My Journey

Once upon a time, there was this young woman who caught my attention during of those enrollment season in Ateneo. she was wearing a white tee, tight-fitting denims,, and a bulldog shoes. Pettit with short hair, she was standing there in the middle of male students that only enhanced her tough and “don’t mess up with me” looks. I kept looking at her because she was very pretty yet not feminine nor masculine. She was not saying anything that time although those around her were roaring. With folded arms and serious face, she just stood there waiting for her name to be called…

She became my classmate. I must say that she was famous because my other classmates were talking about her. I came to know that she came from London and her husband was also attending the same school. She finished high school from an exclusive school and she has a “kuya” working for SACSI. But more than anything during that time, she was one of the bright students in the class. I thought how lucky she was for being blessed with all those. We were not of the same peer group, then but i got the chance to work with her when she was elected President of the Management Academic Organization.

I’d like to believe that fate has it that we meet again and work together because after college, we were both employed by Ateneo as college instructors. My admiration for her didn’t disappear. She was all beauty and brains and looked confident. I felt somewhat intimidated to get close to her although she was being friendly with me. As days gone by, slowly, i went out of my shell and started a good friendship with her. When we were friends already, these are the things I learned about this woman:

• It’s not difficult at all to go along with her.
• She looks “sosyal” but she’s a “cowgirl”.
• She’s bubbly and never runs out of jokes. Even if she’s not feeling well, you will not notice it because she’s full of life.
• She’s all woman. She’s a a”fashionista” but never a victim of fashion. Her get-up is always a combination of clothes, bag, and shoes.
• She collects nice pieces of jewelry and loves coffee.
• She falls asleep in the middle of reading a book and has a bad memory (she would forget where she put the book i lend to her grrrr……).
• She gives roses to a girl friend on her birthday.
• She turns crimson when she takes liquor.
• She sings with her Magic Sings with much gusto.
• She drives a car and got a certificate on automotive.
• She loves to look good all the time.
• She only likes one shade of lipstick, natural or skin tone.
• She has the tendency to keep a favorite for days depending on her craving.
• She knows how to cook yummy foods.
• She’s a liberal catholic; loves retreat and things about spirituality.
• Deadline is deadline, for her.
• She’s a Master in Business Administration.
• She’s a certified nurse.
• She speaks good English.
• She can’t read without her glasses.
• Her big crush is Brad Pitt.
• She has a beautiful daughter, Nicolle.
• She cries when things are too much to bear.
• She’s a “role model” to someone (you know who i am referring to, Ge =)).
• She likes watching the sunrise and the sunset.

I can go on and on in my list but there’s one thing about this woman that has made a difference in my life - generosity. There was a point in my life when i was broke to the point of not even something food to eat. I’m not sure for how long she was bringing packed lunch which she would share with me half of it. I appreciated life better because of people like her. She taught me one valuable lesson in this life, that is, the joy of sharing. Since then, I told myself that i will not only be generous with my loved ones but also with those who are in need without expecting anything in return. My life was touched by this woman and no doubt she has touched others, too.

Geraldine, the woman whose beauty goes beyond the surface, is a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend. I pray that happiness and peace of mind will be hers always…