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Friday, December 2, 2011

A Tree to Remember

December has always been a favorite month. It is something to look forward every year. Family, food, presents, and of course, the Christmas tree.

I just had this belief that happiness would be magnified at least a hundred times whenever there's this Christmas figure with ornaments and presents underneath it. 


A Picture with Mr Tree
I was a toddler when I first came across a Christmas tree. 

It was the day my sister's god sister brought me along to watch her ballet recital. Like most events, picture taking was done as a memorabilia. And since that was Christmas time, a picture with the Christmas tree that stood near the stage was a famous spot. It stood high with all those little people with red coats, black belts and pointed red hats scattered at different angles. It was big but I felt it was harmless so I allowed myself to be led by the hand and stared at the lens focused towards us.



I vaguely remembered how she danced that day, but maybe, just as most adults would do, her mother, Mama Linda, and probably my Nanay (grandma) instructed me to clap my hands after the performance. She may had danced very well, but all along, my eyes kept on wondering when would we eat.

Branches and Leaves
Being first born, I was close to my Nanay (grandma). She lived in her own home in the city and a week is not complete without her presence. 

She's fond of plants and trinkets. Thus, when it's in season, she did not need any artificial stuff to make herself a Christmas tree or should I say, a Christmas plant. With just a few (but real) leaves, it would always stood perfectly on a table. Being short, it was in favor of my height; I could freely touch the rounded ornaments she put and satisfied myself by how each would respond without being scolded if any got loose (they're made of plastic and thread).





Simple Ornaments
I could still remember the first Christmas tree my Mama bought. It was about 3 or 4 feet tall with 5 parts to be assembled. It was so simple but an improved version of my Nanay's. Nonetheless, anytime during the "ber" months, when she brought out the boxes, I was always excited just because she allowed me (and my sister) to decorate it (get what to expect). Sad as it may be, it only lasted before l entered high school.


Close to Have My Own
Always. I am always drawn to Christmas trees of all sizes: from table top to gargantuan. I always catch myself smiling to Christmas trees of all colors; green, white, yellow and blue.  I always feel a lot of happy emotions just by the thought of decorating it.

I want a big dark green Christmas tree, about 12 feet high. I want it to be decorated in a way that will make each child smile no matter how shy he/she may be. I want it be a presentation, in my own home, for friends to remember about the colors of life. 

I want it, not just pretty but, dazzling. 
I want it, not just catchy but, inspiring.
And I just know. Soon.

photo courtesy of email-junk.com

Let's all have a Merry Christmas! :)




Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Classic Tales

Even when I was in grade school, I have been an avid visitor of the place a minority of students like: the library. I studied in a private school so as expected, it is worth every penny my parents paid. I was in grade two when I began to read classic books. The titles Little Women, The Secret Garden, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, A Christmas Carol, Last of the Mohicans, Gulliver's Travels, Robinson Crusoe, Call of the Wild, Black Beauty, Kidnapped,  were familiar to me. I mostly read them inside the library and borrow them for a week. At a young age, I don't care when some words required me to consult a dictionary. For as long as the book is hard bound, has clean pages and illustrations, then, I can read it for my own leisure. 

I entered high school where some classic books where required to read to submit a book review. Eventually, I read Great Expectations, Oliver Twist, Pride and Prejudice,Wuthering Heights, and the thick ones like Les Miserables and The Count of Monte Cristo. 

But if there's one book that I really enjoyed reading, that would be The Adventures of Tom Sawyer*. Tom Sawyer was a mischievous boy who lived with his Aunt Polly in the Mississippi River town. Because he was involved in a fight, he was forced to whitewash the fence as punishment. After then, more incidents happened displaying his mischief and wit. 

The author of the book is Samuel Clemens who used Mark Twain as his pen name. Out of curiosity, I researched about the author and his works. His book, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer was actually based on his youth in Hannibal. Because of his talent, wit and satire, he earned the title "the greatest American humorist of his age". As a writer, he published thirty books and more than hundreds of short stories, essays, and speeches.

A lot of biography were written for the literary icon, Mark Twain [1835-1910]. His early years and life near the river (Mississippi), his marriage and family, his travels, even his love for science (he was good friends with Nicola Tesla) were printed and published. 

