tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70199391722234130092024-03-05T23:22:52.536+13:00Sa Akin Lang Po...Kung anu-ano lang na pumasok sa isip ko. <i>Whatever comes to my mind.</i>Sa Akin Lang Pohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11360043166594225353noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019939172223413009.post-88265881924647225962023-12-31T14:18:00.024+13:002024-01-02T03:18:28.015+13:00Goodbye 2023, Hello 2024!<p>Wow... It's such a long time since I have posted anything on this blog site. I did not do a 2022 year-end review, so let me just give a rundown of the major events in my life for 2022.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I continued with my master's degree and continued being a Nurse Practitioner intern in an Auckland Emergency Department.</li><li>I splurged on plants, again.</li><li>I had COVID-19, awful feeling, but the vaccines probably made it less of a nightmare.</li><li>I travelled to Christchurch in May 2022.</li><li>I travelled to Brisbane and Gold Coast, Australia in September 2022 (this trip was the catalyst to a new beginning, coming soon in the next sections).</li><li>I interviewed for Brisbane hospitals via video call in December 2022.</li><li>I returned home to the Philippines in December 2022, the first in 4 years, since 2019.</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuqEOV_CnIsLqyq1kS4TFlIRrRXu_-l61cuWOY8K-V6EknrJAzi_Vc1jSwzdhg58n0NQ2gUHwojmqsPi26xmehiOw1vEBZHMnBbC2R6YCF4WsH_koSeXiUDdjIw3dymSwAj7dzwCdPuMDC8Ow826HvFjlVdOkczT_BV69XSEE4mweHIjy04kmOFosRlFd/s4000/20220410_144851.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuqEOV_CnIsLqyq1kS4TFlIRrRXu_-l61cuWOY8K-V6EknrJAzi_Vc1jSwzdhg58n0NQ2gUHwojmqsPi26xmehiOw1vEBZHMnBbC2R6YCF4WsH_koSeXiUDdjIw3dymSwAj7dzwCdPuMDC8Ow826HvFjlVdOkczT_BV69XSEE4mweHIjy04kmOFosRlFd/w300-h400/20220410_144851.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1y5Pc7PwojFbevsVbsCQVJqbC6xTFD3Hv7KHipq15VdGAQsxsxxJovqA9zN_8l-uu1eDPpTg4sl3vQZbdpxcAtqEftRyvUTLoAoq1Lm3d63AEHaYCrI50UmBVUN0E1gZ93grlnVqAV7hQIfKqJbBiyCnd4rLCJ-Ke4HGzEcsP4WxUpjUAxlGSmO_f-LNn/s4000/20220409_102009.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1y5Pc7PwojFbevsVbsCQVJqbC6xTFD3Hv7KHipq15VdGAQsxsxxJovqA9zN_8l-uu1eDPpTg4sl3vQZbdpxcAtqEftRyvUTLoAoq1Lm3d63AEHaYCrI50UmBVUN0E1gZ93grlnVqAV7hQIfKqJbBiyCnd4rLCJ-Ke4HGzEcsP4WxUpjUAxlGSmO_f-LNn/w300-h400/20220409_102009.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Fast forward to 2023.</div><div><br /></div><div>I returned to New Zealand fresh from a well-deserved 7-week holiday in the Philippines. I knew back then that it would be my last paid holiday as a nurse in New Zealand, so I had to plan way ahead (leave approved in April 2022) and use my unused leave days. My annual leave days accumulated since the 2019 vacation, thanks to COVID-19, so it piled up to about 120 days worth of annual leave.</div><div><br /></div><div>As soon as I arrived in Auckland in January 2023, I started planning for the move to Queensland, Australia. In the earlier month, I interviewed for three hospitals within the greater Brisbane metropolis and got offered a Clinical Nurse position and two Registered Nurse positions in the Emergency Department. A Clinical Nurse is Australia's version of a senior Registered Nurse position. I got offered a job as a Clinical Nurse, but I didn't feel great with the interview with the managers and I felt that I was just a number. This employer/manager even called me a 'candidate', not by my name... So I ditched that senior nurse job offer and accepted an offer from another hospital for a registered nurse position. It was such a gamble for me because, from a senior, advanced clinician role, I chose to start anew at a staff nurse level. More of that later.</div><div><br /></div><div>February came and it went fast. I submitted my indefinite resignation letter from my hospital in Auckland. It was indefinite because I didn't have any contract signed at that time. In fact, it was only when I was on my 5th week at work in Brisbane that I received and signed the contract! I was really hesitant to leave a stable job in Auckland and move overseas with uncertainty to an employer who cannot produce a contract! It was a very scary decision for me to push through with it but Quensland's biggest employer is such a reputable organisation that I just trusted my guts anyway. They said it took some time for the contract to be produced because of the signatories, really? It's a bullcrap reason for a very big employer, I say.</div><div><br /></div><div>As early as October 2022, I did my research regarding moving to Queensland. I joined Facebook groups and read post after posts about the horrors of finding a rental. Most people were complaining of how difficult it is to find a rental in a very competitive market, they say that there is more demand than supply.</div><div><br /></div><div>March was when I flew to Brisbane for a week to sort out accommodation. I have personally experienced hopping from one house to another house and meeting fellow applicants from different walks of life. For some houses, you'd meet about 4 sets of aspirants, in others, at least 30 people were trying to 'compete' with you. My personal choice was to select a suburban area that's less than a 30-minute commute to work by car, does not flood based on historical data of previous flooding in Brisbane, and must be relatively new or brand new. Armed with very good references from property managers from Auckland, lo and behold, I was able to secure a rental after two days of submitting the application form. </div><div><br /></div><div>With house rental ticked, I had to sort out transportation. How do I get to work? Again, a leap of faith and the 'universe will conspire to make it happen' theory. I dropped by car centres in Moorooka, Queensland - from used cars depot to brand new car centres. I was initially eyeing for a Toyota Rav4 hybrid or a Kia Seltos petrol so I didn't waste much time looking. I have extensively reviewed both cars whilst in New Zealand, so the only thing to do was to test drive and feel the cars. But the Toyota Rav4 had a waiting period of about 2 years, similar wait for a Toyota Cross, so I moved on to option # 2. Kia said that it could give me the car just before I started my first day of work, so I went for a test drive, it felt good and deposited $1000. Remember the amount of unused leave days that accumulated for 4 years from my Auckland employer? I encashed that and used the amount to get this brand-new car. Look at this masculine, sporty vibe of a car! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkF8RFr5qjrgH0T1NhbuomJIXjMKupLgP4pdw8w-he0uAv-YVzxmMUghHdYgP1YPwWnaqYgCLJuFGPYCJ9qeoFZQ40-PL-n5Am8j9CDriT6z9VnTyLH-1mJZA_APVl30ZAnLnzc2j_UyVUhaNrgFSiKjwdwwgvJX5oFBy_nnFzMVXTzhXBD57mS4Fv6FT/s4000/20230320_140536.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkF8RFr5qjrgH0T1NhbuomJIXjMKupLgP4pdw8w-he0uAv-YVzxmMUghHdYgP1YPwWnaqYgCLJuFGPYCJ9qeoFZQ40-PL-n5Am8j9CDriT6z9VnTyLH-1mJZA_APVl30ZAnLnzc2j_UyVUhaNrgFSiKjwdwwgvJX5oFBy_nnFzMVXTzhXBD57mS4Fv6FT/w400-h300/20230320_140536.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnltbpLYFNwfMBh-gqw82lGZXZ8JZNO3H2YBiiaGzXuR9jTYV9BOK9bd_AOD7uK9MIF5mnIHIJAbEQuuZtDRHfLP_vurPfPVYKZnTnVkClZOkNkRTbk8_5-8KVuqgrGJxxGk0L7xqyodL40Nd5wdNc-0zKyxUv81N6mbeBJbLU_xyo_zr0lU07qhzAXYsS/s4000/20230320_140559.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnltbpLYFNwfMBh-gqw82lGZXZ8JZNO3H2YBiiaGzXuR9jTYV9BOK9bd_AOD7uK9MIF5mnIHIJAbEQuuZtDRHfLP_vurPfPVYKZnTnVkClZOkNkRTbk8_5-8KVuqgrGJxxGk0L7xqyodL40Nd5wdNc-0zKyxUv81N6mbeBJbLU_xyo_zr0lU07qhzAXYsS/w400-h300/20230320_140559.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>This March trip was beautifully pre-planned to maximise all that was needed to be accomplished in a week. First was to get a SIM card at the airport. My housemate had a friend in Brisbane who offered to use his address as my temporary address. This was a VERY important thing to do because you literally cannot move on and process things if you do not have a permanent address in Australia to have your cards delivered. From the airport, I asked the Optus staff to print out a receipt/note that bears my name and temporary address. Next was to drive straight to the bank from the airport to get the pre-arranged debit card. The rule here is to contact the bank at least 14 days before your arrival, apply for the card to be collected at your preferred bank branch and claim it on your day of arrival. Everything was ready when I got there, plus the bank was kind enough to print out a note of my bank details bearing the temporary address. Now after this, another important identification is a driver's licence. As a New Zealand citizen with a full driver's licence, it was a breeze to have it converted right there and there, they only needed to see my NZ driver's licence, paid for the Queensland licence, and they printed me the temporary licence. The physical licence was sent to my housemate's friend's address after two weeks. These documents with proof of address were very helpful in the first few weeks of settling in Australia. I read and studied the process of getting these after reading Facebook posts about the nightmares of expatriates obtaining identification documents during their first few months in Aussie.</div><div><br /></div><div>As soon as I got back to Auckland to finish my remaining shifts, I sorted out selling my old Auckland car, my beloved Mazda 6 (Atenza) that I owned for roughly 8 years. I got it New Zealand-new for 13k in 2015 at 74,000kms, and sold it for 5k at 111,000kms to a nice Filipino family through a Filipino Facebook group.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_X9uDxnC_GMzn30M8E__SurakHOWvfggZGD1Aea322brbe8znNoa3njK_j6pGxV8EmF8qStd5R2gOV-L-BoYshDOYi7U_4jWSQ8jd5Lcla1XIy_Jxqkg4j-Dqf-lD9U6DJU4rcq79AVhrroV3c07S-n4okA5MO8zdbMm8BiFc9F2m0ZHkNhk7ZrXx94nr/s4000/20230329_084809(0).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_X9uDxnC_GMzn30M8E__SurakHOWvfggZGD1Aea322brbe8znNoa3njK_j6pGxV8EmF8qStd5R2gOV-L-BoYshDOYi7U_4jWSQ8jd5Lcla1XIy_Jxqkg4j-Dqf-lD9U6DJU4rcq79AVhrroV3c07S-n4okA5MO8zdbMm8BiFc9F2m0ZHkNhk7ZrXx94nr/w400-h300/20230329_084809(0).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HI6OqHPYz8GHHeG33kog2b1oQPvdKQYbVONndIkmK1TMjqcjAxBCC0supXTIxAIHBaNtndccynMhqs4j6DpB9DZyJS8cWE_E5bNlV6i7fLkpPGx1tvhqPue2N6M4RV6JB04MSUOD8zNig2wFuXdbSjIqpYPk5jhPxDDcI2Qh7Xurl1TPQtzzIdw9goKb/s4000/20230329_085045.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HI6OqHPYz8GHHeG33kog2b1oQPvdKQYbVONndIkmK1TMjqcjAxBCC0supXTIxAIHBaNtndccynMhqs4j6DpB9DZyJS8cWE_E5bNlV6i7fLkpPGx1tvhqPue2N6M4RV6JB04MSUOD8zNig2wFuXdbSjIqpYPk5jhPxDDcI2Qh7Xurl1TPQtzzIdw9goKb/w400-h300/20230329_085045.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpCHlIwkFJvQALm_hU-tLYPWQpS9amOhGBhyjl2a6HkIyFvewObGh9a5n_HhNdZPk0RfmQuxGL8kLHtZBZCaTbdniaVzZqBVjrK3eeNdoNvRnTN0mnHdR-Mh2AXUZrCv8_bl4rCKYnCLxFQ3wpzCZtVY_R76jurCZbEyDQXRKUm1BCR5GZcehg1Y1kiop/s4000/20230329_085305.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpCHlIwkFJvQALm_hU-tLYPWQpS9amOhGBhyjl2a6HkIyFvewObGh9a5n_HhNdZPk0RfmQuxGL8kLHtZBZCaTbdniaVzZqBVjrK3eeNdoNvRnTN0mnHdR-Mh2AXUZrCv8_bl4rCKYnCLxFQ3wpzCZtVY_R76jurCZbEyDQXRKUm1BCR5GZcehg1Y1kiop/w400-h300/20230329_085305.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyICmrPDpmBgEmM6ckmOGHw0dkY3P44TIgrytJUBJd-lFRtcv1iqxVDasGEIkpBo8CNyxQM_QQMFus13Il0i6G4FkJ5hU_zkngEjyWE9gcSjl5t0LTAthPiXERJxZiaIgWGvOFF_PjZVdP_E4rGBPM-ZIoxj0JR2mIxD9g0oZGHPOz07sq-RDj6etrAVf/s4000/20230329_085326.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyICmrPDpmBgEmM6ckmOGHw0dkY3P44TIgrytJUBJd-lFRtcv1iqxVDasGEIkpBo8CNyxQM_QQMFus13Il0i6G4FkJ5hU_zkngEjyWE9gcSjl5t0LTAthPiXERJxZiaIgWGvOFF_PjZVdP_E4rGBPM-ZIoxj0JR2mIxD9g0oZGHPOz07sq-RDj6etrAVf/w400-h300/20230329_085326.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>I moved to the two-storey, 2.5-bed townhouse in Oteha Auckland in 2020, just before the pandemic, and I have collected pieces of furniture. It was either I sell those for a fraction of the price I paid for it, or pay for relocation through a moving agent and keep my stuff. I had almost brand new TVs, excellent queen bed mattresses and storage beds, and appliances that were in mint condition. I do look after things very well, so I opted to just pay for an international mover. Besides, in the recent trip to Brisbane to look for a rental and sort out some stuff, I passed by some furniture and electronic shops to see how much I would be paying for like-for-like items and ended up with the conclusion that I would be saving a lot of money if I bring my stuff. My properties were valued at roughly 66k by the moving company. The logic was, would you give up about 66k worth of items and start anew in a new country or pay the fees to relocate your beloved items? I ended up paying about 13k to New Zealand Van Lines to have all things delivered from the townhouse to the new rental in Brisbane. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJ2xhjaHtykqA4MJiR9SkXWK13j8G6m4kvvda_HPl-ksVgNZMPnKyKnIwrlzwiFPDQgnWorsdaU1sLngsP7hbIcYxkzEul0zsaC9hxHES-jZNp1bgpVGAq4hwdGg00g8PNgQUdoXxyLhXIcxAHubq21pHq2Gl89_4YnOun5s8Cp3IUNUShNHBtImWeHF0/s4000/20230405_101210.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJ2xhjaHtykqA4MJiR9SkXWK13j8G6m4kvvda_HPl-ksVgNZMPnKyKnIwrlzwiFPDQgnWorsdaU1sLngsP7hbIcYxkzEul0zsaC9hxHES-jZNp1bgpVGAq4hwdGg00g8PNgQUdoXxyLhXIcxAHubq21pHq2Gl89_4YnOun5s8Cp3IUNUShNHBtImWeHF0/w400-h300/20230405_101210.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxPIIjRvFJbHI4Nk1OtL0Arud0Xx0Sj6GOh6uCWE1yijME8dN6pCytMu_pwJbq565HP7njMX7VmJh5IHGXr7X0pxNpMcbhCGvVcwZcQc6guHPDC9gmapcfL0dDXV7dyRHfZ3QzlihLEEHhG6ga1DEqODknIeQAeQS50Z3iGD90Tsg1VAjcA-OJLNSdcvX/s4000/20230405_113250.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxPIIjRvFJbHI4Nk1OtL0Arud0Xx0Sj6GOh6uCWE1yijME8dN6pCytMu_pwJbq565HP7njMX7VmJh5IHGXr7X0pxNpMcbhCGvVcwZcQc6guHPDC9gmapcfL0dDXV7dyRHfZ3QzlihLEEHhG6ga1DEqODknIeQAeQS50Z3iGD90Tsg1VAjcA-OJLNSdcvX/w400-h300/20230405_113250.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRloRWYGpmgvjdFri25xAKBkUg6EVoI_GNff8WgVjOyq84vNTat5wyyEt3FaL4YDCNAH_pxb93YTd6VNKo_BHCfmSpKX1NlfiE_vmyeUVKK6Ixmh462Uz7LENXzsvq9eaRt61DGgFeVWQS4tU5b_s7_oMAL3AefOOAnlG7yTMNDrnnluXvkQDpWl1cLUu3/s4000/20230405_152901.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRloRWYGpmgvjdFri25xAKBkUg6EVoI_GNff8WgVjOyq84vNTat5wyyEt3FaL4YDCNAH_pxb93YTd6VNKo_BHCfmSpKX1NlfiE_vmyeUVKK6Ixmh462Uz7LENXzsvq9eaRt61DGgFeVWQS4tU5b_s7_oMAL3AefOOAnlG7yTMNDrnnluXvkQDpWl1cLUu3/w300-h400/20230405_152901.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0rTccyyOu5lY9VNMPKngQ9cQ1PmPQOBW9uS_wTcJ2FNwFeYnRBgNwILLaZQkGERNsrAcGHQG3SX4Pjac4cgn9BRbesQbTCoUTioFtCh02zrif_CLwVEkKlza-uhlOWu1UFFP51QFrUCc0Xbxg7-xntiY813xXdxix-qi8ogY4GfENB2XEzfB61MK9Zmi/s4000/20230405_163436.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0rTccyyOu5lY9VNMPKngQ9cQ1PmPQOBW9uS_wTcJ2FNwFeYnRBgNwILLaZQkGERNsrAcGHQG3SX4Pjac4cgn9BRbesQbTCoUTioFtCh02zrif_CLwVEkKlza-uhlOWu1UFFP51QFrUCc0Xbxg7-xntiY813xXdxix-qi8ogY4GfENB2XEzfB61MK9Zmi/w300-h400/20230405_163436.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>How about the plants? Those plants had to be sold!!! One of the saddest parts of moving overseas was selling the plants that you cared for for years. Australia and New Zealand have very strict biosecurity rules, so all plants had to go. A simple post to a Facebook plant-lover group had found these plants their new homes. A plant garage sale did the trick! In total, I think I got about $3.5k for the plants.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1x8-6q4DVFh6pquY0i7jsqKftYaIXaFW-GK20qYZKdZNPbrWmJMsb4AgJk9Jyo4r4YcSZ5ylBsRa3-kphbiTzh8KEIY1SzMGGsogMa_3ysYxrknl0CttWGTfy8EqgDiT4EfjQK_kbLSYH3viURqTjB2oBGbrtbM-BrvUOqG3voq60eoJgF5Bh_iSv5J1/s4000/20230401_100250.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1x8-6q4DVFh6pquY0i7jsqKftYaIXaFW-GK20qYZKdZNPbrWmJMsb4AgJk9Jyo4r4YcSZ5ylBsRa3-kphbiTzh8KEIY1SzMGGsogMa_3ysYxrknl0CttWGTfy8EqgDiT4EfjQK_kbLSYH3viURqTjB2oBGbrtbM-BrvUOqG3voq60eoJgF5Bh_iSv5J1/w400-h300/20230401_100250.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycziVkEZoX_ixylZqx_qmK0gKA-HJT_dzs9r9HkTmiwYgEqte6cnbh6SJN3ufHyMB2jnfwlydWi-_ymzliGlTKa4z8VYNHeyjo1VHjJF8DbsDsw8Z_mNiVmvZi9WgYHCH0pTAEH5ykShLVfK3BwdApmQc2tH_bOruhrJGAQmMwU7xBPwJzt8dGTNtTsyS/s4000/20230401_100444.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycziVkEZoX_ixylZqx_qmK0gKA-HJT_dzs9r9HkTmiwYgEqte6cnbh6SJN3ufHyMB2jnfwlydWi-_ymzliGlTKa4z8VYNHeyjo1VHjJF8DbsDsw8Z_mNiVmvZi9WgYHCH0pTAEH5ykShLVfK3BwdApmQc2tH_bOruhrJGAQmMwU7xBPwJzt8dGTNtTsyS/w400-h300/20230401_100444.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9pKeexJx0BmjcGpw3cbR425MH_MVqVeBhbxzKuE693Myf2XpwDXL9XvKc_b9h7txy_d-MJqoJaY-pJdrIwUasz6RqxeTZYPrGvzkC9CaLurI0B4N7U3MNZOHHUMZu3Byq6r7sv5VxCT48mNBhyphenhyphensmXC8DbkyVZnkzcP3CbZYiExdbn3IXetzNtOt41Vuo/s4000/20230401_100458.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9pKeexJx0BmjcGpw3cbR425MH_MVqVeBhbxzKuE693Myf2XpwDXL9XvKc_b9h7txy_d-MJqoJaY-pJdrIwUasz6RqxeTZYPrGvzkC9CaLurI0B4N7U3MNZOHHUMZu3Byq6r7sv5VxCT48mNBhyphenhyphensmXC8DbkyVZnkzcP3CbZYiExdbn3IXetzNtOt41Vuo/w300-h400/20230401_100458.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXzsap_2Fo0sB3vDczbeQWLzgXSw4647bX2FTU83I4IBvnwj29suXNGdPPVfJjAJdTLkl9NJgbnEBBaDN1H3qZWo10Xx4DCLvO4EjOfNetyDEtzwqF3mVSnenrMw4igoMMzpfQMZBuATVJThoq_2U0pKU4ytJdhfLPPaY7LSTZgmmGRc30AkH7yuZFgIk/s4000/20230401_100515.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXzsap_2Fo0sB3vDczbeQWLzgXSw4647bX2FTU83I4IBvnwj29suXNGdPPVfJjAJdTLkl9NJgbnEBBaDN1H3qZWo10Xx4DCLvO4EjOfNetyDEtzwqF3mVSnenrMw4igoMMzpfQMZBuATVJThoq_2U0pKU4ytJdhfLPPaY7LSTZgmmGRc30AkH7yuZFgIk/w300-h400/20230401_100515.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-T1Ees5rizUtxsWHzZoz_9gh4EnSMhyphenhyphenQ4FtYKI7VqPErmvjxpOC6PLWWvtQkaFP-nx0-K4-sMFxh-AehCXF1tHH45QjwQIzQRascdFWIYniDxju5vHTppQP7s3RGH2ffbl1zOs4_MkS8ylr0gvTMX0_lWFL2Hpgoje_kNeE5UVWUgkQC3VPqzxp8KLRh/s4000/20230401_100528.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-T1Ees5rizUtxsWHzZoz_9gh4EnSMhyphenhyphenQ4FtYKI7VqPErmvjxpOC6PLWWvtQkaFP-nx0-K4-sMFxh-AehCXF1tHH45QjwQIzQRascdFWIYniDxju5vHTppQP7s3RGH2ffbl1zOs4_MkS8ylr0gvTMX0_lWFL2Hpgoje_kNeE5UVWUgkQC3VPqzxp8KLRh/w300-h400/20230401_100528.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBborsUon_adBENJtIoFjM0jJA8429kKMH2DlTLDRAuag70lCcLLXtOGdmmGLmqwUFIV6zs2DSq4euj5kSVC3bTd4zSiCMHAkb9S8ndA9hqDNKmLXJG5j3A-zMRGobTocbnpUZHXViIdnbfukNfDGflxHmHCWVOPE0XruU_KPg8z3kdun8_gjLF3locdmt/s4000/20230401_100538.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBborsUon_adBENJtIoFjM0jJA8429kKMH2DlTLDRAuag70lCcLLXtOGdmmGLmqwUFIV6zs2DSq4euj5kSVC3bTd4zSiCMHAkb9S8ndA9hqDNKmLXJG5j3A-zMRGobTocbnpUZHXViIdnbfukNfDGflxHmHCWVOPE0XruU_KPg8z3kdun8_gjLF3locdmt/w300-h400/20230401_100538.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LDUWLSYaki3FfaaS2BaF7QYDQycZUvegWEOm1Oumqx4MyC1Ktj31l6oK1n1nKOM_gztU1m8J5_jUpC8FDA9EK_NpAiCH6g4RnzF3WUhk9vvplb16jkWtGJyV4U5a0ISYcdDnkQ8ID7sKPn9QKVS5SGO_KA_Lf4t_bW7-VkiODc62rdxyS_2ppSaaeLwl/s4000/20230401_100542.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LDUWLSYaki3FfaaS2BaF7QYDQycZUvegWEOm1Oumqx4MyC1Ktj31l6oK1n1nKOM_gztU1m8J5_jUpC8FDA9EK_NpAiCH6g4RnzF3WUhk9vvplb16jkWtGJyV4U5a0ISYcdDnkQ8ID7sKPn9QKVS5SGO_KA_Lf4t_bW7-VkiODc62rdxyS_2ppSaaeLwl/w300-h400/20230401_100542.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>Everything was pretty much sorted as soon as the furniture, plants, and car were gone. So I just had to bid farewell to my workmates and friends. Below is my last photo with the Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nurse Practitioner team. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3T5Cw-t4pysBNC-bmbbhbLIfdlH9SgY1NBWVpapEXaHnse7Ba0_W9KUdcKIFZGDKRsORSzkV2onXnpoviV3xlHzJJ-hDBIFrd_SeAImYzhRYjTfDeLqbB9qab9uqppOs7uyRBP2A6szqK-6r-FNO0tjcjbsHFY-iWp0gkk7dlLXq9ydSeGsWeY9h7Q2SJ/s1600/IMG-20230406-WA0002.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3T5Cw-t4pysBNC-bmbbhbLIfdlH9SgY1NBWVpapEXaHnse7Ba0_W9KUdcKIFZGDKRsORSzkV2onXnpoviV3xlHzJJ-hDBIFrd_SeAImYzhRYjTfDeLqbB9qab9uqppOs7uyRBP2A6szqK-6r-FNO0tjcjbsHFY-iWp0gkk7dlLXq9ydSeGsWeY9h7Q2SJ/w400-h300/IMG-20230406-WA0002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>All my bags were packed and ready to go, and I bid farewell to New Zealand. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Z3cbmQQHpvy19XZQxZbRJZ5wKu3o4lSps8sspfzVZubjJT6sevutvLl6p1jNxa-7Tkm_p3QexVRSk8yRXdfRm4x7T_LkR0LqoEpSh3zT91yFi94gEgnZjH__xwWFB02AbU3bFRqRoVexDgEE7hGcHZS_VhvhX-z-nFchmOFU5D-5doe8h1gnB4H5OgZG/s4000/20230409_053550%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Z3cbmQQHpvy19XZQxZbRJZ5wKu3o4lSps8sspfzVZubjJT6sevutvLl6p1jNxa-7Tkm_p3QexVRSk8yRXdfRm4x7T_LkR0LqoEpSh3zT91yFi94gEgnZjH__xwWFB02AbU3bFRqRoVexDgEE7hGcHZS_VhvhX-z-nFchmOFU5D-5doe8h1gnB4H5OgZG/w300-h400/20230409_053550%20(1).jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>My flight to Brisbane was on the 9th of April. I used an Uber from Brisbane International Airport to a car rental company in Moorooka and drove the car to the new rental house. I spent almost an hour figuring out why the master lock for the house keys would not open, and then I gave up. I walked around and checked the doors, and luckily, someone had left the garage back door unlocked, so I was able to get into the house. This was the first instance (of a series) of 'WTF' from an Australian service. It turned out that the property manager gave me the wrong code. For me, that was very VERY unacceptable. It should have been a smooth welcome for me, but it just gave me a bad impression of the property manager herself. It was a Sunday, so all attempts to ring the manager's contact details were unanswered. At least someone had left the door open, so I managed to get in anyway and access the keys from inside the house. I have sorted out all utilities like electricity, internet, water, and gas from the recent trip so everything was working as expected when I moved in. </div><div><br /></div><div>I managed to set up a temporary basic living pack: an inflatable bed, bedside tables, lamps, inflatable sofa, and bought a brand new Sony 65-inch TV to keep me sane! Would you believe that the photo below was an inflatable bed?! Lol. Brisbane, being sub-tropical, with affordable plants galore, I immediately hoarded indoor plants. Haha. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPGPGoclfTi3dQxjaldzVamyEp9Ek_G6ubCsgRLrIto-WvOIaUgcVjjffzj4QYnRgy68RA09h4EB70dmrJjRdXzZGyJGi2ofU2vjKC_88MAH0PsgnGIeL2A1mPFjt457XMobe3dhNS-1KBqlp0hau3oo8b3IH0NJMj730bs9uUdQbWcuXPlblMkn4_9uy/s4000/20230412_224434.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPGPGoclfTi3dQxjaldzVamyEp9Ek_G6ubCsgRLrIto-WvOIaUgcVjjffzj4QYnRgy68RA09h4EB70dmrJjRdXzZGyJGi2ofU2vjKC_88MAH0PsgnGIeL2A1mPFjt457XMobe3dhNS-1KBqlp0hau3oo8b3IH0NJMj730bs9uUdQbWcuXPlblMkn4_9uy/w400-h300/20230412_224434.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2nBCD6hLTxmHKEKB1psyc6tMRcnBmvEY-zvYW_VhT5wVDiM8r5q0sQGFvtw6MPbhAGROAm5rtDmNORxfMI35MY8ln4AAvoyPtoyEUu7hyphenhyphenvVRZMbtDRJJtjkZxxXIVG4emNZTAtKqhwipGZXoLUvWvkwqmP6aYeLv-Mph8vI719mZJzJX8hMWY0YPeOpd/s4000/20230521_122319.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2nBCD6hLTxmHKEKB1psyc6tMRcnBmvEY-zvYW_VhT5wVDiM8r5q0sQGFvtw6MPbhAGROAm5rtDmNORxfMI35MY8ln4AAvoyPtoyEUu7hyphenhyphenvVRZMbtDRJJtjkZxxXIVG4emNZTAtKqhwipGZXoLUvWvkwqmP6aYeLv-Mph8vI719mZJzJX8hMWY0YPeOpd/w400-h300/20230521_122319.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>At the time of moving, I was in the middle of my final semester for my Master of Nursing. I had to submit an assignment that was due just days after I settled in Brisbane. So I really cannot recall much of the fast-paced few weeks in Brisbane. What I could remember clearly was I got my car from Kia, I rented appliances that I paid for weekly (who knew that there was such a thing!), and the rest was work-home-assignment-grocery and repeat. </div><div><br /></div><div>Work-wise, it was easy. I had my orientation days at work, and that orientation was VERY fast. The adjustment was not that difficult, because the healthcare system in Auckland is pretty much the same as in Brisbane. I just needed to learn their computer system, which I think is pretty old and outdated. The adjustment from being a Nurse Practitioner Intern back to the 'bottom of the food chain' (as others would call it) as a staff nurse, was not bad at all. I liked bedside nursing anyway, so there was not much of an adjustment. Having 17 years of Emergency Nursing background has surely helped, so I moved quite fast in the clinical progression in the ED. I have bypassed a lot of staff nurses who have worked in the same ED for years, and for the same reason, I sensed that I got some nurses' eyebrows raised for that fast progression.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pay is really good for a staff nurse. Queensland pays the highest for nurses in all of Australia. If we consider Australian dollars versus New Zealand dollars, I do make more money here in Australia as a staff nurse, compared to the highest pay rate for a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Auckland. Well, hello weekend rates, you work on a Sunday and you get paid double! They acknowledged my post-graduate qualification, so I get an allowance for that on top of my usual rate. Plus there is this thing called salary sacrifice. In another person's description, salary sacrifice is like the legal way of getting your hard-earned money without paying for tax. As a nurse, I can salary sacrifice my rent. So instead of paying $600 per week for rent, I only pay $400 per week. And it doesn't stop there! The Australian government contributes 12.5% to my superannuation, compared to a mere 3% from the New Zealand government. So all in all, 17.5% is allocated to superannuation (12.5% from the government and mandatory 5% from the staff). There are more benefits for nurses in this state and that perhaps deserve a separate post...</div><div><br /></div><div>It was the first week of June when the furniture from Auckland arrived at the rental in Brisbane. Some items were broken (mostly minor things like pots, ornaments, and minor scratches) from the transport, but those were under insurance anyway and were easily replaced in cash by the insurance team back in New Zealand. It was nice to finally sort out things in the house and make it feel more like a home.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtt5b_opovUwxKvWyyyaXJnBGVYOY3XAYW8l-usq69ydWWTkyF0hSdBRrxwMP48C1lh0RfNJ-3qInIRkQ0G0g-w0o3HFVT094EB2Iq0GkHE4W8WIVlwfQl5FmKXn6y4qAXK6Idwd27NnN9K3Ja1DLhldBBsbS48NUlnkZHxJz2eLNdyzo4SKJKAhJqdJYA/s4000/20231127_091417.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtt5b_opovUwxKvWyyyaXJnBGVYOY3XAYW8l-usq69ydWWTkyF0hSdBRrxwMP48C1lh0RfNJ-3qInIRkQ0G0g-w0o3HFVT094EB2Iq0GkHE4W8WIVlwfQl5FmKXn6y4qAXK6Idwd27NnN9K3Ja1DLhldBBsbS48NUlnkZHxJz2eLNdyzo4SKJKAhJqdJYA/w400-h300/20231127_091417.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OEUrNcTdshRgRJcn8yO-IBmyYbjMLAcIzeXVB293RdGc1b7lA6sogv_3S-8vTqRuqk2YTQktkx3h3W9_hvvtyip_qYM2HhbEZcccAbrEX3JFXad3mDOZMW-Mq_6RPRFvDzv8m8uWouYJHdQRHgrqVsi1L0fvPtsoCHqvVauaOwQiCR3qsTt9xnjZg4nV/s4000/20231127_104148.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OEUrNcTdshRgRJcn8yO-IBmyYbjMLAcIzeXVB293RdGc1b7lA6sogv_3S-8vTqRuqk2YTQktkx3h3W9_hvvtyip_qYM2HhbEZcccAbrEX3JFXad3mDOZMW-Mq_6RPRFvDzv8m8uWouYJHdQRHgrqVsi1L0fvPtsoCHqvVauaOwQiCR3qsTt9xnjZg4nV/w300-h400/20231127_104148.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7ddQ2NJTU0NdjbzPBW0BUjK-ak35TJW46sSeflhFQIZwvNjOrgyYzAVTP0GcP8FI4CXu3cTm50Zplzw11kC8hrxFl7XQIBOgMGa47EHxU7aOeYmBuxiRIf677JW5VlniQIuwS4tEdPlM8fWUPwBQWQOEPVSQAclSdnAAL_wsCPDvHsX0y95kLj36Bfx1/s4000/20231127_104158.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7ddQ2NJTU0NdjbzPBW0BUjK-ak35TJW46sSeflhFQIZwvNjOrgyYzAVTP0GcP8FI4CXu3cTm50Zplzw11kC8hrxFl7XQIBOgMGa47EHxU7aOeYmBuxiRIf677JW5VlniQIuwS4tEdPlM8fWUPwBQWQOEPVSQAclSdnAAL_wsCPDvHsX0y95kLj36Bfx1/w300-h400/20231127_104158.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_ZMAMVRva0VWn4rdHwzLH5JyMblXGemSf2MyHgRvBqqrU_aH7ubtv1f_E3a18ullKVhK8yTsxZj645Z10HH7W_SVyumjlNZ1elM-pKSPfYBuFraYvme9OOerS2W_qJjGwsTKl4JOIMHJYikPfWTk5LE60RhBT7eOLnyFuWXdtlGko-Y0flMur1FEl78G/s4000/20231127_104320.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_ZMAMVRva0VWn4rdHwzLH5JyMblXGemSf2MyHgRvBqqrU_aH7ubtv1f_E3a18ullKVhK8yTsxZj645Z10HH7W_SVyumjlNZ1elM-pKSPfYBuFraYvme9OOerS2W_qJjGwsTKl4JOIMHJYikPfWTk5LE60RhBT7eOLnyFuWXdtlGko-Y0flMur1FEl78G/w400-h300/20231127_104320.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>My housemate from Auckland has made his way to Brisbane too, so having a housemate by July was such a treat! I no longer needed to be alone in the house and at least it's not just me, the ants, and the plants that are the only living creatures in the house. Him being a plant lover too with a background in landscape design, it was easy for my housemate to transform the garden into a botanical oasis. Now look at the photos below, doesn't it feel and look like it's from a botanical paradise?!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZ4SBXOn7daCjNWXWL9-s9QlAPi5Tm5BDRHRgVREdlU_wvv0Bhl7fwmC02RbiZRzYei-P2dU6qwjp7G9bsF6Ziqv6Q2HDkpcjm6nMyp_EhSRSuVyXr3d8wUjZOTJKz1_QdcORToen1PVL9-pYB8fYlNZJZLchS0PVH3DUQNDnQ0HNGwXZpLd2bAVuIBgY/s4000/20231011_210018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZ4SBXOn7daCjNWXWL9-s9QlAPi5Tm5BDRHRgVREdlU_wvv0Bhl7fwmC02RbiZRzYei-P2dU6qwjp7G9bsF6Ziqv6Q2HDkpcjm6nMyp_EhSRSuVyXr3d8wUjZOTJKz1_QdcORToen1PVL9-pYB8fYlNZJZLchS0PVH3DUQNDnQ0HNGwXZpLd2bAVuIBgY/w300-h400/20231011_210018.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjN_A2BrZgyLvRNSoujPm8TlpqMkGzTQPnw6cWvKhZ_TJEuiYpCUSYYK7Eur1h46WHhMljjYZSVlqAILespavYaq5KBJfwKUSde-jZu9wjuFuS25cwmrKTXIMRcxoR0kUiDY8P9iUxxTBiA_p88wRW6F9wSFr1B3v43MCwPftk-JS_iTl4qxxTagDvHb4/s4000/20231017_104233.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjN_A2BrZgyLvRNSoujPm8TlpqMkGzTQPnw6cWvKhZ_TJEuiYpCUSYYK7Eur1h46WHhMljjYZSVlqAILespavYaq5KBJfwKUSde-jZu9wjuFuS25cwmrKTXIMRcxoR0kUiDY8P9iUxxTBiA_p88wRW6F9wSFr1B3v43MCwPftk-JS_iTl4qxxTagDvHb4/w400-h300/20231017_104233.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNA56686adyd2814YlHguvq9Ag50usIWLCkuLBEwkD9v2dRvsaDpq7v6Y-Q-NpQFAUbZJsmVTHWzGYp3Q-WLw3urDtGwaYl2BzIqOWRd3cuJLoh40xq689XSoOTUJg0nmkmGMBxhVvYxiyo9XfI4x1UkI9B2rKBOC8B31_kF7BXWMoubt2gRxRK1n5PTr/s4000/20231017_104310.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNA56686adyd2814YlHguvq9Ag50usIWLCkuLBEwkD9v2dRvsaDpq7v6Y-Q-NpQFAUbZJsmVTHWzGYp3Q-WLw3urDtGwaYl2BzIqOWRd3cuJLoh40xq689XSoOTUJg0nmkmGMBxhVvYxiyo9XfI4x1UkI9B2rKBOC8B31_kF7BXWMoubt2gRxRK1n5PTr/w400-h300/20231017_104310.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhcSiDOzzbZqq0TV4dkU29Crei9ASaypbvPAOD4-DLgW33xDzbvKplGoIs7jDXf4To5DA8GblzMHiMQmtj43vgwwrXN9ygJ_qvj__XyjKU21RiMEcuQqdAyeejDWAXaE6Hh_W9zgyiEpXRezCowm7NK0ifXniCgwZUHpdWc3dSgGk8lyYtEKeqG_FDfTZ/s4000/20231126_062006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhcSiDOzzbZqq0TV4dkU29Crei9ASaypbvPAOD4-DLgW33xDzbvKplGoIs7jDXf4To5DA8GblzMHiMQmtj43vgwwrXN9ygJ_qvj__XyjKU21RiMEcuQqdAyeejDWAXaE6Hh_W9zgyiEpXRezCowm7NK0ifXniCgwZUHpdWc3dSgGk8lyYtEKeqG_FDfTZ/w400-h300/20231126_062006.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqil0QMt-w14j87PpymySpHHxNDXc48tFu0kZ6i6raL1UYdhOXmITPXZkTbh_aw6a4SOBP4AT6Yehvs_VBeedsxrucpevlKwgenxEFETFbKrQogaHHOeqg4JOlQx4aE-_adK-vBF7oUI80Hk4F5uy8evAHmBwCAcmceCkzQcmkGbwbIhv5RTjJluCJ5xcG/s4000/20231204_104949.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqil0QMt-w14j87PpymySpHHxNDXc48tFu0kZ6i6raL1UYdhOXmITPXZkTbh_aw6a4SOBP4AT6Yehvs_VBeedsxrucpevlKwgenxEFETFbKrQogaHHOeqg4JOlQx4aE-_adK-vBF7oUI80Hk4F5uy8evAHmBwCAcmceCkzQcmkGbwbIhv5RTjJluCJ5xcG/w300-h400/20231204_104949.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>Also, July was when I finally submitted my final assignment for my Master's. I was 100% sure that regardless of my grade in that assignment, I would end up with a Master's degree with First Class Honours. And so I did! I flew back to Auckland for my graduation at Auckland Town Hall. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnekOx4WFtRLsWw8Hngtn7bd_bthVWDzjmVlDLRoZnUKp_1eO0t2Lfw9sfSpcU9pCzUuo4M9G07g6kXA7209vYyBJxyjlD4MhC066-FvrXfwTiUVocUmFc2OpqXya9WeRINHhAFJX25Ph4bDr_RLcgPVMTQQhQU2HcLdEl37Pwtcx0aiBlRRAl2tb53ZfD/s4000/20231214_142257.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnekOx4WFtRLsWw8Hngtn7bd_bthVWDzjmVlDLRoZnUKp_1eO0t2Lfw9sfSpcU9pCzUuo4M9G07g6kXA7209vYyBJxyjlD4MhC066-FvrXfwTiUVocUmFc2OpqXya9WeRINHhAFJX25Ph4bDr_RLcgPVMTQQhQU2HcLdEl37Pwtcx0aiBlRRAl2tb53ZfD/w300-h400/20231214_142257.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>Christmas starts in September in a Filipino household. And so it did! Why not have two Christmas trees?!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8UKuHbDW4j271Od2glw9E6zBsaxbGgWDCLxU_hzOsP1mApANofSDG2Cdn91qeFGfxKri6TnfpNza1XEIAynYDXkTSmtUJEx3RaoB7ITR6ft_xp-ockQwqwfDJhq7qwXwjCg1bxXgMGvo5IFj5SfHXc7-ZgNiNnP76jGKpY_4DPRqCummeb8IZACSONaf/s4000/20231223_095246.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8UKuHbDW4j271Od2glw9E6zBsaxbGgWDCLxU_hzOsP1mApANofSDG2Cdn91qeFGfxKri6TnfpNza1XEIAynYDXkTSmtUJEx3RaoB7ITR6ft_xp-ockQwqwfDJhq7qwXwjCg1bxXgMGvo5IFj5SfHXc7-ZgNiNnP76jGKpY_4DPRqCummeb8IZACSONaf/w300-h400/20231223_095246.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXNG7tH8wQzycfskoLF94W4RruslM_3P2NQyc5JxCB7_pf2BETdrZNsrGj4KALl45_BT5JaB7DAfOrUH7lrcMw1PjNs56NzkcLdLiu5kJNy4xiMtg7o7WVFB-c3DG-qnhlcWg8Ux2LCSGCENsBS1iUa_nbXaK-aBM7fiVlz3-E7KhcLB6ZjOGSGLUUfF8/s4000/20231225_121915.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXNG7tH8wQzycfskoLF94W4RruslM_3P2NQyc5JxCB7_pf2BETdrZNsrGj4KALl45_BT5JaB7DAfOrUH7lrcMw1PjNs56NzkcLdLiu5kJNy4xiMtg7o7WVFB-c3DG-qnhlcWg8Ux2LCSGCENsBS1iUa_nbXaK-aBM7fiVlz3-E7KhcLB6ZjOGSGLUUfF8/w400-h300/20231225_121915.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLdeaHH6xSjrj-T0JYNzFiHAIGV59ecJyZ0okVv5-C1u-Ksf77gWs8eiuU7PIM3uB2P9PDCK6j6SVRmgXsCzgWanNPVcN6XwWoOWtOBxusFKpZ7RmHdOXojwSjeJ1K8-vw7DyM3vA-VNvR9DN9zUB1HaboIvjDPIzXDRgzgs8ZBmGcV5GLheWmpkSTTFO/s4000/20231225_124456.