another farewell

We just finished our Christmas/December birthdays/Graduation celebration. It was also the farewell party for Kuya Mario who finished his Master's and is going back to the Philippines. It was a really joyous gathering...well, until it came time to give him the tokens and whatnot. Of course, since I'm such a crybaby, I was one of the first to shed a tear when we were showing the Tribute for him. I really am sad that he's leaving. He's been one of my big bros here and he was always very easy to talk to. I'll really miss him.

First it was Rey, then Kuya Bernard and Ate Noreen, and now Kuya Mario...sigh...I wonder how Tita Beth and Doc Ronald deal with it time after time. They're like everyone's surrogate parents and each time they give so much of themselves...then the students graduate and leave....and the cycle starts again. In the next year, several of the people who came while I was already here are graduating too. No matter how short you've known each other, circumstances have thrown you together and have enforced a bond between you. With everyone having such great potential for success and prospects all around the world, it's sad that perhaps when you hug them goodbye, it really is the last time you'll see them. Sure there's email, instant messenger, etc, etc...but nothing beats the Sunday donuts after mass, or Saturday potlucks, or Friday MGD nights...roadtrips, shopping sprees, and karaoke...sigh...

This whole being sad business is making me miss my friends from home, too. And most of all, I really wish that John (my husband, my best friend, my picker-upper) was here. These are the kinds of moments (well, one of the many moments), that I would have liked to share with him, work through with him...you know what I mean? It's all right...we just keep telling each other that it won't be long. We just need to be patient and everything will fall into place...another big SIGH...

Anyway, I better get some shut eye. It's finals week and I've got some major studying to do. Three exams to go before I can take a breather and enjoy the holiday break. The biggest SIGH...