Photo by Lito Flestado

I have always been intrigued by my friend, Shela's experience when she decided to move back to Philippines for good after living in Dubai for many years.  While most of our friends in the sandpit saw their future immigrating to western countries (I'm not saying there's something wrong with that), but Shela imagined herself coming home.

Shela enjoyed a comfortable life with her husband and daughter in Dubai. 

Like most expats in the Middle East, we all knew we had to leave at some point.  She quit her fabulous job in a luxury fashion brand in order to set up the business on her own, while her husband stayed behind in the UAE, as a back up plan.

We were still in Dubai then, when she took the leap.  This chapter of her life was not really a part of our social media conversations. Online chatting wasn't really an ideal medium to share what she went through during her first year in the Philippines.

An idea sparked recently to feature her which was initially driven by my curiosity.To be honest, I wondered if she ever did go through repatriation blues as I did.  Having read her side of the story while putting this blog post altogether, I wished I have read it before embarking on this journey.  So allow me to share with you my brief interview with Shela about her experience moving back home:

My youngest sister ecstatically gushes, "To date, this is the best waterfall I have ever seen in my life!" 

I paused and wondered for several seconds and yes, I found myself nodding as well, "Me too!"

I'm seizing this opportunity to appreciate the goodness that I discover in my home country. Here's a round up of 3 things that made me happy this week.

Where to Eat in Coron, Palawan? 

Coron is a destination where change is constant. I have witnessed the rapid pace of developments here throughout the years. More so, that I was intrigued when I saw this urban looking restaurant  undergoing construction during my visit in August 2017. A month later, Buzz Express opened its doors.

The inviting glass facade catches your attention right at the corner of Burgos Street and the National Highway. It sits right across the Legislative Building. One of the first (if not the first) air-conditioned cafes in town.  

It has been 2 years since I moved back to the Philippines for good. 

If I were to ask my 2015 self, I would have imagined that by now I am well acclimated to my life here. That I have embraced every flaw and idiosyncrasies of my beloved country with unconditional acceptance and unwavering tolerance.   

Yet, the last thing I wrote was a long paged account of bad customer service.  I decided not to publish it.

For the simple reason that I can't expect others to change for me,  nor blame things or people that are beyond my control.