August 31, 2013
On the day when I finally had to leave Taipei back in year 2000, it was a hard and painful moment for me and to bear the fact that I'm leaving home for good. Right before the immigration counter, I remember my dad gave me a huge bouquet of flowers as a farewell gift. I broke down to tears and looked back to see my dad. He was in tears and he turned away because he didn't want me to see that he broke down to tears as well. My heart cringed with a thought that I will miss my dad so much. That day my mom was traveling with me to Manila so she could arrange everything for me. A place to stay together with my relatives, applying for colleges, buying my stuffs to set up my own little room... everything to make my life in the Philippines comfortable. The first day I arrived in Manila, I was totally homesick even though my mom was around. I miss my dad and my brother, my friends, the food, the weather, everything. But I know I have to keep on and enjoy my time here. When it was time to meet all my cousins, aunts and uncles from Manila, I knew they were intimidated by me because I could only speak English, not a single word of Tagalog or Filipino. Sometimes, they teased me because I have a "slang" every time I speak in English. It was hard for me because no matter how much I wanted to understand what they were telling me, I just gave up and go to my room. I just wanted to be by myself that moment. I remember one of my cousins came knocking on my door, and asked if I'm alright. Obviously, I wasn't but I just answered and told them that I'm ok. Then kept quiet for a while. Few hours later (yea I stayed in my room that long until they all get drunk and happy), I came out from my room and stayed with them. Seems that they have stopped teasing me and continued the night away. On the day when my mom had to leave Manila, I was crying so hard in my room that I locked myself up for one day. My cousins, my aunt and my uncle were worried about me because I didn't eat the whole day, or even drink a single water. I kept quiet. The next day, I stepped out of my room, and they were all happy to see me. They told me that everything's going to be alright. And I went on.
The main reason why I came to the Philippines is to attend college/university. Never thought of working or even staying here for good. I applied in different universities/colleges as much as I can and ended up studying in Assumption College. An exclusive all girls college. At first I didn't like the idea but since it's a private college and it's a safe place to be in, I didn't mind after a while. College started and good thing I made friends easily. It was an interesting four years for me. I've learned how to be independant, and matured into a woman. A woman of faith. After graduating from college and instead of going back to Taiwan, I decided to stay here and work. I'm lucky enough that I was able to find a job after a month or two. I have worked in different companies and moved from one job to another. The longest job I have stayed in is JAL.. until now. In between my college years, this is when my brother came here for college. I'm happy and sad at the same time. I'm happy because finally I have someone to "harass"... Just kidding, he's a good brother to me. Sad, because that will leave my mom and dad in Taiwan but I know they will be fine.
During my working years here, a lot of things happened and I learned so much from them. Both good and bad. Everything happens for a reason. Being in relationships, making new friends, becoming a licensed Zumba Fitness instructor, my brother getting married with three kids, attending... just everything that I went through and witnessed all those moments. As the years passed by, after all Philippines is not a bad place to be in. I remember before I graduated from highschool, I really wanted to study abroad, just not in the Philippines. But because the thought of studying either in the USA or Australia, it was overwhelmingly expensive and I know my parents couldn't afford to let me be there. And also this is one way to rediscover my root as a Filipino. My life here is awesome. I've got some good friends. I'm working in a well known international airline until now. Got my own car. I live in a huge house that my parents worked hard for. Life here is pretty simple. Nothing too extravagant.
I wrote this blog for a purpose, and it made me smile to see how much I have grown as a woman. That's why I decided to blog it so every time I look back and read this, I'm pretty sure I will just smile and say to myself, wow, this was me few years back.
Remember, even though the things that you're going through isn't the way you wanted, keep in mind that they happened for a reason. You won't find out why right away, but it'll come to you. So don't give up, and live your life to the fullest. And, always pray to God. Have faith. And you'll be alright.
Cheerios!
On the day when I finally had to leave Taipei back in year 2000, it was a hard and painful moment for me and to bear the fact that I'm leaving home for good. Right before the immigration counter, I remember my dad gave me a huge bouquet of flowers as a farewell gift. I broke down to tears and looked back to see my dad. He was in tears and he turned away because he didn't want me to see that he broke down to tears as well. My heart cringed with a thought that I will miss my dad so much. That day my mom was traveling with me to Manila so she could arrange everything for me. A place to stay together with my relatives, applying for colleges, buying my stuffs to set up my own little room... everything to make my life in the Philippines comfortable. The first day I arrived in Manila, I was totally homesick even though my mom was around. I miss my dad and my brother, my friends, the food, the weather, everything. But I know I have to keep on and enjoy my time here. When it was time to meet all my cousins, aunts and uncles from Manila, I knew they were intimidated by me because I could only speak English, not a single word of Tagalog or Filipino. Sometimes, they teased me because I have a "slang" every time I speak in English. It was hard for me because no matter how much I wanted to understand what they were telling me, I just gave up and go to my room. I just wanted to be by myself that moment. I remember one of my cousins came knocking on my door, and asked if I'm alright. Obviously, I wasn't but I just answered and told them that I'm ok. Then kept quiet for a while. Few hours later (yea I stayed in my room that long until they all get drunk and happy), I came out from my room and stayed with them. Seems that they have stopped teasing me and continued the night away. On the day when my mom had to leave Manila, I was crying so hard in my room that I locked myself up for one day. My cousins, my aunt and my uncle were worried about me because I didn't eat the whole day, or even drink a single water. I kept quiet. The next day, I stepped out of my room, and they were all happy to see me. They told me that everything's going to be alright. And I went on.
The main reason why I came to the Philippines is to attend college/university. Never thought of working or even staying here for good. I applied in different universities/colleges as much as I can and ended up studying in Assumption College. An exclusive all girls college. At first I didn't like the idea but since it's a private college and it's a safe place to be in, I didn't mind after a while. College started and good thing I made friends easily. It was an interesting four years for me. I've learned how to be independant, and matured into a woman. A woman of faith. After graduating from college and instead of going back to Taiwan, I decided to stay here and work. I'm lucky enough that I was able to find a job after a month or two. I have worked in different companies and moved from one job to another. The longest job I have stayed in is JAL.. until now. In between my college years, this is when my brother came here for college. I'm happy and sad at the same time. I'm happy because finally I have someone to "harass"... Just kidding, he's a good brother to me. Sad, because that will leave my mom and dad in Taiwan but I know they will be fine.
During my working years here, a lot of things happened and I learned so much from them. Both good and bad. Everything happens for a reason. Being in relationships, making new friends, becoming a licensed Zumba Fitness instructor, my brother getting married with three kids, attending... just everything that I went through and witnessed all those moments. As the years passed by, after all Philippines is not a bad place to be in. I remember before I graduated from highschool, I really wanted to study abroad, just not in the Philippines. But because the thought of studying either in the USA or Australia, it was overwhelmingly expensive and I know my parents couldn't afford to let me be there. And also this is one way to rediscover my root as a Filipino. My life here is awesome. I've got some good friends. I'm working in a well known international airline until now. Got my own car. I live in a huge house that my parents worked hard for. Life here is pretty simple. Nothing too extravagant.
I wrote this blog for a purpose, and it made me smile to see how much I have grown as a woman. That's why I decided to blog it so every time I look back and read this, I'm pretty sure I will just smile and say to myself, wow, this was me few years back.
Remember, even though the things that you're going through isn't the way you wanted, keep in mind that they happened for a reason. You won't find out why right away, but it'll come to you. So don't give up, and live your life to the fullest. And, always pray to God. Have faith. And you'll be alright.
Cheerios!
