Introduction

I first had the ambition to write a blog about my life in a completely different culture than America. I intended to write about once a week about various lifestyle differences and the experiences I have while living in the Philippines, but like a lot of things, that just didn't work out the way I planned. Instead, I didn't write a single post for nearly 5 months. I intend to finally sit down and use the English I've been learning all my life. Even though the type of English I use now is completely wrong now and a lot different than American English. Writing frequently probably won't work out the way I intend, but I've recently moved to the city where internet is much easier to come by and I spend a lot of idle time at a keyboard.

I've been here since the beginning of January this year. I've lived in multiple places. Sometimes in the city, sometimes near the beach in a neighborhood full of resorts, sometimes on a mango farm with chickens, goats and no walls, and sometimes in the Province where poverty is everywhere.

The very first time I stepped off a plane into the humid, hot Philippine weather I hated it. I was sick for nearly a week, I couldn't eat, it was hard to sleep, I got eaten alive by mosquitoes. I woke up every morning sticky with sweat and itchy everywhere. I wanted to leave. The second week is when I fell in love. I am still not sure what the charm is. Maybe it's the lower-stress sense of outlook everyone here seems to have. Maybe it's just the sunshine. Either way, after nearly a year since the first time I visited, I have fallen ever deeper into a love with this country. And I still wake up sticky with sweat most mornings. I just don't notice anymore.

So basically, I will try to slowly unravel the culture shocks over time while I am writing this blog. Enjoy ;)