keeping my sanity

When you live in the City that never sleeps, sometimes it also feels as if your mind can't sleep. I find myself constantly contemplating about things. Am I doing all that I can to progress? Do I really like my job? How can I improve my relationships? What else is out there for me? I think about the different areas in my life and what needs special attention.

But after all that mental exercise, I end up telling myself, "chill out. Things'll unfold and I'll know what to do." And then I relax, enjoy my surroundings and live my life. Until the next subway ride, the next movie or quiet moment which initializes this whole thinking cycle all over again. Some thoughts are depressing, some are insightful. But sometimes, I just want to relax and not let the daily grind get to me. Even if we're always bombarded by that constant list of to-do's, sometimes all we need is an outlet to feel that we're not too caught up with the rat race. We all need to let loose once in a while, and so here's me taking a break:

Gotta love this City. Gotta love these people! :) They keep me sane!

women

I have heard this from people who are currently not living in Manila but have, at some point, lived there. That, or they spent long summer vacations there, usually to get away from the province only to wonder why they left. They said "Manila girls are vicious." Hmm... I'm sure they do not pertain to all but I'm almost certain they were talking about the upper and upper middle class girls. The girls that went to exclusive schools and international schools. Some observers even went so far as to call Manila girls "showy." Now in this case I can't really say I have no idea what they're talking about. In fact, I myself have had bad experiences with the likes but as in all generalizations, you see it in some and the others have nothing to do with it. Superficiality, I think, is a product of the environment.

At this point I'd also like to confess that yes, I do acknowledge that certain trait which resembles "mean girls" within myself and within the circles I've come to know. But, I'd just like to say... take that, and take it a few notches up higher and you 've got New York women. If Manila girls are vicious, you have some ruthless New Yorkers to contend with here in the City. Heartless SOBs but then again, they don't think they can accomplish much in their careers without being that way. I've come to meet some "Manila" girls with that NY attitude. Geez, they really like the view from their high horses huh. Don't look at me, I'm not looking to steal your thunder. I might, however, offer you a fake smile and/or civil conversation. But I'm here to stay so let's keep the peace shall we. Gradually, I'd like to think these people will get a better grip of themselves and ease up... at least down the line. That, or you've got an old maid with tons of issues in the making.

In the midst of all this, I am just grateful that I have a handful of "nice" women surrounding me here. They're so grounded they seem like beautiful sunlight that prevails in a place where ominous clouds seem to linger. They've battled with their demons and have come out victorious and wiser. They give women a good name. They make men wish they could bring them home to mama. And with that, boy am I glad to be where I am. I sure could use more of that sunshine.