Matsuri Festival

Phoenix offers a wide variety of events throughout the year, and one of my favorites is the Matsuri Festival held annually in downtown. It’s completely free to attend, just find a nearby parking lot or garage, pay the fee, and you’re good to go. Once inside, you’re immersed in the richness of Japanese culture, with everything from traditional toys and intricate artwork to unique memorabilia and mouthwatering food.

One display that really caught my eye was a stunning installation of paper cranes, hundreds of them suspended in the air, each delicately paired with a marble. The way they swayed and shimmered in the light was mesmerizing. Simple, yet beautiful.

Frugal In America

Back in 1996, I was fresh off the boat. A few weeks in, after receiving my first paycheck, I wandered into a sports shop called Just For Feet. I browsed the aisles, watching other customers pick up items, and thought to myself, I want those too. So, to cut the story short, I grabbed a shirt and a pair of Adidas shoes, $20 for the shirt, $88 for the shoes (Again, this was in 1996!).

At the time, I had no clue where or how to shop. I remember thinking, If all the clothes here cost this much, I won’t be shopping again anytime soon. For me, those prices were steep!

As I settled into my new surroundings, I realized it was all about knowing where to look. Eventually, I discovered some great stores where you could score quality clothes at bargain prices, places like Ross, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls. You just have to watch out for small imperfections or damage. Most of the items are factory rejects due to minor flaws, but I’m not picky, those little quirks don’t bother me.

And yes, I’m half Ilocano. That frugal instinct? It runs deep.

Homesickness

Homesickness never truly fades. I’ve been away from home for so long, and while Arizona has become my second home, a beautiful state with its own charm, there are moments of stillness when memories from back home come rushing in. When you're alone and your mind drifts, it's easy to find yourself reliving the life you left behind.

Sometimes, I scroll through social media and see friends abroad gathering together, surrounded by laughter, food, and familiar faces. They look genuinely happy, and I’m happy for them. I know what it’s like to live far from home, and for many of us, those moments of connection are how we cope with the quiet ache of loneliness. Having friends around is a blessing.

There are times I think about going back home. But then I think of my kids. This is where they were born, where they’ve grown up, and where their opportunities lie. Moving back would mean uprooting everything they’ve known.

So I stay. I choose to sacrifice a piece of my own happiness for the sake of theirs. And in that choice, there’s a quiet kind of love.

Living in an apartment

This used to be Montecito apartments here in Phoenix. 

When we arrived in August 1996, Fox provided us with one month of accommodation, a modest one-bedroom unit just a mile from Fox Animation Studios. After that, I began covering my own expenses, and I’ll admit, it was tough signing those checks and watching my hard-earned dollars disappear. Lol!

The apartment itself was decent. We had access to a pool, which was a lifesaver during the scorching summer months. Although our unit didn’t have a washer and dryer, the complex had a shared laundry room that got the job done.

Living in an American apartment taught me a lot. You quickly learn that neighbors come with all kinds of personalities and attitudes. One memorable moment involved a Filipino friend and co-worker who lived across from me. He was chatting on his wireless phone just outside his door when my next-door neighbor marched over, pointed to his unit, and told him to take the call inside. He complied, and she walked away.

That same neighbor once banged on our wall with a hammer, at midnight, while we were sleeping. She kept at it for about ten minutes. I probably should’ve filed a complaint with the admin office, but I let it go.

Some neighbors were warm and friendly. Others… well, you could tell they weren’t thrilled by our presence.

Those experiences made me miss the neighbors I grew up with back home in the Philippines, there was a different kind of warmth there.

(The apartment has changed names a few times since we moved out, thanks to new ownership.)

A Tasty Memory

As a child, I vividly remember a man pedaling through our neighborhood on a bicycle rigged with two metal drums, selling bread. Each morning, he'd ring his bell and call out in a Mandarin-accented voice, “Sali-sali tinapay, padi-coco!”, which meant “Assorted breads, pandicoco!” (a local dinner roll filled with sweetened coconut). That chant became part of our morning soundtrack.

The best part? The bread was always freshly baked, warm, fragrant, and irresistibly delicious.

Life felt simpler back then. No rush, no noise, just the comforting rhythm of everyday moments like that.

