Downsizing but upgrading.

As my good friend Jeri (how are ya sweetie?) wrote me a few days ago, yes I've been quiet and yes you are right to assume things are going good so far. Sometimes, no news is indeed good news.

I've been staying away from the cybersphere for a while, most of the time quite unintentionally actually. These days, I'm not chained to a desk and for the better part of the day, I pretty much do as I please (which consequently means I don't log on as much anymore). I meet clients, have long lunches and write whenever the time is right. It's liberating. But to ensure I maintain some disciplined schedule in my life, I still start my day by 8:00am. Even if that day begins with bringing my cats to the vet.

I've been able to spend some quality time with my family, especially my nieces who are growing up by the nanosecond, and my intimate circle of friends. As I anticipated, ever since I left my so-called high profile job as an editor for a local magazine, my phone has been more silent and my inbox static. And I am not complaining. Because it helps me sort out the real friends from the "Oh hi how you been? I loved your last issue. Wondering if you can help me out..." clan. And these days, I can honestly say I have at last five loyal caller IDs that keep popping up and these are friends who I know would still be there even if my career change involved scraping elephant poo. I heart you.

Which leads me to the fact that I am happily downsizing my life - less parties and less air-kissing - but truly upgrading the quality of my lifestyle. If there's anything I've gained in the last few weeks, I've learned that less is definitely more. And I am blessed that some of my former colleagues have remained true friends and it's refreshing to be on a more laid-back level with them without worrying about office politics.

And it's off to my week-long escape to Manila tomorrow where I will be exercising my other natural-born talent - shopping! Also, I will be introducing my fiance to my mum's family for the first time. Stay tuned for the Manila excursion!