A year ago my life was simpler and by that I meant to say, easier. I can laze all day in my bedroom, soak in the summer heat all year round and never pay attention to the clock. Aaahh, how I yearn for Davao and my people. I miss waking up at the sound of Chubby barking uncontrollably at some random stranger passing by our gate. Although she annoys me most of the time, she never holds any grudge on her untamed masters.

I can never start my day without Kopiko coffee and where can I buy such luxury? No other place than my uncle Bobong’s Pet John Eatery/Store. Just thinking about Auntie Beth’s humba and bihon is enough to make me salivate right at this moment. And as if brunch at home is not enough, I usually go to Mommy’s and scavenge their fridge for dessert. Her children and apos love to present her with sweets and luckily for some (including me) she doesn’t like sweets. Teeheee!

Hooters are seldom used here and cars are not fond of smoking so I definitely miss the chaotic Davao transportation. I miss the vast array of colorful jeepneys waving boldly in every street. The sound from the driver’s stereo which ranges from budotsbudots to jazz, old OPMs to LSS worthy novelty songs, and if you’re lucky, a free (barely audible) news report from DZMM.

I miss Davao City streets; each holds a charm so unique that the sound of its name has a memory. I miss strolling around Bonifacio Street with Jayson while binging on my favorite manggang hilaw. I cannot wait to spend a productive evening in the busy streets of San Pedro scavenging on thrift stores, eating sinful street foods, and strolling around till our money’s all gone. When I come back home, I swear I’ll visit every resto in Torres Street and Lanang. And how can I forget Ilustre Street? It defines the whole of my college free time. Eating (again) each time we see a new foodstore opening up, sitting lazily on GS’s foodcourt, spending precious money on net cafes just so we can have something meaningful to do. And finally, my beloved Rizal Extension. It will always be my home wherever I may be.

And of course I miss my family and friends. I miss Jayson and our cutesy couple laaglaags. Although I abhor the sound of Chino and Shobe fighting every night, I have to admit I miss them. The piercing silence of this place is unbearable, almost chilly if not for the occasional chitchats of my dorm mates on our corridor. I can’t believe I’m saying this but I definitely miss mommy Feling and her constant nagging on her apos especially on Sam who seems to find amusement on torturing our pet fish and dogs. I miss my not so baby Keana and I cannot wait to hold my newly born pamangkins whom I haven’t met yet. I miss my friends and our Penongs then karaoke galore laags, the suddenly Samal trips, and abashake’skuripot reunions at home.

I miss so many things its crazy! Japan is beautiful in itself and everything is so organized but I miss the chaos and the noise and the spontaneity of life in Davao. It has been a year already and although I am enjoying my life and job here, I cannot wait to get out and come back home, to the people I most enjoy being with to the places I most hold dear.