simplify

i have learned that simplification entails so much complications. however, i want to believe it is all worth it. these past days of thinking through what to bring to sydney, with less than a month left, i have been racking my brain (and my heart) on what's important and what's not.

alas, importance is a very difficult word. "what is important to me?" is even more difficult to answer. so i strip myself naked knowing that my life too shall pass and i will eventually separate from everything, everyone. then it dawned on me: LOVE.

John 15:13, says "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." and 1 Corinthians 13 says how this is done. just when i am close to convincing myself i am a loving person, i am proven wrong. but i am no time-traveller, so i can only move forward in time. i am embarking (yet again) on a quest for love.

1. loving means standing by promises made, words uttered. in a generation where self-gratification is of utmost importance, honor is much wanted and most refreshing.
2. generosity is love made visible.
a. ivy came up with this: "if you have anything you haven't used in the last 6 months, give it a new home." it is unfair for the item you have been keeping not to fulfill it's full potential. and you'd definitely make another person smile.
b. "as your income increases, maintain your lifestyle. this will give you more opportunity to give.", kuya ken counseled.
c. i try to seek ways to cut down costs - turn off appliances not in use [helps save the environment for the future generation]; refrain from forwarding unnecessary text messages [saves intended recipients' time] - and use the money instead to sponsor a child's education.
3. loving is having foresight.
a. plant a tree instead of cutting it down. what is the use of saving so much money for your children when they will run out of fresh air to breathe? i personally realized that i should cut down on book buying (paper = trees), i will instead go to the library or trade books.
b. the same goes for clothes (and shoes and bags!). imagine the resources, fuel, raw materials being used to make fabrics. buy from recycle shops and sell or give out those i no longer have plans of using [less fire hazard at home].

i have realized i am bombarded with advertisements so i will be compelled to think i need more than i actually do: if it is now neccessary to stay connected (i.e. mobile phones), i don't think it is necessary to own a 30k unit with all the features not really usable as i have other gadgets (ipod for music, laptop for web, dslr for taking photographs, etc etc.) for the same functions. cut down on redundancy. i pray i won't fall victim of commercialism-consumerism-materialism.

so what is left to bring? a change of clothes [and several thick ones to ward off the cold], t-fal cook set and chopsticks, shoes [stripped down to 8 pairs -- still a lot!], bible and some books, toys [this was a very difficult exercise as all toys seem to be my favorite, one time or another], toiletries and meds and other comsumables, accessories [earrings, hats, bangles] and my accessory-making kit, a towel and a kumot, gadgets and KamoteQ. i think that's about it. i sure hope these stuff would weigh only 40 kilos.

oh, may i remember to love, at all times.

Australian General Skilled Migration

google was what we did, really :)
[then, of course there's jlao.]

[sometime 2006]
1. Information on the Australian Skilled Migration can be found here.

[june 2006, ≈Php16k per person]
2. As IT professionals, skills are being certified by the Australian Computer Society.
Certification results take at least a month and have one year validity [meaning, you have to lodge your application before this certification expires.]

3. You can also check if your skill is in the Australian Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL).
[this is plus plus pogi points. 20 points i think.]

[february 2007, ≈Php9k per person]
4. IELTS. Just to be sure.
[make sure you review. borrow a reviewer. it would give you an idea how the exam would be like.]

[march 2007, ≈Php80k per application]
5. Lodging the application.
Ours was still paper-based. And documents needed to be notarized and application forms filled out by hand and sent to :

Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre (ASPC)
55 Currie Street
Adelaide SA 5000

However, online application is now available. [more earth-friendly too :)]

[may 2008]
6. When the wait's over.
A case officer would be contacting you and would be asking for a medical certification as well as a police clearance.

[≈Php8k per person]
Contact any one from the panel of doctors:
We went to:

Nationwide Health Systems, Inc
Makati Industrial Clinic
Medical Plaza Makati
Unit 905, 9th Floor
Amorsolo Street (corner Dela Rosa Street )
Makati City
Telephone/Fax: +63 (2) 810 0785
Doctor(s):
Dr Bernadette Carpio-Benitez
Dr Glenn B Benitez

[≈Php500 per person]
Police clearance is being issued by NBI. Indicate "For travel to Australia".

[june 2008, ≈Php320 for courier charges and ≈Php350 for cellphone charges]
7. Evidencing: Visa in your passport.

[july 2008, ≈Php25k per person]
8. Contact the International Organization For Migration for your migration ticketing needs.
We booked a Qantas flight and were given 40 kilos baggage allowance each as first time migrants.

Nitz Delarmente
IOM International Organization for Migration
24th Flr., Citibank Tower
8741 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City
Tel. No. 848-0083
Fax No. 848-1272