OK, the trip did comprise mostly of food, shopping, food, going out with friends, and food. However, the trip, just like any holiday where your brain is not pressured to perform at tiptop shape, gave my mind enough breathing space to make some realizations.
First up is: I've finally abandoned my considerations about taking an MBA, whether domestically or abroad. I really appreciated the fact that I was there (in Sing) purely and thoroughly due to my earning capacity. Granted, my folks still shoulder a chunk of my living expenses, i.e. electricity, water and gas. But at least I can honestly say I no longer rely on them to buy my own toiletries, to buy my little indulgences and to support my basic needs of food, clothing and leisure. I'd terribly miss earning my own money and every little measure of independence that goes along with it, should I decide to resign and go study again.
Don't get me wrong though. I am 100% thankful for all my blessings, including and probably the biggest of which is my parents and their ingrained generosity to support anything character-enhancing. They'd support my MBA plans in a flash should I bring up the topic. However, I realized that, not only do I feel I don't need it, I'd actually be happier carrying on with the career I've started... and hopefully excelling in it.
Next up: I actually fell in love with Singapore all over again during this trip. Sure, I visited Singapore again last year for work, but this time was different because I was there on vacation and I had 5 whole days of reacquainting myself with the country I spent a year in when I was 10. I remembered all the reasons why I loved Singapore, and I realized I really wouldn't mind living there in the future. Granted, the details are still a little fussy for me (including how Attorney can move to Sing and resume his law career there) but it's comforting to know that I have another option should Manila start being claustrophobic for me or should I bump onto a glass ceiling in my job here. It's nice to feel that I have a plan B-- a nicer, cleaner, more law-abiding Plan B. A place where the system works and where the laws actually make society better and where life is free of the complications of politics, illiteracy and poverty. It's not a perfect place, I know, but it sure is an easier home to live in. Plus, it doesn't hurt that Singapore is probably the only first-world country with as single-digit income tax rate (only 9%!!!) and a country where the government actually pays you to have children and to let them be educated.
One of the reasons why I've never considered going abroad for work is because of my family and of Dennis. I'm very much a family person and my love for Attorney is definitely no real secret. That's where the beauty of Singapore's location comes into play. Not only is it a stone's throw away from Manila, there are so many budget airlines now offering super low fares and there are so many international call/text rates (regretfully offered by our competition) to enable you to stay connected with Manila. :-) It's really a global village we have! (I said this also in Singapore and I sounded just as loony as I do saying it here now. Hahahaha!)
Anyway, it's nice to be back. It's nice to get treated to a foot massage by my darling beau and it's nice to have dinner with my family again. Truly missed them all, even if I was only gone for 5 days :-)
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