Fair dinkum Aussie

It's been too long since my last blog. I have no excuse. Just got plain lazy. I allow myself that from time to time. Part of being Australian. No, not the lazy bit--altho one can easily mistake the "laidbackness" for such, particularly if one is so used to the "rushiness" of the big cities---but the allowing myself bit. No worries, no one's pressuring me. Only me. I've learned to allow myself certain luxuries. My choice, my responsibility. Yes, Aussies generally seem to have a huge respect for individual choices and seldom get in the way of them. I was so impressed when a friend told me how she and her family suffered her sister’s choice of boyfriend for years. They progressed to getting engaged but eventually broke off much to the family’s relief. I asked why the family didn’t say anything at the start. Aghast, she said they never interfere with each other’s choices. They knew she would come to her senses. But she had to come to it in her own time and her own way. I was dumbfounded. Lucky the sister didn’t marry the guy. What if she did? what then? I thought to myself. Well, she didn’t and all’s well. No worries.

Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras reminiscent
of UP Lantern Parade 1000-fold

Personal choices. Sydney is now known world-wide for its annual Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras. Every year the numbers get bigger which indicates the increase in "outness" from the gays at the same time increase in acceptance from the general pubic. Live and let live, seems to be the typical attitude. Learning through experience rather than through interference. Very dissimilar to the culture I grew up in. Strong "guidance" from parents and other well-meaning loved ones from cradle to grave was the norm. There are pluses and minuses from either approach. For me, now that I've experienced both, I am thankful that I have. And I am very thankful that I am where I am and that my son has the same opportunities and more. 

Let go Ma.

I do have to watch myself as I still tend to poke my bib into his affairs. Thank heavens my husband reins me back in. Poor Miguel, every time I see him, which is way too seldom. I tend to switch to my "To do" mode. I rattle off things not done yet and start noticing things not quite right with his appearance (e.g. hair too long, button missing, shoes grubby, etc)---mothering is the word---which he tells me annoys him to death---instead of lighting up and just being happy for the visit and letting him be. No wonder the boy does not look forward to the visits, infrequent they already are. Duh. He's doing really well on his own and I really have nothing to worry about. I guess it's part of my empty-nesting angst at not being needed anymore. Not sure if time will heal this wound. I'll learn to let go eventually. God help me. (Note: My son has read this and insists I print a retraction---he does look forward to the visits and he's never felt restricted by me---yey!! Must just be my perception :})

Yes! I have indeed just recently been approved for Australian citizenship.  Had to pass a 20-question test after submitting yet another wave of documentation. I got into the process not for any profound reason, not initially at least, but more because I could. The opportunity presented itself. It was there for the taking. Why not? I really didn't think too much of it. Until I read over the national anthem."...Beneath our radiant Southern Cross we'll toil with hearts and hands....For those who've come across the seas (that's me!) we've boundless plains to share. With courage let us all combine to advance Australia fair..." Then the pledge "From this time forward, under God (optional), I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people, whose democratic beliefs I share, whose rights and liberties I respect, and whose laws I will uphold and obey." Coming from a Catholic country I was struck by the choice soon-to-be citizens are given to pledge loyalty with or without God. After all, some may worship other supreme beings or may not even worship any but themselves. That's allowed and that's ok too. Respect for individual choices, hence differences, is sacred. How good is that? I love the classlessness of the Australian society. It's ideal. Not that you don't see a semblance of social classification anywhere (remember the ferals) but you can meet anyone eye to eye and expect respect. Equality is assumed if not assured. And if you don't give it you can be liable for discrimination. Some ethnic and religious groups take advantage of this. It's become quite fashionable to scream "racial slur" over the smallest slight. Thin-skinned, I'd say. Yes, I agree slinging racial slurs, or religious for that matter, is totally un-Australian (this country was after all founded on immigrants and continue to depend on immigrants for population growth). But so is being thin-skinned!! Get over it. It's become so extreme that even 11-year-old kids are being sued for hurling "racial slurs" at a classmate. Whatever happened to plain old-fashioned bullying? If anyone needs reproving, it's the parents but that's another story.  

Ray Hadley every morning

Prove them wrong by your actions I'd say. Not sure if staying quiet when slighted is an Aussie trait though because they do speak their minds. Talk shows must be the most popular information and entertainment genre in this country. Every raging issue is discussed. Audience participation is critical. I've taken to listening to one every morning. I find it's the best way to get the real news and the pulse of the people. Everyone has a say. Every view is welcome. No one is spared from scrutiny. The current Prime Minister is so unpopular lately because of an unrelenting series of gaffs---cattle export ban, boat people, and now the unpopular carbon tax. I predict a sea change in politics soon. Democracy in action. Not too different from the Philippines which boasts of a free press and the might of people power. The press is so free in fact that journalists have become endangered. 

army guy charged to guide and guard us

Private armies still abound I'm afraid, wielding their own laws. My husband and I came face-to-face with one some years back whilst visiting my sister in Bicol. Mayon volcano was spewing lava at the time and adventurous bushman that he is, Stan wanted to trek up the volcano. Villagers were already being evacuated and entry up the volcano was restricted (but of course!). My intrepid brother-in-law, not wanting to disappoint his new relation, called in some favours and the mayor himself sent his private army to escort us on our "tour". Ahh the privileges of class. 

