Something's cooking

There is progress on the teaching front. It will still take a while but I am getting there.

I am very thankful that I have very supportive friends and an understanding partner. My networking starts from them and it is up to me to build bridges and make them stronger.

Australian bureaucracy can still be a pain in the ass but I cannot change that. I just have to go with the flow and be patient.

I have a very good feeling that things will improve in a few months but this weekend, Steven and I will go to our annual grape picking. It is going to be a fun way to get to socialize with his extended family. I will pray tonight that it won't be too hot.

This means we will not be able to watch the Sydney Mardi Gras on TV.

(I took the photo of a cactus flower in Nuriootpa that blooms once a year and for only one day.)

Career Limbo

I have been working in a diplomatic office here in Adelaide for quite some time now. I am sure many people would find this job enviable but I never did. Sure it involves some sort of power but it is the sort that does not really make me happy or have any use in my life.

In the meantime, I have been collecting and waiting for documents that will help me register myself as a teacher here. It is taking a long time and involves a lot of money.

This process of settling in Australia is testing my patience. I thought red tape in Thailand and in the Philippines are the worst in the world. I never thought it would be much worse in a rich country like Australia. This teacher's registration involves so many agencies that are very similar to each other--thus, making my recognition as a teacher sooooo much longer.

Sometimes, I feel sad about this because Steven has already made so many sacrifices. I would like to be able to spoil him because he deserves it. I would like to take him out to nice restaurants, go to the movies and buy him model trains.

Fortunately, some of my friends make me realize that I have so many things to be thankful for: I earned a Masters degree in one year, I have made so many connections in the South Australian education field and my former employer (Berlitz-Thailand) is very supportive of my goals.

I know I just have to remain positive. Everything will pay off.

Honk honk

I have been trying to get a teaching job since I graduated. It is not that easy in Adelaide compared to Bangkok as the demand in Adelaide is not as big. Hence, I try my very best during each and every interview I am granted.

Coming from Manila, I am already an expert at job interviews. Especially in the teaching/training industry, I know what is necessary to land the job but something unexpected happened during the last interview I went to. The interviewer mentioned that the job entails being in several places in one day so I would need a car but...

I do not know how to drive.

All my friends know this and my partner has been urging me to start learning how to drive since forever. Unfortunately, I am as stubborn as he is and now I regret it. I should have started learning how to drive last year.

My name is Dexter. I am turning 32 years old this year and I am just starting to learn how to drive.