Singularities

I've resorted to watching Oprah Winfrey reruns on Starworld. I miss cable. Renee Zellwegger was being interviewed on her "latest" movie, the third installment of Bridget Jones' Diary. Goes to show how long ago it was.

In usual Oprah style, she managed to find a real life Bridget Jones, not that it was too difficult to find Bridgets in our day and age. So finally Oprah had to ask, "Why do you think you're in such a situation?" Not the smartest of all questions Oprah, or so I thought.

However, I was honestly wondering the same thing. How do women, relatively attractive, well educated, end up in such a predicament of being 34 and not married. A status that would have been frowned upon even a decade ago, but is now becoming increasingly popular. By choice or circumstance? [I'm sure many would maintain the former just for the sake of our egos]

Not that marriage is a current issue I'm grappling with [thank heavens no], but the real life Bridget's reply was simply, "I think its because I'm too independent. Financially or otherwise. I love to go out, do things etc etc" Then it slapped me in the face. So was I. [not financially, but on my way to it I hope] But hey, I've got a decade before it becomes an issue.

So my uncles weren't kidding when they said the ceaseless activity I'm packing in this summer did scare people away. But what was I supposed to do? Sit around and mope? Hope that Prince Charming falls through the roof and declares an undying love and admiration for me, and the ride off into the sunset? Only in Disney movies. [And even then Pixar is doing a better job depicting reality. Think Shrek.]

I suppose jam packing my schedule is only as a response, so as not to end up a moping spinster when I hit 30. If it does happen though, at least I'd have had experience living a life.

Interestingly so, I reckon many girls my age still take it for granted that they will "somehow" end up married by age 30. And only when they close in on the big three-o, they suffer Ally Mcbeal like moments, and gulp down the reality of maybe remaning single for a longer than imagined time. Maybe I'm forced to take in this possibility much earlier, when everyone else around me, especially those attached, are allowed to shove this issue aside, for the time being.

In recent meetings with girlfriends, this topic inevitably comes up. Especially amongst us female doctor wannabes. In this case the excuse would have to be circumstance. Having barely begun our journey into medicine, and we already had to confront this sacrifice involved. I'm not ready for it. I don't think I am.

I'm not as independent and strong as everyone makes me out to be. But how else would I be able to survive being away from home, studying medicine overseas and coping with the wreck my life is. Hmm.

I think that would resonate with many single girls.

[just for an endnote: sorry guys. i suppose this is a girlie problem. maybe we can address the male situation another time. but i think we are in more dire straits. i'm biased of course]