This part of my life, as Chris Gardner so succinctly put it, is called "Riding the Bus." Yes, today I rode a bus for the first time by myself! Don't look at me like that, it's just that I always commuted on the train, jeepney, or tricycle before. I felt like Han Solo in the Millenium Falcon, moving at hyperspeed in a "piece of junk," as Luke Skywalker put it. It was cool. Like a theme park ride.
Today is Picture Day! Yes, today we immortalize our happy facial expression for the company. A chance to capture a moment in time when we can say, "This is me." The question is, who am I? What do I believe in? What am I doing here?
This question emphasizes itself in the training room, where a friend lets slip the fact about my virginity. Immediately I am pounded with a thousand questions (not to mention a few "proposed solutions" and a few green jokes). The weird thing is, I'm defensive about the whole thing. So I asked myself, "Why?" because the answer seems to have been forgotten.
Flashback! I had only one girlfriend. Long ago, in my last year at high school. Like many hormonal boys, the thought of sex crossed my mind until it left skid marks. On prom night (no, this is not American Pie), we went as far as French kissing. That's because I received a Divine Intervention - It turns out I was not her only boyfriend. The truth set me free... and broke my heart. We broke up a month after prom night, just to see if we could patch things up. I made a vow that no one will destroy me like that ever again. I realized God's love was the only permanent love, the only love I can count on. I had found my calling.
This element of tragedy added residence to my new mission: To devote myself completely to God until my dying day. True, somewhere down the road I might meet the girl of my dreams, but God will make short work of that. I'm not even "boyfriend material," as some helpful female friends commented. Plus, the flesh is willing, but the spirit is broken. I have been cursed with holiness, and have been set apart forever in Heavenly service. In short, I will probably be a Royal Priest watching the movie "The 40-Year Old Virgin" until the day I die.
Today I looked at the camera and smiled. This is me. Oh well, it could be worse, right?
Yeah, right.
