This month, I am celebrating my 4th year of working in the Gulf. A very happy ‘cuatro sa disyerto’ to me!
Time really does fly. Who would have known I will get the chance to live in this part of the world? It was painful to leave my parents back home and I still miss them terribly. I also experience stabs of homesickness every now and then. I thought that by this time, I would already be immune to it. On the contrary, it actually got worse. I remember crying my eyes out last year while waiting to board the plane bound to Dubai. Nonetheless, I have always regarded working here as a blessing. I am perpetually thankful to God whose hand has led me in this place. If there’s one thing that I have learned here, that would be to have a grateful heart for even the littlest of graces received. Actually learning just ‘one’ thing will do so much injustice considering the length of time I have stayed here. So here’s a random list of what the desert has taught me (just some – there are still loads to learn!)
1. I am a ‘Kabayan’ and I’m proud of it!
Filipinos here call each other ‘Kabayan’. I admit that it took me a while to be comfortable in using it. It sounded too… patriotic hehe. Even other expats mimic our use of the term and call us ‘Kabayan’ too!
I have high esteem for all OFWs. I know what it feels like to work our a** off while being a million miles away from our family– which brings me to point #2
2. Family. They’re the reason.
The very basic motive why we chose to leave our family is to give them a better life. Okay, I need to be more specific for the married peeps: Family you left behind – those who are legally your spouse and not the one you “accidentally” got involved with as soon as you stepped out of the plane (rant mode).
3. Freedom. It’s intoxicating.
You can basically do anything and everything here – except of course if it’s prohibited by law. The point is that there’s nobody to tell you what you can’t or what you shouldn’t. You are entirely responsible for yourself. You are accountable for all your actions. This kind of freedom is intoxicating. You can drown and get drunk with it all you want. Sadly, a lot of people do and tend to forget #2 above.
4. I can cook!
I’ve had a very sheltered life back home. I would wake up and find supper (I work nightshift) waiting for me. I can do different household chores but mama would lovingly opt to do it instead. So all I generally did was to eat, work, go home, sleep & repeat the same routine over and over again. When I got here, I learned to rely on myself and found out I can actually cook! Believe me, my dishes are edible! Haha! Now, I love cooking for my husband. He’s not a picky eater anyway so he basically eats anything and everything I prepare for him.
5. Save, save, save but don’t forget to have fun, fun, fun once in a while.
My mama would always remind me to save even just a small percentage of my salary. I’m happy to take her piece of advice. I realize that I won’t be forever young so I need to spend wisely and save ‘for the rainy days’.
While doing this, one should not neglect the importance of rewarding one’s self. My idea of reward is very cheap though. I consider buying a new shirt or having a lovely dinner with habibi a golden prize for working so hard.
Time really does fly. Who would have known I will get the chance to live in this part of the world? It was painful to leave my parents back home and I still miss them terribly. I also experience stabs of homesickness every now and then. I thought that by this time, I would already be immune to it. On the contrary, it actually got worse. I remember crying my eyes out last year while waiting to board the plane bound to Dubai. Nonetheless, I have always regarded working here as a blessing. I am perpetually thankful to God whose hand has led me in this place. If there’s one thing that I have learned here, that would be to have a grateful heart for even the littlest of graces received. Actually learning just ‘one’ thing will do so much injustice considering the length of time I have stayed here. So here’s a random list of what the desert has taught me (just some – there are still loads to learn!)
1. I am a ‘Kabayan’ and I’m proud of it!
Filipinos here call each other ‘Kabayan’. I admit that it took me a while to be comfortable in using it. It sounded too… patriotic hehe. Even other expats mimic our use of the term and call us ‘Kabayan’ too!
I have high esteem for all OFWs. I know what it feels like to work our a** off while being a million miles away from our family– which brings me to point #2
2. Family. They’re the reason.
The very basic motive why we chose to leave our family is to give them a better life. Okay, I need to be more specific for the married peeps: Family you left behind – those who are legally your spouse and not the one you “accidentally” got involved with as soon as you stepped out of the plane (rant mode).
3. Freedom. It’s intoxicating.
You can basically do anything and everything here – except of course if it’s prohibited by law. The point is that there’s nobody to tell you what you can’t or what you shouldn’t. You are entirely responsible for yourself. You are accountable for all your actions. This kind of freedom is intoxicating. You can drown and get drunk with it all you want. Sadly, a lot of people do and tend to forget #2 above.
4. I can cook!
I’ve had a very sheltered life back home. I would wake up and find supper (I work nightshift) waiting for me. I can do different household chores but mama would lovingly opt to do it instead. So all I generally did was to eat, work, go home, sleep & repeat the same routine over and over again. When I got here, I learned to rely on myself and found out I can actually cook! Believe me, my dishes are edible! Haha! Now, I love cooking for my husband. He’s not a picky eater anyway so he basically eats anything and everything I prepare for him.
5. Save, save, save but don’t forget to have fun, fun, fun once in a while.
My mama would always remind me to save even just a small percentage of my salary. I’m happy to take her piece of advice. I realize that I won’t be forever young so I need to spend wisely and save ‘for the rainy days’.
While doing this, one should not neglect the importance of rewarding one’s self. My idea of reward is very cheap though. I consider buying a new shirt or having a lovely dinner with habibi a golden prize for working so hard.
