32

As they say when one reaches this age, "wala ka na sa kalendaryo!" Literally.

Fears, anxieties, and insecurities also start creeping in.... health, future finances, grad school, career, motherhood concerns.... all these things seem to be directly proportional to age!

At a time when I see the crow's feet, dark undereye circles, crazy facial skin texture, varicose veins, imminent osteoporosis, wrinkly hands, and dry body skin, among others (yes I never thought I am this vain!), I cannot help but be afraid of growing... eherm... old. And these are just the aesthetic reasons!!

However, a few days back, something happened that made me smile big time, and yes, flattered...

I was on my way home from the office, riding the usual bus line that i rode everyday twice a day for the past at least five years. The conductors sometimes ask the destination, some simply issue the ticket especially if they recognize regular patrons. Personally, though, it is not my habit to look at the drivers and conductors to memorize their faces.

I was sitting in my solitude, recalling the events of the day, when this particular conductor passed by my seat, did not ask where I was to get off, and simply keyed in into his handheld ticketing device, and handed this to me:


I took a look at the amount due, I was about to complain that he made a mistake, but then I realized... it was a pleasant mistake! Instead of the usual "Passenger - Ticket" printed at the top, the conductor issued a "Student - Ticket" to me! It was one of the biggest compliments anyone has ever made to me! It was too good a moment to spoil!

So I prepared my fare, and when he came back to collect it, he really handed me back a change of P24 for my P50! He really honestly thought I was a student! (At this point, I didn't know why he didn't notice it, but I thought I was already grinning in excitement.) Then I realized that it was a Friday, and I wasn't wearing my usual office uniform. But then I wasn't even wearing jeans and shirt... it was a casual top for Friday dress code. Hmmm...

If manong was just suffering from poor eyesight, then it was his fault really, that he assumed that I was a student passenger *wink*. It was a high form of flattery, and even if for just a 30-minute trip, I felt that I was years younger than my approaching birthday. Thanks manong; sorry for the undercharge ;)

Thanks to my IPA family for the super daming food last Thursday! You really know how to make me feel special. Yesterday at home, we also had some spaghetti and cake with my eldest sister's family, and last I heard, we'll have another one next weekend with my other sister's family! Rands even promised his own in May *wink* Now, how's that for celebrating my big 32!