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLdeaHH6xSjrj-T0JYNzFiHAIGV59ecJyZ0okVv5-C1u-Ksf77gWs8eiuU7PIM3uB2P9PDCK6j6SVRmgXsCzgWanNPVcN6XwWoOWtOBxusFKpZ7RmHdOXojwSjeJ1K8-vw7DyM3vA-VNvR9DN9zUB1HaboIvjDPIzXDRgzgs8ZBmGcV5GLheWmpkSTTFO/w300-h400/20231225_124456.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiGd6q7G-NVeLBENVHs9nhzpie8KM3GZ1hBKOkv2xkuXAeIs0FtVsGARqdfk7CI-w3xGA2Mf7Wo50PEklt9-8TVOedBlgyWioFbIwPPs8Q1u-zdffCZjFRckQsCtlHaIpV7ZyQXFXZcB__uxCMMZ7NXab4kKyQBtXsEQ01dok1tcwa691HKBjd3L4CiFT/s4000/20231225_125301.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiGd6q7G-NVeLBENVHs9nhzpie8KM3GZ1hBKOkv2xkuXAeIs0FtVsGARqdfk7CI-w3xGA2Mf7Wo50PEklt9-8TVOedBlgyWioFbIwPPs8Q1u-zdffCZjFRckQsCtlHaIpV7ZyQXFXZcB__uxCMMZ7NXab4kKyQBtXsEQ01dok1tcwa691HKBjd3L4CiFT/w300-h400/20231225_125301.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kLTfaIt0dQQrKAqqpFusNrVc2XJBU0QpSNo3g0SUk0SWx_qy2aSYWBOcEXi13kaTtfjOgL7ExTnTQRDhRQ25aM1Z3zsXGh3Nxf0LBVEuauA8ED-Z2wRxf0g2YV5mxdysJQkg50nfzFS0z46ok3d9qtbzc3j3vJaNk6sELJ5fShVi7yVKfkZYoNjhtmFP/s4000/20231225_125307.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kLTfaIt0dQQrKAqqpFusNrVc2XJBU0QpSNo3g0SUk0SWx_qy2aSYWBOcEXi13kaTtfjOgL7ExTnTQRDhRQ25aM1Z3zsXGh3Nxf0LBVEuauA8ED-Z2wRxf0g2YV5mxdysJQkg50nfzFS0z46ok3d9qtbzc3j3vJaNk6sELJ5fShVi7yVKfkZYoNjhtmFP/w300-h400/20231225_125307.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And just before the year ended, after having shifts on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, I felt unwell with flu-like symptoms. It was reminiscent of the days when I felt unwell with COVID-19. So the natural thing to do was do a rapid antigen test, and of course, it returned a positive test. COVID-19 is again widespread in the community. It is everywhere at work, and despite me wearing masks all the time at work, COVID-19 will linger in the community. So here I am, with ample time to type this year-end review because I am on special pandemic leave for one week. It is not a good way to start the new year, but it is what it is. I feel that I am recuperating fast though. I am pretty sure the natural and acquired immunity from previous vaccinations, albeit more than a year since I had my last COVID-19 booster shot, was fast and still effective. </div><div><br /></div><div>2023 is a year that I have made another leap of faith and embraced the unknown. It was a year that encouraged me to think and act for the future and analyse my desires and aspirations in life. After 10 years of living in New Zealand, I decided to move to a neighbouring country, Australia. If this is where I could establish a base, that is, build a house, then this would probably be where I would be retiring and become a citizen. It was announced on ANZAC day of this year that New Zealand citizens would automatically be able to apply for citizenship if they have stayed in Australia for 4 consecutive years, plus of good character. 2023 turned out to be a big year for new beginnings and new adventures. Having had previous life experience in moving overseas, this move to Australia was not that stressful.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am hoping for a lot of things in 2024. I hope that I will be in better shape in 2024. I hope that I become more financially literate in 2024. I hope I can start the process of house ownership in 2024. I hope that I can get back to advanced practice sooner. I hope that I could see more of this new country in 2024. Bring it on, 2024!</div><p></p>Sa Akin Lang Pohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11360043166594225353noreply@blogger.com0Brisbane QLD, Australia-27.4704528 153.0260341-31.131481283826098 148.63150285 -23.809424316173903 157.42056535tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019939172223413009.post-36798557528299302972022-01-08T22:37:00.110+13:002023-12-30T15:33:42.388+13:00Goodbye 2021, Hello 2022!Where do I start? Today, as of writing this, I was forced to go home after driving to work at 0630 in the morning because I have a fever of 38.3 Celcius. We checked my temperature from my left and right ears and they were consistent, 38.1-38.3. So I had to go and have my COVID-19 nasopharyngeal swab taken, urgh... I can't count anymore how much I have been swabbed this year. As what my colleagues describe it, it feels like an aspirate of your brain tissue is being taken enough to make your lacrimal glands activated.<div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I am back home now, and today is supposed to be the first day when Auckland moves to the COVID-19 traffic light system, that means fully vaccinated individuals will have their 'freedom' back in hospitality venues, gyms, churches, and other areas. 2021's biggest word is Delta, the COVID-19 variant. As of writing, there is a variant of concern called Omicron, can Omicron be the biggest word of 2022? Too early to tell as scientists are still studying about this variant. Speaking of Omicron, the brilliant scientists from South Africa have identified Omicron and alerted the world about how this variant shows a lot of mutations, some British experts even call it a Frankenstein variant. Again, it may just be like the other variants of concern that remained a variant that was not widely spread worldwide. There seems to be a panic from governments due to this Frankenstein variant that they have decided to shut their borders to tourists, first was Israel, with New Zealand maintaining its very restrictive quarantine approach for residents and citizens coming back.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC812hw9_iMWucHd9BR4HhnFsu8xLkMWt2I10do36EXfoD_rrcznadg9V7arKHd7GFkbbZwy8saCKG87FD-X9rR4ubhOpB8dVeYwADOjzt386QKMkrRGVAx97CaPYBthjfXMkXwAnYYb78/s1125/traffic-light-system-covid-19-covid19-coronavirus-protection-framework--CREDIT-NZGOVERNMENT-SUPPLIED-1120.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1107" data-original-width="1125" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC812hw9_iMWucHd9BR4HhnFsu8xLkMWt2I10do36EXfoD_rrcznadg9V7arKHd7GFkbbZwy8saCKG87FD-X9rR4ubhOpB8dVeYwADOjzt386QKMkrRGVAx97CaPYBthjfXMkXwAnYYb78/w400-h394/traffic-light-system-covid-19-covid19-coronavirus-protection-framework--CREDIT-NZGOVERNMENT-SUPPLIED-1120.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>New Zealand was able to feel the pre-COVID-19 world after it moved to Level 1 in 2020. But the pre-COVID-19 world is now part of history after one man in his 50s from Devonport tested positive for the Delta variant. August 17 was the day when New Zealand made history by sending the whole country into the strictest Level 4 lockdown with only one case. The world media saw this as a laughing stock, but lo and behold, the cases reached up to 226 at its peak! This has changed everything in New Zealand as the elimination (and extermination) strategy has become a thing of the past. Delta proved to be difficult to contain and we were faced with the reality that we just need to be able to live with COVID-19 and make it endemic. </div><div><br /></div><div>At work, our Emergency Department (ED) has been divided to two areas, the white stream (non-COVID-19 related) and blue stream (possible and confirmed COVID-19). That meant senior nurses were needed in different areas of the department and our roles were temporarily disbanded. So at the moment, I am not working as a Clinical Nurse Specialist and treat minor injuries, fractures, dislocations, deep vein thrombosis, lacerations, etc. I am back to doing regular ED nursing work, but still in a senior nursing capacity. </div><div><br /></div><div>This year, COVID-19 has claimed the life of my 93-year-old grandmother. From what my family has told me, she was not vaccinated due to fear of vaccine adverse effects as her sister died a week after getting her COVID-19 jab in the Philippines. She succumbed to complications of COVID-19, with her last breaths witnessed physically by her family in person and virtually. I was driving my vehicle from work when she was at her death bed and my cousins from everywhere in the world were online on a video conference when she died. </div><div><br /></div><div>Once again, COVID-19 has provided much anxiety as my dad, mom, and nephew had the virus! But my parents were vaccinated anyway, so they had mild symptoms. So as my five-year-old nephew who recovered quite fast after two days of flu-like symptoms. My sister did pretty well and didn't contract the virus from them despite living with them in the same household. Her natural and vaccine-induced immunity were perhaps really effective against the virus. At least, they have natural immunity to COVID-19 virus now.</div><div><br /></div><div>Enough of COVID-19. I'm pretty sure it will still linger in 2022 and make headline after headline. It is exhausting, it is infuriating, it is depressing.</div><div><br /></div><div>At the start of the year, I was able to visit Wellington again and relaxed for a week in New Zealand's little capital. I had a catch-up with Cliff, hopped on the Wellington cable car, felt goosebumps at the Gallipoli war exhibit at Te Papa, walked at Cuba Street, and seen Van Gogh Alive. History repeated itself and I broke an expensive gadget, when I was in there in 2014 I broke my DSLR camera. This 2021 trip, it was my Galaxy S10+. It was blown by the wind while attached to my tripod and almost jumped off a dam. So I had to replace the screen and spent around $400 to make it like brand new again. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJkGYqimD67lLsmPQwyD_JNCSZI-ESTUyLuKFmoDWX7YBXiAqQvTdLfxSo1HQrjvR0CZ7RhlKuMsdeQnFOjARR5LgAb3A2HPFe10X7pzrR2BXEh8dSFiTdURaqOVMo0gfqenLghUVPz9ujW5hcup-bJZiOyS9QGrdqxRkjvhMdhyphenhyphenH6ZBVgtbfSwO_2J3E/s4032/20191210_132948.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJkGYqimD67lLsmPQwyD_JNCSZI-ESTUyLuKFmoDWX7YBXiAqQvTdLfxSo1HQrjvR0CZ7RhlKuMsdeQnFOjARR5LgAb3A2HPFe10X7pzrR2BXEh8dSFiTdURaqOVMo0gfqenLghUVPz9ujW5hcup-bJZiOyS9QGrdqxRkjvhMdhyphenhyphenH6ZBVgtbfSwO_2J3E/w400-h300/20191210_132948.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaGgXkdteOL-BmovNfehiw-oVhEOFAbjtyIcz_ccwfYmIXx1urDMcRnTynxCKdtJQWyHlBufpLOZfdiY4EM_VdexGgDgCCzC1pet231RPNgBy8ycreFeqWtxxC9puSYmUqtikv47Y28l0jBrd83wxIQFQe__VIZObOjYD7qchn1zq56mIMphkqLYZiCk3/s4032/20191211_110803.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaGgXkdteOL-BmovNfehiw-oVhEOFAbjtyIcz_ccwfYmIXx1urDMcRnTynxCKdtJQWyHlBufpLOZfdiY4EM_VdexGgDgCCzC1pet231RPNgBy8ycreFeqWtxxC9puSYmUqtikv47Y28l0jBrd83wxIQFQe__VIZObOjYD7qchn1zq56mIMphkqLYZiCk3/w400-h300/20191211_110803.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5kwFHo_ZGg8FoY-2Ipi-9bpl6GQO6-xyRnRhN4akeq3hyphenhyphenG4HbmruqxxkoIR6qsmnkRPKzDXbZdJbHPPTseFAr7K2HnKq5nWzWXNzK10dISvmvUi3zIrSgVPMcqWPO6YUK3VBoCK7FrLWbyFVTED5M03jq0F1nTbXcv2uuCkZUErZ-NN-sb_h0VOvs2vj/s4000/20220127_181146.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5kwFHo_ZGg8FoY-2Ipi-9bpl6GQO6-xyRnRhN4akeq3hyphenhyphenG4HbmruqxxkoIR6qsmnkRPKzDXbZdJbHPPTseFAr7K2HnKq5nWzWXNzK10dISvmvUi3zIrSgVPMcqWPO6YUK3VBoCK7FrLWbyFVTED5M03jq0F1nTbXcv2uuCkZUErZ-NN-sb_h0VOvs2vj/w400-h300/20220127_181146.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDdLU9QnwjCcB5EEZRBLD6p0da0jkpwVt_uzO7BYSrhfcgHWF67lzcuBIaOiDcMMuvr89SnBFscSHn5WSAzwDNrQDOa8NHmDH9n4o4ejnVc5xT_6QjtIWo5NiD8r0s376qCuusbdsy3tuE7vydAkkDZFA6EDughVvVraJy0liWCMKQ4Hs_v0Do0krXlsm/s4000/20220128_114118.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDdLU9QnwjCcB5EEZRBLD6p0da0jkpwVt_uzO7BYSrhfcgHWF67lzcuBIaOiDcMMuvr89SnBFscSHn5WSAzwDNrQDOa8NHmDH9n4o4ejnVc5xT_6QjtIWo5NiD8r0s376qCuusbdsy3tuE7vydAkkDZFA6EDughVvVraJy0liWCMKQ4Hs_v0Do0krXlsm/w400-h300/20220128_114118.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIrZL7uUhCbcfAEa_QH_-U_ZATP1hoJ5Xtfz_KaUZj2o20rm3TtPXYRurYSB7wgJCBS5T5SlR-Ou0w8l9dO7mnlTW-mxEvQEUikU2lSPRLLsWpTmC7fbr_FXP4RpJlw4mdyABgcfehXGJ2MgoOUvvtTH9p9yO_ThtzWxPsAZXDYTscXvzxItj3-L1dloi/s4000/20220129_103304.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIrZL7uUhCbcfAEa_QH_-U_ZATP1hoJ5Xtfz_KaUZj2o20rm3TtPXYRurYSB7wgJCBS5T5SlR-Ou0w8l9dO7mnlTW-mxEvQEUikU2lSPRLLsWpTmC7fbr_FXP4RpJlw4mdyABgcfehXGJ2MgoOUvvtTH9p9yO_ThtzWxPsAZXDYTscXvzxItj3-L1dloi/w400-h300/20220129_103304.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nDt_sOcfHFzNPyESUqDfCBg0z_tLyZP9_ISigblrIUMD6op7vTMMX-R3xmHBi7CHSLVWjeWczAwLeuFB92FPANUpbSk9pk17YB2gckgN2ZvR588H1fapwe8nynTHecRzAG9ESwAr57yhEsAjxLqPV4rriABB0yO6iMpFBlQxs0A3QlfLroeyPzz_7fGd/s4000/20220129_110443.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nDt_sOcfHFzNPyESUqDfCBg0z_tLyZP9_ISigblrIUMD6op7vTMMX-R3xmHBi7CHSLVWjeWczAwLeuFB92FPANUpbSk9pk17YB2gckgN2ZvR588H1fapwe8nynTHecRzAG9ESwAr57yhEsAjxLqPV4rriABB0yO6iMpFBlQxs0A3QlfLroeyPzz_7fGd/w400-h300/20220129_110443.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-oojF0NMGwqV1AnRYKrECpnaJ7lampIq3OuNAZLPZ23hCmMCsCI9WpZYPdSNzuAMn4p_Z_TqZd1LHkk4jGM_bktONng2cAKHk17_lKW5K0eUqbKP4oYrx7j92CI0SoxOV-6-IP-BpnQkAB7DU5WyobnA7UFmMfYt4NgnJk4qFvZlTiud40Nv3MJ6e8R7/s4000/20220130_085233.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-oojF0NMGwqV1AnRYKrECpnaJ7lampIq3OuNAZLPZ23hCmMCsCI9WpZYPdSNzuAMn4p_Z_TqZd1LHkk4jGM_bktONng2cAKHk17_lKW5K0eUqbKP4oYrx7j92CI0SoxOV-6-IP-BpnQkAB7DU5WyobnA7UFmMfYt4NgnJk4qFvZlTiud40Nv3MJ6e8R7/w400-h300/20220130_085233.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>On my birthday month, April, I travelled down to the South Island again and driven from Dunedin to Bluff then back to Dunedin. It was such a refreshing feeling to be able to travel again and literally drive and do self-introspection. I even passed by my old workplace at Southland Hospital and seen some familiar faces! That whole day drive passing through the natural wonders of the Southern Scenic route was such a good one!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA85DD1W0mOcpqtZCFCzJ4E0XHjFr7dMJOUMD6rSriU_e4URr0ANLB9O7lJ7yMzZYpSZcV4KwGhK6ylsgrDVbl5IQyWelO71-4TnhQ30tv-n1WtBcWZJceAV-yCjAv9AR6XgISrGELRCOxFYcMxTQJ_InLtcQaZgwA6tpKJjEZkS15lzm9wm0u2rSYLthl/s6000/IMG_20210528_085508_904.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA85DD1W0mOcpqtZCFCzJ4E0XHjFr7dMJOUMD6rSriU_e4URr0ANLB9O7lJ7yMzZYpSZcV4KwGhK6ylsgrDVbl5IQyWelO71-4TnhQ30tv-n1WtBcWZJceAV-yCjAv9AR6XgISrGELRCOxFYcMxTQJ_InLtcQaZgwA6tpKJjEZkS15lzm9wm0u2rSYLthl/w400-h266/IMG_20210528_085508_904.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnV3H_B31gHR8OUkc6ocm6Pnk85bRUHzx2oxCFsxrP2QET0C33-I5hsMH4fguk4sqLg_AtgfgakvXRuh96QetGS7H0yOGRYTUYvIG3l7vyWz-vjGHKYf3WCP-oVAdm_UNiUi4v2_GxFgG4SFEDI2jLfJBdDq-NxSMbgYtO43pg8CqgxnOpBzYvntrLzSQm/s1440/IMG_20210707_143714_376.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1440" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnV3H_B31gHR8OUkc6ocm6Pnk85bRUHzx2oxCFsxrP2QET0C33-I5hsMH4fguk4sqLg_AtgfgakvXRuh96QetGS7H0yOGRYTUYvIG3l7vyWz-vjGHKYf3WCP-oVAdm_UNiUi4v2_GxFgG4SFEDI2jLfJBdDq-NxSMbgYtO43pg8CqgxnOpBzYvntrLzSQm/w400-h266/IMG_20210707_143714_376.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifeXliMdQGl6l3Gc1EK6gO3HCYA5kufuZr9mcjTY25pvT8CUitSwO1lxnS6ioyPcu2QYBGe9QCHpv3mOchBZRJZZI508J83w4cRJZQrorD2ZwGkSgtG-C8gij0nbhAkeG6Fu7FNl5FGr6Y5OdX4UztaPxYpuUSD3_hJMWXZ-fKKYtZ_HxNoXJw9QoAtW5/s6000/DSC_0163.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifeXliMdQGl6l3Gc1EK6gO3HCYA5kufuZr9mcjTY25pvT8CUitSwO1lxnS6ioyPcu2QYBGe9QCHpv3mOchBZRJZZI508J83w4cRJZQrorD2ZwGkSgtG-C8gij0nbhAkeG6Fu7FNl5FGr6Y5OdX4UztaPxYpuUSD3_hJMWXZ-fKKYtZ_HxNoXJw9QoAtW5/w400-h266/DSC_0163.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yUwHca5f55IyNW2LMqwAYPhmFQEtnjMZhmfqVnygnx8IWPTWQgIaI89GEHG7MmLvdveHbAGEIiA1aqxRnWSAQSS01u4Akqv98aGmm5WSOrBvtAPdhzShMQaBilZmnUKlNR6AdfBrw47tlBem4wvrcjG2C6_K3KOfk58qPMT4XBy5kwMj7NQolu0Vzp5T/s4032/20210423_105051.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yUwHca5f55IyNW2LMqwAYPhmFQEtnjMZhmfqVnygnx8IWPTWQgIaI89GEHG7MmLvdveHbAGEIiA1aqxRnWSAQSS01u4Akqv98aGmm5WSOrBvtAPdhzShMQaBilZmnUKlNR6AdfBrw47tlBem4wvrcjG2C6_K3KOfk58qPMT4XBy5kwMj7NQolu0Vzp5T/w400-h300/20210423_105051.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Who would have thought Auckland has a eat-all-you-can all you can fresh oysters place! I really loved this experience and would recommend to anyone who likes oyters.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6noobtvb4Foz6VbCdiATxeIKV5bchaV1gfYNftx9M3_W3SkZOW0Kb6M_nGeenupu_BwKKw6CzL1mS-arTJmpTiot6GtMDneHBuVIBPKgPy1I8EtuETcblll2et9fIoQXj_cyN2bqb_hVFKzRHGZSkxIR1VjZwQ_82Ut9RYUgChqCiCN_xq0f96qhpT4HX/s4032/20210425_124334.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6noobtvb4Foz6VbCdiATxeIKV5bchaV1gfYNftx9M3_W3SkZOW0Kb6M_nGeenupu_BwKKw6CzL1mS-arTJmpTiot6GtMDneHBuVIBPKgPy1I8EtuETcblll2et9fIoQXj_cyN2bqb_hVFKzRHGZSkxIR1VjZwQ_82Ut9RYUgChqCiCN_xq0f96qhpT4HX/w300-h400/20210425_124334.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikh2yWfkJPEZ6nGI42kzJk7cQ1NLfsUx9kjlLZ-Nw81lKKxClXWE1VxwITzO1UlXMcB1ninaZEQHyTE3uOIPqzv6A_Qk-RPoidRJNu0r2mXr9V245iH-2Xh-vf6L2qZ0r_WyizZpjbSxMnLD-RpJgvAbFCykN7MvhUKTpQFc5ivfOS6lTwJsEET3mxIUDO/s4032/20210425_141802.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikh2yWfkJPEZ6nGI42kzJk7cQ1NLfsUx9kjlLZ-Nw81lKKxClXWE1VxwITzO1UlXMcB1ninaZEQHyTE3uOIPqzv6A_Qk-RPoidRJNu0r2mXr9V245iH-2Xh-vf6L2qZ0r_WyizZpjbSxMnLD-RpJgvAbFCykN7MvhUKTpQFc5ivfOS6lTwJsEET3mxIUDO/w300-h400/20210425_141802.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoe6w3LXbIRZhPg-KECXVCdgLALNbs1FYGnkXXrrZCdiFxTV91W46QYw8HPDili8RHWWEafnyaxXk4uqfY4xmVFFtw8QBZs1hX_UfR7jZQWi0oqF3iRTNiO35P2NCg1du7pQwgp3Bo6F6_t7bLsmRTNtbUIkh95PtNF_Q8iSnD0HbU8zX69N3HR1CERNHV/s4032/20210425_141640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoe6w3LXbIRZhPg-KECXVCdgLALNbs1FYGnkXXrrZCdiFxTV91W46QYw8HPDili8RHWWEafnyaxXk4uqfY4xmVFFtw8QBZs1hX_UfR7jZQWi0oqF3iRTNiO35P2NCg1du7pQwgp3Bo6F6_t7bLsmRTNtbUIkh95PtNF_Q8iSnD0HbU8zX69N3HR1CERNHV/s320/20210425_141640.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Mid-July was when I started again with post-graduate studies at University of Auckland. It is such a long road to finish masters and sometimes I question myself about the value of it. What I see is I am just torturing myself with studies and homeworks, whereas my colleagues are just relaxing, travelling, and 'living' the third decade of their lives?! I did Pharmacotherapeutics and this is a pre-requisite to be a nurse practitioner (prescribing). In the end, I actually did really well and got top marks. My last assessment was graded 98% for my verbal presentation of drugs for deep vein thrombosis, the highest in the class of 40+! Sometimes I am just baffled with how I manage to get those top marks despite me hating studying...</div><div><br /></div><div>For the third time in 2021, I was able to get out of Auckland again to visit Taupo. I have done this trip in 2017 and it was just a repeat of everything but more. Of course I had to do something new and that is the jet boat! The adrenaline, the wind, the nature, and rough waters was a win! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihv_4JJvOwEHH00Hhep2rY_yWl-BSikiZ2R3qwK-IX4BvmjoA-QjF_EPb-d5T5QJSpfKFU7EK6-rLr6xhdTXR7ldX-tbK5_xG6SDpgqHAdpOyqqVFfqBKPc9dbczbxwV7UeXgxkQPRO1Coq9y9qS8YNmjkqwHhII2jVO-Qu8ojCdh1eDYqW-ZWeKvRYQ3H/s4032/20210723_111256.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihv_4JJvOwEHH00Hhep2rY_yWl-BSikiZ2R3qwK-IX4BvmjoA-QjF_EPb-d5T5QJSpfKFU7EK6-rLr6xhdTXR7ldX-tbK5_xG6SDpgqHAdpOyqqVFfqBKPc9dbczbxwV7UeXgxkQPRO1Coq9y9qS8YNmjkqwHhII2jVO-Qu8ojCdh1eDYqW-ZWeKvRYQ3H/w400-h300/20210723_111256.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfWybQesuSYiZzdl0rELyFtZ37wte0oX8GsbRnN6HZdshauzcYx_UPr7VPZepDNE7HoNeoILZ_624uxLTfXdFGYdlM6b97K-vLP-SQHBnNijvIJtRA5kUTEYzwBRIrlRZ99S9QcZ6Sm5Nd2dpho-Wm9wTZk7GzU4DL5WSq3sWMYUPtTLjZBbWyxYh97Ij/s4032/20210724_141741.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfWybQesuSYiZzdl0rELyFtZ37wte0oX8GsbRnN6HZdshauzcYx_UPr7VPZepDNE7HoNeoILZ_624uxLTfXdFGYdlM6b97K-vLP-SQHBnNijvIJtRA5kUTEYzwBRIrlRZ99S9QcZ6Sm5Nd2dpho-Wm9wTZk7GzU4DL5WSq3sWMYUPtTLjZBbWyxYh97Ij/w400-h300/20210724_141741.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Shortly after Taupo, COVID-19 has hit Auckland again and we were back to the longest lockdown ever. It's a good thing that this time, I was all ready and have all the must haves during a pandemic - talk about stocking frozen meats and seafood in the chest freezer enough to feed me in about 2 months?!</div><div><br /></div><div>While 2020 was the time that I spent roughly $7,000 for plants and pots, my plant obsession has settled a bit. Or probably the better way of saying this is, I don't have much space left in the house to put plants. Haha. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRjyihl4afl0liZWVJj7prdJKN25wp6OkCMuLPq_fLUdmw3WQ29wY8CsZjBD1658pB9PI2NvmYtmahh7RRhZUaA6PLTyt_0VzFCmrSAGjJ0uLv4cjaj20bJCG9Wr9GTcTZtG22Cuale3KiuVhjKI069po9V6aPQg0BIHJe4Ob4IOtpFeRdngiJLYHk-H9/s2560/20211123_131444.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRjyihl4afl0liZWVJj7prdJKN25wp6OkCMuLPq_fLUdmw3WQ29wY8CsZjBD1658pB9PI2NvmYtmahh7RRhZUaA6PLTyt_0VzFCmrSAGjJ0uLv4cjaj20bJCG9Wr9GTcTZtG22Cuale3KiuVhjKI069po9V6aPQg0BIHJe4Ob4IOtpFeRdngiJLYHk-H9/w300-h400/20211123_131444.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXz6edNWRXG-wT03FWdsSkfprtAo7ixiNQqJqpNuh7Iwr4hNo2c-vRuxk5BVItFAlRHNo2Qud7ztbGNNeqYVTm_h7qhCZCcUNZB3Vr5eC9dBqzqxvD9dUrG9d7bqLG9jaDr7DMdHbK2IU8EbGv-N_xcv2FzEKk3dGa4j6LwS2bAou30Yf_-X7V_gcULaR/s2560/20210913_115443.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXz6edNWRXG-wT03FWdsSkfprtAo7ixiNQqJqpNuh7Iwr4hNo2c-vRuxk5BVItFAlRHNo2Qud7ztbGNNeqYVTm_h7qhCZCcUNZB3Vr5eC9dBqzqxvD9dUrG9d7bqLG9jaDr7DMdHbK2IU8EbGv-N_xcv2FzEKk3dGa4j6LwS2bAou30Yf_-X7V_gcULaR/w300-h400/20210913_115443.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdakp4Fk-tAwRfXA2hA-GfagkGJdpSLIORG-1_Kmar0JtthwC7PmyxzyStwKpzecZU4q11EPFkaQgIh2gnF-lBab-gJmv2unWkonCsOcIocBWy5D0icYC-V0cpxdnBWUy1lKj4aK-X7gzGNGMZIztOiI7TxmxZnBriwH9vt5vTUKdJSYJjqoHxic49ETuV/s2560/20211129_000240.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdakp4Fk-tAwRfXA2hA-GfagkGJdpSLIORG-1_Kmar0JtthwC7PmyxzyStwKpzecZU4q11EPFkaQgIh2gnF-lBab-gJmv2unWkonCsOcIocBWy5D0icYC-V0cpxdnBWUy1lKj4aK-X7gzGNGMZIztOiI7TxmxZnBriwH9vt5vTUKdJSYJjqoHxic49ETuV/w300-h400/20211129_000240.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2a1uA0Opgimy9dXT5cRbznwuEZ7OPgmIYa0jGCFbTp0Q_dvVhhpQEsb_zFn8u40yNelViwwXw2kP4lUdwQ75WxvH4tdiAAwMHiHr6s8car1SRti3GzOwhfJ2DD0YC9Hm_4uX_AmjMXAwa-CWqj0-J72T051rIVMrN5vSrZ7sWTmV3qGJnl2sku9oWkF5A/w300-h400/20211221_090942.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX49g4fKy0Jn3QGNkTBRD6pPA1sfJC3DChgcHM2BIq03k-WZOXRC-I3fPD4yuIxL37oFQDG-kwxLS5mQuGn-3rXgoKY-gpetwQhW36vRBDF1tAA0bWwp5EcyQz-Ag9dp41eFtCmYOYNSZ9O2OOdZAlw2smEkoYTCccMgWKn1F_ytS5SOMfwq6Ue1-YUR7-/s4032/20220106_133117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX49g4fKy0Jn3QGNkTBRD6pPA1sfJC3DChgcHM2BIq03k-WZOXRC-I3fPD4yuIxL37oFQDG-kwxLS5mQuGn-3rXgoKY-gpetwQhW36vRBDF1tAA0bWwp5EcyQz-Ag9dp41eFtCmYOYNSZ9O2OOdZAlw2smEkoYTCccMgWKn1F_ytS5SOMfwq6Ue1-YUR7-/w400-h300/20220106_133117.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6APZ0b6AAtw90gtS8um6vHKGOM7109r0_rNNb8DSGrsXpzYLnkDgJal68idD2A6-S9Vmwst2wcsU2_IOYQOWjWJTQyixyognoZoEKJENfTmAwgcDWng2Uy1IRkRTrmc-Cgfxu6N8jQipIoeclRIDSzXouK04teJpXH5yPJVHkQYmbH5QQipBkv9lnZ9KL/s4032/20220106_133128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6APZ0b6AAtw90gtS8um6vHKGOM7109r0_rNNb8DSGrsXpzYLnkDgJal68idD2A6-S9Vmwst2wcsU2_IOYQOWjWJTQyixyognoZoEKJENfTmAwgcDWng2Uy1IRkRTrmc-Cgfxu6N8jQipIoeclRIDSzXouK04teJpXH5yPJVHkQYmbH5QQipBkv9lnZ9KL/w300-h400/20220106_133128.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvgCW9D7ofE4TfXBD8qF8QJbdMMhn3VE8re_PE2T9CfIRMTkjRtxsVZK30EfbdhrqE5vYjKhOiiaPhwwuPsPoxCSHKQnZZdVvBoAuTwpPs-22QvYWAznNChJuuky4GYpXPVjxTI4pjjO_qU0IDva9QuWXyYsAcHylSzGAO0qfGYOe2AXe50FhNFD2jSIs/s4032/20220106_133143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvgCW9D7ofE4TfXBD8qF8QJbdMMhn3VE8re_PE2T9CfIRMTkjRtxsVZK30EfbdhrqE5vYjKhOiiaPhwwuPsPoxCSHKQnZZdVvBoAuTwpPs-22QvYWAznNChJuuky4GYpXPVjxTI4pjjO_qU0IDva9QuWXyYsAcHylSzGAO0qfGYOe2AXe50FhNFD2jSIs/w400-h300/20220106_133143.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I bid goodbye (urm... not really goodbye as I just have them stuck in a cabinet) to my Galaxy S10+ and got a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, bought at a Boxing Day sale!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVikDHBOV4gWXzS3_6JzzcE2z0-XVrDTWF0XQvD-qyH2c9mMCiOl9-itf_b68wt-IVvhg7CanZ75DxgpKmjKIn_q2fAiEkm6WVA0uPOgmbkQxJrvyo5UckhNSTw8BBhd1RhXWr_W_HmrY4PuUjdeNm56QDHvPLi_VZB_H8b6-FEMmQ-gTi5yBkkPPKtmrV/s4000/20211230_200604.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVikDHBOV4gWXzS3_6JzzcE2z0-XVrDTWF0XQvD-qyH2c9mMCiOl9-itf_b68wt-IVvhg7CanZ75DxgpKmjKIn_q2fAiEkm6WVA0uPOgmbkQxJrvyo5UckhNSTw8BBhd1RhXWr_W_HmrY4PuUjdeNm56QDHvPLi_VZB_H8b6-FEMmQ-gTi5yBkkPPKtmrV/s320/20211230_200604.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another thing that I bid goodbye too (erm.. again, not really goodby because I just kept it in its box...) is my 43 inches TV. I have upgraded to a Sony 55-inch TV. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CLVrWfpVvoYyShRzkC6Y2iCjKCeFMVzAsUh0kq_PvsD89LG31hZpQ4rgRvFMZMyL_cnWaEAdk84lKT4latBUK9RvptRorFGkbfpK7qDAMnugYMHAcdN9pVnwoCFA99s_VbX1qhK6Z3_QdXHq7bJXU_-TF5CmnwbECo0iHeMK8zzRTXw0ypp8O-znIP3c/s4032/20211203_123014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CLVrWfpVvoYyShRzkC6Y2iCjKCeFMVzAsUh0kq_PvsD89LG31hZpQ4rgRvFMZMyL_cnWaEAdk84lKT4latBUK9RvptRorFGkbfpK7qDAMnugYMHAcdN9pVnwoCFA99s_VbX1qhK6Z3_QdXHq7bJXU_-TF5CmnwbECo0iHeMK8zzRTXw0ypp8O-znIP3c/w400-h300/20211203_123014.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Skimming back to the theme of this blog, it was another year of COVID-19-related stuff, travelling and introspection, experiencing new sights and activities, and refreshing/replacing old items. What will 2022 bring? Bring it on!<div><br /></div><div>P.S. I really like what I have done here for myself, reading my thoughts from the past years gives me irks, and mostly give-yourself-a-pat-on-the-back moments. </div>Sa Akin Lang Pohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11360043166594225353noreply@blogger.com0Auckland, New Zealand-36.850882700000007 174.7644881-58.575805408075674 139.6082381 -15.12595999192434 -150.0792619tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019939172223413009.post-61594701716237830252020-12-31T00:29:00.002+13:002020-12-31T01:15:57.341+13:00Goodbye 2020, Hello 2021!<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dear 2020,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">You have made such a history. Who would have thought that I would be experiencing a pandemic in my lifetime, something that would be written in the books. COVID-19 has turned the world upside down and it has significantly impacted the way we live nowadays. I can easily recall how the news about a potential contagious disease was becoming a threat in Wuhan, China, then it just exponentially spread throughout the region, then to other countries, until it became a pandemic. It was difficult to see first world countries struggling to manage the overwhelming numbers of cases in intensive care units, with increasing death toll breaking records as weeks passed by. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">New Zealand government has acted swiftly by analyzing computer models of the worst case scenario in winter time. By March 25, the whole country went into level 4 lockdown, keeping New Zealanders and its residents in their houses for more than a month with a strategy of elimination in mind. I believe that was one of the best decisions made by the government, possibly the best decision related to COVID-19 pandemic response in the world. It may have impacted livelihood of kiwis and increased unemployment, but now we are reaping the benefits of that sacrifice. Nowhere else in the world, at the time of writing, can people gather for concerts, Sunday masses, graduations, and anything that requires mass gatherings, but in New Zealand. At least, based from the latest news reports the New Zealand economy has bounced back again after the lockdown.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8_lsh5PPgkQMy8j3hfM0bFNszd8R43_hQ-moeL7RsSyeLB9FlwDkA5R227X6PvvoBoF59WEBiOdrT213gJ2unviDoC0oN3NHaO4JLwEBz3q2QkCwt-F25A1ocjFVIJNH5exbfjovH8CQ/s960/Image-from-iOS-5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="960" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8_lsh5PPgkQMy8j3hfM0bFNszd8R43_hQ-moeL7RsSyeLB9FlwDkA5R227X6PvvoBoF59WEBiOdrT213gJ2unviDoC0oN3NHaO4JLwEBz3q2QkCwt-F25A1ocjFVIJNH5exbfjovH8CQ/w640-h452/Image-from-iOS-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p>The Philippines' response to COVID-19 was far from the victorious approach of New Zealand. There remain hundreds and thousands of cases everyday, and unfortunately, lots of deaths. When community quarantine was enforced in the Philippines, my sister, an intensive care unit nurse, contracted COVID-19. It was such an anxiety provoking moment when I learned about that news. I felt really helpless that time, as much as I would want to help and manage things personally, being thousands of miles away from home was tough. Good thing 2020 technology made communications during a pandemic easier. Video calls after video calls, messages after messages, internet and technology is the biggest bonus we have at this pandemic.</p><p>When my sister developed shortness of breath and she was updating me if the real time events, man, it was painfully difficult to know what was running through my mind. I was thinking of multiple scenarios and planning ahead. She lives with my parents and my nephew, imagine if they contracted the virus from her, all of them would need quarantine! It was a pandemonium of thoughts in my mind that time... And my brother was even difficult to contact at that very moment!!! Haha. It was holy week and apparently they were sacrificing a day without using social media... In a fucking pandemic. lol. Oh well, to cut the story short, my sister recovered and was discharged home. Throughout that period, she was in contact with a city health officer who organized different things to ease the burden of food, medications, family testing, and others. I was really thankful that my brother was available throughout that period. </p></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">During all those shenanigans, I myself became sick, with COVID-19 symptoms. After being a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19, I was asked to self-quarantine for 14 days. Day 2 of flu-like symptoms prompted me to drive for a swab test at the nearest community testing center. Of course it was negative. But the government classified me as one of the probable cases anyway. I personally think that my oropharyngeal swab was not adequately done, so I was not totally convinced with the test result. Did I have COVID-19? I don't know. What will be memorable is I spent my birthday in the house, something that I haven't done for about a decade until 2020, I usually am a visitor of a touristy place and enjoying my day relaxing, and definitely not thinking about work.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Speaking of work, at the start of the year, I became a Clinical Nurse Specialist. And then COVID-19 came... Management wanted senior nurses to do other non-specialist roles. I had to man COVID-19 triage, at a time where we were grappling with PPEs and uncertainties of everyday policy changes related to COVID-19. It was a challenge that was accepted wholeheartedly. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3xTd-xaCrxoqjwc6eSegemWhZ9HLgdDYaOtKi0Ak0s4z-5oXBQjtpX9HELQW-TEII8V2gBpxqW45S0840V2SS3SmImYTv8lhbSar83VyKr1vlkINFQQXhGdIOwzrf628NxDQIu7Izq-g/s2048/20200403_161813.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3xTd-xaCrxoqjwc6eSegemWhZ9HLgdDYaOtKi0Ak0s4z-5oXBQjtpX9HELQW-TEII8V2gBpxqW45S0840V2SS3SmImYTv8lhbSar83VyKr1vlkINFQQXhGdIOwzrf628NxDQIu7Izq-g/w400-h300/20200403_161813.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Fast forward to post New Zealand lockdown, we were back out in the community with extra caution. Masks were mandatory in public buses, flights, public transportation. Even though there were a number of community transmissions prompting in-and-out of lockdowns, I think the government has learned from some mishaps and New Zealand as a whole has become accepting of the new normal.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well, I became a <i>plantito</i> (plant uncle/dad)! Lockdown has made heaps of people turn into their gardens and many developed their love of indoor plants. I have had indoor plants before and I had some plants even before the lockdown, but who wouldn't be enticed to get indoor and outdoor plants at 50% off at a local Mitre 10 on the day of the lockdown, before 12 noon?! Of course, I took advantage of that. But the real cuplrit was a Pinoy workmate who posted a nice looking ficus tineke online, and then all of a sudden I started collecting plants. Until it became a huge collection. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwnHIiAT2OglbxXX4M5s4WR6wKKOhtHd6y3H3Zrh-1GY5DviuN7M6m-IObkDGHzc5i6b5DrEqvW9oFdFuagqy8Xf_-c-oldgleYXgUSgPH0eyXYe-M0vafvi_ZgYgEtyNKeCmpMkaZ3VU/s2048/20201219_095308+%25282%2529..jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwnHIiAT2OglbxXX4M5s4WR6wKKOhtHd6y3H3Zrh-1GY5DviuN7M6m-IObkDGHzc5i6b5DrEqvW9oFdFuagqy8Xf_-c-oldgleYXgUSgPH0eyXYe-M0vafvi_ZgYgEtyNKeCmpMkaZ3VU/w640-h480/20201219_095308+%25282%2529..jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">This could be the largest collection of calatheas available in New Zealand.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have spent thousands of dollars for the plants, pots, and accessories, enough to buy a car! lol.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDva83eMXtMtELStJV2sS0iREvldGZ9VOdJxl6dkpmYJgN2KXdDUkki26CtDZPL6TNOLQprA8FCKF9r6F4EPD4LknsP1RG752rJslhLe9t0aajVxX0HdSYa1n7mRFHcwvuuXQO-vHxCWxV/s2048/20200429_145728.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1366" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDva83eMXtMtELStJV2sS0iREvldGZ9VOdJxl6dkpmYJgN2KXdDUkki26CtDZPL6TNOLQprA8FCKF9r6F4EPD4LknsP1RG752rJslhLe9t0aajVxX0HdSYa1n7mRFHcwvuuXQO-vHxCWxV/w266-h400/20200429_145728.