The Prata Princess Flips!

Well....two universe-shaking events:

1. I've switched jobs.

2. I'm in lurrrrv!

I am definitely sharing about item no. 1, but not item no. 2, since it is:

1. a work-in-progress;

2. too close to my heart; and

3. something I am deathly scared to think about too much.

Suffice it to say that for the first time in my adult life, I have allowed myself to become emotionally attached to someone who did not first declare himself. It's a novel experience for me as I've always allowed myself to fall for someone only after honorable intentions had been declared. It is quite strange to be on the other side of the fence. So this is how guys feel when they are interested and don't quite know how the wind is blowing. But enough of that.....this is too important to jinx so shhhhh for now!

New job! Yup. I've finally decided to make the huge cross-over to in-house practice. I will be working for the Singapore subsidiary of an American group of companies. The next couple of months are going to be tough as I'll have to adjust to a whole different culture and different way of doing things. But, after my baptism of fire, I expect to have a better quality of life. Overall it's a much better package than what I currently have. Yet, this was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make. Previously, I was quite eager to leave my old jobs so it was a no-brainer to say yes. This time, I actually did not look for a job, but the job just came. It was hard because I had invested so much in my current job and I was very, very appreciated and valued. It was very difficult to keep saying that my mind was made up. It was made worse by the fact that it came as a total shock to everyone in my current office. Well, the dust has settled and everyone now seems to have accepted it. I don't think any bridges have been burned. But my headhunter (who recruited me for this job) is currently on my firm's hate list! But life is short and at the end of the day, it is my life. I cannot make decisions based on the expectations of others. I know some people got hurt by this decision but it's my life. The ones who count love me. As Papa put it, "Good, you'll meet more people and give me an apo!" Ahhh, that made me laugh out loud but also teary-eyed. Papa just wants me to be happy. Isn't it great to be loved so unconditionally by your parents? It's the best feeling in the world.

What was the clincher in helping me make this huge decision? I asked myself a very simple and concrete question: What was the happiest day of your life Prata Princess? A day so happy you'd live it over and over again. I scrolled through my life and realised it was not the day I graduated with honours from college or law school. It was not when I got my first job or the first time I discovered the birds and the bees. It was not even when I found out I got a scholarship to go to Singapore (that's in the top 5). My happiest day was when I fell in love again after losing faith in love. Cliche and very soap-opera-ish, but true. I am at my best in relationships. When I am in the present moment, whether it be with someone I am in a relationship with or with a friend, I am totally in that moment and with that person. Hence, I have to re-orient my life towards prioritizing people and making concrete decisions towards this goal of not just being available but actively making space in my life to create and nurture relationships.

This is also the reason why I am investing myself in this person (he he, couldn't resist going back to item no. 2). I am being an active participant and not just waiting. I have become (gah, I hate this term) pro-active.

Woohoo, so many changes this year: new house, new job, new guy. I have a funny feeling that everything that's happened to me before this was just a practice run for the main event. Three words: BRING IT ON!