Last Day in High School Surprise

Can you still remember your last day in high school – the emotions, the events, whatever happened that day? You must have felt really sad because of the thought that you weren't going to see your buddies anymore, after being with them for four years or even more. But what about those people who do not have a permanent home, those who move constantly, those who transferred from one high school to the other on their senior year? What did they feel on their last day in high school?

I have met people like them in my school, where people constantly move from one state to the other in search of stability and contentedness in life. Allow yourself to imagine that you are me just for this time. Imagine yourself going to school. You sit on a nearby bench and you are just observing people around the vast quad. While waiting for the bell to ring, you observe and see people who look lost, some of them walking with straight faces looking composed, others are just sitting on a bench just like you.

Not my photograph.

You do this every morning waiting for the first period bell. You see the same people standing by the door waiting for the bell to ring, the same Asian girl sitting on the bench reading a book, the same Latino who is texting, the same tall white guy who looks lost but is apparently trying to look as composed as he can. You are not wondering why you see them almost always like this every morning hanging out on their usual spots, as you have the same situation like theirs – new in a big school, on their senior year. They hang out in each of their usual spots because they have become comfortable with it. You have, too, from your very first day to sit on that bench, observing people with their friends, laughing and talking about their day as if there's no tomorrow. Of course, you felt envious. You wish you had been with your friends back in your old school, laughing with them, talking about your day. But that could never happen now, because you are in reality. As the months pass, you got to know the people you observed. Just as I thought, we all have the same sentiment – what's the worth of making friends with everybody? It is the last year in high school. As much as you wanted to make friends with the other seniors or the people around, you have no time to catch up with their 13 years of friendship experiences together as a group, or as a clique, or as a decathlon team, or even as a gang. It is as if they are in a car fit for just say five people, and as much as they are calling you to hop inside with them to join the fun ride, you feel you don't want to go because squeezing in a 6th person or sitting on someone else's lap is going to be uncomfortable. And it
could spoil the otherwise fun ride because everyone is making adjustments for you to be comfortable with them inside. So why bother, right?

Not my photograph

Taking you out from me now, my case is a little bit different from those new seniors I met. They are from America, born and raised here, while I was not. I emigrated together with my family here two years ago, and the adjustment processes were painful. I have already attended two high schools in two years of my stay here. How uncomfortable. So I was not just adjusting to the school, I was still adjusting to the culture in the U.S. as well. I did not join any clubs because for some reason I had become apathetic. However, as the final day approached, something surprised me, and it was one big surprise I could never forget in my entire life.

It was the final week. Every senior was preparing for their finals, while others just do not care and can't wait to get out of high school. I felt like those people, too. I wanted to start anew in college.

But when the very last day was coming, I felt inexplicably sad to the point that I wrote parting letters to some people.

She told me she almost tear up when she finished reading it.

I had the hug of my life from this girl.

I had the hug of my life from this girl.

Then we took our picture, May 21,2010

Then we took our picture, May 21,2010

They were not farewell letters a friend would tell a friend if they have been in school together for 13 years, but a letter telling them my thanks for making the effort of befriending a new guy in school – me. And that effort was fantastical. It's because even though the car was made to fit only five people, another space was magically created for me to sit comfortably with them and join the fun ride. Magic happens inexplicably; I felt comfortable with their presence for some reason I could not explain.

I also felt sad because even though I had not talked much to my teachers, just the thought of parting with the last set of high school teachers who increased my knowledge and contributed to my being a whole lot made me sentimental, to the point that I asked for their pictures with me.

Monsieur Arigan, once a college professor at University of Southern California, not just teaches his students French, but to acquire it.

I will be forever thankful to this highly respectable man. Merci monsieur pour l'année scolaire memorable.

Caption: She made me love math, a thing I thought I would never learn to do until I met her

This surprised me. On my very first day in Rancho High, I thought that I wasn't going to miss high school.

Now, wow, I am going to miss it. Even though I have been sad for most of my last school year, didn't join any clubs, didn't have that much friends and only acquaintances, they have become part of my life that I will forever cherish and experiences I would be able to look back on while sitting on my rocking chair at the porch after 70 years and telling them to my future grandchildren (I hope I live that long!). After a bumpy ride on the Last Year Train, I came out refreshed, full of hope, and because of the experiences I have gone through, I have never become readier than I am now to face other challenges ahead, even if it is transferring from one college to the other.

… The good you will do will be forgotten tomorrow,

Do Good Anyway….

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable,

Be Honest And Frank Anyway…

…Give the world the best you have

And you'll get kicked in the teeth,

Give The World The Best You've Got Anyway…

… What you spent years may be destroyed overnight,

Build Anyway…

Excerpts from an ode called

Anyway. it can be found on the wall of a children's home

in Calcutta, India where Mother Teresa served.

Hotel Hopping

We stayed in four inns on the course of our travel to Washington and back. Because of this experience I realized suddenly that if value is not high-end, quality does not need to be sacrificed. We checked-in on these inns: Best Western, Comfort Inn, Marriot Fairfield Inn, Holiday Inn.

Best Western and Comfort Inn. Nice names aren't they? Best Western may be "best", but hotel ambience and quality were just average. Comfort Inn. Air conditioned rooms may offer comfort, but what kind of service rating would you give a lodge if their reception area lacked designs, hall carpets were stinky, and a dull bathroom? It was funny how they ask their customers to suggest things as to how they can improve their quality of service, and my sisters and I said jestingly that they should renovate the whole freaking inn.

Fairfield Inn and Holiday Inn were the true best. Everything smelled so luxurious in their reception area, bathrooms were like their gorgeously designed rooms, and to even further the quality they offered, balconies are available to sip your hot coffee while the cold Washington wind blow on your face. And the best of all, Marriott was I think $30 less than all of them, and this was probably because of the points accumulated by my dad, but still quality met low value!

