Born in Manila, Philippines.

Grew up in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.

Went to an International School whose sister school was based in New Jersey, USA; hence the American accent.

Had teachers, classmates and friends from all over the world — USA, UK, Canada, Finland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, etc; hence my strange vocabulary at times.

Finished the remainder of high school and college back in the Philippines.

Talks (most times) with an American accent.*

*I’m good with impersonation and sometimes I just can’t help it, my accent changes depending on who I’m talking to. It comes naturally. LOL

That, my friends, is pretty much my life, in a nutshell.

While I think it’s pretty straight forward, there are still some people who get super confused as to where I’m from and where I grew up, why I talk like this, etc. Here are a few conversations I’ve had while traveling.

Convo #1: 

Stranger (S): So, where are you from? 

Reby (R): *in my American accent* I’m from the Philippines. 

(S): No, really, were are you from? Are you from the US?

(R): No, I’m really from the Philippines.

(S): Oh, but why do you sound like that? I could’ve sworn you’re from the States. 

(R): No, I’m Filipino. 

(S): But did you grow up in the States?

(R): No, I grew up in Saudi Arabia. 

(S): Oh ok, so are you part Arab?

(R): Nope. 

(S): *confuzzled*

Convo #2: (this one was actually with a customs officer)

(S): Where are you from? 

(R): Philippines. 

(S): Where do you work? 

(R): Philippines. 

(S): Where did you grow up? 

(R): Philippines and Saudi Arabia. 

(S): Did you, at any point in your life live in the US?

(R): Nope.

(S): Are you sure about that? I’m sorry for all the questions, I’m just trying to figure out why you sound just like me. 

ROFL

Convo #3: via text message

(S): Oh, I’m sorry I don’t think I can make it anymore. I’m running late. 

(R): Oh don’t worry about it, there’s heaps of time left at the next stop. We can wait for you there if you’re still keen on coming. 

(S): Oh perfect! I’ll meet up with you guys there then. 

Upon meeting me and hearing my American accent.

(S): So are you not from Australia then?

(R): *laughs* No, I’m not. 

(S): Oh, I thought you were since you used “keen” and “heaps”.

(R): Yeah, I use words I pick up here and there. Sometimes they’re just a lot faster to say.

(S): *confuzzled*

Convo #4

Stranger (S): So, where are you from? 

Reby (R): I’m from the Philippines. 

(S): You have really good English. Do you work at a call center?

(R): No.

(S): How do you have an accent then? 

(R): Probably because I went to an International School..?

(S): Oh yeah? In Manila?

(R): No, in Saudi Arabia.

(S): Oh wow, ok. How was that? Are you part Arab? Can you speak Arabic? Isn’t it dangerous there? 

Pandora’s box: OPENED

Convo #5: When I’m not really in the mood to explain everything

Stranger (S): So, where are you from? 

Reby (R): I’m from the Philippines. 

(S): Oh, but you grew up in the States, didn’t you? 

(R): Yup, Hawaii. (I’ve been mistaken a few times as Hawaiian so what the hey)

(S): I knew it! There are a lot of Filipinos in Hawaii. Blah blah blah. 

LOL

Can anyone else relate to this?