On a boring day like today (which isn't entirely true since I have lots on my to-do list), my thoughts drift back to my dormer days in Breha. The office atmosphere should help me snap out of it but the air-conditioning (and the rain) only reinforces the reverie.
For the four most amazing years I have ever known, the Baguio Residence Hall became an almost-sanctuary, well, not on my freshman year; that's another story. Sometimes I still imagine I'd wake up in the lower bunk- I always get the lower bed- and stare at crush-of-the-week's picture I tacked on the canopy. That's hardly the case now because the ceiling in my room is waaay above.
Back to my dorm rooms. Two years I lived on the second floor cursing those on the top floor for their running sprees. Some people say though, that the footsteps we hear are actually ghosts lurking in every room. Whatever, yaya. On my last two years, I was given revenge opportunities for being stationed at the third floor. I didn't abuse the privilege, though as I was always on late permits and overnights.
What's common in all floors however, is the rude wake up call of distress. One Brehan will always, always wonder where her water reserve or toiletries went. I had episodes like that as well but surprisingly, I find myself forgiving.
My dorm mates had misconceptions on the origin of my species. I especially like that about my dorm experience. They can guess all they want but only three girls (five on my second year) every year really get to know the real me. Malas lang nila. Bwahahaha.
In Breha I learned mean survival skillz that I bet are the marks of a real Brehan.
1. We know the real deal (or all real deals) behind 'dorm mates forever.' Non-brehans who relay the story are not too convincing.
2. We know how to react upon hearing 'silence!'
3. We also know how to defend ourselves when we hear 'paa!'
4. We know how to dip the make-shift dipper in big drums when the toilet flushes in school don't work (as they usually do).
5. We have had to 'igib' pails and pails of water and move them up three flights of stairs. If we do it without any spill, we earn an unspoken respect from the dorm managers.
6. We have mastered the art of packing by practicing every sembreak when boxes and packing tape go out of stock in most stores. The real test of packing prowess comes when you fetch your things the following semester in good condition.
7. We have honed our talents and kapalmuks skills on our freshman year when we had to present almost-embarassing things to everyone's delight... or ire. Sometimes the upper classmen are unforgiving.
8. We have bullying-repellant expertise. Been there, done that. Had fun doing that.
9. We get to be serenaded by the three political parties in school. Try harder. Bwaha.
10. We know how to effectively reserve spaces for when a big GA comes up. This comes in handy in real life when one has to reserve a space at the bus or in any public place.
11. We know how to conceal 'borrowing' other people's personal stuff. Ay nako, aminin.
12. We know how to log onto logbooks with accurate calculations of the time and date we did what we had to do.
13. We virtually have pretty good excuses why we fail to do what we need to do.
14. We know how a locator chart works (and how to tweak it to our own advantage).
15. We know how to fight for our rights when our eggs are not done well. Ha.
16. We've mastered interview situations just to retain our spot in breha naming mahal.
17. We love that it doesn't take more than P500 for our monthly fees. At least until 2006.
18. We stage a mean Open House as if fish crackers and cinnamon are the only food we know and we successfully 'corner' the sunshine of our lives. Yes, charms.
19. When it's Purple vs. Yellow, expect mayhem and madness.
20. Intrams are worth cheering for. Because it is typical we win. Harhar.
There'd be lots more.
Not all UP Baguio alumni will be able to relate... sometimes I'd like to think Breha is an exclusive soro house and I'm so blessed to have stayed there for four years.
Yes, even when I hold the record for most log on the home, late permit and overnight logbooks all four years put together.
Keep wondering folks. ;)
