This was my first time ever to leave the country for work. Moreover, the first time to leave for a country so different from ours....the home of the Islam faith. I actually had no idea what I was getting into. I viewed it as exciting, an opportunity that may never pass again. So even before telling anyone, I had to educate myself as to what I was getting into.
These are the better information available now:
http://www.escapeartist.com/efam/56/Working_in_Saudi_Arabia.html
http://a-pinoy-in-nz.blogspot.com/2006/09/factsmyths-about-life-in-saudi-arabia.html
http://americanbedu.com/2008/03/06/a-womans-life-in-saudi-arabia/
http://taraummomar.blogspot.com/2009/03/susies-new-life-in-saudi-arabia.html
Lastly, I think the most important reference guide to working in the kingdom is to be up to date with:
http://alexasuncion.multiply.com/ especially now that the Saudi Labor law has been translated in English AND FILIPINO.
Start asking yourself what questions your family would be asking you and be prepared to answer.
For me, the 1st and hardest question asked was WHY SAUDI ARABIA?
My answers:
1. I was working for the past 6 years as an orthodontist and I was not progressing as fast as I wanted to
2. I wanted to have savings...yes, during that time I just opened a clinic and was on a 0 savings level.
3. There was no other offer where I could work at the level I was in...an orthodontist....not having to downgrade into a dental assistant or hygienist.
4. I wanted an adventure, a time for myself, a period of independence, of earning my keep, being responsible for myself.
Then followed a series of questions which I called the easy questions....where will you live, salary, when are you going home, Are there Pinoys in your workplace, etc...I took down all their questions because these were the same questions I would ask my employer.
If you are in a relationship, not yet married or married, I must say it is truly very hard being apart. You must really think doubly hard whether you need to be separated for 2-3 years. Look at all options and considerations as:
1. Who will take care of the children? Can the one staying in the Philippines afford to stay home with the children?
2. Is there a chance for you to be together. Actually there is, if the profession you are getting into has "FAMILY STATUS". By this I mean that you will establish residency and then have your family follow you after 3-5 months. Most doctors and professionals (bankers, engineers) are hired with "family status" .
3. If this is the only option that one of you has to leave, be sure to keep an open communication with the family. Prepare an internet connection on the computer. Buy a webcam and teach the whole household how to SKYPE, do GTALK and how to email.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
How I found work in Saudi Arabia
My surprise departure for the kingdom I wrote in a previous blog (click blog)
I applied at yahoojobs and posted my resume. My target country was the U.S. then and I knew back then that I would ONLY be hired as a dental assistant or hygienist even with my credentials as a dentist. I never did expect that a recruiter in Saudi Arabia was looking for an orthodontist.
A local recruitment agency called me one day, asking me if I wanted to go and work in Saudi Arabia. Huh? Never in my mind was there a thought to consider the middle east. But I kept an open mind. The first things I did, in chronological order (each step discussed thoroughly on the next blogs):
1. I told my father and mother about it, and my significant other.
2. I Checked out poea.gov.ph to see if the recruitment agency was licensed, meaning not suspended or license revoked or cancelled.
3. Since the recruitment agency could not answer any of my "million" questions, they directed me to my
employer who was kind enough to correspond by email, skype, gtalk or he would call by phone.
4. He sent me a contract which I immediately showed to a lawyer friend of mine to comment on. Then
correspondence between my employer and me continued until we were both satisfied.
5. Make the decision to whether take the offer or not.
6. If you decide on taking it, proceed to "recruitment" procedures. Start by renewing your passport if
needed.
I applied at yahoojobs and posted my resume. My target country was the U.S. then and I knew back then that I would ONLY be hired as a dental assistant or hygienist even with my credentials as a dentist. I never did expect that a recruiter in Saudi Arabia was looking for an orthodontist.
A local recruitment agency called me one day, asking me if I wanted to go and work in Saudi Arabia. Huh? Never in my mind was there a thought to consider the middle east. But I kept an open mind. The first things I did, in chronological order (each step discussed thoroughly on the next blogs):
1. I told my father and mother about it, and my significant other.
2. I Checked out poea.gov.ph to see if the recruitment agency was licensed, meaning not suspended or license revoked or cancelled.
3. Since the recruitment agency could not answer any of my "million" questions, they directed me to my
employer who was kind enough to correspond by email, skype, gtalk or he would call by phone.
4. He sent me a contract which I immediately showed to a lawyer friend of mine to comment on. Then
correspondence between my employer and me continued until we were both satisfied.
5. Make the decision to whether take the offer or not.
6. If you decide on taking it, proceed to "recruitment" procedures. Start by renewing your passport if
needed.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Alcohol Prohibition in the Kingdom
I wanted to write about this mainly because I never knew alcohol was banned in the kingdom. I was surprised when we were flying off to the kingdom, our luggages were checked at the Philippine airport for anything with alcohol content and these were confiscated from us.
Bye bye to my rubbing alcohol and to my cologne. Asked why? The airport staff (which I now know didn't have any idea too) simply told us that it might affect certain contents of the cargo luggage. Even if I did not understand...huh??!!!....I was one to always follow so I surrendered.
Upon arrival, I discovered that Islam prohibits Alcohol intake. Oh so that's why....but I kept wondering why rubbing alcohol, colognes and hand sanitizers were also prohibited. So they don't use alcohol, colognes and eau de toillettes here? We need 70% ispropyl alcohol for hygiene in the clinic. I will miss having a cologne. What could substitute for alcohol?
\
Bye bye to my rubbing alcohol and to my cologne. Asked why? The airport staff (which I now know didn't have any idea too) simply told us that it might affect certain contents of the cargo luggage. Even if I did not understand...huh??!!!....I was one to always follow so I surrendered.
Upon arrival, I discovered that Islam prohibits Alcohol intake. Oh so that's why....but I kept wondering why rubbing alcohol, colognes and hand sanitizers were also prohibited. So they don't use alcohol, colognes and eau de toillettes here? We need 70% ispropyl alcohol for hygiene in the clinic. I will miss having a cologne. What could substitute for alcohol?
I was wrong. We had alcohol. It was packaged this way:
\
That was how small the swab was
We had colognes but packaged this way:
All colognes were with a spritzer
Why the packaging? Go figure...
Only in the Kingdom.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Being a Single Lady in the Kingdom ...What's there to do?
