Asian Store in Muskegon

David and I were eating lunch at Subway early this month when a friend told us where to buy lumpia wrapper right here at Muskegon. That made me so excited since I’ve been dying to have it.

The store was beyond my expectation. They sell not only lumpia wrapper but many Filipino and other Asian products as well. I lived in Jakarta for almost four years and the only time I got Filipino stuff was during my visit to Singapore. Thousand miles away from the Philippines, my favorite foods are just right here in my new home. There are pancit canton, siomai, dumplings, shanghai rolls, tocino, longanisa, bangus and even galunggong for sale!

However, my excitement is not just because of it. The owner, Ms. Swan, is just so kind that even my husband enjoys going back there. She gives discount to us whenever we visit and even requests to hug me. Yesterday during our last visit, she gave me a box of famous chocolate candy from the Philippines.

Meeting Ms. Swan is a reminder that whatever is your nationality, wherever you are from, it is a beautiful experience to show nothing but kindness!

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8 Reasons to Fall in Love with Indonesia as an Expat

April 23, 2013, I took a giant leap of faith and flew as an expat to the country I knew nothing about-Indonesia. The country which became my home for almost four years will always have a special part in my heart. It was an amazing experience meeting the best teachers in different fields!

Here are some of the reasons why I have fallen in love with Indonesia.

Borobudur, or Barabudur is a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist temple in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia, as well as the world's largest Buddhist temple, and also one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world.

1. Kind, Hospitable and Generous People-
Upon arrival in the airport, you will be greeted with their signature slight bow and the words, “Selamat datang di Indonesia.” The same gesture of respect is experienced when you visit malls or different places. It is also customary for Indonesians to shake hands as they welcome you. When you visit stores especially if you are staying for a while, they always have this bottled water prepared for you. I remember that the first time I visited the school, the director gave me her own food (fried chicken and rice) when she found out that I didn’t like those with spices and too much flavor. Their first class hospitality became clearer to me when I stayed during holiday with an Indonesian family. They treated me like their own family and showered me not just with kindness but with respect as well. 

2. Salary- The salary is definitely enough to live a comfortable life. As a matter of fact, it is normal for most teachers and their family to have vacation in their native country twice a year- Christmas and end of the school year. The salary is enough for most of them to travel in nearby countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Others even travel to Japan, Korea, Australia and United States. What I love about Indonesia is that your starting salary is based on your educational qualifications, experience and capabilities diminishing the ‘seniority’ rules in determining the salary.

With my husband at MONAS. 

3. Picturesque Sceneries- With about 17, 500 outlandish islands, there are many places to explore. It is usual for many teachers to spend long weekends visiting picturesque sceneries. There are wild, untamed travels if you belong to the adventurous souls. There are also multi-colored lakes, hot spring, active volcanoes and long list of pristine beaches with crystal clear water. Some of my former co-teachers with different nationalities love scuba diving, snorkeling and hiking. You can also immerse yourself with their unique culture while enjoying scenic natural resources. If you are having a wearying day in school, a trip to Monas might just be the solution. The 433 ft. tower in the center of Jakarta boasts the top with plinth of stone where a bronze torch stands weighing up to 14.5 tons coated with 35 kg of gold plate.

Taman Bunga with friends. 

4. Deluxe Housing Plan- Schools in Indonesia offer lucrative housing plan. In fact, most of the apartments are located just beside giant luxury malls.

Greenbay apartment with a mall right beside it. A perfect haven for a demanding work at school and home to many expats.

Central Park residence also houses some of Indonesia's Expat. 

5. Professional Development- The learning opportunity for teachers is countless. It is common to have speakers in the seminars from UK, Singapore and other countries. It is the best training ground as well because you will learn other curriculum widely accepted in the world such as Cambridge, IB, and School of Tomorrow/ACE. Teachers are also given the prospect of traveling through International competitions and activities like World Scholar’s Cup which allowed one of my friends to travel and compete in United States. There is also the Reach Cambridge which may be your chance to travel to UK. The Harvard Model Congress Asia (HMCA) which is a global conference where international high school students learn and experience government while playing the roles of officials in the United States government and several international political bodies may be another way for you to explore other countries.

One team, different nationalities- Americans, Singaporean, Canadian and Filipinos. 

