Commencement...

My stint as a chicken farmer is about to end.  On the 26th of this month, I will leave my workplace- that's been my home for more than four years now.  I have decided to pursue a path that I have set aside for more than half a decade. 

Since my upcoming set up is entirely different from what it is now, I'd like to start a new journal that would fit my condition.  But before introducing my new blog to you- my beloved readers and followers, I would like to thank you for being with me amidst all the ups and downs when I started my journey as a temporary worker Down Under until the day I became an Australian citizen up to the present.  I am very grateful for all the advices that you've given, they're all valued.

For those of you who still wanted to follow my journey and a bit of my adventures in this world, I am inviting you to check my new blog, see you there!  


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El bloque del escritor

For more than a year now, I have lost my momentum on blogging and I hate it!  There are heaps of stories to tell, some thoughts and feelings that were supposed to be written and a few opinions that have been left unexpressed for ages!  Sayang.

I can't understand.  I simply can't manage to weave all 'these' into words and sentences.  There were a lot of beautiful and meaningful things have come and passed but I have undesirably lost the prowess to log it using my quill.  Yes, they were so intangible... oh, so subtle that even my lenses couldn't capture! 




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Sincerely...

I missed the blogosphere and I am planning to be back soon.
Whether to use the same blog name and theme or to change both is what I am currently considering.  But I already love The Chook-minder's Quill, slash Lens.  After I have gone past the major milestone in this Australian migration highway, this is still me- the chicken farmer.  For more than a month after taking my Australian citizenship oath, nothing has changed really, it has remained as a mere piece of document.

And yes I am leaving no stones unturned to achieve some major changes in my Australian life.  I am praying that it will soon be granted, and as it gradually unfolds I simply want to share it to the blogosphere. 

SIDE ALTAR.  St. Mary's Cathedral, Perth, Western Australia

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Glamour

"While I was driving back home from Foodland-Balaklava, I noticed the charm of the railway crossing at Bowmans... at dusk it was boasting of its silhouette against the elegance of the early evening sky!"

Adelaide-Port Augusta railway line, Bowmans, South Australia.

I survived.

We’ve been very busy in the farm for the past seven days... It’s harvest time and we’re short of one worker after a workmate didn’t turn up one day without notice and decided to forever ignore my calls.

It was not a joke to run this half a million-capacity broiler farm 24/7- physically and mentally with only three people especially during the final third of the cycle when there were five times  a week night catches, daily bird sample weighing, heavier dead bird to collect, with the main water pump motor playing up.  I simply don’t want to see these chickens to gradually die of thirst or heat stroke because of inadequate evaporative cooling during warmer days. 

It was a great relief to find a replacement for the worker we’ve lost, but it was equally frustrating that after working with us for a day and a half (a third to be exact) this 20-year old recently-employed worker decided to quit simply because he cannot handle the burden and the smell of daily mortality collection.

This photo was taken after the chicken harvest; 12 April 2011 at 11:56PM...

I had to work day and night especially if it’s my turn to act as a watchdog during harvest; forgetting about my day off until this 16-year old local joined us yesterday.  I can only wish (though I am, honestly, fervently praying) that this guy will work with us for the next twenty years (as what my employer would usually say); while hoping that at the soonest possible time the immigration department will finally grant the visa to our much-awaited Filipino worker.       

 

Thank God it’s Friday!  No harvest, no bird weighing, no grain stocktaking, no feed ordering, no phone calls from the integrator’s broiler serviceperson, no emails, no fax messages... just dead bird collection and minor repair, plus rodent baiting- which is very important these days to get rid of mice that love to nibble our chook feed at night—in my estimate, they are close to or even more than a million!

This afternoon I decided to do my supermarket shopping in the nearby town- Balaklava.  But I needed to do it quickly so I could get back to the farm before it gets dark and cool (especially during these days that the autumnal equinox has already taken place) to shut the blinds at the cooling end of the sheds.

 

...and while I was driving back home from Foodland-Balaklava, I noticed the charm of the railway crossing at Bowmans—it looks absolutely ordinary under the bright, blue sky, but earlier at dusk it was boasting of its silhouette against the elegance of the early evening sky!  

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iCon

It's the 'kangaroo and the emu', the 'green and gold', the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge... and they say 'fish and chips' is almost an Australian icon.  How about the koala and the eucalyptus tree?

Koala's paw on a eucalyptus bark.  Western Australia's Caversham Wildlife Park

I am reading the Australian Citizenship Handbook for the fourth time now in preparation for the exam, and the contents of the book reminded me of this photo.

...twenty-four days more to go before I can actually get the eligibility; I wish the universe will soon grant it to me.  This ambition is very costly, I have sacrificed a lot of things in my life, I hope it's worth it! 


