Between Manila and Incheon, 2012. He’s reading a Stieg Larsson novel; I’m reading the Smile magazine. Suddenly, the plane begins to shake. My body stiffens against the seat, and I find myself glancing nervously at the plane’s wing outside the window. Automatically, without looking at me or stopping from reading, he reaches out and places his hand on my shoulder and steadies me.
There are only a few people in life I’ll catch a bullet for. This guy is one of them. Ten years have passed since that grand gesture of kindness, and Jel has learned to adopt some new roles to add to his “best friend” designation. Was it a Chinese philosopher who once said that if you save a person’s life you’re responsible for it, like, forever? Such a weird saying, to be sure (and a bit over-the-top for this example), but Jel appears to have taken this to heart. Lucky Me!
So, to my most favorite psychologist, priest, and pep cheerleader, thank you. And on your birthday, let me give you a piece of advice: turning 30 isn’t so bad, so cheer up! You’re at a wonderful crossroads! Think about it. You’re old enough to pass off “stable and mature” with some degree of believability, and yet young enough to avoid accusations of lasciviousness and constant insertions of “po”/”opo” in conversations. Awesome, right?
You’re welcome po.
P.S. Jeland Omer Pormentilla turns 30 today, February 8. He’s currently in snowy Korea, perhaps to escape old age via cryogenics. Do greet him here and here. He’ll respond when he thaws on Monday.