My officemate said I’m hormonal… Siguro nga mantakin mo ba namang iyakan ko si Dumbledore! Oopps spoiler sorry to those who haven’t finished reading HP6. My copy was delivered on the day of the official release (thanks Amazon!). Now I can’t wait to get my hands on HP7… Sulatan ko kaya si JK Rowling?

Got some good news when I woke up. I received 3 text messages from home (Pinas) from Tatay and from my older sister, all saying my parents got their visas! Finally my son will see them again after 10 months. Now I need to re-arrange my hols & they will definitely stay for XMas. Ang sarap naman.

There’s that added perk siempre na finally I don’t have to cook everyday. Andito na si Nanay! hehehe

I was shaking from anger last Thursday. I’ve been eyeing these sandals from a stall in Leather Lane market & when I finally decided to buy them, I encountered a most uncivilised Neanderthal in London. The owner appeared from nowhere as I was trying on one of the slip-ons, as it was a market you’d place the darn thing anywhere right? Apparently you meant to stand on the papers strewn everywhere except where I was standing. I decided to be polite and apologised but what followed shook me up. He apparently never stopped walking & when he heard me say “I didn’t realise…” he shouted back that I didn’t know ’nuffink’ in an accent so thick you can only assume he’s mal educado.

My jaw dropped. I was too shocked & before I could retaliate he was gone. It ruined my lunchbreak & I wanted to cry. This is the first time I’ve encountered an unexplainable rudeness from anyone. I am really bad with unprovoked arguments and my retorts are often poor. That’s why I felt so frustrated when I walked away from the stall. Can I really sustain a shouting match with someone who’s so obviously a yob?

I keep asking myself why he’d give that attitude & the only answer that sounds logical is because I am “brown”. I am obviously not British as I am neither white nor black. Plus my accent is not English.

I can only pray for that man’s soul, sana kunin na sya ni Lord.

Now that the lag in my workload is over, my virtual in-tray is starting to outgrow my son. I have to admit though, I feel more alive than ever. Drained but alive. Does that make sense?

Three major events (not sure if that’s the proper term) happened last week. Weekend of 2d July saw the Live8 concert held in Hyde Park. We were tuned in, my toddler was headbanging & my husband reminiscing. He saw kids in the crowd and wondered if we should have ventured to Central London… I said ah-uh. What risk my son getting dehydrated or infected in the common urinals which I doubt will have changing rooms?

Then Tuesday, 5 July, D-Day for the IOC decision from Singapore. London was jubilant. People were dancing and cavorting in Trafalgar Square. The City will host the 2012 Olympics! Fantastic! I was excited too. Wow I’ll be there and by that time my son will be old enough to actually enjoy it. My husband is ecstatic too, he keeps saying it will boost the price of our property. Well let’s hope so!

The most unforgettable was Thursday, 7 July, 4 bombs were detonated in Central London’s busiest routes during the morning rush hour. I missed it thankfully. I was already safe in the office when I received hubby’s call. I told my officemates and we were tuned in to the telly for the better part of the day. The information we’re getting were all confusing… No it’s just train collision, no there are 7 explosions… But one thing’s for sure it was mayhem and people are maimed, hurt and some are dead. I was lucky a rail station was still operating going to Barking. I walked towards Fenchurch Street from Hatton Garden. London mid-day with no traffic was an eery sight. As I told friends over and over, it was a scene you only expect to see in horror / thriller films. Patrol cars zig-zag from nowhere, people were walking, the few buses I saw were parked, police cordon were in every station I pass.

The Heavens seem to commiserate. The sky was sad with grey clouds and pouring rain. I did’t know what to feel first: rage, sadness, relief? I picked up my son on the way home and slept beside him by 6pm… Thank God the day was over.

I received calls, SMS, emails from friends. I sent a lot as well asking if they are okay, telling them we are okay. Up to now I know London is just praying for the souls of the victims, most of which are still not recovered from the Underground. I know I am one of millions hoping it never happens again.