AND SO IT BEGINS!
After a long internal struggle about whether to stay here in the UAE or return home to the Philippines, and after many prayers and a looooot of reflection, I finally decided to stay.
I had been holding back from flying home, despite my sister’s and mother’s silent and subtle pleas for me to remain. A couple of friends even "kidnapped" me for several nights for some fun-- cleverly disguising it as an attempt to convince me to stay. Even my family back in the Philippines wanted me to stay. It felt like I was carrying this decision alone like it was me against the world. But of course, Our Lord and Our Lady were always there to ease the weight in my heart.
I made my decision on May 6, 2025. That day, I was reading the Gospel and its reflection on my Daily Mass Reading app, and I was deeply moved. I even pretended to use the toilet just to give myself one last moment to reflect. That afternoon, while doing groceries and listening to Gospel songs through my earbuds, I suddenly said to myself, "I’m going to stay."
The Magnificat kept repeating in my mind-- Our Lady visiting St. Elizabeth, a reflection that deserves its own post. And while I was waiting at the bus stop, the song "I Am With You" started playing, and I was so moved I almost cried… though, crying in the scorching UAE heat didn’t seem ideal! When I got home, I asked my sister how to reserve the flight ticket, she asked why and I told her I’ve decided to stay. She low-key screamed in excitement.
Unfortunately, the ticket I had couldn’t be reserved or transferred. I considered selling it, but the name couldn’t be changed. The only option left was to rebook it, which might cost more. Thankfully, one of my sister’s friends suggested I rebook it for a few months to a year later, when the rebooking fee might be cheaper.
Now that I’ve decided to stay, I’m starting from scratch. After much thought, I came across a Medical Coding course that doesn’t require a medical background-- very convenient. I told my sister about it, hoping she’d help since I had no money. To my surprise, she was happy about my decision and even paid the full training fee. She also reminded me that it was the first thing she suggested before, which I had ignored.
Yesterday, May 10, I officially enrolled in the course. I was given gigantic books but I didn’t feel overwhelmed. I had already done some research, even if briefly, and I’ve got the gist of it. I truly believe I can do this.
And so, a new journey begins. But this time, I won’t waste a single bit of it.
For the glory of God. Amen!
I had been holding back from flying home, despite my sister’s and mother’s silent and subtle pleas for me to remain. A couple of friends even "kidnapped" me for several nights for some fun-- cleverly disguising it as an attempt to convince me to stay. Even my family back in the Philippines wanted me to stay. It felt like I was carrying this decision alone like it was me against the world. But of course, Our Lord and Our Lady were always there to ease the weight in my heart.
I made my decision on May 6, 2025. That day, I was reading the Gospel and its reflection on my Daily Mass Reading app, and I was deeply moved. I even pretended to use the toilet just to give myself one last moment to reflect. That afternoon, while doing groceries and listening to Gospel songs through my earbuds, I suddenly said to myself, "I’m going to stay."
The Magnificat kept repeating in my mind-- Our Lady visiting St. Elizabeth, a reflection that deserves its own post. And while I was waiting at the bus stop, the song "I Am With You" started playing, and I was so moved I almost cried… though, crying in the scorching UAE heat didn’t seem ideal! When I got home, I asked my sister how to reserve the flight ticket, she asked why and I told her I’ve decided to stay. She low-key screamed in excitement.
Unfortunately, the ticket I had couldn’t be reserved or transferred. I considered selling it, but the name couldn’t be changed. The only option left was to rebook it, which might cost more. Thankfully, one of my sister’s friends suggested I rebook it for a few months to a year later, when the rebooking fee might be cheaper.
Now that I’ve decided to stay, I’m starting from scratch. After much thought, I came across a Medical Coding course that doesn’t require a medical background-- very convenient. I told my sister about it, hoping she’d help since I had no money. To my surprise, she was happy about my decision and even paid the full training fee. She also reminded me that it was the first thing she suggested before, which I had ignored.
Yesterday, May 10, I officially enrolled in the course. I was given gigantic books but I didn’t feel overwhelmed. I had already done some research, even if briefly, and I’ve got the gist of it. I truly believe I can do this.
And so, a new journey begins. But this time, I won’t waste a single bit of it.
For the glory of God. Amen!
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