should be up and about by Monday. The bad news is that we're still
short-handed on Monday. Worse news is that I've sniffling my way
through the rest of today's shift.
I've got runny nose, my eyes hurt, my body aches, and I've got sore
throat. All in all a good reason to lie in bed and feel miserable.
Worse news, is that my cousin is in country right now and we're
supposed to have lunch with him today, Sunday, at their house in
Paranaque. Meaning no real sleep for me, as I'm going there with my
family straight from work. And then I'll be on shift tonight and
tomorrow, Monday evening. Day off is on Tuesday and Wednesday. I
think I can still go to work tonight but be absent Monday night.
Let's see what happens.
~o~o~o~
Kuya Ruben has been based in Canada these past 17 years. His two kids
practically grew up there. He's in the country right now because his
mother-in-law is sick. This might be the last time his wife, Ate
Helen might be able to talk to her mom. With them are his daughter
Natchie, who's going to get married in December. Cousin Ruel stayed
behind as he could not get away from work. They've had their shares
of problems but so far, their doing okay in Canada. Truth is, they
were already doing well here in the Philippines. But they were lucky
and they got to migrate before Canada even opened their borders to
Asians' family immigration.
For some time I did consider migrating, but I guess the time for that
has not yet come. Maybe later. Within five years, maybe. Easy
enough working here. Though the benefits seems to be getting eroded
the more you look at them. Some days, it just seems to be a dumb idea
NOT planning to leave.
What's different from shovelling snow at five o'clock in the morning
in the middle of winter with bailing out your house when the flood
waters come in through the door (or seep through the wall). I have no
idea as I have not experienced the former, but do not look forward to
the latter (which happens about 3 times a year).
Work days? I'm working 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Pacific Time (albeit in
Manila), which is only three hours different from working 9:00 to 6:00
pm Eastern Time.
I plan to be a Team Leader by next year. Most probably on a different
account within the same company. If not, then Team Captain with a
different company doesn't sound too bad. And then move up one more
step within two years afterwards, earning maybe 50,000 pesos a month.
If I don't get that, then maybe I'd be pushing for shovelling snow at
5:00am Eastern, before going to work as a short-order cook.
Doesn't make sense? My cousin's first job in Canada was as a kiosk
manager at the train station, selling cigarette and magazines and
what-not. That job lasted a day. He was a College Secretary in
Manila, working on that first job was a humbling experience he says,
and a far cry from his prior job experience. But he persevered. One
of his succeeding jobs was as a burger fast-food manager for several
years. Now he works for the Canadian government. Looking at it from
that viewpoint, I guess it should make sense.
I think I can handle that. I've worked as an accounting clerk for a
book store before. Among other jobs, I've been an insurance
underwriter, a real estate salesman, a collection agency
collector/messenger, programmer and systems analyst, computer
short-course trainor, project administrator, project manager, and as a
documentation specialist. I'm currently a technical support for a
Japanese software company, and looking upwards (because when you're at
the bottom ...)
At this point in my life, I am looking at College for my kids. I want
them to have the best education possible. I want them to have a good
foundation for their own life. I cannot see anything beyond that. A
house, too, with a car as gravy on top of that. I have my short term
goals (which is my career). And I have my long-term goals (which is
the education of my children). One is the foundation of the other.
Migrating? That is something to ponder.
--andoy
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