On fandom in general

Kinda TL;DR but I have to get this off of my mind.

Yup. Still Alive.

I have been remiss in updating this place. But I haven't been really away, because if you looked hard enough, you'd notice that I have two new static pages above! *points*

• Seen/Written is my humble, short collective of written work, posted in some shape or form online - Seen for photography, Written for prose. 
• Books is my growing list of books that I'm open to lend out (to close friends, initially). I was supposed to put up a book club with this person here (AND I HAVE BEEN REMISS ON THAT AS WELL, I AM SO SORRY) but stuff happened that made us unable to do it. Anyway, in an effort to get something started, I've put up my own list of books for loan. This list is still a work in progress; I'm sure I haven't included everything that I have at home.

--- --- ---

So, what has been happening the past few weeks?

• I've been meeting a lot of new people (if I've met you the past two weeks or so and you're reading this, hi!)
• I'm getting required book readings again, and I'm so delayed with finishing them. Required book readings, by the way, aren't the same with wala lang book readings (Read: stuff I want to read)
• I co-composed and arranged a song (emphasis on co- because there's no way I can do it from the ground up). We have this ongoing workshop-slash-book report thing for Music that required us to make a song. I got the recordings of all the songs through email this week, and yeah...hearing my own voice is sooooo awkward *goosebumps* 
• I got paid to do graphic design work in exchange for books (best payment I ever received aside from cash [duh]).
• I ventured once more into snail mail! I called this Operation Liham. The details of the letter can be found on that link. I can't even remember the last time I sent snail mail. It was probably even before 2000. YEGADS

In class, I'm starting to see my most favorite line of Yu-Gi-Oh! Abridged in an entirely new light. (Read: SCREW THE RULES.) I'm also seeing a very significant shift in my responsibilities at work, and once again, I find myself hardly prepared.

--- --- ---

This Wednesday, when I went to midweek, I was told by two people that they really like the way I sing this particular song. I am really floored when people say nice things about what I do, whether it's with singing or with work, because more often than not, I am harder on myself than most people are.

But, what I find really funny is that there were other people who told me the same thing for the same song. At first, I was thinking, "Teka, nag-usap ba kayo?" Hahahahaha! But, it seemed highly unlikely because the interval between this Wednesday and the last time I got a similar compliment was more than a year. So...yeah, I don't think nag-usap sila. XD

I guess it's because [1] I love the song; [2] I absolutely LOVE Brooke Fraser (read: girl crush); and [3] there are many ways to sing a song, but very few ways to sing it right. I consider #3 to be the most important, because you can have less of #1 and absolutely none of #2, and still do justice to a song - as long as you sing it right.

Truth be told, I remember messing up Hosanna so many times to the point of not wanting to sing that song in public again, so to hear these things out of the blue is so uplifting.

I must be doing something right. It may not be as bad as I think it is. (Applying the temperaments, the melancholic in me has to seriously chill. XD)

And on this note, gusto ko na uli magkaroon ng raket! Nakakapagod din ang work-school-church lagi! Wala bang mga ikakasal diyan? (Bwahahaha tama ba ito? XDDD)

Brown, blue, and orange - a morning at CIW

"Magsuot ka ng kahit na ano, wag lang brown, blue, or orange."

"Puwede bang mag-shorts?" I asked.

--- --- ---

Image from DefinitelyFilipino.com

Last Saturday, I went to the Correctional Institute for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong. I was ordered asked to go there to do ministry to the inmates, along with some other people who are also in music. 

To be honest, I wasn't really expecting much with the visit. At the very least, I wished that it wouldn't be hot, and that it will be uneventful (i.e. no encounters of the weird kind). Prior to this I haven't been inside a prison before, and everything I knew about prison life I've seen in Mission: Impossible movies and the like.

The first thought that came to mind the night before was what I was supposed to wear. Given the heat, I'd rather be wearing shorts, but I was advised not to, along with the very helpful tip of not wearing anything brown, blue, or orange (which was what the inmates wore, color-coded according to the gravity of their offense).

