My anniversary
 

Congratulate me. Today is my 30th anniversary here in the United States of America. I'm ever grateful to my mother for having the courage to move us halfway around the world to make a better life for her family. To those who've never lived outside the US, you don't know how good we have it here. Complaining about our government and how we select our leaders are in vogue but don't ever take the freedom to do so for granted. I know that I'd rather not live anywhere else.

Congratulations!!!!

Chris,

Congrats! As someone who has lived in 5 different countries, America is special. Other places are nice but its not like home.

Where were you born?

JoeA

Thanks guys. I was born in the Philippines in near poverty. My Mom was a college grad which helped her land a job here in San Francisco as a typist at the Bank of America. She retired 26 years later as a vice president.

She raised me and my 3 brothers with the help of my stepdad, a longshoreman. She advised us to embrace English rather than consider it our second language because, she felt, that was the secret to success in this country. She was/is right.

WOW! That is awesome! I agree with ya, man. The US is a fabulous place to live. http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/king2.gif http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/clap.gif http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/...s/boldblue.gif http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/drummer.gif

Chris,
Congratulations! I applaud your attitude and appreciation for this country of ours! I wish that your enthusiasm could be imparted upon the many people (citizens or otherwise) who live here and take our freedom and wealth for granted. You story is refreshing!

Chris,

Good to hear it. One of my best friends is from the PI and is trying to track down his family over there now.

One thing is that the vast majority of all the immigrants to America is that they all work hard and are very successful. Seems that they know that this is the "land of opportunity" and make the most of it.

Please remember and practice your language skills. I wish that it was a requirement for every student to learn a second language. I could care less which language but knowing how to speak another tongue changes people and opens them up to other civilizations. Lucky for me I lived in Mexico as a kid, so know Spanish, then lived in Germany and Denmark later on in life so was forced to learn a couple more. Please pass this along to your kids and talk to them in both languages as it will help them later in life!

JoeA

Re: My anniversary
 

Well said! Congrats!

Chris,
Komusta Kaibegan? (please forgive the poor spelling of Tagalog)!

Salamat po!!

Very good, Art!

Congratulations Chris! You are a great citizen to appreciate what we have here :D :).

By the way, you seem familiar. In August we were trying to buy a Porsche, and one that we looked at was in SF. I think it had 150,000 miles on it. Were you trying to sell that red targa, or am I mistaken?

Matt

Hi Matt,

I think I know who you're thinking of but the seller was not me. I do have a targa though and it ain't for sale....yet.:)

Chris

Chris,
When was the last time you visited (balikbayan)? I was in the Philippines in '84-'85 and visited Olongapo, Manila, Baguio City (ate aso adobo while I was there) and a few other places. I was a Corpsman in the USN and got to see quite a bit of the country. I'm a big fan of lumpia, beefsteak, halo-halo, etc...

Art,

I haven't been back since we left in '74. I don't think I'd be able to find the old neighborhood anymore. Plus, I can't speak Tagalog anymore either. I can understand it but can't speak or read/write it. I get to enjoy the cuisine when I visit my Mom but I married a non-Filipino so most of the time we eat pasta, Mexican or Chinese like everyone else. Now you've got me craving Lumpia!

Chris