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Earlier on, she asked me to attend their baccalaureate mass to be held a day before their actual commencement exercise. I already made plans to take a leave on their actual graduation day on Thursday. I forgot about the baccalaureate mass. She has a special award and was one of the readers. I was haggling with her to have her grandma attend it in my and her dad's behalf. She wasn't too happy. I could understand...she'll end up taking care of her mama instead of breezing through the ceremony. I have no recourse..... my one day leave had to be extended to two..... actually, I savor the idea afterwards..... and made plans....
I couldn't think of anything but commencement activities and graduation ball this week. On Wednesday, I was being rushed by MD to make it to their baccalaureate mass in time. My gasoline indicator says it's almost empty but I couldn't even stop to gas up... It's nice that the affair was held in their air-conditioned chapel... I was early and got vantage position. However, since it is only myself, I am disadvantaged when taking pictures. After the mass, the recognition came about.... MD's name was announced...silver for being part of the management of their school paper. After the affair, MD was like shooing me away discreetly. The school cafeteria is hosting a free luncheon for the graduates who have been eating in the same cafeteria for the past 13 years. It is but apt..... Like any day when things are gay, MD would be going out with friends after. I have my own plan as well..... a much needed trip to the saloon and a dinner date with a friend and his hubby who wanted to talk to me about a possible investment. But first, I went home for lunch and caught up on sleep.... After rejuvenating, I was off to the saloon.... As soon as I was comfortably propped up on a chair, I would call and talk to my friend, S......, for dinner arrangement from time to time. I was able to sway her to get some services too. Soon, she was at the saloon.... MD who was planning to get a nail job would also join me later.
After our impromptu saloon date, we headed to dinner at Kanin Club in nearby Westgate. It's about ending and beginning too for my friend, S.... and her hubby....Their donut biz is closing shop...but is in talks with an angel investor on another biz...and they want my opinion.....I am kinda wary about this proposed biz.....it's micro-lending that aims to assist people who would be attending bible study sessions. There is no definite target, no loan purpose, and even the implementation is in question. My friend's hubby was saying that the loan beneficiaries are family members of the borrower based in P.I. The borrowers are HK-based workers.... I was telling them that it is simply advancing the salaries of the borrowers. There would be no value-added as I would surmise that the proceeds will just be used for consumption expenditures rather than invested in a business. My friend's hubby was also not fully convinced about the idea. I broached the idea of implementing the project here and to tie up with an organized group like a cooperative or an NGO. Soon, we are filled with our hearty dinner of binukadkad na pla-pla, crispy dinuguan, sinigang na tadyang, crispy tenga, and crispy calamares. (Here's a link to a review of the club's specialties from fans and foes.....) The turon with the ube ice was a very delightful dessert. Then, it was time to go.....
I woke up a little late the following day which is MD's graduation day.... logged to the net, checked my emails, messages, listened to some music in between breakfast and some chores.... I thought this will be one of those worry-free days. Everything was going smoothly. We weren't rushing because the ceremony would start after lunch. I gave instructions to our helper to prepare lunch a little earlier than usual. Then, I got this text message from ED telling me she sprained her foot or something....She said she was going home. I prevailed upon her to stay and wait until I could arrange for someone to fetch her......My world tumbled..... Hubby prepared to fetch ED.... MD and MS would call ED to find out if she's alright..... I'll be monitoring things on my celfone as we prepare to leave .... We had lunch but hubby and ED weren't home yet..... We all prepared to go while waiting for them... Soon, they will be arriving....ED's right foot was in bandage...She explained that she tripped while playing a game with her classmates who rushed her to the ER. She said she's fine and could move around, albeit with a limp..... She and hubby had lunch..... Soon, we were off to MD's school.....
We arrived early enough.... MD would join her classmates as they assemble in their classroom for the last time. We proceeded to their gym, the usual venue for graduation. We checked the designated seats for hubby and I. Then, we went to the bleacher section to find a nice spot from ED and MS.... The ceremony started and we would march with MD with swords raised as if to herald the graduates...... We would be ushered to our seats soon. Then, there was the talks by the main speaker, the salutatorian, and the valedictorian..... After which, honors were conferred one by one ...... Proudly, we walked with MD..... We walked on the same stage a number of times in the past......we sat in a designated area reserved for parents of honor students.... Personally, I felt a deep sense of achievement for my daughters.....it as one of those shining moments for us.....
After the conferring of honors, the graduates would be called one by one to the stage to receive their diploma and for some, their loyalty medal. MD got a loyalty medal too..... Then, the ceremony became a drag..... it was almost an ordeal. It lasted 5 hours..... By the end, parents were equally sad and excited for their kids. There were laughter and lots of tears shed. It cuts deep inside.... I rushed to MD to take a shot as parents began clicking away. Despite the buzz, the air was filled with solemnity......only to be ruined by this teacher who blocked the path of the parents taking pictures saying the ceremony is not over yet. I had to restrain myself from pulling her long hair tied in a neat pony tail. Parents were pissed from being barred to capture an emotional moment... I was just so glad I was able to breach that 'security' before they even realized it. But I am pissed for the other parents......Cmon, give us a break..... it is all over as soon as the last of the graduate received his diploma.... except for the end of their farewell song, there was no more to go back too.... The graduates would soon be on their own destinations......
When finally it was over, the stage was filled with parents, friends, and graduated taking shots in every conceivable space. When the last of the laughter died down and the last teardrop fell, everyone headed for the exit.... Once in the car, we would soon be discussing our dinner options.... Chinese sounded good to the kids who were craving for something tasty. We went to Hap Chan Alabang branch ..... We ordered a feast of pata tim, friend chicken, squid, steamed lapu lapu, yang chao and everyone ate to their hearts' desire. Finally, we headed home.
It was another workday for me and I lazily dragged myself to work. My class was suspended as my students went to vacation a day too early.
In the weekend, it was the usual chores for me. Our helper are still not so adept with the pet chores and I had to give a hand. Our community's religious group also approached me asking if our home could be one of the stations during Good Friday's Station of the Cross. I readily said yes thinking MIL could take care of it. Besides, I have lots to thank for and this is such a small thing to do for all our blessings..... I would learn after i accepted the responsibility that MIL would be going to BIL's home or a week starting Sunday.....oh, oh..... It is not so hard a task I think and we should be able to manage without MIL.....
Palm Sunday came and we were among the crowd who brought palms to church for the blessing rites in Saturday's anticipated mass only to be told that the blessing of palms would be done the following day..... Hubby, who was not with us, brought the palms to church the following day when he heard mass.....
It's a full week and I am looking forward to the lenten season.......
Related Posts:
Graduating with Honor
Lessons of Love
Mommy's Hope
The Diary
Proud to be My Son's Mom
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