Why do you like where you currently live?

Growing up in such a laid back province/city is far different than my ever fast-paced environment right now. But truth of the matter is that I like the fast-paced life better and just retreat to the silence and nonchalance of the former once in a blue moon. My mom would always question me why I like it here amidst the hustle and bustle and the seemingly never ending and grueling traffic and throngs of strangers all around me. I always tell here, this is where I belong. And she would just then shrug her shoulders and let out a sigh. And when she remembers her reservations and when she wears her cloak of protectiveness, there she goes again, another question which I have a consistent answer. And she still looks surprised each time.

Makati has been my second home after college. It has been and I guess it will be for the next couple of months or even years so to speak. And Makati has been “kind” to me unlike the cruelty of Cebu. (sigh) I can only imagine what I’ve been through. And oh just last night, a certain someone sent me an IM and guess what I remembered everything that happened to me, I remembered how I’ve been hostaged by love. Totally! And then Makati has rescued me over and over again. How can I be so affiliated and attached to a place? How can it have so much influence in me? How can a city make you feel so welcome and cozy? Somehow, I am surprised with the answers I have unraveled to myself.

So what exactly do I like about Makati?

a. Greenbelt 3

b. Sureseats in Greenbelt 3 cinema

c. The shawarma kiosk in MRT Ayala

d. Bluemountains Spa

e. Powerplant Mall

f. Starbucks anywhere (everywhere)

g. Rustans Supermarket

h. My place in my apartment (my piece of heaven on earth)

i. ATM machines anywhere (everywhere)

j. Embassy Super Club

k. Restaurants with Mediterranean cuisine

l. Market Market

m. Weekend market in Salcedo Village

n. VCF family

And then my list goes on and on

Living independently, away from people I grew up with is fun but sometimes it gets the best of me. I get lonely. I get homesick. I miss my folks and the towering buildings and the city fumes of Makati come rushing to comfort me. Ever ready. I find refuge in disappearing in the middle of a sea of strangers. I find solace in the honking of buses and jeepneys and cars in every busy street. I find peace in knowing that after a hard night’s work (I work the graveyard shift), my queen size bed is at home waiting for me to roll over and sleep. I find contentment in living my life the way I want it to be. I find courage in dealing with ambiguity.

Makati I love!