Thursday, March 22, 2007
Anam Cara

(Here's a copy (shorter version) of my friend's recent published article. Thank you, Ms. Diadema Emping. You made my day!:-))

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WE WERE in the same journalism class back in college. But I hardly noticed her in the beginning. One minute she was there and the next, only God knew where she went.

I found her so mysterious. So aloof. And I was like, “What’s wrong with her?” I was moved to curiosity when our teacher asked about her whereabouts. Okay, so her name’s Aurelia. Quiet, reserved. A returnee undergoing a hard time. She didn’t talk a lot so I supposed she didn’t want to be disturbed. I didn’t have the slightest clue that in her I had found my anam cara. Yes, she is the friend of my soul!

Fast forward. We became friends. Don’t ask me how because I don’t know either. But in the meantime, we’ll settle for a memory that began in Tops, a high point in Busay Hills.

In one of our occasional talks, I must have mentioned to her that I love to be in high places like the mountaintop where I can feel some liberation and peace. So she invited me to go to Tops with her brother-in-law, which I certainly enjoyed. The highlight of that night came when we held hands, stood under a wishing bell, rang it, and threw a wish like a zephyr song.

And it is a memory that can never be put into oblivion because I know my wish reached the ears of the angels. Now we are at peace in bartering monikers. I call her “Yang” and she calls me “Wawa.” And I just find it so sweet.

Aurelia is a very great friend. That call-me-and-I’ll-be-there friend is indeed her. In fact, I need not tell her if I’m experiencing a tornado in my life because she knows it already.

My anam cara never fails to give me the impetus I so very much need. More than anything else, she knows me by heart, so much that I need not explain myself to her. I don’t have to struggle telling her how I feel. She knows my happiness and my loneliness because, at whatever season of my life, she’s always there.

What pains me is that she’s now in Singapore, working as a writer/editor of a publication.And I’m happy for her. I really hate goodbyes. They make the rain fall. But at some point in our lives, we have to deal with them no matter how painful and sad. So I just wish Singapore will take care of her.

I’ll forever treasure our happy memories and carry them in my heart. I’ll just build a bridge in our hearts and cross it every time I miss her.For now, goodbye, McDo burger meals, Coke float and French fries. Goodbye, PUJ front seats and Ayala cinemas. Goodbye, Lilo-an lighthouse and Kawasan Falls. ‘Til then. (Diadema Emping, Sun.Star Cebu Weekend)

 
posted by MercifulRain at 8:26 AM | Permalink | 7 comments
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
free to make mistakes
I attended an aerobics session the other night.:-)I was terrible. I felt like my knee and hip bones were disoriented! When others turned right, I turned the opposite direction. While most didn't have difficulty in following the instructor, I found myself catching up my breath, realizing I was left behind by a count or two most of the times! I was making mistakes - but totally laughing my heart out; enjoying the moment of learning, admitting my limitations, and being free to make mistakes without being judged!

It reminded me of my days in Cebu where I loved joining aerobics/taebo sessions at Cebu City Sports Center. It was something I used to dread though. I just wanted to walk around. About six years ago, my friend Jennifer Skelton-Pope asked me to join her in one aerobics session (she was also just trying that time). I was so hesitant because I wasn't sure if I would do it right. But I looked at the people who joined the session - and they were all going in different directions! That gave me confidence to join. Haha! And there, I realized it was okay. I didn't have to perfom well to please myself or anyone. I didn't have to pass some kind of standard. We were all learning together.

So I began to like it and look forward to it. Exercise became more fun. When I join aerobics/taebo, I enjoy so much sense of freedom and fun! The other person beside you won't mind if you can't bend your body well, or if you can't seem to lift your butt. Everyone just moves on. It is quite tiring and could painfully be stretching to your body (if you're new), but the ordeal becomes easier and fun because no one picks up on you. The instructor will tell you to keep trying, to stretch some more, to keep up with the beat, etc. But if you can't, you are free to stop, pick up your towel and laugh about it.
 
posted by MercifulRain at 10:20 PM | Permalink | 6 comments
Saturday, March 03, 2007
being more intentional
Some things just don't happen by thinking of them. One has to intentionally pursue them to make them real. For me, exercise is one. For the past few months, I thought soooo much of making sure I get enough exercise. In fact, I take a 40-minute walk from office to home in most days. It takes away my stress. Also, I even dare to look funny in front of our TV set following a woman doing a two-mile trim walk on the video! Now I can almost memorize all her lines! But with my lifestyle - spending too much time working on computer, with my not-so-ideal diet, etc. - I'm not doing enough. I gained so much weight.

This issue concerns me not because it makes me feel ugly, but because it makes me sick! I easily get tired. My migraine attacks me more often now. I get chest pains. My stamina went down.

Despite all these, work and other pleasures in life still take the front seat. I often postpone my exercise time. "Got so much work today", "I'm so tired", or "I better read or watch movie" are some of old excuses. Well, it was time to get up! Finally, my housemate convinced me (and dragged me) to the gym last week. We signed up for six-month membership! This way, I hope to be more disciplined and intentional with my exercise. There's always time for everything.
 
posted by MercifulRain at 9:39 PM | Permalink | 3 comments