Growing Up

The only thing constant in life is change. I've been reminded so often of this proverb and have proven it for myself so many times. At this very point in my life so many changes are happening all at the same time, like the universe is deliberately telling me to grow up.

First, graduation and the slew of new that comes with it. Now that I'm out of school I'm looking for a job, while slowly learning to be more independent, just as I have to. Although I know I have a great support system backing me up while I start this whole "new chapter of my life" I feel and I know that what happens next and where I'll be in 5 years is entirely up to me. And I plan to make it good. Earlier this week I was thinking about possible work opportunities and trying to see where I think I fit best. Then I realized what would be best is if I kept my options open and considered all opportunities. I believe things have a way of working out and falling into place in the end after all. That's optimistic, idealistic me for ya haha! Pretty soon, when I find and land that job I'll be managing my own time and resources. With graduation as well comes the reality of not being able to see your friends as often as you used to. Some friends leave the country and some move out of their old dorms or condominiums where we used to hangout at a lot. It's all very sentimental.    

    

Next, my sister's recent marriage was the first in our immediate family, and now a baby--who would be my parents' first grandchild and me and my brother's first niece or nephew--is on the way! There hasn't been a baby in the family for a very long time, so all of this is really pretty special and, for lack of a better word, "life changing" for all of us. To add to that, now that my sister is starting her new life as well, I'm taking full responsibility of being the adult daughter after her who helps the parents. And as I've mentioned in my previous post, I'm in charge of organizing their Manila wedding next year. I'm so excited to see them all and meet my new baby niece or nephew! 

Third, since my grandmother passed away almost 2 years ago, their house has been too big for my grandfather and uncle. They've been looking for a new place this past couple of years and they've found one just recently which they will be moving into early next month. It's sad because their house is, not quite an ancestral home but it's where my mom and her siblings grew up, and so did we! We used to have parties there at Christmas and go into the big pantry to get ice candy whenever we'd visit our grandparents. The house has been ours for so long, so many things happened and so many memories made in it, it's just not easy at all to give it to someone else. But it's better than leaving the house unmaintained or something like it. If only it was easier for my mom or her siblings or us grandchildren to take the responsibility of managing and keeping the house. We'd do it in a heartbeat! We can't be the young children who go to their house to get candy, play and get gifts from Santa at Christmas anymore. Now we'll be the mature young adults who go to check on our grandfather and uncle. It's our turn to give them gifts (and candy haha). 

Truth be told, I'm actually pretty excited about all this. Or I think anxious is a better word for it. It's all very sentimental and I can't help but get emotional sometimes when I think about it. But we'll move on and settle into everything eventually.

x Nikki