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Expat Homesickness

August 5, 2010 By PaulK 43 Comments
pinakbet

Can an "expat" suffer from "Homesickness"? Anyone pondering this question -- whether Filipino, "expat," or "other" -- will have a unique answer.  Not only are the answers unique -- the points of view from which they proceed are equally diverse. Being human, we all have some sense and desire for familiarity.  Finding ourselves in new or different surroundings for a considerable period often stimulates those senses and desires.  Our reactions can be quite diverse. Some people are lightly affected.  Others take it tough to the point of extreme emotion.  It's safe to assume that the reactions we call "homesickness" are as numerous and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Paul Tagged With: Adjustment, Daily Life, Expats, Health, Ilocos Norte, Living in The Philippines, Paul Keating

Vacation from a Vacation

July 29, 2010 By PaulK 23 Comments
corruption

Huh?  Whazzat you’re talking ‘bout, Paul?  Are you thrusting another mind-bender on us? Many have been wondering what I’ve been up to.  It seems as though the last, three-part article was a little bit much for some readers.  Other readers wonder if something is wrong and that I’m relying on “back-up, just in case” articles to fill the void. Rest easy, dear readers:  I’m fine, and all is well.  I am currently taking a little vacation.  As the title says, it’s a “Vacation from a Vacation.”  Let me explain. First, let's see how the Merriam-Webster on-line dictionary defines the words “vacation,” "retirement," … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Paul Tagged With: Adjustment, Business, Daily Life, Expats, Financial, Ilocos Norte, Living in The Philippines, Paul Keating, Retirement, Travel

New History

June 17, 2010 By PaulK 12 Comments
DSC00869

That’s a funny title for an article, but it’s appropriate.  I hope it provides a good “hook” – the technique that writers use to "persuade" people to read their article.  (An interesting article on writing that I've read called it a “technique” – I zeroed in on it after its title piqued my curiosity.)   There’s quite a bit of truth in this title, however.  Let me explain. As I sit here, gazing out my window at the soon-to-be rice fields, I notice two things.  First, the calendar says it’s May 25, 2010 – okay, so I work ahead a little.  I'll just blame it on my OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder).  Second, the season … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Paul Tagged With: Adjustment, Daily Life, Filipino Culture, Ilocos Norte, Living in The Philippines, Paul Keating, Weather

Coping with El Niño

June 2, 2010 By AlexB 6 Comments
At "Our Lady of Piat" Church

Today we have a Guest Article from an old LiP Reader, Alex Buenafe.  Oh, I don't mean Alex is old, I mean that he has been reading LiP for a long time!  Anyway, Alex recently returned home to Canada from his most recent trip to the Philippines, during which he explored the northern part of the country.  Alex has some interesting insights into the Northern Philippines to share with us, and I hope you enjoy reading it.  Thank you very much, Alex, for sharing your experiences with the LiP Audience.  I am glad that you had an enjoyable and safe visit to the Philippines! MindanaoBob I have been a LiP reader for the past year and a half … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Guest Tagged With: Alex Buenafe, Daily Life, Filipino Culture, Food, Ilocos Norte, Living in The Philippines, Luzon, Travel, Weather

EXTRA! – I Am NOT An EXPAT!

May 14, 2010 By PaulK 23 Comments
NO EXPAT2

I’m not an Expat.  I may be a Kano, or a “Puti,” or a “Purow,” or even a “Hey Joe,” but I’m definitely not an Expat. Others can call themselves an Expat, or “God’s Gift to Mankind,” or even a “P.O.S.” if they want – that’s their prerogative.  I, however, am NOT and Expat! If I had to classify myself as something, I’d have to say that I’m just someone with a new address.  I’m not an expatriate – I just changed addresses. There’s a good chance that that my current address will be my last address.  I have no reason to move anymore.  I’ve finally found my home.  I’ll still be a Kano.  The … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Paul Tagged With: Adjustment, Daily Life, Expats, Ilocos Norte, Immigration, Living in The Philippines, Paul Keating

