Happy Birthday Papa!!!

To the greatest Dad in the whole wide world, Happy Happy Happy Birthday! Congratulations you are now a Certified Senior Citizen hehehe, discounted fares, free movies, & most especially monthly pension yeheyyy, how exciting.

Pa, you've been the strength of our family, giving more even if you've got nothing left for yourself. Guided us to the right path, and maneuvered us gently when we're taking wrong turns. And for that we could never be thankful enough to God for giving you to us. Now that we're all grown up, you're still there, ready to catch our every fall, as well as rejoice with every success we achieved.

I have several wishes for you: lots and lots of birthdays to come, good health, safety, and a feeling of fulfillment you very much deserve. Indeed, with you, Life is Beautiful! And certainly, you made our life's journey even more worthwhile.

I love you sooo much. And I thank you forever for taking good care of my Princess Jasmeen, my life.

Finally...The Dubai Tour

This tour was scheduled last month but was cancelled due to lack of communication. Anyway, I'm so glad it had pushed through. It was so much fun...take a look at the pix!

First stop was at Welcare Eye Center, we were oriented to the staff and also to the different areas in the clinic. This clinic has state-of-the-art equipments and technologies and very accommodating staffs.

At Dubai Creek, wish I own one of those boats, so we could go sailing!

DUBAI MUSEUM

Intimately close with a not-s0-happy camel lol, good thing he can't move!

Kissed by a falcon...cute kaayo no? hehehe

Under Dubai sea, sa mailad lang hehehe

Dubai treasures, kalami ipang sulod sa bag hehehe

JUMEIRAH MOSQUE

Angayan ko guys??? Women should cover their hair before entering the mosque.

See that screen on the lower left corner? That's their computerized Quoran (tama ba ang spelling? hehe) bongga no???

Do you know that you need to ask permission first if you want to take photos with an arab man? And taking pictures with an arab woman is definitely prohibited.

BURJ AL ARAB

That sailboat-shaped hotel is a 7-star hotel and sooo overly expensive. But I guess the experience would be once in a lifetime!

JUMEIRAH BEACH

Can you believe that this paradise is for free??? Yes you can swim all you want and no one will ever ask you to pay a single cent.

I'm sure you're as tired as I am as you browse this post, but I do hope that you enjoyed it as much as I did! Thanks guys for visiting my blog.

Welcare City Hospital

This huge building is the new Welcare City Hospital located in Dubai Health Care City. Tentative opening will be this June, so it'll be in business soon. Imagine how many patients it can serve as well as how many people it can employ. This is truly a blessing. So what are you waiting for guys, come & join the Welcare family. Goodluck!!!

Happy Monthsary to me...

Today is my official monthsary in Dubai. Was it just a month? Wheeew it felt like forever! I miss my family so much. But then, there's so much of Dubai I haven't seen yet. I'm quite ready to be amazed...

JaM @ her strongest year...

The Chinese believed that your 7th year is your strongest year. So you need to celebrate and have a feast. So do I, I believe that Jasmeen will be at her strongest this year coz she'll have to learn to do things without me, and I have not a single doubt that she could do it.

Jam even if we're far apart, I am celebrating with you on your most special day. I know you're happy together with our family, and with that I feel happy too. My wish for you are good health, safety, and that you grow up with a good and kind heart.

I miss you so much baby and I love you beyond words could ever describe. Stay strong and keep the faith...

I love you sooooo much,

-Mama Bingbing-

The Medical Exam

What to expect during a Pre-departure Medical Examination?

1. Specimen submission (urine & stool) and extraction (blood)
2. Chest X-ray
3. Complete physical exam (yup gipabulikat jud dai hehehe)
4. Psychometric Exam (kay bisan psycho killer diay ka!)

Fees:

Full Medical Check-up - PHP 990

*Actually the Medical Exam can be completed in just one day...the delay is on the issuance of the medical certificate.

Preparations

A week prior to my ME, I abstained from alcoholic beverages (but the temptations were at the highest level!), had a balanced diet, & adequate rest (??? LOL).

In the afternoon of Feb. 28, 2008 I underwent the above process (in correct & exact order hehehe murag sweepstakes) @ St. Peter Paul Medical Clinic. Then after a long wait, I had my certificate on the morning of March 5.

How Did I Get Here...

I know quite a few people (especially my friends) want to know how I managed to land a job here in Dubai @ a minimal expense. Well I hope this will help.

Here are the timelines...

• November 6, 2007 - I browsed the net (specifically looking for healthcare jobs in Dubai) & I came across Welcare Hospital (www.welcarehospital.com). Then I registered my CV in their online career database.
• November 16, 2007 - I received an email from them that they have vacancy for an HCA position. I submitted my application on that same day through their online hiring system.
• December 31, 2007 - I received a call from Welcare HRD & I had my initial interview. Ms. Charina later told me that I was shortlisted and is due for a final panel interview on the 2nd of January 2008. I was never more excited!
• January 2, 2008 - As scheduled, I was interviewed by Ms. Jenny (Pediatric Nurse Manager) & Ms. Celestine (Pediatric Head Nurse). The interview went well & I know deep in my heart that I got the job.
• January 4, 2008 - I received an email from WCH offering me the job. It further stated that I should prepare my hiring documents such as College Diploma (authenticated), TOR, Passport, and 20 pcs passport size photos.
• January 18, 2008 - The provisional offer (preliminary contract) was sent to me by Ms. Charina. I signed it, scanned (thanks a lot to Ate Amie!!!), & emailed it back to her the following day together with the scanned copy of my HS & College Diploma and TOR for Degree Verification (which is needed for VISA processing).
• February 21, 2008 - I held my UAE Employment Visa in my hands with mixed emotions (best actress ang drama hehehe)
• February 22, 2008 - I went to POEA to start the direct hiring process (they call it name hire). In fairness di kaayo taas ang pila!
• February 28, 2008 - I attend Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) held @ OWWA office located at Monteverde St., Davao City. The seminar is scheduled for 3 hours from 8am-11am.
• February 28, 2008 - I started my medical examination @ St. Peter Paul Medical Clinic @ 1 in the afternoon. It was quite an experience! Although the staff were very nice & accomodating the place was NOT! It was because they just transferred to that new location & the place was really still amess. And it took me 5 working days to get my medical certificate.
• March 5, 2008 - Finally I had all my requirements ready & was finally issued my Exit Clearance (you need to present this at the airport if you're leaving the country on an employment visa) by POEA.
• March 6, 2008 - I received my e-ticket from WCH for Manila-Dubai flight 12:20am March 9, 2008 Emirates Airlines.
• March 8, 2008 - This is really it! Time to say goodbye for now to my baby JAM, my family, & my friends. Flight for Davao-Manila 7:30am PAL.
• March 9, 2008 - After almost 9 hours of air travel, however bumpy it had been, @ 5am we finally landed at Dubai International Airport safely (thank GOD).

If you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to ask me...have a nice day!