Friday, January 10, 2003
Pain at the Pool, Party, and Pad
On the great-slash-miserable Thursday I had this week
I never expected my Thursday to turn out the way it did. It was all set to be one great and normal day of the week. Classes, long breaks, and of course Swimming to conclude the day. However, it did not turn out that way.
I've been repeating this story to close friends and dorm mates. I think it's the first longest "kwento" I've ever had to tell people about.
***
Everything was going normal and fine for English class which started at 7 o'clock in the morning. I was running a bit late, but that's nothing compared to later on.
After English Class, Maycee received a message from her co-news writer Oliver, that there was a seminar that required all members of the HF to be present. I didn't want to go because I wanted to join my classmates in Brejanah Cafe for the first time this new year and enjoy Breakfast.
But duty comes first and I joined Maycee on the long walk to the Administration Building from the construction yard that swallowed half of JFH. Eventually I'd end up inside CBA Basement One, Room 9 or the one in front of the mini-Chapel.
So the seminar took place and it was about leadership and St. La Salle, and the mood was like that of a recollection. We sang songs like that one revived by Jologs... "We are next in line...".
This seminar took me away from breakfast with classmates and from researching at the Library for Sociology class later at 1130 hrs. But we were excused from classes affected by the seminar.
***
I was excited to join my classmates at the Batibot, our place to hang out before proceeding to PLS. After eating with a lot of staffers of the HF under the largest pavillion inside Square Canteen, I joined my classmates at the Batibot. There, things were going good and they told me stories of how Sociology class was. They played "Shrades", and if you would know my classmates, it was extremely fun with acting talents, comedy, drama, and basically all of the above.
Since last year (Prelim Term, 2nd Semester) I always took awhile to pack up my stuff for Swimming, I decided to pack up my stuff the night before starting "now". So I went back to the dorm and grabbed the "Swim Kit" and of course I felt good that I finally had my very own combination lock that the PLS-Pool requires all swimmers to bring.
I took the bag and left for the Batibot where classmates waited. I arrived early so we didn't even leave for another five or ten minutes (a record, last term I would be found trying to catch up with my classmates who were half-way down the Covered Walk).
***
The Swimming Pool
We arrived at PLS and I was beyond satisfied with having completed all the requirements to get into the swimming pool. Those would be (1) combination lock AND (2) registration form. I proceeded up the steps to the lockers.
There, I hadn't set the new combination lock I had so I had Emil help me with it. It took a while to set it up because it was hard to access the reset-numbers thing. After about 5 minutes, half my classmates were already down in the showers and perhaps another 1/4 were already in the swimming pool.
It finally was set and I locked it closed (not on the locker, but by itself) and tested the combination.
EVENT: THE NEWLY SET LOCK-NUMBER DIDN'T OPEN
I was now greatly worried, and we tried neighboring combinations (example: 450 would be 449 or 451) and it still didn't work. I spent another five minutes trying to open it as about 3/4 of my class were already in the swimming pool.
I found out you have to "snap" the lock open not just "pull it normally". So I was relieved. I emptied my pockets, set up my locker, and prepared to join my classmates down at the swimming pool.
As I unbuttoned my barong polo uniform, I suddenly realized that I was not wearing my swimming trunks!!! I always wear my trunks in the dorm room before going to PLS so it's less effort. But since I wanted to grab my packed bag earlier and join my classmates in the fastest way possible, I forgot that I didn't pack my trunks because I always plan on wearing them there.
EVENT: I LEFT MY SWIMMING TRUNKS
I now panic'd and was feeling bad. I realized I had to walk BACK to my DORM ROOM which was over a KILOMETER away into the heart of the campus! I already walked to PLS with classmates from the Batibot near the Admin, and now I had to return to my dorm room!!
I started cursing. My stuff were placed inside a locker but I had to keep the lock to get "back" into the PLS-Swimming Pool. Bullshit! I had to pick out the things i needed, and find a place to hide it. Ate Jo let me use her locker and after that I informed the familiar Guard watching the gate to the pool about my sudden big problem.
Immedietly I ran as fast as I could (no one was in the area) up towards the Covered Walk. I arrived into my dorm room ten minutes later extremely tired. I wore my trunks, and left the dorm to return to PLS. Another ten minutes!