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Upside Down

I'll be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship in thirty-five days.  I have been tirelessly counting days and nights for the past fifty-five days and it has made me excited to get up every morning knowing that I have survived the challenges of the previous day and currently given another opportunity to continue my countdown and accomplish all the tasks ahead to get closer to my goal.  Mornings have been getting cooler and cooler since the onset of autumn three weeks ago, and the sun rises usually after seven but the low temperature and darkness haven't stopped me to start performing my daily farm routine at 5:40 AM.       

While I was checking the sheds at sunrise this morning, I've noticed a stunning reflection on the poorly drained area between our new chicken sheds.  So I took my camera and captured the view.

The reflection of the grain silos and the morning sky at Port Wakefield, South Australia.  March 29, 2011.

Early bird catches 'special worms', indeed! 


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Dusk and Dawn

After spending an hour inside the wellness cubicle in Elizabeth Mall, I drove through the Main North Road and took the Gawler-Mallala-Balaklava Roads to get to Port Wakefield—where I live.  Before finally heading home, I wanted to catch up with some friends who were having a dinner party in Balaklava this evening, so I was driving at the max speed of 110 km/hr.  Susan Boyle’s Album was actually playing, and the lyrics of her version of I Dreamed a Dream and You’ll See were reminding me of my own ambitions, as well as my current heartaches. 

Suddenly, on the left side of the road, I saw the setting sun over the vast rolling plains, with its rays penetrating through the thick clouds!  I pulled out, grabbed my Nex-5 and took a series of photographs...

Sunset; Gawler-Mallala Road, South Australia. March 25, 2011.

Sunset is the time to relax, and dream.  It is the time to savour our accomplishments and achievements for the day; and if there are failures and frustrations, the dusk has the power to end it all.  As darkness falls, there’s always a promise of a brand new day- the sunrise... a new beginning so we can get up and continue our journey... an opportunity to work hard and achieve our ultimate goal in this life.   

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Weathering

The Pinnacle Desert, Nambung National Park, Cervantes, Western Australia

My hours of stay in Western Australia are numbered, tomorrow at 6:45am a Virgin Blue flight will take me back to South Australia.  Generally, I enjoyed my stay in this state: the locals I’ve met were so accommodating, the transportation was quick and easy which had given me the chance to visit some interesting destinations in and surrounding Perth.  The Pinnacle Desert in Cervantes, the lovely buildings in Fremantle and the very relaxing, eye-satiating beach in Cottesloe are the best three for me, so far! 

I was also blessed to catch the earliest mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral this morning, the gospel reminded me to set aside all my personal anxieties and let tomorrow worry for itself.  

But there’s no such thing as a perfect holiday.  I had accidentally dropped and broke the polarizing filter of my camera down the cliff of Kings Park and Botanical Garden last Friday; good thing the shops close at nine during Fridays so I was lucky to have the time to purchase a new one in preparation for the Pinnacle tour the next day- where I needed to have that accessory the most. 

Before I left the backpacker resort early this morning, I asked the receptionist to secure me a booking for an airport shuttle tomorrow so I could get to the terminal without spending much dollars.  But he said that I could ask another receptionist assigned in the evening to do it for me because, he added, the Perth Airport Shuttle booking service is open twenty-four hours a day, anyway.  

The Pinnacles, Western Australia

And at about a quarter past seven this evening, after being told by the receptionist on duty, I was surprised and terribly upset to know that shuttle bookings are only until six in the evening.  No choice, the fault or laziness of the other receptionist will force me shell out three times the amount of the shuttle service for the early morning taxi tomorrow.     

           

In and out of the workplace, in this life, every person has nowhere to escape from various challenges and worries in this universe!  But look at these attractive limestone formations in the Pinnacle Desert; they were believed to be a mixture of broken seashells blown by strong winds into the location where they are now.  Rain, the vegetation that had grown and died, sedimentation, sunlight, strong winds, and soil erosions that had happened for millions of years were the complex phenomena that occurred to reveal the beauty of these Pinnacles!         

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Seriously 'flooded'...

I've been very busy in the chookery (chicken farm) for three days now; it's harvest time and we're emptying the sheds.  There's a very tiny part of me that says I am happy because after a hundred and twenty days I can finally have my three-day break!  For four weeks now, I couldn't figure out what I have been feeling- whether this is burn out, depression, homesickness or love.  I cannot blame myself for including love in my differential diagnosis because even Gabriel Garcia Marquez had eloquently associated love with cholera.

