Overseas Bummer: #1... Total Dismay!

One of the things that i don't really appreciate here in Saudi Arabia is the lack of cinema houses. I researched any reason as to why but failed to come up with an answer. Anyway, personally, if there were even one cinema house here in Saudi Arabia, I would maybe have doubts of coming in... maybe.

So why am I blogging about the lack of cinema houses here? Why did it became a major concern for me? Well it's just that the last Harry Potter movie is now shown in movies around the world! It's not REALLY a big deal for me! Being a fan of the whole Harry Potter story, i should really be sulking! Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two is the Last movie of it's kind and i'm so really feeling bad that i can't experience it on big screen! It's really sad because Harry Potter has been a major part of my childhood and the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, was the first fiction i've read aside from my textbooks, which really awakened my love for literary pieces. Neither Twilight could match the power of magic in J.K. Rowling's masterpiece. I find the latter book so flat affect. Just saying!

So that's it. I'm really sad not seeing Deathly Hallows part 2 in big screen! I hate you Saudi for not having any cinema houses, not even one!

Cheers to the boy who lived! Thank you so much! 

Overseas Lessons # 1: Pack light etc.

My work here in Saudi is my first ever overseas deployment. Being excited and all that, I forgot the basic rules of travelling... packing light. I think my baggage with the capacity of 20kg was loaded with so much clothes. I brought with me tons of pajamas, t shirts, 3 pairs of jeans, one slacks, 7 blouses, 3 dresses... and the list goes on and on! As if I were to permanently transfer my residence here! So for all those who are going abroad, i think it's better to just bring maybe 3 pairs of daily wears and one pair of jeans, maybe a couple of tops because eventually you will find yourself buying so much clothes for your wardrobe. And unlikely, here in KSA, women are not allowed to go out without the abaya. I'll tell you a secret! During lazy days, i'm only wearing pj's underneath! No one notices anyway! ^_^

One major thing that I disregarded was the uniform! Back in the Philippines, the receptionist in the agency assured me that when I landed here, the hospital would sponsor the uniform. To my dismay, they sponsored only one pair! Good thing, my future mother in law was glad to borrow from someone and another thing is that the uniforms here in Saudi is tailored double the size of the person. But you could request by submitting a letter to the general manager which would eventually take time and too much questioning and waiting maybe a couple of months so there! So to all those nurses who are destined to go not only here but anywhere, might as well invest even on two pairs of uniform. What kind? Long sleeves top and pants. It's better if you ask the tailor to put the buttons not in the middle but on the sides so that when weight gain strike, nothing will peep out and you will not submerge yourselves to perversity.

So remember! Pack light! ^_^

Leaving on a Jet Plane?

I've been receiving numerous emails from my former classmates on how they can also apply overseas. To tell you the truth, going here is the best example of me being out of my league. Nevertheless I learned so much from this experience and I hope the next time it would be better.

I came here by the help of my fiance's mom. She was the one who asked me to send my resume and after some time, they gave the agency where i should give and process all of my documents. That's the basic step everyone, go to an agency. Then next is to verify if the agency is legit. POEA is giving away newspaper-like list of the legit agencies in the Philippines. You wouldn't want to be tricked by some petty agency so better safe than sorry. Anyways it's free so go ahead. If you're still in doubt of the agency, go directly to POEA. They cater overseas employment also but, as they say, you need to wait for like a month or something unlike private agencies. Then get a hold of the requirements. I'll tell you next time about the requirements.

Generally speaking, researching about your destination is a sure must!!! Like me, I went here with only a little idea about Saudi. I was so excited to go here because my fiance' is here. You know... young love, wild and free! But two years went by and all i did here was to piss off my nursing in charge because i am one hard to handle person. I couldn't even go out to the nearest bookstore unless i requested. My life here is like a prison.

I couldn't even elaborate more on how dismayed I am right now about what my Saudi life turned out. :( I'm gonna compose myself first then give you tips again next time.

"Biik"

It's my dear friend Rey's birthday. It's his 25th birthday and i so much miss him. Happy Birthday!

