Sundae and Soul-soothing moments

I headed to Jollibee Katipunan after my class ended at 9:30 PM last Tuesday.

Katipunan was in a frenzied state. A bonfire with fireworks and a concert was being held in Ateneo in celebration of their Men's Basketball Team's victory against their rival La Salle in the UAAP Championship.

Cars were "double" double parked. Restaurants along the avenue were teeming with people. The next day was a holiday (Eid al Fitr) and people were in the mood to celebrate.

The heightened excitement all around me felt rough on my skin. The noise irritated my ears.
Cologne, sweat, and smog stuffed my nose. And there were just too many people wearing blue shirts.

I sighed. I was grumpy because I had a tiring day, with work and law 105 class. I was hungry.
I was missing some people.
I wanted to be part of the celebration, but I just really wanted to be alone.

The line at the counter was long. I welcomed this as I had time to think.

I decided to eat my favorite shanghai rolls, and I decided to love myself a little more and ordered a rocky road sundae with my meal.

I realize this may sound like a Jollibee ad. But Jollibee has always been my "default" food
when I don't feel like thinking or when I'm too tired to think of what to eat.
And the food there has been become my comfort food.

I felt warm all over as I took a bite of my shanghai roll and my steak. When I got to my sundae, I tuned out everything. I let the cool and smooth vanilla melt in my mouth. I smiled as I chewed on the brownies and nuts. I let my taste buds savor the chocolate syrup that sank at the bottom of the cup.

I was told later that the fireworks were launched at the time I was savoring my sundae moment.
(I can imagine everyone looking outside at the display while I was in my own little world.)
Yes, I would have loved to watch the fireworks display, but I am happy for my simple moment of enjoying a cup of sundae.
It wasn't glamorous or magnificent, but it quietly and gently soothed my soul.

Later, my friends invited me to catch up with them and watch the concert in Ateneo. I jokingly
declined saying "Magtiniguwang ko. Mang-haplas kog epikascent oil og matug na. Enjoy mo mga batan-on diha.
Pag-amping lang." (I'll just be an old lady, put on some efficascent oil and sleep.
You young ones enjoy there, just take care)

Of course I didn't sleep yet. My brother Ingko called, and we talked for a few minutes about random less serious stuff. I looked at some pictures. Laughed at my old written works. Wrote down my thoughts. Some people might say I was being "autistic", but I love simple quiet "me" times.

I woke up early the next day, watched the second episode of Heroes on my laptop*,

and stayed in bed listening to the rain**.

Ahhh. Thank God for sundaes and soul-soothing moments.

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* thanks to zai. love you zai! you're my heroine? hehe
** of course, I got out of bed in the afternoon, and that's another story all together. I'll also write about that... :-)

Phyll, The Leaf Who Wanted To See the Sky