Saya

saya
Originally uploaded by talimusak.

A couple of days ago I got a text message from Joy. She'd heard from Tita Celia that she was probably the person that I missed the most. I guess it's true.

Company

flickr - rico and rich
Originally uploaded by talimusak.

So many people wonder how I am able to cope with living so far away from home. To be honest, I myself didn't expect to find adjusting to this life-change as easy as it turned out to be. In a few weeks time, I mark my NINTH month away from home and friends. Those are nine whole months. A new human being could have been conceived and born in that span of time. And yet here I am, cheerfully going about my life. A couple of things helped deaden the impact of my transition. First of all, I am here for a REASON. This whole Berklee thing is my stab at having a life plan. I intend to follow through with this and end up working in a Philippine music industry that is progressive, up to date and innovative. The thought of that eventuality really drives me and gives me reason to wake up each day and actually be EXCITED about whatever new thing I'm about to learn (of course it helps to every now and then realize that I spend around a million pesos per semester to learn what I learn!). Another great motivator is the music itself --- the music that permeates my world and the music that emanates from it. It is an almost indescribable experience witnessing "outsiders" appreciate our music. Thirdly, and I think most importantly, I get by here because of the new friends I've made. Everyday for me is an interesting, exciting one because I get to go through it with these people. Prime examples are Rico and Rich (photographed here while we were all drunk silly and singing OPM songs in the middle of the night). People like them have positioned themselves between me and utter depression. Everytime Rico bugs me about going to the gym (or about staging yet another OPM marathon), everytime Bem (another member of the barkada --- pic forthcoming) cooks another tasty vegetarian meal for me (or drags me to the Guitar Center to drool over their keyboards), everytime Rich obliges our ears with her incredible singing (and indeed her teleseryesque love stories), everytime these people show me that they'd spend their everytime with me, I really feel like I'm in a place where I belong. I will forever be grateful for their company.

Cinco de Mayo

flickr - gp - cinco de mayo
Originally uploaded by talimusak.

Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday that commemorates the Mexicans victory against the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

Out here in Boston, Cinco de Mayo is another reason for people to get drunk and be silly. I myself had a date Miss Margarita over here and had a blast.

I usually do not allow myself to get as drunk as I got yesterday but last night I threw all caution to the wind. I'd just finished my second semester at Berklee and I'd just come from watching an incredible performance by Sting (more on this later) and, well, it marks the beginning of my first summer here in the States.

Wow. I actually did it. I managed to be a good Berklee student for a whole year. I never thought I still had that in me. I guess self-congratulation is in order? Anyway, I'm still hungover and i have one final exam to (ahem) ace so... yeah. Cinco de Mayo was fun.

**Jeline made me a very nice testimonial over at friendster.com. Really appreciate it, mai-shi. Although I REALLY would like to know... WHAT'S SO FUNNY ABOUT ME!?**


listening to:

Mercedes Benz Mixed Tape 03