A Teacher, A Friend, A brother, A Family

Who could ever forget the original filipino teacher who survived in the jungle of Great Falls? The first in the industry of adventurers, the strong foundation of survivor teachers, the jack of all gadgets because he made collections in the US. Tsk, tsk, tsk... what else could I say?

Our hearts broke when he left last June, as me and my family drove him to Charlotte International Airport. We used to condition ourselves at the beginning by saying "That's how life in the US is, we come and then we go." We joke him as a retireable on his final year. I mean, the last year in the contract. But despite of that, and perhaps because we are endangered species in South Carolina, we cannot prevent ourselves to wept in tears because the person who was always there to help us will go home. At that moment, I hated the 2 year residency rule that was in our contract. After dropping him off, we did not even had the time spent to talk because it was hard to get a parking in the airport. So we just bid farewell, and drove home.

I dedicated this blog to this person that I cannot forget for the rest of my life, even to my family's life. I hate dramas, and probably he knows it. It must be because there have been lots of drama in my life since the beginning and I tried to be strong about it. I just want to account him with things that no other people who will selflessly do it to you. And seriously, that how he is. I resided in mid-lands at the beginning, and I used to go to his place or two ways but he hated my place at first because there was no internet till my family arrived. However, the fun was the driving from directions to directions, and to whichever place we can. Most of all, the shopping galore. Buy one, get 1 for half the price had a very nice story because I always took the half price! We always support each other especially when buying good stuffs over malls or malls ng masa! That was the spirit of brotherhood we had. Before my family arrived, the three of us with aireen, drove to places that he knew. Not 20 miles away, but hundred miles away and even more. It was always the three of us together. Recently, Ai is still in Great Falls battling the job by herself. I said, she'll get over it. Filipino teachers are survivors by instinct.

Teaching in the extreme suburb of Great Falls is hard, but to him was not at all. But he decided not to stay in the area. He stayed on the next county eventhough he has to drive like 30-40 minutes away. He told us in a southern accent: "What can we get there? There's only one piggly wiggly!" I am wondering if he still has the accent this time. But it is always our joke when we come together.

The U-haul truck is always a great reminder. I will not dwell more on that, but he told me that was a big achievement greater that a master's degree. I regreted I didnt have a picture of it.

It must be because, only real people know real people. The teachers in some state in the US survived because there were good hearted people who were with them. To live in a totally different world is not easy, especially when in a stressful job like teaching. A network of friends is a big help. Real friends.

WE MISS YOU, DONG!

(A blog for Danilo Zapanta, VIF teacher 2005-2008 Great Falls, South Carolina, USA. In the picture is my beloved wife Mona, Me, Aireen and Danny Zapanta)