T-square

It was a very hot day. Picture me as a young college freshman with a pair of attentive ears. I was excited for my first Engineering Drawing class in college. It was also my last subject for the day. Laboratory classes are only held once a week, however, you need to finish the exercise in 3 hours. I was confident that I can pass the subject. Drafting was my favorite in high school and my grades in all my "plates" were all A. I knew that I can do well in this area compared to Advanced Trigonometry. Architecture was one of my top course choice but because of the persistence of my mom, he convinced me to take Computer Engineering. She foresaw that IT or something about computers is the next big thing. Being the undecided youngster, I followed her advise. 

My professor in Drawing was a small lady with glasses and a manly penmanship. I told myself that I write the same way as her. Again, I'd like to boast that skill. I absolutely don't need a ruler in writing my name. Technical lettering is my forte. I got agitated when she wrote down all the things required to make an engineering plate.

> T-square

> University customized Engineering paper

> Graphing Paper

> B, HB and F pencils.

> eraser

> French Curve

> ruler

> compass

> engineering storage tubes

> rags

The professor dismissed us earlier than expected and when I went home, I immediately told my mom about it and without hesitation, she agreed to buy all those stuff for next week's class.

Six days have passed with tons of Algebra, Trigo and Chemistry assignments. I was a very busy and still a serious freshman trying to solve it all on my own. I also wanna mention my travel time from Cavite to Manila. Riding an FX was very painful. The traffic is horrendous. After one hell of a day, I went home seeing all my things already bought by Mom, except the T-Square. The day after that is going to be my first plate day and I don't have the T-square. I actually didn't know if that would affect my exercise but I had the thought that maybe, since it was the first plate, my professor would be lenient. I slept and went to school without any worries. 

The lady drafter has explained the plate which was an inscribed hexagon showing all the auxiliary views. I thought it was easy but I was wrong. Not without the comfort of the T-square. To summarize my agony, I got a grade of 75. There were too many overlapping lines on my plate and lots of erasures as well. I was disheartened, that's how grade concious I was. On my way home, I saw my mom and we were on the same jeepney. I was stubborn enough to not give her any words but a disappointing face all througout the ride. Then when we got home, I told her what happened and we had an argument over the T-square. I just didn't get why she will make a promise but was not able to keep it.  I have told her hurtful words and I didn't talk to her until the next day. Just because of the T-square.

I regretted it after a while.

Especially that those moments were her last few days with us, in the Philippines. Two weeks after, she flew to Iceland for work and make a living for us, for her children.  I was the only one left in the house, crying for 3 long hours when everybody wistfully bid goodbye to you at the airport. It took us 5 years before we saw each other again, and another 6 long years of seeing you only every other Christmas.

I fulfilled my promise that I will finish my course and never flunked a single subject. Because of my mom's persistence and hard work, me and my siblings are fully equipped now to stand on our own and buy not only one but dozens of T-square for your grandchildren if they take Engineering. =)

Thanks to you mom! You've done a stupendous job! I will save a lot so that when the time comes that you'll need someone who will take care of you, I will quit my job and give you all my time. That's how I love and honour you. I understand now why you can't say NO to us. Everything was all about us. I am happy that now, you worry less about me, my brother and 2 sisters and finally can take all the time for yourself. I will treat you to spa when I get home for your birthday! I love you!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO YOU MAMA!