With Reckless Abandon

I first heard of the phrase with reckless abandon from Mr. Quinito Henson during a boxing match in the Philippines last Sunday afternoon and I quote, "he throws punches with reckless abandon..." I googled it and found this one - with reckless abandon: to do or to say something without regards for consequences

In my case, it was a different version of reckless abandonment.

May 18, 2012

I went to my hometown to mourn on the sudden demise of my mother. I just couldn't believe it - my wife, my kids and I just visited her during the Mother's day celebration and she's ok!

Before my mother's death I had an scheduled trip to Singapore (May 21-25) and my wife & kids (with other relatives) would also go to Hong Kong (May 19-22) which were pre-planned months ago. Our family collectively decided to entomb my mom on Sunday, the 20th of May.

May 19-20, 2012

I was almost sleepless for two days entertaining relatives & guests and playing cards as well. I would just sneak out to take a short nap only to wake-up again due to constant taps from my friends. The final day of the mourning was spent through praying and following the relatives erehiya "don't look back," "don't bring back any food you brought to the cemetery," etc.

I am very thankful to my relatives, friends, and kababayans who helped and sympathized with us during our moments of grief.

May 20, 2012 (afternoon)

After my mother was buried, I prepared my baggage(my wife and kids went ahead of me for their trip to Hong Kong was on May 19, 2012 - I whispered it to my mom on her coffin)for I have a trip to Singapore at 6 a.m. on May 21. But before leaving, I borrowed US $200 and Philippine pesos to my sisters Margie and Leah thinking that I might incur several expenses in Singapore. I (with my cousin Michelle) left hastily after that for we wanted to catch the Supercat on its 5:30 trip. However, we arrived late and had to be contented with a 6:30 p.m. long trip on a Montenegro vessel.

Disappointed, disgusted, and outraged we search for better seats only to know that the ship was full-packed. "Why is this happening to me?" I asked my self in solitude. Later, we found a bench in front of a huge industrial fan! It rained during that trip so passengers went inside the air-conditioned room that added to my discomfort. On the middle of the trip I felt this tingling pain to pee and I cannot hold it any longer. So I left my baggage at my seat WITH RECKLESS ABANDON (Michelle was already asleep so I left my bag beside her so no one could take my slot). I stood up and pursued my way to the comfort room. Upon my return, I saw this mother and child tandem occupying my seat. By golly! I politely asked them to vacate my seat and the lady said, "Dito ka?" At the back of my mind I was telling my self, "Do I need to say Yes! ^+X$%<{" I then realized that it was so hard to travel without a sleep and it was very hard to control my temper.

After a long travel via Montenegro vessel we then took a bus in going to Manila. As if the driver was testing me and everybody else's patience he tried to load every passenger he can in an already full-seated bus. Damn!

May 21, 2012

It was almost past midnight when we reached Manila. I assisted first my cousin in getting a taxi to Sucat and after jotting down the taxi's name and plate number I hurriedly went home.

I was inserting things inside my baggage when I noticed that the pouch containing the money I borrowed was not in the same place where I put it. I looked at it on my other bag but instead of finding answers I found questions! Where did I put it? I repeatedly searched for my pouch but I found nothing. That was the time that I cried. I cried and cried until no more tears were there to hide.