QUITE DIFFERENT

In the first place, why do I call it different? It’s because before, everytime I went home to Ilocos, it’s as if I’m a kid, deprived from doing so many things I would like to do. Mom and dad don’t want me to go out or hang out with friends and batchmates. I only stay at home. And every vacation, there’s this instance that mama and I would argue about things I seldom do like household chores. Hahaha. Generation gap you know? Haha. Well that’s before, now, it’s quite different!

This last month, I was in doubt whether to go home or not. Well, first thing in mind, I won’t fully enjoy my vacation if ever, because everything will all be the same--- to just stay home. No more, no less. Second thing in mind, the unexpected job interviews. And lastly, I was kind of ashamed because I’m going home again yet, still no job. I thought of people who’ll ask me frequently, “What’s your work?” or “Are you working already?” It’s kinda annoying in the ears. I was afraid of people who will belittle my ability of hunting job here in Manila. I felt pressured. As in. Like I was about to explode because I’m useless. As of now...

The fact that mom and dad really wants me to go home and like what Ma’am Badeth told me, once I found a job, most probably I can't go home anytime I want because of commitments and so on. There you go, I was convinced to go home, finally. Mixed emotions. I was with my highschool batchmate/friend Melissa when I head home to Ilocos. Good thing she? or he? whatever! hahaha, together with her relatives waited for me at the terminal and bought me ticket. It wasn’t free; I paid it when I arrived there. Haha. Indeed, it was a great trip. Full of kwento and other stuffs. We were so noisy. We couldn’t stop ourselves from laughing. Melissa was a great joker. Hahaha.

When I arrived home, felt my mom and dad misses me so much. It’s like I wanted to cry infront of them and ask for apology because as much as I wanted to help them financially, I couldn’t as of now because I’m jobless. It went the other way around coz’ supposedly the moment I was about to cry, they made me feel they understand my situation. That whatever things I want to do, they’re beside me and support me all the way. I felt so much loved.

Well, here are some things I did when I was there...

***I got to vote for barangay officials on the 25th of October. Old school way. Haha. Well, honestly speaking I sold my vote with a thousand price. I don’t know but I think that’s how dirty election is today. We can’t get away with the vote buying anymore. Sadly, my bet didn’t win.

***I got to visit Abra twice. We had a mini reunion on my mom’s side. Sayang lang, I forgot to take pictures when we were there. No astig cellphone na kasi. Barubal cellphone nalang. Hahaha. I forgot my videocam! Stupid! Hahaha. Moving on, I enjoyed the most the motorcycle adventure where in my cousin Rogel drove us to the place where we could wait and ride a mini bus and head home. The second time we went there, it was unplanned. I just thought of going there and I told mom if we could go before I go back here in Manila. I convinced her that easy huh? Hahaha. I requested Auntie Mayet to prepare fried chicken for lunch and I was like naumay. I ate four parts of fried chicken. Woah! So takaw of me! Haha. I also accompanied my cousin Reymund at the field. We got lots of kamoteng kahoy. Though I haven’t contributed enough strength to help him in digging those, the fact that I stepped in the field with bare feet and experienced how ants bite, sweat to death, and get dirty without minding how I looked like. That'a a big thing for me! Hahaha. I'm not maarte kaya? Another thing, I saw Auntie Mhel, Maja and Manong Edgar. It was a quick glance and talk with Auntie Mhel and I got to hold her hand so tight. Can’t explain the feeling, quite different. I wanted to hug her and kiss her that time and tell her how much I miss her. How I wish I did that. Phew!

***Anyways, after my visit at Tayum, what I enjoyed the most is when mom and dad allowed me to roam around with my highschool batchmates. Felt like, finally I’m free. I got to experience the freedom I’m longing for the long time. As in! I also got to see other batchmates and be with them for a while. Again, no pictures! Arggggggghhhh!

---To Marjo, who always visits me at home. That I don’t know if me she’s visiting or another person? Haha. But still I want to thank you for filling my afternoon boredom with endless stories and meriendas. Hahaha.

---To Rova, who is always on the go when I texts or asks anyone of them to come over our house. She values our bonding so much. Thank you for being so professional even someone told you nakakailang kang tao. Hahaha. Beh is that you? Haha. Thanks for doing it for me. really appreciate it!

---To Melissa, who always give me presents like pomelos and veggies. And also for the company because of the tricycle service. For the record, I got to visit her place twice. Mom and dad doesn’t know about it. Hahaha. Me bad! Shhhhh. Muntik pa tayo mabuko! Ikaw kasi eh! I hope we could meet when you get back here in Manila.