By the time I arrived at the pool, my classmates were in the swimming pool looking up and listening to our instructor, Ms. Davin. It felt stupid to still be wearing a uniform when all my classmates were in the swimming pool. I went up the stairs and then suddenly, due to stress and fatigue, forgot that Ate Jo's locker has a lock obviously and I didn't know the combination.
Balik nanaman. I went down the stairs to search for Ate Jo. I couldn't find her so I looked like an idiot standing there on the stairs and sticking out as my classmates listened to our professor. I found Ate Jo and got the combination, got my things, locked them in my locker, took a quick shower, and since I was already late... I didn't use the ladder to decend into the pool, I just quietly jumped in which made an unexpected loud splash amidst the silence and calmness of the pool and the rest of my class.
I think they burst out laughing as I accidentally made that loud splash. Basically when I got in, it was time to practice what they were just taught moments before.
I was still bad trip and tired, but hearing the voices, the laughter, the fun and energy of my classmates and how happy they were swimming in the pool is what kept me in the pool. If it wasn't for their smiles, then I would be found giving up already and in the corner under the Kiosk.
Suddenly, I started to shiver because of the cold winds of January. I practiced to what they learned and all was going well until I suddenly felt a cramp on my right foot. I was suddenly paralyzed.
EVENT: PARALYZED BY THE CRAMPS
Since it was the second time I had a cramp on my right foot while in the swimming pool, I already knew how to control it slowly. It was quite painful but at least I knew how to relax the cramp.
But that's when something worse even happened.
I started to have a cramp, not on the foot, but on the lower part of my left leg. I didn't know what exactly to stretch out and I was feeling paralyzing pain already while in the swimming pool. Nearby classmates assisted me and thanks to Maycee and Eric (i just noticed, the co-writers of the HF in our class). I had had ENOUGH. I wanted OUT of the pool to dry up a little since I was shivering adn recovering from two cramps.
I got out of the swimming pool and the warm sun dried me up and I felt good and calm. But we had a quiz in just a few minutes at that time so I knew I had to jump back into the pool and practice.
I got in the pool and no later than 30 seconds, I saw my classmates getting out of the pool. The instructor announced the quiz would be done next week. Good news? Yes. But now the showers were ALL completely taken after they were sunny and vacant when I dried up just seconds before.
EVENT: THE SHOWERS GET TAKEN AWAY QUICKLY
I got out of the pool and waited for my turn to take a shower. But unlike last term when there where delays between the time our section and another section (on the other side of the pool) uses the showers, this term there wasn't a delay. If all the showers were taken by classmates, just turning around to get the towel you'd turn back and notice that half of the showers your classmates were just on now had the other section on them.
I did manage to take a shower but to change into dry clothes was impossible. All the stalls were taken by the other section and after waiting for nearly 20 more minutes and about 80% of the class already going home... I decided I had dried up enough already by waiting-- to just put on my chocolate slacks and go to the dorm.
Kuya Rheyan accompanied me towards the dormitory from PLS since he was going to attend a meeting for CLA blocks. In the dorm room, I txt'd Badge and Kate "Meet tayo 6:10pm at 7-11." (for going to Ate Angge's since there was a fiesta in her area).
So it was only "5:45pm" and I decided to "wash away all the negative" by taking another and totally refreshing shower in my dorm. I did so and came out at "6:05pm" to receive four txt msgs. Two or three of them said "Nand2 na kami." and the time it had when they sent it was "5:30pm".
I was flushed with guilt instantly and like before, panic'd to put on my watch, secure my belongings, and get to 7-11 ASAP. I was already worried they were gone, and worse, angry.
Basil suddenly called me just when I was about seconds away from finishing and leaving. He told me my classmate was calling me. I then felt confused... I walked outside and saw a smile. It was Kate! And she didn't look angry. She even went inside the school again all the way from 7-11! I could not believe it, she's amazing and so patient. That smile just loosened the tension a bit, but still I knew they had been waiting for 45 minutes already so I had to get my ass moving.
* * *
The Party
We rushed out of La Salle and down the acacia lined avenue as it was half-dark already since the sun just set during that walk. I crossed the street suddenly to buy film for my newly repaired camera and then I didn't know they followed me across too. Woops. We crossed to get back to the La Salle side of the street so we could ride an AREA F jeepnee bound for Ate Angge's.
