi! I'm Toni Tiu, and I've been blogging at at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.