Mistaken Nationality

Yester I rode the bus going to the city. Pagsakay ko, may isang babaeng naka smile tapos she offered me to seat beside her. Then she started talking in a language I did not understand. Told her English only, she asked if I am Vietnamese. Politely answered her I am Filipino. She looked disappointed, maybe thinking nakakita siya ng kababayan.

I remember reading Jinkee's blog asking her if she was Chinese. Ito ang aking unang case of mistaken nationality, ilan pa kaya?

My Boys in Penrose High

Adi and Jay started school yesterday at Penrose High School, about 15 mins bus ride from our place.

They were interviewed the day before and was given and English evaluation test by the Deputy Principal. Romy and I were listening the whole time and was a bit worried since the boys were somewhat giddy in answering Mr. Bettridge's question. So we thought they would need ESOL classes. They took the English test with other foreign students, 2 Germans, a Japanese and a Fijian, I think.

Yesterday when they came home and said they were advised that they didn't need any ESOL since they read, write and speak English very well.

Also they were given a math evaluation yesterday, and surprise surprise, they also did very well.

Maybe I underestimated my sons. I was expecting too less from them that they make not make the school's standards, and I certainly felt shame on my part.

Today, when they left for school, sabi ko sa sarili ko kayang kaya ng dalawa ito.

In Auckland and Connected

My sons and I finally arrived in Auckland on July 1, 2006 via Bangkok. We had a really nice flight. On the airport to meet us was Romy, who I missed dearly and friends. It was a cold morning we we touched down, but the boys did not mind.

We went straight to the flat Romy rented a few days before we arrived. We just laid our things and went out for a drive around the area.

The first things that I did was arrange all things in the flat. The boxes we shipped came in Thursday, thanks to Jinkee, for accomodating the boxes at their place in North Shore. Romy and friends got them the night before and laid them all out in the living area.

After a few days in Auckland, I think I am getting the hang of it, all transactions can be made by phone. So we had our phone and broadband connection, banking, ird and others worked on over the phone. Madali lang lahat.Yung mga alterations to be made ganun din or sa internet. Madali lang umikot if you know the bus routes. Good thing about the area we are in, malapit sa lahat, grocery, bus stops, schools and other amenities you may need.

Trabaho na lang kailangan ko, siguro pag nakapasok ng mga bagets para libre na ako.

PS. Naka attend na rin ako ng aking Auckland Pinoy meet last July 10 at Western Springs.