What? Rain?

Hurricane Gustav threatens he Southern part of Louisiana, especially the Katrina-stricken city of New Orleans. They’re on alert for evacuation over the weekend since Gustav is expected to landfall early Tuesday next week.

Now, my sister and her husband are driving from Florida to spend Labor Day with me..and you guessed it. We’re booked at a hotel in New Orleans this weekend! We’re supposed to spend Saturday night there and go back here to Baton Rouge (where it’s safer) on Sunday afternoon. We talked so much about doing Bourbon St. and French Quarter like crazy!

Having grew up in the Philippines and witnessed so many typhoon tragedy, I feel like going to New Orleans this weekend is pretty safe since it’s not expected to come this Saturday. But people who knows we’re heading to New Orleans thinks we’re mad!

I’m not bothered about the rain and the wind..hey, I grew up in an island that’s being hit by typhoon all year round! I’m fine with rains..what’s not fine though is the authorities in New Orleans would probably be evacuating the locals there so my guess is: roads leading there would most likely be closed..and I would hate that!

But my sister is already on her way here as of this time so heck, Gustav or no Gustav, we’ll head South! (stop us if you can..hehe)

Home

I saw this and I got homesick and all worked up. This is one of those days. The first actually since I came here a month ago. I don’t know. I was perfectly satisfied when I got here. I guess I just had a rotten day. Seeing those cruel and withdrawn kids at school made me wish for the warm hugs of my Pinoy students. Everything here is a big no-no. Don’t give them food–you might get in trouble for any stomach aches (so for 3 days now, I just had to bear seeing that boy in my class who sat defiantly in the cafeteria throughout lunch period. Without food. While everybody around him was eating). Never, ever touch them–you’ll get sued for harrassment. What’s a little hug, a tiny squeeze in the shoulder? Are they trying to raise cold-blooded kids here?

Granting that the video was pretty corny. But that’s what life is supposed to be. Simplier. With lotsa smilin’ and lotsa’ huggin’. Is it really bad to show someone that you care? Especially when deep inside you you’re convinced that’s all they need to make them feel better?

I miss the ”onli in da Pilipins” sunny smiles and innocent touch. Darn, I miss UP! I miss the crowd! I miss kwek-kwek, chicharon and Purefoods hotdogs! One month here? Oh boy, could I tell you what this country is missing!

Bring it on!

Another first.

A new, shiny black leather swivel chair was delivered to my classroom today. And it’s mine. Well, for the school year at least. I spent a good deal of time testing the wheels and spinning ’round in it like a 5-year old kid in dad’s office. I’ve never had a cushioned swivel chair in my classroom before. I like the tall back and the leathery feel. Makes me feel someone not to be messed up with

That’s it. I’m quite happy with the new chair. It looks perfectly FINE.

First Day High

I survived it. I made it. I was sort of dreading for this day to come because of the “first day” fright everybody at school was talking about. But know what? It wasn’t that bad. This day turned okay. But what really made my day was Pastor Dale’s visit with a bag of goodies for me. And when I say goodies..I really mean goodies! Like Mang Tomas (which is weird because I was just craving for that just this afternoon!), Rufina patis (haha!), Silverswan soy sauce (I never like adobo here because they cook with local soy sauce), and the heavensent of all—guisado bagoong!!!!!! My friend and I were just talking about it yesterday! Really the best way to end the day..:)

Antsy Employee

As much as possible, I avoid writing work-related stuff in my blog. But for the last couple of days, all I ever thought about was WORK, WORK and WORK! I mean it’s not easy being new in a strange country where everybody gives me a second look for not being black or white. Or being asked to repeat myself eventhough I was speaking perfect english (asian-standard haha). In my head, I was like “I had an English major and y’all askin’ me to repeat mahself??” Kidding. But seriously, it’s tough.

It’s hard getting used to the American culture of cash-free society, eat-as-if-there’s-no-tomorrow, ride-your-car-when-going-to-the-next-block, etc. And as a Filipina (born in a country under different colony for hundreds of years), I tend to be timid and gracious at everything. I’m just starting to learn how to ball my fist at that guy who honked at me when I was crossing the street (okay, so I don’t have a car and I just take a walk when going to wherever??) eventho’ the light was red. Or to act big and nonchalant to that big “gang-ish” groupie outside Walmart the other day. Or to share my ideas and make it heard to the mixed-nationality group I was with at training yesterday. Yeah, it’s tough.

Even what used to be simple things are becoming complicated now. Like how I can’t hang my clothes to dry because the neighbors will complain? I had to use the laundry, which by the way costs a lot, and have my clothes back still damp from the dryer. The first time I did the laundry, I covered all of our furnitures to dry my clothes..hey..there’s nowhere to hang them! But I have a laundry system now only I can know *wink*

But I do love the ease by which knowledge is just within my grasp..I attended a paid two-day training and I came home with a bunch of resources and teaching materials for free! Back home, I would’ve spent thousands of money to attend that kind of training..it felt good (although I was sleepy for the most part hehe) to have people willing to help me become better at my job. I’m blessed with supportive bosses and helpful co-workers..thank God!

But this I hate most: Crab mentality..crab mentality..crab mentality!