Fresh Off the Boat
I am an FOB or what they call here in the US, fresh-off-the-boat. Two Sundays ago, I arrived in San Francisco where I will be staying for a couple of weeks before flying off to Indiana to become a student all over again.
A lot of things are making me nervous these days. First, being in a new place is quite unnerving. I tried to be brave and ventured out on my own last week despite the protests of well-meaning friends. And yes, I promptly got lost. Luckily, I got lost in the Castro district where it seems all the friendly people in San Francisco live. That’s because most of the people there are gay. One of the people there even walked me to the corner where I should be waiting for my bus! Three cheers for gay America!
The second thing which is making me nervous is being a student all over again. I will not be earning my own money again for the next few months, which is scaring me out of my wits. I look at all the bags, shoes, and clothes to be bought in the clearance sales of this good city and I start wanting to kick myself. Sales are a no-no right now. I try to tell myself that clearance sales will always be there after I get my masters degree. Watch out, Macy’s!
The third thing I’m worried about is that why are they calling it summer here in San Francisco when I am freezing in the middle of downtown??!!!! What is winter here then? I miss Tandang Sora weather. I miss Cebu weather. I miss my family, my dog, and even the neighborhood tricycle driver! I try not to say these things out loud because I might begin to cry. In my family, thirty-year olds are not allowed to cry.
So, I go on with my life. I continue to observe the natives here in San Francisco. One thing’s for sure, though…I’m not leaving my heart in this city!
August 10th, 2005 at 11:27 pm
Em! Sis!
ganyan talaga kapag FOB. mag-a-adjust ka din. especially with the weather. good luck with your studies! Ll.M ba yan? email ka lang!
bong
don’t despair
August 13th, 2005 at 7:15 am
You can do it, Em! Take care and God bless, always!:)
Theresa
August 13th, 2005 at 3:37 pm
haha! and it just had to be castro. you lucky gurl you. i’m sure you’ll be all right, em. holler when it gets lonely. though i doubt if it will.
August 16th, 2005 at 12:38 am
kahit saan ka pala makarating, em gil ka pa rin! pero kung kilala nga kita, i’m sure, mamayagpag ka rin dyan. just a few more days and weeks and you’ll be in your element again.
August 29th, 2005 at 1:11 pm
HI em,
chanced upon your blog. am here in the east coast too.last saturday, some classmates got together for a reunion. i wanted to join them but had to do something last minute. Anna ROse Bordon, zarlyn gloria (now married) moussie, trina ong, aya garcia, angela tan, annete artista, mme giberson and ms maunes were there.
Were not too far off, you know, so keep in touch?
take care
tippy
ps my cellphone number is 917-392-2689. that’s tmobile, by the way so in case your using the same carrier, you’re free to call me anytime, otherwise, after 9 or on weekends is best.