A LIFE WELL-LIVED FATHERHOOD.. Father Vs Dad..

IN NEW ZEALAND The city is Invercargill in Southland in the South Island. As a Computer Programmer of the New Zealand Aluminium Smelters (NZAS), I had the privilege of owning a house on an attractive term. We were the only Filipino family in the city. However, over a dozen Filipinas are married to New Zealanders, who proudly call themselves Kiwi, and have children too. To many of them, I was the first adult Filipino male they met. What was also amazing was, when we got there, there was already the Filipino Association of Southland - and the long-time President was Steve Dempster, a full-blooded Kiwi. We were instant "celebrities", the kids especially, and with that they easily made friends. With my job, I was able to provide them "signature" clothes, top-of-the-line shoes, bikes, and the likes. The house was modest, and everything we needed we had. Every Friday, after work, I go straight to the city center where my family was already there, waiting, and typically get the traditional "fish and chips", wrapped in newspaper, and a bottle of Pepsi for snacks. And Sundays was always special. After attending mass at a catholic church nearby, we go to dine in some fine restaurants, mostly Chinese, and on the way home, drop by Pack'N Save for groceries. I can't help but, in comparing myself to other fathers I knew in my circle, I see myself cushy at the top.