First World Independence

Living in a third world country has its perks sometimes.  For most part of my childhood we were in a middle-income family, yet we have Nannies and maids who cleans the house, takes out the garbage, prepares our lunches, washes the dishes, makes sure we take a bath, brush our teeth.  What's not fair is that now that it's my turn to become a parent, I will have to do it myself.

I remember that I joked about my dream of marrying a rich man and not have to work anymore...to live the lives of the rich actresses and politician's wives or businessmen's concubines in the Philippines.  Not having to think of how to make more money, but instead, how to spend money. LOL. Of course it was a joke (that is half-meant).

Wouldn't it be nice to meet up with girlfriends in the middle of the day and chat for hours?  But then who could afford that?

Seriously though, wouldn't it be nice if we could go about town not having to worry about driving myself in the chaotic streets of Makati but instead having a driver to bring you to your destination...or going to the spa by myself, get a massage or a facial...then meet up with girlfriends at a coffee shop and chat for hours (is this even really happening or does this only happen on TV shows like "Friends"?)...then go shopping, trying on clothes for as long as I want to...or liesurely take my time in working out in the gym.

My Greatest Adventure

I love being a parent.  Some call it an adventure, or punishment or their personal ball-and-chain.  For me though, being a parent even just for one kid has changed my outlook on life immensely.

First time I learned I was pregnant was exciting and scary at the same time.  9 months from that time, would mean I can't go out with friends up to the wee hours in the morning...I can't sleep in on weekends...I can't do things on a whim anymore...or buy things on a whim...and what is this pregnancy going to do to my body?  Don't even get me started on the financial burden this is going to be to raise a child because I had no idea how we're going to go through with that as well.  Life will definitely change as I knew it.

 

Pedicure Treat

Today I went to have a pedicure treat for myself. I am due for one since my last one was a month ago and my new nails are showing halfway up to my toes. Besides, I'm heading to Arizona for a business trip next week. Toes need to be exposed on a 120f weather. Exposed toes need to be pretty. :-)

My Shoe Fetish

Like most women, shoes are my weakness. And this is not the need to buy shoes on an impulse ala Imelda Marcos and leave it in a box or corner collecting dust.  My affinity for shoes is much related to knowing exactly what I want and need and going through odds and ends to have it.

My process in looking for the shoe I have in mind is very similar to how I look for a boyfriend.  I know exactly how I want my perfect shoe to be -- it has to be cute, looks good, works well with my outfits, works well with my lifestyle, dependable, comfortable, is in it for the long haul, comes in my exact size, comes in the color you like...and did I mention cute? LOL

I go through great pains in finding the pair of shoe I want.  Hang in there with me, because there is a method to this madness.  It could start from a fashion inspiration or a need to align with my existing wardrobe.  Then I would get a picture in my head. 

this was what I had in mind except it didn't have my size :(

Weekend Climb

Summer is a special time in New England.  It's just a 3 months in a year where we don't have to wear jackets.  It's not like in Asia where we have the sun all year long and ignore it's presence.  Around here, it is precious commodity and people tend to bask in it for as long as they can.  They take most vacations and half days off during the summer.

Also, unlike Asia, we don't go to the mall during summer to get air-conditioning (AC) to cool ourselves off.  The idea is to go out and have do something.  Vermont is one of the outdoors-ier type of places mostly because of the beautiful scenery all year long.  Every season is special, and there's no better time to be in Vermont than during the summer.  That's also the time when I don't go out of state unless I'm going to the beach.

After the much revered Friday night dinner, what better way to burn it off than by going hiking.  We've been in Vermont for quite a while but we've never hiked before because mainly of the fear of having to bring a kid.  Now she's a little bigger, so we chose to go up the nearest and easiest place to climb -- Mount Philo.

climbing up the trail

Friday Night Dinner

Nomads like us tend to be adaptive to the environment we live in.  We embrace differences in culture and try stuff out, as we don't want to miss out on the experience.  The idea is to try things at least once.  We do this particularly with food.  Some people cringe at the sight of blood soup, balut, sashimi or steak tartare.  But nomads are more open and, without any judgement, seizes the moment.

Outside of the carpe diem matra, though, they are people just missing the environment they are accustomed to.  There are times when we wanted to bask on our comfort zone and not have to tiptoe around other cultures.  I am particularly lucky because I have my fellow Filipino family with me.   When I come home, I can relax, stop trying to adapt, become comfortable speaking my own language and be who I really am. 

It is a different story though for my friend, Pat who is married to an American.  Her struggle to remain true to herself is far more difficult because she has to culturally adjust even at the comfort of her own home.  She therefore cannot just cook a meal like she did from back home if her husband does not like it.  Some Filipino food could admittedly be an acquired taste.  

Sports Nation

When we first got here, I have been wondering about the immense (almost fanatical) fascination about sports in this country.  Their fascination on sports is so great, it is almost comparable to my country's fascination of musical variety shows and telenovelas. :-)  It's a subject in watercooler stations, meeting ice-breakers and lunch break off-work discussion, whether to discuss the game or to have a friendly (and non-so-friendly) bantering.  It was part of the American culture that was so alien to me.

The only sport I have eagerly anticipated on my entire life is basketball.  In my country, despite the lack of appropriate height generally basketball is the official national sport.  It is the only sport I played and understood enough to watch. 

So I decided that if I wanted to contribute to any kind of discussion, I would have to join the sports bandwagon. I'd start off by looking at the NBA.  Because of  regional loyalties, that would mean I'd be cheering for the Boston Celtics.  It was no coincidence also that I'm rooting for a championship contender ever since the Big3 got together.

The Boston Celtics Big 3