simple thieves

A classmate and I were forced to take a cab to get to the nearest FX terminal because it was already late. When we asked the driver how much the fare was, he said it was 60. Experience would tell you that it’s more than what it should have been. So I looked at the meter, it wasn’t on! I confronted him about it, “Manong, sira ata yung metro niyo.” That smartass said, “Hindi yan sira, mahina lang ang ilaw.” I said, “Manong naman, nakapatay oh. Tingnan mo.” Well, there wasn’t even a hint of light, and I couldn’t imagine how he read the amount from a dead meter. I should have checked that out when we got in, but I hadn’t expected drivers do that nowadays. But because my classmate was uncomfortable with the confrontation, he gave the driver a 100-peso bill. The driver said, still uncontented with his machinations, said, “Pano ba to? Wala akong pang-sukli e.” That was a difference of 40 pesos! That’s already a rice meal for us students, or 80 pages or more of photocopied papers, or some other more important use than just giving it away to him. I just couldn’t believe the audacity of that man. My usually submissive classmate also couldn’t take the guts of that man. He asked (more like insisted) for the 100-peso bill back, with the driver hesitating, and gave him 60 pesos composed of a 20-peso bill and numerous coins. I got out, and closed the door with the loudest bang that I can.

The following day, while walking alone in a street in Manila, a woman approached me. “Miss, pwedeng magtanong?” (I hoped it would not be a salestalk for wholesaleinsurance.net) So I paused and waited for her question. She was wearing a decent slacks and blouse. Initially, it seemed that she got lost and needed directions. She explained that someone told her that the terminal to Batangas was in that street and that she came from the province (she didn’t mention what). Before I can tell her that I do not know a bus terminal in the area, she went on and on until she finally said, “hindi ako pulubi, pero kung pwedeng bigyan mo naman ako ng pamasahe.” So dismayed, I just shook my head and walked ahead.

stranger than your sympathy

This week marks the beginning of the end of my first year in law school. But of course, I would have to take and hopefully pass the finals before the first year finally ends. I would need a lot of system memory and tons of prayers for that. They say that when it rains, it pours. And indeed, it’s pouring hard nowadays. The exams are the least of my worries, but not one that I can just dispense with. I felt like drowning, only I know how (and had) to swim. What can I do? C’est la vie.

Today, a song seemed to be playing on and on in my head, particulary these following lines from Goo Goo Dolls sympathy (it’s a good song, listen to it):

uninspiring, unecouraging, and demotivating but funny

It has been several years since I stopped believing every New Year’s eve that the coming year’s gonna be great to me and to my family. It never happens. At most, it was an OK year. This is not cynicism, though I have accused myself of that several times. Perhaps it might be classified more as realism; in reality, it’s hard to believe so much only to be disappointed in the end. Yeah, chickenshit. Might as well surprise myself.

This isn’t to say I have lost hope in all things. It’s just my spirits aren’t as high as before. (I miss those days.) I would believe more in unicorns than in changes of human behavior. This isn’t gullibility; this is reality.

In all life’s drudgery and despair, saved only by simple precious pleasures in life, pep talks by family, friends, and even by huge billboards with life insurance quote abound. Essential for survival, I guess. But me and my friends like posting on our shoutouts, uninspiring, unencouraging, and totally demotivating quotes. Apparently, they seem more real than the inspirational talks on life and love. Surprisingly, rather than walking on downtrodden paths, they make us laugh.

Some that elicited the best laughs (and a little ouch!) we’ve had so far are as follows:

Dreams are like rainbows. Only idiots chase them.

Quitters never win, winners never quit, but those who never win AND never quit are idiots.

Because nothing says “you’re a loser” more than owning a motivational poster about being a winner.

Just because you’ve always done it that way doesn’t mean it’s not incredibly stupid.

Hard work often pays off after time, but laziness always pays off now.