Being a single lady in the kingdom has its pros and cons.
I liked it that anywhere I go, I would have to be driven and accompanied by a male guardian. Some would not have liked this, but I did. I felt safer from the prying eyes of men (that's another topic altogether).
But I did not like it that every move I took would have to be approved by my boss, our manager, our company guard. But there were ways to go around this.
First, be a lady and behave as you should. In the kingdom this would mean going out with women only or with their family, staying in the places designated for family only, and limiting interaction with men. That would be appropriate for me as I was attached and had a very faithful fiance back home.
Secondly, doing the things I said earlier would eventually win the trust of your male guardians. At any cost, win the trust of your guardians.
But what was a single lady to do for fun in the kingdom?
Mine was to go to their super duper malls and supermarkets. They were huge and expansive, so much land. You would even see huge and tall palm trees inside these malls. Food in the kingdom was as varied as the nationalities. There were even Filipino sections in the supermarkets. I loved their cheese and dairy section. Not only were there varied cheeses to choose from, but they were affordable. Arabs were basically milk drinkers so they had the best Danish Dairy and cheeses. Juice was fresh, and abundant. Their supermarkets were mostly European franchises so their food wares were such a joy of discovery from what we have here of mostly American brands. Equally joyful was the fact that most servers were Pinoys who would gladly help you with queries and even add a little serving of cheese and meat in your order. Good to know that Pinoys are known for being hygienic and clean so they get to serve the cheeses, meat, poultry and seafood section. Oh, I was surprised at Chinese restaurants. Most had Pinoy chefs :-)
Other than the supermarket, my favorite hang out was still IKEA in Riyadh.
Maybe because we did not have one back home. Or perhaps it was just too good a place to be in. Seeing those practical designs in a huge warehouse full of showrooms...you just had to visit it as often as you could.
Arab women have small get togethers and parties among themselves and here we danced and immensely enjoyed learnin from each other. The Pinoy singing talent (even if you didn't have one ) was shown off and their culture and dances tried and absorbed...the very sensual belly dancing. Lovely arab women they really were. They were / are such "fashionistas" underneath the abaya...think New York fashion week.
Families love going to picnics. You could actually mingle and talk with men provided they were with family. Join them and enjoy their food...mostly barbecue grilled meats called Kebabs and a lot of vegetable salads like Teboulleh, Spring rolls they call Sambosas.
One could also go to Batha, the Quiapo of Riyadh. This is where all Filipinos meet, and mingle. So much like Quiapo where you actually bargain and get to feel a sense of home with the taste of Pinoy treats like puto, pancit, dinuguang baka or manok, bibingka etc etc. You get to see the brands Pinoy oh so love...Nike, adidas, Sony...where you buy cameras, video cameras, TVs, DVD players, cell phones, SMART sim and load etc etc. Funny but they usually know if you are a first timer in Batha. You actually hear the loud whispers saying, "Bagong mukha".
You could also go to the Philippine Embassy and take part in their activities. The embassy is in a very nice compound where embassies of other countries are also located. The embassy usually sponsors Financial Literacy programs and medical missions. Here, you're definitely in Filipino soil so enjoy the freedom.
Now that I look at it, there were so much things to enjoy there. Good thing I took advantage :-)
I liked it that anywhere I go, I would have to be driven and accompanied by a male guardian. Some would not have liked this, but I did. I felt safer from the prying eyes of men (that's another topic altogether).
But I did not like it that every move I took would have to be approved by my boss, our manager, our company guard. But there were ways to go around this.
First, be a lady and behave as you should. In the kingdom this would mean going out with women only or with their family, staying in the places designated for family only, and limiting interaction with men. That would be appropriate for me as I was attached and had a very faithful fiance back home.
Secondly, doing the things I said earlier would eventually win the trust of your male guardians. At any cost, win the trust of your guardians.
But what was a single lady to do for fun in the kingdom?
Mine was to go to their super duper malls and supermarkets. They were huge and expansive, so much land. You would even see huge and tall palm trees inside these malls. Food in the kingdom was as varied as the nationalities. There were even Filipino sections in the supermarkets. I loved their cheese and dairy section. Not only were there varied cheeses to choose from, but they were affordable. Arabs were basically milk drinkers so they had the best Danish Dairy and cheeses. Juice was fresh, and abundant. Their supermarkets were mostly European franchises so their food wares were such a joy of discovery from what we have here of mostly American brands. Equally joyful was the fact that most servers were Pinoys who would gladly help you with queries and even add a little serving of cheese and meat in your order. Good to know that Pinoys are known for being hygienic and clean so they get to serve the cheeses, meat, poultry and seafood section. Oh, I was surprised at Chinese restaurants. Most had Pinoy chefs :-)
Other than the supermarket, my favorite hang out was still IKEA in Riyadh.
Maybe because we did not have one back home. Or perhaps it was just too good a place to be in. Seeing those practical designs in a huge warehouse full of showrooms...you just had to visit it as often as you could.
Arab women have small get togethers and parties among themselves and here we danced and immensely enjoyed learnin from each other. The Pinoy singing talent (even if you didn't have one ) was shown off and their culture and dances tried and absorbed...the very sensual belly dancing. Lovely arab women they really were. They were / are such "fashionistas" underneath the abaya...think New York fashion week.
Families love going to picnics. You could actually mingle and talk with men provided they were with family. Join them and enjoy their food...mostly barbecue grilled meats called Kebabs and a lot of vegetable salads like Teboulleh, Spring rolls they call Sambosas.
One could also go to Batha, the Quiapo of Riyadh. This is where all Filipinos meet, and mingle. So much like Quiapo where you actually bargain and get to feel a sense of home with the taste of Pinoy treats like puto, pancit, dinuguang baka or manok, bibingka etc etc. You get to see the brands Pinoy oh so love...Nike, adidas, Sony...where you buy cameras, video cameras, TVs, DVD players, cell phones, SMART sim and load etc etc. Funny but they usually know if you are a first timer in Batha. You actually hear the loud whispers saying, "Bagong mukha".
You could also go to the Philippine Embassy and take part in their activities. The embassy is in a very nice compound where embassies of other countries are also located. The embassy usually sponsors Financial Literacy programs and medical missions. Here, you're definitely in Filipino soil so enjoy the freedom.
