I slept a little before midnight. The next day would be the 21st of September-- a supposed-to-be ordinary Sunday in my life where I'd be sleeping until noontime and would hear mass in the afternoon at my favorite chapel in Greenbelt if I am not able to hear the anticipated mass on Saturday. Then I would shop a little, or not, depending on the need. Then I'd do my usual 40-minute brisk walk from Greenbelt to my apartment in Makati.
1:30am, the 21st of September...
My alarm went off. I took a bath, had a quick and light breakfast and my usual cup of coffee, then checked my bags for the last time.
I have two black luggage, the other one I dressed up-- the color of Halloween. I have two carry-on(s)-- a backpack for GreenApple and my files, and a case for Ti and Dun-- my badminton rackets.
Around 3am, a Mitsubishi Adventure stopped in front of our backyard in Pangasinan. Aljon (if I remember the name right) was the driver.
One by one, he took my things and stowed them at the back of his car. And one by one we got inside the car-- my mom, my youngest brother, and my one-year-old nephew, who was excited that he's awake at 3am and going for a ride.
I knew I was awake the whole time.
We stopped by for a restroom in Petron at the North Diversion Road then another stop to have real breakfast in Caltex (we had to change my nephew's diaper as well). I had arozcaldo and another cup of coffee.
Then we drove some more.
We passed by a lot of familiar places like the first apartment where I lived during my first years in Manila-- Mayon St. Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City -- I still remember that place. I was twelve when I lived there.
We fetched RSB-- my dear friend since high school. She just came out of the shower when I got to their house and Nanay and Tatay were having coffee. We were an hour early but she went with us anyway-- hair still uncombed and no make-up/lotion yet.
Around 7am I saw myself unlocking the gate of my apartment in Makati. We unloaded my luggage from the car and loaded all my stuff from my room.
RSB was laughing and she told me -- "Your whole life could fit-in in an Adventure!"
Silently I say, "My life, indeed, is an adventure."
RSB and I took a cab to the airport with all my luggage while the Adventure followed us. They had to see me go.
A little before 9am, we were all seated inside the OFW lounge at NAIA 1. We're too early for my flight. We waited for an hour before I could check-in.
RSB has an open ticket to Qatar and she'd try if she could make her way inside to help me. Well, the gods were all on our side. The guards have let her in and everyone inside was accommodating. We're both laughing-- happy. I am grateful that she was with me all throughout the check-in process. Aside from having a hand with my heavy luggage, at least I had someone to share my joy, and excitement (and fear) inside. Plus, as most of you know, it is my first time to ride on a plane. Everything was my first time.
We toured around. She showed me where the immigration is and how to get through the process. The PDOS at POEA have told us about it but it felt different when you're there.
Then we went back to the OFW lounge where we waited with my mom, brother, and nephew for the boarding time.
At around 11am, we said our goodbyes. I kissed them and went through the hallway going to the immigration. It was easy. No random check for me. No interrogation.
I went inside Duty Free and walked around to find my Kuya's request -- taba ng talangka -- which, by the way, was already phased out (sorry bro! No cholesterol for you!).
I sat for a while texting and updating my friends and trying to decide whether I should buy something to eat when I board the plane. I did not buy anything until I heard the announcement that we're about to board. I heard my stomach complained hence I grabbed one of my last hundred-peso bills and bought some Chips Ahoy! It helped. It has silenced my grumbling tummy.
My first plane ride.
The first one was a two-sitter on the sides. I requested for a seat by the window for my two plane rides.
"Hi", a guy in his late twenties I supposed, sat beside me and was courteous to talk to me.
"Saan ka pupunta?", he added.
If RSB was with me, she must have hit me on the head. I was in deadma-mode again. But at least I didn't ignore the fact that he's cute, nice, and he smells really good, huh?!
I told him where I was headed and he told me where he's headed -- to Toronto.
Although I felt that he wanted to talk some more, he might have felt the air of aloofness in my side.
