DB92 Moderator: Audie, after HS Graduation, you suddenly left for the US can you share us your migration experiences?
Audie R.:  Definitely! To sum it up, it was extremely tough. Imagine leaving everything you own, everything you've accomplished, and everyone you know in a heartbeat and pretty much starting life all over again. All we had were a few dollars, a handful documents, a small box of mementos, and a couple bags of clothing. That's it! At the time, my only prized possession was my newly acquired high school diploma from DB. Here we were in this strange new land with nothing to show for and no idea how to make it. The toughest part was not knowing anyone and leaving all your family and friends behind.

DB92 Moderator: Sounds like a homesick experience...
Audie R.:  For months, I was seriously homesick and depressed. I missed everyone and often imagined how everyone was doing back home. One of the things that kept me going were the letters I wrote to our classmates and the responses I got back. This was before the web, email, IM, and Friendster, 'mind you! At least I felt that I still had a piece of home I can hang on to. It was good to know your friends haven't forgotten about you... even though kahit pati sa sulat, alaskado pa rin. Haha!

DB92 Moderator: Most of our batch may want to see how much you’ve grown up... any clue?
Audie R.:  If you want to get an idea of how I’ve "grown" since then, visit my photo gallery.  Yes, I actually did gain a few inches in height, believe it or not!.

DB92 Moderator: Wow, tons of photos! But the hot chicks surrounding you have gotten most of my attention. Where you able to adjust right away through the culture and environment, knowingly na mas makukulit pa mga magiging kaklase mo sa ‘Tate?
Audie R.:  Man, was I sweating bullets on my first day! I mean, think about it, naman. For 4 years, I went to a private, all boys, catholic school where even the slightest hint of a girl on campus was enough to drive everyone insane! Now here I was smack dab in the middle of an American High School complete with hot cheerleaders, jocks, preppies, thugs, you name it. It was just like in the movies! Pare, I didn't know if I wanted to run back home or jump for joy! Oh and not to mention they all speak English! Thank God talaga for our English Campaign back in high school! Let me tell you, it saved my life.

DB92 Moderator: Boy, I'm among the top violators in that English Campaign, I get the bitter effect now. By speaking English fluently, you could fit at any group...
Audie R.:  I think the biggest surprise was how friendly everyone was and how quickly I got accepted into the group. By the end of my senior year, I made a lot of new friends. I still remember my classmates asking me why I can speak English so well. I told them, "That's what happens when someone like me watches Baywatch & Beverly Hills 90210 every week back in the PI." They all laughed! Oh and needless to say, I was (again) the shortest of the bunch. Nobody could believe I was a high school senior! Anyway, that "sink or swim" attitude got me through my first years here.

DB92 Moderator: Can you differentiate your classroom experience between USA and Philippines?
Audie R.:  Oh boy! Where do I begin?! For one, us Bosconians were much more disciplined in class! Here you didn't have to raise your hands to answer questions in class or anything and I didn't have to wear a uniform to school everyday. All of a sudden, I had to worry about what to wear to school everyday! Haha! One thing though, schools here have the best facilities and all the resources they need compared to the ones back home but I tell you, a lot of the kids here take it for granted. For the most part though, it was a very rewarding experience as I got the chance to meet people from every background

DB92 Moderator: Unforgettable experience sa High School?
Audie R.:  Pare, I have lots!

	•		The mad stampede to La Cantina or Pong's snack bar in the gym at lunch time! I can still hear everyone's desperate cry for food.and help!
	•		The botched soirees' where our entire class went and only 5 girls showed up! Ouch!
	•		The chaos of playing basketball and trying to avoid colliding with 50 other players in the same court!
	•		Hanging out behind the gym and at the Chapel at lunch and after school
	•		Ate Emy's lugaw! I miss it!
	•		Our retreat to Batulao! I still have everyone's written testimonials in my wallet. That piece of paper is priceless to me.
	•		CAT Training! "Medic! Drop and give me 20!"

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