Sandpit

I've been here in Dubai for a week now and still have no luck in finding a good job. There are some, yes, but the offer isn't that worth it you know. My friends keep on telling me that that's the way it is. If you want a really nice job, you have to wait. So I'm anxiously waiting and hoping and wishing.

Anyway, t'was my first time visiting this country and let me tell you about some of my experiences so far. I arrived here last April 28 and I've been to numerous places -- Sharjah, Deira, Karama, Sheikh Zayed and so on. I am good at finding specific location but here, I'm not. Buildings or establishments here aren't the same in the Philippines. I couldn't even figure out whether it's a hospital, a school, a villa, an office, a mall or whatever. Also, Dubai has long, wide roads so you won't see any traffic jams anywhere.

My first week here is quite boring but happy at times. Boring when my friend Elaine have a flight which means I'll be left all alone at home but happy when she's here. We usually go dine out and stroll. I was lucky to be able to see Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. There was also this show that I saw which they call "Dancing Water". It was in front of Burj Khalifa and show starts every 6PM and continues every after 30 minutes to entertain tourists around. It was kinda beautiful and nice. I also get to see the 7-star hotel here called Burj Al Arab. Haven't got in to that place though, maybe next time.

When it comes to food, I wouldn't say it's cheap but it's average. A simple shawarma would cost around 5-10 dirhams. I've tried the famous shawarma from Aroos Damascus and oh boy it was soooo gooood! It's very far from our shawarmas back home. And since this country is mostly populated by Indians, there are loads of Indian restaurants or cafeteria everywhere. Indian foods were typically spicy and I keep on saying that I should be used to those kind of foods or maybe not! Meh. Well, almost everything you want to eat are available, from western cuisine to eastern cuisine.

What else? Oh yeah, I've learned that cellphone loads here don't expire, sim card does but you can renew it after like a year. Buying sim cards here requires you to show some identification. So if ever you lost your phone or someone stole it, they can easily track it. Best part is you can still use the same number even if it was deactivated for so many years. How about that? And buses... buses here seems to be cool. In Dubai, you can only ride a bus if you got a bus card. They don't have bus conductors here. All you need to do is ride a bus, from a bus station (buses here don't stop to load and unload passengers just anywhere), swipe your card and voila! Mind you, bus cards can't be used by 2 or more persons, you'll be fined 200 dirhams if police officers caught you. And what's even cooler is that buses here got their own numbers for their respective routes. So organized! But you better be sure that you've checked on the numbers before you board or you'll be lost haha!

I think that's about it for now. More of sandpit adventure later! Toodles!

x

DXB

Never thought of stepping my feet on UAE soil but now here I am, trying to enjoy every second of it. It's hard to leave families and friends but that's the way life is. It's hard to explain but I'm pretty sure you know what I'm saying.

Anyway, I was all prepared -- financially and emotionally. I've got high hopes being here but most importantly, I have a plan. But before that drama I want to throw out everything that happened to me before arriving Dubai.

It seemed pretty easy on me but that wasn't always the case, okay. I'm doing this for the sake of those people who wants to go here so they'll at least have an idea. As what would everyone say, I decided to go here for better opportunities. So I fixed all my documents and within a month, I got all the results. I have a friend working in Dubai who helped with my visa and ticket processing. The only thing that I'll be thinking about is on how to pass through those immigration officers in Manila. Immigration officers in the UAE are more lenient (as long as you have all legit documents of course) so I don't need to be worried about that.

April 28, my departure date. I arrived in NAIA three hours before my flight schedule. First thing you need to do is to have your visa scanned for authenticity then off you go to check in your baggage. I couldn't stress more on the fact that checking in online a day before your flight is pretty helpful. You will benefit by not queuing from those long lines at the airport as there are specific counters for online/web check-in. Oh before I forgot, pay the freaking terminal fees first before checking in your baggage. You need that receipt enable for you to check in your baggage. So after checking in your baggage, you will be given your boarding pass (don't forget to ask for a departure card, you'll need that at the Immigration counter), then you can now go straight to the Immigration. This is the last step before you board a plane. Some say go to a line which you think will let you pass easily but who can tell, right? Anyway, I picked on the most snob-looking immigration officer and when it was my turn, she asked for my passport, boarding pass, and departure card. She looked at me then to my papers and asked, "Why are you going to Dubai? What's your purpose?" I calmly said, "Just visiting a friend." Then she asked for my visa and return ticket. She then asked, "Who is Elaine Cruz?" I told her she was a friend and that's it. She stamped my passport and gave it back to me. I exhaled deeply. I thought that wasn't hard and I'm lucky. There are some people who have been going back and forth in different lanes yet they've always been denied. I overheard one of the immigration officer telling the other officer, "Pabayaan mo silang magpabalik balik diyan. Maghahanap lang ng trabaho yang mga yan sa ibang bansa." In English, "Let them go back and forth. They're just going to find a job outside Philippines." Honestly, I felt angry. I understand that it was part of their so called "job" to make sure every Filipino citizen will always be on safety but can't you just let them pass? I mean, most of them are in the right age and it's up to that person whatever he/she will do to whatever country he'll/she'll be in. They have visa, they have passport, what else do you fucking want? Gah! Anyway...

