Comments on: Why Not Eat the Seed Corn? http://liveinthephilippines.com/content/2008/11/why-not-eat-the-seed-corn/ The Web Magazine for Expats in the Philippines and those who want to be Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:47:57 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: hill roberts http://liveinthephilippines.com/content/2008/11/why-not-eat-the-seed-corn/comment-page-1/#comment-48321 hill roberts Sat, 22 Nov 2008 12:02:42 +0000 http://www.liveinthephilippines.com/content/?p=4511#comment-48321 Part 3 - still on Seed Corn (?) What is being "poor" and what is being "rich"?People seem to judge poor people and rich people by the way the dress, the number of gadgets, the bank acccount(s), the number of holidays made a year, the money in the pocket, the kind of house one lives in and the like. If this is how we measure people, through material weath--then I'm afraid class system rules and rues. When I came to Spain almost three decades ago, many Spanish locals were well-dressed. In winter, they even dress better because of the cold weather. However, in summer, everybody seems to be the same. We all wear light, summer outfits, sandals, or shorts, T-shirts. The Spanish people are one of the best dressed Europeans in Europe, after the French and the Italians. Anyway, over the months and years, I began to observe many things. As I also learned the language, bit by bit, I realised how many of them somehow were academically-challenged. My first few weeks in Spain was rather strange. I went to the Post Office, queued for over twenty minutes or so, and I noticed that the clerk would fill in the forms for them and tell them to sign using their "thumb" I was surprised but didn't think anymore of it. The next time i went to the Post Office, the same thing happened. I tried putting two and two together and I figured out that those were illiterate locals who were well dressed (it was nearing November and the weather was getting cold> Many locals look forward to autumn and winter since this is the only time we can go out and dress nicely/smart, I myself look forward to this season since I get to wear my suits, boots, and proper handbags...) Still, to my shock and amazement, found out that Spain had a high rate of illiteracy, especially in the Andalucian Region. I was speechless and said nothing to my husband. Anyway, ten years ago, I enroled in sewing class (run by the local foundation here and originally meant for "illiterate folks". I didn't know then, but I enroled. After all, I was keen to learn a new craft/skill, and besides, I love clothes, hence, my desire to learn. Indeed, I learned, and learned fast. I made a lot of friends: Spanish, Moroccans, South Americans. Brazilians. Anyway, as months went only, my Spanish classmates who had been regulars for over twenty years, still would ask the instructress what to do, how to measure, how to use the ruler, the tape measure, etc. One blonde Spanish woman in her fifties had the courage to approach me (she had been in that class for over twenty years and I thought she'd be an expert) to ask how to use the tape measure! We briefly spoke quietly since I didn't want to embarrass her. I showed her how to use it and she said, "Oh, I see.....so that's how to use it...!my goodness, after that time, she never knew how to use a tapemeasure, let alone, cut etc. And there were more of them to follow. They couldn't read, write, and many of them would come for "my assistance"--maybe because they were already getting embarrassed to keep asking the instructress or perhaps, they found me useful, friendly, even "smart". To cut the story short, these women dress well, live in nice comfortable houses, own cars, wear expensive jewellery, but the bottom line is, they lack formal/proper/academic education. And in Spain and Europe in general, the majority of these Europeans actually do not go to higher education. But because the government of many Euro countries look after them, they "do not look poor". When I first went to the UK, up north, it was the same experience. Sure, they lived in nice, comfy surroundings, but many of them actually didn't have the privilege of going to high school,let alone, college/university. Just last year, I asked my English friend if it was the first time in their generation to have a college graduate, and she proudly said yes. And how this family fussed over this particular granddaughter. They knew that I had a university degree, but so were the rest of my three sisters. I mean, no big deal. It was just one of those t hings in the Philippines that one must do to get on in life.So, my question goes back to the same question: What the hell is GDP when they judge the Philippines and its people? What about the assets, mainly the ery high literacy rate in that country? the number of great colleges and universities? Is that all the UN-requirement should measure? This stupid GDP? If indeed that's the case, then, it should be changed. I always felt humbled going to the UK and/or being with European friends because in my heart, none of them had the privilege of higher education. Now, if the WB, or UN, or the NGOs do not include that as "wealth" then please throw me in a Mumbai slum. It is rather insulting for the UN, IMF, WB to say, hey, you guys in the Philippines, you are poor, dammit, your GDP is only under US$1,800/yearly. What an insult, if I might add. |it is this sort of silly measurement that makes me question the wisdom or stupidity of those w ho decide which country is rich or n ot, dragging down the people in it.Davao has a high literacy rate of 98.5%!!!Spain was a Third World country until 1980 when it opted to be out of it---for good. Indeed, when Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester and another shire declared themselves "officially poor", they did so to be able to get EU Funding. Now the same places I mentioned are developed, smart looking. But the inhabitants? Same old thing. Sure, some have gone to further their studies, but many in the UK still leave school at 15-16 and go on to make money as plumbers, electricians, carpenters. Somehow it is the case of exchange rate, what the house are like, how people live, whether it's made of stone, concrete, or wood, or if plumbing is in place. Blame the French. They coined the phrase "Third World" and it has stuck, or has been stuck in people's minds worldwide. The thing is, our minds or thoughts are already set and it'd take time before some average UN analyst or WB average specialist would tell us, uh.....hmmmm. dammit you're poor." Part 3 – still on Seed Corn (?) What is being “poor” and what is being “rich”?People seem to judge poor people and rich people by the way the dress, the number of gadgets, the bank acccount(s), the number of holidays made a year, the money in the pocket, the kind of house one lives in and the like. If this is how