6. Unique Diversity Experience- On my first day in Indonesia, I was in the lift with a Chinese, an American and an Indian. That was just a glimpse of the kind of diversity I experienced in that country. I lived in the same house with a Canadian, two Chinese teachers, and Filipinos on my first year of teaching. I learned various cultures through daily personal interactions with people who came from different parts of the world. Imagine yourself in a Teacher’s office surrounded with Canadian, Indian, American, Singaporean, Malays, Mauritian, and of course Filipinos speaking their own languages. There are differences but to have a glimpse of other country’s culture is definitely a wonderful experience.

Nasi goreng 

7. Authentic Asian Food- Indonesia is home to some of the best Asian cuisines. Variety of seafood gastronomy is available in different restaurants. Indonesia has about 5, 350 traditional recipes. Their famous rendang, nasi goreng and satay are included in World’s Most Delicious Foods.

Taman Anggrek mall in Jakarta, Indonesia. 

8. 100 Plus Malls right in Jakarta- Of course, the demand of school works can always be exhausting. However, malls of different sizes and class is of your choice. Sometimes you just need to cross a road and you will be in a different mall. Your perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the endless school works is just around the corner.

Above all the perks and privileges, what matters the most is actually the beautiful experience of imparting knowledge and immersing oneself in unique culture and traditions of Indonesia. It is falling in love repeatedly with the humility and generosity of the people and embracing the little things that make this country a second home to expats from all around the world.

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10 Amazing Michigan Discoveries/ Experiences

Generally, everything I knew about United States either came from International news agencies or Hollywood movies so to actually live here after being in two tropical countries is definitely a remarkable experience. Here are some of my amazing discoveries/experiences in more than two months that I have been here.

1. Sun, snow, wind, and rain can all come in the same day. Weather forecast is particularly important before you start your day. There are days I would wake up that the sun is so bright but before long, snow starts to fall. After a while, you would feel the chilly wind then the snow turns into rain. Not necessarily in that order. Sometimes you wake up that it’s snowing so heavily then suddenly the sun is shining brightly. Whatever you do or are planning to do, tune in for weather updates.

2. Cars in the ditch are normal. Well, at least during winter. I remember traveling with my husband going to Kalamazoo during a really heavy snowfall and seeing cars in the ditch and even witnessing the cars slide then helplessly skid at the side of the road. My husband always tells me, if you live in Michigan, you need a Dodge Ram.

3. Grace before meals. The first time we were invited for a dinner with my husband’s family, I was surprised when they held hands then started praying together. Then the following week, we were invited for a dinner again by a family friend and they did the same thing. Several invitations after that, the same thing happened. They do pray even in restaurants. I feel so sorry and naïve but news in International agencies has always something to do with mass shootings and Hollywood movies are not the best portrayal either. It is an important realization that not everything you watch or read is what it seems in real life.

4. Everything is instant. When I was in the Philippines, I needed to measure the flour, baking soda, butter, and other ingredients in baking. When my husband asked me to bake a cake for him, I opened the box with ready to bake cake, added eggs and water, mixed them all, then put in the oven. Then I made cookies by simply opening the box and arranged the cookie dough on the tray then baked. Want rice? Half-cooked rice which is ready in five minutes are available, too. The best is corned beef which is my favorite. Where I came from, you need to cut potatoes by strips if you want it mixed with your corned beef. Here, you open the can and voila, corned beef with potatoes ready to eat.

5. Almost everything is big. Imagine a 24-ounce steak in a single meal or an eggplant three times bigger than ours in the Philippines. In short, the serving is big. And I mean enormous. My eyes grew big whenever they bring my order in a restaurant. You will know what I mean about the difference when you visit MacDonald’s Philippines and here.

6. Eating ice cream while everywhere is covered with snow.

In fact, there is an ice cream place right around the town where we live. Even if it is snowing heavily outside, my husband has an ice cream stocked in the fridge. We could be shivering outside of Meijer or Walmart but we don’t forget to grab an ice cream when we get inside.

7. They love football. The first time I watched football, my husband’s sister explained the rules to me. But, that wasn’t what amazed me but the fact that families came together and we were out seated on a freezing bench and we had a lot of fun. They love football so much that the next time we watched it, we drove to Detroit which is more than three hours from where we live. Another three hours going back home at the middle of the night. After watching only twice, I have fallen in love with it hook, line and sinker. 

8. Nice people especially neighbors. I lived in three places in the Philippines and several in Indonesia before moving here. I have never experienced a neighbor coming over to welcome me and bringing me cookies. The next day, they brought me chicken pie and reminded me that whatever I need, I can always go to their place. In addition, everyone I met so far has been really kind and welcoming. I have never met these many people in a short time who can be so warm and kind to a stranger like me.