I wore purple. With leggings. 

I asked if I could bring a camera, and I was told I couldn't because the identities of the women inside should be protected. That seemed reasonable enough, but it would have been awesome to have had one though. For one, this post would have been written much easier. 

--- --- ---

Our group was led inside without much fuss. We were advised to leave our cellphones behind at the car, which we've already done before going inside the facility. We were body searched (always a very unpleasant experience for me, even if it's a woman doing it) after our hands were stamped. Then, we were led inside the complex.

Everyone was very courteous. There was a good morning thrown my way every 30 seconds or so for the first ten minutes I was in there. I quietly took in everything - the obvious abundance of orange shirts and dresses with the occasional blue and brown, the long queue of the telephone booths which was their major connection to the outside world and loved ones, the beauty salon (I was tempted to try it out, to be honest - they had nail art!), and the impeccable surroundings that made littering seem like a mortal sin.

We made our way to a few flights of stairs until we reached the covered roof deck which had an amazing view of the Makati, Mandaluyong, and Ortigas skyline. There were also two keyboards in one end, with an overhead projector (is this real life?!). There were also chairs neatly arranged in rows. 

After a while, there was some prayer done, and some talking. Soon there was singing, reading, even laughter, and then everything became solemn again, and then tears.

And then my heart was full.

It was such an eye-opening experience to have been a small part of these women's lives even for a few hours - to have hugged them in spite of every rule I've placed on myself regarding personal space, to have shared in their tears as they prayed for breakthroughs in their cases, for forgiveness, to rejoice in every season of their lives, especially in this season of isolation from the outside world. 

I found myself crying at times during that morning. How often have I complained about things not going my way, or how hard life is ... what are my difficulties compared to these women who have been separated from family and loved ones - some even carry their pictures along with their IDs as a reminder. The food inside, I've heard from their own accounts, was so awful - a can of tuna was shared by three people. And through all this, they still have hope - a wild hope, if you will - that it could only get better.

--- --- ---

It was rather timely that in my various searches made through the Internet, I (re)learned something about "compassion". Compassion, from its Latin origin, actually meant to suffer with another. It's far from an act of kindness, though it is slightly close to empathy - to understand and share in the feelings of another. 

When I was doing ministry there (and believe you me, I am hardly ever prepared for these things, but when push comes to shove, I somehow get a grip of what is expected of me), from the moment my hand touched one's shoulder, I felt compassion at that instant, and I found myself crying with them. I remember learning from somewhere that while you're doing ministry, you're not supposed to close your eyes, and you shouldn't be fazed with the showing of any emotion (i.e. crying) - for very good reasons, I must add. In the case of last Saturday's, however, it was close to a knee-jerk reaction, if you will. To explain it would look rather weird, cause I would do it this way: it's like the other person's emotions penetrate and swirl inside you, and as they swirl they hit you where it hits them at that specific moment in time - chest heaving, eyes tearing, teeth gritting. It can only be compassion, cause I could think of no other explanation. 

Aside from this, I was also reminded that everyone is capable of great good and great evil. These women, who may have done evil in different shapes or forms, are also capable of shedding tears or becoming vulnerable. They're no different from me, or you. 

--- --- ---

So, there you have it! I got into prison, and I got out. 

If the family learns about this, it will be long before I hear the end of it. ("Buti na lang hindi ka napagkamalang preso!" or "Buti na lang nakalabas ka!". Hay, family.)

Running

For the past weeks, I've made a conscious effort to make an appointment with myself to run at least once a week. It's been easy ever since I went on vacation from school, because Mondays are obviously my running days (by default, I go home at 7PM due to color coding in Makati). I wonder how that will change when first term comes, but that's for another blog post.

Anyway, I've been running...or as a classmate has aptly put it, tume-Temple Run ako sa Legaspi Park. Temple Run dahil talagang parang naglalaro ka talaga ng Temple Run kung doon ka tatakbo! Hahahahahaha! Marami kasing pasikot-sikot, maraming obstacles (insects and fellow runners included), and the feel of turning is very reminiscent of   the player's perspective when playing Temple Run. I make it a point that I run at least 3K everytime I'm there (a commitment I've kept to heart, so far =D).