On the great-slash-miserable Thursday I had this week
I never expected my Thursday to turn out the way it did. It was all set to be one great and normal day of the week. Classes, long breaks, and of course Swimming to conclude the day. However, it did not turn out that way.
I've been repeating this story to close friends and dorm mates. I think it's the first longest "kwento" I've ever had to tell people about.
***
Everything was going normal and fine for English class which started at 7 o'clock in the morning. I was running a bit late, but that's nothing compared to later on.
After English Class, Maycee received a message from her co-news writer Oliver, that there was a seminar that required all members of the HF to be present. I didn't want to go because I wanted to join my classmates in Brejanah Cafe for the first time this new year and enjoy Breakfast.
But duty comes first and I joined Maycee on the long walk to the Administration Building from the construction yard that swallowed half of JFH. Eventually I'd end up inside CBA Basement One, Room 9 or the one in front of the mini-Chapel.
So the seminar took place and it was about leadership and St. La Salle, and the mood was like that of a recollection. We sang songs like that one revived by Jologs... "We are next in line...".
This seminar took me away from breakfast with classmates and from researching at the Library for Sociology class later at 1130 hrs. But we were excused from classes affected by the seminar.
***
I was excited to join my classmates at the Batibot, our place to hang out before proceeding to PLS. After eating with a lot of staffers of the HF under the largest pavillion inside Square Canteen, I joined my classmates at the Batibot. There, things were going good and they told me stories of how Sociology class was. They played "Shrades", and if you would know my classmates, it was extremely fun with acting talents, comedy, drama, and basically all of the above.
Since last year (Prelim Term, 2nd Semester) I always took awhile to pack up my stuff for Swimming, I decided to pack up my stuff the night before starting "now". So I went back to the dorm and grabbed the "Swim Kit" and of course I felt good that I finally had my very own combination lock that the PLS-Pool requires all swimmers to bring.
I took the bag and left for the Batibot where classmates waited. I arrived early so we didn't even leave for another five or ten minutes (a record, last term I would be found trying to catch up with my classmates who were half-way down the Covered Walk).
***
The Swimming Pool
We arrived at PLS and I was beyond satisfied with having completed all the requirements to get into the swimming pool. Those would be (1) combination lock AND (2) registration form. I proceeded up the steps to the lockers.
There, I hadn't set the new combination lock I had so I had Emil help me with it. It took a while to set it up because it was hard to access the reset-numbers thing. After about 5 minutes, half my classmates were already down in the showers and perhaps another 1/4 were already in the swimming pool.
It finally was set and I locked it closed (not on the locker, but by itself) and tested the combination.
EVENT: THE NEWLY SET LOCK-NUMBER DIDN'T OPEN
I was now greatly worried, and we tried neighboring combinations (example: 450 would be 449 or 451) and it still didn't work. I spent another five minutes trying to open it as about 3/4 of my class were already in the swimming pool.
I found out you have to "snap" the lock open not just "pull it normally". So I was relieved. I emptied my pockets, set up my locker, and prepared to join my classmates down at the swimming pool.
As I unbuttoned my barong polo uniform, I suddenly realized that I was not wearing my swimming trunks!!! I always wear my trunks in the dorm room before going to PLS so it's less effort. But since I wanted to grab my packed bag earlier and join my classmates in the fastest way possible, I forgot that I didn't pack my trunks because I always plan on wearing them there.
EVENT: I LEFT MY SWIMMING TRUNKS
I now panic'd and was feeling bad. I realized I had to walk BACK to my DORM ROOM which was over a KILOMETER away into the heart of the campus! I already walked to PLS with classmates from the Batibot near the Admin, and now I had to return to my dorm room!!
I started cursing. My stuff were placed inside a locker but I had to keep the lock to get "back" into the PLS-Swimming Pool. Bullshit! I had to pick out the things i needed, and find a place to hide it. Ate Jo let me use her locker and after that I informed the familiar Guard watching the gate to the pool about my sudden big problem.
Immedietly I ran as fast as I could (no one was in the area) up towards the Covered Walk. I arrived into my dorm room ten minutes later extremely tired. I wore my trunks, and left the dorm to return to PLS. Another ten minutes!
