College Life

I've recently just posted a bulletin at Friendster about College Life. It made me think, after browsing through the post of one of my batch mates in HS, that HS seemed more fun and College seemed more real. I agree. I mean, when we were in HS it was like overflowing with exuberance every time. I remember one point in time when I played sick just so I could go to the clinic and stay there for a while so I won’t have to attend Filipino class with Gng. De Vera. All those silly things I did back then, which I thought were OK at that time. But then I was always scared. I was scared not to be able to engage in class discussions or even afraid to speak out. I was scared to be absent again and suffer its consequences. I was scared to even talk to my seatmate and scared that I would get a failing mark, again. In college, you are on your own. Sometimes you’re not afraid at all. It is at this time when you try things you were curious of back in HS. Life was different because you are dealing with friends who come from everywhere and that you need to establish an identity. You can live your way out of HS with just the same friends you had over and over again. In college, it hurts when one of you is left behind or if one decides to shift courses. It hurts when you’ve worked your butt off and you can never negotiate with your professor. What’s done is done.

But then again, I miss HS life. I miss my friends and that time at graduation when everyone was crying. I miss those friends whome i thought were for real but just plain synthetic. I miss my teachers who, in one-way or another, had to kiss my ass, when I struggled to kiss theirs.

Anyway, the clash is always immemorial.

I have been to Baguio a couple of times already when I was younger, usually with my Dad or my Aunts and friends. Last December, I had this escapade with my husband and son for the first time, and I have never felt thrilled in my entire life, driving all through the night, which seemed would never end.

Finally, we were able to settle down. As much as we would want to benefit from what the city has to offer, we vulnerably slept through the whole morning, except for me who rested just a few hours.

I distinctively found myself in the middle of Session Road that day looking for Strawberries. I had wanted to prepare this once in a blue moon shake for my hubby and son who were still sleeping in our cozy rest house in Tuba, Benguet. It was a cold morning and the weather was just so perfect for anybody who is free to go for a walk down this busy road, to the park where they sell grilled sweet corn and squid. A small basket I was holding and in it, were a few veggies, which I strongly believe were always fresh, and a kilo of the strawberries we all desired for.

Baguio City was all I ever imagined it to be. Distinctive. Cold. Perfect. Sweet. It is a once in a blue moon vacation that would be the envy of most, if not all. Its 6-hour drive was worth the entire wait.

It is distinctive of its cultural identity that has always amazed people from all parts of the world. I often reflect on how it must be like to live close to the heavens. My stay was enough to really know how hardworking these people are, how they value nature at its best, and how proud they all are of the land they call home.

It is indeed cold, the coldest point in our tropical country. But more than that, it gives warmth on the other hand, in ways that are unforgettable.

It is close to perfection, among other things, and the places we’ve visited left us awe-struck. They say it is best to go there during the summer when it’s very exciting. I say, it doesn’t really matter which season you prefer, because everyday is an exciting day for the people of Baguio and to those who visit them.

Baguio showed us its sweetness when we paved our way on top of the mountains when we felt its soft breeze and when we walked the parks and found my husband’s engaging embrace, and my son’s majestic smile.

I’ve always enjoyed my stay in Baguio. It’s one of those places where you really want to thank God for giving us such a haven.