A Letter to My Wendy's Family

Dear My Wendy's Family,

It has been a long ten months since I have been welcomed in your home.  Although it seems to me that, I came as quickly as I had to leave.  I am writing this to all of you- crew members, shift supervisors and managers alike - to express my eternal gratitude for accepting me at Wendy's.  Since I landed in Canada last June 2012, I have been aggressively pursuing a job to fund my transition for occupational therapy practice here in Canada.  I felt hopeless and frustrated with the seemingly unlucky things that happened last year.  My diploma and other credentials were on hold because of my surname, two of my much anticipated volunteer works were pushed back and I literally had no money to invest in things that could start up my career as an occupational therapist here in Canada.  I felt utterly useless at home.  Looking even at the people who were carrying out their daily occupations made me miss my work as an occupational therapist. So when I was called in for an interview along with my little sister, Aiko, I was enthusiastic!  "This is it!", I thought.  I can earn money. Miraculously though, I wasn't just given a job; I was embraced wholly as part of a family.   The My Wendy's family.

And to my dear kin, I want to share the little achievements I have accomplished for the past year.  These are  the things that I proudly got from the opportunity you have given me.  First and foremost, I was able to reserve my spot for the National Occupational Therapy Certification Examination (NOTCE).  I had all my credentials assessed and I took an academic english test (TOEFL) in preparation for that.  Subsequently, I invested in books! Here are some of the books I have longed to own when I was still in med school.  Yep!  I have them now.

Latest editions of OT books I needed

Upper extremity rehab books that I wanted since internship

I was also able to buy myself a cellular phone to connect with my friends from far away.  But, needless to say, I am most proud of my decision to sponsor children from World Vision with my bi-weekly salary.  Much like Dave Thomas's Foundation for Adoption, I advocate for children as well.  My hard earned money is giving children in my parents's hometown a chance to have basic education.  They are given the privilege to have new bags, notepads and pencils that they normally can't afford every academic year.  Their washed away books can be replaced by new ones.  They can play in the fields and be kids as they should.  When Wendy's gave me this job, two kids are given back their childhood.  For that, I am evermore grateful.

Meet little Clarence

My Wendy's Family, I write this to you with heartfelt ardor. You have fostered in me qualities that every parent would be proud of. Each and everyone of you showed me the real light to seemingly jaded words like working hard, kindness and humility.  These are words that are used so casually today that it loses its essence.  You guys made me realize that we don't get paid just for every hour we stay there, we get paid for the value we bring to that hour.  And that surely, if you did your best and strive to improve, you will be rewarded. 

The fruit of hard labor! Yey!

I have learnt the true meaning of Dalai Lama's words, "Be kind whenever possible. It really is possible."  Customers love the service we give because of the kindness that flows in our smiles.  That simple hello with a bright smile is not just for show.  We are nice because we want to be nice.  And oh!  The things we do for even the most unreasonable requests by customers!  But that is real humility there.  Thinking less of how you could avoid getting responsibilities and focusing on giving the guests a positive experience. Everytime I work, I feel my name growing brighter by the second. (reference to 明美 - akemi)

With all that said, I close this letter with another thank you.  For having me, nurturing me to best that I can be and also for letting me go. I am sure that my ephemeral experience at Wendy's will permanently leave a mark on my life.  It will always be there - immutable, unshaken but magnificently resounding.  My time with you guys will be one of the many things that will shape my career; that I firmly believe.  I will be always proud to say that I have started out here in Wendy's Guildford.  Like this guy with a nice smile!

That serene smile catches everything I just wrote hahaha

Love,

Akemi

A Message to Mom I

In the twenty three years of my life, I think I have never completely told you how important you are to me.   I want you to know that your existence to me is like water.  An essential need to my everyday.  And  though I do (literally) say that I love you, not only with words but with hugs and kisses as well, I feel that it is always insufficient.  That it will always be lacking.  I feel that no matter how many times I give my appreciation, it would never amount to the affection and dedication you gave me your whole life.   Was a hug enough for the warm meals you make every morning?  Or would a kiss take out the stress of staying up late to patch up my uniforms?  I slip by a lot of times without even saying the word "thank you"...and I am truly sorry for those times.  It's not that I don't appreciate you. I am just so grateful to you mom, beyond the countless words my mind can think off.

Remember when I was a kid?  We used to live in this big and lonely house.  For me, the world was the wide living room with the few furniture.  You were there, neatly sitting across the room from where I keep my robot toys and Tomy cars, diligently watching over me.  Mom, I bet you don't know, but in my memories you were a giant.  However, you were a gentle one.  I can remember how I used to look up to you knowing that I can never reach you.  So little and powerless. Then, you'll go and pick me up with your caressing hands to encase me in a warm embrace.  I felt really loved.

As I grew up, I was a little messed up.  I was arrogant and egocentric.  But you know, a kid will always have that phase at one point in their lives.   I am sorry for threatening to leave the house once.  Was it because of the dessert I loved very much?  I can't really remember what the cause was but I am fairly sure it was a childish reason.  I thank you for putting up with me and my rather difficult personality. Whenever I did something wrong, you would punish me but in kindness.  In Florante and Laura, I remember this line,"Pag-ibig anaki'y aking nakilala, di dapat palakhin ang bata sa saya."  You made sure not to spoil me for it will be far more cruel for you to do so.  Although, I still remember that ruler you used to spank me with in fear (Well, mostly it was lolo's belt that I remember in true fear), I look back at the memory with pride.  Mom, you loved me very much to be cruel at times that you need to.