In New York city, it has been claimed that a tour is given to the places he formerly visited nearing his birthday yearly. 

To you Mister Twain, (and with Google's doodle), 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 

Thank you for being an inspiration. :)

Google.com, Nov 30, 2011


 "Courage is the resistance to fear, mastery of fear- not the absence of fear." - Mark Twain




References:
Merriman, C.D. 2006. Mark Twain. Retrieved November 29, 2011 from http://www.online-literature.com  /twain/.

Railton, Stephen. 1996. Mark Twain in His Times. Retrieved November 29, 2011 from http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/railton/index2.html.

The Official Website of Mark Twain. (n.d). Retrieved November 29, 2011 from http://www.cmgww.com/historic/twain/about/bio.htm.



------------------
* I also read the sequel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Its controversy led me to read it differently. It is indeed a Great American Novel.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Seasonal Seasoning

Para kang isang pista na minsan lang sa isang taon na nangyayari. Kinakailangan pa na magsabit ng bandaritas para maisigaw sa lahat na may okasyon. Pero tanong: ano nga ba ang meron?

Safe kong sabihin na higit isang taon na nating kilala ang isa't isa, at least, sa pangalan. Kung bakit nga naman kasi nag-hello ka pa noong pinakilala tayo ng isang kaibigan. At kung bakit ko nga naman kasi naisip na sa paraang iyon ay napaisip ako na may potential ka rin. 

Nakakabaliw na rin isipin kung ano nga ba ang pakay mo sa mga pasimpleng hirit sa tuwing may mga pagpupulong. Mabuti na lamang na sa mga samu't saring pakikitungo at relasyon ay halos expert na ako pagdating sa pagsakay. Pero sa totoo lang, nahihiya na rin ako sa mga reaksyon ko sa tuwing nababanggit ang pangalan ko at sa tuwing tatanungin ako ng iba nating kaibigan kung may namamagitan ba sa ating dalawa. Pati ang sarili kong sagot at paulit-ulit na "wala" ay pinagdududahan ko na rin. Wala rin naman akong matanungan nang maayos kung may katuturan ang mga naririnig ko tungkol sa ating dalawa.

Ano nga ba ang tamang sagot sa tanong na hindi dapat pag-aksayahan ng laway para sagutin? Anu-ano nga ba ang mga pamantayan para sa susunod na tanong ay alam ko ang mapangahas na sagot sa tanong na nakakarindi na rin ibato sa akin? Una, alam ko ang pangalan mo. Pangalawa, alam mo ang pangalan ko. Pangatlo, nakapag-usap na rin naman tayo (nang ilang beses). Pangapat...wala na. 

Sa araw araw na bumabangon at tinitignan ang telepono ko ay ni minsan ay hindi ka nagtext. Bakit nga naman tayo magtetext sa isa't isa nang walang kadahilanan, di ba? Oo nga pala, narinig ko na may pagka-mahinhin ka kaya sa bawat pagkuha ng atensiyon ko ay kinakailangan ng suporta sa kahit anong paraan; madalas-tulay na bulok naman. Pero kahit na may pagka-supladita at maldita ako, ay marunong din naman ako ngumiti kahit man lang sa text. Bakit hindi mo kasi subukan magtanong?  Hindi rin naman lahat ng sagot ko sa magiging tanong mo ay "hindi" kasi naniniwala ako na kalahati ng pagkakataon ay karapat dapat ang sagot na "oo". 

from image sketch


Siguro nga, wala naman talaga ako sa iyo maliban sa isang kakilala sa kung saan. Ilang beses na rin ako nagparamdam para magkausap tayo pero siguro nga ay hindi, man lamang, tayo magiging magkaibigan. Marahil wala sa plano mo ang makipagkilala talaga o panindigan ang mga pabiro mong pagpaparinig dahil siguro nga totoo ang tsismis na hindi ka pa naka-move on. Kung kaya, siguro kahit dumating man ang araw na kinakailangan ko nang umalis ay hindi ka pa rin gagawa ng kahit na ano. Magtanong ka o kahit man lang mag-aya para magkape tayo; hindi ko naman siguro kailangan ipagdamot ang sagot na "oo".

Alam mo, okay ka naman talaga. Kakaiba. Nakakatawa na nakakainis na minsan na sa dinami-dami ng mga kakilala ko, ay ikaw lang itong sobrang labo. 