Anyhow, I have started to regret meeting and knowing someone in my life.  But I don't want to ruin my three-day break from work with all these negative thoughts and feelings that I have had for almost thirty days.  So despite the financial insufficiency that I am experiencing these days (see this is another worry), I still spared some pretty penny for my trip to Western Australia this coming weekend.  Well, my trip is simple, I am just looking at exploring the city of Perth and visiting the moonscape-like place located 270 kilometres north of the city- The Pinnacles.

It was early this afternoon when I, at last, made up my mind for this trip so I rang the Flight Centre and booked a complete package.  But I needed to go to the store and pick-up the documents; so I drove all the way to Elizabeth and hurriedly went back 'home' (or 'farm', I live in the farmhouse) to prepare the chicken sheds for the final catch this evening... and on my way home, it was almost sunset.  Before I entered the town of Port Wakefield, I noticed the sea water flooding this tidal flat located just a few hundred metres outside the town centre.  For me, the lighting was nice so I pulled over and took some photographs; this is the best, so far:

The phenomenon had really caught my attention because it was my first time to see the water this deep in this tidal flat, everytime I drove past the area before, it was always relatively dry.  I hope you like this photo.
   

Burn out

One of the company's new chicken sheds.  Port Wakefield, South Australia

I have a lot of stories to tell, but haven't got the luxury of time to write... 

At work, I have more than enough in front of me, my plate is so full!  24/7.  Shed alarms on my mobile phone (ringing even if I'm in the supermarket), feed stocktake, feed ordering, dozens of work-related phone calls in a day, bird weighing, night-time harvest (5 nights a week), daily mortality collection, water supply problems, hot temperature... No excuses, no day off, and no right to take a legitimate sickie unless it's really bad.  

The farm capacity has doubled since December 2010- from 250,000 to 500,000 chickens... and until now the company is still struggling to find a qualified person to complete our staff so we can easily run the 'show'.  There are qualified people out there but the next question is their interest or willingness to work and live in a secluded place like this- nothing but ten chicken sheds, fifteen grain silos, and four water tanks standing in the middle of the infinite, auburn South Australian plain... a modern chookery in a small town located 98 kilometres northwest of the city with the population of 600 people.      


And just like in the previous years, I am facing the same challenge- I am in captivity!  I am a captive of my ambitions- so powerful that I cannot just easily or instantly leave this job at this point of time until I am totally cleared of any immigration issue.  Don't get me wrong, I like the work experience here (dealing with this state-of-the-art chicken farming facility, probably one of the best in the world), I wanted to stay longer...  I am just in a desperate need of an assistant; and every time our job offer was turned down, I am considering to pack up- which is not and will never be a good option at all. 
   

Seventy-nine days more to go... and as I get closer, and closer to my eligibility for Australian citizenship, the 'game' is getting tougher; really, really tougher!  I am seriously tired, and honestly, I don't know how much further can I go.   




(By the way, happy new year and happy Valentine's day to all!)
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A place to B...

An abandoned house along Short Terrace, Balaklava, South Australia.

What could be more frustrating than watching a beautiful sunset knowing that the day has ended with another wrong decision made.  Here I am again trying to uplift my own spirit after realizing that today’s toil would equate to almost nothing after being affected by some lapses that others have done.   

But after the sun has hidden behind the York Peninsula hills and as the flickering highway lights of Port Wakefield starts to appear across the western horizon, my instinct would instantly direct me to the east reminding me that it is worthwhile to enjoy the rest of the night, fall in a deep slumber, and get up looking at the lovely sunrise the next day.    

There’s, actually, another thing in the eastern side of Port Wakefield that shows me how pleasant and relaxing my life would B if I start to go slow, and learn to handle every day-to-day challenge wisely.  I am always inspired how the locals in Balaklava, South Australia—20 kilometres east of this poultry farm- deal with their daily activities with a bit of time to enjoy with their mates in the evening. 

The locals enjoying their beer in Terminus Hotel, Railway Terrace.

There must be something within each of these blokes that makes them happy and, I believe, contented up to their golden years.  Their smiles have actually outweighed their wrinkles telling me that they have proven their resilience through the years. 

Well, their place—Balaklava is an unfrequented town compared to Port Wakefield (my workplace).  But it was once called the ‘industrial centre of the north (of Adelaide)’ because many Australian farm machineries were manufactured in this town.  Grain farming was also encouraged in mid-1900 when the early European settlers built some large grain storage facilities close to the railway running from a town in eastern South Australia to the most important port during those years—Port Wakefield.

Grain silo 1 beside the old tramway.

Grain silo 2.

Grain silo 3.

Until today, Balaklava is still thriving with its local farmer’s grains, and hay products which are exported to Japan, Taiwan, Korea and China.

