I've had this book for years in my shelf. While I've been meaning to spend time and read it, I seriously can't get away with time constraints. However, I decided to take the initiative this year to make time for the books that I bought but were left still unread. And the first on my list is this one. Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl that chronicles the life of a teenage diarist, Anne Frank during the years in Germany, hiding in the Secret Annexe when Holocaust was happening.
From 20 June 1942:
"I don't intend to show this cardboard covered notebook bearing the proud name of "diary" to anyone, unless I find a real friend, boy or girl, probably nobody cares. And now I come to the root of the matter, the reason for my starting a diary: it is that I have no such real friend."
From 22 January 1944:
"All the problems of our 'upbringing', of our being spoiled, the food -- it could have been quite different if we'd remain perfectly open and friendly, and not always only on the lookout for something to seize on."
From 3 February 1944:
"I have now reached the stage that I don't care much whether I live or die. The world will still keep on turning without me; what is going to happen, will happen, and anyway it's no good trying to resist."
I don't recall being obsessed with foreign drama series like other people. If there was one thing I enjoyed watching, it was just Meteor Garden and It Started With a Kiss and their respective sequels. However, after going on a Meteor Garden marathon during the Christmas holiday, I discovered another interesting series:Loving Never Forgetting.
I remember that it was one of those drama series that was shown in the Philippines back in 2015 entitled Unforgettable Love. Back then, while I am aware of the show's existence, I only see trailers because of its late-night telecast (I can't watch it as I have a day job which needs me to be up early every morning). At first I was only interested because of the legal battle ingredient of the story (not to mention the good looks of the show's characters) But once I started with the first episode, I instantly got hooked-- despite that what I am watching is in it's original form -- spoken in Mandarin Chinese and I had to rely on English subtitles, which thankfully were translated well.
Anyway, I must say that Loving Never Forgetting is one beautiful drama and it was worth watching. It's a poignant story about the value of family, strength and resilience, of true and unconditional love, kindness and forgiveness. I was interested to see how Li Zhongmou's character (played by Jerry Yan) slowly changed from a cold-hearted bachelor businessman to a loving father and husband in the course of the story. And how Wu Tong's (played by Tong Liya) generosity, kindness and unconditional love healed broken relationships and brought a family back together. On the other hand, while I enjoyed watching Denny Huang as the dashing, handsome lawyer Xiang Jun, there was also a point in the story that I felt hatred in his antagonistic portrayal towards the last few episodes. But thankfully, there was a transformation that happened that somehow redeemed his character.
Now, you might be confused or maybe wondering why I said these. But you need to watch the series yourself to find out why. You must have the patience though because aside from it is spoken in Mandarin, each episode runs from 35-45 minutes. But I liked how the series included courtroom scenes and legal battle scenarios concerning family law (the area of law that I find interesting) and business perspective with the usual romance, drama and at some points, comedy scenes in it. At a certain extent, this drama series tackled how to deal with the subject of "unrequited love".
Upon reaching the last episode, I can't help but ask myself why I did not watch this three years ago. Honestly, it's a show I wouldn't mind watching again-- and I surely would, probably after a few months -- or at least I have crossed half of the items on my current to-do list!
Pila and Paghihintay is life. That's the motto that I have been living by for so long. You see, anywhere I go, two processes tend to be constant -- falling in line and waiting. From commuting, doing my groceries during lunch hour, getting bank errands done, even using the elevator to transport me to where the office is, that beeline and waiting time are always a tandem.
Don't get me wrong. I am not complaining though. While it could make others lose their cool, and considering that I knew myself as someone who "doesn't have the patience of a saint", I would admit that I have been so used to it. Falling in line and waiting has become a part of life. However, yesterday, during a transaction at the supermarket with my colleague, this routine was given with a comic twist.
I accompanied my friend Cherry to do her groceries. As she is a PWD (person with disability) just like me, she's entitled to use the first checkout lane (which is also for senior citizens and pregnant customers) While waiting for our turn, the lady (in her 60's) who was next to us had this weird look on her face as if scrutinizing both of us. I guess she couldn't contain her curiosity any longer, because what came next was a question I never thought I would hear:
"May buntis ba sa inyo?" (TRANSLATION: Is anyone of you pregnant?)
Okay, while becoming pregnant (and becoming a legit wife and mother) was once part of my future hopes, the question kind of placed me in that "wait hindi ako na-orient" moment. Part of me felt giddy for a second but I felt awkward right afterward. It didn't offend though. All it took was just a polite explanation that I was just accompanying a friend who is a PWD (which makes her entitled to the use of the lane). And while she didn't have to, the lady gave an apology. Apparently, she didn't know that neither Cherry or I was amongst those classified as PWD's.
Walking back to the office, Cherry and I just had a good laugh at that incident. Because as funny as it was, while we tend to see ourselves as the "physically-challenged" folks, apparently, there are people who saw (and thought of) something else -- only not in a way we were expecting.
Now, who says falling in line is always a temper-losing activity? At least to the two of us, it's not. For that was one time we got to say, as that tourism tag line puts it, it's more fun in the Philippines :-)
POSTSCRIPT: I am a PWD myself. And while I am entitled to privileges, I rarely use it and only do so when it's REALLY necessary. I don't mind falling in line and waiting in the regular line just like everyone else :-)
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