Nostalgia

My literature professor told us that Nostalgia's etymology directly translates to "pain from the inability to return"--and while I'm definitely a "no regrets"/"what's done is done, motherfs" kind of girl, I do permit myself the occasional bouts of reminiscing. :) Here are a couple of photos that I unearthed, thanks to Facebook's (otherwise inconvenient) Timeline feature.

Photo by Rachel Mutia

The photo above was taken in Sofitel in 2010, during my dear friend Gia's 20th birthday celebration. We used to have these annual sleepovers at Gia's place/around Gia's birthday time every year, but somehow work/relationships have gotten in the way and we haven't been able to schedule a sleepover since 2010. I miss you girls! :D 

Photo by Gia Densing

This was from the same night. Murph & I used to live together on Taft (along with Marz) and if there's one thing I miss about living in Taft with Murph, it's being inebriated and taking cabs home while laughing and eventually throwing up. I've cleaned my lifestyle up since then (wow, I talk like my mother) and definitely don't get up to these shennanigans as much as I used to but I should probably get out and do something like this one of these days. :))

Photo by Audrey Puangco

Even earlier in 2010--we went to Tagaytay to eat at this delicious seafood place (as you can tell by the empty plates over to your right). Mostly, I miss my Marion Cotillard hair and my dad's mustache (which he likes to grow and shave off, depending on his mood). Also, my sissy in law ate Audrey is still preg-o with my crazy kulit niece Presley, who I can't quite remember my life being without. :)

Photo by Ronaldo Recto

While I do have my qualms about having been on MLF's editorial board (in short, I found I wasn't quite fit to be editor or an editor because the only person I know how to edit is myself), one thing I have no regrets about whatsoever are the friends I made during that year. :) Hi, Trizh--my dearest friend! This was taken during the first Malate Night of our year, at Ron's condo. :)

Photo by Deng Queddeng

Another reason why I've no regrets about being on the EB--I met this crazy goofball, Carlitos. This was taken on a binondo trip back in '10 and we were all obsessed with funny hats. This was like, the day after I met Carlos for the first time. Fast friendship is crazy! :) But yeah--I make fun of you a lot Carlos, but I'm so glad I met you! Otherwise, I would be a million funny memories short and I'd never have met Keav and Lorri and Joelle and Raph and all the great people we hang out with. :) (A big hi to everyone I wasn't able to mention as well)

Photo by Joy Vidad

This photo was taken during first term, 2009--and I miss my BFF Cha very, very much. Because she lives all the way in Marikina and I in Alabang, we haven't been able to hang out at all (almost) since she graduated later that year. I love you and miss you Cha! I don't know anyone else who's made me laugh so hard and who has the capacity to love with such ferocity (no kidding, ferocious talaga!). <3 nbsp="nbsp" p="p">

You know that old 80s movie People Under The Stairs? Well, I used to be one of them. :) Back in 2008, my college barkada and I used to hang out under the stairs of Yuchengco building the whole day. It was so much fun having a solid tambayan and a place you could go to during breaks. As you can see in the photo above, our cave was a great place for some r & r. 

Photo by Joy Vidad

Early in 2010, our college barkada headed out to Star City for a day of fun, fun, fun. I hate amusement parks. I like going and walking around but I am not a rollercoaster type girl. I fucking hate those things (pardon my french). But I decided to ride on the anchors away type ride with my friends Joy & Nico because it didn't look that bad. Boy, was I wrong. Before we got on, I said to Nico, "I thought you wanted to ride at the edge, why are you here?" And he said, "I want to hear you scream." And scream I did, right into Joy's boobage for the entire ride. :))

Photo by Cha Bernardez

This was taken during MLF's 25th anniversary celebration, at Mag:net Katipunan. One of the funnest parties ever! :) This makes me miss my long hair, which I used to tie up in a bun a lot. Hay. Ah, well. Hair does grow.

Photo by Audrey Puangco

This photo was taken in the summer of 2010, before my sister left for Vietnam. And while I know we're all growing up and it's great that she's blooming and doing very well over there (hi, ate!) I also miss my sister terribly. Anyone who's ever lived/shared a room with their sister can tell you that despite arguments over borrowed clothes and clutter, it's one of the nicest things in the world to come home at night after a terrible day and have someone to cry to/laugh with. My sister was, in a lot of ways, my mother growing up--she's the one who I told when I got my period and who lent me my first grown-up books and who introduced me to dipping fries into vanilla sundaes. I love you and miss you, ate Ring!

I miss this outfit (and that bag) almost as much as I miss Cha. We used to eat in agno, sitting on this elevated bit of the sidewalk next to manong Ray's taho thing. This was back before DLSU decided to reimplement the dress code and I could wear shorts on campus (something I miss terribly). Also, that shirt's gone missing. Who knows where it is.

Photo by Ria Puangco

I'll end with this photo of me and my dad back in 2009. :) I love my dad very much and this was before he had a stroke--so if there's anything I miss, it's my dad being able to drive. We're uber lucky that no major damage was done to my dad when he had his stroke, save for his peripheral vision (which obviously, means he can no longer drive) but I still miss hanging out with my dad sans driver. We used to go out and have dinner/lunch together and he'd occasionally pick me up from school. 

All in all, I think life's been pretty good to me. If I could, I would post all the bajillion photos I found but then this'd never be over. So, yeah. :) I think I'll (finally) head to bed as I have to be up very early tomorrow. Goodnight, world!

Here's to making more great memories to look back on!