Normale Nouvelle
Hello Everyone!
Sorry I have been literally awful at posting :(((
So! So much has happened since my last post, like where do I even begin... I have been in a kind of odd headspace lately. Before I discuss that, let me just talk about what has been going on with me since the last time I posted!
First, the Philippines has begun to feel like my home. I don't know that I can decently express what it feels like to adapt to a new country and to begin to feel somewhat normal, but I will try.
This morning when I woke up, I went and turned my air conditioning on in my room. I began the waking up process (for me getting out of bed is rough) I then went downstairs to say Magandang Umaga (Good Morning) to my host family, but they were already gone for the morning. Both are quite busy, so this is normal. I went to the bathroom and then I came back inside and had a coffee. Filipino coffee is quite odd, its an instant 3- in - 1 coffee. Coffe, sugar, and milk. My family and I's preferred flavor is white (similar to white mocha) and you make it by mixing hot water and the coffee packet and stir. So, I put the hot water on and ate a Filipino banana (yes they are different) while waiting. I then sat down at my table and drank my coffee while reading the American news. (What the heck is going on in the states???) Then I got ready to go. The past couple of days another exchange student in my chapter and I have been going to the gym together in the mornings and I believe we will join officially, I have really been enjoying doing something productive in the morning! So, I got ready and walked to my school to meet him and his Kuya (older brother). On the way, I passed by the Sari-Sari store that I frequent (Sari-Sari stores are kind of like little windows that sell everything from load for your phone to mango juice in a bag) the owner knows me and that I am an American exchange student and makes an effort each day to personally say hello on my way to school. Then, I walked through the gates of my school where my favorite guards say hello to me in Tagalog every day. Then, I went with Dani and his host brother on a jeepney to the mall near us. I honestly love riding Jeepneys, they are kind of cramped, hot, and bumpy, but it makes me feel like I am really in the Philippines when I am on one. I started recently getting comfortable with taking them alone. Now, when I get in a jeep, I sit down and get my coins ready (Jeepneys are really jeep, the minimum fare to get around my city of Cainta is 9 pesos, around 20 cents USD, and to the mall is 12 pesos, 25 cents USD) we then worked out and I am currently writing this while using my gym's free wifi.
I have begun to feel at home in Cainta. I know which jeeps to take where, I know how to get around using like five different modes of transportation, I have begun to recognize faces in my community, and I have made friendships that I know will last a lifetime, that will transcend borders, time zones, and plane rides.
I run errands on my own now and have begun to frequent places in my community. The cashiers at my local grocery store recognize my face and always nod hello when they see me. I am a regular at the laundromat near my house and the Kuya that works there remembers which soap I like him to use when washing my clothes. I have begun to learn Tagalog more and more and am now capable of small conversations, however, they are riddled with mistakes. To Filipinos, it doesn't matter my mistakes. Their faces light up as soon as I begin a conversation with, "Kumusta po ayo Ate" Filipinos are genuinely the kindest people I have met and could not have asked for a better host country.
I have begun to feel comfortable living in Manila and I am so genuinely grateful to be hosted here. There is an endless list of new malls for me to see, beautiful buildings to admire, or beautiful foods to taste. I am so grateful that I was given this opportunity and genuinely would not change it for the world. An exchange is definitely a roller coaster and the hardest thing I have ever done, but I have already been changed for the better. I have begun to see the world in a way that I never would have if I didn't do this. My whole outlook on life has already changed. I now know that I will spend the rest of my life working to help those less fortunate than me.
I don't know that I can really express the privilege that Americans possess. I do not think it is possible for Americans to genuinely understand the wealth that our country has, but just know it is immense. Yet, despite all of the privilege we have been given, many of us find a way to complain every day. We still find fault in the amazing lives we were given. It is so backward from the Philippines. The Philippines is classified as a third world country, I hate this word, but that is what many people call it. I have met people with less material possessions than you could possibly imagine, yet these are also the kindest people I have met. Even with nothing, they find the joy in their every day. I think it is a lesson that everyone from the West can learn to appreciate. If you take anything away from reading this, please remember to have perspective. No matter how bad things may get, you can still find the joy in nothing, from within yourself.
Well! That's all I have to say for now. I promise I will get better at posting!!!
