When my family moved here to Sydney, I have always thought of Manila as my "home", thinking and waiting for that day that I can finally go back. There's no place like home, as they say, right?
Three months away from our holidays to Manila, I just can't help but think that we will be there only for a short visit and will be flying back again to Sydney; praying that we will be able to go back to Sydney without any problems. Funny right? I think Manila as my home but I would want to go back to Sydney as well. Then it hit me. Sydney has been good to me and my family, and the only way I can re-pay that goodness is by treating her just the same.
Yes, I was born and raised in Manila; and I will forever have in me all the wonderful memories, values and traditions that I have with my life there. But I must embrace the fact that it is not my home anymore. I should start loving the place where I am in now, the place I chose to raise my family. The place that will give my family a better future. A better life.
Sydney is now my new home.
Showing posts with label Sydney. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sydney. Show all posts
Monday, July 4, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Dos!
On March 8 we will be celebrating our second year here in Sydney. What else can I say? Not much, except, MARAMING SALAMAT!
Yes, my husband and I can't be thankful enough that Sydney has been good to us. We are just on our second year here and we can already say that we can already feel a big difference with our lifestyle as compared when we were in Manila.
It was an uphill climb. The first year was indeed the hardest for us. Aside from battling home sickness, we had to deal with the global recession as well. For his first job, Alvin was not fortunate enough to land a job that allowed him to practice his profession. But as they say, sipag at tiyaga lang, and after two jobs and one year and four months, he is now again a Process Engineer, employed at a good company.I thank God that he did not give up and he didn't settle for anything less.
As for me, though not in our plans, I was able to fix my papers and accreditations and was able to start teaching again. Though not in a full time and permanent basis, I still find myself lucky and blessed because not all migrants here get to practice the same profession they had in Manila. Alvin and I are lucky. I have started a Certificate Course in Religious Education and by the end of this year, I will be grduating already. My casual teaching helped us out make both ends meet when we were just starting. Now that Alvin's pay is okay, my salary allows us to enjoy some extras and splurge a little as well.
As for the kids? Yes, after two years, we were able to add another kid in our growing family. A girl this time, again another blessing. The kids are the ones benefiting the most in our transfer here. They are able to enjoy fresh, clean air, safer environment and a whole lot of opportunities that might not be easily available to them in Manila. Special programs for reading, and play like Gymbaroo, music like Kindermusik, and sports like swimming are just some of the few programs that they got to attend. Lucky them. I hope that these programs will allow them to develop their God given potentials. We can now buy them signature things and we can now spend more time with them. Growing up without any help or yayas are doing them (and me too!) good. They are learning chores and the value of industry and responsibility quite early.
Financial blessings keep coming in. We were even able to spend for my in-laws' visit here (in time for my delivery). Late this year, we will be able to go home and spend a few weeks in Manila and Cebu. We have prepared a lot of things on that short visit and I guess, we are again blessed to have been given the resources to push thru with these things.
What is in store for the coming years? More blessings. We are claiming it for we know that our Lord only wants the best for us. We have now done initial steps in having our own home in the future. We are giving ourselves 4-5 years, but who knows, we might win the lottery? Kidding aside, the first two years of our stay here have been filled with so many blessings. We continue to pray for more so we can hopefully extend these blessings to others as well.
In the last 24 months our circle of friends is growing. We could not have done it as well without the people who helped us out: mu Kuya Jay's family, my Ate Cha's family, Alvin's relatives here in Sydney, our CFC and BESA families, and all the people whom God has sent to be angels and instruments of blessings, strangers and friends.
Two years. Dos. Wow. Such a short time for all the blessings that we have received and we are not complaining. Muli Sydney, Maraming Salamat!
Yes, my husband and I can't be thankful enough that Sydney has been good to us. We are just on our second year here and we can already say that we can already feel a big difference with our lifestyle as compared when we were in Manila.
