The End of Unemployment

02/10/2009 was the day I got that fateful call from HR at my previous employer. It would be my last day of of official US employment. I knew it was coming, but it was still devastating. That was followed by 3 months of unsuccessful attempts to get reemployed in Las Vegas, and the US. By mid-November, I knew I was coming home to Malaysia.

It was a scary process. Apart from my sister, I did not know anyone in the field. I had no contacts, only a list of agencies in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. And I had no clue of the work environment or clientele. The only thing I knew was that they're affected by the global economic crunch as well, and that it would be a long and frustrating process to get back to designing. And of course, I knew I was going to have to endure a massive pay cut and longer working hours. Its just how Asia is.

Coming back, I met an individual who used to be an AE in an agency here. Through him, I got a clearer picture of how things are done here. I also got a list of contacts and got to do some freelance jobs. But the issue here was that his contacts were outdated, and his freelance jobs were payless. In other words, I was doing pro bono charity work. I knew I wasn't going to see the money. I did it because I needed the contacts, the practice of designing again, and to just keep busy. And believe me, I was busy! A little too busy, in fact. I had no life or income, and I was constantly frustrated. It was ridiculous.

2 months passed, with me job hunting. It wasn't easy. There's only so much you can do. I encountered the same postings, if there are any (there wasn't much). I called up agencies and verified the e-mail addresses I got, so that I can send my CV to the correct people. No call backs. I can only guess that a hiring freeze is in effect, so calling me would just be giving me false hope, as they can't take me on anyways ... be it freelance, part-time or full-time, temporary or permanent. It was really depressing for me, and I felt helpless. Nevertheless, I continued sending out my CV, but I paced myself to 2-3 agencies a day. And I just relaxed the rest of the day (and did the pro bono freelance). No point in driving myself any more insane than I already am.

Then one day, towards the end of February, I placed a call to one of the agencies on my list (as usual). The receptionist told me to send my CV to the traffic manager. I found that weird, but did it nonetheless. 30 minutes later, I get a call from the ECD himself (from his personal mobile, no less). We spoke briefly, and he was saying that it must be fate, as they were just discussing bringing in a Designer that very morning. He was very enthusiastic, and we set up to have an interview next week. I was so excited! Its great to receive a response within 30 minutes of your CB submission, from an international agency no less! But I was still diligent and continued submitting my CV to other agencies down my list.

The interview was an interesting one, as it lasted for 2 hours. The ECD was a really fun and open minded guy, full of life an energy. In fact, it was 45 minutes in before I even presented my stuff. We discussed all kinds of things, from our past years living abroad to the current climate to the agency itself, and our personal goals. Towards the end, I also showed my portfolio to another CD who happened to wonder by. I left with the feeling that I had impressed them.

A week later, I was back there, as a 2-week, temporary freelancer. Like the rest of the agencies, they too had a hiring freeze issued to them by their global headquarters. But due to the fact that they were winning client accounts (a major feat in this economic crunch), they needed people. While they bargained for a full-time position for me, freelance was not a problem. I happily accepted. And actually, before I started, the global headquarters had approved me for full-time permanent, but of course, there was a ton of paper trails that had to be established, and I had to finish out my freelance contract first. As that approached its closure, I signed another contract. I'm employed! It felt good.

Now along the way, I made some mistakes as well. As I started my freelance with this agency, another small shop called me up. While it was nice to get another call, the guy was very cold and lifeless. A few days later, I turned down an interview opportunity. This had my AE contact fuming at me, and he was screaming at me about my pride, my priorities, my sanity, my appreciation for all he's done to try and get me a spot, and that this is the thanks I give him. Ok, I admit, maybe it wasn't the brightest thing to have done, but its done. Move on. I interviewed at another place too.

In the end, and the point is, I am working again. The recently received business card if my proof. And I am grateful it only took 2 months being home to get there. It could have been a lot longer.

