Homebound

      By: Zia Pidlaoan

           

           There’s no place like home. I can still remember the day I went back in the Philippines from a country in the eastern part of the Philippines. It’s very fulfilling: seeing my family again after staying in abroad, and looking at their smiles and happiness that we are complete again as a family bonded together.

            An opportunity came, my mother who’s working in abroad, processed my documents and look for a good employer where I can have my work. Luckily, my mom told me I passed everything and my documents are enough and I can go there and work as soon as I complete the other requirements. Then I had it! I worked in a clinic as a staff nurse, near at my mom’s work place.

           When I arrived there, I thought I can’t stay there for a long time. The temperature is high that makes the place hotter than I expect. The place is very different from the Philippines because the place is composed of buildings, establishments and other commercial areas and the only plants that I saw there are the trees of dates. The ambiance of the area is somewhat unusual to me since I lived in a place where fresh air came from the trees that surrounds our place.

            It is normal to feel uncomfortable because everything around me is unusual except that there are also many Filipinos in this country and of course, we have the same purpose: to work and sustain the needs of our family. At first, I’m really having a hard time to deal with the environment, with the people knowing that they’re far different and their culture as well. But as days passed, I discovered and knew new things and practices from this country. As days passed, I learned to understand the place where I will work and stay for my family’s welfare. Despite the culture shock and unusual environment, I did my bet to make adjustments and live as if I’m still in the Philippines. I’m not totally lonely because my mother and sisters are there.

            I love how big establishments are constructed and how the infrastructures are well-made. Yes, maybe our country is not yet having these well-made structures and buildings but every country and every place has their own uniqueness and this country’s structures is something they can be proud of because of their uniqueness and amazing structures that shows that they are really a progressive country.

            During my stay there, I learned different practices and a bit of their culture. I experienced eating foods that are tasted by my taste buds for the first time and those foods are awesome and delicious but still, I missed the Filipino foods. In the duration of my stay there, I realized how difficult for us Filipinos to stay in a place that is not we used to.

          The environment, the culture, the places and even human activities are very different from what Philippines is. I learned to adjust myself, my lifestyle, as I stay in that country. I change almost everything: the way I live, the clothes I wear, the food I eat and the routines I have. But I know, these adjustments are just temporary. Soon, I’ll go home, be myself again, live in the place where I truly belong.

            I love to be at home. I love living in where I belong.  I’m comfortably working, moving and living outside the limitations. It’s like living freely, no pretentions, no adjustments, and living naturally as you are.

            “I'm going home, back to the place where I belong. And where your love has always been enough for me.” (Home by Daughtry)

-       FEP.RN