Balaklava's grains.

HARVESTING.  Balaklava-Adelaide Road (Gwy Tce).

Oats, cut oats and hay along Balaklava Road.

Patrick Portlink (S.A.) South Australia’s first inland container terminal.

Office of BALCO- Australia’s leading processor and exporter of high-grade oaten and cereal hay.

There are two leading Australian banks, a supermarket, hi-tech gadgets and appliance shop that have their branch prospering in Balaklava proving that this town is economically sufficient despite its seclusion.

ANZ (pronounced as /ey-en-zed/) bank at Balaklava's main street.

There are fast foods and two hotels catering for the locals and guests, where night life is also guaranteed especially during weekends.

The Royal Hotel at Edith Terrace.

...and if you want some locally-made yet delicious pizza and pasta, Balaklava is really the place to B!

 

Balaklava Pizza and Pasta. Yiros-flavoured pizza, small at Au$11.

Balaklava, S.A. is also known for its annual horse-racing festival - Balaklava Cup, and a culture and arts show - the Eisteddfod which are both celebrated every August.  I don’t have a decent photo of the racecourse, so better come and see it yourself.

St. Andrews Catholic church, 1889.

Several old and historical buildings are still standing until today and if you are interested in history, the Balaklava Centenary Hall is the best place to explore.  Picture-taking is not allowed inside, though.  The museum's swarming with donated historical articles with a 3-dollar entrance fee... it is really worth a visit!

Ph. number 08 8862 1854

Open 2.30pm to 4pm on the second and fourth Sunday of each month. Other times by appointment.

Balaklava is 92 kilometres north of- or about an hour drive from Adelaide, a little town with a lot of things to boast and to teach.    





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An E-mail

'An E-mail' is an open letter of an OFW to his sick mother. The story is factual, and is highly metaphorical. The letter sender- RJ and his friend represent the Overseas Filipino Workers. While RJ's ailing mom is, actually, the Philippines amidst the chronic political and economic problems- which, the author believes, are still curable. The other characters may be a typical family member of an OFW, and the rest of the Filipino people.

This is written to show the support of The Chook-minder's Quill to the 2010 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards.

"Strengthening the OFW Families:
Stronger Homes for a Stronger Nation."

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FROM: rjofw@yahoo7mail.com
TO: mrs_filipinas@yahoomail.com
DATE: 14October2010 11:59:01 PM

ATTACHED img-PEBA&thecmquill.pdf

Dear Nanay,

Kumusta? I hope that you have been feeling very well these days regardless of your thirty-day isolation period. Across the oceans, I have been seriously praying for your immediate recovery after that radioactive therapy twenty-four days ago; and with the help of the Almighty I trust that you’ll be healed... online publications have stated that the type of thyroid cancer that you currently have has a very good prognosis. I want you to know that even if I am not physically around to take care of you, I have left my heart and my mind at home—and I believe that, with my frequent prayers, these are enough for you to stay stronger and eventually restore your health. Kabay pa...

By the way, my flight from Davao to Adelaide was so tiresome; my stopovers and transient stay in Manila, Brisbane and Sydney before finally touching down in Adelaide wasn’t really enjoyable. In my next holiday, I might get back to the convenient itinerary of Singapore Airlines... it may be a little bit dearer, though.

Nevertheless, the time I spent with you, and with the rest of our family last September was so memorable, especially during your testimonial program and party. It was a very remarkable event, ay?! I am actually planning to send a ‘thank you’ card to your ex-co-teachers in Bialong Elementary School for the preparations and execution that they’ve done; the way they gave honour to your thirty-eight years of government service was truly exceptional!

Uhmn... I have attached our family photo during that event with this email, please check it. I know that Rose has her own version in her digicam over there, but I have noticed that my copy is much better so I decided to send it to you. I’d be very happy if by the time your ‘isolation days’ are over, you can develop a copy of it and if you don’t mind, please buy a decent picture frame from Ivan Robert Bookstore in M’lang and have it mounted. I have already displayed my own copy of that photo here in my living room.

You know Nay, our family picture would have looked happier if Tatay had been with us. I believe you have plans to visit his grave tomorrow; it’s his birthday, right? Just stay away from the crowd, remember you’re under the power of radioactive iodine.

