A different Beach Experience

I want to go to the beach badly, not only because it is nearly summer but because I want to get away. I need to think things over. I don’t want to elaborate but… Please, maybe a pool will do. I just want to float and drift away.

Anyway this was my feeling during the whole week. I tried contacting Jenni if she was up to an out of town trip but as it turned out she was already booked for the weekend. So, I decided to just spend it alone. Plus, I would be busy with Tricia (my doggie) and Blue’s (Fritz’s dog) mating on Saturday.

I planned my whole Saturday and even woke up early to read “Confessions of a Shopaholic”. I got a surprise call from my cousin, Rhea who was near the area and wanted to use the comfort room. She and Jon are on their way to Payatas to help build houses for the poor. They asked me to join them. I was hesitant at first since I will ruin my plan but Rhea could not just take a no for an answer. I felt that doing something or helping other people would be the best use of my time.

We stopped by McDonald’s to meet Jon’s friends then we proceeded to Gawad Kalinga, an Ateneo community whose thrust is to build homes for the poor. It was more like Habitat for Humanity. We arrived at almost 9AM. We had a quick tour of the place and met some of the residents. The task at hand was to tear down a house and build a new one in a new location. The boys took charge of disassembling the house while some of us painted rust-proofing on the beams under the heat of the sun. For almost 2.5 hours, I painted careful not to stain my favorite jeans (forgot to wear an old pair). It was tiring but felt that I could have done more. However, for them it was already a big help.

Jon, Rhea, Reggie, Dona, Menchu and I had our late lunch at Beach House in UP, known for their good barbeque. Who would have thought I can finally eat there after many years of begging Dom to take me there. The barbeque was yummy and so was the lumpiang gulay. We walked around, passing by UP Library and canteen to look for a CR to freshen up.

I arrived home at passed 4PM. Rhea and Jon stayed to rest and take a bath. Well, I guess I sort of got the beach I wanted only in a different and better way. Hehe.