Probinsyana (Girl in the Province)

I came home to breathe some fresh air, I took the leap of faith in the hopes that I would be able to find the serenity I so wish to have. Life in the city, I was always rushing for things to get done. Beating the deadliest deadlines while daydreaming I was somewhere else. Living the ambitions, dealing with every kind of people, meeting good and a few bad ones.

I did not come home to slow things down, I came home to run away from my misery. I wanted some new perspective and see where the misery is coming from. It was a change I could not believe we would be able to pull off. I thought I could not bear the slow boring life in the province, I’ve been here before and I did not like it. But for my daughter, I would do anything to be happy-she deserves happy parents.

Amazingly, all plans formed in my head after we settled in. There were times when my doubts overpower me, however it still manages to come around and it recharges me each time. There were few setbacks, I did not expect it to be uber easy. Life in here is just bare with lots of banana plants around of course!

We arrived here with just clothes and laptops. My daughter was so scared when we had our boat ride, the waves were just too big for such a cute boat (Starcraft is a small fast craft). I was too scared too, for her. When we got here, my family was happy, although they asked me for how long I can stay. They know that I don’t like to settle in a quiet place and be domesticated. My father is not really a family man, most of the time he is selfish but he listens, so making your point logical is very important. He married too early to develop wisdom in life. I believe that we pass a stage in everything and some stages we should not skip for they are vital to our understanding with how life works. But circumstances are just as unpredictable as earthquake, nevertheless, we try to compensate. My father is a very jolly person, always smiling with loads of humor. When I told him I wanted to move here for good, he said, give it a try.

The first thing I did was clean the entire house, my family is not really particular on that aspect since they are always busy with farming and the business. Then I applied for an internet connection, looked for an online job and then clean again. I do lots of cleaning and organizing everyday. Just last week, I tried gardening too. I used to have 5 pairs of shoes, slippers and sandals and wedges. Today, I gave away the excess. I only have 1 pair of slippers, a crocs shoes, pair of flat sandals and a rubber shoes for running. I don’t wash my hair everyday so I save more money on shampoos and conditioners. I planted my own spices, so whenever I cook I go outside and pick fresh ones! Malunggay leaves are free! Neighbors grow them! Whenever we want fresh buko juice, we hire someone to climb up the tree and get it for us, not the very pricey ones we used to buy in the stores or restaurants.

Life in here is not simple, it’s just less cost. It is less complicated because you do not scamper too much on money and pull your hair so you can pay your bills and credit cards. No malls, no waterholes, no fancy restaurants. We cook, we watch movies, we sing through a karaoke at home or at the neighbors, and it is just twice as fun! It’s just hard to give it up!

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