Metro Manila

“Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So love the people who treat you right, forget about the ones who don’t, and believe that everything happens for a reason. Know a good thing when you see it, and don’t let it slip away. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said it would be easy, they just said it would be worth it…”

These are the words that put me where I am today. Sitting in my cozy place… listening to relaxing music of bossa nova from Sitti… on a windy Thursday evening... with the scent of vanilla lurking around the room. I just got home (and it’s 11pm mind you) from Greenbelt… spent the evening with a friend from the Jaycees. On my way up the elevators, it made me realize how lucky I am.

As I look back, I think I did make the right choice. It has been 6 months since I moved to this fast paced life in Manila. I gave up my job in Baguio, left my family and closest friends… all to take another step in my life. I used to wake up in the morning, not wanting to go to work…trying to drag myself out of bed on a weekday morning, just because I had to. Merely thinking of another day at work made me want to throw up. I thought I was going to a state of depression… but the question was “which kind?”.

I thought to myself, what was it that I really wanted? Maybe I wanted to be more adventurous and explore more of what I am capable of doing. Or was I really just trying to escape from the stressed out life I was currently into? I was in a state of bliss for a while trying to find the answer. It was during this time that I received those words. It was an eye opener… maybe even an answer. And so I took that step forward.

I am now on to the end of my second term in graduate school. How time flies so quickly. Six pending exams waiting for me… one business case due in 2 weeks. Finals in less than 3 weeks… the third term is coming up. Four months into my new company and I think I am doing alright. I find myself enjoying my job. Just this evening, I was with two of the Jaycee members to plan for our Christmas party a week from today. My first ever project. I joined the organization just a little over two months ago and it has definitely added spice to my activities. In addition of course to spending time with the friends i have made here... Sometimes I wonder how I am able to divide my time with so many things to do. But when I sit down and think, it is not actually too bad. It keeps me busy and most importantly I am happy where I am now.

Sure I miss my family and friends in Baguio. How I miss the clean fresh air and driving through it in the morning. But where I am now was how I have always pictured myself. HE has blessed me in so many ways that I realize He has granted most of my “I wonder how it would be like to…” statements. Being the human, we are never really contented with what we have. The least we can do is be thankful for it. And I truly am. What is most exciting is discovering what is in store for me next.

It wasn’t easy… no… nobody did say it would be… but it was indeed all worth it.