Just Passing By

Thank goodness for Yahoo Messenger! For a cheapskate like me, the YM is a godsend.

I stayed late last night YMing with my fellow shawarma-addict and arabic tea-drinking pal, Lana. She was having a major crisis, or so she thought she did. She thought she failed her language test that was a requirement to get her residence visa to the Netherlands where her husband is based. I’ve known Lana for a looooong time and I’ve never seen her worry like that. I even teased her that she didn’t have any right to be nega. Between the two of us, I was the hopeless pessimist and she was the perky, optimistic one. But last night, we found our roles reversed. She just couldn’t stop fretting. She was so convinced that she failed miserably even though the results weren’t supposed to go out until next week.

So I tried to encourage her and assured her that I will be praying for her. Even as we chatted, I closed my eyes for a while to send a little prayer to God that He will perform a miracle for my friend. Then at about 10pm, we said our goodbyes. I was beat from the stress of the day and wanted to go to bed early. As my hubby and I lay down, talking about the day’s events, my phone rang. Odd, but the screen registered a Philippine number that I didn’t recognize. When I answered, there was this hysterical lady on the other line. I couldn’t make out what she was saying. Then she managed to calm down and introduce herself. It was Lana calling to tell me that she just got off the phone with the Dutch Embassy informing her that she passed. I tried to keep calm but I was jumping up and down on the inside. I had to for she was already ecstatic and only half-coherent.  I had to know the details.

I always believed that if you prayed hard enough, God will answer. I was in awe by how fast God answered Lana’s and my prayer. I fell asleep that night praying my thanksgiving. And when I woke up this morning, I was still talking to Him. God has blessed me countless times. I’ve prayed for family and friends and He always gave them what we prayed for. In my case, He told Daddy that I was going through a difficult time so Dad texted me. I haven’t told Daddy yet about my work woes but he found out and told me he wished he were here to be with me. I know that was God’s way of telling me that He’s wathcing over me. I don’t want to sound so cocky but in my heart, I know that I have a direct line with Him. He listens. Go ahead, talk to Him.

A co-worker asked me when I got back from the Philippines what the most memorable part of my vacation was. I was stumped. I couldn’t think of a single thing that stands out as unforgettable. So I said the first thing that came to mind - food!

The truth is, everything that I did while on vacation was memorable. We celebrated Daddy’s 59th birthday with a dedication ceremony of the house. We had two milestones to celebrate - that Daddy is the longest living in their family, having outlived his parents, and his late older brothers and sisters by 5 years or more. His family’s life expectancy is very short but now we’re hopeful the chain’s been broken and they can all expect a long and healthy life. We also have our 40+ year old house that’s been recently renovated. The intimate party was a success. It brought together family and friends and good food. Ate Mary’s spaghetti is the best and Mama’s pandan buko salad is to die for.

It was raining that day and days before and after that. I haven’t seen so much rain in years! We even had to go through flooded roads that almost killed Boybee’s van. We were all tired after a whole day of shopping in Greenhills and none of us was ready to push the van from waist deep of murky water. Thankfully, it didn’t disappoint us. But going back to the shopping trip, ohmigosh, that was just so much fun! I enjoyed the haggling part. Even if I only got the price down and save about 50 pesos, I felt very proud like it was a major feat. Walang tawad-tawad sa States. I knew I still had my shopping expertise in me. Our purchases that day easily filled out a whole suitcase.

Then there was Goji’s rite of passage. We had him circumcised and by an eye surgeon, no less. Doc Dan came to visit us the day we arrived and when the topic about Goji came up, he offered to do it at home. So we bought all the surgical supplies that he would be needing and he came bright and early Saturday morning to do the deed. I was too nervous but couldn’t let my son know that I was; so I put on my best nonchalant face and told him I’ll just go out to meet some friends and will be back after Tito Doc was finished with him.  He was so brave. I was told he didn’t even let out a whimper, just a tiny little tear and that was it. His cousins were impressed. But Mari turned pale when Migui and Goji played a trick on him and told him it was his turn. Boy, that kid can howl. (Continued)

Let me tell you about my grand Pinas vacation.

