Author: jamilamimi

OFW – Overseas Filipino Workers, yes! we are outside our own country to earn a living which will give a better future to our children. I say a “better’ future because wherever you are, regardless whether you are outside or inside your own country there will always a future to look forward to..any one who would like to succeed will always find a way to reach their goal. Having an opportunity to work abroad is a big bonus in itself but it has also its own trade-off. for one..being away from the family is an enormous sacrifice each of us has to deal with.

and so, when times like this celebrating birthday, we find comfort being with our friends, crazy friends I may add 🙂 and friends who we considered as second family in a foreign land which sometimes we refer as our second home.

Saudi Arabia, Jeddah in particular is saturated of restaurants, malls and a few parks near the red sea or Jeddah Corniche. It is up to our budget where we can share the moments, what is important is the company ,the warmth of being with friends. I know, some of you who are reading this, knew our positions in the company but I say the same, we all have our own budget specially having University students back home is something we have to think about before spending hard-earned money to something we can do in all simplicity 🙂

Simplicities? I almost bit my tongue hahaha look at the menu! taken with my iPhone 4 🙂 budget, I  told you so hehehe

and dessert?

and guess who is in budget too! Chilli’s, we asked for candle and birthday acapella song (they used to do) but nothing! so here’ the blowing of the invisible candle and we chant a few lines of “Happy birthday”

and the results after ? boom! all gone 🙂

After we filled our tummies ,it’s time to remove some of the calories we enjoyed, we walked along the Falasteen street walk towards the tallest fountain in the world – King Fahd’s Fountain, took sometime to get fresh air ironically, it was full of different smell from the crowds of different people plus the humidity of the sea. It was a different atmosphere and we’re lucky, there was some fire works too! What a way to celebrate my friend’s birthday, free fire works! 🙂

We walked until we reached Park hyatt Hotel, hmmm still on budget, no way to get in just for a cup of tea. Cross the streets into the Intercontinental Hotel, not a cup of coffee 🙂 no way! While we were crossing, I was full of joy and fear that the cars passing by won’t stop and crushed on to us.. I was raising my hand and shouting, oh please stop I still have two college students, not ready to get into accident. Of course, I am exaggerating, were all adults but being silly sometimes takes the worries away. 🙂

And so we continued walking trying to re-traced our way where we had our dinner, while walking we kind of dig our life, what is left for us? I am 56, my friend just turned 58, we will be in our sixties soon !..like our other friend who is now 62 and still working hard for the family. We were once a young family, living a good life (we still are) what I meant..we are all getting old and we barely save something for our own, the time when we can’t work anymore at least we should have something to spend for our daily living expenses, the time when we get sick. For sure, our children will help us but we can’t depend on that idea, we have to be ready with old age physically, mentally and financially 🙂

We all share the same sentiments, how long are we going to stay here? 4-5 years more? no one really knows! but when I was asked, Where are you going after Saudi Arabia? It’s an irony that I, a mother of two is the only provider in the family, my two sons are finishing College soon, they are both outside Philippines,I guess wherever they maybe, that’s where I am headed at.

For now, let’s find a place to sit down and have some tea! We ended our one hour and fifteen minutes walk with Krispy creme doughnuts and green tea!

and the night is over, another year has come and celebrated, tomorrow is another day! Tito Arlen my birthday wish for you is more power and good health!

Thank you Lord for all the blessings!

Cheers!

jamilamimi