TEN IN THE AFTERNOON

[February 25, 2011 11:15am]

Today’s atypical. Aside from the fact that it’s the 25th anniversary of the world renowned people power, today’s also the time of the week that I choose to stay at home and chill. The past days and the coming days are and would be damn challenging, so I guess I needed a break.

Home alone, my Achi Kun’s at the office and my brother’s still in ADMU, had to pick him up again later maybe past 11 nearly 12 morn, so mean while, I am free, not really that, but yah. Chill.

I‘m still on my boxers, haven’t brushed my teeth yet and the hum of the washing machine syncs with old songs that to my delight, has given an even brighter shade for my day. I’m at the breakfast nook now, laptop in front, the open window at my right with the wind playfully caressing the curtain, which dances above the mess of food and drinks I am delighted to consume and have consumed. With my phones beeping a moment after another due to friends reconnecting, my morning’s really fun. Chill.

Earlier I went out to check on if I still have gas, have to drive a kilometer or two for an errand later, whilst at the porch I saw kids playing ball. Ever seen a music video or a movie where the frame would pan through the sun’s glare and then reveal a good scene? Well I just had that. As you know, my left eye’s still suffering from uveitis so I can hardly see with it, the effect was that, a movie like scene. Fun, really, the cool air complimented well the warmth of the sun and the kids giggling made the soundtrack amazing.

Nakakatuwa, it suddenly occurred to me how vanity has rid me off few little joys in life. I remember when I was still a kid, time like this; I’m still outside playing with my cousins, sometimes biking somewhere far. If not, naliligo at a naturally formed pool near the house, hai, I miss that place.

Siguro nga ganun, when we grow old we develop all sorts of vanity – compelling us to forgo things that we used to do. Parang malaking testimony slash challenge for the saying ‘we don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing’. Kasi naman, together with these vanities, we have developed new games, new schemes - the world of the grown-ups. Noon I used to wish na sana I grow up fast so that I’d be happier, but shame, I envy kids now. It’s as if kasi, ang hirap palang ibalik yung inosenteng mga tawa. Days like this, it happens every day when I was still a kid, now, kita mo naman that I even had to struggle hard so to dish on this day.

Pero I won’t fuss. Kasi alam ko, I haven’t grown really. I’m still that kid who sneaks out with my bike to go places I haven’t gone to. Sabi ko nga challenge ang gawing araw araw ganito – and I have high hopes, and conviction that magagawa ko naman talaga.

The vanities of life might intend to steal from me that kid that I am but I am not allowing it.
Imma laugh hard and run fast. Making TENs in the AFTERNOON is my responsibility now, wala nang ibang gagawa ng paraan for me to have a day like this every day - except me.

So bring on the sun and let me play.