The Kindness of Strangers
10-09-2009 Friday
First of all, before any Stephen King enthusiast sue me, I will admit that I borrowed the title for this post on a recent Stephen King novel I just finished reading. It's not only because my originality seemed to have worn out these days but also because I can't think of any other title apt for what I have to go through today.
What happened was I lost my ID last wednesday while I was on the way to work. It was my first time driving alone to work and I don't realize then how stupid I am to put the small plastic ID holder in my back pocket. It contains all of my identification, my company ID, driver's license, my ATM card, the access card at work, and a stinking 20 peso bill. Yeah the 20 bill is part of my identification, they'll know that I'm cheap. Imagine a girl who works at a call center, rides a honda alpha and brings nothing but 20 bucks?
I was pretty disoriented last Wednesday so it's just now that I'm posting this stuff. Besides that, would you believe that a kind stranger actually returned my ID and driver's license? Well, the ATM card is really lost for good but I'm thankful that I had it blocked way before someone was able to use it. I was really hoping that I will struggle to get another ID and all, but i become hopeful when someone texted my Globe number ,telling me that they have my ID.
We arranged a meet-up and I asked Alex to join me. The stranger told me that we can meet at Intramuros and even though it's far and in a completely opposite direction of where I live, I agreed. I can't arrange the meeting place when it's them that's being kind enough to return my ID.
After my shift at work, we headed straight to Intramuros. I texted the kind stranger and the reply I got was they're at the park in Fort Santiago. When we got there, a small, dark skinned, lady was smiling at us and called her father, who turns out to be the one who found my ID in the middle of the highway.
I couldn't thank them enough and I want to give something back but all I can do right then is say thank you. Had I been rich, I would probably buy the little wood statues that her father is selling, just to make up for their effort of trying to get in touch with me. They look like an average family, struggling to get by everyday by selling stuff in the park.
The father told me that he didn't find any ATM on it, just the company ID and driver's license lying on the ground. He said that he also rides a motorcycle and he knows how important a license is and it's a bit hard to get one now, not to mention it costs more than what it used to. I thanked him for the hundreth time earlier then we said our goodbyes and we went our way.
Now, that I'm safely back at home, I'm still thankful that some people will still do kindness to others. Here I am, thinking that the world is populated by greedy people, sluts, bastards and the likes. Today, I learned that a few, hey few is still a number, still shows kindness to others. I am thankful, grateful, I love the people who are willing to help others, stranger or not, they're more human to me than someone I know. Someone like my mother, whom I'm still selling, by the way. Anyone out there who wants one? Hello?? Uhh..
Labels: ID, intramuros, license, lost, Stephen King, strangers, The kindness of strangers
Licensed Non-Pro
07-30-2009 Thursday
NEED I SAY MORE?Labels: license, LTO, pink crimson
Day 2; Getting that Damn License
07-29-2009 Wednesday
Mr. Fat-Gay Edgar told me to come as early as 8:30 today, with that in mind, I woke up at 5, ate a delicious breakfast prepared by my gramma, took a bath then I began my long journey to LTO Tayuman. Alex told me yesterday that he was asked to drive today so he wouldn't be able to accompany me. Fine, I have to find my way to LTO Tayuman alone.
While I was on the jeepney on my way to Blumentritt, my cellphone beeped. I took it out of my small bag and checked the message. It's from Alex,
"Bhie asan ka na po. Daan ka dito sa bahay. Hindi ako natuloy, samahan kita ngayon". I can't help but smile at that so I enthusiastically replied,
"Ok, I'm on my way!"It was already 8:40 when we arrived at LTO and just like yesterday, we headed straight to Window 14. Edgar, looking more casual today than he did yesterday, saw us and gestured us to wait. We sat at the usual blue chairs lined in front of several windows, and waited. Then, Edgar called my name, told me that I'll be taking the actual written exam at the second floor. Okay, I'm prepared for that.
The examination room is a small air-conditioned room, that reminded me of a classroom in my former school New Era. A couple of chairs with wide armrest that serves as a table, are aligned neatly. The walls are filled with posters of road signs and some important reminders when driving. A table is set near the door, where the proctor hands you the questionnare that's freshly printed out from the printer nearby. My bet is that all questionnares are different, that's why you see it being printed out.
After being handed my papers, I sat at a far corner and began answering the familiar questions. It took me a couple of minutes to answer, then I reviewed my answers briefly before submitting the papers back to the proctor. She told me I'm done, I can go down and wait for the result.
Alex asked me how'd it go and I said,
"piece of cake, my dear".
"hmph.." was all he said and I laughed. I told him I'll just wait for the result and he said
"we better tell Edgar you're done, I don't think you'll get your results there, you're an illegal applicant remember?" I pouted,
"That doesn't sound good". He gave me that amused look again and laughed.
Sure enough, Edgar was waiting for us at Window 14. He told us that my license will be released tomorrow and it's alright if it's just Alex who'll pick it up. I thanked him for everything and we left. Damn, I thought I could have the license in my hands today.
So that's Day 2. I really hope that Alex can pick it up tomorrow for me, I'm too tired to go back to Tayuman. It's far, and traffic can seriously drain you.
Labels: alex, license, LTO, pink crimson, written exam
Day 1: Steps to Get a License
07-28-2009 Tuesday
Getting a Non-Pro license sounds so damn easy but once you're there, it's always better to be prepared for whatever you might need to complete the process.