Napanood mo na ba ang "3 Idiots"? Kung hindi pa, panoorin mo, wala lang: chill.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Questions

It’s has been over a year since the last time it happened. The memory was still vivid: the invitation, the hesitancy, the acceptance, the whiff inside the room, and the flavorful conversation. Even until now, the event left a trace of nothing but mystery. The smiles were still there but they conveyed plain charm. The laughter was still lucid but told a pinch of amusement. 

It was a busy day. I got a call and heard a familiar loud voice at the other end of the line. The exchange of words was quite short; I just heard myself saying, "okay". But then, I didn't realize that an unexpected call led to a memory that until now makes me wonder what is the true meaning of that instance when somebody just sat beside me and said, a different warmth of, ...


Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Sa Aking Mahal



Wakas. Tapos na ang kabanatang ito. Apat na taong ko rin itong isinulat at kailan ma'y hindi ko maikakaila ang samu't saring kahulugan ng bawat pintig ng puso ko. Inakit mo ang musmos kong isip sa iyong mga katangian: malakas, mapanuri, at malaya. Dinala ko ang paghanga ko sa iyo nang ilang taon: pitong taon. 
 
Unang taon.

Sumugal ako para makita ka. Sa isang papel, isinulat ko ang pangalan mo nang may halong kaba at pananabik. Sa hindi inaasahang pagkakataon ay ibinaling mo ang atensiyon sa isang tulad ko. Naging sunud-sunod ang mga pangyayari- ipinakilala mo ang sarili mo at ang mundo mo. Ang galing, pero hindi hamak na ang layo ng agwat ng edad natin. Matanda ka na.

Sa tiwala ng aking mga magulang ay pinayagan akong mag-dormitoryo para mas malapit sa iyo. Sa umaga, lagi mo akong ginigising ng alas- 5 para makapaghanda para sa alas-7 kong klase. Hindi ko ininda ang lamig ng tubig sa umaga, ang (minsa'y) maruming palikuran at ang (minsa'y) kulang sa pangsangkap na almusal. Hindi na bale ang ganoong eksena basta ang alam ko, naroon ka sa may pasilyo naghihintay na samahan ako sa pupuntahan ko. Madalas tayong tahimik habang naglalakad, nag-iisip, at nakikiramdam sa gitna ng basang simoy ng hangin. Tahimik pero masaya akong kasama ka.

Dahil wala kang sasakyan noon, ang hilig nating maglakad; sa ilalim ng sikat ng araw at buhos ng ulan. Nabuo ang mga kuwento sa bawat hakbang ng paa ko sa cemento. Ikinatuwa ko rin naman ang pagpayag mo na isama ang mga kaibigan ko sa kahiligan nating maglakad. Kasabay ng mga halakhak at hikbi, natuto akong makibagay sa mga anak ng negosyante, pulitiko, empleyado, manggagawa at magsasaka. Tao rin naman pala sila, marunong magyabang at posibleng masaktan.

Pagod man sa paglalakad, lagi mo akong pinapaalalahanan na hindi lumiban sa pagkain. Sabi mo pa nga, kailangan bawiin sa pagkain ang nawalang lakas. Kasama ng pagpakilala mo sa ibang kalalakihan sa hapag-kainan, ay nabigyan ng kaukulang pansin ito. Nang dahil sa pagmamahal na iyon, tumaba ako.

Pangalawang taon.

Hindi sapat ang tayo lamang dalawa. May ilang araw na hindi ako ang kasama mo at hindi ikaw ang kasama ko. May mga sandaling hindi ako ang nasa isip ko at (marahil) hindi ako ang nasa isip mo. Pero higit sa lahat, kahit na tayo'y magkalayo, nasa saloobin natin ang ipaglaban ang isa't isa sa mga mata ng mga mapanuring hangal.

Lumipas ang ilang buwan. Nagdesisyon akong lisanin ang dormitoryo at manirahan sa isang bahay sa loob ng campus. Sa kabila nito, nakahinga naman ako nang maluwag sa suportang ibinigay mo. Nabawasan man ang mga pagkakataon ng pagkikita natin sa mga pasilyo ng dormitoryo, sinikap mo naman na abangan ako sa kanto para makasakay ng Ikot.

