OFW Life in Qatar

Today is my second month and 3rd day in Doha, Qatar. I arrived last April 25, 2018 at around 9:30PM in Hamad International Airport. It was a long, exhausting, and emotional flight with two layovers and during those, I wanted to cry. HARD. However, I couldn’t even shed a tear. I’m torn between feeling heartbroken leaving everything and everyone in the Philippines and also feeling blessed to have this opportunity.

As you may know (or not), I’ve graduated from college 3 years ago. I wasn’t exactly an achiever when I was in college. Yes, I was a scholar and never had failing grades yet I didn’t stand out academically because almost everyone in our University were smart-ish. I didn’t expect to be where I’ll be now and I meant that in a good way. (Gird your loins dahil mag-mamayabang ako dito sa part na ‘to….) Before I even graduated, I was hired by the biggest ecommerce in Southeast Asia; after that, my salary tripled when I worked for an American consultancy in BGC. Soon after my Eurotrip, I was hired by a FinTech company as a Digital Marketing Head and it was the best experience of my life! All of these happened without any breaks in between. The longest break I had was only 5 days in between new job. I was just 21 years old but my career was already skyrocketing! I was working for a good company with the best people and I legitimately enjoyed my job! Gimik almost every night, bought whatever the f I want, traveled out of the country every 3 months, and I even bought my own house! It was surreal! Pero the overwhelming achievement made me want to achieve more. Na-pressure ako, mga sis! Lagi ko iniisip na, “Ayy kulang pa ‘to!” There’s nothing wrong with wanting more pero ang naging problema eh hindi ko naisip na since 12 years old ako eh puro na ko trabaho. Sobrang burnt out ko na pero dinedma ko lang yun. Nasa isip ko eh “Sige, push lang! Wag ka titigil.” 

I didn’t plan to work abroad because I was doing more than okay in the Philippines. However, when I received a LinkedIn message asking me if I’d be interested in working for a non-profit government organization in Qatar, my light bulbs lit up! I didn’t know much about Qatar — okay, fine. I didn’t know anything about Qatar! At all! I just knew that it’s in Middle East but that was it! That’s why I was so excited because new life and another bonggang adventure for me so why not di ‘ba? I didn’t expect anything. I just said yes to the interview and long story short, after just 4 days, I got my working visa! Everything happened so fast yet my family didn’t forget to hold a despedida for me. I didn’t cry. I was just excited for my new adventure. My (then) boyfriend and I have been with each other for 7 years and I’ve never seen that man cried in front of me but days before my flight, humagulgol siya mga sis! So, ang lola niyo, more hagulgol din habang nag-aayos ng gamit. Mukha kaming tanga. As in more ngawa kami for hours! Our plan was to get him a job here and get married as soon as he arrives in Qatar. Long story short, siyempre hindi nangyari yun at nag-hiwalay din kami. I ended it. Hindi talaga ako pang-LDR. Sorry. Hindi naman ako malandi ha! Talagang ang language of love ko lang is dapat malapit sa akin yung tao physically (HAHAHA!) I hurt him and I feel guilty about it every single day but what can I do? If it’s not meant to be, it won’t be. I have no regrets as we also have irreconcilable differences even before I came here naman. I’m just happy that I met him. I still cherish our memories. Arte.

When I arrived in Qatar, I didn’t know a single soul.

You might have heard this even if you’re not an OFW na ‘wag magtitiwala kahit kanino, kahit ba kapwa Pinoy mo pa. I admit that I’m a very trusting person as I always believe in the kindness of everyone. In my 23 years of existence, I’ve never met a purely bad person so I told myself that I would be stupid if I trusted a wrong person. Well, don’t underestimate the power of loneliness as it will make you dumb and gullible. I trusted the wrong one and it’s still the worst mistake in my life that I can think of. I always think this is my karma. I’m not the kind to air my dirty laundry in public but I assure you, nakakaloka ang ganap ko and kung iskandalosa ako, itong story na ‘to, viral-worthy siya. Pero hindi ako ganun eh so sige, pagdasal ko na lang siya. I’m mad at myself more than that person because I’d often ask “How can I be so stupid?!” I am independent. I have handled myself and had my shit together since I was a fetus hahahaha pero anyare mga mams? I’ve lived in Europe for months, for fuck’s sake! I dined, shopped, made myself happy, and lived alone my entire life! I never thought I’d depend my happiness on a person but that person took advantage of my trust and to say that that person destroyed me is an understatement. Ang lala, shuta. Pero okay na, okay na ‘ko. This would be the last time that I’ll kind of talk about this. Alam ko nababasa nya to. Wag kang mag-alala, hinding-hindi kita sisiraan kahit kanino because I’m not that kind of person that you are. Anyway, I don’t think of that person anymore, as in. However, I’m still in the process of forgiving myself. #LessonLearned

