Helluva Disney Ride Together: Mama and I

   Mama, my mother, prefigures in my life more than anyone I can think of. 
We are in a love-hate relationship thing, she and I being both under the sign of Scorpio -- an exciting combination of ego-complementing-ego-fighting in the household. Mostly the latter.  I terribly miss her lang siguro, she's in Tagaytay for yet another seminar I guess.  My mom is turning 59 this year and she's the most active and workaholic person I know.  A major chunk of her work at the Bureau of Alternative Learning System at Department of Education (DepEd) requires travelling, and more travelling.  She has been from the northernmost tip to the southernmost end of the Philippines, from Aparri to Tawi-tawi.  I am waiting for the day when she gets promoted as Chief of the department, a position she so rightfully-deserved for her more than 30 years of service. 

     Anyway, an epiphany about Mama happened of all places -- in Disneyland, Anaheim.  I was with my Mama and Papa, my first in Disneyland; and they, their second time.  The Mama I saw in Disneyland was different from what I saw at the house who's domineering, strong-willed, provider, and all the strong qualities I have of her.  In Disneyland, she was the trouper.  She and I easily bonded and rode the rides together, unwittingly leaving Papa on some rides.  The first ride we rode was "Grizzly River Run," the the lame circling, rising and falling motions, soaked-wet.  Piece of cake for me.    Our second ride (with Papa) was the favorite of Mama.  It's called "Soaring Over California."   You're waist-strapped on a board and you'll be soared over a moving screen of images.  The illusion was as if you feel you're flying so fast over a vast of images.  It's great though. 

     I was beginning to get sweaty palms because I know we would encounter gravity-defying rides after.  I have fear of heights. That meant facing that fear head-on sooner than expected.  But that vanished when Mama did want to take the rides again (where she took the rides 3 months ago), and with me.  In making the decision whether to ride or not, you don't even have time to tinker about it.  When your companion wants to, you are forced to join the fun, else you'll be left behind.  So, I "enthusiastically" joined her in that ONE, BIG Freefall Drop, where I felt my insides were turned over suddenly. 

     Moreover, I had to tackle yet another staple in theme parks -- the dreaded roller-coaster. I was never a fan of roller coaster.  I have only ridden three of those in my life, and they didn't have the loops. Anyways, here in Disneyland, they have "California Screaming," where part of the attraction was gliding the 360-degree loop around Mickey Mouse's large outline.  The picture below was the aftermath of the said ride, with Mama showing composure (for the camera? heheh) and me, exhilaration.  I should have really enjoyed it for I wanted to do it again but coudn't, were it not for the incredible queue. 

     Now, going on a loop was not even in my list of 100 things to do before I die, but thanks to Mama, I should add it in my list and checked it off right away.

    

     After all that's been said and done, I think we are going to mark this off as one of icing on the cake.  I feel that Mama and I are being thrown away against each other it seems, but we unbelievably keep on holding on to each other.  And enjoying the ride as well.                               

Originally written on March 27, 2008:  http://paraiggy.multiply.com/