I go about with different shoes on. I've had quite a few pairs. Some became my favorite, others outlasted the rest and the unfortunate few were only used once. I learned a handful of things from my shoes too. Unlikely but I did nevertheless.
Like my comfy rubber soled strap-ons, I learned that the best things aren't always good, or nice or expensive. It looks darn ugly and my Aunt would always ask me to change into something "better" but my feet were awfully comfortable on it. It doesn't look nice but I don't mind trodding through mud or getting it wet. And best of all, its cheap. A real palengke find. It lasted me a good year or two and I was more than sad when it finally gave up on me. My feet would never feel that kind of freedom again in a long, long while. I was 12 years old.
Next came my white sneakers. When everyone has at least a pair of comfy Trets, I've my trusty Giordano Sneakers that my Aunt bought me from HK. With my off-white sneakers I learned just how wonderful and scary it is to be different. There was a sea of white shoes around me and I was left alone, off-white, with a different brand name. I didn't care much though, I'm different. How many people around my area has a pair similar to mine? No one. It was just me and it felt great. Being different ain't that bad, it could be challenging but it's hell more fun than being "in" and indistinguishable. I was 14 years old.
Of course everyone has had their trusty old black leather shoes for school. Low cut, plain black, no heels, no buckles, no strings, paired with white socks. And even when you're all asked to wear the same black shoes, each person's personality would just shine through. I never imagined there could be ten thousand different styles to choose from. There I learned how to set myself apart. And I struggled hard. You see, the black leather shoes taught me that sometimes, even when we have the best intentions at heart we are bound by a set of rules and that set of rules should be followed no matter what. So even when I was itching to get something with heels, I have to let the thought go and go flat. For as long as I'm in there, I gotta follow the rules. And rules ain't that bad really, once you've accepted 'em. I was 16 years old.
I entered college and I developed a short liking to running shoes. Like a typical girl who came from an all girls high school I pounced at the first male "thing" that I could find. A pair of Nike became my constant companion as I slowly crept out of my childhood nest. Ready to flee at any sign of danger. Not only was it very useful for running but it's very useful as well in getting guys' attention. "Cool shoes Hanne!" They'd chorus, like kids who first saw their Christmas presents stacked under the tree. Cool shoes did not last though, I was getting older by the day and a lot smarter by the minute, no need to run anymore after that. I was 17 years old.
For the first time I encountered the sleeky appeal of high heeled shoes as a debutante. It was silver with lotsa straps, 2 inch heels and all lady-like. I danced throughout the night, feeling all grown-up. I ran around with it even after 3 changes of clothes, from my cocktail dress, to my ballgown to my casual skirt and blouse. The morning after though, I did not only wake up with a very bad tequila induced headache but sore legs and painful feet. I've outgrown my childhood worries and now faces a new set of pain. I now know what planning ahead means and understands how important it is to think of tomorrow. I also learned that you should break into your shoes before any special occassion to prevent skin breakouts on your ankles and the likes. I also, for the first time, felt just how wonderful it must be to be like Cinderella, it would only last til midnight, but I'd take midnight any day than have nothing at all. I was 18 years old.
With such a change in outlook and perception, I started to feel the rush of freedom that commonly accompanies such a phase. When I learned how to drive I rediscovered the convenience of slip-ons.This time though I had to put some class into the entire thing. Hello to my old trusty Birks! Every morning all I had to do is slip it on whether I be wearing shorts, skirts or pants, it just had to be my Birks on my darn large feet. I became comfortable with what I have and who I am. I'm a free spirit who cares about nothing else but having clean old fun with friends. Whether we're heading to the mall or eating out or having an overnight party at a friend's place. Life at that time was a party. I was at a point when things kept on changing and I kept on screwing my chances. It was a hell of a party! Then I learned that I have to be always ready, that plans don't always come along and people don't always turn out the way they made you to think they'd be. Open up yourself and you're bound to get hurt at one point. I took my chances with my decisions and with my shoes, open they are, and ouch! I hit my toes on everything once too many often. Toes bleeding, nails hanging, skin being scraped along the way, but I sticked my head out anyways. My slip-ons and my Birks were with me at all times. I was 19 years old.
Things started to change a few years after. I learned that somehow I have to do something about my naivety. I can not run around unprotected, people are bound to run by me and I might be left bleeding. My toes can only take as much. I was determined to win the battle and so I bought my leather boots. I was ready for battle, I was ready for a new fight. And so I walked the streets of UP and Makati closeted in my battlegear, step on me and I'd kick your sorry ass. Well, not really, but it sure felt like it. I was 21 years old.
Now, I'm 24 years old. I've had my fair share of footwear as you can see. I was also able to try flip-flops, wedge sandals, bowling shoes and funky slippers. I've tons of shoes lying around but I've my stilettos most of the time. I now know that sometimes, I just gotta be the better man (in my case, the better woman) in everything that I do. I should rise above the occassion, and be the occassion if neccessary. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em they say, and join 'em I do. I've learned that in order to succeed you'd have to have the right and perfect fit. Of course that ain't always possible and yes you'd still end up with blisters on your feet, but that shouldn't restrict you from flinging off your heels and changing onto your flip flops either.
In life, we should all learn to adapt. Stilettos at night, high and spiky. Untouchouble and almost surreal. Running shoes early in the morning, ready for the action, worried about nothing. Flip-flops in the afternoon, comfy and funky. Reliable and affordable. Anything goes.
Think about it, you can be anyone you want to be. Nothing's gonna keep you from getting what you want and no one's gonna tell otherwise if you've got the right shoes on.