This does not just apply to OFWs like me. This lesson applies to every freakin person on Earth. Don’t trust anyone. Guard your life and build your walls! Doubt everyone and their intentions. Kaya kahit kakilalang-kakilala nyo kahit nasa Pinas kayo at nakita nyo sa Doha, wag nyo pagkatiwalaan! OKAY GRABE NA HUGOT KO! HAHAHAHA! Baka ma-spluk ko na! Charot! That’s the lesson I’ve learned and I will not make the same mistake again. Although, habang tina-type ko ‘to, naiisip ko na naman na ANG TANGA-TANGA KO. Sarap sabunutan ng sarili ko, amp. HAHAHAHA!
[nextpage title=”Next Page”]

Living and Working in Doha

My workplace – Qatar Science & Technology Park

I’m still adjusting with my work here. Of course, that’s given. New colleagues from different countries with different cultures, new industry (Research and Development), and new way of doing things. I’m still adjusting but surviving! I’m blessed to be a part of this organization and not everyone is fortunate enough to not start from the bottom when they moved abroad.

I have three Pinay officemates but we’re all in different departments and are far from each other. I’m in a room full of men and I can’t believe that I can survive a single day without a kadaldalan but I now do enjoy it. It’s actually nice working peacefully!

Living in Doha has been tough. Qatar itself is a wonderful country – hands down! It’s one of the safest and most peaceful countries I’ve ever been to. The problem was with me! Although I said I am independent, I admit that I’m not domesticated. I can’t cook to save my life, I don’t do my laundry (my younger brother did given the right amount of money HAHAHAH), my food had always been prepared by my ex-boyfriend before I even wake up! Imagine my surprise when I came here. Shocking, I HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING ALONE! I haven’t done my own laundry in YEARS! I don’t even know how to operate a freaking washing machine (I know, stupid!) I am not saying this because I want you to think it’s cute and amusing. It’s not! I should’ve known this. I can’t cook a fried chicken because it’s either bloody or burnt. DUDE! LOL.

During my first month, I wanted to save money so I opted to bedspace. To each their own but never in my life again. I love my roommates but I’m always paranoid what time they’ll go home that’s why I cannot sleep, at all. I now enjoy the luxury of having my own space even if it’s P15,400 pricier.

I am extremely grateful with my new friends! Most of them were initially my blog readers. Imagine the power of Internet! Thank you so much for cooking for me, letting me sleep over when I’m sad or too happy, and for treating me like you guys know me your entire life. I should’ve met you first before that one. Pretty sure, I wouldn’t make the mistake because you are all the best!!! <3

Anyway, I’m now doing my very best to adjust. I cooked sinabawang corned beef and it was so good! Baby steps, okay? Don’t pressure me to be able to cook kare-kare right away! Every single day, I cook my dinner and my lunch for work (I don’t eat heavy breakfast). I also find doing laundry and folding to be therapeutic HAHAHA. I also can’t stand seeing my bedroom unorganized so I mop and sweep it every single day! My rent is QAR1800 or PHP26,452 and that’s just for a room and my own bathroom. I share the dining area and kitchen with a Filipino family. Imagine the cost of living here? I could rent a fully-furnished condo in Makati with that LOL but what can I do? It is what it is! I love my room so much and it’s my haven as it really makes me happy. My room reminds me of my independence.

Sa totoo lang, hindi ko alam kung hanggang kalian ako dito. Pwedeng hanggang dalawa o limang taon or pwede din hanggang bukas. Wala akong ideya. All I know is that the situation I’m at now humbled me and made me reevaluate my life. As long as I’m happy, I’ll still be here and I know myself that I’m not a quitter. All the adjustments, broken heart, homesickness, and broken trust, let me tell you one thing: I HAVE NOT SHED A TEAR YET. Not a single one. I’m that strong. Sabi nga ni William Ernest Henley eh “My head is bloody but unbowed.” YAAASSS QUEEN, GET IT!

For now, I’m just enjoying my independence and I found the romance in being alone. This makes me realize how cool I am! HAHAHA! I love myself more. I have great friends here who have been extremely supportive of my ups and downs, an unbelievably good work schedule (7:30AM-3:30PM), fixed two-day off (not every company in Qatar has this), a good amount of  ر.ق, QR (hahaha yabang!), and a bright future ahead of me.

I think this is just a crisis every OFW go through especially when you don’t know anyone, a MAJOR adjustment is talagang pinagdadaanan. 

My parents always tell me to just go home and they don’t need the money if I’m lonely. My previous companies have also expressed their interest in taking me back (wow, prodigal employee lol) and I know that I’ll still do fine if I come back to the Philippines but BHOIIII I’m not a quitter. I’m enjoying my lifestyle in Qatar – unli aircon in my room, I have my own service/driver, and I can buy whatever I want. 98% of my stress in PH would be the traffic and the hassle of commute. I don’t have that here – my service picks me up and drops me off at my convenient time. Although, I do miss traveling every 3 months outside the country. Pero I have to understand that life always needs sacrifices. I have to save a lot first! I have to pay the house I bought kasi bida-bida ako. HAHAHAH!

I really appreciate those who have been messaging me asking me if I’m okay as they see my drama quotes on IG story. Thank you, guys! I’ve been better but I’m strong and I can do this!

Here’s to independence, (money), self-discovery, and happiness!