The Philippines – it is my hometown, my birthplace, my childhood. And yet, before the Spring of 2009, I only remembered bits and pieces of it. After eight years of living in California, my mom and I decided it was finally time to take a visit to the place we were born in. During that 15-hour plane ride, I had no idea what to expect. I was only seven when we moved to the United States, and my memories of my old country consisted of happy, playful moments with my cousins, my grandparents, and my mom; as was every other childhood memory. Little did I know there was so much more to be found.
As soon as I stepped off the plane, it assaulted me – the harsh humidity and heat. I had been expecting it, but I had forgotten how it would be like. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. When my aunt and uncle picked us up from the airport, I had the opportunity to observe my surroundings; but it was nothing like I dreamt or remembered it to be. The streets were loaded with trash and people living off them, and some houses were so compacted and poorly structured that, come a rainstorm, were doomed to be destroyed. Children who were not even of school age were selling homemade items or food on the streets. Other children, just as young, ran from one vehicle to another, amidst the traffic, begging commuters for food or money. I’d never seen such struggle for survival.
When we arrived at my old house, all my childhood memories came flowing back to me – and I had the chance to live them again. My dear cousins and I finally reunited, and though it was a bit awkward at first, we got back to the swing of things. The first thing we did was play in the playground across the street under the pouring rain. It was the most fun I’ve had in years, and at that moment, it felt like I never left. Amazement filled me as I realized how easy it was to feel joy from the simplest of things.
That joy, however, came to a halt when we went back inside the house. I went to the bathroom to wash up and, to my surprise, there was no shower – only a faucet, a bucket, and a water dipper (in Tagalog, it’s known as a “tabo”). How was I supposed to take a bath using those? I had grown so accustomed to convenient shower heads and I knew this was going to be a challenge. To make matters worse, there was no hot water. However, I managed to get through the inconvenience.
The next morning, as I was getting ready for yet another day of surprises, one of my cousins, Helina, watched me put makeup on and asked, “Why do you put makeup on? None of us do.” In fact, unless there is a special occasion, teenage girls in the Philippines do not normally wear makeup. In fact, most schools prohibit girls from wearing them. They cannot even color their nails without getting in trouble at school, where even public schools have uniforms. Girls are also expected to wear more conservative clothes than we are used to.
As we ate breakfast, I noticed that my cousins, and even their parents, ate in very small portions. My aunt explained to me that it was a way to conserve food and money. It saddened me so much that my relatives could not even eat their fill of food, while I had been taking food for granted in the US, throwing away whatever I did not feel like eating anymore.
We went to visit my great grandfather that day, in a house where you had to crouch down to enter through the doorway. My cousins took turns kissing his hand as a form of respect, a practice I have long forgotten. Other great aunts and uncles also came to his house upon learning that we were visiting. He told me stories about the way my grandparents and parents used to live, about how they had to work at very, very young age to help support the family. All the children have to wake up very early to do their share of house and farm work before heading to school. Even as they understood the importance of education, schoolwork took second priority over a child’s responsibilities to the family’s livelihood. Siblings had to help raise their younger siblings.
I cannot imagine such a life. I’ve been so lucky to have my mom support me and give me all the things she did not have the luxury to have.
Spring of 2009 was the right time for me to go back to my birthplace. I was young enough to remember and old enough to understand. It opened my eyes to three things:
First is the extent of my mom’s sacrifice. My mom has made a big sacrifice in leaving her whole life behind to give me an opportunity for a better life. Even with the hardships in the Philippines, I know that being uprooted from your family, friends, and basically everything you are, cannot be easy.
Second is to remember who I was, a part of me that I should never forget. The Filipino values that should be treasured – love for God and family, respect for elders.
Third is to appreciate what I have become and what I can become. My life’s blessing is not only to have had the opportunity to move to the United States and enjoy everything this country has to offer. I feel more blessed because I see it now with new eyes. All the things that I used to take for granted, I now appreciate a thousand times more than most people can ever do. I always remind myself to always seize every opportunity that come my way, as if it is being offered to me on a silver platter.
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NOTE: Yo u DON"T have to or want to buy into a timeshare, but if you do, you have 3 days to back out of it with no penalty. If you really are interested in buying, there are many foreclosures online that you can find.
