English 100 BK • Spring 2014: "I Miss the Philippines"

"I Miss the Philippines" - EJ W.

Introduction

The person I interviewed was my step-mom EJ. I've known her for about 14 years now. She was born in the Philippines and moved to the United States when she was only 14 years old! Throughout my interview process I tried to ask questions pertaining to themes of homesickness and nostalgia. EJ expressed it fully how much she really misses the Philippines through one of the segments and how she's able to cope with it in everyday life while here in America.

EJ with her siblings and cousins (She's the second one from the left)

Table of Contents
1. Introduction & Family Background
2. Process and Reason of Leaving the Philippines
3. Settling & Living in the United States
4. Reflections and Life as a Filipina in the United States

Segment 1: Introduction & Family Background

EJ W. briefly talks about moving from the Philippines and talks about life while living in the Philippines.

Old school photo of EJ and her classmates

Segment 2: Process and Reason of Leaving the Philippines

EJ talks about her process and reason for leaving the Philippines. She explains why she had the choice to move as well as her experiences and hardships while getting into America. EJ also explains about her process of adoption which helped her get the right to move into America at a young age.

Segment 3: Settling & Living in the United States

My dad and EJ touring around Las Vegas, Nevada

EJ talks about what she did in order to help her settle down in the United States. She went back to school and met a lot of new friends through the process of her living here. She had a bit of nostalgia about Christmas time not being the same as it was in the Philippines. While living in the US, EJ also explains that she has been working for a certain company for about 11 years now.

Dinner time with relatives from the Philippines

Segment 4: Reflections and Life as a Filipina in the United States

EJ talks about maintaing contact with her family back home in the Philippines especially her biological parents and siblings. She states that its been about 10 years that she haven't visited the Philippines. She states that she is unsure of moving back to the Philippines because she has already adjusted to the lifestyles of living in America. EJ ends the interview by saying that it's sad to say that she has already made up her mind on living in the United states.