Mixed feelings

Who has ever wanted something really bad but, when it becomes real, felt butterflies in the stomach? That's kind of how I have been feeling in the past few days about leaving home. Again.

I am 25 years old and life could not go smoother. I have a great year ahead. Truly. Still, it was not easy to leave home today.

So what's happening this year?

• An MBA at INSEAD - #1 MBA in the world according to FT
• Getting to live in two different places - Singapore until the end of February and Fontainebleau until late June
• Loooooots of traveling, as I am planning to visit Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia until late February
• Plenty of networking
• New friends
• Lots of learning
• The opportunity to think about my professional future and what I imagine myself doing in the long term
• Getting married to my dear Gorda Velha (which means Old Fat Lady and is my boyfriend's nickname) - and all the necessary wedding preparation
• A bachelorette party
• A honeymoon
• Some super efficient studying to allow all the above

Isn't it a great year ahead? It is. Did I not feel butterflies in my stomach? I did. Actually, I felt butterflies in the stomach, tears in my eyes and one or two restless nights.

Why's that? Is it because life's so good at home? Is it because Portugal is a special place? Is it because my family rocks (and that includes my own family and my future family too)? Is it because we have a new house to prepare? Is it because Gorda won't stay long in Singapore with me? Is it because I don't want to leave my friends behind or become behind myself? Is it just inertia?

It's probably a bit of it all. What I have to think today - the first day of this great year ahead - is that all this will be waiting for me at home and welcome me in less than 11 months, when I will be a MBA graduate, more open-minded, more cultured, more knowledgeable, even more of a grown-up, with even more unforgettable friends.

It feels good to be writing again...!

Will keep you posted,

Marta