She Came And She Conquered

I remember a Christmas party when I was still a kid. I received a box of mosquito coil wrapped in a fancy Christmas wrapper. To say that I was disappointed would be an understatement. I had a mixed of emotions–wonder, awe, dread..I wondered why anybody would think a 9-year old kid would want a mosquito coil. I was in awe–mosquito coil–I suddenly felt very grown-up! Dread..did I have mosquito bites all over?? Then I opened it..and my face broke into a smile.

Apparently, the lady ran out of boxes. Must be last minute shopping. So she placed her luscious candy goodies in a mosquito coil box (now, why she thought of that is way beyond me!). Disappointment into joy. Heaven!

Before my husband left, my mother-in-law told me (in not so many words) that she was hoping I’d still “come home” eventhough their son won’t be there. Ask any newly married woman and they will tell you that that was scary! But I had no choice, she so ordered, I made a promise and it was done.

I actually kept postponing it until I ran out of excuses. So last Monday, I packed an overnight bag and headed “home”. And you know what, it was pretty much like that Christmas when I received a box of mosquito coil. I was ready to be disappointed but I actually had a good time (any newly married woman would be shocked at this). Although sleeping alone in a bed that brought back so many memories of my husband really sucked, my stay was actually nice.

Do you think it’s awful that I compared my stay with my in-laws to a box of mosquito coil? I was only being…poetic.

Today’s sing along song: Conquered by Lara Fabian

10th Avenue

It’s an old church—turned 76 last March. Its façade is typical with any old Protestant churches in the world—white paint, cross on top, stained glass…I should know…I grew up in it.

It is located at 10th Avenue, one of the busiest avenues in Caloocan. Up until 1990, a house to its left was where my friend Jenny lived until she got married and moved to another part of the city not far from 10th Avenue.  Across from it was a 4-door apartment where my family used to live. Next door was where Mayet, another good friend, resided. A few houses more and you’d find my best friend Ivy and her family.

I can’t remember the first time I went to this church but I do remember my mom helping me and my big sister to cross the street every Sunday to attend Sunday school. Since we lived across this church, we hardly missed a Sunday school or children’s choir practices. My first memory of being in this church was watching my older brother in a “concert” or a dance musicale of Pambatang Papuri. I remember him in a cowboy costume, a costume I would be wearing a few years later when our batch of children’s choir did this Pambatang Papuri concert.

Being in a children’s choir is probably one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I remember being 8 years old and wearing “toga and sash” every Sunday. We would sit in the choir loft and talk and eat while waiting for the pastor to finish with his (looong and what seemed to us was boring) message so we could sing and dance and show ‘em parents what we’ve got and how cute we could be. What they didn’t know was that hours before the service, we would troop to the store and fill our pockets with candies and various junk foods to kill the boredom of sitting and “listening” to the sermon. I remember our choir conductress, Ate Eva, giving us looks that might as well mean “lagot kayo sakin mamaya!” whenever she would catch us making noise up there in the loft and having little “picnics”…

A few years more and you would see us, same faces but with bigger chest and sassier mouths. Jenny was voted as the Youth president, Ivy, the treasurer and me as the PRO. Another comical character in this story was Ate Amy, the youth clown and secretary. Because we were already solid “barkada” during this time, you could just imagine the kinds of activities we planned for the youth. We had a camp, dinner fellowships, joint fellowships (in guise of guy hunting) and other outreach programs. Many considered that the most successful set of youth officers.

Every school vacation, we would volunteer to teach in the Vacation Bible School (VBS) although at that time, it was only an excuse, for the benefit of our parents, to meet up more than usual. Although lasts for only a week, if you’re a teacher or a staff, VBS means a month of meeting every day. We had to prepare materials, attend orientation, make evaluation, etc. So you see, VBS is just an excuse. But a good excuse too because I, and I’m sure them too, learned from this experience a lot.

I also remember those after practice trip to Wendy’s where we would stay and talk until late at night. Although we were all only dependent on our school allowances, we somehow managed to produce money for this almost daily dinner out. I had so many good memories and made lasting friendships in this church.

