What Makes The Journey Better Than The End?

I don't know how or when to start, but it comes down into this.

Yesterday, I was walking along San Marcelino street with Julanie after supporting my friends who had their removals to end this mid year. We were actually quietly walking, because she was resurfacing her feeling to me the moment she found out that she will be graduated. Me: Is this really it, Jul? Julanie: Hay nako talaga (very Jul) *Ate Althea*... Congrats! Me: Is this really worth it, Jul? I mean, there are still lapses. Mauuna yung boards, do you think, would I still feel the same way even though, sa January 2020 pa talaga yung graduation march? I mean, hindi pa ba ako lilipasan ng panahon? Julanie: *tumingin sa akin* Me: Jul, I hope the feeling would last. And then I saw Neveah and Natalee nearby, crying while hugging each other. I forgot a little while yung convo namin ni Jul, it was far worthy to join these two in their success.

So what's my favorite spot in Adamson University?

I remember during my first semester in the university, I said to myself, "Gagraduate ako on time, I will finish this degree, after 5 years." Well, it actually ended after five years, but, little did I know, I projected it too much, there were more bumpy roads along the path greater than academic failures and personal achievements. You see, having siblings who have the same dream as me to finish college has added to many challenges (Btw, we're fraternal triplets, plus one who is just a year younger to us). We have overlapped in finishing our degrees while riding the roller coaster sides of every sem in paying for own fees, exams, monthly dues etc. I have seen every side of the struggle, got the taste of it.

During these situations, I realized that my parents would still push us through, despite our circumstances. They would still push us, kahit minsan it's better na magstop muna sila or magpahinga. I never recalled a moment where I was able to see my grade immediately after every sem, 'cause I understand that I would only see it once my dues are paid or during enrollment week. I have seen both of my parents collapsed emotionally and physically, but I was also allowed to witness how they managed to get through, because of grace. I have learned that we were provided ever since, in whatever ways the Lord has provided us, the people who are closest to us have always known it and it was the fruit of resiliency that was bore after all these years.

Despite the financial instabilities that my family went through, I still thought to myself that all the stuffs and things that I experienced in college were all *privileges*. From being a clumsy hermit in taking my minors, I never thought, that I would enjoy Logic and Social Sciences that much. I never thought that being individualistic in most situations can be that so helpful pero hindi sa majors. Thankfully, I got friends who have journeyed with me before entering third year college, got some matured-people advices like, "In college, it's okay na kahit hindi mo friends lahat, it's okay kahit kaunti, basta they are your true friends." and most of all, I learned to live away from comfort, I mean away from Bulacan.

During these times, I thought of transferring to another university, so that I could minimize the expenses that I have while living in Manila. Actually, the whole preparation took two years because I have to accumulate enough units and high GWA so that my transferring would be justifiable enough. However, my realization to study in my dream university came to an end when the university registrar told me that I have to repeat everything with the course that I have no intention of taking in the first place. I went back to Adamson University, cried out to my frustrations, and said to myself, "Okay, Althea. This is it. You gotta embrace it with your everything."

My professor in Ore deposits once said in his class (Hi, Sir Eiver!), that in prospecting for gold, one must not ask, where the golds are? but, to where is the epithermal system is located. It is considering the whole system, the paths taken by the ore bearing fluids, the likely P-T regime of deposition or mineralization and the whole configuration of ore elements. Likewise, finding the "gold" within this six years of college life is not merely focusing on the highs but to the lows as well. It's also about considering the people who have journeyed with me, moments of setbacks, trying some "firsts", stepping out of my comfort zone, challenging myself to grow in faith, traveling without my parents, getting myself listened to matured people about their views and perspectives whether in life or in academics, able to find friends along the way, able to sacrifice little comfort, letting myself cried with those who have cried, picking myself up again and then repeating the process.College life was also been an avenue for me to learn how to share my faith, find friends who have the same passion and still keep going amidst the acads life.

So let this space be a wall posts of my gratitude to all companions who have been with me all the way. It was never an accident to meet y'all.