saudi Arabia

10 SURVIVAL TIPS I’VE LEARNED FROM LIVING ABROAD

December 6, 2019 by Little Miss Honey 843 Comments

I had a conversation with another expat working for the first time away from her home country and away from her family. She asked for tips in how to survive working abroad, considering that I have been an overseas foreign worker for 6 years in Singapore plus my few years studying high school in Saudi Arabia. I don’t consider myself an expert in expat living but I shared with her some of the things I did learn along the way in my few years working abroad. These tips somehow worked for me and I hope it would help other expats especially new expats in thriving and making the most of their time in a foreign land.

So here goes:

1. Follow the rules & respect the culture

When my whole family moved to Saudi Arabia, one of the things I would never forget my mother told me after a year of living there was that we should always to follow the rules & respect the country’s culture. Coming from my mother it means a lot because she can be a rebel and argue her way into bending the rules if it is an ill-defined rule. There were many rules we have to take note but we followed it and respected it. As expats, we are “guests” in the country that welcomed us to live, study and work. We must be gracious to return the hospitality by respecting their culture and their people.

2. Mingle with the locals

When I was working in Singapore, I was the only foreigner in the clinic. All my Filipino friends were living far from my area too. So I learned to make friends with the wonderful locals and I am so glad I did. There is a disadvantage if we box ourselves to the circle of people we are accustomed to and that we are familiar or similar to. We don’t get to open our mindset and learn new things if we don’t make new acquaintances. I love that I get to interact and hang out with the locals of the country I am living in. They give you the best tips about their country. You get to learn the language very fast too. That is why I learned lots of Singlish phrases because of that and now, Arabic too. They also would take you and tell you the best places for the local foods which is a big plus for a foodie like me.

3. Manage your expectations

Some people would think living abroad is like a dream, a new land of many possibilities, a step up from the home country, easy life, lots of money, etc. But it is best to manage your expectations pragmatically. Do your research before you go to the country. Ask questions if you know anyone who are currently residing in the country. Some expect living abroad would be going to la-la-land but you must realised that moving away from your home country, there will always be an adjustment stage. Depending on the individual but it would take roughly around 6-8 months of adjustment. Some can adapt to the new country at 3 months and some can take 1 year. It is never going to be easy, I will tell you that. Many new changes and challenges are encountered. So be mindful of your expectations so you won’t get disappointed.

4. Handle your finances wisely

If you are working abroad, one thing that you should keep a very close eye on is your finances. You can easily get swayed into mishandling your finances if you are earning well and you would be influenced to spend unnecessarily on frivolous things because of several reasons like: everyone is doing it, out of boredom, a cure for stress or peer pressure. You must remember you are temporarily working in a country. It is not forever. You will have to take better care of your finances and use the work opportunity to save, save and save.

5. If all else fails, be kind

Living abroad has its ups and down. You will get to meet different people from all walks of life. You will meet difficult people who would occasionally ignite anger or stress or anxiety within you. But take a deep breath, say your piece firmly if you want to be heard but always remain kind and polite. Again, I will remind you that this is not our place. We cannot afford to throw a massive tantrum. I have seen people sadly who did & even some jokingly and it end up really badly with public humiliation and jail time involved. Yikes, let us avoid that. There are things sometimes that we cannot win. So the best response would always be kindness without being a pushover. Kindness reaps good results always.

6. Stop complaining and looks at all things in a positive light

When the going gets tough, we tend to compare the comfortable life back home and we end up hating and complaining about the life abroad. We should take note that living abroad will always be uncomfortable and tough but we have chosen this life. If you cannot bear it, leave and deal with that decision. But while you are in it, just look at it in a positive way. Living abroad is an adventure. And like all adventures, during the journey, there will be rocky waters, difficult terrain, air turbulence but there are also blue skies, calming breeze, panoramic views, twinkling star and new wonderful experiences. So take heart, change your perspectives.

7. Be flexible and open to new experiences

If you are living abroad, take that opportunity to discover new things. Do not live in your comfortable cocoon of the familiar. Try out the local food. Explore the place. Do not dismiss the offer to try out a new experience as long as it is safe and does not clash with your internal beliefs.