I already told you that Jenny is now happily married with a very cute baby boy. My sis is now living in the US with her husband. Ivy is (apparently) engaged and is moving to Italy on Sunday. And me? You all know I just got married. I was also blessed to be given an opportunity to work and live (for a while) in the US where hubby will join me a few months later..So why am I telling you this?

I’m loyal..I cling to things that had been good to me. My friends and Unida, they are a part me..they’re in my system. But much as I hate it, I know that change is inevitable and that life moves on. I do not know what will become of this little 10th avenue a few years from now but I the picture that I want to remain in memory is the 10th avenue of the late 80s to early 90s. I do not know what will become of Jenny and Ivy and my other friends (although from the way wehad grown up together..parang alam ko na ending ) but I want to remember them as the carefree teenagers that they were back in the 90s. The mali-mali and tactless but very pretty Jenny, the friend of everybody that is Ivy, Mayet “the rebel” but very thoughtful and funny, Ate Amy…the funny girl and life of any party (di nauubusan ng kalokohan!) and my sis..puro kalokohan ang nasa isip!

I did tell you that I love the Philippines, right? And these people and those memoried are some of the reasons why leaving the country is such a hard thing to do.

                         

Bachelorette Party

Last Friday, my sis threw the wackiest party for me…a bridal shower!! All our childhood friends were there. I can’t remember the last time I laughed as much as last Friday’s! And ate as much! It was a good feeling..I hope marriage would feel like that, too.

Can’t Wait!

I saw some friends today. Not just friends but good, old friends. Not just old friends but old as in waaaaaaaaaay back childhood We’ve seen each other played backyard football and barbies, talked about our high school crushes; ransacked each other’s house; mulled over college school applications, debated which job to take, attended each other’s wedding and stood as godmother to one’s child. Yep..those kind of friends. The sort of friends you can’t hide from because they’ll know where to find you

 We planned what we’ll do when my sis comes home for my wedding. Hah! My sis..she’s so excited I’m sure her mind’s in Manila already! We planned my bridal shower, too. Oohhh..this is going to be FUN! From dinner to spas and dinner and did I say dinner?

Hay…I should be able to finish my practicum by then para makasama sa lakwatsa! And do all these MA stuff! Hay ulit. My mind’s no longer into studying..!

Today’s sing along song: I’m So Excited!

P.S.

Eight days after January 1 and I’ve written NOTHING about New Year! My bad. Blame this to the non-holiday atmosphere I experienced in the land of the Sultan.

Well, as a matter of fact, a few minutes before midnight on December 31 last year, I was fiddling with J’s laptop, trying to come up with some new year’s resolution or some blessings’ list but I was very disturbed by the lack of fireworks so I decided not to write at all and dwell on the loneliness of the holidays on a foreign land.

I went to the window and saw a very short fire display at a distance (to which the Bombay couple next door were also watching). Well, that was it. I said a cheerful “happy new year!” to the couple from India and was rewarded with a stiff smile from the guy and “are-you-nuts” look from the girl. Happy new year, girl.

Oh well, it’s definitely not too late to write down my blessings and rant off my “not-to-do’s” this year…

I received so many blessings last year. The Lord gives perfect gifts to His children and I’m so thankful to the Lord that He gave me wonderful gifts! All I can say is that He made 2008 a hopeful year for me. As the song says “the future is so bright coz Lord you are my Light..” Amen! I am very giddy with excitement to everything the Lord has in store for me this year!!

Okay..I know resolutions are BAD and unreliable so what I will do next is to sort of evaluate my weaknesses last year. As I go through my life this 2008, I can have this list as a checklist for improvements Ready?

1. I was so lazy and lax this year.

2. I lived a very unhealthy life–no exercise, lots of fatty and oily foods, less water and less sleep.

3. I still harbor bad thoughts about some people..:(

4. I worried a lot..and

5. I spent more than I earned!

I know there are more but those are only the things I am willing to share in public The rest I will keep in my locked file (called brain) where no one can see..harhar.

Ha-ha-happy New Year!