My Birthday Celebration

Tuesday, 3rd of February was my birthday!!! My apologies for the late posting, I just have my blog recently. I always look forward to my special day. It's a day to celebrate God's gift of life. My family in the philippines were the first to greet me on my special day. I got warm voice call, text messages and emails from them and friends back home.

I just celebrated my birthday simply at the hostel. My friends at work helped me cook the food. They voluntered what dishes and desserts they would cook. I just provided money on what to buy for food menu. The food was delicious all- filipino dishes like kalderetang kambing, (goat) beefstakes, sotanghon mixed with bam-i, (for long life they say) sauteed shrimps, pork and chicken adobo and lechon manok. For desserts, we had spaghetti, chocolate cake, macaroni salad, leche flan, fresh fruit salad, maja blanca and cassava cake. The drinks were cold and refreshing.

After dinner, we spent the rest of the night with videoke singing, dancing, laughing and talking.
My friends gifted me with a shirt, scented candles, victoria's secret pear glace body mist, and a cute stuff toy.

I had a fantastic birthday. It was a simple celebration yet it was nice to all of my friends and colleagues at work enjoying the party. To my friends and family, thank you so much for making my birthday wonderful. I hope to return the favor on your birthday as well.

My Uniform

This is our uniform in almana general hospital in saudi arabia. As you can say, we look like a nun. We as female nurses, treat and serve female patients only. We are not allowed to mix with male patients because that is the culture here.

Abaya

As you can see in this picture, we are wearing abaya. This is an islamic dress worn in arabian peninsula and united arab emirates. The law in saudi arabia required every women to wear abaya when going out the city. Women here are required to cover themselves in public and that is abaya. You would be apprehended by policeman if you don't follow their culture. After all it is their national dress so you don't have to blame them.

Working Nurse In A Private Hospital

I am working in Almana General Hospital assigned as female medical ward. This is our hospital in Saudi Arabia. My hospital experiences in Davao City really helped a lot especially in duty related exposures. I think I didn't have a hard time coping with the new and hospital scenario here in Saudi Arabia because of my skill foundation. For two and a half years now, I can say that I am blessed to be given this chance to serve and opportunity to earn.

Leaving Home to Saudi

When I left home to work abroad as a nurse in saudi arabia, I was beginning a new life. A life that involves the adjustment to new culture and a new environment. The language was a barrier to me, but I was able to learn it eventually. In fact I am very fluent now with their arabic language.

At first I was not able to adapt their culture, at home in the philippines, I used to eat pork, beef, chicken and seafoods. My mama would cook my favorite meat dishes like beefstake, goat kaldereta, pork asado, pork or chicken adobo and sauteed shrimps in butter. It was a big adjustment when I arrived in saudi arabia. After a few months I was able to try new things, was able to experiment new food, style and daily rituals.