"I don't want to be that girl from high school"

Pardon the unintented hiatus. I know I haven't written a real entry for quite some time now. I've actually got loads on my mind lately, but for some reason, I just haven't made much effort in pulling myself together so I can write 'em down! I have tried sitting down and staring at the blinking cursor. I have tried responding to its challenge, but I just can't live with giving you an uninteresting read (hmm, well, not more than 10 uninteresting reads!).

I spent Monday morning reading the commencement address of a certain Dr. Antonio Dans to the 2007 graduates of the Ateneo High School. It was quite interesting as it didn't take on the angle that most speakers bore high school students with. None of that mumbo-jumbo of how blessed we are with a private education, the best that our parents (and our geographical location) can provide. I think everyone knows this, and appreciates this, even if only to a certain degree. Anyway, the title of his speech is Don't believe your report cards. His address amusingly reminisces on all the mischief that he and his classmates did back in high school: the stuff of legends. Seriously.

Well, aside from all the inspirational blahs he injected somewhere in that entire speech, he shares the preparation process he went through while preparing for the speech. He made a general survey of his classmates on the most important lesson they had in high school. It made me stop for a moment and actually think about it. And the first thing that came in mind really involved people. Friends. Enemies. Strangers. Teachers (crazy and prosaic ones). Everything I remember from high school involves specific experiences and the feelings tied to those specific moments. And this is probably true for a lot of things that go beyond high school, but the intensity just isn't the same. At least, for me it isn't. Everything else really pales in comparison. My memories of college are still very vivid, as I've only been free from it for one year, but for some reason, all the feelings felt during high school just seems to be more magnified. Credit it to vulnerability and the lack of knowing better, but it was a period that consisted of a lot of firsts. And seconds, thirds, and so on, no matter how great, can not compare to the first. Even if the first was bad, you will remember it.

It's crazy that I'm walking down Southville memory lane right now because a few years ago, I told myself that I am not going back there. The happy counterparts sure have a lot of drastic ones as well. And I think that part of my "problem" (pardon the lack of a better term) right now is that I have tried so hard, and exerted so much effort, to leave a large chunk of my high school self behind. Perhaps much too quickly, much too soon.

It's funny how some mistakes just sort of affect us this way.

At the same time, it's also great to still be able to have a set of friends that has grown with you. We may not have always grown at the same time, in the same way, and even in the same direction, but we manage to find common ground somehow. Going through critical firsts sure has that effect.

Let me just leave you with this--

So savor this last moment of HS and look around you. Look at the wonderful friends you found. You don't know this yet – your HS friends are unlike any. They will last forever. You may be parting ways now, but your paths will cross again like ours has, regardless of the profession you have chosen.

How many of you plan to be doctors? Remember them. They will take care of you when you're sick, and they will not charge you.

And how many are leaving the country? Remember them as well. You are going to live in their homes when you travel. Free! (Haha, this is so true!!!)

There might even be a priest in here somewhere. He will preside at your wedding, baptize your child. I'm not sure you would want to confess to them. What a horrible thought.

There will be politicians amongst you too – governors, mayors, cabinet members, maybe even a president? Even they will seek refuge in your reunions, because it is only there that they can be themselves, with people they truly trust.

It doesn't matter what they do, when you are down and out, your classmates will get together to pull you up. They will chip in for your hospital expenses, or help send your kids abroad, even when they themselves are in need.

I can spend the entire day with you talking about high school friends. My main difficulty preparing for this talk was choosing which anecdotes to share just to show how close we were 32 years ago, and how much closer we've become since then.

The point is this - I, am immensely proud of the people I grew up with in high school.

When I hear stories of principles they have had to stand up for in their life, I can see the same principles we nurtured together as classmates. Our futures have diversified us, but our values remain one and the same.

Today, we remain comrades in the same rebellion, fighting the battle in different zones.

Savor this moment. Say your goodbyes for now… but know that your paths WILL cross again. With graduation, your friendship has become more binding than marriage. Remember, you cannot divorce a HS classmate, even if it is ordered by the Vatican. It's illegal.

Can't argue with that last one there. Just can't. :)