For auld lang syne (for times gone by)

A very popular song we customarily sing at the end of a year is Auld Lang Syne. This song was written by a Scottish poet and a lot of the words used is in Scottish which is why almost no one knows the entire lyrics. I googled and found the lyrics to this song. Read the lyrics and you’ll realize why people like to sing it on new year’s eve parties when everyone have had too much to drink. Eh para palang lashing ang mga lyrics eh. Pansinin niyo na sa umpisa madaling maintindihan ang lyrics. But as you go on, lalong nagiging lashing. Joks lang po. Masaganang bagong taon sa inyong lahat!

Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp,
And surely I'll be mine,
And we'll tak a cup o kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou'd the gowans fine,
But we've wander'd monie a weary fit,
Sin auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn
Frae morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin auld lang syne.

And there's a hand my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o thine,
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne

Hik!

Time is a great healer

One year na ang nakalipas since I started blogging. And in that time marami akong nakilala at naging kaibigan dito sa blogosphere. Sa inyong lahat maraming salamat at sana maging maligaya ang inyong pasko at bagong taon.

Sa mga taong nasaktan ko ang damdamin, nainis sa akin at may tampo sa akin, peace po sa inyo. All I can say is that I hold no grudge against anyone and sincerely wish friends and foes alike all the very best in the coming year. If there is one thing I’ve learned sa blogging, it is that we are all individuals with different personalities. And sometimes it can’t be helped when personalities and egos clash. I have no problem with that. The important thing is we continue to respect one another and remain civil towards each other.

Some people, you enjoy their company, some people you feel uncomfortable with. Those you feel uncomfortable with, you try to avoid, but it doesn’t mean that you hate them. It’s like one’s in-laws. Whenever possible you avoid them. Not because you hated them, for deep within, you know you care for them, but simply because you want to avoid saying or doing something that could upset the peace.

And so to anyone out there, whose paths I’ve crossed in this journey, and if our encounter wasn’t truly pleasant, I am very sorry. Perhaps, maybe, I hope, our future encounter will be more cordial. Let’s forget that past meeting and look forward to a new beginning.

PKB Logo

Thanks to Jack for designing these eye-catching logos for Pinoy Kiwi Brother. May fern pa sa itaas which is the NZ's national symbol. Yun naman Philippine flag may koru, the spiral shape symbol of a fern's shoot. Very appropriate because the Koru is a Maori symbolism for "striving for perfection", "encouraging new positive beginnings". It represents the unfolding of a new life, that everything is reborn and continues. It represents renewal and hope for the future.



At may sample pa ng mga goodies na pwedeng lagyan ng PKB logo. Hanep di ba?

Eto na siya. Si Pinoy Kiwi Brother

(a big thank you to jack for designing this PKB logo)
Nung una ang tawag ko dito “Pinoyz Big Brother”, but later decided not to use PBB. Baka kasi ma-confuse ito sa reality TV show na PBB. Ang isa pa PBB has an implied connotation of heirarchy. Parang sinasabing Big ako, at Small ka naman. So finally nag-settle na lang ako na tawagin ang programang ito as “Pinoy Kiwi Brother” (PKB).

This concept or initiative came about because of a very simple concern among those who desire to migrate to NZ. Marami sa ating mga kababayan ang qualified na makakuha ng NZ Residence visa. Ang problema ng karamihan, mahina ang loob nila kasi wala silang kamag-anak o kakilala man lang sa NZ na pwedeng maging gabay o adviser nila pag dating dito. Problema nila ang humanap ng matutuluyan pag dating sa NZ. At kung may matutuluyan na, paano makarating doon mula sa airport? How does one get around in a new city? Paano sumakay sa bus? (More importantly, paano pumara? Di pwede, yung psssst!, psssst!). Saan makakabili ng Asian food? Saan pwedeng bumili ng SIM card? Paano mag-open ng bank account? Simple hurdles that new migrants will face during their first few days/hours upon arrival.

Kaya dito papasok sa eksena si Kiwi Brodah (or sistah). Si KB ang magiging guide ng bagong migrant at least during the first few hours or couple of days pagdating niya sa NZ. Para naman maiwasan na ma-culture shock at ma-homesick si new migrant or Pinoy Brodah. Siya ang magiging adviser ni new migrant. Kung kinakailangan, siya ang tutulong para makahanap ng flat/apartment na matutuluyan si Pinoy Brodah. Kung may time siya at may sasakyan, pwede na rin niyang i-organize ang pag-pickup ng migrant mula sa airport. In short, konting assistance at advice lang naman para sa bagong salta upang sila’y makapag-umpisa ng maayos sa NZ.

