SSF

This book revealed a lot of things not just about food but also about our government, our politics and the greediness surrounding the world. It is sad how some people will do everything and anything to secure their financial position or to increase their monetary wealth. This book is really an eye opening.  I have always thought that our government protects us from everything. Every establishments whether it be food services or hospital services get surveyed, inspected yearly and get fined for violations but it is sad to know that this food tycoons are able to bypass the restrictions just because they help the economics. USDA is in a big dilemma with protecting the consumer and helping the agricultural industry. It all revolves around money. 

Money is the root of evil, as they said. And it’s the sad the truth.

 Sure, food companies did not want to produce unhealthy or obese population, but of course they want people to buy their products. So even if the product is not healthy to consume and exceeds the dietary recommendation, they have to go pass the limit because they need to sell.And be honest, Us, consumers need more flavoring in our food because when a food taste bland we don't buy them.

It is really interesting how food manufacturers spend billions of dollars to get the right formula for the  “bliss point” of sugar, “mouthfeel” of fat and the right pinch of salt that will send consumers over the moon, once they tried the products.  Food inventors and scientist dedicated their time to get the right formulation to get us “addicted” to these products or as they advertised it “crave” their products. It’s also interesting to know that even those scientist that invented the products avoids consuming their processed food. I have never been a fan of processed food. I always prefer home cooked meals. But when the situation became unavoidable I try to moderate my intake. I actually started restricting myself with drinking soda to once a month for a year now and hopefully in time I will be able to avoid it completely.  Moderation is key. 

TEN THINGS I'M GRATEFUL FOR

1. My family.

2. My boyfriend and his family.

3. Genuine friends I'm surrounded with.

4. Thankful that my love ones in the Philippines was not affected by the typhoon.

5. For the house I live in.

6. Food in the table.

7. For my job.

8. For being able to live life comfortably.

9. Good health for me and my family.  

10. I'm thankful for the strength I'm given to balance work and school.

Ang Aking Pamilya

My biological father left for Japan when I was four months old. Due to personal problems in between him and my mother the relationship did not work and they decided to separate. Growing up, I will always hear people call me “Little Peter.” Whenever people see me, they will tell me I look just like my father.  I used to get annoyed when they call me little peter but at the same time I’m curious on how people see our resemblance. My mom said I copied almost everything from my dad, my favorite food, my choice of hobbies, the way I speak, the way I act, my choice of music, my talents and so on.  When I was younger I feel like my mom probably hates me because I will be a constant reminder of her failed relationship with him. I did not feel the void or the “awkwardness” of our situation because I have good support coming from my extended families. My aunts, uncles and specially my grandparents tried to fill in the missing pieces which I am very grateful for.  My biological father communicated with us here and there and he did not remarry. I feel sad for the life he chose but that’s life. I just pray to God that in old age, someone will take care of him wherever he might be and I’m still hopeful that he will find someone as his companion. The last time I heard he went back home to their ancestral home in the Philippines after twenty four years (my age).

My mother was a single parent for awhile but eventually she remarried when I was six years old. I remember first time seeing my soon to be step dad in his blue lacoste polo shirt and jeans, specially his mustache. I remember how those mustache felt when he tried to kiss me on my cheeks, I didn’t like it but at the same time I felt excited that I am going to have a father. I did not have problem adjusting to the new situation because my step dad treated me and my older sister like his own. The only thing I did not like at first is how the rules at home change. Certain rules that a father will implicate for the safety of her daughters but eventually I abide to it because I understand that its for my safety. What I remember the most and treasures a lot was when he drops us off to school in his brand new jeep. I remember feeling very proud of him specially when my classmates starts to stare and I’m like “HEY EVERYONE! THIS IS MY DADDY.”

I feel very blessed to have a person like him in my life. He taught me what unconditional love is. Now that I am older, I appreciate him more because he continues to show, that my sister and I are not different from our other siblings. He gives us the same support and affections he gives to his biological children. I do not feel the difference of our family to those who have a “normal” one. Now, I have a total of five siblings and together we are one big happy family.

Materialistic (AN: chapter 5)

Remember The Reason For The Season

I agree with Lauren Smith’s essay. The holiday season is not materialistic. Yes some people may express their gratitude to their love ones through expensive gifts but this is not necessary. As Smith stated, “Each gift that is given or received is done so with love and selflessness.”  It doesn’t matter what kind of present your giving those dear to you. This gifts can be as small or as inexpensive as long as it comes from your heart. You can give cards, bake goods, personal letters or like what my little sister does, her drawings.