I wonder if I was laughing at the lines or at myself.

leaving work

Our professor asked our classmate, “are you working?” He said, “yes.” “Do you wanna be a lawyer?” He said another yes. “Then you better resign.”

The words resonated again and again in my head. I already knew that work is never an excuse for failing grades or poor recitations. Rather, the professors would never excuse you for that alone. You better know your priority, that’s what they’re probably trying to say.

There were numerous times my heart beats were racing fast (registering to the maximum in an oximeter) because I wasn’t prepared for class. As the professor said those words, I really felt the urge to leave my current work. This isn’t really because of school, but mostly because work has been such a drag. But of couse, it isn’t as easy as A, B, and C.

This isn’t really about priority between work and school. It’s actually about priorities and choices in work in general.. The question that remains is: How would you know if it’s already time to leave your work? Is it the number of years? Is it the number of friends? Is it the location? Is it the boss? Is it the place? Is it the satisfaction? Is it the pay? I know someone who left after intrinsically connected reasons; still, others left just because of the environment alone.

If the question is one of necessity, there wouldn’t be a question at all. But if one has a choice, what would be the consideration?

in heavenly peace

Undoubtedly, summer is already here, or at least the heat of it. And all people—students, workers, and homebodies alike—cannot be helped but be succumbed to that insurmountable urge to just stay at home and sleep…

Still long hours away from the comforting bliss of my bed, I can only daydream of the softness of my pillows, with the brightness outside shut out by the closed roller blinds and the only sound is the chirping of birds just outside.

I wish I could sleep just like her:

McDo Photo Sessions

Because Eduard achieved good grades for the third grading, I promised him to treat him to McDo. And as children never forget promises (hehe), we proceeded to McDo today. We brought along his two brothers with us, because he wanted to share the “prize” with them. Children have such good hearts.

We brough a camera along and took photos of their youthful faces (no need for the best acne treatment yet), and the results were children so much delighted with McDo’s sundae. =)

 Eric, Ian, and Eduard

We have consumed about 20 sachets of ketchup for only two orders of fries. Each one of us took turns in asking the crew for ketchup. hehe. Each time, the crew seemed to look with a suspicious eye. haha. =)

 their version of bulag, bingi, at pipi

I think it took us 15 minutes to consume our meals, and around 45 minutes picture taking. hehe. :p

the cutest feline

Our little girl loves animals, especially cats and dogs. She giggles so much whenever she sees Casper, especially when she’s playing with him and touching his furs. When she’s not in the mood or crying over something, the best move is to bring her to Casper, and she lightens up quickly. I think she seldom sees these furry animals abroad, that’s why she’s still fascinated anytime. OR she got the love of dogs from me. hehehe.

During the weeks that she was here in the country, and in a visit to a family friend’s house, she was so excited to see that there were cute, well-maintained cats in that house. She wasn’t a bit afraid to touch the cats, and she kept on running toward them with that sense of wonder in her eyes. And her lolo, in turn, kept running to catch up with her (no need for a natural weight loss supplement with all the running she did!). hehe.

And when she finally caught up with one of these cutie cats:

She likes these animals so much, her mom accessorized her like one:

She’s the cutest feline ever!

jolly, good fellow

While the car was being filled with gas, this very enthusiastic gasoline boy approached me and asked the usual, “ma’am windshield?” but instead of the usual waiting for answer, he already started wiping the windshield, “sige ma’am, linisin na natin, ang alikabok na.” What he said was totally true, and I wasn’t a bit annoyed. Besides, he had this very amicable chubby face, and his sunny disposition was contagious.