Goodbye U.S. Citizenship (Pt II)

May 6, 2010 By PaulK 20 Comments
expatriation

"That’s it. I’m finished. I can’t take this crap anymore. I’m out of here." That line of thought has passed through my mind on many occasions. Now that I’m in The Philippines, it’s time to do something besides think.  This time, I’m really prepared to DO SOMETHING. IT'S TIME FOR CONTINUING Last week's article began with those very words.  Sentiments haven't changed much in a week's time, but I've read and researched this topic a little more since you last read those words.  My "two r's" centered on whether I overlooked any issues in our discussion on renouncing your citizenship. It's always good to review your work, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Paul Tagged With: Adjustment, Citizenship, Daily Life, Expats, Ilocos Norte, Immigration, Living in The Philippines, Paul Keating

Goodbye U.S. Citizenship (Pt I)

April 29, 2010 By PaulK 43 Comments
no passport

“That’s it. I’m finished. I can’t take this crap anymore. I’m out of here.” That line of thought has passed through my mind on many occasions. Now that I’m in The Philippines, it’s time to do something besides think.  This time, I'm really prepared to DO SOMETHING. IT’S TIME FOR ACTION. Reading MindanaoBob’s articles about U.S. citizenship issues here, here, here and here (there are more, but you get the picture) makes me want to “take care of business.” More U.S. citizens worldwide are renouncing their citizenship now, than ever before. The same holds true with green-card holders:  more are severing their ties … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Paul Tagged With: Adjustment, Citizenship, Daily Life, Expats, Ilocos Norte, Immigration, Living in The Philippines, Paul Keating

Typing . . . In . . . Stereo

April 1, 2010 By PaulK 17 Comments
stereo VU Meter

Currently, there is a vast array of article topics in The Philippines.  Each one is worthy of a few hundred words.  To try and address them all would be impossible in volumes, let alone just one blog post.  Yet, each one has a specific uniqueness to it that does merit mention. Many topics may have appeared elsewhere under the heading, “Only in The Philippines.”  It’s a category often applied to a weird or uncommon event or practice “discovered” here in the islands. These tales, so told, never seem to mention similar, if not identical, occurrences elsewhere.  Doing so would probably take any element thought humorous out of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Paul Tagged With: Adjustment, Communication, Daily Life, Expats, Filipino Culture, Ilocos Norte, Living in The Philippines, Paul Keating, Philippine News Discussion

Extra! – It’s A “No–Go”!

March 26, 2010 By PaulK 10 Comments
internet

(Pasuquin, March 24)  It is official.  It's a "No--Go" for Thursday, March 25.   The status quo remains maintained; change effectively resisted. Some of you are wondering, “Huh?”  Others may be thinking, “Ahhh!”  Yet others may be cursing the moment they laid eyes on this article.  Just what is (or is not) going on? As a few of you know, family-related business back in the States was calling for our presence prior to mid-April.  Baket ko (Asawa ko) [My Wife], Emy, and I were scheduled to depart The Philippines on Thursday, March 25 for a “few months of vacation.”  Once business was taken care of, family obligations met, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Paul Tagged With: Business, Communication, Daily Life, Extra, Financial, Ilocos Norte, Living in The Philippines, Paul Keating, Travel

A House In Pasuquin

March 11, 2010 By PaulK 64 Comments
PH_locator_our_house

Over the past couple of months, I've read many comments about having a place to live in The Philippines.  Some folks see the wisdom in renting an apartment, condo or house as their residence.  Others' wisdom leans toward either buying or building their abode.  Baket ko (Asawa ko) [my Wife] Emy and I are among the latter - we built. In addition to the comments, readers (and family members, friends, etc.) have requested pictures of our house and a little write-up.  Guess I have no reason to put it off any longer - I've stretched "Filipino Time" for about as long as I can. Please don't consider this article as "bragging"; I'm actually … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Paul Tagged With: Daily Life, Expats, Housing, Ilocos Norte, Living in The Philippines, Pasuquin, Paul Keating
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