KSA Journey Saga

The cultural setting of Saudi Arabia, is Arab and Islam and is deeply religious, conservative, traditional, family oriented and one more thing. Naturally sweet people.

Following the principle of enjoining good and forbidding wrong, there are many limitations on behaviour and dress are strictly enforced both legally and socially. Like  all women, regardless of age, are required to have a male guardian (Wali). 

Under the Saudi Law, girls and women are forbidden from traveling, conducting official business, or undergoing certain medical procedures without permission from their male guardians.
The system is said to emanate from social conventions, including the importance of protecting women, and from religious precepts on travel and marriage, although these requirements were arguably confined to particular situations.

Traditionally, women's clothing must not reveal anything about her body. It is supposed to be thick, opaque, and loose. It should not resemble the clothing of men.  Accordingly, most women are expected to wear the hijab (head covering), a full black cloak called an abaya, and a face-veil called niqab.

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Few days from now, a new chapter of my life begins. My probationary period is getting over and I will be working as a regular military nurse. 

Serving a military hospital is a challenging thing to do, at least once in your life. Especially to nurses, of course. Here in Saudi Arabia, if you are good, then you are rewarded. If you did something that is prohibited or forbidden, then you must suffer the consequences.

Learning the Arabian's culture, language and personalities is an interesting thing to do. Especially the language. Hmmm, at first I'm stuck at the ward when patient started talking Arabic and the only thing I could utter is "Ukhti, Maleesh. Ana jadid mummarida. Mafi Maalum Arabic." and then I'l just say Äna kalam sister tani, eish inti abga".. T_T 

Sometimes, whenever I communicate with the patient and relatives in the ward, it feels great to know that I am actually talking in Arabic already. It makes me feel happy knowing that we both understand each other already. 

Day by day I am eager to learn more about the language and I thank them as well of teaching me how. One time, I said to the watcher. Ükhti, egee walad, min fadlak soccer."and then my co.workers were laughing their hearts out. When I asked why, I was supposed   to tell egee rajal. Because boys in arabic is rajal and walad is son. So i was saying to the watcher son is coming. lol. sorry, just wanted to share that. Hehehe. 

So, see? Everyday is a learning process of arabic. Every mistake word you say is an experience that you will never forget, so you remember it the next time you use the word again. lol. 

Anyways, I'm just a bit happy and relax today, so I was able to drop something to read. Hope you enjoy! :) 

Till next time again.

Maasalam! ^_^
 

Living Life in a Foreign Land

Now I'm here. Finally, the dream that I have been dreaming of for the past 20 years has arrived. To live and work abroad. Different people. Different culture. And definitely, would change the old you. 

Prior to that, the feeling of excitement filled up my nerves when I heard from my agency that I have been chosen to work as a military nurse in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Tears of joy, excitement and happiness spread across my face. The thing that I have been praying for finally came true. 

But when the night comes and I count the days before the flight, denial strikes again. "Am I really going and would be living alone? Am I ready for this?" 

Everything has happened to me in an instant. I was even thinking, really? Is this happening for real?

The time has come that I have to embrace the reality that It wasn't all a dream. I will be leaving my home for 2 years.

First few weeks of starting my life in a foreign land has already been a struggle for me. I finally knew what it feels to be in a culture shock. My second week of living intensified more. I cried all night. Like you wanted to shout the hell out of your frustrations, sadness and all the negative vibes but then you have to taken it aback because you're not just alone. You have to be sensitive enough for everyone. So again, you'll end up crying and crying and crying your heart's out the whole freakin'night.

My third week became hell. Frustrations of your self, people around you, people at work. You have to deal with different kinds of people and It's so freakin' hard. The adjustments especially the language barrier. Some people would pressure you to become like them, learn as fast as you could so you can cope as much as possible. How I wish I am as good as them and easy to learn like them. I just came here 2 months ago and still I am struggling so much.

At night, I am thinking, can i make it? I hope I can make it like them. As fast as a lightning.

It's really hard. 

My brother said, "how are you? Just feel yourself okay? If you can still go for it, be strong. We are here, always."

Perhaps, the only thing that keeps me to go on is my family.

A month after, I received different kinds of comments from my colleagues. Some are good but the one thing comment I will never forget is that they said I am not good enough for this work. They said I am too immature to handle things. (Maybe because I easily cry and I can't handle pressure that much.)

Progress is impossible without change.And those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. And that's life.

Let's see for the next days if there is improvement aside from frustrations.