Dusk in December

Exactly two months after a tragedy I went on a trip alone, risked all there is to be afraid of just so I can have time on my own, and did something for the first time. 

6:17 in the morning, 12.2.12

La Union

Before the year started I recorded things I’d like to have for my 25^th year. One of them was this. I’ve always been fascinated by numbers, symbolism, fate, luck or what have you. So I thought that this year I should be living my life with more pins on my goals. Maybe because my birthdate is 05/05 then I celebrated my adulthood 18^th year 05/05/05, doesn’t really make sense actually. Anyway, besides all the fantastic things that happened this year, one tragic thing happened, things messed up. I messed up and I have to get my balance back. I almost never filed a vacation leave so I thought a long weekend would be a great opportunity to break free plus it’s one of my favorite band’s much awaited album launch night. Good to go. I’m ready to go.

Jamir, my new friend

So there, I was on a two day time-off from work plus a holiday and a weekend. What more can you ask for? I repeatedly told myself that I needed this - a break, a fresh air, to meet new crowd, embrace a new experience, pick a new leaf, open a new chapter. I did the one thing I’ve always wanted to do. To try something I really want to. A backpack, instax camera (with only 4 shots left), 39 Up dharma Down songs, 7 hours of travel and my belief that everything will be alright. Alone time, doing something you like -

I was supposed to be there at 8 in the morning to surf. Unfortunately (or fortunately) I so excitedly arrived at 2:30. 7 hours early. I’m a believer of everything happens for a reason and it’s always not too late nor too early for anything with His time. So it felt like I was there for two days and two nights which was great. Except that I had to pay extra.

12.1.12 - one of the happiest days of my life. It was my first official wipe-out, first official surf ride, and my first official ‘wave’ just like saying good bye.

I was so happy to meet new people, found new future friends, did something dangerous and survived, went on crazy and managed to get back to life. Sustained a sprained swelling knee and traveled alone back to Manila. Have a lifesaver friend to see me in the bus Terminal, went to ER with Eugene Domingo. Yes she was there too! I had my knee bone photographed by a machine called x-ray. No dislocation or fracture found except for the immense pain I cannot bear. I had the first ever (hopefully the only one) cast.

Today is day 4 of my 10-day detention with Cast and Crutches. I had a bad fall, but it doesn’t mean I will never ride a wave again because I can’t wait to recover and get to the beach again! So many things happened the ‘excitingly dangerous part of the trip I’d rather not tell. But to let you know just like any other sport or anything in life in general, there are risks and danger. We get hurt no matter what precautionary measures we take. And that we just have to at least be careful. Life without risks is not life.

Playing with numbers and dates 12+1+12=25 My quarter life. The day I will never forget. Two months after a hard on the floor, anvil in my heart session over coffee. I’m back in the game called life, where everything is about you, the people you surround yourself with and the passions that you pursue.

I just feel so blessed with so much grace - to have a very loving, forgiving and supportive family, friends, despite my lack of time to spend with them are there for me, to all the people who believes in me and all that I can do, to my amazing workplace, my fantastic job. And to you my future best friend, the one I will be able to share great stories with.

Surfs up Jeff Ganuelas