My account of yesterday, the Girls' Date Day, when we're already not girls.

Yesterday was pretty amazing, I tell you.

I have always liked traveling in a car, with companions to talk to, but traveling alone has always that special place in my heart. I like looking at people, observing their warmth (or apathy, if there's none), smiling at them and making their day bright, and just be that little ray of sunshine who just stepped out of her house.

Stepping out of my house means me looking decent, not like the shabby person I am whenever I stay in my "cave." (Writers ought to be messy, food everywhere, papers here and there etc.). I was thinking of what to bring with me that morning, whether a book or a drink, and I chose a book, because a book is particularly my comfort zone. I'm not the one to sit down somewhere and wait while drinking. I'd rather keep my eyes on some pages and follow a story to keep my mind going.

I got there unscathed, with Miko texting me then and now, wondering if I had any questions or so. I had to reply with a bunch of smileys to assure them it's okay, I'm on my way, and at the back of my mind, all of my parts are still here.

We met twenty to thirty minutes later after I stepped into the mall and grabbed some pasta. My book, my companion, is the best item I brought. Not to mention my phone, whom I have to look again and again to see if the red light is flashing. (Yes, I am a BB fan and I'd be as long as my phone is still intact)

That remark from Kuya Dave is just the best joke. I didn't know everyone thought I was a baby! And here I am TRYING to be a woman (when I am legitimately a woman, although not emotionally nor psychologically speaking). I will sincerely keep this in mind for everyone not to worry about me, but somehow I feel much cared for. Because I'm, really, a baby.

Seeing Pastora Revy was refreshing. I'm back in the mood of always wanting to hear what happened to them without me having to say what happened to me because my Wonderland is non-existent and it probably wouldn't be as adventurous as theirs.

I heard all about sad and happy and glorious stuffs that my ears could have danced if they could just because hearing news of God's amazing movement with their ministry is amazing. Yes, I used amazing twice.

I had to eat sushi because I wanted good food in my stomach although I bet the crab was synthetic. Wait, I wouldn't know. I don't eat crabs.

I met Mary and Gershon, and finally DS and his jolly, bulging stomach with his ever pleasant smile plastered on his face. Kind of reminds me of Gabriel (his son)'s aura whenever he has something good and mischievous in mind. Because yeah, good and mischievous can go together.

We had to strip ourselves away (Pastora, me and Miko) after the talk about the book (which has connected some dots to our surprisingly little world and one girl is turning giddy because of that discovery) and stuffs. Because the seat we took is getting crowded and we'd like to spend some time together. Pastora also needed some leisure time and we, with me in it, are her best excuses!

So I'd always be happy to be one of her alaga, if not her official children, because really. I am that person who loves to go under the radar but just pleasantly exist.

We had to go to the bookstore, our haven, our heaven, and I just had to hunt those must-read books my friends and cousins recommended to me. I love you. I only found Blink, but there are hordes of books I have to soak into and I don't have the time to read them. One book is enough!

The sighting of one person we knew led us running into the cinema where we watch the MOST HORRIBLE MOVIE we could watch that day. Please imagine me sinking to that chair. Just as I entered the theater I was already cowering at the thought of watching monsters, not because I'm afraid of them, but I knew they will defy my belief, and I don't like it. Thank God I survived those almost two hours. I wish to forget that feeling. Period.

A text came in the middle of the horrible movie and we went straight to where DS is (I still call him Pastor, because I'm not used calling him DS in his DS state because I rarely met him in his DS state. Redundant). They were still stuck at the bank, because they're opening an account for God's outpour of blessings to their ministry, Wildflames. 

It turns out Miko and I will be hitching the ride and crash another party (why do we often crash a party whenever we're here?) which sends super-embarrassed surges in my brain. But yeah, meeting Gab and Raph again would be a delight. And yeah, I could think of ways for me to sit down quietly somewhere and not to be a burden because my personality has a built-in "I don't want to be a burden" mode and it's heavily beating on my head that moment.

Gab was a bit bulkier than when I last saw him, had a fake earring, and was playing guitar and drums as he recounts his P&W adventures. Raph, still bulky, was the most adorable little lump I ever saw with the tiny rose with the neon green stem I wished I knew how to make. He's still quiet and less-talkative as usual, but I knew he is like me, so I figured asking him questions and letting him answer is the best way for him to tell a story.

We reached Shakey's Pulilan and I sank lower than when I watched the most horrible movie. I just had to. I knew none of them. Miko knew some, and they knew her, and I knew they'd be looking at me with "Darn who is this person in stripes?" For me, sitting somewhere else while the Fajardo family enjoys their dinner with the celebrant is much more of a relief than sitting with the celebrant and them wondering, "Who are you again?"

But I survived that. Guess what? I'm at Kapalmuks Level 2! #congratulations!

Miko had to come with me on the way home. It was okay not to, really, but well, those jeepney talks were always random but genuine and this episode made me learn a lot. Posting it on the next blog. But yeah, the whole 20-minute ride was rather worth it. Even the short hour coffee talk at Figaro's.

We got home safe and sound, I had to hunt for the chords of From the Inside Out as I checked my emails which, unfortunately, had nothing alarming. As I sat on my devotion, I was feeling that excitement of soaking in God's presence again. This is my Something Real #2. The thing I'm yearning for is to bask under God's hands and let others feel that warmth too. Slowly, I'm getting back into the course of my deep worship. Slowly I realize my physical flaws and feel the determination on improving on it, because my worship isn't just for someone ordinary. It's for the King of kings. And may it be alone or with another, it has to be done with skill, with beauty, and out of the heart.

Realizing these things reminded me of how I was passionate about Him this same season, last year. Maybe, slowly, I will become a woman more than a girl.