--- To Mafet, whom I requested for okoy, unfulfilled. Hahaha. I hope the next time I request, she’ll be able to fulfill it. Thank you for visiting me that night. Si Rova kasi! Hope to spend more time with you the next time.

---To Erin, who always make my vacation memorable. As always. Thank you for the effort of going home just to see me, spend time with me, hug me and kiss me. Haha. That’s so sweet of you. That makes you extra special in my heart.

(JecJec as Mr. Germany during their United Nation Organization, together with his partner. Can't remember what country she represents. Haha. Kinda ulyanin na!!!)

***Another special moment, when I got to see my godson/nephew performed. Well, not totally perform. Hahaha. But the fact that he was willing to ride in his semi-float with his partner and me. Imagine that? Me, accompnyuing him although out the parade? Hahaha. I acted like a single parent! Hahaha. But the feeling was so great.So happy to attend the program.

(This is John john. I call him Ryan Bang. Obviously? May potential! Hahaha.)

(This is Yanang. I gave her the nickname. Haha.)

(This is Ate Nida. I call her Friend! Nasanay na kapag umuuwi ako. Yun na tawagan namin. Hahaha.)

(Mama and Yanang. Mom takes good care of her everytime Ate Nida do household chores at home.No photos with Papa. Tsk! I forgot.)

***Above all, the moments I spend together with Mama and Papa was the best. Every Sundays I accompany my mom, in attending the second mass. I spend movie marathon with dad and sowith other neighbors like Ate Nida, Yannang and John John a.k.a. Ryan Bang. Sila kasi ang suki sa bahay eh! Hahaha.

(Got this photo when I was at our balcony while surfing the net. Mabagal na koneksyon! Hahaha. I miss our house again. Huhuhu.)

Thank you for the happy days. I really enjoyed my two weeks’ vacation. Super! Makes me wanna say I wanna go home again. Hahaha.

ONCE YOU REALLY GET TO KNOW HER, YOU WILL REALLY LOVE HER...

THE ONE WHO MUST NOT BE NAMED (PROF SERAFICA'S LINE)... BUT I THINK SOME WILL OBVIOUSLY FIGURE OUT WHOM I'M REFERRING TO...

IT’S BEEN FIVE MONTHS. THE WAY I LOOKED AT IT, IT WAS REALLY A SHORT SPAN OF TIME TO BE ABLE TO EVALUATE THINGS ABOUT A PERSON. MAYBE I HAD A WRONG JUDGMENT OR SOMEHOW I HAD THE POINT OF SAYING THINGS I NOTICED. BUT THE FACT IS, NEVER IN MY WHOLE LIFE THAT I TOLD OR WROTE SOMEONE NEGATIVE THINGS ABOUT HOW I PERCIEVED ON THE WAY THEY ACT AND TALK. I NEVER HAD THE COURAGE OF DOING IT. IF I NOTICED SOMETHING I JUST KEEP QUIET AND DOESN’T BOTHER TO ASK WHY? BECAUSE I MYSELF CAN ASSUME THEIR REASONS AND BECAUSE OF BEING CONSIDERATE, I WILL APPARENTLY UNDERSTAND IT.

BUT, SINCE IT IS A REQUIREMENT, FOR COMPLIANCE, I REALLY DON’T HAVE A CHOICE BUT TO DO IT. IT CAME DIRECTLY FROM HER THAT, SHE DOESN’T LIKE PRAISE RELEASES ANYMORE. THAT SHE IS FAR BETTER THAN US IN DOING IT BECAUSE SHE’S IN PR. THAT SHE EXPECTED UNUSUAL COMMENTS. REALLY, IT WAS MY FIRST TIME. IT WAS PURELY OF THE NEGATIVE COMMENTS. AND WHEN I LET ONE OF MY CLASSMATE READ ABOUT WHAT I WROTE, SHE TOLD ME, IT WAS SO FOUL! AND THAT MADE ME REALLY SCARED OF PASSING THAT EVALUATION, THINKING IT MAY CAUSE SOMETHING BETWEEN US. THAT, THAT PERSON MIGHT TAKE IT PERSONALLY. BUT THEN, STILL I PASSED THE PAPER. KINDA WORRIED ABOUT IT. SO NOW, LET ME SHARE YOU WHAT I WROTE ON THAT EVALUATION...