I've noticed a few things when I run there, and I don't know if this applies to running in general, but here they are:

1. Running is a lot like driving, or rather it should be like driving, in the sense that if your pace is slow, you keep right, but if you're keen on passing the others, you take the left side. I learned this because most of the fast ones stayed on the left side. 
2. And in light of #1, there are some runners who aren't exactly aware of this, which, if I may refer to driving again, are like some drivers here who insist on staying on the left lane of the expressway even if their speed is at a measly 60KPH.
3. Running outside is nothing like running on a treadmill or an exerciser. The latter has its benefits - I don't get skin asthma attacks, I can adjust the weight of the pedals for a more challenging run, and I don't necessarily have to keep track of the distance I'm running cause there's a gadget that does it for me. Doing it outside, however, makes you enjoy the scenery, and gives you the real feeling of actually running that makes the experience on a treadmill seem like a lie. XD

But here's what I really miss - playing badminton. Ye gads, this was an almost every other day thing when I was in Laguna. YE GADS. I am so out of shape.

--- --- ---

Behold, next term's schedule. The amo actually had a say with my schedule, which was pretty much how I wanted it to work out. The Monday class is Copywriting and the Tuesday class is E-Marketing. 

My professor for Copywriting goes to the same church as I do (which isn't exactly good news XDDD), and I told him this past Sunday that I already enrolled in his class. Here's what he told me:

Prof: Alam mo ba kung ilan ang nakapasa sa akin last term?
Me: Ilan po?
Prof: 10 out of 23.
Me: HUUUUWAAAAAAAAT?!
Prof: Well, hindi naman sila bumagsak, pero mga 1.5...eh diba nga 2.0 yung minimum grade?
Me: HUUUUWAAAAAAAAT?!?!

So with this, I think I must shelve the possibility of getting a 4.0. There goes my CGPA. /sigh

Anyway, it's not like I want to run for Latin honors or anything - like with undergrad, I'll just give it my best shot, so by the time the grades come in I will have no regrets.

--- --- ---

One of the biggest life lessons I've had the past year or so is this: I'm hardly ever prepared. Over the past year, I've been given so much responsibilities - in work (oh dear Lord I can't even), in church...and I'm hoping I don't get more family-related responsibilities muna cause that will be too much. XD Whenever a new responsibility comes, one of the first thoughts that pops into my head is how prepared am I to take on it; and the personal assessment - most of the time - is that I'm not.

But, another thing I've realized is this: although I'm not prepared when the responsibility is given, the preparedness comes while I persevere towards the goal. It's rather fascinating how things and major events of late have turned out in this fashion. Being the perfectionist that I am, this is the kind of scenario that really frustrates me - of course, it's only natural that I want things to turn out in this way or so help me! 

So right now, if you ask me if I'm ready to lead a band, or to manage an entire business unit, I will most likely tell you that I am hardly ever prepared. And it only gets better from there on in.

In which I do some comeback fangirling - Shinhwa 10th jib review

On repeat for the past two weeks - Shinhwa's 10th album. Can I say it again? TENTH. Twice the number of albums H.O.T released. TEN.

I noticed that there aren't too many blogs/sites that say how good this album is...I guess they're too busy focusing on the more younger, recent artists that they're forgetting those who have legendary status like Shinhwa. Who knows? I think a comeback of this magnitude can be considered valuable for air time.

Anyway, this is my humble contribution to the appreciation of all things Shinhwa. =)

1. On The Road*
2. Hurts*
3. Venus*
4. Red Carpet
5. Move With Me
6. Let It Go*
7. Stay*
8. Welcome*
9. Be My Love*
10. Re-love
11. Breathin'*
(everything asterisked are songs that I liked)

After two weeks of listening to this album straight (not skipping, mind you!), I think my favorite song for now would have to be On The Road, followed by (yes, you guessed it) Venus.

