The upcoming Fourth of July is reminding me once again that I haven't celebrated any Philippine Independence Day celebrations for a long time. Not because there isn't any celebrations going around in my neck of the woods, it just doesn't figure in my TO DO list anymore. Usually the celebrations are in San Fran and would require entrance fee. It would also mean crowded streets and parking woes. I just didn't want to be bothered, that's all.
Sometimes I question my patriotism. How does one manifest this virtue? Do I have to subscribe to TFC to get the latest news about my motherland?
My case is different from others. First and foremost with the exception of a nephew and his family, I don't have any "family" left back home. I do have cousins and nieces and nephews and I guess a few aunts and uncles as well, but they are extended family and we were never very close to begin with.
So I don't have to fill a balikbayan box and send it to someone. I don't have to skype anyone for news or to share problems with.
As a matter of fact, as far as I know, when I moved here years ago, I packed in my luggage everything that was important to me - letters, photos, mementos. I had a feeling when I was leaving that there was no turning back. Mostly because I was the "last one" to move here.
For the most part, I like my life here in America. My family is here and my job is here. I seriously wonder if I could ever get a good-paying job back home. I had a job when I left for America, not financially satisfying but in many many ways very rewarding.
I adored my co-workers - they are lovely human beings. The nature of my job wasn't boring nor extremely challenging, and the students were endlessly entertaining. It made me realize that this part of the job is what caused many teachers to forget about themselves and end up being spinsters. Nope I wasn't a teacher.
What I missed back home are my friends - my high school friends, college pals, co-workers, and neighbors/childhood friends. That's what is seriously lacking in my life right now, connection to these friends.
Anyway, I have fully embraced all that America has offered me. I don't know if I'm living the American life, but my cupboard is filled with international delights, not just American.
I most especially enjoy the beauty that is California. Looking out in the bay everyday is a joyful thing.
Just like any other posts, I started with a goal and ended up somewhere far from the goal. I need to take writing classes, seriously!
Happy Fourth of July America!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
It's Over!
Finally the long-awaited church fundraiser is over. It was held last Saturday from 6:30 to 9:00 pm.
No more planning meetings, no more editing, no more researching. It's over! A sigh of relief was released in unison.
The truth is it appeared to have been a success. Why did I say that without certainty? It's because the monies were not tallied yet as of this writing, but seeing the people's happy faces that Saturday night, it was a powerful community bonding event.
I have never felt like a part of this community despite living here for 18 years until I joined this church.
Anyway I was on cashiering duty that night. We had silent auction in addition to all the chocolate tasting. When the tables close the items on the tables will be moved to us. There were two ladies arranging the items in the back and they send it to us when the winners come to claim their items.
I was a monster at using the credit card machine. Kidding. I got trained 30 minutes before opening on how to use the credit card machine. I swiped and swiped the cards. It's fun not to be using my own card to swipe.
However, we bid on a pair of Thomas Kincaid paintings, which we won. All in all it was a fun evening. I had a great time. I even managed to abandon my shyness and engage people in animated conversation about our community. Can you imagine me chatting easily with people? Must be God helping me overcome my shyness.
So what's next? Summer is still here despite the weather cooling off a bit. It's the perfect summer weather if you'd ask me.
Since we were busy with church all weekend, I didn't do any chores and next weekend is a long weekend, but I'm gonna be taking it easy. I'll have an outpatient surgery on Friday and was advised on my preop to take it easy all through the weekend. So I'll probably get a little movie marathon going and cuddling with my cats.
BTW, I watched ECLIPSE again the other day and do you agree with me Twilight fanatics that those three main characters can't act?
No more planning meetings, no more editing, no more researching. It's over! A sigh of relief was released in unison.
The truth is it appeared to have been a success. Why did I say that without certainty? It's because the monies were not tallied yet as of this writing, but seeing the people's happy faces that Saturday night, it was a powerful community bonding event.
I have never felt like a part of this community despite living here for 18 years until I joined this church.
Anyway I was on cashiering duty that night. We had silent auction in addition to all the chocolate tasting. When the tables close the items on the tables will be moved to us. There were two ladies arranging the items in the back and they send it to us when the winners come to claim their items.
I was a monster at using the credit card machine. Kidding. I got trained 30 minutes before opening on how to use the credit card machine. I swiped and swiped the cards. It's fun not to be using my own card to swipe.
However, we bid on a pair of Thomas Kincaid paintings, which we won. All in all it was a fun evening. I had a great time. I even managed to abandon my shyness and engage people in animated conversation about our community. Can you imagine me chatting easily with people? Must be God helping me overcome my shyness.
