Product of the Immigrant Life

Today as I was leaving a comment on one of my hi5 friends page I came across this poem called 'Immigrant Life' by Zion. It's a poignant piece that capitulates the struggle of an immigrant. Me, being the PNG pikinini that I am, immancipated in the rat race of first world surburbia, had to stop and relate.

As i read through every line i nodded in agreement. It portrays the struggle and the sacrifice of a true survivor.It's a personal feat, one which i'm confident that most foreigners who leave their motherland in search of a better life will have had the taste of this lemon on one level or another.

When you leave your country, family and culture you leave behind your comfortzone and you put yourself out there. Yes, all valunerable and insignificant, in a foreign maze, praying to find the right exit that will lead you to the whimsical door of opportunities. Be warned though, many a good people have tried and failed.

We all head out with big dreams and expectations but what really awaits us is reality. This reality, has no compassion or compromise. It is neither your friend nor foe. If you treat this 'brave new world' as if you were sleeping with the enemy, then you will have positioned yourself to second guess any potential issues. It's true what they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

So, give the obstacles and challenges the respect they are due, after all, they ultimately will make or break your character. If you come out victories, with nothing but your dignity and pride, you have succeeded. The first part of your journey has come to pass.The rest will be history, laced with the honey sweet nector of living large.

"Immigrant Life"

by Zion
Farren life nuh easy
hear mi when mi seh
if yuh tink yuh caa stan it
stay whe yuh deh

Family always tell yuh
yuh can come an stay wid dem
but if yuh stay more dan two weeks
trust mi, is a big problem

yuh nuh always get work dat yuh want
caas it nuh suh easy fi find
suh yuh haffi tek whe yuh get
just mek up yuh mind

false Pride haffi drap
and sometimes yuh start over
yuh haffi know runnings
and sometimes duh tings under cover

I am not discouraging yuh
caas di world is one big gate
yuh can mek it anyweh
if yuh have yuh head on straight

2007, the year that is.....

as 2007 draws to a close I'm sitting here pondering about what this year has signified for me. on the onset, what immediately comes to mind is the pain and hurt of a love lost. how betrayal and deception brought me to the lowest point in my life and re-acquainted me with despair and loneliness. a cocktail of negative energies that drained me emotionally. NEVER AGAIN.... but as i look further into the 340+ days i smile. i can proudly attest to the joy and happiness of true friendship. it's a beautiful thing. when you meet certain people and they touch your life in a powerful way you can never be the same again. it doesn't matter who they are or where they come from it's a spiritual bond that time nor distance can shake. one of my many highlight of 2007 was having the opportunity to travel and see what the east coast of the US had to offer. i must say that this part of the country is beautiful, the flora and fauna unbelievable and the scenery breathtaking.it has been the adventure of a lifetime and i can't save fast enough to go and see the rest of the US. financially, i had a big savings dream but as usual the never ending expenses quickly dashed away any hopes of starting my nest egg. it just seems that when i finally put a little aside, something breaks, gets stolen or needs to be repaired. in addition, my family back home [PNG Represent] think i own a bank coz the amount of withdrawals i made from my account to give them was enough to feed a whole village in Darfur. but , I'm not bitter, whats the use of having if you cant give to others... besides it makes me happy. yep, so i 'm guessing I'll never be rich. all in all its been an eventful year full of drama, heartache and love. any delusions of grandeur that i may have had has unceremoniously been slapped out of me. its a good thing too, i was getting a little bit tired of me. once again all the positive life changing events have made the setbacks seem trivial. nevertheless, all have been saved in my memory bank just waiting for me to call upon. so as i think about 2008 i pray that i continue to be blessed and never for a minute be ungrateful for all that i have and will have. but importantly i give thanks to the almighty Creator because through him all things are possible. THE JOURNEY CONTINUES......