Shipping Our Stuff Home

 This is the 5th and last balikbayan box we sent from abroad. Thanks to Makati Express, all our prized (more of sentimental) possession were shipped safely to our home.
We sent them a few weeks before we travelled back home. As expected in sea freight shipment, they came 6 weeks after they were picked up from our home in the Kingdom.  I don't have pictures of the other boxes, but all of them looked like this. The boxes contained our clothes, small appliances, exercise machine and tons and tons and tons of toys. Maybe 3 out of 5 boxes had our little one's indispensable toys. All of them came complete and in perfect condition. From all the horror stories of OFW sending balikbayan boxes to Philippines, I didn't expect it will be possible to really bring all our stuff back home.
Now, I won't miss our life back in the Kingdom. Having all the things we have there will remind us how lucky and blessed we are that we were given an opportunity to make a life and start our family there... and I'm forever grateful for that.

Our Family of Three

Few nights ago, Hubby and I were discussing our plans for the future. This may (or may not) involve a brief physical separation from each other. We were thinking of more practical and logical ways to keep our family together and a short time away from each other might (or not)  be the solution. It was a very difficult decision to make as hubby and I already know how it feels like to be away from each other and we just don't want that to happen anymore. But we convinced ourselves to do this "grown up" decision.

The next day, our little one drew this, by herself -- no prompts or cues nor previous art works similar to this. She was even hiding it from me when she was making this.

Our family through the eyes of our 3 year old daughter.

She drew a house with Daddy (the one with the biggest head in red), Mommy (the slim one in pink) and little one all together inside.

This must be the deciding factor -- because her vote matters. Our little one, through her drawing, must be telling us that we must stay together in one roof. It made me teary eyed when I saw this. Why is our toddler wiser than us in making big decisions?

To my everdearest Natnat,

Thank you for always being you, the sweetest and smartest one in the family. 

Mommy and Daddy loves you so much. 

You're Hot and You're Cold

When temperatures are as hot as hell...

http://www.worldweatheronline.com/buraidah-weather/al-qasim/sa.aspx?day=4

... you just want to go back to a cooler place...

Quote Unquote

I was interviewed by a friend for an article she was going to write for Smart Parenting. I didn't know she would quote me like an expert on that matter. I had been with kids with cerebral palsy all my PT Career life --that's 8 years to be exact. So i guess I can be an "expert" on that matter. You can read it here...

5 Tips for Raising a Child With Cerebral Palsy.

Happy reading. :D

Time to go home

I'm almost done with second trimester. It seems I wasn't even pregnant with all my energy and with my oversized uniform. Some of my patients didn't even know I'm pregnant.

However, last week was a little scary. I felt stabbing pain on the right side of my tummy. It could be just my muscles and ligaments stretching, or appendicitis, or kidney problem, or worse problem with my pregnancy. I went to the doctor right away as i really don't know what it is and all the other people are telling me the worst case scenarios which scared me more.

A few days after that, I almost fainted. My blood pressure went down to 55/28 mmHg. During my pregnancy i was around 110-130/70-100 mmHg. It started with some pain on my neck which I even did massage. I thought I just have stiff neck or something. Then slowly my vision is getting blurred and my hearing was also affected. I'm not the type who would panic and call anyone for help. But this time I think I really need it. So, to the doctor AGAIN.

My doctor said I'm fine on both occasions. It was just all normal to pregnant women. And she "re-assured" me that whatever happens to me, even if i become comatose or something, my baby will be fine. That was really "re-assuring". I think she wants me dead.

Now I think, everything was just really part of pregnancy. Maybe it's my baby's way of telling me to stop working now. It's time for us for something else. My career can wait and my baby needs my full attention now. The little person inside me needs the best of my free time ...if i even have one.

As soon as I got my approved indefinite leave/resignation, I felt more than okay again. It was just really my baby giving mommy orders. I just need to wait for my flight schedule so I can go back home. It will just be me and my baby boss, finally.

I love you baby boss. We are going home soon.

My Natnat's First Love Letter

To my everdearest Natnat,

Mommy and Daddy are ever so grateful for you coming into our lives. No matter what they say or how many times you calculate it... I will always believe that you were conceived on Christmas eve. That's why I call you my little snowflake before, for you were a winter baby. Now that your big enough and strong enough to wake mommy in the night with your punches and kicks and cute enough to make doodles on daddy's hands when he touches my bump, I call you Natnat, derived from Nativity of Jesus. You are the greatest gift mommy and daddy received. You were our snowflake in the hot dessert.

I could not believe as I learn your being the day after my birthday. You are once again the gift we are always hoping for. God is really good to your mommy and daddy.

I try my best to take care of you. But you scared me when I have spotting a few days after. I cried so hard thinking that I might lose you. I beg the Lord to make you stay with us and promised we would take really good care of you. And He did. It was only implantation spotting -- it is totally normal as you take your place/spot in my womb.

