Anyone can drive and not all will. A number of folks simply can’t be bothered with learning how to drive, a few are forced to learn only out of necessity, and the rest because they find joy in driving and the feel of being on the road. I’d like to think I fall under the 3rd classification. I’ve always wanted to drive.

I can recall watching my dad drive as he drove us to school each morning. I had looked forward to the year when it was my turn to sit on the passenger seat so I can watch his feet and visually learn how to shift gears. Occasionally, I would inquire after certain advanced driving techniques he’d use and, of course, a lot of basic ones. My dad would often give out tips on offensive and defensive driving (though he didn’t exactly use those terms), which I found useful when it was my turn to be behind the wheel.

I was in 2nd year highschool when I tested out all the theories I had about driving. As most of you may have guessed, it wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. I learned how to shift gears when I was in 3rd year but only truly drove, after going through a year on permits, back in 2001. Yea, I only became a licensed driver at age of 24. Pretty late for folks in my generation. And I had my first car at the age of 27 (a white Toyota Corolla, spiffed up vroom-vroom muffler, turbo engine and all — classic guy ‘drag’ car, it was often described). It was a sad day when I had to say goodbye to him the year I had to leave for Australia. But something had to give to cover the travel costs. Ah, well. Had I not went, I wouldn’t be here, blogging. True story!

Now, at 33, I’m happy to welcome my 2nd car, whom I’m calling MrLynx. Obviously, the name was lifted from the Ford sedan model, Lynx. It’s strange how it felt like history repeating, only in reverse. I wish I have the energy to explain it but I reckon I’ll save that story for another day.

Maybe it’s for the best. Perhaps MrLynx came into my life for the very purpose that’s only becoming clear to me. I’ve always loved driving even with all the you-won’t-believe-it-when-I-tell-you experiences. Driving has always been a source of great comfort. With over a decade of experience, I own this sh*t. Of course, it helps that I’ve got my dad’s ultimate compliment under my belt — he christened me Amado Junior when it comes to driving and if you knew him and his driving skills, you’ll understand why I consider it a compliment (not just because he’s my dad, hehe).

With every new thing and esp since MrLynx is a car meant to be taken out, I took him for a spin. I decided to hang out at the usual Starbucks near my place, somewhat introducing him to my routine.

Must either be that he liked the place too much that he wanted to stay the night or a hiccup as he adjusts to being with me, MrLynx actually stayed overnight since he refused to budge regardless of all ready efforts to prod him to come back into life (i.e. the car wouldn’t start, LOL). So come the following morning, I found myself repeating a scene from the previous night.

After a few hours of waiting for the car to be up and running again, I decided that it’s time to give MrLynx his first bath (er, from the moment he came into my possession, that is).

I’d love to claim that I wash my own car but I don’t. I used to. I will if there’s no other choice but for now, I’m availing the services of a local carwash station.

Shampoo. Check. Wax. Check. Vacuum interiors. Check. Tire black. Check. Empty the ashtray. Check! I solemnly swear I will religiously schedule periodic carwash sessions after this. But must schedule a trip to the casa to have everything checked, e.g. oil, A/T fluid, etc. (yea, it’s a ‘matic which I’m not too keen about but.. ah, well.).

I sat staring at MrLynx earlier today and I was engulfed with excitement from the countless imagined possibilities to make on the road. I had pictured the places we’d see, people we’d be with and the millions of pixels captured by MrSixty, MrPoPo and MrTots (whom you’ll meet one of these days).

It’s a mixture of longing and fear knowing that the streets and circumstances are different now. But I’m accepting the things I know I cannot change. I’ll simply continue riding the wave, face life (and the streets) head on.

♫ “There is no load I can’t hold.
Roads so rough this I know.
I’ll be there when the light comes in.” ♫
(Tom Cochrane, Life is a Highway)

Life is indeed a highway. I do want to ride it all night long.

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We all have dreams and wants in life that seemingly fuels our drive to wake up each morning and do the things we ought to do for the day. We may wish for small things and, sometimes, we dare to dream big. The important thing is to never stop dreaming and, of course, chasing after those dreams.

I’ve always been the type who’d set goals and establish a list of wishes that leads to the achievement of the goal. It often feels like I would always prefer to go for the bigger fish but would still find joy in a school of little fishes that can somewhat be likened to getting the big fish, know what I mean?

Anyway, here are seven (7) of my dreams that had been fulfilled, not last week, but during the course of my lifetime. Comes with the memory is a reminder of what I am thankful for this week:

1. Live independently at 25. Ah, freedom! Even when twas just for only a year. But I lived it! On my own, no allowance. No running off to mummy when you need a decent meal or money when the month’s utility bill comes. Not even going home on weekends. I was definitely living independently. My reasons for moving out was nothing to be proud of, though. But I reckon that’s how I often learn, eagles do push their young off the nest so that they can learn how to use the wings they were born with. I’m now back living with my mum but not because I need to but because we need each other. I’m thankful she allowed me to have the same amount of freedom as when I had lived on my own.

