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The most talked-about topic was travel. QJ was telling us all about her endeavours and encounters in the many islands she went to in Thailand. JM is all excited about her upcoming India trip for community service. YY is contemplating when is the best time to take leave to join QJ at either Vietnam or Cambodia.
Although I still feel a tinge of envy when I hear this, I am more at peace with myself now. I used to be very bitter, and was irritated that I cannot go for a backpacking tour like many others when I graduated, why I had to search frantically for a job while others could take things easy. I used to complain to R that I wish I could travel, or at least go backpack in Asia.
But I have come to accept it. This is the path I have chosen. I chose to go to university and by taking this route, I knew I would be leaden with debts when I finish the four years. Seriously, I have only myself to blame. I could have just taken the tuition fee loan and not the study loan as well. I was so insensible. I just wanted to enjoy my uni life and not worry about the money. If I had taken on several tuitions right at the beginning, I could have survived without taking on the study loan, albeit not being able to afford things that I liked.
However, there are no 'if's in life. I am already grateful that my dad has offered to pay off one of my loans, although this means that he would not have much savings left. I truly appreciate what he did and I do not take this for granted. Because of his loving gesture, I feel my load lighten by half. I do not think any of you can imagine what it is like to be $20k in debt (that's not including the exorbitant interests), let alone $40k.
So, although I still yearn to travel and explore, I know that I cannot go as far or as long as I want to until I am debt-free. The world is out there for me to see, it's just a matter of time.