I slept all the time during the first few weeks. Maybe its your way of telling me to slowdown and rest so you would grow healthy and strong. I craved so much for Sinigang coz maybe you like foods that are a little sour. Strawberries were also my favorite back when you were so small in my tummy. Maybe you'll have blushing cheeks. But no matter how you look like, you will always be the most beautiful creation because you are God's gift to us.

Daddy and mommy loves you so much that we bought everything nice and good for you way way before you are born. We want you have the best of everything and Mommy and Daddy will keep on trying to do that all your life.

Daddy loves to hold you every time we are together. He can't get enough of your kicks and turns and doodles. He wants to be there for us when we go to doctor and do ultrasound. He would take pictures and videos of us so he would always see us when he is away. He also recorded your heartbeat so he can listen to it all the time. He also likes to listen (and sleep) to the nursery rhymes I play to you every night. I think you will grow up just like your daddy.

We are excited to see and hold you. Nothing makes us genuinely happy now but you. Your re-assuring movements inside my tummy makes Mommy and Daddy hopeful that everything will be better for us.

We love you so much Natnat.

As Daddy would always say to you...
"I love you Natnat. Godbless us. Grow healthy and big. Have a pointed nose like mommy, fair skin like daddy but no pimples, be intelligent, and lucky, be beautiful or gwapo. kick and play inside mommy's tummy but not too hard that mommy will be uncomfortable. Daddy and Mommy loves you."

Love,
Mommy

Where have you been and where are you going?

That is the question.

I just read this blog while trying to fall asleep... which I think wont come anytime soon.

I am here alone in a land far away from home and on my 8^th week of pregnancy. It has been a quite different feeling from usual. But i really can’t say Im having a difficult pregnancy for i can still work and do my day to day duties but of course with a lot of the queasy feeling. I was telling my husband earlier that” i will never do this again”, jokingly. From a person who eats like a little bird with just a few pieces of this and that to a shrew who eats 80-90 % of their own body weight in food daily. I spend almost all my waking hours munching on something and I cant do that while working. I also have the every 11am-2pm dizziness – the hours I am supposed to start working. I still want to work, not minding being away from home cause this makes me happy and gives me a sense of fulfilment. But this milestone really limits me from doing all what (i think) I want.

I guess my husband is right, be still. Learn to stay still.

Maybe its time for me to just be still and enjoy the moment: morning sickness, excessive hunger and most of all, the heart beats inside my tummy.

Maybe this is better than taking care of other people, playing with other kids and carrying someone else’s baby.

I’ll just take care of myself – eat healthier and plenty(er). Play with all the colors and all the stuff I can put to make my house a baby-friendly one. Carry my very own child in my tummy for the next 32weeks until I can carry him in my arms. 


I will stay still now and appreciate the beauty around me but I will keep my spirits up to move on and forward.

not just sands

im fortunate enough to explore the wonders of the middle east -- not the famous ones or the ones you see on magazines and tourism brochures. these are way better!

 

Smile is a contagious disease

"Your smile is better than your (rehabilitation) treatment."

That's what the boss said.

He's right. Sometimes feel the aches and pains of their medical condition when they see miserable looking people. Instead of really getting better, they feel sicker. They tend to focus more on their illnesses which make them get worse. But if they see people with happier dispositions, maybe they can absorb the happiness and somehow all the problems and diseases go away. So, smile!

photo credits: http://www.colinheatherly.com/smile.htm

Are You One of Them?

I met one lady here. It was her first time to work outside her country of origin. She went here thinking that she will be a private tutor (and earn a lot) as she was a teacher before. However, she ended up as a nanny for a special child. She knows nothing about medications, behaviour and how to take care of children with special needs. But there’s nothing she can do now. Instead of sobbing and thinking about going back home, she courageously decided to stay. Little by little she learned how to do her job and the family she’s working for loved her. There are times though that the child she has to attend to hits and kicks her. She just endured all the aches, pains and loneliness for this little sacrifice will (maybe) reap rewards for her family back home.

The same thing happened to another young lady I met. She was recruited from a small province. The recruiters promised her that she, like the previous story, will become a private tutor. However, in her documents, she agreed that she will fly using a domestic helper’s visa so she can leave the country faster. She signed not knowing she will really end up as a household help for a family of 16. Whew! After only 4 gruelling days of “hard” labor, she wanted so much to go back home. As of this time, my boss is trying his best to find her a better job and/or just sent her back home.

I think these incidents will never happen if only these 2 women (and many others I think) knew better. There are always people who will take advantage of others’ (mis)fortune for their own gain. So here are the things I think one should know and consider before working abroad.