Zoom Meeting

This was my office before the pandemic. I am now working from home so, I kinda miss this work spot.

 There was a funny situation today. While we were having a Zoom meeting and while the CEO was talking, we heard somebody ordering food at the drive-through. Haha.

Credit Score

If you're planning to move to the U.S., there's one crucial thing you need to understand: credit is everything. Your credit score plays a major role in your financial life here, and maintaining good credit is essential.

When I first arrived, I had no credit history at all. That made it nearly impossible to get approved for a loan, banks simply had no record of how I managed my finances. Thankfully, my employer stepped in and acted as our guarantor, which made all the difference.

If you don’t have that kind of support, your best option is to ask a relative or trusted friend to co-sign your loan. Their credit score becomes the bank’s reference point. But be careful, if you miss a payment, the bank will hold your co-signer accountable, and their credit score could take a hit. So it’s not just your reputation on the line.

Just today, I found out my credit score dropped by one point. The reason? I paid off a long-term loan. I was shocked! I expected my score to go up, not down. Still, I’ve built a strong credit history over time by staying mindful and paying my bills on time.

Here’s the irony: banks actually want you to have loans. If you don’t use credit, like a credit card, car loan, or mortgage, they may view you as a higher risk and offer you lower scores and higher interest rates.

So if you're thinking about migrating to America, be prepared to build and protect your credit. It’s not just a financial tool, it’s a key that unlocks access to housing, transportation, and more.

This is life in America. Credit isn’t just important, it’s foundational.

Garage Sale

While rummaging through my garage looking for something I needed, I noticed a pile of items that had been sitting untouched for years, things we no longer used, like a baby crib, a car seat, old shoes, and more. That’s when I decided: it was time for a yard sale.

I headed to the dollar store, picked up some poster boards and a marker, and made a few “Garage Sale” signs. By Friday night, I had sorted through the clutter and pulled out everything we didn’t need anymore. Early Saturday morning, I laid it all out on the driveway and placed the signs strategically around the neighborhood.

Soon, people started showing up. Some parked and browsed, while others just drove by, scanning the setup from their windows. Most folks knew exactly what they were looking for, if they didn’t spot it right away, they kept moving. But for those who stopped and bought something, I gave them a good deal. Honestly, I’d rather see these items go to someone who needs them than haul everything back into the garage.

By around 2 p.m., we wrapped things up. I packed up the unsold items and donated them to Goodwill. In the end, we made about $125, not bad for clearing out years of forgotten stuff.

It reminded me of when I first arrived in the U.S. years ago. I had friends who came ahead of me, we used to work together back in the Philippines, and they’d tell stories about scoring great finds at yard sales. When you’re new here, you start from scratch. You’ve got limited pocket money, but you need everyday essentials. So every weekend, I’d drive around looking for “Yard Sale” or “Garage Sale” signs. After a few hours, my little two-door car would be packed with all sorts of things, some useful, some bought by mistake.

Sometimes I’d bump into friends doing the same thing. We’d laugh, compare our hauls, and swap tips on where to find the best deals.

Life when you’re FOB, Fresh Off the Boat. It’s a hustle, but it’s also part of the adventure. 😊

The Uphill Hustle: A Manila Commute and an Unexpected Plot Twist

I stumbled across a familiar street view on Google the other day, and it instantly pulled me back to my commuting days in Manila. Getting to work was a daily adventure, three rides, each with its own rhythm. First, a jeepney to Guadalupe in Makati. Then a short bus ride to Pioneer Street in Mandaluyong. And finally, a tricycle to reach the studio.

One morning, after hopping off the jeepney, I was walking up a steep street toward the bus stop when an elderly woman approached me. She gently reached for my hand and asked if I could help her walk. She looked exhausted, struggling with each step. I offered my arm, feeling good about doing a small act of kindness.

A few steps in, she raised her other hand and asked for money. I was surprised, but I reached into my pocket and gave her some.

Then came the twist.

As soon as she got the cash, she pivoted and walked away, fast. Like, really fast. Faster than me. Turns out, she wasn’t quite as frail as she seemed. I stood there watching her zoom off, feeling like I’d gone from hero to zero in ten seconds flat.

