When everyday becomes a habit, each day becomes recurring. When standards are set, these rules are what applies. When you are who you think you are, then you should be who you shall be. Well, not all the time, but it is true when you know what you use to do and what you do not.

It's hard to make a routine, but it's harder to break a habit. But when the thought of doing something trivial is not given the second thought, these deviations might just turn out to become something remarkable apart from inconceivable.

When the walls break down and standards are ignored, when allowed to roam free and extend my horizons, I discover an unprecedented persona in me where for once, I never even considered would have been a possibility.

At the onset of March, I've done a couple of things which were my firsts and as divergence to what I was used to do:

1. Swim with the Fishes. I've experienced my first scuba dive on the first of March. With just the basics briefing in scuba, I let myself fall into the water for the first time with my complete scuba equipment. In trusting my guide, I was able to see first hand the splendor of the coral reefs in the Coral Garden of Talikud Island, Davao.
2. Say I Love You to my Dad. The words I love you were used to be reserved for special occassions only. But somehow, being left here in Polomolok with the rest of my family now residing in Davao, I've felt myself even closer to my family even with the distance. I'd miss them and always wish to come home with them. Even with just the limited gestures of saying that I care, I felt that the bond is still there, strong and supporting. So, when I'd greet my father to say I'm home (or welcome him home) I'd feel the urge to give him my daughterly "beso-beso". When he'd call me to check up on me, I knew I had to say I love him before I'd drop the line. Intimate words seldomly spoken are hard to utter. But it felt good when I knew I have delivered the message to him.
   
3. Textmate/Chatmate with my Mom and Brother. We don't really spend the whole night conversing on regular nights, but the thought of talking with them casually of the random things that happened in our everyday life gave me the assurance of them being near me. A few words exchange of words fills the longing I'd feel for them when I miss them. I love my family.
4. Talk to a Stranger. Don't talk to strangers, that's our parents' rule since we were young. But somehow, I just tried to break the rule. On my way home after our Generals Brew Plurk Fiesta, I've noticed that the person near me had a big luggage in her front. I really wanted to go home quick, but since I had to wait for the van to be full, I fought my conscience and just tried to open a casual conversation with her. I asked her about her luggage and discovered what was inside were her pillows, the rest of her clothes were hand carried on her hand bag. I was quite surprised, it seemed almost impossible, but plausible since I believed her words.
5. Fit a Wedding Dress. No! I'm not engaged and I'm not to be married soon. I don't even have a fiance! It was a shock when my seamstress called after me not to change back yet to my uniformafter fitting my gown for the upcoming masquerade ball. She had one small favor to request of me: fit the wedding dress she sewed for her niece in Pampanga, who's just about my size. Her manequin was too big for the gown. Without thinking twice, and since I haven't really changed back yet, I said I could try it on. And I did. The dress was beautiful. It was almost a perfect fit too! She pinned the needed adjustments as well as the flower adornments while complimenting her own work, while, was feeling exhilarated and with thoughts randomly coming in and out of my head. "I fitted a wedding gown! And it's not mine! Would I never be married, ever?", "I'm just fitting a gown, then why does it feel wierd? Because it's a wedding dress?", "Oh my, she's telling me that I should have my own wedding gown sewn by her when the time comes..."


6. "Sell" my Gowns-for-Rent. I'm not good at salestalk. So basically, when I offered my classmates to see my gowns that were for rent, I merely asked for luck, and that they would love them. I had them rented for a very low price, half the price it is on the market. They were beautiful gowns too and if I had to come to three occassions, I would have worn those gowns on the three occassions myself! Right now, I had them take the gowns home so they could fit it on, and hopefully, they'll take it and I can have my extra allawonce.
7. Shop for Ukay-Ukay. The only image I knew of ukay-ukays were that of a talipapa, crowded and disorganized place where clothes are piled and shoppers could dig their hands on the mountains of clothings. But the place me and my mother went to was an arcade, full of boutiques of selected ukays. I never expected that there would be many good dresses there. It's much better than chinatown I should say. And really, I was very astounded to hear that the dresses were only 300-500 pesos! To think that the dresses were much beautiful than those that I see in Mall Stalls and in ChinaTown! We were actually hunting for gowns. I never expected to see a LOT of selections. And when I say a LOT, it means VERY MANY selections. And the prices only ranged from 300-900 pesos! My Golly. So cheap! And the beadworks were so intricate, yet it only cost a few. There was even an original Guess gown which was sold for P500. My mouth just watered. Selected Ukays are really gift from the heavens for people like me, who just had limited budgets.
8. Not wear a lotion. Honest! I ran out of lotion and I don't even have the budget to buy my Skinwhite Powerwhitening Hand and Body Lotion SPF 20! The sun! It burns! The warm air! It dries my skin! No more, 5 days without lotion and just relying on my moisturizing soap, I really feel pitiful. I should go buy my lotion tomorrow, even if I do not eat snacks for 3 days. I'll just save enough for lunch.
9. Ride the Motorcycle. I used to ride my father's motorcycle during my childhood days, and I am sure I enjoyed riding it. But when I have grown, I barely rode the motorcycle. When I say barely, that's just 4-5 times a year. So when I rode the motor on my way home tonight (sinundo ako ni Pinsan kasi gabi na nakauwi). I could feel my whole body stiffen and my eyes teary as the wind slapped on my face. It's not that I do not trust my cousin, but it just scares me every time I've ridden the motor. Even during those times when I'd hitch my father on my way to the terminal, I feel scared too. But this time, I couldn't prevent myself getting paranoid. Thoughts like my guts flying out or getting toppled down by a large truck, or get hit and my body flying on the air came rushing on my mind. I have the ability to ignore thoughts, but somehow, scary things just leaked out. Thankfully, we arrived safe at home. It's a relief I didn't pass out on our way, or my thoughts could really have become real if I did.

10. Brag about my Results in the NDEA Mock Board Exams. When I excel on something, I'd feel honored; when praised, I'd be flattered. But I do not brag. When people ask how things went, I'd answer. If they don't, then they don't have to know. Except with my mother though. Yeah, I'm proud to announce to her my achievements. So just today, Sir S announced our test results in Auditing Theory and Auditing Problems. He challenged us to get at least 55% in Auditing Theory and 60% in Auditing Problems. Too bad the class' average was only 49.8% and 59% respectively but the privileges would be open for negotiation, so even if we did not reach the target, we might still avail of the privilege. Now, back to my bragging. I got 69% in Auditing Theory (the highest in class was 75%) and 68% in Auditing Problems (I am one of the three highest)! To think, I did not really pass the Mock Board Exam (97% of the class), but since our teacher said it was satisfactory and not really disappointing, then our test results might just be acceptable. He just affirmed us, that once we review seriously, another 20% would be added for us, so that would make us pass the CPA board exam, hopefully.