Blessing

I remember how frustrating it was.

For one year and ten months, I almost begged for anyone, someone to give me a job. Any job that puts my degree into use and provides me money every month.

And hallelujah, someone finally gave me one. Then another one. While it feels rewarding to help people, at the end of the day, I also have a life to sustain and a future to consider. Don't get me wrong, I am and will always be grateful but financially speaking, it was and it will never be enough. And I've had enough, too.

When I decided to try my luck in Australia, I prepared myself for heaps of rejection. I know that I would have to toughen up even more because I would be living in a place where people are different from those in my country. I know that I would have to compete with the locals here. I would have to show and prove that this little woman deserves a job in a country that was foreign to her. Going here was also a make or break move for me: either I will really pursue this in the long haul or I will pursue the path I have always dreamed of. So I vowed to myself that I am not going back home empty-handed. No. Freakin'. Way.

To my great surprise, the very first place where I submitted my resume to hired me ASAP.  Then I moved to Sydney and I immediately got a job, too. I believe this was God's way of telling me that I made the right decision in leaving. Me and Philippines? We're not really meant for each other, I believe. I used to feel a tad guilty though in leaving my own country for a brighter future. However, on second thought, I don't think my own country needed me anyway. There were too many of us and very few jobs. Besides, if I stayed, I think I'll go crazy -- and I'm already bat-shit crazy, so that's not pretty. Just kidding. :p

And now, I have two job offers. And another interview. Kalma lang kayo, guys. Nakakaloka at nakakastress pala ang ganito! Hahaha! But thank you, Lord, ha? For giving me opportunities and options. For letting me know that I am actually good at what I do and I am good enough to be hired. Yung hindi ko na kailangan ipagsiksikan ang sarili ko just to get a job. Now I don't know if this is His sign na I should stay -- I hope not! I'd like to think pang-fashion school ko nga yan (Sometimes, I feel bad when I say this. Other people want and would love to have my job and I only consider it as my day job. However, just to be clear, I don't take my job for granted. I make sure that with everything I do, I do it damn well. Sure, there are days when I like it, there are days when I loathe it. But I believe na mas iba kasi kapag passion mo e. Anyway, most people don't get it so basta, yun na yun. I really don't have to explain myself.). :) Whatever the real reason or purpose is, it's for me to find out later on. But right now, this is enough for me.

Grateful

I currently have two jobs.

And I still have job interviews from left and right. Gee.

I'm surprised that someone gives a damn and reads my resume rather than placing it in the shredding machine. I'm surprised that my resume is actually impressive enough for them to invite me for an interview. I'm surprised that I don't need someone from the inside to hand my resume for me and 'back me up'.

I'm being hired for my skills. For what I can do. For my qualifications. It feels amazing because for once, this was all about me and what I can offer, not because I'm the daughter or relative of whoever. It feels good to finally have various job opportunities that I can deliberately choose from. I no longer have to accept a job just because it's the one and only job offer I will ever have.

Thank you, Lord, for this birthday present.
I will still change my career but I'm grateful nonetheless.


P.S. I accept monetary donations for my fashion school fees. Charot! Hahaha!

Organization 101 Part 1

Being an organized-slash-neat freak-slash-OC woman that I am, my things have to be categorized accordingly and/or be arranged properly. Since my friend and I moved to our own flat, I have been anal with my storage and/or organization item purchases and plans. Well, there is something about having your own place that makes you want to go through all the trouble of organizing to a tee. So far, here are some of inexpensive and creative organizing ideas that I can share with you.

Space savers

Very basic and unoriginal, I know. Haha! I bought a set of plastic trays (similar to that photo below) for $3 at The Reject Shop. I used it as my bra organizer. Unfortunately, this is the last remaining stock. I am still waiting for them to restock -- if ever they will be restocking it.

ebay

However, I found a bigger plastic box that comes with a detachable dividers (similar to the photo below) in a different store worth $4.50. I bought two for my undies and socks. 

Lifespace Australia

(I used these photos instead because I don't think anyone would be interested in taking a peek of my undergarments drawer. Besides, it's too personal to share. Lol. :p)

Stack 'em!

Those paper towel holders can still be useful after the you've used all the paper towels. You can use the cling wrap or aluminum foil or baking paper holders as long as they are thick and sturdy to stack your bangles and bracelets. Also, place the heavier or chunkier bangles at the bottom for a stronger foundation.

Who said this $4 tissue holder (from The Reject Shop) can only be used solely for tissues? You can use it for stacking more bangles, too!

