If the shoe fits, I'll take it!

Why is it this hard to find the perfect shoe?!

Dear Father,

Ever had problems with your shoe?

I have a personal wish list about the things I plan to buy the moment I have money for it. Among these things was a new pair of sneakers.

So last Saturday, I took off to the nearby mall to buy myself a new pair, since I just received half my salary for the month. There were a lot of them, and I ended up liking 3 pairs. And since they were on sale, I could actually buy two of them. That caught me in a really good mood.

Two of the three pairs that I liked have pink trimmings on them. (Yes, no matter how much I deny it, I always loved pink and still do.)While the third one was canvas colored with a cool pattern and glitters. Cheerfully, I approached the saleslady and asked for my size: 8. She scooted off with my chosen sneakers while I go on browsing over the expensive pairs.

After a few minutes she returned, with a sad sad report...

SALESLADY: "Ma'am, we've ran out of bigger sizes."
ME: (points to the sneakers)"All of them?"
SALESLADY: (nods) "But we still have this one in other colors..." (shows me a pair of size 8 sneakers in silver and black)
ME: (looks at each disappointedly) "Would you have one in my size by next week? I can wait."
SALESLADY: (begins an explanation that points out that it just is impossible to get the sneakers I like by next week.)

Yes, I was a bit of desperate, coz I do need the sneakers badly. The one I'm currently wearing is getting really worn out. And I would have worn the sneakers real proud, because the money came from my own hard work.

I remember you once sent me a package containing clothes and a pair of pink sneakers. I liked those sneakers, except for one thing. They were two times bigger than my feet. I actually wore them one time, and my cousins teased me for looking like Ronald McDonald with the really big shoes. It was really embarrassing, and I ended up giving up the shoes to one of my cousins because it fits her.

I don't know what happened to those sneakers. I don't know if she used it or not. I don't even see it in their house anymore. Even if I do claim it back, I know it wouldn't fit me anymore, because my feet have swelled to a freakin size 8.

After the Holy Week, I would once again embark on my quest to search for a pair of sneakers. Hopefully, this time, I wouldn't be so unlucky.

Walking Home

Well, I'm not exactly as enthusiastic as this when going to school.

Dear Father,

I really can't believe how a little Will can go a long way...

Yesterday, there was a major jeepney strike and almost all the jeepneys in the Metro had decided to take the day-off. As jeepneys were the major mode of transportation for Filipinos nowadays, the strike had literally affected a lot of people, most of which were the local commuters. And among the irate crowd was me. It was during these times when I wish that Mama would let me ride a bike to work, since it my new workplace was close enough to home. But being a girl and all, plus the fact that the streets aren't made for bikes (unlike Marikina and other places), no amount of reason would persuade her to do so.

Anyway, that morning, I got to get a ride to work, since the strike was bound to start later during the day. I got to work, forgot everything about the strike and did whatever work I have to do. I only remembered about the strike later in the afternoon, when I was about to go home and couldn't get a single jeepney to stop for me because all of them were filled to the brim. By that I meant that the passengers were sitting like sardines inside while outside there is at least one person who was hanging by the estribo. Frankly, I would not be surprised to see a jeepney with passengers even at the roof, but that only happens in the province...

After 5 minutes of seemingly hopeless waiting, I made a firm decision to walk home. As if I was hit by Reborn's Dying Bullet, I determinedly told myself: "I will walk home as if I were to die!" (Yes, I do sound like I had read too much manga once more.) So I did.

Before starting my 1 kilometer walk, I stopped by a barbeque grill stand and ordered two sticks of isaw for a light snack. As soon as I paid for them, I began my walk while enjoying my first stick of isaw. I caught quite a bit of attention walking there like one would in a park, munching the barbeque like it was the most delicious food on earth, and enjoying whatever scenery the urban environment can offer. I can truly say, yesterday's red orange sunset was just beautiful, but I bet only a few people noticed it.

Anyway, I did enjoy the long and tiring walk. I finally got to eat at that BBQ stall that I wouldn't have done if I chose to take a ride. I finally saw the boutique with the blue gown I once coveted (after closer inspection, realized it wasn't as beautiful as I thought.) I got to feed a stray kitten. Got the attention of a lot of onlookers. And proved to myself that I can do anything I put my mind into.

I got home at around 6 pm. Tired but quite happy.