out into the world I go

This weekend promises to be exciting. As of this writing, I am good to go on Saturday.

Winter clothes? not yet packed but they're there..so check.

Budget? Check.

Plane ticket, round trip? Check.

Passport? Check.

Visa? Er....question mark???

My visa will be sent VIA FAX tomorrow afternoon. Along with an accompanying letter from the Immigration lawyers. That along with the numerous papers that I have ultimately boils down to one thing:

I DONT HAVE MY ORIGINAL VISA STAMPED ON MY PASSPORT.

Maybe its a Cyprus thing, and this is normal practice and a routinely issued visa, but I am anticipating long waits at the Immigration offices both here and in Cyprus.

I am now calling on all the angels and saints that have looked after me since I was a kid to please please make this trip not that painful for me. I imagine that the only thing worst than enduring a coach flight of over 10 hours is the delay at Immigration.

This is one trip that's definitely worth noting.

I love weddings.

Thats why I try to go to each wedding that I'm invited to. Grant that I don't really have issues with the bride or groom nor they with me.
Last Saturday, I made my way to Batangas with four other office friends to attend Kevin and Anna's wedding. It was a real effort on our part. Especially since those of us who lived in QC had to make our way to Sucat via public transport. Once there, we had to ask permission to borrow Jeng's parent's ride and in the process, have her brother drive us to and from Batangas!

Long story short...I chose to go under dressed after all the stress I went through trying to find something decent to wear. Public transport + full make-up + garment bag do not make a good equation.

Did I say I loved weddings? Well yeah, I still do. Despite the routine outfit hassle. And the expected wedding gift problem. I always get teary-eyed when they exchange vows. Mushy I know, but there, thats my soft spot.

I didn't get to shoot much...letting Allan get acquainted with Buddy instead (Starbucks ko??? hehhee) but here's one I liked:

A reminder of the things that I've missed and are missing came late last week and continued on throughout the weekend. I've overcome any strong reactions that I used to have and have learned to take things with a shrug of my shoulders and a quick "oh well". but last night I had a "relapse" of sorts.

I had that feeling again. And it came at the same time that my previous "attacks" came. I dealt with it the only way I know....sleep.

Sleep has always consoled me. It brought hope that when I awake, things will be where they should be.

And this morning when I woke up, things were where they are...but whether or not it should be this way...I am not sure.

I wake to sleep and take my waking slow, I feel my fate in what I cannot fear. I learn by going where I have to go.
-- Theodore Roethke
The Waking