Koronadal visit

I was born there. Last week I made an unplanned visit to that place to make some quick bread. I arrived at 10 a.m. and left the place the following day at 6 a.m. Now I'm back to where I belong, my office and the classroom. Except for the scary plane rides, my trip was generally smooth and memory stirring. I managed to shove into my tight schedule three meetings with my brightest Auntie. My niece was still asleep the first and second time I came in to see her at my Auntie's place on Osmena St. I had had to go back there one more time. It was good to meet some old friends in the neighborhood. My Auntie had her old house, where we once lived, completely demolished and replaced with new structures that now stand on the old surrounding space of her property. I was thrilled to see some of the stuff that are unforgettable parts of my childhood--pre-elementary and elementary school years. The headboard, the steel image of a peacock, and some pictures of my now-middle-aged cousins are still on display in my Auntie's new house. And the piano, too! It's still there! I played with my lovely 2-year-old niece for more than one hour, ate chicken at the plaza with my sister, and finally settled at my father's place all throughout the night. I was afraid my high school classmates will come to snatch me and make me drink till sunrise of the following day. Well, I did a good job hiding from them, LOL. I met only one good childhood friend and he stayed with me until ll:30 p.m. I didn't have a good night sleep before I returned to Manila, but I felt so relieved after completing my mission. I thank God for delivering me back safely to my family here in Manila.