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdT1kMilUhAvZNrvFfNhwqBh9NefwHmAHVOvaUnivR-1xx4yZ5zmb0OLQ2bSRARxEukh9mMiar8LCEOVfAa14lkctNtNdp-jGSuIul7YvbsC1ngavgZHSZxwO3cOiqgl7d96En_Qxb_Sm/s2048/20200620_143057.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdT1kMilUhAvZNrvFfNhwqBh9NefwHmAHVOvaUnivR-1xx4yZ5zmb0OLQ2bSRARxEukh9mMiar8LCEOVfAa14lkctNtNdp-jGSuIul7YvbsC1ngavgZHSZxwO3cOiqgl7d96En_Qxb_Sm/w640-h426/20200620_143057.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9cRh277xVUWqE6AYh7GUZX2byoPNgQ71mUlllbM1b4h3qLuFCZPQ1R6vC20JgvczQ1dfmwy57ivPzhG0GDH_1vRuxfr8VjD4DBNIAg3oMIxRscL3PwpZfLSiAWetHrE3GaGcU-QGGhrpq/s2048/20201022_135949.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9cRh277xVUWqE6AYh7GUZX2byoPNgQ71mUlllbM1b4h3qLuFCZPQ1R6vC20JgvczQ1dfmwy57ivPzhG0GDH_1vRuxfr8VjD4DBNIAg3oMIxRscL3PwpZfLSiAWetHrE3GaGcU-QGGhrpq/w300-h400/20201022_135949.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPT2vISZjYCAc3IkG6dyAfyWnmlbTiGKGKMAewI-SFP7xoPa_wvpGCN0HqbGRexsW2IxE9u_3wBSpnPuG89yi4Mi0s_ezFRZJbMd2OPndPOhYfCbKg8qdUs2XlKbG0yjqCB8LGb1d76OpP/s2048/20201027_130600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPT2vISZjYCAc3IkG6dyAfyWnmlbTiGKGKMAewI-SFP7xoPa_wvpGCN0HqbGRexsW2IxE9u_3wBSpnPuG89yi4Mi0s_ezFRZJbMd2OPndPOhYfCbKg8qdUs2XlKbG0yjqCB8LGb1d76OpP/w640-h480/20201027_130600.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJO8DKQGLG9C_FqFJlWaLeazjWxJ7hBE3CTd9ImtTsILGmd-E2KDbuMI-W9vgu4JEIN4NTevItN963sBMSudQJvw5HN793qMEBk8SzjOwKhnx1IMsuEvnU4OzY6FhzV27bJUepZbsVvey/s2048/20201105_200401.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJO8DKQGLG9C_FqFJlWaLeazjWxJ7hBE3CTd9ImtTsILGmd-E2KDbuMI-W9vgu4JEIN4NTevItN963sBMSudQJvw5HN793qMEBk8SzjOwKhnx1IMsuEvnU4OzY6FhzV27bJUepZbsVvey/w640-h480/20201105_200401.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3eUIXQa7KpqDPvvtcde7LUQsAccNXhOCpfJBL3ofvMbtGSR1lIylPTIZLiS4DcHwod5o6Qewbn3Ex1fCW5sUWm9z6iqTK57GPS3ENZ2y_6sBsIzamGq7tejRAg3tui-UmrIaHAMsKqeE/s2048/20201107_182636.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3eUIXQa7KpqDPvvtcde7LUQsAccNXhOCpfJBL3ofvMbtGSR1lIylPTIZLiS4DcHwod5o6Qewbn3Ex1fCW5sUWm9z6iqTK57GPS3ENZ2y_6sBsIzamGq7tejRAg3tui-UmrIaHAMsKqeE/w300-h400/20201107_182636.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Enough of my proud moments as a plant dad. Just before the year ended, I got my post graduate diploma from University of Auckland. I managed to have a GPA of more than 7.0, so I ended up having Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences with Distinction. That's two years of hard work! I know... it's just the beginning towards another two years of master's degree.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh, did I mention that I moved in to a new apartment? The photos with the plants would reveal it anyway. I finally am in an apartment that I have full control of, I don't have to adjust to a roommate, I don't have to share the living and kitchen space, and most importantly, I can put as much plants as I can wherever I want. Haha. Living alone paying for $600 per week is a challenge to the budget though.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And before I say hi to 2021, I got a gas barbecue!!! I got a black Weber Baby Q 1200.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFf5_SEmV3SqOD3OQCpOk3hvKCxqE-Rbf4uoPPzZCBKPENhyphenhyphenZ1KmTiy6XjLy4GBKhsQ-OCMILNdSJaTIeNcS4Z6dEjnOfNz6Iw4j17aGZak08MIKSeGEAVvbJ7ONNK-yFR2BjTqgf_TgWl/s2048/20201029_131400.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFf5_SEmV3SqOD3OQCpOk3hvKCxqE-Rbf4uoPPzZCBKPENhyphenhyphenZ1KmTiy6XjLy4GBKhsQ-OCMILNdSJaTIeNcS4Z6dEjnOfNz6Iw4j17aGZak08MIKSeGEAVvbJ7ONNK-yFR2BjTqgf_TgWl/w480-h640/20201029_131400.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Looking back, 2020 wasn't too bad for me. I moved in to a new apartment and became completely independent, I became a clinical nurse specialist, I graduated with flying colours, I found a new appreciation of plants, and I realised that we as human beings would normally try to adjust to difficult situations, it just so happened that it is a pandemic.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What's up for 2021? A new house, a new country, a new collection, a new pet? Who knows? I'm ready for you, 2021!</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yours truly,</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ron (Sa Akin Lang Po)</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">P.S. I hope to get back to writing my random ramblings more often again.</p>Sa Akin Lang Pohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11360043166594225353noreply@blogger.com1Auckland, New Zealand-36.8482512 174.7626037-62.872542878708856 139.6063537 -10.823959521291147 -150.0811463tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019939172223413009.post-23673718182079676042020-04-28T22:05:00.000+12:002020-12-31T00:33:08.381+13:00First Day of Level 3 Lockdown<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today is officially the first day of Level 3 lockdown in New Zealand. That means that the government has eased a bit from its strictest lockdown rules for five weeks in Level 4. Being in Level 4 lockdown kept most New Zealanders and its residents in their homes and only allowed essential workers to move out of their 'bubble' and do their 'essential' jobs. Although lockdown rules are more lax at Level 3, the concept of Level 4 are still enforced - stay in your 'bubble' and now you can extend your 'bubble' to a close relative or caregiver, non-essential travel is still not recommended, only roam around within your region, and social gatherings are still not allowed. These rules do not bother me at all, I have always been an indoor guy and I really love staying indoors except for some days at the grocery.<br />
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Earlier this afternoon, I have driven my car to collect my online order at a local DIY and hardware store, Mitre 10. On my way to Mitre 10, there were plenty of road cones that left two to three-lane one way roads to just one. People are out and about with their cars queuing at drive thru fastfood chains like KFC and Carl's Jr. Who would blame them... They have been sick and tired of their own cooking for five weeks! Of course, the thought of joining the queue has struck my mind. But I also thought of my fridge and cupboards full of food. I wanted KFC wicked wings, but I didn't need it. So I refocused and repressed my craving and went to collect my online orders at Mitre 10. Collection was easy. A staff waiting at the parking entrance asked for surname and instructed me drive further to an area where another staff was waiting at a designated collection area and put my orders in my car boot. The collection process was straight forward and hassle free. This will be the norm for the next few weeks as New Zealand stays in Level 3. It is unusual but this is how the government wants to control the spread of the virus. Restaurants remain closed unless they have take-away options. Gyms, cinemas, malls will remain closed in the foreseeable future.<br />
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Here's what I got:<br />
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I am planting more container-grown veggies, specifically, pak choi! </div>
Sa Akin Lang Pohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11360043166594225353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019939172223413009.post-82906057927579886392017-09-15T23:55:00.001+12:002017-09-16T13:23:37.875+12:00I Worked, I Traveled, I Came Back Home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I must have exhausted my mind of things that I could ramble about that it took me some time before I could write something in this blog. In fact, it has been more than a year since I posted something in this 7-year-old blog. So, what's been happening? I guess I just became busy with work. Or probably I just started to like to do some other things, like taking videos and producing content that I share online with friends and family, and oftentimes, on Youtube.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So what really happened for the past year that I have been inactive? I worked, I traveled, I came back home, and I entered past the twenty-something age.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>I worked.</b> I still am an emergency room nurse. It has been 10 years since I graduated from uni from the royal, pontifical, catholic university of the Philippines in España, Manila</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. I just can't believe it has been a decade since I left school.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After stepping out of uni, my journey to the professional world was pretty much limited to the stressful environment of the emergency department. I have worked in the Philippines, been to the Middle East, and now based here in Auckland, New Zealand. To sum it up, wherever there is work, I follow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When I think about my career path, I honestly am clueless of what I want to do. Being thirty and without a definite path could be alarming, if you ask me. For now, I just go on with shifts being a preceptor to new staff nurses. At least I have a purpose.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>I finally got into a new place.</b> After some years of flatting, I finally got into a place that I could call home here in Auckland. It is a bit small but just enough to house two blokes and shelter our cars and gadgets. I am sharing the house with a Pinoy friend and workmate whom I met in Saudi Arabia. At long last, I can do whatever I want inside the house, cook whatever food I want to eat, and sing karaoke and play the piano whenever I fancy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For me, renting is probably the best option for now as Auckland's housing crisis is just intolerable. The thought of moving out of the city is always in my mind if I plan to own a house in the future. But for now, I will stick around and suck it up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>I traveled.</b> I wish I could claim that I have been to New York, London, France, Japan, and Dubai... But that still remains a wish for now. I still have to save... Or actually, I need to plan and decide on what I would really like to do. I have always told myself, I have to travel soon before I get back to post-graduate studies but the lazy-pig in me just wants to Netflix all day long.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Uhm, well, at least I haven't rotten in Auckland yet. I had some times off work and managed to literally have a breath of fresh air outside of Auckland. When my mom visited New Zealand last year, I got to tour her in some of the touristy spots.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">February 2017 was when I renewed my passport in the Philippine Embassy in Wellington. I have visited Wellington in 2014 and nothing really much has changed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In April of this year, I spent a week all by myself touring the central north island. I loved every bit of that short birthday holiday. I got to see more of New Zealand's hidden gems and learned a bit about the Maori culture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Later this winter season, I spent a few days in my favorite winter place, Queenstown and finally been to Glenorchy and did the bungy jump.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>I came back home. </b>It was the last week of December 2016 that I got to see the Philippines again. It was a completely different feel celebrating the new year in the country as I once again heard Christmas carols everywhere, the festive season and vibe is just incomparable to places where I have spent new year's. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fast forward to about 9 months after I left my home country, I am going to get back again to <i>Pinas </i>for my nephew's first birthday celebration and hopefully, if my sister-in-law goes to labor within October, then I'd meet my second nephew soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">P.S. After about three and a half years of using my old Samsung Galaxy S4, I finally upgraded to the latest from Samsung, a Galaxy S8+.</span><br />
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Sa Akin Lang Pohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11360043166594225353noreply@blogger.com4Auckland, New Zealand-36.8484597 174.76333150000005-37.2549887 174.11788450000006 -36.4419307 175.40877850000004tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019939172223413009.post-40682797666497129932016-08-30T22:43:00.000+12:002017-07-23T07:04:30.073+12:00In Response to a Pinoy Asking about the Housing Problem in Auckland<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This is not a blog post (although I really wanted to post a new one soon) but just a reply to a comment from an anonymous follower. I realized that my comment was so long that it seemed like an entire blog post already... Here it is..<br />
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<i>Hi, first of all this is an informative blog and i hope you are doing good and you still have time to answer.</i><i><br /></i><i></i></blockquote>
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<i>Question lang po:</i></blockquote>
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<i>1. Anong City po ba ang expensive? (state po ang house/apt rental fee)</i></blockquote>
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<i>2. Anong City po ba ang madaling makahanap ng work?</i></blockquote>
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<i>3. Mabilis po ba ang internet sa NZ?</i></blockquote>
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<i>4. Kumusta po ba ang pagkain? alin ang mahal pinoy food o kiwi food?</i></blockquote>
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<i>5. Kung sakali STUDY, then WORK, then IMMIGRATE ok po ba eto?</i></blockquote>
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<i>6. Ilang years bago makakuha ng CAP?</i></blockquote>
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<i>Marami pa po sana pero i guess above is enough and for sure yong sagot nyo ay makakatulong din katulad sa amin.</i><i><br /></i><i>Salamat!</i></blockquote>
Hi. I only lived in two cities in New Zealand and now based in Auckland. Auckland is definitely more expensive when it comes to apartment/house rental fees; I guess it is a general rule that when you live in the highly populated areas such as Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, the prices would be way up as compared to other cities like Palmerston North, Hamilton, Dunedin, and Invercargill. Let's say for example, in Auckland, the median average house price is NZ$780k, whereas, in Christchurch it is only NZ$420k. In Dunedin and Invercargill where I lived in the past, it is presently at NZ$300k and NZ$202k, respectively (as of May 2016).<br />
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Of course different suburban areas have different prices depending on the community. Some areas in Auckland like Glenfield in North Shore costs NZ$727k for a 3-bedroom house and the counterpart of the same-sized houses in, let's say, the neighboring suburb Milford, is NZ$1.39 million.<br />
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I guess there are jobs everywhere especially in Nursing as I get lots of emails for job vacancies every night (I subscribed to <a href="http://www.kiwihealthjobs.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.kiwihealthjobs.com</span></a> back then in 2013 when I was looking for jobs and I purposefully didn't unsubscribe so that I will be updated of job availability in nearby hospitals). Checkout the immigration website for more details.<br />
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Internet is fast as compared to Philippine-standards. My down speed right now is 101mb per second (I'm using fibre connection).<br />
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Food prices are the same as far as I know. I shop in the same supermarkets (PakNSave and Countdown) in areas where I lived in the past and prices are just the same. Seasonal fruits/veggies have their lows/highs. There are Asian stores everywhere so I really can cook almost every Filipino dish I would like to try. For example, I can cook kare-kare, sinigang, adobo, bulalo, sisig, etc. as the ingredients are available in your nearby Asian stores. In Dunedin, Invercargill, and Auckland, there are Filipino stores around (and I guess same applies to every major cities where there are Filipinos). I honestly don't worry about food prices because my earnings really do go a long way (plus the fact that I do not support any person, nor I am paying for a loan [perks of being single!]. Whenever I miss Pinoy food and I am just lazy to cook, I visit nearby Pinoy restaurants.<br />
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My opinion about study-then-work is still the same (by study I mean coming here for a student visa for a 1 year course). I don't advise people to use this pathway as it will eat lots of your money. If you are a nurse with 5 years of paid experience, then achieve the IELTS requirement and work on your registration here. In my workplace, some of the healthcare assistants (HCA) have nursing backgrounds in the Philippines but they can't have their registration here because they lack the required number of nursing hours OR they can't meet the IELTS requirements. What I suggest is you gain that solid 5 years of acute hospital experience and make sure that you get at least 7 in all subtests in IELTS while in the Philippines. Checkout my other blog entry, <a href="http://saakinlang.blogspot.co.nz/2013/09/from-middle-east-to-middle-earth.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">From Middle East to Middle Earth</span></a>, for more details.<br />
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I am not so up to date with CAP intakes lately but in my time, it was a struggle looking for CAP providers. My Pinoy colleagues from Saudi Arabia followed me here in New Zealand and all of them were successful in their Competency Assessment Programmes and are now working in DHBs. So I guess intakes are still mostly available.</div>
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Sa Akin Lang Pohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11360043166594225353noreply@blogger.com17Auckland, New Zealand-36.8484597 174.76333150000005-37.2549887 174.11788450000006 -36.4419307 175.40877850000004tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019939172223413009.post-50998765535109830102016-05-25T23:14:00.001+12:002016-08-30T22:51:55.453+12:00My Car Maintenance Essentials<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When you own a car, you are responsible for its maintenance. Aside from regular service checks and keeping the registration and warrant of fitness up to date, it is also expected for the owner to maintain both the exterior and interior of the vehicle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I do not have any trouble with maintenance as it has been part of my weekly routine. Never has there been a week that passed that I missed keeping my car looking just the way I got it from the car shop. I own a black car and black colored vehicles are notorious for environmental marks (rain, dust) and blemishes from whatever forces of nature. Although it is somehow costly to maintain it, I just love the feeling of contentment after seeing it squeeky clean again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here are the products I use for the exteriors of my car. More information is available </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1. <a href="https://www.turtlewax.com/shop/products/turtle-wax-jet-black-black-spray-detailer-23-fl-oz" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Turtle Wax' Jet Black Black Spray Detailer.</span></a> Just spray it on black surfaces and wipe with microfiber cloth and you'll end up with a sweet looking vehicle.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjGOtcK0uJq_MjmCYJTs38kPuLLrAcqkhzMT38Y4QqCam-yP63INmuWbfDN5KckiktPlaRQ79ROkU-qCyGBGXyVPNLQ_cR0BWVgjg8U4oPk905eZDMdJL3lkMm9ZzohaMqNMM7BBNSP_9/s1600/turtle_wax_jet_black_spray_detailer_t3190A3DFDE98C5F.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjGOtcK0uJq_MjmCYJTs38kPuLLrAcqkhzMT38Y4QqCam-yP63INmuWbfDN5KckiktPlaRQ79ROkU-qCyGBGXyVPNLQ_cR0BWVgjg8U4oPk905eZDMdJL3lkMm9ZzohaMqNMM7BBNSP_9/s200/turtle_wax_jet_black_spray_detailer_t3190A3DFDE98C5F.png" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2. <a href="https://www.turtlewax.com/shop/products/turtle-wax-performance-plus-express-shine-carnauba-wax-16-fl-oz-" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Turtle Wax Performance Plus Express Shine Carnauba Wax.</span></a> I alternate the use of this and the item above.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2tZoej1KQR2ax8F6ga1baBzbzHoOwWoEtMffDxTnQmTnqu35Wi5AdCLgtqfjx_nX3DQir240UH5T4qc46gm5_EGEty9teVhi3XSCgfaRGV5OLHsI6unRk163javlI7az9tKRa1kIuCzC/s1600/turtle-wax-performance-plus-express-shine-t136rBACAC6DF0C83.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2tZoej1KQR2ax8F6ga1baBzbzHoOwWoEtMffDxTnQmTnqu35Wi5AdCLgtqfjx_nX3DQir240UH5T4qc46gm5_EGEty9teVhi3XSCgfaRGV5OLHsI6unRk163javlI7az9tKRa1kIuCzC/s200/turtle-wax-performance-plus-express-shine-t136rBACAC6DF0C83.png" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">3. <a href="https://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/red/catalog/product/As-Seen-On-TV-Mantis-Instant-Shine-500ml?SKU=1759901" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Mantis Instant Shine.</span></a> If I don't have the luxury of time and I need to give the car a quick clean like for 5 minutes, this is my go to spray. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPr8Zgu7JAi5McBalFl-pUGVc7w3BYjDETMTlBAdQaNOw2AmUw5Suj7KqA082QP8OEmuCGyJcHYTsHAgDbDbIANtHoK2CZF-pDZ3EZdHo0OjrZiiqoEAuuRJIXhCFEOGo6F2GV_On_z04/s1600/5020044840276_00_e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPr8Zgu7JAi5McBalFl-pUGVc7w3BYjDETMTlBAdQaNOw2AmUw5Suj7KqA082QP8OEmuCGyJcHYTsHAgDbDbIANtHoK2CZF-pDZ3EZdHo0OjrZiiqoEAuuRJIXhCFEOGo6F2GV_On_z04/s200/5020044840276_00_e.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">4. <a href="http://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/red/catalog/product/CRC-Wet-Look-Tyre-Shine-500ml?SKU=571147" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">CRC Wet Look Tyre Shine.</span></a> This is for the wheels. Of course it wouldn't be a good looking car if the wheels are dirty.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCEGdNM0kJSbwrwMajyk0LeptS482F_w1P_dFveekxQvevvPPt3iGksye8X3wZpPORuD5BgYoM5YQSmCQn1eGsS1iE-o80eVa43P9lSXjdy8huVjIbh3cQPXTGT3zL4kF8wOncfEADVpI/s1600/9403097650478_00_e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCEGdNM0kJSbwrwMajyk0LeptS482F_w1P_dFveekxQvevvPPt3iGksye8X3wZpPORuD5BgYoM5YQSmCQn1eGsS1iE-o80eVa43P9lSXjdy8huVjIbh3cQPXTGT3zL4kF8wOncfEADVpI/s200/9403097650478_00_e.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">5. <a href="http://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/red/catalog/product/CRC-Headlight-Doctor-220ml?SKU=1955851" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">CRC Headlight Doctor.</span></a> My car's headlight is still looking clear. However, I noticed one day that a patch was seemingly less clear as compared to the other. To prevent the dreaded cloudy-yellowish headlight, I got this product and used it only once. I never had to redo it another time since then. All I can say is it really did what it was supposed to do.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zogr6L335dMFLGWszqHkmIuOxUxUH1AO8uqF9u6P_ZHcVlRHWqdze9kEBN-8sI5vs7gPHnhg1zKlefUGRXrrWIKuWHQsjbTqdnkasEghLAHVvDtzW4_j_dsAwwl_-saSAZOjs3TIftpU/s1600/9403097092308_00_e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zogr6L335dMFLGWszqHkmIuOxUxUH1AO8uqF9u6P_ZHcVlRHWqdze9kEBN-8sI5vs7gPHnhg1zKlefUGRXrrWIKuWHQsjbTqdnkasEghLAHVvDtzW4_j_dsAwwl_-saSAZOjs3TIftpU/s200/9403097092308_00_e.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">6. <a href="http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotive/products/g10307-scratchxreg-20/#pSv2v80tpBG4Llsv.97" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Meguiar's Scratch X 2.0.</span></a> I use this a lot for fine scratches and swirls. I'm usually a very careful driver but sometimes I just get flabbergasted by scratch marks I didn't know how those ended up there.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3xMZrIkjqT0fRw_I8VcJDj5Ae69XMdxmE3NgjHaO57fJ7OGfs6yLqFiWjWbrLmOallYyuQ4RR5YgR5EDsJa60jwH9eSAKRvEK1pDYcriovHIyCvfokuezq5hsq_TwayUlBq310LAFIrD/s1600/k2-_39f1b839-5a07-4547-9584-25517fccbce3.v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3xMZrIkjqT0fRw_I8VcJDj5Ae69XMdxmE3NgjHaO57fJ7OGfs6yLqFiWjWbrLmOallYyuQ4RR5YgR5EDsJa60jwH9eSAKRvEK1pDYcriovHIyCvfokuezq5hsq_TwayUlBq310LAFIrD/s200/k2-_39f1b839-5a07-4547-9584-25517fccbce3.v1.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">7. Microfiber cloth. This is a must! Regular cloth can leave swirls and fine scratches so use the microfiber ones. It does not leave lint and it is reusable. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGna89G5y19wEUKv74S_bQyeR36-YRZGo34vFqWECq2OGArtEX5py1h7dLkE9L44I_4DDFsmzfIjArWUx_2JLZqrtIdWmbFpgEW3Ij3EwzeSS8bBVaP8Ky021IMznuDJzHqjJQd8gOgqXU/s1600/BF-Microfiber3ColorStackHI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGna89G5y19wEUKv74S_bQyeR36-YRZGo34vFqWECq2OGArtEX5py1h7dLkE9L44I_4DDFsmzfIjArWUx_2JLZqrtIdWmbFpgEW3Ij3EwzeSS8bBVaP8Ky021IMznuDJzHqjJQd8gOgqXU/s320/BF-Microfiber3ColorStackHI.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Alright, those are for exteriors. Now we go inside the car.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1. <a href="https://www.turtlewax.com/shop/products/turtle-wax-quick-easy-dash-glass-interior-cleaner-23-fl-oz-" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Turtle Wax Quick & Easy Glass and Dash Interior Cleaner.</span></a> This is the only interior cleaner I use for spraying the dashboard and the glass.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6N5ISO1yzDkcgarr-CzKWQOBw0RTR3Yzf00NRdwPwFJ9yhLxymxeaVPi-Aw4Eu_hWSM5XXy3F_CztdBXtMDbNzlrHpf71SzrmkYtLkGmj8i3C7OwV2lQHkpvcQtkXPCqAPNW7pge1EHrA/s1600/t930-turtle-wax-dash-glass.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6N5ISO1yzDkcgarr-CzKWQOBw0RTR3Yzf00NRdwPwFJ9yhLxymxeaVPi-Aw4Eu_hWSM5XXy3F_CztdBXtMDbNzlrHpf71SzrmkYtLkGmj8i3C7OwV2lQHkpvcQtkXPCqAPNW7pge1EHrA/s200/t930-turtle-wax-dash-glass.png" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2. Glade Auto Scented Oil Automotive Car Vent Air Freshener. Who would't want to ride a car that smells great?!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyMowMPQozWEF03QSyDv7lc0tvaLsOcn8gPlkLDLsTbJdFTkMsYLSzhTAWpBNExYH6HwdvBA4gWksbEKmvyPgppp0NeDrrRNVK-v6BXzzLJkaAb00Q7jhORprZsU_r4n2ebYu4TKpqPBw/s1600/aqua_fresh_auto_sport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyMowMPQozWEF03QSyDv7lc0tvaLsOcn8gPlkLDLsTbJdFTkMsYLSzhTAWpBNExYH6HwdvBA4gWksbEKmvyPgppp0NeDrrRNVK-v6BXzzLJkaAb00Q7jhORprZsU_r4n2ebYu4TKpqPBw/s200/aqua_fresh_auto_sport.jpg" width="178" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">3. <a href="http://www.bunnings.co.nz/vax-mach-gator-handheld-vacuum-10-8v-orange-silver_p00316773" target="_blank">Handheld vacuum cleaner.</a> I don't use this much often but if I have to use it, it's only for the very minute pieces that cannot be removed by bare hands.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Enough of those costly items above. Haha. We move on to more expensive car-must-haves: the gadgets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1. <a href="http://www.tomtom.com/en_nz/drive/car/products/go-6100-aunz/" target="_blank">TomTom Go 6100.</a> This is a must wherever I go, especially for long road trips. It tells you exactly where to go! And if you missed a lane or a street, it will reroute and get you to where you need to go. It tells you the estimated time to get to your destination and it shows you the quickest route while avoiding heavy traffic! And one of the best things with this GPS is it tells you your actual speed and it warns you if you are exceeding the limit. Although it costs a fortune, it is worth the value.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2. <a href="http://kaiserbaas.com/products/car-dvrs/r10-1080p-car-dvr/" target="_blank">Kaiser Baas R10+ 1080p Car DVR.</a> This is a dash cam. It's supposed to record the road for accidents, events, and what nots. Primarily, I use it as a device to document the places I've been to (in short, for vlogging). This item is just cheap but it does what it is supposed to do and I am pretty happy with the quality of the video. There are better dash cams around though with extra features like GPS tracking, speed tracking, G-sensor, and other extra features. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">These are my car essentials. What do you have in yours?</span></div>
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Sa Akin Lang Pohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11360043166594225353noreply@blogger.com0Auckland, New Zealand-36.8494060741779 174.76398468017578-36.8748180741779 174.72364418017577 -36.8239940741779 174.80432518017579tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019939172223413009.post-90462820766336397032016-01-05T14:03:00.001+13:002016-01-19T09:31:55.171+13:00Things I Want to Do This Year<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It is a brand new year again and it is the perfect time to make new year's resolutions. I don't know if this will work at all but I believe that if something is written down on whatever platform it will make the person stick to that resolution a bit more... And there's no better place to put my resolutions for this year other than this blog. So here's my 6 for 2016.<br />
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<b>1. Better health, better body.</b> I would like to invest in my health and be physically fit before it's too late! As a health professional, I am used to seeing the consequences of unhealthy behavior which has taken its toll to most of the patients I see in the Emergency Department. And majority of conditions treated in the hospital are preventable. So just like what my parents tell me, act now before it's too late.<br />
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<a href="http://www.liveinthezonetraining.com/running-how-to-you-increase-your-speed/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8imz1eoaxnE5lHN4Uf2s2jG6fbtdd1YV8nk_cP2dWp3hyY4ADuNWpGRxEbpOOX6xU2bWt0Dq8M5c8OStRj-Nn8gVCackCqYFvCftkbq25NSFz-wmjXD5AbKxyTlvtTToGZk1WA1gS2SU/s400/Man-Running-Beach1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I will strive hard to at least work-out to keep a toned body and to run/jog/walk to maintain a good cardiovascular system like I have when I was in my early twenties.<br />
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<b>2. Be more sociable.</b> I know for a fact that I am an introvert, that I prefer to do things alone, and I can live by myself without relying on others. I have done that for a number of years now and I am quite happy about how things are working. But I would like to open up this year and let other people be part of my year. Besides, that is one of the reasons I moved here in Auckland, to meet more people and hopefully find somebody to openly share my year with.<br />
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<b>3. Start a retirement fund and emergency fund. </b>I know this is kind of premature for some, but it's kind of late actually. I should've started earlier. For sure I have started with KiwiSaver already, but other than that I want to have something ready for the unforeseen future. It is okay to spend on things but I'll make sure a fraction of my earnings will go to savings.<br />
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<b>4. Travel and go places. </b>I really like nature and I would love to see more picturesque places around New Zealand. I am planning to spend my birthday week in Sydney and have a feel of the urban way of living the land down under has to offer.<br />
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<a href="http://theflyingsocialnetwork.com/site/article/the-essential-new-zealand-travel-guide" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8B_EHNMt0tWnprDU5RNA3kWbAWJjKIs9oFdinWWFoiQBEHk5QSKQyZW-CtUPi4L4GKvF3fZreUq91qfnUorNJodBAOR8Nclau0Z5-8EHp9iDfOgw06NsMfN0BbOd4mfrJdYkY0j0XToPl/s400/TNZ-Milford.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>5. Connect with old friends.</b> I have a few friends and they are Pinoys from different places in the world right now, mostly from places I have worked before. A simple catch up will definitely be a good start.<br />
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<b>6. Make my hobbies my real hobbies. </b>When people ask me what I do outside work, I tell them, "I like landscape photography," sometimes I would add, "I also do videos," and "I blog." I would like to be more active with these activities this year. I am going to use more of my camera and produce photos I can be proud of.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZEs2sXlA6sf9Q-nZM2PXYFkCu_MgpkhHLbgiJQTcD7dOv9T_PoyNb2LXWS3A2cEs6pMOibNIVkdQhc1LaGMUOxSbDFAcUGlodFW64EwYQ3mvRHBfScaEEKMNCLSqSJdDaYlTfkpZZg-n/s1600/nikon-digital-slr-d5300-hero-banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZEs2sXlA6sf9Q-nZM2PXYFkCu_MgpkhHLbgiJQTcD7dOv9T_PoyNb2LXWS3A2cEs6pMOibNIVkdQhc1LaGMUOxSbDFAcUGlodFW64EwYQ3mvRHBfScaEEKMNCLSqSJdDaYlTfkpZZg-n/s400/nikon-digital-slr-d5300-hero-banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A challenge for me now is how I would be able to do all these things within a year. I promise to visit my resolutions on my year-end blog and reflect on what I have achieved. Again, happy new year!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photos used in this blog are not mine.</span></div>
