Back to my Field of Dreams

I am not leaving my weblog Abdul Hakeem, this name is very important to me and it reflects my way of life that's why I choose it as my title of my personal blog.

It's just happen that I need to go back to my Field of Dreams which is my very first personal blog. It tells about all his life, Roy was searching for his dreams. Then one day, his dreams came looking for him.

I'm already dreaming of the challenges and fun and now it's time to wake up and face the reality that life's must go on and we need to survived and not just dreaming all the time.

I am not changing any topics in this blog, still this is a little bit about life, career, and just about anything else involved with my recent move to the United Kingdom and how it all translate to me.

Everyone dreams, but not all dreams come to fruition. You cannot sit by and be frustrated by the lack of development of your dreams if you are not taking action to see them come to life.

I don’t always share how I feel with you guys but I wrote this post for anyone who might have had a day like mine. I’m gonna reflect on the journey that I started on and keep going until I finish. Don’t just dare to dream … live to make it real.

Proud to be one

I got new friend last month during my stay in London. After knowing me I'm a Filipino, he talk alot about the Philippines, politics, economy and even people, etc. I am wondering why he knows all of these? From Aquino's mother to Erap and even Emilda's shoes. It's because he always heard Filipino wherever he go so he keep searching every stuff.

I have known that we have a good reputation in workplacement here in London specially in a Nursing Home and I think it's not only in United Kingdom but unto the whole world whenever there is a Filipino working.

They are confident to have us to work as part of their team because of our previous fellow countrymen who had been here to work previously and until now. Aside from hardwork being compassionate is one of the best of Filipino and I'm proud to be one.

Am I Going to be Rich?

Since child, I’ve always heard the word Abroad. It seems to be a nicest place for me then that someday I could also work abroad because all our neighbors who’ve been there brings a lot of money when they come back in our village.

Going abroad for work is said to be making your life more progressive compare to work in our place, many work in Japan, America, Middle East and some other countries they are very happy to their life and many people migrate in that place.

Now, I was giving a chance to be here in abroad and know the life that could bring answer to all my questions, it reminds me to a place I wanted to visit and to live for that someday I could grab a piece of opportunity to become rich. I can’t imagine how my life's become now adays.

In my situation, I have found the answer to my ambition in life “Am I going to be rich?” That depends on you, if you work hard and save your money, invest it in the right things then you will find yourself there, and don't forget those who told you that you would.

New year, new life!

I couldn't imagine that the year 2010 has ended. I had lots of stuff that I could always remember it seems very lucky for me that year, I mean most lucky.

I enjoy my life serving my family at home being as head in my own little way. I got a job in my hometown and love doing it. Lots of friends anywhere in my place including my facebook and went to other cities and stayed in Manila while processing my visa application at the British Embassy.

Most of all I was granted a visa and now living in England today. I did not wish and dream to come here since child, as I can remember my ambition before is to become a good teacher but I took Accountancy.

My life is unpredictable and full of surprising, it's not really my plan to work abroad as I just want to have a simple life with my family. I always work hard not to become a rich man, to earn for a living is just for me and help my family for our daily needs. But 'til now still don't have a savings.

This year is another chapter of my life, I want to start it with more hardwork and keep a savings for my future. As I step this year, I am hoping for all the graces which will be given, and a happy health and lifestyle.

I am excited for this year, what would be my life? Well, I am pretty sure that I am happy and I am so very grateful.

My Journey Going to UK

There was a time I went in Davao City when I read the sign board FIL2BRIT Consultancy Services, Study and Earn in UK. I feel very curious, I want to visit that office but that time I am on a bus going back to my province so i just save their contact number.

Finally when I got back to work at the office, I contact the number immediately and I spoke to one of their staff. He said, there will be a British Assessor arrive day after tomorrow and hopefully I could come and be assessed if I am qualified. All I have to do is to bring my CV and a P20,000.00 assessment fee, he said that the assessment fee will back to me if ever I could not pass the assessment and if ever I could pass it would be a commitment to me to continue the process.

The day has come and I was assessed by 3 British men and one of them is Mr. Adrian Park and the owner of FIL2BRIT Davao Branch Mr. Steve Philips. Yes, I passed the assessment and my next step is to pay the remaining balances and my papers are on process that time. To make this short, I received all the papers necessary to apply for a Student Visa and paid the FIL2BRIT in full.

Unfortunately, I was refused twice by the British Embassy in Manila, I almost give up but I didn't because I spend a lot of money and I have also left my job. So I pursue hoping that the embassy will grant me a visa, I pray hard and it was success! Yes, I was granted a visa after all during Ramadhan. I was very happy that moment so I pack my bag and ready to go to the United Kingdom!

