Endings and beginnings

As I slowly pick up the pieces and try to make sense of what happened over the last few months, I had overlooked some small stuff that made my life interesting and enjoyable enough during those times I was flying high and fast:

*I miss driving out of town just for the fun of it, and taking photographs of places and people I haven't seen or met before. Lately, if and when I get a break and travel somewhere, I can't seem to enjoy taking pictures anymore. However, the passion is still there and I am beginning to miss it.

*I miss taking 2 hours off work each night just to work out at my gym. I used to miss 2 hours of primetime but don't care since I enjoyed working out at RSC (yes yes, it's Gymcrush and Stuart and Armstrong that make it all the more interesting). I miss doing yoga on Monday nights and watching our instructor Winnie do those seemingly impossible poses. Nowadays I had to workout around lunchtime before I go to work, and sometimes I had to do it in Ortigas though I've never quite warmed up to the place.

*I miss those late night movies at Greenbelt 3 with a good friend who recently decided to retreat from corporate life and go back to school. I miss those late dinners at Hossein's or Pasha or Bubba Gump. Nowadays I can't do last full shows anymore, and dinners are with another good friend Kim at one of the fast foods along Emerald Avenue or at one of the joints at the Megastrip. We have yet to dine with Jen, who ironically is at Megamall during dinnertime but never answers soon enough for us to get together.

*I miss my team, Precious, Bessa, Jen, Robert and the rest of the CIA. What I'd give for us to work together again. I miss our early Saturday Ops meetings where I get the chance to get to see them mature each passing day, how they strive to do better and excel, how they struggle with their youthful idealism, how they long for validation and approval. In my own way I know I had a hand in what they have become, and I am validated each day to find out that they've done well on their own.

*I miss the occassional Infoma meetings, dinner and happy hours in either Salcedo or Legaspi or the Fort, wherever Sunshine and Thea say it will be.

I know it is too much wishful thinking to hope for the good old days to happen again. I can still do the little things that make me happy, albeit this time it's going to be with someone else. A new set of friends, a new gym buddy or a new team. They will never replace the ones I've come to consider as integral part of my life, but I have more room to accomodate everyone. Each one is unique, each playing a part that only he can.

And if and when we meet again, we smile and embrace and catch up and talk about old times. If we're lucky, we'll pick up right where we left off. If not so, a smile and a wave or a promise to keep in touch is enough.