Summer Lovin'

The months of April and May are the summer months in tropical Philippines. Just recently, the country's weather bureau reminded everyone in the country to take necessary caution as the summer temperature heats up to 39 C. People are encouraged to take a bath two or more times daily, avoid exposure to the sun from 9:00-3:00 pm, and drink plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration. Despite the raging summer heat in the Philippines, summer is still one of the most awaited time of the year. Children have no school and parents are happy as the giving out of allowance temporarily came to a halt. It seems many have time to unwind and relax. I, for one is looking forward to summer vacation, not for its blazing heat but for the carefree atmosphere it brings.

Every summer I enjoy at least 20 days off from work. Several days of that furlough are spend profitably while the rest are spend aimlessly. At home, I can just sleep and sleep, watch the tv programs that interest me, and stroll at my favorite mall like a true blooded mall rat. This summer, I am looking forward to accomplish the following:

1. Be a volunteer teacher in our church's annual Daily Vacation Bible School ( DVBS ). This year, I decided to spend only 5 days of April contrary to what I have been doing for the past 2 or 3 years. I feel there are many in the church who should experience the joy of volunteerism. If I would always be around to take a slot, I would also be depriving others who could also enjoy the task if I did not take one.

2. See friends like Lyn and Drew whom I haven't seen for a long time. It is true we built a really good friendship 11 years ago and made beutiful memories together but just recently I realized there is a need to reconnect with each other, reassure that there is love, a special place in our hearts exclusively meant for one another. I know I have not been so enthusiastic to see them ( despite Lyn's regular invitation to meet in Manila). This is because I thought our friendship is not dependent on regular get together or frequent exchange of text messages ( the two girls probably think this way too ) to survive. I was secured with our friendship that our last get together happened back in 2006 tsk..tsk.. I was wrong to look at our friendship that way. Now, I see the need to see each other once more, listen to stories about our career, family, and struggles, eat and laugh together, and just be there for each other again not only in words and in thoughts, but in a more " physical " way like we used to back in college.

I will also see other Manila-based friends. One of them is Chloe who I have to see before she leaves for Australia in July. Another friend, I am hoping to meet ( although we really had a marathon conversation before Christmas ) is another friend who just married a Chinese national. This year, I don't know if Marlyn can come to Manila, but I hope she can. I have nothing important to tell her, I just love to see her.

3. Write more blog entries. Believe me, I find blogging therapeutic. Most of my blog entries were written when I was feeling low. I wrote Food!Food!Food! because I miss good food. My first ever blog entry here, Hello World! was written in the midst of boredom. The article In The Mood for Gathering came out from my excitement about the possibility of meeting fellow Tony fanatics. Blogging made it possible for me to express my thoughts freely, without interruptions, without inhibitions. I just love it.

4. Read books on Citizenship Education. Thank God! Finally, I realized this is the field I must explore if I want to be good in my chosen career. I think the Philippines should have more experts on this field. Specialists who can develop and implement policies crucial to the development of responsible and nationalistic Filipinos. If I would be given a chance to study again, this field would top my list.