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Bangor Maine 1 week road trip any suggestions on where to go from there. Some hiking some leisure and to the coast
We just published this great article about a road trip that starts in Bangor Maine and works its way up through New England to New Brunswick in Canada. There are a lot of things to see, and lots of activities that might interest your kids, with stops for hiking and swimming and offbeat museums.
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What should the letter of consent say if I, a single parent, am taking my daughter to Germany, but then crossing other borders into bordering countries on our vacation? I may not know specifically what other countries we will be visiting until we get into Europe (we are staying with friends in Germany and they will be taking us around Europe for a bit).
It's best to be as specific as possible, because these letters include the dates and destinations for your trip. We would suggest that you note the full date range (from… to ….. and make it a bit longer just in case), then you put down as many countries as you think are possible. List Germany and all the contiguous countries and add a few more, better more than not mentioning one you will visit.
Also, you should carry 2 notarized copies of the Permission to Travel Letter (put one with your passport to show at Immigration and flight check-in; keep the 2nd one in the child's luggage in case you lose one or an Immigration official wants to keep it). Enjoy your trip!
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San Miguel de Allende is a truly magnificent location, and is becoming a locale of choice for American and Canadian expats. There is a highly developed infrastructure that supports a very large and sophisticated English speaking community here. Culture abounds, and there is extremely active social calendar. There are easily forty or more art galleries in town. The climate is among the best, with warm, dry temperatures year round. Real estate here is among the most beautiful in the world, and your dollar can buy you so much more house than in North America. I lead exciting home buyer trips to San Miguel. Join me on one of these exciting tours to view and buy real estate in San Miguel.
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I know this is an older post, but I just saw it. My kids are 6, 7 and 15 and old pros at road trips. I LOVE road trips and have been known to take "road trip" vacations in which no video games/dvds/electronics are allowed and we pack the tent (to save money on hotels) and just drive to random spots and camp out along the way. If you pack a cooler it can be an affordable vacation if you only pay for gas, food from the supermarket and a few odds and ends. Historic landmarks, national parks, or places like Washington D.C. are full of fun cheap spots to bring the kids! My kids love this and handle being in a car forever very well, we play games, sing, talk, etc. Plus we aren't afraid to take deters and go see things like the worlds biggest chair! It's a bunch of fun!
Sounds like you know how to have fun, and like your kids really get along well. that's the biggest challenge we find in a long trip with a crowded backseat. When everyone starts to 'express' themselves it can get hairy!I love the idea of picking random spots to camp out in. You must be really resourceful!
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Great color commentary — and congrats to Ron. Can't wait to see the film (but I guess I'll have to …)
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The town of Pigeon Forge is great for evening entertainment as it boasts comedy, music, and magic shows, as well as shops and restaurants.
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My childrens mother gave my 8 and 9 year old daughters to me to raise 2 years ago. She hasn't seen them in 2 years. She wants a 2 week visit with them in another state. I need a form to have her sign to make sure she returns the children to me by a certain date.
if I were you…I would be making the "Mom" come to her children for a visit NOT the other way around. The kids should not be put out by her especially if they havent seen her in 2yrs.
I certainly enjoyed the way you explore your experience and knowledge of the subject! Keep up on it. Thanks for sharing the info
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I stayed at http://www.premierinnhotels.co.uk/County-Hall-London-premier-inn-hotels.php — County Hall Premier inn — on my visit to London last month. It was in a great location. Was nothing fancy but I only needed it to sleep and store my things! Thanks for the other reviews, might book at a nice Hotel for one night on my return in September 2011.
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Always bring a small container of new little toys and a little treat for each child to have in the car or on the plane.
We do this with our sons…we purposely get some new toys and treats that fit into a small container so it is easy for them to carry it on their own. The novelty of new little things keeps it fab fresh and fun for them, which keeps it peaceful and happy for my hubby and me. A little bag of crackers or cookies, a small bottle of water, and a few little toys to play with keeps them happy. If we fly, we even try to find some gum that they may not have had before, as it keeps it interesting for them to try something new.
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San Antonio has so many fun family places like Seaworld and Six Flags,but dont forget the Lone Star Hall of Horns. My kids loved it.
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We shall be judged more by what we do at home than what we preach abroad. What made you want to look up abroad?
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