I have lived all my life in the Philippines. I didn’t stay in one place, though. I have a mole on the sole of my foot (which, according to old wives’ tales, meant the owner was a wanderer) and the excitement and perks of travel kept me moving. I knew, though, that time will come when I would be moving permanently away from the only home I’d known and make a new home elsewhere.
My surprise welcome party at the Garden West Estates community clubhouse, 03.11.17
My parents immigrated from the Philippines in 1999. Mom filed my petition papers in December of 2005. In the middle of 2016, we were notified that the Immigration Service was ready to process my immigrant visa. By March 2017, I left my homeland to finally make it to the United States as an immigrant.
I waited 11 years to get here. And how time flies, I’ve been here for a year.
So, how has it been? I recall the song from the musical Rent,
How do you measure a year? In daylights? In sunsets? In midnights, in cups of coffee? In inches, in miles? In laughter and strife?
- It has been wonderful. Since my parents left, I only get to be with them a few days a year, and sometimes not even every year. I know, I’m an adult, but children are forever their parents’ babies. Right? J
- It has been different. But not really. Like I mentioned, I am used to traveling. I have become used to relating with cultures and races other than my own. So, hello, world! The conveniences, though: Most everything available or may be arranged online, automated things, HIGH SPEED INTERNET! There’s a lot I have not been able to enjoy back then.
- Absence makes the heart grow fonder. I am sure when I go back for a visit, I have to have my favorites that are not available here: foodstuff, fruits, and my friends.
- The seasons go round and round. Spring, summer, fall, winter. I’ve now experienced them all. I only knew of two before I left my country: Hot and wet. The variety makes for a new spectacle to marvel at–colorful flowers in full bloom during spring, the green-yellow-orange-red change in the leaves during fall. So lovely.
One year down, more to go. Here’s to new things, new horizons, new discoveries, new experiences, new dreams to conquer. I am looking forward to them all.
* Article originally published in the March issue of Garden Gazette Region 23, published by MHB Group Custom Community Magazine
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