Episode 3: The Day

I thought that that was just an ordinary boring day but it turned out to be "THE DAY".

I was in a grocery store when my mobile rang. T'was a call from a company which I applied a month ago. I was asked if he can interview me right then and there. I was skeptical at first but hey, what am I thinking? In the end I was interviewed. There was this question about the company that I thought I messed up but I was surprised when he called again the other day inviting me for a panel interview in Abu Dhabi the day after tomorrow. I asked if he can give me the exact location of their office and he said that he'll email it to me after we're done talking.

The day has passed, still no email received from this company. The very next day, I checked on my mailbox and found zero again. I begin to think they've changed their minds so I just accepted the fact that the job wasn't really for me.

The interview date came and am still lying on the bed doing nothing when suddenly my mobile rang. It was somebody else from that same company and was asking me if I have plans on going for an interview. I was like confused and told the lady that I haven't received any email from them. She quickly asked if I'm still interested and if I can come within the day. T'was almost lunch time and my scheduled interview is 10am. I told her that I'm still in Dubai and she responded that they're open until 6pm. So I just said yes to finish the convo. I checked my mail again and that's when I found out how stupid I am. The instructions and location map was in my spam folder. Fuck! Why the heck I never thought of that?! Anyway, I rush to the bathroom and took a bath. I was thinking I can make it by 3pm or 4pm. For your info, Abu Dhabi is a 2-hour drive from Dubai. Fuck me!

I finally arrived after 2 or 3 hours. Imagine a hungry bitch (I haven't taken any breakfast or lunch) with raddled face -- yep, that was me! Finally, the receptionist called my attention and asked me to follow her. As I entered the room, there were 3 persons waiting. They're my interviewers I suppose? An Arab, maybe a Malaysian and a Filipino. Lots of questions were thrown and I think I've been inside that room for 30 minutes. After, the Filipino told me to wait for a while as I'll be having one more round of interview. Gawd, my stomach was really in a revolution! I could eat up a whole chicken in 10 seconds!

When we got to another room, the Filipino girl informally interviewed me. She told me every little thing to expect on this job and of course, just to impress her, I kept on saying "I can do the job." You know, I have this new motto when I arrived UAE. Always intellectually say yes and never say no. I do believe that everything in this world can be learned. Don't you think?

After some time, I finally met my last interviewer. It was the Dean of the department that I'll be in IF in case I got hired. He was so warm and nice. The interview wasn't an interview at all. He just told me stuff that they're doing within their department. He actually praised my CV. Then it all ended there. Would you believe if I told you that I got lost on my way out? I didn't know that I was inside the actual university not a company! I just thought it was an office where they recruit employees. Boy, it was really a big confusing school! I suddenly recalled my college days.

Anyhoo, as my tummy's rumbling, all am thinking at that very moment is where to eat. I am sooo tired when I got to this Al Wahda Mall near the bus station. I immediately looked for a food chain and saw Popeye's. I had 3 big fried chickens, a muffin, some fries and a coke. YUMMM! While eating, my mobile rang. It was the Filipino girl from the company where I just had my interview. The first lines were like, "So, are you really ready for a challenge?" I was like, "Uhm, yes?" Then she told me that it was me that they want, she mentioned the salary package plus benefits and so many things that I could not remember anymore. Damn! That was so fat! Tears just came out of my eyes when I heard that. I just can't believe this is happening plus all the mistakes and hassles I've been through that day. I think "Okay" was the only word I have said. She made sure that the HR will call me the following week. So I went home feeling happy with full of hope. My dreams are becoming clearer now... I guess.

One thing I've learned from this journey: Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are.


Until my next senseless episode. Am out!

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