So, I waited for boarding for almost two hours. My flight was delayed, what's new? Eventually, I boarded a Boeing 777 Emirates Airlines' plane and it was freaking huge. The whole trip was about nine hours straight. When we reached Dubai, we did not land that instant. The pilot said that they're experiencing traffic. I was like, "Traffic on air? WTF?" We've been circling around for like 30 minutes and then we landed.. safely.

I was so stoked upon entering the Dubai airport. T'was huge and clean and seem to be very organised -- well, compared to NAIA for sure! Oh, here's another tip, don't ever wear heels! I was wearing my new stilettos and never thought that I would be having a verrrrrry long walk inside Dubai airport. Anyhow, before the immigration officer, you will do the eye scan. I dunno what the purpose is but it's their protocol here. After that, go straight to the immigration officer. When it was my turn, the Arab officer greeted me "Kamusta?" which is basically "Hi" in my own language. So I told him, "Mabuti." which is "Fine." He asked for my passport and visa, typed something on his computer then stamped my passport. And that was it. No questions asked. This is when I realized Filipinos are more strict when it comes to the immigration thingy and I wonder why. When I passed through the immigration, I immediately saw and got my baggage. Then I got out of the airport and my friend was already there waiting for me. =)

It's 2AM when I arrived and I can feel the heat from this place. I really am in Dubai now.

x

Tick Tock..

As am listening to Joe Hastings' End Credits, I realized that I now only have five days left here in Manila. Still haven't packed my things and believe me, it's one of the hardest part whenever I'm traveling. Tried it last night but I was unsuccessful. I should really accept the fact that I can't bring all my lovely stuff with me in my new venture. Fuck!

As what I've said, five days. Yep you heard me. Exact date is April 28 at 18:30 and that is final. Got my ticket and visa already. If you're gonna ask me if I'm all set and ready, my answer -- emotionally yes but literally no. Go figure!

x

Ágætis byrjun

Okay, so it's my third day being unemployed and what have I done on those days? Nothing much to say really. You know am lazier than anything you would ever imagine. Hehe.

Anyway, have I told you that I got my visa already? Yep! Got it last week though my flight schedule was still a surprise. I should say, end of this month or early May. Let's just cross our fingers that the final result will be revealed tomorrow, eh?

In other news, last Friday, I received an unexpected farewell party here at home. As usual, t'was my lovely Viatores and Bading's idea. Apparently, they're so much addicted to surprises which I hate. Anyway, what happened is that since my last days of reporting for work, Kets and I agreed on bonding for a day before I leave B&M. I just didn't know that they already have an agenda behind my back. Those evil bitches! So, at the night of their "freaking plan", Kets texted me that she's on her way here and she's just waiting for the pansit that she ordered. I even requested for a Razon's halo-halo. And so I waited for like an hour before they finally arrived. Yes, you heard me, THEY. Kets arrived with Elena, my anti-social bitch friend. So I was a bit confused but eventually, I thought maybe she just wanted to see me before I finally leave the country. That's it. So I fixed the table and told them it's time to eat. Gawd, these two had all the alibis in the world that night. That they just walked going here from there, that they needed to rest first and it's hot... blah blah blah... so in short, I allowed them to relax first with my stomach already crying for food! Suddenly, our dog barked like there's no tomorrow which indicates that somebody's outside our house. To my surprise, it was the rest of the gang. Yes, they got me and it was the second time. First was during my pregnancy then this one. Strike 2! Damn!

I hate surprises but I think I'm now getting used to it as long as there's always a new Cathy's bag. Hehe. Super thanks Five and Kets for that.

So we feast all night and had a couple of vodka shots. Some of my lovely friends didn't make it but they're all emotionally there and ehem, financially. I know they chipped in for all the food they bought. So thank you all and I will say it again, they're the best friends in the world!

