Goodbye Northtown...

It's official. A Japanese family has finally decided to rent our house in Cebu from January 1, 2010 onwards. So far, they will be staying for a year, but may extend further.

Call it lame, but I have been pretty much affected with this news. When I found out about it, it felt so surreal-- I always thought my dad was just joking when he says that we have the house rented.

I should actually be the BEST person to handle things like this... I have lived in more than 10 houses (in some points of my life -- Hotel Rooms!) and moved around the country as a kid, for crying out loud! And it's not as if I have been away from Cebu for the past 7 years of my life... But here I am, wallowing like some jerk broke my heart.

It's probably because there were too much memories that it was difficult to let them all go just like that. From the numerous birthday parties, reunions and high school group projects to just the random late night visits and swimming sessions at the clubhouse with family friends, those moments were irreplaceable. I grew up in that house. I felt comfort and security whenever I'm home. It was one of the "good reasons" to give to friends or colleagues when you want to take a break from reality the stress of the City Life.

And now that we are just a few weeks away from January 1, I think it is just right to go home one more time to bid farewell. One last time for me to go through my 1999 Candy Diary with quotes such as, "met up with like this & like that in Brutus, Glee Club Practice!"... Or probably I'll safe keep the chat notebook (that almost got us suspended at school) and High School Photo Album and bring it with me to Manila... Maybe one last dip in the pool at 7AM to just think and have some "me" time... Have a fabulous steak dinner care of my dad with the family... Sit by the swing in our garden and have a heart-to-heart talk with my mom... Wake up to the sound of the roosters only to find out it's just 4:30 in the morning... Sleep on the "banig" in my parents' room just because I am their little princess... Peek by the kitchen door to say Hi to Jazzy, our Labrador... Play the "powder game" by the garage with friends... Have the whole clan over for dad's & cousin's birthday...

And maybe a family christmas tree picture all together one last time.

Sad, but this is the painful reality. We must learn how to let go of certain things and move on with life. On a brighter note, I am now seeking for my new home. Ortigas is just a temporary home, I will find my next home in a year or two. And hopefully, that will be another big adventure.

So for now, goodbye Northtown, Talamban, Cebu City. I will miss you A LOT.