I’ve heard this a gazillion times
already --- “to travel is better than to
arrive.”
My competitiveness, passion,
ambition and zest for life almost always leave me craving for so much more. I have to constantly remind myself that there
are so many reasons why I should be grateful.
Rightly or wrongly, I’m always restless,
wanting to hop on to the next bus or train that will lead me to my next pitstop.
I always look forward to what is beyond my current spot, forgetting that where I
am now is something that I should be reveling in and celebrating.
What is so bad about how I live
my life right now? If I start counting my blessings, I would
sound like a childish brat for ranting too much.
One – I am living a spoiled expat life in Jakarta, with two maids,
a driver and car. I live in a 2-bedroom apartment, which for someone living
alone, is more than enough.
Two – I did get what I wanted. I declared…nay, demanded to the
Universe that I wanted an expat post in another telco. Yes, I work extremely
long hours, I work on Sunday mornings by default, my promotion has been delayed
for several months already and I have been a casualty of X number of reorgs
that actually contributed to the stifling of my career path. But I have a great
team – all new and young bloods – that I truly care for, I get along with my
boss and the regional opportunities for me are in full bloom.
I just really need to suck it up
--- for all the things that suck. Looking at the bigger picture, though, it is
not a catastrophe.
Three - I have a supportive, loving, caring, funny and very earnest
boyfriend. It has not been all roses for us. No, we are not a normal couple – our highs and
lows – are unwillingly extreme. At the same time, we have come a long way and
we have a solid history and friendship that we always fall back on during tough
times. The Boss is not perfect, but he is trying. I’m not perfect, but to him,
I am.
Four – Despite my sometimes seemingly gargantuan financial
responsibilities back home, I am blessed with a strong capability to earn my
keep. I’ve got multiple investment funds and although the dollar has been
significantly devalued, I get by. I can still afford my little luxuries, I have
an enviable collection of bags and watches, I can afford my Sunday brunches and
fancy dinners with my ladies without scooping out coins and bills under my
couch or in my bags.
Five – The most infallible testimony to what great life I have ---
is a collection that I will not trade for anything. My friends. True, loyal and great friends that I acquired
and kept through all these years. Jakarta, in the most aggrandizing moments, is
survivable because of my girlfriends from here. When I come back to Manila, I come
home to the comforts of my inner circle, my besties, my college friends, my
Globe family, my adopted daughter and my own family. One of the greatest
successes that I’m very proud of is keeping the right friends, choosing the
good apples and staying with them.
With these top 5, I really have
no right to complain. If I rant any further, I feel that the Universe will
strike me with lightning. Any moment now.
Life is not perfect. But it’s
always good.
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