Best Film and Prizegiving

Yehey! My daughter JJ will join the prizegiving/graduation on Monday 11 November.

She already finished HS in March and we arrived here in April. We were on a work permit and it would be expensive for her to go to uni. So we told her she had to go back to HS (sad but she had no choice)to earn some credits, use the time to orient herself with a NZ school and pray we get the PR before she goes to uni.

Since she already missed the first term she didn't have a lot of choice for her courses. She had three YR 13 and some other Yr 12 ones. I felt she was just going through the motions not really keen on doing anything of course it did not help that she felt alone. She missed the wonderful pleasure of having friends around, so much she would come home reporting every detail of her lonely day and enumerate all the friends she missed. Having no work I was there everyday and even if I was the mom-friend or friend-mom I knew there were just some connections I cannot fill.

I know she has tried to adjust and do her best given the situation. She did well in her courses in fact during the Parent-teacher conference all the teachers I talked to praised her diligence and excellent work despite missing the first term.

In her Media Studies class they were required to make a short Film for end of year evaluation. Unlike the others who were grouped in threes, she was assigned a partner, Daniel. They brainstormed, wrote the script, filmed, and edited their short mystery-comedy. On the 4th of November, we were invited to a screening of all films produced by yr 12 and 13. We thought we already missed their one (we came late - sorry) but soon found theirs was viewed last - just as well. It was not only the Best YR 13 film it was also Best Overall Film. In the next day's discussion, the teacher heaped praises on their work saying "it was one of the if not the best student film I ever graded".

This week her classmates were abuzz with who was going to graduate. She/we did not receive any notice yet although her classmates said she was sure to graduate and the notice might already be in the mail. Sure enough we got the notice informing us of the prizegiving as they call graduation here. So she is graduating but she will still be taking the NCEA later this month in which I'm sure she would also do well.

Jhodi's 11th!

It was Jhodi's 11th birthday and we were able to celebrate it thanks to very generous Aunts and Uncles.

After JJs birthday, Jhodi was already excitedly planning and looking forward to her 1st birthday in NZ. Much as I liked to be excited with her, I honestly couldn't given our current situation. Back home I could decide two days before and voila - you get a complete birthday. Here you have to count the guests and invite weeks in advance.

Two weeks before, I carefully explained to her how we might not be able to give her a party mainly because of finances.As I said before, we were still waiting for the permit and we were financially depleted. Even when the permit arrived still there was no extra to work with.

It was the generosity of an Auntie that finally made it possible. She asked us not to worry and that would take care of everything. And so given just a week, Jhodi made her invitations. It was Labor weekend here and usually people go somewhere so I told Jhodi not to expect all here invitees to arrive because they might have some previous appointments.

Jhodi invited three girls and two boys, which I didn't realize was a big deal here. It was fun, there were games with prizes, there was more than enough food and Jhodi loved her presents.

The party was at an Uncles place because our place is not the best place for kids to run around.

That weekend was also the gathering of Filipinos from all over NZ in Waikato and so later that day many arrived not for the party but to crash at my brother-in-laws place. Two of my former students and some others from all over Bukidnon.

So now no more birthday until the end of the year.

Exhale!

Finally, on Friday, after waiting for a month and 17 days we got our permits valid up to October 2009. We hoped for three years but maybe that was asking too much.

Last week, I was on the verge of giving up. It was so frustrating just sitting at home waiting for that all important call from the lawyer. When she didn't call by 4 PM we called her office only to hear no welcome news. The Friday before, October 10, she already said, it was good to go and the permit would be released by Monday or Tuesday. We were already in high spirits, my husband already informed his boss and he was ready to go to work by Wednesday. But, Wednesday came and there was nothing - I could cry. While I tried to sleep the hours away, I later learned that my husband was so anxious he could hardly sleep. Of course what made it more nerve-wracking was literally seeing our money dwindle down to the last few dollars.

We would not last another week with rent and utilities to pay. I already got a notice from the power company. By Thursday the tension in the house was heavy I could hardly breathe. I tried to avoid confrontation but on that day there was nowhere to go. My husband and I had to discuss a Plan B no matter how difficult it would be.

Plan B was in case the application was disapproved or approved with no residence in sight:
1. How much money do we need to go home? With holidays coming tickets were almost double the usual price. There was no way we could go back home without having to borrow money.
2. Assess how much money and disposable assets we still have back home to START AGAIN.
3. List possible sources of income for my husband. I did not offer to go back to teaching - I might just stay home.

When we both agreed that there was still something to go back to (no matter how difficult) the load became lighter. Now all we had to do was wait for our passports.

Meanwhile I still had to borrow money for the following week's expense.

