One of the best places in the world is TIMEZONE. Young or old will end up smiling after they visited here. You will see a dad being dragged by a pre-schooler to try the Stomp a Spider game. There is a mother who enjoys more than her 3-year-old daughter in hitting the crocodiles' head. Groups of "cool" teenagers also come to compete with each other in Daytona, Mini-basketball, Air hockey and so forth.
Let me give you a back story why Timezone will be my forever love.
Since I was a kiddo, I dream of maintaining my bubbly and quirky personality even if I have grey hairs. I often tell my mom that I will still enjoy the playground with my grandchildren and wear fashionable clothes even at the age of 60. My mom who was born at "Maria Clara's time" totally opposed with my plan. She said that playing is only suitable for kids and adults should let go of that childish behaviour. I insisted that I am not childish, I am child-like. That I am mature with my age but I don't want to lose my enthusiasm like a child. *giving explanation with hand gestures and distended jugular veins* My mom always scolded me for not acting like a demure woman. Whaaaatttt???? *eyebrows meeting together with pouting lips* Well, I always rationalise that our age gap (28 years) probably contributed to our disagreements at times. She tried very hard, like VERY hard, of making me lady-like but I guess she was a bit disappointed. I may not be very feminine like she dreamt of but definitely my mom was successful to make sure that I act appropriately when the situation calls for it.
My mom will tell her friends that I am very stubborn but surprisingly I make good results out of my decisions. One of her friends said, "Your daughter knows what she wants and she knows how to work hard for it." Since then, my mom changed her ways of dealing with me. I guess she thought it is hopeless to impose something on me that I will definitely disobey. *hand fist with a big YES*
I noticed that when I'm angry and depressed, I indulge on my favourite games e.g. puzzles, hangman, pacman, fishing, and my all-time favourite doll house. I find it difficult to express verbally to a person what's on my mind. That's why when I was in Uni and even when I was already working, if I have a bad day, I spend few hours in Timezone by myself. I will play most of the games but the highlight is BOXING. I let go all of my negative feelings to a punching bag then a big sigh for relief. This has been my coping for 6 years since I don't verbally express my feelings.
Because of the immense joy I experienced in Timezone, I eventually shared it to my younger bro. Then without knowing it, my father came into the picture and later on we were able to convince my mother. Timezone has become a family place for us in which we enjoy competitive games (though we cheat at times just to win..haha!).
my parents took Daytona so seriously --- check their faces...LOL
My baby getting ready for the game
My rockstar
Top: Left (mine) Right (my baby)
Bottom: Left (my baby) Right (mine)
He was surprised that I can play basketball well. I said I want to give it a try then when the results came out, he was in big awe....hahaha
To everyone, to experience new things with your loved ones is worth it. You will always have a beautiful event to reminisce down the memory lane. It is not just the experience but the quality time you spent together. I am fortunate that my mom instilled the value of time on me. I will forever hold it in my heart and pass it to my future children.
~*~manelle~*~
