Simbang gabi: 2nd Night

FRIDAY-NYT

 We don't have the group therapy class because Dr. Lota had an emergency. The postponing of classes was announced last week. So the night went… still in Ateneo. I tried visiting the library to get the book the we need for our group therapy reflection paper christmas homework..but the lib was closed! SO I went back to my dorm and fixed some things.. Then I went to Fullybooked to look for a gift for the SS Christmas party tom. I found nothing to buy :|

I was singing and humming as I walk and enjoy my solitude towards the church.

Then, I headed back to Gesu, Ateneo. I was approximately 30 mins earlier. There were more vacant seat. I sat first at the middle right side. But the fan was too far and I really felt hot so I transferred. I ended up seating at the most right side. I was thinking this once I felt comfortable seating:

"I think it is not always that single man ends up with a single woman or vice versa; sometimes single woman go 'chase' taken man and vice versa."

I look aback.  There, I thought God was kidding me. Or I thought I was mistaken to see one time big time crush MAC seated just a row on my back! I tried to glance at the ceiling which are glasses so you can see the reflection of people seated. I saw him but because of my poor eyesight I can't be sure. Then, as if God was speaking to me directly, two people seated beside him and started a conversation. If I am not mistaken, he knows the man. Then the girl was just a new acquaintance.  So their conversation was a get-to-know thing. That was the cue. He mentioned he came from UP, that he is taking Medicine, specifically Community Nutrition… so he is definitely the Macapinlac that once made me a lil insane! :)) But seeing him in his 'solitude' (because the two seemed just beside his seat accidentally..or maybe for a reason,too) is AWKWARD! Define AWKWARD! What has been more awkward that added to the awkward situation was when Father was saying the Homily about Testimonials. Well, it was awkward because the main reason why we met 8 months ago was because I delivered a "testimonial" in the form of an inspirational speech for their class project.

I tried hiding my face, staring on the right side of the Church instead on the left, where the priest was. I was too busy thinking of how to "escape" from that really awkward situation that my attention was divided on listening to the mass and trying to think of ways to "avoid" him. I have no reasons to avoid him, but I just don't feel like seeing him or even saying Hi! to him right then. Forgive me God, but the moment I realized it was him, I panicked and I was cursing in mind! Inside the church! How I hope that I evaporate right there and then. I was avoiding the peace be with you part because I don't want to face him literally. I was thinking, when was the last time I saw him? I think it was last May. When I got the chance, which was when he stood up to receive the body of Christ, I stood up and walked away. But I stopped in a line for the receiving of Ostia on the main entrance of the Church. I received the body of Christ then went back inside, this time just standing near the exit. Not to mention the tempting generous offer of free coffee after the mass on the Bel Field! But i dont want to risk staying.

Then I was brisk walking back to my dorm.

Simbang gabi: 1st Night

1st night: A night with some of my favorite people

It was a dinner date with one of the best mentors of my life, Ate Len. We had a quick dinner at the Pathways office, then we headed to the Gesu  Church in Ateneo. The mass was about…hmmm sorry God, I forgot. Basta, I know it was about celebrating the beginning of Simbang Gabi. I know I was listening so intently sa Gospel at sa Homily but I don't know now, why I forgot the details now. When we arrived, the seats were almost all occupied. Then i saw some familiar faces. I saw my students! My twin favorite students were also there with their family, parent and grandparents. The mom offered a seat for me and Ate Len. With some little chats in between transition of the ceremonies, we have the little parent(ofstudents)-teacher bonding time. :)

Then this was her striking question: Teacher, hindi mo naman kami iiwan? (She was asking if i have plans of leaving my current employer) Well, dear parent, that's the question of a million. kiddin! but i already have an answer to that :) I'll look for a greener pasture. :D

Btw, I love the Carols sang on that night. I love the glee who sang that night. What I remember is the walk in front of Xavier hall where the HUGE Christmas Stars of different offices of ADMU are displayed. Ate len took the chance to realize her dream of becoming a 'photographer' and I happen to be the 'model'. Well, the results: pictures taken were a reminder of how size matters. :P

But the most epic of the night was the kwentuhan under the Batibot tree. Seems like we never run out of stories to share to each other. I always love how Ate Len listens to me. We talked about how blessed I am to find one great mentor in terms of career, Tojie. :) I always love how Ate Len transpired wisdom to me.

Night with Nate

As the title suggests, this blogpost is about the night or shall I say Nate. =) Nate is our handsome grad school classmate who grew up here in the Philippines but whose family came from Oregon and who are foreigners. For the previous group therapy class, my friend and I are always happy every after classes because 1. the classes are engaging and stimulating, 2. there's a cute, substantial guy in class---> that's Nate.

We were walking on the blue bridge with Praise, Father Jacob, and Nate, all our grad school classmates. But Praise had to drop by Fullybooked and Father Jacob needed to head somewhere else so Nate, Max and I ended up walking together. Nate  walked with us until 7-11 where he was meeting someone, according to him.

This blogpost is not separate or that special for myself, but for my friend Max. Since the beginning of class , I am "teasing" my friend to this guy. My basis, I just like it. Joke. No, kasi hearing from both of their stories, I can see some associations and I just like to play matchmaker sometimes….or rather most of the time.Hehe. For instance, I was kidding Max awhile ago about our positions in class. We were seated in a circular arrangement and I just noticed the seating positions that what Max and I ended up. Max was seating beside Father Jacob (who's from India), and Father Jacob was seating beside Nate. I was seating beside Max. It was father who is in the middle of the "bride" and the "groom" and I happen to be beside the bride--"bride's maid" :)). And the others are witnesses. Well, as you know, these are just my chorvas. :D Pero, hanggang pang-aasar lang ako. Whatever happen will happen in it's rightful timing, and if it happens, I wouldn't do anything about it because that would be a result of their choices and actions and certainly not mine.

Another reason why this blog is entitled this way is because, most of the time this Friday night, was mostly about listening to Nate. He was sharing in group therapy class, which Dr. Lota utilized very well in a very enriching discussion and enlightening session about parenting and parental dynamics. The walk with Nate also contributed to the idea of revisiting my plans for 2012 (e.g., planning to shift career: from teaching to research). So goodnight with Nate. And I should say, the night has been MAXimized.