Fourteen years ago,

1. I was a lanky sixteen-er who was just starting college.
2. I had a 27-inch waist and longer hair with bangs.
3. I only had two or three pants.
4. I can brush my teeth and wash my face with just one glass of water.
5. Most of my underwears were black bikinis.
6. I was shy.
7. I wouldn't smoke.
8. I didn't know Tequila can get you drunk.
9. I was just learning how to swim.
10. There was still Wordstar (Control + KQ, Control +KS, etc.)
11. I can finish three cups of rice in one meal.
12. I was enjoying eight hours of sleep everyday.
13. Jeepney fare was just 50 centavos.
14. I wasn't shaving yet.
15. DZMB was the radio station that lulled me to sleep.
16. I can wear a pair pants for four days, straight.
17. I was writing home via the snail mail.
18. One hundred pesos can go a long, long, long way.
19. A complete meal at UP was just fifteen pesos. Unlimited rice.
20. Life was simpler.


Today,

1. I have put on weight and attended graduate school.
2. My waist stretched a few inches more. I have cropped hair. Goodbye bangs.
3. I have at least ten pants, but would only regularly use three.
4. I still brush my teeth and wash my face. But I drink the glass of water.
5. Goodbye bikinis, hello boxer shorts.
6. I am still shy.
7. I still wouldn't smoke.
8. I now know Tequila can get you drunk and lead you to foreplay.
9. I have attended Basic Water Safety training.
10. It's Word.
11. I only finish half cup of rice in one day.
12. Eight hours of sleep is a miracle.
13. Jeepney fare increased 700%.
14. I am shaving --- up there and down there.
15. DZMB disturbs your sleep. Kelangan pa bang i-memorize iyan?
16. I can wear a pair pants for five days, straight.
17. Nobody's home to send snail mail to.
18. One hundred pesos is just enough for a value meal.
19. A complete meal at UP is a lot more pesos and a limited rice.
20. Simple life is a dream.

Indeed, in life, you win some, you lose some.
But life goes on. And it should go on.