Insightful. The contrast between Calgary's measured politeness and Manila's vibrant, boundary-less energy is fascinating. How has this specific dynamic shaped your re-assimilation in practise?
I love this! oohh it was the biggest reverse culture shock in my life! I've always been an introvert, but growing up in a fiesta-coded country meant my mind was always pre-occupied. i never ran out of Inspiration to write about anything! But now that I'm back, the loudness, the constant movement - they're all so overwhelming.
But in Calgary, sweet as ice cream as it is, is too rigid for my taste. I love Calgary but it was like a 12 year yoga-session where all I did was meditate by myself and stretch into impossible poses until my mind broke from the silence 😵💫. What's crazy is I kinda miss it big time!
so I'm not sure Ill5ever get fully acclimated in either cities. I'm yet to find a sweet spot where I get the best of both worlds hahaha! Maybe this means... I should move to Japan? 👀
as far as what changed me.... I guess I avoided answering that altogether huh? HAHAHAHA
MENTAL ILLNESS 😵💫 that's what changed me 😭🤣 but on a serious note, I'm more resilient. I'm a more colorful writer. and I definitely appreciate both extremes now... altho I wish I found a middle ground somewhere 🥰
A lot of what you wrote about Calgary is why I left it. I'm experiencing my own chaos in Belize and Mexico. It's so much more alive here. It's not perfect, but I could definitely see myself coming back here. People live here. Glad you're happier home.
I can't say I hate Calgary. I still miss it from time to time. But I'm so glad we took the courage to fly home 🥰🥰🥰 it's important to live our lives fully
I’m with you. I don’t hate it at all. I like it and a lot of people there. Just post pandemic, everyone doesn’t want to hang. It’s shallow as you put it. Seen it myself.
Insightful. The contrast between Calgary's measured politeness and Manila's vibrant, boundary-less energy is fascinating. How has this specific dynamic shaped your re-assimilation in practise?
I love this! oohh it was the biggest reverse culture shock in my life! I've always been an introvert, but growing up in a fiesta-coded country meant my mind was always pre-occupied. i never ran out of Inspiration to write about anything! But now that I'm back, the loudness, the constant movement - they're all so overwhelming.
But in Calgary, sweet as ice cream as it is, is too rigid for my taste. I love Calgary but it was like a 12 year yoga-session where all I did was meditate by myself and stretch into impossible poses until my mind broke from the silence 😵💫. What's crazy is I kinda miss it big time!
so I'm not sure Ill5ever get fully acclimated in either cities. I'm yet to find a sweet spot where I get the best of both worlds hahaha! Maybe this means... I should move to Japan? 👀
as far as what changed me.... I guess I avoided answering that altogether huh? HAHAHAHA
MENTAL ILLNESS 😵💫 that's what changed me 😭🤣 but on a serious note, I'm more resilient. I'm a more colorful writer. and I definitely appreciate both extremes now... altho I wish I found a middle ground somewhere 🥰
A lot of what you wrote about Calgary is why I left it. I'm experiencing my own chaos in Belize and Mexico. It's so much more alive here. It's not perfect, but I could definitely see myself coming back here. People live here. Glad you're happier home.
I can't say I hate Calgary. I still miss it from time to time. But I'm so glad we took the courage to fly home 🥰🥰🥰 it's important to live our lives fully
I’m with you. I don’t hate it at all. I like it and a lot of people there. Just post pandemic, everyone doesn’t want to hang. It’s shallow as you put it. Seen it myself.
"Back in Calgary, meals were mine: my portions, my plate, my fridge.
"Here, everything’s shared. When you eat at a Filipino table, you don’t just eat — you participate...."
"Kain tayo!!!" comes to mind. :)
What a coincidence, my wife and I taught the two youngest of our nine grandkids to learn to say that very hospitable phrase just a few hours ago.
God willing, they will be in the Philippines for the first time in February.
As for me, it would be forty years
(except for a very brief visit years ago)
since we left for America.
What an awesome way to start the year for the kids! 😍 I'm sure they'll love it!
40 years?! 🤯 you deserve a 6-month long visit back to the Philippines! 💛💛💛
There truly is no place like home 🥰🥰🥰
A Phillipines birday in Oz