A Filipino Teenager in the US: Paskong Pinoy! (Filipino Christmas!)

The Christmas Party itself

One of the parols (lanterns) that was entered into a competition

  People that danced :]

                                        

We had to change (One girl is missing, though)

  This Saturday, December 9, 2011, there will be a Paskong Pinoy (or Filipino Christmas in English). This is when many Filipinos all around New Mexico will gather at one place to have a big Christmas party. That place, this year, would be in Gallup. I am so excited! There will be lots of Filipino food and most especially, Filipino people! I've been waiting for this party for almost three months.

  In those three months, me and some Filipino people around Gallup have prepared for this party. We've prepared a re-enactment of the manger scene. Complete with Mary, Joseph, the three wise kings, shepherds etc. down to the little details of sheep, (Which I had to make, by the way) hay, etc. Also, me and some younger Filipinos prepared an interpretative dance for the party, too. We've been practicing for about two months. I hope we won't make any mistakes. :)

A Filipino Teenager in the US: The Manny Pacquiao Fight

Pacquiao WON!

  Today is the Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Marquez boxing fight. And I bet you that almost every Filipino will want to watch this fight all over the world. I say so because Filipinos are very proud of their race and just in case you didn't know, Manny Pacquiao is Filipino/Pinoy. No matter where Filipinos are, young or old, I'm pretty sure they have made plans to either watch the fight or find out what happened from another person.

  I myself have made such plans. Tonight, most of the Filipinos in Gallup and my family will go to my friend's house to watch this fight. Let me tell you, if you ever go to one of these gatherings, get ready. There will be a huge amount of food and alot of shouting and cheering. I love going to these gatherings because it feels like I'm back home in the Philippines, even just for a few hours. Fingers crossed, I hope Manny Pacquaio wins. X)

"A Filipino Teenager in the US" Series

Proud Pinay :]

  In order to not to have writer's block every time I have to write a new blog, I will start a series of blogs about experiences/benefits/etc. of being a Filipino teenager in the US. I am writing these blogs because I want my experiences or what most Filipinos my age experience when they move to the US from the Philippines be known to people who do not really know what we go through or experience while living here. However, I am not speaking for ALL Filipino teenagers in the US. These blogs are based on my experiences that other Filipino teenagers may or may not have experienced.

  In these blogs, I will write about whatever idea pops into my head that relates to the topic. I may write about good or bad times. I may write about something serious or about something that is just plain random. Whatever happens, I hope you will enjoy or maybe even relate when reading these blogs. :) 

My Experiences with Uniforms

I don't know why I'm smiling

  In the Philippines, I have had uniforms since I was in Kindergarten through 6th Grade. But then, I had to move here to the U.S. When I went to my first school, (N.C.) we did not have any uniforms. That was quite a change, but I really got used to it. More so, that me and my sister were known as two of the "fashionistas" in our school. At that time, I loved dressing up and wearing clothes that I chose to wear. Uniforms were a thing of the past and I never thought it would ever come into my wardrobe . Ever. Again.

  I was wrong. I had to move (again) here to New Mexico and had to go to a whole new school. I was fine with the idea, until something happened. I found out we had uniforms. One night, when I was still in NC, I went on my new school's website, just to have an idea of what I was getting into. When I scrolled down the page, I saw the words "Dress Code." And I scrolled down even more , by this time, my eyes were already wide open in shock; Khakis only, no blue jeans; Shirts with collars only with only these colors. I literally had a moment of silence and just burst shouting for my sister to see what I had just discovered.

  Today, me and my sister are still not over the uniform thing, but for school's sake, we still wear them. I wish we at least have one day a week of freely wearing anything we would like. But, circumstances that I have learned for the reason of the uniforms stops that from ever happening. For now, I will just try to get used to the uniforms.



Maybe.

Moving

The U-Haul we had to rent in the middle of our trip because one of the vans broke down. 

  As some may have already known, I moved from North Carolina to New Mexico just a week ago. The whole explanation as to why we had to move all the way here is too long, so I will make it short--my Mom found a job here. So of course, my family had to tag along, too.

  This is not the first time I had to do a drastic move like this, though. Before I lived in NC, I lived in the Philippines in a very big city, almost as big as New York City. But, we had to move to NC so that, as my parents put it, "to get a good education and get more job opportunities." And now, we're in New Mexico.

  The town I lived in before actually had a smaller population than Gallup. Gallup's population is about 20,000 people, but there, it is only about 17,000 people. That is a really big difference to me. But still, like any normal human being who had to move all the way to the other side of America, I still miss that place no matter how small it is and also especially my old friends. However, I'm starting to make more new friends here, so I'm glad people are being nice to an outsider like me.

  Little by little, I am adjusting to this new place and I hope I will enjoy doing so.