we measure people, through material weath–then I’m afraid class system rules and rues. When I came to Spain almost three decades ago, many Spanish locals were well-dressed. In winter, they even dress better because of the cold weather. However, in summer, everybody seems to be the same. We all wear
light, summer outfits, sandals, or shorts, T-shirts. The Spanish people are one of the best dressed Europeans in Europe, after the French and the Italians. Anyway, over the months and years, I began to observe many things. As I also
learned the language, bit by bit, I realised how many of them somehow were
academically-challenged. My first few weeks in Spain was rather strange. I went to the Post Office, queued for over twenty minutes or so, and I noticed that the clerk would fill in the forms for them and tell them to sign using their “thumb”
I was surprised but didn’t think anymore of it. The next time i went to the Post Office, the same thing happened. I tried putting two and two together and I figured out that those were illiterate locals who were well dressed (it was nearing November and the weather was getting cold> Many locals look forward to autumn and winter since this is the only time we can go out and dress nicely/smart, I myself look forward to this season since I get to wear my suits, boots, and proper handbags…) Still, to my shock and amazement, found out that Spain had a high rate of illiteracy, especially in the Andalucian Region. I was speechless and said nothing to my husband. Anyway, ten years ago, I enroled in
sewing class (run by the local foundation here and originally meant for “illiterate folks”. I didn’t know then, but I enroled. After all, I was keen to learn a new craft/skill, and besides, I love clothes, hence, my desire to learn. Indeed, I learned, and learned fast. I made a lot of friends: Spanish, Moroccans, South Americans. Brazilians. Anyway, as months went only, my Spanish classmates who had been regulars for over twenty years, still would ask the instructress what
to do, how to measure, how to use the ruler, the tape measure, etc. One blonde Spanish woman in her fifties had the courage to approach me (she had been in that class for over twenty years and I thought she’d be an expert) to ask how to
use the tape measure! We briefly spoke quietly since I didn’t want to embarrass her. I showed her how to use it and she said, “Oh, I see…..so that’s how to use it…!my goodness, after that time, she never knew how to use a tapemeasure, let alone, cut etc. And there were more of them to follow. They couldn’t read, write, and many of them would come for “my assistance”–maybe because they were
already getting embarrassed to keep asking the instructress or perhaps, they found me useful, friendly, even “smart”. To cut the story short, these women dress well, live in nice comfortable houses, own cars, wear expensive jewellery, but the bottom line is, they lack formal/proper/academic education. And in Spain and Europe in general, the majority of these Europeans actually do not go to higher education. But because the government of many Euro countries look after them, they “do not look poor”. When I first went to the UK, up north, it was the same experience. Sure, they lived in nice, comfy surroundings, but many of them actually didn’t have the privilege of going to high school,let alone, college/university. Just last year, I asked my English friend if it was the first time
in their generation to have a college graduate, and she proudly said yes. And how this family fussed over this particular granddaughter. They knew that I had a university degree, but so were the rest of my three sisters. I mean, no big deal. It was just one of those t hings in the Philippines that one must do to get on in life.So, my question goes back to the same question: What the hell is GDP when they judge the Philippines and its people? What about the assets, mainly the ery high literacy rate in that country? the number of great colleges and universities? Is that all the UN-requirement should measure? This stupid GDP? If indeed that’s the case, then, it should be changed. I always felt humbled going to the UK and/or being with European friends because in my heart, none of them had the
privilege of higher education. Now, if the WB, or UN, or the NGOs do not include that as “wealth” then please throw me in a Mumbai slum. It is rather insulting for the UN, IMF, WB to say, hey, you guys in the Philippines, you are poor, dammit, your GDP is only under US$1,800/yearly. What an insult, if I might add. |it is this
sort of silly measurement that makes me question the wisdom or stupidity of those w ho decide which country is rich or n ot, dragging down the people in it.Davao has a high literacy rate of 98.5%!!!Spain was a Third World country until 1980 when it opted to be out of it—for good. Indeed, when Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester and another shire declared themselves “officially poor”, they did so to be able to get EU Funding. Now the same places I mentioned are developed, smart looking. But the inhabitants? Same old thing. Sure, some have gone to further their studies, but many in the UK still leave school at 15-16 and go on to make money as plumbers, electricians, carpenters. Somehow it is the case of
exchange rate, what the house are like, how people live, whether it’s made of stone, concrete, or wood, or if plumbing is in place. Blame the French. They coined the phrase “Third World” and it has stuck, or has been stuck in people’s minds worldwide. The thing is, our minds or thoughts are already set and it’d take time before some average UN analyst or WB average specialist would tell us, uh…..hmmmm. dammit you’re poor.”