I understand that you feel so crook most of the time and can’t manage to send an SMS to my roaming phone every single day. Don’t worry, because I have been getting regular updates about you from Rick... People may not always find him nice but, yeah, I can say that he has been a good brother to me the reason why I didn’t have second thoughts to give him my 6300 when, before I go, he asked for it. Weng had also sent me a message saying that it was a relief that she and Rick have their own mobile phone now. I bet... the gallery of that Nokia phone must have been full of baby Clint’s photo because Weng was so excited to tell me that she’ll upload some of their photos in her FB account. I am happy that my younger brother has successfully started creating his own family... Somehow, I can feel that Rick isn’t really interested to come to Australia; he told me that he will pursue his plans to join those ‘boys in blue’ in our country. I’m not sure if he has already shared it to you, but that’s what you wanted him to be, anyway.

It’s good that your next visit to the endocrinologist falls on a semestral break, Rose can surely accompany you that day.

Rose told me, by the way, that she is looking forward to satisfy all the requirements of her degree in October next year (so, I better schedule my next holiday). I believe that our decision to purchase a public utility tricycle for Jeff has really gone well with their current situation, at least a good source of Rose’s daily allowance, plus a regular vitamin dose for their daughter- Athena. In that way, Rose’s tuition fee is our only outstanding worry... but leave it to me, I’ll take care of it. Mayad duman di-a kung makatapos. I have, actually, felt the air of remorse during our conversation back home while we were preparing the ‘give-aways’ for your retirement party. Certainly, she has learned from all her mistakes.

I am a little bit concerned about your medical check-up fees in the coming weeks so I electronically transferred some amount to your account this morning. I am surprised that an Australian dollar has been surging up to ninety-nine and a half US cents! I have also heard in The Filipino Channel that the Philippine peso has been getting stronger lately, and is expected to continue to rise especially that the OFW remittances to their loved ones are high before and during the Christmas season.

Speaking... It was on my schedule today to get a Forex box from Ate Nati this afternoon but I haven’t gone because South Australia is currently experiencing a cold front with some showers; and tomorrow we’ll be experiencing a winter-like condition down here. It was also forecasted that the mountains close to the capital city of Tasmania—Hobart will have a snowfall tomorrow. Very unusual for an Australian mid-spring season, and it only aggravates this post-vacation syndrome that I’ve been suffering since I get back. But just like our current weather here, I know that this feeling won’t last very long. Holiday Season Down Under is scorching hot!

But, yeah, as soon as the chicken harvest is over, I will resume my packing so I could send this box the soonest as possible because I know that Paul is expecting to have his robot on Christmas Day. The looks of that little boy really reminds me of the face of Rose when she was younger. Paul really look like his mom, doesn’t he?

It’s almost midnight down here, uhmn... it’s only 9 p.m. up there. I have to turn the feed lines off in the chicken sheds in preparation for the 5 a.m. bird catch tomorrow. 

Get well soon, Nanay. Get well... Who knows, my next vacation will not only be for Rose’s graduation, but for my ‘long table’, as well.

Love,

RJ

P.S.

Oops! Nay, remember my friend here in Port Wakefield whose from Batangas? The one who requested me to carry home his gifts to his wife and kids when I had my holiday last month? He told me that their newly-opened bakery and refreshment business has been luckily getting an excellent payback. With this, his family is now having second thoughts in pursuing their plans to migrate here in Australia next year. Perhaps, we are gradually gaining from the fruit of our own labour with the help of the sincere efforts of the new Philippine government.

Huhmn... I am planning to put up a poultry farm in that vacant area adjacent to that mango orchard there. What do you think?

Same

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'Chicken Joy'

The sun would set at around 8pm in Port Wakefield these days. While I am writing this, the sun has already set, but for me and my job, the day isn’t over yet.

Twenty thousand chickens were taken out of our sheds last midnight... we collected the dead birds from the sheds this morning, and did some mechanical, electronics and plumbing works this afternoon. At 3pm, I received a call from the dressing plant—sixteen thousand birds will be going before dawn tomorrow. This means that I have to do the same pre-catch ‘rituals’ that I did last night, and then starve the birds starting midnight so they could empty their crop before the early morning harvest starts. And tomorrow at eight, the collection of the dead chooks will again commence...

...there are a lot of exhausting stories behind the juicy-licious roasted chicken of Red Rooster or the crispy, spicy fried chicken of KFC... and that is the life of a poultry farmer, the life that I have chosen for almost three years now.

I don’t know if occupying a house built a hundred meter across the poultry shed is a blessing, and at this moment I have this uncertainty if living in this house is really ‘living’ or is actually ‘working’. I am very grateful to have this gift of sight and I wish I could continue to admire the view from my windows which I, actually, doubt if it is really a scenery or just a mere surroundings. It really takes some efforts to split my mind set between my job from my ‘real life’, and during the harvest season I would temporarily lose the power to differentiate a night from a day.