Now that I look at it, there were so much things to enjoy there. Good thing I took advantage :-)
Thursday, October 22, 2009
The Saudi Woman at Home
Their ways are sometimes unreasonable, like why hide that beautiful fashion under a black dress, but it works for them. They are still able to take care of their children and work at the same time. And still enjoy being dressy among lady friends.
To each his own.
Love in the Kingdom
See and learn 2 young Saudis take on falling in Love the "Saudi Way".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmJ2jyAIlCU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmJ2jyAIlCU
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The American Compound
This is one of the places we enjoyed staying in the kingdom. Here, one can enjoy the american culture, no clothes restriction, no gender segregation, the joys of compound-Country Club living. We called this the American Compound.
Yes Pinoys live here as well.
Men and Women segregated
I remember when I had to do a very simple task of paying through an ATM machine. The machine had all men and no woman around it. My male colleague had to excuse my presence and shield me from the prying eyes of the men talking to me through their eyes asking, "Why is she here?".
In all establishments, there is the female side and the men side.
Like in restaurants, the open areas (the usual table set up we see here at home) is reserved only for men. Women only eat in FAMILY SECTIONS and if a restaurant doesn't have a family section then that's no place for women.
A family section is made of dividers or curtains that segregate the family and women from men who can sit on open areas.
In the bank, the female section is made of women or if men have to face women, they can only talk through cubicle windows with a wall still separating them.
I would like to look at this as a cultural difference which must be respected. Pretty soon, changes will happen and if the barriers between men and women do come down and saudi women eventually are allowed to drive, or if they don't, either way, I'm sure it is a realization that the kingdom is better off this or that way.
By the way, if you're wondering how it is in the Supermarkets, there's no more separation when buying food or medicine is concerned.
Also if you are wondering how is it in malls when buying female needs, that's quite a story. Only men are allowed to be salespersons so...don't worry they're knowledgeable and understanding enough....you just have to be a little more open and a bit more patient in explaining what you really want (they're usually not saudi men, either pakistanis or Sri lankans) :-)
Life in Saudi Arabia
I wish I met this young girl when I was in the kingdom (click the videos on the right / on the video bar).
She has braces and that's what I did there, I was an orthodontist.
The earlier you start on braces, the better. But in the kingdom I seem to have more adult patients who would want their teeth straightened either before getting married or after marriage.
But to all of them, I always asked about their dreams and adviced them to get the education and not just stay home and bear children.
Empowerment of women is starting in the kingdom and I do pray it continues with the efforts of Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal.
She has braces and that's what I did there, I was an orthodontist.
The earlier you start on braces, the better. But in the kingdom I seem to have more adult patients who would want their teeth straightened either before getting married or after marriage.
But to all of them, I always asked about their dreams and adviced them to get the education and not just stay home and bear children.
Empowerment of women is starting in the kingdom and I do pray it continues with the efforts of Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
The Tarha
Every woman in the kingdom would have to master how to wear the head dress or the TARHA.
Would you believe that the first few times trying to wear it, it took me longer than taking a shower?!!!!
I would have to take a shower, dry my hair and then ...the daunting task of putting it in place....whew! It made it harder because Filipino hair is straight and smooth (unlike theirs curly and wavy) that you had to put lots of pins to finally put it in place.
But that became our fashion statement in the kingdom. All of us had to go out of the house in ABAYA (that long black dress) but we had the freedom to wear the head dress in different colors and styles with the condition that no part of the neck will be seen.
Eventually got used to it and found it very useful in the winter months of October to March. BRRRRR!
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Would you believe that the first few times trying to wear it, it took me longer than taking a shower?!!!!
I would have to take a shower, dry my hair and then ...the daunting task of putting it in place....whew! It made it harder because Filipino hair is straight and smooth (unlike theirs curly and wavy) that you had to put lots of pins to finally put it in place.
But that became our fashion statement in the kingdom. All of us had to go out of the house in ABAYA (that long black dress) but we had the freedom to wear the head dress in different colors and styles with the condition that no part of the neck will be seen.
Eventually got used to it and found it very useful in the winter months of October to March. BRRRRR!
The People in My Neighborhood
Dr. Sameer (Syrian tall guy) is my buddy dentist in the clinic. He is our medical director, very nice and helpful. He would advice me on all the Muslim ways I should follow. All others would be too shy to tell me upfront (what are these, coming up on my next blog).
Dr. Sabry is our Egyptian dermatologist. A very gentle, kind-hearted man, soft spoken. His looks doesn't match his character right? He's the father of the boy I was cuddling a blog before this.
These 2 gentlemen became my comfort buddies mainly because they spoke English. Our resident Lady dentist and OB GYNE were both very helpful and kind but I'm just so sorry I wasn't fast enough to learn Arabic.
The pretty lady is Dr. Sameer's wife. I appreciate the time the whole family spent with me. The 3 kids so loveable and nice to their Auntie Mary.
This is Mirvat, our Egyptian receptionist. My translator, my savior. How in the world could she explain "tongue thrusting causing a class 2 malocclusion" is beyond me, but she did. 5 years married but still trying to have a child. Happy to share with you that finally, he has a son, Mohammed. We still keep in touch, broken english and all... but as they say, words don't matter. All we know is we still care what happens to each other in both our new worlds thousands of miles apart.
Our Sri Lankan driver, Nizmi (in white). My confidante in the clinic. I will forever be grateful for him for taking care of me in my queendom. The rule in the clinic was wherever I go, Nizmi should be following me...truly a queen....but between us, trust is the rule. I don't do anything to put him in trouble, or vice versa,
we're both happy.
Here is our joy in the clinic. Baby Masha. Her neame is Maria, daughter of my Syrian lady dentist. She calls me Auntie Mary and a day doesn't pass that I don't get a kiss from her. Pretty little girl, I miss her. She must be around 4 or 5 years old now.
I wish I could show you pictures of the very beautiful arab ladies close to me. But as Islam forbids pictures of women, I must just say that Arab women are "Miss Universe" material. They are very fashionable beneath those black dresses (I forget now what they're called) and head dress (tarha).
My boss is A very nice gentleman of Syrian descent- but now a Saudi National by virtue of his father being the dentist of the King. I heard he is only 1 of 2 transplant (liver and kidney) surgeons in the kingdom. Atleast that's what I heard. He is also the only person able to convince me to have my father undergo Kidney transplant at 74 (http://chickensoupforthekidney.blogspot.com/ ). Thank God I listened to him, heaven-sent.
