A good night indeed as I ended the week-long trip with 9 other friends who had become like a family. It all started with a plan to visit Davao City on their festival celebration. Shared it with some friends and waited for the date.

Our first stop was Quezon, Bukidnon. We were well-taken cared of, always invited for meals, given a warm welcome, greetings, etc. We were always full and we never missed any meal. All 10 of us slept in the living room of the house we stayed since not one of us wanted to get separated with the group. There were feet on someone else’s body, persons curled up in the sofa, feet banging on someone’s feet, etc. Yet no one ever complained. Talks that lasted till the wee hours of the night. When at that time, folks were already sound asleep. Walking from our place of stay to our destination instead of taking a ride. Taking a bath early in the morning so we won’t get caught up when the water shuts. Adopting ‘sparky’ the dog. Seeing old friends, familiar faces, exchanging hellos. All of those made our 2 days stay enjoyable.

Then off to Davao City. On our first night, visited my favorite place in the city, Jack’s Ridge. It was a rejuvenating experience. Seeing the lights on the distance, enjoying the view with some of the friends I consider family, etc. The following days at Davao were spent at Mergrande Resort. Days of seeing glad faces because of our presence, short but meaningful talks, little bonding time with the group, practices that were full of laughter, being amused with each other, etc. There were also faces I long to see and talk and were happy because I had fulfilled my word, even to the point of surprising them because I hadn’t told them of my plan. Yet it was fun. Had meat and fish for meals almost everyday that my stomach craves for fruits and vegetables. As one friend said, ‘nangala sa prutas‘.. hehe.. Well, who wouldn’t crave for one anyway, for a fruit and vegetable eater like me. So on the last day, we had fruit fest. Manong Obet prepared it for us and we helped out. It was so yummy, the best indeed. Our last night was spent walking through the downtown area, from Boulevard to Bankerohan, and all other areas we had pass and circled through just to sit and enjoy eating a durian. It was yummy. That made my night. With that free dinner, free ride, mind boggling finger game for one person, talks of anything while walking, sitting on anyplace to have a talk,  teasings, laughter, Baywalk, amusing smiles, priceless moments indeed. There was never a sad moment with them. Shrugging off any unwanted event.

Not to mention, my precious V3 cellphone with my old smart sim, Sony cybershot cam, money, ATM cards and an identification card were snatched from my wrist on our first night at Davao City. We were even bold enough to run after my robber only to be stopped by residents of the street the snatcher passed through. I was thankful we were safe, all 4 ladies. Worse could happen as our friends told me. I was thankful no one is hurt, no one was being stabbed, being dragged on the street, was abused, no one was bitten by a dog while running after the teenage robber or anything. We were all safe. It was not a traumatic experience for me, and I don’t know why. I even passed the same street on our last night at the city. I was even amazed because I wasn’t panicking. I was composed and had remembered everything, described the persons’ attire, height, my pouch’s contents, what happened, etc. The police officers had identified the kid because of it. I was even thinking what I should do next and what needs to be done immediately. I was very glad. All my friends who comforted me gave a thankful sigh we were safe with relieving words that they’ll help in any way. Expect for one, unexpectedly, which made me cry, among other things that happened that night and the next morning. It was an eye-opener experience. Not the snatching incident, but what happened after, the people’s reactions and support. Had guy friends whose eyes would say, if they’d want to say it words, ‘I could have prevented it but I wasn’t there because I chose not to come’. In a way, we were thankful they didn’t because for sure they’d run after the kid and what would happen to them if they had ran him over. One friend’s mother whose sibling was a high-ranking police officer said that the kid belonged to a sindicate group in that area. So imagine their force. Oh well.

Things do happen whether we want it or not. But the snatching incident didn’t hinder the fun and enjoyment I had with the people I’m with and the people I visited. I had a great time at Bukidnon, though the sun was scorching hot yet the wind was so humid. We were always full, courtesy of our friends, an old friend in college who also happen to be a church member. Had a wonderful time at Davao City with old and new friends. Long-missed talks with people I seldom talk to, I missed that, the topics, everything. The events we missed because not one of us wanted to be excluded and be left out from the group. Where one goes, the rest follows. The out-pouring support and care they gave made my experience a less traumatic one. The practices for our songs that though we were bored and tired yet the presence of each one of the group made it all festive. The special music we did at Bukidnon which we gave justice also when we gave it at Davao City, without much practice yet sounded nice they said.

