Today I met a couple of guys from the Philippines. I love meeting people from all over the world, but people from the Philippines I have an automatic in with . All I have to do is tell them my last name- Briones. They then asked me where my family is from to which I respond- Mexico. They always bust out in laughter. In the Philippines, the name Briones is like Robinson in the US. I reply that we swam a long way, (while mimicking the back stroke for effect)...they always remember me.
People come and go all of the time. This is also the worse part of being overseas, like the military. You make friendships and before you know it someone is transferred elsewhere. It's like commodities- supply and demand. Except here, they will trade a FN (Foreign National- anyone outside of the US) for an American to keep all things equal. I've heard that it's by the contract of the particular company. Something like the hospitals in Detroit that can only hire half the staff in Canadians and other foreigners, unless there's special need. Then they can hire more. It makes no sense. You may have a great team, but then they'll need an American elsewhere and they split up the team. It happens to all nationalities. I have a Bosnian friend that was ripped from the FOB (foreign operating base) to go up north to another FOB. Then we found out it was an equal trade because there were not enough Americans at that base. Well, I think that they should hire more! I know the world struggles with unemployment and low wages...but so do we. I have 6 friends cleared and waiting to come- hire them! Problem solved. I believe I'll work on world hunger next.
People come and go all of the time. This is also the worse part of being overseas, like the military. You make friendships and before you know it someone is transferred elsewhere. It's like commodities- supply and demand. Except here, they will trade a FN (Foreign National- anyone outside of the US) for an American to keep all things equal. I've heard that it's by the contract of the particular company. Something like the hospitals in Detroit that can only hire half the staff in Canadians and other foreigners, unless there's special need. Then they can hire more. It makes no sense. You may have a great team, but then they'll need an American elsewhere and they split up the team. It happens to all nationalities. I have a Bosnian friend that was ripped from the FOB (foreign operating base) to go up north to another FOB. Then we found out it was an equal trade because there were not enough Americans at that base. Well, I think that they should hire more! I know the world struggles with unemployment and low wages...but so do we. I have 6 friends cleared and waiting to come- hire them! Problem solved. I believe I'll work on world hunger next.
We write and promise to see each other again. It does give you something to look forward to. I bet it was like mail call back in the day for the military. For example: my friend Jackline, (from Kenya) wrote to me from a former base that I was at. She wanted to tell me all about the guy that she liked, (from India). I just happened to remember this man because it was odd to see a tall, muscular, very handsome, GQ kind of guy that was also Indian. So I say good taste Jackline. I would love just once to measure the speed on her when she's talking. I know it would be in excess of 110 mph. She talks like she's running out of time and combined with her accent made for some funny chats. I once said that what I did was Stuuuu -pid and that made her laugh so hard. Now it's like a code word. very cute! But emails are the best. I'm still getting them from the tiny FOB that I left behind. I was only there 2 weeks and I've been gone almost a week. Good people were there!
But I have some great friends here at Dwyer too. The last time I left, some threw a party...hmmmm, that doesn't sound too good now that I read it in print. And I even got a cake- and not in the face. FUN! I witnessed a few wonderful parties here. One group was having a surprise birthday party for one of the guys who dressed as a girl and jumped out of a wrapped up box. It was hilarious. The guy looked better as a women and I heard he got quite a few numbers! The Indians had a birthday party for their friend. They walked out with this elaborate cake, wishing him a very happy birthday, then each of them grab some cake and smear it in his face. So much fun! Even though the birthday boy expected it and you could see it on his face that he hoped they would not do it this time...it was all in fun and what a cultural difference. I'll have to surprise someone in my family with a very Indian birthday! That will keep them on their toes!!
