i have to admit, one of the biggest advantage of being on-shore is on the financial matter. it’s a given fact that working outside the philippines provides monetary advantage for some 10 percent of the nation’s population, the OFWs, and this number is uncontrollably increasing each year. the country, at state, is a prime example of anarchism. hence, diaspora at large.
a multitude of filipinos with university degrees are working abroad as domestic helpers, caregivers, or househelpers. there are teachers, engineers, chemist, and nurses working in hard labor totally not in sync with their supposedly professional trade, one could surmise them as madman. there is no need in saying that monetary compensation has forced these denizens to go completely astray, at least in terms of their careers. but what’s wrong with manual labor work if they seem to be lucrative?
i’ve never been an OFW, yet. for the majority of my IT career, luck has made me work and live in foreign places, which i humbly accepted as seeing other places beyond my own country has long been part of my game plan. when i was still studying, i’ve been asking relatives and family friends abroad to help me secure jobs in their places. even if it’s just for a blue-collar labor job, i believe i don’t have any qualms then. and when i was younger, i am so mesmerized by postcard-quality, picturesque germany or london from photos sent by relatives. how could an unfenced rowed-brick houses be so unordinary? a continuous line of tall buildings along a street so uncouthly? a handful of snow, an attraction. do they melt congruently?
added the fact that i have a contract binding to remain in the philippines for four complete years after university, the opportunity to work in hong kong that my former employer gave me is more than fortune, and i appreciate that that i work for them earnestly.
for most filipinos, finding work abroad is like looking for a needle in a haystack. a ton of haystack that is. while at the airport waiting impatiently for my flight, i talked to a man beside me. he is a filipino, but american citizen already, and on his way back to the states from his vacation in his hometown in bohol. i could easily remember how vaingloriously he talked about his province, and he even invited me to stay at their place if i happen to be in the island. the moment he knew that i am good to the united states for three months, he immediately asked me if i have any “plans”. as slow as my mind is, i did not see the quotes within the word plans. he meant going TNT of course, and honestly, that thing did not occur in my mind before, which completely surprised me.
could i have changed a lot?
north america → united states of america → minnesota → minneapolis → lake calhoun
the state of minnesota. also known as the land of 10,000 lakes is not an understatement. in total, the state has 11,842 lakes that are over 10 acres in size. for now, i’ve been to 3 of them: lake phalen and lake como, both in saint paul, the state’s capital, and lake calhoun, in minneapolis.
there’s a fair going on while i was there. it’s aquatennial celebration, a week-long festivities that take place during the hottest period of the summer. one of the major event is boat racing using boats of various designs, all made from empty milk cartons and plastic containers. there are several food stalls, families having picnics, people playing volleyball in the sand, and bikini-clad girls basking under the sultering sun.
unfortunately, i don’t have a powerful zoom lens, nor the guts to take pictures of sweating flesh widely in public’s view. but yes, it’s true, parks seem to be like beach shore lined with people in beach outfit going gaga under the heat.
north america → united states of america → minnesota → dakota county → eagan city
overnight at kuya roy’s place last friday after work. tons of food of course, courtesy of tita maricel. they’ve been extremely generous to our group, providing weekend foods and feeding us to our heart’s content! there were some drinks, booze, but i didn’t take much. i guess i had just 4 rounds of tequila and some beer. most of them had about 11 shots or so, drunk, noisy, and throwing up! several of us went home at around 2am, but since we won’t fit all in the car, and it’s late, we decided to stay overnight. the remaining boys were wildly singing karaoke to tunes they won’t be singing along when in normal state!
the next day, we went home first to have quick shower and pack up for picnic. although eagan city is just 15 miles southeast from the twin cities, it took us some time reaching the place as we had several wrong turns. eventually reaching the picnic ground, we unpacked and set the table under the shades of trees, and then it was a long table of delicious authentic filipino foods! dinuguan (very good!), palabok, monggo, tons of steamed rice, lechon manok, caldereta, etc…complete with chocolate cupcakes, cassava cakes, wide choices of drinks!, and watermelon. a few meters down the picnic area is a swimming facility, cascade bay. entrance is $9. there were so many people in the pool that it’s hard to swim around. summer here is a lot shorter than winter so many have been taking advantage while the sun out and weather is sweltering…but still, this is fresh compared to philippine summer.
after going back and forth to the picnic ground and pool (food is not allowed in cascade bay), i found myself both tired and stomach full! at about 7pm, we decided to go back.
we were actually using a colleague’s caliber (dodge), and i had a chance to test drive it. a really nice car, but i’m still used to operating a manual car. it has a gps, and it’s my first time to see how it operates! really cool and it gives precise directions.
well, not really that one from doctor who, but this headphones without the headband is awesome! sound quality is very good for its price. compared to senn’s px100, the bass is less powerful. however, if you want a pair that has nice treble, decent looking, light and comfortable (at first not), get this one! reproduced sound is well-balanced, vocals are crystal clear (excellent for my nihong go pimsleur classes).
koss ksc75. recommended!
Giniling
0) In a skillet, fry diced potatoes in oil until half cook. Remove the potatoes leaving small amount of oil.
1) Saute minced garlic and onion until light brown.
2) Add ground beef (or pork), seasoned with soy sauce, salt, and pepper.
3) Add small amount of water, simmer for about 20 minutes, or until tender.
4) Add diced carrots and fried diced potatoes.
5) Add more salt or pepper if desired, lower fire and finally, add green bell pepper (cut into stripes), and green onions.
