Rants, Raves & Restless Thoughts

It’s been barely a week since I’ve returned from my temporary reprieve (my vacation leave), once again I’m back in incarceration (at my job). Unlike others who battle with jet lag right after they arrive, I clash with a more formidable foe, homesickness. My thoughts are consumed by the memories of the wonderful time I had spent with my family and friends, following me even in my sleep as I dream.

Thus, I often browse the loads of photos which I have amassed during my brief stay, to fight the heavy feeling of yearning for home. I scan through recently taken digital pics and some old scanned photos, I come across some picture perfect Kodak moments: candid shots of our family gatherings, forgotten photos of our youth, the warm and endearing smile of my children, wacky poses of my nephews and kids as well as the memorable excursions with family and friends, all captured and immortalized through the camera’s lens. As I sentimentally recollect about these blissful times, I also recall equally unforgettable instances which weren’t included in the pictures: the days spent just at home bonding with the family and playing with the kids, the petty instances of personal differences, the trying times of financial distress, a handful of exciting escapades and the impromptu get-togethers with friends that were imprinted only in my unreliable memory.

These numerous unforgettable occasions which fill my heart with joy, longing and inspiration often make me wish I had the ability to control time, so that I can make time stop and I could linger a little longer on those perfect moments even for just awhile. The reality that my vacation was temporary made every single second special, be it a momentous occasion or just a regular everyday event. Living in close proximity with your loved ones, even for just a brief moment, feels heavenly especially when you work a million miles away. It is at times quite depressing to think that some people take for granted their good fortune, being close to their family and friends and not having to suffer the melancholy of being detached.

As I see it, the cliché that familiarity breeds contempt does hold a lot of weight. Oftentimes people overlook the true value of what they have specially when it becomes a part of their daily routine. A handful of friends asked for advice on how to prepare for working abroad, for they had plans of seeking greener pastures away from home. I told them to treasure every moment they spend at home, to cherish not only the blissful times but also the trying times. The petty quarrels with their partner, their kid’s irritating incessant desire for attention, their parents’ unsolicited advice; all these are but trivial events which they will miss once they are detached from their family.

Living away from home, continents away from one’s comfort zone can open a person’s eyes to the larger scheme of things. Ironically, the distance has made me closer to my family and I have learned to appreciate them more. So instead of feeling gloomy, I feel grateful for the chance to have seen my loved ones once again. The memories we made fuel my drive to work harder so I may settle down sooner in the place I call home.

For now, I shall continue to find inspiration in my memories and my digital photo albums, for despite the vast bodies of water that separate us and the wide area of land that keep us apart, I feel the warmth of their love deep in my heart.

p.s.

it’s time to thank the following sponsors! (hehe showbiz)

dad & ma: thanks for your never ending generosity, love and support! god bless you always! i love you very much

my angels eya, josh and jecho:  i love you very much! study hard! a year will pass faster than you think and we shall be together again!

achie: sis thanks for looking after the kids and for our bonding! your d best aunt in the whole world! ingat cla sau sa states hehe lab u sis!

polibab & tita kath +  kids: i appreciate your hospitality and patience. gaelle, gianno, gilian + guidz: your the best couzins in the world for EJJ! i love you all!!!

cho paeng & mama zen + family: thanks for the great bonding and love! i lab u 2 cho paeng hehehe! jhana: sumbong ka ni jeco pag my kiss pa sau hehe check on them once in awhile ha!

ry: thanks sa hdd tol!sabay tayo ulit next year!

tess : thanks for your understanding + hospitality!TC always!

darling: tnx + ayo2 sa pag bantay sa bata ha! ayaw kasab-i! hehe ayaw sa pag uyab2!

carldemz + family: good luck on your plans tol!

dickdemz + family: more power sa career and biz mo tol!

tito ces: i’m eternally grateful for your generosity! GBU

bosing noel + ate jane: nice to see u again!bosing tnx sa lam mo na.

odi: blue post tau uli pag uwi ko hehehe

kuya joey and ate joy: thanks for hosting a wonderful sfc reunion! you guys rock!

brod jojo: thanks for picking me up bro and for the great despidida hehehe pakisabi  kay marjon bawi ako pag uwi ko hehe

norlan: ayo2 brod! thanks sa lingaw na bonding! hope all goes well with your plans!

brod danny: thanks for the bonding and stimulating conversations brod!

toto: nice seeing you again after 15 years! next year uli to! goodluck sa byahe!

ching: thanks for being great!!!

jr: next year hk disney na man!

Juls: thanks for keeping in touch! God bless u and ur family!

ej: ty! ty! ty!sa uulitin!

vb: tnx 4 keeping ur promise! TC

el: tnx 4 bein nice + praning! TC

mto: ei tnx for d bonding khit bitin! tc teach! hehe

nabs: papayat na choi! goodluck sa pag assemble!

teban: god bless ur plans brod!

buboy: i owe u one!

doodz: hmmm….ingat brad!

Obiwant: u owe me one! tnx padawan!

chey: thanks for accompanying me b4 i went home. hoping d best 4 ur family

lani: thanks for keepin in touch!

len: nice to meet u and shamrock too hehehe

MNMC + SJ + family: my deepest Apologies. i owe u big time.

sfc bros + sis: thanks for a great time! god bless u all!

vely and berns: thanks for the airport assistance. you are angels! 

to everyone else : thanks for the memories!!! see you again in 363 days!!!