8. Set boundaries

Though I advised you to make lots of friends, explore and be kind, it doesn’t mean you also have to be totally naïve. Living outside of your comfort zones exposes you to a larger circle of new people, be wary in who to trust and open up to. Protect yourself. Be selective in who you can allow to show your vulnerabilities. Set boundaries to allow only people you know for sure has your best interest at heart.

9. Always remain humble

Sometimes if you are exposed to the world, earning well and living a jet-set lifestyle, it can go up in to your head and think you are a “woman of the world” (or “man of the world”). Hold your horses for a minutes, Your Royal Highness but I am sorry, you are not. We may have created a filtered version of ourselves in our brain that we are all that but we are not. Sorry but some people living & working abroad would go home and act like they are better than those who have never left the country to work. We may work in a different land but we and our fellow citizens back home have the same purpose, working to earn a living and support our family. There is no competition who is better or who is superior. Remain humble.

10. Be resilient

One trait that will make you survive living abroad is resiliency, a word I learn in medical school. You must have a tough spirit, an ability to be flexible and adaptable, proactive rather than reactive and learning to stand up again & again when you fall.

I hope these tips would help those fellow expats surviving in the foreign country they are in. If you have other tips, please do share with us too.

MY LIFE MISSION: EXPLORE LIFE’S SURPRISES

July 4, 2017 by Little Miss Honey 44 Comments

Last May, I was sent to a 3-Day Self-Leadership Programme for work. I expected it to be a series of lectures on how to be a leader and some practical execution of leaderships skills like public speaking or leading an on-the-spot project. I was wrong. Instead it was a fun, relaxing and intense 3-day workshop of games, sharing , meeting new people, meditation, dancing and looking into oneself. I grew up studying in Catholic schools and the methods used in the workshop resembles that of the retreat I often had in my schools. Mind you, the facilitator wasn’t a priest. He was a very energetic, charismatic ex-Navy guy.

One of the portion of the workshop was To Make Your Life Mission Statement. This concept wasn’t alien to me. I have encountered the search for my life mission when I read Steven Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. One of the habits is Begin With An End In Mind. And this is where your life mission statement belongs. It is best to have your own life statement which drives everything that you do to achieve that mission.

I have to admit, those times when I read the book. I still haven’t got my life mission statement down pat. But when I got into blogging and with an intense desire to improve my blog, I reexamine my blog branding with deep analytical introspection.

When I started blogging, I created my Blog Title Header to Little Miss Honey. It is me. My name is Honey and I am “Little”, plus it has a nice ring to it. Following the footsteps of one of my blog idols, Patty Laurel, she used a tagline call to action which is Come Waste Time With Me. I wanted to follow that same context of a call-to-action tagline. I somehow derived the tagline of Explore Life’s Surprises With Me. I forgot how I came up with it and it stucked.

Photo on my header of my 1st blog

During the time when I reexamined my blog, I came to another conclusion and derived another tagline, another life mission statement. It became my anchor and guiding voice in my life. I came up with – To Inspire & Be Inspired. I hope to inspire people in my blog articles, my endeavour and how I live my life. And at the same time, I get fueled if I get inspired by everything around me – positive people, travels, books, beautiful scenery, culture, food, etc.

I wanted to get rid of my old blog tagline: Explore Life’s Surprises With Me. I wanted my blog to reflect and parallel my life vision and exploring life’s surprises seems not what I am going for. And so I thought…

That 3-day workshop allowed me to contemplate and analyze deeper in my life, my direction and how I have been living it. I realized I have two life mission statement: To Inspire & Be Inspired and Explore Life’s Surprises.

Allow me to talk more about the latter. I didn’t realize that I have been living the 2nd Life Mission Statement for some time now. I didn’t realize indeed that I have been exploring life’s surprises for years now.

Exploring Life’s Surprises may sound more appropriate for an adventurous, sporty-looking gal. I am far from it. I look like a timid little girl who would enjoy a peaceful time at home with a good book. Actually, I don’t just look like it, I am that girl. I love planning and making to-do lists. I do get anxious with change. I would often take calculated steps. But inspite of this seemingly unadventurous lady, I didn’t stay in my comfort zone and took life’s unexpected opportunities with high hopes mixed with anxiety and fear.