       Our family usually exchange gifts with each other. We will have our wish lists posted on our refrigerator, not listing the exact item but rather describing it such as, “Something red, something soft, something sweet.” In this case, we will always be surprise in what kind of gifts we’re going to get. I have five siblings, and none of them are working yet because they are still in grade school and high school. They are very creative with their gifts. Every christmas I will receive candies, letters, drawings and something inexpensive but very nice and thoughtful. See? you don’t have to spend a lot to show your love to your family. Every Christmas Eve, we will wait for the clock to strike midnight and then we will sing a happy birthday song to Jesus, give thanks and exchange gifts. My mother will prepare foods for us to share while waiting for 12 midnight. We share stories, watch a movie, play board games and share a sparkling cider or two. My mom and dad will share their wine of course.

       

During holidays, my mother makes long distance phone calls to her siblings in the Philippines. We also get to see our cousins from the Philippines through webcam chats. Sometimes we will have family reunions during holidays. We will go to San Francisco to be with my relatives or to San Diego and spend Christmas with them or vise versa. For my family, holidays specially Christmas are the time where we are able to spend some time with our love ones. Being together eating and creating fun memories with your love ones are the best part of the season.

GAME FACE ON

         It was three years ago when I graduated and received my Diploma in Nursing. Since then I had been procrastinating whether I should go back to school to get my Bachelors Degree. Years passed and I didn’t even noticed that I have been working three years. I guess I’m enjoying my job too much that I did not think of getting my bachelors anymore. What I don’t like about nursing though is that, it doesn’t matter how good you are or how well you can perform your job. What matters is the title you have after your name. So if you don’t have a BSN, it will surely limit your job description and  your income even if you can perform the job as well or better than others.

Now I can say, Goodbye Procrastination and Hello! College life. Again. I am taking steps to be closer to what I have dreamed of. It’s not easy to work full time and go to school full time, but it’s worth it. And yes I am proud of how I can handle and manage this altogether.

I feel like since I already experienced working, my goal as a college student has changed. Now I am more serious and motivated because I already experienced first hand how it is “out there.” Before when I was in college in my teenage years, my mom will always tell me “You’re lucky I’m sending you to school and you don’t have to go to work.” I appreciate my parents effort then, but now I can put more meaning to what they always lectures me. Because YES I was indeed lucky then. Nothing to worry about but go to school and study. Now that I’m working and going to school at the same time, I feel really overwhelmed at times and wanting to give up. Going to school is expensive, specially if you’re like me who did not get approved to any financial aids. Everything is out of pocket and I’m too embarrassed to asked my parents for financial help because they already did their part in putting me through a nursing school that cost them five digits! All I’m holding into is that, after all of this I will be able to reach my dream, broaden my options in health care field and I will be more compensated with my job. That’s what keeps me motivated. With all of that in mind, I know I can face my daily 6:30am alarm clock with my GAME FACE ON!

Reality TV shows

CHILDREN SEE, CHILDREN DO

I find it really hard to start this blog because personally, I do not watch television shows. Nowadays, I do not find anything interesting about television shows. It’s not like those old days where you can turn the television on and find something interesting to watch where you can actually learn something. I don’t actually feel safe when my younger siblings watches the television because even in cartoons there are shows that shouldn’t even be considered a children’s show. 

Most of the time when I turn on the television or browse the internet I will randomly see advertisements or commercials about honey boo boo, The Kardashians, Girl next door etc. and I will wonder who watches this kind of reality TV shows? I don’t even know if some of it really happens in “real” life. Sometimes I find myself praying and hoping that it doesn’t happen in real life. Some of this shows shouldn't even be allowed to be viewed by general public specially the young ones.  Sex, money and fame are usually the theme for these shows. How to be pretty, how to be rich and famous.  And apparently, if you want to look for the Mr. Right you just need to join a reality TV show called “The Bachelor.” And after he kissed and dated all the women in the show and he thinks he liked you the most at the end you will get married to him. How romantic is that?  

I really wonder why people are fascinated with reality TV shows. Maybe for them it’s a escape from the reality or maybe they are curious about how the rich and famous leads their lives. Do they have problems just like you and me? What can they do that a common people can’t? What separate common people from hollywood people? And maybe its a relieved for them to see that they are humans just like all of us. Because believe it or not some people wants to see that people from hollywood are not perfect and they are capable of doing dumb things just like any other human beings. Nobody leads a perfect life and yes, those perfect, rich and famous people have their own struggles in life. These are just some of the reasons I can think of why Americans are hooked or entertained by reality TV shows. 