Apart from lollies, this candy jar can also display your colorful nail polishes! This was actually a little too pricey though -- $20 from a homeware shop -- but it was what I was looking for. I initially wanted a cookie jar but I figured it would be a little difficult to get the nail polishes that I need, especially if they are placed at the bottom of the jar.

Hang those dangles

Okay, this cocktail glass actually has a story. Last year, when my friends and I watched Wicked, cocktails can be bought while waiting for the show to start. This cocktail glass is more of a party favor because it has a button underneath to make it light up. It looks really cute but I bought the Wicked spectacles as a souvenir instead. As soon as we got up to leave after the show, someone left this behind. My friends were teasing me to pick it up and keep it. So I did, yes! I cleaned it up when I got home -- but I didn't use it to drink, take note. Haha! So now, I am using it to hang my hook earrings and to place my other earrings inside it. You can also use a quirky cup or glass, if you want.

Now, this is the toughest thing. I do have a fairly moderate size of closet space in our new flat, which would be just enough if only I have fairly moderate amount of clothing items. But I don't. Lol. So I have to be wise with maximizing the space!

To fit more items in the drawer...

It was my friend who actually taught me this technique. Instead of just folding them the usual way and stacking them up, fold again the clothes in half and arrange them as I did in the photo below so you can maximize the space and, at the same time, find what item you are looking for more conveniently. 

Sleepwear x Lounge clothes drawer

To fit more shoes in the rack...

I used the bottom left of my closet to place the shoe rack, which I bought from The Reject Shop (My obsession for this store isn't too obvious, hey!) for $12-$15, if I remember correctly. I wanted to buy those clear shoeboxes but I'll save that idea when a bigger closet can already accommodate all of my stuff. Haha! 

I was able to fit 38 pairs in here! Whaddup!

For the meantime, I arranged my shoes by placing them alternatively. I hang the ones with slimmer heels. Pairs with chunky heels or wedges were kept inside their boxes. And no, this is not yet done. I still have my pairs of boots on the bottom right of my closet that are still not arranged in a way that I want to so I'll save that one for the next entry.

I still have more ideas to share but this will do for now. I will write a part 2 of this entry. Anyway, hopefully, these ideas are, at the very least, a bit helpful to you, guys! :)

The Search for the Best Flat for Rent

It's been a month since my friend and I moved out of our 'bedspacer' place and into our own flat. Searching for a good one is quite a challenge. As full-time students who only work part-time, we have a more limited budget so the rental fee is a main factor in our decision. Moreover, we also have to consider the inclusions of the place and rent, location, transportation and convenience. Luckily, we were able to find a flat that is fully-furnished, 10-minute walk away from the train station, 2-3 minute walk away from the bus stop and accessible to shops. Only slightly above our budget but this was the best one of the lot that we saw. So to those who are searching for their own flat, not that I am an expert and this may only be applicable to international students living on a budget, here are some tips that I can share with you:

1. Rent
How much are you willing and able to spend on rent? Downsize your search by sticking to your budget limit.

2. Bills
Are the utilities included in the rental fee? Do you prefer for the utilities be included in the rental fee or not? Personally, we prefer for the utilities to be included in the rental fee so we won't have to be bothered remembering the deadline of payments for internet, water, electricity, etc.

3. Inclusions
Is the place fully or semi-furnished? Or unfurnished? Do you prefer buying or do you have your own furniture and appliances or do you prefer to just move in along with whatever stuff you have? Since we are international students (Oh, I am no longer one since 5 days ago -- got my permanent residency already! Yay!), we only have our personal and school stuff with us. We don't have money to spare to purchase ourselves a sofa, our own bed, etc. So a fully furnished place is necessary for us. (With that being said, anyone wants to sponsor us a television? Hahaha!)

4. Duration
How long will you be renting the place? Are you thinking long-term, like a year, or short-term, like 3 or 6 months? How long will the owners have the place rented? Look for flats that will suit your duration preference. Some owners prefer long-term renters; others prefer having the renters' contract renewable every 3 or 6 months.

5. Location
Should it be conveniently located near your work? Or anywhere near the bus or train is fine? Which suburb do you prefer? Is it safe and quiet? Are there shops nearby? Since we do not drive and rely completely on public transportation, a place conveniently located near the bus stops and train stations is of utmost importance. Safety is also highly significant to me so we researched about the suburb profiles. We don't mind if it's one or two hours away from work as long as there is transportation within reach and feels safe.