It was an uphill climb. The first year was indeed the hardest for us. Aside from battling home sickness, we had to deal with the global recession as well. For his first job, Alvin was not fortunate enough to land a job that allowed him to practice his profession. But as they say, sipag at tiyaga lang, and after two jobs and one year and four months, he is now again a Process Engineer, employed at a good company.I thank God that he did not give up and he didn't settle for anything less.
As for me, though not in our plans, I was able to fix my papers and accreditations and was able to start teaching again. Though not in a full time and permanent basis, I still find myself lucky and blessed because not all migrants here get to practice the same profession they had in Manila. Alvin and I are lucky. I have started a Certificate Course in Religious Education and by the end of this year, I will be grduating already. My casual teaching helped us out make both ends meet when we were just starting. Now that Alvin's pay is okay, my salary allows us to enjoy some extras and splurge a little as well.
As for the kids? Yes, after two years, we were able to add another kid in our growing family. A girl this time, again another blessing. The kids are the ones benefiting the most in our transfer here. They are able to enjoy fresh, clean air, safer environment and a whole lot of opportunities that might not be easily available to them in Manila. Special programs for reading, and play like Gymbaroo, music like Kindermusik, and sports like swimming are just some of the few programs that they got to attend. Lucky them. I hope that these programs will allow them to develop their God given potentials. We can now buy them signature things and we can now spend more time with them. Growing up without any help or yayas are doing them (and me too!) good. They are learning chores and the value of industry and responsibility quite early.
Financial blessings keep coming in. We were even able to spend for my in-laws' visit here (in time for my delivery). Late this year, we will be able to go home and spend a few weeks in Manila and Cebu. We have prepared a lot of things on that short visit and I guess, we are again blessed to have been given the resources to push thru with these things.
What is in store for the coming years? More blessings. We are claiming it for we know that our Lord only wants the best for us. We have now done initial steps in having our own home in the future. We are giving ourselves 4-5 years, but who knows, we might win the lottery? Kidding aside, the first two years of our stay here have been filled with so many blessings. We continue to pray for more so we can hopefully extend these blessings to others as well.
In the last 24 months our circle of friends is growing. We could not have done it as well without the people who helped us out: mu Kuya Jay's family, my Ate Cha's family, Alvin's relatives here in Sydney, our CFC and BESA families, and all the people whom God has sent to be angels and instruments of blessings, strangers and friends.
Two years. Dos. Wow. Such a short time for all the blessings that we have received and we are not complaining. Muli Sydney, Maraming Salamat!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
School Holidays!
Yipee! My two-week school term holidays is here! I welcome it with much glee! I guess having to work more frequently the last two weeks made me savor this break. This break is definitely a much-needed break for me, considering that I am starting to feel the pregnancy symptoms again!
So what is in store for me for the next two weeks? Well, for one, my parents will be coming over from Manila and will be staying for the next two months here in Sydney. Their visit means more travels during the weekends for our family with my brother and sister's families. Aside from being busy with our parents' visit I will be busy doing my back log for the house chores I have missed doing while I was working the past two weeks. These include - mowing, laundry, ironing, and cleaning of the house. The last one will take most of my time because it entails 1001 things (or more. It's just those small things put together that eats up all the time. The funny thing is, at the end of the day, you'd realize you'd be doing more the next day. You would not really run out of things to do when you're at home. May it be cleaning and organizing the cupboards or cabinets. Sorting the clothes, sorting the files, sorting the baby stuff, oh the list will be endless!
Since it's the school holidays by nephew and my niece will most probably stay with me and my son the entire day. So that's a baby-sitting job for me as well. No worries because they are a bit older already than my little tot so it's not so hard to take care of them whenever they are around. But we might go out every now and then to go to shops that offer kids' activities during the school holidays.
Cooking and shopping? Well, I think we still have to empty our freezer of left-overs before we start going to the shops again to buy some more food to eat and cook at that.
