Random thoughts

Watched a free music concert today at the School of Music. I always love listening to classical pieces. It's so uplifting. The students who performed today were really good. Some of them played the piano, others the violin. And all of them, except for one, are Asians.

The coordinator of the organisation who called me up yesterday regarding a possible volunteer assignment did not call back. But the good thing is, my supervisor offered me a job. It's a short-term one but at least, I'd be paid for it. And I did not apply, it's like it was given to me! And since the offer came from my supervisor, it becomes more precious. It gives me a lot of confidence which I really need these days. Indeed, we just have to wait and continue to hang on to our faith. God always knows the right time for each of us.

I know I should be happy because of this but I can't help but to feel worried. On Monday, I will see a doctor to consult her regarding some pain. I was scheduled to see her today but she got sick so the appointment was moved to Monday. I hope the pain means nothing. I am really worried.

Start of spring bliss...hopefully

It's almost 12 am and admittedly late to do some blogging, but I still have some energy to spare. Besides, I had nice day. I had a quick but good lunch with friends and I was able to chat with my eldest sister, too, who will be going back to Rome tomorrow. Yesterday, I also had a nice lunch with my Malaysian friend. I always love talking to her because she's honest and sincere. Then, at around 3 pm today, I received an unexpected call from the coordinator of an organisation where I applied for volunteer work. She said she has found a place for me. Things are not yet definite in terms of the assignment and schedule but hopefully, I will get a better picture tomorrow or in the coming days. Looks like spring has really come!

Hello sunshine

Such a glorious day today. The skies are bright and blue and there is no trace that there will be rain. As usual, the sound of machines drilling the road woke me up. For almost three months now, construction workers of the city government here are fixing the road--or to be more exact, they are trying to widen it. During the first weeks, that sound was irritating to my ears, but as I get used to it, it has become my alarm clock. Well, it's time to go, there's so much to do this week. I have a deadline with my supervisor on September 8th but I'd like to finish as early as possible so that there'll be time for review before I submit it. But before starting to work, breakfast first. I put two eggs in the thermos and I think they're cooked now.

Spring is coming

If there are two seasons that I like the most--they're spring and fall. I just realised today that spring is just around the corner. Leaving the church after the mass, I was astonished to see that at 6 pm, the sky was still bright. The temperature has also started to warm up a bit. Very soon, I will experience my first spring here. Each season has its own character. Spring connotes a new life. And life means hope.

My Sister's Loves

My sister and I had our weekly update chat last night via skype. We talked for almost two hours and she delighted me with many stories mainly about our family. My sister is a natural talker, and very gregarious too. One thing that really brings me joy whenever I talk to her is about her dogs. I was born into a family who loves pets, especially dogs. We would always have puppies in the house--one or two--and they would usually remain with us until they grow old and die. We treat them like members of the family. I remember we had a dog which my auntie named "Pilita", a famous singer in my country with Spanish blood. Funny how a dog can have that name. Well, obviously she can bark, yes, but sing, no! And then, I remember we also raised rabbits (which multiply fast), and ostrich. For more than five years now, my dad and aunt raise some chickens at the back of our family house in the province. We don't want them to (because it's additional work for them and we just want them to relax and enjoy a retiree's life), but they would always insist that it's their pastime. So, instead of running an argument with my dad (which would always happen when it comes to his chickens), we just let them do what they want.

Going back to my sister and her dogs, she has four actually, but she can't hide the fact that she dotes on two (the ones in the picture). One of them is Julian (or sometimes, Jualini), which I gave her as a birthday present a year ago. Simon is a Japanese spitz. And then, there's Jazmin or whom we fondly call Jazmini. Jazmin is a hybrid--a cross between a dachshund and a shih tzu--so she has a long body (from her dachshund mom) and a relatively furry coat (from her shih tzu dad). She is only eight months old and she came to us early this year as a present from my bestfriend. Soon, our house (the one where my sister lives) will be filled with Jazmini's litter as she's already dog-ticipating. Jualiani has just proven his virility. Last night, I told her that Jazmini might have a difficult time giving birth since a dachshund normally has no fewer than 5 puppies and given that his mate (Juliani) is bigger in size that her, then chances are Jazmini's puppies would be larger than the normal (dachshund). Well, my sister is prepared to spend for a C-section for Jazmini, just so her precious dog will not suffer too much!