"Just wake me up when you're going to the restroom ha?" he said before he closed his eyes. I just smiled. And of course I regret doing that. I wanted to talk. I wanted to tell him that it's my first plane ride and that he should not mind me when he sees me sticking my face on the window of the plane and enjoying the cloud formations and how nice the view from above was. But he tried to sleep all throughout the ride (woke up just to eat).
He took my bags from the overhead cabin and handed them to me when we landed in Korea. He walked slowly when we were outside, as if waiting for me to walk. And when we were finally walking together, I backed out (he was surprised) and ran inside the restroom. I don't know why I do stupid (or not) things sometimes but that was the last time that I saw him.
I waited for my next boarding time (which was just about an hour) at Gate 9. Boarded the plane, which was a three-sitter on the sides (but the middle seat was vacant-- thank God!).
I made myself comfortable, familiarized myself with the gadgets inside, and prepared myself for a goodnight sleep after dinner was served (food at Korean Air was superb! I enjoyed every bit of their service, too) and I had my cup of hot tea.
I can't remember how I fell asleep but I was able to sleep doing all the possible comfortable position with the reclinable seat. Was able to watch a movie and some TV series, too.
I woke up when breakfast was served (it was 7pm outside! Weird!) then tried to get some more sleep.
When I woke up, I heard someone speaking.
"This is your captain speaking... I hope you enjoyed your flight. It's 8:30pm of September 21st..."
Ahh... September 21st. I was dreaming.
Not.
Because if it is a dream that I am here inside a huge room, with a huge bed, and a very nice ranch-style house with a very huge backyard, and with cherry trees and green-apple trees, and maple trees, and SQUIRRELS that I saw today (and groundhogs and deer that I haven't seen), and with my Kuya, Sis-In-Law, and niece with me, then I don't think I would want to be awakened from such a nice dream and be back to where I sleep on a yoga mat inside a small room, without a touch of nature outside the apartment, and alone.
There may be a huge difference from where I came from and from the way I lived before. There will be extreme adjustments that I am not sure if I will like or not. But this is it. I was back in time and it was on the last day of Summer here but there is no turning back now.
Officially, I will be working for Uncle Sam.
In God, I Trust.
Readers have left 4 comments. 1. Untitled
mikaela, Unregistered will wait for other details and kwentos...thanks for sharing with us your first times!  2. Untitled
mikaela, Unregistered keep on sharing with us your adventures! enjoy lagi! :) 3. Untitled
ria, Unregistered kaloka ka! WHAT IF he was the one??? WHAT IF he held your hand during the take off and the landing??? WHAT IF he was a good conversationalist???
but its cool. you'll meet a lot of nice looking guys there. a lot of nice smelling men. you'll meet HIM.
naiyak ako sa kwento mo. yup. your life is an adventure, and some more. we will hear the rest of your stories over the days. keep in touch!
wabshu! 4. Untitled
Dione, Unregistered We been missing you na, but we're glad and wishing you all the best in your current and future endeavors. Kakahinayang naman, torpeda ka na naman hahahahah..fortunely or unfortunately enough eh di ka nahawahan ng kakapalan ng muka ko hehehehe. Anyway, ok lang yun..malay mo in time magkita ulit kayo and sana once that time comes eh atleast you can give him one of your sweetest smile naks!  |
Some-Kinda-Blog-Stop 
I am Mae German. 34 years old. Born in Mangatarem, province of Pangasinan. I was taught and trained by Juan Dela Cruz, and I am currently being trained for more by Uncle Sam. Writing since the age of 12. Blogging since 2001. I keep a notebook and a pen in my bag, on my bedside table, and inside the bathroom. Misses a lot. Sometimes even my own voice. Loves to laugh. Sometimes even at myself. I am a work in progress. My ultimate dream is to be a SAHM. That is, if I am bound to have that chance in this lifetime... and I am.