Readings. I promised myself that 2 weeks before I have my next meeting with my REd group, I should be done with my presentation. But up to now, thanks to nausea and acid reflux, I really haven't had the chance to sit down and read and concentrate on my studies. I need to be always two steps ahead because of my condition. I would also want to brush up on my reading on blogging.
Surfing the net.Facebook. Friendster. Multiply. Inquirer. Philstar. Job -hunting. Blogging.Computer addict? Maybe :)
Sleep and takes lot of rest. My body is telling me to and with my condition, I just can't ignore it.
There, I am pretty sure this school will not be a boring one! Busy days ahead for me!
So what is in store for me for the next two weeks? Well, for one, my parents will be coming over from Manila and will be staying for the next two months here in Sydney. Their visit means more travels during the weekends for our family with my brother and sister's families. Aside from being busy with our parents' visit I will be busy doing my back log for the house chores I have missed doing while I was working the past two weeks. These include - mowing, laundry, ironing, and cleaning of the house. The last one will take most of my time because it entails 1001 things (or more. It's just those small things put together that eats up all the time. The funny thing is, at the end of the day, you'd realize you'd be doing more the next day. You would not really run out of things to do when you're at home. May it be cleaning and organizing the cupboards or cabinets. Sorting the clothes, sorting the files, sorting the baby stuff, oh the list will be endless!
Since it's the school holidays by nephew and my niece will most probably stay with me and my son the entire day. So that's a baby-sitting job for me as well. No worries because they are a bit older already than my little tot so it's not so hard to take care of them whenever they are around. But we might go out every now and then to go to shops that offer kids' activities during the school holidays.
Cooking and shopping? Well, I think we still have to empty our freezer of left-overs before we start going to the shops again to buy some more food to eat and cook at that.
Readings. I promised myself that 2 weeks before I have my next meeting with my REd group, I should be done with my presentation. But up to now, thanks to nausea and acid reflux, I really haven't had the chance to sit down and read and concentrate on my studies. I need to be always two steps ahead because of my condition. I would also want to brush up on my reading on blogging.
Surfing the net.Facebook. Friendster. Multiply. Inquirer. Philstar. Job -hunting. Blogging.Computer addict? Maybe :)
Sleep and takes lot of rest. My body is telling me to and with my condition, I just can't ignore it.
There, I am pretty sure this school will not be a boring one! Busy days ahead for me!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Closing a Door and Opening Windows
Exactly one year ago today, we left Manila to migrate to The Land Down Under - Sydney, Australia. I have written another blog a couple of days ago regarding my reflections on this part of our journey. Well, now on a lazy Sunday afternoon, I remembered the things that transpired on that day.
Everything was set. Our 2 big bags for check-in were labeled. Our 2 hand-carry suitcases were ready as well. My personal bag cum Liam's baby bag was ready, with all the important documents. Laptop bag? Check!
We ate lunch earlier than the usual. I felt everyone was trying to control their emotions, including us. Well, we cried the night before. It didn't help that we wrote Thank You cards to our parents the night before. We felt, at that time, that we made the wrong decision of leaving Manila, and leaving our parents behind. I think we felt that way because we watched The Case of Benjamin Button a few days ago. Well, we realized that we didn't want the time to come when we'll see how our parents have aged the next time we see them face to face. Well, thank you for technology. Every week, we get to chat with them and see them face to face. Even Liam knows them. And hopefully, by this year they get to visit us. So it's one worry that is way beyond us.
My family came. After double-checking everything. The whole family prayed-over us. And there it was, we were already on our way to the airport!
When we reached the airport, I thought that they were just going to drop us off. But there was a mix-up. After going down from my Papa's car, we kissed everyone goodbye and then we went inside to check-in. It was difficult to go inside considering the numerous security checks that we had to go through inside the airport. Well, as I've said, I was able to kiss goodbye to almost everyone except for my Papa and my sister-in-law. As soon as we got our bags, my Papa drove the car right away because as he explained it, it was 2-minute parking, for purposes of dropping-off the passengers. My sister-in-law on the other hand just came from her duty from the hospital (she is a doctor by profession).