Sa pagkakaalam ko, sa Wellington, may grupo na ng mga Pinoy, ang WlgNZPinoys ang gumagawa nito, ang tumulong sa mga new migrants. Pero sa Auckland at ibang cities, wala akong alam. Kaya kung sa Welli ang punta ninyo, kontakin na lang ninyo ang WlgNZPinoys.

Pwede akong maging KB sa mga bagong dating na walang relatives or friends sa Auckland, NZ. But that’s not always possible. Iisa lang ang katawan ko. So naisip ko bakit hindi tanungin ang iba pang nandito na sa NZ, baka gusto rin nilang mag-volunteer na maging KB sa kapwa nila Pinoy. It’s all voluntary work. Sometime in the past may mga tao ding tumulong sa atin nung bago tayong dating sa NZ. Now, it’s payback time. Tayo naman ang tumulong sa iba. Those who are willing to be a Kiwi Brother, paki email lang ako ng inyong contact details. At sa mga kababayan natin na nangangailangan ng Kiwi Brod or Sis, mag-email na rin sa akin and I’ll do my best to match you up with your Kiwi brod (or sis). Pinoy tayo. That’s enough to treat each one as brothers and sisters.

My email: maurojean (at) gmail (dot) com.

Flat/Apartment Search Part 2

In part 1, I concentrated more in the discussion of whether to live in a city apartment or a flat in the suburb. Should you decide to live in a suburb, may maliit na problema lang. How would you know which suburb is better as far as commuting, schools, and security is concerned? This is where you will need the advice of someone who has lived in NZ. And even with that, there is no straight answer. Depending on who you talked to you may get a different answer.

Someone who hasn’t lived in Northshore, Auckland may advise you not to live there because of the traffic. But I and lots of Pinoys live in the Northshore and drive to the CBD to work everyday and I find the traffic there no worse or better than the traffic to and from South and West Auckland. Some might say avoid South Auckland because the crime rate there is high. Relative to the rest of Auckland, that’s true. But compared to our country, it's nothing. Besides rent and the cost of food and commodities there is cheaper.

To be safe, my advice to new migrants who decide to live in a suburb is to find a flat not too far from the CBD. Perhaps 15 kilometers from the CBD at the most. And if ever you enter into a tenancy contract, sign for 6 months only. This way, you’re not tied to the place for a long period should you find the suburb not to your liking.

When is the best time to start looking for a flat/apartment? Start searching for a flat 2 to 3 weeks before your arrival. Searching for a flat more than 3 weeks in advance is a waste of time, unless you are willing to commence a tenancy contract way in advance of your arrival date in NZ. Normally kasi kapag inadvertise ang flat, it is either vacant or would become vacant in a few days. Kung and dating mo sa NZ is 2 months pa, hindi naman i-re-reserba sa iyo ang flat nung may-ari kung meron siyang makikitang ibang tenants na willing nang lumipat. Otherwise, matatalo sila dahil may time na vacant ang flat at hindi kumikita.

Once you found a flat, how much money do you need pay up front upon signing a contract? Ang normal na arrangement sa landlord is 2 weeks + 2 weeks. Ibig sabihin nito, 2 weeks rent advance at 2 weeks bond. Which means kung ang rent is $300 per week, you’ll need to pay $1200 to the landlord before he hands you the keys to the flat. Yung bond, refundable yon or part of it later kapag umalis ka na sa flat. Yung ibang landlord, may mga property managers, who will also charge 1 week as a letting fee. Bayad yun sa property manager for his services ng paghahanap ng tenant. It would be better to find a flat/apartment na walang property manager para di ka na kailangan magbayad ng letting fee. Sayang din yon.

How do you go about reserving a flat para naman pagdating mo at ng iyong pamilya may matitirhan na kayo? It’s not easy if you are not in NZ. Landlords would prefer dealing with someone they can talk to in person. Kung wala ka pa sa NZ, hesitant silang makipag-deal sa iyo. Mas madali kung may kaibigan ka o kamag-anak na siyang mag-rerepresent sa yo sa pakikipagusap sa landlord. Kung wala kang kamag-anak o kaibigan, ano ang pwede mong gawin? Kontakin mo si “Pinoy Kiwi Brother”. Next post ipapakilala ko si Pinoy Kiwi Brother. Abangan.

Flat/Apartment Search Part 1

Nitong mga nakaraang araw, medyo naging abala ako sa paghahanap ng flat o apartment na matutuluyan ng isang Pinoy family na darating sa Auckland para mag-migrate. In the process may mga natutunan ako na sa tingin ko’y baka makatulong sa ibang Pinoy na naghahanap ng flat o nagpapahanap ng flat.