The wages of sin is death; I admit I am a sinner but I don’t want to ‘die’ while I am still 'living'! I have been desperately looking for some other ways of paying the price of being too ambitious, because I believe that this is not the only way. Currently, I fear that the ‘powerful sticker’ stamped by the Australian Immigration on my Philippine passport has started to lose its potency to sustain the euphoric effect that I felt the day it was granted.

I hope I could figure it out—is this job really hard, or I am just weak?

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Worms and Snakes

I WAS CIRCUMCISED AT THREE... not at three years old, but on the 3^rd day after I was born... I am grateful I cannot remember the pain of circumcision. So luckily, I was one of those elementary boys who could bravely show their ‘worms’ to each other in the school toilets to prove that they were really tuli*. Ilonggo boys have been jokingly tagged as pisot** but in my life, I haven’t been mocked or branded as one.

Many years later... January 17, 2007, it was my first day in my new job as a piggery farm worker in Queensland. Strict biosecurity was implemented there, requiring the farm staff to take off and leave all their street/house clothes and undies in the shower room’s ‘dirty area’, then enter and take a 10- minute shower in a small cubicle (which was located in the middle of the shower room), and put on their farm overalls in the ‘clean area’ before proceeding to work. Of course there were separate decontamination rooms for every gender.

That summer morning, there were three of us—Filipino guys who were about to take a shower. Honestly, we were literally shocked to see our Australian workmates—who, after greeting us, took all their clothes and undies off, and waited on the queue while chatting to us. We—the new Filipino workers were, at that moment, like the Biblical Adam who were covering our valuable ‘possessions’ with one of our hands, and blushing. I didn’t know the reason why our face had reddened that time—probably because we still weren’t use to this kind of showering routine yet or maybe because we had seen the uncovered ‘snakes’ of those locals dangling in front of us! It was really a funny, memorable conversation when we got back to our accommodation that afternoon!

Three months later, the decontamination routine eventually became a normal thing to us, no covering, and no blushing even if the ‘brown snakes’ were everywhere. Work performance became more important especially when the first job evaluation came.

Being trained as a technical person in the Philippines, the daily piggery routine was very exhausting for me. Of all the new Filipino workers, I was the one who, the superiors said, had the slowest pace at work! I was even told to work quickly and not ‘properly’—because I was very particular with the details that time. I became the subject of mockery, and was rated very unsatisfactory under the ‘Knowledge of the Job’ category.

The next morning, when we were having our smoko in the farm’s lunch room two of my workmates (who were natives in town) ridiculously asked me, “Hey RJ... How would you insult a Filipino guy back in the Philippines?”

“Tell him that that he is UNcircumcised!” I instantly said without even thinking.

The locals immediately blushed, and had a fake smile.

Instantaneously, I remembered that both of them were ‘uncut’. Well, seven out of our ten local workmates were pisot. And in this country, I think, this is not an issue at all.

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*tuli- a Filipino word for a circumcised boy or man.

**pisot- a Hiligaynon term for an uncircumcised boy or man.

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Ageing

Aging
Originally uploaded by Chook-minder's Lens

A year has passed... and another year has been added to my period of existence in this beautiful world. I am getting older, and after a year, my age could no longer be found in any of the longest calendar month. But honestly, I feel like I’m only on my twenty-fifth.

I do always think that I am younger than my actual age, and I hope that my looks would always do the same. A couple of years ago, a Caucasian acquaintance was surprised when she realized that I am 10 years older than what she had previously thought! While a month ago, a 15-year old Australian bloke working in hardware shop believed that I was only nineteen. I don’t know, of course, if they were lying. I hope they didn’t...

But ageing doesn’t bother me. I may not be earning a lot, but I am sure that day by day I am discovering and learning a lot from this lovely world!

I haven’t been to many places across the globe, but, somehow, I have started to bloom in this humble place where I have been planted; and looking forward to bear many fruits in the later years.

I am not globally renowned like many other guys of my age (eg. Manny Pacquiao) but I am luckily bestowed with scientific knowledge and fortunately blessed with the necessary skills to understand the 'animal world'—a true usefulness in helping creatures that cannot help themselves.

My bank account is unbelievably close to nothing, yet I am sure that every person that I love the most has been whole-heartedly taken care of.

I am still single, but, definitely, not loveless. I have loved, and will continue to love all those who have genuinely given their love to me, as well as those who have brought out all the best in me.

I will never reveal my birthday wish in this page until that wish is being granted. ...but a sound mind and a strong physique, as well as a long life are all I need so I can continue to serve, and fulfil my mission in this world.



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Lost in Translation

Ako'y naaliw. Sa wakas tumawa rin ako ngayong araw!