Sa bagong mundo, namulat ako sa tunay na buhay estudyante. Ibinahagi mo sa akin ang iilang patnubay para mabuhay. Nariyan ang pagsabak ko at paglaban sa mapang-aping sikmura sa pamamagitan ng mga alagad ng kalye. Sa bahay, naging kakampi ko ang bareta at sinag ng araw. Natuto rin akong magkulong sa kwarto para matakasan ang alingawngaw ng tukso at pagkabasag ng mga tinig malapit sa pintuan. Naging kaibigan ko ang dilim, ang init, at pati na rin ang ipis.

Sa taong ito, unti unti kong nasisilayan ang totoong hugis ng mundong kinagagalawan mo. Nakilala ko ang mga kaibigang matagal nang mulat sa katagang parang baluktot na sa mga matatanda ko lang naririnig at ayon daw kay Herbert Spencer- “Survival of the Fittest.”

Sa pagkilala, sa pagsusumikap at munting pag-aaklas, nabawasan ang timbang ko. Nahawa ako sa kalaliman ng utak mo.

Pangatlong taon.

Bumalik ulet ako sa dormitoryo. Subalit hindi tulad nang dati, wala na akong pinaka-iingatang meal card, mas malawak ang pwedeng makasalimuha, at mas malaya (lalo na pagdating sa curfew). Sa kabila ng lahat, ang kalayaang tinatamasa ay para bang isang kandilang nakasindi at unti-unting nauupos. Nagrebelde ako.

Pang-apat na taon.

Mas naramdaman ko ang pagiging malapit sa iyo. Hindi ko akalain na minsa'y isa akong salta sa mundo mo, nangangapa sa kung paano makikibagay sa lahat ng taong bahagi ng buhay mo. Minsan rin akong nakaramdam ng pagkainis, pagkabigo, pagkalumo, at kung ano pang anyo ng pagdamdam sa iyo. Maaaring ang mitsa ng mga naramdaman ko ay ang pag-iisip na sa mga sumunod na buwan ay Pagtatapos na at maaaring hindi na kita makita pang muli.

Ang lahat ng pagtatampo ay kailan ma'y hindi mo pinatulan sa pagpapaalalang hindi ko kailangan ng awa para makakuha ng atensiyon. Kailangan kong maging buo, kahit man lang sa sarili. Kailangan kong lumaban at tumayo nang matuwid sa mga paniniwala ko.


Pagkalipas.

Apat na taon. Apat na kuwento at pagsipat sa mga pangyayaring minsa'y pinangarap na kathang-isip na lang. Apat na taong lumipas subalit pabalik balik sa bawat yapak ng mga paa sa tabi ng kalsada patungong sa kung saan man. Malabo pero malalim; ang pag-tanaw ko ng utang ng loob ay isa sa mga hibla ng pag-ibig ko sa iyo.

Minsan ko na rin inisip ang mahiwalay sa dumudugtong sa ating dalawa. Pagod na ako. Para bang ayoko tumanda na kasama ka. Mas pipiliin ko pang magkita tayo at masambit ang “uy! Namiss kita” kaysa sa makita kita sa, mahigit kumulang, tatlong beses sa isang linggo.

Minsan ko na rin inisip kung kailan mo ulet ako pakikiramdaman. Ang lahat ng mga nangyari simula sa apat na taong pagkakilala hanggang sa ngayon. Kailan mo nga ba ibibigay ang paglaya ko? Hindi na ako masaya subalit nasa saloobin ko pa rin ang mga alaalang hinabi mo sa kasalukuyang pagkatao ko.

Kung kaya't gusto ko pa rin ipaalam na ikaw nga ay aking mahal, minahal, at mamahalin. Isang taimtim na pasasalamat sa pagtagpo ng ating landas. Nai-ukit na sa akin ang tatak bilang isa sa mga nagmamahal sa iyo. Sa aking mahal, ano pa man ang susunod na mangyayari, patuloy kong itataas ang kanang kamao tanda ng paghubog at pag-aruga mo sa akin. Sa malayong lupa man ang aking marating, kailan man ay hindi magbabago ang damdamin.