They say working in the Kingdom is scary. As I see it, just as how they see our own country as scary. But you have to experience it yourself to find out.
I did.
It's not.
My look
I arrived at my Queendom looking like this.
October 8, 2005
Left 2 years after looking like this.
November 23, 2008
Seems like nothing has changed, but deep inside soooo much happened, soooo much to share,
sooooo much learned.
Our Look in the Clinic
Here are the Beautiful Pinay nurses in our clinic. That's Twinkle, Beefy, downgrade, of course, Witch is not in the picture. You may be wondering if the one at the left most is Pinay? No she's egyptian and yes, they also have black arabs in the kingdom.
There they are again now in their official clinic attire.
I learned to love all of them and miss them as well and their weird ways. Most of the nurses are Musims form Mindanao - only Beefy and Cat are catholics.
Would you like to see me at work?
Yes that's me smiling at work even if all covered up :-)
Yes that's me at play with our dermatologist's son.
And yes that's me sleeping at work....huli ako!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
There is No Color in the Kingdom
In the clinic where I worked, we were 4 Syrian dentists, 1 Syrian OB-GYNE, and a "makulit" Pinoy dentist with 5 "ultra makulit" Pinay nurses and 1 Egyptian black nurse. 6 Nurses for 6 doctors.
All of us Pinoys had the whole building to ourselves after office hours because our living quarters was just above the ground floor. We would have a lot of 'chikka' moments over dominos pizza and coke after work.
One thing I did notice was this. When a charcoal black arab would come in the clinic, you would see all the Pinoys staring at him. I am guilty of that as well. I just couldn't take my eyes off them. Whereas if I look at how my co doctors would see this "ebonies", not even a glance.
I realized then that we truly are a race of WHITE LOVERS. Deep inside all of us, we would all like to look as fair and as white as snow. Aminin mo!
All of us Pinoys had the whole building to ourselves after office hours because our living quarters was just above the ground floor. We would have a lot of 'chikka' moments over dominos pizza and coke after work.
One thing I did notice was this. When a charcoal black arab would come in the clinic, you would see all the Pinoys staring at him. I am guilty of that as well. I just couldn't take my eyes off them. Whereas if I look at how my co doctors would see this "ebonies", not even a glance.
I realized then that we truly are a race of WHITE LOVERS. Deep inside all of us, we would all like to look as fair and as white as snow. Aminin mo!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
The Queen's first night in her palace - Oct 11, 2005
The minute I arrived at my workplace, I was very open minded about everything. This was a new place, the place I chose to work in for the next 2 years so I would embrace everything there was to accept and adjust to.
Welcome to Lamset Shefa, in English, The Curing Touch Consultative Clinics. My home would also be only a floor away from my work place. Pretty good deal I tought to myself. I was led to my 1-studio bedroom, to rest. But I really couldn't so I looked around to see my bed, my very own nook in the kingdom
My bed had a mattress that needed change, my desk was with a chair which needed some cushioning. Otherwise, this was my bed to sleep for the night, still alone and good enough.
The bed I thought was even nicer than the one I had at home. But of course, the warmth and coziness was not there.
The desk, good enough for me to study in for my dental licensure exams, big enough for all my papers and books to be placed in.
At the foot of my bed was my dresser and a cabinet for my clothes.
I though to myself, where would I hang my wet clothes after laundering? Also thought what would I place in my dresser...this eventually became my pantry as you see it.
As for my clothes, no problem as I was to wear scrubs to work and a lab coat over it.
At the right side of my bed would be my dining table and refrigerator. Happy to see that my ref had fruits and some cheese in it. Not to worry because I myself brought from home some corned beef and SPAM in cans and even a can opener all for myself.
I would learn to love fresh mango and orange juice and the flat bread you see on the table, a staple on my table which sometimes I would even make into a pizza pie. The bread would cost about P12 for 5 pieces of 12 inch round flat bread - a bargain, the 1.5 liter juice about P36 - for its freshness, only a fourth of what it would cost here at home.
On the right of my dining table would be my small kitchenette. They would laugh at me for bearing that small stove but for an amateur cook like me, many delicious meals have been born from this. My microwave oven was seldom used. I would experiment on a lot of new dishes, not for hunger sake, but for the sake of doing something other than work. My pantry of condiments which consisted mainly of suka and toyo eventually grew to host other condiments I was to discover in the kingdom.
And here is my washroom and dirty kitchen. In front of which would be my bathroom which I forgot to take a pic of.
I was thankful that I had most of what I needed and more, thinking that I would be living alone here all by myself. A big part of me welcomed the thought and perhaps even got very excited at the chance of taking care of myself.
Coming home at 3 am I woke up at almost noon, very hungry and suddenly looking for my family, the ready breakfast on the table then being hit by the, BIG "H" word. I decided to call my parents back home and tell them I was safely tucked in my own little home in the kingdom.My tiny palace I would, for 2 years, call home.
The Queen in her new home.
Welcome to Lamset Shefa, in English, The Curing Touch Consultative Clinics. My home would also be only a floor away from my work place. Pretty good deal I tought to myself. I was led to my 1-studio bedroom, to rest. But I really couldn't so I looked around to see my bed, my very own nook in the kingdom
My bed had a mattress that needed change, my desk was with a chair which needed some cushioning. Otherwise, this was my bed to sleep for the night, still alone and good enough.
The bed I thought was even nicer than the one I had at home. But of course, the warmth and coziness was not there.
The desk, good enough for me to study in for my dental licensure exams, big enough for all my papers and books to be placed in.
At the foot of my bed was my dresser and a cabinet for my clothes.
I though to myself, where would I hang my wet clothes after laundering? Also thought what would I place in my dresser...this eventually became my pantry as you see it.
As for my clothes, no problem as I was to wear scrubs to work and a lab coat over it.
At the right side of my bed would be my dining table and refrigerator. Happy to see that my ref had fruits and some cheese in it. Not to worry because I myself brought from home some corned beef and SPAM in cans and even a can opener all for myself.
I would learn to love fresh mango and orange juice and the flat bread you see on the table, a staple on my table which sometimes I would even make into a pizza pie. The bread would cost about P12 for 5 pieces of 12 inch round flat bread - a bargain, the 1.5 liter juice about P36 - for its freshness, only a fourth of what it would cost here at home.
