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Well now. I finally have a small bit of free time in order to update my website. Let’s just say it’s been pretty hectic with my oDesk assignments. It’s really more a question of obligation to my clients than unadulterated greed. Mostly. Truth be told, I’m logging about 60 hours a week, as of late. Which is OK – since the new computer affords me the speed that I require, to make writing less of a chore. This month looks to be pretty good, since it has five Wednesdays in it (hence 5 paydays). If I can keep this pace up, I’m looking at an income of over 100,000 pesos. Then, maybe, I’ll slow down a bit.
The trip to Zambales was a fantastic affair. Lots of family members and lots of good food. The side trip to a local resort for the main party (facility courtesy of brother Keiko) was a nice breath of fresh air. Very nice pool, as well. The Philippines is an interesting conglomerate of the primitive mixed with the sophisticated. You may have noticed, in my Facebook photos, that some of the cooking was done outdoors (in the “old” way) and an individual using an old fashioned water pump. But inside the house – everything was modern, right down to the flat panel widescreen TV hooked up to a satellite feed.
Things, here, at home are quite peaceful. The computer is located downstairs, so Alma and I can have the luxury of the main TV, while I type away on my assignments. Currently, I’m writing articles for 3 clients. They consist of; legal website material, LED TV technology research and online casino articles (which will switch to offshore banking, next month). Alma has the opportunity to visit her sister (who lives in another section of town) every now and again and spend the afternoon. This is all made possible by our new housekeeper (Bebe), who shows up 4 days a week – cleans everything and does the laundry. She’s quiet and extremely efficient. The best part is that it’s not expensive to have a housekeeper. The economics here are insane. An air-conditioned taxi ride (in a new vehicle) to the mall (about a half hour) costs about a $1.75! Yet the electricity is a bit more than I was paying in Mississippi! Anyway, things are rolling along here – see you guys, later…
BTW – the photo below is of the main brothers and sisters (minus Randy, who is working in Japan). There were MANY other family members in attendance.
I just got back from the BIG family reunion in the province of Zambales. Lots of food and a really nice day at one of the resorts, there. But it’s back to work, though. I’ll write more about the trip when I have the time. Until then – look me up on Facebook. I’ve posted a few photos.
It’s a bit after midnight and I’m taking a few minutes to update my blog. This is especially enjoyable, since I now have my new computer(!!) It’s a standard HP with a good webcam, speakers, etc. But, it’s just SO much better when I’m working my oDesk assignments, than using the old laptop (although I’ve granted a military retirement to the laptop – with full honors). The thing that surprised me the most was the monitor. I guess I haven’t been keeping up with technology. My previous PC, in the U.S., had a decent 19 inch flat-panel display – but THIS… My monitor is now a 20 inch HIGH DEFINITION display (!!). Outside of a Mac – I’ve never seen such good picture quality on a PC. I’m absolutely stunned. The optical drive comes with Lightscribe technology and Windows 7 has proven to be pretty user-friendly. With my new comfy chair, excellent solid wood workstation and new PC – my writing assignments are truly a joy. Thank you, God. Thank you, very much…
It’s been a while since I’ve updated my blog – but that’s actually a good thing. The lack of attention is not related to anything sinister, like a bout of depression – or anything remotely similar to that. It’s related to the huge amount of work that I’ve acquired from my oDesk freelance writing gigs. I’ve been fortunate enough to balance my assignments, so that when one employer reduces my hours, I can just increase the hours on another assignment. It’s a bit of a juggling act – but certainly do-able. The best part, though, is that I get a lot of positive feedback on my work – with actual client referrals (!!)
My concerted efforts at working more than 40 hours per week have really paid off. I’ll be purchasing my new computer this Thursday – which will make life a lot easier. Last week I bought the “comfy office chair” and life took on a whole new meaning. I’ll probably cut back my hours a bit so I can recover from my recent efforts (maybe just put in around 35 – 40 hrs). Still, my income level will be more than satisfactory. Even in “coasting mode” I’ll be cruising at about 55,000+ pesos a month. That’s actually more than what 2 physicians make, combined, over here (!!). But don’t be fooled. Coming up with original writing content for law firm articles, cosmetic surgical articles, online casino gambling articles and offshore finance articles can be a bit of a challenge. Especially when you’re spending 35-40 hours a week switching back and forth between various mindsets. But, as it stands, I’m learning quite a bit and I work my own schedule. It really doesn’t get any better than that.
In a couple of weeks, I’ll be heading out to the provinces for that family reunion. It looks to be quite the adventure…
Below, you can click on where it says “Hire Me on oDesk”.
It’s been a while since I’ve updated my blog, so I thought I’d take the time to do that now. It’s 3:14 AM, here, in the Philippines and it’s my normal routine to be up for an hour or two to check email, etc. Things have been going rather well, over here. I’ve cranked up my oDesk output to about $360 per week – which is phenomenal. I’m racing towards that new computer and comfy office chair that will make my life a lot easier. Working on a laptop for 7 hours a day, 6 days a week can get old, pretty fast. Especially when the chair you’re sitting on is substandard. But I’m not complaining – gratitude is my middle name for all the work I’ve been getting.
