Bookmarks and my old Science project

Early this week I’ve got a mail from General Santos. It’s from Sheng, my first ever creative swap partner. She sent me a thank you card for the goodies I sent her last month. To my delight, enclosed are three pretty customized bookmarks. That meant replacing the bookmark I got from the Picasso Exhibit. These self-made bookmarks are priceless. And that leaf-like one is my favorite (at the middle).

I instantly liked the leaf-like marker because it reminded me of high school days. In particular, my Science project when I was still a freshman. I was assigned to get the skeleton of alibangbang leaves (scientific name: Bauhinicia tomentosa) and make a preserved butterfly replica in a frame. It was such a pain. Primarily because it’s rare to find those leaves. That was actually the first time I heard of alibangbang leaves.

Thanks to my new found friends in my first year in high school.  They tried to scout with me and even asked our folks to research through their connections by consanguinity and affinity. We biked to the remote area in another town. We found the sole alibangbang tree almost near an old river. I put the leaves in my old big books and waited till these were clearly decomposed. True enough, the skeleton looked like a butterfly. I had to put some color in it (the same shade that Sheng had in the bookmark) and framed it. I never thought receiving these bookmarks could bring a lot of memories, including my horrible scientific names test. (That’s another story.)

Sheng, I know you’re still in your well-deserved break in Boracay. I just want to thank you for taking time to do and send all these. Anything self-made will surely melt anyone’s heart.

(Photo source, alibangbang)