Dreams

When I was a child, I always dreamed of becoming an engineer someday. Build houses, design roads and highways, construct bridges and dams and also build high-rise building and hotels. I thought that being an engineer someday will make a big difference in my life. I can fulfill my dreams and reach my goals in life. And also, I guessed that studying engineering is fun and exciting because you'll learn many things. I thought that it is all about analysis and application.

I'm about to finish my primary days when I always dreaming of it. So my high school  days are about to begin after two months of vacation. Here comes the entrance examination for high school, feeling nervous yet confident that I can somehow someway pass this examination. After long days of waiting, the result was out, and guess what?! I passed it! Hahaha. I felt overjoyed about it. I never thought that I can do it, but by luck, I did it! Childish mentality. Thinking of it, only four more years to go and my dream of becoming an engineer will come true. It's like holding your future at the grasp of your fist. But of course, there are still more obstacles and hardships to overcome. And also, having my family and my friends by my side, I know I can make it! So four years of high days has passed, here comes the graduation day. There comes happiness and now sadness because you'll be separated from your best buddies. But that's life, a never-ending adventure. So my college days are about to begin. . .


So college entrance examination goes near. Nervous and agitated, I take the examination. Hoping that I will pass it and so help me God. Many days has passed and the result was out, a letter from the university was mailed at our house. Feeling a bit of excitement but more frightened because of the result. Did I pass it or not So I open the letter and written there is the word "Congratulations!" at the top. I feel very happy. I can't explain how it feels. So I hurriedly show it to my mommy and daddy, and they said, they are proud of me. So I enrolled at the said university taking up "Bachelor of Science in Engineering", (for freshmen engineering, majors is not yet specified unless they are third year). This is the start of fulfilling my dreams. First day of school is about to begin, feeling happy and a little bit shy and nervous. Meeting new friends and classmates. Some are punk, emo, athletes, geeks, rich and normal students. Maybe I belong to the normal students. (Yeah, whatever!?!) Introducing yourself is he first activity before the classes begin. So I introduced myself, saying several information about me and other things that I like and dislike, and so thus my classmates. This happens repeatedly because of different teachers and professors. So the first day of my college day ends up. It was a very fun and busy day. As days and months passes, things getting harder and harder. Subject are so complicated., especially mathematics and engineering mechanics. It feels like my head is gonna blow in any moment. I said to myself, I don't want to continue anymore. But how about my dream. In regardless of hardship and difficulties, I somehow manage to get over it and continue this course. After seven years of studying, I finally finished and completed my college days and graduated as a civil engineering student. It feels so good. Something in life was fulfilled. It was a very exciting college life. So adventurous. Thinking college days has ended, this could be the start of my new life, as a college graduate. . . 

What Lies Ahead

Good life. Sweet memories. Happy thoughts. True friends. Bright future. Better work. What else would I imagine for a better life and a bright future ahead. Although it accompany with great effort and vast sacrifices. We need to make a single step in order to pursue our dreams. We must be courageous and brave all the time, be prepared in all obstacles and overcome those hardships in life. This is how it goes.


So I came back again here in Saudi Arabia to fulfill my dreams and goals in life. It's my second time here to in Saudi Arabia. I stayed here for two years and two months working. I am the only Filipino here in our company. All of my subordinates are Egyptians. My employer is an Arab and his business partner in an Egyptian wherein, the Egyptian has a bigger share. Maybe he only merged with him just to establish a business here in Saudi. Because establishing a business here is very expensive and you have to undergo a very long process of legal procedures unless an Arab man is the one to arrange those papers. This is because of their strict implementations of rules and regulations regarding  about their social cultures and religious beliefs. So most of the businessman here are co-partnered with an Arab or incorporated with an existing Arab company. That is why Saudi Arabia is one of the richest country in the world and also because of their land-rich oil. Amazing right?!


So going back to my topic, as it goes, working here Saudi is very hard because of their very strict rules. Men are not allowed to wear shorts in the streets, alcoholic beverages are prohibited and punishable by law, no places to hang-out, most of the mall-time are exclusively for Saudi's or for family. Taking pictures is not allowed unless otherwise you have permission from the policeman or security guards. This strict rules must be followed all the time unless you want to sleep in jail for a night. These are the common things you must know before working or visiting Saudi Arabia. Working here is a bit boring yet interesting because you'll learn more about their culture and tradition, their traits and behavior, their manners and way of living. Being able to work here for more than two years, I observed different and crucial things. Most of them prefer conversing regarding about religion rather than working. They talk most of the time, it seems like they're not getting tired at all. That's why I always feel irritated everyday. Hahaha. But in return, I can save much for my future, because the worker don't  pay for their taxes, instead, the company or the employer shoulders all of it. So we get our full salary without any deductions or cuts unless you have cash advance. It is one of the nicest things in here aside from gaining experiences and enhancing most of your skills and knowledge. This are the things that can't be stolen. It will grow and mature but not fade. That is why I came back here, to learn, to grow and to save for my future... Because nobody knows what lies ahead. . .