Year-ender Thoughts

In a few hours, 2009 will be over. I can’t help but think of the best things that happened to me this year.

This was the year when I finally got to see my baby Inigo for the first time. Last year when he was born in the Philippines, I was away working abroad, and I couldn’t go home because I was still on probation at work. It was only early this year that I finally got to meet him during my one-month vacation to my home country. It was also this year that we became one as a family with my wife.

My son’s Christening was successfully held and was well attended in March. It was difficult to manage a big event such as that, but everything went well.

It was in June when my wife and baby flew over to join me here where I was working. Now, I am living with them and I always look forward to coming home after a very busy day in the unit. My tiredness disappears once I felt the embrace of my loved ones.

Inigo’s first birthday also went well in July. Although we did not have our immediate relatives here, many friends came over to celebrate this special occassion.

The experience of being a paramedic for an international event such as the 1st Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix last October was one chance of a lifetime. It was indeed an honor to be chosen to represent your hospital, which was also participated in by other hospitals in Abu Dhabi.

I have started to do better workwise this year, as I have learned the tricks of the trade and a lot of things for me to be able to work effectively. I feel that I am doing my job better now than how I was doing last year.

Moving out to a new apartment was tough, but now I have settled in our new place with a very good location at the heart of the city. One thing I learned during the process of moving out, you will know who your friends are in times of need. People knew that transferring to a new house was difficult, and so I got phone calls to voluntarily help us in moving our stuff. There was no need to call them.

There are some misfortunes during the year as well, but I guess those are not worth counting. What matters are the blessings that we received during this year. There are lots of other people in my home country who are not as blessed as me, especially after the calamities that hit the place, so I have to thank God that me and my families back home were spared.

Thanks, 2009. And now I wish for a more blessed, prosperous and peaceful 2010.

Happy new year, everyone! Cheers!

Welcome to our New Home

I’m back at writing at last. I have been very busy during the last weeks and I was not able to post anything. Moving in to a new flat was so exhausting. And even after we have moved in, and transferred all our stuff, there’s so much that needs to be sorted out.

It also took time before our internet connection was installed, and so I really missed the cyberworld.

Things are in place now and so I could give you a peek of where we live now.

Belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!

Moving Out

One and a half years ago, I came into this flat alone with only one clothes-filled suitcase. Today, I am leaving this house with more than 20 boxes, and accompanied by a wife and a baby.

Moving out was never easy. Not just because the process was physically-tiring, it is emotionally-draining as well. This flat has been part of my ups and downs especially during the initial stages of my nursing career here in the UAE. The walls have been witness to the many events in my life – including receiving about the news of my baby’s birth in the Philippines, and my wife and baby’s coming in here to live with me.

The dining table was part of the many dinners – alone, with friends, and with family. The bed catches my daily tiredness from work. The kitchen has smelled the different kind of dishes cooked by me, and later on by my wife. How can I forget this place? It is a difficult thing to leave a place you considered your home.

But moving out also means you are moving in somewhere else. And yup, we found a new home at the heart of the city, where a new life will be awaiting us. Moving out means life has to go on, and face the different challenges that lies ahead.

As my family moves out of this place this afternoon, allow me to thank everyone around the neighborhood who has  made our stay homey. I will surely miss this place and the people around. The friendships will be treasured forever.