I've talked to her on the phone before coming here. She works in one of the stores 

where my husband buys his sandwich. 

They were amazed that I'm finally here after two years of processing papers and listening to my husband talked to me on the phone. 

9. Traffic is almost non-existent. Whenever the traffic light turns red and there are about three cars in front of us, my husband would joke that traffic jam is so bad. From where I came from, traffic jam is a daily occurrence and something that you need to endure wherever you go out. It’s amazing that everybody here has more than one car but there is no problem with traffic. No wonder there is such thing as American time. They don’t need to deal with traffic jam.

10. Lastly, the place is stunningly beautiful. In fact, I am in a complete awe that a place like this exists. I came right around fall and the color of the trees was amazing. I lost myself in trance soaking with the beauty all around me. My husband brought me near the lake where you can gaze at beautiful big birds. It was so surreal being so near with them. He also brought me in another lake where the sunset was so beautiful and the sound of the waves was like music to the ears. It was truly a magical experience. I will never forget also the first time I experienced looking all around seeing nothing but white while the snow falls and listening to Christmas song. There is just simply no words to describe the experience.

Fall is so beautiful! 

My first time to ride a four-wheelers. It was awesome! 

Sunsets are so beautiful in Michigan. 

In one of Time magazine’s best books, In Arabian Nights: A Caravan of Moroccan Dreams, Tahir Shah wrote that, “Settling into a new country is like getting used to a new pair of shoes. At first they pinch a little, but you like the way they look, so you carry on. The longer you have them, the more comfortable they become. Until one day without realizing it you reach a glorious plateau. Wearing those shoes is like wearing no shoes at all. The more scuffed they get, the more you love them and the more you can't imagine life without them.”

My husband once asked me what my thoughts were when I was in the plane on the way here. At first I was scared, but, there was nothing that I wanted but to live a life with him. So, I jumped out of my comfort zone- a familiar place, a stable job, friends and family left behind, and finally realized how blessed I am living in a new place I call HOME.

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The Best Buffet Restaurant in Muskegon

Indulging with food always comes with guilty pleasure. However, my husband loves bringing me to buffet restaurants whenever he can since I have more choices.

First buffet restaurant that I’ve been was Golden Corral. It features mostly American cuisines but I love their crispy chicken and meat loaf. I also like Red Wok restaurant which offers mostly Chinese gastronomies and I prefer it more since they have pancit cooked similarly in the Philippines. When food is unlimited though, you need to watch your diet or else it can go out of control and you have no way but the road to 500 pounds.

Kidding aside, our last visit in Golden Corral was with dad, Dianne and their friends. It’s one of the long list of unforgettable memories I am having here in Michigan. Sharing some of our pictures.

My husband and I love food. 

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Winter in Michigan

After living in two tropical countries, I've been asked many times how do I find the winter in Michigan. Well, despite of bone-chilling temperature when the wind blows, I love how the snow feels frozen lace on my skin. I specially love it when my husband and I can go outside and walk our dogs. This Sunday is just one of those days. After church, we took a nap and we were out for our winter walk!

My four babies. 

Dani and Zoie in their winter attire. 

My husband was forced to carry Alice because she started limping. 

With Dani and Zoie. Dani's a gift from Dad two years ago for my birthday. 

Surprisingly, the wind was not blowing so bad this time so I wasn't that cold. 

They also love our walk outside! 

Winter is beautiful in Michigan. 

Dani and Zoie loved walking on the snow! 

I love our area. Nice neighbors and great view! 

For many, snow can be such a pain. Imagine how you would scrape the snow from this car! 

My husband. 

I wish the pine trees would start to get snow all over. 

Then the unexpected happened, the snow started blowing on us! 

When it happens, it's hard to open your eyes. 

Zoie running happily. 

I need to get some rest.

Happiest Sunday ever. 

Our Sunday adventure did not end with our walk. My husband got his class ring back! It was lost about 23 years ago during winter time and a guy contacted him on Facebook this week telling him that he had it. They agreed to meet today and my husband was so disappointed when he did not hear anything back from him. At about 8:00 p.m., the guy sent a message to my husband and told him to check our mailbox. The biggest surprise of the day! My husband got his class ring back 23 years after losing it. What a blessed day. 

Thanks to Facebook. My husband got his ring back. 

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