Happy New Year

Merry Christmas

Journey to a New Life

I started my career not as a nurse but as a credit investigator at Standard Chartered Bank with a monthly wage of approximately Php 7000. It was during the time when we discovered about my first pregnancy. Our monthly income was not sufficient to raise a family so I decided to retake the nursing board. Yes, I am not embarrassed to confess that despite of being an honor student in high school, I failed the nursing board not just once but twice, but let me justify that. I was working and pregnant! No review at all! Kidding aside, these failures humbled me.
We may sometimes feel that life can become a curse, it's ok. Our  diligence in praying will certainly help us to rise up from our ruins and it will surely deliver us great blessings.

I felt that my recognition of failure blunted disappointment as I did my best the third time. Obviously, I wouldn't have made it without my family's love and support.

I started my nursing career as an Oncology Nurse at Veterans Memorial Medical Center where former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is detained due to electoral fraud charges. The job was tremendously fulfilling. It was nice to experience the joy of letting your patient feel less fearful of pain, suffering and death that compose the stigma of cancer. Honestly, during those days I didn't wish of chasing money overseas as I don't want to imitate those who have left the country to prosper abroad. I was not lured by the attraction of making dollars, the charm of having white Christmas, the feeling of staying in an air-conditioned First World cocoon and other things overseas can offer. My 14,000 Pesos per month was good enough for us.

Until I realized how I admired my friends and classmates in college who seemed to have achieved holistic success by working overseas. They became the source of my inspiration, my guide and support. But opportunities were not as tamed as I thought. And again we reached the lowest point in life...we were victims of swindling. This is the main reason why I had to leave the job I've loved most. I had to pay my loan in AFSLAI (Armed Forces of the Philippines Savings and Loan Association Inc.) amounting to less than 300,000 Pesos. My husband unfazed to continue to contact the person responsible but to no avail. Well, as an old adage says "life must go on." Problems are not sufficient reason to stop living.

So I continued my career as an Oncology Nurse in the Middle East. It's so hard to be away from home. I was embraced by emptiness but I was able to sustain the difficulties for two years. Thanks to my sisters and former friends in Jeddah. 

One of the columnists of the Philippine Daily Inquirer said that hailing OFW's  as modern-day heroes often amounts to mere celebratory rhetoric that regrettably masks their suffering. I can prove the veracity!

Yet my career abroad did not end there. Me and my husband decided to work in Singapore. Life for us became easier. We were happy and thankful that we were able to save a little. Not just that, we were able to help our parents and siblings. We did not notice that we became too preoccupied of our jobs that we almost have forgotten about our application for permanent residency here in BC. Who would have thought? It was filed seven years ago.

I am the luckiest person to be blessed with the most kind-hearted college besties. (There are more of them.) 

My two lovelies, Dhel and Ria entwining the streets of London

Jo enjoying the sumptuous surroundings of Napa Valley

Rey and the frills of traveling around the world

We pursued our Canadian residency to give our children a better future. It is the only measure we know and as parents we will do anything for them. This time we would like to give more time, love and attention rather than things to our children. This is why I opted to rest from my profession. This is how we want to simplify our life. Again, we would like to thank our families including our friends who have given us monetary and emotional support.

Our first step in BC was not easy. We are still struggling to adjust until now. We know it will take awhile, it's normal to take awhile. We will soon find our way!

I'm also happy for Joseph Dominguez whose application for seven years was granted by the embassy. Goodluck to us! And who would think I could possibly bump into someone who's face is so familiar? Cathlei Agbayani, my former college classmate is residing adjacent our place. What a small world!

We are truly grateful for the blessings from the Ricanas, Sagers and high school friends. They have provided us food, winter jackets, transportation, home appliances, furnitures and even Christmas ornaments. We've spent less since we arrived. We are so grateful!

God is so good.

 Taken by Kuya Toto Sager during 2011 Santa Parade

It's freezing outside. I can hardly adjust.

Life is truly a beautiful struggle!

Our Home Marinduque

Everyone believes in this old adage there's no place like home.

Marinduque, my home, I miss you!

 With Famae and Chrizia. Taken at Puktoy White Beach in Torrijos

 Dawis seashore

With Shan at Alobo, Sta Cruz

My younger sisters during Lola Sising 80th birthday party.  I wish her long life and good health.

With friends Irene and Myr at Nazareno's beach house in Masiga

I love her innocence!

I miss Mama's good home cooking.
I miss Papa's half true jests and the way he shares his simple yet concise explanation of the Bible.
I miss Mama Dionie's constant care to Dayne.
I miss Papa Meo's laugh despite of his impaired physical mobility.
I miss my family, close relatives and friends.
I'm missing everyone back home.

Their safety is paramount and so I always pray for them.

Let's celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception!

Friuli Goodness

Few days before our departure, my childhood friend Norren requested us to join her and Ramil for  dinner. They brought us in a small, relatively cheap Italian restaurant within the vicinity of UP village.  Forgive me, I cannot recall the exact location but adjacent to it is a chain of brasseries. The place is quite safe but you just have to be patient to queue.

I've tasted their Mozzarella sticks with tomato sauce and it is delightfully cheesy.
They also serve pizza and variety of pasta. I love their puttanesca pasta!
A gelato dusted with nuts seemed refreshing and nice but we couldn't afford to absorb more.

That was a lovely evening!

With my childhood friend Norren. She is like a pillar of support to me.