Sleeping late on a Sunday night is a no-no. But with my intractable behavior, I couldn't help going to a party, chatting on the phone with a friend and even watching Home Alone 2 indefatigably, that my eyes err, failed to widely shut. Monday came, I was late for work. At night, I never did learn, I availed myself of excessive internet use, did language study, read an art appreciation book, and discovered my sudden predilection for, err… painting. I was anticipating my tardiness but because of my purported "luck" today, I surprisingly didn't.

It all started when I rode the jeepney earlier today. I found a tarnished 10-peso coin along the jeepney stride. Technically, it wasn't me, but since I was seated near it, one of the passengers made me see it, pointing that I am the stupid, careless and pitiful possessor of the penny. I really thought it was me. So out of my innocence, I shamefully picked it up and dumped it in my purse. When I heard the tinny sound of the not-so-many coins inside, I realized that it's not my coin after all. What should I do? Better to keep my mouth and conscience shut than release the terror of stupidity once I ignite a conversation in the jeepney.

I got off at Magallanes at around 7:20 A.M. I know I wouldn't make it for it usually takes 15-20 minutes (without reasons of delay) to get to the school. But fate roused another glow in my day: the car of two of my officemates stopped by. I was saved by an angel ride.

If I could only save my luck today, I could've satiated a hefty piggy bank. In school, I was greeted with, I can say, sincere compliments about how I look today. Yeah, I put on some rouge (just like the old days), wore a cool shirt (which I did before) but I never thought they would appreciate me big time.

It's not only my co-teachers and officemates who noticed my, err… pleasantness. My students gave me reasons to keep smiling, too. It's just funny because of how some (the younger ones) reacted when they realized I was wearing make-up and all that strange colors on my face.

Kids give the most adorable and laughable comments. Childhood is all about simplicity, freedom and being carefree. For them, wearing make-up or showing an unusual hairstyle means complexity, grandeur and involvedness.

One kid came up to me and said, "Ms. Eloisa, you really look good today. Why are you wearing make-up? Oh, maybe you are getting engaged today!"

I didn't even have time to say something when another kid ran to me, took my hand and said, "Where's your ring? Where is it? Oh, you are going to get engaged today so no ring yet."

Kids are… just my luck! ;)

+++++

Preview: Review of Rivermaya's Isang Ugat, Isang Dugo

...Although it is not new for us that rock bands do covers and revive all those majestic, nostalgic and even nocturnal tunes and tweaks that they and we have all listened to, I must say that this album is still one very clever way to break all the odds against "mainstream revival" and all those heaps of tribute albums that seem to work out fine these days.

I guess the stint that the band has contrived to come up with is the target on unfamiliarity. They have gathered round splendid, yet tangential songs of the 80's and 90's, that what most youngsters are not sentient of. Because pinoy rock is what's modish amongst the juvenile crowd, who adore anyone who poses with a guitar and a pair of drumsticks, Rivermaya successfully joined the stream with an intelligent stance. Read more