An Addendum to Timelines

I am usually very respectful of timelines. I have to be, otherwise, I'd be a mess. Well, actually, I was a mess for the past 6 months or so. Haha. So much has transpired. But due to them being quite catastrophic in proportions and impact, my blog got stalled, and I only put in entries because I felt it was an obligation. Well, I intend to get it back up and running again. Hence there will be some back and forth on my entries, which will include the fairly recent past, as well as the present. All mixed up. Hopefully that will all be sorted out soon, and chronological order can be restored. In the meantime, thank you for your patience.

Gone But Not Forgotten

As you all know, Sable is my cat. My constant companion, and soulmate ... that is her.

Sable can be quite temperamental and quirky, but overall she is an absolutely wonderful cat. She was Michael's cat since birth, but she never really bonded with him. But she had the same personality as me, and was more my type of cat. So ... when I left Atlanta, she came along with me. It took awhile, but eventually Sable warmed up to me ... became affectionate, if you will ... and we've been together ever since. Atlanta. Springfield, MO. St.Louis. Las Vegas. She's quite old now in kittie years, and you can definitely see some signs of aging. Nonetheless, she's in perfect tiptop health, and is as fast as ever. And she ain't fat, which is a major bonus in my book. That's my Sable. Or rather, she was my Sable.

On 12/29/2009, Sable and Michael left for Atlanta. It was the last time I was with my cat and my best friend. My heart died at the fact that I had to give her up. After all these years together, having to cage her up for her flight and having to hold her for the last time at McCarran International Airport ... it was just devastating. I'd never thought I'd fuss so much over a cat, but there I was ... torn to pieces. I wanted to take her home to keep her, but I believe I did what was best for her. The flight would have been too long and taxing on her, not to mention TSA screenings, fees, medications and vet visits, quarantine, and having no place to keep her once I got home ... it wasn't feasible or practical. At least not yet.

I hope Sable forgives me for what I had to do. I provided her the best I could when she was with me. A new, loving and safe home was my final parting gift to her. Still, I'd love to see her again, to be with her again, to play with her again. I cry every time I think of her. But knowing that she is happy and in a good home for the rest of her remaining years ... that's enough.

I love you Sable, and I miss you. More than you know. Thank you for the wonderful memories, companionship, and my awesome wallpaper.



PS. Special thanks to Aaron for the home and the updates. Much appreciated.

The Departure

So my last entry was just before I left the US. Can you believe I have been there for 11 years? I couldn't. But its true. What an adventure that was. No regrets.

On 12/26, my last weekend there, Michael (my ex and best friend) paid me and Sable a visit. What an unusual weekend that was, but it was memorable nonetheless. Why? Because it was the last time I was likely to see him for quite awhile, or hear his voice. It was good to recount the past years, and what awaits us in the future. On 12/29, Michael left to return to Atlanta. And sadly, Sable followed him. We had her in an air travel hard carrier ... but due to a communication error, Michael's scheduled flight couldn't accommodate her carrier (the seats were lowered because of new equipment, and we refused to put her in the cargo bay). So Michael took the last flight out that evening, where the carrier fitted, and delivered Sable safely to Aaron. She is doing quite all right, despite sharing her new home with Nibbler, Aaron's cat.

My turn came on 12/30/08. I had settled everything. Cleaned out my apartment. Settled my accounts and other outstanding matters. Said my goodbyes in person to all my friends. Scott, one my truly most beloved friends back in Vegas, and the last one to see me, dropped me off at McCarran for my flight home. LAS to LAX to TPE to KUL. It was time to say goodbye to the City of Sin, my home for the last two years. I also said my goodbyes via my mobile to the few friends I couldn't say goodbye to in person. Mary T. Michael S. And a few selected buddies of mine. The flights went by okay. Mininal fuss. Long and tiring. I don't know how people do it constantly. Of course, I got placed in a seat next to the babies. Thankfully they weren't too crazy, but the children were. Impatient little brats who couldn't sit still, and the parents don't care. They got in the way of the flight attendants while they were serving food! What kind of parents are those?! Ugh. Regardless, I made it back through all the checkpoints from LAS to KUL. Baggage made it intact and safely, and no customs officials rummaging through my stuff. But ... it wasn't cool to pay U$D 2.00 for an hour of wifi at LAX. That was my last US charge though. LOL.