While he had nothing to do, my husband busied himself with guitar licks (blues) and painting (his other love). He already had some materials and small canvasses were on sale for a little over a dollar so he started drawing and painting. He did Sting (half of his brooding face) in black and white - impressive. He gave it to his sister who encouraged him to do more to sell at her shop for Christmas. Recently he finished beautiful Liv Tyler. So, that afternoon we went out looking to buy some more canvas and white acrylic paint. While at a shop we got a call from the lawyer who finally (Thank God) was able to inform us that the permit will be approved and we could get the passports the following day.

You should know, all these time I never gave up praying. Everyday I prayed for a positive result. Even when there were setbacks I claimed He would not make us suffer and we were thankful that at least we had some money to get us through each week even without my husband's work. More importantly I guess, I always prayed for patience enough to wait for the result and understanding for the anxiety and frustration my husband was feeling. If I just count each day I know we have been continually blessed. All we could do is thank Him each day.

My husband finally started Sunday (it was his weekend on) and it has been another adjustment - there is a lot of expectation.

Although the permits have been approved for work and study there we really are praying for PR because otherwise we would not be able to afford my daughter's university fees. That is another thing to tackle and pray for. We will just take it one step at a time. I believe we will be all right. For now I can exhale.

Still waiting

I haven't exhaled yet.

We went to a lawyer (Destination NZI Ltd), who was able to clarify our migration concerns , of course at a cost. The lawyer, Hema, is going to represent us in the application for work and student permit extensions as well as my husband's PR application. She recommended a clinic where we were able to have our medicals (with discount) and with the special urgent request on results. We were lucky there were two Filipina doctors in the clinic who were more than willing to accommodate the whole family. What would normally take a week or so we finished in 3 days.

We had to request for new NBI clearances. Dad, brother-in-law and friends helped a lot in making it possible to get things on time. It was good my husband and I had our NBI personal copies which is needed when you are requesting somebody else to process on your behalf. I sent our copies back to the Philippines through DHL with their money back guarantee if they fail to deliver before 9 am on the third day. But things don't go as you want them to - DHL did not deliver and they will refund us of the 149 $ courier fee.

And so we are still waiting...until we get those blue stickers only then can I exhale.

Thanks Ronald for the reminder. Indeed it's His assurances that keep us patient and strong.

JJ's 18th birthday

EIGHTEEN! What a special celebration we planned it to be. Eighteen candles and roses, a live band, a beautiful gown, a meaningful thanksgiving, family and friends, and her own album of original compositions as giveaways. That was the plan before we finally decided to leave for NZ. JJ my eldest daughter turned 18 on August 9, truly how time flies. JJ deserved a beautiful party like we planned it, but it was just not meant to be. I know she was looking forward to it but at the same time knowing it won't happen if we left. Coming to NZ with not a lot in our pockets made it almost difficult to plan birthdays. The silent understanding was not to expect anything. Back home birthdays were almost open invitations, here you have to count how many were actually coming. And so with this financial restraint, nothing was planned for her birthday. Good for her she had her Aunties who generously organized a celebration and made her birthday special. She did get pink balloons, 18 carnations,18 candles, first (?) dances, a really rich chocolate cake, of course presents, and lots of family around. Being in NZ, her only consolation is the fact that here they are not very keen on the 18th it is the 21st that they celebrate. So we will see. That is still three years away.

Waiting to exhale

I am waiting to exhale.

Yesterday was a not a good day, I suppose. The family is in NZ on a deferred PR application. After the three-month requirement of being in the job, my husband lodged our application last week and yesterday we got the Case officer's reply: "...job not considered skilled..." What now? If it was any consolation she gave us "in the spirit of fairness and justice" until September 2 to add to the documents or respond.

Ever since we arrived, I have tried to make the transition easy on everyone especially the kids. Together with my husband we have tried to make a home so they can settle. But truth is at the back of my mind is the gnawing 'what if'? There was still the matter of having my husband's work assessed. There were some encouraging signs like his boss was willing to support him and his co-workers who recently applied for residency had both been approved But yesterday was a reality check in this move to NZ.

I am trying to be as positive as I can not wanting to get carried away by the frustrations and negativities that often gets into my husband. But, I don't know how long I can do this and how long before I succumb to the fact that 'this was not a good idea'. I keep a brave front because I feel I had a lot to do with the final decision of coming over despite some setbacks. I feel I have to encourage everyone and show that that this can work. It doesn't help that I have found it difficult to find a permanent job despite or in spite of my qualifications.
Later we will try to see an immigration lawyer. We have no idea how much, we just need some advice before we can move forward. What we need now is a black and white answer to whether we got a case or not. If not then we have to pack up and go home?
Before that happens I am still waiting to exhale - and I don't think it's going to be with relief.

To blog or not to blog

I have long thought of blogging but have never really found the time, space, and courage (?) to start one. I would only read the blogs of others often finding myself interested, amused, informed and all those reactions depending on the kind of blog being read.

Even if one can post anonymously, maybe I really didn't feel comfortable with the idea of sharing my thoughts to I don't really know who is online out there. Starting this blog is a first step but I'm not even sure how long I can sustain this. For now because of the time in my hands I am here.