random thoughts

I miss the Philippines. It is where I grew up. It is the country I call home. It is where I spent my first 24 and a half years. Although my job and my family are here in the states, my heart is still in Manila. Now don't take me wrong, Pittsburgh is nice and the people are very polite and friendly, but nothing compares to Manila. If I could have the life I have here and be in the Philippines, then life would be perfect.

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I miss my friends. Collectively known as the 4-J Boys, they are my second family. I still read about them through the blogs and the yahoogroup, but nothing compares to being in person with them, going out with them. I have missed so many weddings, baptisms and special occasions, which just adds more to the loneliness of being here. I have made a lot of friends here in the states, both pinoy and american, but nothing compares to the barkada that you grew up with.

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My family is what keeps me going here. Seeing the happiness in the eyes of Audric and Aris brings so much joy to me. I strive to keep Dez happy but it's a hard situation for her right now. She can't work because of the visa situation and handling two kids alone can be very tiring. I am hoping that whatever I do to help her out can at least put a smile on her face.

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It is kinda funny how people from the Philippines see the states as the land of milk, honey and moola. When you hear othe people talking about a friend or acquaintance working in the US, all they think about is the gross income; they don't even look at the facts that led you to earn that much:

1. Gross income is just that - gross. Take out around 30% of taxes (for families, 35 for single peeps), what you spend for rent or mortgage, utilities, car payments, and credit card payments, and what you get is not that much anymore.
2. You HAVE to work your butt off to earn every bit of penny here. Work does not end when the work day is over; it just converts to another form - household chores, cutting the grass, etc.
3. There are NO maids, yayas or labanderas to pick up your slack. Everything is up to you (and in my case, my wife).

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