New in Norway

Coming to Norway in April 11, 2000, one of the first challenges I had to overcome was to break the language barrier. I had to learn Norwegian. It went well considering I received assistance & training at school. With a combination of will & persistence I was able to finish my junior high school w/ excellent grades. While adapting to the Norwegian culture I got opportunity to explore things on my own, control my own daily activities and spend time as I wanted. I was active and got along w/ my Norwegian friends. I did arts at school, worked at the bakery, played volleyball during weekdays and dancing at weekends. It was fun. It was a blast, till it lasted. Eventually I moved out of town (Egersund) and started university life.

17th of May 2000

Learning how to use make-up

First vacation ever. Destination: Denmark.

Dance competion: Freestyle

Growing up in Philippines…

My childhood memories from Philippines are a combination of many activities, emotions & memorable family events. Mom worked abroad til I was 13 and while she was abroad I stayed in Philippines w/ our relatives. I was raised by a village of relatives & friends, you might say. There were times when I felt lonely after seeing my cousins, friends or classmates together w/ their parents. I would ask questions like “Why does mom have to work abroad? Why can’t she stay here w/ me?” After reaching a certain age I did understood the “why’s” however it was not an easy feat to accept them.

 

Because mom worked abroad she managed to send me to a good school and she was also able to help the family. While living with my auntie’s family I got to experience a lot of memorable events. My cousins and could get into trouble for doing our duties at times but we had our fun moments together, and with them I felt how it must be like to have siblings.

 

Grandma had a store and grandpa was a high school teacher. During lunch breaks I would go to grandma’s shop, eat lunch and perhaps help her w/ restocking goods. I’ve learned at an early age how to sell, deliver good customer service and work with my hands. I specially loved making things w/ grandma, either it was making flowers, bags or decorations. Grandpa was a real handyman and made stuff from all kinds of materials. He would recycle things from old material and when he finishes them he would often get into an argument w/ grandma anout what they would use it for. Sometimes they could argue over small things. Nag at each other, perhaps ignore each other if they don’t manage to reach an agreement. However at the end of the day they would come together at the dinner table to eat. And perhaps nag a bit more but more like sweet nagging rather than annoying nagging.

 

My funniest memory from Philippines are the stories that I’ve heard from my uncle & aunties & grandparents. According to their stories I was a super curious child and would go asking “why this, why that?” all the time. I guess that curiosity has been my most natural trait.

 

13 years in Philippines, that’s how long I’ve lived there. Back then, there was no fashion or make-up interests. It was play, travelling and hanging out w/ friends. Perhaps even escaping from duties and such. The things that I miss the most are the times when our family would gather (and we have a big family) and us kids would go out and play or perhaps get to join the adults to sing karaoke. I loved singing karaoke.

 

There are many memories from Philippines. It will always be my home in some aspects and perhaps some of the memories have been glorified. However I’ve come to realize that it is indeed the small details and things in life that you’ll remember. It has been at my case.

 

Mom & I in our old house in Bataan, Philippines.

Auntie Mina & me chilling on a rattan chair.

I guess this was one of my first tries on walking?

Grandma holding me in her arms when I was still a baby.

Me & my thoughst: “Radio antennas are sooooo much fun!”

Church Visit.

Uncle Rhed, Arianne & me at the Beach. Off course I’ve loved watermelon since then

One of my tries at learning how to use these shoes on wheels

I got to learn using this music instrument at school, and when I was good enough I got to join the parade

The family driving mom & Henning to the Airport for their journey back to Norway.

My adorable cat…

At elementary graduation day. Mom was helping me put the flower thingy on.

Opening the gifts that I received during graduation day.

My lovely younger cousins. This was on the day I was leaving for Norway.

Aunite Myra, my guardian during my stay in Philippines. She taught me a lot of things. Thank you, tita!

At the airport in Amsterdam on my way to Norway. To be continued…

Moving to Norway

April 2000: Before Norway

Mom arrived in Philippines for my elementary graduation. I still remember the excitement over having my mom share a special day with me. The family was busy with preparation for the graduation party. There was the smell of food everywhere and the sound of people chatting and laughing was all over the place. It was noisy. It was loud. It was home.

