Are you happy with your life?

Oh God, not again!

A dear friend would always ask me that, "are you happy with your life (now)?" It's like an annual (almost) review of what I have been doing with my life.

Since I was, I guess, 20, this friend and I would talk about the future.  Where do we see ourselves 5-10 years?

And now, it is almost 10 years...

And I... I am still the 20 year-old me!

And he... is married and with a little boy!

And the question he asked when we went out to celebrate our birthday was:  ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR LIFE?

I am.

I believe so.

No, I know I am.

I am here in Metro Manila --- the place I tried not to be in.

I am working full-time --- a new experience for me being so out there and not part of a system.

I am single --- well, that I have no qualms about.

And, I am happy.

I am happy because I am doing what I "want" to do given the situation presented to me.

And I am happy because I am still young at heart and still hungry to experience the world.

SO, 10 more years from now, I guess I'll be...

...owning a piece of paradise with my friends (south of Negros Island, most probably)

...still on the back ride of a motorbike when my friends and I decided just because to have a little tour under the sun

...sipping more cocktails than drinking beer (I'm getting used to cocktails now)

...and most probably still single!

Happiness is not achieved by having a checklist with a number of items referring to the "supposed to bes" of being an adult.

Yes, I am not really thinking of having a child.

Yes, I am also not into the idea of getting married.

Yes, when I am on my 40s, I still want to be travelling the world.

And yes, I guess, if you ask me then, I will still be able to tell you that, YES, I AM HAPPY WITH MY LIFE!