Sa aking mahal.
U.P.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Isang Pagpatay sa Taong Imburnal

RATED PG
The following entry is just a trick. This is not worth of your time, so you may leave this page. Clicking this link was highly appreciated. Thank you.


********************************

It was never my intention to create a negative impact on your lowly life, Jan Lloyd, after that 15-minute conversation, but then, I realized I should have done otherwise.

“All men are evil.” – Machiavelli

*********************************
I met up with a good friend to help her transact her brother’s cheque. Since she’s not quite familiar with the university, I agreed to accompany her in the shopping center to print out the necessary documents to claim the cheque. A few minutes later, we drove to the institution to talk to the “right man of the job”: Sir Jan Lloyd.  

Just like any other day, I greeted the guard with a smile. Then, I asked for Mr. Lloyd’s whereabouts and was told that he was at the Admin Office. My friend and I exchanged a short chat while walking along the corridor towards the office.

We arrived at the pink office door where the “ADMIN OFFICE” sign was fixed at the top. I knocked once and gently pushed the door. One staff approached us to entertain our query. I told her that we were waiting for Sir Jan Lloyd. She smiled and advised us to just enter through his mini office.

Sir Jan Lloyd was sitting in his soft cushioned arm chair, high enough to make him comfortable. I took a few steps inside hesitating to sit in any of the (guest) chairs in front of him. My friend was one pace behind me.

“O, ano un?”, he greeted us at the doorway.

“Sir, siya po (pointing at my friend) yung kapatid ni Samuel Milby. Ipa-followup…”, I replied.

“Eh, hindi ko na hawak un, kasi sabi sakin huwag ko na daw pakialaman”, he interjected while adjusting himself on his chair arrogantly.

I was a bit confused about his statements, interpreting the words as mine, so I defensively exclaimed, “Sir, siguro po nagkaroon lang ng miscommunication, pero hindi po ganon ang sinabi ko…”

“Ha! Dalawa ang tenga ko (pointing to his ears), iyon ang narinig kong sinabi sakin. ‘Pwede po bang ‘wag niyo na lakarin? Yung kapatid na lang po niya ang mag-aasikaso.’ Ako naman, eh sige. Pero para bang nabastos ako.”

“Sir, hindi naman po yun ang intensiyon ko noong nakausap ko kayo.”

“Hindi e. Ganon nga ang sinabi. Sa isip ko, ‘Aba, itong mga taong ito, tinutulungan na nga e sasabihan pa ako ng ganon. Para bang may porsiyento ako sa cheque na iyon’.”

“Sige po Sir. Kung iyon nga ang nangyari, eh sorry po…”, I was about to extend my apologies but he kept on talking.

“Madami na akong natulungan, pero parang pinalalabas ay may kukunin akong pera doon kaya ako sinabihan na huwag nang makialaman. Matagal ko nang nilakad iyan, andito pa nga ang mga records. Ang akala ko nga nakuha niyo na,e.”  

From confusion, my feelings shifted to uneasiness. I was sure I didn’t say anything about “huwag nang lakarin” but this person was so adamant about it. I focused on what he was saying looking for an opportunity to just say an apology again about what happened to appease him.

My friend might had felt the tension inside the room, so she interrupted, “Hindi ko naman po kasi alam dito. Tsaka actually po, mga once or twice ko lang po nasabi sa kanya (looking at me). Nahihiya nga po ako dito kaya ang nasabi ko nga po ay hingin ko na lang ang number niyo para direkta ko kayong makausap…”

“Oo, iyon pwede pa. Noong una nga, ang ganda ng pasok. Maayos ang usapan namin. Sabi ko ‘Sige, i-followup mo sa akin sa Friday’. Pero after mga 10 minutes ata, bumalik sakin at ang sinabi nga ay ‘Mang Floyd, pwede po bang huwag niyo nalang lakarin, at iyong kapatid nalang daw ang mag-aasikaso’. Iyon ang sinabi sakin.” He went on with, “Grabe, ang tagal kong iniisip ang mga sinabi sakin. Pero siyempre, sa akin lang iyon, ha. Ako naman ay tumutulong lang naman…”

“Sir, Sir!” , calling his attention about his incessant clamor, “Kung iyon man ho ang nasabi ko, hindi ko naman po intention iyon. Sir, I apologize po sa nangyari,” my voice moving more than a decibel higher than before. I also added that I didn’t get his number since he referred one person to look for at the Cashier’s Office.

