Sunday, June 08, 2003
WHEN YOU PURCHASE A DREAM
The Damage Report - Summer Break - Ending Week #44/3
Background Music: "Crazy in Love" by Beyonce feat. Jay-Z
NOTE: This is a weekly blog entry that summarizes a series of events of a finished week in and around La Salle.
"... more new things, more new problems ..."
LAST Monday we we were going to SM Southmall when we decided to take dad to the Honda Cars branch in Alabang, just a few more minutes past SM Southmall in Las Piñas. There, we entered and took a look around. I looked at the new Honda City, the one in the advertisements on print and on TV. The front of the Honda City 2003 really does look a bit different from other cars I've seen. It's curves are lengthy and the front of the car is relatively short. It has that sense I would put in the word "Futuristic".
There was this Limited Edition CR-V Model 2003 that was on display, it was color white. It was unique and stood out even more than a Satin Silver Metallic CR-V. My dad looked at the finances on buying these cars just in case.
Just in case wasn't enough. After looking at a Model 2003 upstairs, and after comparing a new CR-V price to a used CR-V price which isn't that big of a difference...
My dad applied to buy a brand new CR-V. Model 2003. Color of choice. Complete Warranty.
After over a decade without having a brand new car, my dad finally agreed to get a new one. In Japan, we had a second-hand Lite Ace van and a second-hand two-door car. In the past four and a half years of living in the Philippines, we've been driving in that trash on wheels (no offense to service and owner-lovers) otherwise known as the Service Jeep or Owner.
I've spent the past four and a half years breathing smoke and pollution in countless traffic situations. Feeling that wind on your face and later find out dust and debris is all over you. I hated riding that Service Jeep. It makes me sick just to get into it. It makes me sick to look at the surroundings from inside of it. No stereo system whatsoever. Nothing.
I was relieved my dad finally bought us a new car. And not just a car, a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and one of the top vehicles in that category. The Honda CR-V.
After applying to buy one, we proceeded to SM Southmall. I bought my first music CD in a long time, the Soundtrack of Matrix: Reloaded. Great music in it. Finally brings the kick back into my stereo system which has been playing songs by the female sex most of the time long ago. Now, it's all Linkin Park, Marilyn Manson, and of course P.O.D.'s "Sleeping Awake". Plus, the soundtrack could be useful in future background music needs in my course of study.
I tried to buy all the things I needed for my college life which begins next week, but time was limited and I only managed to buy the really really important stuff like notebooks and pens from National Bookstore. Right now, I'm looking for a nifty sling body bag for everyday usage, my first white pair of sports shoes, and a few new polos. In overall appearance, I am dying to change my hairstyle for the good... and finally. Something wild, something daring... but I'm out of time on so many things these days. Maybe that'll be soon. Perhaps before I turn 18 next month.
***
Tuesday - Charmagne's Big Debut
On Tuesday it was Charmagne's Debut at Coconut Palace. It would be the first debut I would be attending and I think one of the most elegant one I would ever attend. It was Charmagne Kaye Diaz, the girl in class who defined beauty and competition and style all into one. She represented us. She represented the College in last year's Bb. La Salle, which by the way was underplanned and was just made for formalities sake.
I went to Aldrich's house and saw him for the first time in two months. He returned from Guam the other Sunday while I was in Ilocus Sur. I rode with Aldrich in getting to my own classmate's debut, how embarassing could that ever be? Aldrich isn't even my classmate. Geez. Sorry Aldrich.
We picked up my classmate Eric in front of SM. The skies were still cloudy. Oh wait a friggin moment. I forgot to mention that I was wearing a Barong. A real Barong, not the La Salle Dasmariñas Barong Uniform, but the real thing. I was told to wear a Barong since I'd be helping out at the debut. William said wear a barong, so I did. Eric didn't. And of course Aldrich didn't have to. He was wearing this nice Leather coat and Eric was wearing an Americana.
We emerged at the entrance of Coconut Palace and the place at night was grandeur. I felt like some kind of Senator while Eric and Aldrich could have played out as either my bodyguards or my foreign colleagues. It was a damn awkward feeling because there was this group of young guys wearing barongs on one side of the dining hall. Aldrich was teasing me to "go ahead and join them" while I teased Aldrich and Eric back by saying "Welcome to Coconut Palace, please... this way..." like I was the receptionist.
We waited for nearly an hour till all the guests had arrived. About 1/4 of Broadjourn1-1 (of last year) showed up. Mostly from the other groups. I don't want to use that word, but it's now true in this stage of college. There are groups now.
Charmagne was wearing this gown that made her the shining princess arriving at Coconut Palace. Lots of photographers were there when she arrived. I, myself, brought my Digicam for it's first "Coverage" mission. I managed to bag nearly 40 shots throughout the event.
Fireworks on the opening dance out back by the elegantly lit swimming pool. Charmagne was dancing with her father. Then the 18 Tulips, their version of the 18 roses. I noticed a lot of absent tulips. Yikes.
