Buffet A.K.A.

Yeah right, at first when I got here I thought somebody just got the reference wrong... but seriously, as opposed to how we call buffet places in the Philippines as "EAT ALL YOU CAN", in here its differently phrased, instead known as:

Sounds weird right?

A Serious Case of Allergy

I mean, just look at these...

They say, old habits die hard. That's absolutely true. "Once a paranoid, always a paranoid" - this is also very true.

I was used to handwashing my undies. When I first came here, my husband told me to just put everything in the washer and it will take care of everything for me. It sure did of course, but until I noticed I was too uncomfortable wearing my undies. I had no idea, was it just me? Or did the machine not clean my stuff very well that I thought I was feeling itchy down there. From then on, I went back to handwashing my undies.

Detergent soap here in America, majority of them that I tried, do not bubble! It is too uncomfortable handwashing your stuff using a liquid detergent that you feel doesn't clean your stuff anyway. For some time I thought I could use a Tide, so my husband bought me a box of Tide (which by the way is expensive here) and I had my last powder last month and it was then that I started using the below liquid detergent:

... and sweet lord, thus this nightmare.

In a place where health insurance is a must, and that which I unfortunately waived from paying out of ignorance, I am suffering right now for the terrible itchiness and I've been shedding for almost three weeks now. Sure I couldn't do anything but use gloves every time I use strong detergents, and just patiently applying my mother in law's prescription ointment.

Grossing out.

I Can't Wait for Winter!

Who would've thought about this sudden change of heart?

First time I was here I kept on telling everybody I couldn't wait for summer to come, here comes summer already and guess what, I am hating it! For one, the heat in here is different, it is humid and it bites! There is no moisture in the air and it is really exhausting! I couldn't handle riding a car mid-morning with the AC on, it just freaking gives me instant headache! One Sunday morning I decided to wash the car, barely 9 a.m., right after 30 minutes I burned! Seriously?

The brighter side though is that I could already use majority of the clothing and accessories that I brought with me all the way from the Philippines, but I could really use a polka dot umbrella!

I couldn't imagine myself going to my room straight from work at the end of the day, when its about 95 degrees and up, I'd rather stay outside because inside my room its just so terrible I couldn't catch my breath.

The good part is, this week the weather is cooling down, at least we could sleep comfortably again during the night. Using the AC is just way too luxurious! I hope the weather continues to cool down, a 100 degrees is really unimaginable right now.

American Food

During my early days in America, I could always find time to cook me a decent meal - by that I meant, a meal with rice.

Recently, for the lack of some diet planning, I came to rely on convenience food, which by the way come very cheap. For instance, I could now use the following for breakfast:

Oatmeal


Or:

Cereal

I am quite surprised how my tummy just accepted the above instant meals. My body isn't actually looking for rice anymore as I am good with just any of the above meals nowadays.

During my early weeks at work, I always see to it that I cook something before my work week so that I could bring it with me for lunch, like pasta or cake. Recently, since after my discovery that I am good with whatever now, I stock up on the following for lunch at work:

Microwaveable Pie

And

Cup Noodles

Added to that, I also bring cookies, skyflakes, or coffee. I could also use this heavenly chocolate for my snack...

Slowly becoming Americanized, don't you think?

Driving in America: Do Not Ride on the Pick-Up Bed

As part of the defensive driving rule, contrary to what we were used to in the Philippines, utilizing the pick-up bed for use of additional passengers is strictly prohibited in California, if not in the whole of America. The pick-up bed is for the use of cargo only.

Customer Service in America

People in America are nice, that's the thing that keeps me wanting to stay here. People who knew I'm a newbie in this place would ask me this question, so how are you liking it here? Nothing beats my genuine answer, I am liking it here a lot! People are just so nice! Topbox answer.

Imagine yourself walking in the street and you meet somebody, most often than not they would greet you and smile at you and ask you how's your day going. Imagine yourself window shopping in the mall and an attendant would come up to you and ask you, are you finding everything alright? Imagine yourself going at any establishment and you will find everybody making sure that you are treated special by engaging you in a conversation in a nice, genuine, and upbeat manner. Looking back the way it was in the Philippines, customer service there is a far cry! People here are very enthusiastic and would just want you to feel good and make your day by saying something nice, and well, it sure is a good thing which makes the world a happier place to live in.

Chips for Lunch

Still on my first week at work, being in an all new location in what seemed to be like a completely different world, I decided to try to bring chips and just bought me a Mocha Freeze at the gelato place nearby and I was off with my lunch.

I had lunch under this beautiful shade...