Our friendship is so important to me. It's the friendship that you would really treasure. We met through college in a very kaiinis situation. We were in our anatomy and physiology class. While waiting for the professor, he was reviewing, expectant of a surprise quiz while i was buzy chit chatting with other friends. He called my attention to tone down. I said apologies and i said "tao lang po!" To my surprise he replied "Ay tao pala akala ko biik!" I was trying to compose myself since the word biik or any correlations to a pig really hits me because i have this long overdue weight problem. But since i'm in college I tried to tell myself not to cry because for me college is a world of responsible teenagers and crying is like a sign of immaturity. But i'm on the verge of crying already so i just went out of the room for fresh air. He tried to go out because he said he also felt guilty and that's the first time we connected. And ever since then we had time to chit chat, review together, bond together. 

Our friendship means so much to me and if it were something to be salvage from a burning house i would not hesitate from going inside the house just to save it. He knows my deepest sentiments and i know his. That's how our friendship goes. No secrets, no hesitations, bold, fearless, honest.

I hope and pray that God will shower him more blessings in life and i also pray that despite the miles between us we will still remain friends. For me friends are life's precious spices. They give color and meaning. For me they are my soul mates, one ones you can really talk to... the one which even if you don't utter a single word, they will understand and that's how he is!

Now, whenever i hear the word "biik" it doesn't hurt me anymore, instead it reminds me of my friend Rey, and our big fat friendship!

The "First of Month" group - Loamie Bautista, Uche Belandres, Rey Inocencio, Me, Nathaniel Dela Vega

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The Shoestring Traveler

Since I left the Philippines all i dreamt of doing once i got home was to travel some of the best featured provinces. While i was browsing the world wide web i stumbled upon the blog of Mr. James Betia. He was really an inspiration to anyone who wants to travel a lot but has a tight budget. When I clicked to his page what i did was to start on the very first post up to the latest. Reading his blog was like experiencing his backpacking escapades. He really got me inspired to travel a lot more. 

I sent him an email to express my deepest gratitude and to let him  know that he awaken the sleeping gypsy inside of me! But to my surprise, he published my email! I was so shocked i was giggling all the time! It was the second time that my letter was published. The first was when my father published my letter in their company magazine in Brunei. This is the second one and it was like bliss when they appreciate what you are trying to tell them so thank you!

So ayan kuya james i felt like i also want to contribute something so i advertised your blog (as if i have too many followers). Who knows someone might stumble here also and learn about your blog so just keep doing it and enjoy!

So there subscribe also to journeyingjames.com and as well as other Filipino travel bloggers. Go ahead! Make their day! ^_^ 

Cheese Cake Love Affair

I was never fond of cheesecake in the Philippines. I think it's because i've tasted one before from this local bakery and it tasted sour. Must have been spoiled or something. I told the baker that it tasted like that but he told me that's the way it's supposed to be. Since then it came up to me that cheese cakes are sour (and i don't like tangy food).

But! Yes there is but! Through my friend here, she told me that she tasted the best cheese cake here in Riyadh. I've tried the cheese cake from starbucks, java coffee, even kfc and that one from our coffee shop in the hospital but my super duper uber favorite is this cheese cake from Kudu.

It's sweet, cheesy and the packaging is so cute! I can have i think too many of it as long as i want. Nahhh kidding! It's sorta like my apple. An apple a day keeps the doctors away right? For me a cheesecake a day keeps my stress away! hehehe so you see it became my comfort food. I never left the mall without one order.  One order is 7Sr so roughly 70Php. Not bad! Yumyum! I'm now craving for one! 

A New Blog Title and a New Password

Yes! Eventually I think this is already my God-knows-how-many-eth blog. I don't know I just popped in to my laptop and found that my previous blog was deleted. All 88 post and whatever I had there. It's such a sentimental blog for me since it kept me sane. Anyways to prevent that from ever happening again  i changed my password. Who knows maybe someone just had slipped and maybe did a little magic. This is the pessimistic side of me speaking. Hehe! Anyways i promised on my former blog that there would be no more negativities on the www so let's all keep a happy thought! Wish me luck!