On the right of my dining table would be my small kitchenette. They would laugh at me for bearing that small stove but for an amateur cook like me, many delicious meals have been born from this. My microwave oven was seldom used. I would experiment on a lot of new dishes, not for hunger sake, but for the sake of doing something other than work. My pantry of condiments which consisted mainly of suka and toyo eventually grew to host other condiments I was to discover in the kingdom.
And here is my washroom and dirty kitchen. In front of which would be my bathroom which I forgot to take a pic of.
I was thankful that I had most of what I needed and more, thinking that I would be living alone here all by myself. A big part of me welcomed the thought and perhaps even got very excited at the chance of taking care of myself.
Coming home at 3 am I woke up at almost noon, very hungry and suddenly looking for my family, the ready breakfast on the table then being hit by the, BIG "H" word. I decided to call my parents back home and tell them I was safely tucked in my own little home in the kingdom.My tiny palace I would, for 2 years, call home.
The Queen in her new home.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
I have a friend beefy.
She lived with me for almost a year in my flat. I sort of adopted this very nice girl....sort of took her away from people I felt she didn't deserve to be with. I felt she was too good for them.
She was the head nurse in our clinic. Been with the clinic for the last 6 years without going home for a vacation. Imagine, staying away from your parents and family for that long and opting to stay in a clinic working and living in it without opting to even go out once a week???!!!! Some strange loyalty or just plain queer. Queer but nice - a good person within.
The first time I arrived at the clinic, she kindly offered me a good romance book to read and toured me throughout. I could see she had grown to love the clinic, like her own, making sure every thing was in place, every room spic and span, every equipment working at its best. She was an employers' dream come true. I don't know what she saw in me but she surprised me one day in front of our boss and told him, to take care of me because I was good for the clinic. I found it strange how by just knowing me a few days, she had mustered the guts to face the boss and tell him how he should fully trust me and my decisions because I had come from the best school in the Philippines there was, and I was different from the rest. I guess she was queer but nice, and may i add....a good judge of character....hehehe....humility aside now.
She took care of me and made my adjustment in the clinic very easy. She would entertain me with her stories...mainly from TV, old jokes of 5 years ago, home stories of her nursing craziness back then. We would laugh it out over pizza and softdrinks after work every night at 10 pm. Her stories started repeating in itself and so I felt we had to go out more often to create new memories together.
But there was one story beefy never forgot...her love affair with Sadik. Her first love she poured her life and heart into...a heartbreak she would never forget. He was the manager and she the head nurse, living and working in the same building. He noticed her, she only did when he started courting her. They fell in love, madly, crazily in love, but deep inside she knew....this would never last.
It did not. Along came boobies, the new receptionist. By her name alone, he fell. Boobies and Beefy were room mates. But Beefy was the simpler, modest one. The other, spelled excitement, they were of same nationality...Beefy was dropped. She was devastated, lost 20 pounds in 2 weeks. Cried herself to sleep every night, even pleaded to be taken back. But the lovers left to get married.
Beefy eventually got a little over him until he sarted coming back as a friend. She, being lonely but now a bit wiser, accepted him as a friend. 2 years into the marriage and they both cannot sire a child, Sadik is thinking of going back to Beefy...asshole to the max.
Well its a good thing that Beefy is finally back home after 6 long years. Thank God, You took her away again from a person who did not deserve her.
But I'm a bit sad to hear where beefy is now. She's hiding from his brother who has arranged for her to marry an american citizen. She knows this guy but is not in love with him, besides his divorced with a kid. Beefy will not accept that. As of now, she is still in hiding and still I keep her last email to me:
Dear Dra.,
Thank You po sa lahat at napagtiyagaan nyo ako sa loob ng 2 taon.Maraming,maraming salamat po talaga sa lahat ng payo,salamat din po na pinagagalitan nyo ako.You've been my inspiration and I look up to you with respect.you inspired and you let me open my eyes to know my weaknesses at nyong pagiging abnoy ko.I hope na kahit magkahiwalay tayo,hope you consider me as one of your good friends.MARAMING SALAMAT PO TALAGA SA LAHAT !!!!!!!!!At sana rin po maging maligaya kyo po kapiling si SIR GAle.
Cge po paalam na po at naiiyak na po ako.
BEEFY
I guess I am writing this because I want to tell her something as well.
Beefy,
Though you are in hiding, I am so proud of you! you have finally come to know your true worth and value. You have finally learned to Love yourself more than anything. Back when were still together, You took care of me, but in a way, I too could not let you live on your own. I always felt you would be overpowered by the evil forces and in your genuine goodness will never fight back. Sorry if I felt you were never brave enough. The inner force is finally with you my dear friend and hopefully will continually grow stronger. You deserve to be loved the best way there is, nothing less. Thank you for finally believing in yourself and what you deserve!
And that it is what my friend Beefy has become.
She lived with me for almost a year in my flat. I sort of adopted this very nice girl....sort of took her away from people I felt she didn't deserve to be with. I felt she was too good for them.
She was the head nurse in our clinic. Been with the clinic for the last 6 years without going home for a vacation. Imagine, staying away from your parents and family for that long and opting to stay in a clinic working and living in it without opting to even go out once a week???!!!! Some strange loyalty or just plain queer. Queer but nice - a good person within.
The first time I arrived at the clinic, she kindly offered me a good romance book to read and toured me throughout. I could see she had grown to love the clinic, like her own, making sure every thing was in place, every room spic and span, every equipment working at its best. She was an employers' dream come true. I don't know what she saw in me but she surprised me one day in front of our boss and told him, to take care of me because I was good for the clinic. I found it strange how by just knowing me a few days, she had mustered the guts to face the boss and tell him how he should fully trust me and my decisions because I had come from the best school in the Philippines there was, and I was different from the rest. I guess she was queer but nice, and may i add....a good judge of character....hehehe....humility aside now.
She took care of me and made my adjustment in the clinic very easy. She would entertain me with her stories...mainly from TV, old jokes of 5 years ago, home stories of her nursing craziness back then. We would laugh it out over pizza and softdrinks after work every night at 10 pm. Her stories started repeating in itself and so I felt we had to go out more often to create new memories together.
But there was one story beefy never forgot...her love affair with Sadik. Her first love she poured her life and heart into...a heartbreak she would never forget. He was the manager and she the head nurse, living and working in the same building. He noticed her, she only did when he started courting her. They fell in love, madly, crazily in love, but deep inside she knew....this would never last.
