Journey of Resilience to Canada II ???? (2019-2024)

The first article in the series was Journey of Resilience to Canada I ????

With the arrival of the second quarter of 2024, I’ve left the concept of rebirth behind. The inability to extend my Canadian Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) or be able to get the PR persists, I find myself embarking on a renewal phase, and now I’ve shifted my focus to what lies within my power giving back to my community and enhancing my employability.

My initial goal was to begin helping others, which somehow strengthened me and helped me plan to pursue the following certifications CISSP, CCSP and C|CISO which will serve as a springboard for my subsequent exploration into the realms of cross-examining AI's, the new knowledge will help me prepare for whatever awaits at the end of this journey. ??

April 2024 was a month when I remembered my father Rafael Ramirez II, and his enduring resilience. His commitment to serving his network, in honour of his legacy, I devoted myself this month to helping my community extensively and serving my mentees and network to the best of my ability. ??

May 2024 was my study month, and engaging in biking provided a much-needed boost to kick off a particularly tough month. Although studying for 2-3 hours a day might not seem like much, balancing family and work commitments alongside my study time proved to be quite demanding. I’ve found it increasingly difficult to learn new information during this family life phase. ???????? ??

June 2024 was the exam month filled with nerves, I realize that over my 20-plus years since earning my bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering, I’ve undertaken nearly a hundred certifications. Strange enough, it’s the two exams I didn’t pass that stand out in my memory - I remember you Cisco CCDP. Standing the CISSP was arduous, stretching to 2 hours and 59 minutes, to be precise. Even I was employing strategies from Destination Certification Inc. I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the almost three hours. The most critical moment came at the 2 hour and 10 minute mark my mind went into I have fail mode, but I managed to recouple and ultimately passed the CISSP certification exam. Immediately after, I began preparing for the CCSP certification without delay. ?? ??

Living in the present moment has truly begun, my current life is full of joy. I have demonstrated to myself that even the wildest dreams can be executed by me. I now consistently see my glass 95% full, despite things not always unfolding according to plan. ??

This last weekend, with my two young children, has been in a vibrant celebration of red and white. My youngest Canadian girl sang the anthem throughout the day and night, humming the melody and the “O Canada!” part perfectly, so I decided to read into the lyrics of the National Anthem for the first time in 5 years. It was a delightful moment to sing it alongside my little ones, and it struck me with a sense of pride to realize that “The True North strong and free!” is woven into the song. These last days I have been living the happiest moments of my life, from my joy I want to wish everyone a very Happy Canada Day! ????

To fellow migrants and temporary workers in Canada facing similar challenges with their PGWP to PR journey: you're not alone. It's not about YOU; it's about being resilient. Our journey may be tough, but we contribute value, efficiency, and resilience to propel Canada forward in this post-pandemic era ??

Below are two small reads that have helped me over the last 3 months.

1. The Harder the Journey - The More Rewarding the Outcome: my role in this journey is key, yet much depends on me enjoying the path and supporting myself in my networks.

2. Live in the PRESENT - Live in the MOMENT, as anxiety about what lies ahead grows within me, I find it essential to stay centered. Reading this article has reinforced the importance of embracing the present, and acknowledging that many aspects of the future remain beyond my control.