S. Gayatinea

I am 42 years old. I was born in the Philippines and my family migrated to the US when I was 14 years old. I've lived in NYC longer than the Philippines -- my accent is New York, my skin is Asian, and my heart is Filipina.

The stereotype in New York City is that Filipino women only fall into 2 categories -- nurses or nannies. So, being a teacher in NYC for 20 years usually shocks everyone I know including my extended family and my own community. One of the perk of being a teacher means getting summers off to spend time with my 2 kids. I enjoy spending my summers with my 2 kids and taking them all over the city especially Central Park. I've met many Filipino nannies there who tells me stories of their life back home, their own kids they never got a chance to raise, and how they transfer all that love to the kids they are raising here.

One day, a white woman approached me and commented how well I am interacting with the kids. She asked if the family I work for is treating and paying me well and if I can be a live-in nanny for her sister-in-law's kids! My feelings ranged from being shocked, embarrassed (for her), amused, annoyed. And before I could answer her my daughter took my hand and said, "Let's go to the swings, Mom!" The woman apologized -- profusely -- for the misunderstanding. Normally, I would have gone out of my way to assure her that it was okay. Instead I just smiled and moved on. But deep down I was hoping that that moment of awkwardness and discomfort sits with her longer than just that moment.