I cannot really comment on the content of the songs, but I will assume that they're love songs (duh!), but I'm very glad that they decided to update their sound to something that's more recent (i.e. use of the dreaded autotune), and can very well compete with the stuff that the juniors are releasing.

My only reservation (and it can be ignored) about this album is that maybe, just maybe, it sounds like it wants to fit into the mold of the tried, tested, and trusted formula - meaning it did not go against the grain, or it did not try to set a trend. It was...safe. *shrug*

Overall, I don't have a problem with a "safe" album, because what they set out to do was in no way safe (releasing a 10th album after four or so years of no new material, doing a comeback concert, performing in a string of shows against juniors, etc) for a group that consists of their ages (30+ is too old for the standards of their industry - how I wish K-pop could develop their talents even if they're beyond their teenage years). I just thought that it would have been EPIC if they started a trend in terms of musicality, but they did prove that a group from the 90s can survive for 14 years and still release good, solid material.

I  hope that other groups will follow suit. *ehem*H.O.T*ehem*

--- --- ---

Since I touched a bit on the junior-senior thing, I guess I might as well post my thoughts about some memes I've seen on Tumblr that say [young artist] + [young artist] = [older artist]. 

Case in point (and this is the one that occurs most often): Si Won + Zhou Mi = Kangta

I must admit that I get really peeved when I see these posts up on my dashboard. I’m not discounting the similarities between these people (because there are similarities), but I always get the feeling that Kangta is a lesser artist with these comparisons/additions, or he is only equal to the combined “awesomeness” of more recent, popular artists. He isn’t. He’s a freaking SENIOR for crying out loud. He paved the way for these younger artists today. Get it right. 

If there’s anyone who should be added up to Si Won or Zhou Mi, it should be him, not the other way around.

Now, if you mean that the awesomeness of Si Won and Zhou Mi combined equate to Kangta, then I have no qualms with your math. XDDDDD

You got to deal with it: The Obligatory Fangirling-about-The-Legend-of-Korra Post

Aang is dead. 

Since last week, I've been spazzing on the awesomeness called The Legend of Korra. Knowing my country, it will be a while before the series reaches our shores, so I took the liberty of seeing the first two episodes for myself.

 I regret nothing.

Primera-Segunda-Primera | Short story

It has been three months since I bought the latest Murakami, and as of this writing I am in page 783 out of 925.

Usually, I breeze through reading a Murakami, especially when it came to my favorites (i.e. after dark, A Wild Sheep Chase, The Elephant Vanishes, etc.) 1Q84 is probably the only exception. I find myself skipping entire paragraphs, sometimes even pages. It was rare that the pace of the story was fast - it was like primera going to segunda, and back to primera again.

I think one of the reasons for this is the sheer length of the book. It's too long. I've read reviews that 1Q84 is the culmination of the themes and ploys Murakami often used in his stories, and I am inclined to agree, but the length of it is just waaaaaay too long for me. I recall that this was released in Japan in three parts. If this happened for the English release, then maybe it would overcome my primera-segunda-primera feeling.

I finally felt that the story break through the primera-segunda-primera monotony when Aomame met Leader and Tengo had that night with Fuka-Eri (am trying my best not to spoil), but when that was over, it went back to segunda, and, yeah - primera. I don't mind the emotional dynamic of the story, but once you go tercera, or cuarta, it's quite difficult to go back to primera after you have built the story up to such heights - unless you have a pretty darn good reason for doing it. In the other Murakami books I've read, once it reached a climax, it didn't go back to a relaxing pace - you're always wary that something else might come up. I don't get the same intensity thus far with this book (at page 783). Sure, there is a sense of discomfort, but not enough to induce page-turning. In other words, you can procrastinate. Nothing makes me more enthusiastic about a novel than the feeling that it must be finished with a sense of urgency.

--- --- ---

I've been working on something the past two days. It's kind of rough, but I'm satisfied with it for now. :-) Mabuti na yung may nasulat kesa sa wala. I think this is my first [finished] short story. YAAAAAY. (Ye gads if you saw how many unfinished stuff I have on the computer or on the notebook...le sigh)

I don't think it merits a warning, but if underage smoking would suffice, then...yeah. XD

On not being awesome

Here's a good come back to earth quote for today.

