Hello, September! Can you hear me?

I thought I caught a whiff of that simoy Pasko when I opened the balcony door early this morning. There was that hint of crisp morning air for a few minutes until the building construction across the street (a.k.a. Mordor) came to life again and all I could smell thereafter was dust and cement powder combined. At least, the simoy Pasko came ahead of it. There's always a degree of consolation in every unpleasant situation. That's what I want to believe. It's better to look for that silver lining than to dwell in my bottomless cup of limiting beliefs. It's a rare treat but it works.

Anyway... Yes, it's September! Which means that I survived the month of August. (Yipee. Yay.) The first two weeks of August found me scrambling here and there. School opened on the same day for both the college freshie and the 10th Grader. Two very different schedules and two different locations. This may not be so much a concern for many parents, but ever the worrywart, I do mind even the littlest things when it comes to my children. So thankful that my girls did their best to show their mettle and independence and to be responsible in their own ways. Sariling diskarte. I'm proud of my girls. They are trying their best to not inconvenience their klutz of a mom. :o)

The last two weeks of August was the best - Mom in the hospital for a week, and then my brother got admitted a week after because of dengue. I deliberately spared myself from being a hospital companion this time, because I have not recovered from Mama's last two surgeries early this year which practically turned me into a zombie. In some cases, I know I'd better think of self-care before anything else. And I hope that's not to be equated with being selfish. I just need to recalibrate.

Lately I've been trying to fill up those pockets of dull time by going to a coffee shop or hanging out at a supermarket's food court for about an hour or so. I feel less lonely when I'm alone somewhere and surrounded by strangers. (Fellow introverts might understand.) I normally just bring a book to read or a journal to write on when I'm out. Maybe soon I'll take along my paints and sketchbook just to revive an old routine. It's an exciting thought. Let's see how it unfolds. Somehow I should make good use of the remaining days of September, right? 

First daughter is off to college

Our eldest has graduated high school and has been accepted at the Ateneo de Manila University! Pardon the exclamation point. The point of the exclamation is to not convey some breaking news but to show the overflowing excitement this Mommy (that's me) has been feeling over the fact that her daughter has entered a top university. I'm still not over the fact as I have been over the moon. I know I'm being silly; I just can't help it. 

I also had the honor and privilege of bringing her to the campus on the first day of school. That was August 5th. We took the bus from C5 to Katipunan and got off on the first overpass. Pamasahe was a measly Php 15 for the student and Php 20 for the adult. San ka pa, di ba? 

Student IDs have not been issued so she just showed her AISIS screenshot to be allowed entry into the campus. I was that giddy parent who followed suit and then did a detour to the registrar's office. We had a bit of a problem enlisting in a Filipino class. I'm glad this issue was resolved in less than 5 minutes. (Thank you, Admissions Office!). While I was at the registrar's, Candice was at the Uni bookstore getting PE t-shirts. Afterward, diretso na siya sa class. Big girl na. Huhu. 

I was done with my errands in about an hour, so I decided to go home to get some rest and to catch up on chores. I honestly can't remember if I picked her up after class or her Dad drove to Katips to pick her up. So much for documenting. Brain fog begone, please.  

Well, it's been 2 weeks and she's already on her own most of the time. I'm still in awe of this Little Pumpkin who was always hatid-sundo from grade school to high school. And, now, she's really enjoying her new environment and every form of independence she could demonstrate.