Pitstop Oct08

My unexpected trip back to Manila. I was in dilemma for so many months whether I should go home or not to attend a friend's wedding. I'm not really the type of person who's fond of parties, weddings in particular. Just how a friend puts it, weddings are even worse than funerals. :p Or probably there will be some cold air blowing through the back of your neck, telling you you must be doing something wrong by now if it's not yet your turn. :p

Since I started working here, I have skipped 4 weddings already from close friends. 2 college friends, 1 high school friend, 1 ex-ofcmate. It might be harsh to say, but I didnt even consider going home those times. We all have friends, but not all would have touched our lives.

This one somehow is an exception. We were not close back in Manila when we were officemates. She resigned and worked in SG a few months before I went here. Unexpectedly she has helped me a lot thru my first adjustment month here while she was still working in SG. For the fact that she fetched me from the airport since day 1, arranged and accompanied me for house viewing, let me sleep in her place while waiting for my house's availabilty, bringing me to church,etc - somehow I always remember extremely good deeds. We sort of drifted apart when she went back to Manila, she has her new circle of friends now. But she did ask me to go to her wedding when we met in September, seriouly I dunno if it's really a big thing for her to see me there or was it just out of courtesy to urge me to attend. :p

Work is still manageable to some extent, then came Jetstar promo. Okay it's a go, I booked a flight approximately just one week before the wedding. I feel that somehow I will be guilty if I am not present in her big day. Regardless whether we're presently close or not, I did my part.

It was quite a 'hassle' trip for me, I just went for vacation on September. I have limited vacation leaves, just up to 16 per year! I'm taking another long one again on December. My family finds it unnecessary that I go home just for weddings, too 'ke-po' cause I'm not a part of entourage anyway :p. And the story doesnt end there, crowd is a problem cause nobody from my previous company was invited, transpo too is a problem (my sister, who will be my driver, doesnt exactly know the place of the church and even the hotel, and I cant really drive on a decent level). They think I'm just stretching myself too far.

Come Sunday, it was actually worse than expected. It's raining hard! Good thing we found the place before rain starts pouring. The only other 2 'acquaintances' that I know - one of them went to Boracay. The other apparently didnt go to the church. Hey it's also my first time to attend the church part in the longest time! hehe I always just attend the reception.. for the chibog -- hehe latter part is just kidding, but yeah I seldom attend the church wedding. When I personally know the bride, I would have this queer feeling and goose bumps when I see them walk down the aisle, I sincerely feel happy for them. :) Yeah right for those 1.5 hours, I was sitting alone in one of the benches inside the church, with no one to talk to. Starting to feel awkward because I still have 4 hours ahead (later in reception).

Since I dont want to keep my chaperone/drivers wasting their whole day just to drive me, I was dropped in my sister's place after the church. Stayed and played with my nephew for some time, then later her husband drove me to Greenbelt. My God, again killing some more hours before reception starts. :(

Finally came 730pm and I stepped into the hotel, the other acquaintance finally appeared, finally there was a person to talk to. But then we were not assigned in the same table. Luckily in my table, there was one decent guy who was friendly enough to talk to me, so at least that solves a few fractional seconds not to be mistaken as an authistic gate-crasher to this whole wedding thing. My other disappointment, I didnt even have a picture taken with the bride and groom. I have a camera, but I dont have anybody to take a picture for me, I dont have any evidence or remembrance that I was there! :(

The whole wedding is nice and and tastefully prepared, ehem that also reads ginastusan hehe. From the program, I got to learn that the guy wrote her 40+ poems, danced 'cooperatively' for the funky and sweet first dance (which they said was not like him at all coz he doesnt dance) and he even did a surprise piano number of Canon in D. The first time when the guy visited my friend in SG, I just knew that he is sincere and he does live up to the expectations till now. I know he'll take care of my friend very well.

For the first time, I finally had a 'discreet' vacation to Manila. I didnt mention this whole vacation thingie to SG friends anymore. I am somewhat tired of all the pasuyong 'padala' causing me this manual labor of carrying so much things or paying for excess baggage, 'pabili' (which expectedly wont get paid because anything I pay for in Php would be unsubstantial when converted to SGD hehe), 'pabigay' wasting me time to meet SG friends's friends (read: strangers) to get the things from people here in SG. I dont want to be a philantrophist anymore. I of course dont have anything against my friends, it's just all of them are having decent salary in SG and probably are living more extravagant lifestyles than me. I dont see any point why they cant frequent themselves going back to Manila to do their stuff. I learned, again the hard way. :p

The next day after the wedding (which is today), is my flight back to SG. This is really crazy. Before I was still a crybaby whenever I leave Philippines, not anymore, cause even my family doesnt miss me in such short time intervals. Yes, I was still feeling down during my flight back, different drama for different months. And I hope this depression will pass away soon.