]]> By: hill roberts http://liveinthephilippines.com/content/2008/11/why-not-eat-the-seed-corn/comment-page-1/#comment-48322 hill roberts Sat, 22 Nov 2008 09:59:29 +0000 http://www.liveinthephilippines.com/content/?p=4511#comment-48322 Parat 2 - on "Seed Corn" - The world would be so much better if all opinions are respected There's no such thing as "THE opinion". However, I do agree with Dave in many respects. Many Pinoys pass the buck---instead of taking full responsibility as to why life "has been that way for him/her..."blaming the politicians of the day has been a chronic illness in that country that must stop---once and for all. The government and its elected officials and functionaries can only do so much but the rest is for the citizens to decide, or act on their instinct,or call, to what's best for them and how to serve themselves well, or the society in general. There's just so much self-pity among some people in this world and putting the blame on others just won't wash. I'd say, those who dispute what others have said/stated to realise one thing: in the end it's really up to us, make or break, it is really up to us--or some would say---down to us...the buck stops with us, in life, as in death. Parat 2 – on “Seed Corn” – The world would be so much better if all opinions are
respected There’s no such thing as “THE opinion”. However, I do agree with Dave
in many respects. Many Pinoys pass the buck—instead of taking full responsibility as to why life “has been that way for him/her…”blaming the politicians of the day has been a chronic illness in that country that must stop—once and for all. The government and its elected officials and functionaries can
only do so much but the rest is for the citizens to decide, or act on their instinct,or call, to what’s best for them and how to serve themselves well, or the society in
general. There’s just so much self-pity among some people in this world and
putting the blame on others just won’t wash. I’d say, those who dispute what
others have said/stated to realise one thing: in the end it’s really up to us, make or break, it is really up to us–or some would say—down to us…the buck stops with us, in life, as in death.

