the "american dream"

an old friend once asked me why i chose to get married so soon after years of waiting for the so-called "american dream" of every filipino physical therapist. i understand that i could have waited, that i could have enjoyed my freedom a little longer and i could have enjoyed my own $$$ better. i could have travelled to more places and shopped more often.

tawagin nyo na akong tanga. i found myself falling deeply in-love with George and that i didn't care anymore of what other people will say. all i know is that i felt that THIS... that HE is the reason why things never worked out for me back then. and why all of a sudden everything seem to have fallen into place since the day i met him.

if you don't know me from way back, i tried to go for the american dream since 2008. just like any other filipino physical therapist, i dreamt of coming to America... for what? for money and to live the dream. to earn better so that i can buy most of the things that only people with money can afford. because i was that ambitious girl who always go for the gold. but then again, something was always holding me back. something doesn't feel right. even when i was earning more than the average in the philippines, i always find myself longing for something more than what money can buy. i jumped from one "chance" to another, hoping to find what i was yearning for. i even came to that point that i chose to stay in the philippines for someone... until that someone left me to pursue his own american dream.

it took me several times to nail that stupid state boards. zero na nga ang lovelife, joksak pa sa exam. it wasn't the easiest thing to accept most esp when alot of people had set high expectations of me.  i disappointed myself, my friends who invested hundreds of dollars for my exam fees + plane ticket and my family who always see me as the smartest daughter. i hit rock bottom. i didn't know anymore where God wanted me to go. i redirected myself and focused on this american dream despite my broken spirits. inisip ko na lang-- Thy will be done. i will let go and let God. this is the path where He wants me to be, i shall follow.

and then i met George. i met him few weeks before i was set to take my board exams. another distraction, i thought. but God works in mysterious ways. George gave me some space so i can focus on what's important for me at that time. he said he'll let me work on things that i need to accomplish before we take things further. he motivated me and supported me since day 1. i will never forget that phone call from the airport. armed with hope, courage and prayer, i stepped my feet back to the promise land. this time i was sure that i'd get it. and, finally, the 'american dream' has finally landed on my hands. but i was still missing something.

the next thing i know, i was on the train heading to be with my George. it felt good. when he asked me to marry him, i didn't even bat an eyelash. it was a no-brainer. suddenly everything just made perfect sense. and i know i have found my peace. my new home. i feel complete.

should i have passed the stateboards the first time, i would have never met my husband. i would never be this happy and contented with my life in america.

i have my dream job and my dream man. my own american dream.