Though it wasn't Amberly's idea to move to the Philippines from the United States, she has no regrets. Her husband's job brought the whole family to Manila, where they're having an interesting time learning about a new culture. Amberly describes what she loves about living in the Philippines, the things she dislikes, and some of their immediate plans.	Amberly M. Espinosa

-Where were you born?
South Texas, USA

-In which country and city are you living now?
Makati (Manila), Philippines

-Are you living alone or with your family?
My entire family is here... Dad, Mom & 3 kids

-How long have you been living in the Philippines?
We arrived in Manila on July 10, 2007. So, we have been here for 4 1/2 months now.

-What is your age?
30

-When did you come up with the idea of living in the Philippines?
It wasn't my idea at all! My husband's company is building a new facility in Clark (CSEZ) and he is one of the engineers on the initial design and construction phase.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
Not at all. My husband's corporation and our relocation company took care of all those details.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
This was all handled through my husband's employer. We do not have local medical insurance, but we can submit our medical receipts and claims for reimbursement to our insurance provider in the United States.

-How do you make your living in the Philippines? Do you have any type of income generated?
As part of my husband's employment contract, I am not allowed to work while overseas.

-Do you speak Tagalog and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
I do not speak the local language, Tagalog. English is a common language spoken in the Philippines, so I did not find it necessary to learn Tagalog. However, I do know that it is appreciated when a foreigner attempts to speak the local language. So, I have learned to say "thank you", "welcome", and various other simple phrases in Tagalog.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
I do miss my home and family terribly! My husband and I both come from a very close knit family and it has been hard on us to be so far away from them. It has been harder on our kids, though. We are excited to start receiving family visits next summer! We cannot wait!

However, after saying that, I would not change the way things are at all. I am so grateful for the opportunity to live overseas and experience life across the world. I have made so many wonderful friends from the Philippines, Ireland, Australia, Sweden, Japan, Thailand, Great Britain, etc. And, my kids have made friends from even more destinations. We love living here and we are thankful each day for this blessing!

We also have developed a close friendship with the other families that moved here with us from Texas. We have traveled together to the beach several times and enjoy each other's company. We all enjoy going bowling together, watching a movie at the very inexpensive cinema, trying new and different restaurants and especially indulging in our new favorite pasttime - videoke!

-Do you have other plans for the future?
Currently, we are just taking it one day at a time. My husband's project is estimated to last 2 years, so after that time, we will see what the future holds. As of now, if they would ask our family to participate in another overseas assignment, we would totally be on board! The experiences we have gained from living overseas are invaluable!

While we are living here, though, we would love to travel around Asia. First on our list is Thailand. After Thailand, it's a toss up. We both would like to visit Vietnam, Japan, China, Singapore, etc. There are so many wonderful places to visit... it will be hard to decide!

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
Currently, we are staying in a condominium residence. However, when we move north to either the Clark or Subic Bay area, we will be renting a home. Living in a condo has so many wonderful features, such as a gym, tennis courts, swimming pool, dining room, spa services, etc. I feel extremely safe here and my kids think it's pretty fun. We are very ready to eventually rent a home of our own, though. Coming from Texas, we are used to big backyards and lots of room to run and ride bikes. You don't get that living in a condo unit. So, we are excited to do that again!

-What is the cost of living in the Philippines?
Hmmm... you got me. I honestly have no idea! What I do know is that I expected it to be much less than it is. Groceries and restaurants in the Makati area are quite a bit pricier than the rest of the country. I assume it's because we live in a metropolitan area, with a high number of ex-pat families.

-What do you think about the Filipinos?
Everyone here is very friendly. They especially love kids! They love to talk to and touch children... in a completely innocent way, of course. My oldest son has very fair skin and blonde hair, so he is quite the fascination to local Filipinos. One thing I have had a very hard time adjusting to is the constant stares we receive everywhere we go. In America, we are taught it is rude to stare at other people. In the Philippines, they think nothing of staring at a foreigner and following them with their eyes. It's a bit unnerving!

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in the Philippines?
POSITIVE:

* Beautiful beaches!! Seriously, they are the prettiest beaches I have ever seen! The resort costs are quite reasonable, also. You can enjoy a luxurious vacation in the Philippines for a very minimal amount. It's wonderful!

* Domestic help. Enough said, really. But, especially coming from a mom with 3 young kids (5 & under), having household help is my very own daily luxury. I can enjoy hobbies that I would have never dreamed of attempting (learning to play tennis) because I have a full-time babysitter now. My husband and I take time out to enjoy a date night... something that was very few and far between in Texas. Our helper is wonderful!

* Excellent international school for my children. They love their school, as do I. The teachers are so wonderful and the entire staff is fabulous! We love it!

NEGATIVE:

* No autumn or winter! Coming from Texas, we are used to the heat, but we are also used to a break in the heat come October. Not here. There are only 2 seasons... wet and dry.

* Traffic! The traffic here is terrible, congested and crazy! There is no way I would attempt to drive in Manila, which really irritates me because I like my independence. I would love to just be able to get in the car and go. But, I would not be able to manage it here.

* Pollution. The air here is thick with smog and pollution. It's gross. Most locals carry rags to cover their noses and mouths when they breathe. I can completely understand why.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in the Philippines?
Bring an umbrella with you wherever you go. You just never know when to expect rain. I've been caught without an umbrella before and it's not fun!

Keep an open mind and have fun! There are so many neat things to do and explore in the Philippines. I am sure I will not have a chance to do everything I want to do in the 2 years I will be here, but I sure want to try.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about the Philippines?
www.clickthecity.com - The best site to find movie showtimes, current happenings in Manila, restaurant reviews, etc.

samberlysays.blogspot.com - My own blog. Most posts deal with living in the Philippines. Lots of pictures, also.