yesterday, my mom and i had a semi-serious conversation about my departure and college and i think it's the most accepting i've felt about the topic since i heard the news that i'm going to philippines for college.

my mom actually suggested that i look up some colleges in dubai, but considering that would simply mean that my parents would have to work harder just so they can pay for over-the-top college tuition fees here in dubai. i don't want that. it may be very hard to sort of leave them, but i'll do it for the sake of my parents' welfare. i don't want them to sacrifice as much as they already have because they've already done too much and given so much more than i ever asked for. 

'wag na, ma. kaya ko to. i got this.'
'kaya natin to, no?'
'we got this.'

we really do, ma.