Indulgence
If I can summarize in one word what had transpired in my personal life this week, then the perfect word would be indulgence.
All I did this week, aside from working, of course, was to splurge on food and meet friends. While I nearly emptied my wallet, I have no regrets at all because I was able to spend time with some of the greatest people I gratefully have in my life. One can never replenish lost happy moments with financial abundance.
Cruising
My “kuya-kuyahan” and I were feeling (quite) adventurous and so decided to try something we both had not experienced yet: cruising.
It was on Tuesday night and the skies were clear. Sir Ed, who was my high school physics teacher, had everything pre-arranged for us.
^ Sir Ed, while marvelling at the beauty of the sunset, explains why the sight is, in reality, just an illusion.
Since I ventured into college, Sir Ed has always been a reliable shoulder to cry on and a pair of listening ears to me, as he painstakingly tolerated every rant and angst and frustration I had to blurt out so I may keep my sanity.
I would not have maintained my high hopes in life had he not shared how he almost lost his youthful idealism which impressed me, as a student, as soon as our first class back in 2008.
The cruise experience was definitely worth trying a second time, and maybe a third and a fourth, as it provides an impressive scenic imagery of Manila at night. The food was great as well, and the ambiance encourages lighthearted, intimate discussions with an old friend.
The sudden meet-up
Father Mike and I dined in an Italian restaurant for a bit of discourse on communication and social change, teaching methods, Voltes V, and, well, what we both have been up to lately.
We were about to part ways when he received a text message from Ms. Beng who spotted us together; she was in the same area. We met with her along with some of her friends, including the beloved Sr. Vianney.
Ray of sunshine
You know those times when you feel so hyped up about your ideals that you just find the need to shout to the world your ambitious belief that you can and you will change the world? My ultimate go-to person for those kind of moments has always been Ate Meg.
But for a year since we graduated, it was only until Thursday that we actually found time to meet.
There were a lot of stories shared — both in the aspects of career and family — followed by insightful chatter. Every word and pause only made me want to exclaim how much I miss this girl!
What’s more, she made me swoon all throughout the night, with my face all red, when she narrated the how she met her “Hon.” Lucky her.
All were surprised when it was publicly made known through the social networking site Facebook that Ate Meg just got into a relationship. Sparks are definitely flying, and I can sense that she is more than happy in her first romantic relationship.
Breaking out
We were classmates only during our first semester in college but we still managed to maintain our friendship.
Rona took up a different course in the university while Anna eventually had to leave the academe due to some concerns. Rona and I occasionally see each other inside the campus so we are still well aware of goings-on in our lives, but we lost contact with Anna when she left.
For four years, we three had been planning to meet but our conflicting schedules and busy-ness denied us the opportunity. At long last, the much awaited get-together pushed through this Saturday.
^ Hazelle (originally just Rona’s friend, now ours too), Anna, Rona, and I
Surely, there were discussions about how life had been for us and there are new and exciting activities being planned. We recalled the idle yet funny moments we shared back in college as we exchanged notes about how our former classmates were before as compared to how they are doing now post-graduation.
Community engagement, I must say, has always been a common aspiration for the three of us. Anna, especially, has been championing various causes; as of now, she has voluntarily taken for foster care three cats under the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and participates in childcare programs of some non-government organizations.
I, meanwhile, have found an advocacy for child development since I conducted a study on the attachment of institutionalized children to their house parents in 2012. I intended to visit the participating institution in my study once in a while to check on the kids who secured a soft spot in my heart but failed to follow through because of my previously hectic work schedule.
One of these days, we hope to be a regular participant in at least one social welfare activity. As well, we plan to join the new live gaming experience known as Breakout, which has been the talk of the town before it was even officially open.
Breakout is a real-life, and the first in the country, “Can You Escape?” game.
Pigging out
Most people would tell me that I have been spending so much for things I do not need. Truth is, I do not spend on mere “things” — well except for food... I splurge on happy moments that I know I will be able to carry on as great memories for the rest of my life. These are the healthy and possibly the best indulgences one can make in life.
