So, its my first year anniversary here in Cambodia.
It seemed like it was only yesterday when I was packing my things, trying to control my "not-100%-want-to-leave" emotions of completely uprooting myself from the best city on earth.
And surprise, surprise! Just like that, I've been away from home for one year already.
Hmmm....what can I say? 12 months went by so fast but a LOT happened.
Again, starting here surprised me. I adapted and adjusted quite easily. Maybe because there were a lot of fun pinoys working in the agency. But still. I would find myself walking around the riverside, checking the city and yes, sometimes thinking about the things and people I left back in Manila.
Work at that agency started well. I've gotten close to so many people from different races. I've gotten close even with our CFO, Graeme, who's British. Not a day in my life that I would think I could get close to someone in the finance department. But it was fun while it lasted.
Spending Christmas and New Year outside the country without your family and friends, I must admit was a bit sad experience for me. Those who'd been here for years told me that its really hard in the first year, but then I will get used to it eventually. I don't want to get used to it. My family called and I just kept on crying. Every New Year, my friends and I would go out and party until the sun's up and have breakfast at Old Swiss Inn. That was a tradition and I wasn't in that tradition last year. So, I hated the thought. I"ll make sure I'll go home for the holidays this year.
Then, suddenly, about 6 months after, everything went spiraling down at work. A complete turn-around. Everything was not going my way and it made me so miserable. And this misery haunted me every night that sleep was not possible anymore unless its chemical-induced. So, I resigned.
I gave myself one month to stay here and check out the city more before I completely go back home to Manila. I was already checking flights back home. I was already calling my previous bosses that I'm going home and would like to know if there's an opening. At that time, I really don't even want to work right away if I went home to Manila. The work took so much energy from me that I thought I needed a long break. I just wanted to be with my family beside me. I wanted my friends, my chums. Those were the trying times. I mean, I was really, really down and miserable.
But for some weird cosmic reason, the universe wanted me to stay here still. Another advertising agency got me to work for them. People are nice. My boss is a Pinoy and he's very, very nice, smart & funny also. And the office is really uhhmmm.... very corporate? Because the previous office is just this big 3-floored house.
I've met new friends not only Pinoys but also those from different countries. First, from my previous agency, which was called the Pinoy Mafia. Then, the network expanded to friends of friends of friends. I'm very thankful for that because they were such a great support system and most importantly, fun. I'd like to think that I brought fun as well into their lives. Hee.
Pinoy's here love to party like there's no tom. So, party I did and still doing. I guess you could say that my social life here is in good standing.
And then, love came. Or so I thought. I've already said it was complicated and I'm at a stage where I'm trying my best to bring back everything to normal. And this is what I am going through right now and it is the hardest. But, you know, I've learned a life lesson here being not an expert in that arena and someday, love will find me.
So, my status? Steady. I guess that's the word. Let's keep it that way first. Sometimes exciting, sometimes boring. Sometimes angry mode and sometimes weirdly jolly.
Over-all, I'm just grateful to all the blessings. Cambodia, in this past year, has given me a lot, has tested me and has rewarded me at the same time. I cannot complain.
And with that, thank you Cambodia for being both hard and nice to me. I know myself more now.
Now, I wonder if I'll stay here for another year or two. Let's see. Let's see.
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