By Ging Aurelio Laforteza

Getting ready for Christmas? Here’s a meaningful gift for you or for someone……

My journey began in the Philippines and continued on to the United Kingdom, to Australia and to Germany, before I returned once more to the United Kingdom. I want to share my experiences of living in those four different cultures in three different continents and how they have transformed me – for the better, I hope! I have also been to twenty-three other countries and had a taster of their cultures. The experiences, both bad and good, that I gained from hopping from one culture to another inspired me to write a series of books.

A small fish: from the Philippines to the United Kingdom, which is available from Amazon worldwide, will appeal to those who are interested in reading about other people’s transformations through immersion in different cultures, and to those who would want to have an idea of how other people adapt and how long it can take.

What this book is about?

This is my first book and it focuses on my first move. Being my first, this transition dwarfed all of my other moves and it was the catalyst to my mind reset. This is a record of some of my discoveries, excitements, difficulties, joys, and pains as I adjusted from Philippine culture to British culture. Most importantly, this is an account of my transformations and my changing views in life.

Everything that I said in my book is based on my personal experiences, which may differ substantially from those of others. I hope that anyone reading this book will be inspired to take on a similar journey to widen their horizons through the understanding of different cultures. By doing so, I guarantee that you will change, sometimes in ways that you would never have thought possible. The value I derived far outweighs the difficulties I encountered along the way, and this book is my celebration of that privilege.

I encountered some difficulties during my adjustment period. Uprooting oneself and transplanting into a different culture can be daunting. For some, it might take only a few years to settle, but for others it might take forever, or it might not happen at all. If you are in a similar situation, I hope that this book will offer you reassurance that your experiences are not unique. The dark moments will pass over time if you let them, as they did in my case.

If you are considering whether to move, I hope that you find my experiences worthy of reflection before your journey overseas, near or far. Adjusting your mindset appropriately prior to your move will make a difference. This book is my wish that you, too, will find incredible rewards in your journey, as I did in mine.

Finally……

If you’re giving your self a Christmas gift, why not get a copy of my book? Why not give someone you know who might be interested (or who might need it), a Christmas gift? To buy, visit Amazon. I hope that you would find it entertaining, educational and meaningful.

Background information: Who am I?

I was a student in CPU from Kindergarten to High School (1976-1988). I graduated Elem valedictorian (1984), became HS governor in 1987, and graduated HS valedictorian (1988). I now live in the UK. It has always been my intention to establish the CPU-UK association. If you’re interested in working with me, please contact me at contact@asmallfish.com, thanks.