As I tried to coax sleep last night (I have had trouble falling asleep or staying asleep since I got back. Blame it on extended jet lag.). I revisited every single day of my trip back home. I remember my kids’ giddy smiles as I gave them the thumbs-up sign as the plane took off. It taxied for what seemed like forever but when it lifted from the ground, our hearts seemed to explode with anticipation -not unlike what you feel just before you open your Christmas present knowing you’ll get exactly what you asked for.

Philippine soil! I swear it took all of my self control not to run from the plane to the arrival area where Boybee is waiting for us. Nah, I asked the rest of my family not to pick us up anymore. It’s too much hassle to travel from Angeles to Manila. We won’t fit in one van anyway. Besides, Mama would be too busy preparing our breakfast and lunch for us. I requested taho, hot pandesal and Mekeni hotdogs with Eden cheese. For lunch, she prepared tocino, buro, boiled okra and eggplants. Yum! Can’t wait!

But whoa, the humid air embraced us almost immediately as we came out of the airport. And the traffic! Was it this crowded when we left? It felt like another lifetime since we left.  And motorbikes everywhere. It reminded me of pictures of Beijng and Shanghai with all the motorbikes in the main highways of China. I caught myself wincing several times as we narrowly missed the cars as we try to pass. Can I still drive here? Shiver. I don’t think so.

I saw my nephew with Boybee for the first time when we stopped over his condo in Timog to pick up his wife, Karen, and little Elias. He was beaming his toothy wet smile when he came forward to let me carry him. Then off we went to take the rest of the trip that was separating us from home. We were cruising along EDSA when we were stopped by the MMDA. Boybee’s van was prohibited because of the coding that was enforced in Manila to address the traffic issue. But being the celebrity that he is - he just flashed his media ID and a little request to overlook this tiny little infraction. The starstruck traffic enforcer was more than happy to oblige. Of course Nikki and Goji were more than impressed. Tito Boybee is so famous and powerful, wow!

The look on Daddy’s and Mama’s faces as we got out of the van is priceless! Their grandkids have grown so much and they just couldn’t believe it. Dad thought Nikki is pretty and  looked just like me when I was her age. Lucky girl for having good genes. Haha! Tuchie called in sick. She suddenly developed ulcers, uh-huh, ok.  Atty. Nino was there too and re-arranged his schedule so he can be there to meet us. Hugs, hugs and more hugs. I can get used to this. We were finally home and all is well. (Continued)

She said: “You can’t get upset over these changes. You take the news and move on.” That’s my boss talking after we all learned that the head honcho in our department is quitting at the end of the month. I bet her butt cheeks are clapping right now from glee over this new development coz she’s just upped her chances of moving up the ladder sooner than expected. Good for her, bad for me. I’m in a panic mode right now and if I wasn’t in too much of a debt (I just got me a new car, but I’ll save this story for next time)- I would have driven out right now and start looking for another job.

To be honest, I just don’t have much respect for my boss. She doesn’t have managerial skills at all. She may be competent with whatever work she did before being given supervisorial roles but, damn, the woman is clueless about what it takes to be a leader. Now I hate it that technically, she will be heading the department now instead of just supervising me and two other colleagues. On the other hand, I guess she feels the same about me. She questions every red mark, every period, every comma or capital letter I place on her articles. She asks me for books to support my every editorial call. She’s not impressed and the feeling is mutual.

But more than anything, I guess what’s making me more upset is the fact that I’m saying goodbye again. I  think I’ve said  more goodbyes in the last 3 years to more people than I ever had in my entire life. This head honcho was the one who took a chance on me when no other company would when I first came here in the US. He actually entrusted me with responsibilities that entailed more than ringing up customers in a department store or process cellphone orders placed online. He actually thought I was good enough to produce newsletters, edit seasoned writers’ work, and manage an entire website. Despite his flaws and the several instances where we butt heads, he’s leaving and I’m going to miss him.

My prospects with this company are dim. Can I still ride it out until my family is ready to go home to the Philippines? Is it worth it? Can I stay sane amidst all these frustration? Should I start looking for a job? Questions. No answers.