My days at the Ateneo...

Back when I was still in MSU, after my college graduation and just after SSEAYP, my mom and I would sit down and discuss my plans for further studies. What I love most about my parents is that they always make us decide for ourselves. They suggest things or some alterntive plans, but in the end, it's really up to us (the children) to decide what we really want. They allow us to commit mistakes and, eventually, learn from them. My dad, wise and weird that he is, would term this "the freedom even to go to hell and back". Sadly, not all Meranao parents are like that. This is why I couldn't be more thankful for being part of my family.

Back in college, it was my decision to stay and study in MSU rather than in any other school. Staying in MSU would mean studying close to my loved-ones, friends and it would mean never having to leave home. I've lived in MSU all my life (our house is inside the university!) and I wasn't just about to give the comfort of home up to be in some new place or some very busy city where I didn't have my parents around. Yes, I was very, very dependent. As it turned out, it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I had the best college experience in MSU. I don't think I would have had as much fun and great time if I went to Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro (one of the choices I had back then and where my mom wanted me to go) or in any other school. Not that the other school(s) is not good or anything, it's just that, well, MSU is my university. Thus, for me, it is the best! Anyone who's been to MSU would definitely agree with me, I'm sure! Hehehe:)

After college, my mom and I agreed that I should take my masters either in the Ateneo or UP. By that time, I was thinking that I was old enough to go study somewhere far from home. I knew I also needed that; a new environment would do me good. My mom and one of my aunts actually preferred Ateneo, but I chose UP because it's so much like MSU. Also, the course I wanted so much to take at the time was offered only in UP.

Just more than a week ago, I saw inside the Ateneo gates. I had dinner with Bok and Erik somewhere in Katipunan and they decided to take me for a tour inside the Ateneo campus. We drove around with them pointing out to me every single building and statue. It was great being there for the first time after I've heard lots and lots of stories about the school. I found the campus very nice and clean. The atmosphere was a lot different from that of UP. I don't know but there's just something I like about the atmosphere. Well, UP is UP and Ateneo is Ateneo. Don't get me wrong, I like both schools. ;)

Two days after that, the SSEAYP 2004 Interaction with Local Youth was held at the Ateneo Covered Courts. The ILY was great. After the interaction, I met with Bok and she brought me to her office, not without taking a stroll around for a few minutes first. That time, I had a better view of the campus because, aside from the fact that there was still light (daylight), we were walking. Again, there was something about the Ateneo air that I really liked. I just couldn't explain it. Or maybe it was just because most of my Ateneo friends love(d) their school so much that I just came to love it as much, too. :)

The next day, I went to the Ateneo campus again. I had to fetch Bok because we were to go to the Nippon Maru, which she and Erik insist on calling "the good ship lollipop", for the On-Board Dinner Reception later that night. The traffic was just too heavy, I was in a cab, that I decided to just take the trike to go inside. I did and it was again a new Ateneo experience. I just couldn't stop looking around the now familiar buildings. I was too busy observing things that the absent-minded me almost forgot to make the trike driver stop where he was supposed to stop. Hehehe:)

The day after that, I found myself back in the Ateneo yet again. This time we went there to see Erik. He was still working out in the gym so we had time to go around again... walking! I just love walking because it's the only way I get to remember places. We went to some places that Bok and Erik hadn't shown me during our prior tour. Among the places Bok brought us to, my most favorite was the little Mama Mary Chapel. I'm not really sure what the place is called. I'm very sure Bok mentioned it, though. It's this beautiful chapel (a small part, sort of like a room) within or at the side of the bigger church. At the altar was a huge Virgin Mary idol with hair flowing freely. I think it was my first time to see a Virgin Mary idol without her veil. I also loved the lights in that small room. I am not Christian, but if I were, that chapel would have to be my favorite (praying) place. It's a really nice place. :)

Those four days of seeing and visiting the university (on a daily basis) were memorable. I know and feel that the Ateneo will always be special if only for that weird feeling (in a very good/positive way) that it gave me during those first few visits. When I mentioned to Mommy Minda (my aunt) that Bok and Erik brought me to see Ateneo, she asked me, "Did you like it there?" When I said yes and told her about the atmosphere being very nice and the air giving me that weird feeling, she said plainly, "Ah, now you understand why I wanted you to go there!" Well, not really... But, I didn't say anything more. :)