I never thought I’ll come this far. It was leap year on 28th February 2004, as I board the plane bound to Dubai while I nervously wait for the clock to tick at 23:55pm for the plane to depart from Manila. My heart is pounding, hands cold and shaking in nervousness, it’s like I'll be having a heart attack anytime. While my mind is also flying thinking of what future this new place will bring. A lot of questions linger in my head, particularly on how I will survive in this foreign land, would it be easy to adjust mainly in adopting their culture. This is my first time to be far from home, well just thinking of that gives me enormous goose bumps. 8 hours direct flight I have to endure as I was preoccupied with the twist and turn of my conk head.
29th February 2004 4:20 am (Dubai time) I heard the pilot says that our plane is about to land. I feel butterflies in my stomach that made me feel sick yet excited because I will be with my sister who’ll be my constant companion throughout my adjustment period. I was happy upon seeing my sister as she welcomes me and I felt that I’m home. Her smile assured me that I will be safe and secured. Though a bit sad because the next day will be my BF's birthday and I wont be around to celebrate the day with him, sigh!!!
As expected, hunting for a job was never that easy. After 2 weeks I got my first job as a clerk in an insurance company. The salary is just enough to cover my needs/expenses which is considerably better than nothing at all. It was past 2 weeks then when I receive a call for an interview, it’s a local bank. I have gone through series of interviews and exams and I’m glad that I was able to pass all those. Luckily I got hired as a support staff with a considerable pay. Landing to work in a bank was never in my thought, given that I hate numbers and the fact that I don’t have any banking experience, while all I want is to have a decent and good paying job. But God is great for he has given something which is least expected.
In Manila my day will not be complete without spending quality time with my BF, we’ve been apart for 3 long months since I landed in Dubai and that was the longest ever in our love history. End of May 2004 we’re finally back to each others arms, the feeling that time was unexplainable. And thank god we were able to establish our future in this country, the place where we struggle to be where we are right now.
Dubai will always have a special place in my heart. In the past 5 years, I have learned to love this country along with their culture as I embrace their way of living. In the midst of uncertainties I was able to conquer life in a land which is way different from the country I was raised.
With great pride and honor I am proud to be an OFW.
29th February 2004 4:20 am (Dubai time) I heard the pilot says that our plane is about to land. I feel butterflies in my stomach that made me feel sick yet excited because I will be with my sister who’ll be my constant companion throughout my adjustment period. I was happy upon seeing my sister as she welcomes me and I felt that I’m home. Her smile assured me that I will be safe and secured. Though a bit sad because the next day will be my BF's birthday and I wont be around to celebrate the day with him, sigh!!!
As expected, hunting for a job was never that easy. After 2 weeks I got my first job as a clerk in an insurance company. The salary is just enough to cover my needs/expenses which is considerably better than nothing at all. It was past 2 weeks then when I receive a call for an interview, it’s a local bank. I have gone through series of interviews and exams and I’m glad that I was able to pass all those. Luckily I got hired as a support staff with a considerable pay. Landing to work in a bank was never in my thought, given that I hate numbers and the fact that I don’t have any banking experience, while all I want is to have a decent and good paying job. But God is great for he has given something which is least expected.
In Manila my day will not be complete without spending quality time with my BF, we’ve been apart for 3 long months since I landed in Dubai and that was the longest ever in our love history. End of May 2004 we’re finally back to each others arms, the feeling that time was unexplainable. And thank god we were able to establish our future in this country, the place where we struggle to be where we are right now.
Dubai will always have a special place in my heart. In the past 5 years, I have learned to love this country along with their culture as I embrace their way of living. In the midst of uncertainties I was able to conquer life in a land which is way different from the country I was raised.
With great pride and honor I am proud to be an OFW.