The food was delicious. It was just hard to eat since it was such a formal affair. Meann and her dorm mate were wearing these daring gowns, and to say Eric and I were seated next to them. It wouldn't get anymore awkward after you'd find out the other three guys at the table we were sitting at were the ones who created the JFH expansion.
The construction workers?! I thought. I even txt'd Aldrich at a nearby table telling him "OMG, the guys at our table were the ones who built my building at DLSU-D."... but of course, it all made sense, when I got it clear that the three of those guys who didn't look like construction workers... were actually the architects behind construction projects in La Salle. Geez Charmagne, you invited everyone... literally everyone.
Mr. Harold Palad, my adviser in JOU1-1 (of last year), was also at the debut. Eric and I had to proxy for the missing tulips, so in turn I got to dance with Charmagne. She was very busy, so when I danced with her those fiftheen seconds on camera and under all those lights, that was the only time we got to talk. Literally. I talked to her. I asked her "Are you still Broadjourn?" after I greeted her a Happy Birthday. She said "Yes, I am still Broadjourn.". And then, it was upperclass AB Com Conrad's turn to dance with her.
Aldrich and Rona were two hundred meters away into the dark beyond the grass field behind Coconut Palace. Nope, they wearn't doing anything that we would usually be thinking. Heheh. I think they were just talking for some time. I got to meet Rona's friend Kats and I did have some conversations with Edward, Ayesha's Best Friend from High School who is in Political Science and a member of the DLSU-D Chorale.
We stayed until around 1230mn when Aldrich said we had to go. I had to tag along with him since that was a sure direct-ride for home. It was bitin though! I heard that my classmates had a showdown during the mini-concert that followed after the ballroom dancing which was the time we left. And if you would only know my classmates, it would be something great to watch. Especially in the hip clothes they changed into later that night. I heard that they all slept at a Hotel afterwards with Charmagne. That must've been fun for them.
***
Wednesday - Resting after the Debut
I tried to get myself out of bed but I just couldn't. I couldn't go to La Salle to conduct those interviews I badly need for my articles.
***
Thursday - Interviews at La Salle
I rode along with my parents and our driver to get myself into La Salle to conduct interviews. They had borrowed my cousin's van so they can go to Alabang and pick up the new CR-V. I was excited, at the same time troubled by the interviews I had ahead of me that day.
I interviewed the new dean of COE and a full-time teacher in CLEAPS to get some information. I was starting to find some flaws in my assigned articles and I need to clarify these with Ate Tina, news editor. I also interviewed the Marketing Department Chair Rodelon del Mundo, pretty nice guy who provided good information for my article.
I was picked up at around 5 o'clock. I walked over to the brand new CR-V. Satin Silver Metallic in color. Model 2003. 3 Years to pay. But well worth it since it is a good vehicle. I kept saying in my head "It's so beautiful."
Damn. A CR-V!!! I didn't have to dream any longer. It was right there in front of me. I eagerly got inside and kept smiling. That feeling when a dream comes true. That feeling when a dream is bought. Like what Kelly Clarkson would sing "Some people wait a lifetime, for a moment, like this". Hahahaha.
Aldrich was returning to Cavite from ATC and he was passing La Salle at the time we were leaving La Salle. So I invited him to dine with us at Kingbee Restaurant at Manggahan since it was my parents anniversary and I sort of needed someone to talk to.
I rode in the CR-V and it was great. Smooth ride. I kept talking on and on to Aldrich and I was so happy I was looking like a fool when I got out of the CR-V. I was following them out the door on the other side when I forgot I had my own door to open. And then, I tried to lock my door but it wouldn't lock and I repeated it several times until I found them all staring at me. My mom's cousin, Kuya Henry, lifted his hand and showed me the keys to auto-lock the doors. Oh...
The food was delicious. Things couldn't have been better. The music in the CR-V on the way to dropping Aldrich home in Gen. Trias was great. Babybus music, which Aldrich seemed to enjoy.
Got home and we parked the CR-V inside the Garage for the first time.
***
Friday - A Sneak Peak of the Dorms
Stayed at home while construction began all throughout the house on several things. An additional wooden pillar in the Dining Room. An extention of the garage-shed outside so we could fit two cars into our really small garage. And my brother's basketball court on the lawns area which was going to be cemented.
I also moved 2/3rds of my things into the dorm. I took pictures before and after I moved stuff into my room. Kyle left some notes... ooooh. No sign of Alex yet. Aldrich had moved in during the morning and he was sleeping in his dorm for the night. There were these two new guys in F6 that I told Aldrich "he should go meet them.".
We looked at Building A and Building B as well.
Before leaving La Salle, I also submitted 2 articles to Ate Tina by posting them at the office early evening (Kuya Eric was the only one there after Joanna and them left moments after I arrived) and e-mailing them to Ate Tina.
Finally, the driver Kuya Jhong and I went home.
***
Saturday - Blessing of the New CR-V
Day 2 of minor construction activities in and around our house. In the late afternoon, we went to church and had our CR-V blessed. I took digicam pictures and afterwards we ate at Pilitas.
***
This is the last "The Damage Report" of Year 1. Stay tuned next week for the first "The Damage Report" of Year 2.
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