Myla Katzav

I am sitting on my favorite floral lounge sofa listening to Johnny Hates Jazz's most popular song "Turn Back The Clock".  The kids are having their afternoon nap and it is a perfect time to bring life to my blog as I know its been a while since I last wrote in it.  Perhaps it is time to put into writing what has been playing in my mind for some time now…a thought that I never got to reach a conclusion.  So let me put it here and hope to get light out of it.

There are times when I cant help but wonder what would life be at the homefront for my young family.  For sure, the change would not be as dramatic and as emotional as it has been here in Israel.  But looking back, those dramas and emotions were right to happen. 

Living in the Philippines and getting the same comfort and benefits as living in Israel requires a high standard of living, unfortunately.  What we have here is middle class way of living which is not at the same economic level as in the Philippines.  Financial capacity is a big consideration. One needs to have tons of money to be able to afford a nice, new place to live in; clean and orderly surroundings, two cars, quality food and clothing, medical fees and other perks.   

I will start with the kids.  For sure, my kids will still be at home wth the yaya in the Philippines.  I know many Pinoys agree that this is what is right to do…however, I see the benefit of putting them to a learning center at an early age.  Of course, I still do not agree putting the kids in a day care for the whole day when they are less than a year old.  That is why we waited until Ben turned one and for me to have a half-day job.  Putting them in a day care with kids their age and lots and lots of learning materials and equipment develops them much faster than staying with a yaya at home who does not have the capacity to educate (most of the time).  Here, they become independent.  For example, Ben now will not eat if I spoon feed him.  He wants to do it on his own and he eats very well, allthough messy, but finishes his food.  My kids learn to put their shoes by themselves although Ben sometimes needs assistance.  When I put Rachel in a day care in the province in the Philippines while on vacation, I saw yayas putting shoes on their wards who were older than Rachel!!!

When the kids reach the age of 3, they go to the public kindergarten and it requires less amount of money.  It lessens as they get older because it is subsidized by the government. In the Philippines, putting your child in a private institution needs a lot of money and forget about the public school system...well, most of it!

Israel is very child friendly.  Our community has parks and playgrounds wherever you make a turn.  Traffic is very pedestrian friendly.  The surroundings are clean and the air is fresh.  It is also very, very safe that you see kids as young as 5 walking to school and back home.  The kids here are free.  They are not limited to the confines of their homes or the malls. 

Medical issues: all their vaccines, hospitalization and check-ups are "free".  Well, not really as we are paying for the health benefits.  To put it correctly, the health care system here is working and there is no need to bring them to a private practitioner because the public ones are very good and professional.  The facilities are modern and clean. In the Philippines, they would definitely have their private insurance which also would give them the best service at the best clinic or hospital depending on the amount you are willing to put in. 

For me and Haim, as parents and individuals, this is where the big difference comes in.  In the Philippines, we will maintain our lifestyle as when we were single.  Of course there will be some changes but not as drastic.  We can still go out many times a week to meet friends or watch a movie, I can go to the parlor for a haircut or manicure/pedicure without having to plan it in advance unlike here.  We can have a weekly massage!!!!! Waaaaahhhh!!!

When we get sick in the Philippines, we can lay in bed for as long as we want, a meal will be served in bed.  And we are left in peace to recover. In Israel, there is no time to get sick….hahahahahaha! This is very true indeed as I got "sick" here a couple of times and yet nothing has changed with my daily routine.  Miraculously, I got well without those chicken soup served in bed and complete bed rest.

However, we will be spending less time with the kids in the Philippines as we are doing here and I kind of appreciate the way living in Israel has molded us as parents.  First, by force because we didn’t have a choice and then it became a passion that we do not regret giving ourselves completely.

Finally, Haim and I would not be the closest we are now in Israel as compared to being in the Philippines.  Here, its just you and me against the world kind of drama.  In the Philippines, it will be "I have my family and friends so you better shape up or I leave" kind of thing.  Here in Israel, we literally went through the "thin" and are still going through it and yet the "thick" side gets "thicker" and that is where the beauty lies at the end of the day.  Here, its not about who gets what and when…at the end of the day, its about giving in, making it work together as a team no matter how ugly the person can get..and that's me at the height of my delusions.

Still, there 's no place like home for me. I love and miss the Philippines every single day. Haim one time sent me a beautiful message and it goes like this: "I love you very much and now I know it is not where but it is with who you share your life with that is important".

I do not see us living in Israel for the rest of our lives at this moment but I am very thankful for this time and opportunity because it has brought us "home".