So excited because this is my first time abroad and in an international plane Etihad. I had my stop over in Abu Dhabi, UAE for 5 hours and then finally going to Manchester in UK. So excited again when I finally arrived at the airport in UK, because i will meet my sister and his British husband waiting for me outside the airport.

It's nice to see the new environment and a cool breezed of wind. I feel very grateful for I have achieved my goals.

Mr. Steve Philips from FIL2BRIT arrived in UK a week after. And he said I am on his top list to find my workplacement, I am very happy because I could start a work as promised since the time I met him in Davao. Their orientation in the office is always finding a workplacement so they could attract applicants going to UK.

It's my first month in UK that he rung me and said goodbye because he will be back now in the Philippines. It was my saddest moment... he left me here in UK without a workplacement. That's a reason why I spent a lot of money to them because of a workplacement as they have promised.

To my readers please make this a lesson to all of you. Have a thorough investigation on the agency you belong like searching their name in the internet find their previous applicants situation, don't spent money while you are not sure of getting job specially when you are borrowing money with interest. I was just lucky because I have my sister here I could stay longer.

It's all good.

We went to the grocery store earlier today because we don't have enough food for a week. We was hit by more heavy snow and freezing temperatures overnight, bringing chaos to roads when you drive a car so we just walk to the store for a couple of hours.

People were walking away from their abandoned cars, it was an unbelievable sight to see. The snow looks so soft and puffy, but it is frozen solid and it is very tricky to walk on because it is slippery and it will break when you least expect.

As we get closer to the store, I saw a lorry hit by a car, the snow and ice may have contributed to the accident but can not be blamed, it may sound a little harsh but i think they were driving too fast for the road conditions.

As long as it's just snowing prettily through the window, see, it's all good.

Winter neighborhood

We have had snow since Thursday and the temperature is still falling and the snow is getting thicker and heavier.

I enjoy watching the snow falling though I am sufferring for a heavy cold and slippery. I've been waiting for this moment since the day I came here in England. I am so very grateful to the Almigthy for letting me to actually experience snow.

The first taste of the first snowfall

This morning I have awoken to massive snow scenes, there was a skiff of snow on the ground and rooftops. At last, it's started snowing. Half of the UK is covered in snow at the moment. Only small flakes though.

I wanted to go out and throw snowballs straight away but not that there was enough snow for that!

What a beautiful day in the North of England... bright, crisp and dry, just lovely. There is a slight chilliness... although i guess those who have to travel to work will not think that!

There is only one thing to do on a day like today... yes, build a Snowman, might even take a picture.

Immigration is no joke

It is a major decision that involves all aspect of your life. People who are planning to permanently settle in a foreign land must put importance into having all their papers and requirements processed the legal way.

If you are working and living abroad without the proper documents, you are putting your reputation and future at risk. Peace of mind will definitely be elusive when instead of adjusting to your new environment or concentrating on your job, you are playing hide and seek with the authorities.

Many people who are discouraged by the tedious requirements and procedures one has to go through at the embassy. This is the reason why many bravely dare to enter a foreign territory with an illegal status. Even though some people managed to emerge victorious by eventually being granted legal status, aspiring migrants must not look at this a source of inspiration.

In UK, illegal immigration is a serious issue where the rules are strictly implemented. Moreover, if you are an illegal alien, you and your family will be denied many benefits.

For one, finding a decent and good paying a job will be a big burden. You will not be permitted to apply for an insurance. Your child will not be allowed to enroll in school.

People migrate overseas for a purpose, whether for economic, cultural, or educational reasons. Achieving those goals can be likened to a camel passing through the eyes of a needle if you are an illegal alien. Spare yourself of the emotional and physical trauma of illegal migration by going through the legal process.

Autumn is here!

This is that time of year when the leaves turn red and gold, and there's a little chill in the air.

The scientific explanation of autumn is “the day of the year when the Sun crosses the celestial equator moving southward. This day is known as the Autumnal Equinox.”

One source explained that it's a common belief that the “earth is further from the sun in winter than in summer.” But actually, the Earth is closest to the sun in December which is winter in the Northern hemisphere.

What's the difference between fall and autumn?

Some think the difference depends on where you live in the world. For example, in the U.S., fall follows the summer season. In the U.K., autumn follows summer.

Others say that autumn is the start of a new season, when the weather cools down and leaves change color. Fall begins when the leaves have fallen to the ground and the cooler weather sets in.

The last source described autumn or fall as “one of the four seasons,” It signals the earlier arrival of night, and the change from summer into winter in September in the Northern Hemisphere, or in March in the Southern Hemisphere.

Whatever they call it, I enjoy the new season! I'm having fun picking apples, rolling around in the leaves, and a walk in the crisp air.

I am not Chinese

Most of the strangers who meet me for the first time do not believe that I'm 100% Filipino (including people whom I met for the first time whenever i was in London).

