2008-01-01 Makahiya@UP.edu.ph

(written 2008-01-14)
Besides all other things, Kristine is also the reason why I started blogging in the first place. So I'm genuinely happy that she agreed to write the first post of this new year for me!

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The University of the Philippines is about 15 minutes away from where I work, depending on the traffic. I took Marc there because I wanted him to see where I went to school and where I enjoyed a good deal of my life (so far).

To get there from the TV station, we rode a jeep, Marc's first. I'm pretty sure when I first told him about jeeps, I made it more exciting than it really was. But he seemed to like it anyway.

Since it's January 1st, school hasn't started yet but the campus is deluged with people who use it as a public park. That's one of the reasons I love UP. Anyone can enjoy the place, regardless of whether you're enrolled there or just want to walk around and look at trees.

And speaking of looking at trees, we did a lot of that as we walked and I pointed out various buildings and landmarks. We took a little detour into the "Lagoon", a mini-forest area in the middle of the campus. I noticed a clump of makahiya, a weed known for closing its fronds if you touch it. I hesitated showing it to Marc, fearing he would think it was silly but I blurted out "Hey, look at this," before I had the chance to think it through. Marc kind of freaked out (in a good way) over the plant. I guess that's why I like him so much.

Anyway, we strolled some more. UP is perfect for strolling and not doing anything in particular. Two things in which I excel at. We sat at the Quezon building, watching people ride their bikes and playing tag in the grassy field behind the building. We talked about nothing and everything, until it was becoming dark and Marc insisted that we find the makahiya again so he can take a video of it (which I assume will be embedded below somehow).

Even though I've ridden that jeep a million times and walked around UP a million more, I can't remember a time that was more enjoyable. Maybe because it was someone else's first time and I was there to see it.

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