I’m tagged? Well…. ok.
Well, over the weekend, Marcus, blogging at Blogger Beer tagged me in a little blogger game. I guess that I now have to reveal some secrets or little known things about myself! It doesn’t say how many things I have to reveal, but everybody that I saw was revealing 5 things, and then tagging 5 additional folks, so I’ll see what I can do to keep that string alive. So, let’s see, what are 5 things about myself that I will reveal here?
1. When I moved to the Philippines, I had a hard time adjusting to life here. It took me several years (maybe a little more) to really accept the way life is here, compared to the USA where I am from. Sometimes, this would even lead to getting angry and losing my temper with people if I didn’t like the way they handled a situation. I am talking about like in stores, out in public, etc. It’s embarrassing to lose your temper like that, especially when it is uncalled for. Thankfully, I have overcome that and I am usually able to keep those feelings in check these days. I do love living here!
2. Although it’s probably evident through my blogs, I have never revealed it specifically – I really have a fascination with Moro culture. Anybody who reads this blog and views my PhotoBlog would know that I enjoy traveling in areas of the ARMM, and that is because I find the Muslim culture fascinating. It’s something that I want to learn more about, and understand better than I do currently.
3. I have a very strict rule with my kids. They must speak English inside the house. You see, I want them to maintain their excellent English that they brought from the States, and by forcing them to exclusively speak English while in the house, that makes them keep their skills alive. When they go outside and play with their friends, they speak Bisaya, and in school they have Pilipino lessons, so they get plenty of practice in three languages. I feel that speaking excellent English is something that will serve them when they are adults.
4. I sometimes have trouble remembering what part of the year it is. Since the weather is always basically the same here every month of the year, sometimes I actually have to stop and think what part of the year we are in!
5. Politically, I am a conservative, and always have been. The first time I voted for President of the USA, it was for Ronald Reagan. Being conservative, that would generally mean that I am a Republican. There was one time that I actually voted for a Democrat, though. That was for Jolene Unsoeld for Congress in my district. You see, Congresswoman Unsoeld had been very helpful to me in assisting with getting Feyma’s immigration approved quickly and easily. Because of that, I felt that I owed her my vote, and I was happy to give it to her. These days, I am beginning to feel that the Republican party has moved away from my beliefs, though (at least they have in their actions), and I am beginning to feel more like I’m a Libertarian. Actually, though, I don’t follow American politics as much as I used to. Living in Mindanao
Now, who am I going to tag to play this game in the next round? Let me see….
1. Blogie at Ang Dabawenyo
2. Glenda at The Lady Behind
3. Pete at Living In The Philippines
4. Julius at Philippine Voyager
5. Joy (aka “Speedbump”) at So You Want to Retire in the Philippines?
That’s it! Have fun, those whom I’ve tagged!
Bob,
Family emergency caused my wife and I to fly to Baguio (May 4 – 15, 07)for a trial (her brother was murdered by his wife). Legal system totally different than the USA. We flew my wife’s sister from Reboken to Manila for a visit. I wanted to visit Surigao but our time was limited. I plan to return in November to visit Surigao, what is your opinion of this palce?
Thanks,
Tom
Bob,
On #1 I had similar things to you. It seemed the people I had to deal with were never in a hurry when I needed/wanted something from them, but it did not work the other way around. I never blew a fuse over it all, but it did eat at me.
It was a Filipina working at one of the hospitals in my former city of residence who dragged me into this.
Anwyay, cool!
Hi Bob,
This is about #2. I started visiting your website September 2006 and from that time on I noticed that you always feature pictures of Muslim women, men and children and their mosques. You even venture going to their places. The last trip was in Lanao del Sur. Bob,I now confirmed that you are fascinated with them. I would like to add also that I was right in guessing, after all those featured pictures and news stories, you cannot doubt my observation.
On number #5. This is my 24th year in the U.S. and I voted once
only during the re-election of President Clinton. That vote of mine paid off because I have a picture shaking his hand during one of his visit in California in 1998.
While I was still in the Philippines,I have not voted not even once, because of frustration that I cannot find my name in the voting list.
Bob,
Also on #1, we moved from California to Hawaii over 2 years ago and getting things done here also takes time. The culture here is very similar to the Philippines. My husband Jim refers to Hawaii as “Philippine Lite”.
We leave Saturday for Iloilo then we will be in Davao sometime in Aug. Would like to visit MSU Marawi my old stomping grounds, but not sure if it is safe. Would be nice to meet up with you & Feyma for some banana-que
Thanks
Tagging me back, huh?
Hey, do you know of this blog? http://morofilm.blogspot.com ? I put that in the Davao Blogspace sometime ago.
Hi Bob,
On #1, I admit that the short time I spent on vacation in Davao made me lose my cool a few times. I guess this is due to the fact that I’m used to the fast pace in NY and needed to wind down to “vacation mode”.
I found the same slow pace in the Caribbean, too. Doing projects there just drove me crazy! I call this laid back attitude the “island mode”. I think the heat just slows people down, this is why Filipinos need siestas.
Whenever I find myself getting irritated, I just remind myself that I’m back in the Philippines and this is how things work here. I, then, look around me and just smile. It’s healthier, less risk of a heart attack.
Hey Bob,
I thought I saw somewhere you looking to hire a internet/web programmer. Is that true?
Hi Tom – Surigao is a nice area! There is a lot of Surfing up in that area!
Hi Marcus – Actually, I didn’t mind being tagged, but don’t worry, I will get you back one of these days too!
Hi Robert – Yes, in regards to #2 you had me figured out already! Hmm… so you shook hands with Clinton? Although I am not a Clinton fan, I would still consider something like that to be an interesting moment in life.
Hi Joy – Hmm… “Philippines Lite?” I like that! Yes, we would be most happy to meet up with you when you come here!
Hi Blogie – I don’t know that Morofilm site, I’ll check it out, though.
Hi Tina – Why is it that when we are back in the States and in the “rat race” we long for a slower life. Then, when we get to the place where we can have that slower life, we have a hard time adjusting to it? It doesn’t seem to make sense, but I know that it is the case!
Hi Marcus – Yes, my PHP/MySQL programmer recently quit, and I am currentlyl searching for somebody to replace her.