04 September 2008

The kindness of friends and strangers

This post is supposed to be about a turning-point in my life, or in my family's life for that matter. My wife and I both have resigned from work, and last Saturday was our last day on the job. It's kind of sad, really, to be leaving friends and the place where I have spent most of my waking hours for the past 8 years. But it is to be so, because we are leaving the country and starting anew in New Zealand (we are moving mid-September).

We have been given Work to Residence Visas, which means that I, as the principal applicant, need to find a skilled job particularly in the IT Industry and stick with one job for three months. I will consequently be evaluated and hopefully our family will then be given Permanent Residence Visas.

I only have nine months to make this work actually, so if you know anybody in the Wellington, New Zealand area who can help me land a job, do inform me. I will deeply appreciate it.

But in the transition phase of moving, I was really touched by people who gave their time and effort to make my last few days in Manila memorable. There's Team Marketing who festooned my office space with balloons and they had a scrapbook circulated to friends who wrote messages for me; Pauline gave me a camera because she knew I wanted even just a small one and I haven't bought one because I have other priorities now;

Some office friends treated me out to lunch at Teriyaki Boy because I have been wanting to try their menu for the longest time;

Ms. Alyssa Raval of TwinTrade Enterprises, our supplier of giveaways for the longest time, treated me out to lunch at GreenBelt 5 and she even took the time to look extra gorgeous for this moment;

My good friends Yoyo and Roger took time out and drove the rented van from Manila to Baguio so I can transport my things in safety, and they left for Manila the very next day;

I found my pair of eyeglasses but the nosepad was missing a screw. I dropped by Ideal Vision at the ground floor of Walter Mart Makati to have it fixed. The lady at the counter fixed it for me at no charge;

Ms. Dessa of our HR Department made me feel real important as she listened to my stories in my exit interview.

It is a happy, sad, exciting, scary time for us right now. I know that everything is ultimately up to me to make it work, but with friends and even kind strangers trying to make a difference, I know that I can, too.

21 comments:

  1. Anonymous1:19 am

    wow! what a great opportunity! nakakalungkot nga lang, pero i'm sure you'll soon adjust and do wonderfully in NZ.

    alyssa raval? if she's the one with the twin sis, then she was my blockmate in college! small world!

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  2. It's sad that you are leaving, but at the same time, we are happy for the opportunity that has come your way. From both me and Olan, we wish you and your family the best of luck. It was really, really great having you as a friend. Later!

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  3. Anonymous6:30 pm

    NZ is a beautiful country and unpopulated. Make the most of it and wish for your family to join you asap.

    There's no more "camping pics" for me to patronize if you leave, hehe.

    Cheers to you and your family.

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  4. Cess: Sya nga! small world talaga! Want her number?

    Meowok: I shall miss our Christmas EB...

    Trublue: Malay mo, biglang magkaroon ako ng opportunity to go camping there :-)

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  5. hayan na...dalawin mo yung place nina Frodo ha?

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  6. Good luck in NZ, watson! :)

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  7. Anonymous12:20 pm

    Nick,
    I'm happy for you man! I know how you feel, I have been there before. Just be strong. I have batchmates in New Zealand and I will find out where they live (I have contact with them through my friendster account). Maybe I can hook you up with them.

    Good Luck!
    Carlo

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  8. good luck watson.

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  9. wow, why is everyone leaving? you can find a job there easily and can fully adjust in no time, mga pinoy pa kahit saan isaksak mabubuhay.

    good luck ha. :)

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  10. Anonymous4:13 pm

    Nakakapanibago lang sa umpisa pero nakakasanayan din ang malayo sa pamilya. Kasama mo naman ang mag-ina mo kaya kaya nyo yan.

    Goodluck!

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  11. Kaya nyo yan. Just be positive!

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  12. thanks for everything sir nick.. i will miss you..

    have to admit i'm sad ur leaving.. but then i still wish you and your family all the best in this new churva adventure.

    your new friends will be really lucky to have you there... God bless you sir nick.. mmmmwahh!!!!

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  13. NICK!!!!! hhuuuwwwaaaaaa!!!! pano na ang mga dinner natin sa AMICI..kami na lang 2 ni pau...hhhuuuwwwaaaaa!!!!!

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  14. HELLO EVERYONE! Many thanks for the well wishes and words of encouragement.

    We are leaving on September 16, and will arrive in Wellington on September 17. Medyo busy pa rin but I will be blogging as soon as I can!

    Salamat ulit sa lahat!

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  15. wow. that means we would miss our school librarian too...wishing you all the best there in new zealand!

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  16. Anonymous5:18 pm

    kayang-kaya nyo yan kuya, at least magkakasama kayong haharap sa panibagong phase ng buhay! best wishes sa inyo...

    God bless po!

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  17. Goodluck Nick and Tina and Jolo. I always believed that you can do it and I will not stop believing that you can. Sulong!

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  18. For sure, papasakay na kayo ng plane ngayon. Wishing you all the best in New Zealand, Nick. Yup, makakahanap ka agad ng work, don't worry, kayang-kaya mo iyan.

    Good luck to you and your family.

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  19. hmmp!!! the internet is still for P__N :P

    Miss you sir nick...

    I can hear he who must not be named voice' in my head already :P hahahahahaa...

    I'll just wait for my ticket when youre all settled and filthy rich and with personal bodyguard like chuwable :P magipon ka ng mabuti ha :P ill say hi to chu for you when I go to dubai sa pasko :D

    Missing Korean Jo-Lo :P and Miss Tina...

    Take care dyan ha... just let me know if you still need anything from me :) take photos :P gamitin mo naman yang camera...lekat :P hahahahaha...

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  20. I hope you and your family are doing well in NZ now, watson! We miss you at the Berks cafe!

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