My first days in America

The moment we landed at Sioux Gateway Airport, I was nervous. At last, I'm gonna meet our HR who we have constant communication with. Her name is Amy. When we saw her outside, we were not so sure if that was her but when we approached her, it was confirmed. My nervousness faded away as she greeted us warmly and helped to load our bags at the back of her car. When she drove us going to the hospital (coz this is where we'll spend our quarantine) I should say she's a very outgoing person. She was delighted to show us the places around Sioux City. 

Upon arriving, we went to the  Levitt Guesthouse located at the 4th floor of the hospital. She showed us our room and I saw a set of scrubs and a T-shirt placed on the table. She was so welcoming as she said that we call her if we need anything.

While staying in the hospital's guesthouse, I couldn't ask for more: a wonderful accommodation (because of the suite room) with free meals, TV, and unlimited WiFi connection. 

As the days passed, here are the things I've observed and I'm still very amused:

• Speaking of free meals, sumptuous meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)  are delivered at 8am, 12noon, and 6pm. Honestly, the big portions are hard to finish for my small tummy. and more and more I miss rice.
• Since we are under quarantine, we monitor our temperatures and it's not in Celsius but in Fahrenheit. From morning, mid-day to night. They are not into metric system here.
• We looked for apartments and I took the courage to call each one of them. I'm thankful the receptionists that I talked to were kind and considerate because there are times I couldn't get my English right.
• I found the nights here weird because it doesn't get dark until 9PM, way much different from the Philippines where we take our dinner at 7PM because it's dark already.
• It is our first time to use the thermostat to adjust the airconditioner's temperature and we were terrified to hear some cracking sounds from the ceiling. At first, we were worried and because of this, we phoned a friend just to make sure if it's alright.
• I found the hot baths refreshing! 
• If you want to cross the street, you need to press the button so the pedestrian lane is free for you to cross
• We went to a nearby convenience store, HyVee and I was glad that I already have 20, 50 bills and coins as change
• In Walmart, we were introduced to the self-check out feature of the store. We used a credit card for that.
• A box of milk is always present on meal times and  we have lots of it inside our fridge
• I'm starting to like pepper because it gives more flavor to the food.

I know there are lots of things that I need to discover in America but this is all for now. I have more to learn.

Buhay OFW 101: Videocalling is the new normal

Until now, it is still new to me to use Messenger as one way to communicate with my family. I still wish I could fly back home and be with them. Whenever I speak to them online, I want to hug them. I miss them so much I was just holding back my tears. 

Usually they are the ones who call me because I can accept it immediately. Adjustments to time has to be made because we are in different timezones already. I'm awake in US while it's nighttime in the Philippines.We usually talk in the morning and in the afternoon before I sleep. Well, I could talk for hours with them about everything under the sun but the most important is, we keep on reminding each other to pray and take care of ourselves. My heart is glad when I see my family smiling as we exchange jokes. My family still laughs at my corny jokes, one thing that I miss the most.

I think I need to get used to messenger now. With technology, communication is made convenient. My homesickness was lessened. I get to see them and talk to them in real time and the difference is only distance. I can't wait till I finish my contract and rush home.

Weird night times in America

JUST SHARING - I just find it weird that the sun sets longer in America than in the Philippines. On my first day in US, I was just shocked to find out that there's still sun at 7 PM! I remember that in the Philippines, 7 PM is already dark and people already gathered in their homes to eat supper. Honestly, this is one of the reasons why I still can't adjust my body clock. Usually the sun sets in America by 9 PM and starts to get dark at 10PM. So strange! When I was in the Philippines, I am asleep by 10 PM but now my bedtime is 12 in the midnight. What I need to improve is my bedtime schedule. I hope I could adapt here immediately..

Cindy the MT's Timeline to American Dream

Hello Guys, I'm gonna put my timeline of experience here from the time I worked as a medical technologist in the Philippines up until I got hired in the US. The journey towards fulfilling my American dream was very difficult but with God, it was made possible.