I learned from my mother, the real adventurer, that life is a playground for us to explore. She advocates travelling and trying out new things. She is a risk-taker and often would say yes to opportunities. She said an opportunity only knocks once, grab it . So ingrained in my subconscious and my genes, I did take on exploring life’s surprises, took the road-less travelled and yes to the unknown with a little bit of logical thinking and prudence I got from my dad.

To illustrate here are some points in my life where I allow it to surprise me. I have wonderful discoveries. I say yes to new learnings and lots of travel opportunities. Sometimes I would chose a different path, not a common decision to most. It is often scary and at times, unpopular.

1. Left Our Comfortable Home in the Philippines and Lived & Studied in the Saudi Arabia

Ok, so this was actually more like my parents’ decision. I love the school I went to before we left Saudi Arabia. I was doing well in school and I was even up to represent my school for an interschool singing contest. But I am glad we did try out living in the interesting, hot, conservative Middle East. It has opened up my eyes to new discoveries and allowed me to be flexible & adjust to new cultures & surrounding. I will tell you more about my life in Saudi Arabia someday.

2. Returned to the Philippines for college and medical school initially living only with trusted helpers

It can be scary. I was a 16 year old clueless girl leaving very far from the guidance of my parents and the companionship of my siblings. I could have lost my way but I didn’t. I learned so much about myself during those years. Luckily, in a few years my siblings followed me in the Philippines.

3. Tried living in the southern region of the Philippines that doesnt speak my dialect and changing my medical specialisation choice from the one that I have been working for eversince

Some choices I made did not necessary translate to longterm results but it was a learning experience. I realized that Davao was not for me and neither was Psychiatry. So I packed my things and went back to Iloilo. And found my calling in Family Medicine.

4. I accepted a job as a doctor in Singapore freshly out of residency, just engaged to a nice man and clueless of the advanced medical system in the first world country.

I never planned to work in Singapore. I had mapped out my plans after residency training. I was to return to Saudi Arabia and work in my father’s same company. But the Singapore offer came. And I said, yes! I love the feeling of being on my own in a foreign land. But it was a difficult time too. Adjusting to my new work with high stress level, getting to know new people and being far from my fiancé.

5. I said yes to all travel opportunities

My mom has influenced us in the love for travelling. So our family has been travelling to different countries every year. And my hubby and I have been practicing that yearly travel or more in our own little family.

6. Raising our sons in Singapore

It is not easy raising our sons in a foreign land. It is challenging and expensive with the nanny & school cost. But we took in the challenge so we can see our kids grow up before our eyes.

7. Pursued blogging in Singapore while being a doctor

Blogging is hard work. You need to make time. You need to be consistent. You need to be open for improvement and take advice from experts. It can be especially hard for me because I have a full time job and a mom to two active, clingy, cute boys. After 8 years of blogging, my hardwork is slowing bearing fruits and in a foreign land no less. I now can monetize my blog and consider it as secondary source of income. I started getting collaboration and emails from brands, PR agencies and companies. I get invites for events and food tastings. I also would get freebies for review. But if I would have been too scared to pursue it, I may even not answer email invites because I am too shy to socialize with local bloggers at events or find my blogger skills to mediocre to be placed out there.

8. Decided to venture into healthcare admin work and gave up medicine

My license to practice as a doctor in Singapore ended last April of this year. I had fun in my 4 year sojourn in Singapore. I didn’t mind going back to the Philippines or trying other countries. But I got a job offer – to work in the same company as a Quality Management Assistant Manager. I have no skills in administrative work. I dont know how to work a spreadsheet. I am so clueless of what is going on behind the scenes of healthcare. But as Richard Branson, CEO of Virgin Airlines, said, “If someone offers you an amazing opportunity and you are not sure how to do it- say yes then learn how to do it later. ” So that is just what I did. Yes it is hard. Adjusting is tough but I have been learning so many things and I am grateful.