My family was waiting for me at KLIA. Seeing them made me realize one thing: They're been waiting for me for a long time. I love them. Always and forever. My adventures in the city that is once again my home now begins.

XIII: DEATH

Humility. Transformation. Passage. Change. A blessing in disguise. Transition from lower to higher. Humbling and exulting. Closing and opening. Sunset and sunrise. The end and the beginning.

It has been awhile since I last made an entry here, and with good reason. My apologies if you've been hoping for an update. I can say so many things, but I will keep it short and sweet. Above is the final outcome of a tarot reading my dear friend Christie did for me recently, in light of the current situation. It was scarily accurate. As she always is with her readings on me, despite being miles apart. Despite what it looks like, it is actually a positive reading. I rather get the Death card than The Tower card. Google it, and you'll see what I mean.

As you know, my journey in the United States has have been tough. I came here alone in Fall 1997. From there, I've experienced, friendship, love, acceptance, rejection, joy, hate, and all things in between. Through two schools, 9/11 and work across the United States ... I've experienced life. I've worked hard to be optimistic, gain useful experiences as an adult, foster a career path that I am passionate about, maintain my legal standing, and to get a network of friends that I am proud to call mine. I think I have achieved that.

On 10/3, my journey came to an abrupt stop. In light of the current global economic recession, I got laid off. As much as I've tried to shrug it off, it was absolutely devastating. Being the typical Capricorn that I am, work was my life, sad to say. I've worked very hard to maintain my legal standing, and to prove my worth. I even had a green card application in the works from my last agency. Why? Because while I loved the agency and the work we do, it was the people there that I felt especially connected to. It was my career family, if you will. Regardless, they did what they felt was necessary. In lieu of that, my green card application and then-current H1B was canceled, making me fall out-of-status with the USCIS.

I've had two interviews with two casinos since. No dice. Most likely because of the de facto fact that I have, unfortunately, started to accumulate unlawful presence days in the United States. I hold no ill-will towards my former agency; the portfolio pieces, agency experience and the people I worked with makes the last two years priceless. I will miss them dearly: those that have been laid off, as well as those who still remain.

For the next 3 months after that fateful day, I've experienced so many things. Being jobless during the fourth quarter of the year for the fourth time in a row. Seeing Barack Obama win the 2008 Presidential Race. Experiencing New York City for the first time. Visiting Wynn Encore just after it opened. Seeing my friends everywhere get laid off or suffer pay cuts. Watching institution after institution fail every time I read the news. Bonding with my family and friends. Keeping the faith. An infinite amount of thanks to Siow Wei for keeping me in check through this emotional roller-coaster I had to endure.

It is now 12/23. In exactly one week, I will be leaving the United States. Before 2008 is done. Most likely permanently. There's so many things I will miss ... my friends, Sable, my independence (to a point), the life I've grown accustomed to. But it wasn't in the cards for me to remain here at this time in my life. It wasn't meant to be, and I will not fight it. Instead, I will embrace the path that has been laid out for me: To return to my beloved true home. I will soon be 31, and I do feel like I am late starter. I cannot waste anymore time dwelling on 'What Ifs' and such. It is pointless. Besides, I am sure the new adventures awaiting me will be fascinating, to say the least. I have not been home to Kuala Lumpur for 10 years (short visits don't count), and not to Singapore for 15 years. So much has changed, and I am anxious to rediscover it.

To those I will be reuniting with ... thank you. I've missed you so much.

To those who have made my journey here in the United States so incredibly worthwhile ... and you know who you are ... thank you for making the last 11 years of my life (practically my entire 20s ... an entire chapter) a truly blessed experience. I hope I have brought you some moments of joy as well.

In closing, I leave this to you. LeAnn Rimes and Delta Goodrem did an amazing rendition if this song, and it sums up my departure message perfectly. Just put on your headphones, hit play, close your eyes and enjoy.

The Grass As Always Greener On The Other Side.

Slow or Stalled ... which am I?

Not too long ago, I had this conversation with two buddies of mine. Am I slow, or am I stalled? It proved to be an interesting conversation, to say the least.

