Puerto Filipina

Seven years after Y2K

Seven years ago,  everyone was on their toes waiting for the year 1999 to be 2000. The new millennium brought excitement, skepticism and irrational fears brought about by media or from the man who smokes marijuana at the corner of the street. At that time, I still did not have a stable job, just part time mediocre ones since no company was interested to hire a newly graduate much less a Psychology major. "Oh, you;re a psychology graduate, we do not have openings in the HR department and we don't need counselor." I was saying bullshit to Freud, Jung and Fromm for all their theories which I thought will get me somewhere. I kept on forgetting that my country's rate of unemployment is as high as Empire State building. My classmates said that I should be thankful since my parents still feed me and lets me drive my car with matching gas allowance. It was darn frustrating but I found ways to keep me afloat doing research jobs for professors who are doing their thesis for graduate school. However, the easiest way to avoid being desperate was to go partying with my fellow unemployed friends and together we became strong to embrace the inevitable truth, real life sucks and college was heaven. As Y2K approaches, people panicked withdrawing all their money and hoarding supplies from the grocery. I asked my father who is a banker if the world's computer system would really crash and if a virus would really reverse everything to zero. I even suggested that he can give me some of his money just in  case. He laughed at me and said "No, sweetheart, the world is not going to crash, people are just being hyped. They think it is going to be doomsday but I assure you, I had a meeting with my bosses and we know it's not going to happen. with your suggestion, I don't think so but nice try though." My mother on the hand stacked up on candles, bought sacks of rice and filled our cupboards with canned corned beef. It is extremely difficult to live with two people who have totally opposing ideas. Everytime I walked down session road, I hear people talking, I call it concocting crazy ideas about Y2K. I waned to laugh  but I was too pissed to mind them. Blame it on my unstable job status, my relationship of 3 years going down the drain and my impatience to earn money, I considered the coming year as an omen of more bad things to come. At 11:59 pm, I was with my grandmother in the living room. She was holding on to her wallet with thick wads of money and I well, was feeling 25 centavos in the pocket of my shorts. I held my breath until Y2K appeared on the clock. There was silence and for a second, I thought all the elevators in the world crashed. Everything was alright and there was no proof of the supposedly deadly virus. I turned on the TV and I saw Times Square on cable, people were welcoming 2000 with a blast. Call it premonition but I told my grandmother, "Someday, I will be in New York partying with those Nyorkers." My grandmother chuckled and answered "Putsa! Don't you have enough parties to attend here?"

That was seven years ago and here I am welcoming my third New Year in the Big Apple. I spent half of the waiting time for New Year at my Filipino friend's house eating her lechon and singing for two hours on her videoke. I was practically alone, croaking until I drove all the mice out. I called up my boyfriend to spend the last hour of 2006 with his family. We were watching the ball drop in Times Square on the laptop which is more convenient than being squashed alive. "Happy New Year!" with kisses and hugs to one another. Actually Li, his nephew was the most enthusiastic. As I was having my second round of pina colada with added rum, I thanked a being I know is powerful than me, friends I still have and I look forward to a year with less "viruses" and more happy memories.

Pot of Harry

News came out that J.K Rowling has finished the seventh book of her Harry Potter Series. I like most the Goblet of Fire and I finished reading it in just two days.  Many of my readers and friends emailed me when they learned that my book was denied of publication. Under this circumstance,  I truly felt the overwhelming support I get from my readers. My friend Shin mentioned that Rowling was turned down so many times and her work was considered trash by book companies until Oprah mentioned it on her show. Yes, the power of media really helped. I do not exactly aspire to be featured in Oprah's show much less be like Jame Frey of "A Million Little Pieces." I am still promoting the book and after the holidays, I will get an answer from the third publisher. My communication with them is not vague so I think there is still hope for "Ang New York ay Isang Isla." Perhaps, some people think that my book is just for humor but I truly believe that it somehow informed Filipinos to be smarter and more aware of how an OFW really lives and survives in a foreign land.

A friend of mine, Mary Jo has been inspired to write again and she is a talented writer too. Check out her blogs on  http://360.yahoo.com/my_bea.