Sa Akin Lang Pohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11360043166594225353noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019939172223413009.post-86662607945686267132016-01-03T18:52:00.000+13:002016-01-21T09:34:51.150+13:00Goodbye 2015, Welcome 2016!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hello! I know it took me months before I get to write something here again. I do have a lot of memories and good times this year but did not <strike>have time</strike> make time to sit and reminisce the moments. I don’t want to regret in the future why I didn’t share my thoughts in this blog because, to be honest, randomly reading my blog entries for the past years brings back good memories and in turn leaves me in a good mood. So I might as well jot down some memories of 2015 to have a go-to in times that I need to look back.<br /><br />January 2015 was the time I had to go back to New Zealand for work after spending the holiday season in the Philippines. That holiday spent in the Philippines was a first in 4 years as I was always in Saudi Arabia spending Christmas time since 2010. So Christmas in 2014 was indeed a memorable time for me. I spent the season with family and got to <a href="http://saakinlang.blogspot.co.nz/2015/05/palawan-worlds-most-beautiful-island.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">visit Palawan</span></a> with mates from New Zealand.<br /><br />Getting a car first thing in 2015 was temporarily crossed out in my list as I made a life-changing decision when I got back to the South Island in the first week of January. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I felt that I needed to move out of my current place for almost two years and explore the larger urban-life in either Auckland or Christchurch. However, I haven’t reached two years with my employer that time so I just went on and gave myself a few more months to decide and explore options.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />Autumn and winter came so fast and I just had to keep myself busy with work, live life on a daily basis, spend time with friends, and plan of the near future.<br /><br />February marked the month when I started my first post-graduate paper in New Zealand. It lasted until July and was able to end up with a very good mark. Although I learned some things, I guess I did not benefit a lot from that paper, because honestly, that post-grad paper was I think very undergrad level, something how we used to do things along the streets of España, Manila back in the days. Anyway, at least I managed to finish it and gained 300 hours of continuing education.<br /><br />My Pinoy workmates in the Emergency Department planned for a gathering to enjoy the South Island’s great west and visit Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook. Here are some photos taken on the first week of April.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In my birth month, I spent a few days in Christchurch with mates from Saudi Arabia. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That holiday in Christchurch made me realise that I am missing a lot of what the urban life have to offer. While walking along the streets of the central business district, I felt the longing for the city-life that I grew up in in Muntinlupa. There was one night I was walking at a Christchurch street and it was the exact feeling I had while walking along Filinvest Corporate City (Alabang) after work. I knew then and there that I will have to leave the far south to get in to a city bustling with lights and urban-vibe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was time to get back to reality and work after spending a week in Christchurch. I started looking for job vacancies in either Christchurch or Auckland, and of course, I was again very picky I waited for openings from only the largest tertiary hospitals in both cities.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fast forward to July. I visited Auckland again with the sole purpose of destressing from work and as a gift for my self after finishing my post-grad paper. While the plane was landing at Auckland Domestic Airport, I missed a call from the Human Resources of one of Auckland’s tertiary hospitals. I was not able to give them a call back as I was focused on getting the next bus to the hotel until I completely forgot about it. The following day, I tried to reach them but was unable to do so so I tried ringing the manager. And since I am in Auckland and I am just a few minutes away from the hospital, she invited me for a STAT interview! I agreed! Without much preparation, I chose the smartest from my available casual clothing and went to the hospital. I knew right then and there that I got the job. It was a long 90-minute nose-bleed time for me as I needed to answer tough interview questions and sell myself IN ENGLISH... I didn’t think of a single reason why they won’t hire me that time. So I had a good time that evening and had an extremely good sleep that night. I managed to snap a number of photos of Auckland at night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I did get the job and from that time my months flew by very quickly. I needed to convert my Philippine license to a New Zealand one and had to sit the theory exam. The practical driving test ate only 20 minutes of my time and voila, I had my full New Zealand license!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As soon as I accepted the job offer from the Auckland hospital, I worked on the documents and planned for my transfer. So just before my almost a month-long vacation in the Philippines and Singapore last September, all things were already set. I was ready to leave and start a new life in Auckland.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">September came and I finally got to step in my family’s new house in the Philippines and meet our pets!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Because I wouldn’t be spending Christmas in the Philippines, the first thing that I thought of was getting and setting up a Christmas tree! It was a tough time looking for Christmas trees around the metro as the –ber month has just started that time… But we were clever enough to roam and look in the right place so we ended up with this tree.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Aside from the usual things I do when I spend my time in the Philippines for vacation, those are, eat, pray, chill, and relax, I also spent a week in Singapore.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We roamed around the city for 4 days and been to the tourist attractions like Merlion Park, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore Botanic Gardens, China Town, Universal Studios, among others. The highlight of that Singapore week for me was the roller coaster ride in Universal Studios.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Three weeks spent in Singapore and the Philippines went by so fast it only took me now to take a good look of all the pictures and videos taken during that 3-week holiday. As a home buddy, I spent most of the days playing the piano, eating street food, visiting the nearest wet market, quick drive to Tagaytay to attend mass and eat bulalo, and singing my heart out with our Grand Videoke Symphony. Although the videoke unit was a bit pricey at around 23k, getting the latest and most advanced version and songs was one of the best things a Pinoy could do to a home - it is a good past time and serves as great entertainment for guests Pinoy style.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I had to get back to New Zealand to move my things from the far South to Auckland in October and start a new life in the most populous urban area in New Zealand and I also had to make use of my brand new New Zealand drivers license and put it into use... so I got my own car! It's a black Mazda 6/Atenza. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I know it's long overdue and I should've had gotten a car sooner... I guess I could've snapped a lot of shots of the majestic views of South Island. Anyway, my purchase is something I most value at the moment as it is my only possession in life! Haha. I always wanted a black car before as it looked so masculine and classy. Having a black car may not be favorable for some as it is difficult to maintain but for me it is just perfect... I always clean it, wash it, and make it squeeky clean!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Work is just the same old Emergency Department work. There are lots of Filipinos in the department alone and plenty of Pinoy nurses in other departments. While majority of my colleagues in the south were Kiwis, it is a different story here in Auckland where you will really easily appreciate the words diversity and multicultural. It is like the United Nations in our workplace with workers coming from all over the world. I think I have blended fairly well at work now, I may be new to the department but I have been practising here in New Zealand for quite some time now so adjustments to local practices is not a concern.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2015 literally made a huge impact in my life career-wise and personally as it is a year when I decided on a number of life changing moves. The whole year probably revolved around my desire to move into a big city and accomplishing it and so far I am loving the big move. I guess this would be what I will be reminiscing in the next years... This is what happened when I was 29 years old.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am about to turn 30 in the coming year and somehow I perceive that it will bring a new perspective in life for me. I am going to end this blog entry with a number of photos and videos shot around Auckland. Thank you so much 2015, welcome 2016!!!</span><br />
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Sa Akin Lang Pohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11360043166594225353noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019939172223413009.post-44864099528040319872015-05-11T21:01:00.000+12:002015-05-13T19:29:57.343+12:00Palawan: World's Most Beautiful Island<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Oh yes I'm still alive! After a long hiatus, I'm back again. I've been meaning to write some things about what's been happening in my life but time keeps on flying and I can't grab it!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I was a <i>balikbayan</i> in the Philippines last December 2014 and it was a blast... I visited Palawan with mates and work buddies here in New Zealand. Apparently, Palawan is regarded by many as the "world's most beautiful island." I don't have a point of reference as I am not really well traveled but I suppose multiple claims of international travel magazines say a lot about the island.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We had three days in Puerto Princesa to see one of the New Seven Wonders
of Nature, the Puerto Princesa Underground River, roamed around the
city, shopped for pearls, adventure with nature, and enjoyed fresh
seafood. Then a few more days in Coron's crystal clear beaches, played
with Nemo and his friends, island hopping, snorkel, never ending WOW
moments and breathtaking sceneries. No doubt Palawan is regarded by
Hufftington Post, Conde Nast Traveler, Top Dreamer, and Travel and
Leisure as the most beautiful island in the world. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Of course, I'll share some precious photos here. At this time, I'll just post photos and will give details later when I get free time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Kayangan Lake </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Malcapuya Island</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Banana Island</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Mount Tapyas</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbY4fiWTteYgUXXYxZ4ZaGXOzAqWt38VQYJI-Yj65WqbFnAPr4VD1w65e4WpbQWre7Ndzetv0jBntU6vEWiiptC7Sik4lPzVEEHfOpaEmxVJ355V0O98inxOYjN_WbBjcfQ2opdHIgNbvK/s1600/DSC_0894a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbY4fiWTteYgUXXYxZ4ZaGXOzAqWt38VQYJI-Yj65WqbFnAPr4VD1w65e4WpbQWre7Ndzetv0jBntU6vEWiiptC7Sik4lPzVEEHfOpaEmxVJ355V0O98inxOYjN_WbBjcfQ2opdHIgNbvK/s1600/DSC_0894a.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Limestone formation</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxrVsd9CePHoNU8uuWsEzeEkkM066GVcVIz-R4RfQM1b2Q1fJP5T1wdRbPKJS6FxxLcpAwMg7nxJc83_M0VfUN4jo1TnONFfgeJjTvOdaKClXpV6ha6VQYSCAiV4vx06VqqOsEwTeI2HD/s1600/DSC_0416.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxrVsd9CePHoNU8uuWsEzeEkkM066GVcVIz-R4RfQM1b2Q1fJP5T1wdRbPKJS6FxxLcpAwMg7nxJc83_M0VfUN4jo1TnONFfgeJjTvOdaKClXpV6ha6VQYSCAiV4vx06VqqOsEwTeI2HD/s400/DSC_0416.JPG" width="400" /></a></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Coron Westown Resort</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Sa akin lang po,</i> enjoy while you can. Take advantage of your youthful energy and while you have the resources ($$$)... You can always earn money later on. Visit Coron! I</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">t is a MUST to see
and experience what the island has to offer!</span></div>
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Sa Akin Lang Pohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11360043166594225353noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019939172223413009.post-82488619779522648072014-10-23T00:37:00.000+13:002016-06-13T11:23:13.919+12:00A Filipino Migrant's View of Living in New Zealand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have been in New Zealand for over a year now and I am loving it! I have been to different places in the North and mostly in the South Island and seen a lot of awesome views and experienced what the city life and the countryside had to offer. And somehow I have observed their people and their ways... There are a number of observations that I made during my stay here in New Zealand. Here are a handful of random things of anything about New Zealand as viewed by a Filipino immigrant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>1. Generally, Kiwis are very warm, relaxed, friendly and kind.</b> During my first days in New Zealand, the people who welcomed me made a very good impact. From the driver who took me to my accommodation, to the land lord, to the bank teller, to the bus driver... I felt the warmth and hospitality of their people. I still got the same perception of their people at this stage. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/" target="_blank">New Zealand Now</a> tells us, <i>"On the surface, Kiwis are friendly and outgoing, but we’re also quite
private. So, although it’s easy to start a conversation with us, we
don’t like sharing a lot of personal information. Topics to avoid
include how much people earn, why they don’t have any children or aren’t
married, their weight - anything personal. It’s OK to ask people what they did on the weekend or how their children are. Sport and the weather are also safe topics.</i></span><br />
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</i><i>We come from a land of wide open spaces so we don’t like having
people stand too close. We walk on the left of the footpath and we smile
at each other a lot."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Cheers, mate!<i> </i>:)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>2. Although the paper money is still here, most payment transactions are made through EFTPOS. </b>Electronic funds transfer at point of sale, or widely known as EFTPOS, is an electronic payment system involving electronic funds transfers based on the use of payment cards, such as debit or credit cards, at terminals located at points of sale. Thanks, Wikipedia! Haha. In short, you pay by debit or credit card... As simple as that. But of course, you could always pay in cash. :)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaALIWLItngMTH6OUDKQ8Pm_e-RQveF7mg4uwy1jor_Zn55CBV4Wot-L_dij7fmKzD6EcbvLYBorba_8gJO65QuhCQ8Dtp8zKl76AInMU8aecIBo-Dc85I-VKHOPo68y-wyVJPxo_Wc5W/s1600/thumb-cash-nz.jpg"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaALIWLItngMTH6OUDKQ8Pm_e-RQveF7mg4uwy1jor_Zn55CBV4Wot-L_dij7fmKzD6EcbvLYBorba_8gJO65QuhCQ8Dtp8zKl76AInMU8aecIBo-Dc85I-VKHOPo68y-wyVJPxo_Wc5W/s1600/thumb-cash-nz.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Aside from electronic fund transfer system, online shopping is quite common here. I know that it has been quite some time now since online shopping has been introduced but it is something pretty new for me considering I only lived in the Philippines and Saudi Arabia. Your debit card and credit card is always handy for the bargains you find online!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And you can even pay taxis with your card! Of course with an additional charge... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>3. They like rugby.</b> Not the rugby that the rugby boys in the Philippines are known for... Haha.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXezdLwjE4RsXXK28y_8hfzpbV5HFvc-YAz_kUfVF9u4TpOs_Ucv7_7J3DcJeHh43jZcLtX4_GfR9wu9G8g4uB0LepJ-49STYY8U_eQ2LUXQQTpR1CzbsCESETsHaXRNRHAkQ80dMuUGBp/s1600/rugby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXezdLwjE4RsXXK28y_8hfzpbV5HFvc-YAz_kUfVF9u4TpOs_Ucv7_7J3DcJeHh43jZcLtX4_GfR9wu9G8g4uB0LepJ-49STYY8U_eQ2LUXQQTpR1CzbsCESETsHaXRNRHAkQ80dMuUGBp/s1600/rugby.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What they are crazy about is the game rugby or the rugby league. It is a contact sport that is considered one of the most physically demanding of team sports. As it involves tackling, running, and kicking, you can imagine how it can be a threat to one's bodily and spine integrity. Haha. Here's a glimpse of New Zealand's national game and how it is played in the field. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now, I give you the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haka" target="_blank">haka</a>... It is a war dance by the original Maori people of New Zealand and is done before a game to proclaim the team's strength and to intimidate their opponents. It is not just performed solely for games but also to welcome guests and during special occasions, among others. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>4. They are not a big fan of rice. </b>Aside from Indian, Thai, Japaneses and Chinese restaurants, you won't usually see rice being served as part of their menu.<b> </b>I struggled with this before as I can't seem to consider a meal as a real meal without rice... But I eventually got used to it. Potatoes, bread, and chips (or french fries) are their main source of carbohydrates here. Don't worry. You could always find rice being sold in supermarkets. Of course they sell rice cookers in any department store. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5s7rYTSHAnQ8FDNG8E1APYTr8CEU3CVVxgfzcOivSaavlUQUKUNYgfIB-0iEG3r90diL36iycQRAaa6YQ3q2gUVBvfghO5oaJMEXnrPLSAUxeeVcZAxOGi2BMBWd2o_4aQFlyTMhZohjN/s1600/gourmet-mashed-potatoes-thanksgiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5s7rYTSHAnQ8FDNG8E1APYTr8CEU3CVVxgfzcOivSaavlUQUKUNYgfIB-0iEG3r90diL36iycQRAaa6YQ3q2gUVBvfghO5oaJMEXnrPLSAUxeeVcZAxOGi2BMBWd2o_4aQFlyTMhZohjN/s1600/gourmet-mashed-potatoes-thanksgiving.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></span></div>
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5. Although comparable to the size of the Philippines, <a href="http://www.stats.govt.nz/tools_and_services/population_clock.aspx" target="_blank">New Zealand's population is only 4.5 million</a>. </b></b>And then you will hear your Kiwi tour guide joking about the abundance of cattles and sheep... Haha. There are presently around 9 to 10 sheep to every 1 human in New Zealand.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIkC9YYG04GdD-0eOgfPWNi13SfPnlrz2X680xyFqla3EXZTkxB-U1sQxJfxtmPilJchezUmcuytlM3rCdFFu_wLDlDsVgrab-T3SubJsOKp10n056t48Kzj_cOjjF1yiMXqzXUfsAT1R/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIkC9YYG04GdD-0eOgfPWNi13SfPnlrz2X680xyFqla3EXZTkxB-U1sQxJfxtmPilJchezUmcuytlM3rCdFFu_wLDlDsVgrab-T3SubJsOKp10n056t48Kzj_cOjjF1yiMXqzXUfsAT1R/s1600/Untitled.png" width="320" /></a></b></span></div>
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</b><b><b><br /></b></b>By looking at the map, it resembles that of the Philiipines, but it's not overcrowded! It is just this July 2014 when the Philippines welcomed it's 100 millionth Filipino alive!</span><br />
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<b>6. Left side of the road! </b></b>Driving in New Zealand is like driving in any other places, but there are a few things that you have to be aware of if you are a new driver... Here's a very helpful and informative video about driving in the country.</span><br />
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<b>7. Talk to Kiwis and hear the Visayan accent.</b> </b>Your yes becomes yis, ten becomes tin, seven becomes sivin, and your deck becomes...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And here's the part 2 of that funny commercial...</span><br />
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<b>8. They love the great outdoors. </b></b>Who wouldn't love the country's picturesque sceneries? The vistas, the long white cloud, the coastline, their lakes... Their magnificent landscapes will be loved by nature lovers. You get to enjoy nature as you get your adrenaline pumping too!</span><br />
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</b>If it is a 'lovely day,' your friendly next door Kiwis will definitely enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, camping, fishing, beach walking, or even just strolling around the nearest park. You will definitely enjoy the unspoiled forest and beaches, and their clean and green environment.<b><br />
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<b>9. New Zealand is one of the least corrupt nations of the world. </b></b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">The Ministry of Justice in its website tells us, <i>"New Zealand has a strong reputation for being free and intolerant of
corruption and bribery. The country is also widely recognised for its
commitment to supporting international efforts to combat such behaviour
and offences in all their forms. For example, New Zealand consistently ranks among the least corrupt
nations in the world – often topping the table on Transparency
International’s corruption perceptions index, which
ranks countries by perceived corruption levels among public officials
and politicians." </i>Of course, that claim is supported by statistics...<i> </i></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i> Afghanistan, North Korea and Somalia are seen as the world's most
corrupt countries while Denmark and New Zealand are nearly
squeaky-clean, graft watchdog Transparency International has said in a
survey. - </i><a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11166639" target="_blank">The New Zealand Herald, 2013</a></span></b></span></blockquote>
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<b>10. Equality to all gender, races, or culture.</b> </b>Fed up with the hierarchical system in the Philippines and horrible overt discrimination in the Middle East, I am greatly happy to have moved in this country that value fairness and despises discrimination. When you work, you really get what you worked for... During casual conversations with colleagues at work, they would usually ask, <i>"Is the pay in Saudi very good?"</i> And they would get that shocked reaction when I reveal that salary in the Middle East is <b>based on passport</b>. I would add, "<i>If you have a Philippine or Indian passport, you only get 1/4 or 1/5 of what your 'white' counterpart gets for salary. Imagine that, you do the same work, but you are paid just a fraction of what your other workmate gets."</i> And most New Zealanders are not aware that the Middle East has this system for quite a long time now. Just imagine the shock in their faces after sharing that information with them... Oh well, at least I get to educate them about the sad reality in other parts of the world and that they are in a much better country.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you have the right skill and education, the country will welcome you with arms wide open. As a skilled migrant worker, I got my residence visa in less than a year! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Same-sex marriage became legal in New Zealand on 19 August 2013. Wikipedia shares that: Between 19 August 2013 (when the law became operational) and 31 March
2014, 668 same-sex marriages were registered in New Zealand. 385 of
these were between female couples and 283 were between male couples.
Just under 60 percent of these were between New Zealand citizens, and
roughly one-third were between Australian citizens.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="quotecolour"><i>Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration,
without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion,
political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other
status.</i><span class="ref"><i> </i>(Article 2, </span></span><span class="quotecolour"><span class="ref"><span class="quotecolour"><span class="ref">United Nations Declaration on Human Rights</span></span>)</span></span></span></div>
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<b>11. Their format of writing the date is... Day.Month.Year. </b></b>As of writing this entry, the date is 23 October 2014 or 23/10/14.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Also, we have to move our clocks on specific dates of the year, either an hour further or an hour back, during daylight saving time. Daylight Saving commences on the last Sunday in September, when 2.00am becomes 3.00am. It ends on the first Sunday in April, when 3.00am becomes 2.00am.</span><br />
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<b>12. You don't smoke? No worries!</b></b> The website New Zealand Now says, <i>"Smoking is increasingly rare in New Zealand and prohibited in public buildings, including bars and restaurants. Generally people are expected to smoke outside. If you want to smoke,
it’s polite to ask the people around you if they mind, even if you are
outside."</i> They are pretty serious about the anti-smoking campaign that they advertise ads on national tv about the effects of smoking and how to quit smoking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The price of cigarettes is very high. From 1 January 2014 the price of tobacco and cigarette has risen from $15 to $17.50 for a 20s pack of manufactured cigarettes. If you get a pack of Marlboro in the Philippines for about 52 pesos, you'll get the same pack with the price of 643 pesos here in New Zealand. That's a whopping <span class="green_small">91.91% price difference!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Their efforts to convince the public to quit smoking has indeed been <a href="http://www.healthnz.co.nz/News2013" target="_blank">effective</a>. In the calendar years 2006 to 2013, daily tobacco and cigarette smoking participation per adult (1 RYO = 1 g tobacco) including cigars and cigarillos) reduced from 20.7% to 15.1%, a fall of 27.1% points over 7 years. </span><br />
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<b>13. You don't drink alcohol? Good on you, mate!</b> </b>Once again, the website New Zealand Now gives us, <i>"We have a drinking culture, but it is fine to have a non alcoholic drink when you are socialising. The legal age for buying alcohol in New Zealand in 18. There are
strict rules against providing alcohol for people under that age."</i> Just like smoking, they are seriously campaigning against drunk driving. Here's a very powerful ad...</span><br />
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14. Four seasons! </b>For a dude like me who grew up in a tropical country, a childhood obsession would be to experience four seasons... And of course, touch and play with snow/ice. Finally, I experienced summer, fall/autumn, spring, and winter!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFafUiS4kwMShnCYyERAgpJcKZ5LEBdYhosMfJxW9a7fsG5xcKaX0ICbAEKpRNlMulvJqE2QsD3rPxNu5U4C4mDgj0PIT9P20HUVwXTzXmDS6SaOAAZ9pEY2JH_isYXYCikblabKCm2A0/s1600/DSC_0673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFafUiS4kwMShnCYyERAgpJcKZ5LEBdYhosMfJxW9a7fsG5xcKaX0ICbAEKpRNlMulvJqE2QsD3rPxNu5U4C4mDgj0PIT9P20HUVwXTzXmDS6SaOAAZ9pEY2JH_isYXYCikblabKCm2A0/s1600/DSC_0673.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>15. Work-life balance. </b>The Kiwis really value how they live their life. And they know how to enjoy! As compared to where I worked before (Philippines and Saudi Arabia), your hard earned money here will definitely go far... You could afford to get a nice car (a second hand will do on your first few years.. or even months), you can finance your travel abroad or even just domestically, and most of all, you still get to save a lot... The cost of living here is VERY reasonable. Although for newbies it may be a shocker once you convert the prices, you really don't have to worry about converting once you start to receive your NZ salary. With a nurse's salary, you can definitely live comfortably in this country AND save much in the bank. $$ Also, you get to spend around 4 to 6 weeks of paid vacation! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>16. New Zealand is one of the safest countries to live on earth. </b>From the <a href="http://www.dol.govt.nz/immigration/knowledgebase/item/3309" target="_blank">New Zealand Immigration website</a>, <i>"According to the <a href="http://www.visionofhumanity.org/#/page/our-gpi-findings">2013 Global Peace Index</a>, New Zealand is the 3rd safest place to live in the world (after Iceland and Denmark). Up against 144 countries, New Zealand was followed by Austria (4th) and Switzerland (5th). Other nations such as the UK (44th) and USA (99th) were much further down the list." </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />The website added, <i>"New Zealand is a relaxed and welcoming place to live. We’re a modern, secular democratic society and a mix of lifestyles is accepted here. People from many walks of life call New Zealand home and the majority of New Zealanders are honest law-abiding citizens." </i><br /><i><br />"Our local police force is strong and you can be assured that all criminal matters are taken seriously. As in any country, there are incidents of crime and New Zealand Police are dedicated to solving and resolving offences. Our robust justice and court systems provide a fair process for those involved as well victim support." <br /><br />"We’re a secure nation and pride ourselves on maintaining safe communities. Even our biggest cities are considered some of the top places to live on earth – Auckland (3rd) and Wellington (13th) ranked amongst the best on <a href="http://www.mercer.com/articles/1128060">Mercer’s 2012 Quality of Living survey</a>." </i></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>17. There are Filipinos almost everywhere.</b> Right, the cliche is right. You see Filipinos everywhere. We're pretty much like the Chinese and the Indians now, wherever there is an opportunity, you'll find them. Everywhere my foot has taken me in the North or the South Island there is a Filipino. And of course if you have a Filipino community there would be a demand for Filipino stores that sell your favorite '<i>Pinoy</i> favorites'. Isn't that awesome?! You are far away from <i>Pinas</i> and you still get to experience the <i>Pinoy</i> comfort. Oh, you also get to taste <i>Pinoy</i> food in <i>Pinoy</i>-run restaurants in the bigger New Zealand cities.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I guess the closest to New Zealand when it comes to living experience is Australia. I actually once thought of going to Australia a few months ago, but after hearing comments about racism from friends and bloggers I ditched the thought of moving out and decided to stay here. I also considered pursuing the US which was my original plan after graduation in 2007 but over the past few years the 'safety' in the US has been a concern (uhm, mass killings...), add the issue of retrogression... Canada can be too cold for me and I still have to study for years if ever I decide to move there, so no thanks. And UK's cost of living is 'stressful' according to my friends. Besides, UK nurses tend to travel to New Zealand or Australia and leave their country because of the cost of living... And that says a lot about the way of living there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I can just go on and type more things about New Zealand in this entry... But it will definitely leave you with a common thought in mind, that New Zealand is a very good country to live in.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As a resident of New Zealand's South Island, I have ready access to "the world's ultimate adventure capital." It is just a couple of hours drive away from where I live.. It may take some time to travel by road, but the road travel is worthy especially when you get to enjoy the breathtaking landscapes and sceneries, add that to the good conversation with friends, and time will just pass by in a flick.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Although I have been to Queenstown for a number of times already, it is only recently that I truly appreciated the 'adventure' in this adventure capital. My CAP mates and I had a sort-of reunion in our first year in New Zealand - and Queenstown was the preferred destination. In time with our first anniversary as residents of this country, the Queenstown winter season welcomed us with majestic views of the snow-covered mountains and very cool weather. Coming from a tropical country, the Philippines, the snow and the cool environment somehow gave us good chills as we felt that we were indeed in a four seasons country. With temperature range from less than 0 degree to around 2 to 3 degrees during our stay, we thought that it was the perfect time to put on layers of clothing... And for me to try those GQ inspired winter outfits. Haha.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It was a Sunday during Day 1 of our Queenstown Holiday. I could not afford to miss the fun and catch-up activities with my friends so instead of waiting for a regular Monday bus from my place to Queenstown [I still don't have a car, poor me], I opted to fly to Christchurch to meet my friend there. And it didn't disappoint me. The 45-minute catch-up with my friend from Christchurch Airport to Queenstown Airport was all worthwhile.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><a href="http://www.queenstownairport.co.nz/" target="_blank">Queenstown Airport</a></span> is 8 kilometers away from Queenstown Central Business District (CBD). You can get loads of information from the airport itself of the activities that are in store for your Queenstown holiday. There are heaps of packages to choose from and they offer discounted prices. For my readers, I would highly recommend you to go visit the <span style="color: #073763;"><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/Tourism-g255122-Queenstown_Otago_Region_South_Island-Vacations.html" target="_blank">TripAdvisor</a> <span style="color: black;">website</span></span> to get first hand inputs of the must-do activities in Queenstown and the surrounding areas. Plus you'll get honest opinions from people from all over the world about facilities, establishments, tours, and activities. At the end of the day, it all depends on your preferences AND budget. Do this online activity months ahead of your travel date so you could anticipate the seasonal activities. Back to Queenstown Airport... Vehicle rental companies have their own stalls around the airport so you can choose depending on your period of stay and budget. For the backpackers and thrift travellers, there are bus and taxi bays for transportation from Frankton to the CBD. Like almost anywhere in the world, the drivers are your local, friendly tourist guides who could provide you details of what to do and where to go to... Take advantage of their input as most of the time the information from these drivers are really valuable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After dropping our luggage in the hotel, we did not waste time and immediately roamed around the city. We carefully planned the days and our activities each day based on the MetService weather forecast. Of course we can't do any outdoor activities during rainy days so we tried to fit in activities according to the forecast. We explored the CBD on our first day to acclimatize, we had the Milford Sound tour on our second day, third day was the most exciting for me, the skydiving day, and the fourth and last day was for skiing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We had to join the bandwagon and check out Fergburger and Patagonia.Some say both are overrated but I was quite satisfied with the stuff from both specialty stores. If you want humongous burgers then <span style="color: #073763;"><a href="http://www.fergburger.com/fullscreen.html" target="_blank">Fergburger</a></span> will sort your hunger.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Want chocolates, coffee, and churros to warm your senses on a cold time of the day? Drop by <span style="color: #073763;"><a href="http://www.patagoniachocolates.co.nz/" target="_blank">Patagonia Chocolates</a></span>! They also have ice cream!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We of course had the cable car (Gondola) to get to the mountain top and have a good view of the town. Up in the mountain are a number of cool features including the <span style="color: #073763;"><a href="https://www.skyline.co.nz/queenstown/luge/" target="_blank">Skyline Luge</a></span> and the Skyline Restaurant. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The fee of $82
