Friday, March 21, 2008

Frozen Feet

photo by Sandi1947


After months of waiting in uncertainty, I finally got a definite job offer from this hospital in Perth, Western Australia.

Yes, it's true. I have decided to join the Great Filipino Diaspora - at least for the next year or so - in my bid to figure out what I really want to do with the rest of my life and move out of my safety zone. Starting a new job in a city where everyone is a stranger, away from everything I know and everyone I love, is probably as far out of a safety zone anyone can ever get.

There is still much to be done before this next phase in my "life-with-no-plan" is a sure thing - visas to be processed, papers to be fixed - and at any point plans could still change or go awry. Not the least of these things-to-do is my faxing a signed copy of the contract to my employers before my 10-day deadline is up. However, I've been sitting on the matter because faxing that contract back to them with my signature on it makes everything more real.

Now that this completely new journey is immenent, I'm not sure I have the gumption to take it. Despite my resolve to embrace the unexpected, I have a serious case of cold feet.

I've complained often enough about straight roads and pipe dreams, but I have never been a risk-taker. I liked living safe, even if a part of me knew I was working myself into a rut. I was walking a well-planned route, living life using a detailed map. It didn't leave a lot of room for improvisation, but at least I knew exactly where I was going.


I've been restless and my life is begging for something to jumpstart it. This opportunity could be what I've been waiting for, but...
what can I say? I've always been big on indecision and timidity.

This is uncharted territory. I'm standing at the edge of a precipice so high, and I can't see where I will land. Understandably, much as I want to defy gravity, I am frozen in place and reluctant to jump.

I need to borrow some courage - or, barring that, I need someone to give me a big hard shove off this cliff I'm on.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!

Just close your eyes, hold your breath and jump right in...

Anonymous said...

That's great!. Perth is a beautiful city, I hope they treat you well.

Plus there is sure to be hundreds of eligible male medicos (just joking, you stick with your spinsterhood,it's better than washing someone elses's smelly socks)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I also want to try my luck in Australia, but as a Graphics Designer. Hopefully, I'd be able to do that.

Walking on Water said...

here's a shove claire... you may not realize it but you're actually one of the bravest, most adventurous people i know. God bless your adventures, my friend.

Honey Oliveros said...

Congratulations dear Clairebear! Here's a great big shove, with a whole lotta love...carpe diem, darling!

Let's meet up for that coffee soon.

Unknown said...

alot of people feel the same way... you will be fine and things will line up for you. you never know probably the man your mom is waiting for your aunt is praying for is waiting for you. He will warm that cold feet of yours... ;-) when you have a moment please visit my blog..

dr_clairebear said...

thank you so much for all the good wishes! i faxed the contract today... here goes! stay tuned for further developments. :)))

Anonymous said...

kainis, my first comment didnt get through pala.

anyway, i wanted to congratulate. you really should consider this as a push already, seeing that you said that you needed the change.

but whatever it is, pray about it, and i hope you find His will wherever you go! :)

and oh yeah, what about the project na pala? :)

Unknown said...

i would definitely follow your story. By the way, my cousin graduated from UP Dentistry it was ages ago nga lang lol. Anyway, lets exchange link if you like. Regarding your question, you can do it by following the instruction on my entry http://www.mspinkbiik.com/2008/03/personalizing-your-blog-using-domain.html

Anonymous said...

Hi! Thanks for the comments over at Maria Finds

Good luck with your new adventure and Happy Easter!

docemdy said...

Wherever your feet take you, I wish you well. Keep blogging!

batjay said...

the picture you have looked very familiar and i knew it was perth even before i read your post.

congratulations. perth is one of my favorite cities.

jay
http://www.flickr.com/photos/batjay/153469219/in/set-72157594145502017/

Myst_72 said...

Hello!

Perth is great (I hear) I'm in Tasmania - always a shortage of Doctors down here!
A huge step for you to move all the way over here - very brave indeed!

Best wishes with your journey,

G
xx

Anonymous said...

Good luck, God Bless

Panaderos said...

I wish you nothing but the best. I was also in your situation many years ago. It won't be easy and it would take a lot of courage of discpline. My advice is to always have faith in yourself and in your abilities and things will work out just fine.

There are kind and understanding souls everywhere in this world. Based on personal experience, I can attest to that. I'm very sure that there will be a lot of them where you're going. Best of luck!

dr_clairebear said...

@em dy: i think that if i leave, i will need to blog more than ever. i'm going to get very homesick...

@ris: i wrote her na... waiting for a reply...

@mspinkbiik and maria: thank you!

@batjay: it's encouraging to hear people say how great a city Perth is, it makes the journey less daunting. thanks!

@myst and sakai: thanks for the good wishes! :)

dr_clairebear said...

@panaderos: i know that my situation is by no means unique and that's a lot of borrowed courage for me, too. :)

the fact that there are others like you who have made these decisions work encourage me to take the plunge even if I cannot clearly see where I will land. Thanks! :)

Anonymous said...

good luck! australia is a beautiful country :).

Anonymous said...

Go for it, Claire! Here is actually a situation that being single is more advantageous -- you only need to think about yourself and what YOU want. If you were married, especially if you had kids, you'd have to consider a whole lot of other things too.

Good luck!

Anonymous said...

thanks for the blog visit.

anyway, congratulations! a great opportunity to welcome change with open arms and fierce bravado! :)

Anonymous said...

galing claire! so let's plan on me andmy whole family visiting you in Oz next year... :)