I’ve been wanting to do this for a while, but I guess I’ve proven enough in my life that the unplanned trips are the ones that actually push through. So my husband and I took an afternoon trip, on a whim, to my alma mater, and it was gooood.
He did a nice job documenting our afternoon in a post on his Facebook wall, and I thought I’d keep a record of our afternoon date in this blog too. Late lunch at Rodics, Mang Larry’s isaw (craving satisfied!), a walk around the acad oval and sunken garden, a quick stop at the university avenue to take pictures of the sunflowers (because they’re so popular lately—this and this), and a final stop at Razons for some halo-halo (his craving satisfied!) before heading home.
It was an added treat that the College of Engineering was having their graduation ceremony while we were there. It reminded me of my own graduation day, and gave D a little glimpse of how a UP graduation looks like. He was thrilled to see Oblation wearing a sablay, and couldn’t get over why it’s called “sablay” when it symbolizes success, quite the opposite of what the word means in Tagalog. (I couldn’t give an answer.)
It’s not the first time I took him there, but something about this particular afternoon that was a little extra special. Maybe because I left a pile of work at home and it felt so liberating to ditch a few tasks and do something on a whim. Or maybe because I’m a little bit older now, and having my husband with me in places like this makes me look back on years past, and how far God has brought me, us.
Being in UP Diliman always brings me this feeling of nostalgia, good memories, and maybe a little tinge of regret. I wish I made the most of that place. I wish I studied better, appreciated being there more. All those days I spent in the UP campus, dragging my feet to my next class, wishing I was somewhere else, and sometimes, wanting to get college over and done with already. If only I knew that college was going to be so quick, I would have slowed down a little and made the most out of my time there.
Not that I didn’t enjoy my college life, I did. I just sometimes wish I practiced a little “being all there” more. There goes my lesson for the day.
The babies were just waking up from their afternoon nap when we got home, it didn’t feel like we were away at all. Recharged, I went back to my desk, checked my email inbox and went over my never-ending list of tasks to see what else I can tick off for the day.
I’m glad we went to UP. I needed a breather, and to be reminded of things that matter. Besides, it was about time I satisfied my isaw craving.
I totally agree with this: If only I knew that college was going to be so quick, I would have slowed down a little and made the most out of my time there.
I too enjoyed my time in college… but there were definitely other things I could have done more during my time or, as you said it, “be all there.”
Beautiful pics! It’s always a treat to go back to our alma mater. It’s even more of a treat when we get to share the experience with our hubbies! <3 I like taking my husband to my college too (Ateneo). It's nice showing him around, telling him stories about my time there. It's fun to walk down memory lane once in awhile!
Same here, @tonitiu:disqus. My wife is probably sick of my recurring kwento about college life whenever we go around Ateneo. I still need to take her to Manang’s though :)
Ooohh Manang’s! I’m an avid trespasser, if only for Manang’s. Hello, neighbors! :)