Carpe Diem

At the end of the workshop, Wilbert, my new friend, and I would see to it that we accomplish something for that day. It was a sunny afternoon when Wilbert and I went to the public library to have his library card. He was busy with the Internet, prolly sending emails to his wife, while I was browsing the net for Mosaic Building Blocks Vancouver (www.mosaicbc.org) after hearing from the Indian professor Sharanjit who was generous enough to share to the class about this free credential assessment, in comparison to the Russian surgeon Andrey who paid C$400 to International Credential Evaluation Service or ICES (www.bcit.ca/ices) to have his school records evaluated. That same day, he showed me the place where he and his family would be staying for May. There was no profound effect on me for that one, maybe because I’ve been with my other friend Rico in his search for a 3-bedroom apartment for his family as well.

As I write now, I feel lighter to have been removed from the worry of finding a new place apart from the one I have. It appears to be even better that there’s less pressure and less responsibility. I guess Rico was right when he said about my complacency in all these stuff that I’ve been doing here in Vancouver. He was just too modest to really tell me what was on his mind, and I know I would have answered with a loud laugh if he mustered the courage to spit it out.

On my second month here in Vancouver, I’ve come to learn a few things in life…that humility, when paired with persisting patience and honesty to one’s self, is the first step to finding success.

It wasn’t until my friend got his first job as a database administrator that I’ve decided to get serious with my job search. The fear of not landing a job has slowly seeped through my senses, and I was gripped by a sudden panic when I realised that I’m back to walking in the cold streets again by myself. I always knew that I would regain strength to brave Canada, but to some extent the courage has diminished. I still manage to wear my chin up, walk around downtown like a commoner and not feel a tinge of pity for myself, but my face cannot lie. 

I got a call from the Bamboo Network one time about an upcoming job search workshop. Didn’t have second thoughts about joining, but a little embarrassed for someone who is believed to have good qualifications yet still not able to find one. It was like “The Ground Hog Day” movie where one wakes up to an insanely the same day; when waking up in the morning is nothing more than waking up from a deep sleep.

Joining the workshop was a thresher of emotions, a vent for my experience. I was happy to have joined it and to have met a buddy and friend apart from meeting some more friends. I felt wickedly happy for knowing that I’m not alone with the same situation, and it was really sick to get consolation from the realisation that the successful people I’ve met in that workshop might share the same fate as me. It was my support group, and I tried to learn as much as I could.

(to be continued)