I finally had to return to work after a month of vacation—which I actually thought would be longer due to legal reasons—and I hate that I feel sad about it. My day before was eventful though.

On the day of my flight, my family and I went out for lunch at Balaring, a seafood place Mama requested to go to because she liked the food there. We ordered six different foods and a sh*t ton of rice where only one cup was left.

After that, I met with people I’ve been friends with for 19 years. Our friendship has been tested through thick and thin. We drank coffee and shared cakes—our favorite thing to do ever since we can afford them. We did catch up and shared good hearty laughs—like always. Jasm, the tomboyish and the one we thought is really one, even brought her newborn baby.

Then I said goodbye and went home to prepare for my flight later that evening.

I actually felt sad when I was packing because I will surely miss our dogs, the comfortable quiet of home, and the big television. I didn’t feel like crying at the time but something in me doesn’t want to go back.

Of course, I know I have to go back to my present reality but it’s the first time I actually wished that I could have stayed there forever given the choice.

I will probably come back home sooner due to reasons I cannot fully disclose here—maybe in another entry once I’m ready—but for now this is where I am needed to be. And I’ll stay.