Summer Tales (Part III)

I had other “coming of age” stories in the UP campus after that Ikot episode. Some were enlightening and heart-wrenchingly beautiful and some more appallingly gruesome than others. But that summer was hard to top, probably because that marked my leap from child to young adult -- not just because of what I saw, but because of what the experience signified. The significance is of course all about my newfound independence and not all about the fact that I could watch rated “R” movies without balking.

Fast forward to another life-changing summer I had just a year ago during my last trip to the US. That trip was a turning point in my life wherein major decisions were made; familial bonds were strengthened; and where I was able to rejuvenate, renew, and reinvent myself as well as junk most if not all of the things that brought about negativity and stress in my life (like dead-end friendships and relationships and backstabbing, insecure colleagues with crab mentalities, etc.).

I spent most of last year's summer in New York and New Jersey; taking in the smells, the sounds, and the sights like any tourist would, while at the same time voraciously imbibing the culture and living the daily grind like a jaded immigrant. What made that stay different from my past sojourns in the East Coast was that I really had the chance to get to know both worlds – crossing the Lincoln Tunnel almost everyday to attend my classes at NYU in Greenwich Village and going home to Weehawken, NJ just across the Hudson River.

I had the most exciting moments in Manhattan of course, figuring out both the mean streets and the even meaner subway system while lugging my trouper of a son along with me. We'd both go to museums (my son's idea of heaven is the Museum of Natural History), parks, flea markets, churches, and Broadway shows; traverse Uptown, Midtown and Downtown Manhattan by foot (my flip-flops did not survive the ordeal); explore places like Chinatown, Soho, Brooklyn, Union and Times Square; eat at our favorite Korean restaurant along 32 nd St.; and scour Manhattan's boutiques and shops for the best bargains (and veering away from Fifth Avenue simply because my bank account was and still is allergic to stores like Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, and Prada).

At the end of a tiring but enriching NY jaunt, we'd cross the tunnel and go home to my sister's apartment across the river. From our apartment building I'd see the Manhattan skyline – the blinking lights from the Empire State Building and that empty space where the World Trade Center used to be before 911. And during moments like these I would often be in an introspective mood. I'd think about how lucky I am and how blessed to be where I was, having what I have (even if it meant paying 55 pesos more for every dollar spent!).

That summer last year also made me appreciate and love my family more (believe me, you don't have a choice especially when you're stuck with them on a 72-hour road trip from East, South, to West Coast). It made me reassess my priorities, discover the things that were important to me, and enabled me to plan out the course of my life for the next few years (I usually associate “planning for my future” with “going to the dentist” – both are excruciatingly tedious and oftentimes painful but you just have to do it!).

My U.S. sojourn definitely tops my list of unforgettable summers (although I stayed until Fall) simply because I found out what I was looking for there – peace of mind and an inner calm that I would never have found here.

I know that there will still be more memorable summers ahead (in fact, I'm about to embark on another one now with my husband, son, and a 50+ SPF sunscreen) as I go through the rigors and the ease of living my so-called life. And as always, I'm more than ready to savor, experience, and enjoy them all. Because for each new summer, there will always be new things to learn, and definitely, new tales to tell.

Have a great summer everyone! J