I am back safe and sound. I missed my tour family. Missed waking up Mari in a different way, which was effective by the way, even if she gave me a punch and an angry sigh after. Hehe.. Peace mar.. Manong Obet took care of us, standing up to his role as our kuya. Thank you Bet. The prodigal son who was once separated from us for a while yet came back because he misses us. The surprised Isai and the teasings. Hehe.. Missed the people. Yet, I was happy I  spent my days with them. Thank you guys. Though my phone and cam was lost, the memories you left me with were priceless and could never be replaced.

On days that my weary body wants to hit the sack already but there’s still something lined-up for the day that needs my attention, time and energy, both physically and mentally. When my throat sores and hurts a little because I used it for 5 hours. When my eyes wants to give up on me on some nights yet is made alive by the smiles the people I work with give. When it is already late in the evening and work duties call me yet it is still relieving to talk to them about my day, my thoughts and anything in between while walking on the street for a ride home. When my brain is tired of thinking, aching and longing to rest. Like right now.

Should I count the number of times my weary body complains or the relationships I forged with the activities I do each day?

‘True wealth comes from the heart and is always only there.’   – facebook

Tonight was another mountain-top experience I had with some friends. Despite the 5 hours straight practise I had, the smiles, laughters and talks we shared over dinner relieved it. Each day comes with different experiences. Tonight was different. It may just be a simple night with just ordinary activities yet it was made different with the people I was with tonight and the amount of stress and pressure I am experiencing right now. Thank you, in a way, for relieving my stress.

I am not prepared for my work tomorrow. Hehe..

I will survive. I will somehow survive.

I am very glad we have Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. I sometimes wish that there won’t be Tuesdays and Thursdays to deal with. Hehe.. I’m glad there’s Fridays to end the workweek. Saturdays and Sundays to wake up late, have some alone, quiet time without my students, leisure, meet up with the youths, jam with them and be recharged.

Thankful also to the food that relieves my stress, even if it makes me fat.

The Sunday afternoon was quiet as the youths were treated for a birthday lunch at KFC, Limketkai Mall. After which, to make their time useful and not just wander around the mall in pairs or groups without unified direction, we revised a game with the objective of surprising the birthday celebrant. It was very spontaneous, was only planned and organized then and there but was fun nonetheless. We made the youths race around the mall to find key persons to accomplish the tasks. This was not the highlight of my Sunday though. It was after the youths went home at around 5:30PM.

Since Kevin had to finish some drawings with the help of Patrick, I decided to join them and Mari since we also go to the same direction going home. I didn’t know when they’ll finish the drawing assignments of Kevin for his Architecture course. To while away time, Mari and I talked and wrote just about anything while Kevin and Patrick were busy sketching and talking at the same time once in a while we didn’t notice that it was time for Limketkai Mall to close. It was already 8PM. So we decided to transfer to McDonald’s outside the mall. Had dinner and finished their drawings. By that time, Kevin was already shading while Patrick was figuring out the designs, structures and details of an old church. After dinner and some talk, the guys proceeded back to their work while Mari and I got bored and talked about anything, again. Until Mari got sleepy and I helped out at shading Patrick’s work while he continued to worked on his detailing. It was the only help I could give since I am not talented with arts. It was already past 10PM and we still had a long way to go but enjoyed our company as well. Talking just about anything, life, the designs, a little orientation about Architectural designs, terms, and techniques from Kevinski and singing as that’s what we commonly do. Unknowingly, McDonald’s Limketkai closes at 10PM on Sundays so we overstayed. We didn’t even bother to look at the time I guess. We were aware that we were the only customers left, but we weren’t aware that they closed early. The staff didn’t even bother to approach us and advised us that they were already closed, until we went to the counter to buy snacks which was hidden from our view where we sat. Bad. By 12AM, we left the store since the crew has already finished cleaning up the place and was about to turn off the lights.

What an experience that was. Two stores closed on us on a Sunday night as we were enjoying each other’s company. Though bothered a bit with the fact that Monday is a school and work day but we all had a common goal, to finish the drawing before we leave, that overpowered our reasons why we should have been home by that time.

Upon leaving McDonald’s, the crew jokingly stated that we had spent 2 days at their store, since it was minutes past 12AM that we had gotten out of their premise. It was the first time for us. They were friendly and nice people too. We were indeed grateful.

What did we learn from our experience? When someone has projects, call a friend. Hehe.. Seriously now. Kevinski shared that he could have worked on his projects at home and avoid the reprimands of thier parents for coming home late, vey late in tonight’s case, and spending for dinner, he had no regrets about spending time with us while doing the work. Though he could have finished his work sooner if he stayed at home, it would have felt that the load was heavy carrying it alone. I totally agree. I’m glad he came along and shared his assignment with us.