It did not. Along came boobies, the new receptionist. By her name alone, he fell. Boobies and Beefy were room mates. But Beefy was the simpler, modest one. The other, spelled excitement, they were of same nationality...Beefy was dropped. She was devastated, lost 20 pounds in 2 weeks. Cried herself to sleep every night, even pleaded to be taken back. But the lovers left to get married.
Beefy eventually got a little over him until he sarted coming back as a friend. She, being lonely but now a bit wiser, accepted him as a friend. 2 years into the marriage and they both cannot sire a child, Sadik is thinking of going back to Beefy...asshole to the max.
Well its a good thing that Beefy is finally back home after 6 long years. Thank God, You took her away again from a person who did not deserve her.
But I'm a bit sad to hear where beefy is now. She's hiding from his brother who has arranged for her to marry an american citizen. She knows this guy but is not in love with him, besides his divorced with a kid. Beefy will not accept that. As of now, she is still in hiding and still I keep her last email to me:
Dear Dra.,
Thank You po sa lahat at napagtiyagaan nyo ako sa loob ng 2 taon.Maraming,maraming salamat po talaga sa lahat ng payo,salamat din po na pinagagalitan nyo ako.You've been my inspiration and I look up to you with respect.you inspired and you let me open my eyes to know my weaknesses at nyong pagiging abnoy ko.I hope na kahit magkahiwalay tayo,hope you consider me as one of your good friends.MARAMING SALAMAT PO TALAGA SA LAHAT !!!!!!!!!At sana rin po maging maligaya kyo po kapiling si SIR GAle.
Cge po paalam na po at naiiyak na po ako.
BEEFY
I guess I am writing this because I want to tell her something as well.
Beefy,
Though you are in hiding, I am so proud of you! you have finally come to know your true worth and value. You have finally learned to Love yourself more than anything. Back when were still together, You took care of me, but in a way, I too could not let you live on your own. I always felt you would be overpowered by the evil forces and in your genuine goodness will never fight back. Sorry if I felt you were never brave enough. The inner force is finally with you my dear friend and hopefully will continually grow stronger. You deserve to be loved the best way there is, nothing less. Thank you for finally believing in yourself and what you deserve!
And that it is what my friend Beefy has become.
My Boss' last note to me before I left KSA Nov 22, 2007
Dear Dr.Mary:
I am glad that you will be able to be with your family soon pursuing your plans for wedding on time,I have been so busy the last week with International experties in medical eduction who has been conducting a workshop in our college, the last of them will be travelling today, so I will try my best to passby this afternoon to say goodbuy.
Dear Mary, you should not thank me for anything, this is your right, you owned it by your good work ,dedication and excellent comittment; you are one of the best professionals that have worked with me,and I would always be proud that I had a dentist like you working in my clinic.
I will try my best to see you before i leave,but in case i couldnt make,I hope yu all the best wishes with your wedding, & I hope to see you again....
good luck
Dr.Bassam
I am glad that you will be able to be with your family soon pursuing your plans for wedding on time,I have been so busy the last week with International experties in medical eduction who has been conducting a workshop in our college, the last of them will be travelling today, so I will try my best to passby this afternoon to say goodbuy.
Dear Mary, you should not thank me for anything, this is your right, you owned it by your good work ,dedication and excellent comittment; you are one of the best professionals that have worked with me,and I would always be proud that I had a dentist like you working in my clinic.
I will try my best to see you before i leave,but in case i couldnt make,I hope yu all the best wishes with your wedding, & I hope to see you again....
good luck
Dr.Bassam
A Foreigner's perspective of Filipinos
I promised to give you my perspective of Filipinos. i.e, a perspective
from a non-Filipino. You want an outsiders' view on what we think
Filipinos are like, etc.
I also promised to give you my views today. I really wanted to give a
detailed perspective, thinking that my weekend (Friday) would be a
lazy one. It turned out to be a busy one. I had two business meetings,
and was also counselling some Indian expat professionals who wish to
consider career alternatives.
Notwithstanding the above, I will give you my brief views (and to keep
to my promise to give you my points of view, as always):
1. There is no doubt that Filipinos as a whole, from Tawi Tawi Islands
to Luzon, they are one of the most friendly people in the world (much
like Thais);
2. The friendliness of Filipinos are very genuine - in some countries,
they befriend you for a motive, mostly likely to be able to get some
economic benefits. This is my experience in many African countries;
3. Filipinos women are the backbone of Filipino society - be it
Christians or Muslims. The women take care of the family needs
unconditionally. I have seen them in the Philippines and overseas.
4. When Filipino families are together they do well, but once the
family (husband and wife) are apart, there seems to be a high
probability that the Filipino men would go astray. I have met many
hard working Filipino women working overseas as maids, nannies, and
even professionals (nurses in particular), and dutifully sending money
home to take care of the family needs, and if the husbands are in the
Philippines there is a high probability that their husbands have
girlfriends. This problem is more true and serious with urban Filipino
men.
5. Personally, I admire Filipino women for their mental strenghts and
care for the family - they are the ones keeping the pinoy culture and
love for family alive.
6. It is a good thing that most Filipinos are religious - this, I
believe, have allowed many Filipinos to remember their values and
responsibilities at home. The religious ones do well - at home or
overseas.
7. Comparatively, Filipinos are not as good as Indians, Pakistani, etc
with money. Filipinos seem to spend more money, preferring to enjoy
the good life more than others.This is more true in more liberal
countries, where there is freedom in drinking, gambling, women, etc. -
this could be seen in Dubai where there are many Filipino men in
undesirable bars. More Filipinos own cars, handphones, etc compared to
the other nationalities in overseas.
I hope the above will help in your writing an article. I would be
happy to discuss with you in detail. You can contact me through email,
chat or mobile.
Best wishes,
Paul
from a non-Filipino. You want an outsiders' view on what we think
Filipinos are like, etc.
I also promised to give you my views today. I really wanted to give a
detailed perspective, thinking that my weekend (Friday) would be a
lazy one. It turned out to be a busy one. I had two business meetings,
and was also counselling some Indian expat professionals who wish to
consider career alternatives.