While I was walking yesterday, I stole a few glances up at the sky, wondering briefly if there was still smog. The usual white-washed buildings had an undeniable splash of brown and beige - not on it, but over it. The sky wasn't at its bluest. The thick clouds were mostly off-white and grey.

I had a lovely Japanese bento lunch, which ended with coffee jelly. Throughout that time I stared out the tinted window, wondering if it would rain. I learned, when I was in Canlubang, that storms usually drive the pollution out, which is why the sky is usually clear after a storm passes. I silently hoped for rain - not the disastrous kind, of course - but normal, uneventful rain. The kind of rain that would make me wish I was home eating champorado.

The days following the New Year are usually uneventful - kind of boring actually. Mine thus far are hardly that: on New Year's Day, I was told that I was a failure. On Thursday, I have a planning session for church. On Saturday, I have a wedding to sing for. It's the first week of the year, and I'm already learning:

• The people who hurt you the most are the people whom you expect the opposite from
• People think I'm prepared, but the reality is I am hardly ever prepared 
• Being prepared is actually a process
• What people think I can do is far from what I think I can do; nevertheless, these people are expecting me to mold myself into the "me" that they are expecting

When work was done, I decided to walk again. I remembered how comfortable I was being alone, and for a while I regretted coming back to Manila, because the days I spent living alone in the boondocks (I miss that term) were actually the most fulfilling I've had thus far. The smell of freshly-cut grass, the cool, clean air, the random insect that I needed to exterminate - all of these I found wanting at one point.

I walked around the mall, looking at things I wished I had, and noting price markdowns on shoes that I need to revisit over the weekend. My four-year-old rubber shoes had been to Hong Kong, graced Corregidor and four burials, plus most of my leather ones are old hand-me-downs. I made mental notes of stuff that might be useful to me over the course of the year, such as special pens, felt-tip markers, and notebooks, statement tees...

The thick holiday crowd was gone. Not one shoulder brushing on mine. Vast, open mall space. Only the decor remained. Still the season to be jolly.

When I arrived at the train station, the long lines began.

And so it ends

In a few hours, 2011 will be over. Thank goodness.

2011 is a year of unbelievable loss, extreme mood swings, and major career changes. It is a year of people telling me I could handle something even if I am telling them straight up that I CAN'T  (ye gads if I have to deal with this again next year, I will run amok); it is a year of disappointment and hardship.

So, what was great about this year that's about to end? It is a year of breakthroughs - career-wise, education-wise, and everything-else-in-between-wise. I am still working on getting myself back to normal, but I know that 2012 can only be a better year. If 2011 got me down, there's nowhere to go but up.

Now, excuse me while I watch Ironman 2 while waiting for Tangled to come on Star Movies.

Happy na, New Year pa.

Introspection

I realize that the more I get older, the more I become exclusive or picky with people I interact with.

When I was in high school, I was pretty much a semi-open book; the same with college.I wasn't really one of the popular kids, but I was one of those who would speak their minds without so much of a thought of restraint.

Now it isn't that way. Though I still speak my mind, there is a stronger inclination to hold back. But when I do speak my mind, I speak more pointedly than before. I'd like to think I am more civil though (I've been working on it, believe you me). At present, I prefer being by my lonesome more than the company of some people. Having realized this, I think to myself (jokingly) na baka by the time I'm 30, I will be a loner na. XD

I think my time in Laguna had a lot to do with this, as well as with other stuff that happened recently. =/

--- --- ---

I haven't been taking pictures. I haven't been writing. I haven't been doing anything crea-freaking-tive lately!

