Memory #1: Perhaps the best memory that I have would be my 18th birthday. I remember being so bummed out for most of the day because no one seemed to remember that it was my birthday. When I got home to Iloilo City from Miag-ao (a one-hour commute), I felt even more downhearted at the fact that I walked into an empty home. I texted my mom where she was and she replied that she couldn't leave the hospital because she had a very toxic patient to tend to and that she probably wouldn't get home until late. When my dad finally arrived home with my brother, they both said "hi" but they didn't greet me, which made me feel much worse and drove me to lock myself up in my room. Yes, I am that dramatic to the point of having such bad thoughts about myself, for example, being so unimportant that no one even bothered to greet me. Props to my brother for actually coming into my room and saying, "oh yeah, happy birthday", and making me a tad bit happier.
After awhile, it started to rain hard. My dad, though, went inside my room and told me to change clothes because we were going to eat dinner with my cousins, aunts, and uncles. I told him that we shouldn't bother going out in the rain, and that all I wanted to do was nap. (Oh yes, major drama in the works.) My dad, coupled with his specialty guilt speech, said it would be rude to cancel at the last minute, so I conceded. I did not dress up though - I stayed in my college-I-don't-give-a-damn clothes: a t-shirt, shorts, and sneakers. I didn't regret this until later, when we arrived at the restaurant and I was welcomed with a blast of confetti and hugs from family, family friends, and my high school classmates. Apparently, my mom planned this "surprise party" for a week, and recruited my aunt, cousins, and some of my close friends to help. I had no inkling whatsoever because I don't stay at home for the most of the week. As I previously mentioned, I attend college in Miag-ao, and to make it easier for me, by avoiding the tiring long commutes, I stay in a dormitory and only come home during the weekends.
Anyway - I was very much in awe of the ambience. The food looked great (they served baked scallops!!!), and I was particularly hyped about the dessert buffet with the Minion red velvet cake pops. Yet another Lesh fact: I'm a sucker for anything red velvet. Plus, my high school friends were there to celebrate with me, except of course my best friends who study in Manila and couldn't come home. Aside from my Manila friends, I was bummed to see that my college friends weren't in attendance. I understood, however, that my parents didn't know them that well, and that they would've been more difficult to contact. When one of my uncles was about to say grace, the door suddenly opened and in came my UP friends, and that was of course another happy surprise. The rest of the evening went great, ending in a sleepover with all of my Miag-ao friends. Needless to say, my 18th birthday was the best one yet, and is obviously, the best memory I have as well.
Memory #2: Public Health in the University of the Philippines Visayas has always been my plan (and my parents' plan for me) as my pre-med course in college. My best friend, Ruod, received a call one afternoon in senior year of high school from his friend that attended the University of the Philippines Diliman. His friend informed him that the results of the UPCAT were out and that he passed. He then asked for me if I got in as well, and for some reason, the universe decided to be good to me, and his friend told him that I got into UPV as a PH student. Knowing that I did my best to get to where I am now is very self-fulfilling, and that was, in fact, one of the very rare moments that I actually felt proud of myself.
It's a wonderful feeling, the feeling you get when everything simply falls into place. There is, after all, never a bad time to receive great news.