When my Papa was informed that we already got inside the airport, he immediately texted me and told me to come out again with Liam because he still wanted to play with his apo. My sister-in-law also did the same. But since we were advised to check-in ealier to get better seats on the plane, my hubby and I just decided that it'll just be me and Liam who will go out again to see my Papa and my sister-in-law. There were a few tears that were shed. Everything happened so quickly.
Well, if we only knew that we would not get the seats we requested from Qantas, a few days ago, we could have spent more time with our family. Apparently, there were so many families, travelling with infants as well, that night.
Because of the rush and all the mental notes that I had in mind, it skipped my mind to give our Thank You cards to out parents. By the time I remembered it we were done with the last security check inside the airport. Oh well. We felt sad of course. So in the end, we texted them about the card and mailed it back when we got to Sydney.
As for our flight? Well, it's the longest flight I've ever had. Aside from the fact that we didn't get the best seats (the space we had was TOO cramped. It also didn't help that Liam was teething! So everytime he feeds, I end up being bitten! I was so dizzy doing most of the things -- trying to relax Liam when he felt uncomfortable (he didn't have a seat of his own yet, so all the time he was on my lap), assisting my hubby when he was too dizzy to do anything on the plane.I wasn't able to enjoy my food. I didn't enjoy that flight - physically and emotionally.
I felt so relieved when I heard the Captain announcing that we'll be landing in ten minutes. Even if we still had to deal with the very famous and very strict Australian Customs and Immigration, I felt good that finally that trip was over.
I am of course sad. We felt homesick as soon as we landed on Australian soil. But we have to move on. We had to move on, fo our son. Looking back, we made the right choice. We did close a door but we surely opened windows when we got here. It wasn't really a bed of roses when we arrived but hey, in a year's time, so much has happened! More good things than bad.
I now look forward to our next trip, this time our trip when we have to go and visit Manila. I can't wait to show Liam what is on the other side of the door we have closed, exactly one year ago.
Everything was set. Our 2 big bags for check-in were labeled. Our 2 hand-carry suitcases were ready as well. My personal bag cum Liam's baby bag was ready, with all the important documents. Laptop bag? Check!
We ate lunch earlier than the usual. I felt everyone was trying to control their emotions, including us. Well, we cried the night before. It didn't help that we wrote Thank You cards to our parents the night before. We felt, at that time, that we made the wrong decision of leaving Manila, and leaving our parents behind. I think we felt that way because we watched The Case of Benjamin Button a few days ago. Well, we realized that we didn't want the time to come when we'll see how our parents have aged the next time we see them face to face. Well, thank you for technology. Every week, we get to chat with them and see them face to face. Even Liam knows them. And hopefully, by this year they get to visit us. So it's one worry that is way beyond us.
My family came. After double-checking everything. The whole family prayed-over us. And there it was, we were already on our way to the airport!
When we reached the airport, I thought that they were just going to drop us off. But there was a mix-up. After going down from my Papa's car, we kissed everyone goodbye and then we went inside to check-in. It was difficult to go inside considering the numerous security checks that we had to go through inside the airport. Well, as I've said, I was able to kiss goodbye to almost everyone except for my Papa and my sister-in-law. As soon as we got our bags, my Papa drove the car right away because as he explained it, it was 2-minute parking, for purposes of dropping-off the passengers. My sister-in-law on the other hand just came from her duty from the hospital (she is a doctor by profession).
When my Papa was informed that we already got inside the airport, he immediately texted me and told me to come out again with Liam because he still wanted to play with his apo. My sister-in-law also did the same. But since we were advised to check-in ealier to get better seats on the plane, my hubby and I just decided that it'll just be me and Liam who will go out again to see my Papa and my sister-in-law. There were a few tears that were shed. Everything happened so quickly.
