Friends Forever

I often hear grown-ups say that if they will be given a chance to go back in time, they would rather choose high school. They had the best time of their life, lots of friends, no strenuous study load and flirty flings perhaps? I can never relate to them because my wee hours in high school was spent in the library. It was a brat's world and a naive girl's ground for inferiority complexes. We had our graduation last 2004 and I revisited only after 6 long years. It was September last year where I have to become a resource speaker for the senior's career orientation. I was entering the gate and everything was nostalgic. I confessed to my listeners that if there is one thing I am forever grateful during my high school life, that would be my friends. We shared a synonymous verve and we would like to put it "birds of the same feathers are birds." We were sophomores then, playing cards in the lobby. I must believe destiny is not exclusive to the lover's lane. We just found ourselves liking each other, laughing and sharing stories to our heart's content. 

Jo Ann's debut. Standing: Franco, Jo Ann; Sitting from left: Joseph, Claudius, Diana, Faith, me, Francis, Ivy, Frenchy

Summertime spells swimming, of course with "money and permit issues" involved. We had no extra work and dwell heavily on our parents. It was a perfect time for swearing such things will be spared in the future. College was fast but we manage to be present on each others birthdays and fiestas. Eating was the name of the game.

We are "big" girls and "big" boys now. I just realized that indeed "money and permit" issues were spared. However, it is not only destiny that we share from the lover's lane. I'd like to put our present status as "it's complicated". After 2 years of hiatus, Joseph is still not reaching. Either we had deeply hurt him, or he is simply career driven that he is not able to make time, there is only one thing I am sure of. Despite the bitterness and painful exchange of words, he will be remembered.

In the middle, Joseph during his last summer outing with us

We have issues concerning about time and as to who does and does not give effort to the group. This is neither counting the blessings nor insensibility. We agreeably call this "abnormality syndromes". We don't think alike but we live with each other. We are 24 years old and this year is our 10th together.

To indicate some degree of accomplishment, I must call ourselves young professionals. Claudius is currently working as a registered nurse while chasing his American dream. Frenchy is working in an outsourcing company at the same time trying to settle her weight issues. Diana worked in a bank but looks for greener pasture in another outsourcing company. Jo Ann finished nursing and continuously acing on fulfilling career paths. Francis is a living example of my-hobby-my job and spends time grooming his posture. Franco kept his coll as always and is into maritime industry. Ivy travels around Philippines, munching on audits and the like. Faith had been lady-like and has work in the bank ever since. As to for me, I am into a more quantitative pedagogy fighting in awe to my students. Lastly, Joseph, whom we are clueless of his whereabouts. All in all, we are immature and insane. We would not end here. As we will move forward, we will be more self reliant in the years to come. This blog is without labels, and only for the purpose of sharing what the half of my life has been. I would like to end it showing the video I made last April 2010, this was the time when they set for Camiguin while I was still away. I was envious when I first saw their pictures but my heart melted after seeing my nickname imprinted on the sand. This was meant to express my gratitude. 

PS. Have just checked my facebook post of this video, it had 10 likes and 217 comments. Turns out our biggest fans were our older brothers and sisters. OM! could this mean that though they put a sad face on our frequent meetings, they still appreciate our undying loyalty for each other?