Primerang konsiderasyon ay ang location. It’s either sa city mismo o sa mga karatig na suburbs. May advantages and disadvantages ang bawat location. Kung sa city, ang advantage ay ang transport. Dahil karamihan ng mga malalaking companies nasa city, mas madali kang makakapag-apply ng work at hindi mo na kailangan ng sasakyan. Lalakarin mo na lang. Tapos kung sa city ka rin makahanap ng trabaho, mas okay. Menos sa gas o sa pamasahe. Karamihan din sa mga city apartments ay fully furnished, kasama pati fridge, stove, washing machine, dryer, sofa, beds, kumot, unan, mga plato, kaldero, kutsara at tinidor sa upahan. Damit mo na lang ang kailangan mong dalhin. Most city apartments are in high rise buildings by the way. So kung may phobia ka sa heights o sumakay ng elevator, baka hindi ito option para sa yo.

Ang disadvantages ng city apartments, una, mas mahal ang rent. Kung may mura man, maliit ang mga sizes ng kwarto. Yung mga natingnan ko sa city, very claustrophobic ang feeling ko. Para bang okay sila na tirhan for a few days lang. More than a week of stay, hindi ka na makakahinga. Sabi nga nung barkada ko na tumira sa isang city apartment, “kapag umutot ka, dinig at amoy sa buong apartment”. Ang isa pang disadvantage, yung parking. Most city apartments don’t include parking. Okay lang sa umpisa dahil wala ka pang sasakyan. Pero, eventually, kakailanganin mo rin lalo na kung may pamilya ka. Siguro, ang mai-ad-advise ko sa mga nagbabalak tumira sa city apartment, go for short term lease lang. Mga 3 months at the most.

Sa mga suburbs naman, mostly single storey dwellings na flats kung tawagin. Most flats are rented out unfurnished. Ang appliance na parating kasama lang ay ang stove/oven. Kumpara sa mga apartment sa city, mas luma ang mga flats sa suburb. Minsan, worn out na ang carpets, hindi bagong pintura at luma na ang kitchen. Kaya naman mas mura ang mga flats sa suburbs. Kaibahan ng mga flats sa city apartments, mas malaki ng konti ang mga rooms at may yard na pwedeng gawing playground ni Totoy. Normally, may carport, garahe o space sa kalye for parking ng isa o dalawang sasakyan.

As a new migrant, which one is better? A city apartment or flat in the suburbs. Kung single ka o kaya dalawa lang kayo ng partner mo, hindi na masama ang apartment. Pero kung may pamilya, parang mas magandang tumira sa labas ng city . Living in a suburb flat forces the migrant to 1) buy a car and 2) buy furnitures/appliances as early as possible. Depending on your point of view, you can think of this as an advantage or disadvantege. Pero para sa akin kasi, yun naman ang ultimate goal mo as a migrant – to settle in NZ. So you'll have to buy those things anyway. Having a car and your own stuff simply makes you more settled.

City or suburb, still, it depends on one's preferred lifestyle. May mga taong gustong nakakakita ng crowds, meron naman ang nais na lang pag-tuntong ng alas singko ng hapon, ang tumakas sa siudad at mag-relaks sa sarili nilang hideaway. Ultimately, the decision depends on each person’s preferences and situation.

I’ll continue the discussion in my next post. Mahaba na ito for a single post.

Ask Not “What if it rains?” but Ask “What if it’s a glorious day?”

Caloy : “Pops, next weekend mag-outing tayo. Picnic tayo sa beach.”

Popoy: “O sige, pero pano kung umulan? Pano kung mahangin at malakas ang alon? Pano kung maraming tao sa beach?”

Negative people concentrate their attention on the obstacles and not the main goal. In this case, simply to enjoy the outdoors and have a good time. By focusing too much on potential problems, a pessimist gets discouraged into even trying. Ang masama kasi, kahit hindi naman siguradong mangyayari o kahit maliit na bagay lang, sa isip ng isang pessimist big deal at parang nangyari na. Eventually, the pessimist almost always decides to do nothing. Status-quo lang. Walang pagbabago. Walang taking risks.

I believe, life to be fully enjoyed, one has to take risks. And I’m not referring to death-defying risks at all. There are somethings we cannot predict. Therefore some outcomes we should simply learn to accept and make the most out of them as they unfold. Learn to plan your life with a positive outlook, positive expectations. Be aware of potential problems that may occur so you can prepare for contingencies. But don’t let negative thoughts deter you from even trying. Instead of asking, what if it rains, ask what if it’s a glorious day?

