DAY 0 Musings: Hours Before Officially Becoming a Degree Holder

 

Going into my “get-that-degree” project, I thought I’d just go through the motions of college and go in and out of class and mostly keep things to myself. I’m a natural at being reclusive anyways. But I like being around people, just not a lot of them. Yes, I’m weird that way. I guess, being the only child growing up, I was able to appreciate the calmness that comes with being alone, but enjoyed the company of friends when they were there.

Besides, I went back to school in my mid-30s, I understand that I’ll be going to class with kids half my age. Where’s the connection, right? I also thought, I could do this without any help. At my age, I was sure I would breeze through college.

BOY, WAS I WRONG!

Juggling work and family, and then adding school as another piece to throw around, can be quite a struggle, as evidenced by my being assigned to a smaller store during my first year of school. Sure, it was my bosses’ way of telling me that they’re supporting me every step of the way (which I’m really, really thankful for), but it’s also an indication that I’m not performing that well anymore.

So, it was great that I was able to connect with five very diverse individuals. Young individuals who helped me through the struggles of college.

As gross as this may sound, we connected because of poop. Here’s the story:

For some reason, while I was sitting outside the campus waiting for the next class, Ged and Naz sat beside me. I hate small talk. So, in my head I was saying “here we go.” I didn’t want to be rude, at least not on the first week; so I engaged. However, what I thought was going to be small talk, turned out to be a full-blown conversation. Thanks to the naturally gifted ‘daldalero’ in Ged, and the ‘pasimpleng tsimoso’ in Naz.

They were actually the first people who spoke to me in the campus with what I can now look back on and consider as with “friendly intentions.” So, from then on, we would spend our vacant times together. I can sense that these two were not too sociable as well. I guess it’s a good fit.

I'm assuming, a few days after getting to know Ged and Naz (pardon my memory), in one of the classes, my attention was caught by this rowdy girl.. During the quiz she kept on standing up, which I assumed was nangongopya. I didn’t mind her until she approached and asked “Kuya, may sagot ka na?” When I answered “wala pa nga e,” because again, I assumed na nangongopya. To my surprise, upon hearing my response, she immediately gave me answers. I was chuckling inside, thinking “ang tindi netong batang ‘to.”

Later on, I found out her name is Beth. I have to admit, my initial impression of her being rowdy, was actually wrong. She’s not rowdy; siraulo talaga siya. Crazy-funny, but crazy.

During one of the vacant periods, Beth introduced us to her click. That’s when I met Yana and Cha among others. Those two were obviously young; teenagers. Yana exuded the vibe of a princess; parang Cinderella’s evil step-sister. You would think that she’s nonchalant about things, but in reality, madami siyang hanash. May tinatagong sungay. Her quips about the mundanity of school really gets me LOLing.

On the other hand, Cha is really the innocent baby of the group. Very gullible in a funny way. Patola, may I add. But this one is the masipag among the group. She’s the one who always reminds me about school stuffs that needs to get done and would volunteer to help me with things. But, don’t get me wrong, demonyo din yan! BTW, she was the first one who called me Tatay; ‘nagkaanak na nga sa labas, demonyo pa.’

I digress; here’s the poop story.

During that vacant period, when we met the girls, one of us, (na itago nalang natin sa code name na Ged), felt the poopies. The restrooms in the campus are not poopable, IYKYK. So he had to leave us to go to his aunt’s to take a dump. Because of that, the group decided to wait for him to cheer him on when he came back from the successful mission.

That pooping incident, I guess, cemented this little group of ours. Bound by shit.

I have a lot to thank these five for. During school events that I had to miss because of work, I can rest assured that I have an attendance, barring me from being penalized. During the PE final exam when I still haven’t purchased the required PE uniform, they made sure that I was permitted entry despite being in civilian clothes (Nangaway pa nga ng mga bantay.) All of the reminders about submissions, sometimes doing the assignments for me are just some of the things that I can say that I have friends.

Despite the age difference, I was welcomed full-heartedly. This little group of mine made sure that sabay-sabay kaming gra-graduate. 

A few hours from now, we can truly say that we’ve reached our goal.

The barong is ready, the Pajah is set, pants pressed, shoe shined, hair trimmed. I’m graduating in less than 24 hours. It all feels surreal. In all honesty, I’m more anxious than excited.

What’s next? I guess that’s for another blog entry.

In the meantime, I’m pointing the spotlight to the five people, who, unlikely as it may be, I became friends with over the course of my (second) college life. Thank you for being a part of the journey and for sharing your lives with me. College would not be as fun and as bearable as it was without you guys. Congratulations! on to the next chapter!

The Now