WHAT WAS MY 10 YEARS AGO?

As I entered to the school where in I will be working for 10 months, I noticed pupils and students wearing all white uniforms. Pupils were running in the corridor chasing after their teachers. Others were approaching their teachers for different reasons.

As I looked at them I remember my elementary years in my hometown. I was like them 10 years ago, wearing my white and green uniform with my black shoes. It was 10 years ago when I was running along the corridor and my teacher would scold me. All was 10 years ago but still it looks like fresh and I can still remember my elementary years.

It was 10 years ago when I met my teachers who taught me a lot. Attending to school for six years, five days a week for ten months every year, it was a routine for me.

It was all 10 years ago…

What was in 10 years ago?

10 years ago I met Ms. Ellen. I could not forget her because she was my first teacher when I was in Grade 1 and my adviser in Grade 5. I can still remember on the first day of my class, I haven’t brought anything because my sister told me that first day was for orientation. But then, my first day was different from what she told me, Ms.Ellen asked us to bring out our pencil and paper. It was 10 years ago when I met Pinky who offered me her extra pencil and a piece of paper so that I can write my name at that time.

It was 10 years ago when Ms.Ellen used to reward us everytime we get good scores during quizzes or exams when I was in grade 1. It was 10 years ago when Ms.Ellen used to wipe my dirty face because I always get untidy every after recess.

10 years ago I met Ms.Lulu. She became my grade-3 adviser and my last adviser in elementary years, my Grade six. What I could not forget about her was that she inspires me to learn how to play guitar. She would always bring her guitar when I was in grade 3.

It was 10 years ago when I used to tell my secrets about my crushes either to Ms. Ellen and Ms.Lulu. It was 10 years ago when I graduated from my elementary, I shook hands with them as I received my diploma as a sign that my elementary years were over.

The 10 years of reminiscing my memories with them made me smile. Especially when I went home, I can see them at the school where my mom teaches. I would call them like how I used to call them before “Ms.Ligtas and Ms.Caulin” even though they already changed their last names.

It was all 10 years ago. Ms.Ellen and Ms.Lulu were about 23 of age when they were starting to teach us and now they will be turning 38 maybe. They both have families already, kids that they can teach like how they taught us before.

Ms. Ellen with her family

It was 10 year ago…

And now…

They’ve changed their last names. They have children, a family. They can see me now, very grown up, different when I was young. But still I haven’t forgotten about them.

Ms.Lulu with her family

I’m surprised how life gives meaning to this 10 years of mine. Life is like counting 1 to 10. For all the complexity of life, its like more than 10 already, so counting only the complicated to 1 to 10 makes my life easier. Beyond 10 are moments to be celebrated joyfully with its complexity.

(L-R) Arnel & Jenny (classmates in elementary), Ms.Lulu and Me.