17 Hours
That’s how long I stayed in my car as Ondoy hits Metro Manila yesterday. Why was I out in the first place? Well, I have classes on Saturdays that’s why. It was raining in the morning on my way to Makati but I never thought that something so bad will happen. Since my classes started last September 5, it always rained during Saturday mornings so it was usual for me. But I was wrong, I got a text message from my boyfriend who lives at Antipolo and he told me he won’t be able to meet me today because of the rain and it started to flood in their area. That’s when I realized that the situation outside was bad.
Our class ended by 12NN, and as I got inside my car, I received a text message from my sister and dad. They told me to be careful because of the floods. On my way out Makati, it was already traffic. Cars we’re piling up going south toward Ayala tunnel, so I decided to just go via Forbes/McKinley Road. As I reached McKinley Road, it was flooded in front of Essensa. I stopped at the side for awhile and observed as cars passed by. I was getting hungry at that time, so by 1:15pm, I drove past the flood and went to McKinley Hill to have some lunch at McDonald’s. I spent 1.5 hours in McDonald’s eating my lunch and reading/studying my notes. By 3pm I was inside my car again, tried to watch some videos since I brought with me my Creative Zen. By 5pm, I was getting tired so I decided to sleep at the back of my car. 6 o’clock came and I was getting impatient, I assumed that the floods have subsided and that I could get home so I started to leave McKinley Hill, I went towards the direction to C5 instead of taking the Heritage route. I was so wrong in taking that route because I had to pass by 2 flooded areas. One was almost after the McKinley Hill exit and one was in front of Petron. After that there we’re no traffic anymore, even as I reach SLEX. So I was so happy, I thought I could finally go home. But I was wrong, once I reached the part near Toyota Bicutan the cars we’re not moving. Then after the Bicutan interchange, that’s when I saw the flood at SLEX. There we’re cars parked on the side, so I decided to park as well. It was already 11pm that time, imagine I left McKinley Hill at 6 but reached that part of SLEX at 11 already. I was getting tired and sleepy so I decided to just go back and spend the night in my car at McKinley Hill. That’s the only place where I feel I’m safe. I slept until 4:30AM. By that time, the rain has stopped so I left at around 4:45AM and saw the aftermath on my way home.
There we’re cars and trucks parked along SLEX. I’m not sure if those cars won’t start anymore that’s why the owners left them there or if the owners just left them and decided to walk home. There we’re also a lot of trash and mud at C5, SLEX, Sucat and BF Homes. Good thing the flood at SLEX was completely gone so I got home by 5:15AM.
Let this be a lesson to all of us. This is a good example of cause and effect. I hope we all take the effects of Global Warming seriously and try to avoid contributing in the worsening of these effects.
I pray for those families whose homes are still submerged in waters. I hope the floods subside soon. I hope the country recovers soon from this calamity.
This will be a bit serious (I think). We always hear that the only thing constant in this world is change – change is indeed inevitable. Honestly, I am afraid with change. The only time I accept and deal with change is when I have no choice but to embrace it. As much as possible, I try to be on the safe side and avoid taking risks. I’m okay with following a routine, or being predictable. I don’t mind doing something for a long time as long as I love what I am doing. I think this is one of the reasons why I find it hard to move on. I’ve been so used to in what I am doing (or not doing) that I’m afraid to take a step forward. The more I try to ponder about my current situation, the more I feel afraid. In order to grow, I need to move on. It’s easier said than done, how can I move on if I feel afraid? If I feel that I’m not ready to move on? When will I feel safe? When will I feel or be ready? I always think to give it another chance, see if something worth staying will happen. So far I’ve only had a couple of “signs” but no concrete “evidence”. All I can really do right now is be patient… Times like this makes me remember my favorite quote, “If you want the rainbow, you’ve got to put up with the rain.” Don’t get me wrong though, its not as if I’m not doing ANYTHING for my growth. I’ve been taking steps… small, baby steps. I’m just waiting for the right time, the time I feel that I am ready to make the big leap. But then again, time is not enough. I also need experience, but how can I gain experience? No chance has been given to me. I’ve openly accepted some changes… Hoping that these changes would help me build my confidence and at the same time make me feel ready to accept bigger changes… but nothing happens. I have no idea on what else I can do, all I know is that I have to be patient. Patience is a virtue but time is gold. Hay! I can’t even think/write straight because of the things happening. I hope this is just a phase and I hope this phase ends soon. 
I learned how to pronounce the German alphabet! Let me share it with you.