Ok. I'm Here, Now What?

How would you feel risking everything because of blind faith in one person, and lose it all?

Reluctant Merchant

Hi, my name is Jim and I'm a displaced Canadian currently in the Philippines (for now, General Santos City).

Before Philippines, I lived in Toronto my whole life.  I used to work for the City of Toronto.

For two years I was cajoled to come here by my father in law.  He is a salesman by profession and gave me a really good sales pitch.  He convinced me really good.  I was sold.  I gave in believing that everything that was said to me by him would be true.  I will tell you later on the whole story.  I'm still debating how much and what to say.

I gave up a lot to come here when I believed in that person.  I quit my job (which my dad still hasn't forgiven me for, possible pension, health/dental benefits, my car which I gave to a friend when we needed help on the last 2 weeks of packing,  my home, and my friends and family.  I gave up my life.

I was wrong though.  Huge mistake.  I got burned.  BIG  TIME.

Now that I'm here, he changed his mind about everything he said and did a complete turn around (WTH?!).

Moving to another country is very stressful and is a big change in someones life.  We moved here to have a new life, a better one, according to him.  Him changing his mind and forgetting what was said made me more stressed.  It turns out that he was on a path to wreck us.  Everything sucked after that.

Now, I am at the opposite end of the pole from what I was/had before.  These days I am behind the eight ball.  I have to say you accomplished what you wanted.  Why in the world would a father do that to his child.  I have no idea.

Coming here, I brought over my life, expectations, dreams and a mountain load of everything (which in a way is a good thing, at least I have something to sell).  I now have nothing and have resorted to selling my stuff to get by (which makes me a reluctant merchant).  There are times I feel lost and sad, but it's ok.  Just have to carry on and be strong (find out who's my strength).

Here's some music for you to listen to.  Press play.