Anyway, there are some TV shows like America’s Got Talent, Survivor, Amazing Race, Project Runway etc. which showcases people’s talents, how they fight for their dreams, determinations, skills, and how far teamworks can take you. They are entertaining and at the same time very educational. These are the shows that they should produce more.

Reality TV shows has a big impact in our society. Media all in all has a big influence to our nation, specially to the younger generations. As they say “Children see. Children do.” Ever wonder why there’s more teenager that’s anorexic or has eating disorders? Blame it to social media. But there’s also good influences from these kind of shows like pursuing your dreams by joining talent shows. We just have to guide our loved ones on what to watch. I just hope that they have more restrictions to these kind of shows. But since they’re making big monetary gain with this kinds of shows, I do not think it will happen soon. Business is business.

Angels without wings

Thirty six patients, if you’re lucky thirty two. Patient unresponsive. Patient having chest pains. Code blue. Patient with coffee ground emesis. Patient fell out of bed. Patient pass out. Family complains and demands. Doing rounds with doctors. Carrying out doctor’s order, critical lab values, not to mention charting and documentations.  It doesn’t happen all at the same time, but sometimes it does. That’s how a typical day of a nurse is. Specially those that works in a long term care facility. 

Sometimes I ask myself, is it worth it? I had doubt my profession many times. Going home very exhausted and felt very unappreciated. In the first month that I worked as a charge nurse, I felt like giving up. Stress with how am I going to finish passing medication within the two hour period on top of answering phone calls, and attending to families concern.

“This is not for me,” I said. 

One day while doing my  medication pass, I was greeted by a warm smile by one of my patient, she told me thoughtfully, “Thank you for all you do.” And in that moment, I realized, “This is why I became a nurse, this is what I signed for.” Seeing your patient  was able to walk again. Patients that weren't able to talk or see, but touches your hands when you’re taking care of them. Thank you notes from families and chocolates as a sign of appreciation. Knowing that you’re one of the instrument that God used to help them eases their pains and aches. Hugs from families that really appreciates your care for their parents are some of the reasons why I chose to stay with this vocation. Yes, nursing requires patients and a lot of dedications. It can be very stressful at times. But going home knowing that you were able to touch life is a very rewarding feeling.

JOLLIBEE

A red big bee! Jollibee!  In the Philippines, Jollibee has always been the biggest rival of McDonald's.

My mom is a good cook. She always prefer to cook for us instead of eating outside. Occasionally she will treat us to fast food restaurants when I was little but most of the time she uses this as a bait. For instance, I remember my mom will “force” us to wake up early in the morning to go to catholic mass. I will never wake up for church. I rather sleep in or play outside with my cousins instead. When my mom tells me, “If you get up for church, I will take you to Jollibee after the mass.” I will wake up as fast as a ightning, and get dressed in a blink of an eye. During the mass however, all I will think about was the crispy, crunchy, yummy chickenjoy and the warm gravy that goes with it.  Hmmmm... Just the name of it makes me drool. When I was little, I also get excited about the toys that came with your “jolly meal.” The  fast food

This was where I go to "Church"
when I was little
 Jollibee in the right corner:)

restaurants has a clever way of selling their products by  means of toy collectables. In order for you to complete the toys, you have to eat several times and purchase it with your order.

When I was in college in the Philippines, I had to move to the big city and live in a dormitory. I live and breath fast foods. Especially because my dormitory was next to Jollibee! My mother was not too happy about it, but I don’t have any other choice. I was too lazy to cook. Sometimes I would go to carinderia. Carinderia is a local eatery that serves viands for an affordable price. The disadvantage though was that, the cleanliness of how they prepared the food was questionable, but this is not a general opinion. Some carinderias are clean. So, the only choices I had back then was to get fat with fast food or to risk getting e.coli with carinderias. Also my friends first choice of food then was fast food. It was not fun, but the people with me that time made it a memorable experience!

