Let's Do the Time Warp Again

Well, hello there!  Been a long time, right?  Here's the short version of the past 6 years:

1. Worked at a public library outside of Austin, Texas for 6 years, as a cataloger and technical services librarian. I'm just as tired now as my last post, which was about being tired. I'm so tired of talking about being tired and actually being tired.

2.  Went back to school (will I ever stop?) and got a brand-new sparkling Paralegal Certificate, which resulted in my changing jobs.  I'm now a law librarian (fancy name: Information Services Manager (ahem!)) and really enjoying it.  Still tired.

3.  Kids have moved back in, and some have moved out, and back in.  I actually love having them; they are amazing adults, and they just need a helping hand to find their place in the world.  New definition of tired.

4. Got a husky ... got another husky ... first husky died ... now we have four dogs, including two huskies (added a new one) and a schnauzer and a Doberman.  We woke up one morning and said what the heck happened?  More tired.

5.  Going back to Manila in three weeks. (You think you're tired now? Ha!)

Wait ... what?

You mean, after so many years of writing about, thinking about, wishing, hoping, reminiscing, longing for, Manila, you are actually going back?  That would be a big, resounding YES.  How did this happen, you may ask.  Well, I will tell you!  Get some coffee and put on your slippers.

"Established in 1920, International School Manila (ISM) is the oldest international school in Manila and the first to offer the IB Diploma program in Asia. The school currently stands on a 7-hectare site in Bonifacio global City with a purpose-built, state-of-the-art campus.  ISM utilizes an international curriculum and offers a vast array of programs and co-curricular activities.  ISM's student body embraces true diversity and its faculty members are just as diverse, with over 100 countries represented.  With a growing international community, ISM is celebrating 100 years of service in 2020. " (is manila.org).

Image shamelessly stolen from ismanila.org

If there was ever a good time to go back, this is certainly it.  Several of us on Facebook started planning and buying tickets and making reservations in January of last year.  At that time, it seemed way off in the future.  But time, as it often does, flew by (seems to fly supersonic the older I get) and now I'm at the stage of planning my wardrobe and how to make it all fit in one suitcase that won't require a pallet jack to get around. Last summer I thought, jeez, I need to start dieting so I'm not as big as a whale when I "reunionate" with some of my old barkada, but months flew by again, and I'm still the same size that I am.  Then I thought, why am I so hung up on that?  I'm not 18 any more; I yam what I yam, (Popeye).  Now I'm trying to explain to Mitch what a Barong Tagalog is, and that it's not a puffy shirt, and it is designed for the tropics, and he NEEDS to get one.  I think he's on board now.

And yes, I know, you can't go back.  Nothing is the same.  (And yes, the TRAFFIC). Someone who went back last year said it was so disorienting, that none of the same landmarks were there, and she couldn't tell which end was up.  I get it.  Even our old school building isn't there any more; it's now the site of a Trump property (no politics in this blog, please).  I guess we'll have to go visit the building, which I hear has a very nice bar, and an actual plaque memorializing our school.

The old school near BelAir (also stolen shamelessly from ISManila.org

It doesn't matter.  The physical things are different, but many of the folks will be there, albeit with a little more gray and a few extra wrinkles.  The fact is, I will be in the midst of my people .. TCKs like me, who GET IT.  They know my soul, and I theirs. I can't imagine how Mitch will take all this in; he has met some other husbands who will be there to observe the festivities, and they can huddle in the corner and scratch their heads together.  I know what it's like to be a spouse at a high school reunion. I apologize in advance, sweetheart.

After the actual "gala" (how DO you pronounce that?) we are hiking down to Tagaytay to a resort owned by our former guidance counselor called "Stilts".  Complete with nipa hut on stilts (get it?) over the water, I will be able to show Mitch the ridiculous and awe-inspiring beauty of the Philippines.  And a bunch of other alums will be there, so I think it will be one long happy beach party.  

Excited? Yes. Terrified? A little. Flying to Asia is not a trip for the weak-kneed. I remember how hard it was as a kid; it will practically kill me as an adult.  It will require lots of fortitude and biting of tongues.  Some people (me) get cranky when they travel; we will grit our teeth and hiss "I really love you, I really love you" when things get stressful.  But in the end, we'll have some amazing memories that no one can take from us.  Maybe we'll look at retirement homes.  

The last time I was in Manila.