]]> By: hill roberts http://liveinthephilippines.com/content/2008/11/why-not-eat-the-seed-corn/comment-page-1/#comment-48323 hill roberts Sat, 22 Nov 2008 08:10:10 +0000 http://www.liveinthephilippines.com/content/?p=4511#comment-48323 Hi Dave, greetings from Spain! Very interesting article since just last week, I again rought up the topic of why Far Eastern people should be eatingcorn, or should be introduced as a staple food. Why? I have noticed that the Africans are tall--their staple food is corn, while in the Far East, like the Philippines, the staple food is rice. I am not a Scientist, but I believe the staple food has a lot to do with the difference in height and built. I mean, Americans DO eat corn, hence they are bigger, taller. I kept telling my husband over the years that this is indeed due to the staple food that Africans eat, which is maze. In general, Far Eastern people are short and the Africans tall.It may be a simple observation, but an observation just the same. Anyway, Dave, it is a thought that if Pinoys' next generation of children could be taller, then perhaps, it's due to the required change of staple food. I myself would recommend it to all Pinoys. Some readers might say, "oh, it's in the genes..."sure, but a lot of it would still have to do with staple food. So, should it be between rice or maze/corn? I'd choose the latter nowadays. Hi Dave, greetings from Spain! Very interesting article since just last week, I again rought up the topic of why Far Eastern people should be eatingcorn,
or should be introduced as a staple food. Why? I have noticed that the Africans
are tall–their staple food is corn, while in the Far East, like the Philippines, the staple food is rice. I am not a Scientist, but I believe the staple food has a lot
to do with the difference in height and built. I mean, Americans DO eat corn,
hence they are bigger, taller. I kept telling my husband over the years that this
is indeed due to the staple food that Africans eat, which is maze. In general,
Far Eastern people are short and the Africans tall.It may be a simple observation, but an observation just the same. Anyway, Dave, it is a thought
that if Pinoys’ next generation of children could be taller, then perhaps, it’s due
to the required change of staple food. I myself would recommend it to all Pinoys. Some readers might say, “oh, it’s in the genes…”sure, but a lot of it would still have
to do with staple food. So, should it be between rice or maze/corn? I’d choose the latter nowadays.

