Temp Job.

I remember my very first job in New York: a temp at a city government agency which tracked down abuses within families, and placed abused kids in foster homes.

I was there for about three months.

On my first week, I was already looking for a permanent job. So what I did was during my lunch break, I'd go to employment agencies and register, or I'd call employers using the phone in the hallway.

I got lucky on my third month. An employment agency told me a big law firm had an opening. I applied and got the job and stayed there for four years before I moved to Canada.

My years in Manhattan were happy. Although I didn't have family there except for a cousin and in laws of my sister, I never really got bored nor lonely.

Yes, New York city never sleeps, and it offers a vast array of pleasures - from its huge public library to museums, theatres, department stores, parks, restaurants, and the many different colors of its populace.

One time I hailed a cab to get me to Park Avenue for a doctor's appointment and the driver was a Pinoy. Another time, I bought donuts at Mr. Donut's and was offered free timbits by a Pinoy. (Note: timbits were day old small donuts so they were being unloaded from the counter).

I used to enjoy my lunches on the streets. There were food carts that offered various cuisines - Chinese, Greek, and the famous New York hot dogs. Or I'd go to this take out counter/salad bar where your food will be weighed. Another favorite was a pizza parlor.

After my food purchase, I'd just sit in a corner or a step or simply walk while eating. Or I'd walk to Macy's to make a quick purchase and run back for the afternoon shift.

When I had overtime which was quite often, the office provided free dinner and a free ride. It was not just a ride, but a limo ride.

Working a temp job made my move to New Jersey from Ohio easy. The temp job provided quick money while I was looking for regular, permanent work.

A temp job can be likened to a temporary personal relationship, or an un-committed liaison. It satisfies a need.

Shifting to a permanent job again is akin to a relationship. If you go for a permanent relationship, then commitment is expected of you.

When you get tired of a permanent job, or you get burned out, you could take the easy way out and resign. But in personal relationships, before you jump ship, you have to weigh in the pros and cons.

In the Philippines where there is no divorce , it becomes doubly hard to opt out of marriages. But even without legal separation, there are many couples who choose to live apart permanently and take on new relationships.

Many families now rely on two breadwinners. And with the new found financial independence, many wives, instead of holding on to marriages, become easy proponents of separation.

Whatever the reasons for spousal discords, many couples nowadays find themselves veering more and more away from the traditional Filipino marriage, the one we knew from our parents, the one we thought to be "till death do us part."

Being apart from each other for so long, which is the case for many married overseas Filipino workers, is one of the many reasons for separation. It's common to hear the phrase, " we outgrew each other, we no longer share the same interests, we've grown apart in likes, in tastes, in outlook.

It could be easier to hold on to a temporary relationship; there are no expectations in the first place.

Sometimes I miss my temp job.