Reading all the blog entries and messages about the end of "Kalai days" here in multiply, friendster and elsewhere, one thing really strucked me (and i say, this had just sinked into me just now): the freshmen days are over, the kalai days are over, and the basement days are over. Everything happened so fast that I still remember myself during last summer, back in this same room, in this particular computer, with apprehensions of the UP LIFE. As would wake up every morning, I would think back and remember exactly well what had just happened in my life It is really hard for me to believe that I've been to UP, I've encountered wonderful people, I've been into this sort of basement in Kalai and developed a very good friendship with them. Everything was as if a dream, putting them into reality seems so absurd. As I compose my mind and my self in my bed, I was pretty much convinced that these things really did happen.
It occurred to me that indeed, Kalai days are over... the Basement wont be the same again. We wouldnt be eating in the mess together, team up for some contest or activity, perform and plan for an event, shout at each other along the dark corridor, drink beer in the basement, etc. Yes, things will never be the same again. Face it everyone! Together, let us move on. At first, it may be hard. Moving on doesn't mean that you completely leave everything behind. Of course not. As we move on, we bring with us the friendship and memories that we have formed with each other. We have meet different people (people you wouldn't even imagine of knowing), we've developed something special with them, and then we inevitably part ways... Let us not forget the fact that at certain point in our lives, we've created a certain tangency with the Kalai people, the basement in particular. As we continue to part ways, some may be with you as you journey, some may forever be gone, some may meet you at some point of the road... That is why there is something we call reunion. We may have been too attached with each other... Some say, being attached too much is not good. But I believe these attachments will keep us together. Guys, let us continue to be attached, but let us not limit ourselves with each other... search for new horizons afterall, we are still under one sky. I belive this is the greatest lesson that kalai has given me. Even though we part ways and go wherever we want, there is this 'bond' or 'attachment' that is with us. Imagine yourself with this blue ribbon from the Globe ads, its like that...
I googled the words: "kalayaan residence hall" and search for blogs... and I've encountered this particular site. Interestingly, it became an inspiration for me. I hope this would serve you well too. This site is about someone from Kalai batch 1989 (kinda old). She and her group of friends from 2nd floor BA made something called B Society. They left Kalai for good, but they never left each other. They continue meeting and helping each other out. They graduated from the University, created a family on their own... but still they kept the 2nd floor BA together. Now, their on their 20th year anniversary and they'll be having their reunion, bring their families with them. Those from outside of the country will be coming as well...
Here's the link:
click! May their story be an inspiration to all of us... I know this will become our story too. I know it is not goodbye Kalai! goodbye Basement... We'll just be having a just long vacation... Five years from now, we will be having a reunion in some resort or someone's place. Ten years from now, we will be seeing each other in weddings, baptisms... Twenty or so years from now,we will be meeting in a fancy restaurant or hotel, bringing our families with us, having our own professions and we will be having a toast over a glass of wine... and as we drink and talk, we remember the good old times we shared inside Kalayaan... and the things we will be doing outside Kalayaan...
WHAT NOW?