]]> By: hannah http://liveinthephilippines.com/content/2008/11/why-not-eat-the-seed-corn/comment-page-1/#comment-48320 hannah Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:06:52 +0000 http://www.liveinthephilippines.com/content/?p=4511#comment-48320 hi... Interesting article never really thought that it's not about the corn. Well generally speaking all that was written here are true. Here in the Philippines there is always tomorrow eventhough we can do it today and I think that is one of the hardest thing must change to really achieve what we want. Anyway it seems that you are happily settled and well adjusted to the environement here. In this note may I ask you to give some advice to my friend who wishes to move in the Philippines. thank you in advance. hi… Interesting article never really thought that it’s not about the corn. Well generally speaking all that was written here are true. Here in the Philippines there is always tomorrow eventhough we can do it today and I think that is one of the hardest thing must change to really achieve what we want. Anyway it seems that you are happily settled and well adjusted to the environement here. In this note may I ask you to give some advice to my friend who wishes to move in the Philippines.

thank you in advance.

]]> By: Dave http://liveinthephilippines.com/content/2008/11/why-not-eat-the-seed-corn/comment-page-1/#comment-48317 Dave Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:26:11 +0000 http://www.liveinthephilippines.com/content/?p=4511#comment-48317 Hi DomAndres- Dom, thanks for sharing with us. I am grateful for your commnets. Must say, respectfully, I can't agree with some of your sentiments though. My whole point in this article is to try to wake up both foreigners and Filipinos to the idea that the very hopelessness you mention is a chief reason people are not succeeding in many cases. Let me just mention one issue ... political corruption ... this is something that exists all over the world. Hey, even in the "promised land", the USA ...is Senator Stevens listening? I worked in government in the US for more than 38 years. I can assure you there is corruption there too. Some gets rooted out, some goes on. A farmer in Kansas doesn't stop planting corn because he finds out some offical was crooked. Many of my Filipino family and freinds seem to take the obvious facts of life, like corruption, and twist that fact around to be the excuse for everything and anything that seems wrong. Why do people just throw trash on the roads and into the bays, destroying much of the natural beauty? Political corruption? Hardly. I live here, I make money here. I know that much of the 'bad press' is just one journalist repeating the defeatist mantra of the ones who went before him. I do not accept that nothing can be done at the grass roots level. Personally I'm "bullish" on the Philippines. If the country was as hopeless as some seem to think, I'd move. As Henry Ford once said, "If you think you can or you think you can't, you're right". Or to be a bit more modern, "Yes we can". My intention here is not to bear anyone up for their thoughts, because you certainly have the right to hold them, but rather to try to inspire those who hold these thoughts to examine them carefully and focus more on the good things rather than the bad ... because surely both good and bad will always be with us in this life, no matter what country we live in. And again, thanks for sharing, Dom. Hi DomAndres-
Dom, thanks for sharing with us. I am grateful for your commnets. Must say, respectfully, I can’t agree with some of your sentiments though. My whole point in this article is to try to wake up both foreigners and Filipinos to the idea that the very hopelessness you mention is a chief reason people are not succeeding in many cases.

Let me just mention one issue … political corruption … this is something that exists all over the world. Hey, even in the “promised land”, the USA …is Senator Stevens listening? I worked in government in the US for more than 38 years. I can assure you there is corruption there too. Some gets rooted out, some goes on. A farmer in Kansas doesn’t stop planting corn because he finds out some offical was crooked.

Many of my Filipino family and freinds seem to take the obvious facts of life, like corruption, and twist that fact around to be the excuse for everything and anything that seems wrong. Why do people just throw trash on the roads and into the bays, destroying much of the natural beauty? Political corruption? Hardly.

I live here, I make money here. I know that much of the ‘bad press’ is just one journalist repeating the defeatist mantra of the ones who went before him. I do not accept that nothing can be done at the grass roots level. Personally I’m “bullish” on the Philippines. If the country was as hopeless as some seem to think, I’d move. As Henry Ford once said, “If you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right”. Or to be a bit more modern, “Yes we can”.

My intention here is not to bear anyone up for their thoughts, because you certainly have the right to hold them, but rather to try to inspire those who hold these thoughts to examine them carefully and focus more on the good things rather than the bad … because surely both good and bad will always be with us in this life, no matter what country we live in. And again, thanks for sharing, Dom.