First step to get ready is to ask around, ask people who just got a license and in my case, two of my colleagues recently got their Non-Pro license. I asked them what's usually the process for that. First thing they said is prepare money. You might see that on the board outside of LTO it will show that the fee for a Non-Pro license is around 500 bucks but lo, there's more money you need than that. Of course, there will be Medical , some drug test, urine sample etc. and most importantly, they said that on the test drive, I should be prepared to hand some cash on the one who'll assess my test drive. There's a cheat or something on the test vehicle and the only way to pass is to pay their price. Take note, they're not the ones who claim that, a lot of people who has taken the test drive can testify to those cheats. Sigh, the things we'll do to earn extra cash, I shuddered at that thought.
The next step is to get a reviewer for the written exam. This is something that should not be ignored. If you don't pass the written exam, you'll have to wait for a month before you can try again. My colleagues let me borrow their reviewer, which I religiously read over and over. The reviewer gives you all 100 questions and answers but the actual written exam consists of 40 questions.
If you think you're good to go, then head to the nearest LTO office, though if I remember correctly, some LTO offices doesn't support test drives (like the one in Novaliches) so they'll end up referring you to another LTO branch. I went to LTO Tayuman, quite far from where I live, but it's near Alex's and he said he know someone there who can help me get a license without having to do the test drive. Cool.
I woke up late so when we reached LTO Tayuman, it's almost quarter to 4, but the guy whom Alex knew assisted us quickly. They asked me to produce a urine sample, made me sign some stuff, they took my picture, stamp, sign, voila, the guy gave me all this papers and told me to head straight to Window 14 and ask for a certain Edgar. We obeyed.
This guy,err he's gay I think, Edgar, is small, fat and has this gentle smile on his face which probably means that he's glad to see another prospect for his extra service. He took all the papers and asked me to wait. After a couple of minutes, he called my name, gave me a sample written exam questionnare and made me answer it. It's a piece of cake, within a few minutes, I'm done. He checked my work, corrected 3 mistakes and he asked me to go back tomorrow for the actual exam. He said I'll pass for sure, gave us that gentle smile which to me looks like he meant business, and told us how much all of it costs. It's a whooping 1195 pesos. Oh well, gotta pay what you gotta pay.
We left the LTO office after paying that fat gay Edgar, had some early dinner at a nearby Pares House then Alex drove me home. I was tired and sleepy so I dozed off the moment my back made contact with the bed. I felt Alex kissed my cheek before he left but I was too tired to kiss him back.
Off to dreamland. Labels: alex, license, LTO, Medical, pink crimson
The Storm and my License
07-17-2009 Friday
I'm supposed to get my Non-pro license today but the continuous downpour of heavy rain combined with the howling wind left most streets in the Metro flooded, causing people out in the road to be stranded, therefore, it was later announced that classes were suspended, as well as government offices, that includes LTO. Bummer. Just when I'm armed (with the reviewer) and ready to get that precious license, the weather decided to interfere with my plans.
After Alex dropped me off at home, it started to rain really hard so he decided to stay. There's nothing left to do when it's raining cats and dogs outside, riding the motorcycle is also a no-no unless you wanna look like some wet idiot whose purpose in riding is to show-off how your bike is all shiny and shit. We watched some movies, we played game in the pc, surfed the internet and occasionally, *blushes, made-out. Not much, though, my gramma is there too so we're really careful with that. Hahaha.
Around 3 in the afternoon, while my gramma watched her favorite afternoon drama on TV, Alex fell asleep on the floor beside my bed. I looked at his peaceful face and smiled to myself, thinking how lucky I am to have him, and how deep our relationship has become. I never expected this from him, but this is already happening. I just hope, like I always did (I know I've said this countless times already but I mean it), that this is something for the long haul. I know I've told myself I might never marry someday because I prefer being alone but who knows, when the right someone comes to sweep me off my feet then it's enough to forget I even said that.
That's just about it. It's a boring day but heck, at least, it's not one of those days when my thoughts are completely drained.
Labels: alex, license, love, LTO, pink crimson, storm
Still on Vacation....
06-04-2009 Thursday
(Sweeet..)Is it the first time I'm updating this blog for this month? Haha, sorry I've been busy with a lot of things while I'm on this week long vacation: Alex, getting my student's license,and of course, strolling around the metro after getting that precious license.
I haven't posted my motorcycle yet, have I? I guess not. I haven't taken a picture of it yet since some parts needs to be made up and Alex is in the process of making it oh-so-beautiful and oh-so-presentable for a reason that's nothing new with guys: It's all about the looks. *roll eyes*. Well, just so you have an idea of what it looks like, it's a Red Honda Alpha. (Go ahead, Google it!)
Yesterday, I went to LTO Novaliches and was finally able to get my student's permit/license. Hah, watch out, a new crazed driver is on the loose! I can't wait to get a Non-Pro license after a month so that I can stroll around on my own, just to see how much I will crave the rush I get whenever I'm speeding on the highway, which is something that Alex doesn't really like about me. He gives me this weary look and says, "You're seriously out of yer mind.", to which I will respond with my Chesire Cat smile. It's not the first time I've been told that but the way he said it makes me wonder how he managed to still look and sound so fond of me.
After getting my permit, yesterday night Alex and I went to Quiapo with me driving the motorcycle. I was so excited to drive that far and I'm not even terrified of driving on the famous killer highway known as Commonwealth. I don't know, I guess I simply like speeding away, or I'm simply out of my mind just like what most people usually say.
I think that's it for now, the blinking digital clock beside me tells me that it's a few minutes after 11pm and my stomach feels really bad that I think I need to take a dump before hitting the sack. Uhh yeah, I really have to go.
Goodnight.
Labels: alex, license, LTO, vacation
