decade of independence

10 years ago, on the 12th of June, I had my first sweet taste of independence (in my own terms). My parents, together with my lolo and lola (imagine that!), with a truckload of appliances brought me to Los Banos for college. Unlike the typical college students who were away from home for the first time, I hardly felt the homesickness (at the start). I was very excited then I even posted HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY in our closets. I never cried until August (I remember it very vividly).

The first month was so fun. My roommates, Rica, who is my bestfriend since hs, and Sheilla would take turns to cook. We would always experiment on cooking sometimes at the expense of another person’s stomach! We’d always watch Friends (all night time slots at Star), AllyMcBeal, Dawson’s Creek, even Wheel of Fortune, like we never came to LB to study in the first place (well applies to me lang since my roommates were studious). We attended St. Therese’s Sunday masses together. In the wee hours in the morning, I remember Rica and I would whisper in the dark, chat about how the day was, like we had our telebabad days in high school. In the morning, we’d listen to Morning Rush and literally rush to catch our first classes (to which I am always late since these were always 7 or 830). We’d do regular stuffs together! 1st sem was bliss! Moreover, I had fabulous bloc buddies! Beng and I, as I remember never missed welcome parties for freshmen! Pam and I would always enter Women’s dorm as if we were legit residents. Jade would always be very draggable checking out the better internet cafes or simply walking around. Then there were the rest of bloc 64 who adopted us. NF was so simply so exciting: the sweet taste of independence as sweet as McDo pancake syrup! The rest of college life was a tasty feel independence. There were times I hardly go home and my family would be the ones to go to LB instead just to see me. Life was sooo fun and simple and fun, and did I say fun?

June 2004, I had a bittersweet taste of independence. Living on my own, although not fully true (shame on me) but I like that I get to decide on many things on my own. Simple decisions like what do I do with my time, what do I do with my money, what gift I want from my family this time (hehehe).

Now, I still get to go home from time to time although I feel a small degree of guilt whenever I do. I think I have never lived up to the expectations of my family yet. My mother is barely vocal about it before but lately I feel the pressure with our small talks. I may be living away from my family but hardly am I the epitome of someone who is independent. The thing is, I so badly want to be one. I have various thoughts about it lately though. So help us God! There are a lot of things I think I’m missing from not living with my family and sometimes I think, if I had a choice of getting employed somewhere near I would grab the opportunity. Ahh! The comfort of having the room by yourself, prepared-for-you-all-you-gotta-do-is-eat freshly-cooked meals, complete appliances, hot showers, family car you can borrow, household help. Tough choice though because the truth of the matter is I cannot trade whatever I have for now. So please please, good Lord, grant me the willpower to pursue these ideas I have.

So what have I learned about independence in the last 10 years:

1. It’s OK not to know how to cook rice if you’ll cook rice just for yourself anyway. Buying one cup of rice is more efficient, time and energy-wise.
2. Chocolate is a meal! Best energy food in the world.
3. Always drink milk to prevent osteoporosis. Good to solve small-scale sleeping disorder.
4. Most important appliances: ref and microwave oven, and A/C or fan. The rest are just nice to have, believe me! 
5. Always make your personal hygiene stuffs handy (in case you have spontaneous sleep-overs). Or better yet, know where the nearest convenience store/mall.
6. Be Low-Maintenance. Just cover the essentials! Don’t collect trash. Everytime I transfer to a new place, I realize how much trash I have. If you’re not using it, give it  and simply throw it away. Shame on us we have to leave a stackful of magazines, stilettos, bags, souvenir items but who’s going to use them anyway?
7. Bacon is a staple food! Easy to cook and it’s something you can eat everyday!
8. Spanish sardines are good for long time storage. Oil-based and delicioso (if eaten only once in a while)!
9. For cooking, I use ground lean pork more often than the cubed ones. I think they cook faster and flavor gets into the meat better! hehe
10. Experiment on food! Those seasonings can go a long way.
11. Always keep key duplicates!
12. Use old clothes as rugs.
13. Keep the toilet floor dry!
14. Scented candle is therapeutic indeed.
15. Choose the scents of your toiletries well. Scents go a long way. Cucumber melon reminds me of college days, Apple of SMC days. Sweet pea and honeysuckle of early MBA days.
16. You can make me clean the restroom always but you are lucky to see me touch that broom (allergy attack)
17. It’s always helpful to have an OC-OC cousin sleep over your place and clean your closet for no apparent reason! hehe.. I miss you Lovely!
18. Be friendly to your laudromat ladies. Think win-win! Applies to your bldg security guard and helpers but prioritize the laundromat ladies. Favors are not limited to laundry. hehe
19. Sometimes it’s easier not to remove your newly-cleaned clothes from the bags. You don’t have to reorganize your closet and you get to remember which are the ones you just wore the previous week.
20. If you hate ironing your clothes, choose low-maintenance clothing material you don’t have to iron. Sometimes, fresh from the washing machine, as long as they are folded well, they’d still look crease-free.
21. Always check first the place before moving in. Wag umasa sa floor plan ng ibang unit. (unfortunately, we just learned this in our latest choice of residence)
22. If your choice of residence has no elevator, 3rd floor should be the max! I’ve lived in a unit on the 4th floor once and had I not lived there, my calves would have been thinner. There was also one time I got drunk, my friends had a tough time dragging me!
23. One should have at least 4 pillows to have a good sleep. hehe. Perhaps I need 2 more.
24. If you have sleeping disorder, there are handy items in your medicine box. You shouldn’t rely on sleeping pills. Ohhh! The wonders of chemistry. haha
25. Music gadgets is a necessity in life especially since you don’t always have the company of chitchatmates. Organize your playlists well. This is the part where they say real life comes with soundtrack music!
26. Be watchful of due dates! You think it’s just small % but baby, there’s the multiplier effect!
27. If you are home alone on a weekend and are too lazy to go out and buy yourself food, think twice on ordering delivery good for 3 meals just to maximize your call. You’d probably not eat in the same place for the next 2 months. My personal case was 2 months of not being near any KFC after a KFCful weekend.
28. Keep delivery hotlines handy! Explore 24 hours food suppliers near your area.
29. When craving for something, cook or buy yourself whatever it is. That’s the plus of living where you don’t have to ask the whole household what to cook or eat.
30. Ref magnets have purposes other than decoration. Use your ref as main info board!
31. Use empty vodka bottles as water container.
32. Create rules: unplugging of cords, designated smoking areas, rotation of assignments. Rules are part of the game.
33. Save for rainy days (more on reminder to myself)
34. Errand day is not limited to weekend. Manage your time wisely.
35. Enjoy free things in life (like free wifi internet connection from your neighbors)
36. Have a breakfast-in-bed table. So useful! And I haven’t used mine for BIB yet!
37. Love your housemates! They are your extended family.
38. Keep in touch with your family ALWAYS. There is no substitute for them.
39. Savor your ME time. (Applicable to me for 3 hours tops)

And that ladies and gentlemen those are the bittersweet lessons of my definition of independent living. Sweet yet bitter, because without the bitter, the sweet ain’t that sweet. Have a home sweet home, wherever your home is!