All my bags are packed... (all two of them)

It has been quite a sad week for me.

Over the months of February and March, I fell in love with so many people who shared with me experiences I would never forget during this lifetime's "Escape 2005." (As I would fondly refer to this particular vacation.) In the span of only a few days, I acquired 2 sets of loving parents, a kuya (FYI: my first official one,) 2 ates, a sister of practically the same age, 3 lil bros and a little baby sister whom I feel terrible to part with. To them, I silently whisper my own farewells:

Tita Des: Thank you for the enlightening prayer for my quick recovery and with that reminding me of God's presence in my life.

Tito Butch: Thank you for the pack of gum and the healing touch of the 2 more boxes of Krispy Kreme.

I have never felt so much at home in a place for only so short a time. Maraming salamat po.

Tito Choy: Thank you for the patience to tour me around making that kick-ass spaghetti TWICE during my short stay.

Tita Gina: Thank you for willingly taking the place of my mother while she's apart from me and doing a job well done at that. I would be more than proud to be called your son in this lifetime and the next.

Although the catching up I sought and thought we needed to do to replenish the lost years only happened in such a short time, I feel it would only be enough, for now, and will be completed in the years to come.

Kuya Eric: Thank you for not letting me pay for anything in spite of my insisting and for the brotherly advice about career and life itself when we were in the bar. (Even if we were under the influence, who cares?) Oh, and on a personal note, I won't blow it the next time. (Yes, there will be a next time.)

Ate Melissa: Thank you for showing me what life would be like in New York, which is truly a special place. For a day or two there, I felt what it would be like to be in your shoes and how challenging yet adventurous an independent life would be. Thank you for the amazing birthday gift (all the souveniers are still in tact by the way) and for your loving concern expressed quite well through your actions and by the height of the stack of clothes you gave me.

You two were great and I wish you all the best in your coming life together as husband and wife.

Ate Marie: Thank you for inspiring me to blog. (Apparently, I need more lessons hehe.) And this I mean from the bottom of my heart, whether it be during the trip to Boston or the trip to Virginia, thank you for listening. That meant a lot to me especially during these hard times. I wish you the best in your pagbabago ng kareer (a safety precaution for those who don't need to know yet... apologies for the paranoia) and I pray for your success.

Martha: Thank you for showing me the great place you have learned to call home over the past few years of your life. I want you to know that I'm proud of you and I envy the life you have, having started a career and being independent at this point in time. I wish you all the luck I can muster and I want you to know that I'm here always, just a phone call away.

Patrick: Thank you for your patience when I was sick. I knew you ached to show me so many things in Connecticut whether it be your friends, hangout places, and, of course, places to eat. Keep up the good work and my piece of advice for you is, particulary for you-know-who, learn to be patient for it will do you nothing but good. Cheers, mah boy!

Carl: Thank you for being my roommate, making me use your computer, listening to a hopeless musician, and showing me what it would be like to be a kid again. You are now in a stage of many challenges but remember that it is ONLY a stage. Become the fighter who has yet to know the meaning of the word defeat. I'll see you soon, breeze.

Cas: Thank you for the food and the upcoming recipe. (Yes, he has inspired me to venture into cooking. Thanks for that too, by the way.) I'm proud of how far you've reached while maintaining that consistency of perseverance, determination, and hardwork and I can't wait to see you fly in your coming years.

Astrid: Thank you for letting me use your laptop and understanding me why I still see you as a baby, even if I know you're not anymore. I'm aware that I have to let that go, but it's hard because that's how I'll always remember you. Let me put it this way and it's not just for you but for all of the family: In neverland, which is where I am when I'm with all of you, we all grow old, but never up. And the bond that I have grown to love with you is something I'll always keep. Thanks in advance for understanding that. (Hehe.) I love you babe.

Truly a sad time for me but a memorable one at that. Sigh...

"What we do in life echoes in eternity." -General Maximus, The Gladiator