1. Read
Read the Job title and job description. With those, you will know more or less what to expect your work will be. If you think you are qualified, then apply. However, If you think you do not meet the qualifications, never believe that someone can “fix” or make you into someone that you are not so that you will be qualified for the job. Using fake documents will just mess up your application and your reputation.
Read also the salary. Sometimes, ads and recruiters tell you will be given a high salary for an easy job. This is too good to be true. Either you will be given less than what they promise or they will give you more work. Each job has more or less basic pay in each country. Salary will also depend on your qualifications.
Read how long your contract will be. This will help you plan ahead for your future. Knowing this too will help you prepare yourself emotionally, psychologically and physically how long you will be away from your family.
Read also fine prints such as fees, breach of contract, work location, work hours, etc.
Read or search also if the recruiter is legitimate.

2. Ask
Never be too shy to ask questions that bother you or you don’t understand from what you read. Common questions you might want to know are;
• What company will I work for?
• How much is the salary?
• When will I receive my salary? Via ATM or cash?
• Where will I live?
• With whom will I live? Is it free?
• Is the transportation provided by the company/
• Do I have days off in a week?
• Is there vacation leave? Is it a paid vacation?
• Is there sick leave? Is it paid leave?
• How long are my vacations and leaves?
• Will they provide insurances and other benefits?

You can also ask politely, other applicants about what the recruiter tell them. The recruiter should give you the same answers to your queries.

3. Sign
Your signature is very important. Any documents you sign, means that you read and agrees on all that is in that document. Never ever sign without reading (and thinking 100 times) the contents. Sign only if you willingly and totally agree on every single word in that document. It is difficult to take back what you signed if you change your mind later on.

4. Give
Give only photocopies of your documents. Do not give original copies unless absolutely necessary and/or you have a “received copy” form that your documents are in the hands of the recruiter or agency. Also, make soft and hard copies of all of your documents for back up.
Give money only when they give you official receipt. Processing fees would range from 2 thousand -10 thousand pesos depending on what visa or documents the agency/recruiter will process. You can always ask where your money will go. Placement fees are not more than 1 month’s worth of your salary. This can be paid before you leave or via salary deduction. Medical examination fees are sometimes shouldered by your employer.

I think these will be helpful to you if you are thinking of working abroad. If you have other questions, these are some websites that can help you:
http://www.poea.gov.ph/
http://www.owwa.gov.ph/

Working abroad is not easy. And being in a scam makes it a lot worse. Be wise.

It is human nature to think wisely and act in an absurd fashion. -Anatole France

4 o'clock habit

For the past 2-3 weeks, my work schedule looks like this:



For some reason, I have 4 patients at 3 different rooms, all at the same time. I wish I could divide myself into 4. LOL.

However, I’m thankful for my patients—no matter how tiring and stressful that is (and they are) to me. I’m grateful that I have and able to work. This is better than not making a living at all.

100 bucks richer

It really pays to be nice! :D

HH

HH or "huthot" is the term we use when patients give us gifts for the services we rendered which they liked. it can be in the form of food, items or cash. I usually get food (cause i think my patients know that I need that more to gain more weight), which I like better for it's a big NO-NO for me if it's cash... unless it's my professional fee, of course.

In this foreign land, I haven't received what I can really consider as HH.Usually patients offer me biscuits or gum that are in excess of what they are already partaking. Therefore, not counted as HH. But yesterday, my patient gave me a bracelet with crystal beads and diamonds -- not real diamonds of course. I would probably marry her if it was. However, it was really nice and I really liked it that I was already thinking of what outfits to wear with that bracelet. LOL.

I wish patients or anyone will be more appreciative of what others do for them -- just like my patient. I don't expect or wanted everyone to give me HH though. but at least people will really acknowledge or recognize the good deeds you do for them, whether with just a simple "Thank you" -- or with an HH of course. LOL.

words i understand

All my colleagues are from another country where good command of the English language is not required. However, we all had to take a professional liscensure exam so we can practice our profession in the country we are working. And the exam was in English. Good thing ever since I started school, English was already taught. I'm quite comfortable in speaking, reading and writing in English. I think I will have sure correct answers in the exam for simply understanding the instructions and questions.Too bad for them though. There's no special examination translated in their language. Not even a dictionary or translator is allowed during the exam.

During the exam, while I'm thinking if A or B is correct, my colleagues must be perspiring too much for simply thinking what is the meaning of "A 70 year old patient had a stroke." -- and that's not even the question yet. (No offense guys. I'm sure you know the right answers better than I do.)

I did pass the exam -- thank God! I didn't know if all my other colleagues passed too. I just realized how lucky I am I learned the language most useful to me -- though it's not the most spoken.