Music-wise, however, I'm improving by leaps (and probably) bounds. I made my own lineup for three consecutive YC services (first time doing it, and without any help whatsoever!), and I've been learning how to play the keyboard. If I remember correctly, I'll be assigned in synth next Sunday (HOOOH EMMM GEEE). Of course, I have a long road to follow in order to be "good enough", but it's been a fun road thus far. =D Next week, I'll probably be buying my own keyboard. Yay me. 8)

I have been reading Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis and his other stories. I kind of liked his Conversations with the Supplicant. The way he writes is rather odd for me. It doesn't flow so smoothly, so much so that you need to focus more when reading. It's not like other books wherein the focus comes to you as you read - for Kafka's stories, it's the other way around. I operate on the first formula, so reading Kafka is quite a challenge.

--- --- ---

People have been posting so much about Ninong Steve Jobs (yeah, we're tight XD) that I decided not to go along with the bandwagon. I decided to post about it now because they hype has mellowed down considerably from the past two days.

When the news broke on Thursday (my time zone) that he died,  my Facebook, Twitter, and - oh my stars, would you believe it  - Tumblr timeline was 60% Steve Jobs and Apple. I love the man and the company, but one can only take so much! Sure, I did a few posts of my own (one on FB, ten or so on Twitter, six on Tumblr), but they weren't like HUHUHUHU PATAY NA SI STEVE JOBS! I AM SO SAAAAAAADDDDDDD KILL ME NAAAAOOO (When I saw the crazy posts, I knew I had to stop adding to the drama because I was certain that somewhere out there, someone like me was also getting irritated.)

It also wasn't helping that I use a Macbook at work, I listen to my iPod during work (and going to and from the office), plus there's an unopened The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs on the side of my table. It was a Steve Jobs/Apple bombardment of the highest proportions, and I was feeling very melancholic about it, but at the same time, I couldn't shake off the feeling of being irritated about some OA reactions that I've been reading. (At some point, I read a post on FB which said that when he saw his Mac when he came home, he bawled his eyes out. It took all the self-control I had left not to post: "I was in front of a Macbook the whole day and managed to keep it together. Get a freaking grip.")

To be honest, I do feel sad, but more than that I am thankful for the man that was Steve Jobs and the mind-blowing innovations that he birthed into the earth. He brought us closer to the 22nd century (or 23rd, whichever is your fancy). 

Maraming salamat Ninong Steve. If I get my own Mac, I'll definitely name it after you. 

Sound-off

What it takes to be better

It's quite interesting to think that even if information is now more accessible than ever before, that people are still misinformed/do not have the info they need, and make sweeping generalizations out of what little they know. I do this a lot of times, and for every time I've done it I realize that I do not know it all, and there's not a chance that I will know it all. I can give my opinion on certain issues or things, but I cannot generalize the entire world based on my thinking alone.

I say this because this right here happened. It was a simple reblog that didn't mean any harm; it was a statement of facts. Then, the original poster messaged me, which caught me by surprise. You could see with the way that I replied that I wasn't so pleased. I haven't gotten a message back, by the way. (I'd like to see him try.)

It's this kind of selfish thinking that's causing the problems of this country. It's always me first rather than me last. It's not the world - it's my world. People in government would rather amass ill-gotten wealth first rather than deal with third-world problems. Forgiveness is given so easily, but the lessons learned from dispensing that forgiveness are so easily forgotten. Our own comfort comes first rather than the comfort of those who aren't comforted.

The National Anthem suddenly comes to mind - ang mamatay nang dahil sa 'yo - isn't that the epitome of selflessness? We know this by heart, so why is this so hard to do?

Loving this country is a struggle for me - it's a love-hate relationship, if you will. Voting and paying for my taxes is pretty much as far as it goes. I don't like to wear nationalistic shirts, nor do I buy them (if you give me one, I'll probably not wear it too often. Baka gawin ko lang na pambahay.). As a friend aptly puts it, "nationalism is not a shirt", meaning your nationalistic shirt doesn't necessarily equate to your level of nationalism. As for me, I don't want to wear something like "100% Pinoy" or "I♥PH" and be a hypocrite about it.

But ask me about Rizal, and the fangirl in me will come out. Ask me to go to Intramuros or Rizal Park (which is quite near my house), and I will surely bring my camera. But, if you ask me to translate this passion into current affairs, I will shy away from it. I can talk about it, but my interest will not last long.