My dormitory, and yes! that's Jollibee in the far left corner :)

Nowadays, my mom still cooks for us and packs us lunch to work. In fact, on my school breaks, I still go home and eat at home instead of buying junk foods. I’m not a big fan of fast foods, thanks to my mom! I crave my mom’s homemade foods more than anything else. And I think after reading salt, sugar, fat by Michael Moss I will be more cautious of what I put in my mouth. There’s still an instance where I crave for fast food. I don’t give in much with this temptation though, and try really hard to avoid it. Unless, I’m really stress out and I need some kick or a picker upper. Funny thing is, when I was in the Philippines, even if I eat whatever I want, I don’t gain weight. In here, when I eat, it feels like all the fats just go straight to my belly. Maybe its my metabolism, or maybe its because of the food contents. We’ll we will never know, because the food giants will never tell.

Philippines Vacation 2011 Jollibee

 

Opening of Jollibee franchise in Queens, NY

IMIGRANTE (essay 1)

                                                   

It was January 28, 2008 in the Philippines. It was late in the evening, around 6 o'clock. On the way to the airport with my aunt and relatives, I remember seeing the sunset by Manila Bay and it looks really warm, but for me the weather feels gloomy. Upon arrival at the airport, the holiday spirit is engulfing the place. You can still see Christmas decors in display. 

There’s people patiently waiting for arrivals of their love ones, and some people with their saddest faces waving their good byes. As for me, I’m the latter. With a heavy heart, I could still remember the scenario, I have my favorite purple Jansport backpack, pushing a cart full of baggages towards the entrance of the departure area and wearing just a plain old white shirt and my favorite pair of jeans and sneakers, my older sister Paula was walking beside me in her loose shirt, comfortable shorts and sandals, holding firmly onto her belly, she’s about 4 months pregnant at that time. Trying not to look back, I told my sister “Ate, I don’t want to leave.” She looked at me and told me, “Don’t be silly.”, but in her eyes I saw, the same mixed emotions of anxiety, sadness and excitement.  The very same emotions I have at that moment. I will be boarding my first ever plane trip. We’re leaving the Philippines...for good.

I was 19 years old by then, I don’t know if I should be happy because at long last I will live under the same roof with my parents and my four other siblings, it had been a long wait, there’ve been legal issues in between my mother and my biological father about taking us to the United States, so it required me and my sister to wait until our legal age to decide for ourselves and migrate here but on the side of my mind was, should I be sad because I’m leaving the people I grow up with, my auntie who raised me since I can remember, my cousins, my long time friends, and specially my boyfriend. Staring blankly ahead, I continue to maneuver my cart, everything was blurry. I couldn’t blink, because I know that if I do, I will not be able to hold back my tears. My sister on the other hand, was just looking at me and giving me a taunting smile. I ignored her. 

As we’re approaching the main entrance of the airport, for some reason my head just instinctively turned and looked back where my relatives were standing waiting for our departure. I saw my aunt, as I laid my eyes upon her face, I saw her looking back at us, sobbing and crying her heart out, I couldn’t hold it anymore, I cried.  The security guards we’re looking at me like I’m such a melodramatic teenager. My sister was laughing at me, I felt stupid, but I didn’t care.

Leaving the Philippines for me then felt like I was going to another planet. It was my world, my comfort zone.  Well, of course, I spent 19 years of my life there; and I’m not ready to go, at least just not yet. I was scared, nervous, anxious, certainly full of emotions. Asking myself random stuff like, what will America be like? When will I see them again? Will it be the same here in the Philippines once I come back? 

On the other hand, I feel excited. I’m going to America, the land of the free, the home of the brave.  Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that country?  Moreover I’m going to be with my family, the only thing that I dreamed of since I was little, finally it’s coming true. Just a moment away and I will lay my eyes on that dream.

We boarded the plane, I was sitting by the window, I peeked outside, saying my goodbye to my motherland, I am not certain when will I be coming back, so I filled my eyes with instill memories as much as I could. It will be a long 16 hours flight, in a few moment I will experience my first plane ride. Yay! or Nay?  I was worried for my sister because she was pregnant then, it will not be easy for her. The engine roar, I buckled up. Excited and nervously waited for the plane to start, after rolling down the runway, boom! we flew up in the sky. It was like riding up a roller coaster. Except with that ride, you’ll go down after 16 hours.

After 16 hours of flight, we arrived safely in LAX, it was 6 o’clock in the evening, in the Philippines by this time, you will witness the most beautiful sunset.  I thought when I arrived, the first ever sunset of the big U.S.A. will welcome me, but the sun already hid itself. I told myself, maybe I just had the wrong time, maybe its already 7 o’clock in the evening. I checked the clock, to my dismay, it really was 6pm. I just brushed it off my mind, I hurriedly look for a window to peek outside the airport, the kid in me, screams for snow! Hey its January, if there’s no sun, at least there should be snow! All of you could imagine how disappointed I was. Half of the movies I watched were liars. So much disappointment in a kid inside me.