“Okay na iyon, tapos na. Pero kasi…*blah, blah, blah*”

I just couldn’t understand how he was reacting to my apologies. My heart started to pound fast. I felt my blood rushing to my temples then to my eyes. My lips were more pursed. I changed my stance to defocus myself from making any further comments. I noticed my hands started to shake so I clutched on my back pack straps with both hands. I tried to calm myself lest I just shout, “TO H*LL WITH YOU! TAMA NA NGA, PARA KAYONG SIRANG PLAKA E! HETO NA NGA’T NAGSO-SORRY, EH AYAW NIYO PA RIN TUMIGIL! T*NG**A NAMAN O!”. I succeeded.

My friend was trying to ease the tension again, but without luck. Towards the end, I was on the verge of tears because of rage, that I blurted in a voice enough to be heard in the entire admin office, “GALIT PA HO BA KAYO SA AKIN?!”

“Hindi na, hindi na…*blah, blah*”

“Eh parang galit pa ho kayo e. So okay na po tayo?” He acknowledged half-heartedly.

“Iyon naman pala.” I turned to my friend, “tara na,” and automatically exclaimed, “thank you Sir!”. We left and walked back towards the exit of the building.

Nearing the guard's area where we first entered the building, I asked my friend to accompany me to the lab room to place the bottles of water and pastries I bought earlier. Putting my keys inside the keyhole, I noticed I was shaking again. As I went inside the room, I placed the groceries on top of the table, put my bag down on one chair, took my glasses off, slumped on another chair, and shouted, “T**G*NA NIYA!”. Worried that other people might hear us, she closed the door and sat on an empty chair.

I started to cry. It has been years since the last time I felt this type of anger. Almost every word was followed by “T**G*NA”, “G*G*”, “P*N**TA”, “P*T**G*S” among others. I vented out with foul language coming out of my mouth like wild fireworks. My friend told me to calm down (in case the dev*l was behind the door), directing me to drink water. I answered her that I don’t give an inch of a care if it was the case.

It was the first time I transacted business with him and didn’t expect him to act that way. In the first place, he was talking to clients. We were not his own kids deserving to be spanked because of petty exclamations. In his point of view I was a bit bossy but in my own point of view, he was apparently, evidently, clearly immature and UNprofessional.

Why put in emotions in business? Why never listen to someone and just blabber about OWN’s feelings about what happened ages ago? Why never direct all grievances to the person IN FRONT believed to have created the chaos within (i.e. instead of using “niya” why not use “ikaw”)?

TO MANONG JAN LLOYD (SINCE YOU DON’T DESERVE TO BE ADDRESSED AS “SIR” ANY MORE):


ALAM MO SAYANG, KASI RELATIVELY MATAAS ANG PAGGALANG KO SAYO KAHIT NA EMPLEYADO KA NG ISANG UNIBERSIDAD NA MAY LANTARANG BUDGET CUT. PERO P*T****NA NAMAN, GANON KA PALA UMASTA? HUWAG MO SANA MAMASAMAIN, PERO SA TOTOO LANG, ANG B*B* NG MGA PINAGSASABI MO. BUSINESS LANG MANONG. ALAM KO NAMAN NA MARUNONG KANG GUMAMIT NG TENGA PARA SUMAGAP NG SAMU’T SARING TUNOG PERO HINDI KA MARUNONG MAKINIG AT MAKAINTINDI. ANG SABI MO PA ANG GALING MO  SA PAGTANDA NG MGA BAGAY BAGAY, E BAKIT HINDI MO MAN LANG MATANDAAN ANG PAGPAPASALAMAT KO SA IYO? BINIGYAN KA NA NG PAGKAKATAON PARA MAILAGAY ANG SARILI MO SA DEHADO AT NAABALA, AT I-ANGAT ANG SARILI MO SA LUGAR NG TAMA, PERO KAILAN MAN AY HINDI KA LUMUNOK NG LAWAY PARA PAKINGGAN ANG PAGHINGI NG TAWAD MO AT MAGPALIWANAG MAN LANG. TSAKA PLEASE LANG MANONG HA, HUWAG NA HUWAG MONG BABANGGITIN ANG SERBISYONG GINUGOL MO SA UNIBERSIDAD KASI WALANG TAONG MAY INTERES PARA PANSININ ANG SERBISYONG MAY BAHID NG PANLILINLANG. HIGIT SA LAHAT, KUNG TALAGANG IPINAGMAMAYABANG MO NA ISA KANG MATAPAT NA NAGLILINGKOD, SANA LANG TAPAT KA DIN SA MGA SALITANG BINITAWAN MO- QUITS NA TAYO!
SIYA NGA PALA, GUSTO KO LANG IPAALAM SAYO NA SA SUSUNOD NATIN PAGKIKITA, MAAARING ITURIN NA KITANG ISANG PADER NA MAKAKASALUBONG KO. INGAT MANONG, NAPANSIN KO LANG NA PARANG MARUPOK ANG PAGKAKAGAWA SAYO NG UTAK KO.