So what's next? Summer is still here despite the weather cooling off a bit. It's the perfect summer weather if you'd ask me.
Since we were busy with church all weekend, I didn't do any chores and next weekend is a long weekend, but I'm gonna be taking it easy. I'll have an outpatient surgery on Friday and was advised on my preop to take it easy all through the weekend. So I'll probably get a little movie marathon going and cuddling with my cats.
BTW, I watched ECLIPSE again the other day and do you agree with me Twilight fanatics that those three main characters can't act?
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Prayers
My friend's husband passed away on Father's Day. I read her post on FB. I have been feeling sad and low since I read her post. My heart sank. If you see the photos of their family on FB you knew they were at the peak of their life. Two teenage kids, a girl and a boy, and the lovely couple who look more like in their 20s than in their 40s.
A couple months ago, I think, she commented on her sister's wall that her husband is back home after bouts of chemo. I immediately sent her a note that I'd pray for her husband's recovery.
It happened so soon from where I am. I don't know what happened, how long the battle with the big C had been. But I'm just sad.
Today, I read her post asking for more prayers in the following months as she is feeling his absence every single day :(
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Summer Time
It's the first day of summer around these parts and it's hot. So fitting I think. Today makes me want to reminisce some summer pasts.
Growing up, summer meant:
They have a big gigantic acacia tree in front of the house with large trunk that could shield us from the sun's rays. It was perfect.
I cannot believe how nostalgic I am of that acacia tree now that I started to write this. I hope it's still there. I know Peia and family moved out since they didn't own the land.
I've spent many summers in my family's home, which btw has suffered major damage during the quake of 91 or 90? And it's begging to be taken down/demolished. It will be soon. Out of the many summers, one could easily stand out. It was the summer where either I was finished with Grade 5 or Grade 6, that part I couldn't remember.
But it was the summer where almost all the neighborhood kids banded together, girls and boys, and played. We never all played before nor after that summer. So that was what made that summer special.
I remember we played shatung a lot. I was masterful at that game. We also played patientero. And when the summer was ending, I organized a disco at my front yard. Could you believe that? It was a spur of the moment decision.
I sprung the request to my mom at around 3 pm and by 5 pm we have the stereo playing loud music and kids dancing in our yard. We had no food but we danced the evening away. I still remember my verve at asking permission for this boy, about 4 years my junior, from his sister because his folks were not in the house at that time. I can't recall why I have to since I know this boy stays out later than the 5 pm party time, but I still did. And the funny thing is his sister is only about 4 years older than I am!
Another thing that I remember about that day was my friend's mom came to the yard and asked my mom what was the party about? And my mom told her the kids wanted to dance :)
We sure did dance the summer away!
Growing up, summer meant:
- long daylight hours make for longer play time
- waiting for the dirty ice cream vendor @ 4 pm
- running after the fishball vendor
- waking up to my mother's yakking about how late the hours is and how high the sun has been
- carrying mom's basket while she goes marketing
- shatung, patintero, tumbang preso
- Cathecism
- excursion to the beach
- annual pilgrimmage to Our Lady of Manaoag
- Holy Week services + procession in hot conditions
They have a big gigantic acacia tree in front of the house with large trunk that could shield us from the sun's rays. It was perfect.
I cannot believe how nostalgic I am of that acacia tree now that I started to write this. I hope it's still there. I know Peia and family moved out since they didn't own the land.
I've spent many summers in my family's home, which btw has suffered major damage during the quake of 91 or 90? And it's begging to be taken down/demolished. It will be soon. Out of the many summers, one could easily stand out. It was the summer where either I was finished with Grade 5 or Grade 6, that part I couldn't remember.
But it was the summer where almost all the neighborhood kids banded together, girls and boys, and played. We never all played before nor after that summer. So that was what made that summer special.
I remember we played shatung a lot. I was masterful at that game. We also played patientero. And when the summer was ending, I organized a disco at my front yard. Could you believe that? It was a spur of the moment decision.
I sprung the request to my mom at around 3 pm and by 5 pm we have the stereo playing loud music and kids dancing in our yard. We had no food but we danced the evening away. I still remember my verve at asking permission for this boy, about 4 years my junior, from his sister because his folks were not in the house at that time. I can't recall why I have to since I know this boy stays out later than the 5 pm party time, but I still did. And the funny thing is his sister is only about 4 years older than I am!
Another thing that I remember about that day was my friend's mom came to the yard and asked my mom what was the party about? And my mom told her the kids wanted to dance :)
We sure did dance the summer away!
