Filipina Soul

Expats. There are a million of us out of the Philippines trying to make a life for ourselves and our families in the adoptive land where we are right now. It’s not an easy life. There’s the culture barrier and shock, being torn away from eveything familiar and comfortable, and starting anew. And then there’s the language. Whether you’re in the USA, UK, Hongkong, Saudi Arabia or Alaska, we can relate with one another somehow. And it’s especially challenging if you’re a Filipino woman .

Still as Filipinas , we make do. And although we’re always going to feel like we’re foreigners, more and more life becomes tolerable and again enjoyable. In fact, we adapt ourselves very well that we begin to see the new places as “home”. And we start having fun.

Gina/Ning is one of us. In fact, her being one of us expats make her blog all the more interesting as she relates her life in Japan. Her Gaijin Life as a “foreigner” is a funny journal of a Filipina mom who’s past adjusting and already being more at home. Take this for example. Her jitensha (bicycle) was stolen.. actually only the chair was gone.

Yeah, a chairless jitensha is what we have now. And, who on earth would steal only the chair? What would the bad guy do with the chair? Can he sell it? I don’t think so. Who on earth would buy only that?

And then one time, she spotted a real GEISHA, and warns us that it’s very expensive to date one.

My research also tells me that not all interested gentlemen can see a performing geisha. First of all, one needs about $3000 to spend an evening with one or two geishas. Secondly, one needs a referral or introduction of an established patron in order to be entertained.

Now I love sushi and tempura. But I will not eat sushi from just any Chinese/Korean/Thai/Vietnamese take out. In fact, my husband and I are known to drive 40 miles for our sushi fix. Gina on the other hand, I suspect gets great sushi at her corner deli. And for that I wish I live in Japan.

Ok, so much for introductions.

Gina the GANDA, a Filipina blogging from Japan as a gaijin.

you go, girl! “Yan ang Pinay!”

Tags: Filipina, Filipina blogger, Filipino women, Pinay, Filipina bloggers month, gaijin

(This post featured in celebration of Filipina Soul’s Filipina Bloggers Month)

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