After Graduation – Jo
After our church wedding in Pampanga (March 79), Alex and I settled in Cebu. I taught for a year at the Cebu City National Science High School and then taught for 5 years at the University of San Carlos (2 years during that period, did my MS in Math, major in OR at UP Diliman). In 1984 the boys and I joined Alex in Saudi Arabia for 3 months, and I got pregnant with Janka.
The whole family joined Alex in Kuwait in 1987. I was a full time housewife for 8 years, after which I taught part-time for 3 years. When Aaron finished high school here (and Janka finished Middle School), we decided to go to the US (Alex, Janka and me). We stayed in East Lansing, Michigan, and Alex’s work was in Detroit. I started my PhD in Mathematics Education at Michigan State University, and Janka started 9th grade at a catholic school in East Lansing.
Then Alex `s company in Kuwait made an offer for him to come back here, and I stayed in Michigan with Janka for a semester. I got scared to raise a teenage daughter without Alex by my side, so we went back to Kuwait after a year in Michigan. So we were back to being an OFW family again.
I started teaching at the Universal American School, where our 3 kids were studying from KG to HS. The funny thing about it is that Janka became my student for 3 years, she hated it at first, but later got used to it. I am still teaching at the same school (this is my 8th year) and I really love my students. I am teaching mostly college-level math subjects (Advanced Placement) and it is a challenge, because it involves preparing them for the AP Exams in May. Passing the exam means that when they go to college in the US and Canada, they get credits for the courses and don’t have to enroll in them anymore.
We usually spend summer (July and August) with the boys in Florida and visit Janka in London either winter or spring. in Kuwait, it is just Alex and me and the `2 boys’ (Fluffy and Scruffy). They are dogs we adopted from a rescue shelter two years ago.
4 Comments
salvador torculas
4:22 PM on August 16, 2009
good for you 2, the children were able to join you and the family is complete again. In my 6 years as OFW, they visited me no more than 7 times. And the longest stay – 2 weeks. Kaya i was not around almost half the lifetime ni Regine dahil mas madalas deployed ako sa Mindanao during my Air Force days. But LIFE must go on.
Alex
1:26 PM on August 25, 2009
Kaya nga pare, you have to give credit to Lina for her sacrifice and for doing a great job in taking care of the family while you were overseas.
evelyn panghulan atienza
5:55 PM on September 12, 2009
Inggit naman ako sa beauty mo at na maintain mo ang figure mo. Kahit anong diet ang gawin ko wa epek. Hoy! alam mo after graduation I was really thinking about the two of you. di kayo maalis sa isip ko kasi ang bata pa ninyo na nagkapamilya di ko maisip kung paano kayo makakasurvive. I am really praying for the two of you kasi kung sa akin ngyari ewan kung makakaya ko. but after reading your story, i was really relieved and thank God na naging very successful ang love, family at career ninyo. I remember nung sinasamahan ka namin sa central market sa pamimili ng mga gamit ng baby, ang saya-saya natin nun. sana nun pa nauso na ang celfon sana d tayo nawalan ng contact. ragards to alex. ingat kayo lagi diyan. I will try my best na makasama sa reunion natn.
Jo Romero
7:46 PM on September 13, 2009
Hi Evelyn,
I am so glad that you are able to communicate with us again. Thank you naman sa comment mo.
The first few years of our married life were quite challenging, in two weeks, we had our son’s baptism, the graduation, and our church wedding. We were not really ready, but we enjoyed having our son. Our neighbors in Cebu were even surprised when they saw the baby, because they didn’t know that I got married.
Pero, okay naman kami. Alam mo di ba napaka-iresponsableng estudyante ni Alex, but as a husband, i don’t think that I can find someone much better …
Do keep in touch often and sana nga, makapunta ka sa reunion natin.
My best regards to you and the family.
Love,
Jo
