8,298 Steps

According to my pedometer (thanks Luz and Allen for this gift), I have walked 8,298 steps today so far. This is running a little above my daily average. Part of the reason is that I visited my dad in Pampanga. So that entailed a lot of commuting steps.

Today was actually the first time I've ridden a provincial bus alone here in Manila. The second time I've ridden a bus alone in Manila. The third time I've ridden a bus alone in my life. I sound like I'm expecting to be congratulated or something. It's an achievement of sorts for me, but I am aware how pathetic I sound - no need to rub it in.

It's been almost four years since the last time I have been in Pampanga. I was born and partly raised there. Yeah, yeah - another one of those irrelevant personal information that I inflict upon you all. It was just interesting to see all those old places that were once part of my life. The hospital where I was born. The small bakeshop where we used to buy taisan. The EENT clinic where I had my ear infection treated. The minimart where we buy our school snacks: Gee Cee mamon and Hi-C (May Hi-C pa ba?). Reminiscing galore.

You know what they say about our memories from youth are exaggerated? It's so true. I saw how un-intimidating the intersection which I was so deathly afraid of crossing when I was a kid. How near the parish church was to our old house; I've always thought I needed to bike back then.

Anyway, another part of the reason for the numerous steps is because when I came back and got off EDSA and heard mass at the Shrine, I decided to walk the rest of the way to my apartment. Poor decision - some might perceive because it was slightly raining. But it was Christmas day. Ortigas Center was unreal. I actually like the overcast weather, the drizzle, the empty streets. Too perfect for a walk to pass up.

I got home covered in the rain, sweat, and the grime of NLEX and EDSA. Just keeping in tune with the holidays.