Conozco Pablo

It is getting colder in Oslo, Norway. Yesterday, it was about 11 degrees Celsius at two in the afternoon. I was wearing a thin jacket, which I used in some days during the summer, especially when it rained. It was sufficient to keep me warm as the wind blows more strongly than it had been in the past weeks. Leaves are falling from tree branches, and they start changing colors from green to yellow, red or brown. These are all signs of the beginning of autumn. Personally, this is just my fourth autumn experience in my entire 28 years of existence. The first one was last 2013, when I came in Norway as an attempt to be more mature in my perspectives and to search for better opportunities. I was not accustomed with the weather. It was quite new, and even until now I do not know what to expect in fall. In my head, I associate with beginnings, uncertainties, challenges and attempts. This has perhaps characterized what I have gone through in my first three autumn seasons. This year is perhaps...

It was three years ago when my nephew was born prematurely, just over 6 months, the theoretical age of viability. As a nurse, I could do nothing but wait and explain to my parents, my grandfather and relatives what is happening. I was never prepared for such situation personally and professionally. I never worked in the neonatal intensive care unit before, but I am quite aware of the procedures being done. So seeing my nephew on phototherapy with endotracheal tube and with intravenous infusion and constant monitoring of his vital signs, I understood that the situation is way critical than we thought. Nevertheless, all of us were acting tough for whatever will happen, prepared to comfort my sister, who just came out from the recovery room after the Cæsarean operation. One month after, just in time for my birthday and send-off party for Norway; my nephew, Francis Anthony came out of the hospital to be with us at home. That was quite a special day, because on my 26th birthday is my nephe...

It was quite unfortunate that just few weeks ago when all of us in the nursing home I worked for got a bad news that my ward will be closed by the Oslo municipality.  The main reason was based on statistics of the slight decline of those who are over 80 years old,  which they attribute to the Second World War. That was a brilliant alibi of the city government and its agencies to cover up political intentions, which in philosophy is a valid socialist measure. However, the news threatened us to be unemployed for a time, given that the process of determining who are to lose their jobs have been started just few weeks ago. Personally, I was very worried, but I handled the situation well. I know that everything depends on a stable job, which includes my papers in Norway. I was uncertain if I would be "saved", given that I have just started less than a year ago. In short, I am one of the few with the shortest work experience in the nursing home. The only thing that could save me i...

Four years ago, I was quite uncertain where the future would lead me. I was tired about thinking of something better. I was satisfied but I knew then I was stuck in a place I love but I wanted to leave also at the same time. I was unwilling to take risk or even think outside my comfort zone. I was earning relatively sufficient for my needs but barely covering what my family needs. I was overworked with three jobs: in the university, in another smaller college with greater freedom and a private commercially-oriented academic institution that gives me opportunity to travel. Worse, I was not willing to accept the reality both what confronts me day-to-day basis, and even myself. That was me four years ago, tired and wearing my red shirt, sweating, thirsty and hungry, on my way home at 10 o'clock in the evening after a 12-hour work day. Who am I know? Did I change for the better? What have changed in the span of four years? Perhaps, there was a big difference. Now I am in Norway si...

Being an OFW, the most awaited time in the entire experience is the homecoming. It could occur once or several times, but the similarity lies on the attention one gets. Filipino homecoming is quite unique within the Philippine society. It is somehow seen in different perspectives depending on the role of the person in the homecoming. This is the focus of this blogpost, which aims to provide light on this Filipino phenomenon. The homecoming is the person's triumph. Every Filipino has been taught that life is a  journey or a struggle. So, when one is confronted with a challenge or problem, possible solutions may yield either success or failure. This is also true when it comes to homecoming when the person coming home is considered to be a triumphant individual, who gained both economically and experientially. This gives the individual better self-confidence and improved self-image. No matter what the person achieved before homecoming, that does not matter as long as he or she is mo...

My mother is perhaps as one of the most influential person in my life, if not the most. Everything others observe in me now, both good and bad has been a product of long-term process called motherhood. Many have said that I am lucky to have a mother like her, very supportive and unconditional. She is always there whenever I need her. She will do everything just to ease everything for me, in the way she knows best, being a mother. Her presence is undeniably very evident, even to our cousins, my closest friends and ofcourse my nephew and niece. She extends her concern, full attention and care to everyone related to us directly or indirectly. Yes, no doubt, I am lucky enough, but I guess the proper word is blessed. And today marks her 50th birthday, so it is quite proper to highlight in this blogpost the most important lessons I have gained from her and her personal experiences. 1. Life is more meaningful with humble beginnings . In the age of social media, my mother learned to use F...

Currently, I have travelled to several European and Asian cities. Most of which are in Europe because it is convenient and most affordable for me given that I work and live in Norway. It is quite challenging to visit a place, where there is a different culture and language, as well as the landscape is physically demanding. In this blogpost, I will enumerate several tips I learned from my travel in some key cities in my bucket list. 1. Tickets first before hotel reservation. The rule of thumb is to buy airplane tickets at least three months before the travel. Ofcourse, watch for promo fares especially at the end of the year or the start of the year. By buying tickets early, one could save money. Interestingly, my airplane ticket to Stockholm and Amsterdam were more expensive than my ticket in Berlin or Prague, just because of the time I bought my ticket. Moreover, after the tickets are paid, it is fine to find your hotel just within one month before the travel. Hotels are always on di...

After the turn of the 18th century, Budapest has never ceased to be an important city with a world significance. It entered an allegiance with the Austrian Empire under the Habsburg until it was dissolved after the defeat of Austria after the First World War. This defeat paved way for the establishment of the independent Republic of Hungary. However, the city never escaped the Second World War, given Nazi Germany led the destruction of metropolis by the Americans and British air raids. Following the Second World War, the Russians exerted more influence in Hungarian influence, which made the country under the communist rule until the democratic processes were restored after the Fall of the Iron Curtain. Budapest’s modern history is perhaps the most influential to the Hungarians living in the Paris of Eastern Europe. This is the third and last part of the Budapest series. Click here for the First Part and  Second Part . 1.    Marcipán Múzeum Budapest The ...