Right now, everyone is asleep, upstairs. Tonight we have a nephew and his girlfriend visiting us, so the current menagerie (besides myself) consists of Alma, niece Rancel and our two guests – all sound asleep. Brother Elmer is at work in the call center and should be finished around 6AM. Downstairs, Ondai (the Filipino wolf-dog) is snoozing under the couch and the pregnant cat is sitting on a table, just outside the front door. The neighbor’s rooster is beginning to crow – adding to the ambiance. The rest of the neighborhood is quiet. Folks don’t usually start their day until about 5AM. Because of the hot tropical climate, it’s usually best to center one’s activities around the early part of the day or the early evening with a siesta in the mid-afternoon (if you can).
With my current financial situation, life has become quite simplified. I’m happy with this, since I no longer look forward to unforeseen complexities. I think the flood and the broken leg were quite sufficient, thank you. These days, I’m just bouncing back and forth between surgical procedure articles and casino gambling hints with occasional forays into town, with Alma, for needed supplies. Next month, I’m scheduled to attend a family reunion out in the provinces. I’m really looking forward to that since it’ll be my first opportunity to see the picturesque side of the Philippines – complete with tropical ocean and delectable seafood. Believe it or not, after a year and a half, I’ve never seen the areas of the Philippines that one sees in the travel commercials. My experiences have been confined to either major business urban areas (where the call centers are situated) or to the less than desirable outlying suburbs (think naked children being bathed on the sidewalks). I have to admit, though, the sub-division, where I live, is pretty cool – complete with roaming vegetable, fish, mango and coconut merchants.
Well, I’m getting tired. Time to go back to bed – until around 7:30AM. Then I’ll get up and start my work routine for the day. See you soon…
From all of us in the Asylum.
Here it is – a couple of days after Christmas and things have quieted down a bit. It’s not easy, taking time out to update my blog since embarking on my oDesk adventure. I picked up another assignment, the other day, to add to my list of things to do. This one is actually kind of enjoyable and provides a much needed break from writing about medical procedures. I’m finding that as I build a solid reputation (that’s reflected on my oDesk profile), getting a premium job is becoming much easier. At the present time, I’m earning about $800 a month. Now, this may seem like a pittance for those of you in the United States, but it’s a different story, here, in the Philippines. For example, according to a Philippine national salary report, a practicing neurologist (with at least 5 years experience) earns an average of 26,085 pesos a month. This translates into $555 USD (!!). Interesting, no? I have to say, though, that the best part is being able to work my own hours. But, to be honest, it can be a double-edged sword. Sure, I can stop and take a nap whenever I feel like it. But with more work being handed to me on a daily basis, I find myself putting hours in, on the laptop, even on my “days off”. Hey – why sit around when you can pick up an extra 2,500 pesos for just a few hours work? The key to all of this is that I’m blessed with the ability to churn out high quality, imaginative and grammatically correct work in a relatively short period of time. I just knew my writing hobby of 40 years would pay off some day.
Anyway – back to Christmas. The days leading up to the holiday were quite unusual. It seems that my sub-division is surrounded by an astonishing array of shack-like homes and mansion-like houses. There seems to be no real separation of the economic classes when it comes to living areas. At least in my particular locality. It’s different, elsewhere, I’m sure.
So, each night (for about a week) leading up to Christmas, we had a multitude of “carolers”. I use the term loosely, since each small group of kids sang the same bizarre song for about one minute – then promptly began begging by chanting “Namamasko po” (the polite form of asking for a gift) – over and over and over again. This would go on until one of us managed to stumble out of the apartment in order to hand them some candy (that we bought for just such a “joyous” occasion). Oh yes, did I mention that each group would bang on a homemade “drum” (plastic cup) in a rhythm that, in no way, matched the song? Normally, this would be fine. However, once they discovered that “an Americano” lived here…well. I suspect that wire communications were sent throughout the Philippine Islands (and a few neighboring countries). I say this because there were enough “carolers” serenading us, on a continual basis, to form their own sovereign nation. It’s a good thing candy is cheap, here. We’re having a big family party in our home on January 3rd, to celebrate the New Year. We chose the 3rd since it falls on a Sunday.
Here’s wishing everyone a Happy Holiday Season…
From me, Alma and the whole cast of characters, here, in the Philippines – Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Henry
I’ve had to take some time off from my regular postings, in order to dedicate extra time to my oDesk pursuits. With that said, there’s really not that much new. I spend a good amount of time at my laptop (which I sincerely need to replace) and life goes on, as usual. It‘s a funny thing, you know. You can spend your whole life just “waiting for things to happen”. Whether it’s graduating from school, a job promotion, finding a new job (for those less fortunate), moving to a new location or just “the next thing” to do. I never really noticed that. Well, actually the closest I came to that was on a cruise ship to Alaska. But even then, I was always waiting for that next huge meal – so I guess that doesn’t count. There are times when I now find myself with absolute “dead air”, in the middle of the day. Nothing to do – like one of those guys who just retired from some hectic job and, after 30 years of frantic running around, suddenly they’re free. Free from schedules. Free from deadlines. Free from meetings and early morning and late afternoon rush hour battles to and from work. Just…free. And there they sit – wondering why they have the nagging sensation that something “needs to be done”. But what? Here, options can be limited. Finish the article for my job assignment – then watch TV or listen to the rooster crow. Hey, by the way, you know how they always depict roosters crowing in the morning as the sun rises on the old farm? It doesn’t work that way. Nope. Those things will crow all-damn-day-long (starting around 4 AM when they seemingly punch their respective time clocks). Seriously. I don’t think they ever “retire”, either. Unless you retire them (if you get my drift). Well, I can’t complain. I just wish that I could learn to slip into instant unconsciousness-on-demand – like the locals seem to be able to do. But that’s more of a metabolism thing…
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