I have a lot more but I guess I will stop at 8. My life journey may not be as high-adrenaline-pumping-kind-of adventure or a leave-my-country-and-a-travel-nomad-kind-of life choices. But I took on life with calculated risk and contemplation but I also said yes to things that may even scare me and are often not the easiest choice. I allow life to surprise me and I am willing to explore what else it can bring me. I didn’t realize it but I have been living my tagline as my life mission for years now.

How about you? What is your life mission?

EXPAT DIARIES: MARICHRIS, A FILIPINA YOGA ENTHUSIAST IN SINGAPORE

August 15, 2016 by Little Miss Honey 205 Comments

“(Wikipedia) ‘An Expatriate (often shortened to Expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country other than that of their citizenship. The word comes from the Latin terms ex (“out of”) and patria (“country, fatherland”).

This blog aims to discover people who are adventurers like me, venturing out in a new place to call home and creating memories. I have previously lived with my parents and siblings in the Saudi Arabia when I was in high school. I have enjoyed and cherished my memories in the beautiful Sandbox I once called my home. Now, I am in a new adventure with my husband and sons here in Singapore.

I am featuring Expats in different countries to share their experiences and adventures with you and me.

Today, I am featuring a schoolmate from Saudi Arabia who I am happy to know is also in Singapore with her husband and cute baby girl. She is a yoga advocate, a new mom and a beautiful spirit. She will be sharing with us her Singapore adventure. Meet Marichris or lovingly known as Chee to her family & friends.”

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1. Can you tell the readers a little bit about yourself and where you are originally from?

Credit:Pervical John Photography

• Born and raised in Saudi Arabia

• Moved to Manila to finish my studies and answer fascinating questions about the desert life to curious classmates.

• New mom to my favorite human and a wife to my complete opposite.

• On Mondays I like my coffee venti size and on Fridays – tall size, my essentials to effectively work as a Marketer for a pharmaceutical company.

• Yoga is my favorite thing to do.

2. What made you move to Singapore? How long have you been here?

It was a spontaneous move. I remember how unprepared I was and how little I had when I arrived. It’s been 6 wonderful years and so much has happened since.

3. What do you miss about our home country?

Driving. My car was present in all my fondest memories. Sometimes, traffic jams are a good thing.

4. What are the wonderful discoveries and things you like about in Singapore?

I live in Geylang. Believe me when I say I rarely see any of the wild shenanigans the area is famous for.

I live here because of convenience, which makes it a wonderful discovery:

a) Accessible food. The famous Hokkien mee, ban mian, char siew pau, the Airport Road Hawker Centre, and many more are all within walking distance from our building.

b) Yoga. I live 700 meters away from one of the most popular studios in the country, Yoga Inc.

c) Singapore Cafes. Artisan coffee and homemade desserts within reach. Need I say more?

d) Singapore Sports Hub. We live 2 bus stops away from Singapore’s newest tourist destination which features all you need to keep fit. Although we mainly go there to eat.

5. What are the 3 tips you can give to fellow expats in Singapore or those you planning to move here?

Get lost in Singapore, Complain Less, and Support Local Businesses.

6. The LITTLE MISS HONEY community gets inspired through travel, food and books. Can you tell us your current FAVORITE TRAVEL SPOT, current FAVORITE FOOD/RESTAURANT DISCOVERIES & current FAVORITE BOOK?

• Favorite Travel Spot – Palawan. Besides the beaches, I do imagine myself living in Puerto Princesa sometimes.

• Restaurant Discovery – I love exploring Singapore Cafes/Restos. There are just so many of them to try here. The latest one we went to is Nosh at Rochester Park. Their Crab Benedict is a must-try. Also, you don’t see many places that serve shakshouka so the arab in me was pleased.

• Favorite Book – “Oh the Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss, “The Wonderful Things You Will Be” by Emily Winfield Martin. I’ve read this to my daughter so many times I now know the words by heart. I think these books just hit me more. Children’s books make great motivational books.

