I’ve been more “addicted” than usual to Facebook this past few days due to being part of groups that are very active.  I’ve been part of different groups before but it’s really more of announcements and stuff, but now, discussions are actually taking place.

I’m currently part of three very active groups, one is for Pinays (Filipino women), one is for UP Diliman (where I went to college) and one is for UP Haribon (the organization I joined in college).  In the first group, I barely know anybody but the threads are all interesting and it’s very enlightening to read about other views and experiences.  In the second group, I know a lot of people but it is just a fraction of the whole population of the group which has ballooned to more than 30,000 in less than one week.  It’s fun to read about shared experiences in the university though and see what changes have happened since we were there.  It’s in the last group where I’m most comfortable.  This was the group I hanged out with most.  This was the group that made my college life most memorable.

I’m the youngest of 5 children and all my sisters went to UP.  So when I took the UPCAT, I really felt the pressure.  I knew I’d never hear the end of it if I didn’t pass.  Good thing I did, and the rest, as they say, is history.

I became a part of UP Haribon on my second year and I really felt that I belonged.  I only knew one person when I joined but I really felt at home.  I spent most of my time hanging around and just chatting or playing games.  Unfortunately, tambay hours were interrupted by classes :).  Actually, I think I didn’t hang out as much as others since my parents were quite strict and they expect me home at a certain time, since they know my class schedule.  So the trick was to choose classes that are far apart so there would be a lot of time in between to do nothing.  In fact, I remember when I had to go to school on weekends, or on days where there are no classes and my dad would say, “Nag-aral din ako.  Wag mo kong lokohin.”  And in my mind I would retort, “Pero hindi naman sa UP.”  But of course I would just say, “Kailangan po talaga…”

I really miss being in college.  When else is it okay to waste so much time just hanging out?  Although I now know that those times are not wasted.  Hours spent hanging out are actually investments, investments in relationships, in friendships, in life.  I’ve made my best friends in college.  We still spend time together, but of course not as much as before.  We’re now busy with children and work and other grown-up stuff.

This is why I love the groups.  I can hang out virtually anytime, read previous threads, reminisce and make new memories together even if we’re apart.