I always knew that I wanted to live and work abroad. I’ve had that idea at the back of my head for a long time but I just didn’t know when and how it will happen.

Then came March 2014 when I knew it was finally time. I got really determined after receiving the unfortunate news of Mat’s denied working visa application to a colder part of the world. Though it wasn’t personally mine, it was a vital step to achieving our life goals. After that heartbreak, we tried another path but it seemed that there was something else meant for us, for me.

So to cut the story short, I arrived here in the deserts of Dorne on a cold and windy winter morning of November 2014.The universe conspired for me to be  here. Back home I literally had zero savings at that time, not even a single peso in my pocket. But things will happen if it’s meant to be. I have always believed that. So by His faithfulness and my father’s generosity (through his retirement money), I was able to fund my plan to be an OFW. Hurray!

I was scared and had a lot of questions but definitely excited for the whole new experience. After more than a month of job hunting and several cries for financial help from home, I landed a job in a real estate company where I met my sisters by heart (I’ll write about them soon).

The struggle is real. This is a popular line I usually encounter which became true for me when I was already here. I was culture-shocked, from the environment to the weather, people, language and way of living among others. I didn’t know what I was feeling that time and it was difficult for me to process. I felt alienated by all of it. I dismissed the feeling of homesickness as I did not want to go home just yet and put all my efforts (and my parents’) in vain.

For 26 years, it was my very first time to move out from the comforts of our home and be really independent. I’ve been here for almost two years now – the longest I have been away from my family. A lot of realizations poured in and I am proud to say that I have survived the first few rounds and will continue to hurdle the succeeding ones. Every waking moment in this sandy pasture is a day full of promise. A promise that someday, I’ll be able to live the life that I have imagined for myself and my family and that at the end of this journey I will be stronger and wiser.

P.S. It takes a lot of courage, strength and maturity to be an OFW. I salute all those who have been working away from home enduring all those lost years with their loved ones. Hindi po biro ang inyong pinagdadaanan. Mabuhay po kayong lahat!

P.P.S. Mat-Mat is my Jon Snow, my soul mate and my destiny. 🙂 ❤