Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Life After 4 years

Hi everyone I am Back after 4 years :) Lots of things happened and I almost forgot this blog spot. Anyway this blog spot is a good way to express yourself without being criticise to much like on facebook lol.

Last April 2012, I graduated from Capitol Medical Center Colleges of Nursing and passed my Nursing Board exam June 30- July 1. Okay right after board, I decided to look for work because I am not a student anymore, No more allowance from the parents lol

So I tried 10 call centres until I was employed by Teleperformance Philippines last 23 July 2012 at Ortigas branch. I waited the whole day. I lasted there for about 10 months and I got tired and bored from the usual routine. I wanted a change.


October 2012, Jamie one of my close friends died wihtin unknown reason during the time of her wake, my Nana (dad's mum) were also in the hospital (Capitol med) that time. So Jamie passed away October 9 and Nana died 23rd of october 2012.

Few months before I resigned, My iPhone 4S was stolen from my bag when me and my friends are on our way to MRT (train station) to go home after shift so I battled and held the lady who stole my phone and they returned it to me HAHA so I ended up spending my whome freakin afternoon on a police station located in Mandaluyong Philippines (I heard rumors that this people are a big syndicate and managed by Policemen) So this is the start and seocnd reason why I lost my hope for my mother country. My dad immedietly told me to resign and look for a nursing job. or get in the health industry.

During the period of I am unemployed, I tried to apply in a pharmaceutical companies to become a medical representative. I got hired by Pan Pharma meinz in Makati. I tried a few days of training but when I talked to my dad that they are planning to put me in Bagiuo and manage the whole area he said NO. This is the big misconcception about a Filipino Culture during this time I am 22 year's old and wanting to try the live on my own. So Dad said no and I resigned in my so loved job.

I also tried aplying for work to practice my Nursing profession but since my board rating is low the o called president of my Alma Mater said No to me. Basically speaking, Capitol medical center should cater their graduates to provide a good and competitive nursing experience but what they did to me? "Your board rating is so low, I can't accept you" O common lets face this freakin reality that it maybe hard to study Nursing in the Philippines but you cannot judge the ability of a RN with his ir her board rating. Anyway, I lost my hope about that. I also found a volunteer work as a Nurse in a small hospital in Fairview the Neopolitan Hosptal but it it too faraway from where I live in Quezon city so I did not take it. Become a volunteer in a organisation but never used the credit you give for the love of country. Volunteer work will not feed you and help to reach your dreams most especially in the Philipppines. Within this organisaition they are truly struggling with funds and maybe you'll meet half of unreal and real people. This is were I meet my friend Kristine, Marie and my crush lol I mean my friendship with Mima becomes closer. So I am still thankful. I become inactive and left the organisations because I have to focus with my IELTS review.

So the year 2013 comes, Studying in Australia becomes popular. So I dreamed that I can go to this country to change our lives. To live the poverty behind but the whole process was never easy. I struggled to gather the money I need to study abroad. I think my parents spent $10,000 just to send me in Australia but take note this is only a STUDENT visa. I reviewed study IELTS but since I failed to reach the 6.5 - 7.0 I have to hold the uni and study first at TAFE to study Diploma of Nursing. I am so excited and fully motivated that time. My fmaily helped me others did not instead they dragged me down and argue with my parents about the money. Well, you cannot please anyone. So during the holy week while waiting for visa I become busy in loosing weight, going to eveyr churches that my dad can visit, pray a lot of times. Cried a thousand litres of tears and this is it!

I also looked after my grandpa and covinced him to have a shower after not having a shower after 3 years (since when he arrived from US) He is my pain the ass and very naughty. 2 to 3 years ago he can still walk and eat on his own but his glaucoma are starting to affect his ADL's or activities of daily living so Mum and I needs to help him with feeding.

Well, since when I was 17, I started smoking cigarrette, I have not tried marijuana and will never try it over my dead body.

My friends gave me a good birthday and a despedida parties. Thank you so much

Days, months, time, minutes and every second are ticking so 28th of June 2014 I left manila. My friend Jemima and Krsitine accompanied my parents to drop me off in the airport and I never imagined that this will be the last time I am going to see my father alive.

So my fllight is Singapore - Brisbane - Bundaberg

I left Philippines for about 11am in the morning so they said that you have to be in the aiport 3 hours before the flight. OMG my parents are not aware that you have to pay for a travel tax so  it is one of the hassle. 8am were in the aiport. waiting. Okay so it was so hard for me when I have to say goodbye to them because they cannot come across inside the immigration check in. You can really see the sadness in my father's eyes so it was a hard and sad moment but have to let them go and  I did not look back.