Nang dahil sa Facebook, kinailangan kong buksan at gamitin ang Google Translate para maunawaan ko ang mga updates ng isang kakilalang Pranses na nasa aking friends list. Ayos pala, naunawaan ko ang mga updates ng aking kaibigan kahit na ito'y nakasulat sa French.

Subalit nang sinubukan kong ipasalin kay Tito Google ang isinulat ko sa aking Facebook status noong June 18, 2010, ito ang naging resulta:

ANG ORIHINAL
"Kung alam lang siguro ng mga alaga kong manok na napakaganda ng Tasmania, o ng buong Australia, siguro hindi sila papayag na ikulong doon sa sheds. Tiyak maghahanap sila ng paraang makalaya mula sa kanilang kulungan, at lumipad papunta rito sa Hobart!"

ANG SALIN NI GOOGLE
"If you only knew the owner would probably chicken superb Tasmania, or around Australia, maybe they are not willing to shut up there in sheds. Surely they find a way to be free from their prison, and to fly off to Hobart!"




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Ang Bukang Liwayway

Kapag masaya ako, at wala akong pinuproblema, natatakot ako. Batid ko kasi ang katotohanang habang ako'y nabubuhay, siguradong may haharapin akong mga hamon. Kaya kung wala man akong pinapasan sa ngayon, posibleng mamaya, bukas o sa susunod na araw ay may darating na panibagong suliranin...

Ako'y napaka-unfair dito sa aking blog, kasi madalas ang update kapag ako'y may masamang dinaramdam o nalulungkot; pero kapag ako'y masaya, walang naidadagdag na mga bagong pahina. Pero heto, pilit kong pinipiga ang aking utak, nang may maisusulat dito sa ngayon habang ako'y masaya.

Seventeen days ago, inilabas ko bilang 'status' sa aking Facebook account, na para akong naturukan ng morphine, nawala ang lahat ang mga nararamdaman kong hapdi at sakit noon, at para akong nakalutang sa alapaap! 'Yan ang hatid ng Australian Permanent Residency visa na ipinagkaloob sa akin ng DIAC noong May 3, 2010. Alam kong para sa iba, ang bagay na ito ay walang halaga. This is nothing. Pero para sa aking mahigit tatlong taon ding hindi nakaramdam ng saya sa nakuhang trabaho rito sa ibang bayan (sapagkat napaka-stagnant ng aking naging kalagayan sa mahabang panahong 'yon), ang aking PR ay sapat na, o sa tingin ko nga'y humihigit pa sa kinailangan kong gamot para malunasan ang noo'y malubha kong karamdaman.

Naalala ko tuloy ang aking linya (bilang si Padre Guerrero) sa isang play noong ako'y nasa kolehiyo pa... Ang tanong ni father kay Badong (na nangangarap maging isang ganap na sakristan), "...at itinuro rin ba sa 'yo ni Father O'Connor ang kahalagahan ng tiyaga at ang kabanalan ng paghihintay?"

Lubos at taus-puso ang aking pasasalamat sa lahat ng aking mga naging kaibigan dito sa blogosphere... nang dahil sa inyong mga payo, nakayanan kong maging matatag noong mga panahong muntik na akong sumuko.

Sa ngayon, nakapagpahinga na rin siguro ang pagod na tenga ng Diyos nang dahil sa aking paulit-ulit na mga dasal noon. Magtatatlong linggo na rin Siyang hindi nakarinig ng mga personal na kahilingan mula sa akin, sapagkat sa nakalipas na mga araw ay puro pasasalamat ang aking nasasambit sa aking mga panalangin.

Sa ngayon, hindi pa rin alam ng aming mga alagang manok na iniwan na sila ng kanilang dating farm manager. 'Di ako sigurado, pero sa tingin ko ay hindi nila naramdamang ako na ang bumabalikat sa kanila. Natutuwa akong ang aming lumang farm vehicle ay pinalitan na rin sa wakas ng isang desenteng sasakyan. Nagpapasalamat din akong ang isang tauhan ditong noo'y hindi nakikiisa sa pangkat, ngayo'y nangunguna sa pakikiisa lalung-lalo na sa mga maintenance and repair works ng manukan. Kung saan ako mahina, may taong nakisama at nagkataong napakahusay naman sa aspetong ito.

Wala na akong inaalalang napakamahal na bayarin para sa private health insurance, sapagkat tinutulungan na ako ng Medicare Australia. Wala na rin akong dapat alalahaning ma-i-expire na working visa.

