Awake in Atlanta: Symptoms of Missing Home

It has been 3 weeks since I transferred, although temporarily, to the US. It’s difficult but I’m surviving. I’m learning stuff I took for granted when I was home.

I’m used to having food on the table coming from work. Now I'm learning to cook! Ive successfully prepared sinigang na hipon and gambas. I know how to make a good omelet. I have sucessfully dodged the searing and painful projectiles of hot oil while frying chicken. Everything turned out well except for the tripped smoke alarm!

Back home, my clothes become magically clean every weekend – thanks to our labandera. Now, I do my laundry and iron my clothes. A hurdle I have yet to do though - cleaning the toilet!

I miss home. I miss my family. I miss our morning chit chat while having breakfast. It’s customary that we spend quality time talking about everyday stuff - work, love life, career, aspirations etc. I miss mom’s cooking. I miss her adobong chicken, menudo, picadillo, nilaga, sinigang, halabos etc etc… I miss waking up to breakfast already served. I miss my friends. I miss my church. I miss my church friends. I miss late nights hanging out with them at the coffee shop. And of course, I miss Cleng, my best friend and girlfriend. I miss our dinner outs. I miss our “asaran”. I miss our serious talks. I miss our fun times. I miss her tantrums and her frown.

But It’s not that bad as it may seem. I’m grateful that I have colleagues who were sent here with me as well. The company I work for paid for all our needs – rent, food, transportation, cable and internet. I’m grateful for the Internet, where I can keep in touch with people back home. In fact, I believe I’m much more updated with what’s happening in ICS than the majority – thanks to Multiply! I thank God for chikka, skype, yahoo messenger – family and friends are just a buzz! away… literally. I can listen to Pastor Kuya Jerry’s preachings in ICS via ics.org.ph. It’s like I’m there! I pray that I can eventually find a good church and be able to meet new friends as well.

The Bible says everything has its season. Now is the time to venture beyond my comfort zone. This is the time for growth. For out of trials and difficulties come forth wisdom and experience. I believe God sent me here for this very reason. For me to grow, I must die to myself. Die to my own comforts. This is my cocoon. From the cocoon will come out a better individual. This is an opportunity to reach out beyond my own capability and rely more on Him.

It’s now day 20, I have less than 150 days before I return. I can’t wait to be home. But until then, I have to fulfill my purpose for being here. By God’s grace I can.

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take it away yang!  ;)