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About Me

Who is Marie Gonzales?


Welcome to my personal blog, a space where I share my passions and experiences. Here, I aim to inspire you to embrace life fully and find purpose.

Originally from the Philippines, I moved to New Zealand just a couple of weeks before the world was impacted by COVID-19. At 25, my family and I made the bold decision to start anew in a different country. Time has flown by, and I am now approaching 29.

In the Philippines, I pursued various certifications and training:

  • Certified in Caregiving
  • Registered First Aid Provider
  • Completed a course in Computer Secretarial
  • Studied Electronics


(Me, training for first aid). Part of the First Aider Training includes: CPR (adult, child and infant), AED, Choking or also known as foreign body airway obstruction, treating minor injuries/cuts/burns, bandaging

Me, volunteering in an Aged Care Facility in the Philippines.

I studied Caregiving for my grandmother, because she keeps on going in and out of the hospital for 6 continuous months and hiring a private nurse is expensive, so I took the liberty of nursing my own grandmother by completing this 6-month course.

Volunteering at an orphanage in the Philippines was one of the best decisions I've ever made. During my time there, I had the privilege of working with children who taught me more about resilience and joy than I could have imagined. The bonds we formed and the lessons we shared have left a lasting impact on my life.

It's an experience I hold close to my heart and one that continues to inspire me every day.


Me, on my last day. Getting ready to move to another country.

At the girls bedroom.

The letters I received on my last day. (Ate means noona in Korean, didi in Indian, big sister in English).





Heavenly Father, I humbly ask You to continue to watch these children as they grow. Teach them to live according to Your will, help them live in peace and purpose, Father. Give them new set of eyes so they can raise You higher. Let them experience You and Your love. Free them so they can face tomorrow knowing that they are accepted, forgiven and loved. Help them find their way to their forever families.

******

I used to work as a Customer Service Representative (for 2 Financial Accounts for US based customers). And I used to be a Soprano choir member in my local Minor Basilica Parish Church in Taytay, Rizal.

After work in the Philippines.

Our local Parish of St. John the Baptist. Me and my siblings grew up here. This is our second home!


02/03/2020 — Me with my siblings. Our only/last photo before we board our plane to NZ.

Second to the shortest. Me and Emman are always loved by our older siblings.

Four sisters in a wedding! I did a lot of crawling, running, yelling, screaming and tumbling here. I did my best given that I was the youngest that time.

After relocating to New Zealand, I initially worked at a fast-food restaurant and later as a cleaner. I then joined a knitting company specializing in school uniforms, where I served as a Quality Control specialist. Balancing two jobs for nearly three years, I worked from 7 am to 11 pm, sometimes until midnight. This demanding schedule took a toll on my health, leading me to reassess my work-life balance.

This is working at the comfort of my palace during second wave of Covid.

And this is me working back onsite after second wave of Covid.

Currently, I am back to doing what I love, working full-time as a Data Entry Call Centre Agent in the City of Auckland.

Living overseas as an adult has been challenging. There are days when I feel lonely, but I've embraced and overcome these feelings. Starting from scratch in a new country can be overwhelming, especially without a support system. However, I've learned to connect with others, believing that good things happen to good people.

In my free time, I enjoy singing, writing blogs, composing short poems, and reading non-fiction self-help books. I learned dressmaking from my mother at a young age. I also enjoy spending quality time with family and friends, exploring cafes, and dressing up. Meeting and talking to new people, whether online or in person, is something I cherish.

I hope my journey resonates with you and inspires you to embrace life's challenges and joys.

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Location:New Zealand Auckland, New Zealand

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