Nagkaroon ako ng kapalagayang loob, nagkaroong muli ng focus. Hindi ko na iniisip sa ngayon ang napakakapal na alikabok at mga nakalutang na hibla ng balahibo sa loob ng chicken sheds. Wala na akong paki-alam kung umabot man ng-50'C o 'di kaya'y mag-minus 9'C sa labas. Ayos lang sa akin ang maging on call beynte quatro oras, pumasok sa loob ng manukan ng alas-diyes ng gabi o 'di kaya'y alas dos ng madaling araw, basta ang mahalaga, maging maayos ang lahat dito sa aking trabaho. Nakakapagtaka, kahit na araw-araw akong pumapasok, pakiramdam ko araw-araw rin akong naka-day off. Hinahangad at ipinagdarasal ko talagang sana ay ganito nalang palagi ang aking pakiramdam.

Sa ngayon, nilalasap ko na muna ang mala-morphine side-effect na naging bunga ng mga pagbabago sa aking buhay kamakailan lamang. Maaaring bukas ay darating na aking kinatatakutang mga problema, pero sa tingin ko, sa dami ng mga hirap, pagod at hapding nalagpasan ko noon, anumang uri ng hamong darating sa akin bukas ay siguradong aking kakayanin. 'Ika nga ni Doc Ed, na boss ko sa Monterey noon, "Anything that isn't fatal will surely make you stronger."




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Ang Aking 'Manok'

The Chook-minder's Quill seriously supports

Turista

Napakaganda ng Kangaroo Island!

Ang bus na aming sinakyan galing Adelaide patungong Cape Jervis kung nasaan ang Sealion 2000 ferry.

Kasalukuyang ala-una ng madaling araw sa South Australia. Kararating ko lang galing sa Kangaroo Island; ako'y namasyal sapagkat walang laman ang mga chicken sheds ngayon (matapos ang halos isang buwang harvesting) kaya tatlong araw akong walang pasok sa trabaho.

Saka na ako magkukwento tungkol sa naganap na tour, sapagkat masyado akong apektado ngayon sa nangyari kaninang lunch time doon sa Vivonne Bay Bistro.

Masarap ang pagkain, tomato soup with a bread roll and butter, garden fresh and pasta salads, isang hiwang Australian-style roasted chicken at isang malaking Australian sausage. Maraming salamat sa Kangaroo Island Tours and Charters sa napakasarap na pagkain kanina.

...the two-course lunch at the Vivonne Bay Bistro, Kangaroo Island, South Australia.

Ngunit hindi tungkol sa pagkain ang aking kuwento ngayon.
Sa isang mesa doon sa bistro, sampu kaming nakaupo, siyempre hindi magkakakilala. May mag-asawang nasa retired age na, sila'y galing Canberra kasama ang kanilang dalawang kaibigang nagmula pa sa New Zealand. Napamakuwento at napakamausisa ni Lola, hindi niya halos maubos ang kanyang sopas at lumalamig na rin ang kanyang tinapay sapagkat tanong nang tanong sa aming lahat na nakapalibot sa mesa.

Una niyang napansin ang tatlong magkakabarkadang nasa kanyang kanan. Tinanong niya, "Where are you from?"

Ang isa ay taga-Hongkong, ang isa naman ay taga-Korea at ang isa ay nagmula pa sa Japan. Tinanong ni Lola kung anong ginagawa nila sa Australia. Sagot nila, "Our parents have sent us here to study in the University of Adelaide."

Ang hapag na nasa likuran ko kaninang lunch time sa Kangaroo Island.

Ang isang 20 years old na binibining nagngangalang Agnieszka Koss na taga-Poland ang ngayon nama'y sumagot sa tanong ni Lola. "I am studying and at the same time working in my country, I am just visiting my uncle here in Adelaide for a month and be back to Warsaw soon."

"I've been in Australia for nine months now. I've been to Fiji and had also spent a month in New Zealand..." sabi naman nitong 21 years old na binatang taga-Denmark.

"Oh, that's good! So are you working as you go along?" ang tanong ng matanda sa Danish na si Phillip Andre Westh Olsen.

"Nah... no! I have no time for that. Just travelling..." sagot nito.

"And how about you, young man?" ang tanong ni Lola sa akin. (Natuwa akong kahit na thirty na ako, young pa rin ang tingin niya sa akin, o malabo lang siguro ang kanyang mga mata.)

"Uhmn... I'm working in a poultry farm in a small town called Port Wakefield, around 91 kilometers northwest of Adelaide." Ang sagot ko sa kanya.

"Ah! So you're a worker!"

"...and a tourist at the same time," ang mabilis kong sagot.

Nang dahil sa kuwentuhan kaninang pananghalian, nakita at naramdaman ko ang kasalukuyang kalagayan ng aking bansang Pilipinas.






I'll show you the photos taken from Kangaroo Island in my succeeding posts.