ode to the bench

Listening to songs from Never Gone reminds me so much of the bench, where my friends and I spent most of our senior year. Whether we were cramming for a test, rushing a paper, freaking out before orals, meeting the whole troop for lunch, or just plain hanging out, the bench was home to us. It was a baggage counter, a makeshift couch, a food hall, and a computer terminal/multimedia center thanks to Friday, Travelmate, and Twinhead. It witnessed our happy times, lazy days, ecstatic kilig moments, thesis stress, endless pig outs, and it willingly hid us when we just didn't want to face the world. It gave us a place to come home to after a long day dealing with irrational teachers, failed exams, demanding org work, even unrequited love. It was a sanctuary that made us comfortable in every possible way, despite the hard wood the three log benches are made of. It supported us all quite well, and taught us to truly support each other too. I hope this year it would bring wonderful memories to those who found the use for it, and that they treat each other the same way we did. :)

==
"Wherever you are, it is your friends who make your world."
- William James

bubble baths

I've been definitely having better days, thanks Jess. :)

Although I feel like I'm living in a bubble right now, part of me feels guilty because I know I should be moving on to more practical things. But as everyone else I consider wiser than me has said, not everyone gets to soak themselves in this bubble bath I'm currently in, so I should just relish the entire experience.

I've learned to get around Perth on my own, and I'm having a ball just observing how the locals get through the day. A sight that always brings a smile to my face are the professionals clad in suits indian sitting in the parks for lunch. There are some who rush from one pedestrian stop to another, a mom pushing a stroller and pleading for the kid to just hush. There are guys in skateboards with such messy hair, girls who laugh their heads off while choosing this top over that. Seeing them always reminds me of my friends and the mallrats we'll always be. I have regular bus mates who hop on the same time I do every morning, and somehow I've gotten a sense of their personality without even talking to them, just from the choice of clothes they put on. And get this, there's this cute guy I see in the 11:28 bus every single day, but sadly, as I've observed him for the last week, he turns out to be gay. Hahaha. Why do I always have an eye for gay guys?! Sheesh. He has the funkiest shirts though. Cute. :)

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"Every day I watch for the old man with the flowers, and I wonder, was he born here? Did he love someone here? Did he lose someone here? He doesn't seem as curious about me, but that's alright. "
- Diane Lane in Under the Tuscan Sun

blank

I've been wanting to write but my thoughts are all jumbled up. I'm getting quite bored already, spending the days uploading photos, reading, cleaning out my inbox. But it's good because the idle time gives me the chance to think about my life and what I really want to do. The downside is, I still don't know what that is. More thinking maybe. One thing I know is, I don't like it when I feel inhibited to do what I want.

Looking forward to tomorrow, should be a better day.

==
"You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost..."
- Bad Day, Daniel Powter

"There was always gonna be a totally shit time. Just be patient."
- Emma Thompson in Love Actually

musings

There are a gazillion things that amaze me about Perth:
- the efficient public transportation system (one pass applies to all rides, free bus rides within the city, timetables per zone and per stop, and mind you, they're all on time!)
- cold climate (but still you have to wear sunnies-a trademark aussie term, because the sun's glare is just something else)
- surrounding environment (preserved lakes, beautiful parks, old infrastructures)
- very warm people (lotsa cute guys too haha)
- even their rubbish (yeah, that's what they call it) collection (one for garbage and one for recycled stuff)
- and lots more...

The life here seems to be so organized and advanced, but the pinoy in me is just missing all the hustle bustle of Manila, the laid back living of CDO. Perth has just the right mix of modern and relaxed, carefree living, but I'm just not used to having everything in the right place. Don't get me wrong, I'm having a blast exploring the city, trying all the good stuff, patting the kangaroos, but there's still no place like home. :)

Photos to come. :)

==
"Time, the past has come and gone
The future's far away
Now only lasts for one second, one second
Can you teach me about tomorrow
And all the pain and sorrow
Running free?
'Cause tomorrow's just another day
And I don't believe in time..."
- Time, Hootie and The Blowfish