Last February 11, a parcel has arrived in the office. It contained the item that I had dreamed to acquire since I was young. I got too excited that I immediately ripped open the package to examine my newly acquired possession.
Finally! I got my passport!
I have to share this with you because I believed that I was indebted to tell the story it entails.
Let me tell you my context.
Milieu Familial
I have been working for 1 year and 4 months, but I was not able to process my passport during that term. I am the breadwinner of the family and I single-handedly support my sister who is now in her third year in college. A big chunk of my salary would go to her tuition fee and daily allowance.
I couldn't blame my parents because they also have burdens to bear. My father is a security guard in a cement company; earning a minimum wage. My mother worked as factory worker, still a minimum wage earner. Their salaries combined, could not send my sister to college, considering other expenses in the house. My younger brother couldn't continue his studies due to our financial situation. He had to stop and work as a cashier in a convenience store. My sister should have graduated already, but she stopped for 2 years just to let me finish my studies.
Although I was a scholar, we were so impoverished that time that my monthly allowance will be used to buy daily necessities, instead of using it for my studies. I can still remember that when I was in college, I worked as a freelance writer, earning a few dollars to be used as my daily allowance. I even sell munchkins (some called it "Graham balls") and the earnings were used as my transportation allowance. Those who knew me would be able to attest to that.
Now that I am working, I fulfilled my promise to my sister when she stopped her studies. I made a promise that no matter how long, I will support her. Even if it takes 90% of my salary, I will still support her in college.
Ma Situation Actuelle
I was always complaining of how undervalued and undercompensated engineers are in the Philippines. I will always say that my monthly salary is not enough to raise a decent family. A single day job is not enough so we have to find another way of earning extra to compensate for our wants and other expenses.
Here comes steemit.
I have been scammed in my online freelance gigs many times before. This is due to my insatiable desire to earn more that I have to forgo all the necessary layers of security. When a potential employer offers bigger amount than usual, I will always grab it even if it's shady. This increased my risk appetite. When 
I already told you this, but I'll repeat it again. I became debt free earlier this January because of steemit. I am now enjoying financial freedom because of steemit. I never thought this would happen way sooner than I expected. Last year, I thought that I would be officially debt free late this year. But steemit happened, so I guess I'm ahead of my schedule.
Considering that the needs of my family have been met, I really aspire to travel around the world.
Mes Objectifs de Voyage
If you look at my blog page, one of my bios says that I'm a frustrated traveler. Frustrated because I really want to travel, but my situation prevents me from doing so. I want to be immersed in different cultures. I want to expand my knowledge about the world. I want to understand different views and perceptions. I simply believed that I can do all that if I travel.
Since I was young, I have been dreaming of going to places I've never been. I couldn't be contained in one place. My mother believed in superstition, so she thought I'm such because of the mole at the sole of my feet.
The Philippine passport might be too far from being the most powerful passport in the world, but I thought that it is my only gateway to the world. Last January, Rappler listed 63 countries where a Philippine passport holder can travel visa-free. Not bad!
Did I tell you that acquiring my passport was possible because of steemit? Yes! Every expense in the process is from my steemit earnings. I had to process my passport in Bacolod because all slots in Cebu are not available until June.
Et Maintenant Que?
To be honest, I don't know. I don't have any plans in mind yet. I have still to consider a lot of factors before I can come up with a decision. In a way, I still have to consider those who are at stake. One thing is for sure; I'll be traveling. I don't know when exactly, but I'm certain it's in the near future. I don't have to worry though, because Philippine passports now have 10 years validity.
I know the world is waiting for me. It will just wait. I don't have to be hasty.
Let's just wait and see where Steemit will lead me.
Please don't mind the French headings. I don't know how to speak in French. I just feel like adding something in French. Yeah! I just use Google Translate.