It Started Four Years Ago

My endeavor in America started four years ago when I first set foot in LAX going to Southern California. I knew I was already in America when I got out the airport and felt that terribly cool air that gave me chills deep to my bones. March 13, 2006 was the time I first;

-- met my father-inlaw, Morgan Sanborn in Banning, California
-- experienced riding in a cable car, Palm Springs, CA
-- touched the snow, Palm Springs, CA
-- tasted chicken burrito (huge one)
-- saw the neatness and big roads of America
-- using the automatic flush toilet bowl

During the first year of my endeavor in USA, I learned to

-- use the microwave, washing machine/ dryer
-- use the automatic faucet
-- love dogs more than ever
-- appreciate having friends around me
-- be more vocal and open to how I feel inside (Americans are not mind readers so don't expect them to read you or know what you want from them by sulking, speak loud so they can hear you)
-- be strong so to stand the homesickness
-- be grateful for achieving the greatest dream I had, maka kita sa America
-- hold a real gun and fired live bullets to the indoor range


And these are some of my KA IGNORANTIHAN during my first few months here;

-- didn't know how to use the automatic faucet, microwave, washer/dryer
-- kept breaking my husband's things (plates, glasses, blender etc)
-- had a hard time understanding American/Texan accent
-- afraid to go out for I might see people and couldn't comprehend them
-- couldn't make an appointment through the phone
-- had my husband order for my food in restaurants
-- kissed our neighbors flowers (pirst tym to see flowers that can only be seen in America)
-- hitting other cars when I open the door of our car to get in/out
-- won't fall in line at the counter or going for express foods
-- didn't know which is expensive and which are not
-- kept comparing dollar to peso at the grocery store
-- didn't know how to turn on the centralized aircon/heater
-- @ the Chinese buffet, I tend to put all the foods possible to my plate, too overwhelmed of the various selections and I'll go for another round not finishing the first plate full of food

There are some things I might have forgotten to write down here and I will just add 'em up when I remember them. Of my being four years in America I have learned so much about life, about people, about being independent and responsible for I've got no one here but myself and the husband.

Four years... I still can't believe I've been here that long and yet I still suffer homesickness and loneliness. I still long to be in my home country again. Yes I am well provided by my husband here but THERE'S NO OTHER PLACE LIKE HOME,jud!