I came from an Island in the Philippines, a simple community. We were happy already if we able to eat three times a day. Fish and Rice were our common foods. I loved running outside, playing with my cousins, liked to get dirty. After school, I loved going to the beach to get some crabs and mussels. I did not have new clothes, shoes or slippers. My Father used to fix my Flip Flops. I have two brothers. 

I have to move to the other Island when I was 12 because my parents cannot afford my school especially going to college. I was living with my Aunt for how many years, help pay for my school and my university while I helped them with thier Businesses as well as taking care of thier kids and household chores.

I able to graduate my University as a nurse. In the Philippines, a graduate Nurse has to take the National Board Exam to to be a Registered Nurse.

3 Days before my Exam, I got a high fever and very painful body, I could not concentrate enough. This time, I lost my hope, that I will make it. The Exam day come, I stand up, look at the mirror and tell my self ``Divina, you can try taking the exam, you have already given your best, give what you can.`` I walked to the corridor, looking for my exam room, sweating, and very nervous.

4 Months after the exam, I sat in front of the computer to take a look of the passers. I pass! I had this never ending tears! This is the result of the efforts! I didn't expect that i can make it! 

After I got my license, i worked as a volunteered Nurse in one of a Hospital. This hospital was small, patients were mostly from the hills, lots of them could not afford thier medicines, that's why they prefer to go home, and continue thier treatments with herbal remedies. One time, one very sick patient wanted to go home because he cannot afford his medicine, he signed the paper without doctors permission. One time, a mom delivered her baby to us for admission but when they arrived, the baby was already dead. She told us, she couldn't afford the medicines. These experiences brought me to my reflection. I don't want to experience this when I have kids in the future.

After 1 year volunteering in this hospital I able to find a job in the city. A company that offers wellness and beauty services, mostly the customers are rich. 

I started working in a Company. I experienced getting good salary, able to buy my stuff. But then i realized something that i like to do. I will try to travel, not within the Philippines but outside Philippines. 

In 2012 luckily i got an offer in Germany to work as an Aupair. I sold almost of my stuff so that I will able to afford all the processing fee as well as the German school  basic in the Philippines. Aupair  program offers young ladies to travel to other places, learn thier culture and language. They would stay in a host family, and help them taking care of small kids.

I did this from 2012 until 2015, in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. I lived in a family who able to afford almost everything. They had luxurios houses and stuffs, some stuffs were new to me. One host Mom told me, ``You know Divine, money  cannot buy happiness. I also have problems and challenges in life.`` I was surprised when she told me this. I never saw it on her face that she has problems. She always smile to me, went regulary for a date with her husband. She can travel around the world and can buy easily things that they need and want.

I reflected the words said to me. Money cannot give you the real Happiness, is it true?

I met my husband when I was in Switzerland. A guy whom I thought at first, he can only be my friend and not boyfriend. He was simple, very direct and funny.

We dated for few years. Since he was working with an Airline Company,we able to get Rabatts and flew to different places in the world. I see the differences, heard their languages and how people live their. I met people who are very humble, funny and talkative. I saw poor places, dirty areas, chaotic city, modern community . It was a bountiful! My Boyfriend almost payed for everything since Aupair Pocket Money ist not enough.

I started in year 2016 strong anxiety. It was the year that I need to go back to the Philippines after the Aupair Years. My Age that time was already in the boundary for Aupair Jobs. Returning ti the Philippines was hard for me because I did not have much savings. I used to send some money to my family to help them. Our house was being destroyed by a big Earthquake. I started to get easily nervous, I could not sleep. I always have fears in me. I cannot stop thinking of negative things. 

I was in the Philippines this time. I tried to relax my body and mind while living with my family. The simpleness in the house helped to cope with my fears. My brothers were funny as well as my Father. My mom ist a strict person. But we able to enjoy our time together. The weather made me alive again. I met my friends from my elementray school. My neighbors were friendly to me. In my mind, I could say, I miss having a simple life. But I miss my boyfriend so much during this time. We had a long distance love affair.

 

I went back to Switzerland in 2016 because my boyfriend proposed to me. I was happy to live with him. After our wedding, I started to process my permit so that I can work permanently in Switzerland. I underwent this Recognition program so that I will be able to work as a nurse. From Year 2016 until now, I am working as a Diplomierte Pflegefachfrau, a high Nurse, who also receives good pay and able to afford the needs of my family in Siwtzerland as well as the needs of my family (Mother and Father) in the Philippines.

I was working full time until I got a baby. I reduced to 60 percent. Being a parent ist challenging. My husband works 100 percent. We did not have so much time as a couple.  We argued, we did not talk. We discussed often about our finances. A year after, I got pregnant again , unplanned. I was thankful but on the other side, i was scared. I dont have somebody else here who can help me in the house. This time, I tried to read lots of articles on how to manage my time, as a working mom.I learned everyday. I went to a  mindfulness course. After that, I able to pratice it. I started telling my husband to have some breaks. I have less Anxiety, I able to communicate clearly with my husband. We started dating again and we got an Aupair, who can help us. The life was a routine for us. We work, we take care of our kids, and sometimes travel in the near places. Until.........

This year , we went to the Philippines. After our vacation, I reflected all the experiences we had there. One time, I sat on the bed and told my husband.`` Schats, what if we go to Asia and live thier for how many years before our kids go to School. This is a crazy idea, but what if? My husband answered me,ok Divina, are you sure? Because I also like to do that.  Maybe this will be one of my greatest dreams and will lead me to finding my meaning of my life``