Topic Over Lunch

I feel right at home in this summer weather. The heat is up at 31 deg C but forecast says it feels like 39. Last time it was this hot, a heat wave was in the city and I locked myself in my pad. Thank God for air-conditioning. But today is a lot breezier, just perfect to have lunch al fresco. And it put me in the mood to get everything back in track.

Summer without your closest buddies with you sometimes sucks. You simply run out of options to do because they're not here to brainstormed about which beach to hit next and worst, even if you decide to go solo, you just don't have the means to escape to the closest beach or should I say more properly "the lake". While waiting for our lunch today, Lei and I were talking about how this immigration thing is being hard on our "social lives". Don't get us wrong, we know we are blessed to be living overseas and we in fact like it here. But making new friends is just not as easy as I thought it would be. Introducing yourself to someone is one thing but trying to find that common ground and intentionally meaning to build a new friendship out of the "common grounds" is another. Personality, time and your level of commitment each play a part and culture in between. It would be easier maybe if say I flew here in my teenage years or maybe it's just me. The challenges are out there. Intimidation will make its presence felt all the time. But if your guts are stronger, you should be fine. If you will always look for something new, you will find it. The less pressure you put on yourself on getting in the loop of new friends the more chance of landing into one, and it puts you in the position to just enjoy and appreciate the new acquaintances you have made. It keeps me sane too. I tend to have less distraction on set goals which is good.

I once said that a man can be an island. But only for long. At the end of the day you will come into the conclusion that everybody needs somebody and if you are an accidental overseas Filipino worker slash immigrant it doesn't matter how long they intend to be your friend. As for me, from now on I will seize the moments of meeting new people, enjoy their company and give my best punchlines over a snack or meal. And if God wills it, true ones will choose to stay and give as much energy as I'm willing to give in this thing called friendship.

On Growing Up

I always wonder what it will feel like being a grown-up. I always daydreamed how life is going to be when I am counting 20s already. Ten long years later, a diploma and a hundred and one paychecks later I have arrived. And I feel the same. Not as innocent and inexperienced about the world though but I still daydream, but not about how life will be ten years down the road. What's happening now, right in front of me, where I have always wanted to be is enough to keep my mind preoccupied. Tomorrow can take care of itself.

It feels the same. Except of course I have a rent to pay, I make my own breakfast, lunch and dinner and merienda if I am up for it. The monthly bills that never fails to come in the mail, the mandatory trip to the Superstore if I don't want to die in starvation, the regular keeping the apartment tidy and divine routines are some of the habits I have now. I wouldn't feel grown up without those. I don't necessarily like the responsibility but it makes me feel that I can do life. Not necessarily blissful every day of the month (unless you got all bills covered) but contentment is learned for every penny saved in the saving account.

Ten long years after, I have my own balcony and the best seat to view downtown Winnipeg! I got a lovely vintage love seat, an Ikea center table, my own kitchen and a big closet. It seems I am starting over the adult life. Clean slate. With the scent of green pomme lingering in the small space I call my own. I can say this is a good start and definitely bound to be better in the months and years to come.

I like being a grown-up, I don't mind the number 27. I don't regret the nostalgia of how I used to daydream about rushing at now but would definitely slow down running towards the next lap of another decade not too far ahead. But if I could postpone it, the better.