6. Look into real estate websites.
There are millions of rental ads in the worldwide web. Be sure you are looking into legitimate real estate websites and ads. Be wise enough to dissect which ones are dodgy and which ones are not. Here in Australia, we used Real Estate website

7. Inspect, inspect, inspect
After you've looked into legitimate websites and ads, make time to meet the real estate agent and to do an ocular inspection of the places you've inquired for. It's better to see the place personally and you might be also able to meet or talk with the owner. For us, the bathroom and the bedroom are the first two places that we check. The bathroom has to be clean and well-maintained. The bedroom has to be conducive, has a firm mattress and of course, has enough closet space. :D If the place is furnished, check if everything is functioning properly.

8. Legal stuff
Paperworks, of course. Take time to read carefully the terms of your lease before signing. Make sure everything was put into writing. Know the bond amount and how much of the rent should you pay in advance.

And once you found that flat that suits your liking and budget, grab it as soon as possible! :)

Hopefully, these few tips that I discussed may lead you to your own good flat! Good luck! :)

Year Two. And counting.

Today marks her second year in Australia. She is still living alone in another country where she has no relative to contact in case of emergency. Her navigation skills improved but sometimes, she still gets lost even if she's already using Google Maps. She has a big circle of friends back home but now, she only has 6-7 friends here to hang out with and to annoy on weekends. Though she still wouldn't be able to punch and kick someone to physically defend herself, just in case, she's hoping that her several pairs of heels may be enough to save her and to inflict pain to others in a similar way it makes her feet sore. (Lol! Of course, she's just kidding!).

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. - Neale Donald Walsch

She basically left everything behind. Sure, it is tough. But I think she is tougher. More than she thinks she is. So yeah, it's not New York (yet) but if it isn't that obvious, she is strutting just fine and enjoying her time. :)

Never late than never!

Few days ago, I received the first good news for my 2015. A confirmation that all the efforts I made for the past two years finally paid off. This state of uncertainty will soon be over (for the meantime) and I can finally push through with my original plans. In spite of being in limbo during the previous year, I still had so many things to be thankful for -- new city, new work, new acquaintances. New experiences that helped me learn more about myself and what I am capable of. My family and friends who were and will always be there to support me, to make me smile with a simple text or random call and to boost my morale on days I needed it the most (Thanks, everyone. You know who you are!). The everyday blessings such as being able to wake up each day. 

This is more than a recollection. This is an evidence that with God and the right people by your side, life will always be fantastic -- no matter how shitty or frustrating some things can be. (A little too late for the 'new year' but ngayon lang din ako nakapagmuni-muni.)


And while we're at it, let's also look back at how much of my bucket list for the previous year was achieved.

1. Learn how to drive

2. Get a driver's license

3. Sydney trip with my brothers -- which reminds me, I haven't talked about that trip! Will do so in a different entry. :) I got really busy with uni stuff, work and other things. I also couldn't be bothered to write during the semester breaks. Hence, the intermittent presence from blogging.

4. Finish one book every month

5. Go back home for holidays -- which I will also talk about in a different entry. :) It felt so good to be back there!

6. Learn how to create and sew clothes

7. Move to Sydney for my Master's Degree -- and I have one more semester to go! Hell yeah! :D

8. Learn how to make cocktails -- These were my only progress. :l Hahaha!

9. A in my OET -- I only got a B but I don't need the A anymore, anyway. :)

10. Stay for good in Australia -- Just awaiting for the final verdict now. Might as well strike this one out already. Fingers crossed and claiming it! :D

Still here. Just celebrated Straya Day 2015! :D

11. Learn basic Spanish

12. Go and fly solo (or probably with a friend) to Singapore

13. Be fit and healthy. (and achieve Nicole-Scherzinger-kind-of-abs. Haha!)

14. Make use of my Australian RN license -- Hired March last year and I have the best boss everrr! Yay!

Gee, only half of my list? Why on earth did I even list down 14 things -- too ambitious! Hahaha! Okay, so maybe I should have to make this year's list very short and sweet. More realistic and less ambitious. Hahaha! ;p

So for this 2015:

1. No more bedspacing and housesharing.

2. Get another job.

3. Buy sewing machine and tools.

4. Take fashion short courses.

5. Read 17 books in a year.

6. Just sketch -- and produce 50 sketches in a year.

7. Put 25% of salary every payday into savings.

8. Book a trip for your birthday.

9. Sew something.