dollars for the combo for <span style="color: #073763;"><a href="https://www.skyline.co.nz/queenstown/gondola/" target="_blank">Skyline Gondola</a></span> and <span style="color: #073763;"><a href="https://www.skyline.co.nz/queenstown/restaurant/" target="_blank">Skyline Restaurant</a></span>
(buffet) is worth the bucks as I felt so full of ganstronomic treats
from their seafood and sushi bar, their steak bar, and the grill
section. They offer a full course of meal from the starter up to the
dessert. You just have to work on your plan on how to try everything
that appeals to your appetite! Oh I just love buffets!</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After the buffet, you could stroll around the CBD for a night view of the town.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We were curious about the Ice Bar so we spent around $20 to $30 for the entrance and mocktails/cocktails. In the bar are ice sculptures, and of course, the other equally curious guys and gals trying out the experience of being in Antarctica. Party all along with your mates and meet people with different nationalities!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Second day was Milford Sound day. <span style="color: #073763;"><a href="http://www.milford-sound.co.nz/" target="_blank">Milford Sound</a></span> is miles away from Queenstown and it takes 5-6 hours by bus to get to the sound from Queenstown CBD and another 5-6 hours to get back to the adventure capital. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Although this is not part of Queenstown anymore, Milford Sound is a popular destination for tourists longing for nature at its finest in the Southland Region. The area is government protected so you won't really see a lot of establishments along the road, just nature nature nature. There are a few ferry carriers catering to the tourists and you just have to choose according to your preferences. The whole tour includes several stops to notable spots like the Mirror Lake, the tunnel, and the mountain spring where you could fill your bottle with fresh spring water... When you get to the point where you will ride the ferry to tour the sound, you just have to sit back, relax, and enjoy nature. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The commentaries from the tourist guides were very rich and helpful, you'll just say 'wow' with the facts and figures. It takes almost 2 hours for the Milford Sound ferry trip alone and while on board, you can have your food or you could just purchase from the available treats from the stalls. The buses leave at 8 in the morning, with arrival time of 1:30pm at Milford Sound, departure at Milford Sound at around 3:45pm then back to Queenstown CBD at 8 in the evening. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We ended the second day with a good meal in one of the restaurants in the CBD.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Third day was skydiving day! We booked our tickets at <a href="http://www.nzoneskydive.co.nz/home" target="_blank">NZone Skydive</a> and we were told that the skydive will depend on the weather and subject to cancellation anytime. They will ask for your credit card details but won't charge you until the time they confirm that the skydive will push through. We all wanted our skydive experience documented so we chose the combo of $229 for the video/photo coverage. The skydive alone will cost about $339 or more depending on the altitude. On the day itself, I got pretty much worried as MetService estimated the day to be a cloudy/sunny day with light winds. Our supposed 9am schedule was cancelled due to wind conditions so we were asked to come back by 11am. We just killed time by visiting the Botanic Gardens and played like kids in their playground. If we had ample time we could have visited the Queenstown Gardens and the <span style="color: #073763;"><a href="http://www.queenstownicearena.co.nz/" target="_blank">Queenstown Ice Arena</a></span> for ice skating!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When we came back to NZone Skydive, we were told that the skydive will be a GO! After signing the waiver (that we could be killed - urgh), we used a van to get us to the drop area which is about 15 to 20 minutes away from the CBD. The Remarkables will say hi to you as that will be the backdrop of the drop zone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">There will be a
safety briefing and then off you go! As it is a tandem skydive, you
don't have to worry about the technicalities as the dive masters are
professionals. Just remember the banana position and enjoy the
spectacular view... </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The skydive experience must be the most daring, most incredible thing that I have done in
my life! The whole skydive experience, from the safety briefing, the
breathtaking scenery after the 200km/hr free fall from 12,000 feet
above, up to the time my skydive master Greg and I landed on the ground,
was exceptional... That was indeed the highlight of my Queenstown 2014
holiday!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="userContentSecondary fcg">After the adrenaline rush, we were dog tired and nauseated for almost an hour. Haha. We just had Japanese for lunch takeaway and we had the meal in the hotel. With muscles and extremities like jellies, we slept for about 2 hours and up again after recharging, just in time for dinner. Of course, we consulted TripAdvisor again and we landed on Flame Bar and Grill (reservations necessary as they are always full of diners).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> After the sumptuous meal, we tried the spooky, scary <span style="color: #073763;"><a href="http://fearfactory.co.nz/" target="_blank">Fear Factory</a></span>. Good thing nobody chickened out! Haha. <br /><br />Winter wouldn't be complete if we didn't get to touch snow and play around, erm, like kids again, and build a snowman. Haha. The fourth and last day was spent solely for this activity. Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperative that day and it was all cloudy with snow the whole day at <a href="http://www.nzski.com/mountain.jsp?site=coronetpeak" target="_blank">Coronet Peak</a>. Nevertheless, we still enjoyed the day learning the basics of skiing and playing with <strike>crushed ice</strike> snow. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We still had the whole evening to spend so we just roamed around, had Indian for dinner, and tried Vortex, the 12-D experience. Vortex reminded me of Rialto from Enchanted Kingdom in Laguna, Philippines.<br /><br />Day five was the check out day. We had to go back to reality and earn for a living. Some of us had to ride the airplane and me, of course, just a bus ride. Although we were quite sad because that marked the end of our Queenstown holiday, the memories of the past few days were enough to mask the sadness with delight and happiness. You can never go wrong with a holiday spent with good people, good company.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Just a side trip... If you happen to be available during the autumn season, the nearby town which is just a few kilometers away from Queenstown is a must see. <span style="color: #073763;"><a href="http://www.arrowtown.com/" target="_blank">Arrowtown</a></span> is best known for their Autumn Festival. Here are a few photos of the views from the town.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />This holiday was one of the most memorable holidays that I had in my life, I guess the experience was a lot better because my mates had no qualms on spending, the reason the whole Queenstown experience was richer and more memorable. Although I have been to Queenstown for the nth time, it was only this week that I truly enjoyed the adventure paradise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /><i>Sa akin lang po</i>, it is okay to spend your hard earned money to pamper yourself with treats. Be there to enjoy, you could always earn the money later on!</span></div>
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Sa Akin Lang Pohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11360043166594225353noreply@blogger.com2Queenstown, New Zealand-45.031196699200351 168.66056442260742-45.042418199200348 168.64039442260741 -45.019975199200353 168.68073442260743tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019939172223413009.post-49032455461412257212014-04-13T14:42:00.000+12:002014-08-18T20:56:49.249+12:00Restaurant Food in New Zealand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I don't starve myself. I eat the food that I want, and I have no preferences on food. Whenever people ask me about my food I would immediately tell them, <i>"I eat anything, as long as it is edible."</i> In my past few months in New Zealand, I have eaten in almost every town that I have been to, and with every town comes the variety of food and flavors. Although I am a 'rice person', that is, a person who is satisfied with rice as a staple meal, I have recently tolerated lunch and dinner meals without rice. Potatoes, pasta, and bread have been the common substitute here to the Filipino's main source of carbohydrates. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is my first ever meal in New Zealand. If I remember it correctly, I had this Farmer's Breakfast in one of Auckland International Airport's restaurants.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> This dessert was from Wellington. I can't recall the place, but it is a restaurant that is always full at dinner time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-K95LHlqKuyJCr0iCMErRxYlvT0VYSDWrIMnlOvxKv1cJM74XOezaoQ0xTikewqgaO8mOqs46c_qNRBCxESYPOPWG2OOxb9xLsy7q0X3Hnfg6fUgQ1E_hhQZj9Vp09hnK2A8zfeBL4D9c/s1600/20131106_201835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-K95LHlqKuyJCr0iCMErRxYlvT0VYSDWrIMnlOvxKv1cJM74XOezaoQ0xTikewqgaO8mOqs46c_qNRBCxESYPOPWG2OOxb9xLsy7q0X3Hnfg6fUgQ1E_hhQZj9Vp09hnK2A8zfeBL4D9c/s1600/20131106_201835.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> This perhaps is my first gourmet meal in South Island. I had this salmon meal from the Beach House.</span></div>
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Tony's Seafood and Steak, Wellesley Street, Auckland CBD</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3mHCugnoE1LTNu1Vssg70BwV3I5258gHqLp6HHnuF-UiP-JoZr-sTTUZgRJJEf65SAQFvSxOXrnlyYSvABqlkff_85zuPXnHn36_uuVOk126CstrkeNVBblKpmza7M_pXzD08-xgNlMT/s1600/20131113_145955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3mHCugnoE1LTNu1Vssg70BwV3I5258gHqLp6HHnuF-UiP-JoZr-sTTUZgRJJEf65SAQFvSxOXrnlyYSvABqlkff_85zuPXnHn36_uuVOk126CstrkeNVBblKpmza7M_pXzD08-xgNlMT/s1600/20131113_145955.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I still go with the common Chinese food as it is available almost everywhere in the world!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUzlh5PjqpU-TaaGqVP2znSmThyphenhyphenJ56qnZq7v4Q1uDzNhdcJ9LAT1PkJX5dFcI08CVgN01C7xwwiXXV2AsHIegBzNK9r7lWorhU63Rp8nQLqmebY8ZGFMwdbe8EV_cWiBoghYaRuYPc2S7/s1600/DSC_1707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUzlh5PjqpU-TaaGqVP2znSmThyphenhyphenJ56qnZq7v4Q1uDzNhdcJ9LAT1PkJX5dFcI08CVgN01C7xwwiXXV2AsHIegBzNK9r7lWorhU63Rp8nQLqmebY8ZGFMwdbe8EV_cWiBoghYaRuYPc2S7/s1600/DSC_1707.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> The above meals were from Buster Crabb in Invercargill, New Zealand. The serving is so huge that it can feed 2 individuals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibeaJBiNnquhHpiWOy2IxLPOOaL1ZHoKxUWqxGdglQOEG0r_zwjgWRzWXegLTFYWg0PVaLz1pOZfvlYTyKNAhyphenhyphenwR8ulo53lGdv8t5ewIJvrjCIh_92xqsOMYzj2htx_yFg8fvm3UDlEcmB/s1600/DSC01468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibeaJBiNnquhHpiWOy2IxLPOOaL1ZHoKxUWqxGdglQOEG0r_zwjgWRzWXegLTFYWg0PVaLz1pOZfvlYTyKNAhyphenhyphenwR8ulo53lGdv8t5ewIJvrjCIh_92xqsOMYzj2htx_yFg8fvm3UDlEcmB/s1600/DSC01468.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Tahong or mussels have been one of my favorite seafood dishes. From baked to buttered to tinolang tahong! The green lipped mussels are abundant in New Zealand. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nZgilg1yHDWGAONe006fYtuFxRshBcXmdcO5KwTddOq_Mo5BkskwiTpUmV1HY7vEcyUzEBFXbosR55Nuh6Au8Orc7AcliXBoaWBDfzd6vzPpAmq1xYLxt21-x_TFzd19WA4KWcbmtL0U/s1600/DSC_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nZgilg1yHDWGAONe006fYtuFxRshBcXmdcO5KwTddOq_Mo5BkskwiTpUmV1HY7vEcyUzEBFXbosR55Nuh6Au8Orc7AcliXBoaWBDfzd6vzPpAmq1xYLxt21-x_TFzd19WA4KWcbmtL0U/s1600/DSC_0231.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> These beautifully created, sumptuous Japanese meals are a must try. I had this in Wellington, in one of the favorite Japanese take-away restaurants along the central business district.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMKTOQjFxY7O2Jl9HpLiqVegN4dBVweWZO183I5sIF33AX9j6-CErRevTAHj9ivGSCLlWcQqYPr-XKv10Tspy_Bx_o3OxcGvNzL68bVUHi_p2R2B_kuUZ26e1VpN7nmlKLuS-_cKaw0uT/s1600/DSC_0384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMKTOQjFxY7O2Jl9HpLiqVegN4dBVweWZO183I5sIF33AX9j6-CErRevTAHj9ivGSCLlWcQqYPr-XKv10Tspy_Bx_o3OxcGvNzL68bVUHi_p2R2B_kuUZ26e1VpN7nmlKLuS-_cKaw0uT/s1600/DSC_0384.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> This is Bordeaux Bakery's cronut. New Zealand's first cronut.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Very meaty! From Steer and Beer in Wellington.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">From Water Bar Restaurant, Wanaka</span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp63oCjOJdbf4ietB5wkHjLF8mLHHRo2lLmRcijUUvislE9EMd7RH3vCL64-b4xOm2aD2CRqSOub8QYsR1t_FbKU_pHnLaNMCmQZfg8GjLiu5OVosH8JpquOaRMO-RTqrfO6nKSwBjOsJI/s1600/DSC01467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp63oCjOJdbf4ietB5wkHjLF8mLHHRo2lLmRcijUUvislE9EMd7RH3vCL64-b4xOm2aD2CRqSOub8QYsR1t_FbKU_pHnLaNMCmQZfg8GjLiu5OVosH8JpquOaRMO-RTqrfO6nKSwBjOsJI/s1600/DSC01467.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Roast pork! Parang Lechong kawali lang.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">These were from Floriditas in Wellington.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> These are from Cabbage Tree. The second and third picture's black portion are mushrooms, looks like blood stew or <i>dinuguan, </i>eh.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Speaking of Filipino food, here's a classic in Pinoy hapag-kainan, Crispy Pata from Manila Grill, Dunedin </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lunch treats from Lone Star, Dunedin </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Best Cafe in Dunedin offers fresh Bluff Oysters, yummy Seafood Chowder, and traditional Fish and Chips</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Typical breakfast in New Zealand - Baked tomatoes, sausage, poached eggs, bacon, hash brown, mushrooms.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now, tell me... Are you hungry? Haha. I am! The above meals' price range is from $15-40 dollars. Once the price reaches $25 and above, <i>siguradong</i> very decent meal <i>na yun</i>!</span></div>
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Sa Akin Lang Pohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11360043166594225353noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019939172223413009.post-8937977335804218482014-02-14T02:50:00.000+13:002014-09-22T22:52:54.828+12:00I'd Want To...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://hamkahatta.deviantart.com/art/The-Backpacker-41545637" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://hamkahatta.deviantart.com/art/The-Backpacker-41545637" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrp8HuQCsP-cuv_HXLqi2x8G_pzvE_DjpgQwd2ZMcjfduPAdFaAYq2gklREE-VX4oEMhBuFNpOpZur_csrHmgnOcIYqIzSzeigHUgjkBBkMH8xepRY1h4a0UXbffk49rohB4J4iIVwMSq/s1600/The_Backpacker_by_hamkahatta.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Okay... there are plenty of things that I'd like to do in the future. And I mean the near future, as in 5 years from now. Specifically, those things that would let me know and love myself further, contemplate, meet new people, and explore. I'm turning 28 this year and I think I haven't done so much in my life that I am quite proud of. Definitely, working in the Middle East is one thing that not all people would be able to do in their entire lives, so let me include that in my list... So here it goes... 12 things in my bucket list to do before I reach 30...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>1. Work abroad. </b>I have accomplished this. I had been to Saudi Arabia and experienced a lot of firsts and wonderful things in that country. The culture was shocking at first but I eventually managed to digest the cultural differences. My Middle Eastern stint was a sure milestone in my life as I took the road not (so often) taken. I moved out of my comfort zone in the Philippines, went to a new country relying on my self, decided on a lot of things, enjoyed the salary, and felt the scorching desert heat. I know that's a big leap.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then I told my self, <i>"You can't really speak Arabic, go to a country that speaks English!"</i> Then poof! New Zealand came. I worked my ass off, completed the requirements, and now I am here in New Zealand. Now, tell me... I am a brave man, eh?! Two countries and two licenses (other than the Philippine license) in 4 years... And why am I looking at the Trans Tasman agreement for Australia?! Haha. Will it be another journey to the land down under, err soon?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>2. Visit countries.</b> They say travelling is a hobby for the rich. Actually, that's exactly what my thought is. Haha. Who travels as a hobby? Of course those who can afford it... And now that I am earning my own money, I think I can save some for my next trip! It's the culture, the people, the food, and of course the tourist destinations that I'd like to explore... In my list, of course, are my country's neighbors: Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. It would be awesome to know more about my brothers and sisters from the South East Asian region. I also am aiming to visit the Eastern part of Asia, specifically Hong Kong, Korea, or Japan. Japan's very rich history is ultimately a culture-hungry type of guy must experience. Look at their temples, their bonsais, their sushi, their kimono... Take me to Japan soon!!! Of course I'm also dreaming of seeing the London Eye, the London Bridge, the Eiffel Tower, the Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, and the San Fransisco bridge! Ehem, enough of day dreaming... Those places will require some huge savings... Gotta start a piggy bank soon! Lol.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>3. Travel alone.</b> Oh yes, for an introverted guy this could be a more boring (solemn) activity. But that's me, your quiet housemate/colleague/friend. I would like to know how it feels to be in a place that I don't know (not literally, of course I'd search about the place first.. lol), to be in a strange place I know nothing about. Could it be the liberating experience it may give? With the traveling comes different modes of transportation... I believe I'll know more about myself if I do that. Soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>4. Cook good food.</b> I cook Filipino food. That's it. I guess I have to bring out the inner chef in me (if there is) some time... Gotta watch Ratatouille again to bring out that flame!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>5. Volunteer. </b>I am not a very patriotic citizen and I admit that I have never done something that directly helped those in need. Uhm, I have done medical missions before, did some teaching sessions for kids, but those are out of curricular requirements. I'd like to feel good internally. I'd like to use my skills to at least help others (apart from professional nursing).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>6. Be in a relationship. </b>Haha. I can't believe I am including this in my list... I guess it's time? They say I have to be in a number of relationships to find the real one whom I can stay with for long term... Darn, <i>beynte syete na ako wala pa rin</i>?!?! Next move <i>nito deretso kasal na</i>... Haha. Simply, date somebody. Find that connection with another person's heart. Ulk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPWWNcSDH14F4x9QTVi3kHVRdQUJF1HjODXQaV1o-ETW6qT7xr0ys0pgEF5lou4Vb4eIcJ4jzYF8uhy6NGwcxjgTagtkyKvQ7zvxuSWiIcoFy0DqW9U0OUe17cMojPb0r4dQaRkFvoLeT/s1600/couples-holding-hands-at-beach.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPWWNcSDH14F4x9QTVi3kHVRdQUJF1HjODXQaV1o-ETW6qT7xr0ys0pgEF5lou4Vb4eIcJ4jzYF8uhy6NGwcxjgTagtkyKvQ7zvxuSWiIcoFy0DqW9U0OUe17cMojPb0r4dQaRkFvoLeT/s1600/couples-holding-hands-at-beach.png" height="226" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>7. Find my friends. </b>I just need to catch up with them. Them who? lol. I feel that I really need to catch up with them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKJa002vM_xjDZqzEVDql9iAVLtbGhokaOkwIzNz_XqOhFNYb10AE_mp4OkszapNg7XMSJ_z6CPgnuKKv_8HS7r2ZotUG5ZIZth6B0qDYRLC6yeAtoB05aYA2pNnULTlicYcj_m07wESC/s1600/life-reality.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKJa002vM_xjDZqzEVDql9iAVLtbGhokaOkwIzNz_XqOhFNYb10AE_mp4OkszapNg7XMSJ_z6CPgnuKKv_8HS7r2ZotUG5ZIZth6B0qDYRLC6yeAtoB05aYA2pNnULTlicYcj_m07wESC/s1600/life-reality.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>8. Sing. </b>I know I can sing. And I could have been very very good in singing if this talent was honed when I was younger. Well, it's safe to say that I know how to properly sing, I know when I am out of tune, and I know when I am straining. The key thing, ehem, is to get the right song for my vocal range.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>9. <strike>Buy something.</strike> Invest. </b>Uhmmm. What should I buy. I have the necessary things I need. Uhmmm... What should I buy anyway (on a second thought)? A car perhaps? A house? I guess I have to change the heading to Invest... Right, the more proper heading would be 'invest'. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTQA1keA8gJasNJjzLIL2eMGqyJeLpiFOSUbvCr0Uzb-FZ7lKVNSkpP4K_V2YRGKV1VmInBeHjLCCKosiKR1gJpx78kWvP2cXm3trjVBOb4PN8aE8pIXrP0YodtfOtc6S_El3kjX18feO/s1600/tumblr_mdxm4fWEwX1qzr04eo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTQA1keA8gJasNJjzLIL2eMGqyJeLpiFOSUbvCr0Uzb-FZ7lKVNSkpP4K_V2YRGKV1VmInBeHjLCCKosiKR1gJpx78kWvP2cXm3trjVBOb4PN8aE8pIXrP0YodtfOtc6S_El3kjX18feO/s1600/tumblr_mdxm4fWEwX1qzr04eo1_500.jpg" height="320" width="277" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>10. Watch a live musicale, concert, or stage play.</b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">11. Skydive!</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xc_uVxgpl7FnJ7epW3gjjk5AbsqptAlf_HhUE1lrsare4XXDovfUnTWx7YwDD5Hp_UnfQaomNaW4pPAfF8pPjLbUdUQxeZYO13BrhMKXKZS6CP_Gv_VFM8Uk1xuokom6y9jwPWdLMvS4/s1600/Nzone_Skydive_Queenstown__2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xc_uVxgpl7FnJ7epW3gjjk5AbsqptAlf_HhUE1lrsare4XXDovfUnTWx7YwDD5Hp_UnfQaomNaW4pPAfF8pPjLbUdUQxeZYO13BrhMKXKZS6CP_Gv_VFM8Uk1xuokom6y9jwPWdLMvS4/s1600/Nzone_Skydive_Queenstown__2.jpg" height="199" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>12. Commit mistakes.</b> Mistakes make one a better person, eh?! I guess so. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It takes some quiet moments to come up with a list of to-do's like mine above... <i>Sa akin lang po</i>... we need those personal time for ourselves... and quiet moments make you realise a lot of things... Why not create a list of your personal 'I'd want to...' </span></div>
Sa Akin Lang Pohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11360043166594225353noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019939172223413009.post-24040215626962360962014-01-01T12:35:00.000+13:002014-08-12T22:57:00.724+12:00Goodbye 2013, Welcome 2014!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Whew! It has been thee years since I started doing my series of 'goodbyes' and 'hellos' for the outgoing and the incoming years. And I've done all of those in my three places of residences: in the Philippines, in Saudi Arabia, and now in New Zealand. Indeed, I've started exploring and experiencing the adult world; I work to pay the rent and send some home, and technically, be the young-adult who 'explores the world' out there. 2013 had been very good to me... I've once again made a big leap in my career and personal life as I dared to challenge my self with big decisions and crossed life-changing routes.<br />
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At the start of the year, I was just tad busy working on my papers for the Nursing Council of New Zealand's requirements for international registered nurses. Other than the usual shifts in the Refinery where I worked as an Emergency Room nurse, my days were spent in the streets of Jeddah to process my legal documents. It was quite a liberating experience for me to travel around Jeddah and see different places (as opposed to the misconception of people about traveling alone in the Arab city). At least in those days, even weeks, I have felt that I could really stand by my self, do the things that I was quite hesitant to do before, and of course, travel alone. The pedantic me remained the same, I planned my trip, I set alternatives if my first plan didn't work out, and I learned to use the GPS from my mobile phone. Jeddah is (still) a very interesting place. I could still perfectly visualize how the streets look and feel like. Somehow, I'm missing Saudi Arabia.<br />
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Apart from processing my papers during January and early days of February, my post-graduate course with the UP Open University kept me busy. Honestly, I can't remember (at this time) the last courses that I had for AY 2012-2013 but I am sure I finished all of those. To sum it all, I had 27 units completed, I just have to finish my intensive practicum and the dreaded thesis to have that Master of Arts in Nursing (MAN) after my name. However, with the recent change in my career plans (and location), I doubt it if I would be able to continue with my degree... I really am clueless of what my options are.<br />
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March came so fast! It was the month that I got so busy arranging my annual leave for the Philippines. At the same time, it was March's second week that I decided to drop my <i>conditional resignation</i>. March 16 was the date of my resignation letter and that was the first day of the 90 days countdown for the final working day. It was a strategy that I thought of just to have options. I'd be on annual leave which still meant that I was an employee of my company and the two remaining months to be completed when I come back. But there was a twist of fate!!! My CAP school in New Zealand declined my application for an apparent reason! I was really devastated when that news came and thought that New Zealand might not be meant for me... But just a few days later, they reversed their decision and accepted me back into their programme. But from the initial August intake, it was moved to the second week of June. Of course, I was energized again and I activated my neurons for some time-planning activities.<br />
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I once again kissed the soils of the Philippines when I got back in April 2013. I just loved the environment of Manila and my hometown, Muntinlupa. I was welcomed by my mom and dad in the airport and when I got back to our home, our cat, Pippin, welcomed me with aloofness. It took him quite a while to get acquainted with me until I was able to carry him again. He's gone big! Really big!<br />
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One thing that still makes me smile when the thought comes into mind is the morning breeze-scent in our home during my first conscious breathe when I get up from my bed, add the sound of the birds chirping and the choo-choo sound of the Laguna-Manila railway (which in fact is so far from our place, yet clearly [but not annoyingly] heard), the sight of the morning sun from the East - my senses are completely vitalized by the environment where I was literally born and raised. Haayy, when could I possibly visit our house next year?<br />
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Okay, enough of my reminiscing...<br />
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My April 2013 vacation was extra special because of the presence of my brother, a marine engineer, whom I last saw in person before I left for Saudi in 2010. He's a grown man! We almost looked like twins! lol. Well, I really missed my bro... and of course we had a couple of bonding days during my vacay. Some food trips here and there, mall hops, and out of town adventures were great! We made it a family event, something that we can look back during months that we're all offshore/abroad.<br />
