Leavetakings

YESTERDAY, Ms. C moved out of Duluth to join her sister in St. Cloud, Minnesota. There she will continue her job search and maybe look for a part-time job. It's a sad time for good-byes. Now all three of us are geographically apart. Ms. W in Duluth, Ms. C in St. Cloud and I in Las Vegas, en route to Boulder, Colorado.

Just last night I was also in the company of international students, my co-workers at the UNLV Starbucks branch. There was H. from Taiwan, E. from Korea and two Americans, M and D who might as well be international students because both have spent a significant amount of time abroad. This was my second food outing with new friends in Las Vegas and I am a little sad that just when I am making new friends again, I have to go.

When I left the Philippines three years ago for graduate studies, I was burnt out from working in the same company for 11 years. I was also a bit miffed that, although I worked in media, I did not feel that I was meeting enough new people. Places became too familiar, old routes tired.

Here in the United States I have met so many friends who could be good friends for life. But sometimes they move away, and in the recent months, it is I who have had to move elsewhere. I certainly got what I wished for. New places and new faces. But the desire to stay put (for now) is there once again.

When friends leave, they take a piece of us with them and vice versa. Perhaps that is why these events are so bittersweet. There is a pause and an absence, but there is also the possibility and hope of meeting again.