And I must say I am very fortunate that I have at least one eternal food buddy: my sister. •
All I did this week, aside from working, of course, was to splurge on food and meet friends. While I nearly emptied my wallet, I have no regrets at all because I was able to spend time with some of the greatest people I gratefully have in my life. One can never replenish lost happy moments with financial abundance.
Cruising
My “kuya-kuyahan” and I were feeling (quite) adventurous and so decided to try something we both had not experienced yet: cruising.
It was on Tuesday night and the skies were clear. Sir Ed, who was my high school physics teacher, had everything pre-arranged for us.
^ Sir Ed, while marvelling at the beauty of the sunset, explains why the sight is, in reality, just an illusion.
Since I ventured into college, Sir Ed has always been a reliable shoulder to cry on and a pair of listening ears to me, as he painstakingly tolerated every rant and angst and frustration I had to blurt out so I may keep my sanity.
I would not have maintained my high hopes in life had he not shared how he almost lost his youthful idealism which impressed me, as a student, as soon as our first class back in 2008.
The cruise experience was definitely worth trying a second time, and maybe a third and a fourth, as it provides an impressive scenic imagery of Manila at night. The food was great as well, and the ambiance encourages lighthearted, intimate discussions with an old friend.
The sudden meet-up
Father Mike and I dined in an Italian restaurant for a bit of discourse on communication and social change, teaching methods, Voltes V, and, well, what we both have been up to lately.
We were about to part ways when he received a text message from Ms. Beng who spotted us together; she was in the same area. We met with her along with some of her friends, including the beloved Sr. Vianney.
Ray of sunshine
You know those times when you feel so hyped up about your ideals that you just find the need to shout to the world your ambitious belief that you can and you will change the world? My ultimate go-to person for those kind of moments has always been Ate Meg.
But for a year since we graduated, it was only until Thursday that we actually found time to meet.
There were a lot of stories shared — both in the aspects of career and family — followed by insightful chatter. Every word and pause only made me want to exclaim how much I miss this girl!
What’s more, she made me swoon all throughout the night, with my face all red, when she narrated the how she met her “Hon.” Lucky her.
All were surprised when it was publicly made known through the social networking site Facebook that Ate Meg just got into a relationship. Sparks are definitely flying, and I can sense that she is more than happy in her first romantic relationship.
Breaking out
We were classmates only during our first semester in college but we still managed to maintain our friendship.
Rona took up a different course in the university while Anna eventually had to leave the academe due to some concerns. Rona and I occasionally see each other inside the campus so we are still well aware of goings-on in our lives, but we lost contact with Anna when she left.
For four years, we three had been planning to meet but our conflicting schedules and busy-ness denied us the opportunity. At long last, the much awaited get-together pushed through this Saturday.
^ Hazelle (originally just Rona’s friend, now ours too), Anna, Rona, and I
Surely, there were discussions about how life had been for us and there are new and exciting activities being planned. We recalled the idle yet funny moments we shared back in college as we exchanged notes about how our former classmates were before as compared to how they are doing now post-graduation.
Community engagement, I must say, has always been a common aspiration for the three of us. Anna, especially, has been championing various causes; as of now, she has voluntarily taken for foster care three cats under the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and participates in childcare programs of some non-government organizations.
I, meanwhile, have found an advocacy for child development since I conducted a study on the attachment of institutionalized children to their house parents in 2012. I intended to visit the participating institution in my study once in a while to check on the kids who secured a soft spot in my heart but failed to follow through because of my previously hectic work schedule.
One of these days, we hope to be a regular participant in at least one social welfare activity. As well, we plan to join the new live gaming experience known as Breakout, which has been the talk of the town before it was even officially open.
Breakout is a real-life, and the first in the country, “Can You Escape?” game.
Pigging out
Most people would tell me that I have been spending so much for things I do not need. Truth is, I do not spend on mere “things” — well except for food... I splurge on happy moments that I know I will be able to carry on as great memories for the rest of my life. These are the healthy and possibly the best indulgences one can make in life.
And I must say I am very fortunate that I have at least one eternal food buddy: my sister. •