ariellalisan.org – Homeward Bound

MOST PEOPLE I know think that I am living a monastic life. They would tell me that I’ll get old too soon, thinking that my life revolves around work and home only. Some even think I’m a nerd. But they are wrong.

Even when I was a high school student, I would always visit my classmate, Honey. We would sit by her wide window and talk about the future, and sometimes, just about anything. I also had a sort of a gang back in high school and we’ll turn the classroom into a music hall.

In college, I’ve been in the company of all sorts of friends. My classmates are studious and we’ll do our problems sets and other requirements together. I also had a set of friends with whom I’d go out until the wee hours in the morning. Sometimes, I’d just go back to my boarding house to change clothes and attend my classes. I’ve also been addicted to computer games, blogging, binge drinking, and other things I can’t mention here (*winks).

When I accepted an office job at NDMU, I didn’t bring home any task. Every night was a socialization night. I gained more acquaintances and a few more inches to waistline.

When I started to work as a teacher, my lifestyle had to change. But I still spent time to meet other people. I attended blogger meetups and plurk fiestas.

That's us, boytoy, coffee, TheNorthFace, KatHaligi, Rockstar, and G-man at Taaz Bar.

Moreso when I started using Uzzap recently. I met another group of people of varied interested. They are very far from the kind of people I used to mingle with. They are not intellectuals nor socialites like many of the bloggers I know. They are very ordinary. Very real. Being with them allows me to be me. With my night outs with them, I feel normal. Lol.

Bottomline, even if I focused much of my attention on my studies and my career, I managed to live a normal life. I didn’t have to restrain myself. I didn’t have to deprive myself of the simple joys of life. I have no regrets, no hang-ups.

The secret: a good balance between freedom and responsibility.