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Empty alley on a cold winter morning.

#photography #lightroom #photogram

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Winter in July.

#photography #lightroom #photogram #winter #foggymorning #sonya6000 #visuals

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I started reading a book of @joycemeyer-blog and her question really struck me. "Do you love your life? Not only a certain part but as a whole. This is a question to ponder every day. 👍🏽

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#portrait #photogram #photography #sonyphotography #lightroom

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Well done NZ!

New Zealand has done it. The team of five million succeeded on its battle to wipe out Covid-19. It has been a long journey for every one. It took 75 days to see the other end of the tunnel, but it's all worth it. Yesterday, Prime Minister Jacinda Adern announced the great news that the country would be back on its normal phase. However, there were still some restrictions imposed like borders will remain shut from any non essential international travels.

What does this mean to me?Nothing much, I would say. I will drive to town, try to find a free park and be walking 30 minutes to work. I try to squeeze out time where I can exercise. I will go to my favourite milk tea cafes and will order my go to drink which is either watermelon milk tea or brown sugar milk tea. I will be in the queue to pick up my two for one burger from Velvet Burger, and I will call our local fish and chips shop and order egg foo young. I will catch up with old friends and workmates. I will book Shamaine, and I's next domestic holiday, Queenstown or Wellington perhaps. 

Freedom, I will make the most out of it.

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All lives matter.

All lives matter.

I stand in solidarity with people who cannot take inequality, and who wants change.

I have been following the situations through news hubs and my twitter account. This escalating issue is very alarming. It is a vivid representation of one of the Netflix's series I have watched. It's devastating to know that chaos is happening all over America because of the mistreatment of minorities. It lit a big fire. It boldens the separation line between people with entitlements and people of colour.

I live in a country where racism is not evident but it shadows. New Zealand is known to be a kinder society where equality prevails but not in all forms.

I experienced it. I did not voice it out. Its part of an immigrant's life where I needed to work harder to be seen and to be known.

Opportunities come limitedly. When it knocks, chances are low. Wherever country you step on, this is the reality of life. It is unfair. It is unequal. Some places are hard core with inequality, and some are silent predators.

The movement should not stop with black lives matter but should rally for refugees, Muslim communities, Asian immigrants and people of limited opportunities. All lives matter. Something needs to change on treatment of people, access to education, ability to secure a job, protection from law enforcement and healthcare system.

In this battle, violence is not the greatest weapon but it causes destructions and the cycle continues. It is good to voice out disappointments and its great when it is done in a peaceful manner.

I disagree with some ideas that when people do not join the movement, they support the oppressor. No, I remain in the stillness and I observe. I take everything to account, and I stick to what I believe in. I will rally in peace and continue to voice out through writing.

All lives matter.

#equality

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Lets talk about visa

Welcome to my next post. Because I have spare time, I decided to write another entry on my account.

Disclaimer: I am not a immigration officer. If you have questions about visa applications, please contact Immigration on [phone] or visit their website at immigration.govt.nz .

I usually get questions on how my family migrated to New Zealand and how we obtained our resident visas. I am quoting my family's experience but you can always check NZ's immigration website which provides complete information on criterias, requirements you need to provide and how the applications are processed.

To live permanently in NZ, immigrants need to secure a resident visa. After two years of residing in the country, immigrants will need to apply for a permanent resident visa. Immigration NZ is strict with visa applications. Recent statistics shows that immigration has 46,118 resident visa applications on hand. Based on the approval rate, only 92% percent of applications are granted.

There are different temporay visas you can obtain which have pathways to secure a permanent one such as work, partnership and skilled migrant visas. (Check INZ website for detailed list)

My mum had her work visa under partnership when she applied for her residency. The pathway she took was work to residence. She included our names as dependent on her application. (Dependent children means chlidren who rely fully on their parents for financial support) My two younger siblings had no issues on dependency but John and I needed to prove that we relied mostly on mum. A proof was needed because of our age. We signed a declaration stating that John and I were single.

We provided the following requirements:

- [ ] Passport photos

- [ ] Birth certificates

- [ ] Police certificates

- [ ] Medical examination certificates

- [ ] Proof of financial support

On the other hand, mum needed to attached evidences that her relationship with Robert was genuine and well established. She included photos, financial interdependence, phone call logs, text messages, letters from family and friends and other supporting documents.

It was a little easier back then. We did not provide IELTs to support our english language proficiency.