After going through long lines, baggage wait, check out and much questioning, we finally walked towards the exit of the   airport, I’m ecstatic. As we reached the arrival area, I looked for familiar faces, my parents and siblings! Oh, I can’t wait to see and hug them! Many people are outside the arrival area waiting, I couldn’t distinguished their faces in the crowd, I just kept on pushing our cart, to my surprise, camera flashes greeted us, I felt like a celebrity, the flashes were from my mother, taking picture of us and my siblings yelling our names. I ran as fast as I could and hug them tight as possible. I thought to myself, this is it!  “I’m home.”

By then, I couldn’t give importance on that day because I had too many emotions. Looking back at this event in my life, I realized how significant that day was, many things had changed. It all started the moment I set foot in America.  It was the point where there is no going back. Point of no return. I need to embrace the new life I was given. It is not easy to migrate, you need to adjust yourself to a new environment and culture. New lessons will be learned. This country helped me distinguished my weakness and strength as a person. Forced me to depend on myself more than anyone else, although my parents has been very supportive of me and my siblings throughout. This country thought me a lot. Made my relationship with people I left in the Philippines grow stronger and tested by the distance. As the saying goes, distance makes the heart go fonder. America shaped me as I am now, and will continue to mold me as I grow and learn new things. I will never forget the day my life completely turned. It all started five years ago, January 28,2008.

1 Corinthians 13

“In sickness and in health, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, ‘till death do us part”.  These are the words married people vowed to each other in the matrimony of their marriage. For me, it does not matter whether you’re married or not, what matters most is you will love and stand beside each other until the end, no matter what. I have seen couples who have been married for years, but treat each others like they’re strangers, just staying together for the sake of being married and the kids, even if they do not love each other anymore; and I have seen couples who are not married but had showed me what married couples should be. Marriage certificates for me, are just papers that our society implemented for legal purposes.  What matters most is the promises that the couple made between each other and will do everything in keeping them. 

In an excerpt in the chapter, the idea of being temporary married was written and discussed, just reading the title of the essay made me draw a big frown on my face, the idea of it sounded like signing a “contract” and whoever thought of it must now know what love truly means. I would rather stay single than signing a contract with someone just to be temporarily married, that is, if you call that marriage in the first place. Life is not about convenience. Love is more profound than just signing a contract and then leave when you’re done. 

Although I stated that it doesn’t matter in a relationship if you’re married or not, I still believe that monogamy in a relationship is important. It is a sign of mutual respect for each other. I do not conform on the fact that humans are being compared to other lower form of mammals like the Prairie voles in terms of being faithful in a relationship. Yes, we may be created similarly to them in some ways but the big difference is, we have conscience that knows the difference between right and wrong. Like what Confucius said, “Do not do unto others, what you don’t want others do unto you.” Golden Rule. 

Marriage in America has declined compared eons ago. Social media has played a big influence on this, television shows, the Hollywood. I am sure that almost all of you have heard about the Kardashians, Britney Spears and so forth. This does not need to be elaborated, I’m sure that everyone knows where I’m pointing at. Celebrities, not all, but some, has a big influence on how marriages in America is now. I also think that being monogamous in a relationship has been tougher, because there has been many ways that infidelity can occur like social networking, texting and other methods. Temptations are always around, it’s like survival of the fittest. I know this, because personally I’m in a long distance relationship, and I know how easy it would take to break or make this kind of relationship. Compared before, most couples nowadays also has their own careers, and tend to neglect to nurture the relationship, however, it is always your own choice and actions that will matter, if you love a person truly, no matter how tough the situation gets, your love for each other will always be the answer.

I always enjoy seeing pictures of old couple, I’m amazed on how they stayed with each other throughout the years. As my favorite saying goes, a successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. For me this reflects my point of view on what married life is going to be. For sure there will be hard times, and in those times, you will question yourself, why of all people, he’s the one you chose? In this times, you will have to ask yourself, what made you chose him, what are the qualities that made you fall in love with him? If there’s ninety-nine reasons why you can’t stand him anymore, think about the one main reason why you chose him, and hopefully this reason is enough for you to stay.

