Two Years and Still Counting

Today, I celebrate my second year of Independence Day. It's a day early from ID4 but technically, I got here July 4, 2004 Philippine time or even NY time. What a coincidence, it's my Independence day too but independence from the Philippines and it's also my Fil-American Friendship day (as how Philippines celebrates July 4). It's really a friendship day for America and me since I have to build a good relatioship with this country for me to survive.

To celebrate this, I had lunch/dinner at Cheesecake Factory with Matt at around 3pm. This time, everything was on me (drinks, appetizer, entree and even dessert). I figured it was time to treat him since he has been paying for the fancy restaurants that we've been eating for the last 2-3 months. That man deserved a treat, hahaha. Althought what I spent didn't even amount to the average meal that he was paying for those months. Oh well, I told him to choose a nice place so that was not my fault at all.

Looking back on how I was two years ago, I can say that I really made a big progress. As I told Matt, I think I am doing pretty good for a foreigner here in the span of two years. All he said was, "You are doing pretty good even for an American." Hearing that from an American made me feel good. I must have really established a good friendship with America. I think, I got lucky too. Despite the heartaches and challenges I experienced here, I made it through. Of course, I am still a work in progress here but I'd like to think no matter where life leads me, I don't have to worry as long as I try my very best. I'm no extraordinary person. I feel lazy too at times but I really value my work. With the break that I got here, I should really work my ass and make good use of my current situation.

Now, it's getting clearer that I like it here more now. When people ask me if I plan to stay here for good, I can now easily answer, "Of course or else what am I doing here and why waste my years here." I still miss a lot in the Philippines especially my family and friends. Like I've said before, I can even count with my fingers the good friends that I have here but overall, this is a better place. It gets lonely at times but it makes me a tougher person. I have my worry in finding the right person and buiding my own family here since I barely know a few people here and don't even have the chance to meet more people, and also divorce is so rampant here but maybe if it's really for me, it will happen. After all, I am pretty good in tough and rare situation.

So, here I am on my second year and still counting. Every year, it gets better. I lose some and I win some. Definitely, the gains are more than the losses. I'm loving the States! :)