My American Love

Chapter 4: Marketing

"Good morning Maria."

"Good morning Belle! How are you?" Maria asked.

Maria was a latina, she's the team's transaction coordinator at siya ang unang bumubungad sa office.

"I'm good. How are you? Thank you for asking."

"Good." She said while nodding and smiling. "How's your vacation?"

"I enjoyed it." I said as I clock in, I smiled at her, "Time to work."

"Have a nice day." She genuinely said.

The thing that stands out to me from times is the phrase 'Have a nice day' and the sincerity with which Americans will say it and appear to mean it. Dati nung wala pa kong sasakyan, araw araw akong sumasakay ng bus, minsan train, minsan uber. They always greet and wish people well. Also not to be conceited, but I get a plethora of compliments on my appearance every day so let's suffice it to say that I am attractive.

Pumasok ako sa opisina namin at nakita si Serina, she's my co-worker, she was the marketing coordinator before me, now she's the administrative assistant of the Team. We are a Real Estate Team and the realtors in our team is the top realtors here in Sacramento and even Bay Area.

Serina is one of my friends since I came here, pareho namin itong first job pero nauna siya sakin ng isang taon. She's a Filipino but raised and born here. Kaya naman hindi na siya nakakapagsalita ng Tagalog but she can understand some words. We're just in the same age and we are so lucky to have this job. Nung bago pa lang ako dito ay minimun lang ang swelo kaya naman nag double job ako to finance myself, I flip patties. I got burned. I work on a American fast food near the office. Full time in the office, part time in the kitchen, I work hard every day. Pero umalis na ako sa fast food nung nakapag-adjust at lumaki na ang ipon ko, nahirapan ako sa fast food dahil ilang oras akong nakatayo, minsan ilang oras akong nakaharap sa grill, minsan napapaso pa ko, Kitchen is not for me. Dito nga lang ako natutong magluto sa America but even thought I left my other job sinasabi ko pa rin yun pag may nagtatanong sakin. Totoo pala na lahat ng matatagal na nandito sa America na successful at maayos na ang buhay ay may maikwekwento na hirap at pinagdaanan nung bago pa lang sila dito. That's why I put my job over everything.... well except my friends and family. I worked hard to get my career up and running. I worked really, really hard to get to where I am now. I aren't going to let some man take that away from me. And I aren't going to settle for anything or anyone less than I deserve. I know I'll find love someday. But for right now? I'm content where I am and my 'fling' life.

"I'll go ahead."

"See you tomorrow."

Halos hindi kami nakapag-usap dahil sobrang busy ako ngayon tambak ako ng papel at mga gawain dahil isang buwan akong nawala. Buti na nga lang yung mga iniwan kong Marketing ay si Serina muna ang humawak kahit hindi niya na trabaho yun. That's what I admin most about Americans, They work hard. I know there's the stereotype of laziness, but I think that this is inaccurate. Most Americans work their asses off, and many never complain. Dahil mahal nila yung trabaho nila at pag alam nila gagawin nila. They have passion Sometimes it is misdirected, but it is a fire inside of every american I have met.

"I need to clock out..."

I whispered to myself when I look at the time. I crunched my knuckles after I close my windows and shut down my desk top. I throw my cup of coffee, close the office blinds, Madami akong nagawa. Malaking tulong ang mabilis na internet. I clock out and grab my purse.