Things I Learned Today

That syota is a contraction of "short time." Kaya girls, huwag papayag matawag na syota.

That the guy who washes Jiminy da Cricket is now 22 and he left Mindoro when he was 17 to have an "adventure" in Manila.

That there are people who do not know it's impolite to stare at the ATM monitor while you are making a withdrawal.

That gays like me because while I am tomboyish most of the time, I am really a girl at heart. (Punyeta sila!)

That I love sunsets and sunrises and would try to see both each day.

That my friends from the beat days are surprised I've remained an idiot, uncaring of how I dress up (down, most of the time) and that I still do outrageous things, like driving to La Union alone to see the grapes there.

That Friedwater was right when he said I should block off both lanes when maneuvering from a parking slot, because it is safer. (At least here in Manila, when other drivers sneak up on while aiming for the right lane you because they refuse to wait)

That there are some drivers in Manila who still acknowledge your yielding with a smile, a honk and a wave.

That there are gays who hate screaming gays because it "makes us more vulnerable to the parlorista stereotype."

That even the most educated have the most moronic of views.

That decades of friendship can go down the drain because of ego.

That harried baristas in Starbucks laugh out loud when you write down "Darna" on your order slip and you let them yell out your supposed name a couple of times.

"Elvis" is still the best name to call your waiter if you don't know his name.

That my books are the first thing I consider while I am looking for a bigger apartment.

That making a loud, crashing noise in your tiny room can make an abusive husband downstairs stop the beating.

That battered wives can make the most convincing arguments to deny the problem, despite the sound of slaps and slamming doors you hear in the wee hours of the morning.

My relatives often ask me to do something unethical, but my good friends never do.

I've lost a couple of relatives for refusing the favors they ask of me, and will keep on losing some.

That I revel at the success of my friends because I have this faith that their good fortune is my blessing, too.

That I love Miranda Priestly because she gets things done fifteen minutes before she reaches the office.

That yes, horses can swim.

I am stronger than I think. (Most of the time)