Here started my journey as a medical laboratory scientist:

• May 2015 - graduated with Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology at Southwestern University
• September 2015 - passed Medical Technology Licensure exam 
• October 2015 to April 2016 - worked at THCDC (freestanding laboratory) 
• February 2016 - Certified Drug Analyst 
• April 18, 2016 - got hired by CDUH (300 bed capacity tertiary hospital) 
• Whole 2017 - WARDING (phlebotomy department) days, review for ASCPi and work, work, work to earn for my certification exams 
• Whole 2018 - Rotated in Hematology, Clinical Microscopy, Blood Banking 
• April 26, 2018 - passed MLS ASCPi exam 
• June 2018- sent my Transcript of Records to be evaluated by JSILNY 
• February 23, 2019 - passed IELTS exam 
• March - June 2019- Visascreen processing period until certified 
• May 2019 - Got hired as a Part time drug analyst at an LTO accredited drug testing facility 
• June- August 2019 - Job searching for MT positions in the US thru Internet 
• August 2019 - Rotated in Special and Routine Chemistry 
• September 2019 - employer called me for an interview
• October 2019 - got hired and accepted their job offer (direct-hired) 
• November 2019 - commencement of H-1B processing including approval of LCA 
• December 2019 - approval of H-1B petition 
• January 2020 - US embassy interview and approval of my H-1B visa 
• February 2020 - POLO contract processing 
• March 2020 - POEA processing, OEC issuance 
• March 2020 to June 2020 - Deployment delayed due to COVID pandemic. 
• July 7, 2020 - finally arrived at Sioux City, Iowa, USA!

Although, there was a delay in my US employment but it didn't make me feel disappointed and instead I put my firm trust to God that everything's gonna be alright. Because of the COVID outbreak I also understand the company's concern to halt the deployment since it's also risky to put our lives in danger. Much more the number of cases are still up and there's no vaccine yet as of this writing. During the lockdown period, I spent my time doing the things that I love and enjoying the remaining my time with my family. I believe that everything has a reason. 

Well, the primary formula of my timeline is patience. I learned to be patient because I need to work for my family. God is my provider. I also took part time for reliever jobs to augment for my certification exams. I realized that nothing's good with rushing things because it will just produce bad outcomes. 

I hope that this blog will inspire you to never stop dreaming! Keep working on your dreams and put your strong faith in God. He is a good companion. He will never leave you in the process. Believe in yourself as well!

A DREAM THAT COMES WITH A COST

Everything God is preparing for you is worth the wait. 

Finally my dream has started to realize. July 1, when I found out that our employer had already rebooked our ticket, mixed emotions felt. A feeling of happiness and at the same time anxiety took over. When I told my family that I already had a flight scheduled, my mother was grateful and she told me to get hurry in complying the travel requirements.

Although Papa was not feeling well but I can feel the immense support he has given me as he drove me to the places I needed to go just for my medical certificate and travel pass. I should say that getting these travel documents were a hassle because of the retained ECQ status in Cebu City. 

As I look at my itinerary, I couldn't help feeling nervous. Five flights were not a joke, The Cebu-Manila-Incheon-San Francisco-Chicago-Sioux City route was bothersome but I need to survive them all. Although it was very hard to leave my family but I needed to do it in order to support my sister's education.  

It was Sunday, 1 o'clock in the afternoon. I was finalizing the things in my luggage. Then came the painful moment that I need to go. As I hugged my crying Mum, I couldn't hold back my tears. I let the tears flowed down on my cheeks. It will be long until I can smell her fragrant smell again. I hugged Kenneth and Cherry as well. I was really emotional and I immediately went inside the car for I couldn't take the bitter reality of leaving home. Leaving home was painstaking but it is about time.

During the travel to the airport, I was so silent to father. I don't know what else to say although I know Pup was also holding back his emotions. We arrived at the airport and unloaded my baggage from the back. How I wanted to hug him but he seemed to be in a haste. He was making the quick drop off an excuse. The last time I remembered was I gave a kiss on his cheek and he drove away after that.

Now I know that there's no turning back anymore and I went on pushing my cart loaded with my baggage inside the airport.

To someone who has never flown overseas, to me, this is a new experience. This is a new adventure to unravel. 

Our first stop was Manila and our flight to Korea was on the next day so we spent a night at Gatchalian Guesthouse which was a comfortable stay. The guesthouse served us a delicious beef tapa for breakfast.

I just kept myself strong and kept on praying to God for a safe flight every time the plane takes off. Honestly, I was feeling dizzy during those flights and there were times that the delicious food that flight attendants were serving lost its appeal. 

I thank God that Maymay was my traveling buddy. She knows everything and for that, I am very proud of her! With all the connecting flights and boarding gates that we need to catch, I just couldn't imagine myself walking around the big airports of Incheon and asking airport authorities for directions. She's so impressive. I was thankful she was so patient to me because as I said, this is my first international flight. 

