photo-shooting
These photos were taken two years ago and my brother-in-law, Benjamin would probably kill me for posting his photos here without his permission. I don’t know how often does he visit my blogs but I don’t think it is that often so I am kind of hoping that by the time he directs his browser to this blog, this post is already buried by other posts (Hah!, Like I blog so often).
I am not a professional photographer and I am not trying to be one but I like taking photos and I really like taking photos of people. I like to pursue this hobby but my problem right now is; there are not a lot of no willing people I can photograph. My husband is very handsome but he’s a lousy model. He feels uncomfortable if I ask him to make some poses for the camera. And there’s my brother-in-law who needs a lot of cajoling before he agrees to do such thing. The last time I got my brother-in-law to do a mini-photo-shooting with me was two years ago and if I ask him that now, he’d probably give me the look that says…hey, I’m a cool guy and that is so gay.
You see, he’s now a teenager and is very self-conscious. He’s no longer the cute little boy who likes to get into my nerve by pulling my hair or by pinching me. He’s now a self-proclaimed DJ and we have to be cool to be near him. I kind of miss those times when he was just a lovely boy who likes to show us crazy stuff he can do.
Time really flies away so fast.
P.S. These photos are unedited. Except for resizing and copyrighting it, I haven’t done any special editing to these photos.
Read Moreday job versus sideline
I remember telling myself that when we settle here (in Austria), I will just stay home and write because I know that my chances of getting a (teaching) job here is very thin. That was when I was earning around 700-1000$ each month from writing. But the financial crisis happened just when it’s time for us to move from China to Austria. The paid blogging industry was also hugely affected by the crisis. 200 words blog posts which were priced at 15$ in 2007 & 2008 declined to 1$ in 2009. There were still a lot of offers but a dollar for a post is just so disheartening.
So I had searched for a day job and I got one I like. In my first month, I got just 3 classes. Then I got 5 classes on my second month. I had plenty of time and was hoping that I could still do some writing on the side but since there was almost no income from writing, I concentrated on my day job. It paid off because right now I have 15 classes…just when the blogging industry is picking up again.
Here is where the problem lies. I want to write and I want to teach but time doesn’t seem to be on my side. They say you cannot serve two masters at once but I don’t think that that’s applicable here. Not one of the two brings me contentment.
Teaching is great. I really like what I do but the business model of the learning center where I work is not something I’d say ideal. I am a freelancer. I am just paid for the hours I worked. Hours and hours spent for preparation are not counted. I pay for most of the materials I use and I don’t get benefits such as 13th & 14th month pay. No Christmas bonus. No paid holidays. I don’t get paid when I am sick. And the most disheartening thing is; my status in the learning center will always be just a freelancer. It’s nothing personal; it’s just their business model. All of their teachers are just freelancers.
Writing is equally great. I really like it too. Sure, I am only paid for the work I do and I also don’t get bonuses and I have to pay for my own insurance BUT I get to stay home, I don’t need to pay for gas, I don’t waste time driving to my place of work, I don’t need to pay for parking tickets, I am my own boss. It’s all cool BUT the income from writing is not fixed. This is what bothers me the most. I can pay for my own insurance but I want a sound mind knowing that I’d get a certain amount at the end of each month.
Now I am trying to do both but I always feel that I don’t have enough time for them.
Read Morea week at ODESK
My first week of working as a freelance writer at ODESK is done and I am hooked!
enjoying a cup of coffee while working on my assignment
I suspect that the reasons are because this is my first job as a freelance writer and that I just love the assignment I got. The pay is ok. I mean, if I would have been based in the Philippines, a 3$/hr rate is very good but since I am in Europe, it means that it is because I really love the job.
My first week brought me 51$. If this will continue, it would mean that I’ll have 204$ in a month. Again, it’s not bad for doing something I love doing.
I am a member of ODESK since November 2009 but it was not until last week when I started to apply for jobs (and immediately got one). Now that I think of it, I would have earned more money, work history, and feedback if I would have started right away. What stopped me from starting right away?
I think the very first one was the TESTS. Yes, there are tests at ODESK but, except for one, you’re not required to take these tests. The only test required is the ODESK readiness test which would entail you to read ODESK’s FAQ or TOS and to download the ODESK software (which is completely safe). IT IS NOT DIFFICULT. And if you fail, you can do it again. Other tests are just there to help you land your first job. For a neophyte, you won’t have a work history to boast about so better take some tests. In this way, your future clients will have something to base your qualifications on.
The second reason was the TIME. I thought… I don’t have time to spare for serious freelance work. I just learned now that that is a complete crap. With ODESK, you control your time. If you have just 2 hours to spare each week, that’s also ok. There are job openings that only ask a few hours each week.
The third reason is because I thought, I AM NOT GOOD ENOUGH. I still think I am not good enough for certain jobs so I don’t apply for them. Simple. When I think I can do a job, I go for it.
Anyone who’s really interested can be successful at ODESK. All you need is a computer and an internet connection and you’re set.
After reading this post and you are still doubtful about ODESK, you can look around for other success stories. There’s a big community of Filipino Odeskers online. You can find them on FaceBook and Ning.
So don’t be like me. Don’t get stuck because of reasons that are actually nonsense. If you really want to work online as a freelancer, ODESK is the best place for you.
Read More