2. Own a car. Technically it wasn’t mine yet. I was still paying it off but it was very much for my own use. I love cars. Owning that car allowed me to learn how to fix certain things, i.e. what to do when the car won’t start, but I have yet to change a flat tire. Anyway, twas a white 95 Corolla GTi, 16″ wheels with chrome rims, turbo-injected and that vroom-vroom muffler. Oh, yea. You’d think it was a guy’s car. LOL. Too bad I had to say goodbye, reason? See #4.

3. Become a model. I know. I know. I wouldn’t even dare say this out loud had it not come true. Whatta embarrassment. LOL. But, to my surprise, it did. Life is filled with one cliché after another and this one is no different (was approached by a scout in a mall! LOL). After a series of ramp gigs during the initial months, got signed by a modeling agency in Makati, approached by a free agent, attended numerous VTRs and cast calls, appeared as an “extra” in some nondescript beer commercial back in 2004 (Nyahahaha!). I’m so glad to see this chapter of my life closed. But I do sometimes miss the photoshoots. Ah, well. See #7. Ha.

4. Travel. Who has no dreams of going abroad? Growing up with parents, my mum in particular, who loved to take their kids around, had let in the travel bug to infect us. I’ve always wanted to travel and see the rest of the world. Initially, I had dreams of conquering Asia first. But I had wanted to be different. While most talk about going to Hong Kong, my first trip outside the country landed me on Singapore (back in 1999 then again in 2001). Then this early year, I had been to Vietnam and Cambodia. Yes, I still haven’t been to Hong Kong. LOL. Then this reminded me of my plans of visiting a “Western” country next. As usual, everyone is talking about going to the US, I had found myself taking a two (2) 3-month sabbaticals in Australia. Yes, two! September to December 2005 then January to April 2006. True to His word, he had given me the opportunity to have a different travel experience. It’s kinda’ awesome when you think about it.

5. Local trips. Where do I even start? One of the things that makes me proud as a Filipino is that we do live in a gorgeous country. From vibrant cityscapes to amazing stretches of untouched shorelines. If you’re able, let it be part of your life’s itinerary to visit the different Philippine locales. I’m glad to have had the opportunity to experience places like: Boracay, Cebu, Bohol, Tagaytay, Punta Fuego, Vigan, Puerto Galera, Zambales, Subic, etc. AND, of course, the place that occupies the top spot in my heart, Palawan.

6. Sustainable lifestyle. From that day I wrote it down on my journal, I’ve been daring myself to try new things. Grabbing opportunities to experience things that I haven’t thought of doing. Now, I’m able to confidently say that I’ve learned what I sort of lifestyle I would love to keep. I take simple joys from quiet walks, coffee breaks, thrifty and splurge shopping sprees, economy flights, modest accommodations, or a luxurious home. Actually, I’m not entirely done yet. I still hunger for a certain balanced lifestyle that suits my personality and needs but I’m taking my time. There’s no rush. I’m simply thankful that I’m fortunate enough to continue seeing and making full use of opportunities that nurture and even stretch it.

7. Find a passion. Getting to enjoy my current work is awesome. It has allowed me to exercise certain things that I didn’t imagine I’d be passionate about, writing and photography. I’m able to enjoy fashion, styling and beauty almost everyday. It paved a way for more opportunities to come into my life. Oh, I’m so excited about the new ones that seem to be drawing my online work offline! I can’t wait to tell you guys about it. Soon!

Thinking of these things made me realise how one can be undeservingly fortunate. I’m overwhelmed by the wonderful things that had happened in my life. It’s such a delight to be reminded of the fact that dreams do come true. They may not come in the exact form as you may have imagined it, the important thing is that they came and they were all for you.

So, what about you guys? Have any of your dreams come true? What dreams are you thankful for this week?

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[Tell me if I’m wrong I dareya! ]

Makati. The city I consider my 2nd home. It sheltered me for a time and I can always rely on it being there to be a place that I can retreat to whenever I want to lose myself in the crowd.

However, it’d been more than a month since I was there and it was just last Friday did I decide to go back [cuz I’ve been spending a lot of time in Alabang or BF] since I was just picking my friend up at Salcedo Village and drive back to hang out at BF. Wrong move. Apparently.

Major Flooding. I should have heeded the obvious signs! Rain. Friday. Makati. It’s like a recipe for disaster! Grrrr. I’d like to kick myself for not having considered the possibility of floods in Mayapis and/or Buendia [my usual route going to Salcedo Village]. A 30-minute drive turned into a 2 and a quarter-hour torture! Gah!

The situation which I found myself in tried my driving skills. Picture me in a Revo [thank God for that, too] driving through floods, manouvering through the tight traffic, made a 3-point turn on a railroad, dismissed the fact that I’m passing in a one-way street, snaked my way along Ayala Avenue — all with corresponding bursts of speed on instances that had allowed me to. Heeheehee. It was exhaustingly stressful.

Note to self: If I’m planning to go to Makati on a Friday night and it’s raining, brave the heavy Ayala traffic instead, at least it makes more sense than getting marooned [so to speak] on an elevated railroad.

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The race and other festivities run from March 23rd until the 26th. There will be live bands every night. I heard Grinspoon and Silverchair‘s performing on separate nights. Though, I’m not particularly a fan of their music. As much as I’d like to enjoy the music and the atmosphere it can create, what I really like to check out are the cars!

Yea, I love cars. I love speed.

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