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After processing my papers for New Zealand and working on my OEC, I once again bid my farewell to my homeland. Although I know that I'd be coming back soon, I didn't know that IT would be very soon enough.<br />
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Just like what I mentioned in one of my previous paragraphs, my CAP school in New Zealand asked me to be here in an earlier date, a month (or two) earlier than expected. So I rushed things up, had my medicals, ran to the Saudi Council for Health Specialties to get my good standing certificate, and passed by the police station for the police clearance, all of which were required for my New Zealand stint. I arrived in Saudi in May 04 then I had my final exit within the same month, May 31, 2013. Ang bilis!<br />
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I once again kissed the soils of my homeland, only to leave it again in less than 10 days. That was one of the fastest series-of-days I had... Another journey, another beginning...<br />
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So I landed in the Maori land, the 'other' land down under, New Zealand. I actually blogged about this in my entry entitled <a href="http://saakinlang.blogspot.co.nz/2013/09/from-middle-east-to-middle-earth.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #660000;">From Middle East to Middle Earth</span></b></a>. I finished my CAP and gained my registration as a nurse here in New Zealand. And while hurdling towards the goal of landing a job, I had a couple of tours around the areas of Oamaru, Dunedin, and the Southland.<br />
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I landed a job in September 2013 and so far I am quite contented with my current workplace. I'm still in the Emergency Department, just the extension of my practice in the Philippines and Saudi Arabia. Workmates are good (a couple of Filipinos in our department), some are approachable, some are just civil. My flat is just in front of the hospital and IT IS really a huge convenience for me. I like my current place, but I am still eyeing to be in a place where I can explore further. I'd like to be in a bigger city, if possible, but right now I think I am very much settled in my place.<br />
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Oh, did I mention that salary is so good?! Yes, it's something I never imagined before. Haha.<br />
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Before the year ended, my most precious smartphone, Galaxy S3, was soaked under water for a couple of minutes!!! I came from a toxic night shift that time and when I got home I just undressed and threw all my clothes in the laundry and I completely forgot that my phone was in one of my pockets... then boom! Memories and apps all gone... :( I told my self, <i>"what the heck... microsim is still okay, sim still works... I'm earning dollars... I should buy a new phone!"</i> Within the same day, I bought my new Galaxy S4! Haha.<br />
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I am very thankful for 2013. A lot of mind blowing events happened, good thing those events were all good... What could possibly happen next year? Will I be able to step on our dream house? Shall I have a love life? A son/daughter perhaps? lol. We'll see. Thank you so much 2013, I welcome you with great enthusiasm and positivity, 2014!!!<br />
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Sa Akin Lang Pohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11360043166594225353noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019939172223413009.post-71661957647235927482013-12-02T21:39:00.001+13:002014-08-12T23:04:30.921+12:00From Where Are You In America?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">That's a random question I get from patients or some random stranger who happens to start a conversation with me. So the question goes, do I have the American accent?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have stayed here in New Zealand for less than a year and I don't think that the workplace has contributed immensely with what the locals hear from me. They would ask,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>"From where are you in the USA?"</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>"I reckon you are from Canada based on your accent..."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>"Did you study in the US? You sound like an American."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>"Are you from California? There are lots of Filipinos there." </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Of course, I'd quickly say, <i>"No, I'm from the Philippines."</i> Then I'd get that shocked-look from their faces. And to explain further, I'd add, <i>"I don't know, this is how I speak English in the Philippines. </i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Probably because we're much Americanised...</i></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Them: </b><i>I know some Filipinos from here but they don't sound like you.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Me: </b><i>Oh, I watch US movies and television series almost everyday... That should explain why...</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's just that I am conscious enough with how I speak to my patients to the point that I unconsciously acquire the American-accent. <i>Ano daw? Labo. Basta tunog-Amerikano daw ako, tapos.</i> Haha. I observed that they get what I say even in the lowest pitch/tone if I use that accent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But really, I prefer to speak with neutral accent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">OR <i>maarte lang talaga ako magsalita ng</i> English. Haha. :P </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And that... brings me to my realisation about IELTS. Haha. I had my IELTS examination in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia last year. The listening part of the exam would be very easy for people who watch US movies or television series. However, the reality is different... I still struggle with some locals having very thick accent and those who speak very fast. Whew! <i>Hala, sanayan na lang!</i> Lol. ] </span></div>
Sa Akin Lang Pohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11360043166594225353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019939172223413009.post-90511802688735476372013-10-24T20:59:00.001+13:002013-10-24T20:59:42.626+13:00I'm 25<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">#ThrowbackThursday it is! I'm cleaning my hard drive of unwanted files when I came across this entry I made when I celebrated my 25th birthday in Saudi Arabia. Haha. I must say this entry is emo-ful. Haha. Whew, that was more than two years ago! Ang bilis ng panahon!</span></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It has been years since I despised the annual celebration of my birthday. That’s probably because I personally can’t remember the time when I celebrated my birthday with balloons, cakes, ice creams, and all that colorful stuffs... In short I did not have a single memory of being a child-celebrating-his-own-birthday. <br /><br />Being raised in a financially disadvantaged nuclear family could deny a child of having a very memorable party. Back then, I would ask myself why my classmates in preparatory school celebrate their birthdays with balloons, ice creams, Jollibee or McDonalds, and kiddie parties while whenever I celebrate my birthday I’d just let the day pass by. Maybe it’s because my birthday is during the summer season where classmates and friends are all away to have fun in the beach, vacationing out of town or abroad. Or maybe we just don’t have enough money to make a day extra special. A simple meal always does the trick. <br /><br />Then I grew up and started to accept the reality that every year, I get excited when the month of April comes. However, ambivalence dominates the mood as days come closer to the date itself every single year; That I am going to get older without having so much to remember on the past year. Is this really how I should view the month of April, exciting but disappointing? <br /><br />Well, enough of that emo moment. We’re not really that “financially disadvantaged” anyways. We (my siblings) were brought up getting the things that we ‘need.’ Perhaps, our parents have inculcated very well the value of needs versus wants. That we are much satisfied of getting what we need rather than having tantrums for something we just want. However, denial of reinforcements somehow made me dislike the general birthday celebrations. <br /><br /><i>Birthdays are filled with yesterday's memories, today's joys, and tomorrow's dreams. </i></span></div>
Sa Akin Lang Pohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11360043166594225353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019939172223413009.post-54431531544982174182013-09-28T12:18:00.000+12:002013-09-30T20:23:28.460+13:00On Starting in a New Workplace<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Dear Self,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's been a tough week for you, I know. Your journey so far has been overwhelming, from the time that you processed your documents while in Saudi to the present time that you moved in your current place. Now that you completed your first week of employment in New Zealand, I commend you for being able to make it! I know it's difficult to adjust in a new environment, you have heaps of things to learn, the people, the system, the protocols, and so much more. Sometimes you're having a hard time catching up with the local's communication as they speak very fast and they have that slang that you're not yet used to, but you're doing very well... Now you get to experience real English communication, and it's totally different from the listening part of IELTS! Haha.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Just remember that at this point of the adjustment phase, you'll experience a lot of emotions. I know you have that constant fear of the unknown. You might also have those inferiorities within you that keeps you from mingling with others, thinking that you are incapable. But hey, you know how you work, you have been commended numerous times and even awarded for being a good nurse in the Philippines and in Saudi Arabia. So why feel that?! You are a very good nurse and it's all that matters. You prove them that you deserve to be in that position and most importantly, prove to yourself that you are an excellent nurse!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I know it really sucks if you are bombarded with lots of unexpected things. But you have to accept that that's the way how it works in the Emergency Department. It's always unpredictable. Remember, you are not alone in the ED. You are with experienced professionals who can definitely help you with tasks. If you can't handle the pressure, just remember to breathe in and breathe out, stop for a while and say, <i>"kaya ko 'to!"</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Just be strong, be diligent enough to review your orientation manuals, and always pray to Him for guidance. Because right now, you only have Him to talk to during silent hours. And by the way, you always have access to the internet, so please check your mails and Facebook once in a while. I know messages from your friends and family really boost your being.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">One tip I have for you is to loosen up. Be friendly. Shove away that shyness in you. Get along with others. And don't be a loner! Haha.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'll write to you again to catch-up. You know how writing serves as an avenue for self-expression for you. Just write to me whenever you feel writing, and of course if you have time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Cheers,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sa Akin Lang Po</span><br />
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Sa Akin Lang Pohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11360043166594225353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019939172223413009.post-65983895026480010022013-09-20T13:10:00.000+12:002014-10-25T07:35:20.527+13:00POEA Balik-Manggagawa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>I was freeing my file case of extra, unwanted papers and I found a piece of paper I wrote out of boredom while inside POEA. It's a real time account of what was happening while I' was processing my OEC. Although it is a year old now (as of posting this entry), I say it's still the same; I had my annual vacation again this 2013 as an OFW from Saudi and the procedure is basically the same. I'm just sharing my experience...</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">For Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) returning to the Philippines for his/her vacation from work, it is mandatory to apply for an OEC. My arrival date was March 24, 2012, Saturday, so naturally, I need to wait for a weekday for me to process that. For the information of the readers, OEC stands for Overseas Employment Certificate. You will need this form before you get out of the country once again. It is 'sort of' paying your dues for the duration that you have been away from the Philippines. You pay for OWWA, PAGIBIG, SSS, etcetera. In short, you have to work on it whether you like it or you'll be put on hold at NAIA or worse not allowed to fly back to your country of work. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It is a Monday today, and I am seated next to roughly 700 OFWs coming from different nations. I have come across people who hailed from Korea, Hong Kong, Canada and the Gulf countries. At the time of writing this I have stayed in my position for already an hour and 40 minutes. When I entered the office, at 0820H, the 100th customer is on queue on the line.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Knowing that this can be a whole day process, I was warned by my colleagues in Jeddah that I should come early to finish early. I had a small chat with the security guard outside the building and according to him as early as 4am men and women were forming their lines outside to finish before lunch time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Before entering the main gate, there is this small table on the right corner of the main entrance with a placard that says Balik-Manggagawa. Without asking, I just fell in line and see what people were taking our from their bags. Apparently, they just needed my passport to take a look at the expiry date. FYI, your passport has to be valid at least 6 months before your departure. If it is bound to expire, then you have to renew it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">From the main entrance, you'll have to get straight within the same floor to the Balik-Manggagawa section. That's at the Lower Ground Floor! Once again, a guard will look at your passport and he will ask you to fill out your forms and complete the fields needed. Here are the forms: Balik Manggagawa options, Balik Manggagawa Information Sheet, Absentee Voting Form, and Member's Data Form (MDF). In these forms, you'll supply the bio-data-ish fields like biographic and contact information, your employer, your salary, your contract duration, date of arrival and date of departure/return of OFW to the job site. Some of the important details you need to indicate are: Tax Payer's Identification Number (TIN), SSS/GSIS Number, and your contact details.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEi5OpQ_2jvcTmuDFZ22CR7YWU7vtcVK3QlTlVINSqIU6yprXPGauPbQEmE8jQ6iovSrT2jN5VfZFT7cjFB8g9Qcpyl9HPJ0w96aTZ0vvyRHx_MriXMOkarxLIMi88iE_VwzctExZt89e/s1600/20130325_072246(0)+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEi5OpQ_2jvcTmuDFZ22CR7YWU7vtcVK3QlTlVINSqIU6yprXPGauPbQEmE8jQ6iovSrT2jN5VfZFT7cjFB8g9Qcpyl9HPJ0w96aTZ0vvyRHx_MriXMOkarxLIMi88iE_VwzctExZt89e/s640/20130325_072246(0)+copy.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Form current as of March 20, 2013</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.poea.gov.ph/ofw/BMinfoSheet_23Oct2012.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Click here to view the soft copy of this form</b></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKe_BTeUX5WKIlf4rfU0GV33E8QdAxKYyb4meDU94j7une9qnkbNjO6b9Nu1lzxbNp_P9zpLt0RWJYU8FGTV0dUVhUsKc0XTFlPe42Z5zEgTK31yFvlePc1SGFAAd6w9yhsmcmoE3z5_91/s1600/20130325_072858+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKe_BTeUX5WKIlf4rfU0GV33E8QdAxKYyb4meDU94j7une9qnkbNjO6b9Nu1lzxbNp_P9zpLt0RWJYU8FGTV0dUVhUsKc0XTFlPe42Z5zEgTK31yFvlePc1SGFAAd6w9yhsmcmoE3z5_91/s640/20130325_072858+copy.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The above forms are also available online! I suggest you read the official website to learn more! Here's the link:</span><br />
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<a href="http://bmappointment.poea.gov.ph/index-fx.php" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvuvufxgL0DYEs3K0X4v5G5DEgFJai_QQYR12O_bVdVHAPxpVnmfZrhQamaSKZMuuIwwz1RHYdOaHQI0ds_186v6rwOpIHery7czbBPGYY8MtoNzQlztDyOzJJeiiXcLWEzX-psTmfNOb/s1600/poea.gif" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Once completed, you just wait for your number to appear on the LED screen in front of the counters. There are ample amount of chairs with arm board/desk so you could just sit there comfortably and just wait for your number. Plus they have a television set where you could watch Unang Hirit and Doraemon! Haha. There is also somebody who speaks using the overhead audio system to guide the OFWs of what to do. They have 17 counters and each has an assessor/evaluator to check your documents and advise you of what to do. They instruct individuals to fall in line by 20s. First 20, then 21-40, 41-60, 61-80, 81-100, and so forth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After getting your COE, make sure you have three sheets/copies. Keep those in a secure folder and enjoy your vacation!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here are helpful links for you:</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b><a href="http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/ofw/42447-use-online-appointment-system-poea-tells-balik-manggagawa" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">Use online appointment system, POEA tells balik-manggagawa </span></span></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b><a href="http://www.gov.ph/2012/12/10/new-poea-balik-manggagawa-oec-system-welcomed-by-ofws/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">New POEA Balik Manggagawa OEC System welcomed by OFWs</span></span></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b><a href="http://www.ofwguide.com/article_item-1593/POEA-Answers-Frequently-Asked-Questions--FAQ--of-Returning-OFWs--Balik-Manggagawa----BM--Processing.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">POEA Answers Frequently Asked Questions of Returning OFWs Processing</span></span></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">They also have SSS and PAGIBIG counters where you can pay your dues and update your status.</span></span></span></div>
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Sa Akin Lang Pohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11360043166594225353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019939172223413009.post-66555533882663026152013-09-16T16:01:00.002+12:002013-09-16T16:43:50.306+12:00Kill the Time: Watch TV Series<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Okay, I am currently out of the nursing workforce as I am still waiting for my work visa. And of course, the typical indoor-type of guys like me would just spend the time in solitary activities - sleep, eat, surf the web, and watch TV series. I think that has been my life for some years now. I can truly affirm that I am your friendly, next door hermit guy. I stay at home for weeks without even getting bored! Haha. Nah, I'm actually bored right now that's why I am scribbling random words.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Let me talk about a couple of US television shows that have kept me bedridden for weeks now. This, in fact, is my second entry about television shows. My <span style="color: #990000;"><b><a href="http://saakinlang.blogspot.co.nz/2011/08/my-favorite-tv-shows.html" target="_blank">first</a></b></span> was made two years ago. And of course, there are shows that come and go; right now, these are the shows that are worth watching for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ratings are as of writing this entry. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60s0F68MnHTNrAZvMEBw4BvMV25ywXYRaq0sFOddoo2JH8VftstWcPk1A7PSmGThdktUfpMnGiy8esZiQTohGHH3v7bjIOuC1chO9Q4GbppflEBvJcOPsnxj1kluh_v-I9Gth_kAWdJ3z/s1600/Homelandposter.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60s0F68MnHTNrAZvMEBw4BvMV25ywXYRaq0sFOddoo2JH8VftstWcPk1A7PSmGThdktUfpMnGiy8esZiQTohGHH3v7bjIOuC1chO9Q4GbppflEBvJcOPsnxj1kluh_v-I9Gth_kAWdJ3z/s320/Homelandposter.jpg" /></a><b> </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1796960/?ref_=sr_1" target="_blank"><b>Homeland</b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">IMDB Rating: 8.6/10 from 103,762 users </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Conspiracies. Middle Eastern terrorism. Unconventional love. CIA. This show is THE SHOW right now. I ignored it at first even though IMDB and other critics have been talking about it. But then the shows I've been following had their season finales... I watched the pilot, then the next episodes, until I got hooked! It's a thriller!! And, uhm, it won a couple of Emmy's and Golden Globe awards... Watch it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1358522/?ref_=sr_1" target="_blank"><b>White Collar</b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> IMDB Rating: <span itemprop="ratingValue">8.2</span><span class="mellow">/<span itemprop="bestRating">10</span></span> from <span itemprop="ratingCount">50,955</span> users</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>"A white collar criminal agrees to help the FBI catch other white collar
criminals using his expertise as an art and securities thief,
counterfeiter and racketeer." Join Neal Caffrey and Peter Burke in their FBI journey!</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfxCzRg8U5ka4z8DRSRuq6rcCaV3YXtWgG5eCgkMuFFZdyT3699adjijhjs_m6F22Kgh6RpK8ZDxPusLZJ31xlIIQPihrqGDDP8ouWx3xZOTwv2R7tA9rbXIGfEjWIsrZYrDqG3ZYZOsC/s1600/chicago+fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfxCzRg8U5ka4z8DRSRuq6rcCaV3YXtWgG5eCgkMuFFZdyT3699adjijhjs_m6F22Kgh6RpK8ZDxPusLZJ31xlIIQPihrqGDDP8ouWx3xZOTwv2R7tA9rbXIGfEjWIsrZYrDqG3ZYZOsC/s320/chicago+fire.jpg" width="206" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2261391/?ref_=sr_1" target="_blank"><b>Chicago Fire</b></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span itemprop="ratingValue">IMDB Rating: 6.8</span><span class="mellow">/<span itemprop="bestRating">10</span></span> from <span itemprop="ratingCount">8,178</span> users</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's about the firefighters of Chicago, Illinois. I watched this out of curiosity. Probably because my previous assignment as a nurse pretty much involved coordination with the Fire Team in Incident Command System. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizdyneAnTlV_QbNHqXjsaaIZ_QTzgQ4Vd_0Ml0YtglQAvSWdet06FMX0tY9RXGaoAkAMOy1mR-ZDXPJQT98Y_tpwqRHMUUF49YJvlC6FyGemqQrWFrJb0L6VZGCJHQ2DFdOkdtCWHpuhV/s1600/smash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizdyneAnTlV_QbNHqXjsaaIZ_QTzgQ4Vd_0Ml0YtglQAvSWdet06FMX0tY9RXGaoAkAMOy1mR-ZDXPJQT98Y_tpwqRHMUUF49YJvlC6FyGemqQrWFrJb0L6VZGCJHQ2DFdOkdtCWHpuhV/s1600/smash.jpg" /></a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1825133/?ref_=sr_1" target="_blank"><b>Smash</b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span itemprop="ratingValue"><span itemprop="ratingValue">IMDB Rating: </span>7.1</span><span class="mellow">/<span itemprop="bestRating">10</span></span> from <span itemprop="ratingCount">12,315</span> users</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>"There is more drama behind the scenes than on stage, as the team
prepares an ambitious Broadway musical on the life of Marilyn Monroe." </i>I am not a fan of musicals but the primary reason of watching it is because the music was great. The series ended after just two seasons.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0413573/?ref_=sr_2" target="_blank"><b>Grey's Anatomy</b></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is another TV series that I religiously followed from the first episode up to the last on it's Season 9 finale. You'll follow the lives of surgical interns until they become present-day attending physicians. This is less technical as compared to ER and House; it's more of the struggles of love, friendship, and <i>adultery</i> among the smart and funny physicians of Seattle Grace Hospital. But beware, the series demeans nurses a lot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1445201/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1" target="_blank"><b>Trauma</b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span itemprop="ratingValue">IMDB Rating: 7.2</span><span class="mellow">/<span itemprop="bestRating">10</span></span> from <span itemprop="ratingCount">864</span> users</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This show only lasted for one season, with 18 episodes. I have to use my own words above: <i>I watched this out of curiosity. Probably because my previous assignment
as a nurse pretty much involved the same work.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIsp6MLXHMnHuuwkAU4UZg_Q6IQfgI8ARlT9CBuX7qjU7rsEDR7fyL7JLhKCC-BpfIJvyP-HhzdIdG2669BDlDioaNJ-WTIOI3349k1zWIvDsVLyc1a7vFZ5wt0wPlSslIs-BEm4YqZyT/s1600/deception.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIsp6MLXHMnHuuwkAU4UZg_Q6IQfgI8ARlT9CBuX7qjU7rsEDR7fyL7JLhKCC-BpfIJvyP-HhzdIdG2669BDlDioaNJ-WTIOI3349k1zWIvDsVLyc1a7vFZ5wt0wPlSslIs-BEm4YqZyT/s1600/deception.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2245029/?ref_=sr_2" target="_blank"><b>Deception</b></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span itemprop="ratingValue">IMDB Rating: 6.1</span><span class="mellow">/<span itemprop="bestRating">10</span></span> from <span itemprop="ratingCount">2,737</span> users</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>"A female detective returns undercover to the wealthy family she grew up
in -- as the maid's daughter to solve the murder of the notorious
heiress who was once her closest friend."</i> This show has just been cancelled. Why am I watching shows that get cancelled? Maybe I have poor taste. Lol.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1826805/?ref_=sr_1" target="_blank"><b>Pan Am</b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span itemprop="ratingValue">IMDB Rating: 6.4</span><span class="mellow">/<span itemprop="bestRating">10</span></span> from <span itemprop="ratingCount">14,153</span> users</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Who doesn't like seeing flight attendants? They're eye candies, and they serve you good airplane food! Haha. This, like the other shows above, is cancelled. I so much like Margot Robbie in here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM25Gv6WdUS3Q0_qi2g_YRm1GhjJH703pCOeu-Z8PZjk0Ko8nx65JLTm7OK51yqg0JzSOF5uRT_gsHfYmWuNEJmd2mMQilAyZgMGkYosOnZTur9zNr7Oo8-9VxKbVA8q66MRB8ndls2YWq/s1600/underemployed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM25Gv6WdUS3Q0_qi2g_YRm1GhjJH703pCOeu-Z8PZjk0Ko8nx65JLTm7OK51yqg0JzSOF5uRT_gsHfYmWuNEJmd2mMQilAyZgMGkYosOnZTur9zNr7Oo8-9VxKbVA8q66MRB8ndls2YWq/s320/underemployed.jpg" width="217" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1935298/?ref_=sr_1" target="_blank"><b>Underemployed</b></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span itemprop="ratingValue">IMDB Rating: 6.2</span><span class="mellow">/<span itemprop="bestRating">10</span></span> from <span itemprop="ratingCount">1,210</span> users </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>"A group a five friends--Sophia, Daphne, Lou, Raviva and Miles--all
filled with lofty goals, romantic dreams and hopefulness for complete
world domination on their road to adulthood. But what happens when
things don't go exactly according to plan?" </i>Pretty much my life. Haha.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgfPHX-ywpd9edVDIq9028_wzITjI0mLdytHQ4YORVRvsPVBDEe1QIBMtAiaz4UpseEKzegnP4WvGEOEJmIFSv_wN8WrMO9HbzYcxqMkzPz1_QX3XPwLKnKg978RO-kQzSNGvpWIRZpXL/s1600/game-of-thrones-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgfPHX-ywpd9edVDIq9028_wzITjI0mLdytHQ4YORVRvsPVBDEe1QIBMtAiaz4UpseEKzegnP4WvGEOEJmIFSv_wN8WrMO9HbzYcxqMkzPz1_QX3XPwLKnKg978RO-kQzSNGvpWIRZpXL/s320/game-of-thrones-poster.jpg" width="216" /></a></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0944947/?ref_=sr_1" target="_blank">Game of Thrones</a></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span itemprop="ratingValue">9.4</span><span class="mellow">/<span itemprop="bestRating">10</span></span> from <span itemprop="ratingCount">411,035</span> users</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I don't like it, really. I'm not a fan of Game of Thrones' themes. I just watched it because of the bandwagon. <i>"Seven noble families fight for control of the mythical land of Westeros." </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now, you choose which to follow. Enjoy <i>din pag may</i> time!</span></div>
Sa Akin Lang Pohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11360043166594225353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019939172223413009.post-69483157993286562412013-09-08T02:25:00.000+12:002017-06-01T13:48:38.117+12:00From Middle East to Middle Earth<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKb6GfP0sZV0KyiBbCgflKICxhWA_m3Xdcs1PGA9C6xISZBIUd929YDxwkWOkYCbbQ1Fj3THxdzMvh_KgiOTajh_FK4V5fVTiVkbYuHo-hx67R9jsKc4xtMm8uwr06wTr91OtIPZt9tB1/s320/camel_crossing.jpg" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Camels Crossing in the Middle East</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Oh yes, I am here in New Zealand. I have been here for a couple of months now and in my first months here I had the bridging programme or the Competency Assessment Programme (CAP) for nurses. CAP is the ONLY way an internationally registered nurse can legally be a registered nurse in this country. <br /><br />The interest of Filipino nurses on New Zealand actually started when the United States limited its visas for Filipino registered nurses. So Filipinos, of course, started to look for other options, and one of those is New Zealand. <br /><br />Please don’t be <strike>fooled</strike> enticed by agencies’ claim that you could enter New Zealand as a student for a healthcare related course with a privilege to work for 20 hours per week, that’s a waste of time and a huge waste of your money! But if you have all the time and money, it's up to you. What I'm telling is that you have your options, and I suggest you to pick the most convenient one. If you’ve got at least two years of post-registration experience, take the IELTS (Academic) and achieve an Overall Band Score (OBS) of 7.0 with no score less than 7.0 in any of the subtests. The higher scores you get, the more chances of getting a CAP slot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Believe it or not, you can actually process everything without any help of an agency. However, CAP search is really difficult nowadays as the demand is very high but the number of CAP slots is really limited. That means you are competing against nurses with heaps of experience locally and/or overseas. But wait, don’t be discouraged fast! You are reading this post because you’re curious of how to get to New Zealand when you come from the Middle East... Yes, I made this post especially for those nurses hailing from Jeddah. And if you have a Middle Eastern-setting experience, I say you have a better chance of getting a CAP slot and soon land a job in New Zealand. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />So how do you get to New Zealand? Of course you have to undergo a lot of assessments and documents processing. It’s a tedious task, believe me, but if you focus on your objectives and you are a goal-oriented individual, you are certainly capable of reaching your dreams! <i>Mahirap pero kaya!</i></span><br />
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFjLg5SobediWWKyGhP_-cDvlYR-Htd7RfJKLJUFq77HEtbnVNQK_bO1dfIHLptFYa4O1vgfegbdi0BPLNyFq2431Pzo78uFW413Cpj8eYhuw2n8MqRWvbKL8xaCsUYcXI1K7ZcGk3GVi/s640/DSC_1034.JPG" width="424" /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Penguins Crossing</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">How much do you need to get to New Zealand? That would be roughly 450k to 700k Philippine Pesos. That’s inclusive of IELTS fees, courier fees, Nursing Council fees, the CAP school tuition, plane tickets, accommodation, food, transportation, etcetera. Let me give you a breakdown (prices are approximate):</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">PhP
1,600 - New Zealand Embassy in Manila authentication of PRC Board
