Remembering my Alma Mater (A Tribute to my fellow SHSians)

I went to my niece's graduation this weekend, and again got the chance to visit my alma mater. Except for a few renovations and additions here and there, everything seemed so familiar and the same. My husband has always been amazed by the many childhood stories I am able to retell him. Some even go way back when I was still 4 years old. I don't know why, there are just some memories that never fade, things that when I close my eyes I can still see so clearly. I remember my old friends, and I am filled with so much longing and regret, hoping that we could have somehow taken the time to stay in touch. I often check up on them via friendster, and it makes me so proud on how well all of them are doing and how happy they all seem. I just hope that they too remember once in a while with the same fondness the memories we shared together once upon a time.

Below are some pictures from prep school. Can't remember much in prep but I do remember performing a few declamation pieces (Alms, alms, alms. . . spare me a piece o bread, spare me your mercy, I'm a child so young, so THIN and so ragged . . . I always had an issue with that part -- THIN??? What the!*%@ hehehehe) and I think leading the national anthem and morning prayers. At the middle of this building is a small hollow portion, where our teachers used to gather us during activities. At the right middle room is our play room, where I used to play with Patricia R., Patricia J., Denise L. and a few others. I remember those colorful plastic fruits. . . They are all gone now. Our playroom has become a faculty room. Even our playground has become a cemented, roofed area full of little plastic houses, slides, swings. . . Dunno about you, but I'd much rather have my children playing on our old swings, slides, monkey bars where they can get soiled and dirty once in a while and get some fresh air and sun.

And hey, Patring, do you still remember Hanky? Just someone that popped out of my head all so suddenly. Prep school was co-ed before. But the population was predominantly female. I think of you whenever I remember him. Is there some association? Crush mo ba sya nun? hahahaha, can't remember anymore!

Pictures from Preparatory School

This used to be a steep hill, going from prep to the podium. It was filled with aratiris trees. A lot would fall on the ground and sometimes we'd pick them. We used to collect those tiny red fruits, sometimes even eat them. I remember that they were really sweet and sticky. I dunno what happened to those trees now. These trees, I think, are different.

For some reason, the school is now full of ramps. Really not sure why that is. Less effort going up the stairs, I guess? Or maybe to accommodate students who are handicapped? Easy transport of tables/blackboards? This may be better than those old, steep ,heart-pumping, adrenalin jumping stairs. . . hahaha exag!

Remember where this leads to? Korak! But do you ever remember that roofed portion at the end of the field? Yep that is where Anj A. and Tina J. used to burn skin to play softball. Sunog na sunog ka nun Anj!!! Our field now has a basketball court! I guess now the gym is not enough. That gym had a lot of wonderful memories. Patring R, Tina J, Joan S. and some other early birds . . . we used to climb that movable basketball ring all the way to the top, imagining ourselves as gymnasts. Who'd forget the chinese garter and "10-20" games that we used to play. And ofcourse the ever exciting "Agawang Base!" It was a blast, our bases used to be those "net-holders" (ano ba tawag dun. . . yung kinakabitan ng net ng volleybal at may circular cemented base???). Anyway, I think Tina J and Patring R dominated that game. They had the courage to stay so far away from their bases and tease the other cowardly team until they succumb to the bait. Imagine, early morning, our classes have not even started yet, and our uniforms are already so wet from the sweat and excitement. I really do miss those moments...

I remember conducting for the National Anthem several times when I was still in elementary. I even remember the sequence . . . National Anthem, Panatang Makabayan, Prayers. . . then . . . "get ready for the morning exercises!" Groan, groan, yuck, huwaaah! The hymn of exercise song is at the tip of my memory, but can't quite remember it exactly. Help me out anyone? =)

Didn't this slide looked taller and a thousand times more scarier back when we were still kids? Now it just seems so ordinary!

Prior to having our new swimming pool built, there was a lot of rumor about this cemented area located near the gym. They say a little girl drowned in this pool, and since then this area has been off-limits and have been covered to prevent any similar accidents. Ofcourse, you cannot go away with a few related ghost stories. My friends and I used to dare each other to go near this abandoned pool. All we ever saw that came close to a scare was a toad! =)

Who would forget Manang Vicky and Sister Tarsilda. I wish I knew when she passed away, so I could have visited her just one last time. Nobody smiles as warmly as she did whenever she gave me those chits during recess and lunch time. I miss you Sister Tarsilda, my mom and I loved you so dearly!

I still have a million memories I want to share. . . maybe I'll do that some other time. I wish I jogged your memory a little and made you remember a few wonderful memories you had in our beloved SHS.

God bless you, ye with pathetic lives!

Isn't it amazing how easy it is to tune-in to other people's lives nowadays? Why with just a simple click of a button, I am able to check up on my old friends, to see how they are doing, how much they have changed, how they have faired in life, and what they are currently up to. Why, I can even drop them messages and cute little graphic greetings. Technology never seizes to surprise me! You don't even have to memorize other people's telephone numbers nowadays, you just simply have to remember their names! hahaha...

What I am most curious of is what do you make of people who are NOT even your friends (people you particularly dislike/despise) but who often check-up on you via your personal sites? I am talking about those people who regularly visit your site just to simply get some gossip or to get a good laugh out of the things that are current and personal to you. The most laughable and pathetic part of it is they, more often than not, are the FIRST to view any updates about you! What'd they do, set an alarm or something? I used to get annoyed, now it's just sad! Are you waiting for me to put some news of something miserable and devastating about myself in any of my sites? Sure I will, life is not perfect. I am not a hypocrite as to portray my life as something it is not. But I suggest, you give little more focus to your own lives. It seems a tad boring and pathetic that you need to prey on other people to make yourselves feel good and superior. Tsk ... tsk ... tsk ... wawa naman kayo! =( hahahaha . . .

Friends, this is not about you. This is about some people I have encountered in the past who . . . let's just say would rather see me fail than be happy and succeed. I'm sure you also have your own share of experiences with this kind of people. I pray that we never run across them again!

And to you who take pleasure in bringing other people down, know that you are always in my prayers. I pray for God to give you the life you truly deserve.

Stay happy everyone! =)