My OFW story - UAE Life

A life being alone and away from your family is the most difficult and miserable, which an OFWs experienced. No one wants to suffer and recall the things or activities you do when you are with them. And you feel that you are slowly devouring of sorrow and convexed with anxiety, depression or any negative feelings that an OFW is likely to experience.

I missed a lot of things like;

• My Nanay's (Mom) food and the way she taking care of me.
• When my Tatay (Dad) was drunk and his a lot of nonsense story that you need to listen till 2 AM!
• Siblings fight for nothing.
• Every summer ( April- May) going to the beach and celebrate my Tatay's (Dad) birthday or Wedding Anniversary of my parents. Staying there for atleast 1 night and1 day or more.
• To sleep at night in one bed with my 1 sister and 2 brothers (yeah it's a big bed actually and can accommodate 4 persons... hahaha)

PAKIW na ISDA

• Eating with them and like a construction worker where we can finish 1 big rice cooker of rice with Paksiw fish. ( It's a Filipino dish with any kind of Fish with a sour taste)

• When I have problems and just crying with my Nanay's shoulder and asking some question - Why, What, Where - and she's so sweet wiping my tears, hugging me and comforting me as always.

• Missed my Tatay on his sermon ( like a preaching priest in the church) where he comparing they're life before and our life now.

• And a lot of activities I want to do when I have a vacation...

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UAE LIFE

2014 - UAE Career

2014 November - I decided to accept my Tita's offers to go and work in UAE, five months after I gave birth to my baby kheycie. First thing in my mind that time is to support all the needs of my baby and my family. Sacrifices first then later I will or we will be happy together after this.

2014 December everything for me was great. I got a job so quick as in after 3 weeks I have a good work and good bosses also. Got a nice colleague also who helps me in everything that I am not familiar as a new member of the company.

2015 - Start of the problem

After 1 year and 8 months company faced struggles and shut down. They needed to close the company and they canceled us since they cannot support and give us the right salary.

In that case, I postponed my vacation for the year 2016 and try to search for another company. Struggles were real that time and also the market was too bad. Everywhere that time you can see and encounter a lot of applicants who are looking for a job. ( Actually, even now)

Being an OFW you need to adjust for everything. You need to consider all the aspects like of religion, food, traditions and even strange behavior of a boss or colleague. You need to low your pride, keep on focus and you will be a successful OFW.

2016 February - A pathetic boss I ever encountered.

So happy after a month I got a new job. I thought everything will be fine and great. But it's just another a problem and it was so real. My pathetic boss didn't process my visa and I got an over-stayed for more than 60 days and got a fine of AED 2800.00.

By the help of my relatives and friends, I gathered a fund for the fine and paid it. Thanks to God also he always there and give me strength and support as per on his will. Thankful also to have a family who always there to support me.

2016 July - New friends, new visa and new career path.

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I booked a 5 days vacation and for exit purposes also in Armenia. While waiting for my UAE visa (visit visa) I met new friends who I'm with for 5 days staying there. We explored and went to some places known as a tourist spot.

So cool experience and yet so expensive HAHAHA!. (for me it's expensive). A total of more or less AED 5000.00 for all the expenses from food, transportation, hotel etc.. but so enjoyed to be there and know more about Armenia.

New Work

August 2016, I met my friend and gave me a contact with one company looking for who can work as an Admin / Sales position. I contact the number and asked for an interview. 3 days after the call conference they scheduled an interview.

So happy that time after the interview and exams they process my visa and voila! after 1 week my visa is finished and applied. Just waiting for the documents which can be done after a month.

It's fine to be there for more than 3 years and even there was no vacation yet. I can wait and already planned a vacation by December, so see you Philippines SOON !!!! :)

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Lesson learned:

Make your little Philippines here in UAE and be happy. Try to communicate and go outside with your relatives (since they're your family also), make new friends ( but be careful), smile always and explore new things which can get you better.

In every problem don't forget to pray and ask a help from our dear God. Let him do whatever the right for you and follow the things and do it according to his will. Don't say you want to give up because he never giving up on you.

If you feel down, think why you here?, why you are an OFW now?, what are your goals?
After, make a deep breath and start to think new moves and let the ideas come.
BE STRONG. :) YOU ARE A HERO :)

Always wear your smile and don't let the sorrow seize you.

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SPECIAL THANKS

Thank you @steemph.UAE for this contest :) . love to express and share the story of being an OFW.

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