I'm back from holiday! UK and Ireland has been fun! I am so jet lagged right now.. I can't sleep at night and I scream at my alarm clock in the morning. I've nvr been so pissed off at my phone before. haha.
Apart from the two interesting people I've met, I've come to conclude that Irish people are really really friendly.. And also rather drunk. People have come up to me and the probability that I smell some booze on them is way toooo high, hhahaha. One other interesting thing I got to do was to present the gifts during one of the masses I went for. I still do not know why they chose me to do it, especially since I told them I was not catholic. But I'm glad a got a chance to experience bringing the bowl communion hosts to the priest. The lady had to explain what I had to do exactly and I was peeking at Pam (who was beside me presenting the chalice with the wine) the whole time so I wouldn't screw up.
London was amazing as well. I watched two musicals - Memphis and The Book of Mormon. I got a really good seat for Memphis. We were so close to the stage, I got to see the actor's facial expressions. The Book of Mormon was really really funny. It was as funny as it was sacrilegious. Oh yes, I need to tell you about my failures.
Failure #1: We went for a show on Friday when we book the tickets for Saturday. I don't know what overcame us to all think we booked it for Friday. We went there, presented our tickets and actually managed to go all the way to "our" seats. If not for the fact that there were people in "our" seats, we wouldn't have known of the mistake. But no harm done, we had an amazing Saturday instead.
Failure #2: I booked our flight for the wrong date. This is an amazing story. I booked the flight for 17/6, 8pm although we were supposed to fly on 18/6, same time. At 17/6, 8.45pm, the airline sent me an email, which I got while lazing in my hostel, that the flight was cancelled. I would not have known that I booked it for the wrong date if not for the cancellation email. And because they cancelled the flight, we were given a free change of flight or a refund. Of course I took the chance to book another flight on 18/7. This is not the end. We went to the airport on 18/7 and the flight got delayed for 4 hours. So Pam and I were waiting at the airport for nearly 7 hours. Because the flight was delayed, we were given compensation of £11.50 in terms of refreshment and €250 monetary compensation! They basically paid us for our flight and more. Best mistake yet.
Failure #3: I may have gone overboard with the shopping. I don't think my parents know about this yet. This is definitely one of the most expensive trips I've taken so far by myself. We ate like queens almost everyday. On the days we feel guilty, we ate like..... well we ate like how I'd would like my convenience to be - cup noodles, canned soups and instant macaroni.
Failure #4: I apparently look wayyyy tooo young. There was not a time I didn't have to present an identification card when buying alcohol over the counter. Also, I got the kiddy "bye bye" with the half squat and incessant waving when exiting the airplane while everyone else got the standard "thank you" and "goodbye". Funnily enough though, what this holiday helps to sink in more, now that it has ended, is the fact that I truly have graduated! Travelling with my mates from choir from the past 3 years has just been amazing.
Talking about the choir, we won! How about that? It is just mind blowing! When the results were released, I cried like the ugliest baby you know. Thank god I didn't have any eye makeup on. It feel so good to see us reap our hardwork like that. That moment was worth all those tears and frustration. We did good! Wait.... No.... We did best!
Congratulations
I can hear the glitter.
Do you hear the glitter?
Gold yet transparent, it's in the air.
I can breathe it on every strand of my body.
It's under my skin. I stand on it.
It cheers.
My mouth gaping, teeth rejoice.
The furrow suspicious but the eyes hopeful.
The tears drown,
The feet fly.
I'm above ground.
My heart stops; the crowd beats for me.
Arms shaking, flailing, squeezing, raising.
The noise silent.
The time replays and rewinds.
Cameras obsolete.
Spit confetti.
Do you hear the glitter?
It was from my soul.
I left it on the stage, now it's in the air.
Tears of the infected; it's under their skin.
I bask in it, I sob in it, I cry for it.
I hear it cheer.
