Before I write about the Black Nazarene experience, I thought I would just write about some thoughts that have been going through my mind as I prepare to leave. I have definitely enjoyed being back in Manila. It wasn't what I was expecting. If you talk to some people I was talking with before leaving Corvallis, you'll find out that I had some anxieties about coming back home. These have all been unfounded. I can't believe that by this time tomorrow morning I will be boarding the plane back to the states.
THINGS I LOOK FORWARD TO...
I do look forward to quieter Corvallis. There is a constant hum of noise around us since we are surrounded by major thoroughfares. Just anywhere you go there's a lot of people. Corvallis has the peace and quiet that I really enjoy.
I also look forward to getting back to work and being with the people I work with. I enjoy their company a lot and have missed our morning chats. I also miss the work that I do. I find that being in Manila sort of takes you away from the realities and harshness of life in a wierd sort of way. Poverty is all around us, but we live in a very comfortable and spoiled manner. I am not complaining as I've enjoyed the service deluxe that we've received here. The materialism and importance in image (as evident by all the skin-whitening billboards around) is much more prevelant in Metro Manila -- all of which I don't personally adhere to.
Something I look forward to but I know I will miss is eating a bit more normally. Whenever people want to get together here it always involves a meal. I've enjoyed getting together with so many people -- in fact, there are still a few I would have liked to see but haven't had the time. Yet, I miss my lighter meals and more regular portions. I miss my daily workout which have been derailed due to physical limitations (I want this leg to get better now!). My uncle asked me what my daily workout consists of. I told him it's an early trip to the gym, getting Vincent ready, running errands, cleaning, cooking (only when my mom isn't in Corvallis because she doesn't really like my cooking), washing the dishes, lifting everything myself (there's always people here to do the heavy lifting), doing whatever else needs to be done, and, if there's time and weather permitting, another walk outside. Hmmm... Now I wonder if that was something to be missed :)
THINGS I WILL MISS ABOUT THE PHILIPPINE LIFE
So many aspects of life here is quite humorous. I will miss laughing so much. Just a couple of examples:
1. Whenever you walk into or even just walk by an establishment (usually the fastfood places) you'll here this greeting... "Good morning, sirmam." Sometimes, depending on how good the person is, you'll be greeted good morning all day long. We're still trying to figure out who "sirmam" is. For those who haven't gotten it yet, it's "Sir/Ma'am" -- they just throw out this greeting irregardless of your gender.
2. I've come to the conclusion that all jobs require the ability to sing along with a karaoke. Wherever they sell the Wow Magic Sing (the video karaoke microphone), there's someone singing at the top of his/her lungs. Sometimes you don't mind what you hear, sometimes you do:) Even security guards have been spotted belting out a tune or two.
3. My sister, Katrina, told me that she asked a server if they have a lunch menu (or something like that) at this place that serves salads, she was told, "I'm sorry, Ma'am, but we don't serve foods here." Only in the Philippines... Salad isn't food, it's a filler!
I promised only a couple, but there's so much more to share. I was once told by somebody I worked for at IBM, "Life is so hard here, we just have to laugh it off,"
I will miss being with friends and relatives. This is what I miss most when I'm at Corvallis. Get togethers happen at the slightest hint here. I have grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends that are easily available. There is no time limit to our time together and no need for internet connection! Hehe... Just a quick example... My uncle invited everybody from my dad's side of the family to lunch yesterday. We had three generations around the table. Before the meal was over my other uncle had invited all of us to dinner at his house that evening and we were all there -- plus a few more! This morning with just a call and a few chat messages I was able to get my grandmother, an aunt, and a couple of cousins to meet up for morning merienda (in between meal-time snack) and lunch. It's pretty much that simple. I love that and will miss it so much.
My time here has been quite surreal, of course. I have not had much responsibilities so it's been a very grand life. Who wouldn't have fun? For some reason I remember being able to live this kind of life even when I was living here. Not that I wasn't working, but I could easily be an entrepreneur with my own time. That life, looking back now, wasn't good for me. I was easily lulled into feeling productive, but really I didn't have much responsibilities. I was busy doing things that I felt was going towards my goals in life, yet at the same time I sort of knew it was always temporary. I was always hoping to go back to the states, so I just kept myself busy. It was always what I thought was important to me, but there was no sense of permanency. I now long to do something similar to my work in Corvallis here in the Philippines. My dream is to find a job that will let me travel to the Philippines to do the work that I love doing. Maybe even to other countries. As for now, more posts when I get back!
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