I didn't take any pictures because I was so tired, but remember these signs if you're going to look for a place to stay.

U.S.A. The Fulfiller

(most photos used here are ours)

We are halfway through the year.

Living in the United States makes time pass even faster. Emigrating from the Philippines two years ago (almost three actually), adjusting to high-society and into an environment filled with diversity and freedom had been a distressing task.

It took us awhile to adjust fully to this fast-paced country where time has always been of the essence (talking about the famous Filipino time);

Weird Phenomenon

where one should learn how to live individually (in comparison with the Filipino attitude of oneness);

Typical Filipino Oneness

Typical Filipino Oneness

Best Pic I could find for American Individualism

where one always has to think about work and less of the family (talking about most white-collar Americans sending parents to homecare).

Most American Workers send their parents to a home

American High School Attitude (at least from what I observe at school)

In spite of the sadness brought about by leaving our home country, I realized that being here in the United States has fulfilled some of my childhood dreams.

The United States is a vast land with flourishingly diverse flora and fauna. It also has geological features not found anywhere else such as the Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park, and the ever-so spectacular Yellowstone. It has shaped most of our history, and even saved us from countries abusive of power.

I think I do not need to elaborate more on the school life, culture, and lifestyle here because Hollywood movies have very well presented the U.S. around the world audience!

American High School

while at school (this is actually a scene from Superbad)

Deemed as the world's most powerful country, the United States has been a hotspot, or a "dream land" to visit (or to emigrate) for most people around the world.

So we were one of those families. Hoping to secure and to have a better future, we moved here not knowing what to expect. In addition, we moved here without the rest of our clan. Our Lolos (Grandpa), Lolas (Grandmas), Ninong (Uncles), Ninang (Aunts) and the rest are all in the Philippines. I hope you could sense how lonely it feels. Nevertheless, to ease it, we travelled to our local and neighboring states, California and Nevada.

Since I was a child, I always wanted to get out of the sultry and humid climate of the Philippines. California fulfilled it. I now enjoy a sought-after Mediterranean weather. Also, who would never want to experience a snowfall? My family and I experienced it in Yosemite National Park, a place 13,000 ft above the foothills. I'll let our own pictures do the elaboration. But what I really wanted to say is, I finally was able to make a snow angel on a snow-filled ground, formed snowballs and throw them at my sisters' faces. Hahaha.

Throwing Snowballs

Mini Snowman haha

standing on a vast ice expanse

Yosemite Tunnel View (Credits to my sister for the photograph)

Doesn't this perfectly look like a bride's veil?

Fire Falls in Yosemite National Park (not our photograph)

Since I was a child, I always wanted to see Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Crash Bandicoot, Dora the Explorer, Frankenstein, Ariel from the Little Mermaid and all the other American and Disney characters in personal. I also wanted to ride real scary roller coasters, not the Space Shuttle Enchanted Kingdom is boasting. California fulfilled it.

Ariel from the Little Mermaid

You know the movie "Cars"? I got to ride them

Typical Scene in Disneyland

California Adventure

I forgot who these Disney characters are

Mickey and Minnie in Personal!

Who would expect the real Boo to be this big?

cousin and sister with the real Shaggy and Scooby

me, my two sisters and cousin with Spongebob!

The Scoobydoo vehicle

Flirting with the undead ^_^

When I was a child, I wished riding on any fastest vehicle available on Earth that is not a car. California fulfilled it.

the fastest cable tram in the world (not our photograph)

Never in my life did I expect to step my feet on Elvis Presley's house. NOT EVER. I felt like I owned Elvis Presley that time. Hahaha. California fulfilled it.

me in Elvis's entertainment and practice room

Elvis's practice and gathering room

Us using Elvis's singing practice tools

Elvis's pool table

In Front of Elvis's Bar

The Man's license

Elvis's Living Room

Elvis's Kitchen

Unfortunately, I smile wide. (I'm sitting on Elvis's couch)

Relaxing on Elvis's sofas

While feeling hungry on the freeway, never in my life did I expect to eat in an unusual McDonald's place. See for yourselves.

I never expected to eat at McDonald's inside a train cabin

View of McDonald's Train Cabin Exterior. Barstow, CA (My sister's photos)

Not our Photograph but this was the inside of it. Feels cool to eat inside :)

Have you seen the music video of Ashley Simpson's La La?It was filmed on Huntington Beach where we also stumbled upon.

sister's photo at H Beach

I do not know if you have a keen eye in movie scenes, but the Hoover Dam was featured in Superman, Transformers, and various others. It feels great to have been in the place featured in Hollywood movies. Nevada fulfilled it.

Hoover Dam

Gamble however much you want. Hook with somebody all night. Whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.These are just a few of the many things that people say about Las Vegas. But for me, just seeing (and staying) where the hotel Manny Pacquiao stays before a huge fight is forever etched in my memory.

Pacquiao's Abode haha.

not our photograph, but this is the typical Las Vegas at night.

Paris's Eiffel Tower replica at Las Vegas

Las Vegas Streets (very far from what I used to see in Mandaluyong)

These are drunk people asking us to take pictures of them in Las Vegas

We haven't been to the Grand Canyon yet, but the Red Canyons in Nevada fulfilled it.

I'm covering my face from the sun

descending down the hill...



I can't remember the rest of the places where we have gone. The places aforementioned were the big ones that I won't be able to forget. Had I stayed in the Philippines, these childhood dreams of mine would have not been fulfilled, at least not this early. U.S.A., my fulfiller.



We could not have done our travels without you Big Pilot :) haha