"O" Day In History

Today I woke up early to watch Barack Obama's inauguration on CNN. Though I'm not a big fan of the US, I must admit that the American people made the world proud by electing their first black president. Martin Luther King Jr. must be listless in his grave, hoping to join in today's historic celebration. Perfect timing too, because last Monday was a national holiday in memory of the civil rights leader. Who would have thought that after four decades, his "I Have A Dream" speech would become a reality...

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

He was Man of the Year by Time magazine in 1963 and a Nobel Peace Prize recipient. Wow.

Even his son, Martin Luther King III, was hopeful about the 44th US president. He said in an interview yesterday that all the suffering paid off and that for his daughter's generation (and generations to come), having a black president would be a norm, nothing out of the ordinary. I can't imagine how it was decades ago, when black people can't eat in the same restaurant as the whites, or pee in the same toilet. After all the unrest and countless deaths, things are finally looking up for the African American community. But that's not to say that Obama got into office because he's black -- from what I've read and heard, he's a smart guy with high morals. I mean, after Bush, what else could you ask for? We're done with Bushisms.

Reports say an estimated 2 million people gathered at the National Mall to watch the inauguration. They cheered, they clapped, they cried. It's a feeling that I've never felt for any president back home, which is sad. I wish one day I'd say "oh that's our president and I'm very proud of him/her." I was too young to appreciate neither Marcos, Aquino or Ramos; old enough to know that Erap was not cut out to be a leader; and mature enough to know that honesty and integrity is not part of Arroyo's vocabulary. One day, our time will come when we'll be ecstatic to see a leader who will take the Philippines out of the dumps. America showed us that it's possible. One day.

Today is O Day. Did you see the way the first couple walked and waved at the crowd? They did it like ordinary citizens, with Mrs. O even giving the thumbs-up sign. Not at all like the poised royalties who sit on their bottoms and wave like robots. And the best part is, Obama got into office because the people put him there, not by "royal" bloodline. 

Together with the whole world, I'll be watching and waiting for President Obama's next move, especially his first 100 days. Today signifies a new change and hopefully, for the better.

Anything is possible now.

Library Affair

A visit to the library is one I consider fun and stress-relieving. It might sound geeky but it's true, Ariel and I love to read and we're trying to share this with our son, Marius. Fortunately, the little tike proved to be bookish at an early age -- Dr. Seuss' classics, The Rainbow Fish, The Giving Tree, etc. -- he really loves books! Now he's fascinated at anything and everything about dinosaurs. 

As for me, one of my unspoken resolutions for 2009 is to read as much books as possible, thanks to the library of course. Here's my January read so far:

1. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch (a gift from Ariel)

2. The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards (another gift from Ariel)

3. The Making of Mia by Ilana Fox

4. A Girl For All Seasons by Camilla Morton

The first book is meant to inspire readers to live life to the fullest, to seize the day. Love it. The author passed away last year, but his memory lives on with his book. 

Reading the second book is like watching a drama movie, but what a nice read! What would you do on a stormy winter night when your wife is about to give birth, you're the only doctor available, and then you help your wife deliver twins -- a healthy baby boy and a baby girl with down syndrome? 

The third book is a no-brainer, kinda lika Ugly Betty and The Devil Wears Prada. No harm done. 

Still reading the fourth book and enjoying it. It's all about history, arts, culture and fashion made more interesting. Can't wait to finish it so I can go back to the library :)

February read: Sepulchere

March read: Perfume : Story of a Murder

April: Some Like it Haute

Kiwi by choice?

Yesterday, Ariel and I checked out a house for sale in our neighborhood. It was an open house, and the real estate agent was very welcoming and chatty. He recognized right away that we're from the Philippines and then babbled about himself being in Manila a few times in the 80s. Our conversation turned into us migrating here and suddenly, he told us that in his view, we're more Kiwi than him. Why? Because we're here by choice, while he's here by chance.

Now what do I make of this? 

Yes, it was our choice to be here. The US was out of the question for us, Ariel and I just don't have that great big American dream, period. I like Germany and Austria (at least I had friends there) but the language barrier just might be too difficult for us. Okay, so we were fascinated by the amazing adventures and jaw-dropping sights that NZ has to offer, plus of course everything LOTR :) 

It's been 5 months (6 for Ariel) since we moved here and we're doing fine -- by this I mean that we are healthy and we are positive about the future. I'd be lying if I say that I've nothing to complain about but in general, life here is good. Efficient. Lately, we've been taking Marius to different playgrounds so he can play and practice his bike-riding skills. Once, we were on the pavement with Marius biking ahead of us, and I casually mentioned to Ariel that we could not do this back home (or I'd be scared to death that our son could be run over by a jeepney or tricycle or just about anything). Ariel replied, yes we could, if we live in a posh village in Alabang. I agree. Back home, you have to pay a high price just to enjoy simple things. I remember bringing Marius to Gymboree so he can play at their nice, colorful playcentre. But if you belong to the lower-middle class income bracket -- good luck na lang. That's what I enjoy here -- waking to the sound of birds singing, playing with Marius at the beach, taking walks and appreciating every good thing that I am experiencing.

I remember Fr. Luis Halasz, a Hungarian priest that I met in 2002 while I was still working at Probe. He was assigned in Mindoro as a missionary for about 40 years. He speaks Filipino like a local, and is loved by his parishioners very much. He applied for Filipino citizenship many times, and got rejected every time. Later on, he was recalled back to Hungary and at the time that I met him, he holds masses for the Filipino community. God knows why he wanted to be a Filipino, but it made me feel proud that this foreigner, who spent more time in the Philippines than I did, loves the country and its people so much. In the end, he told me that it didn't matter that he's not a Filipino citizen, it's just a piece of paper anyway. In his heart, he is a Filipino.

So are we Kiwi by choice? Let's just say that we are Filipinos enjoying the Kiwi lifestyle. We are immersing ourselves into a new culture, the "Kiwi" way of looking at things and all the opportunities that come with it. It's not hard to fall in love with NZ, that's for sure. For now I consider this place our "home away from home." No, we're obviously never going to be official Kiwis unless we apply for citizenship 5 years from now. Do I want to be one? I'll cross the bridge when I get there. But that's not the point. For me, it's not a question of citizenship. I don't have to be of any ethnic origin to "belong" to a country. I am Filipino by chance, like the real estate agent is Kiwi by chance. Maybe he's right, at least we chose to live here with an open heart and mind. I love being Filipino but I also appreciate this new, unfamiliar place that I am falling in love with. 

Someday I'd also like to live in Germany, Tibet, and the North Pole :)