I am counting the days already

In less than 5 days we are leaving. Mixed feelings.
Yes, this is what I have always wanted - to bring my kids outside their comfort zone and explore the world while they are young and are not yet controlled by biases common among adults like us.
But as I think of starting our life from scratch in a foreign land, it makes me more and more afraid of the unknown. Can we survive? Are we welcome? Can we still keep our values? A lot to think about.
Did I really wish the right thing? Is this the best future life for us? Is it really the best direction to follow?
But you know, at this point there is no turning back. So slowly, I am trying to muster enough courage and optimism (hey, everything is going to be alright). I have to trust my fate and rely greatly on my faith. After all, God has always led me to the right path ever since.
I know that at the end of the day, as long as we are together, I guess, we will be fine. :)

May God Bless Us Always.

wish came true

so who said wishlist will remain just a wishlist?

I got mine. A heartwarming send off gift.
Thank you Ms. AGD!
Very much appreciated.

mali nga lang un title sa wishlist ko, pero eto un :)

so why a British employer huh?

Nowadays, I have been staying in front of my laptop longer than I used to. Well, it's because vacation has began since Monday and stress (mostly due to waking up very early everyday) has also lessened. My problem now is I am gaining weight. grrrrrr. Oh well. Can't help.

This week, I have also started reading forum on expat woman site. During our preview trip in Dubai last January, I was advised by our travel guide to browse this site as often as I could so I would have an idea of how it is to live in Dubai. I immediately went to Maid Classified Ads and see if it's easy to find a maid in Dubai. And this is what I found: 

Dear Sir/Madame,

To GOd be the glory!

I AM LOOKING FOR A LIVE OUT FULL TIME JOB as a home helper for a BRITISH FAMILY, I am (name), from Philippine, 37 years old, married, have a 2 years old daughter in the Philippines, I am staying here Al Jafiliya near satwa roundabout, I worked before in one of the prestigious cleaning company here in Dubai.The Helpers Cleaning Company, I worked there as a company cleaner for almost 3 years, I do cleaning, washing,ironing and some household work and some times baby sitting. If you are interested this is my contact number (mob.phone) .... thank you and have a blessed day to all!!

Regards,
(Name)

Wait! She is not alone. Other Filipinas want to be hired by American family or European family. Not by Asian nor by Filipino family. :) I wonder what could be their reason. Low salary? Minimum benefits? Or could it be that Western employers are kinder and more considerate? If this is the case there, then maybe I could just expect getting a Sri Lankan or an Indian helper.Or I couldn't hire anyone coz the latter also prefer Western employer. Oh so sad.

Last night, I told hubby to consider staying on a flat (condo unit) instead. Villas are hard to maintain if you don't have someone to help you. He is not cool on my suggestion. I guess he still wants a "feeling of home" after a long day of work.

So for now, let us wait and see. I better go back to sorting our clothes for next week's packing. Maids can wait.

Sarah is not coming with us (and it's breaking our hearts)

The original plan was to bring our Sarah with us to the UAE. We immediately started the procedures by implanting microchip to her. According to the Wikipedia, a microchip implant is an "identifying integrated circuit placed under the skin of a dog, cat, horse, parrot or other animal. The chip, about the size of a large grain of rice, uses passive RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology, and is also known as a PIT tag (for Passive Integrated Transponder) ". In other words, naka barcode na si Sarah.

The next procedure was blood collection for titer test, a requirement for pets entering the UAE from the Philippines. Unfortunately, her veterinarian informed me that her blood is hemolized even she centrifuged it four times. Although the blood collection can be repeated after a week, we already lack the time. Assuming Sarah passed the 2nd blood collection, it would take a month to obtain the clearance since the result still has to be sent to the US. 

Every time I think of saying goodbye to Sarah, I cry. Whenever I watch heartwarming stories of pet dogs on TV I couldn't control my tears. My relatives asked me to consider selling sarah but it was never my option because for me it was like selling my own child. 

(Our Sarah will be adopted by our neighbor who has two shih tzu dogs)

Nowadays, sarah often spends time with her two shih tzu playmates in our neighbor's house. This will also lessen my separation anxiety come April 1, when we have to say goodbye to Sarah.

We will miss her.

No, I am not planning to get another dog. It is so heartbreaking to say goodbye.

musing

an early morning drive to XSN always gives me a different kind of adrenaline rush. it doesn't only give me the energy but it also makes me feel happy. This, despite having to wake up earlier than my usual 4:15 am. Driving along Nuvali road gives me this feeling that I am communing with nature. Morning mist on my windshield, green fields, trees everywhere, morning enthusiasts (bikers, joggers or just leisurely walking) and sunrise. I don't know, but I feel lucky to be one of those who still have the luxury of appreciating the beauty and miracle of the morning sun. 

One more week and my XSN routine is over and oh how I'm going to miss it.