Previously...

Still in the business of what has happened between 2005 and 2007...

Even before 2005 my parents and one of my sisters have already relocated to the United States. My parents have settled in Texas while my sister was situated in California, where our other relatives were. Only my youngest sister and I were left fending for ourselves here in Manila. That changed just this month. My sister decided to try her luck in Singapore.

During the time we were living under one roof, my sister and I were struggling with how to relate to each other. I was living a life of contradictions - serving God and struggling with my sexuality (We'll discuss this at a later time). My sister, I felt, was obviously against my lifestyle. She would continually report to my mother what she felt was happening or suspected was happening. Towards the end, which was around this time last year, she changed how she dealt with me and was not just civil but accepting. I felt, at that time, we were really brother and sister. By the time that we transferred from Cubao to Pasig, I was enjoying my time with her.

Now, she has moved to Singapore. Just a week ago. Now, all three of us siblings live in three separate countries. One in the United States, one in Singapore and me, in the Philippines. She a short vacation to Singapore earlier this year which solidified her decision to try her luck in that country. Prior to that trip, when our other sister was working there, we had visited Singapore as a family. That was back in 1999.

I had expected Singapore to be a little cooler but felt that it was slightly hotter compared to Manila. What I like most from the experience was the buses. They follow a specific schedule. What a great improvement from what Manila has to offer. The food they had to offer was varied as Indian and Chinese food were aplenty. Tourist spots were OK though a little limited since Singapore, to me, seemed to be just the size of the City of Manila. One could tour it probably in a day. But even so, it was more progressive than the Philippines altogether. City planning of this nation is the best as one can distinguish the business district from the residential area. There are quite a number of Filipinos who work there and they usually converge on weekends in the vicinity of Lucky Plaza. They say that this country has very strict laws but from what I observed during my brief stay there, the country had order and the people have disciplined. If only Filipinos were as disciplined in their native country as they are when living on another.

I got a little sidetracked. I strated describing my family situation and ended up talking about Singapore. Going back...

I miss my family. My parents. My sisters. It's different when you are living independently, meaning one has moved out from the family nest compared to living alone. With me here and they located all around the globe, I get sentimental when I think of any one of them. I miss them so much.

That's it for now...

Til next time.