After 2 weeks, we finally received a call from the agency telling us that all documentations have been attended to and approved, and we were told to collect our merchandise – yours truly, Whisky.
We went to the Agency office the next day to collect her ........
I couldn’t wait to see her again ......both Sam and I waited in bated anticipation at the office .....the door opened and there ...standing right before our eyes was Whisky!!..... Sam and I exchanged look and our hearts sank...sunk to the deepest ocean...oh dear!!!
....Whisky was a pale shadow of herself.....she looked gaunt ...her eyes gorges in its sockets......her hair messy and tangled......her skin tanned and dry as if buffalo leather laying out to dry........her sunken cheeks just skin covering the skulls....
...She is nevertheless healthy!....her face broke into a smile.......the smile that is dear and enchanting....the smile that encompasses all that is nice and good about Whisky.
We smile back.....my eyes went teary.
Whisky rushed up to Sam ....hugged Sam like a lost lamb... finally finding its’ mother.....Whisky weep....wept so gently........making me cry so softly that it is making me hurt....
...then Whisky looked up....Sam patted her on the back..........then Whisky turned to my direction.....then..
.......then she lunged towards me with opened arms......[ don’t you dare, don’t you dare ]......then I rushed behind the chair.........then I literally dived between the tables......grabbing the chair... placing it in front of me to form a barricade.......preventing her from hugging me...
......Whisky, however, got hold of my hand....placed it on her forehead and planted a kiss...[ It is customary of her culture in respect of the elders and to ask for forgiveness if any...]
I respected that and felt humbled by it.
To be continued...
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Whisky is coming home.
Sam received a call from Whisky who was at the departure lounge (25th. Oct.) She heard about our plight and wanted to speak to me. I was at the restaurant. Sam did a call-divert and I spoke to Whisky. (approx. 2.10pm). She volunteered to come back to help us until the new replacement maid arrives and she drove some hard bargains – We taught her well, lol.
Listed below are her demands.
1) Bear all travelling expenses – ok
2) Cost of cancellation – ok
3) Cost of entry documentation – ok
4) Cost of permit renewal – ok
5) Passport renewal – ok
6) All future repatriation expenses – ok
7) Airline of her choice for future departure – ok
8) Time of departure of her choice - ok
9) Destination of her choice – ok
10) Full travelling expenses to doorstep (home) – ok
11) To be send to the airport directly by-passing the agency collection center – ok
12) Go out with her friends - NO – she agrees.
13) To have her own handphone – NOPE – she agrees.
14) Be allowed to buy jewelry with her own money – ok, but with supervision.
15) Bear excess luggage weight - no problem
16) All unwanted cloths/kitchen appliances from us and the neighbors to be given to her – no problem but I am not going to bear the cost of deliveries - she agrees.
17) Buy a handphone for her as farewell gift on the date of departure - no promises but will keep in mind – she says ok.
With all the issues ironed out, Whisky began a long arduous journey back to our home with all the bureaucratic red tapes attended to in reverse order.
To be continued.
Listed below are her demands.
1) Bear all travelling expenses – ok
2) Cost of cancellation – ok
3) Cost of entry documentation – ok
4) Cost of permit renewal – ok
5) Passport renewal – ok
6) All future repatriation expenses – ok
7) Airline of her choice for future departure – ok
8) Time of departure of her choice - ok
9) Destination of her choice – ok
10) Full travelling expenses to doorstep (home) – ok
11) To be send to the airport directly by-passing the agency collection center – ok
12) Go out with her friends - NO – she agrees.
13) To have her own handphone – NOPE – she agrees.
14) Be allowed to buy jewelry with her own money – ok, but with supervision.
15) Bear excess luggage weight - no problem
16) All unwanted cloths/kitchen appliances from us and the neighbors to be given to her – no problem but I am not going to bear the cost of deliveries - she agrees.
17) Buy a handphone for her as farewell gift on the date of departure - no promises but will keep in mind – she says ok.
With all the issues ironed out, Whisky began a long arduous journey back to our home with all the bureaucratic red tapes attended to in reverse order.
To be continued.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
The story continues - Whisky.
The story continues – Whisky.
When we realized that Angusinitina was not to be here, we (Sam) contacted the agency’s collection center person-in-charge (24th.) to be put in touch with Whisky. We were told by the personnel that it was impossible to contact any person in the center now as all communications were not allowed for security reasons and that even if it is allowed for a special reason it would be very hard to trace that person as most of them would be incognito, again for security purposes, as most of them would be carrying lots of money and valuables back home.
The personnel, however, agrees to passed the message via words of mouth. We gave up.
The events unfold.
On the 25th. ....I woke up feeling lost....psyching myself up for another tough day........routinely went about my business. I looked at the clock.....10am...mentally made a note......... 11am...Whisky should be at the air-port now ....12.30pm..bye! bye! Whisky.
I had to let go the false hope .....mentally visualizing Whisky’s walking away...passing the custom check point ...eagerly anticipating her journey back home ............f....................
......the plane departs at 1500hrs (3pm).......
Met up with the employment agency personnel at 1pm to discuss the replacement for Angusinitina and going through the prospective maids portfolios.....some too old...some too thin.......some too pretty.....some ugly........one or two, I don’t like the look...some too smart..... I needed more time, I told the officer to make copies of the portfolios to be taken back to go through with Sam.
1.30pm...my thoughts went back to Whisky......wishing her well and safe journey.....
....felt tears welling up.....excused myself, something went into my eyes....told the officer.
Rushed to another appointment with a friend......we are having lunch at 2pm..............bye-bye... Whisky for the last time......looking forward to a good time with my friend at the western food bar...SPAGHETTI..
.....then Sam called......my heart sank!
To be continued....
When we realized that Angusinitina was not to be here, we (Sam) contacted the agency’s collection center person-in-charge (24th.) to be put in touch with Whisky. We were told by the personnel that it was impossible to contact any person in the center now as all communications were not allowed for security reasons and that even if it is allowed for a special reason it would be very hard to trace that person as most of them would be incognito, again for security purposes, as most of them would be carrying lots of money and valuables back home.
The personnel, however, agrees to passed the message via words of mouth. We gave up.
The events unfold.
On the 25th. ....I woke up feeling lost....psyching myself up for another tough day........routinely went about my business. I looked at the clock.....10am...mentally made a note......... 11am...Whisky should be at the air-port now ....12.30pm..bye! bye! Whisky.
I had to let go the false hope .....mentally visualizing Whisky’s walking away...passing the custom check point ...eagerly anticipating her journey back home ............f....................
......the plane departs at 1500hrs (3pm).......
Met up with the employment agency personnel at 1pm to discuss the replacement for Angusinitina and going through the prospective maids portfolios.....some too old...some too thin.......some too pretty.....some ugly........one or two, I don’t like the look...some too smart..... I needed more time, I told the officer to make copies of the portfolios to be taken back to go through with Sam.
1.30pm...my thoughts went back to Whisky......wishing her well and safe journey.....
....felt tears welling up.....excused myself, something went into my eyes....told the officer.
Rushed to another appointment with a friend......we are having lunch at 2pm..............bye-bye... Whisky for the last time......looking forward to a good time with my friend at the western food bar...SPAGHETTI..
.....then Sam called......my heart sank!
To be continued....
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