I went to an exclusive all-girls Catholic high school. It was funny how I wanted to alienate myself so much from everyone else in high school. I was the typical "intellectual snob" then, and I felt that I was different from everyone else. I found even my closest friends there to be corny. Boys and the latest fashion just weren't my thing back then. I was a super-nerd during high school (I'm still a nerd though much cooler now...) and focused much of my energies on my studies.
I hated high school so much that I made every effort to avoid any reunions or parties where any acquaintances or classmates or even my closest friends from high school are involved. I skipped on their debut parties (though I promised that I would make an effort to attend their weddings) and ignored Facebook messages on reunion plans. I only maintained regular contact with one classmate whom I considered (and still consider) my best friend.
I guess everyone has their awkward teenage moments. I'm glad that Adulthood has at least knocked some sense into my head. As a year in the corporate world taught me that networking is very important and also in a struggle to conquer my fears of the past and to find some peace in my life, I resolved to rebuild connections with my high school acquaintances but most especially my classmates. We had block sections-- I spent four years of my life with these people.
My best friend just recently celebrated her birthday. It so happened that she invited me for dinner along with other high school classmates, one of them who's home from Australia. Oddly, I didn't come up with some bizarre excuse to ditch the event and although the venue of the meet-up was located in a most inconvenient place and I didn't have a car I could use (as one's in the shop, the other is "coding"--- long story but it's some weird Philippine law that prohibits you from using your car on a certain day, and the other is being used by my Dad for work), I made every effort to show up.
I was, of course, very nervous about seeing my high school classmates. Some of those I haven't seen since graduation (which is a good seven years!) I'm sure they remember what a bitch I was back then, but they made no mention of it, and they seemed to be genuinely glad that I've finally showed up after all those years. It was fun reminiscing some memories. We mostly made fun of ourselves and our teachers and some maintenance personnel who often shared us myths and ghost stories about the campus.
We also shared pieces of news about our other classmates. A lot of them have flourishing love lives (Haha!). One of them is already getting married next year to someone from the US Army. Another's in show business and is a production assistant for various films. One friend now living in Australia is doing her PhD in Biology. Most of us are busy at work and enjoying being career women.
I even found a couple of potential travel buddies. We're excited to be planning our backpacking trips across the Philippines.
Overall, it was a good reunion and there were still plenty more stories to share. I guess time indeed heals all wounds. Funny how we were so serious back then, and now we just shrug and laugh them all off.
I guess growing up isn't so bad after all.