Ironic

It started with a gift card. I intended to go to Eastwood but ended up in Bonifacio High street. I intended to buy me a cd and a craft book but ended up buying two fiction books. The (mis) adventure began in Fully-Booked, Trinoma. I thought they also had cd selections. Now at least i know they don't. The cute sales assistant told me, rather reminded me, they have cds in their "other" branch. Lesson #1: Stick to the original plan!! In my mind I was blaming myself already. I should have gone straight to Eastwood. Instead went to Trinoma because commuting was easier. So i just asked the sales assistant how to get "there." He kindly and charmingly gave me directions: take the train to Ayala, then take the bus going to The Fort. "Tapos baba kayo sa high street." Hah! I should have taken the clue from that, that we were talking about two different Fully-Booked branches. But my mind was busy memorizing the directions. So off I went. The bus station was not easy to locate, nor was high street because in my mind i was picturing eastwood. so i had to rely on a security guard, a sidewalk vendor and the lady beside me in the bus for directions. When i got off i felt so lost. I asked another guard. This time i felt so stupid haha! It was then that I realized I was in Serendra and not in Eastwood! But when i got to the bookshop I felt so triumphant. There at the fourth floor were the cds, shelves and shelves of them. Unlike in eastwood they only had one. Happiness! Two hours later i still have not found what i liked. Options overload! So i decided to look for my craft book first. I found them rather expensive. So I went down to the fiction section first while i think it over, again. Another hour passed. By this time i was already weary from hunger and indecision. It was then that i thought of asking for help. I sms'd for suggestions. "Fiction or non-fiction?" she asked. I said, "kahit ano." So she suggested two fiction books. I succumbed. As I walked out of the bookshop tired and hungry, now also frustrated. I thought of the alanis, workshy, kevyn and nyoy, and all the cds i have not chosen. And my craft book. Lesson #2: Stick to the original plan!! It was my first time to be alone in Serendra, and to commute back home from there. I saw "C5" on the jeepney signs. I asked the barker: "Pano po pumunta ng Katipunan?" Then he pointed me to another jeepney and said i get off at Service Road and from there ride another jeep to Pasay. "Malapit na yung Katipunan dun, mga 2 kilometers na lang." I thanked him with all the cheerfulness i could muster, because i was also so pleased to hear that I was not so far from home. I followed the instructions of Manong barker. What he said was true, Katipunan was just about 2 km from Service Road...but it was Katipunan Village! How would i know there was a Katipunan village in Taguig?! Lesson #3: Specify, clarify and verify. ANd study the map of Manila. I rode the jeep again and just asked the driver to drop me off at the nearest train station. At least I am familiar with the train routes. While I was getting lost in Manila my cellphone beeped. "Kumusta?" the message read. I immediately replied hoping to find comfort and company (kahit virtual lang). After two exchanges I was dismissed. "It's like 10,000 spoons when all you need is a knife... Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you. Life has a funny way of helping you out." I sang. Lesson number four. Sigh. It all started with the gift card that will expire next week. However, even after all the misadventures I thank God i arrived home safe and dry. The heavy rain poured as soon as i got inside the house. "It's like ray-e-ain on on your wedding day. It's a free ride when you've already paid. It's the good advice that you just didn't take. Who would've thought... it figures." =)