]]> By: DomAndres http://liveinthephilippines.com/content/2008/11/why-not-eat-the-seed-corn/comment-page-1/#comment-48319 DomAndres Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:39:53 +0000 http://www.liveinthephilippines.com/content/?p=4511#comment-48319 Many Filipinos are poor, but they are not oblivious to their lot. They also know how to complain. In fact, we Filipinos complain a lot. I have been to poor villages and slums, have poor relatives and acquaintances and I hear yearnings and hope for a better life. Filipinos may seem to smile through it all, but that's how we Filipinos are. We tend to show an 'i don't care - come what may - bahala na' attitude despite our poverty. Filipinos are a hardworking people who also dreams of a better future, but sadly, they could not realize this in their own blighted country. Despite its bounty of natural resources, skilled workers and well meaning college graduates, the country has become a pariah among its neighbors. It was, and it still is hounded by mis-government, by politicians, who see public service as self service and does not to think about public welfare at all. Filipinos are not oblivious to all of this. They also complain. But having lost hope in their non-self imposed lot, they go overseas to join the millions already in diaspora, and send back their earnings which now ironically prop up the economy. Despite these, I still wish my country well. And one day hopes of going back - to endure, persevere and smile, despite the poverty. Many Filipinos are poor, but they are not oblivious to their lot. They also know how to complain. In fact, we Filipinos complain a lot. I have been to poor villages and slums, have poor relatives and acquaintances and I hear yearnings and hope for a better life. Filipinos may seem to smile through it all, but that’s how we Filipinos are. We tend to show an ‘i don’t care – come what may – bahala na’ attitude despite our poverty.
Filipinos are a hardworking people who also dreams of a better future, but sadly, they could not realize this in their own blighted country. Despite its bounty of natural resources, skilled workers and well meaning college graduates, the country has become a pariah among its neighbors. It was, and it still is hounded by mis-government, by politicians, who see public service as self service and does not to think about public welfare at all.
Filipinos are not oblivious to all of this. They also complain. But having lost hope in their non-self imposed lot, they go overseas to join the millions already in diaspora, and send back their earnings which now ironically prop up the economy.
Despite these, I still wish my country well. And one day hopes of going back – to endure, persevere and smile, despite the poverty.

]]> By: Dave http://liveinthephilippines.com/content/2008/11/why-not-eat-the-seed-corn/comment-page-1/#comment-48318 Dave Thu, 06 Nov 2008 01:18:41 +0000 http://www.liveinthephilippines.com/content/?p=4511#comment-48318 @ emsdiolola ... Welcome and thanks for reading and leaving comments. The site is not "about" the owner and the contributing authoers, it's about building community and sharing information with the readers and the staff. You are not a "crasher" in any sense of the word ... in fact the most depressing times for me is when I write something and no one responds ... even if they respond to tell me I made an error or that they don't agree, it means ever so much more to me than dead silence. I wonder how many others may be reading and thinking they would like to comment but are reluctant to say something because they would be "crashing". This is a place where you belong ... your comments are every bit as important as my writing, even more so, so feel free to "Speak your mind" ... in my case it's the only thing that keeps me writing. @ emsdiolola … Welcome and thanks for reading and leaving comments. The site is not “about” the owner and the contributing authoers, it’s about building community and sharing information with the readers and the staff. You are not a “crasher” in any sense of the word … in fact the most depressing times for me is when I write something and no one responds … even if they respond to tell me I made an error or that they don’t agree, it means ever so much more to me than dead silence.

I wonder how many others may be reading and thinking they would like to comment but are reluctant to say something because they would be “crashing”. This is a place where you belong … your comments are every bit as important as my writing, even more so, so feel free to “Speak your mind” … in my case it’s the only thing that keeps me writing.

]]> By: emsdiolola http://liveinthephilippines.com/content/2008/11/why-not-eat-the-seed-corn/comment-page-1/#comment-48316 emsdiolola Wed, 05 Nov 2008 07:31:41 +0000 http://www.liveinthephilippines.com/content/?p=4511#comment-48316 oh, sorry, i got struck with the phrase why not eat the seed corn..yesterday, i ate corn seed, a young corn street vendors sell at ponce street..it was yummy, and today as i am reading here, i was thinking a lot of reason why i should not eat the seed...hahaha..i feel a little bad for the thought that a seed of corn produces a lot of cobs and lots of cobs produces seeds and so on and so fourth..and i thought, yesterday if i did not eat the corn, it will make me ill, because i was hungry and was craving for it for a week already..funny though..so you see? what so important is the now..the today..eat today, dont be sick tomorrow...i hope you get my drift.. again a crasher hehehe.. oh, sorry, i got struck with the phrase why not eat the seed corn..yesterday, i ate corn seed, a young corn street vendors sell at ponce street..it was yummy, and today as i am reading here, i was thinking a lot of reason why i should not eat the seed…hahaha..i feel a little bad for the thought that a seed of corn produces a lot of cobs and lots of cobs produces seeds and so on and so fourth..and i thought, yesterday if i did not eat the corn, it will make me ill, because i was hungry and was craving for it for a week already..funny though..so you see? what so important is the now..the today..eat today, dont be sick tomorrow…i hope you get my drift..

