Mini Spring Break

I am so glad that John and I decided to get away for the weekend. I know that I probably could have gotten a lot of things accomplished over the 3 days that I was gone...but now I feel so much better. I guess I needed the change of environment so I could recharge. What made the weekend so much better is the fact that John and I spent it with friends--good friends! Being able to bridge the past and the present and knowing that these friends will be part of the future as well just gives me a great feeling, and more reasons to be thankful.

RITCHIE

Ritch and I have known each other since we were 10. Wow...20 years of shared memories! Amazing. Our friendship has actually gone full circle. While we were in Brent, we were good friends and we hung out with the same people (well, we didn't really have much choice, there were so few of us!). I guess you could say I was the Ate then too--I knew all his crushes, his pet peeves, and all other problems, ups, down, and whatever. We even moved to Manila together for college, both at UP Diliman. After our freshman year, we started going our own ways and I guess it was at that time that we drifted apart. (Well, there was more to it than that, but I won't go there right now). I guess college and beyond, we began to have our own groups of friends who were very different from each other and really, it seemed that all we had in common was Brent--just Brent. Since we left the Philippines, we've tried to keep in touch and I must say we've done a decent job at that. Emails, phone calls, notes on Friendster--I mean we were still friends, but it just was not the same.

After his visit late last year and more so after this weekend, I am SO glad that we have had the chance to reconnect in the way that we were in Brent. I guess reminiscing about the good old days helped, but also because we are both more mature now...we've both made something of ourselves, and we both understand why we did the things we did then. Full circle. I just want to take the time to say-- Ritch, I'm sorry I wasted all that time in between then and now. I may have done or said things that hurt you, but know that I'm sorry. I didn't realize what I took for granted until we kept talking (and laughing) about all the crazy stuff we did in Brent and UP. Can't take back the past, so here's to just cherishing the great friendship and making the most of this blessing. I am so proud of you and who you have become. I hope you know that.

I believe that if you can keep in touch with the childhood friends you made, then those are the friends who truly stay with you, love you no matter what, regardless of time, distance, and circumstance. I suppose you could say that they knew you before the world got to you...and they can see what you've made of yourself after you've let the rest of the world step into your life. I am ever so thankful for those friendships. I may not tell them often now...and maybe I should...but I would not be who I am if not for the "family" I had in Brent. I love you guys! I AM BLESSED.

JUDY, JOHN G, AND MAU

Although we didn't spend much of the weekend with them, I'm still glad that we drove down and back with them. Being confined in a small car for 7 hours (each way) really gives you the opportunity to bond. And bonding we did! Like I've mentioned in one of my previous posts, these three have kept me sane this past year. Laughter is indeed the best medicine. And no doubt, the five of us (including John) will always, always find something to laugh about. I love that we get along so well even if we're all very different--I guess you could say that we complement each other well.

Some time ago, probably through one of those emails that get forwarded, I remember reading that people are like crayons: It takes all shades and colors to make a complete set. That's how it is with the five of us. We're different enough to make life interesting, but alike enough to be able to understand each other.

P.S. So when are we going to roll out the "D is the answer" game so you guys can have your sweet revenge? hahahaha


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I may have had people in my life that I did not particularly like--or did not particularly like me. I may even have had some enemies. But all of that pale in comparison the the wonderful friends that I have made along the way. For that I am eternally grateful!