Life is hard…and definitely not fair!

The above statement is absolutely true! BUT life can still be FUN – EXCITING – SURPRISING, but in most cases (unless you are a lottery winner) you have to MAKE it so.  If you are reading this (is there anybody out there?) you are likely to be an aspiring writer (there are lots) or a friend of mine (there are few!).  Whichever, I want to pass on some thoughts.

Starbucks was putting up its Christmas Decorations yesterday – it made me really think.  What have I done this year?  Have I helped anyone?  Have I improved myself?  Have I achieved anything?  After a lot of reflection I managed to answer YES to all three questions.  For a start, I have written, designed and published a full length novel – take a look if you want – http://rx.hu/X9Sg

I have learnt many things since I have lived in Asia. The wonderful people around me mostly have less money in a year than we fat (ok, I know, but I am try hard to lose it) westerners earn in a month – but I know for certain that generally they are far happier than us, because of their ATTITUDE.  We all read of a growing number of people who have enough wealth to last them a hundred lifetimes, but they still want more.  I would take a bet that right now I am happier than most of them.

If you look after yourself and always think about what you HAVE, and not want you DON’T HAVE, you are well on your way to being richer than Mitt Romney!

Oh well, enough ramblings.  In my lonely path towards becoming a better writer, I have read thousands of pages about writing, publishing, marketing and fish farming (the last was fascinating but not very helpful).  Next week I will be trying to list those who have helped me – so that you may also benefit from their words of wisdom.  In the meantime, please ‘like’ me ‘follow’ me – all the links are below.  Ten years ago, if I asked someone to like me and follow me I would probably have been arrested!  Times change …… Bye for now.  KBO.

‘like’ me on Facebook – www.facebook.com/arthurcrandonauthor

‘follow’ me on Twitter – @arthurcrandon

Email me at:  arthurcrandon@yahoo.com (please do, it is lonely checking an empty inbox each day!)

 

GREEN CARD LOTTERY – A Lucky Dip to get to the USA.

 Every year more than 50,000 people immigrate to America by winning the Green Card Lottery. (more properly known as the Diversity Lottery Program.  Countries who do not usually send many immigrants to the US are granted a quota each year.  The lottery is helped by the State Dept and more than 100,000 applicants are selected.  Many will later be found not to qualify for other reasons or will drop out, but once 55,000 successful visa applications are approved for the year, no more applications will be considered until the next year.  If you are successful in you application through the Diversity Visa Lottery Program you will be authorized to live and work permanently in the United States. You will also be allowed to bring your spouse and any unmarried children under the age of 21 to the United States.

A Green Card is a permanent residence visa and gives a person the legal right to LIVE, WORK AND STUDY permanently in the United States and to enter and leave the country freely. You may work in any government, public and private job that is available. A permanent residence visa is generally good for life. Green Card holders also receive health, education, retirement, taxation, social security and other benefits. The Green Card DOES NOT affect your present citizenship. A Green Card holder may later apply for United States Citizenship, if desired.

.Each year approximately 25% of all entries are disqualified, many for formal reasons. Using a registration and application submission service will ensure your application stands a full chance in this program.

Application to the Green Card Diversity Lottery Program is open for all individuals worldwide that fulfill the two basic entry requirements:

You must be born in a qualifying country, that is, a country which does not normally send more than 50,000 people per year – a full list is     available on the website.  In case you were not born in a qualifying country you may still be eligible.  If your spouse was born in a qualifying      country, you can claim your spouse’s country of birth.  If both of your parents were born in a qualifying country and did not live (resided) in your country at the time of your birth, you can claim any of your parent’s country of birth.

You must meet either the education OR work experience requirement.
To enter the USA 2012 Green Card Lottery DV-2014 Program you must qualify with either the education or the work experience requirement.

You must have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent, which is having completed 12 years of elementary and secondary school, or you must have two years of work experience, within the past five years, in a job that required at least two years of training.

Note that you will not need to submit proof that you satisfy these requirements at the moment of applying for the 2012 USA Green Card Lottery, but in case you win a Green Card to the United States, you will have to submit them.   I am happy to help or answer any queries about the green card lottery.

In the Beginning there was …….. just me!

Arthur Crandon at work

Ok, here goes.  Why did I start this blog?  Because I wanted to get famous practice my writing skills.  ………     Ok, it was to get famous AND practise my writing skills.  Also, I need a lot of help, as we all do, and I think I will only get that help if I can offer something in return (either now or later).

My interests are writing, writing, and if I get time, even more writing.  I want to write exciting fiction about Law, The Philippines, Human Rights – because these are the things I know some things about – especially immigration law, bribery, corruption and lawlessness in the Philippines, and the lack of human rights for certain groups in Asia – eg Domestic Helpers in Hong Kong, the poor in the Philippines etc.

These things interest me passionately and I will post occasional blogs about all these matters – PLEASE let me have your thoughts, comments, disagreement, whatever.

I will also review books that interest me and recommend them, just because I like doing it – no charge, so if you are an author, send it along – let’s try to help each other.

Ok, What can I GIVE?  Well, all I can offer is my time and whatever expertise I have gathered in my 58 years.  Feel free to ask anything, I will do my best to help.

In terms of publishing, I have been through the meat grinder of self publishing over the last six months.  It is going quite well, but I know I have still got so much to learn. On the other hand, despite setbacks and disappointments I have learned a lot, and I am happy to assist and advise anyone drowning in the sea of writing and publishing on a limited budget with no money. It’s not all doom and Gloom.  There is also despair, loss of confidence and depression.

Despite all the above I am enjoying myself, and I will keep on trucking writing.  I expect to be lonely here for a while, but please take pity and leave me a reply or a post when you can – and watch this space!!!