Weekend-Engagement Week #233: High School Life

If I were asked whether I was popular in high school or not, I'd say... maybe?

Well, I went to two different high schools, first in the countryside and the other here in my current city. I had to transfer in the middle of my third year of high school due to my father's job and family circumstances.

During my time, the Philippines only needed 10 years of basic education before getting to university or college, so it was 6 years in elementary and 4 years in high school. Now, there are two additional years in senior high school.

I attended the batch reunion in my first high school despite not graduating with them because they invited me. :)

In my first high school, I was known as the student who transferred from the city or the student who got the highest score on the entrance exam.

During the first day of class, I remember some senior students approached me and asked, "Ikaw si Alvarado?" (Are you Alvarado?) It's my family name... and when I answered yes and asked why, they just said they were curious about the top student. It was awkward, but they were friendly so it was OK.

I did well academically and I was active in school activities, but I wasn't the role model type. I sometimes cut class or did crazy things at school which made me seem more approachable, especially to the younger students.

When I was in my second and third year (in my first high school), I was often elected as a leader for various school organizations. Despite my not wanting to have a lot of responsibilities, my friends including some seniors and juniors chose me and promised to support me. And they actually did!

I remember being able to easily hang out with my seniors... and my friend group consisted of classmates and some younger students. When there were programs at school, I could easily ask for their help and they willingly cooperated.

I believe everyone at school knew who I was since I was quite active as a student and as a friend to them. When I transferred, a lot of my classmates as well as my juniors cried, but we kept in touch through texts and calls.

We're like a family... <3

When I transferred to the new high school in the middle of my third year, I was quite nervous. Luckily, our principal introduced me as her niece (I wasn't), so people were very accommodating. hahaha

I got to blend in easily with my new classmates and eventually found a friend group... though, I was more of a "freelancer" since I could relate with most people and just jump from one group to another.

I still excelled academically, but I didn't feel like participating in extra-curricular activities. However, during our last year of high school, my teachers insisted I join a variety of activities or else I won't be included in the overall top students since joining these stuff also affected our grades.

I actually didn't mind, but was somehow pressured by them. It somehow ended well because when I was grouped with two other students from the other class to represent the school in a math competition, I met my best friend.

With my best friend and his family. We were attending our high school friends' wedding.

It was the first time we got to know each other since he was in the other class, but we immediately clicked since we were both into anime and gaming.

Although I was known as "the transfer student" or "the principal's niece" (at first), I kept a more silent life in my second high school. I tried not to stand out and just lived a normal high school life. lol

Despite being able to blend in with the other students well, I actually only kept in touch with some of my closest friends like my best friend, his wife who's also my classmate, and the ones whose wedding we attended (from the photo above).

Recently, my best friend and his wife have been attending batch meetings because there's going to be a reunion sometime this month. I don't plan on joining, though.

My best friend already knows it, but a couple of weeks ago, he asked me again. He said that in the previous meeting, our batchmates were looking for me and wanted me to join, so they asked him to convince me. But, my decision is final.

It's not that I don't like them... I just don't like very formal and proper-style reunions. I mean, they even conducted several meetings for it. I prefer the small get-together over food and drinks style... just like with my previous high school. It's simple and we just catch up and have fun. But formal parties with a program and activities to follow? No thanks! haha

I don't know... I guess I've changed and become even more introverted. Anyway, I still get to see my best friend and some close high school friends from time to time, and that's more than enough for me. :)

Thanks for reading and see you around! Enjoy your weekend! (^^,)/