Truth be told, I feel like I am slow. I feel that where I am today, I should have been there 5 years ago, at age 25. It is very difficult to consider myself to be stalled, much less on target or ahead. At age 30, I feel that I shouldn't be without a car. In fact, I should be getting ready to purchase a small condo for myself. Yet, I am still living paycheck-to-paycheck. But perhaps, my comparison base is way off. Supposedly, I need to adjust my age for years in the work force. And I have to take into account other factors that are exclusive to my situation. Going to two schools. Graduating just after 9/11. Immigration issues. Dealing with any low-paying job I could find. Finding the right fit. Moving across the country. For good or bad, they delayed my progression. But what am I comparing myself to?

I consider myself to be on par with anyone else. Especially my work colleagues, who are in the same profession, making about the same as I do. I don't like thinking of myself as an individual of 'exceptional circumstances.' But sadly, I know its also not that simple, and I am only seeing part of the picture. I don't know their debt, their credit score, their housing situation, their investments, their health, their habits, their future plans, or their rainy day backup plans. I can only assume they are in good standing. And that they don't face the issues I am dealing with. I see their physical assets, but I cannot gauge their invisible liabilities.

I know what I have, and what I want to achieve. Despite me being the pessimist that I am, I am still very proud of what I have achieved, and how far I've gotten. I am relatively healthy, and I have zero debt. I don't smoke, drink excessively or have a gambling addiction. I'm not a partier, and am completely drug-free. I have a career that I actually went to school for, that I absolutely love, a fantastic employer that believes in my abilities and takes care of me, to the point of applying for my green card. I survived three downsizing phases. I am putting money aside every month for a car (or rainy day). And I survived almost 3 months of forced 'unpaid leave of absence' on my own money, without resorting to the credit card. I am not obsessed with shopping for designer labels, and I police my expenses to just what I need without losing myself doing so. What I have achieved is certainly difficult to measure, as there's no physical proof of success. But I believe what I have is priceless. You can't measure the value of a green card, career, health or being debt-free. To me and many of my friends, these factors puts me on par, if not above, with my American counterparts.

Of course, its no less frustrating. Being without a car in Vegas is tough. My apartment is empty and looks uninhabited. My family and relatives still view me as failure, because I have no physical proof of success. They certainly don't understand what I do, or how I live my life, much less what I consider to be a success. The definitely can't fathom me loving or being happy with my job. But what they can (and love) doing comparing me to my cousins. Or to the children or such-and-such person that they know. There is definitely a BIG double standard (and unrealistic expectations) going on there, but I'll keep that to myself. No matter what, I respect my sister and all my cousins, and will never judgement on them personally. Of course, there are also many others that are less fortunate than me, which is a factor I sometimes fail to consider.

Yes, I am overly hard on myself, and I always will be. I grew up with high standards, and those are permanently ingrained into my thick skull. I don't like seeing myself as stalled, but that's probably the case. I hate having to deal with factors that are beyond my control, but I don't really have a choice. I am still quite far off from where I want to be (or perceive where I should be), but I am in no rush. I have a plan in mind, there's just no timeline. I'm doing things the right way. Why? Because that makes me feel better. At the end of the day, it's all about me. I have to make my own path in life. And that is not an easy task by any stretch of the imagination.

Now...vodka. Skyy 90, to be precise.

The Clock Keeps On Ticking.

Its already August '08. And I am getting concerned.

My current H1B visa will expire in early March '09. That's just 7 months away. We're in the middle of my Labor Certification. That's where my employer has to prove that the can't find an American to do my job. So far, I've gotten word that résumés have started to come in for my position. How long must this continue, I don't know. It could take as long as six months. What a ridiculous hassle. Anyways ... we're supposed to extend my current H1B 6 months prior to its expiration, until 1/1/10. That will give us the time we need to file for my Employee Green Card, which should start one year before my H1B expires (aka, end of '08). As of right now, everything's 'in the system.' Whatever that means.

