a bus life

May 25, 2010

I must say I am getting used to this Makati lifestyle, especially the commuting to and from work part.  I remembered my happy-mood article on buses and beggars set here in Makati, and I still laugh whenever I think of that experience.

Now that the run-to-the-bus or the squeeze-yourself-to-the-door-of-the-bus experience is part of my daily routine, it sometimes stresses me out. Nevertheless, there are so many things and people to observe whenever you are in an overcrowded bus, that is, if you have the space to turn your head haha. In this country, all sorts of people take the bus or the jeepney. Even some rich people cannot afford (or will not pay for) that precious, precious parking lot. And that is the reason that the overcrowded bus is a mini-Philippines, only, the lower and middle class rule (tayo yun!).

I’ve seen the young, the old, the long hair, the bald, the typical employees, the call-center people, the ab workouts gym buff, the sosyaleras with matching huge shades, the MMDA, the promdis (katulad ko!), the nursing students, the punks, the emos, and the people who will never take that damn bus again.

The last category of people are the most fun to see. They look funny when you see the frown on their face. When they hold on to the bars so tightly for dear life. When they complain of the sardine-style accomodation. When they continue blabbering about the driver’s driving. And when nobody, I mean nobody, is paying them any attention. haha.

P.S.

To that lady in yellow, please move to the back when the konduktor asks you to. Ginagawa niya lang trabaho niya, at napagtatawanan ka lang. haha.

in pursuit of law (and justice)

When I learned that Mom has cancer, I was deliberating about stopping from law school. I thought about working double time on my freelance jobs because this sickness is much, much more than my family can pay for. As soon as I learned of the news, I was already thinking of where to get that extra cash. It isn’t as easy as getting more jobs or getting the best weightloss products (i.e., writing this post). As of now, I haven’t thought of any, but I already left my old work because I needed to refresh my parents’ consumed health insurance.

Anyway, I already thought of abandoning or postponing schooling. I was not about to tell anyone of this plan. I do not want any member of the family to take pity of me, though I myself had been sulking in self-pity at that time (oh, the thought of never becoming what you want to be…). But my semi-financier grandmother asked me when the next enrollment is, and I said, in a low voice, without looking at her face, that I will not enroll this semester. Immediately, I felt the sadness that she felt, and the gloom in her face was unmistakeable. There was serious disappointment and pain that she was not able to hide. She felt pity for me. My lola was a very strong person despite her small frame, but it appeared to me then that she was about to cry, trying hard to hold back her tears (I guess I got it from her).

Immediately, I tried to explain or to arrive at a compromise. I couldn’t handle her if she cried. I told that there will still be next years, or maybe not take full load, or maybe transfer to another school. Her whole point was that she wanted me to be “stable” before she leaves this world, and she said it’s not that long (gosh.. writing this is painful). And I decided to give her what she wanted, what I wanted. In my mind, I know it’s gonna be much, much more harder than last year, with the new work and the new sickness and all. My only comfort is that there are still many friends who give me small talks and moral booster.

When I think about it, perhaps this pursuit of law is really my pursuit of justice. That if only I will work really really hard, in the end, I will get what I, and others who believe in me, deserve.

aquariums for rent

If you want to live in an aquarium for 8 thousand pesos, go to Makati!

These are the units that I found near the central business district. Yesterday, I went to three low-rise buildings in side streets in Makati. I was baffled whenever they say the price. A 10-square-meter unit with very poor ventilation is 7998 or something. haha. What? That’s like 200% more than what you would have to pay for when you’re anywhere else. The funny thing is, you only need to add a thousand more, and you get to live in high-rise condos with doorbells and fast elevators plus easier access to transportation. Perhaps that’s why, there are many empty aquariums for rent in there. haha.

 

the ubiquitous big C

I applied for this work as a medical writer last year. I had no specific idea on what the work would be. I only know that it will get me off my old job and will give me and my dependents paid health insurance.

Two weeks before starting in this new work, I learned that my mother has breast cancer. When I started, I learned that the work is all about experimental drugs for cancer patients. So cancer talk at home, cancer writing at work (oh yeah, just like air. It’s everywhere). What a coincidence, I think. Some subjects do not get well, some probably do. Sometimes, it stresses me out writing all the adverse events (especially the fatal ones) that happen in the course of chemotherapy, though most of the time they do not. I only hope they already develop that cure for cancer, just like a new diet pill is developed every week. I hope that this somehow super-little contribution of mine to the cure for cancer would have an effect, albeit super little.

Still, I am optimistic of our fight against cancer. I have Eric and kg’s mom to support that.