It was a long process. We needed to complete all the requirements before mum could send her application. We had two gos. The first one was declined because mum didnt suffice the requirements. Then, she tried the following year.

After a year of waiting, she received a call from an immigtation officer who had few questions about the application. It was like a job interview. Immigration NZ scrutinized all requirements and they asked for more evidences. We were expecting another 'no' but it was completely different result. Immigration NZ granted us our residency visa.

On May 2013, we arrived in Christchurch. We were back from scratch. I thought life must be easy in NZ.

I will write another entry on our struggles to cope and adapt to our new home.

#new zealand #visa #resident application

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Its been a while

Its been a while since I last posted something on my account. I have been busy catching up with life as if I have deadline to meet. But, all is well. I finally had the guts to resign from my previous job and decided to leap to our local government to help look after our citizens. It sounded very fulfilling but the stress is on another level. I decided to deactivate my Facebook account because of my friends’ toxicity. I kept my Instagram and Twitter accounts active as people there were nicer. 

I hope I can post something interesting after this. See you on my next entry.

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Currently bored

Here I am sitting on our couch watching Wu Assassin and contemplating what to write. To be honest, I do not have anything to say. I am just bored. Literally bored that I watch the same movie the nth time. 

Anyway, I am great even though I am not feeling my 100%. 

(Bulb lights on my right side) I think I have something to say now. I am frustrated on how things are going at work. Four months ago, my previous workplace had a wide restructure and I was transferred to an outsource company where I do the same job. I guess I consider it as a blessings. It pays the bills. I cannot complain. After this year, I consider finding a new work where I can learn and explore new things. 

That is all. Until my next post. 

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I turned 27 last March. My wife and I decided to fly north and visit the biggest city in New Zealand. Captured some moments, I realised how small my town is. Although, I preferred to live in Christchurch. It’s much nicer, clean and quiet (I guess). 

#travelvlog

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#lifewelltravelled

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My fascination with structures. Edge and style.

#vscocam #photography

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Yesterday, I came to work way too early. I tried to do overtime but I couldnt because it was statutory holiday. So, instead of sitting in my desk. I decided to walk around the block. Well, the artistic side of my came to life (not even artistic at all). I took these three photos. You decide. Did I take great shots? Let me know. Ta.

#photography #photogram

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SOS

I was on the phone to 111. “I need an ambulance now! Please, he’s no longer breathing!”

This morning I did my usual routine, packed my bag, put my running shoes on and drove to work. I usually run around the block before starting my day. I walk few meters to up beat my heart rate when I noticed a luggage on the ground. I just thought maybe someone had lost his mind and just left his luggage in the street. I came closer to check. On my suprise, there was an old guy lying on the floor. I asked him, “Sir are you OK?” He tried to lift he’s head a bit. Then, I saw blood. In that moment, I knew its an emergency. I didnt bring my phone with me. I ran as fast as I could to my work building, got my phone and immediately rang emergency services. “I need an ambulance now! Please, he’s no longer breathing!” I tried to talk calmly but I couldnt. I kept shouting send an ambulance now. Luckily, a husband and wife stopped and saw me. The woman (cant even remember her name) asked me politely if she can talk to 111. We tried to help the old guy. We were about to do CPR when the ambulance came. Within two minutes, we had doctors and other personel. They tried to revive the man. It took them a while to get his pulse back. I was whispering a prayer while watching the doctors to resuscitate him. Police officers asked our statements regarding to what happened and they took the man to the hospital.

After that incident, I was strucked by a reminder that death is imminent. Most of all, when its your time, its your time. “A time to be born and time to die”

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Our recent trip to Wellington, New Zealand.

#travel

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Blue Moon

Luna, you shine like no other

The king bestows you with his power

O Luna, lighten the world with your beauty

And take away the burden of the weary

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Great tip if youre driving to West part of South Island, New Zealand: Wear comfy clothes and bring your SUNFLY repelant. West coast is haven for those blood-sucking insects. And, their bite is the itchiest.

This photo was taken by Wifezilla @shamainedelizo . We headed to Punakaiki on our way to Hokitika. Behind me were rock formations and locals call it the Pancake rocks. It has a great view of Tasman Sea and has the coolest ocean breeze. (I might the only one who thought of this). It was fun walking the trail and seeing the awesome beauty of mother nature.

New Zealand has the most beautiful views! It never fails to suprise me.

Come around to our good old wee country.

#travel