I closed the window when he started cleaning the windshield, but I noticed that he kept on talking to me. This time, I can’t help but smile at his talkativeness (perhaps his mom had taken those prenatal vitamins). So I opened the window to hear him talk. “Siguro ma’am galing kayo sa beach.” I laughed at his seemingly innocent description of the car’s dirt (it hasn’t been washed for 2 weeks or more, I guess). He went on, “ang dumi kasi, ang kapal ng buhangin.” I just laughed at his joke or naive remark. He went on talking and talking and saying that he wanted to clean the car because that’s how they are at the gas store — they offer good servive. “Gusto niyo ma’am, linisin na natin lahat.” I said that it’s ok, just the windshield, I really had to go to the office already. And in no time, 4 other gasoline boys helped out in cleaning the whole car!!! Some were in charge of the windows; some, of the body. It was really funny. I felt overpowered by their enthusiasm and cheerful faces. All the time they were cleaning, the talkative chubby guy was talking to me, and to his co-workers, and to me again. He seemed to be talking to everybody. And we all just involuntarily adapted his “bright, sunny day” attitude.

It didn’t take long before the 5 guys finished wiping the car. And he said, “sabi ko sa inyo ma’am, i-cacarwash namin, e. Ayan, ma’am. hindi na nakakahiya yung sasakyan niyo.” haha. I asked him his age because he reminds me of litte naughty boys (like my cousin Billy). He said he’s 24. I told him, “bibong-bibo ka ah.” And we all laughed. I think I’ve alreay met Totoy Bibo.

double whammy

I planned on using the car after about 2 weeks of it just parked outside the building where I stay. It has accumulated a lot of dust and writings from people who find it amazing to write on built-up dust. After I’m all set and my stuff are all packed, when I started the car, there was nothing. Not even a slight sound of ignition. Though I was kinda hesitant to knock at my officemate-neighbor’s room because he might still be asleep, I nevertheless went outside his door and called out to him. Luckily, he just woke up, and he helped me with recharge the car’s battery through series connection with his car’s battery. So the car engine eventually started, but I was already an hour late from my planned schedule.

I thought the car trouble for the day was already over that morning. After I left the office, I proceeded to my car, opened the radio and listened to the showbiz news (usually, the hosts are just plugging products and net sites like phenterminedietpill.org and greeting VIPs, right kg?) But in the afternoon, while driving through EDSA at around 60-80 kph, I suddenly (as in it really caught me by surprise!) lost my brake. I almost hit the car in front of me. I don’t know exactly what happened, but it’s a good thing (more like luck) I was able to swerve to the other lane, and a GOOD THING, there was no fast car behind me or in that lane. After I was able to drive the car to a side street, I felt seriously scared; my knees suddenly trembled. I couldn’t imagine what could have happened. Even if it were just damage to property, it would be a hell lot of problem that I doubt I could easily solve. But if it were more than that, well, I don’t know.

After the brakes were fixed, I was thinking if these were omens. I was half-expecting I’d be in an accident before the day ends. It’s another good thing that the day ended without an accident.

a familiar stanger

Almost every night, I buy my dinner at this 24-hour convenience store that sells almost anything (even the best fat burners for women). I was happy when they started offering those on-the-go rice meals, since looking for a place to eat or buy food had always been a problem at night, especially when the carinderias are already closed.

After some time, I have come to recognize the faces of the store crews, and they had come to know mine. Since the cashier noticed that I was a regular customer (”si maam palaging bumibili dito“), we started exchanging small talks every time I come to their little store. Even the guard gives me a friendly nod every time and even allows me to read the newspapers they are selling! Actually, I really didn’t have to say what my order is. I just have to nod when they ask, “same maam?”

I guess all of us have those familiar strangers whom we do not know the name of (or we find out just later on), but we interact with them with that friendly familiarity. They aren’t total stangers, but not exactly friends. There’s really not much interaction with them, just the small chitchats, and yet you feel at ease with them.

There’s a bit of sadness when I find out just tonight that yesterday was their last days at the store. I’d probably never meet them again. They had become part of my daily routine, though only for just 5 minutes in a day. Well, I wish them luck for they had been warm to me during our encounters today. I’m sure, in the course of our lives, there will always be those familiar strangers.