Love from Afar

The first time we saw each other! 

Hello, everybody. This is David, Nina’s husband. I am not much of a writer but I’d like to talk a bit about our adventure. I think our love story might be an inspiration to other couples since it is almost Valentine’s Day.

The way I see it, the person you will spend your life with should be your best friend and the time that I met Nina was the time I needed a good friend. She was there for me night and day. After a year of talking six hours a day on the phone, we decided that I should come to Indonesia and with me was a ring and I had already made up my mind that she was the one for me. It was the most terrible plane ride I could ever imagine and I never had any experience flying before so I was like a scared cat with my claws digging to the seat every time the plane experienced turbulence. But, the second I saw her when I was coming out of the airport, I knew she was the woman for me.

People say long distance relationship usually does not work out but I disagree. I feel that we know more each other because all we could do was talk. Most people jump into a relationship so fast and they don’t even have time to get to know each other. Our relationship is based on our feelings for each other not just by physical attraction but much deeper.

I think we know each other so well and that’s what helped us through such a long process that most people would not be able to endure. Most people would have given up but I saw something amazing in Nina that I would have waited a lifetime for. God has blessed us with a love that only people can dream about. And after waiting for more than two years, we are together for our first Valentine’s Day. So, I’d better get her a good gift. Lol.

I hope I didn’t bore everybody because this is not the first time I will be writing in her blog. Lol.

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Finally Met a Filipino!

After more than three months in Michigan, I finally met a Filipino!

My husband and I were in the Food Hall of the mall trying to decide where to eat when a lady greeted me with a cheerful voice. She asked me if I am also from the Philippines and we just could not hide our excitement realizing we’re ‘magkababayan’. My husband was so elated as well that I finally got to meet a fellow Filipino.

I think she gave me a lot more than what she should.:) 

Her name is Marissa and she met her husband in U.S. military base in Subic. The American lady who works with her told us that Marissa has many Filipino friends who always visit her at work. My husband told me that Filipinos have this warm and jolly personality like her. He mentioned our friend, Sir JB who always makes him laugh. I needed to remind him that I’m a lot more serious than most Filipinos. :D

Anyways, I’m glad to know that I have many ‘kababayan’ here. What’s more surprising? When my husband told Marissa that we got married in Indonesia, she said that she has a coworker who is an Indonesian. Before long, two Filipinos, an Indonesian, and two Americans were happily (and noisily) chatting in the Food Court!

The best discovery? They also have my favorite pancit!

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Busiest Day Ever!

It's been a day of running around. I can’t drive yet and I am just so blessed to have a husband who patiently caters to all my needs ALWAYS. The program director of the center even commented my husband is so sweet!

Anyways, seeing the dawn of understanding on the face of one of my students is the highlight of my day. When you know that you are making a difference no matter how minuscule it is, a teacher’s heart will always swell with pride.

Dani got to ride with us when I attended the staff meeting. 

Being an expat teacher for several years and learning various culture probably makes the adjustment easier. Not that there’s much difference from what I got used to. Strange as it may seem, I always feel like everything’s the same especially observing some of the teachers. But, there’s always some lesson you can learn along the way. Each day, I am meeting more people and I feel blessed to be in a place where I believe everybody’s accepted!

So, starting the day with the first class at 6:50 a.m. and ending it with the staff meeting at 6:30 p.m. wasn’t really that bad. Dani, one of our dogs, even got to ride with us when I attended the meeting!

Every day, we have a lot of opportunities to be stressed, frustrated or worried. But, we can always opt to take the positive side of things.

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The Man Who Redefined Humanity

It is easy to be swayed by the false pretext of what embodies humanity. However, one man changed everything.

 
At the time when so much hatred is going all around us and it is easy to spread the endemic of negativity, we can take refuge with the story of the man who redefined humanity in its entirety. Sir Nicholas Winton, the man who saved 669 children before the outbreak of World War II. It would have been easier for him to simply ignore the darkness looming since he had the comfort and the means as a stockbroker. Instead, he chose the road less traveled by.
 
He organized the rescue mission of the children and raised money for their travel. The rescue of the children from the imminent danger of the war did not even touch the surface of the magnanimity of his compassionate heart. For decades, he chose to keep silent and he did not even tell anything to his wife. Watch the videos and find out more about this man who embodied not just benevolence but humility and kindness beyond explanation. At the time when the world is so divided, we can learn a simple lesson from the legacy Sir Nick left.

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First Day Back to School!

My first time back to work last week. I started my training at the center under Sylvan University.

The biting cold chilled my fingers in a freezing temperature as we waited for the school to open. The frigid wind made me shiver as I told my colleagues that I was never out that early since arriving in Michigan. I don’t know if it’s because of the excitement or what but I woke up earlier than what I planned. It was 6:50 a.m. but the whole school was still enveloped in darkness.

Taken this morning at the school where I am teaching part-time. 

Well, today officially marks my first day back in school so I guess I was excited about it. Technically speaking, this isn’t my first day of teaching here since I have started tutoring at the center last Monday. It is only temporary but I was a bit anxious about how the day would go.

The thousand times I was inside the classroom did not help to lessen that familiar adrenaline rush only teachers would understand. I needed to remind myself that my job is not just to teach but to experience the journey and joy of learning with the students. So, yes, it was an unforgettable day. I can’t wait to discover what else is in store for me in this place!

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