Xoxo - Jacob
Sorry I have been literally awful at posting :(((
So! So much has happened since my last post, like where do I even begin... I have been in a kind of odd headspace lately. Before I discuss that, let me just talk about what has been going on with me since the last time I posted!
First, the Philippines has begun to feel like my home. I don't know that I can decently express what it feels like to adapt to a new country and to begin to feel somewhat normal, but I will try.
This morning when I woke up, I went and turned my air conditioning on in my room. I began the waking up process (for me getting out of bed is rough) I then went downstairs to say Magandang Umaga (Good Morning) to my host family, but they were already gone for the morning. Both are quite busy, so this is normal. I went to the bathroom and then I came back inside and had a coffee. Filipino coffee is quite odd, its an instant 3- in - 1 coffee. Coffe, sugar, and milk. My family and I's preferred flavor is white (similar to white mocha) and you make it by mixing hot water and the coffee packet and stir. So, I put the hot water on and ate a Filipino banana (yes they are different) while waiting. I then sat down at my table and drank my coffee while reading the American news. (What the heck is going on in the states???) Then I got ready to go. The past couple of days another exchange student in my chapter and I have been going to the gym together in the mornings and I believe we will join officially, I have really been enjoying doing something productive in the morning! So, I got ready and walked to my school to meet him and his Kuya (older brother). On the way, I passed by the Sari-Sari store that I frequent (Sari-Sari stores are kind of like little windows that sell everything from load for your phone to mango juice in a bag) the owner knows me and that I am an American exchange student and makes an effort each day to personally say hello on my way to school. Then, I walked through the gates of my school where my favorite guards say hello to me in Tagalog every day. Then, I went with Dani and his host brother on a jeepney to the mall near us. I honestly love riding Jeepneys, they are kind of cramped, hot, and bumpy, but it makes me feel like I am really in the Philippines when I am on one. I started recently getting comfortable with taking them alone. Now, when I get in a jeep, I sit down and get my coins ready (Jeepneys are really jeep, the minimum fare to get around my city of Cainta is 9 pesos, around 20 cents USD, and to the mall is 12 pesos, 25 cents USD) we then worked out and I am currently writing this while using my gym's free wifi.
I have begun to feel at home in Cainta. I know which jeeps to take where, I know how to get around using like five different modes of transportation, I have begun to recognize faces in my community, and I have made friendships that I know will last a lifetime, that will transcend borders, time zones, and plane rides.
I run errands on my own now and have begun to frequent places in my community. The cashiers at my local grocery store recognize my face and always nod hello when they see me. I am a regular at the laundromat near my house and the Kuya that works there remembers which soap I like him to use when washing my clothes. I have begun to learn Tagalog more and more and am now capable of small conversations, however, they are riddled with mistakes. To Filipinos, it doesn't matter my mistakes. Their faces light up as soon as I begin a conversation with, "Kumusta po ayo Ate" Filipinos are genuinely the kindest people I have met and could not have asked for a better host country.
I have begun to feel comfortable living in Manila and I am so genuinely grateful to be hosted here. There is an endless list of new malls for me to see, beautiful buildings to admire, or beautiful foods to taste. I am so grateful that I was given this opportunity and genuinely would not change it for the world. An exchange is definitely a roller coaster and the hardest thing I have ever done, but I have already been changed for the better. I have begun to see the world in a way that I never would have if I didn't do this. My whole outlook on life has already changed. I now know that I will spend the rest of my life working to help those less fortunate than me.
I don't know that I can really express the privilege that Americans possess. I do not think it is possible for Americans to genuinely understand the wealth that our country has, but just know it is immense. Yet, despite all of the privilege we have been given, many of us find a way to complain every day. We still find fault in the amazing lives we were given. It is so backward from the Philippines. The Philippines is classified as a third world country, I hate this word, but that is what many people call it. I have met people with less material possessions than you could possibly imagine, yet these are also the kindest people I have met. Even with nothing, they find the joy in their every day. I think it is a lesson that everyone from the West can learn to appreciate. If you take anything away from reading this, please remember to have perspective. No matter how bad things may get, you can still find the joy in nothing, from within yourself.
Well! That's all I have to say for now. I promise I will get better at posting!!!
Xoxo - Jacob
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