Notwithstanding the above, I will give you my brief views (and to keep
to my promise to give you my points of view, as always):
1. There is no doubt that Filipinos as a whole, from Tawi Tawi Islands
to Luzon, they are one of the most friendly people in the world (much
like Thais);
2. The friendliness of Filipinos are very genuine - in some countries,
they befriend you for a motive, mostly likely to be able to get some
economic benefits. This is my experience in many African countries;
3. Filipinos women are the backbone of Filipino society - be it
Christians or Muslims. The women take care of the family needs
unconditionally. I have seen them in the Philippines and overseas.
4. When Filipino families are together they do well, but once the
family (husband and wife) are apart, there seems to be a high
probability that the Filipino men would go astray. I have met many
hard working Filipino women working overseas as maids, nannies, and
even professionals (nurses in particular), and dutifully sending money
home to take care of the family needs, and if the husbands are in the
Philippines there is a high probability that their husbands have
girlfriends. This problem is more true and serious with urban Filipino
men.
5. Personally, I admire Filipino women for their mental strenghts and
care for the family - they are the ones keeping the pinoy culture and
love for family alive.
6. It is a good thing that most Filipinos are religious - this, I
believe, have allowed many Filipinos to remember their values and
responsibilities at home. The religious ones do well - at home or
overseas.
7. Comparatively, Filipinos are not as good as Indians, Pakistani, etc
with money. Filipinos seem to spend more money, preferring to enjoy
the good life more than others.This is more true in more liberal
countries, where there is freedom in drinking, gambling, women, etc. -
this could be seen in Dubai where there are many Filipino men in
undesirable bars. More Filipinos own cars, handphones, etc compared to
the other nationalities in overseas.
I hope the above will help in your writing an article. I would be
happy to discuss with you in detail. You can contact me through email,
chat or mobile.
Best wishes,
Paul
Monday, March 24, 2008
My OFW Spotlight article in Inquirer
Date: Sun, 5 Mar 2006 15:02:30 -0800 (PST)
Subject: OFW spotlight
Nickname: The Queen
Age: 37
Gender: female
Civil Status: single
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Occupation: Orthodontist
Years Spent Abroad: 5 months
I write to share the unique way of how I surprisingly left our country. Submitting resumes in the net for my fiance, I myself tried my luck by a LONE submission of my own to Yahoojobs. The opportunity came for me and I simply grabbed it.
Barely 5 months in the kingdom and I have happily embraced their ways and culture, so very different from our ways back home. This says much of Pinoys, we adapt very well wherever we are.
More than the promise of a higher paying job, the joy of growing among people so different from you in language, in attitude, in religion, is the greatest challenge we Pinoys have to deal with. In such a short time, I realize these differences are only skin deep. We both share serving the same God (Allah, the Lord Almighty, God the Father), living in the same world and working for it to be a better place to live in (saving the resources, learning to keep up with technology, running a profitable business where everyone gains), and most especially, we may speak differently but we all say the same thing....we all need each other in love and work.
I would like to feel that we left home to continue giving hope to our countrymen back home. We have not jumped ship. Rather, we fight for our country in a different way...in a different place.... In the global arena, proving the FILIPINOS ARE WORLD CLASS.Whatever is happening in our country, we will overcome because we are all survivors.
We who are out of the Philippines, wish we could only do more for our land. In time, I know we will by the skill & resources we have gained elsewhere.
Though uprooted, the philippine mango will only taste ever sweetest in its own soil...don't you think so? I miss this terribly, hinog man o hilaw with bagoong. Lechon with crispy balat. Sisig. CHICHARON! Puto bumbong, kutsinta, ube, macapuno, SAPIN SAPIN! Tiangge, the christmas rush, simbang gabi, paputok, torotot. Baguio, Tagaytay, Boracay, Palawan. MOVIEHOUSE!!!!
I am a Filipino orthodontist working in Riyadh and proud as I will ever be.
In the kingdom, the medal I wear is of patients saying ," Kuayes Filipinni tabib asnan" (The good filipino dentist).
P.S.
By the way, if you're wondering whatever happened to my fiance? Well, we're still together.... Hamdillah (Godwilling)...planning our wedding next year and hoping he will join me in making our country proud...once again.
Subject: OFW spotlight
Nickname: The Queen
Age: 37
Gender: female
Civil Status: single
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Occupation: Orthodontist
Years Spent Abroad: 5 months
I write to share the unique way of how I surprisingly left our country. Submitting resumes in the net for my fiance, I myself tried my luck by a LONE submission of my own to Yahoojobs. The opportunity came for me and I simply grabbed it.
Barely 5 months in the kingdom and I have happily embraced their ways and culture, so very different from our ways back home. This says much of Pinoys, we adapt very well wherever we are.
More than the promise of a higher paying job, the joy of growing among people so different from you in language, in attitude, in religion, is the greatest challenge we Pinoys have to deal with. In such a short time, I realize these differences are only skin deep. We both share serving the same God (Allah, the Lord Almighty, God the Father), living in the same world and working for it to be a better place to live in (saving the resources, learning to keep up with technology, running a profitable business where everyone gains), and most especially, we may speak differently but we all say the same thing....we all need each other in love and work.
I would like to feel that we left home to continue giving hope to our countrymen back home. We have not jumped ship. Rather, we fight for our country in a different way...in a different place.... In the global arena, proving the FILIPINOS ARE WORLD CLASS.Whatever is happening in our country, we will overcome because we are all survivors.
We who are out of the Philippines, wish we could only do more for our land. In time, I know we will by the skill & resources we have gained elsewhere.
Though uprooted, the philippine mango will only taste ever sweetest in its own soil...don't you think so? I miss this terribly, hinog man o hilaw with bagoong. Lechon with crispy balat. Sisig. CHICHARON! Puto bumbong, kutsinta, ube, macapuno, SAPIN SAPIN! Tiangge, the christmas rush, simbang gabi, paputok, torotot. Baguio, Tagaytay, Boracay, Palawan. MOVIEHOUSE!!!!
I am a Filipino orthodontist working in Riyadh and proud as I will ever be.
In the kingdom, the medal I wear is of patients saying ," Kuayes Filipinni tabib asnan" (The good filipino dentist).
P.S.