Monday, June 20, 2011
I Get More Than A Footlong When I Go to Subway
Every time I go to Subway to get a footlong I leave the store with much more than a footlong. My town's Subway restaurant is owned by an Indian family. There are two elderly Indian women who man the store. Let's call them Morning auntie and Afternoon auntie. Both of them have a tough time communicating in English but they get by.
A long time ago I came in with my husband. My husband looks like Indian; he isn't. But the fact that his features are so similar to the Indians made them sort of adopt him as their own. In the process I got sorta adopted too as some distant relatives.
Therefore whenever I come in I get asked personal questions. And when they found out a while back that we are still childless and have been working hard at getting a child, they give me symphathy, unsolicited advice, and concern.
Sometimes I am not as patient with them, but I never show any irritation. After all I find their interest quite comforting. It feels like being home in the Philippines where elderly members of the neighborhood/community take part in one's life. Nope I really don't consider it being nosy. It's the way it is - the Asian way.
Today (I am writing this Saturday) my husband and I swung by Subway to get something for dinner when the afternoon auntie chatted him for over 20 minutes. On the drive home my husband told me what they talked about, they were speaking in Hindi. She told him how she was in the same position that I am right now. It took her long to get pregnant, while her friends were all pregnant and having babies. She felt lonely, alone, and I'm guessing useless. That is why she doesn't like seeing people who are struggling to have a baby. Now I understand her concern and it's not just being nosy.
A long time ago I came in with my husband. My husband looks like Indian; he isn't. But the fact that his features are so similar to the Indians made them sort of adopt him as their own. In the process I got sorta adopted too as some distant relatives.
Therefore whenever I come in I get asked personal questions. And when they found out a while back that we are still childless and have been working hard at getting a child, they give me symphathy, unsolicited advice, and concern.
Sometimes I am not as patient with them, but I never show any irritation. After all I find their interest quite comforting. It feels like being home in the Philippines where elderly members of the neighborhood/community take part in one's life. Nope I really don't consider it being nosy. It's the way it is - the Asian way.
Today (I am writing this Saturday) my husband and I swung by Subway to get something for dinner when the afternoon auntie chatted him for over 20 minutes. On the drive home my husband told me what they talked about, they were speaking in Hindi. She told him how she was in the same position that I am right now. It took her long to get pregnant, while her friends were all pregnant and having babies. She felt lonely, alone, and I'm guessing useless. That is why she doesn't like seeing people who are struggling to have a baby. Now I understand her concern and it's not just being nosy.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Food Craving Friday
I'm supposed to have a Food Craving Wednesday, but I only remembered it today.
I am a bit saddened that the little restaurant next to the cinema is closed. It was a combo of restaurant and sports bar and it has a rocking happy hour 7 days a week. My favorite during happy hour is this chips and spinach dip. The price is right at $3 and the portion is just enough. Plus it's really good. Now where am I going to get my spinach dip?
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Fashion Sense
When I was little growing up in a farming community right smack in the middle of Central Luzon, there was very little fashion statements to be found. It was after all before the age of internet and text and cell phones. The time when only 4 or 5 tv stations are operating and when you live outside of Luzon, you'd get your shows delayed by days.
Knowing that you'd know that there is no way to be exposed to fashion at that age. My mother always wears a bandana to cover her hair when we take public transportation. Riding in jeepneys or buses can ruin your hair you know. I always associated bandana as an accessory for old people. But I liked it. I liked having my head covered.
Fast forward to many years later and here I am living just outside San Francisco and having all sorts of fashion statements in my face and I still have no fashion sense. What remained however is my fascination for bandana or head coverings. I still don't use them; I have a few in my closet but I use them to cover my shoulders.
So I am happy to be around Indians because their culture calls for this accessory. I sometimes wear it when I am with them.
Do you like bandanas, hair coverings?
School uniforms with the sash/orno they call it in Bangladesh.
Knowing that you'd know that there is no way to be exposed to fashion at that age. My mother always wears a bandana to cover her hair when we take public transportation. Riding in jeepneys or buses can ruin your hair you know. I always associated bandana as an accessory for old people. But I liked it. I liked having my head covered.
Fast forward to many years later and here I am living just outside San Francisco and having all sorts of fashion statements in my face and I still have no fashion sense. What remained however is my fascination for bandana or head coverings. I still don't use them; I have a few in my closet but I use them to cover my shoulders.
So I am happy to be around Indians because their culture calls for this accessory. I sometimes wear it when I am with them.
Do you like bandanas, hair coverings?
School uniforms with the sash/orno they call it in Bangladesh.
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