You know what birds do? You know, their thing -- relocating, moving, migrating? Yup, that's what I did.
Last February, I have decided to leave Manila and work in (*drum rolls*) ILOILO City.
As soon as I got off work on the 28th of February, which was my last day with that company, I headed to Philippine Airlines ticketing office to redeem my free flight (should blog about that) and I booked for the March 2nd flight without batting an eyelash.
The next day was spent packing and looking for possible jobs and a place to stay in Iloilo. I didn't know anyone in the city aside from distant relatives and my bestfriend who lives in Guimaras— and aside from the fact that I didn't want to bother them, the pretense that I am a strong, independent woman must be consistent, so I had to find my way to my own place all by myself.
When I finally found an available room, I messaged the owner and found out that it was very near to the developing MegaWorld business district, where I plan to spend my next working months and years in. So I told her that I am coming from Manila and that I will check out the place on March 2nd and will move in immediately if I find it to my liking.
And boy, was I ever lucky to find this place. It's just by the outskirt of the business district, and going to the mall and workplace would only take 5 minutes by car, maybe less. It's situated at the end of a road though, so that means I'd have to walk 5 minutes to get on a cab or a jeepney (thank God for taxi-hailing apps!)
I have to tell you, the morning walk is so therapeutic! The sound of the trees and birds, the greetings of my distant neighbors, or even some passers by/street vendors, really gives a calming effect and a sense of peace (of course, until I get to my workplace, which is often toxic —a very usual ambiance in the BPO industry).
In the afternoon, I get to walk the same street and enjoy the many colors of the sky brought about by the sunset. AND AGAIN, it only takes a little less than 10 minutes to get home.
Isn't that just fantastic? Compared to Manila, this is really where I find my peace and calm.
Iloilo is the city of LOVE. And this bird loves it here a whole lot!
Plus, Guimaras is a boat-ride away! *heart-eyes*
last Tuesday in Guimaras, I was having breakfast by myself (grannies went to visit some relatives --dead and alive) and was waiting for my brother who went out to buy me coffee from the not-so-nearby store, when it rained.
so it took a while for my brother to come back, and i was already itching for my dose of coffee when i noticed this chicken wandering about by the kitchen. i tried to ignore it but because i had nothing to do, having eaten my bf and just anxiously waiting for my coffee, i shooed it off. it then flew to my grannies make-shift bedroom just between living room and kitchen... so i followed it and tried to shoo it again, and it flew off again to the counter this time, and it irked me thinking it would spread some of its germs on the spoons and forks and all other uncovered utensils so I got my grandma's cane and tapped it to the kitchen counter hoping it would scare the chicken! but the chicken just ran around the counter and so i hit it by reflex... and noticed it was bleeding by the nose :)
it then quivered and tried to fly ON MY DIRECTION which scared me so i ran to the living room calling my younger cousin who was playing PLANTS vs. ZOMBIES!
when we got there, it was lying lifeless on the floor...poor chicken. i couldn't count the times i said "I'M SORRY". and i think i was saying sorry to the chicken and its unknown owner... oh my god i am a murderer.
so my grandma decided to cook it ^_^
i know, i should be sleeping. but i was browsing through some friend requests on friendster while resting, and some of them were from Guimaras, and so it took my attention...
i really love Guimaras -- next to Bicutan, of course, kahit na magulo at delikado. but it wasn't always like that in Bicutan. to me, it was perfect. (and this "me" i am talking about was just 7 years old then!) we had the nicest neighbor, and a very clear creek, we can catch some tadpoles and bring them home, as well as some fishes, which on some unfortunate cases, would give out a stench smell the next day (somebody forgot to put holes on the jar of the jar lid!)
well, back to Guimaras... i would love to come and visit some day. i wanna se my old school, my old classmates (literally!) and of course my grandparents... i was so sad when i heard that my grandmother had a mild stroke last week. it's been like years since i last saw her, and my grandfather, and i would really love to be with them again. they raised us up and i owe them big time.
anyway, it's already october... i will miss the "filipino" christmas. one time, i was on a department store and i saw their christmas decors, and i sang (out loud) merry christmas... and the lady beside me said "oh your already in the (christmas) spirit" and i grinned, (really embarrased) but replied, "oh yes, i sing the song, 'it's the most wonderful time of the year' almost everyday!" and we both laughed... and my heart cried...
"You never leave a place you love-- for you take a little bit of it with you and you leave a part of yourself behind"
i'm sure i'm talking about Guimaras...
it's the only place that has moved its way in to my heart. i don't know why. maybe because my grandparents are there. or because i have created special memories during my 10 months of stay there way back 1999.
memories of school... there's something in my school. there's something about the whole place actually. the serenity, maybe. oh god, im being sentimental.
but really... i dream of going there every single day of my life. i miss the smell of grass, even the animal manure! except for the pigs' stall. and i would sure love to see my grandmother and grandfather.
my very favorite province. i'm awfully glad i went there last may 8, after 4 years! it's really a mystery to me... of all 7,107 islands in the Philippine archipelago, why does it has to be Guimaras??
:( nice, isn't it?
and it to think that it would take some years for it to recover...:-(
:( nice, isn't it?
it was so beautiful...
this was before the oil spill of course
my sole province in a state of calamity :-(
just as i said...
(i'll try to make it sound nice... i'm depressed talaga eh)
so this morning, we went out of Guimaras island..
okei. i'll start Sunday. Last Sunday, we went to Manapla. had a good time eating seafoods because they were fresh. and had a boating trip and swimming in the middle of the sea. had race with our friends on the other boat and almost capsized!
Monday morning, while the others went to Manila, we went to Guimaras... went to the Buhang river, was it a river? basta it's nice kasi it has a cave that has lots of water in it... and cold and clear!!! problem is we went home soaking wet...
Yesterday, they went back to Manapla, save for tita bok and cale who enjoyed our white sand!
and this morning, i went to Bacolod before here, met with riz...
yes, i'm here, fresh from my boat trip!
it's 3.30 in the afternoon and my head's slightly aching from the heat and stress.
so, we left my house at 5 yesterday morning and went to G.A.I. where we would assemble with all the others. i was sleepless because i still had my last hours packing and i had to cook our food (baon) and breakfast. (yes, i held a small homily before i left our home if you dare ask!)
THE pastor brought us to the port, and i snoozed for just a while on his car. we went aboard the ship at almost 9.30 because the ship was supposed to leave at ten hundred hours, but unfortunately we left PIER DOS at already 11 am! so i slept comfortably in my bunk until the heat just woke me up, and i was all sweaty and already being bothered by my headache! so we went down, and continued my sleep in the tourist class, where the others are, or rather, MOST of them are! i woke up and had my VERY late lunch and dinner at 7 pm and bathed, and before 10 pm, i was already asleep, at the business class. i woke up at 6.30 am and the boat docked at Iloilo port so i was able to see my sole province, Guimaras...
i happen to see the siete picados too on our way to Bacolod. and, honestly, i'm still dizzy. i feel like i'm still on a ship!
i have to hurry because i still have a lot of things to do, our conference starts tonight! i'll keep you posted!