It makes me feel good that inspite of my bipolar personality and macabre stained writings, I get to push people to realize the power of the pen. Just like a penis :) to a man and a brain to a woman, it is a mighty power that can persuade, encourage and intrigue humans.

Socially Irrelevant

I received two emails from two prospective publishers. My book was denied and the editors thought that it did not meet their criteria. Sad as I am, I am still hoping that the other two companies will think otherwise. However, what pisses me off "Putang Ina!" are their comment/ reasons my book was rejected. First editor said, "Your book is a good read to entertain people but it lacks in substantial information. As of now, it does not fit our criteria of social relevance. Also you used both English and Filipino in the text which makes it appear to be an informal writing. However, thank you for showing interest in acquiring our services." The second editor said, "I personally like your book, it is refreshing and it keeps the readers wanting more. Unfortunately, your book did not make the cut off of our books to be published next year. The chief editors commented that you need to make your book more formal." As I was reading the email, I found myself laughing and weirdly not disappointed. I am not sour graping but I think it is best that they do not represent my book since they do not share in the vision on why I wrote it. Mainly, it is for ALL FILIPINO especially the OFWs and soon to be OFWs to have relevant information on how to work in a foreign land. So I say to the editors, "Socially irrelevant my Ass" (I think they rejected my book since it has profanities that is not expected from a demure Filipina like me (thunder rolling!). I stand by my ground that it is relevant and the emails, messages and comments are proofs that somehow the book does help readers. I say to the second editor, each writer has a distinct style. No one can censor or dictate what is formal and informal writing. I may write like a pirate because I speak the brutal truth of how a worker like me lives and struggles in another country. It is not a story of failure but of an ongoing survival. I wanted to share these experiences in the light that others will avoid some of the pitfalls I have mentioned. As a professional pirate, I mean writer; I still replied and thanked them for their literary criticism.

Right now, I can listen more to you, my readers rather than 5 persons in a board room who has never met an OFW. Plan D, if all else fails, I will opt for self publication.

Happy Holidays!

Hissy Toity Pusang Gala

Sa palagay ko, mali ang gising ko o mali ang foundation na ginamit ko kaninang umaga. Ang alam ko lang ay pumasok ako na handang magturo. Ang mga sumusunod ay bahagi ng isang hindi ko mailarawan na karanasan na naganap sa isang araw lamang.

8:15 Nasa meeting area na ang mga estudyante ko at ready na akong kumanta ng "I want to color my world Crayola." Excited ang mga bata dahil isasama ko ang pang- psych ward nilang paboritong kanta sa aking Greatest Hits Volume 2.

8: 25 Pumasok ang aking estudyante na may Down Syndrome. Itago natin siya sa pangalan na Ralph Lauren.
(background music: "Maalaala mo Kaya?")
Setyembre taon 2006
- nabigyan ako ng opisyal na listahan ng estudyante.
- binilang ko,dose, Kindergarten (naku! balik finger painting na naman ako)
- isang estudyante nagngangalang Ralph Lauren, severe/ non verbal/ has a full time health professional (ito ang mga tawag sa mga taong assigned upang siguraduhin na ligtas, kumakain nang maayos, napapalitan ang diapers at sumusuporta sa guro upang maturuan ang bata, hindi sila shadow teachers, ihalintulad na natin sila sa 24/7 na tutor ng isang bata na may special needs)
- Setyembre, nag email ako sa aking mga bossing upang linawin na may para ang batang ito at kailangan na i- follow up sa Region na ito ay nailagay na sa IEP (isang legal na dokumento)
- Setyembre, 3 linggo pa at darating na ang para
- Oktubre, umiyak na pumunta ang Nanay upang makiusap sa mga bossing ko, ang sabi sa kanya, 3- 4 na araw pa
- Nobyembre, sinabi sa akin na bago mag- thanksgiving meron na
** lahat ng nabanggit ko ay hindi natupad**
Sa pagitan ng mga pangyayari at sa loob ng halos 4 na buwan
- ako ay nakagat, nakalmot sa mukha, nasapak at naduraan
- umabot na siguro sa 80 beses na nag- follow up ako at PINAALALA sa KANILA ang kailangan na tao ni Ralph
- ang 12 na iba pang estudyante ay nakaranas na rin ng masalimuot na mga harassment galing kay Ralph Lauren
- lahat ay nakalagay sa papel at walang mintis na pinapasa ko sa opisina sa hangad na bigyang pansin ang kaso ng NAWAWALANG PARA NI RALPH LAUREN

