I talked to four strangers today. 4 people, I never knew before but shared something with today. They were part of my day, and I was part of theirs. 3 of them I may never meet again. 1 may be a future friend : ) Oh, I do hope so. It'd be lovely to make a new friend.
So my day started early. I woke up at 6.30 am : ) Thank God I even got up : P I left the apartment at around 7. As I was leaving, my neighbor in the adjacent apartment was leaving too. It was the first time I saw someone come out of that apartment and I've been living in Xanland for a couple of months now. We smiled at each other and I decided to just blurt out, "Good morning!" We rode the elevator together and we exchanged some words. Then, we walked to school together. She's a Freshman, Management Economics major, who also happens to be living alone. She talked about how boring it was in the condo and I agreed. It really is boring sometimes. I'm glad I met her. I hope we get to know each other better. It would make living in Katipunan a lot less lonely.
I was thinking about it as I walked home from Math class. I was on the blue bridge and I realized that independence is overrated when it's a solitary thing. I live alone. I have the liberty to do whatever I want to. I can go out at night. I can leave my place messy. I can do whatever I want to. However, it's not as fun when all you have is yourself. You eat alone. You do homework alone. You go to sleep alone. That queen-sized bed that sits inside your bedroom will only ever house your small tiny frame and no one else's. The dining table with 2 chairs is only occupied by you (and the books you borrowed from Rizal Lib). The huge variety of cup noodles and cookies are mostly enjoyed by you. Everything is alone. It made me realize that I miss home. The contrast between my life in the south and my life here in Katipunan is just so stark. At home, sometimes I'd be lying down on my bed and suddenly my dog would come and greet me. Sometimes my little nephew, whom I love so so so much, would run in screaming, "Nanang." He'd climb onto my bed and we would dance together or just sit and stare at each other's shoes. I don't have my drivers and maids to goof around with. I don't have that tiny little sari-sari store down the street to buy whatever it is I'm looking for and run into friends. I can't climb into my parents' bed and sleep as my dad snores a symphony while my mother watches CSI.
No matter what issues may lie underneath. My home is still my home.
But I'm so thankful because I've been learning so much. I've learned to be trusting and ask for help sometimes. I've learned to be conscious of the people around me. Everyday, I start to recognize the little blessings God gives me. My day usually starts with a "Good morning Tetel!" from the guards of my building and those of Security Bank. At night, new friends like Bong or Anton would offer to bring me home from training. I would take a tricycle to school sometimes and the other trike drivers would smile and tell whoever was driving the one I was going to ride, "alagaan niyo si ate, ha!" Sometimes I would share a few words with people I ride the elevator with. We'd smile, greet each other, and wish each other the best. It's just amazing. This whole experience is making me realize that cynicism about others is irrational when you recognize the goodness of the people you encounter every day.
I spent today laughing. Literature and Math were fun today. I really feel the vibe of college. I'm starting to realize that I do have a lot to say and they're things that merit attention. Everyone does. I'm starting to share the things that I used to keep myself because I was embarrassed by them. I'm voicing out my opinions and interpretations. It's just such a good feeling : )
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The three other strangers I talked to were tricycle drivers. The ban of tricycles across Katipunan was lifted and I'm glad to see them lined up across Katipunan again. To a certain extent, I guess they're part of the culture here. Trikes make it feel more like Katipunan. At least for me :P I did miss them. HAHA. God, I'm so weird. Today I met Kuya Rolly and two other tricycle drivers. I only caught Kuya Rolly's name because I spent the most time with him. We talked as he filled up his tank with gas in Petron. For the most part, when I heard the news about the tricycle ban, I was concerned about the trike drivers and their families. I don't really take trikes, so I wouldn't be so affected. But how about them? Gas prices are up and now a trike ban? That was just unfair. How would they make a living? I could only imagine what they were going through. Today, as I shared conversations with three tricycle drivers, I guess the full extent of the ban's repercussions really hit me. It was really hard for them, they said. They hardly made anything. Before the trike ban was imposed they were only making 200 to 300 a day. "Basta makakain, ayos lang diba?" Kuya Rolly said with a smile. It was a lot more difficult when the MMDA decided to go on that poorly thought-of resolution to the traffic situation of Katipunan. I can only imagine how horrible that ban must've been. I'm just glad that things are okay now. I hope it stays that way. I enjoyed that ride with Kuya Rolly. He was such a friendly person. It was really heartwarming how he joked and smiled a lot. He even turned down my offer to buy him gas! I'm glad I met him today. I hope I meet him again some time in the future : )
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So maybe on weekdays I don't have my dog, Cocoa, my nephew, EJ, my drivers, Lito and Johnny, my maids or my parents. I'm just glad to realize that family comes in different forms. I have CADs. I have friends, from other schools, who call and visit. I have my blockmates, XX1. I have Mang Elmer and the other guards of Xanland. I have my friends from Ateneo. I have people like Kuya Rolly. I have my coursemates. I have Him : ) It may not be perfect but I really do think it's a damn good alternative.
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It's a good day so far. I just wanted to share it. I do hope my neighbor and I get to know each other better. It'd be absolutely awesome to have a friend here in the condo. At least, maybe someday I can fill the other chair in my dining table : P