Trees in America are just so adorable, they are all beautiful and so inviting to the eyes. First few weeks I was here I fell in love with cherry blossoms that I wanted to have one in the garden at home - but then, it was winter. Spring is currently kidding everybody as it still gets cold from time to time, but I bet I could make the cherry blossoms my project at last, if only not for the flowers popping out from everywhere in the garden.

Anyway, here is how my lunch looked like...

Lately, my tummy has been getting used to the idea of just eating chips or a slice of cake for lunch, and surprisingly it doesn't complain! This is a good sign, I could just pack me a sandwich and a little side dish everyday - no sweat - and I'm good to go for my lunch, I'm glad this is working for me because to be honest, bringing lunch to work is way too economical! I just have to make sure that I eat heavy breakfast, preferably with rice so I could avoid passing out!

Mr. Pickle's Sandwich for Lunch

So I was recently accepted in a part-time job in a cozy place, and thinking about lunch is the last thing that I would want to bother myself with. Across where I work, there is a Mr. Pickle's sandwich shop where people in Los Gatos are crazy about. Yesterday I had a slice of cake and a glass of mocha freeze and I paid $10 inclusive of sales tax for lunch, and for a Filipino what I had was not even lunch at all! So today I decided to try to have at least a decent lunch that is worth my every dollar. Sure enough I had it when I bought some unexpectedly huge American tuna sandwich at Mr. Pickle's for almost $7.

Working 24 hours a week and spending an average of $10 for lunch is not good based on my level of lifestyle in terms of what I could afford! Plus I couldn't help myself from converting my expense to Philippine Peso!

I could probably prepare a regular sandwich which I'll bring with me at work for lunch and just buy me a drink in that little cozy gelato place - PLAN. Mr. Pickle's is a good choice but it is way beyond what I should be spending, I have to be practical in here. Again, this is America, I mean, food is affordable at the rate I am earning but I couldn't just afford the luxury to spend that much for lunch!

I am still in the lookout though for a restaurant around Los Gatos that serves rice.

Driving in America

I was driving in the Philippines, and I was kind of confident to drive anywhere as they say: If you could drive in the Philippines, you could drive anywhere.

During my early days in America I was eager to get my driver license immediately so I could learn my way around the new place. Unfortunately, after three failed attempts and until now, I still don't have my driver license. The thing was, I wasn't allowed to get a driver license unless I have legal documents to show, like a green card or a work permit - whichever document comes first, so I waited for months and months until my work permit arrived two weeks ago. Now I am reviewing this California driver handbook and I have been practicing sample tests online. I want to get the permit on the first take, I really wanted to prove something, I WANT TO PROVE THAT I HAVE THE COMMON SENSE to answer a hundred situational driving questions haha!

This afternoon I was facing the handbook, with a flexible goal of finishing my review by 5 pm, but unfortunately I gave in to another book and dozed off. The plan is to take the test on Monday, cramming on play and I couldn't help it. This is how I usually do it to be honest. I don't know, I just feel I needed to take a nap, today is a lazy day for me. I should go on with my review...

There are just a few things that I need to get used to:

* Stop when there is a school bus with flashing red lights on your way. Failure to stop means a fine of $1,000.

* Speed limit of 65 mph (or not more than 70 mph) on freeway, 25 mph on residential areas.

* No parking in commercial areas.

* When changing lanes: check rear then side mirror, count to 5, glance back before changing lanes.

* Definitely no tailgaiting.

* Come to a full stop when there are signs (this is actually on almost every corner) to check for pedestrians.

* No honking unless needed.

In the Philippines, I was used to driving bumper to bumper - that is so far considered tailgaiting. I park in commercial areas, I actually park in NO PARKING areas. There is no speed limit, I can honk at any time I like, and I pass any vehicle not mindful of pavement signs. I did not practice the right of way religiously as it is believed to be the most common cause of collisions in the Philippines.

... and a lot more! I have to write it down on my next post.

Looking for a Job in America

It has been four months and I am still trying to figure out what would my career be like in America. Being a stay at home wife for this short period of time has already enabled me to do business in the side by selling online and exporting a little branded goodies to the Philippines, and by writing web content for advertisers in the internet.

I have submitted my professional resume to over fifty companies that posted a hire online. I've been thinking why after all these months only two of those companies have called me for an interview? Was there something wrong with my resume? Do I need to revise my resume?

Here is the thing though, I am not really used to writing a very impressive resume since I was used to using the basic resume I created after graduating college. I was able to get myself a job in the Philippines using that resume and I stayed there for five years. In America, there is no consideration for a "pleasing personality" at all that a photo in your resume is not even necessary, at first I was confused why the online application prompted me to remove my photo. Here, it is fair and all companies would claim they are "equal opportunity employers" without regard to race, disability, and furthermore to "pleasing personality". So I woke up to the realization that the upfront competition in getting the job is primarily based on a very impressive resume.