Certificate (Board Certificate should be in Red Ribbon from DFA) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">PhP 115 - NBI Clearance</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">PhP 9,500 (SAR 850) - IELTS exam fee</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">PhP 1,150 (SAR 100) - Authentication/Notary Public/Certified True Copy of documents in Philippine Consulate <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">EACH</span></b> document (IELTS result form, Employment Certificate, Nursing Council application form, passport)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">PhP 1,150 (SAR 100) - Application for Police Clearance (Note Verbale) from Philippine Consulate</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">PhP 345 (SAR 30) - Authentication of Note Verbale from Philippine Consulate to Jeddah's Ministry of Foreign Affairs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">PhP 2,300 to PhP 4,500 (SAR 200 to 350) - Courier Fee from Jeddah to New Zealand for Stage 1 <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>AND</b></span> Stage 2 documents</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">PhP 16,500 (NZ$ 485) - Nursing Council application (VISA credit card)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[19]">PhP 18,000 (SAR 1,700) - Medical; Done in Saudi German Hospital in Jeddah; Usually PhP 8,500 when done in the Philippines)</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[21]">PhP 6,300 - VIA Fee (Visa); Manager's check</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[23]">PhP 48,020 - Plane ticket via Singapore Air (Manila-Singapore-Auckland-Otago)</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[25]">PhP 262,000 (NZ$ 7,680) - CAP tuition plus medical insurance) </span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[25]"><span style="font-size: small;">Others - Taxi, jeep, bus, tricycle; a couple of hundred pesos for the school and PRC documents</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><br data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[27]" /><span data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[28]">So roughly PhP 400,000 ang ginastos ko for the processing ng CAP. If you are good in logic, you will notice that you are using your Pesos or Riyals <i>ng paunti-unti</i>. You won't need the 400k in one day. That is why it is wise to work on your papers while you are employed in Jeddah because you keep earning Riyals every month. PLUS...</span></span></span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[31]">PhP 150,000 to 200,000 - Show money; This has to be in your bank account (as required by the Immigration) because you will need at least NZ$ 1,000 per month to finance your self here in New Zealand for the duration of your CAP. This is the money I am using right now to finance my self here in New Zealand.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><br data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[33]" /><span data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[34]"><i>Heto ang </i>breakdown<i> ng gastos ko</i> during and after the CAP:</span><br data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[35]" /><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[37]">NZ$120-180 per week - Shared accommodation (internet, electricity, water, kitchen, etc. included); this will eat so much of your budget!!!</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[39]">NZ$30 per week - Transportation by bus (You have the option to walk going to the school or your placement, but I didn't want to tire myself that's why I used the public transpo. My point, I was a student that time, I should have the energy to STUDY (during the two-week classroom set-up) or WORK (during the 6 weeks of clinicals).</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[41]">NZ$30-80 per week - Food (I cook my own food,<i> minsan take away kapag tinatamad. haha.</i>). Some could budget NZ$20 per week, <i>pero sobrang gutom na yun for me. </i>You always want to be active and healthy especially when you are alone in a foreign country, right?<i> </i>Invest in your health!</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2yul4].[1][4][1]{comment473392626076591_475440475871806}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[41]">NZ$20 per month - Mobile phone top up/load (includes 4G internet [1Gb of mobile data], 200 minute calls and unlimited text (depends on your usage, you can select your prepay plan)</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">NZ$110 - Annual Practising Certificate (using a VISA Credit Card)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">NZ$360 - Work Visa application</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Generally, the cost of living is higher in New Zealand as compared to Manila and Jeddah. BUT you have to consider a lot of factors when talking about cost of living like the purchasing power of the currency and the salary you receive. To give you the idea of the comparison of standard of living in our cities/countries of interests here, check these links:</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=Saudi+Arabia&country2=New+Zealand&city1=Jeddah+%28Jiddah%29&city2=Dunedin" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Saudi Riyals (Jeddah) versus New Zealand Dollars (Dunedin)</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=Saudi+Arabia&country2=New+Zealand&city1=Jeddah+%28Jiddah%29&city2=Auckland" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Saudi Riyals (Jeddah) versus New Zealand Dollars (Auckland)</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=Philippines&country2=New+Zealand&city1=Manila&city2=Dunedin" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Philippine Pesos (Manila) versus New Zealand Dollars (Dunedin)</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=Philippines&country2=New+Zealand&city1=Manila&city2=Auckland" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Philippine Pesos (Manila) versus New Zealand Dollars (Auckland</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">If you are an OFW who works in Jeddah, your salary is TAX FREE. But when you work in New Zealand you'll have a whopping 30% of your salary to pay the tax (depending on your salary range). After the tax has been deducted, you still have to pay for the bills and the rent! <i>PERO</i> if you earn dollars that is 3-4 times of what you earn in Jeddah, <i>mas <b>MALAKI</b> pa rin and maitatabi mo</i> for your savings. <i>Nakakahinayang lang talaga gumastos lalo na kung nagsisimula ka pa lang sa</i> New Zealand and you are spending your savings from Saudi.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">If you are very wise and mindful of your expenses, you will need just the minimum amount to finance the whole duration of your bridging course. In short, that’s what you need from the start of the process up to the time that you get registered as a nurse here in New Zealand. <i>Nakakagulat noh?</i> I’m just presenting the reality here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Enough of my words of wisdom. Haha. Let me refer you to a few internet links that would be of great use to you or your friend, or your son, or your daughter, or your relative, or your brother/sister, or <i>kung sinuman</i>! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>The Nursing Council of New Zealand website. </b></i></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://nursingcouncil.org.nz/Nurses/International-registration" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42znILx-jglxVGOdcb-FpHc90ptR6Wa0p8iGIu0Adoer72iIEWsLDS0xh3lzhCfd0t_7V0gUYIvlWDfKjB_8i9AWQiRAx6GuaYi9pWRUJoAdlJdNlVMsuiUduXpSzuiQe0vKQtpPwfvff/s1600/ncnz.png" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This is where you will know all of the requirements by the Council. Also in the website are guidelines on how to complete the requirements. Browse over the application form and the guidelines and start completing the Stage 1 documents! Let me warn you that the requirements change from time to time, so make sure you check the website every now and then to be sure that you are using the correct document/s.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Nurse2NZ blog site.</span></b></i></span><br />
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<a href="http://nurse2nz.blogspot.co.nz/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="70" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprDeN8smAFDcSbWYfLctLcLoNeEzVVOMnSnShYz8p6DVKd-X5q6fOvwIgK8-NEOjy4UCs9MojgQ7PSj9kU-n4Ro-ugX-aTM_RHHCwBeQ6zrVI9Wjq3KDD9WT-LFzWGooYIsxdW8j79FFp/s400/nurse2nz+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This blog is THE BLOG that will help you through the minute details of working on the documents. It is a blog tailor-made for Filipinos and made by a Filipino. The blog started in 2007. Since then, the Nursing Council guidelines changed numerous times, good thing the blogger also updates his blog once in a while. That's a proof that the <i>Filipino bayanihan</i> still exists in the digital age.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Nurse2NZ forum.</span></b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://nurse2nz.forumotion.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="43" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6e2iBHLlSvaqOWPlu6TjI317S6eKAaroU4VxmhfUP1GSgu8p30qnCy-_hyCoACn6R0V1ZfpXppyaGcPC9K98c5m9rb7ele_b3dvH5iSTsZ235kvZGwH1x9p0OG-RA2-sixxiMmFQLoko8/s400/nurse2nz+forum.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I strongly urge you to become a member of the forum he (the blogger) made for further discussions, all your questions and answers about documents processing can be found there! Don’t worry, there’s no membership fee or anything, you just have to sign-up with your unique username and voila! Start reading first-hand inputs from nurses who made it to New Zealand by themselves!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Working on the Documents While in Saudi</b></span></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now, the following paragraphs will detail how Jeddah-based nurses could process their documents while in Saudi Arabia. Again, browse over and study the step by step procedures found in the links I gave above before you proceed...<br /><br />While in the Philippines, process your Stage 1 documents and also apply for an NBI clearance. All the guidelines for internationally registered nurses can be found in the Nursing Council's website. The steps outlined in the main blogsite are the same steps I followed, of course, except for the documents from Saudi (like your Saudi license verification, employment certificate from your company, Saudi police clearance, and the certification of your Saudi documents). Please take note of the changes made by the Council on the process and requirements, the police clearance is now required for Stage 2, it used to be in Stage 1. <br /><br />If you are working and have stayed in Saudi Arabia for at least 6 months, you will definitely need to give NCNZ a police certificate from Saudi. You could Google 'how to obtain a police clearance in Saudi Arabia' for the details, and if in case you're in Jeddah just search this blog site as <span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://saakinlang.blogspot.co.nz/2012/12/how-to-obtain-saudi-police-clearance-in.html" target="_blank">I have blogged about the topic a few months ago</a></span>. If you are Filipino (I suppose), you need to secure the NBI clearance from the Philippines where you grew up. In short, both are required for your application. Please take note of the expiration dates of your clearances, the New Zealand Immigration requires clearances to be not more than 6 months old.<br /> <br /> For your passport, you could have it notarized in the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh or Philippine Consulate in Jeddah. It costs SAR 100. <br /><br />As soon as you completed the Stage 1 documents, send them to NCNZ as soon as possible because you will need the Stage 2 forms and your reference number from them.<br /> <br /> This is how I managed. I sent my documents (Stage 1) through FedEx (just last December) and the Council (New Zealand) received those after 4 working days. After 24 hours of them receiving my papers, I received a text message from my credit card company that 485 NZ dollars was charged to my account; a few hours later, I received an email with 3 attachments from the Overseas Registration Team Leader. The attachments were as follows: one was the Verification Request, the other was the Transcript Request, and the last was the latest New Zealand Educational Standards. Of course the Transcript Request is for your nursing school in the Philippines and the Verification Request is for Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCHS). Also, the team leader specified my reference number and a number of instructions and reminders.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.scfhs.org.sa/en/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHm_E-ZxTE2CZbRAu5Dl_65FZG_S5zZ9uwNL1HLSZ_lj2qLKC6mwjr2yXYR7180PH_3otY9ILpic5_6L3v-126VZfZ3e1bBSrIsRNOHeD6obhKnxo0_1AG5ReGALZ7Wgvnswqddfd0PIpX/s1600/schs.png" /><span id="goog_50473669"></span></a><span id="goog_50473670"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> SCHS’s Jeddah Branch is just a few meters away from my hospital, so it wasn’t much of a hassle in my part. The guys from the reception directed me to the 3rd floor where a number of <i>tarja</i> and <i>abaya</i>-covered ladies were doing office work. I just presented the Verification Request (with my reference number handwritten on the upper right corner of the page) and explained that it’s for the Nursing Council of New Zealand. A lady requested for the photocopies of my SCHS identification card AND my SCHS certificate where she based some of the information needed in the Verification Request. The request has tick marks on it and they will just tick yes or no if you have a pending investigation, if your license has been revoked or suspended, and if you have any mental or physical conditions. Your registration details and educational qualifications should also be supplied. Make sure they sign all the required fields. I actually guided the lady as she went through the document especially in spelling a number of critical words (my name and my university! She misspelled those that’s why I provided another copy of the document, good thing I had 3 copies).<br /> <br /> NCNZ’s instruction is for the professional regulating body to directly send the document to New Zealand. The document was sent via FedEx. After 4 days, NCNZ received my document and the Overseas Registration Administrator confirmed the receipt of my Saudi document.<br /> <br /> Some ex-Saudi nurses claimed that they were required to secure a Certificate of Good Standing from SCHS where they had to pay 300 Riyals. I don’t know how they went through it but I did not pay any amount to SCHS. And the whole process, from entering until I exited the building only ate 25 minutes of my time.<br /> <br /> I’m sure there is a SCHS branch near you, check this out:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <a href="http://www.scfhs.org.sa/en/about/Pages/ContactInfo.aspx">http://www.scfhs.org.sa/en/about/Pages/ContactInfo.aspx</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <br /> Just a piece of advice, before you leave Saudi, secure all your Saudi documents beforehand. You know how “they” process things in Saudi: <i>ten years. Paano pa kaya kung nasa ‘Pinas ka na or in New Zealand? </i>Make sure you have your updated police clearance (a requirement when you apply for a job in NZ), reference letters from your superiors (get multiple copies), employment certificate (get multiple copies as much as possible), and Certificate of Good Standing from SCHS. <br /> <br /> I couldn't process the PRC and Nursing school documents while abroad, so I just asked my parents to work on it. I posted the required documents and </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">provided them the step by step guidelines on how to work on my documents. They managed well, kudos to them, especially to my mom. Hooray!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After the Nursing Council Approval</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As soon as the Nursing Council received my Stage 2 documents, I got approved. They asked me to look for a CAP provider – it was extremely difficult! I got rejected a LOT of times. Most of the providers are full for 2013. Some are claiming that they still have a 'long waitlist' for 2014 which is quite alarming especially if you consider the expiration dates of the decision letters issued by the Council.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But then again, I explored my options. One of the CAP providers accepted me in their June 2013 CAP intake. I was shocked when they sent the offer of place because originally, their intake should be in August 2013, nagulat na lang ako na ang starting date ay June 14. <i>Kasi</i> in Saudi Arabia, as per contract, we are asked to give 90 days notice before the resignation date. I was quite devastated that time... But I again explored my options... I talked to the Human Resources specialists and thankfully they offered me a solution to my problem. I did my medicals in one of Jeddah’s accredited hospitals (Saudi German Hospital) which ate 18,500 pesos of my budget! <i>Ang mahal sa Saudi!</i> I made sure I had the complete documents and finally, I bid my <i>maasalama</i> (goodbye) to Saudi Arabia. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVrJvxfeQD7B-Ej5MIxfhZRE-j_qR2eppSCWDxZK8F6_3gE1mxFV1xPQyXc0QEFEE4poAfpERBjsbZH4h8sFxa9VZmN0lRm_Ht-fwUchxYvEzUDxZaS-RMNT_6euIFyhRLFF4IT6uHl0l/s1600/philippine-passport.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVrJvxfeQD7B-Ej5MIxfhZRE-j_qR2eppSCWDxZK8F6_3gE1mxFV1xPQyXc0QEFEE4poAfpERBjsbZH4h8sFxa9VZmN0lRm_Ht-fwUchxYvEzUDxZaS-RMNT_6euIFyhRLFF4IT6uHl0l/s1600/philippine-passport.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I stayed further sa Philippines for about 10 days. It was a risk as I had less than a week to process my visit visa <i><span style="color: #660000;">(visit visa is given to CAP students as the course only lasts for 2-3 months; you will need a student visa if your course is at least 6 months)</span></i>. I prayed. Visa was released in two days! Again, before flying to NZ, <i>nagbasa at nagbasa ulit ako ng posts sa forum</i>. <i>Halos nandoon na kasi lahat.</i> The vacuum bag tip of a forumer was really helpful! I did not have a hard time passing by NAIA’s Immigration. I guess that’s because of my numerous ins and outs of the country as an OFW.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">The Kiwi Nation</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">CAP was good. It was a very classroom-type set-up. There were 6 Kiwis, 7 Indians, 1 Korean, and the rest were Filipinos, all in all <i>32 kami lahat sa CAP</i>. <i>First time raw nangyari yun.</i> See, CAP has become a money-making business for schools! If you are a good student and you are mindful of the reason of coming to New Zealand <i>(lalo na yung perang nagastos),</i> then you wouldn’t have a hard time <i>sa mga activities.</i> The two-week theoretical sessions ended with a written exam about New Zealand professional Nursing and a skills exam (practicals) ng adult, infant, and child BLS, and common hospital procedures (indwelling catheterisation, aeseptic technique, etc.).<br /><br />Clinical placement was also fine. I guess my experience in the Emergency Department (ED) for the last 5 years helped me land a DHB hospital for my clinicals. Or probably,<i> nagkataon na kailangan lang nila ng </i>extra help <i>sa </i>ED <i>kaya </i>they got me. My CAP classmates had heaps of experience from different areas as well <i>pero</i> almost all were placed in resthomes and hospice care facilities. I didn’t have a hard time adjusting <i>kasi </i>very universal <i>naman ang </i>nursing principles especially the Nursing Council competencies. In short, my clinical placement became the extension of my experience from the Philippines and Saudi Arabia. My clinical preceptor was really kind and helpful, another reason why I enjoyed and successfully completed my clinical placement. During the 6-week placement, we were asked to pass requirements including the exemplar for the portfolio. You wouldn’t have a problem with those requirements as long as you know how to reflect on your practice and you know technical writing.<br /><br />I submitted job applications online during my CAP placement. I was really picky, I just applied to DHBs. As expected, a couple of my applications were unsuccessful. They claimed that I did not meet the minimum requirements. I believe they rejected my application <i>dahil wala pa akong</i> registration and APC. But I was persistent, <i>nag-apply ako</i> sa every ED positions available. Of the 8 applications I sent, I was rejected in 3, still waiting for replies from the 4 applications (as of writing this), and the remaining 1, I was asked to appear for an interview and was offered a full-time job. <br /><br />The interview, I think, went well. I wasn’t able to answer one of their questions that relate to evidence based nursing, <i>pero</i> the interviewer redirected the question <i>hanggang sa nasagot ko rin</i> eventually. I thought I wouldn’t get the job because of that. Whew! The forumers were right, they asked about competencies, but in my case I wasn’t asked about my skills and clinical experience. I was expecting that they would ask about the USUAL chest pain, stroke and thrombolytics, amputation, triage, rapid sequence induction, pericardiocentesis, PICC lines, ACLS, ATLS, inotropes, thoracotomy, burns, and other common cases in the ED. Instead, they bombarded me with questions about professionalism. They asked about conflict and stress management, cultural diversity, continuing education, prioritisation, and my hobbies! Haha. I was even prepped to sing a song in front of the panel, but they did not insist! <img src="https://illiweb.com/fa/i/smiles/icon_razz.gif" /><br /><br />They reached my Kiwi references, my clinical preceptor and clinical lecturer, and in 48 hours, they offered me the job by phone. Now I am just processing my papers before I commence work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Sa akin lang po...</i> <i>Maraming paraan kung magpupursigi lang. </i>I remember my mom always tells us, <i>"focus lang anak."</i> I guess I focused well enough to have reached this dream of mine, to work in a first world country. It took me almost a year to process things before I finally became registered here in New Zealand. Again,<i> mahirap pero kaya! Kung kaya ko, kaya niyo rin!</i></span></div>
Sa Akin Lang Pohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11360043166594225353noreply@blogger.com212New Zealand-40.900557 174.88597100000004-65.234714 133.57737700000004 -16.566399999999998 -143.805435tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019939172223413009.post-67234114622947875342013-06-27T01:20:00.001+12:002013-07-17T22:39:28.810+12:00Where Am I Now?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My last entry was dated April 02, eh?! That time I was in the Philippines. Of course I came back to Jeddah and bid my farewell there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Guess where I am now... </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Where the kiwifruit is abundant...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Where a lot of kiwis can be found...</span></div>
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Known as The Middle Earth!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Watch out for my entry entitled <i>From Middle East to Middle Earth</i>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ciao!</span></div>
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Sa Akin Lang Pohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11360043166594225353noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019939172223413009.post-12852596233713762792013-04-02T17:02:00.001+13:002013-04-03T15:11:08.068+13:00No Fingerprints<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hello. I'm blogging from here in the Philippines where the scorching summer heat is constantly killing my patience. Oh well, that's tropical summer! Whew!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's my second annual vacation with my present company and I am again going back to Saudi after 40 days. And soon after I bid bye-bye to my homeland I am going to have another fingerprinting session with electronic scanners from immigration. That means another problem for the person taking my fingerprints, and another episode of here-I-go-again-explaining-why-it-is-so-difficult-to-take-my-fingerprints. Urgh.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8In6mFdtfhWzazkDeSoaGVO4O16X3Jzf0sctsihHX67nxmJsaZFwxE6qwnlox8ftVryvtFYR1QMmwHp705fSrIvOe1pyXhdM70RrU09ADHCY2IHKxZI-MtikW0CaYOlRSm0FrKbYAsc1/s1600/sweaty+palms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8In6mFdtfhWzazkDeSoaGVO4O16X3Jzf0sctsihHX67nxmJsaZFwxE6qwnlox8ftVryvtFYR1QMmwHp705fSrIvOe1pyXhdM70RrU09ADHCY2IHKxZI-MtikW0CaYOlRSm0FrKbYAsc1/s1600/sweaty+palms.jpg" /></a>Why is it difficult to get my fingerprints? There are two reasons, one is I have palmar hyperhydrosis or sweaty palms or better known to many Filipinos as <i>pasmado</i>. So literally, I have wet hands and fingers whenever I'm in a hot environment or simply my sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) is activated. More sweat can be seen when I have lotion or clay on my hands and it suddenly gets hot. In fact, one can observe the release of sweat from my fingers from a close-up view! And it continues to sweat until the trigger is gone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The other reason is my seemingly fingerprint-less hands. It is very easy to spot that observation as my hands are almost flat! You could see prints but they aren't easily visible on paper (after applying ink) or almost nothing from a finger scanner! Fingerprint personnel from immigration counters and police stations attribute that to constant application of lotion or alcohol, or simply, you don't work much that your hands are very soft, free from fingerprints. Uhm, I apply lotion at times to moisturize my arms but just for the arms, not for the hands. By the way, the problem is only my right hand which is my dominant hand. In contrast, my left hand has got no problem. It is sweaty also but fingerprints are present. Weird eh?! Haha.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZM-PVkxDBoIe6aVjCQngaoddoFUWPy1YFdyu4kVueXOym2k-z5yLXEAtKWTRRA4sRYCFuUNPJ0gyk0M0u9KENSd5SJv3Lma4HzyGYpYxLM1M34-7QXxSG946nBSvRwg8xFu0o5AaNA-T/s1600/fingerprint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZM-PVkxDBoIe6aVjCQngaoddoFUWPy1YFdyu4kVueXOym2k-z5yLXEAtKWTRRA4sRYCFuUNPJ0gyk0M0u9KENSd5SJv3Lma4HzyGYpYxLM1M34-7QXxSG946nBSvRwg8xFu0o5AaNA-T/s320/fingerprint.jpg" width="220" /></a>When I sent my application to California Board of Nursing for NCLEX last 2007, they returned my fingerprint cards to me twice and I had to repeat the process at NBI Carriedo back then. In the immigration counter of King Abdulaziz International Airport they had a problem taking my fingerprints as well. My prints were also taken from my Saudi company and as usual, they had a difficult time using the live scanners! Good thing they had an alternative and used the fingerprinting cards instead. Also when you take the IELTS, they will need your fingerprints to make sure you are the same person who will appear on the next exam (in case you have different exam dates/times or venue. Of course, fingerprints are also taken here in the Philippines for NBI, and you know how the NBI centers are extremely hot! And oh, before you exit Saudi or any place where you stayed for at least 6 months, you must have your fingerprints taken for clearance purposes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A side story to the no fingerprints subject is sweaty hands; this condition has emotional and psychological impact to many. Isn't it very awkward to shake hands with people with your hands wet?! For nurses, it is a must to put on gloves before touching patients or you'll just wet your patient's hands or whatever you are touching. In fact this is one reason why I declined a post to be in surgical nursing although I aced my surgery rotation when I was a nursing student!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-51x1tjWzZYlTlJhiB0cYexYTvbebN3PCJErS8NIcO5h6g2soPrx7RxVsvV4wFaqKte5j2CHAZQqWTYAYQk4YyBqXDb1zUYi8uX61V1IqzyWsQqJyTQU9G3eWhyphenhyphenURQa6U9XMEZ-PcqNF/s1600/shake+hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-51x1tjWzZYlTlJhiB0cYexYTvbebN3PCJErS8NIcO5h6g2soPrx7RxVsvV4wFaqKte5j2CHAZQqWTYAYQk4YyBqXDb1zUYi8uX61V1IqzyWsQqJyTQU9G3eWhyphenhyphenURQa6U9XMEZ-PcqNF/s320/shake+hands.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">For sweaty hands, the only way to go on with the fingerprinting is to wipe each finger with a dry tissue or cloth. If it won't work, rub some alcohol and let the alcohol dry up and try again. If not, the proven effective way is to rub powder (baby powder) on your hands and start the process. Mind you, all these steps were done at LTO for my driver's license renewal yesterday, and the last option was truly a success! If you opt to find a permanent solution, you may have medicated solutions or gels to be applied on the palms/hands as directed by a physician. There are also anticholonergic drugs which could be taken by mouth to stop the excessive sweating but you just have to be extra cautious with the side effects. Injection of botulinum is another controversial solution (botox). Lastly, you have the option to have surgery called sympathectomy which, according to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperhidrosis" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>, relieves 85-95% of excessive sweating of patients.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ciao!</span></div>
