I am on tentherhooks nowadays. The government office where I have devoted two decades of my working life might or might not implement a potentially attractive severance package.  This times well with my long-held plan to migrate to another country.  I would finally earn what's due me.

But what if things do not go as planned? With the global financial turmoil, things are indeed very fluid.

My mantra nowadays: With or without severance package, I should make things work for me in the UK. Acting as my own cheerleader, I keep on reminding myself, there is life after work retirement, after first marriage gone sour, after two grown kids flown off the coop.

But I will miss my home and garden, a labor of love for the four of us in the family.  I will miss my dearest friends, and most of all I will miss doing something I love.my work in the legislature.

It's pretty clear I am deeply conflicted. I love the easy-going lifestyle in the Philippines, yet I realize, there's nothing for me here anymore by way of family relationships. Boom recently married his fiance and would soon join her in Canada.  Jewel, my eldest, is coming back from the US to get married as well and pursue her medical career in the east coast.

So, I have to move on.  I'm sure there is a better deal waiting for me.  I intend to live a long and healthy life visiting my grandchildren still to come across the Atlantic and seeing more of the world, meeting wonderful people, and gaining more experiences.

I hope my next blog will be about the good news already.