What I do not do is impose this way of thinking upon other people and say that this is how "the whole country" is thinking. That's stupid.

I know that there are people out there who love this country unconditionally, in spite of its many imperfections. There are people everyday who risk their lives to defend this country and make it their job. There are still honest people in the government who remain honest in spite of the backlash and bad reputation they're receiving. There are people who have not lost heart and continue to innovate and receive acclaim, then give the glory back to this nation. These people are better than I am.

It is with posts like those I have linked that spark whatever Pinoy pride I have in me. It provokes me to ignite the fire and keep it burning (It shouldn't go out to begin with.)  It also keeps me on my toes that I should always be thinking, always be seeking, always be keeping an open mind, and be aware that in the vastness of this universe, I am but a tiny specimen in it, but one of 6 billion strong and special who have a soul.

Opposites

I was at Wendy's in Greenbelt. I was quietly taking a bite on my BMM and poking at their "natural" fries. Being the kind of person who loves reading food labels, I learned why it was natural: potato skin on, cooked in zero trans fat oil, seasoned with sea salt. Interesting. Mine needed a pinch more of the last detail. My eyes were alternating between a book I was reading on project management and the people walking outside the restaurant. The weather was dismal. The would be no sun for a few days.

A tall lady crossed my side of the restaurant. She was thin, the kind of lady that Mango loves - a size 0 body. She sat down at the far end of our side. She was heavily covered with a good-looking trench and skinny jeans. She unwrapped a burger, took a plastic knife and gingerly cut it in half. She took one half with a tissue and set it aside, the other half she carefully wrapped again and placed it on another side. Her fries (like mine), she poked at, then ate one or two pieces, then left the rest untouched. She focused on consuming the halved burger.

A few minutes later, a guy sauntered to our side, adjacent to Size 0 Lady. When my eyes wandered off from my book I saw on his tray four hamburger de luxes, one order of spaghetti and a biggie-sized drink. I thought at first that the food was for two people, but the single drink order made me think otherwise. His body build was large, but not so much that he was obese. I maintained my stance that he ordered for two. I went back to my book.

Later, I saw that Size 0 Lady already consumed her half burger. There were still fries on her tray, but she wasn't touching it. She stood up and went to the counter, then returned with a plastic bag. To my left, I heard a sound that was like someo clucking their tongue. When I saw where it was coming from, it was from Biggie Guy, who was consuming his spaghetti as fast as it probably took for him to order all of his food. He was eating with his mouth open, smacking his lips at every possible interval.

Size 0 Lady's head was down, her tapered fingers clutched around her cellphone. In front of her North Face paper bag was the plastic bag she asked from the counter. The other burger half and the natural fries were now in it. My gaze returned to Biggie Guy. He was on to his first hamburger.

I realized I still had iced tea left. I sipped it, making sure to indulge every gulp since it was seldom that I go to Wendy's. I tried to concentrate on my project management book, but I couldn't help but hear Biggie Guy's lip-smacking just two feet away from me.

I reached for the fries container and took the last few underseasoned pieces. I looked slightly to my left. Biggie Guy just finished his second hamburger, and was on to the third. My eyes widened at the gastronomical feat, yet I couldn't help but appreciate how neatly folded and arranged the used hamburger wrappers were by his side, how the spaghetti styrofoam box was closed shut sitting at the far end, and as he unwrapped the third burger, he took the top bun and made sure that the ketchup was spread evenly over. He worked on it with the knife, spreading it just to be perfectly sure. He placed it back, and eats it.

I realized my meal was finished. Not wanting to be late for my 4PM appointment, I wiped my mouth with the single sheet of tissue I was given. I took my wallet and checked how many bills I had left, then shoved the receipt in it. I saw Size 0 Lady stand up and leave, her medium-sized drink that was over half full was left alone at her table.

I stood up and made my exit. "Thank you Ma'am! Come again!" I tilted my head back and said thank you to the people at the counter.

Even when I left, I could still hear him smacking his lips.