Out of order

I always say that I enjoyed college and learned everything I needed to know when I was just halfway through it. Some of the best times of my college years were spent with the closest friends I’ve incidentally earned when I joined the debate team and they all graduated before I even reached junior year. Four of them went to different law schools, one was finishing her Intarmed degree and the last, the craziest of them all, pursued her master’s in Germany.

During my freshman year, I was the only person who applied for the debate team from my batch. Being the youngest when I got in, it was not my intention to gain friends from this org and my sole reason for joining is to have a legitimate excuse to travel (clever don’t you think). This is why until now, I am still amazed at how my friendship with my debate mentors and teammates flourished without me noticing it. They made such huge impact in my life that I included them in the acknowledgment part of my thesis.

Despite the different lives we lead now, we make it a point to meet up for dinner at least once a year, most of the time when Pressia, the crazy one, is home. And I enjoy it immensely every time even if we talk about and laugh at the same things every year. I know great friendships were forged because none of us is the least embarrassed when we talk about the weirdos we dated, the misadventures we got ourselves into be it in Malate after debate training or in some hotel lobby in Greece during a tournament and the countless times we f*ck up a debate round. Around these people, I am not ashamed to show how much I know about things nor am I bothered how they will judge me if I tell them my darkest secrets. I don’t know if it’s because of our training as debaters, but their open-mindedness and straightforwardness will either comfort you or shock you.

Last night when we all met up for our annual dinner, it just seemed like it was only yesterday when we were having coffee at Alda’s (the best pizza and pasta place in Ermita) or bashing each other at the AS lobby. To this day, they still look at me as the little one, smiling knowingly when they interrogate my boyfriend and broadcasting my improprieties like we are the only people around. Sometimes I have to remind them that I am no longer seventeen.

I feel really blessed that when I first met them, I didn’t get the condescending eyes freshies usually get from their upperclass men. I am thankful that up to this time, despite the ATTY, DR or MA attached to their names, I need not text twice when I want to see them.