I wanted to get noticed by prestigious companies around San Jose that I decided to create a resume that captured all of my acquired skills from my five years professional experience. Being a Sales Executive for two years, and a Marketing Manager for over three years, I covered some administrative jobs from clerical to customer service, accounting jobs from invoicing and generating accounting reports and other data using the accounting software Peach Tree, retail to corporate selling, market research and analysis, creating and closing contracts, heavy marketing presentations, massive advertising, conducting trade launches and events, creating and implementing consumer and dealer-directed promotional activities, to even creating designs for corporate giveaways. Five years of staying in the same company has enabled me to become even almost an expert in logistics and operations. I am confident that I got it, but I am just crossing my fingers that employers here would count the good professional experience I gathered in the Philippines.

I then searched for some free resume templates online and put some of its impressive structure and wordings altogether to create the general professional resume that I wanted. It is so convenient that you could actually find a lot of resume examples over the web with a wide variety of resume formats. There is even an online resume builder that you could conveniently use. I took advantage of these online resources and submitted my revised resume to companies hiring online and thus at last, the very first job interview that I would be attending is only six days away.

Here is another step that I would take, to research on the company and practice some interview Q & A's. I really have to make sure I don't ask the interviewer to repeat the question for me all because I don't get his accent.

Home Favorite: Febreeze Fabric Refresher

Being surrounded by heavy comforters, mattresses, clothes on the rack and in the closet, shoes, carpet, and the what not, having some fabric refresher around the house makes life easy.

Nobody likes odor. Whoever invented the fabric refresher is just brilliant! We don't have this in the Philippines, and I so love it that they have this product in here to help home buddies maintain home freshness and decency. Just perfect!

First Time DST Experience

Daylight Saving Time or DST is the practice of temporarily advancing clocks during the summertime so that afternoons have more daylight and mornings have less. Typically clocks are adjusted forward one hour near the start of spring and are adjusted backward in autumn.

I saw the DST notice pre-marked in the calendar two days ago, but I have completely forgotten about it when I woke up this morning. I set an alarm for 8:30 am, but I noticed the wall clock was still 7:30. I rerun a flashback at the back of my mind to recall if I changed my timezone the night before, but I don't remember changing it so I borrowed my husband's phone and told me that phone clocks automatically adjusts the time during DST. So that was it, I thought I was crazy for a while miscalculating time. DST started 2 a.m. today, March 13 and as I read that means longer spring and summer days until November.

It feels weird to still have a bright clear sky at almost 7:30 pm. Well, we all have our first time! Spring is here!

1st Time Laundry Experience: The Washer and The Dryer

Scenario: Washers and dryers in America, no matter how old, are all heavy duty and they all work on their own, all you have to do is put detergent powder and fabric conditioner and wait until they finish the job. Not one Filipino dreads laundry day in America as it is, to be honest, so close to being convenient. Some washers may have pressing options too.

For a Filipino like me who's used to the regular washer and dryer in the Philippines, having these heavy duty laundry equipment to use is such a major level-up. The process of draining the water and replacing the water for pre-wash and rinsing, plus the on call necessity to combine hand-washing are already eliminated. Also, unlike our regular dryer that just squeezes off the water, the heavy duty dryers here dries the load all the way, like its really dry "DRY" and smoking hot!

I had to be oriented with a lot of household gadgets during my first few days here, because early on, I was seen the potential of breaking things, and that included the washer! I loaded two comforters and put it at extra large, as I saw and assessed it that time, the load was just enough, until approximately fifteen minutes later when my housemate saw water overflowing in the garage, and that was when we noticed the washer has stopped working and water was leaking from it. I had to unload those comforters and had to take it to the laundromat just so I could finish washing it all the way. There are spare washers around the house though but they are not quite as good as compared to the washer that I sabotaged. Fortunately though, after a day, my brother-in-law was able to figure out whats wrong with the washer and was able to restore it to its normal working condition. That washer has already served this family for a couple of years and just last month, the washer finally gave up. We then replaced it with a washer Honey stole from across our neighbor's sidewalk! Well, this is America, and what's good around here is that there are a lot of FREE functioning stuff almost everywhere, and you know its FREE and its yours when the item is sitting in the sidewalk. Technically, Honey did not steal that washer, of course not, because it was on the sidewalk, but he just had the feeling he stole it because it looks like its new and maybe our neighbor was just waiting for somebody to help them take the washer to the garage.

I notice good looking washers and dryers in department stores and I dream of getting us a brand new one when I get rich. I am forever in love with red because it is such a bright color, and thus, my wish is to get us a brand new Maytag Maxima Laundry Pair:


Maybe somebody out there could help me get rich overnight... I want this laundry pair sooo bad!