“First of all I have nothing against your teaching ability and how you set your rules in the classroom. The very first thing I noticed since the prelim period is that, we really have a hard time to approach you because you are so intimidating. Most in the class do not answer you whenever you ask for clarifications or questions regarding the topics that were been discussed every session. We just frequently nod as our response to you. The truth is, before you arrived in the class, we really spend the time talking and laughing to the max. We always check the time and frequently look outside the door if you are already coming and then that’s the time that our mind were all set that we already need to be quiet because we are really afraid that when we create noise while you are in the class, you might as well get mad and preach us things we never expected to hear from you. As much as possible we don’t want you to get angry.

Another thing I had noticed is your mood-swing. I don’t know, but everytime you arrived in the class it’s pretty obvious that you are always tired, sometimes you don’t feel well, or maybe something happened that’s why you are not in the mood. But as the time goes by, there’s a sudden switch with your mood. Suddenly, you became okay. And because of that, we can’t figure out what to react. We are somehow affected with your gestures. We tend to be confused on what response will fit your mood.”

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT IT?!?!?

AND THEN HERE COMES OUR NEXT MEETING AFTER THE MIDTERM EXAM AND PASSING THAT EVALUATION PAPER. I WAS REALLY NERVOUS. REALLY BOTHERED IF THINGS WILL STAY THE SAME OR WORST. I REALLY DON’T KNOW NOT UNTIL SHE ARRIVED AND SURPRISINGLY, AMAZINGLY AND SUPRISINGLY AGAIN!!! HAHA... ALL OF A SUDDEN, SHE BECAME OPEN TO US. SINCE IT WAS VALENTINES, SHE ASKED US WHAT OUR PLANS ARE. IF WE’RE ALL GOIN’ ON A DATE! ASKED ONE BY ONE IF WE HAVE BOYFRIENDS OR GIRLFRIENDS. I REALLY CAN’T IMAGINE THAT SHE’S TALKING TO US AND SO MUCH WITH THE LAUGH TRIP!!! REALLY!!! AND SOME STUFF ABOUT BEING A REPORTER RIGHT AFTER GRADUATION. SHE SAID THAT, WE’LL HAVE A BORING LIFE IF WE’LL NOT VENTURE INTO REPORTING! WE ALSO HAD A GOOD TIME TEASING ONE OF MY CLASSMATE, MY VERY GOOD FRIEND FERSENIE. WHERE IN WE LINKED HER TO SOME OF THE BOYS WE KNEW. AND SO MANY OTHER THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT NIGHT. AND IT WAS LIKE, ALL OF US ENDED UP LAUGHING, SHOUTING AND DEFINITELY HAVING A GOOD TIME! THAT WAS REALLY OUR FIRST TIME TO SEE HER LAUGH THAT WAY AND TALK TO US THAT WAY. I FELT LIKE, IS THIS THE EFFECT OF WHAT I WROTE ABOUT HER? IF THAT’S REALLY THE CASE THEN I’M REALLY HAPPY ABOUT IT! TO THE NTH POWER! I REALLY HOPE THAT FOR OUR UPCOMING AND REMAINING MEETINGS WOULD BE AS HAPPY AS THE RECENT MEETING WE JUST HAD.

AND I ALSO HOPE THAT I WOULD STILL BE THE TOPNOTCHER FOR THE MIDTERM IN HER CLASS, BUT IF NOT, STILL OKAY. AND I PROMISE TO CATCH UP THIS FINALS. THAT’S FOR SURE!

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, IF SHE DIDN’T TOLD US THAT THE ONLY THING WE CAN WRITE ON THAT EVALUATUION ARE NEGATIVE COMMENTS, I WOULD HAVE WROTE THESE... THE TRUTH IS, I REALLY ADMIRE HER SO MUCH! THE WAY SHE TALK, THE WAY SHE CARRY HERSELF WITH HER DRESSES, THE WAY SHE LOOK, EVERYTHING! FOR ME, SHE IS MY ROLE MODEL. VERY BEAUTIFUL, REALLY SMART, BRILLIANT AND HARD-WORKING. SHE’S ONE OF A KIND! THE BEST PROFESSOR I’VE EVER HAD. AND THAT SHE INSPIRES ME A LOT! I WANT TO BE LIKE HER THE SOONEST. (DREAM ON!!! HAHA...)

BUT I’M SERIOUS ABOUT IT THOUGH...

*MY FIRST BLOG! YIPEE!