***********************

“All men are evil.” – Machiavelli

Cliche as it may sound but really, I have my own set of flaws. I am in the process of nerve-wracking personality repair. I admit I still have my side of darkness, and today, I realized I am a half-blood b*tch



P.S. names were changed for intentional purposes.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Froggy Afternoon



My youngest sister, Athena, texted me in her usual, demanding tone:


Athena: Ate Abick, paano tanggalin ang muscles ng frog? Textback asap.
Me: Anjan ba ung globe number? [she used smart]

Athena: Thanks...[tas text na di ko naintindihan...]
Me: Ano? Yung pagkuha ng muscles ng frog, actual? [Kasi di ko alam. Nagmamagaling lang!]


Athena: Oo. Kasi para sa school at kelangan ko magdissect pagdating sa bahay.
Me: Hala! Natry mo na ba magdissect? Sa paghawak palang ng frog, kelangan ng practice!

Athena: Nahawakan na namin ung frog sa school. Kelangan ko kasi nung bones ng frog. Manghuhuli na lang kami ng frog dito sa bahay.
Me: Magdidissect ka ng real frog? Hindi yan pwede sa bahay! Alam mo ba magparalyze ng frog?

**di na nagreply! nasa bahay na...**

Athena: Ate Abick, hindi pala ako globe. Tapos hindi kami nakahanap ng frog dito sa bahay. Walang lumalabas na frog ngayon.
Me: Paano na ang project mo? Tawag ako. 

*******
Call convo. I asked her about what will happen to her project. She told me some details and what her teacher requirements were and she needs to dissect the frog and come up with frog bones! I told her that it will be messy and bone acquisition will be bloody [literally], and the frog will be pitiful. She answered me that boiling will be the solution. Onga naman, parang nilagang manok lang!

I finally asked her, what's their next activity in school...and she answered...

PITHING. [which i know! ahem, bio 11]

AND...

SMASHING! [may ganon pala?! kawawa naman ung froggy!]

We both laughed. I miss you! :)

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photo courtesy of quepid.org

Friday, September 23, 2011

Colored Stains

Thursday
Somewhere within the campus
1700 hours


“I wanna be where you are…where loneliness is far”, my phone rang with its new tune. I saw my good friend, Gerald's * name flashing at its scree and I answered with the usual, "Hello budz, what's up?" Before I could even hear his voice, I already know the immediate answer. He and his girlfriend fought again and he needed a confidante: ME.

"Bick, are you within the area? Could we have some coffee?”
“I know you, Gerald. Would you want me to meet you up somewhere?”
“No. I’m in my car now, so just tell me where you are and I’ll be there in five minutes.”
“Okay, I'm taking a break from thesis work.”
“All right, boss. On my way now...”

Fifteen minutes later, I saw a blue BMW came towards the direction where I was sitting. Two signature beeps and I know it was him. I gathered my "self-help" books and walked towards the car.

“Nice one you got here. What’s the assessment of BMW's latest model?"
“So, so…”
“So… look straight to me in the eye and tell me it’s NOT your fault, dear.”
"Ask me that same question again when I get our Java frappe, okay? I think I’m going to burst.”

