Strengthening Bonds

It’s funny how we don’t notice how long it’s been since we saw our old friends…..

Just some weeks ago, I attended my kabarkada’s wedding. It was quite surreal for me looking at Brian and his bride in front of the altar, promising forever and committing their lives to each other. Of course I am very happy for him but I guess in some way I see Brian as he was when we were still in the group back in High School. We have so many shared memories because we practically grew up together.. me, him and the rest of my kumpares. And now he’s moving to a realm where I have no experience over. ‘Who would have thought that he would be the first in the group..’, I told myself. And then there was Jovic’s revelation (sorry too confidential). I guess it just struck me that at my age, ANYTHING is possible. We practically have full control to do whatever we want in our lives. We can choose the life that we want and how we want to live it.

Well anyway, I realized that I have a lot of catching up to do so Jovic and I went to Brian’s house after the wedding and stayed a little longer just to know how they are doing now. Oh man, I was really happy to catch up on their lives and remember the old times. I was also reaffirmed that friends are friends, no matter where life takes them. It should know no geography, status, nor time. Once you have committed yourself to friendship, then it should stay.

And speaking of friendships, that night I also went to Kuya Robert’s stag party. It was very wholesome since it was combined with the shower party. Hehe. Well anyway, after the party at around quarter to twelve, I was still alive, kicking and wanting to have some more interesting conversations because of my strong realizations that night. I knew I couldn’t have it with my GG since it’s way past our bed time so I’d have to take the gentleman road. I asked Ryan if he wanted to continue the Figaro session that was abruptly cut short by Anthony (anecdote; long story). He agreed. We knew we couldn’t possibly invite anybody else since there are some things, well actually a lot of things, which we couldn’t discuss when people are around. So in the end, it was just a 1-on-1 for us. Those series of conversations that we had was spent on opening up. He has been out of my circulation for around 2 months so in a sense we also caught up on things. I probably have never opened up to him more than I did that night and it’s probably the same on his part. It was three long hours of stories and insights.Hehehe.

So after that I realized that it was the very first time I had some sort of 1-on-1 with Ryan. He has been my best bud for the past years yet I never had that opportunity. I’ve had lots of 1-on-1s with other household heads and members in my SFC chapter but not with him. Weird huh? Well anyway, I’m glad it happened. After all, friends are friends, even with some absences, even without 1-on-1s, even with some level of emotional wall that I hope would be lowered to some trusted people, even without labels or definitions.

That night was a night of strengthening bonds for me….

Rough Start

All the heads of my chapter just had our first household for year. It was held in my house and as usual, we finished quite late. 12:30AM to be exact. For some reason, whenever we have a household on my house, we finish late. Maybe it’s the late start and the long but insightful conversations. Hehe. I was tasked to lead the household since Anto is still recuperating and could not attend the meeting. While I was praying and trying to mentally go that ‘place’ where I feel very connected to Him,  I realized one thing – that I am having a rough start for the year (talk about multi-tasking in your mind.)

Usually, the start of the year is expectedly slow. Nothing significant happens. Just some routine activities carried over from the previous year. But this is not that year for me. Only 9 days have passed in 2007 but there are already undesirable things happening to the people important to me that are draining my emotional energy. They’re not really bad things happening to me. It’s more of not-so-good things happening to the people around me that directly affect me. And it sucks because these things are out of my control. What I can only control and do something about is how I react to them and how I would chose to handle them. And so I think and think and think.. a lot.. hoping that I would still come out with the best outlook in life that I could possibly manage. I just hope that whatever maturity I have gained through the years would be sufficient to combat this rough road I’m in. Otherwise, depression would kick in.

One way that I thought could help is to simply count my blessings. So I did. Surprisingly enough, I saw that whatever misfortunes one has, the blessing can still outnumber the disasters. It’s really all just a matter of perspective… I guess… Additionally, I thought that this rough start that I am served with can actually build my character. I just hope it’s going to be a good, optimistic one.

And so I continue with the year. Currently having a rough start and under some bumpy roads but looking forward to stepping up and cruising the highway….

2007 Resolution

From this >> 2006 Resolution

 Here’s this:

2005 >> Stop holding off on Things
2006 >> Face your Fears
2007 >> Step Up!

Wish me luck! Happy New Year!

Holiday Wrap-up

The thing I like about Holidays is my much-deserved Holiday break. I was on leave from December 19 to January 1. That is two blissful weeks of nothing but enjoyment, contemplation and bonding. Personal time off from work also spells an opportunity for me to evaluate my life so far. Yep, it’s quite serious but this is the time of the year where I am allowed for that. Thoughts about Christmas, Family, Friends, Relationships and the Single life got me thinking a lot…..

…. So now I have Holiday hangover. Argh!