Recent Filipina Immigrant now living in the South

[ortizan 9]

Kamusta!

 

I'm Jamie from the Philippines. I'm a recent immigrant of the US, petitioned by my American husband. Our petition took a year to finish though we were approved pretty fast. I've only been here for 2 weeks, so far happy and adjusting well.

 

We live in a small city, pretty peaceful and quiet which has made it challenging for me to gain friends. I'm already too shy as it is and so I'm hoping I could gain a few from here. Would love to know about other people's experience with moving here.

 

To those reading this, I'd like to know(pick a question):

• What was the thing that you had to adjust to the most?
• What's the weirdest thing that you found here in America?
• What's the thing you like the most?
• What's the thing you dislike the most?
• How did you eventually make friends?

 

I'd love to get to know people here.

 

[TBoneTX 45,264]

Welcome to the forum!

 

When Mrs. T-B. arrived from Ecuador, one of the weirdest things that she encountered became one of her favorites.  The concept of resale/thrift shops, and that of garage & estate sales, was foreign to her.  She very quickly filled her closet with high-quality clothes (often designer names) at bargain prices, and she viewed these experiences as "treasure hunts."

 

As far as making friends, smile at everyone and say "Hi!"  See who responds.

[ortizan 9]

Thanks @TBoneTX! I love thrifting too. It was one of my favorite thing to do in the Philippines but we had less thrift shops than here. I think about it as treasure hunts too!

 

One of the weirdest things for me was the driving, only because I drove in PH for years and got used to horrific traffic and driving skills. I have to get used to it but I still haven't!

[Randyandyuni 2,682]

My wife was finding a market she like, a Filipino grocery and fellow Filipino. The grocery became her gateway to meeting new people, the new people were the entry into the local Filipino community which come to find out is huge and I never knew it. Welcome !!! 

[Mamuu 9]

9 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

Welcome to the forum!

 

When Mrs. T-B. arrived from Ecuador, one of the weirdest things that she encountered became one of her favorites.  The concept of resale/thrift shops, and that of garage & estate sales, was foreign to her.  She very quickly filled her closet with high-quality clothes (often designer names) at bargain prices, and she viewed these experiences as "treasure hunts."

 

As far as making friends, smile at everyone and say "Hi!"  See who responds.

Waoh..this is awesome..Just got here a week ago.I would really love this..I will try out I'm in houston.

[ortizan 9]

4 hours ago, Randyandyuni said:

My wife was finding a market she like, a Filipino grocery and fellow Filipino. The grocery became her gateway to meeting new people, the new people were the entry into the local Filipino community which come to find out is huge and I never knew it. Welcome !!! 

Thanks for sharing!

 

I live in a small city and so far we've only found 1 Filipino restaurant. We haven't went there because I don't have any reason to but I guess I should go. There's an Asian market that we go to but haven't seen even 1 Filipino yet.

 

I was thinking of finding local friends and not Filipino friends just so I could get used to their culture and not be so dependent on my husband.

[TBoneTX 45,264]

This idea is also suitable for finding work:

 

Previously posted by the member Darnell:
---
Each city has a chamber of commerce. Find it.

Once you find it - talk with the secretary - tell her you want a schedule of events and let her know you'd like to attend.

Then - go in person to the Chamber of Commerce Office - talk with the President of the Chamber, tell him/her you want to volunteer at several of their events.

Attendees at chamber events are business owners and sales geeks, all looking for new business.  It usually is an informal-enough gathering where you can approach people and talk with them.

Now, the cool thing about being a volunteer there - is that you will be talking to everyone at least once - you might be at the reception table, you might be at the greeters table, you might help to run the audio/video system - whatever - but - the point is that you can meet everyone there, face to face.

Attend 2 or 3 of these, and folk remember you. When folk remember you, they will remember you are seeking employment and will consider you, because you're just not some name on a piece of paper - they met you at a chamber event and know that you were volunteering, helping out the chamber.

Go Get Em, and Good Luck!

PS - live in a really small town? go to the biggest town that's within 15 miles of your house.

[X Factor 1,112]

Welcome to VJ

[Randyandyuni 2,682]

Have you found what you were looking for yet?

 

 

[ortizan 9]

On 12/31/2019 at 8:56 AM, Randyandyuni said:

Have you found what you were looking for yet?

 

 

If you mean friends, not really no. I tried several apps to try to meet people but it's hard if I can't really go out on my own.

 

I know it'd be easier if I just looked for Filipino immigrants. I'm pushing myself to try to talk to locals so I can get more used to the culture.

[Mamuu 9]

On 1/5/2020 at 11:03 PM, ortizan said:

If you mean friends, not really no. I tried several apps to try to meet people but it's hard if I can't really go out on my own.

 

I know it'd be easier if I just looked for Filipino immigrants. I'm pushing myself to try to talk to locals so I can get more used to the culture.

Have you got a job yet?

[ortizan 9]

On 1/9/2020 at 1:52 PM, Mamuu said:

Have you got a job yet?

Yes! Just started this week actually

[Nature Boy 2.0 8,370]

On 11/7/2019 at 1:14 PM, ortizan said:

Thanks for sharing!

 

I live in a small city and so far we've only found 1 Filipino restaurant. We haven't went there because I don't have any reason to but I guess I should go. There's an Asian market that we go to but haven't seen even 1 Filipino yet.

 

I was thinking of finding local friends and not Filipino friends just so I could get used to their culture and not be so dependent on my husband.

We have been married 8 years. My wife is from Cebu and got here in 2011. Trust me on this. You will find other Pinay near by. If your town is big enough to have an Asian store and Filipino restaurant, they are everywhere. Atlanta, if I am not mistaken only has one small Filipino restaurant. Once you meet one or two fellow Filipina you will find many more. Lots of Birthday parties with loud Karaoke and loads of yummy food.  Sadly no 5Am Roosters.

 

I just saw your town listed as Fayetteville. Home of the 82 Airborne. I promise you there are many many Filipino near by