Sa Akin Lang Pohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11360043166594225353noreply@blogger.com11Manila, Philippines14.5995124 120.984219514.4765834 120.822858 14.7224414 121.14558099999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019939172223413009.post-61365034108841972062013-03-11T10:28:00.005+13:002013-03-12T10:03:26.053+13:00Filipino Nurses Bound to Saudi Arabia: What You Should Know (Part 2)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is the second part of my entry about <a href="http://saakinlang.blogspot.com/2012/11/filipino-nurses-bound-to-saudi-arabia.html" target="_blank">what Filipi</a><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://saakinlang.blogspot.com/2012/11/filipino-nurses-bound-to-saudi-arabia.html" target="_blank">no </a><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://saakinlang.blogspot.com/2012/11/filipino-nurses-bound-to-saudi-arabia.html" target="_blank">nurses should know before moving to Sau</a><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://saakinlang.blogspot.com/2012/11/filipino-nurses-bound-to-saudi-arabia.html" target="_blank">di Arabia</a>. It took me quite a long time to finish this entry due to curricular requirements and other stuffs - good thing the semester is almost over. Anyway, <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">below is <span style="font-size: small;">Part 2 of the <span style="font-size: small;">two-part blog-series for <span style="font-size: small;">nurses wanting to move here in Saudi. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Saudi way of life is greatly based on the teachings of the Quran. In order to live a seemingly ‘good’ life they have to toss away temptations and follow the writings of their bible. That sounds very good, right? But the goodness in that sometimes have different interpretations to some.</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">While points below will discuss my thoughts about their ultra-conservative culture<span style="font-size: small;">, </span>most are general way-o<span style="font-size: small;">f-living </span>perceptions and stuff<span style="font-size: small;">s. </span>Again, these</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">are just MY observations an<span style="font-size: small;">d thoughts, and of course,<span style="font-size: small;"> do not necessarily reflect that of my fellow <span style="font-size: small;">countrymen. Just open your mind, and remember, to each <span style="font-size: small;">his own.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Why Leave Saudi?</span></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://alexofarabia.com/2013/03/02/how-much-variety-and-discrimination-is-there-in-the-gulf/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kVzCjM3xhYXmyYG55zArnYFMD12iiYqk3Eh-tyoFbGPX154X6no5Dq5F_zMn3C8FVJb5YydiwEq1V2cIQg5fLhE7c6d94rYqMwxCdJoBaJu4mGFgNSscIFudOa94ARV1ijKox9vtXQ0S/s400/Map-of-Saudi-and-Gulf.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>Language barrier. </b></i>You cannot provide efficient and effective nursing care if there is ANY barrier to communication. Obviously, the most logical way to deal with the language barrier is to learn the foreign language. I know some Filipinos who speak very fluent Arabic but most of them are the veterans in this place, most of which have stayed for more than 10 years. Actually, it is greatly dependent on the person if he/she will consider the language barrier a problem, some are very enthusiastic to learn Arabic and others don’t see the importance of learning the language. And I must admit that I’m one of those less willing to learn.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>Hygiene practices.</i> </b>Let me get this straight, not all people here put little importance to hygiene practices. In fact, I admire the youthful and the older locals who are very neat looking and very hygienic. In my workplace, we have Saudi friends who are very specific to cleanliness and sanitation but there are others who give no importance at all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Just like in every nation elsewhere in the world, hygienic practices vary among individuals. In my first few months in Saudi, I claimed that the educated are exceptions to the <i>“amoy araw generalization”</i> but it turned out I was wrong. Even in the high class malls and hospitals you’ll come across the most awful smell of the no-shower-since-Friday men (and worse, women). That is when you'll greatly appreciate how your parents took care of you in the Philippines when you were a child as they imparted to us the importance of taking daily showers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Jeddah houses a multitude of nationalities and those coming from the neighboring countries are those, in fact, who have lesser regard to hygiene. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Of course I have learned to identify the locals from the expatriates and it’s a must for me to give you a warning: you can never escape from the dreaded smell. As a courtesy, just ignore the smell, don’t say foul, belittling words, and get out of the scene right away. Again, you have been warned. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>Cultural stagnation. </b></i>This is a personal opinion: I will never wish, in my entire life, to be limited of my freedom. It is very difficult to have a normal free life in here because you are not free to mingle with the opposite sex. Good thing we belong in the healthcare field and that can be an exemption to the rule. Also for women, inequality is evident between the guys and the gals. Girls can’t drive, girls have less opportunities for available jobs, and girls are always covered. Just like how the westerners describe Saudi Arabia, it remains <i>“a country left by civilization.”</i> <br /> </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/saudi%20women" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9NZYDaWU2l-aBCggjGTvzFqgH0uat1-4aPNctBB2jq4sRuQll0ol7DNQVIWohoI62QG2gL6_9fMz3RjHiAKReLDNvciywKPT0od_d6yq4ktuKhwA0WodNtuHXJha9hiXdNl-5Iy9xYO5/s320/tumblr_lsfguvVSbe1qbm5tko1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>Unsafe for females?</i> </b>Most likely, you have heard of horrible stories of people from Saudi getting raped or sexually harassed. That does not apply to women only, in fact, men are also sexually harassed here. There are actual stories that you could read online about nurses (or any other profession) getting raped and left in the middle of the desert. Most comments from colleagues attribute that due to extreme limitations of their locals to sexual expression. Unlike elsewhere in the world, guys here can never go <i>first base</i> (and beyond) not unless they are married or they engage in sexual practices in a non-consenting victim. Also, I have a colleague who is a <i>muttawa</i> (religious police) and he explained that women’s hair and skin, once shown to the public, could provoke sexual urges in men; according to him, if a woman shows her hair or her skin, she is actually welcoming sexually hungry men to harass her anytime. Remember how Mama Mary is depicted on images with her hair cover always on? They consider Mary's contribution (as the mother of the prophet Jesus) part of their religion too! And that is how they want their women to dress like.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But again, the city, just like every city in the world, is a jungle. You'll never know when a tarantula, a boa, or a croc would pick on you... So just be safe and always be vigilant.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>Pork is banned!</i> </b>Aside from gender inequality, restriction to food (specifically pork) makes me sigh in sadness every now and then. Food restriction is based on their religious belief that certain animals are dirty and should not be eaten. They also have a special ritual during the slaughtering of cows, chickens, camels, and other animals. When animals undergo that special ritual before they are slaughtered, that practice passes the <i>Halal</i> (the ones you see on the can labels). Anyway, I have learned to live without pork and substitute beef and chicken instead. Now, I can safely say that I’m a beef and seafood lover. :) <br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>Drinking Water is expensive!</b></i> According to my colleagues (their opinion), water is quite expensive (2 Riyals per liter). For a 5-gallon potable water container I pay SR 6. Sodium content is an issue to some as regular water here have very high sodium. I don't see that as a threat to health unless your kidneys are failing. Some low-sodium water bottles (Nestle) cost SR 6 per liter. <br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>You cannot own a house and lot.</i> </b>Just as explained earlier (post about <a href="http://saakinlang.blogspot.com/2012/11/filipino-nurses-bound-to-saudi-arabia.html" target="_blank">Why Stay in Saudi</a>), expatriates cannot own properties. The same explanation goes for the item below.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>No chance of acquiring citizenship regardless of the years of stay. </b></i>Simply because you're an expatriate.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>No booze!</i> </b>If you’re that after-work-Friday-night-monster type of guy, you can’t be in Saudi. They don’t have liquor in here. And drinking alcohol is extremely against and punishable by law. Jail time, public flogging, and deportation would be the consequence once you’re caught in the act drinking, carrying liquor, or roaming in public drunk. I know a few who have been jailed (two of my colleagues) for 3 days and 2 nights and they are currently on hold (not allowed to leave Saudi Arabia) for the next 6 months while their investigation is pending, also, the police confiscated their iqamas for some time. <i>So paano na sila gagala?! </i>Well, the fact that booze is illegal here doesn’t bother me at all as I don’t drink. The point is, you stay in their country, you respect their customs and laws. Period.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>No public party - Philippine style!</i> </b>Well, I am talking about the freedom to hold a party wherever you want (of course, not literally ANYwhere) without thinking of somebody reporting the party and the host to the police. Friends claim that there are locations free and far from the police wherein you could hold parties. For example, Obhur, the near-the-beach compound near Jeddah is a more popular place where public, only-Filipinos-allowed parties and gatherings are held. <br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>No cinema!</i> </b>I have mentioned the observation of how their locals are deprived of the ‘real’ entertainment in Part 1. However, who needs a public cinema if the rich locals could set-up their own home theatre system?! TVs here are huge (just like in the Philippines) ranging from 40” to 60” smart television units and they are way cheaper here than in the Philippines. <br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>Very conservative culture for women.</b></i> Women are covered from top to bottom. They wear the <i>abaya</i> and <i>tarja</i> to hide their skin because of their belief that skin and hair exposure is tantamount to sexual provocation. And if a <i>muttawa</i> calls your attention, be prepared to be shouted at and receive his short lecture (in public) on the importance of observing their cultural ways. For some ladies, that rule actually saves them a couple of Riyals since there is no need to buy expensive clothing - unless they need to prepare and dress up for an all girls party. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com/women-abaya-shops-000000859.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgve4S1MX2s0HHKO4VJvHo4WFTVnv-4AkvfmX_Ppc8qJWHS9g-wnEmimo7j1v7N14YMKwnlOEXrzATE5hbNnIRSiLDwDD7XtAE-d75CFDsGcqVKh5T5rtbCyHWY-NwAYmzYb0Wg3KV6XfOa/s400/abaya-jpg_073527.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com/women-abaya-shops-000000859.html" target="_blank"><span class="photographer">Photo by Photograph: Fayez Nureldine/AFP/</span> <span class="date">Tue, Nov 27, 2012</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>Challenge of courtship among Filipino men and women. </b></i>Only married couples are allowed to roam around or you’ll risk getting jailed or shouted at and criticized in public. Some would choose to illegally get a fake marriage certificate just for them to go around without worrying. That's so wrong, right? Anyway, they are adults, and they should know and be prepared to experience the consequences of their actions. Also, some women simply <i>'can’t lock their knees,'</i> a number of women I know got pregnant without getting married to their partners. Talk about unplanned pregnancies. Urgh. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>Weather. </b></i>Saudi is a desert so people should expect a dry, hot weather all throughout the year. And just like what is told in Earth Science classes, it gets very cold in the night and hot hot hot during the day. There have been a number of recorded temperature fluctuations ranging from 0 degree Celcius during the cold nights of December (Riyadh) up to 50 degrees Celcius at Summer. <br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>Very limited and expensive public transportation choice. </b></i>Most common is the taxi but unlike in the Philippines wherein there is a "flat rate," in here the driver or the passenger agrees with a verbal contract, and the minimum charge is 5 Riyals per ride. From where I stay in Jeddah, the usual cost per taxi ride from my flat to Balad is SR 10. They also have the SAPTCO or Saudi Arabian Public Transportation Company that travels to different areas to and from the small towns and cities. I have never tried riding any SAPTCO vehicle but I have seen a lot in Jeddah. They look like the regular air-conditioned buses that we have in Manila. By the way, SAPTCO is for men only. And since you ride in somebody else's vehicle, the risks that come with it are countless (read the sections <i>Unsafe for females?</i> above and <i>Road safety is a constant threat to life!</i> below).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>Housing issues.</i> </b>If in case you decide to live out from your company provided accommodation, you have plenty of options. People prefer to live out and find an apartment to avail of the much desired privacy. In general, if you opt to live out, the company will give you a housing allowance and that is a huge sum for some. Apartments can be expensive (in Jeddah it costs 500 to 1000 Riyals per room per month [shared bathroom, living room, kitchen] excluding electricity, water, and internet). <br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>Food choices. </b></i>Food may have different taste not appealing to the general Filipino tongue (you’ll get used to it anyway). But Jeddah is considered a food haven for food enthusiasts as it houses numerous restaurants offering different specialties. A local magazine called Destination Jeddah (search their <a href="http://www.facebook.com/DestinationJed?ref=ts&fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook site</a> for more!) is a very nice read if you want to know and explore the reviews of restaurants or the city itself. Another great food blog for the Jeddawis is <a href="http://www.facebook.com/jeddahfood?ref=ts&fref=ts" target="_blank">Jeddahfood.com</a>. Of course, the fast food and local neighborhood kabsahan will never be excluded in the list! Jollibee is also here! Have a Jolly-weekend to de-stress! <br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>No holiday season (no Christmas lights, New Year celebration with less fireworks).</b></i> If you spend the holiday season here, be prepared to miss Philippines big time. The Christmas spirit, of course, is not felt here, no Christmas lights, no colorful gifts, no Christmas carols in the malls, etc. But of course, if there are Filipinos around you could always celebrate the <i>Noche Buena</i> and <i>Buena Noche</i> with them. You have to celebrate it with the Filipinos or else you’ll lose your insanity! Haha. <br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>Road safety is a constant threat to life!</i> </b>Road traffic accidents top the list of common causes of death here. Reckless drivers are EVERYWHERE! If you want proof, just look around the cars in the city, full of bumps and flaws from scratches and vehicular collisions. Add the sandstorm to the reckless drivers left and right, *and boom!* be prepared to see The Light (look up!). The government, however, makes sure the roads are wide and flat. Also, always wear that <i>sinturong pangkaligtasan</i> (seat belt) to protect you.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>Limited clothing sizes for the Filipino physique.</i> </b>If you have a small built, buy and pack lots of shirts and pants while in the Philippines! Small sizes here are equivalent to medium sizes in our country. And it is extremely difficult to find the right size for the average Filipino body. <br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>Text messaging is expensive</i> </b>(25 <i>Halalas</i> per text for same network; for different networks, 35 <i>Halalas</i>). Promotional offers are available so it is up to you to avail. I own a smartphone that has 3G so I just use Viber or Skype to communicate with whomever I want to reach. For me, subscription to 3G saves me a lot of money. Currently, I am subscribed for a SR 200 for 3 months of 3G with limitation of 1 GB per month under STC.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>Limited 24-hour friendly tambayan</i> </b>(the likes of 7-11, Mini Stop, Select, etc.). In Manila, we have that usual tambayan which most of the time serves as the regular meeting place for meet-ups. This is where we could buy refreshments, simple snacks or microwavable meals, basic toiletries, magazines, batteries, and even condoms! Harhar. In here, you don’t have those or if there is, very rare.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>Women cannot drive a car.</i> </b>They just won’t allow them. <br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>Salaah 5 times a day</b></i>. An excerpt from the Part 1, <i>"</i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Also, you have to get off the mall stalls and restaurants once the 'saalah' or the prayer time starts – that means, interrupted shopping and eating time." </span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The prayer time b</span>reaks normal working hours of establishments (restaurants, stores, malls, etc.) So if you're hungry and in a hurry during <i>salaah</i> time, then suffer!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But then, if you are of sound mind, you should have anticipated <i>salaah</i> hours, right? Good. That's how an expatriate thinks.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>No nursing regulatory board</b> </i>(and no official statewide nursing association). Reason? Perhaps, because the nursing leaders here are non-Saudi? Roam around the leading hospitals (government and private) and do a survey of the nationality of their top level nursing administrators, I bet they are westerners, or Asians. One thing more, Nursing is not a popular profession amongst the locals as they view Nursing as a domestic job. Also, the shifting schedules (especially night shifts) of nurses are not appropriate to the locals. Here's an excerpt from my pre-thesis work:</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">The country has been reliant to expatriate
nurses that occupy almost 95% of the nursing positions state-wide (</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Bozionelos, 2009)</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">. This can be
attributed to the country’s regard to nursing as a low-paying, physical and
domestic type of job (Gazzaz, 2009) that requires irregular working hours,
thus, not appealing to the Saudi population. A strategy adopted by Saudi Arabia
to fill the missing nursing positions is through recruitment of nurses coming
from developing countries such as the Philippines (</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Aldossary, While,
& Barriball, 2008; Almalki, Fitzgerald, & Clark, 2011).</span></span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you are looking for a chapter of the Philippine Nurses Association in the Western region, then you're lucky, there is!</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b> </b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>Education is expensive.</b></i> If you have a child, you have no choice but to enroll them to an International School. I don’t have the details here<i>;</i> I don’t know any Filipino who has a child studying here in Saudi. According to an expatriate physician, he pays around SR 50,000 for his Grade 7 child who goes into an International School. But in an article that I read, Saudi Arabia tops the list of countries with very high budget for education (for their locals). That's one thing I admire in the Saudi government, they aim for an educated society and they would really support a student who has high hopes and dreams by funding his education locally or abroad.<br /> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>Free television and Internet is regulated.</i> </b>No intimate scenes can be seen on free TV; nothing sexual in nature. Perhaps that is their way to protect their people from worldly things, thus, protecting the general <i>tao</i> from committing crimes of various natures. <br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>Internet charges vary.</i> </b>Jeddah's connectivity is at the forefront. They come next after the developed Western countries when it comes to connectivity. They have the same speed and subscription rates in the Philippines so I can't tell more about that. You can always choose different packages to suit your internet usage.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>No religion other than Islam.</b></i> You can’t freely practice your religion. And one must know that fact. Anyway, I believe that's one of the topics in the PDOS. There are households that conduct regular worship/praise sessions and I don't see a problem with that; As long as they hold it in a private place then it's fine. Other than that, you could always tune-in to online Sunday mass via internet.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>Discrimination is widespread. </b></i>Salary is according to passport (a local driver would earn 4,500 to 5,600 Riyals, compare that to the salary of an experienced Filipino nurse with salary range of 2,200 to 4,600 [for at least 2 years experience]). Filipinos' rate is way very low as compared to the Westerners' rate. Sometimes people would joke, you're doing the same job yet they are earning 4-5 times more than what you get. In here, employers would check out your passport then start computing your salary. That’s so unfair, right? Also, in public places and offices, they always make sure the locals are given the full attention and the others are always deemed second class citizens. Well, I think discrimination is a worldwide issue, however, in other countries it is covertly done unlike here that it is a pretty common sight in your everyday discourse. This is one of the most disturbing reasons why I would like to leave Saudi soon.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>Company keeps your passport.</i> </b>That is their way of saying, <i>“We get it for safe keeping.”</i> Anyway, you can’t go somewhere (out of the country) unless your company applies for your exit visa. So I guess you have no choice but to surrender your passport to them because a visa-less passport is useless. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>Racism. </b></i>Locals (some) are <span style="font-size: small;"><u><b>extremely</b></u></span> racist, and with very poor work ethics. I understand that all countries have different upbringing of its people, with different sets of moral and ethical behaviors, and different levels of education, but all people should treat other people with respect. Talk about good manners and right conduct, eh?!</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> But again, racism is a worldwide issue. In fairness to my Saudi workmates, they are very cool and we have good working relationships.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">These, among many cultural practices, are very much different to the social and cultural freedom that Filipino nurses experience in the Philippines. These differences may be perceived and interpreted in various ways by first-time nurses. Being strangers in a foreign land is almost starting from scratch as geographical, biophysical, psychological, social, and spiritual problems with adaptation may arise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I urge you to read and re-read the pros and cons to help you decide. Why don't you read <a href="http://saakinlang.blogspot.com/2012/11/filipino-nurses-bound-to-saudi-arabia.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a> again to give you a better picture of what to expect. Anyway, Saudi has a lot to offer to any person, it really depends on how the person accepts what's given to him/her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Sa akin lang po... </i>you have many options where you could further your career. One way to explore your options is to learn more about the country where you want to stay. If you could tolerate the things I have mentioned above, then go to Saudi, if not, then move on to another country.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></div>
Sa Akin Lang Pohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11360043166594225353noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019939172223413009.post-11932285732505467042012-12-31T22:59:00.000+13:002014-01-01T12:38:10.709+13:00Goodbye 2012, Welcome 2013!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">While Facebook allows us to view our biggest moments for the past 12 months, status posts alone and some most-liked photo albums and videos are not enough to recap the past 366 days of our lives (remember, it's a leap year!). Facebook used a simple algorithm to show our <i>“20 biggest moments from the year including life events, highlighted posts and your popular stories,” </i>and I must agree with how the social networking giant presented some of the bests of my 2012. However, not all events and special days are openly shared to Facebook, right? In my entry today, I’m going to visit the greatest events of my year and go chronological from January to December.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GQnI4hJnKCDnTyvtCwzbXmY1-cnTZfmdnTTOKsmw2DOxX-Hh8dK-MfiGY8os3DGqJlOE0_u1v1OQjxI7o2Uf9PaG4GYhIrgLpxGZSueUHHu6VQKxYFXUTaydgkBsGwbgqVb8G_salRvr/s1600/facebook-year-in-review-270x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GQnI4hJnKCDnTyvtCwzbXmY1-cnTZfmdnTTOKsmw2DOxX-Hh8dK-MfiGY8os3DGqJlOE0_u1v1OQjxI7o2Uf9PaG4GYhIrgLpxGZSueUHHu6VQKxYFXUTaydgkBsGwbgqVb8G_salRvr/s200/facebook-year-in-review-270x300.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I started the year with a bright outlook, that I must welcome opportunities and live each day to the fullest. We (Pinoys at work) actually welcomed the year with a blast! The boys (workmates) won a simple contest, an entertainment presentation, ate sumptuous New Year foods, and jumped very high while shouting Happy New Year!!! Thereafter, I can’t recall some big events that happened post the new year welcome in January. <i>Siguro</i> I just had exams at the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, some random restaurant tryouts around the city, and the usual days at work. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">February and March passed by so fast and again I could not remember anything very special about those months. Most likely that’s because countdown to days and weeks were masked by my excitement to go back to the Philippines to have my first annual vacation. Also in those months, I met my Saudi-based sister for a number of times for some catching-ups and food-trips. I also finished some courses with the Open University and as usual, ‘got satisfied with the grades. Urgh. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The last week of March marked the start of my vacation. I left Jeddah last March 23 and I landed the Philippine soils on the following day, March 24, close to midnight. During those moments I really felt Gary V’s message from his song <i>Babalik Ka Rin</i>. Well, I’m that typical <i>balik-bayan</i> who came back home after some months of staying abroad. This might be so much of a cliché but truly, after months of being away from my homeland, I breathed (and even swallowed) Manila’s air, and indeed, it is a breath of fresh air (?!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I could still remember the excitement on my mom and dad’s faces when they saw me from the arrival area of NAIA. Though I am wet with sweat due to the humungous number of people at the Arrival Area of NAIA plus the scorching heat and humid environment, they still hugged me like a teddy bear just like how other parents longing for the return of their OFW child did. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We attended the mass the following day. At long last, I stepped into a Catholic Church after almost 16 months of viewing Sunday masses in front of my laptop. After the mass, I requested to pass by Duty Free in Parañaque. I just wanted to feel what my brother felt before when he came back from the States for his OJT as a marine engineer. <i>Darn, ako na ang sabik na maramdaman ang pagiging balik-bayan. </i>I spent a couple of hundred US dollars for the groceries and a little shopping. And I realized I shouldn’t have bought so much goods from Saudi as almost all the items were also available in Duty Free. Anyway, lesson learned. <br /><br />After Duty Free, we roamed around the Metro to take a good look at the newest addition to Manila's establishments and high rise buildings. I saw the Ferris Wheel at MOA, the new buildings at Filinvest Corporate City, some establishments that weren’t there when I left last 2010, and so much more. <i>Idagdag pa ang</i> Skyway from Alabang to Makati! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Of course, I ate a lot of pork, pork, and pork. But the craving for pork lasted only for 3 days. <i>Pagkatapos noon</i>, just the regular Pinoy meals. I realized I was eating and cooking the same food in Jeddah. <i>Wala lang talagang pork.</i> Haha. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">April is a combination of vacation plus studies for me. At the first week of April, I had my clinical practicum at PGH, and darn, I was extremely nervous as if it was my first exposure to patients. Remember the RLE days in the undergrad years? <i>Parang first time lang ulit lahat. </i>But then I thought, I am very used to interviews and clinical assessment, so why should I get nervous. <i>Di ba?! </i>Then the days passed by, *and poof!* <i>tapos na ang practicum.</i> There were other clinical requirements that must be passed within the practicum week but I did not manage to pass on time, nevertheless, I got a pretty decent grade, something which I believe I truly deserved. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />After the practicum, I had all the free time to roam around and see friends. Among my activities were meet and greet with Open University friends, visit to my previous hospital in Alabang (nothing changed!), meet some high school friends, and return to the malls around Muntinlupa, Para</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">ñ</span>aque, Makati, Las Pi</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">ñ</span>as, and the cities along EDSA. Most metro-roaming times were spent with the car (darn, I missed driving!), while some meet-ups especially along EDSA were through the common public transportation like tricycle, jeeps, buses, taxis, and MRT. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My visit to Isabela after 5 years is what I called <i>Back to Basics</i>, where I got to experience, again, the rural life and nature at its finest. I had photo sessions in the rice field, the farm animals, the <i>kuliglig</i>, went trecking to see a nearby waterfall, and lots and lots of deep breathing sessions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />Right after the Isabela trip, I went to see Baler. 'Such a historic place! The place is not yet developed but I just know it has the potential to be a major tourist destination. A classmate at the Open University invited me and other classmates to see their place, and I must say, I enjoyed nature so much. He was an excellent host! He made sure his visitors were attended all the time. I’m missing Baler now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />Next, we travelled down south, to Cebu and Bohol. This time it was a family affair. More views of the mountains, waters, wild animals, picturesque sceneries, churches, and excellent local foods. Whew! <br /><br />Also while in the Philippines, I took advantage of the time to process my documents for my next destination, the Middle Earth. I just felt that the Middle East may not be the right place for me and I have to move out of it to find the most suitable country for me where personal and professional growth could be achieved. But honestly I have already learned to love Saudi Arabia (I say I learned to love Saudi probably because I am lucky enough to be with a very generous company). But again, we seek for greener pastures, right? We aim for a better life for the future, so I decided to move out soon. I just hope I would succeed in the coming years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After coming back from vacation, I had some huge amount of money left in my ATM, that’s almost two months worth of salary, so I decided to buy a new phone. I really wasn’t planning of buying a new phone as I was really contented with my 3-year old touch screen phone. Anyhow, I still bought a new phone, a Galaxy S3. I just thought of it as a birthday gift for my self. And since then, I could not imagine living a day without a smartphone. I specifically chose the Android system from Samsung as I am a big torrent user and I download a lot. All those downloaded apps, music, and videos go directly to my phone and I could view and listen to them just as if I’m using my laptop! Having a smartphone is indeed a necessity for the modern day professional. <br /><br />Fastforward to September, I got the Best Nurse for 2011 award from my company. Something I believe I truly deserved. Haha. Well, that’s an honest opinion. At the time I was awarded that, I told my self, “<i>Finally, your display of remarkable work ethics has been appreciated.”</i> That award was given regardless of the staff's years of stay with the company, not like in my previous hospital in Alabang where you can’t receive such an award because you are a new staff. Weee!!! <br /><br />I also had my IELTS renewal last September (initially scheduled in the earlier months but was moved to the 3rd quarter). As expected, I got lower scores as compared to my band scores in the Philippines, but still enough to go to US, UK, Australia, or New Zealand. IELTS here in Saudi is basically same as that in the Philippines. But there are some notable differences: before, legal IDs were enough as your identification, now, a fingerprint scanner and your actual photo on the exam day are required. Now, they’re making use of technology. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It was October when I got my Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) training. Something I have been aiming to get as soon as I started working here in Saudi. It was a nice course, but for emergency room nurses, it is just a refresher course of what you usually do in the ER. <br /><br />November was the month when I spent almost all my rest days working on some legal papers for my application to register as a nurse to some cold place in the south. This is also the month where I was able to gather ideas and write my entry <a href="http://saakinlang.blogspot.com/2012/11/filipino-nurses-bound-to-saudi-arabia.html" target="_blank">Filipino Nurses Bound to Saudi Arabia: What You Should Know.</a> That entry took a pretty long time before finally being posted. Haha. <i>May utang pa nga ako, wala pa yung</i> Part 2. Haha. Hopefully, I’ll have time to finish and post that entry soon. <br /><br />December is my most favorite month of the year because of the festive and joyful mood among Filipinos worldwide and on Facebook. It is actually my third time to miss the Christmas season in the Philippines, but thanks to the Filipino Community here I do not have to terribly miss the gift-giving season. Although parties here are good, one could not really deny the fact that it is better to spend the Christmas Eve in the Philippines; <i>wala pa ring tatalo sa Pasko sa Pinas. </i><br /><br />2012 for me is a year the essence of being an OFW was much appreciated, I have seen the value of hardwork, and enjoyed harvesting the fruits of my labor. It is also a year when I felt that I was actually a post-graduate student.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">2012 is a year wherein opportunities kept flowing, and this coming year, I plan to just welcome and take advantage of more opportunities that may come, be more goal oriented, and keep a healthier lifestyle. <br /><br />Good bye 2012, Welcome 2013!</span></div>
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Sa Akin Lang Pohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11360043166594225353noreply@blogger.com0Saudi Arabia21.37124437061831 39.11132812513.777921870618311 28.784179625 28.964566870618309 49.438476625