Flying with Asiana Airlines was very satisfying. Honestly, I was so anxious with our 12-hour flight from South Korea to San Francisco. At this time, I was dizzy. Good thing there were few passengers so we had the chance to have have the whole row by ourselves so we can lie to sleep. The lights were turned off so I had a wonderful rest.

July 6, 2020, when I landed the American soil. I couldn't hide the excitement and I cried in silence as I thought that what was once a dream came into reality. As the plane landed, I said to myself that this is it! It is time to live with my dream! Suddenly I got homesick remembering my family but then they are the reason why I'm working hard to reach my goal.

I was able to witness two of the biggest airports in the United States: the San Francisco International Airport and Chicago O'Hare International Airport. These airports have different architectural designs but I like the latter because it is easier to navigate. While we were spending our layovers, I also fed my eyes with the amazing view of the airports: lots of signature stores and I wish that someday I'm gonna buy some of the designer items for myself. 

Right now, it's still unbelievable how this small girl was blessed with a wonderful opportunity. Imagine, I have flown all the way from the Philippines to Sioux City! I thank God countless times for my answered prayers. He is my refuge and my strength. To him, I cling to His promises. I can feel his love for me. He has guided me in everything that I do and provided things that I need and even more. Even though I'm million miles away from my family but my faith is firm. Distance doesn't matter. Technology has made distance a thing of the past as I am constantly checking them everyday.

Having said that, being an OFW is not always 'the good times'. Each one has to undergo hardships. Not only you have to fight homesickness but also the possibility of discrimination against other races. That's why I am fervently praying that I can easily adapt in here and will make friends with the people.

Indeed, this is a dream that comes with a cost. Still, I need to work for it. I hope I will achieve success in the land of the free.

i AM MULAN

Ever since I was a kid, I always admired the Disney movie, Mulan. Although she is not a princess, she is my favorite Disney heroine because she is a brave and selfless daughter. 

I remember the time my father bought it for us and he played it in our VHS player for the first time. Since then, I want to be like her because I love her courage to prove herself that she is strong like a man.

Mulan is more focused on what she could do for the family. She's independent and courageous. She did what is best and that is to keep her father safe and to give honor for her family. 

The greatest gift and honor is having you for a daughter. 

This line melted my heart. What a moving scene, it hits me hard. I cried a bucketful of tears when Mulan's father hugged her in the ending. The love for our family will always be greater. That's why I love Mulan.

Like her, I took the courage to be away from the family leaving from my comfort zone to further help in sustaining the needs of our family. While being away from home, I always think of them.. I'm literally crying here. and I can't wait to go home, hug my parents and dine with my family once again.

Now, I understand the song, Reflection by Christina Aguilera.

God’s reason for my delay

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Aside from this COVID-19 crisis, God has a reason why he delayed my flight to the United States. Instead of getting impatient, I even thank him for he let me spend most of my time doing the things that I’ll definitely miss like spending time with my family and awakening my talents. But aside from that, through this delay, I got to know God better.

Each and everyday, my need to follow His footsteps grows.  As I wake up early, I find the stillness of the morning my avenue to thank God for another wonderful day and to praise him for the awesome creations he gave for us. The freshness of the wind and twitting of the birds are music to my ears as I feel his mighty presence and imagining that I am talking with him in the paradise. The inspirational books in our shelf serve as my fuel to strengthen my faith.

Because of this delay, I found my purpose and existence in life. I turned away from my wrongdoings and followed God’s teachings by reading the Good News in the bible daily. I watched Bro. Eli Soriano’s bible expositions. My family made a strong connection to God by reciting the rosary in the evening, calling Mama Mary to relay our petition to God for world peace and the discovery of cure to this virus. This is a beautiful conversion for us to be closer to God and put him as our center of our family.

God is truly amazing! Days turned into weeks and I didn’t seem to mind the day of lifting of the quarantine.

Thank you, Lord Almighty Father for the delay. I’m savoring the time I left before I leave home. I will definitely miss my father’s homecooked meals, meaningful conversations with mother and the fun times I had with my siblings. I come to appreciate that no matter how financially challenged we are, I am blessed with a family who share the same passion and interest as mine and that is to get to know You.

Thank you, God for giving me the chance to improve myself.  This is just the beginning. You opened my heart and soul and you made me realize that your love is eternal. You are always there when we are persecuted and suffered greatly.

I hope that as I live in this temporary life, I will propagate your goodness and will strengthen my faith when times are not in favor of me. You are my salvation. You are the God of wonders!