I'm trying to remain optimistic, but its difficult. I'm not the happy-go-lucky person I wish I was. Being a Capricorn and a Snake, I am overly cautious. I am very grateful to be with such a wonderful employer and happy with where I am and where I have gotten so far. I'm doing my best at work, and living very modestly. For the first time in my life, I can actually save money and not ask my family for financial help (unfortunate fluke circumstances notwithstanding). I treat myself when I can and when I need to. I'm slowly establishing a good credit history. I watch what I eat. I plan on getting a decent car and furnishing my apartment. Last night, I even talked with a friend about buying property. This is all new to me. And I hope it goes further. But ... in all sincere honesty, I'm really scared. And lonely.

Yet, I do consider myself lucky. I was never one to be born with the golden spoon in my mouth. I just had a stainless steel one. My childhood wasn't horrible, but it wasn't very memorable either. My parents made sure I got the education I needed to achieve a career path I want. I did, and I will always be grateful to them for that. I love my family more that they will ever comprehend. From here on out, I am on my own. Its the mark of adulthood. And its a scary one. My ride here has not have been the smoothest (trust me on that one!), but finally ... I can see the results taking shape.

There are many other who are less fortunate than me. But they still go on, and never give up. Life goes on, and I'm doing my darnest to make the best of it. Good memories last forever, and its time I started.

I'm off to listen to Mandarin Pop. It calms me down, helps me relax, and it reminds me of the good comforts of home.

A Peek Into My Daily Routine.

I love my job. I honestly do. It allows me to be creative and productive at the same time. I'm in a fun, fast and frantic environment, surrounded by those who are similar to me. Those who love to be creative and be around creativity. There's never a dull moment. But there sure is a lot of ridiculous orders that do come through. And unfortunately, it almost always comes from the client. Yes, I realize that the client has the money that pays the bills. Yes, in the end, its their product and we're here to help them get the best they can get. That is why they hired us: for our expertise. And on that note ... good grief! Trust us and let us do our job! We're may not always on target, but creative direction of any sort is our specialty. We get your message across in an efficient, effective and cohesive manner. Successfully. You can't squeeze too much into a single project, because the end result will be disastrous! Clients often do not realize that a lot of problems can be from their own side! Think rationally and be realistic. Use proper judgement (your secretary or kids don't count!) Review it as a complete panel and make one round of changes, not 25! Give us realistic deadlines! Sheesh! What a struggle! Anywho, here's a clip of a very funny and very accurate slice-of-creative-life. Its funny, because its true. Maybe clients should watch this and see how ridiculous they can be. I love being creative, but nothing kills that buzz faster than ridiculous requests from clients.

The shrinkage continues ...

As if Thursday's loss wasn't enough...I get to work today only to find out that we lost 3 more people last Friday. Very sad. This whole ordeal has me concerned. Very concerned. What the heck is going on?!? I have some ideas, but I'll keep them to myself, for now. In the meantime, I am grateful that I am still employed. I guess there's a silver lining to my previous ordeal after all.

On an up side, one of the ladies released this past Thursday visited the office today. Everyone was glad to see her, me included. She looked so much happier, and I know why. She was never happy at her job, always stressing out and lagging behind. When you have a job and a steady paycheck, you tend to become complacent, despite how much you may suffer and hate the job. Sometimes, being forcefully ejected from that position is just what is needed to get things back to the way it should be. A blessing in disguise, if you will. I know, because I was in her exact position at one point. Had I not been released, I would not be where I am today. Sure, it hurts in the beginning, and it is downright scary (especially when you consider my immigration needs). But then you come to the realization that you just may have not been meant to be there, doing what you did. You move on, and you seek happiness again, with a renewed outlook on life. You don't really have a choice.

I will miss her very much, and I hope she finds her happy place in life. Actually, I am very sure she will, and very soon to boot. My best wishes to everyone released from any company. May you find what you're looking for.

One step closer to Equality.

