I've since realized that the waking up scenes in what I write betray my preoccupation with one Mr. Samsa; the journeys (on the MRT, the bus, the plane, in distant locations), perhaps a natural reflex to feeling boxed. 2011: a year that was, for so many great reasons, blessed:
1. Silliman
The war-era bus. Noisy and reliable, and really, what can compare to seeing it approach the pick-up bay in Robinsons Dumaguete and you thinking, hey there's our ride.
In the city's paved roads, you sometimes long for a little instability, for wayward branches of trees to invade open windows...
... and the familiar laughter and counsel, and poetry in the morning.
In the Dumaguete airport, waiting for the boarding call you wish would never come.
2. MA still on track
A jeep on campus, because it is becoming harder and harder to leave this place.
Because really, how does one leave UP and its pristine mornings?
3. Going back to guest-edit for Kule
Red Horse by the sea in San Narciso, Zambales during Kule's consolidation activity.
Venn diagram-ing "paghihintay" and "pag-asa" during the post-Christmas party nightcap, a.k.a., Overthinking and Why We Are Perpetually Depressed
4. Davao raket
Boxes of pomelo and priceless first-hand information on the state of education in the ARMM from mayors and aid workers themselves, which leads us to -
5. Freelancing
Breakfast by the sea in Pagbilao, during one of the rakets that thankfully made 2011 - the first full year of doing freelance full time - bearable and really not so bad.
Lunch by the Hundred Islands, after futile attempt to scale a muddy mountain wearing skinny jeans and suede shoes
6. CDO and Philline
Rafts atop a jeep in Cagayan de Oro, during the best vacation of the year, aside from the Bacolod-Sipaway-Iloilo trip with Om in February and the nice gastronomic weekend at LB with the golden couple and Christian.
Tuscany. Echos. Bukidnon, thanks to our host Lina Sagaral-Reyes.
Best work station in the world.
Most trips this year were solitary walks, as freelance and single had been key words; being alone is not so bad, really. Coming to terms with things. We usually have fun.
Especially with this big girl (wearing an oversized Che shirt of all things), who accounts for why Jollibee clips are bookmarked on my laptop
And books.
8. Writing
The whole point of not working full time is so could devote more time to writing. Not sure if year's worth of output is enough and justified. Also not sure how to explain the lola-style balabal in this picture.
And because I am too tired to think of a comprehensive wisdom for the year, here's something from David Nicholls' novel One Day.
"Travelling," she sighed. "So predictable."
"What’s wrong with travelling?"
"Avoiding reality more like."
"I think reality is over-rated," he said in the hope that this might come across as dark and charismatic.
She sniffed. "S'alright, I suppose, for those who can afford it. Why not just say 'I'm going on holiday for two years'? It’s the same thing."
"Because travel broadens the mind," he said, rising onto one elbow and kissing her.
"Oh I think you’re probably a bit too broad-minded as it is," she said, turning her face away, for the moment at least.
They settled again on the pillow.
Now to go back to idle on the bed with this wonderful, wonderful read.
