High school graduation was the happiest day of my entire teenage life. Sure, I was sad because I would be separated from my friends and classmates with whom I shared the best of times. But college, for me, was a whole new world of adventure. It’s the fairy land of my dreams; my prince charming; my treasure island.
You ask: Why was going to college such a big deal to me, anyway?
All my life, I’ve lived in the confines of our “little
baguio” town. I have spent all my life in the same house, with the same people. The classmates I had in nursery were the same people who copied my assignments in high school. The owner of the bakery around the corner has grown old before my eyes. I hanged out with the same faces I have known since Grade 2. In short, I haven’t been anywhere farther than a ferry boat ride to a nearby resort island. I’m not really complaining, but please understand me….familiarity breeds contempt.
I may not go to college any farther than Cagayan de Oro which is only a one-hour ride from our town; still, it meant living my life in total independence.
Graduation signified the end of my childhood eccentricities. It meant my coming of age. I was such a slob at home. My room was a jungle, complete with all the creatures hibernating under my bed. I promised myself that when I’d be in the city; my room would be squeaky clean since no Leslie would spill her milk on my bedcover. My favorite teddy bear would smell nice since no Jean would wet it during the night. My study table would be organized since no Honey would turn it upside down to make room for her doll. College meant no overprotective parents and pesky sisters. In short, life would be a lot easier.
College also meant no curfews. I would live in a boarding house where I could come home whenever I want to. I could sleep as late as I’d like and wake up with the sun high up. Free time would mean going out with friends. I’d read books until the break of dawn. Best of all, I’d go into a crash diet without my mom crying ulcer!
I’d be leaving this place full of “keen-eyed” people. In the city, nobody would comment if I throw a brandishing tongue to a jeepney driver. Nobody would condemn me for laughing out loud in the street. I’d have all the freedom I could ever ask for. God, the possibilities were endless!
Yes, graduation spelled
INDEPENDENCEin big, bold highlighted letters. It’s everything I’ve longed for and I could only have that in college. Or so I thought.
The first day at my new home was a total disaster; I could have died of homesickness! My first day at school was nothing different. I was left staring at the endless sea of nameless faces, not knowing what to do or where to go. I was there in the middle of the crowd, yet feeling so alone and isolated. Believe me, the feeling was awful. I wished to be transported to my old school, surrounded by all the familiar faces I despised so much. If you say that the feeling was like being Tom Hanks in The Castaway, I’d have agreed instantly. Nothing can be truer!
The night was even worse! My room was so lonely that I longed for the pillow fights I used to have with my sisters. I missed our secret-sharing and whispers long after the lights were out. I slept in an immaculately clean room yet I wished to be back in the “jungle” with my smelly teddy bear.
As days went by, I slowly adjusted to the so-called independent living. I gained my share of friends, the best kind I could ever wish for. I went with them malling and bar-hopping whenever the time allowed. I’ve learned to eat instant noodles for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I’ve slept as late as
3amdoing nothing but talk with my roommate. I’ve watched as many movies, concerts and shows as my allowance could allow.
Despite of all these freedom I’ve come to enjoy, a week wouldn’t pass without me going home to the cold, old town.
My four years in college has taught me one thing: you love most those you love first. The most valuable things are those you’ve grown up with. No matter how far you’ve gone, no matter how far and wide, you still go back to where your roots were sown.
People, places and things that have been a part of my life, no matter how insignificant they may seem, have taken a part in molding me. Now, I realized that I could never be totally free from where I came from. No matter how long I live in the city, I would always be a country girl by heart.
I never really gained the guts to wear a tube blouse or lose all my baby fat with endless crash diet. But what the heck!!! I am still an independent woman even if I’m probinsyana.
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