7. Where do you get your inspirations? Who or what inspires you?

I get a lot of lightbulb moments in a yoga class. In class, you surrender to the voice of the teacher. Your body flows according to their instruction – the transitions, the breathing. “You don’t think, you just do.” When work or home becomes too much for me, I escape here for an hour. After yoga, I am calmer and my mind is clearer. Therefore, lightbulbs.

8. You are a yoga enthusiast. I love yoga too! What attracted you to practicing yoga?

Yoga keeps me sane. I started with shallow reasons – to lose weight. I thought going for hot exercises would help me achieve that. Last 2008, I googled (or yahoo-ed?) for hot exercises and Bikram Yoga was on top of the list. I did my first Bikram class in Makati and got hooked instantly. Class after class, I cared less and less about my weight. I loved the effects it had on me which made me love myself more. Fast forward to 6 years later, I started practicing other yoga disciplines. My world got bigger, and so did my heart. But my first love will always be Bikram Yoga. It is nice to have something to be passionate about.

9. Where are your suggested best yoga places here in Singapore?

For Bikram Yoga or Hot Yoga, I recommend Bikram Yoga Katong and Bikram Yoga Harbourfront. The Bikram community is small, warm, and loyal. Aside from the intense exercise, you will find family here.

Yoga Inc at Guillemard Road is my second home. Not only is it nearby my place, but they offer a wide selection of yoga to choose from. A lot of my breakthroughs happened here, a lot of inspiration as well.

10. Can you give us an easy yoga flow sequence we can do daily?

Sun Salutations is the most popular flow sequence. But to add a little fun, I reverse it.

Sun Salutation A:

Credit:Pervical John Photography

• Stand at the top of your mat in mountain pose (tadasana) with your hands in prayer. You may set an intention for your practice if you choose to.

• Inhale, bring your arms out to the side and and gaze at your hands above your head. Slide your shoulders away from your ears. You can do a slight backbend.

• Exhale, swan dive over your legs into a forward fold (uttanasana) and let your head hang heavy.

• Inhale, gaze forward and lift your fingertips up to form a flat back or a straight spine.

• Exhale, step or jump back to plank pose. Shift your weight forward and bend at your elbows to lower your body until your upper arms are parallel to the floor and and close to the ribs (chaturanga)

• Inhale, slide to upward facing dog.

• Exhale, tuck your toes to downward facing dog.

Reverse Sun Salutation A (Going back to where you started)

Credit:Pervical John Photography

• From downward facing dog, inhale – roll your spine back to upward facing dog.

• Exhale, move down to chaturanga and push yourself back up to plank pose.

• Jump or step forward to your hands with a flat back or straight spine. Remember to gaze forward.

• Exhale, forward fold into uttanasana.

• Inhale, rise fully and look up with your arms over your head.

• Exhale to mountain pose with your hands in prayer.

11. If you have a friend coming to visit Singapore for the first time and you have the whole day to show her around, which places are you going to take her?

We’d probably start the day at Gardens By the Bay to wake up and smell the roses. Go up the overhead bridge towards Marina Bay Sands Hotel and take in the 360-degree view.

From the hotel, have lunch at the Shoppes. My favorite lunch place is Pizzeria Mozza. Because, they have a Filipina exec chef.

Walk around the Art Science Museum, cross the Singapore River via the Helix Bridge and walk towards the Esplanade. Rest and enjoy the free shows.

Have dinner at MakanSutra, buy a dish in every stall to get a taste of the famous Singaporean food. Walk towards the Merlion and finally, relax with a few drinks by the river.

12. Lastly, can you share with what is your inspirational mantra in life?

It never gets easier; you just get better.

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“Thank you Chee for that detailed itinerary for visiting friends going to Singapore. I will definitely use it as a guide. I love your easy yoga sequence you shared with me and my readers. You made me rekindle my love for Bikram Yoga. I will be trying this sequence tomorrow morning.

For more yoga love and inspirations, follow Chee in instagram at www.instagram.com/yogicakes/

If you are an expat or know any expats who are interested to be featured, drop me a line at littlemisshoneyblog@gmail.com.”

*All photos by Marichris’ talented husband. Check out Pervical John Photography.