Until in the plane I am still crying I arrived singapore 2pm and my flight from Changi to BNE is not until 7pm so I roam around and explore Changi and it is so beatiful, really faraway from NAIA lol.

So 5am in the morning I arrived in BNE and it was TOO FREEZING lol Because I have to go outside and catch t he shuttle bus who will bring us to the domestic airport to catch my flight going to "bundy" So it was so embarrasing because I fell on the shuttle stair because it was too dark and I cannot see inside lol

So I am an early bird so I waited for 3 hours in the gate where I am departing Brissy then the plane that I am is very small and you can feel the turbulence inside HAHA So after 55 minutes I arrived in Bundaberg Regional Airport and as soon as I get inside, I have seen Denise and Peter Cross which the foster family parents I lived with for a week. Their house in South Kolan was a beautiful paradise. You can see a 9 hectares of land they have 2 horses and 2 dogs plus a one chook. I met them because of the TAFE international student support officer Angie McMillan. I also have 2 foster brothers their name is Brayden which I rarely see at home because he always stays with his girlfriend's house and then Jarren is the youngest. He is a nice brother but two of them are very tall! lol

After few days of staying to them a filipina called me her name is Shamie Laeno. She introduced me to the filipino community in Bundy it is very heart warming welcome. I spent my morning birthday with the Cross Family and tour me in Bargara and the Hummock and in the afternoon, I moved in at the Laeno's place for a week.

I've learned that once you are on your own you need to be extra sensitive with other's feelings and learn to ask if they need help and do not take advantage of their kindness and always say thank you.  I Always look back and after 2 years the repentance and foregiveness happened. I love them a lot :)

Once again, I apologise for all the people I offended I am still young that time and unknowledgeable with real life and now after 2 years here in Australia, I learned a lot. May the Good karma hits you all. Godbless.

anyway, One week is over and I decided to moved in with a fillipino couple and a single filipina student in Walker street which is a walking distance away from TAFE. It's beena  good training for me how to get alogn with other people. learning how to have initiative to help with household chores and living on your own. Until are landlord came back we all become a little bit uncomfortable lol housemates are ate Gemma, kuya vic (couple) and sachi (fellow student at TAFE )

Since ate shamie and I becomes close, she shared to me how she met her husband so I created a dating website account and searched here in Bundaberg HAHA. I only done this become of boredom. lol Nothing really serious. I found Bent86 profile I only sent  a kiss because I don't know how to send a message and I did not really bother until the next day he sent me a message and start talking to him. it took me few days before to accept his request on facebook because he is really scary on his profile photo.

He sounds alright until my filipino friends told me meet him theres nothing wrong until the day I invited him for a meet up and I am with my friends too lol so he went to a filipino community get together that day. few days of chatting We officially become a couple. I remember the fellow filipinos saying that take him because with aussies courting is not common So 17th July 2014 we becomea so called boyfriend / girlfriend.

My studies with Tafe are alright and we struggle with money matters but I finished it last December 2015 Thank you God, my parents, trent and his parents as well. My study mates also helped me to cope up and they are shallun, deejay, anesh, ben, gemma and graziella :)

Just received a huge challenge in my life. I lost my dad last September 2015. It is not in plan for me to come back home because I remember him saying that if something happens to me, Do not come home. So I think this is a premonition. The last time I skyped with my dad was 26th of August. This was the last day my agent also lodged my partner visa application.

So it only took days for my dad to endure his pain and sufferings in life before he passed away. It took us 1 1/2 days in the hospital before he died. Trent sent me home for 3 weeks and I can say that I have a good support system because I have his parents and him while I am away from home.

It was 5th of September when I came back to manila and I am delayed with my assessments. So TAFE considered me for that then it was a hard time. It feels like everything happens is only a joke.

I cried so hard in the church after they blessed my dad's coffin. 3 weeks becomes fast for me. I had my hair rebonded, stayed with my mum and bond with my other friends meet up with them. Missing trent so much and catching up with the filipino food which that I missed soo much :)

I had a huge migraine when I arrived manila so my step cousin picked me up in the airport which feels weird since I don't have a father who will wait for me outside the airport.

28th of September 2015 I went back to my second Home, Australia. It was so hard to leave my mum alone. I am looking forward to be with her again here in Australia. This is one of the reason why I am so eager to get a decent job is to migrate her with me and to live well with Trent. I know with God grace and prayers everything will be okay. I believe that Prayer works with action. I know my responsibilities just keep motivated and don't let your worries eat your mind and soul.

