Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.

Just revisiting my tumblr acct while waiting for my gf’s text. Also today is 24th of December which is a really big deal for most of filipinos. Except for me i guess. Because i am not celebrating Christmas. I am planning to work tomorrow. There’s no point celebrating it if you are alone.

A year has passed since I stepped into the soils of United States of America the first time.

I never expected to be here actually.  I was just a kid who doesn’t speak English fluently, yet I was one of the lucky ones who were chosen to work here in US.  Back then, I was nervous of the things to come.  Good thing I was not alone; Rene, Lolit, Mark, JP, Abie and Edlyn were also with me in this project. I thought I’ll fail proving that I can live outside Philippines.  Until now I managed to stay in one piece.

If I blog my experiences from day 1 to day 365, you’ll get bored reading this stuff.  I’ll just sum up all the things I learned from staying in US:

1. A bank account is the most important thing to have in US.  Without it, you will have hard time with your transactions, as well as verifying your own credit report, which is essential for apartment / utilities rentals. 

2. Having a car or knowing how to drive or having driver’s license is a must.  Without it you can only go to few places.  Except if you are living in downtown/uptown, bus rides can be helpful.

3. 100 pieces of 1 cent cannot be equal to a dollar bill.  Unless you are using them to pay your utilities or using self-check in supermarkets, if you use coins to pay your meals, surely the waitress will kick your butt.

4. Transfat foods are evil. Deal with it. They will make your body like lumps of fatasses all over.

5. Working out is harder than you think. In US, it is really hard to reduce your weight, unlike in PH.

6. Sexy blondes don’t exist in neighborhood.  Except here in Charlotte. You can only spot these lovely ladies hanging out around bars and night clubs. 

7. Snow is fun, for only a month. Back on my first snowstorm experience, I was fascinated by tiny white flakes blowing to my skin.  After several months, I hated snow.

8. Snowboarding is fun all the time. This is different.  Snowboarding is one hell of an experience.

9. Travelling from one state to another weekly is no fun at all.  It is really exhausting, I tell you.

10. Looks can be deceiving - Indian style. I thought that Indians were geeky nerds. Actually they are really good in technical stuffs.  But when I started hanging out with them, I learned that they know how to party.

11. Looks can be deceiving - Pinoy style. I thought it will be hard for me to hang around with Abie and Edlyn.  Before going into this US project, I had these “student-teacher” feelings with Abie, since she was my first mentor in IBM, so I was afraid to approach her. And for Edlyn, I really thought she was the most snobbish. But those were all wrong.  It proves me that they are one of the coolest persons I ever met. Abie is one hell of a drinker, great listener and adviser, and Edlyn is simply a nice person and a friend.  They rock.

12. There are persons in the world that they thought they are smart enough, even though they suck.  I think this is universal; we have this kind of people everywhere.  Unavoidable though, I just learned to keep my chill pill and my pack of cigarretes with me whenever they pop into my life.

13. As early as possible, learn how to cook different dishes, not the same old adobo or fried chicken or egg or microwavable stuffs. As a guy without any wife or maid or mother, it is really hard for my case. 

14. In connection with 13, learn what to buy when you are in a supermarket.  Do not roam around only to spot sexy girls. Focus on groceries!

and lastly;

15. There’s no such place like the Philippines.  USA is one great country, they don’t call this “land of freedom or opportunity” for nothing. But being a Filipino myself, I still adore my own country. And, living alone will miss your family, barkadas and special someone back in PH.

Good thing Lolit and Edlyn are still here.  At least I will not feel alone. Hopefully they will stay here for long.  I am not sure when will I return back home.  But I hope I can go this year.

So much for this stuff.  I am just thankful that I was blessed with this kind of opportunity, knowing the fact that I am still young to IT industry.  I am looking forward for the future stay here in US, hoping to learn some more fun and not-so-fun stuffs.

Christmas is over, and New Year is coming.  But I got my 5 things I want to get in 2010:

5. Macbook — I know I cannot get this cool stuff, but that is one I want to have within 2010.

4. PSP GO - This cool stuff is the latest model of PSP.  I can actually buy this stuff but I am hesitant since this doesnt allow me to play umd cds of former models.  Only downloaded games can be put on this go.

3. Nikon D60 - D90 is much expensive, so I’ll just pick this one, since I am relatively new at photography.  I hope I can buy this one before summer comes.

2. Motorola Droid - I am a suck up at Motorola phones.  I would rather pick Motorola Razr than an Apple iPhone.  This new Motorola innovation is the coolest phone I have ever seen.

1. ROUNDTRIP PLANE TICKET TO PH - This is what I dream of. A sweet vacation to my home country. I really miss everyone :(

I hope I can get this wishlist within 2010 (except for number 5, it’s impossible for me to get that stuff, but if I got enough amount then thank God :D)

Well, this ain’t bad.  My first post in tumblr.

As days go near, I have to admit, I am getting excited to move.  I mean 9 months of staying here in Rocky Mountains is memorable, but I want some changes.  This is the state that introduced me the term “snow” and “snowstorm”, but I ain’t getting fun anymore.  Maybe because I can’t make some new friends here.  Colorado is a great place, a lot of nature attractions, and a lot of snow.

But I miss my urban life.  I mean, like going out and having some fun on night just by walking on the streets, drinking and not worrying anything.  That’s my life I used to back in PH.

By moving to Charlotte, I am excited that I can do more fun.  Yes.  I love city life.