I'm not usually one to follow LGBT news very closely, but this one warrants an honorable mention. May 15, 2008. In a 4-3 vote, the California Supreme Court ruled that domestic partnership isn't enough, and gave their blessing that marriage is based on love and the ability to raise a family, not sexual orientation. Thus, same-sex marriage is deemed legal in the most populous US state, making California the second state that condones same-sex marriage. You don't have to be a resident to obtain a marriage license, but of course, your license would only be recognized only in Massachusetts. A monumental victory indeed. Throngs of wonderful people celebrated the decision in the San Francisco City Hall, and many couples have already made marriage proposals and appointments for marriage licenses. But the fight isn't over yet. Far from it. Religious right-wingers are rallying to delay the implementation of the new ruling while escalating their efforts to put a nationwide Constitutional amendment that would define marriage as the union of one man and one woman thus outlawing same-sex marriages and domestic partnerships altogether). Of course, the LGBT community is pressing even more fervently across the nation to protect their hard-earned victory. Who can blame them? And I completely support them. The presidential elections are coming up very soon, and you have 2 minority leads in that race. It will be a very interesting, tense and terse environment. And just how will Nevada fare out? We have a lot of Californian residents here, and Las Vegas is one of the most popular destination to tie-the-knot (hokey drive-thru weddings notwithstanding, of course). We could use some help with this economic downturn, and we always support love. Stay tuned to gay.com for the latest updates!

An influx of good stuff!

What a busy week it has been. The weather is warming up. I've been insanely busy at work, being part of a team putting together a new book for a potential new client. Its exciting, but its also time consuming. And of course, we get our due dates upped on us. Such is the course of being in the working world.

On the other hand, some good stuff has popped up during the week too. Thanks to a bidder service company, I received my Witchblade figure from Japan, and it looks absolutely stunning. Now I have both of Kotobukiya's Witchblade figures, and they look great as a pair. Yes, I know, I took them out of their boxes ... but I bought them for my personal pleasure, not to keep them sealed away so they can appreciate in value. I also received 3 DVDs (Tweeny Witches v2, xxxHOLiC v2, and the Tsubasa/xxxHOLiC Movie Double Feature). And the best thing of all was that I finally received a letter (for my Labor Certification) from one of my previous agencies that I have been requesting for a few weeks. Now the other one needs to get on the ball and get it done. Sheesh! Its a very simple letter that's already been drafted for them. What's more, its the actual truth this time, as opposed to the last time when my previous nutcase-of-an-attorney advised me to cheat the system.

Beyond that, it's looking to be a great weekend. Though its gonna be in the 100s ... so hydrate!

... I'm still alive ...

Well, the economic recession has started taking its toll on Vegas. Casinos are downsizing their staff numbers and reducing ad/creative budgets and retainers. What does that mean? It means it affects my company as well. In the last 2 weeks, we have seen a reduction in the amount of work, as well as the loss of 10 employees and some business. Friday Lounge has been stopped, and a salary freeze has been implemented. On the other hand, the amount of persnickety details have increased, as well as our stress and anxiety. No one is safe. We had an all-employee meeting today to address the current situation and what's being done. The whole agency had a tense, terse and just all-around negative mucky aura today. Everyone is all doom-n-gloom. As far as my team goes, all the designers are still here. And in my case, after all the agency has had to endure and expend to retain me, letting me go would just be plain stupid (at least, that's what I'd like to think). A production artist sent me this, and I think this is totally fitting. Get your geek cap on and enjoy this cute, happy and rather sarcastic tune. :)

Finding my own self.

These last few months, via some unfortunate events, I've gone through a tremendous change. The glasses. The hair. The outlook. The weight loss. The clothes. That's all well and good. Yet it is all still confusing to me. There's many aspects of my old self that I still love, and always will. Anime, scifi-fantasy, rock-alternative music, dark movies, and others. Yet I am being encouraged to change it to be more ... mainstream. More appealing. More grown-up. More take-home-to-meet-the-family, if you will. More mainstream gay, even. Dolce & Gabbana, Madonna, iPhone, Queer As Folk, Lexus ... that kind of stuff. Now ... some of those changes were necessary, and do make me feel better about myself. I was quite a mess, and not in a good way. Scott was certainly rooting for me to change, and make me into a more sophisticated man in a gay world. Or at least, the gay world he is in. Being who I am, I resisted every step of the way (yep, I'm a stubborn dick).