8: 30 Nilagay si Ralph sa therapy chair, wala pang isang minuto, para siyan ahas na nakawala pero bago nito ay kamuntik na naman siya (ika- 100 na pagkakataon) na magbigti siya sa belt ng upuan

8: 32 Hinawakan si Ralph at nilagay sa paanan ko at tinangkang magturo, hindi ko na maalala ang lahat pero
- kinagat ako sa aking hintuturo
- tinadyakan si B1 at B2

8:35 ITO NA! (I had it!) PUSANG GALA! Hindi ko na kaya maghintay dahil baka sa susunod na linggo, mawawalan ako ng lisensya dahil naipit si Ralph Lauren sa Elevator dahil ang akala niya, Gates of Heaven ito

8:36 Pinakiusapan ko si Dr. Peace (aming counselor) na tingnan lamang nang 2 minuto ang klase at kailangan ko na dalhin si Ralph sa opisina.

8:37 Hinawakan ko sa kamay si Ralph (hindi ko siya kinaladkad) at masaya siyang lumakad dahil akala niya ay pupunta kami sa Gates of Heaven

8:38 Nakarating kami sa opisina, kumatok ako at bumati "Good morning Boss! I am sorry to disturb you but my class wants to learn but right now I can't" sabay pasa si Ralph sa kanya
- wala siya sinabi, hindi galit
- lumabas ako at nagsabing "salamat Boss"

** Paglabas ko, may tumatakbong tao sa akin, "Ms. T, I was sent here by your other bossing, I will take care of Ralph today."
- sagot ko, "Ngayon na pumunta ako diretso sa opisina, saka sila magpapadala ng tao. Apat na buwan na ako naghinhintay, hindi ako galit sa iyo pero punong puno na ako." Sinabi ko ito in my sweet non condescending voice

8:40 Bumalik ako sa klase at tinuloy ang pagtuturo na parang walang nangyari

8:45 Biglang sinugod ako ni other Bossing at parang aso na pinalabas
Ang mga sumusunod ay ang pinaka G force na narinig ko
"Don't you know it's illegal to leave a child in the office unsupervised!" (iniwan ko si Ralph sa BOSS, teacher din siya at siya ang Inang Anay sa school)
"You can talk to me, I TOLD YOU ALREADY! I am taking care of it, you need to wait." (Siguro ay hanggang June 27 bago mahanap ang nawawalang para ni Ralph)
"You didn't have to THROW A HISSY FIT in the office!"

!!!!!! Ito na ang dulo ng lubid... sagot ko na lang
"You should know me better OTHER BOSS! I don't throw hissy fits, I AM THE LAST PERSON TO THROW ONE!"

Ang mga sumusunod ay naganap na sa pagitan ng 11:05 - 3:15

1. Nilagay sa papel ang nangyaring "kabastusan" at akusasyon na NAG HISSY TOITY FIT. Pusang Gala ulit!
2. Tinawag ko ang UFT (union) at sinabi ang aking kaso.
- very eager dahil patong patong na pala ang violations ng mga bossing ko kaya pandagdag bigat pa ang kaso ko
3. Pumunta ako sa other other bossing ko, sinabi ang nangyari. "I do not agree with what she did to you but I suggest that you talk to her first, if she speaks to you in the same manner, then you can go to the union" (Hindi ako sorry, ginawa ko na ito dahil hindi ko na alam kung sino ang pagkakatiwalaan ko sa school)
4. Kinausap ko si other bossing at THIS TIME, malumanay na ang kanyang boses. Kinorner ko siya sa opisina. Sinabi ko na,
"I really felt bad with what you told me this morning, It was a safety issue so I decided that it was the best thing to do. I have been following up Ralph's case but it has been four months and still he does not have a para. And with me throwing a hissy fit (sabay tigil lahat ng tao sa opisina, TSISMIS TIME!) I am the last person to do that and I am professional enough NOT TO DO THAT. In my eight years of teaching, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I BROUGHT A STUDENT TO THE OFFICE because I cannot teach because he is putting everyone in danger."