Well, if we only knew that we would not get the seats we requested from Qantas, a few days ago, we could have spent more time with our family. Apparently, there were so many families, travelling with infants as well, that night.
Because of the rush and all the mental notes that I had in mind, it skipped my mind to give our Thank You cards to out parents. By the time I remembered it we were done with the last security check inside the airport. Oh well. We felt sad of course. So in the end, we texted them about the card and mailed it back when we got to Sydney.
As for our flight? Well, it's the longest flight I've ever had. Aside from the fact that we didn't get the best seats (the space we had was TOO cramped. It also didn't help that Liam was teething! So everytime he feeds, I end up being bitten! I was so dizzy doing most of the things -- trying to relax Liam when he felt uncomfortable (he didn't have a seat of his own yet, so all the time he was on my lap), assisting my hubby when he was too dizzy to do anything on the plane.I wasn't able to enjoy my food. I didn't enjoy that flight - physically and emotionally.
I felt so relieved when I heard the Captain announcing that we'll be landing in ten minutes. Even if we still had to deal with the very famous and very strict Australian Customs and Immigration, I felt good that finally that trip was over.
I am of course sad. We felt homesick as soon as we landed on Australian soil. But we have to move on. We had to move on, fo our son. Looking back, we made the right choice. We did close a door but we surely opened windows when we got here. It wasn't really a bed of roses when we arrived but hey, in a year's time, so much has happened! More good things than bad.
I now look forward to our next trip, this time our trip when we have to go and visit Manila. I can't wait to show Liam what is on the other side of the door we have closed, exactly one year ago.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
365 Days and Counting
I really can't believe that in a few day's time we will be celebrating our first anniversary as migrants here in Sydney, Australia! Time really flies when you're too busy doing a lot of things and when you're having fun!
Looking back at what had happened the past year, wow, it's been a roller coaster ride! We had a slow and rough start but I feel now things are slowly falling into place. I can't beleive that after 12 months, we were able to invest on some things we might not have the chance of getting if we stayed in Manila.
Our own car, LCD TV, washing machine, lounge set, microwave oven, bed linens, corelle and pyrex kitchenware, wow the list would go on and on.
But more than the material blessings, I am happy that the past 365 days, we got to spend it more with my family. I was able to spend more time taking care of my son. Though I had casual work every now and then, I can say that I was able to witness many, if not, all of his milestones. I am amzed now on how his vocabulary has improved in a span of 12 months! He keeps on surprising us everyday! His newest statements are "Of course, Mama!", "How is school Mama?", "How is office Papa?" These are just three of the many. It keeps us happy and inspired.
Next, we got closer and more bonded. Oh yes, there are trying days when I would just like to go back to my comfort zone in Manila, with all the maids and helpers around to do the house chores. But we managed. I managed. In those rough months, we stuck it with one another, pushed and inspired one another. Kept the faith for one another.
Third, we got more prayerful. Imagine calling out to the heavens and all the saints just as so you can start the ball rolling! Yes, we became in constant communication with Him. And I think, we would be forever.
Lastly, we became more hopeful. Yes, we still lack a lot of things. We still want a lot of things and plans for the family. The list would never end. But the thing is we are here, hoping and knowing that someday all will be well for us. Dreams becoming a reality. After all, migrating here was once a dream.
We are in a trying stage once again as we try to make ends meet. Our finances became a bit tougher when we got a place of our own and moved out from my brother's house. It was not also helpful that my casual call was not as many as the previous months. We worry, yes we do. But we're not losing hope. We're hanging on. What keeps me hoping? Well, we've just had our first 365 days here...we have a whole LOT of time ahead of us. Like the rest of those who migrated and started like us, someday, we will be okay. No more worries. Just looking ahead.
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