MY LIFE IN DUBAI - HOW IT ALL STARTED

Way back before 2007, I had a strong feeling I would be leaving Philippines to work abroad.  Where?  I didn’t have a clue.  Who would know?  Didn’t even have an idea how it’s going to be possible.  But then fate took its course.  May 14 2007 I arrived in Dubai.

The day I came in Dubai, weather was soaring up to 42degrees hot.  I grew up in a tropical country where humidity and hot weather is not unusual, but then even if that’s the case, it was 42degrees and keeps on increasing day by day, who could bear that?  It was a major adjustment for me weather-wise.  As time passes by, I have come to accept and embrace the fact that summer time in Middle East is as hot as it can get.

I was on a visit visa for 2 months, meaning I had to get a job before my visa expires or else I would have to either go back to Philippines or Exit to nearby GCC country, either case I will need to spend money-this was not a priority really at that moment as I only have limited financial resources.  I have to double my time and effort looking for a Job.  Not just any job, but a decent and good paying job, I came here to earn and save at the same time help the family back home (yes), and I could only do that if I have a good and well compensated job.  But God did not give what I want right then and there when I asked.  He has put me at the spot where I had no other choice but only hold onto Him as best as I can, not to give up, there’s no going back only moving forward.  After a month, I got 3 offers from 3 Big Companies, Praise God for that.  But then I was faced of deciding which one to accept.  But God works in a mysterious way that you would not notice you have already made the decision.  I was guided as I have chosen the best one if I may say, despite the global recession, I am still working in this very same company.  To sum up my experiences, I am damn too lucky compare to other people who has spent several months before they were able to get a job and has to exit several times to Kish or Queshm and would come to Dubai with sad stories of different people who has tried to pursue their dreams in Dubai but luck was not at their side.  My friends use to tell me, you don't experience the real Dubai Life when you don't experience Kish or Queshm.  What could I do, my company was quick to get me a work permit and residence visa.

Life in Dubai was easy (to some may not), you can have anything you want ~ latest gadgets, travel to Europe or USA, Brand New Car, Generous Remittances to Family, Fine Dining, Clubbing, etc ~ Living Big as some may say.  That’s all before recession, of course, now a-days, people are quite cautious on their spending, which is just a right thing to do, you never know until when you’re going to have your job.

Life away from family is not easy may it for single or married people.  It’s all the same feeling when homesickness creeps in.  The longing to get into the plane bound to home country is there inevitably.  Especially at times like Christmas and Birthdays of love ones.  This is one difficult thing to handle that you have to face when you choose to be away from family.  Good thing Dubai is an open city.  You can do and have anything (except doing illicit things in public).  There are so many things to do which serve as an outlet when one is down, homesick, stressed out from work, etc.   Personally, what I do when I don’t feel OK be it stress from work, homesickness or the usual PMS that we women have to handle, I just grab my guitar and strum a few songs, go karaoke with friends, coffee with friends, attend the ballroom dance class (yes I do ballroom dancing).  The latest addition to my list of things to do with my spare time is BUSINESS.  This one thing I should have done long back, my Plan B, when Plan A (current work) crushes down.

A lot has changed in Dubai since then.  The rules and law (click here for updates) is in constant change.  It’s like it has a mind of its own ~ Fickle

It has been 5 years now, I could say I am not yet ready to give up my life here and go home for good, but if God decides otherwise, who am I to argue.  All I could do is live and do the best of the remainder of my time here.