Hindi siya makahinga dahil visibly na upset ako, malumanay niyan sinabi "I did not mean that, someone just told me that you threw one"

To end this story, ano ang sinagot ko sa kanya

"So Bossing, kung may umakyat sa opisina mo at sinabing nakikipag kyungkangan ako sa loob ng classroom, paniniwalaan mo ba kaagad? You should know me better because as you said, "I should have known you better."
Tumawa na lang na parang tupa at sinabing "Ms. T, it's cool" with her G force accent. Ngiting aso na lang ako at sabay lumabas ng office.

Ang lesson na natutunan ko, WALA. Ang alam ko lang, hindi na ako papayag na akusahan ako na nag HISSY TOITY FIT, wala sa bokabularyo ko ang FIT dahil ayaw ko ng Diet. Pwede pa siguro ang bitch pero Professional Bitch. Dito sa New York, fight fire with fire and a Fit with a formal complaint.

Kagabi, pumunta ako sa baby/ adult party ng isa kong katrabaho. Hispanic siya and of course, pagbungad ko sa pinto, para akong inexport sa Sto. Domingo at Puerto Rico. Ang bilis nilang mag- espanol at ang musika ay sobrang bilis na ang naintindihan ko lang na salita ay Si. Masarap ang pagkain ng mga Hispanics, nakailang balik rin ako sa meat patties. Pero ang nakatawag pansin sa akin ay ang "bar" sa loob ng bahay. Umaapaw ang beer, whiskey, rum, vodka at tequila na nagmukha ng liquor store ang bahay. Nang tinanong ako kung ano ang gusto kong inumin, sabi ko tequila lang. Sampung tanong na ang tinirada sa akin, "How do you want it? With Soda? Juice? Shot? With Grape? With this and that?" Sagot ko na lang sa aking pagkahilo ay with orange juice. Mahirap talaga kung hindi ka marunong magsalita ng espanol dito sa New York. Ito ang pangalawang lenguahe ng mga NYorkers at feeling ko kailangan ko nang mag- hire ng interpreter. Hindi naman sila bastos at ilang tao rin ang nag- translate para sa akin. Siyempre ngiti at tawa na lang ang ginawa ko kahit hindi ko naintindihan. Magaling rin sila sumayaw ng Salsa at Merengue. Tinuruan ako ng Merengue, pasado naman pero hindi ako komportable kapag hindi ko kakilala ang kasayaw ko. Lumabas tuloy ang pagka- kawayan ng katawan ko. Dumating rin sa wakas ang isa kong kaibigan na wala ring clue sa spanish. At least may karamay na ako. Nakarelax na rin ako at nag- enjoy na rin sa party. Bago mag alas-dose, lumabas ang isang babae hawak hawak si Cuervo. Tinanong kung sino ang gusto mag shot ng Tequila. Wala pa akong sagot, may dumapo na isang shot glass, asin at lemon sa kamay ko. Nagtinginan na lang kami ng aking friend at sa bilang ng 3, sabay shot na. Ayun ang isang shot ay naging 5, naging sampu at hindi ko na mabilang. Okay lang dahil sanay ang katawan ko sa Tequila. Careful lang ako na huwag isama pa si Coors Light at baka lumabas lahat ng meat patties na nilamon ko. Hindi ko na alam kung anong oras ako hinatid ng mga kasama ko. Basta alam ko lang ay nag- enjoy ako. First hand experience ko na makasalimuha sa kanila outside ng trabaho. Language man ang barrier pero naalis ang ilan sa prejudice/ stereotyping/ judging na ginawa ko. Ngayong umaga ng Linggo, gumising ako na walang hang- over (thank you Ibufropen). Umiindak pa rin ang mga paa ko sa rythm ng music na narinig ko nang halos 6 na oras. Binuksan ko ang laptop at sinimulan na isulat ito. Sa ngayon, tama na muna ang "party animal" at balik na naman sa race track ng New York.

"Attitude Problem"

** To jo, I hope it isn alright that I post this on the website since it will answer most questions of blog visitors who are applying to work here***

Itim na Biyernes

Thanksgiving Dance