However, upon going through his 'unemployment' phase, he's backed off quite a bit. No longer do I have to redo my wardrobe from scratch. Now its just creating a companion wardrobe with a few key pieces for a hot night out in LA. That certainly is appealing, but the pricetag isn't! And its certainly not my personal taste. I look like another queer clone. And we're not even talking furniture and cars yet, or dropping anime from my existence!

But lately I've come to the realization that I've got to find a middle ground. I've got to redefine my life and complete it with stuff that is still me, yet will be appealing to others. I'm not giving up anime for anyone. Yet I do enjoy getting some nice new clothes. This will be quite a challenge, and an expensive one at that! I am me. And I am not Scott, or his boyfriend, and I don't live in his world (LA). I'm still not quite sure how to accomplish this, because I'm not used to focusing on myself. Not in this manner, anyways. I don't like juggling acts like that, but I'm doing the best I can. I have no patience. And the more I see myself changing, the more I find myself becoming quite bitter with the world. And why? Because I feel I am being judged on from the outside. Because I feel I must conform. Not good. Not good at all. Why am I doing this to myself?

I don't know.

Okay okay. End of endless schpeal. It gets old. You probably wanna stab me now, then stab yourself because the pain is still there.

A call to Atlanta

I had one more assignment this weekend. I had to come up with a list of questions for a Monday morning conference call with Kim and our immigration attorney. Quite a few coincidences here. Both she and my previous lawyer are in Atlanta, I used to work, live, school and play in Atlanta, and their office is just 10 minutes from where I used to live in Atlanta. Anywho, we got our questions answered. Labor Certification. I-140. I-484. H1B. Traveling. What's new and recent. All of that. The process will be long and silly (not to mention costly). But the ends are worth the means to get there. And that is what I have to keep focused on.

A productive weekend, and a new discovery.

I was a busy boy this weekend. Truth be told, I was in a very lazy mood, but things needed to get done. So what did I do? Well, for starters, I cleaned my bathroom from top to bottom. That includes mopping the entire floor, even where Sable's litterbox is. I seriously hate mopping, but it way overdue. Its amazing how much dust is actually present indoors. While I was at it, I also mopped the kitchen floor and did a load of laundry. Then I went online to pay a few bills and reorder checks. I had brunch with Scott on Sunday, and also wandered down to The Forum Shops at Caeser's Palace to get a pair of shoes. Well, I never got the shoes, but I did get 4 items of clothes on sale. Probably spent way too much money, but I did make a great discovery: I'm even smaller now. I now wear Small tops and 30 hip/30 inseam jeans. If it was my waist, I'm guessing a 29. I have no idea how much I weigh, but I no longer have a fat layer to grab under my jaw. I consider it a good thing. Now I have to keep the weight off ( I want to lose another 10lbs), and stop impulse shopping.

Peau Très Sèche.

That means 'Extremely Dry Skin' in French, and that's exactly what I have. Its bad. I can put lotion on my hands six times at work, and when I get home, they'd be white, dry and flaking. Its been like that for months. Well, I finally broke down and got the Hemp Hand Protector (and accompanying Moisture Gloves) from The Body Shop. They're expensive, but they do work. They're water resistant, so I don't have to reapply everytime I visit the restroom. And the fragrance is slowly growing on me. I'm gonna have to try the rest of their Hemp products, since my skin and lips are always dry ( and I seriously hate Carmex).

Green means GO!

Last weekend was quite interesting. It all began on Friday, when Kim called me into HR. I went in, hoping to hear some good news. Well, I heard some not-so-good news instead. While nothing was confirmed, she informed me that there were 2 obstacles to me obtaining my Permanent Residence through the company. 1) Having to prove that they cannot find suitable candidates to do my job, and 2) Having only a year left on my current H1B. These were serious stumbling blocks, and I was advised to email her throughout the weekend if I find out any additional information. Needless to say, the rest of my day was not in the best spirits.

