Manilaaaaaaahhhh

It is 6am Manila time on the 27th of December, and jetlag is obviously still taking a toll on me. The flight back to home was an ordeal - as always - but David keeping me company on board was more than enough to forget the long traveling.

I could not be thankful enough to spend (another) Christmas in my home country. It has brought meaning to me than ever before. It has just been two days but I feel like I have been here for weeks.

We have special guests from the US, Canada and Japan which makes it all extra different. For the first time, David and his brother Sam, spent Christmas with us. This made their parents back in the US a little more sentimental, but it turned out okay. Our very good 98 year-old friend from Canada, Bill, flew to Manila like he lives just right next door. This guy is an inspiration to my Lolo (and to us) because despite his old age, he still has the energy of a person in his 50's? My cousin TJ is here as well.

As mentioned awhileago, it feels like it's been a long time that I have been here. Life has turned full-circle for me just upon arriving at the airport. Not only because the feeling of being "home" has taken over, but also my life and lifestyle here (in general) is what I missed the most back in New York.

I have a car to drive here, and as much parking as I want in the city. I have breakfast, lunch and dinner (buffet-style) prepared for me everyday. I can afford to eat in restaurants with sommeliers and maitre d's. It is sleeveless-and-skirt weather, and clothing here is very affordable. My bed is made for me, as well as my laundry. I speak my English the Pinoy way and can speak Tagalog anytime - and people will understand me. My friends who knew me since I was a kid are all here. Most of all, the whole of my family is here, and I do not go home to a quiet, empty house.

Manila is so "relaxing" that you can call it Manilaaaaaaahhh.

Although life here is very comfortable and very tempting to just succumb to, I still would not trade living the opposite kind of life in New York (or elsewhere) while I am still single. I was just telling my friends last night that one thing that you can never get just by living at home (or with your parents for that matter) is personal character to its highest level. And it's true. Remember the laundry, study or blog dilemma?

In the meantime, while I am here, I will not go frugal on the lovely perks I could not afford abroad. I will actually be spending today in a spaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh... ;-)