A few weeks ago, her family and mine were together when we decided to go up to Baguio for an overnight stay. The very first suggestion I got from her is this: “let us do our best not to go to the wet market. I did not go through all the zigzag road just to haggle at the wet market which I’ve been doing back home over 30 years or so.” Because of this, our itinerary zeroed in on the most notable places that are close to our hearts, namely, Camp John Hay/John Hay Manor, Mile High, Mines View Park and yes, Barrio Fiesta for lunch on the following day. There we spent about two days bonding and having “Kodak” moments.

Funny and strange as it seemed, I realized she has a point. I think that if we truly break free from our usual routines when we are on holiday, our vacation will be well spent. As we often hear, if it’s not fun, we are not doing it right.

On the way there, Kyle seemed puzzled that we told him we’re going to attend Gymboree Olympics but our car did not pass through the normal route but rather through Ortigas. We arrived in green which represented Serendra team.

Kyle finally believed he’s in Gymboree indeed when he saw his teachers and classmates.

If Kyle was excited, I was doubly ecstatic and a bit nervous because Kyle was a contestant for the beach ball throwing (game appropriate for Level 7 students). He was one of the five Serendra students tapped for this game. I felt that I was the one competing — his victory and otherwise are also mine. So this was how it felt, I finally said to myself.

In the end, it was his best friend Yvan who won while Kyle still won a medal and consolation prize. We were still very happy because for us, what’s important is that Kyle did his best and that he enjoyed this day.

Come to think of it. No one ever thought about adding a subject “Preparing for College: Possible Courses to Consider” where particular focus would be to give students a comprehensive basis for selecting the course they deem appropriate for their interest, skills and abilities.

During my time, a high school student would be lucky if he she had older friends and relatives who would share idea of their courses and careers. Otherwise, one would be left guessing or going by what’s popular unless he or she would be very sure of what he or she wants to become someday. I have yet to meet one though in real life.

Of course, our skills and abilities are useful gauge. But I think that it would really help high school students make wise decisions about their choice of course in college if the school would provide them options and ample information. Maybe something as simple as inviting a nurse, pilot, flight steward, doctor, policeman, engineer, architect, journalist, actor, etc. to talk about what it’s like to have a job like what they have. What are the pros and cons. What course, skills and abilities are required, among others. This way, shifting is avoided (thereby wasting no money on an unwanted course) and more students would be happy with their chosen field.

Had something like this in college but I personally feel it’s too late. Informing a student as early as in high school is better.

As far as technological advancement is concerned, I should consider myself the most resistant to change.

In college for instance, my paper submissions in class were typewritten instead of computerized despite the availability of computers in the school and amidst the popularity of the DOS in the 90s. Probably one of the reasons why my classmates and professors would tell me that my outputs “stood out” : - ) By the way, I was using a manual typewriter and not the electric type back then.

Yet once I stepped out of school and into the workplace, I realized the importance of learning the basic Windows stuff. I was grateful to my first boss who taught me Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and other sorts of software that I needed to get things done. Thankfully, my skills in piano probably helped me learn fast and well. Once I was able to sink into these programs, I got excited knowing how easier things were when you’d be able to save your files. Knowledge of these helped me write some more stuff.

By the time the new millennium came, technological advancement has been very rapid. One day, I woke up and people change their cellphones like changing clothes. I hated the thought of having to upgrade my phone just because the model is outdated especially if it meant changing my number as well.

But then, phones get stolen (mine included). Karaoke machines and photo films get phased out and iPod and digicams keep smiling at you (as of this writing, these are still hot : - )

My point is that unless absolutely necessary, I don’t give in to the pressure to upgrade. I can adapt to change fast, but I realized that I can’t let go easily.

But then again, time and chance happens to us all, as Proverbs would say. Necessity itself will teach me how. Before I know it, laptops, iPhone, digicams and whatchamacallit have become my “can’t-live-without” items for day-to-day without meaning to.

The Lure of Drinking Fraternities

Stepping inside

What else do they love to talk about over the rounds of liquor? Adam’s rib can’t help but get (disturbingly) curious. “It depends on the level of drunkness, so to speak,” says Rock, a confessed groupie drinker. “We usually start with what happened during the day, airing our frustrations with our stupid boss and lousy jobs then proceed with graphic details of our sexual conquests and sometimes saying them loud enough.” The women they would brag about, he notices, are usually those whom they fantasize about, or one who runs after them, but almost never their wives or girlfriends. Call it the ego-trip phase.

Rock went on to say that “sometimes the men start to become philosophical the more they drink, then they start to talk about more serious stuff.” The more drinks are being absorbed into the body system, the deeper the level of conversation among group drinkers. At this stage, the “Marsians” open up and breathe out their heartaches mostly involving their personal relationships. Rock also observes that drunk people are not afraid to cry — an act that’s taboo among the men. They seem to take advantage of the fact that they can always rationalize when the drinking palaver is through. “Who me… cried? Blame it on the booze, man!”

“It’s like they are in a therapy session or some kind of a confessional booth without walls where the talker feels absolved from something after venting out his thoughts and feelings,” says Christabel Garcia-Chao, MA, psychologist and professor of psychology at the Assumption Graduate School.

Unlike the real therapy sessions, however, “too much drinking produces significant damage to one’s health, career and relationships with self and one’s family,” Chao warns.

That’s when we also hear of so many brawling and fighting where too much alcohol is involved either, since drunk guys are no longer sensible, and if someone dares to disagree with someone else then the trouble begins. Some conversations lead to arguments and fights, especially when alcohol reaches the head as the belly is full. They would then seem to center around doing what they wanted to do, saying what they want to say without regard for the rights, wishes or privileges of anyone else — which they can later on regret as they snap back after the morning nausea.

Still, it’s a reality that men who drink in groups may see alcohol as the panecea of all ills. A chorus from the Mighty Mighty Bosstone’s Another Drinking Song can further show where they are coming from:

“Counting on a remedy I’ve counted on before

Going with the cure that’s never failed me

What you call a disease

I call the remedy

What you’re calling the cause

I call the cure…”

So why ruin a good thing by suggesting that two drinks per day is enough or else, that assertiveness training seminar is readily available, or that Alcoholic Anonymous is standing by should they go overboard? “Upgrade guys, we now have reached the era of cyber bonding and cafe society,” I even find myself pointing to another bordello.

to be continued….