Why "Yah Lah?"

There's not much story behind using "Yah lah" in my blog title. I just find that it's the shortest and most Singaporean yet positive sounding expression I could find. 

"Yah Lah" is the expression that people in Singapore use for saying what we say in Filipino, "Oo nga".  When you explain something and they agree with it or say that it's what they mean, they usually answer you with "Yah lah".

I think it's just normal to unconsciously adapt the way people around you speak.  If you put me at work with an Ilonggo (Pinoys from Iloilo province) or Batangeno (from Batangas province)  colleague, few months later I would get their accents for sure. So I won't deny that somehow, I already got the "Singlish" way of speaking, at least their words of expression.  And "Yah Lah" is one of those that come out of my mouth involuntarily.

Besides that the "Lah" in "Yah Lah" sounds good with "Life", I just felt that it's the best expression to describe the reality that I am into now.  Good? Bad? Whatever.  I am here in Singapore and it is for real.

It's a Yah Lah Life!



Street near our place



I've been planning to put up this blog since everything about being an overseas worker and living a life in a different country sinked in to me.  It was almost a year ago.  But just like the same old me, I always find it hard to publish my very first post.





It is not easy to cope with a new culture.  Though I'm still around other Asians, there's a lot of difference.  I've been struggling since I went here, and all I could do is try to enjoy whatever God has in store for me in this foreign land.

In this blog you will see my life at work, at home, around Singapore.  Hopefully, this would help those who:



1. Are here and are also struggling like me;



2. Are not here and do not understand what kind of life Filipinos have here;

3. Are not here and are planning to go here; and

4. Are here and would like to share their experiences with us.

And before I start populating my blog, I would like to list down some notes to myself so not to start any conflicts:

1. No racist comments and statements, please.



2. You are not speaking for EVERY Filipino here in Singapore.

3. Try not to generalize as much as you can.

4. Good vibes should always be there!

So there, I think I'm all set to start my Yah Lah Diary!