One of my first challenges when I arrived in Canada is to look for jobs. I have my mind set that I may not be able to work in my line of profession immediately and that I am willing to start all over again. I am open to accept entry level jobs that would eventually lead to supervisory or management position. I have set my mind that there is no such thing as small jobs but only small minds. I firmly believe that if I can show them that I can be trusted with little, then I can also be trusted with much.

I never thought that making a resume is as hard as looking for jobs. Yes! I find it hard making my own resume! I need to highlight the skills I acquired and tailor them to a job I am applying for. It may sound easy but it’s making me bleed.

Over the past 3 days I have made numerous revisions. Though by now, I’m getting the hang of it. I’m learning to group related skills and highlight them to make them interesting to employers (I hope they are interesting enough to get me an interview.) Aside from skills, I also need to provide accomplishments and the steps I did to achieve them.

Finally, I have created two resumes. One resume highlights my skills in web development and database management. The second one is for non-IT jobs. I have uploaded my resume to a Canadian employment websites. As of now, there has been more than 15 views from the employers but none of them called me yet.

It all started with a good purpose. Somehow, it started to get into my head. I was aware of the danger yet I went for it. The very thing that almost everyone fear happened to me in just a blink of an eye. Condemnation and self-pity started to creep in. I was so worried that I was starting to have nightmares of the situation. Been reading the books of the Philippians to have my mind. Didn’t sleep well the previous night. Had to keep the TV set turned on the whole night while trying to sleep. I decided to leave for Batangas early in the morning to keep my mind occupied with something else. Good thing I did because the moment I reached our place, heard my nephew’s voice shouting my name in excitement. It was music to my ears. My anxiety has started to lessened. I decided to tell my brother about it. He was glad that everything went fine. I was anxiously waiting the whole day to hear any news about it. My heart jumped every time my phone rings or beeps. Felt quite relieved at the end of the day when I didn’t hear any news. I hope it means that everything is now fine. I hope I can sleep better and would have no nightmares anymore.

Yet in all of these, God remained faithful. He didn’t leave me. I sensed His guidance. His grace was evidently present. The situation could have gone worse but since He’s in control, it ended well. I needed to be taught a lesson the hard way. It was a traumatic experience. I needed to be reminded of my purpose, that is to learn and not to brag. In all of these, I thank God for keeping me safe.

“Later the LORD blessed them [Eric and Jenny] with a son. They named him PSALMUEL because they had asked the LORD for him.“  – 1 Samuel 1:19,20 (pp)

Everyone’s excited for Psalmuel’s first birthday party. Who wouldn’t be? Everyone adores him! He’s the only baby in the group. Happy birthday Psalmuel! God bless to the whole family.

[July 7, 2011, Taza, Al-Khuwair, Muscat, Oman]

(Most shots are by Joshua Diwa. Great job!)

Alberta, Canada has recently came up with an online guide to help employers better understand the educational credentials of immigrants seeking for employment. Of the 10 countries, the guide includes the Philippines. The new online resource aims to help employers and human resources professionals understand foreign-earned education. It explains how international education credentials compare to Alberta education credentials. Alberta’s International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) developed the International Education Guides. The guide also contains placement recommendations which are based on extensive research and well documented standards and criteria. If an occupation is not regulated, anyone can work in that occupation as long as the employer’s requirements are satisfied. They would want to see that an applicant has the necessary education and work experience. (Read it here.)

Searching for a job for immigrants is a major problem yet very common. I read on a forum that a Sociology professor, Jeffrey G. Reitz from University of Toronto said that “When they [immigrants] fail to get occupations for which they have specific qualification, they may experience even more barriers at lower levels, often being dismissed as “overqualified,” and find themselves obliged to take jobs for which they are virtually no skill requirements whatever. This is a major reason why immigrants more often wind up at the very bottom of the skill hierarchy.” (Read it here.)

Getting the assessment takes time and cost money. There are times it a complex process. Alberta’s IQAS charge a minimum of $100 per degree for basic assessment and it takes 6 weeks of processing. However it is highly suggested even if the occupation is not regulated. In this way, it will be easier for employers to understand and accept them. It may also be one of the most important steps in landing a job.

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(I do not claim mastery in this field. I am still preparing to move to Canada. This is just a collection of what I learned from searching and reading forums. If you have anything to add or any suggestions, I most welcome it.)

“My name is Optimus Prime. We are autonomous robotic organisms from the planet Cybertron. Remember this: you may loose your faith in us, but never in yourselves.”

Transformers night with friends

At long last! The plan to watch a movie pushed through last night. Together with amazing friends, what a better way to watch it with buckets full of popcorn and plates overflowing with nachos dipped in cheese and jalapenos. Too bad we have to go home immediately after watching it because of work and school the next day.

There are 11 of us and we occupied the whole 3rd row from the front. It’s like watching it on IMAX! I was blessed to spend my last two weeks bonding with them.

(Day 17 of 30-day writing challenge)

I shared friendship with the group that started out as a choir in the church. I was assigned as the conductor even though I don’t know anything about conducting a choir but because I can read notes and no one was available at that time.  We were preparing for a competition.

After the competition, we decided to continue to hang out. Every Sunday, after church service, we would have lunch at one of the member’s house. We would share expenses for food. We also had our regular choir practice every Monday.

One of my most memorable moments was on Christmas day when we went to Star City, a theme park in Roxas Blvd. We went there directly after church service and it was unplanned. At first, we wanted to go to the Manila Zoo but when we reached the place it was packed with people so we decided to go Star City instead. I can’t remember if we tried some rides but I definitely had some fun. We went home close to midnight.