My new Cathy's collection! Yay!

A good beginning embraces me and I'm all willing. What a best way of starting my new life. Surprises, surprises, must love surprises! Ugh! Until then. Ta-ta!

x

Ágætis byrjun (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈaːucaitɪs ˈpɪrjʏn] OW-gy-tiss BI-ar-yun, A good beginning)

Game Over

Today is my last day at B&M. I am sad to leave beautiful friends here but you know, life must go on. It was my pleasure meeting wonderful people at DSC. All of you will always be in my heart.

My last email to B&M colleagues

Now I believe that in every beginning, there's always an ending. I'm just so blessed that mine was fruitful and happy.

So, until then.

x

Broke

Four days left and it felt like four freaking years! I feel so lazy as a pig every single day! I wanna go out and shop but you see, I'm jobless, I'm about to leave the country, and I'm broke! 

Anyway, last Wednesday, Xioms and I went out to have our teeth cleaned. That was the only plan. Nothing more, nothing less. But when we're about to leave home, I received a text from my mom that she's in Rustan's and she wants us to go there. I was wondering what's with Rustan's? We went there anyway. When we got there, mom told me to pick any shoes that I want and she'll buy it. I was like, "Seriously?" though I know mom was never a fan of jokes. So I fitted almost every shoes that I found. Eventually, I picked the zebra-looking flats from Kiddo's and was so happy with it. But my happiness didn't just end there. Mom treated us with a scoop of Dolce ice cream. How lucky could this day be? =)

After Rustan's we went straight to our dentist since we had an appointment by 4pm. During my oral prophylaxis, mom told me that I would be needing one more pair of shoes, the formal one with heels. I was really grinning when I heard that. Mom was out of her mind. She's prolly sick? The last time mom bought me a pair of shoes was way back when I was in fourth year high school! It was an 8-hole Dr. Martens classic boots. The funny thing is that I've been asking for my own Docs since I was in 3rd grade and just got my pair when I was in high school! She's really stingy (but in a good cause/way) but this time, the world just turned upside down. Anyway after the dentist appointment, we went to Glorietta 5, did some fitting here and there until I have grabbed on the Ohrelle's 2-inch snake skin Mary Jane. Imagine, 2 shoes FROM MOM in a day! I'm in cloud nine! Shoes are one of my weaknesses!

New babies :)

After shoe shopping, mom lead us to Luk Yuen and we had our dinner there. At first, I told myself that I won't eat since my teeth were so clean and pearly white. Haha pearly white! But I ended up scooping every food that we ordered. Who would ignore Chinese food, eh? Especially the chicken feet. YUMMM! After dinner, we went home. 

I love you mom and thank you for this day and for my pretty new shoes! You made my broke day happy! Haha!

x

Count Dracula

It's already April and am counting the days again. Days of excitement, days of parting, days of sadness, days of long days, days of agitation or whatever days I could and would get. I'm now quite sure as to why numbers are created -- to count, you idiot!

For whatever reason, I'm feeling convinced. I even believe there's life after death. But of course with all the positive things happening, gloominess still sometimes prevails. I was thinking of the days that I won't be able to see kiddo, to touch her, to wipe her tears when she cries, to laugh with her, to hug and kiss her and so on. People visualize me that I don't give a shit, that I have a stone-cold heart but in reality, am not. I guess my face looks good pretending not to care though deep down inside, I always always ponder what will my life be when I'm thrown out into the battlefield... alone.

Still, I'm decided. I don't believe in second chances and "patiently waiting" doesn't seem to be part of my dictionary. It's time and I'm all ready. Fourteen nights and twenty-nine days more. So all I'm asking is for you to bear with my recurring numbers.

Malaise

All things are ready. And when I say ready, I'm good to go!

Since the day I knew I'm already decided, everyday, I bug my lovely droogs just to know EVERYTHING I want to know. All questions which starts with the letter W were made. There was even a point that one of my friends got tired of my silliness and was like hiding and don't want to talk to me anymore. Oh well, she has her reasons, I was really annoying, and I totally understand that.

Anyway, today I got a call from E and was told all the exact details that am longing to hear. At first I was like struck by a lightning. My brain don't seem to function but my heartbeat was so fast that if it has its own feet and hands, it would prolly rip my breast and run. I felt sick though am so stoked with the news so I breathe deeply as I absorbed things... things that would change my life forever which is hopefully, for the best.

I cannot believe that it's just these past few months! There's no turning back now.

How about you, have you ever felt so anxiously excited?