In four months time, my work contract will end and it only means one thing its time to DECIDE! But of course, its difficult to decide when you aren’t sure of the choices yet, right? For the time being, I have to rely on my fortune telling powers. LOL!
Life of an expat (expatriate) is defined by contracts. Term of employment can be as short as three months or if you’re lucky enough, a year or two. It could only be me but being an expat is being in a temporary setting. You’ll be leaving the country as well as the friends or the loved ones you meet along the way sooner than you think. It’s a crazy set-up but I am already used to it for almost four years.
Most people think that working abroad give you the opportunity to earn big amount of money quickly. Yes for some. No for some. No matter how much you are earning, there are certain consequences that you have to face – the powers of homesickness, some discrimination, work pressure and the likes. They don’t know that sometimes you even forget to smile.
On the other hand, being an expat taught me lot of things. I am now independent and more responsible. (I think so!). Adjustments are necessary, be in workplace, accommodation, or with locals, just try to be sensitive and understanding enough to avoid conflicts and possible problems.
Anyway, right now, I am thinking whether to apply for a new job (but I need to update my CV) or just wait for a possible renewal of contract. Right now, I am more inclined to do the former as I don’t have an assurance yet if will be renewed or not. Oh, and I can’t assess my work performance if I am worthy of another term. LOL!
Well, time’s running out. And I have to make a decision ASAP. Good luck to me.
Fingers crossed.
/totomai
01/19/08
PS
Shout out to my friends who I met here in
Good luck John. I know you will cast a wonderful spell on those job applications or signing a new contract. God has always a wonderful way of revealing to us His plans and leading us to where we will grow best.
ReplyDeletethanks ms beth, i so do hope too. im too lazy to update my CV haha. maybe today and send one application. received an email if im interested working somewhere in europe. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou must be very flexible changing to so many situations. I wish you all the luck with your application
ReplyDeleteI think you should apply.. its always good to have more financial certainity given that it is possible
ReplyDelete@Marja, yes, thats how my professional life is lol
ReplyDelete@rambler, i guess having not-so many options would be easier for me hehe thanks
If you have a sense of adventure - which I think you have - go for a new job and see where fate takes you. Best of luck!I
ReplyDeletei hope you get what ends up being the perfect situation for you,, no matter what form it takes...
ReplyDeletei wish you luck in whatever direction your life takes..
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you, tough decisions are what makes life interesting and fun...enjoy the adventure.!
ReplyDeleteI hope whatever choice you make it is the choice that brings you the most happiness. Good luck with your decision.
ReplyDelete@keith, thanks. im ready for another adventure hehe
ReplyDelete@paisley, i do hope too
@guatami, thanks
@UL, definitely hehe
@jadey, oh, happpiness. :-) i wish
Good luck with everything.. and remember change can be quite fascinating if you let it be!! Enjoy the change!!
ReplyDeleteAt the crossroad
Sounds like you are ready for another adventure - keep it going! There'll be a time you might want to quit adventuring so it's a good thing to have done it all when you hit that crossroad!
ReplyDeleteYou have my admiration for your bravery. :) It sounds like a tough life, but rewarding experience.
ReplyDeleteWe used to live that way in the Northern Hemisphere anyway. It was exciting then. Now, I'm so glad not to be doing it. What you want will come, whether it is a contract or not, I don't know. Wishing you the best.
ReplyDeleteI Googled "expat" -- I still have no idea what you do. But, that's ok I feel your dilemma. I too live by contracts. When will the next phone call happen? Can I get done before I need to eat? And all the while people telling you how wonderfully exciting it must be to do what you love. No, most of the time it's just a job, thanks. Good luck – I say jump off the deep end, because life is too short not to (I know the double oo goes on one of the to(o) I just don't know which, so I guessed.) Of course I don't know what you do, so that deep end my be into a shark infested tank… :- O
ReplyDeleteI know heaps about the uncertain worlds of contracts. For a number of years, when I moved interstate in Australia, I had to accept contracts! It was tough! But, the flip side is, it opens pathways to places you may not even have thought about! And the results can be an amazing plus to your life portfolio!
ReplyDeleteNice write! Keep travelling!
Smiles and Light
I have found, in my 60 years, that when a decision or choice is truly difficult -- it means there is likely not one "best" solution. At that point, what you decide is probably not quite as important as your genuine commitment to support your ultimate selection with 100% of your dedication.
ReplyDeletegood luck! I worked in Malawi for two years, (the type of expat who lives on a local wage) and can relate to a lot of what you say about the temporary nature of the situation
ReplyDelete@preethi, thanks, i must hehe
ReplyDelete@tumblewords, i think im ready
@constance, a bit tough, just like life
@mary, thanks, i know this one will end soon
@chris, i work as an engineer
@gemma, i guess so, it will be an adventure filled destination
@rob, thanks for the advice :-)
@CGP, its a blast isnt it?
thanks all for the wishes, im still unsure as of the time being
Wow, you have adventure ahead. Good luck with that. You seem to be more calm than I would be with the uncertainty!
ReplyDeleteyehey...mapuli na totomai!!!diin naman ta matarag man????hehe
ReplyDelete@slyguy, well, i think i am getting used to it
ReplyDelete@mamang, hehe, wala ko balo kung san-o hehe
Good luck, Johnny. hehe
ReplyDeleteBakit pag ibang tao ang ganda ng pictures? LOL. Don't answer that!
Hello, totomay.
ReplyDeleteGod goes to help and in little time he has its decided problem. Good luck
Have a good week
I sort of had a taste of being an expat when I was in Poland for three months. It was a great experience and I really want to do it again, but I don't think I can last being away for more than a year in a foreign country (with their cooold winters and lack of great beaches...)
ReplyDeletekaya yan 'vin hehe. sarap din maging expat kaso malungkot din hehehe
ReplyDeleteThe picture seems to match the mood of your post - very good. And good luck making changes.
ReplyDeleteHopefully it will be a good decision.
ReplyDeleteNice photo!
Nice picture. I hope you can figure it out soon. I know my own daughter doesnt know what she wants to do. She wanted to stay in thailand when she was there.
ReplyDeleteJohn, i read yr post line by line. I think perhaps I can understand a little of what you wrote. i left home like 26 yrs ago. Since then i have moved so many times n had so many different sets of colleagues, frens etc. Just accept that as a gift of life. Dont think too far
ReplyDeleteThe photo matches the mood in your post perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI want you to know - luck exist, if you choose to believe in it.
Anna
That photo certainly has a story attached to it. Very nice indeed. :D
ReplyDeletenice portrait
ReplyDelete