It was graduation day. I remembered how the hairstylist pulled so hard on my hair to keep it in place for the ceremony. Mom was wearing a red dress and my uncle was clicking away on his camera. My classmates and I were all in white and ribbons. At this point everything seemed fuzzy to me. Our graduating class sang a song commemorating our years studying at Bayanihan Institute. I was chatting with my classmates and friends however I really can not recall the topic of the conversations. I remember saying goodbye to a couple of friends telling them about my moving to Norway. Although I doubt they really understood what it meant. I was sad ‘cos I was to leave my friends behind however I was also happy that I will get to finally spend time with mom.

April 11, 2000 Mom and I started our journey to Norway. I was wearing sports clothing, black pants and cream jacket. There was no trace of make up on my face as I have yet to start using it.

May 2000: First year in Norway

My stepdad picked us up at the airport. The scenery and the road were new. There were flatlands of greenery at first then the view changed into hills of stones and trees. The road was twisting and turning, and I could barely keep inside what little food I had taken during the flight. At the end of the day we got to our destination. It was a white house at the end of a hill near a road. There was a private road uphill leading to a small stair in front of the house. The key had to be turned in a specific way to get the door to open, and you had to push hard then pull gently on the handle. We got in. I was in my new home.

Shortly after I met the rest of my new family and I was enrolled in a local school. There I was sent to study normal curriculum along with the Norwegian language. It was ok. People told me that I was young and in the right age to learn a new language. However I was ever slightly disappointed that I could not learn French along with Norwegian. The year past by quickly and I assimilated to the new environment by being active socially with the locals and mom’s friends. I got friends and I learned where it was “cool” to hang out. Not long after I developed some new habits and got myself my first job. I earned my first salary and used it on shopping.

Junior High, or ungdomskole, as they call it here turned out to be an interesting year. I enjoyed specially the arts  & crafts classes. However the biggest change for me was the culture at school. Here the teachers and students were on a first name basis. There was no punishment for being late or missing assignments. Parents were only called for parent meetings once a year and perhaps other special circumstances. The students had their groups and were loyal to their friends. They were first shy in speaking in english however found great entertainment in helping me learn my Norwegian.

1st culture shock: love & relationships

First discovery: Divorce is normal and it is normal for girls to ask out the guy they like. Relationships will last as long as they can last and it is ok to find new love given reasonable time and impact.

Everything was so modern to me. It was a huge change although after some time it made sense. It was modern perhaps but it was quite realistic as well. The rose-colored, romantic and dramatic way of loving that existed in Philippines was changed into a picture of right chemistry combination and practicality. It seemed unusual to see people in all ages get in and out of relationships so easily in the beginning. Actually I found it was bizarre and slightly brutal. I still adored the idea of having a relationships with companionship, respect and adoration. Thus I made my mind and decided to never ask a guy out. I never did. I only got asked out.

In 2004 I was on my last year in senior high when I first met my soon to be boyfriend. He was in the army and had little or no time for relationship.  I was busy with my studies, volleyball and part-time job and had little motivation for having a relationship. He asked me out for a movie and I said yes. We watched Chronicle of Riddicks and I loved it. We chatted on the phone and got to know each other and not long after he started to come for visits. A friend of mine told me that a long distances relationship wont last 2 weeks. Well the relationship still works fine

1sr Football Match: Viking vs Brann

Boyfriend got free tickets from work after a competition. It was the local team, VIKING, playing against BRANN from Bergen. There were a horde of people in the stadium and the atmosphere was nothing like I’ve ever expected.

I was used to seeing Norwegians composed and slightly shy. What met me in the stadium was bunch of people singing for they’re team and shouting to the referees when they’re team got unjust treatment.

The crowd was indeed a sight for sore eyes, there they were waving hands, shouting and clapping frantically when a goal was scored. It was new. It was fun. It was indeed very interesting discovery.

Student Life: University of Stavanger

Currently studying Economy at the local University.
Studying in Norway is pretty alright. As Norwegian citizen I receive study loan and given opportunity to turn some of it to scholarship given that I pass my subjects. So far things are going well.

The professors and employees on campus are mostly nice people. Most of my lectures are fun to go to and at times can be quite entertaining as well. The university is good in opening opportunities for students about courses and job opportunities. There are plenty of student organizations to join, among sports and professional development such as internships and part-time jobs.

I enjoy my time on campus as when I’m there I can enjoy being with friends, classmates and learn something new every day. It is also an advantage that the university offers good locations and services for studying, food and healthcare.