My first days in America

The moment we landed at Sioux Gateway Airport, I was nervous. At last, I'm gonna meet our HR who we have constant communication with. Her name is Amy. When we saw her outside, we were not so sure if that was her but when we approached her, it was confirmed. My nervousness faded away as she greeted us warmly and helped to load our bags at the back of her car. When she drove us going to the hospital (coz this is where we'll spend our quarantine) I should say she's a very outgoing person. She was delighted to show us the places around Sioux City. 

Upon arriving, we went to the  Levitt Guesthouse located at the 4th floor of the hospital. She showed us our room and I saw a set of scrubs and a T-shirt placed on the table. She was so welcoming as she said that we call her if we need anything.

While staying in the hospital's guesthouse, I couldn't ask for more: a wonderful accommodation (because of the suite room) with free meals, TV, and unlimited WiFi connection. 

As the days passed, here are the things I've observed and I'm still very amused:

• Speaking of free meals, sumptuous meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)  are delivered at 8am, 12noon, and 6pm. Honestly, the big portions are hard to finish for my small tummy. and more and more I miss rice.
• Since we are under quarantine, we monitor our temperatures and it's not in Celsius but in Fahrenheit. From morning, mid-day to night. They are not into metric system here.
• We looked for apartments and I took the courage to call each one of them. I'm thankful the receptionists that I talked to were kind and considerate because there are times I couldn't get my English right.
• I found the nights here weird because it doesn't get dark until 9PM, way much different from the Philippines where we take our dinner at 7PM because it's dark already.
• It is our first time to use the thermostat to adjust the airconditioner's temperature and we were terrified to hear some cracking sounds from the ceiling. At first, we were worried and because of this, we phoned a friend just to make sure if it's alright.
• I found the hot baths refreshing! 
• If you want to cross the street, you need to press the button so the pedestrian lane is free for you to cross
• We went to a nearby convenience store, HyVee and I was glad that I already have 20, 50 bills and coins as change
• In Walmart, we were introduced to the self-check out feature of the store. We used a credit card for that.
• A box of milk is always present on meal times and  we have lots of it inside our fridge
• I'm starting to like pepper because it gives more flavor to the food.

I know there are lots of things that I need to discover in America but this is all for now. I have more to learn.

Weird night times in America

JUST SHARING - I just find it weird that the sun sets longer in America than in the Philippines. On my first day in US, I was just shocked to find out that there's still sun at 7 PM! I remember that in the Philippines, 7 PM is already dark and people already gathered in their homes to eat supper. Honestly, this is one of the reasons why I still can't adjust my body clock. Usually the sun sets in America by 9 PM and starts to get dark at 10PM. So strange! When I was in the Philippines, I am asleep by 10 PM but now my bedtime is 12 in the midnight. What I need to improve is my bedtime schedule. I hope I could adapt here immediately..

A DREAM THAT COMES WITH A COST

Everything God is preparing for you is worth the wait. 

Finally my dream has started to realize. July 1, when I found out that our employer had already rebooked our ticket, mixed emotions felt. A feeling of happiness and at the same time anxiety took over. When I told my family that I already had a flight scheduled, my mother was grateful and she told me to get hurry in complying the travel requirements.

Although Papa was not feeling well but I can feel the immense support he has given me as he drove me to the places I needed to go just for my medical certificate and travel pass. I should say that getting these travel documents were a hassle because of the retained ECQ status in Cebu City. 

As I look at my itinerary, I couldn't help feeling nervous. Five flights were not a joke, The Cebu-Manila-Incheon-San Francisco-Chicago-Sioux City route was bothersome but I need to survive them all. Although it was very hard to leave my family but I needed to do it in order to support my sister's education.  

It was Sunday, 1 o'clock in the afternoon. I was finalizing the things in my luggage. Then came the painful moment that I need to go. As I hugged my crying Mum, I couldn't hold back my tears. I let the tears flowed down on my cheeks. It will be long until I can smell her fragrant smell again. I hugged Kenneth and Cherry as well. I was really emotional and I immediately went inside the car for I couldn't take the bitter reality of leaving home. Leaving home was painstaking but it is about time.

During the travel to the airport, I was so silent to father. I don't know what else to say although I know Pup was also holding back his emotions. We arrived at the airport and unloaded my baggage from the back. How I wanted to hug him but he seemed to be in a haste. He was making the quick drop off an excuse. The last time I remembered was I gave a kiss on his cheek and he drove away after that.

Now I know that there's no turning back anymore and I went on pushing my cart loaded with my baggage inside the airport.

To someone who has never flown overseas, to me, this is a new experience. This is a new adventure to unravel. 

Our first stop was Manila and our flight to Korea was on the next day so we spent a night at Gatchalian Guesthouse which was a comfortable stay. The guesthouse served us a delicious beef tapa for breakfast.

I just kept myself strong and kept on praying to God for a safe flight every time the plane takes off. Honestly, I was feeling dizzy during those flights and there were times that the delicious food that flight attendants were serving lost its appeal. 

I thank God that Maymay was my traveling buddy. She knows everything and for that, I am very proud of her! With all the connecting flights and boarding gates that we need to catch, I just couldn't imagine myself walking around the big airports of Incheon and asking airport authorities for directions. She's so impressive. I was thankful she was so patient to me because as I said, this is my first international flight. 

Flying with Asiana Airlines was very satisfying. Honestly, I was so anxious with our 12-hour flight from South Korea to San Francisco. At this time, I was dizzy. Good thing there were few passengers so we had the chance to have have the whole row by ourselves so we can lie to sleep. The lights were turned off so I had a wonderful rest.

July 6, 2020, when I landed the American soil. I couldn't hide the excitement and I cried in silence as I thought that what was once a dream came into reality. As the plane landed, I said to myself that this is it! It is time to live with my dream! Suddenly I got homesick remembering my family but then they are the reason why I'm working hard to reach my goal.

I was able to witness two of the biggest airports in the United States: the San Francisco International Airport and Chicago O'Hare International Airport. These airports have different architectural designs but I like the latter because it is easier to navigate. While we were spending our layovers, I also fed my eyes with the amazing view of the airports: lots of signature stores and I wish that someday I'm gonna buy some of the designer items for myself. 

Right now, it's still unbelievable how this small girl was blessed with a wonderful opportunity. Imagine, I have flown all the way from the Philippines to Sioux City! I thank God countless times for my answered prayers. He is my refuge and my strength. To him, I cling to His promises. I can feel his love for me. He has guided me in everything that I do and provided things that I need and even more. Even though I'm million miles away from my family but my faith is firm. Distance doesn't matter. Technology has made distance a thing of the past as I am constantly checking them everyday.

Having said that, being an OFW is not always 'the good times'. Each one has to undergo hardships. Not only you have to fight homesickness but also the possibility of discrimination against other races. That's why I am fervently praying that I can easily adapt in here and will make friends with the people.

Indeed, this is a dream that comes with a cost. Still, I need to work for it. I hope I will achieve success in the land of the free.

Right Here Waiting... (AN OFW STORY)

This video was the one we made last year. Yeah, this was made possible with the help of my cousins (esp. Ate Jeb2). This vid shows how a filipino father really worked hard for the sake of his family without them realizing his sacrifices. 

Produced by: Nels Entertainment

Directed and Edited by: Cindy Escoba

Written by: Jeb Escoba

Cast:

Jeb Escoba

Ralph Ambayan

Cherry Escoba

Shiralee Ambayan

Richard Escoba

Pamela Baisac