Black Friday Madness: The Tales of Before and After

Black Friday as defined is the day people in America look forward to as this is the day when department stores slash the prices of their commodities to up to 99% off! Not an exaggeration, its all true! For the Filipinos who are here in America, this is the day to do 1-year worth of shopping! Great deals and great finds are everywhere like crazy!

November 26, winter has just started and I have but all of my summer clothes with me. My husband had to treat me to some winter outfit shopping. I, unlike many girls, am not into fashion too much, but I do have a laid back fashion statement. My fashion sense is all about the usual jeans+tee, shorts+tee or cami, or mini-skirt+tee or cami, flipflops and flat shoes, that isn't much isn't it?

When I had to pick my winter outfit, I was just depending on what my husband would have to approve, I couldn't judge winter fashion just yet all by myself, and besides, I didn't know what else to shop for winter clothing aside of course from black thermal jackets! Poor me. On those shopping days I already had the feeling that I would have a hard time mixing and matching my clothes, and I was right. I thought of it as a phase I had to go through since I was almost hesitant to adapt to something new, but nevertheless I was glad since for the most part I was just a stay at home wife who didn't need a lot of winter clothes, thus minimizing the need to think of what to wear to here and there.

We started shopping before Black Friday, and that was my first exposure to the department stores out here. I was introduced to stores who sell branded items with much lower prices as compared to mall prices. These stores have become my favorite stores to shop, and to hell with Macy's! I also found out that these stores buy overstock items from major department stores in bulk that is why they are capable of selling their items for less. Good quality, nice brands, at affordable costs, and on top of that, it was Black Friday!

Black Friday went by but stores were still on SALE everywhere, so we continued our shopping hype until before New Year and until we completed our shopping list. It was only here in America that I encountered a REAL SALE EVENT, like you could really get your money's worth as stores would not likely run out of good items to sell. In the Philippines though, there are MIDNIGHT SALE from mall to mall from time to time, BACK TO SCHOOL SALE, CLEARANCE SALE, and whatever concept of a SALE event their marketing officers have in mind, but they don't have good selections, and what they put on SALE are those unsold and old items only, and that never failed to always frustrate me.

It is only nine months to go before the next Black Friday event, and I must say that I am already excited to buy my new set of winter outfit! I already have a hang of this winter fashion and I can't wait to buy the furry coats, boots in all form, beautiful scarves and colorful hats! Kaya, humanda!

My First Impressions of America

I came here on November 15 via Philippine Airlines where only approximately five passengers were not Filipinos. I had a smooth 16-hour flight though for the most part I was crying there in my seat and I endured it mostly with a blank stare. My port of entry was San Francisco California, an hour away from my destination San Jose. I saw the night lights of The Bay Area from up above for the first time. As I was deplaning, I was half-hearted because half of me was excited, but half of me was missing the Philippines already. The official start of winter was almost to welcome me along with my then fiance, his mom, and his brother. So here I am, and so this is America...

Fresh cold clean weather, multi-lane highways, good traffic, and beautiful trees were just some of the many that I noticed in an instant. The sight was just so organized, there is a system, and there is a set of rules that everybody is inclined to follow. Life is fast-paced and that explains why cars and people are almost always too speedy.

Then there was silence as we were nearing the house. I was already expecting silence, which to me is the ultimate dreadful damage that could impair my social being. I didn't hear anything else aside from the noise we were creating inside the house - and that was not even a noise at all as we were just like whispering to each other and using one-liner sentences every time. No barking dogs, no neighbor doing late night KTV sessions, and not a sound of any vehicle outside. I was about to prepare myself for ultimate boredom, but I wasn't geared up.

Before America

I was just a normal and contented laid-back girl with a simple life who dreamed of coming to America, but never thought that I'd realized the dream almost in an instant.

Way back in the Philippines, everybody's giving it a try, betting their whole fortune just to be in America. It seems that America is the answer to everybody's life long dreams and ambitions. Everybody wants to live the American dream. Everybody is just thinking of coming to America. I on the other hand was just thinking of maybe going to America for a vacation when I have the money. Sure I thought of working in America to give my family a good life, but I never thought I could be in America to settle for good.

Before America, there I was living a life just like every Filipino. Eight-hour a day job, satisfied with an average salary, happy to have sweet affordable fruits all around, unlimited time to party and waste away without having to worry about tomorrow. Life was just so simple.

In this blog I'm going to share my life experiences since the moment I stepped in this land. From time to time I will be sharing and comparing happenings that are only found in America as compared to what is normally done in the Philippines. This blog will be my diary for this unsought and unexpected American Dream.