By the time I arrived at the pool, my classmates were in the swimming pool looking up and listening to our instructor, Ms. Davin. It felt stupid to still be wearing a uniform when all my classmates were in the swimming pool. I went up the stairs and then suddenly, due to stress and fatigue, forgot that Ate Jo's locker has a lock obviously and I didn't know the combination.
Balik nanaman. I went down the stairs to search for Ate Jo. I couldn't find her so I looked like an idiot standing there on the stairs and sticking out as my classmates listened to our professor. I found Ate Jo and got the combination, got my things, locked them in my locker, took a quick shower, and since I was already late... I didn't use the ladder to decend into the pool, I just quietly jumped in which made an unexpected loud splash amidst the silence and calmness of the pool and the rest of my class.
I think they burst out laughing as I accidentally made that loud splash. Basically when I got in, it was time to practice what they were just taught moments before.
I was still bad trip and tired, but hearing the voices, the laughter, the fun and energy of my classmates and how happy they were swimming in the pool is what kept me in the pool. If it wasn't for their smiles, then I would be found giving up already and in the corner under the Kiosk.
Suddenly, I started to shiver because of the cold winds of January. I practiced to what they learned and all was going well until I suddenly felt a cramp on my right foot. I was suddenly paralyzed.
EVENT: PARALYZED BY THE CRAMPS
Since it was the second time I had a cramp on my right foot while in the swimming pool, I already knew how to control it slowly. It was quite painful but at least I knew how to relax the cramp.
But that's when something worse even happened.
I started to have a cramp, not on the foot, but on the lower part of my left leg. I didn't know what exactly to stretch out and I was feeling paralyzing pain already while in the swimming pool. Nearby classmates assisted me and thanks to Maycee and Eric (i just noticed, the co-writers of the HF in our class). I had had ENOUGH. I wanted OUT of the pool to dry up a little since I was shivering adn recovering from two cramps.
I got out of the swimming pool and the warm sun dried me up and I felt good and calm. But we had a quiz in just a few minutes at that time so I knew I had to jump back into the pool and practice.
I got in the pool and no later than 30 seconds, I saw my classmates getting out of the pool. The instructor announced the quiz would be done next week. Good news? Yes. But now the showers were ALL completely taken after they were sunny and vacant when I dried up just seconds before.
EVENT: THE SHOWERS GET TAKEN AWAY QUICKLY
I got out of the pool and waited for my turn to take a shower. But unlike last term when there where delays between the time our section and another section (on the other side of the pool) uses the showers, this term there wasn't a delay. If all the showers were taken by classmates, just turning around to get the towel you'd turn back and notice that half of the showers your classmates were just on now had the other section on them.
I did manage to take a shower but to change into dry clothes was impossible. All the stalls were taken by the other section and after waiting for nearly 20 more minutes and about 80% of the class already going home... I decided I had dried up enough already by waiting-- to just put on my chocolate slacks and go to the dorm.
Kuya Rheyan accompanied me towards the dormitory from PLS since he was going to attend a meeting for CLA blocks. In the dorm room, I txt'd Badge and Kate "Meet tayo 6:10pm at 7-11." (for going to Ate Angge's since there was a fiesta in her area).
So it was only "5:45pm" and I decided to "wash away all the negative" by taking another and totally refreshing shower in my dorm. I did so and came out at "6:05pm" to receive four txt msgs. Two or three of them said "Nand2 na kami." and the time it had when they sent it was "5:30pm".
I was flushed with guilt instantly and like before, panic'd to put on my watch, secure my belongings, and get to 7-11 ASAP. I was already worried they were gone, and worse, angry.
Basil suddenly called me just when I was about seconds away from finishing and leaving. He told me my classmate was calling me. I then felt confused... I walked outside and saw a smile. It was Kate! And she didn't look angry. She even went inside the school again all the way from 7-11! I could not believe it, she's amazing and so patient. That smile just loosened the tension a bit, but still I knew they had been waiting for 45 minutes already so I had to get my ass moving.
* * *
The Party
We rushed out of La Salle and down the acacia lined avenue as it was half-dark already since the sun just set during that walk. I crossed the street suddenly to buy film for my newly repaired camera and then I didn't know they followed me across too. Woops. We crossed to get back to the La Salle side of the street so we could ride an AREA F jeepnee bound for Ate Angge's.
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