Last Summer

If fate won't be interfered, then this is my last summer while in college. Sigh, I know saying this is a cliché, but it really does, still, seem only yesterday when I had my first foot set in Panay Island to start a new life blah.

This happens to be the first summertime in which I didn't go home (well, aside from the 1 week before our practicum started). Apparently, this is also the most unforgettable. We, incoming Senior (wait, the word doesn't seem to sound too good to my ear) BS Computer Science students, were doomed here at school for our on-the-job training commonly called as "OJT". BD, or the legendary Balay Madyaas, was the place to stay since it's the dorm opened for the season. At first, I really found it hard living in the place (that's why I ended up going home for just a week). But eventually, I got the hang of it. After all, I can't imagine myself sleeping on the streets of Miami. Dormitories serve as our second home, right? (according to one of signs posted around here, Lol) All that was important was the presence of roommates whom I'm comfortable with.

When we were informed about our OJT before the second semester ended, we all proclaimed to the whole but not-so-wide world why, oh why. What about the exposure? The corporate world? However, as it turns out, being situated in a place where we've spent life for three years already is not as easy as it may suggest. For instance, what was up with all the Accomplishment Reports we were to pass twice a week? It was tough, but fun at the same time. What makes it fun? Well, aside from the fact that we still see the faces we used to see, of course, we had more chitchats and laughters than ever. It also turns that most of us live under the same roof. Getting to know each other more, that is.

Inevitably, some conflicts came into existence. I can dearly name them in my head. Unexpectedly, there was also some romance. Oh, yeah. More fun was drawn from it. Being together was worth it all. There were times that we can't 'duty' to the laboratory because no faculty arrives to open it due to some silly strike performed nationwide. So what do we do in times like these? Hah, go to the still-uncovered covered court and hold a sportsfest among our batch, what else! Badminton rackets and Basketball were always present. In fact, most of the afternoons were spent by everyone shooting some balls in the court. I had my very first shot because of this too. A free throw to be exact. We also happened to climb the so-called Hill 70 one time. For those who do not know, it's the shortcut from the dorm area to the College of Arts and Sciences buillding. We ended up in the former Globe tower though. After spending my third year, finally, this summer gave me the opportunity of wetting myself in the waters by the famous Ocean Weather Laboratory (OWL). It was nighttime and the sky was not feeling well, giving us hints that at any instant it will hit the liquid we're on and provide absolute electrocution.

Ah, I've been blabbing too much. To anyone who've read this far, err, thank you. I know this site's supposed to be about Hall 1 Balay Lampirong that's why I've already prepared something to say about it. Balay Madyaas, as what I've experienced, is not, after all, different from all the other dorms. It may be notorious for some reason but once you're admitted here, you'll realize that it really doesn't matter at all. Get what I'm trying to say? Whatever. Actually, I believe that residents here tend to be closer to each other compared to the other dorms. I don't know. Just please don't kill me because of saying this. In a way, this residence hall has really transformed in a number of ways. It's not entirely the place that's important, it's the residents. Something like the saying, "Aanhin mo ang palasyo kung ang nakatira ay kuwago." (Did I even say it right?) I have never been here before and now I'll have to say that it's different just being here. We always take sides, sometimes not minding a tiny little piece of the others. Everyone has something to give in all the time. And everyone also has something to give up all the time.

For now, I feel like so old already. Tsk. Incoming freshmen have invaded the place. Again, 'tseems like yesterday when I was like them, yeah, only like yesterday. It just happens that there are many yesterdays. Tomorrow is the official end for the remaining of us here. No need to sound sad, right? In a few days I'll become sick of seeing the same faces again - time to enroll for our last year.

I was a Hall 1 resident before by the way. This is my first post. This is my curse. I am not Spider-Man. And we're not neighbors. Room 22 is where I used to exist.