People love asking, "Are you really Filipino?" or "You're a Chinese?"

But the most memorable question asked when I am in a coach was, "Omg, I thought you are a Chinese." She stared at me for few minutes as if i was a freak.

Right now there are always many Filipino including my colleagues who are shocked when I speak Filipino. They mistaken me as Chinese.

My sister too didn't recognized me upon arriving in UK at the airport, she let me pass in her front 'coz she think I am a Chinese.

I don't know what feature(s) of mine gives off that impression.

Either people don't think there is a difference and assume we're all the same or they're just plain ignorant... are you Japanese? Korean? Chinese? I think the worst was, "Are you Irish?" I'm pretty sure the last one was a joke, but still, better to ask what I am than to assume I am a Chinese.

It's pretty good!

My life is interesting and unpredictable! Yet amazing the challenges come along! It is because I love the things I like to do and to do the thing i love!

Its pretty good! I love hanging with my friends anytime when we agree to go anywhere! But we make sure that everythings ganna be alright!

Damn too busy

It is not that I am complaining, I am actually thankful to have something to do. You might have noticed the inconsistency of my blog post. Most of my post are not really what you called a “real post”. Just an embedded image/etc. or a copy of an article from source. I would really like to post something that is actually my real post. It’s just that it’s a bit awkward writing yourself online or mentioning some personal things. Though it is unfair for tag this blog as a personal blog, but only few post about personal stuff. Guess I am not the expressive type of person offline and online.

Since I have been blog hoppping, most of the blogs I visited are from teens, ranges from ages 16 to early 20′s. It is really amazing how they can easily post something about themselves and never get awkward about it. They can say about anything about a certain person (which would I would never do). It’s more of their semi-diary of their lives.

Anyways , I’m glad I still have time to update my blogs (though not that much), I may not have that much to say… that’s just to know that this blog is still active and will run for long period of time.

Cool Changes in Life

I am starting to miss people especially in my highschool/college days, though there are now many ways to communicate/contact with them thanks to social networking (facebook, friendster, YM, etc), but it is still different when you see them in person , I mean the presence makes it more fun and memorable, and I am thinking time to get together again.

I have been listening to songs/mp3 regarding to ‘change’ ... since I can only think of two songs for now which I really liked by the way, I tried to search for a video of it. Since most of the video results are not really that good. I found "Changes in my Life" and "Cool Change".

CHANGES IN MY LIFE

I was not so happy being lonely

Living without you

So I prayed so hard for your love

In my heart I needed you

Then I looked up in the sky

And I’m thinking why oh why

These are all the many changes in my life

After all the caring and the laughter

No one else like you

I am not a preacher with a sermon

I’m so in love with you

‘Cause to live without your love

Like the sun that shines above

Is the magic of the changes in my life

And I’ll never forget your love

You and I

We were meant to be

Sweet as rain falling from the sky

You and I

These are all the many changes in my life

Listen to these words I want to give you

On our love so true

Don’t forget I love you and I need you

I’ll always be with you

So just look up in the sky

And you’ll find out why oh why

These are all the many changes in my life

And I’ll never forget your love

You and I

We were meant to be

Sweet as rain falling from the sky

You and I

These are all the many changes, these are all the many changes,

These are all the many changes in my life

And I’ll never forget your love

You and I

We were meant to be

Sweet as rain falling from the sky

You and I

These are all the may changes

These are all the many changes

These are all the many changes in my life

And I’ll never forget your love

You and I,

We were meant to be

Sweet as rain

Falling from the sky

You and I

These are all the many changes, these are all the many changes,

These are all the many changes in my life (3x)

COOL CHANGE

If there’s one thing in my life that’s missing

It’s the time I spend alone

Sailing on the cool and bright clear waters

There’s lots of those friendly people

Showin me ways to go

And I never want to lose your inspiration

Time for

a cool change…

I know that it’s time

for a cool change

Now that my life

is so pre-arranged

I know that it’s time

for a cool change

Well I was born in the sign of water

And it’s there that I feel my best

The albatross and the whales

they are my brothers

It’s kind of a special feeling

When you’re out on the sea alone

Starin’ at the full moon

like a lover

Time for

a cool change…

I know that it’s time

for a cool change

Now that my life

is so prearranged

I know that it’s time

for a cool change

Well I’ve never been romantic

And sometimes I don’t care

I know it may sound selfish

But let me breathe the air

If there’s one thing in my life that’s missing

It’s the time that I spend alone

Sailing on the cool and bright clear waters

It’s kind of a special feeling

When you’re out on the sea alone

Staring at the full moon like a lover

Time for

a cool change…

I know that it’s time

for a cool change

Now that my life is so prearranged

I know that it’s time

for a cool change