again a crasher hehehe..

]]> By: emsdiolola http://liveinthephilippines.com/content/2008/11/why-not-eat-the-seed-corn/comment-page-1/#comment-48315 emsdiolola Wed, 05 Nov 2008 07:24:59 +0000 http://www.liveinthephilippines.com/content/?p=4511#comment-48315 awesome? i enjoyed reading here...ah er ah.. i am a filipina. yes, we are known to be people who strive so very hard, work very hard, and most often than not, cannot and will not complain..hard work accompanies smiles and laughters..it brings good fortune for at least a day if not forever..we are no different from anyone else..the culture maybe but..we live as most human eings do, more smiles and laughters though..i read it somewhere, live in the Philippines like a king..that's basically true..living in the philippines is like living an inch of life anywhere else... and sorry..i am a crasher here...hehehe.. awesome? i enjoyed reading here…ah er ah.. i am a filipina. yes, we are known to be people who strive so very hard, work very hard, and most often than not, cannot and will not complain..hard work accompanies smiles and laughters..it brings good fortune for at least a day if not forever..we are no different from anyone else..the culture maybe but..we live as most human eings do, more smiles and laughters though..i read it somewhere, live in the Philippines like a king..that’s basically true..living in the philippines is like living an inch of life anywhere else…

and sorry..i am a crasher here…hehehe..

]]> By: Dave http://liveinthephilippines.com/content/2008/11/why-not-eat-the-seed-corn/comment-page-1/#comment-48314 Dave Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:46:52 +0000 http://www.liveinthephilippines.com/content/?p=4511#comment-48314 Wow David, I should have grabbed that title for myself ... indeed this isn't Kansas and that's the cause of a lot of expat's frustrations. Life here is neither different nor worse in total from life in the US ... but it's _different_ and that's a factor people have to get their heads around before than ever be truly settled in here. Thanksgiving four years back my wife and I were at a party at her sister's house in Florida. Almost all the guest were freinds of my sister-in-law and almost all Filipnos from the medical community in the Orlando area. My wife and I announced our tintention to move to the RP in the very near future. Wow! Did the room ever divide. About half the folks looked wistful and sad and said 'If only I could go too" and the other half? their most common comment was, "You must be crazy"! This is the same idea in reverse I think ... even though many Filipinos gpot to the US and many thrive there, it isn't necessarily "better" or "worse" than the Pghi9lippines, but it darn sure is "different". Wow David, I should have grabbed that title for myself … indeed this isn’t Kansas and that’s the cause of a lot of expat’s frustrations.

Life here is neither different nor worse in total from life in the US … but it’s _different_ and that’s a factor people have to get their heads around before than ever be truly settled in here.

Thanksgiving four years back my wife and I were at a party at her sister’s house in Florida. Almost all the guest were freinds of my sister-in-law and almost all Filipnos from the medical community in the Orlando area. My wife and I announced our tintention to move to the RP in the very near future.

Wow! Did the room ever divide. About half the folks looked wistful and sad and said ‘If only I could go too” and the other half? their most common comment was, “You must be crazy”!

This is the same idea in reverse I think … even though many Filipinos gpot to the US and many thrive there, it isn’t necessarily “better” or “worse” than the Pghi9lippines, but it darn sure is “different”.

]]>