Hi.

So look, um I've been in a pretty sad state, and I'm opening commissions for the money.

This isn't for me. But um, immigration to Canada, isn't easy and my parents have been on and off with loans for almost all the years we've been here, and right now they're in a hole and there's a grad trip this year for $600 and I just don't want to make their burden heavier than it is.

Let me explain.

My dad is a kidney specialist. That like, high hierarchy in doctor-dom. My mom has a lotta certificates, so she's actually more than one rank. She's able to be a family doctor, a general doctor, an ultrasound specialist, and finally (*cringe*) an ob/gyn. (I know. Gross. Egh. But someone has to have done it. Gruh.)

Anyways, when they got to Canada...that all went in the trash.

And...It just sorta stings, y'know? Um, they're both incredibly intelligent and even though they haven't been in practice in over eight years, at doctor appointments and everything, usually they diagnose better than said doctor - without equipment. Canada has this degree judging policy for international students. And it accepts their education or their diplomas and degrees (there's a bunch it took like one hours to scan once -_-) as on par with its own.

But it makes them take over seven different exams, for which they pay money in the quintuple-digit zone to get to.

My mom's working at a grocery store. She drops off kids at my sister's elementary for the money. My dad works night shift to try and study.

And...dammit...I don't want them in pain, but there it is. And even then, they're smiling and it tears me up and even when they crush me to a tiny little speck it's ok because...because dammit the amount of stress they have is nothing people like them should have to bear.

I cry silently, you know that? I've cried in public places, even though I hate it, but no one ever knows and that's good because I don't want them to see me like this.

You guys have seen me like this before. Kinda.

This is me.

Back home, these people were rich. And here, they're lower middle-class.

I hate that.

Um, my mom (being the ever-flexible one) is going to try and do a Biotechnology thing. A two year course that pays good money. Not what she was made for. Not what she is. But better than what she has right now. A lot better. And we're gonna have to scrape by, but we've been doing that always and it's okay.

Because, I guess it's a family thing, but we're pretty good at hiding that stuff. The weak emotional stuff.

And now I'm showing it to all of you.

And so, um backtracking yeah, (sorry writing this made me cry a bit) I want to make up a bit of money. So yeah, Commissions.

If you want me to write you something, or draw you something, even if its a huge mega painting, talk to me.

I need the money. Please. Thank you.

-me