sandstorm

i was down with a cold two weekends ago and i attributed it to the sandstorm that oftentimes plagues this part of the world. i remember several months before at the bus stop, waiting for the bus (that usually doesn't come on time) for, i guess, almost two hours and the next thing i knew, i was sneezing and coughing for days.

others may have gotten used to "swimming in the sandstorm" but it has never been a boon for some people (especially me) other than the obvious tourist who gets awestruck (or in this case, "sandstruck") by it. it carries dust and small particles that get into the eyes, cause pimples and all sorts of respiratory tract infections and add inconvenience to an already-inconvenient life.

as i enumerated all the sandstorm's bad virtues in my head, i then got to pondering over the past and present sandstorms in my life. i remember feeling deserted, lost and alone, never knowing which step to take, whom to trust.

how many times have i cried with only my bedroom wall as sole witness? how many times have i asked Him for direction, for purpose --- for at least, a little inner peace?

i manage to cope up every single day but every now and then, i find myself cursing this country and some circumstances surrounding my daily existence for bringing out the worst in me. i've never known i'm capable of transforming myself from a carefree individual one second to a bitch the next. it's a complete revelation to me that my feelings and inner thoughts can dip and swerve so...

then the rainbow begins to peek out from behind a curtain of clouds just when you think it isn't there, decides to stay a little longer, bringing with it a feeling of contentment and gratefulness, and disappears again.

one thing's certain: life's sandstorms accord us wisdom, and cement and gradually build up that tiny bud of fortitude because as long as we're alive, life goes on...

shameless!

sometimes, you just wonder why some people are so brazen and insensitive when it comes to other people's feelings, rights and desire for peace and a little privacy.

take the case of my 2 roomies who party outside till the wee hours of the morning and come home only to wake us up with their misplaced tipsy laughter or by doing their laundry at 1 am!

where is the courtesy and respect expected of an educated person (in this case, a woman; no, two women who studied in a reputed college which, first and foremost, extols these virtues) for her fellow human being who is as tired as her and who is entitled to sleep as soundly as her to prepare for the next day's battle at the office?

why are they so callous as to disregard good manners taught at home during the formative years and at school as early as nursery?

i thought good manners are the first mark of good breeding. in the case of the 2 roomies i am referring to, they may look sophisticated and educated outside, but inside the house, every inch of their bone is covered with shameless inconsideration towards others!

forgive my description but i loathe them because personally, there's no single excuse for being careless when it comes to minding your manners, even if it's as simple as lowering your voice and minding your footsteps once the night lights are turned off.