Guess what? Not all dreams do come true!
—2019 and the memory still feel like it was yesterday. The first time I traveled overseas was with my best friends from Cebu, it was just random talks, and the next thing we knew we were already in Bangkok hopping from one bar to another and walking for hours trying to figure our way in the city. And, it was also the beginning of my journey toward living a life as an ex-pat.
One thing I know for sure and the feeling hasn’t changed is that I wanted to find that place where I can finally say “this is it” - now, I’m trying to recall my track and answer the question, is it home that I’m looking for or I’m just trying to escape from my reality. Either way, I know for a fact that I don’t regret every single step I take with me on this journey. I must go on until I can finally say “I’m made it!”
The first country I traveled to alone was Singapore. It took me a lot of courage and risk to make the decision of leaving Cebu City. I have been applying for jobs bound for Singapore for a month or 2 until I finally got a call. The company I applied for mostly was in the fashion industry, particularly in retail. I remember that when I was in college I never dreamt of working in any industry other than fashion retail. You might probably be thinking why? To be honest I just love the idea of connecting with customers and giving fashion advice to them.
Fast forward, I was in Singapore exploring the beautiful and vibrant city with my 2 favorite cousins. It was amazing and overwhelming. On my first day, I was already picturing myself working in one of those luxury brand outlets in Marina Bay.
After a couple of days, my agency called me and asked me to come to the store to discuss the job. The feeling was over the top and when I arrived there, it felt like how I imagined it, the luxury items, the smell of expensive garments and perfumes, and the people were just too fancy and classy. I feel like the kid inside me was just on cloud 9, until the agent I was working with told me that the post was moved to Hongkong and they have to move me there but at my own expense and they will refund it after 3 months. I was distraught and shocked, I have spent so much for this already and everything changed.
Guess what? Not all dreams do come true! Hahahaha! I was broke, I can’t afford the plane ticket to Hongkong, pay for a hotel or house, and I don’t know anyone there. I mean it was my first time trying my luck abroad and I was not ready for other rushed decisions. I was just lucky enough that I had my cousins with me in Singapore.
So I ended up staying for almost a month in a hostel, exploring the city, meeting new awesome people which whom I am still friends now, and once my visa was almost expired I moved to Malaysia and lived with my mom for 2 days. And, that’s where it all started.
You see, it doesn’t mean your dreams didn’t come true, it will be the end of everything. Absolutely not! It means that there is still something big awaits for you out there, you just have to be brave enough to take the step and summon all your courage to take that risk, that mistake, and learn from all of it.
The world is your beacon. Don’t settle for one rejection or abrupt change. You make sure you control your narrative, it’s your life and the only thing that you need to do is to keep in mind that no matter what happens, you always need to GOT YOU! Because no one is gonna save you BUT YOU!
So good luck, Good riddance and God bless you!
See you somewhere, May our path cross someday.
