Confessions of a baddict*

October 31, 2006 in Personals, Uncategorized

I recently learned to play badminton. And I can’t stop myself from playing since. Three months ago, I enrolled in UP’s community sports program, quite reluctantly though, because it entailed waking up early on a Saturday. But my good friends Noemi and Madel prodded me to join. And so I did. After all, I needed the exercise and shedding off a few pounds is not bad, too.

I never knew I’ll like it this much to the point that I think I’m addicted to it. I toured nearby courts from work– Toss and Play, Feathers and String, and The Zone– Tuesday nights with friends from the media and senators’ staff. No matter how tiring the day had been, I have energy on reserve just for game sets.

Thinking of it now, I realize that badminton has assumed a bigger role in my life. It’s not only the chance to sweat it out and to make new friends, it’s the time away from everything that I am most grateful for while playing this sport. It’s a break from the demands of my work, a time off from the repetitive role as wife and mom, and a needed respite from the daily habit of entertaining what ifs in my life.

Badminton is my natural upper. An endorphin-inducing activity that changed almost every aspect of my life: schedule (“Di ako pwede ng Tuesday and Saturday,”); budget (“Sa bonus, bibili ako ng gym shoes,”); alcohol intake (“I can’t have hang-over, have an early game tomorrow,”); motherhood (“Mommy, aalis ka na naman?”); sleep (Natutulog ka pa ba?); food intake (“Sayang ipinawis ko kung ikakain ko lang ng kanin,”); shopping (“Saglit lang ako sa Toby’s ha,”); and relationship (“Tigilan mo na ‘yan,”).

*Baddict: a fusion of the words badminton and addict