Life is never easy... abroad!
Economy in the Philippines has not really been good lately… prices of commodities continue to rise, unemployment is still a problem, pay is not that pleasing to majority of people, etc. etc. Each and every individual faces different challenges everyday. And with that, most Filipinos aspire to come to America or let’s just say to go abroad. They think that coming to America is the solution to the many problems they’re dealing with. (Admit it or not, being abroad, they expect a lot from you which sometimes makes me sad. I hate to say this but I feel like I have a big dollar sign written on my face whenever they see me or talk to me.) But hey, it’s not only in the Philippines that you’re to struggle at. Life is hard everywhere. Having a better life demands a lot of sacrifices. It doesn’t just depend on money. We all have our own challenges to face... only that in different forms.
It is true that America is the Land of Opportunity. But it’s not as easy as you think it is. There are laws to comply with and there are procedures to follow. As days pass, they get stricter and stricter because of the terrorists threats. There are also a lot of people here who don’t have jobs believe it or not. Luck doesn’t always knock on your door. And unfortunately, not everyone gets it either. Yes it’s easier to save up if you’re earning dollars. Imagine an exchange rate of P50 to a dollar! But… consider the cost of living in the state you’re at. You also spend dollars for your day to day needs. Sometimes you become sick as hell worrying about your future. There are so many what ifs in your mind. There’s no one you can really count on but yourself being in a foreign place. Some people here couldn’t even get support from relatives… being said, what more can you expect from friends then? I’m just lucky I have Tita Laling and Tita Gie. Likewise, Manang Fely (then landlady and now a principal sponsor in the wedding) has treated me like a family ever since. Also, homesickness will be your greatest enemy. It’s difficult to be away from family and friends. Perhaps, you may be thinking you can overcome that but it’s hard and costly. Tendency is for you to make an overseas call often. The only benefit that I got from that is I lost a lot of weight. You also have to adjust yourself to a new culture. Back home you have helpers to do the chores for you. Here, you have to do everything yourself. Oh and let’s not forget the weather! Imagine yourself chasing the bus in a snowy and chilly weather. Do you still think life is easy abroad?! You tell me…
7 comments:
and its hard to find jobs na hindi minimum wage...dito ksi its $7 minimum wage...pano pag part time ka pa and you're paying for rent, food, and transpo?
hi, alynn! true ka dyan! dito ang minimum is $6.75 an hour. mahirap talaga. dito lang samin kung iisipin eh nasa queens nako ha which is a lot less expensive than manhattan eh $1100 na rent ng studio type. haaay....
I don't know about the rates but one thing I witnessed when I lived there for 4 months, mahirap nga ang buhay dian. Now I understand the sentiments of balikbayans na tingin lang sa kanila dito ay dollar signs! Yes, you get compensated in America better than here in Pinas... pero when I see my aunt work as a nurse there, pagkausap ko eh tulog na sa pagod tapos minsan di na sila nagkakaroon ng time with their family just to earn and have the best life there... Boy! It is never easy! dito 2 hrs lunch break, dian matagal na ang 10-15 minutes... wow! ibang iba nga!
stay strong faye! I know things will be brighter for you and Irvin. ganyan lang talaga siguro tayo sa umpisa... kasi talagang nag-uumpisa pa lang naman ang buhay natin ngayong married na tayo eh!
take care!
Hay naku Faye I agree with everything you said. Mataas din ang standard of living dito. Sometimes its infuriating when people back home see us like we're rich people and expect us to have lots of pasalubong and pay for everything when we go home. I mean yes we do have money but its not like we didn't worked hard for it like everyone does. Yes you can save up a lot when you work abroad, but still you have to work. Money doesn't grow from the trees.
hello my friend! :) senti na naman tong post mo, hehe... pati ako nadadala sayo, hahahaha.... but of course I agree with you. Living in a foreign place has never been easy at all, lalo na kami i have my little boy pa... Anyway,
hope to talk to you online again... miss yah!
hi, litzie! i would still say there's really no place like home. i'm here to work and save up for my family's future but i'll definitely go back to the phils.
hey, jacq! how sad right? but that's one fact that can't be avoided... that's how mentality is of most pinoys.
hello, caryl! sorry ha! i noticed that too... i mean my posts lately were like in the depressing mode. :) let's just say i'm facing some difficulties right now but i just couldn't be darn straight about it and the people concerned. i just feel sad that sometimes they forget that it's not only them who are having a hard time. maybe i'm just looking for some support from them too. hope to chat with you one of these days. mwah!
wow, great post! you hit a nerve there - that no one openly shares or talk about. i agree with you on that! it's really annoying that people have this mentality that just because you happen to be somewhere else than the philippines, they think that WE are all rich and therefore, can just dole out any money at their whim!?!?!?
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