I was born in Olongapo City, Philippines and moved here when I was 10. I still speak my native language and kept in touch with friends for a couple of years via airmail that took at least a week or so to obtain. Of course through the years, it was harder to keep in touch as I got more acclimated to my new home, but it wasn't until the internet got popular and social networking sites started to pop up that I was able to get re-connected with old friends.
By then, most have migrated to other countries and also across the U.S. It wasn't until years later though that we all actually got to somehow reconnect and finally have a mini reunion with whoever can make it. We've only had about two of these said reunions, but last night, it grew a little more when some friends who are traveling nurses moved about 1.5 hours away for work and children being added to the fun. It was a really nice celebration that was filled with laughs as always, good food and great company.
What I think makes us a little more special as far as bonding's concerned is the way we grew up. Our school at the time was fairly new and had instilled in us not only great academics, but also incorporated different types of agendas where everyone can possibly excel in. They always had contests that helped give us the healthy competitive edge. I wasn't the greatest when it came to the contests in academics, but I did had a niche in the creative department esp. in singing competitions. This have always helped built my confidence in being in front of folks which transferred greatly into my adulthood.
Since we all pretty much grew up with each other from kindergarten transitioning to elementary and from one grade to the next with the advantage of being able to skip a grade, we were all able to somehow become a family unit. We are held together by the memories & experiences we have individually at the school, with others and with each other. We can laugh at certain stories, events and recollections of what we remember back then which bonds us together. Somehow, in one way or another, our bond is there even with friends whom we haven't seen in years. It may be the culmination of all our memories, but overall, it was a childhood we would never forget that helped built the foundation of our being. Someday, I hope to have a bigger gathering with more stories to be told :)
