Yes, I was able to jog by the lake today. The day's good. The park was nice. People seems nice and their dogs, so cute (well, I said Hello to every dog that I've met, and their humans were nice to acknowledge). There was an old man fishing (yes, he has caught one), old people, young people, toddlers, walking, jogging, riding on their bicycles, and there were those who were on their roller blades. I felt safe with the crowd and I loved the breeze as well. Refreshing. Liberating.
A guy who's on his roller blades approached me as I was jogging.
"Are you a Filipina?"
"Yes. And you?" *in between my hingal!*
"No."
He did not stop. He just slowed down and then he left.
"Maybe he's Vietnamese," I told myself, "But are they usually short?" Well, he is, anyway.
I brisked walk and ran a few laps then decided to take a break for a few minutes. I haven't done any exercise for the past few months and well, I was too excited to jog that I did not do any stretching before leaving the house. I know, I know. I'm bad!
He passed by my bench. He smiled and I smiled back. I was about to run again but he came back and sat at the next bench. The conversation began.
"I have an inkling that you're a Filipina because my boss is a Filipina and my ex-girlfriend is a Filipina..."
Woah! Wait. I don't talk to strangers!
"Hi! My name is Mae, and you are?" I asked and offered him a hand shake.
"Tony," he replied as he reached for my hand.
There, total strangers no more.
"So, what is your nationality?"
"I'm Vietnamese."
See? I was right, but he could be mistaken as a Pinoy, too, I told him.
In just a few minutes, I have learned a lot about Tony. Surprisingly, he's quickly warmed up to me. I guess I wasn't wearing my snobbish facade today, eh? He's been in the US for 20 years. From West Coast, he's transferred to New Jersey in 1998 for some scholarship and now he's working as a Data Analyst (something that has to do with Statistics, according to him). He loves to travel (I was surprised when he handed me his iPod and showed me some pictures of the places that he's been to). His goal is to visit the 7 (or was it 8 now?) Wonders of the World and he's almost done (again, he showed me his iPod). The last one, he'll visit this July (I kinda forgot where). Last week he went to Russia. He visits Vietnam twice a year. He wants to visit the Philippines. His ex-girlfriend's name (who's a Filipina) is Reshhhhh... ok.. I cannot remember her name, but he couldn't remember her last name, basta he said it's like Venezuela (I was thinking, Valenzuela). They've been together for over a year. She's a nurse but he's only met few of her friends because she said he might feel out of place daw because everyone speaks Tagalog (huh?!). She went back to the Philippines to take care of his father and since then he's never heard from her.
"Maybe her father was sick. It's the only reason I can think of why one, especially, a nurse here, should go back to the Philippines," I said.
He wanted to be friends with her but he thought she's shut her door on him. Well, it's her prerogative.
"She's got lots of plans, I know." he continued.
"May I know how old she is? Oh! How old are you, anyway?"
"She's in her twenties," he said, "My age, I'm not going to tell you right now."
"Hah! What's with the age?"
"What's your guess?"
(do I look like a manghuhula?)
"Early thirties," though he looks like he is in his mid-30s.
"I'm not telling."
"Funny. What's with the age? I am thirty-one. What's wrong with telling your age?" I asked again.
"You're like 21!"
Fine. I am not pushing. I just don't get it why people refuse to answer such very simple question. Anyway, he continued opening up (because I kept throwing him questions, it's in my nature, I guess). He's got one older sister. No nephew or niece yet. He lives near CV/S. He comes to the park every day after work and he's always on his roller blades. He visits the public library here often and he frequents the travelling section ("because I love to travel," he said). He gives advices to travellers online, too. He asked me if I like to travel. I said yes, but it's not my priority right now. I told him I don't have a job yet. I didn't want to really talk about me but I didn't find it hard to give him back the floor. I was entertained. He was okay to speak with but I was running out of question to ask so...
"Hey! I have to make another round now," I said as I stood up.
"Yeah, me too. Then I'm out of here. I am watching hockey tonight," he said.
I laughed.
"Yes, obviously, with my roller blades, it's my favorite sports," he said laughing.
"All right then, goodbye," I said.
I ran two more rounds then met him again on my last lap.
"Are you coming here, tomorrow?" he asked.
"Hmm.. I'll try," I said.
But I won't.
It's going to rain tomorrow.
Anyways... guess what? I saw a note that says, "WANTED HELP, PART TIME" at a store, a few blocks away from here. I'd like to inquire about it but they're already closed for the day. I should try again soon.
Readers have left 2 comments. 1. Untitled
Tin, Unregistered oy, don't hand shake muna, especially with strangers!!! may swine flu virus kaya!  anyway, i got a writing job from a site that has openings for other jobs as well. baka gusto mo i-try for the meantime, may mga web design, etc. lemme know. 2. Untitled
Mae, Unregistered Tin, automatic sa akin eh! Turo ng teacher eh! hehe. ey! email mo ako sa job op.  |
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.