In a few days, she will be turning eighteen that she thought of asking for a special gift this time around. She started with her prayer intention circling around the safety of her loved ones followed by her vision for the future right before she paused to ask for her birthday wish. For someone who has gone through a lot at a very young age, she developed a close relationship with the Lord. That night she asked for a soul mate. It was an innocent wish coming from a teenager who is excited to turn a new leaf on her way to becoming a woman. Someone who has long bottled up her emotions surely deserves another soul to make the journey more bearable. Be that as it may, she is happy with the status quo considering the wealth of opportunities laid down before her. One day, she heard from her mentor. It was not like those times when she had to confine herself in the library for weeks to prepare for an intellectual drill. She was slated to join a summer youth camp, which at first sounded like her typical summer Girl Scouts escapade. Having earned a few badges in her sash, she had her fair share of camping experience out in the wilderness. These activities paved the way to meeting new friends outside her immediate community. And for this reason alone, she will not pass up on the opportunity. It was one hot summer day. She arrived a few minutes before the event started. She sat next to a friendly face wiping the sweat off his head with a neatly-folded handkerchief. She smiled and he smiled back. Then she realized the other seat next to her is no longer empty. Yes, she found herself sitting between two nice strangers. As in any regular session, they will have to get to know each other. They exchanged names and talked about something they share in common. Aside from being achievers, they are also into the mundane pleasures of life. There was this teenage flick that they spend at least an hour watching after school. It was not common for a group of campers to ask for a television set but they just did so as not to miss an episode. After the show, she found herself bonding with a girl she met along with the two boys seated close to her. They found themselves in a park one night under the stars. Of course, they would exchange childhood stories mostly about school. All throughout the sessions, she would realize that this summer camp is a lot different than the rest. While she was flattered, she would wonder why he would always find an extra hand helping her around. She was not used to being taken care of. It was a sweet friendly gesture that she appreciated than the flirtateous attempt of some other boys lurking around. She hated the idea of being pursued in public as if a girl is a chattel up for grabs. With the gift of new friends, she believed that her wish was granted. Like those friends she met during camping, it was not surprising that letters came soon. But not like any of those friends, she received one from a diligent boy. It was the first letter she received from the opposite sex. The gesture was sweet but she would find herself smiling after reading every letter. He has always been funny. It all started with the exchange of letters. They would rarely see each other. As teenagers from different towns, they were not bold enough to visit each other from time to time. This is why the letters made all the difference.

They share something that fateful day. They were both away from home. They were dragged by fate in an unfamiliar town. There has always been this strong presence of the sea in the air that would never escape the senses. Whether the salty breeze or the fishy stench, this small town would surely leave an impression. And how about the sands that could easily sneak into your footwear from time to time. But none any of these circumstances could stop the vigor of youthful spirit. She came with her peers for a fair that lasted for a week. It was a break she could use from the rigorous routine she made for herself. It's not too bad to have fun sometimes. Although she is still unsure whether she had a stunted childhood, she is pretty sure that she had fun that day playing around. She was with her small group of friends who were as competitive as her. She could not say the same for him. The place is quite proximate to his hometown. He might have already explored the place. Anyway, he will live to fully immerse in that community later on. Perhaps like her, he was having fun on his own. A responsible middle child, while not exempted from chores, he might have his way around to make the most of his teenage days. His creativity is no accident. It might have come from a bright childhood although she wouldn't really know. Perhaps his creative juice has sharply manifested in his humor. He would always make her laugh when they were not yet not awkward to each other. For her, that is his most admirable characteristic that would animate their correspondence years later. Let this be an ode to a beautiful friendship that made the teenage life of two wanderng souls more inspiring and exciting.

She delivered several pieces before a crowd. It should have been a piece of cake. Still, she's afraid that it will all blow up to her face. So she found her feet dancing with the butterflies in her tummy. "In a minute or two, it will be over," that's what she would tell herself. She is wearing her favorite shoes despite the extra half inch which did not bother her anyway. Yes, one can fairly say she's unstoppable. When her number was finally called, she marched in front to give it her shot. And she delivered it just fine taking one huge sigh of relief after she uttered that one last line, "thank you!" In the sea of people, she would have never guessed that one astonished soul. He was right there with that scrutinzing gaze from head to toe. Little did he know that it would not be their last encounter. Meanwhile, she had no idea. She retreated back to her comfort zone...the beautiful familiarity of solitude. She was young but not like her peers, she was all too consumed by the promise of the future for a diligent girl. She never believed in luck. Growing up, she was always reminded that she will have to earn every good episode in her life. Nothing would ever come easy. She never believed in happiness, either. She would rather have peace. She understands how extreme emotions play out. It never ends well to a point when she would doubt whether it was worth the roller coaster ride. She would always be reminded that some things are temporal. Beautiful experience has always been elusive. But then later in life she would be grateful about the temporal nature of things. You'll see.

So she didnt realize; Even afterlife haunted her; Hell on earth is real; But so as heaven. That vulnerable void; Never to be exploited again; Time to be all grown; Make it through alone. Then and only then; can you give yourself; away to someone; deserving...for good.

Empty tables and chairs at the far end of an open air structure, near the main hall of a resort, tell a story of how a setting punctuated by hard wood furniture and clay figurines in Earth palette is brought to life by colorful tales of parents sharing chuckles as they make the most of their privilege of parental oversight. On the other end of this area, called The Clay Storytellers, is a collection of toy figures meticulously organized in wooden boxes physically protected from playful hands but not visually restricted from curious eyes grazing over tiny cars and dinosaurs sealed by a top glass which has now accumulated some good old dust, enchant visiting children. This place, as its name announces, is a repository of memorable family moments, molded like clay, into a story.