Surprisingly, I didn't spend too much time this weekend doing research. The way I saw it, what I find in an hour was probably going to be all I am going to find on my own. I posted on an forum with an immigrations section, and did my own internet research. I forwarded all I found to Kim. One interesting item I found was the dates on my previous H1Bs. My first H1B started 01/01/04, which means my 6-year limit should be 01/01/10, 9+ additional months after my current H1B expires on 03/13/09. That would certainly help with the second problem. As for the first, I am sure the attorneys can find a way around it. After all, law is language.

Monday morning comes along, and I am made aware of a third obstacle: Money. Between extending my current H1B, the attorney fees, and money required to apply for a green card, that would be $10000+! That wasn't hot news at all! But ... after lunch, I get an email asking me to come down to HR. There, I learn that Jeremy, my Creative Director, convinced Kim and Ellen (one of the top honchos on the corporate ladder) that I am a worthy investment. Thus, they are going to go ahead and file for my Permanent Residence. That just made my week, even if the week hasn't happened yet! Granted, there is still the issue of eligibility, time, payments and loyalty after obtaining the card. Be it a reduction in salary or a payment plan, I am still ecstatic to hear the good news. I will be my employer's first green card applicant.

The process will be long, and probably quite costly. But after all I have been through, through school and all the jobs I held after school (not to mention all the immigration hassles that came with it), it will be worth it. Its extremely gratifying to know that you've achieved enough experience and skills to have an employer file for a green card on your behalf. That says a lot. Many aren't as fortunate as I have been, and I am extremely honored and grateful for such a chance.

Now I have to think of suitable gifts to Jeremy, Ellen and Kim. Suggestions?

New denims in my wardrobe.

Well, just one. It's been awhile since I last bought any new jeans. I think the last time was even before all that visa fiasco. And even then, they were always boot cut and slightly loose. Well, since then, I've lost quite a bit of weight, and every pair of jeans I have don't fit anymore. In fact, they started getting annoying. I decided to fix that today, by going to the Forum Shops at Caeser's Palace to hunt some denims and Guess and A|X. After trying out both stores and determining my size (I am now a size 32, two sizes smaller), I finally settled on a pair of distressed straight cut stretch denims from A|X. These jeans leave NOTHING to the imagination, and looks good without a belt. And as a bonus, they were on sale for 2/3 of the original price. So now, I have ONE pair of jeans that fit me right. I'll have to get a few more and replace my old ones.

Hello NV Residency!

Today I woke up way too early for a Saturday. Why? because I wanted to go and switch out my Missouri driver's license for a Nevada one. They say you're supposed to do it within 30 days of moving here. Well, I am quite late, since I moved here early January 2007, but I didn't have the necessary documents to get it done either. Well, now I do, and I had no excuse to not get it done. Plus, I was slightly over my 30 days being back in the US. Luckily, the DMV is open on Saturdays was just a 15 minute walk from my place, so it was a nice morning stroll there. Lots of people ahead of in the line before they opened. But once the opened, it was very quick. I was called up in less than 3 minutes upon getting my ticket number. An older gentlemen helped me. He got my name spelled and sequenced right, and mentioned that I have lost weight and looked younger than what my Missouri license indicated. That was really nice of him. Within 30 minutes, I was the owner of a valid, brand new Nevada driver's license. Unfortunately, it will expire in about a year, but that's expected because my H1B expires on that same day too. But, more importantly, it shows that my records are clean, I've done my part to keep current, and I can get into a lot of stuff for free now (Nevada encourages its residents to be a part of the whole experience).

On a side note, HR called me twice on Friday with some questions regarding the next steps. That was a very good thing, as it means they're aware and handling it on their end. I just have to handle my end.

And Gary Gygax rolls a 1 on his saving throw ...

...and now he's a demi-lich. Great. The man that many a geek refer to as the Tolkien of Pen-n-Paper Dungeons & Dragons (along with Dave Arneson) recently passed away due to health complications. RIP. I am forever grateful, as you were one of my many childhood escapism adventures, and you brought to me a wonderful side of fantasy that became the starting point for many a movie, anime, game, novel, and a new geek cult. Surf the Planes, Gygax, and continue your quest for the answers you seek.