it's been 9 years...

Last March 10, which was exactly 10 days ago, I reached my 9th year of living in Sweden. I took out my year 2000 calendar and read some memorable events that took place since my arrival and these were my inputs:

Year 2000

March 10 - arrived at Landvetter Airport via Malaysian Airlines.
March 12 - first worship service in Gothenburgh.
March 28 - civil wedding!
March 31 - meet Ken's parents in Stockholm; Ken's birthday!

April 6 - meet Fredrik and Jennie!
April 17 - first day in school to learn Swedish
April 20 - first time in Dalarna summer house!

May 13 - meet Camilla, a short tour of Jönköping city center
May onwards - school, school, school

June 29 - last day in school

July - summer vacation in Dalarna

August 7 - back to school
August 11 - first day at work (yes, I found a week-end job at Quality Hotel)
August 23 - first day at another work after school ( I couldn't believe I had 2 part-time jobs)
August 26 - church wedding!

September - school and work

October - school and work (strange because I didn't have any record where I spent my birthday..maybe I didn't!!!)

November 1 - quit the old work and first day at the new work
November 25 - watched the Sara Brightman concert in Gothenburgh

December 18 - Swedish for Immigrants (SFI) final written test
December 19 - Swedish for Immigrants (SFI) final oral test
December 21 - got the results!!! I passed!!!
December 24 - 26 - Stockholm trip
December 31 - New Year's Eve celebration!!!

During the first stage of my culture shock, everything was wonderful, the people were helpful and friendly, the food tastes good...everything was nice, but when the second stage came, I immediately realized that I lost my identity! I am no longer the hardworking VP secretary at a telecommunication company, I didn't know who I was, anymore! No job, no money, couldn't speak the language...and as I look back, I couldn't help but asking myself, what happened since then?

Well, I went through a lot both negative and positive. I survived the culture shock and still dealing with it, yes, I do speak the language, rating myself 7 from the scale of 1-10, but still trying my best to be fluent, yes I do like the food now but still craving for that perfect filipino food taste most of the time, and lastly, yes I am working but still very much unsecure. My quest for a regular job and a desire to place myself in this society is simply endless ... and somehow...someday... I shall go back to the only place where I belong... and that place is, simply, called... HOME!

Net