The other two dogs are Bianca (a fat snobbish spitz-mongrel hybrid who loves to eat) and grandma Chinney (we call her grandma as she's the oldest of the pack. She's actually Bianca's mom, and part of the litter of Jap, my sister's original dog who died two years ago. Jap lived for almost 15 years and was the epitome of a loyal companion dog). These four are my sister's loves.

Facing Realities

I always admire the strength of character of migrants because it will always be difficult to start a life in a new environment, especially if issues such as race and ethnicity are still deeply embedded in society. For more than a month now, I am auditing a class that discusses the hardships being faced byAsian immigrants--particularly Chinese--in New Zealand, particularly the early settlers of the 18th and 19th centuries. Oh what a hard time they had back then! The Chinese were indeed the most discriminated and maligned race in this country. They were the only ethnic race whose people were required to pay the so-called "poll tax" in order to gain entry into the territory. But through hard work and perseverance--which most scholars interpret as their way of showing this racist society that they could also excel and rise above the social and economic ladder--they were able to overcome those difficult periods and through the years, the Chinese ethnic community has grown to be one of the most successful groups in New Zealand. Despite this, however, discrimination still exists. In a silent way. But one could still feel it. Yes, there has been a lot of improvement as many would say, but the different ethnic communities are in agreement that discrimination is still alive. Many migrants, old and new, tell stories of how they would have difficulty finding a job because they are not native English speakers or they were not educated here. New Zealand is one country where labour policies are quite restrictive. They give premium to local experience. And you are also lucky if you are of Anglo-Western origin or if you come from the developed regions of this world. But if you're from a developing country, even if you have already been practicing your profession as a doctor or a nurse in your home country or overseas for some time, when you come here you have to take some sort of a 'bridging program' and pass it to be able to practice.

Since I arrived here in May, I have applied to more than 20 employers for part-time work (as I am allowed to do so up to 20 hours per week) and up to now, not a single one has offered me a chance. In two instances, I reached the interview level, but beyond that, I still have no luck. Even my supervisor who promised that she will involve me in one of her projects or recommend me to her associate no longer mentioned the offer when we last met. I must admit that many time, I would feel discouraged. Back home, finding work has never been a problem for me. Besides having a stable job, I have occasional--but well-paying--on-the-side assignments from reputable organisations. Here, I can't even find a part-time job--even as a receptionist!

He is near

Last Sunday, I deviated from my normal routine of hearing mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral and went instead to St. Benedict's. It did not occur to me that going there would entail a long walk--as in more than one kilometer. It took me more than 30 minutes to reach the church and since I did not anticipate the long distance, the priest was already reading the gospel when I arrived.

What made this first mass in St. Benedict's memorable for me is the song that was played during the communion. I heard it first in St. Patrick's and I heard it again in that first mass that I attended at St. Benedict's. The song is called "You are Near" and I put the lyrics below. (Click on the link to hear the song.)

I found the song and the words inspiring that I left St. Benedict's that Sunday morning full of optimism and joy for I know that there is a God who would always take care of me.

Next week, I'd be turning three months here. A lot has happened within those months. I had the opportunity of traveling to the South Island and Wellington, and to some suburban areas of Auckland. I already have some friends here and I have adjusted more or less to the life in Down Under. But many times, I would feel lonely and miss home especially my family and friends. I miss the company of people who know me, and who love and accept me unconditionally despite my flaws. I miss the kind of friendship that I have with those back home.

I am humming this song as I write this. And it gives me a great amount of solace knowing that He is near to guide me in this journey and to keep me company.

* You Are Near
Music and Lyric by Dan Schutte S.J.

Yahweh I know You are near
Standing always by my side
You guard me from the foe
And you lead me in ways everlasting

1. Lord you have searched my heart
And You know when I sit and when I stand
Your hand is upon me
Protecting me from death
Keeping me from harm
2. Where can I run from Your love
It I climb to the heavens You are there
If I fly to the sunrise
Or sail beyond the sea
You would still be there
3. You know my heart and its ways
You who formed me before I was born
In the secret of darkness
Before I saw the sun
In my mother’s womb
4. Marvelous to me are Your works
How profound are Your thoughts my Lord
Even if I could count them
They number as the stars
You would still be there