Caloy: “Ganito na lang. Tuloy tayong mag-outing sa weekend. Kapag pangit ang weather mag-barbecue tayo at mag-inuman sa bahay. Okay ba ang contingency plan?”

Popoy: “Hindi. Mas maganda yata, inuman tayo sa weekend. Kapag maganda weather, mag-outing tayo.”

Huh? Pareho din ba? Maybe, but if you really think about it, they are dissimilar. One of them plans life with a positive outlook. The other with a negative outlook and only proceeds to do something different when conditions are favorable.

If you stayed home because you anticipated that it will rain but it didn’t, then have you not robbed yourself that golden opportunity to enjoy the outdoors? .......Don’t let the fear of rain ruin your chance of enjoying the sunshine. Don't just plan to live life. Plan to live an enjoyable life. ... Then... once in a while... don't plan ... just enjoy life.

Bakasyon

Disclaimer muna – all information here should be verified by the reader against the NZ Holiday Act of 2003. http://www.ers.dol.govt.nz/holidays_act_2003/.

Hindi, hindi po ako magbabakasyon. Medyo holiday mood lang. Explain ko lang dito very briefly kung ano-anong mga holidays meron sa NZ at ang iba-ibang leave entitlements ng mga empleyado.

Public Holidays

1. Christmas - 25 and 26 December (Note 26 December is known here as Boxing day. Wala pong laban si Paquaio on that day. Walang boksing. Yun lang ang tawag nila. I’ll explain na lang later kung bakit yun ang tawag nila)
2. New Year and the day after - 1 and 2 January
3. Waitangi Day – 6 February
4. Good Friday and Easter Monday (dates variable)
5. ANZAC Day - 25 April
6. Queen's Birthday - first Monday in June
7. Labour Day - fourth Monday in October
8. and Provincial Anniversary Day (date determined locally. Normally this is known as Auckland Day, Wellington Day, etc.)

All in all, that's 11 days in a year.
Note: if a holiday falls on a weekend, the following working day will be a holiday.

Paano kung pumasok ka ng Public Holiday, magkano ibabayad sa yo? You will be paid 1.5 x your normal pay PLUS you are entitled to an alternative holiday (also known as Day in Lieu). Ibig sabihin meron ka pang isang araw na pwede mong gamitin para mag-holiday at your convenience dagdag dun sa binayad sa yong 1.5 times your normal pay.

Annual Leave
All employees after the first year of employment are entitled to 3 weeks paid annual leave. However, starting 1 April 2007, this is increased to 4 weeks. Yheey! Kapag di mo nagamit ang annual leave mo, pwede itong i-accumulate for the next year. Ibig sabihin kung hindi ka nag-leave sa first year, after the second year, may 6 weeks kang annual leave available. For some employers, pinapayagan ka rin umutang ng leave. Por eksampol, gusto mong magbakasyon ng 4 weeks, kaso 3 weeks pa lang ang meron ka, pwede mong utangin yung 1 week. Sa susunod na taon, 2 weeks na lang ang entitlement mo.

Sick Leave
5 days per year for the first 6 months of employement. Then another 5 days after subsequent 12 month period. Note that you can also use sick leave kahit hindi ikaw ang may sakit. Por eksampol, asawa mo, anak mo, magulang mo (ewan ko lang kung pati petsna aso, pusa, pwede). As a courtesy you should give your office a call if you plan to take a sick leave, para naman may mahanap silang kapalit kung kinakailangan. Like annual leaves, pwede din i-accumulate ang sick leave. Kaya lang ang maximum by law is 20 days. Di na pwedeng mag-over pa dito.

Bereavement Leave
Kapag namatayan ka sa pamilya, meron kang 3 days paid leave. Dapat immediate family member ang patay, hindi pwedeng pet na aso o pusa. In case of multiple deaths, say por eksampol buong angkan mo, 3 days per family member ang paid leave mo. (Pero di bale na lang, ayoko ko pang maubusan ng angkan).

Maternity Leave (babae)
Upto 14 weeks. Can be extended to 1 year.

Paternity Leave (lalaki)
Upto 2 weeks. Can be extended to 1 year.

Medyo complicated yung rules about maternity and paternity leaves. Basahin niyo na lang dito sa link na ito in case may buntis o nagbabalak magbuntis sa inyo. Papaano kaya kung marami kang nabuntis? Kung kambal, times 2 kaya ang leave?