I had an opportunity to chat to one of them. We were catching up with what happened with our lives for the past years. I was surprised that their eldest son is now a senior in high school. At that time I didn’t realized that it was almost 20 years since that last time we hanged out. We both agreed that those days were the best time of Christian life. She was thinking of organizing another reunion when she learned that I’ll be coming home.The group drifted apart when some of the members got married and became busy with their new life. Others became busy with work. I was thinking of visiting the church when I get home just to see and meet them again

(Day 16 of 30-day writing challenge)

It has to be the Purpose Driven Life by Pastor Rick Warren.

Before leaving for Oman on 2007, the school librarian where I used to teach gave me a copy of this book. I was very glad when I received it. I have been wanting to have my own copy. That time, I can’t buy one not because I can’t afford it but for some other reasons I don’t know how to explain. I have heard how great the book is. I also remember that the church where I used to attend held a special Bible Study program in the Growth Group regarding this book.

I used to see my life as big joke. I don’t see any purpose for my existence. I was struggling for approval from my own family. The main reason why I want to work in another country is to prove something to them and to also run away from my personal problems. I started reading the book a week before I left. There’s a poem by Russel Kelfer at the end of chapter 2 to wrap it up. A particular stanza that hit me big time goes like this:

No, that trauma you faced was not easy.
And God wept that it hurt you so;
But it was allowed to shape your heart
So that into his likeness you’d grow.

From that moment, it was planted in my mind that God has plans for me. He is preparing me for something. So instead of complaining, I was willing to learn. I still have a lot to learn. It wasn’t easy. There were a number of times I wanted to give up. I don’t see my life as a big joke anymore and I don’t have to struggle for approval from my own family or for anyone else as well.

(Day 15 of the 30-day writing challenge)

During one of my lowest moments when my faith was being challenge, the music of Hillsong Music Australia made impact in my life. Their song Show Me Your Ways from their album Shout to the Lord under Hosanna Integrity was my prayer during that time. I was literally listening to this album everyday. I also have copies of their other albums but this one was very uplifting and appriopriate during that time.

At that time, I was facing a cross road and at the end of my rope. I don’t understand what was happening around me. Earlier, I have everything under control. Then with just one circumstance, everything changed, everything was turned. I have no one to turn to. My friends were no where to be found. I was groping in the dark. I was rationalizing things trying to make logical explanations. I was asking what went wrong. I came to the point where I totally despised my existence and believed that I was born a loser and that my life was a big joke. The only thing left I have was my faith.

I was doing great things for God instead of doing what God wants. Like one of the lines from the song that goes, “Show me your ways, that I may walk with you. Show me your ways, I’ll put my trust in you”, it became my prayer. Then I started to realize what it meant in having a personal relationship with the Lord. If there’s anyone whom I can share my grief with, it is with Jesus. I understood what King David meant when he said “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1).

Until now, their music has been ministering to me. I believe I have a complete collection of their albums. I hope someday to watch one of their concerts.

I read in a news article that there is an increasing job opportunities in Alberta. They have released a list of  of occupations that are most likely to face labour shortages in the next two years. Included in the list are computer programmers and web designers! Recent government reports have estimated that Alberta could be facing a shortage of over 77,000 workers within the next ten years, mostly due to the retiring population. (Read the news here.)

This is good news. My earlier plan was to settle in Toronto. However, when my visa came, God lead me to go to Edmonton, Alberta instead. I was surprised by this leading. During the application process, I have been praying and preparing for Toronto. From the community forums and job searches for IT, Toronto is the place to be. Even before I did my landing, I asked my cousin who is in Spruce Grove which is near Edmonton to ask around if there are any available IT jobs in the area. According to her, most of the available jobs are for food attendant, truck and bus drivers and other trade skills jobs.

When I did my landing last February, I looked around for jobs available in the area of Spruce Grove and Edmonton. When I went to a bank, I asked one of the employees if he has any idea about IT jobs. He said he haven’t heard or known anything and from the expression of his face, he was probably wondering why did I choose to settle there.

I am not having doubts but I was still praying if he could bring me to Toronto instead. Nonetheless, I started preparing myself to settle in Alberta. I am learning and exploring about the place. I’m finding out what skills employers look for. In other words, I’m gearing up for my new life there. After reading this news, I now understand that God has already prepared something for me.

(Day 14 of the 30-day writing challenge)

“… and life is worth the living, just because HE lives.”

That line was from a hymn entitled Because He Lives. I don’t want to be religious or spiritual on this topic but I can’t help it. If there is really someone who has made my life worth living it is Jesus. I have gone through tough times and I still am.

It may sound weird but even at an early age, I have been seized with grief. Both of my parents had very high expectatios of me. They even have laid out several plans for me like what course I should take up in college and what will I be when I grow up. I was so afraid and worried that I might disappoint them and this has lead to my grief.

So I grew up living a life planned by someone else. A plan in which I was unhappy. At the same time, I was living to meet my parent”s expectations which I later found out is impossible to achieve. It was during this time that someone introduced me to Jesus.

I was still grieving even though I accepted Him as my personal Saviour and Lord. Yet I persevered because I know this time I have someone whom I can share my grievances. He gave me hope. His promises gave me comfort and encouragement. It wasn’t until almost 24 years where my perseverance was rewarded. I am now living the life which was planned by God. I realized that the past was also a part of his plan. It was necessary and it played an important role in my present.

Just like the words from the hymn, “and life is worth the living just because he lives.”