Still, I don’t regret helping her. She had her own creative way of asking for help. And in a city like Manila, where every day throws you a curveball, you learn to take these moments with a smile.

Zoo

I’ve never been a fan of seeing animals confined in zoos. In my view, they belong in the wild, free to live as nature intended, unless they’ve been rescued or are in the twilight of their lives and need care.

When I first moved to Phoenix, I visited the Phoenix Zoo. I was pleasantly surprised to see animals roaming in spacious, open habitats, safe from predators but not boxed in. Even the predatory animals had room to move, stretch, and live with some dignity. It felt more like a sanctuary than a prison.

Naturally, I couldn’t help but compare it to the Manila Zoo, which I used to visit often as a child because it was close to our home. Sadly, the conditions there were far from ideal. I remember seeing monkeys cramped inside tiny 3x3 meter cages, and once, a seal placed in a small, dirty pool barely ten meters wide. It didn’t survive long. What chance did it have?

The city of Manila is now undergoing a major renovation of the zoo. While the upgrades promise a better experience for visitors, I worry that the animals still won’t get the space and care they truly deserve. The land area is simply too small to provide proper habitats.

Zoos should be places of refuge, not confinement. And while progress is being made, there’s still a long way to go in ensuring that animal welfare is prioritized over entertainment.

Arizona Sunset

Arizona sunsets are something else, especially when clouds scatter across the sky just right. They don’t happen every day, but when they do, you’ve got to be quick with your phone. The colors shift and fade in minutes, like nature’s own disappearing act.

Most of my job sites have been on the east side of town, which means driving has always come with a challenge: the sun. It’s in your face on the way to work in the morning, and it greets you again on the drive home. But every now and then, if you’re heading back at just the right time, dusk, you catch a break. The sky opens up in brilliant hues, and for a few moments, the road feels like it’s leading you straight into a painting.

Christmas in October

In the Philippines, Christmas starts early, really early. As soon as September rolls in, businesses begin decking their halls with festive decorations, and familiar holiday tunes start playing in the background. It’s part of the charm of the “-ber” months, and something I’ve always found comforting.

So today, when I walked into Lowe’s and saw Christmas trees and décor already on display, I had to smile. It’s only October 20th, not even Thanksgiving yet, but clearly, the holiday spirit is creeping in. I wasn’t planning to buy anything, just browsing for a good tree at a reasonable price. The selection ranged from $79 all the way up to $699, depending on size and materials.

Then I spotted one that stood out, 7.5 feet tall, beautifully shaped, and priced at $138. It was selling fast, with only a few boxes left. I figured if I waited too long, I might miss out. So I went ahead and grabbed one. It was heavier than I expected, but worth the effort.

We haven’t had a Christmas tree in over a decade, not since we let go of our old one. This feels like a fresh start, a little spark to bring the season back into our home.

Next step: ornaments. Time to bring some sparkle to those branches.

American Healthcare System

 A Visit to the Clinic

So, I guess this is my very first post, and it’s about something that really hit me in the wallet. I went to a clinic for a minor procedure, nothing major. But I was stunned when they told me how much I had to pay upfront. Yes, I have health insurance, but with the kind of coverage I have, it felt like I didn’t. I ended up footing nearly the entire bill myself. It hurt. A lot.

The whole thing took about half an hour of waiting, and another half hour for the procedure. Quick, simple, and $930 out of my pocket.

Here’s the kicker: my health insurance company takes roughly $700 a month from my paycheck. And when I actually need care? Disappointment. Before they cover anything, I have to meet a deductible of around $1,400 per year. Only after that does the insurance “kick in”, and even then, they only cover a portion. I still have to pay my share.

Let’s do the math. My employer pays the other half of the premium, so that’s $1,400 a month going to the insurance company. Multiply that by 12 months, and we’re talking $16,800 a year. And yet, unless I meet my deductible, they don’t pay a dime.

This is America, folks. The healthcare system is deeply broken. You can pay thousands in premiums and still be left holding the bill when you need help.

And before I forget, I'm still expecting more charges to roll in from lab work and other fees. So that $930? Just the beginning.

This is life in America. And it’s not okay.