Gerald and I have been good friends. Since the very first day we were introduced to one another in an event, we were kind of inseparable [that is, if his girlfriend was not around]. People wondered for several years why we never became an "official item". We both dig cars, cartoon, comic books (or graphic novels), coffee, cheese pizza, computer games; I'd say almost all, except chem (he prefers sheer numbers)! 

Somewhere outside the campus
1745 hours

We got a nice place at our favorite coffee shop and upon arrival of what we ordered, Gerald began his qualms.

“I was a total idiot.”

He began his story with the days of "bother-me-not-this-time" and I just sat across him listening that I noticed he was angry but was trying to hold back some tears. For thirty minutes, I didn't utter a single word to distract his pace. I just listened to him intently until I heard myself saying the summary of what happened. Deceit. 

from free stock image

My friend has been cheated by the girl he has been dating for five years. The very first day she told him not to bother her (after their latest misunderstanding), it was the day she entertained her high school classmate's "long time admiration of her". Their love story started that same day. [That b--ch!].

As Gerald continued telling me what happened, I could see pain in his eyes that I felt like hugging him. However, to my own surprise, I felt two hot tears  ruining my lightly painted face. 

“Bick, are you okay?”
“Uhh, yes, I am. I think I caught dirt in my eyes. Thanks.” I lied through my teeth though the truth just struck me right then and there. As I removed my glasses and wiped my cheeks dry with my fingers, I wished my phone ring and hear the same tune I heard when Gerald called earlier that day. 

Inside my bedroom
2200 hours

I wanna be where you are…where loneliness is far. We’re a million miles apart, but I know in my heart” Registered: one missed call.



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Note: *fictional character and place

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Dedicated to Someone I call “F”

Funny, of all the letters in the alphabet, I chose the letter F. Maybe because, one, your real name doesn’t have one on it, and two, maybe, because I am lucky; we’re Friends.

It was never my intention to write this dedication but I felt I just have to. It has been months since bits and pieces keep on whirling around my head. Nonetheless, I am very certain that you will never read this.

I am Sorry.
I didn’t expect a simple favor and planned information dissemination would lead to an extended getting-to-know-you-better conversation.  To tell you honestly, that event was not, and never, for you. I think I just let my side of being courteous entertain childlike tête-à-tête. On the contrary, I seemed to enjoy it. Thank you.

I am Sorry.
Accepting a simple invitation was indeed an agreeable mistake. It led to an opportunity to get to know the naïveté beneath your sometimes-somber personality. I admit it would never be easy to face the fact that time comes to pass and there was a need for goodbye’s for the earlier hello’s. The good nights and the good mornings that were something to look forward everyday had to come to an end. I hesitated because you did too.

I am Sorry.
I pity you for the times you said that you were happier and being “yourself” whenever you splurge time with people outside your clique. You mentioned that there was no pressure (the type I don’t comprehend much) at all.  I could still remember, one late night evening, you send me a note that you were inspired that I got curious about it. A short dialogue was entertained but it did not lead to a conclusion as to where does motivation come from. In the end, there were a dozen of what I call, effortful flowers I didn’t expect to receive.




I am Sorry.
The queries that seem to be unusual during knowledge assessment were honey to my bee. You are so affable that I could not brush off the idea of hidden agenda. One incident led to another and before I knew it, I tripped off to an edge of sanity. You’re nonchalant, gallant, and I fell into the trap of admiration.

I am Sorry.
It has been XX months. The last time I heard about you was about The Club. From then on, everyday, literally, I would see your face from everywhere. The moment I wake up, I would check my phone, hoping you sent me an inquiry or just a simple greeting. As I get myself dress to work, I would reminisce the moments I was excited in walking under the morning sun. And, lastly, as I let the wind kiss my cheek, I see you among the people I meet. I see your smile, and it just makes the day worth calling it one. Call it insanity and I would respond, maybe.

I am Sorry.
It hurts the most that by a string of words, everything went down to scratch. I wouldn’t even assure myself that you can keep secrets. I am sorry; you were just too good for me. I did a familiar feat and am proud to found a friend I will always keep even if I change my name.

I am Sorry.
I know there must be something behind those actions. I may be haughty and conceited but I am not dim-witted. It just hurts to know that the feeling may be mutual but you are not hu(man) enough to stand up for what you want. And I say it again, I am Sorry; for now, you’re just worth the tears. 



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11/30/2009
 
 

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