Language barriers, introversion, and other disclaimers

There's a few things about me that I want/need the people in my community to understand:

1. I have boundaries. I'm putting this item at the top of my list so we can get it over with quickly: Y'all need to stop asking for checkups outside office hours. (And while we're on the topic of boundaries: STOP COMMENTING ON MY WEIGHT!)
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2. I enjoy spending time by myself. I am, quite obviously, an introvert. When I'm alone I get to do all sorts of fun things. I read books, write blogs, listen to music, water my plants, play the ukelele, exercise. There's so much going on inside my head at any given moment that I am hardly ever bored or lonely. So please stop feeling sorry for me LOL! This is just who I am.
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3. I have friends. Yes, really. The other week, my friend Kith (a fellow Doctor to the Barrios) came to visit me in my health center. The midwife on duty that day, Ma'am Alice, told me later on, "Dok na happy ako dok na meron ka nang friends! Mag invite ka pa doc! Sana mas marami ka pang friends para happy ikaw!" And I thought, why does she sound so surprised... (On a side note: that's a good example of how my relationship with my health center staff is like. I'm like their adopted daughter... who mostly stays in her room and comes out for meals. Haha!) Yes, I do have friends. Some of my closest friends are fellow DTTBs whom I've known since college and med school. But we're all spread out right now across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. As for me in Gigaquit, I'm not super close to anyone outside of work just yet, but I'm hoping to change that. :)
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4. I'm trying to overcome decades worth of language barriers. This is actually the heaviest point in my list, which is why I saved it for last.
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   I remember when I met my college roommate Jean for the first time - it was over breakfast at a nearby restaurant/karinderia hybrid called Ken Afford, back when I lived in Quezon City. One of the first things I told Jean was that I don't speak Tagalog that well, and that English is my native tongue. My mom, who was with us at the time, chastised me in private later on: Why did you say that, Bey? You're so snobbish and pa-sosyal! I was shocked. I did not mean to sound pa-sosyal AT ALL. What I had meant to say was, "I don't speak Tagalog that well, and I am apologizing in advance for any future miscommunication, humorous or not, that may result." It was challenging, but I eventually picked up the language over the course of my 9 years there.
   
   But I used to be terrified of speaking Tagalog. And this fear was a direct result of a past trauma wherein I was ridiculed for speaking Bisaya around Bisaya speakers. Back in grade school, my classmates mocked me because I spoke with an American accent. Repeatedly I was told to stop speaking Bisaya because it sounded weird. So I got discouraged. I stopped. And I never really got to practice, aside from simple conversational stuff with my family.
   
   Now I live in Surigao del Norte, where the predominant language is Surigaonon (a Bisaya language; a mix of Cebuano and Bohol-anon). I'm still adjusting to the language barrier, one that's 20 years in the making! So I truly am sorry if I come off as snobbish or difficult. I promise you, I'm not. If I'm quiet, or I take a long time to answer, or if I have weird responses to things, that's probably because it takes me a bit longer to understand what has just been said.
   
   
5. I love Gigaquit. I love my life here. In fact, the two weeks I spent in Cagayan de Oro City had me wishing every day that I could return. Here in Gigaquit I'm constantly surrounded by beautiful sights - from purple mountain ranges to white sand islands down to even the most common lush green foliage. My daily work also gives me meaning and sparks joy. The food is fresh and healthy. And of course, the people here are the kindest people I've ever met. I'm not kidding when I say that the six months I've spent here have truly been the best of my life so far. I'm excited to see how far we'll get in the next two and a half years I have left in this town.
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Obviously I am a work in progress and I'm still adjusting. But despite the language barriers, the occasional neglect of personal boundaries, and all the gahi ulo patients: I'm happy to be here and I'm really glad I came back.