Patience is a VIRTUE

I thought the word "hopeless" exist for real because I was feeling it before.. Especially, when it comes to having better opportunities for me to work with a permit.


I figured it was just a state of mind. Hope ends when we're buried 6 feet below the ground... "When there's LIFE, there is HOPE"~Cicero.


Fortunately, I came across online about this private organization which is pretty much related to my field of expertise/study. The good news is... I lived very close to it.., I have spent 160 baht on taxi fare (back & forth) yesterday :)


I skipped doing my other online activities the past few weeks so as to give way to my searching online jobs and thinking about how could I be able to work legally, with less competition. Luckily, I got many options to work with a permit here. But, I don't need to work right away.


So, I have spent my entire two weeks to search jobs that are relevant to my Bachelor's degree. I just thought that there are so many teachers around here and felt that it would be difficult to be one just because of other qualifications that they're asking.


I have decided to go and apply (by myself) as a VOLUNTEER. Why? because it is the only way that I could for now. I could provide assistance and so building my professional networking strategies, preparing for the near future.

When I was there, they greeted me and I introduced myself. They're so welcoming. I handed my curriculum vitae along with my credentials to the Psychologist and Managing Director (English-speaking Thais). We had a brief interview about their Foundation. They're amazed how I found their website and the job vacancies but rather would become a volunteer. In fact, there are possible jobs available for me. I told them that I have to take care of my 13-month-old baby and when she turns 2, I could be able to work full time. They agreed. I have learned that volunteers are also given work permits but it depends on the evaluation or discretion of the Director (of course).


Immediately, they decided to accept me as a volunteer at KG. They have 18 children ages ranging from 3-6. It is a Foundation so the tuition fee is cheap (1,000 baht a year). They introduced me to the KG teachers and the children. I was so happy to meet them all. Out of curiosity, I asked the Psychologist if there are Thai Social Workers employed in their Organization. He replied, "None, we are psychologists here, if given a chance that we hire you, it's for the first time.."


They insisted that I could go visit the jail about 3 hours away from Bangkok. I declined. I said that I prefer to volunteer or work close to my home so I could come early to work and go home easily (notwithstanding the traffic).


We already have scheduled my first volunteer work for next week and I am so much excited. We exchanged numbers so we could contact each other. I will have to draft my work plan this weekend and email it to them.


Meanwhile, my hubby had a salary increase effective last month. He told me yesterday that my daughter may enroll in November this year. But, I told him that she was too young to go to school. She will be 19 months old by then! He reasoned out that children here are going to school as early as 2 years old. We have agreed that I could only work full-time.. if our daughter started going to school. 


But, the Bible said: "Good things come to those who wait.." (Psalm 27:14; Lamentations 3:25-26; Romans 8:25) God is good all the time! :)

Bonus Reward

The Christmas bonus and the 13-month pay aren't that familiar to be heard here in Thailand. Obviously, because Thailand is a Buddhist country. Although, some people, families, schools, and companies nationwide are celebrating Christmas as Catholics/Christians do.

I had random interviews with ex-pat teachers and other personnel who have been working here in the Kingdom for years and they mostly say that they haven't experienced receiving a bonus or anything extra similar to that kind.

Expat workers in Thailand have their own versions of performance appraisal. The benefits of passing this depend on the needs of the company. If the company is not happy with your service, they might easily tell you these:

1. "You're fired!"

2. "We will not give you a working visa"

3. "The Management has decided not to renew your contract..."

4. "Your performance is telling me not to give you an increase.."

5. "You won't get promoted because of your performance this month.."

Finding a job here is not easy if you don't have any idea how to deal with the local people and foreigners, the work environment, Thai social and cultural aspects, and the nature of the job that you're applying for.


If you're lucky, you will receive this kind of letter below saying that you did a good job! Hence, you will receive a bonus reward equivalent to your one month's salary. Not bad! But it takes lots of time and effort to pass the performance evaluation. It's like passing through the eye of a needle. Or maybe so easy for others. Others may perform very well. However, some companies do not have this kind of benefit.

Take a look at this. I wonder when will I ever get this kind of appreciation from the employer LOL. I admire both my mom and my hubby because they are hard-working and dedicated to their jobs. I wish I could be like them. But, I understand that people are different and they have their own special way of being human LOL.

The letter above was addressed to my hubby. We are so proud of him. He is inspired because he is happy with us. He is such a good person, father, husband, teacher, staff/co-worker, neighbor, son, friend, and most a GOOD MAN. Kudos to my hubby! 

Thanks be to God!