During my awkward teenage years, how could I possibly forget about your warm welcoming of my adolescence.   I bet you worried a lot for me.  I know how reluctant you were in letting me out to the world. For you know how it works, you have raged your youth in it and found how scary the outside world would be.  But you respected my age and acknowledged my petty wisdom.  Slowly, you let me out of my castle to spread my little wings.  You helped me take that first step to independence and supported me in whatever decision I made.  I thank you mom!  I never would have pulled through today if you haven't allowed me so.

Now, as a young adult, you face yet another hurdle in motherhood.  I have expressed my intention to leave the house after saving up some money.  You must feel lonely just thinking about it.  Maybe that is why you always feel lonely...because you are thinking of the near future of me and Aiko leaving you. Please remain strong and courageous as you are!   Remember that we always love you even if we are far away.  From the day I was but a little baby inside your stomach, you have filled me with the seed of love that grew with every warm touch and kisses you gave me.  It will continue to grow and it shall bear fruit to every thing I do.  And perhaps yes, in moment's glance, I'll be planting seeds of love as well in your grandson's (or granddaughter's) heart just as you have with us.

Please continue to support me in everything!

I love you mom!  You're the best!  

First taste of rejection

"It is the highest form of self-respect to admit our errors and mistakes and make amends for them. To make a mistake is only an error in judgment, but to adhere to it when it is discovered shows infirmity of character." - Dale Turner

A stone may make you tumble, but you didn't lose your feet.  Stand up and move on.

I tried to apply for Omega Pizza today and made a terrible mistake of dialing a wrong number when the place was deserted around 1 pm.  In turn, I got rejected and was told to find an easier job than pizza making.  He was assertive though, Mr. John Sharis.  Although, I can't help but cry.  The taste of rejection sucks.  It's really bitter and it makes you think of highly unreasonable things.  Pessimistic things.  And I don't like it.  This must be the cost of the experience I wanted from being selfish.  Truthfully, I have anticipated events such as this one and I've been rejected (more nicely though, not in person) by stores up until now.  I never anticipated that I'd be rejected by missing out a number!  My gosh!  For someone who've studied the anatomy and physiology of the human body and have handled corpses, I was ...yes, rejected for that.  Funny, I came back to the ground after that.  Yes, even if you've been to medical school and such and have handled people with disabilities (e.g. physical, mental, developmental, etc.), you still need to pay attention to the basic work behaviors.  That is:

CONCENTRATION

ATTENTION SPAN

FRUSTRATION TOLERANCE

IMPULSE CONTROL

You go back to the basics.  Sigh....

I admit to myself, I was impertinent.  I was really thinking I could do this no matter what cost.  But I let myself slack by mistaking a number.  Thank you for being me back to the ground Mr. Sharis.  I truly am not cut for making pizza (yet).  As of now, I think I should learn from this mistake by never letting my head soar up the skies.  Thank you really.  Although it cost me tears, it will also bring me towards the path on being an ideal occupational therapist in the future.  When the time comes, I will come by Omega Pizza again and thank you, Mr. Sharis.  

Mistake accepted...I'm moving on to my future more determined than ever.

Allow me to be selfish...

It's been a month and almost two weeks now since I came here to Canada.  Sadly, I am still unemployed even after sending out quite a number of applications to stores near here. Really, I never thought I'd send that many in my life! Here are some stores and franchises I have applied to.

APPLIED FOR 

1. A &W

2. Subway

3. Boston Pizza

4. Safeway

5. Tim Horton's 

6. Starbucks Coffee

7. Cash Converters 

8. Wendy's

9. Church's Chicken 

10.Quizznos Sub 

11.Fresh Slice Pizza

 And that's not even the half of it!  Talk about job hunting.  It IS a skill.  And I hope to learn it well by undergoing this ordeal.  Truthfully, I could have had a job by reference and backing by Lola Pina. They've been telling me that it's hard to get a job if you don't have "back-up"... I wonder why?  And I wonder if it's true.  My mom's been stressed out by my stubbornness for refusing Lola Pina's help in finding me a job.  Truthfully, I've given myself a month to find a job before I give in to that option.  It's not that I don't want to be a housekeeper or that I am too good for the job.  It's a matter of gaining experience in this field.  It's not my pride, it's showing them I can do things on my own.  After all, I'm 22 years old and finding a job is something I should have learned a few years back.  I believe that if I give in and allow them to help me get an immediate job, I will lose a very important experience that I will need later in life.  And another thing, I want to prove them wrong.  That you can find a job even without the "back-up" system they have created.  


I was also quite scared for a while after turning down an opportunity   for training last week.  Without anything to do, I was so frustrated - scared.  I was even thinking pessimistically about the volunteer opportunities  I was interested in.  Is this it?  Would no one want me?   Is this all I can do?  What of my future plans?  What of those people I intend to help?  What of the Filipinos I  intend to go back to?  I was panicking and was overly dramatic about it.  At least on the inside.  At times like these, I start to think of my friends back home.  How they supported me through tough times.  How they pushed me to be stronger.  Stronger than I ever think I was.  I think back to myself and ask, "why?"  Why am I thinking of those bad stuff?  Why was I so insecure?  I stopped...and prayed, like what my big brother would've advised me. Then, my heart was silent.  I thought to myself - like I always do - ah...God has a plan.  


So please...mom, dad, Aiko and Mei, please allow me to be selfish this one time.  I'd like to take a while to experience rejections to learn a lot more about life.  Do forgive me.

A video I made for my friends :)  Ah...best times indeed