Did you know that it is actually Chinese as the most spoken language?

lost in translation

The other day, my colleagues and I went to the bank for our salary and to remit some to our families overseas. Our French-speaking-Moroccan colleague guided our Arabic-speaking-Indian driver on our way there. Tana, a Czech national was really furious for she already went there the day before. It took her 2 hours and accomplished nothing there. She told the Moroccan and Indian how inconvenient this bank was for her, in her native tongue. Well, I just assumed thats what she said for I too didn't understand Czech. The Indian answered back (in Arabic) and tried to explain something to the very angry Czech. The Moroccan was just smiling. None of them really understood each other. This went on for several minutes -- exchanging incomprehensible words. Again, nothing was accomplished.

I can't understand English.
Nerozumim Chezky.
Ana Mafi maalom Arabic.
How do you say that in French?

I just sat on the car watching them and laughing. I tried to make my own version of their conversation. Now, I wonder what it would look like if I joined them?

Nobody speaks my language.

far away from home

In a world were polygamy is popular but not legal and the closest thing to a family is your next bed roommate, I wonder how a married OFW can remain faithful.

OFW or Oversees Filipino Worker is the trend nowadays in the Philippines. Filipinos who are naturally smart, resourceful, hospitable and easy to work with are a big hit to foreign employers. Who wouldn’t want a subordinate that can understand you (language-wise) at a cheaper rate, right?!
So, many Pinoys, mostly from the healthcare sector fly abroad and start a career so they can give a better life to their wives and families they left behind. One of the predictable destinations is the Middle East. Aside from its good offer (free accommodation, free transportation and decent salary), no fancy certifications and tests required (e.g. IELTS, NCLEX, CGFNS, etc). All you need is your diploma, local license and a few years of related experience and you’re good to go. The major downside is, you can’t bring your family with you (unless your better half also has a job offer to the same location and you don’t mind having them harassed by very straight forward foreigners) and you have to live in a dorm like flat with only the same gender living with you for the rest of your contract there (ranging from 2 to 5 years).
So there goes the husband in a land he can live like a single man again. Y/our husband must be rejoicing right now. LOL.
So how can he remain faithful when everyone just acts like they’re back to their younger years and eyeing on anything that’s in a dress (or has a hole)?
1) Regular and may not be always communication
We are told many times that open communication is the key to any kind of relationship to last long. A regular one can also maintain, if not improved, of what you know about your partner. I believe if you don’t talk regularly with your partner you might eventually forget everything about the other and grow farther apart.
2) Birds of the same feather flock together
People who have the same likes usually go together. So if you meet people who cheat on their wives (or wives who cheat with their husband) and don’t feel guilty about it, try to stay away from them. There’s a greater chance that if you stay longer with these kind of people, it would be as easy as breathing when you cheat on your partner.
3) Omission and Lies
Remember communication? Telling your partner what happened to your day also includes who you talked to and what you talked about. Sometimes men (or women) omit certain details because they know that their partner might feel jealous or think of it differently. You think you’re just protecting the relationship by omitting details. But if the other person learns about it eventually, the “omitting part” is the same as “lying part” which I tell you doesn’t protect anything at all. So just tell everything in a manner that will not bring about any suspicion. Don’t omit anything. Don’t lie.
4) Mutual respect
Do unto others what you want others to do unto you. Respect your partner whether in his/ her privacy, decision he/she makes, or whatever it is that needs your respect and understanding. Ideally, each of you would give the same respect and understanding you gave him/her. However the case is not always like that. Just don’t expect everything will be equal. Sometimes, one has to give more than the other.
5) Creativity and Stupidity
Being in LDR should not limit you in showing how much you love your significant other. Be more creative… no matter how stupid it may seem your acts will be… to show how much you love him/her. Snail-mailed letter, an unexpected e-card, a little package sent on special occasions, sms of sweet nothings… I’m sure any kind of effort will be rewarded.
6) Friends not Lovers
Sometimes, you fall for the friend whose been there for you on the lonely nights you miss your significant other. But keep in mind, he/she is just a friend, a confidant, not a replacement for the one you are far away from. If you feel like falling for him/her, try to set a wall that will prevent you from straying away from your real partner.
7) Love Me Even If You Hate Me
There will always come a time when you just hate the other’s guts. Maybe s/he did something you didn’t like or s/he forgot to call you back or anything you just hate. Learn to understand and forgive. Learn to love even when you hate. Whether a relationship is long distance or not, love even when you hate.
8) Be A Better You
This is a good time to reinvent yourself. Whether you are the one who left or the onbe left behind. Try to become a better person. You are too far away from any judgement that might hinder you from becoming a new (and better) person.
9) You Gotta Have Faith
I’m talking about the faith in your partner that s/he will not stray. The more you THINK that he would do something “illegal”, the greater the chance he would DO something illegal. And faith in the Almighty that he will give you strength, courage and guidance that you will surpass this uneventful experience. God, I believe, will never give you anything that you can’t handle. So, believe that everything will be well in His time.

All relationship will pass through some obstacles one way or another. and distance will only be an obstacle that will break your relationship if you allow it.