The world is my oyster

"You are still young. Free," he said, spreading his hands apart for emphasis. "Do yourself a favor. Before it's too late, without thinking too much about it first, pack a pillow and a blanket and see as much of the world as you can. You will not regret it. One day it will be too late."

"My grandfather always says that's what books are for," Ashoke said, using the opportunity to open the volume in his hands. "To travel without moving an inch."

-The Namesake, Jhumpa Lahiri.


You know, I used to think that way as well. That books, the tv and then the internet can allow me the chance to see the world without moving an inch. But since going on a summer school trip to Melbourne a few years ago and then recently for this exchange in Missouri, I guess nothing beats the feeling of interacting with the different societies, cultures and people around the world.
I don't think I will ever be tired of seeing the world. My parents and family want me to find a stable job, get married and settle down. But when does marriage equates to settling down? From what I observed about marriages so far (including my very own family), it seems like it's more of a emotional, mental and even physical upheaval to get married. And really, seeing how people treat love, relationships and marriages these days, how many people can claim that they are truly contented, happy, or settled down once they are married?

A friend in Missouri once asked me at what age I want to get married, and I told her I don't intend to get married unless someone can prove me wrong and convince the cynical me that marriage is something to be desired. She was flabbergasted, and asked why I don't want to be married. Well, I shot back with asking her why she wanted to get married and she couldn't give me a satisfactory answer. Why commit yourself to a lifetime of chains if you are unsure that that is what you truly want and will do anything to protect? Not only do you suffer yourself, but those around you suffer too. Some say that not wanting to get married is selfish, but I think to make your partner and children suffer when you file for a divorce is even more selfish. And even if you don't file for a divorce for the children's sake, a lifetime of disrespect and contempt with each other is even worse. To me, the stakes are just too high.

Maybe it's time to pack my pillow as well. Now where's my blanket?


On a side note, I'm a sucker for snail mail when it comes to keeping in touch, as to me emails make things very impersonal. But Rachel has recently proved me wrong. Emails from Miss Awesome Private never fails to put a deeper meaning to my recently meaningless days... ;>