By the way, if you're wondering whatever happened to my fiance? Well, we're still together.... Hamdillah (Godwilling)...planning our wedding next year and hoping he will join me in making our country proud...once again.
jan 31 - feb 8, 2006 thoughts
We are in this together (Jan 31, 2006)
Tutoo pala si Dan ng sabihin niyang alam mo pag nasa ibang bansa ka, parang laging out to prove ka that they are no better than you and you can/are even better than them. No harm in thinking and being this way because you always strive to be better than you are now. The sad part comes when they don’t believe nor trust you just because you are of a different color and race. My Syrian neighbor asked me why I was so angry at my patient, I told him because I have nothing but good workmanship and intentions for my patients since I came here and I don’t want to be shouted at w/ no valid reason, not paid because of the fault of others, and treated with no respect. Often times I feel if I were a local Saudi, would they even dare treat me this way?
Now that I have simmered down, I realize, I chose this path and this is one of the challenges I really have to live with coping and adapting to a race which I feel has never felt the hardship of life.; who I feel has been spoiled rotten by their country’s wealth. Sorry if I am generalizing on the race, but one thing I do also want them to realize is that we are all working here together needing each other. Without each other, nothing good will happen. Therefore each of us need to respect and trust the other that we are both working for the good.
Handling the Cold (Jan 31, 2006)
It’s now cold again. Back home, I never felt having your finger and toes almost numb from the cold. A day without a bath was dreadful. But because of the cold (wala pa tong snow ha….), you just don’t feel like moving at all. The best therapy though is to have other thoughts than the cold. My therapy is I cook. What better way than hitting 2 birds w/ one stone. You keep warm near the stove and you are able to prepare food you will eat for the next 3 days. My other therapy is to sleep the cold away. That’s the best.
I often wonder why buildings here and houses are so solid. Having small windows, little glass. Then I realize the extreme weather as the cause. One will never survive the cold without a good heater. Winter food of soup, soup and warm soup, hot tea and warm coffee. In the desert heat on the other hand, everything is so hot that if you want to take a bath, even the water is hot. What they do here is to have a tub of water and let it cool off overnight and use it to take a bath early morning while the sun isn’t shining much yet. Well, that’s desert life.
See my Garden Grow (Feb 8, 2006)
About 3 months ago seeing the kingdom with few plants and trees I was surprised that my lowly onion and garlic pieces started growing tiny buds out of them. I wondered if I put them in water, would they survive the extreme weathers of the Kingdom? Seeing that I did not have any pot or soil, I said I will try growing them in water.
Today Oh am so proud the gardener with no garden for I have harvested my very own spring onions in the Saudi winter. The garlic bulb has brought forth long sprigs of “spring garlic”. Both have been delicious garnishing to 2 dishes of pancit palabok and continue to do so when their long weeds start bending. Their bends is a call from my spring delights saying, “Go & cut my long hair’.
Today I have also taken them for a bath to change their water…I think so flies won’t bite them as well….hehehe.
And what’s amazing is they also have long “togue like” roots that smell of what they are. I have cut them also and put them in water to try in my next cooking session.
Oh you should see their cute pots…they’re made out of pepsi liter covers. That’s another discovery. You cut the half of the pepsi plastic container with its cover and invert it to look like a short sundae serving glass. What’s good about this is its easier to clean coz the cover can be removed at its end.
So even without much trying, my garlic and onion grows buds wherever & whenever they can just to be of use…to anybody. Lets learn from my spring delights.
Tutoo pala si Dan ng sabihin niyang alam mo pag nasa ibang bansa ka, parang laging out to prove ka that they are no better than you and you can/are even better than them. No harm in thinking and being this way because you always strive to be better than you are now. The sad part comes when they don’t believe nor trust you just because you are of a different color and race. My Syrian neighbor asked me why I was so angry at my patient, I told him because I have nothing but good workmanship and intentions for my patients since I came here and I don’t want to be shouted at w/ no valid reason, not paid because of the fault of others, and treated with no respect. Often times I feel if I were a local Saudi, would they even dare treat me this way?
Now that I have simmered down, I realize, I chose this path and this is one of the challenges I really have to live with coping and adapting to a race which I feel has never felt the hardship of life.; who I feel has been spoiled rotten by their country’s wealth. Sorry if I am generalizing on the race, but one thing I do also want them to realize is that we are all working here together needing each other. Without each other, nothing good will happen. Therefore each of us need to respect and trust the other that we are both working for the good.
Handling the Cold (Jan 31, 2006)
It’s now cold again. Back home, I never felt having your finger and toes almost numb from the cold. A day without a bath was dreadful. But because of the cold (wala pa tong snow ha….), you just don’t feel like moving at all. The best therapy though is to have other thoughts than the cold. My therapy is I cook. What better way than hitting 2 birds w/ one stone. You keep warm near the stove and you are able to prepare food you will eat for the next 3 days. My other therapy is to sleep the cold away. That’s the best.
I often wonder why buildings here and houses are so solid. Having small windows, little glass. Then I realize the extreme weather as the cause. One will never survive the cold without a good heater. Winter food of soup, soup and warm soup, hot tea and warm coffee. In the desert heat on the other hand, everything is so hot that if you want to take a bath, even the water is hot. What they do here is to have a tub of water and let it cool off overnight and use it to take a bath early morning while the sun isn’t shining much yet. Well, that’s desert life.
See my Garden Grow (Feb 8, 2006)
About 3 months ago seeing the kingdom with few plants and trees I was surprised that my lowly onion and garlic pieces started growing tiny buds out of them. I wondered if I put them in water, would they survive the extreme weathers of the Kingdom? Seeing that I did not have any pot or soil, I said I will try growing them in water.
Today Oh am so proud the gardener with no garden for I have harvested my very own spring onions in the Saudi winter. The garlic bulb has brought forth long sprigs of “spring garlic”. Both have been delicious garnishing to 2 dishes of pancit palabok and continue to do so when their long weeds start bending. Their bends is a call from my spring delights saying, “Go & cut my long hair’.
Today I have also taken them for a bath to change their water…I think so flies won’t bite them as well….hehehe.
And what’s amazing is they also have long “togue like” roots that smell of what they are. I have cut them also and put them in water to try in my next cooking session.
Oh you should see their cute pots…they’re made out of pepsi liter covers. That’s another discovery. You cut the half of the pepsi plastic container with its cover and invert it to look like a short sundae serving glass. What’s good about this is its easier to clean coz the cover can be removed at its end.
So even without much trying, my garlic and onion grows buds wherever & whenever they can just to be of use…to anybody. Lets learn from my spring delights.
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