2008-2001 = 7
Today is my seventh year in the States. I first stepped on this soil on June 23, 2001.Sometimes I can’t believe I’m really here. A year before I left all I wanted was to have a permanent teaching position at a rural public school. So much has happened since then.
Back in 1996, when I started teaching at UPV, someone commented that I was the type who would stay in my job for a very long time. In short, she saw me as a “lifer”. I suppose she thought that because I was reserved and timid-looking. Can’t blame her. Vivacity has never been a major part of my personality, hence I could come across as a boring person. In fact, my sister once likened me to ”Wednesday Addams” of the Addams Family movie.
Now I look back at that comment and think with a smirk, “You couldn’t have been more wrong! The person you thought would stay put for ”life” has been taking a roller coaster ride for the past seven years. You couldn’t be more adventurous than that.”
I left the Philippines a dignified teacher. When I got to the States I was down on my knees scrubbing bathtubs and picking up hairs from hotel bathroom floors. Housekeeping may be a low-esteem occupation, but I loved cleaning. It made me stronger physically and slimmer too. Then I worked as a nanny for several days. Couldn’t stay long because it painfully reminded me of the one-year-old son I left back home. Searched the papers for another job and became an all-around helper at a bakery/restaurant. Did a little cooking, manned the cash register, packed bread, washed dishes, and scrubbed (not mopped) the floor. Was also a caregiver and performed the usual caregiver stuff : lifting, feeding, cleaning shit. I felt empowered doing these things because I thought I’d know what to do when my mother would need this kind of care later on. After that I was a salesperson at a store that sold expensive eyewear and watches. It was fun observing how my Egyptian boss, the store owner, would wait til his mistress, the store manager, was busy and go to the stockroom to bang another salesgirl. With the urging of my mother I reluctantly went back to school. And voila! Now I’m a licensed vocational nurse.
What a journey! I wonder what else I may do in another seven years. As I told a friend before: “My life here has never been all that comfortable, but it sure has never been boring.”
