From Working in a Factory, Housewife, and in a Financial Industry in Canada

Author: Net

They say if it's your destiny, no one can take it away from you and that it will be given to you at the right place and at the right time.

This is what exactly happened to us.  The moment my husband applied as immigrant years ago (we were only a couple back then), to what our "set-up" now as a family.

When he applied and was denied twice, I felt his sadness and dismay for this is his dream country, to raise our kids.  But I told him  that there's a reason for everything and maybe it's not yet our time or it's not the place for us.  Then years passed, he worked as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in Singapore, which made him grew apart from me and our children.

Then one day he said,
"I will try it again for the last time.  If this still doesn't work, then I'll give up and plan our lives in Philippines."

"Ok, if that's what you want, I'll support you on that," I replied.

"But don't let your hopes up. I don't want you to feel the same frustration, keep it light, ok?" I added with encouragement.

The Update
Then the news came that he needed to submit certain requirements.  Good thing, he had kept all those documents intact.

Everything else followed, the next thing we knew was we're already packing our trip here in Canada.

Once we're here, we had all the basic requirements needed to settle in - applying the Permanent Residence card, Social Insurance Number (SIN), Health Card, bank accounts and sending my eldest son to school.

We were very eager to have our jobs here.  They say it's very easy to find a job in Toronto if you are not picky.

True enough, my husband got his job 5 days after landing and mine followed after few days.  Though my first job was sort of a seasonal job,  I got laid-off after working for 1 month. but after a week of "rest" , I got another job that is quite promising.

Got a Promising Job
Another good news came but with a catch in the end...

My husband got a new job that required him to travel out of town every month.  So the problem was who will take care of the kids when he's away and I have to work in the afternoon until nighttime.

We weighed things up, listed down all the pros and cons and ended up me having a new job...a housewife.

Our New Setup
Sacrifices were needed. The main reason why we're here is for our kids.  So they are our top priority.  And besides, how can you get a baby-sitter to stay until midnight 5 times a week? And my youngest son is the clingy one.  He might be crying the whole night until I reach home from work.

We were receiving the child benefits from the government and it's over C$300/month.  Not bad at all, it's as if I'm also working with the benefit to bond with my kids. They can eat fresh from the stove and not heated from the microwave.

Before
- Ate Ana sends and pick up our sons to and from school, which we pay C$15/week.
- Food was heated by microwave.
- Bond with kids only during weekends
- Quality time was only on weekends
- No time to teach my son on his assignments
- No time to attend my son's school seminars and activities

After
- Send my sons to school everyday
- Newly cooked meal
- Bond with kids everyday
- Quality time with husband everyday except when he's out of Ontario to work.
- Teaching my eldest on his school works
- Attend seminars given by the school

We stayed this way partly until now while having a business as a Financial Coach.

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Farewell Letter to My Colleagues in Singapore

Few days ago, I was browsing my email and found the message that I sent to my colleagues before I left Singapore.

I remembered the last day of my work, preparing a cup of coffee and started writing the farewell letter to them.

The mixed emotions were deeply felt and I can't help but cry a little.  The four years of working with the company, my second family in Singapore, which I will leave behind be sadly remembered.  A team of workers were like brothers and sisters who has been in bad and good times together.

The coffee was still steaming hot as I typed in my first words. Cutting the cookies in half, thinking what words to type next, I came up with a beautifully crafted farewell letter...and here it goes.

"For the past 4 years, I’ve been lucky to be working with you, the team, with enviable reputation over the years that I would consider a privilege to be associated with. 

During my stay in Singapore, it’s been such a good experience, the joy and happiness at every day working with the team treating each other like one complete family. 

There is a moment in our lives where one member will need to go apart from the other to fulfill a longtime dream. It is my dream to immigrate to Canada that came first, which is a great opportunity for me to be together with my family once more and enhance my career goals and personal development in a new country.  

Again, it has been a pleasurable experience working with you, the rest of the South East Asia team, representing the company to the valuable customers in South East Asia, which will be truly missed. 

Hoping for the great growth and success of the company in the coming years. 

Hope to see you again in the next few years." 

Response From My Colleagues
The warm response from my colleagues from Indonesia, Cambodia, and Singapore began flooding my inbox.

This message was sent to me from our secretary.

"So touching, hiks…. ;( Your dream come true now, wish you and your family will enjoy and happy there. 

Good luck !! Please keep in touch with us, your family, always. 

See you soon."

Here's from my colleague in Cambodia..

"Wish you Good Luck and Success in your life . Hope see you again soon."

Here's one response from my Manager, who is so close to me like a brother...

"We feel the same like what you feel. The first come to our mind is upset and miserable, with a little bit joyful with tear.  

Its like a feeling from a parent seeing their kids grow up, married, and eventually moved out to live with their partner. 

A sudden of loneliness rush through our life. Imagine the rest of the day in the office there will be no more clown drinking coffee or eating snack in front of my desk. 

I had getting used of the snack crunching sound and a coffee sipping noise in front of my desk but suddenly become silent. 

No one is singing along with the radio which broadcasting the Mariah Carey – Emotion, using his very awful high pitch voice. It had come to an end now but also a beginning of a new story of your life. 

I wish you all the best in your future and success in your career. Winter season is coming. Removing the snow using a spade need to have a pair of strong arms.

Please wear gloves…. because it is cold. Good luck!! 

P/S: Do send us a red yellowish maple leave!"

Yes, as what the Manager stated in the letter, I am the clown, in the company, making sure that there were no dull moments while I'm inside the office and during our Monday morning meetings. 

It was never been a long, serious, and boring meeting when I'm with them.  For new employees, they may be wondering how a meeting came to a point that we were just laughing our hearts out while keeping the serious notes on track.

Those were the days that I missed a lot. 

I was happy because I will be reunited with my kids and wife again. On the other hand, I was sad because I will be leaving my Singapore brothers and sisters behind.  

For some of you, there are times when you feel bad about the wrongdoings of your colleagues. It will just pass by and only time can clean that.

Don't dwell on the bad things that they shared with you, but rather do with the best moments.  Treat them well as part of your family, a brother and sister.

Don't  burn bridges because you may pass that path again.

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