Friends and Family in Graz

austrian officemates: before, when somebody would refer to "the filipino guy" in baby's company, everybody would automatically know it's him. he also used to be the only foreigner within their department. while it was hard giving up the comforts of working with co-filipinos, not having anybody else to talk our native language with, plus trying to satisfy everybody's curiosity and doubts about how filipinos are - work- and personality-wise, i'm glad that he was able to pull it through, and quite well at that (proud wife ;) ba ). he has been blessed with really nice and supportive co-workers, most of whom we've come to treat as family already.

neighbors: baby has a polish officemate who lives within the same apartment as ours. he has a wife and a 3-year old son. he has a car, so pau rides with him everyday, sharing with the gas expenses. laking tipid na, very convenient pa. the family is really nice. sometimes, the guys would get together for a couple of beers, or they would invite us to flea markets or lake-side picnics. we just adore their really cute son.

non-austrian officemates: since mid this year, we've met foreigners (and their wives and kids, if any) from india, ireland, japan, hired after baby within their department. we showed them around, answered questions, did what we can to help them integrate easily. we're not experts but we surely had something to contribute, having gone through the same situation. it'd always be nice gaining new friends. we all regularly meet during gimiks and company parties.

filipino community: then after, the company has hired 3 other filipino guys (all guys for now, 2 with wives, and about 3-4 new hirees will be coming in by 1st quarter next year, would you believe?). this is especially interesting. despite our very different personalities, we all get along really well. in fact, they all chose apartments near our place, so we now all live within walking distance from each other. our own little filipino community! every sunday, we all go to the 10am mass, have lunch after, and make tambay at whoever's place to watch dvd's, set up tfc's, or just eat. nakakatuwa talaga.