Farewell Parties and Change of Plans

Today is Thursday, my usual Day Off at work. But my last day at work was last Sunday, August 22, 2010 and today, I am feeling melancholic.

It's crazy how time goes so fast when you're enjoying yourself at the same time it can be a real drag when you want it to be over quickly. I wanted this day to end FAST! During my last day at work, my manager asked me how I'm feeling now that it's only a couple more hours to my freedom. I told him It's the same as everyday, as if I'm still gonna come to work the next day. Funny, but that's what I felt. I thought maybe I'll be emotional later and this is just a case of late reaction. I got home but I still couldn't feel anything except happiness and excitement.

That night, we had arranged to have a small pot luck courtesy of my Friends and Colleagues from the Front Office. As I didn't have much money at the time, I decided to cook 'Goto' or 'Rice Porridge' with pig's intestines. I started cooking while watching the news and reading facebook posts when (my hubby) called me on Skype. He said he had bad news (he typed it) and then I waited, dreading what he's gonna say and hoping it's a joke. He took a while to type it and said HR told him that my Visit Visa was denied by the Bahrain government. I was still waiting for him to say JOKE! and give me that silly grin of his but when he didn't, i realized it's true. I asked why and he said the embassy told HR that his Salary is not enough to procure a husband visa. I was stunned. Michael continued to say his loan had not been granted by Citibank as they currently have a problem with Mike's company. All I could think of was why have they not informed us earlier of the requirement for a visa sponsored by the company. Mike was calm but I can feel his disappointment and anger. He said the HR will try to call the embassy to reconsider but if it's not possible, by January it will be. I told Michael It's ok and probably God has other plans for us because our goal is still to come home on Lara's birthday. As I was reassuring him (it's not working) I didn't notice my tears flowing until Mike told me not to cry. Even though it's choking me I forced myself to be rational and assured Mike it's ok and we'll wait for the visa status before we plan our next move. Mike said he might not get to go home this year because the loan was not approved. He doesn't want to go home without lot's of money as the two times he went home before, he only had enough and had to stretch it until it's time for him to go back. I strongly believe that everything happens for a reason and if I can't go to Bahrain right now, then It is God's will and he has something better in store for us. Mike told me he is so blessed to have me as a wife and If it's any other woman, he'll be doomed. I felt comforted and a lil' happy with that.

I finished cooking and called the gang outside at the Block C barbecue area around 10:30PM and lo and behold! a good luck banner for me. I'm just a little surprised because I did not plan this to be my farewell party yet because I'll still be sticking around until I get the go signal. I was touched. There was Ate Ghe, Ate Ai, Lexy, BB, Heather, Cha-men, Ate Amor, Henry and Lourdes who dropped by straight from Abu Dhabi.

They even had a cake and gifts for me. Leya gave a yellow box to be opened when I'm alone while Ate Ghe gave me the chewy candies I loved from Malabari lol. Leya and BB made Tokwa't Baboy to complement my 'Goto' (Technically, ate Ghe was the one who fixed the taste heehee). After some picture taking we started to chow. It was so nice to have home-cooked food again after suffering cafeteria food for so long.

We had no alcohol but still had fun baiting each other and joking around. The others had to leave as they are morning shift and need to sleep. BB, Amor and Bregis (who passed by drunk) waited with me for the Late Shift people to arrive. Ate Fats and Yogie-bear came from somewhere and the Late Shift gang came straight from the bus: Dale, Larcy, Arvy, and Kim. They ate and afterwards we cleaned up. I would say it went well.

Once I am in my room, I felt a little dejected. I mean, after the carefully laid out plans we have of me going to Bahrain for a month and finding a job then both of us going home to Philippines in October with enough money to really have a great vacation, we're suddenly back to square one. I still prayed though that the second try will be the charm. I really want to go to Bahrain before going home to Philippines with Mike. We want to have Lara with us by next year if I get a Job in Bahrain. I would like us to have a decent family picture, too. I looked at the box Leya gave me and opened it. I laughed at her jab at me being annoying at times (*sigh* I know, I know but you love me anyways lol) and greatly appreciated what she gave me. I smiled and opened my browser to type a thank you message...