I can say that I am still immature and I need to learn heaps of things about life. I realised that I don't know everything and anything. Everyday is a new learning and a beginning.

I forgot to mention that I came from a filipino culture so living with trent has a purpose and I am not regreting it. To be with someone you love is a curve ball learning with a smile on your face everyday. We lived first with his parents then after 1 year and 3 months we moved out on our own. With ony trent working, we are really carefull in spending. I worked before in an Indian restaurant but mind you, working in an asian restaurants Does not pay right and well. These people take advantage of fellow asians and aussies Don't last long because they cannot put up with this which is I wish ends soon. I hope Karma hits them.


Even though I lived In Australia for almost 2 years I am still down to earth and stays the same Erika. I just can't handle the Philippine heat anymore lol.

Sorry for the long blog, I just catcth up with the years I lost and unable to write my sharings. On my next blog, I will be sharing things to know / what to expect about entering in Australia on a student visa :)

Thank you

<3





Sunday, November 20, 2011

Sbux Day with Ms. Kris Aquino


My friends and i were just having a group study @Starbucks Victorias tower timog ave cor panay then suddenly biglang dumating si Ms. Kris Aquino, ako pa yung nag approach sa kanya. she's nice and pranka lang talaga :) pero achievement para sa akin na makausap ang Queen of all media :)

Saturday, October 29, 2011

My very own version of By chance

My very own version of By Chance - JRA
I really like this song and i remember someone every time I play this song.
<3 nakakainlove talaga at para sayo ‘toh ;’) <3 <3
—-HappyListening Friends!! :))

http://kikayekay.tumblr.com/post/12074963540/my-very-own-version-of-by-chance-jra-i-really?ref=nf

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Please help me to decide which one is good for a burgundy dress?

which one of them do you prefer for a burgundy dress? I can't decide. huhu please help me. I need to decide before December. I will use it for my cousin's wedding this December 10. My dress is above knee level so my aunt told me that my shoes should be one to stand up in crowd :) I had one vote for the black stilleto and one vote for the silver high heels :)) thanks for helping though :))




Thanks for your help :) the have one vote for each of them :)

Were having fun :))

http://kikayekay.tumblr.com/post/11648367352/by-chance-by-eena-and-erika-joy-were-having

Wala kami magawa ni Eena so that's why we did that crazy thing, but my mom and my friends said that "maganda sya:" :)) thanks for the compliment :))

actually I dedicate that song for the guy that I really like. I'm shy and i can't tolerate myself every time he is around me. maybe his smile is "pwede na" to me, to make me feel complete :))

 <3 Every time that i hear this song, It feels like there's a lot of butterflies in my tummy. *kilig :)

Friday, September 2, 2011

‘Ber’ months begin, Xmas décor sales start :)


The first day of September signals the start of the “ber" months – October, November. and December. – which, together with some days well into January, cover the Philippine Christmas season, said to be the longest in the world. It’s also when Filipinos start buying Christmas décor for their households and establishments.

In her report which aired on GMA News’ “24 Oras" Thursday, reporter Bernadette Reyes noted the rains in Metro Manila did not dampen the glittering Christmas displays that have begun springing all over Barangay Valencia, Quezon City, considering that as soon as the “ber" months begins so does the sale of traditional Filipino Christmas lanterns or parol.



“Kapag maaga silang bumili, 50 percent ang discount nila," said Archie Manlupo, who sells a variety of parol on Gilmore Avenue in Quezon City.

Manlupo said prices then spike up starting November. But this early, “giant" lanterns which normally sells for P7,000 can be bought for only P3,500, while lanterns coming from the northern province of La Union have their price tags slashed from P1,500 to onlyP750.

Christmas lanterns made out of capiz are selling for P900.

Reyes added that beginning November, the stores will start selling Christmas lanterns and décor 24/7 all the way to Christmas day.

Longest Christmas season

In a report which aired late Thursday night on GMA News’ “Saksi", reporter Joseph Morong got to the bottom of why the Christmas season starts so early in the Philippines.


Prof. Alvaro Alcala, a sociologist from the De La Salle University, explained not only the cultural but also the economic reasons for starting the countdown to Christmas so early.

"Pag sinabi mong ‘ber’, it's leading to Christmas," Alcala said. “Yung hilig ng Pinoy para talaga mag-celebrate. Napapakita sa pag-prepare nila until the time na mangyari ‘yung event."

“Pwede i-capitalize ‘yung gaanong excitement ng Pinoy, so pino-prolong; kasi the more you prolong the celebration the more na mas kikita," he explained. —Marlon Tonson/VS, GMA News