Disney Movie "UP"

Beloved of the rose tower

Beloved of the rose tower

A word or set of words by which a person, animal, place, or thing is known, addressed, or referred to; that is the dictionary definition for a name.  I am blessed with a very long name, Mary Antonette Dela Rosa Torres. In my country, it is very common for people to have two given first names, in my case it’s Mary Antonette. It is said that we adopted this type of naming system from the Spaniards. My middle name is Dela Rosa, which comes from my mother’s maiden name. Also, my last name Torres which I’ve obtained from my father. When I arrived here in the United States, any time I was addressed or whenever I register my name, they always confused Antonette as a part of my middle name. I’ve been given a chance to change my name when I changed my citizenship, but I didn’t do so, because even though my name has been a source of conflict, I know that my parents given some thought and their time in choosing this name for me, moreover because my name connects me to my other sisters, I have two sisters named Marie Paulette and Maria Bernadette, people know us, as the tres Marias. The reason being for this was because my parents originally thought there were only going to be three of us.  However, I have a total of five siblings now. 

My name was given to me by my father, it was patterned with my elder sister’s name Marie Paulette. Mary is the English version of the name Maria; Philippines was colonized by Spaniards for three hundred years, and then by Americans for 48 years. So some of the Filipinos convert their name and made it Americanized. That’s why Mary was a common given first name after Spanish era. Some sources says that Mary means bitter, beautiful one or beloved. Which one I am? I don’t know it depends on what hormone is seething in my body.  

Antonette means “worthy of praise.” It is feminine of Anthony. I always get compliments with my name, but when I was in grade school, I disliked my name, because it was too long for me to write. Occasionally, people will say that my name sounds very feminine and then they will tease me, do you know Marie Antoinette? Of course after having asked about this several times, I already know whose Marie Antoinette, it was the beheaded Queen of France. I surely don’t want to be beheaded. I then adopted Toni or Tonette as my nicknames.

“Of the rose.” That’s what Dela Rosa means. Having been said in my first paragraph, my country was colonized by Spaniards for three hundred years, my blood as a Filipino is probably three-fourth, I come from a heritage of Chinese, Spanish and Filipino descent. There’s too many colonizers that inhabited Philippines that most people from Philippines does not look Filipino anymore. Native Filipinos are called Aetas, they have features such as dark to dark brown skin, kinky to afro-like textured skin and lighter hair color. Torres means “tower.” The definition of my family name then means, “Of the rose tower.” According to my ancestors, Spanish government made it mandatory to change family names to a Spanish translation, so that it will be easier to collect taxes from people. Interestingly enough, colonization did a big influence with the name that I have right now, but at the end of the day I believed names are just labels, no one can define a person just by the name, people are made individually unique from each other, but it was fun to know where your name originated from just by looking up names. So, what does your name means?

Natives of Philippines "Aetas"

Mon passé, le présent et l'avenir (My past, present and the future)

            If I can travel back in time, I want to be a child again. I spent my childhood in the Philippines, we live in a big compound with three houses where  my cousins also lives. Back then, I grow up with my grandmother, because my parents lives here in the USA. Every morning specially in the summer, we will play all sorts of games, from morning 'till dusk.  Don't you just love being a child?  I love the feeling of being carefree, no need to worry about tomorrow, and of course no bills to pay. Even if I did not grow up with my parents, I  always feel grateful, that even though they we're far, they never fail to make me feel loved.  My grandmother never forgets to tell me and my siblings that my parents are abroad to provide a better future for us, and luckily in that age I understood what that meant, and instead of feeling abandoned, I appreciate them more. There's time of course that you will feel the need to hug them or see them, and it makes me sad but I know it's even harder for them not to be with their children, so me and my siblings will just always look forward for their calls or those days when they visit Philippines for a vacation. Sad to say, this type of family is very common in a third world country, where people seek job and had to go abroad and sacrifice to be far from their loved ones to provide a better future for their family.

            I came here in America five years ago. And currently working as a licensed nurse in a rehabilitation facility. I love being a nurse, for me it's a vocation not a profession. To be able to do more with my profession, I have to get my bachelors, so now I am studying to hopefully get my Bachelor degree in Nursing to further established my chosen career.

            If  I can foresee the future, I hope to see myself and those I love to be happy, contented and satisfied. But as they say, happiness is not a destination, its a way of life.  So, whatever the future holds I lay it all upon to HIM, and all I can do is to do what I think is necessary to have a future that I aspire, live day by day and be thankful.