Memoir

Asuncion Ma. Azcuna

Could Marj and I have known each other for thirty-five years? Our friendship has covered many happy exchanges, working on difficult decisions, insightful thoughts, creative ideas, and always a deep love and concern for each other.

Marj and I met in Taiwan as participants in a cultural exchange program focusing on Chinese culture and the Mandarin language. We spent about three weeks studying elementary Mandarin and immersion in Chinese music, dance, plays, and Chinese cuisine. We walked mountain routes on our visit to Sun Moon Lake and meditated at a Buddhist temple in Kaoshiung.

Marj and I bonded quickly and flawlessly from our first day. To this day, I treasure our friendship dearly.

Marj and I are opposites. Marj is petite, and I am large-boned. She is Visayan and I am Tagalog. She has exquisite handwriting and wraps all her gifts in beautiful paper and ribbon. My gifts have basic shapes and forms. I do like surprising Marj with interesting gifts now and then. She has shared poems with me on many occasions! Marj is gentle (though she can get riled up!) I tend to be more direct. We are both feminists and unabashed lovers of good food! Marj has taught me a more profound knowledge and understanding of Visayan culture. She is an insightful teacher who has led me to explore other methods to apply in the classroom. I love to hide a poem or card from Marj randomly in other books or boxes, which pop up as a discovery and the delight of a hidden gem. I have been privileged to hear her out as she would think out her thought process for her writings. She has pushed me to write my experiences and stories, but I still have to sit down. I have met her wonderful friends who have opened up their circle to include me. Marj sat down and worked with me when I had writer’s block as I worked on my master’s thesis. Happily, I completed writing it and obtained a distinction for it.

Dearest Marj, thank you for the joy of our friendship, for discoveries and plans eternal, for good meals thoroughly enjoyed, for tears shed, and for many lessons taught, learned, and shared.

Happy, happy birthday, Corazoncito!