Warning sign @ foot of Mayon

We go with the flow. Great to be on the receiving end. When in Rome......So what does getting an Australian citizenship mean to me? It means that I've found a good fit in this world. I will perhaps still be a square peg in a round hole but I feel that the fit is more comfortable here. Not so much materially but in the general approach to life. Perhaps the years have softened me as well. I'm sure its' significance will dawn on me more once I've officially made that pledge. I get to enjoy two countries rights and privileges which is a real bonus. Have my cake and eat it two (forgive the pun, couldn't help myself). Now to practice my swearing and I reckon I'll be a fair dinkum Aussie. Bloody oath.

Talk about the weather

drought-stricken; oranges left to rot

I have never thought about the weather so much as when I moved to Australia. Now I even talk about it. A lot. And no, it is not as mundane a topic as it would be back home where the weather is predictable and more or less stable all year long. Back home, you know when the wet months are and when they stop. Even during the wet months, you can expect the rains to start at late afternoon and end at sunrise. Over here in Victoria, particularly Mildura, weather is not as predictable and is a major topic of discussion. Understandable because it's a largely agricultural area. Fortunes are made or lost at a drastic shift of the mercury. Ten years we had the drought. Supply of water was restricted everywhere. The farmers really suffered, with the smaller ones having to sell out for a sum much less than what they started with. Water being so precious, it is treated as a commodity. Unbundled with the land, it renders waterless land worthless. You can understand why depression can get rife in these parts. We had to stop watering our lawns for a spell until they realised our trees were dying. They then allowed us to keep the trees alive, watering them only at certain days and only for a few hours.

red earth spraying in the bush

Never mind washing our cars. I used to fret if I had to drive around Manila in an unwashed car. Now I wash my car rarely. Heck, dirty mud-caked 4WDs are in vogue in the big cities, some even put mud spray to make their 4WDs look like they've seen some offroad action. Ha! You gotta love the macho appeal the country presents to city slickers. No one minds. Mud, bird poop, even the remains of some wildlife caught while driving--usually a ubiquitous magpie. All come with the package of country living.

backyard billabong back to life

The rains unexpectedly came late last year and continued intermittently till recently. Bucketfulls. Wild weather indeed. So much so that the once dried up billabong in our backyard has come back to life again. Lovely. It's now home to countless specie of beautiful birds, frogs, snakes (I'm sure), and the very annoying mozzies! Arrgh. I've never felt so many attacking me at all times of the day, not just at dusk. Nor have I ever seen so many types of mosquito repellants: citronella candles, torches, sprays, creams, electric zappers, tried them all but guess what I found to be the most effective---the humble mosquito coil, the katol. Despite all the fancy, new-fangled inventions, it's back to the basics. I must try the citronella scented katol. I'm sure it's more pleasant than the orig.

 we used a boat to access our property!

We've been quite fortunate that that's the extent of the damage the heavy rains wrought us. Elsewhere in Victoria, whole towns have been inundated with the avalanche of water from the sky. To add to the distress, the mighty Murray threatened to overflow its banks. But that's not half the trouble folks from northern Queensland had to bear. Monster cyclone Yasi wrought so much damage and mayhem the country's ever seen. Much like super typhoon Ondoy in the Philippines but with a much larger area of destruction and a much smaller population affected. With water inundating the north and south, bit ironic that bush fires would erupt in the west! But through all this wild weather, order was quickly restored.

Yasi flattened entire towns

Adversity brings out the true character of a people. This time of natural calamity---any time, come to think of it---certainly brought out the best in the Aussies. I marvelled at the speed in which armies of trained and untrained volunteers came from everywhere to lend a helping hand. The community spirit was awe-inspiring. Much like our bayanihan spirit. This one's bayanihan to the nth degree. Sandbagging, cleaning, building, cooking, whatever was needed. Not to mention the donations. Millions were raised virtually overnight. The outpouring of support restores one's faith in humankind. In this land of plenty, the plentiful also give plentifully. How wonderful. Yes, I feel so fortunate to be living here. God's lucky country indeed. 

You gotta love the Aussie sense of humour too. On the eve of the onslaught of the worst disaster in Australian living memory, towns that didn't have to evacuate but were still under threat were making the most of the wait by having a "Kiss my Yasi" barbie. Surrounded by mates, quaffing their favourite ale what could be better? Ha! Acceptance mixed with irreverence. Again, much like Pinoy humour but without the self-deprecation. The changes in weather patterns are quite extreme in the southern hemisphere I guess particularly this time due to the La Nina effect. I hear later this year, La Nina will switch to El Nino. Come what may, I am confident I am in the best hands. Yes, I reckon I will take up the offer of citizenship this year (don't worry, it's dual---not relinquishing my Filipinohood, nevah!). I will be proud to be one of them. Bloody oath.