Pinky in Norway

On the way from China to Philippines na po ang item na ito. 🇵🇭 🇨🇳 (from direct supplier 👩🏻‍🦰)

💛Good for giveaways and souveigners po. It can be personalize din po☺️
💛You can send me pm for your orders or order directly in Lazada.

Here’s the link: https://s.lazada.com.ph/s.QpnJs

Thank you for contacting me mam. I will make a detailed video about it hopefully this coming weekend po. Watch out guys‼️👀💛

My prayer ♡♡♡ May you be blessed with God's message for today🎶 ☺️💛

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It’s not that I am complaining, but why I always wake up very early during weekend but so hard to getup from bed during working days?😩

A true story behind every smile.

I have this teary-eyed look as I flash back on what happened to me/us this 2023. Not to boast, but it is up to you whether or not this will motivate you.

Warning: Long post ahead.

Unlike other immigrants who married a foreigner or offered a working visa, I arrived in Norway through a student visa. Norway is not an English country just like most parts of Europe.

February 1, 2023 my student visa was denied. Automatically, my husband and daughter’s visa was also denied. We need to leave Norway on or before March 1, 2023. We filed for reconsideration of our visa result. From that time until the following months, we stayed here in Norway without a visa, just praying I will finish my B2 Norwegian language first in May before our visa result will be released. In my mind, if the result is given after that month, I can have a chance to go back to Norway to apply for a job since my credentials were recognized here in Norway as a teacher.

I was downhearted, I didn't even know what to do. Most of the time, I would cry every time I was in my room, on the bus, or even I would pick up my child from preschool (it is more or less 10 mins walk). One time my daughter and I were soaking wet from a parent-teacher conference and it was really dark because we got home late and it was raining. I felt sorry for myself and my daughter. I asked myself, why do I have to experience such difficulties? Why am I not smart unlike others? I don’t blame anyone because I knew I chose this path. Actually, my husband wanted us to go home to the Philippines, but it is me who is still holding on to this dream of being in Norway. I will always say not yet. I fervently prayed to God for His will but still asked for His favor and being hopeful…

From Arendal where my husband resides together with the family of my sister in law, me and my daughter transferred to Stavanger which is almost 5 hours away from him. Believing I can get another 1 year student visa, I studied at the university to learn the language. Only to find out I am not eligible for such a visa. The reason for it is because the language program is a preparatory course for those foreigners who want to earn a Bachelor's degree. I cannot go down since I am in the masters degree level. That is the reason why my student visa was denied. I tried to re-enroll again to mastergrad but the admin dont allow me since I already gave up my slot. At the back of mind, I won't give up now. We sacrificed a lot already.

Suddenly, an idea came to my mind: another option. Desperately, I asked my husband to apply for a working visa because he has an 80% job in a fishing factory. We are doubtful if he will be approved since the country has a very high qualification in each profession, but we still decided to apply. The problem was, we don’t have enough money to pay for the application. My fear grew more intense as the days passed. It seems that everyday is another chance for us to stay here and anytime we will be sent back home. I wanted to submit the working visa application asap but we still don't have the needed amount. We seek help from the people around us but no luck. Until one day help suddenly came from the person I least expected. My classmate and younger sister lent me the amount. They are both students struggling the same as me but they were there. I fervently prayed to God for His will but still asked for His favor and being hopeful…

To be honest, I am not ready to go back to the Philippines. We still have debts to pay and I haven’t proven myself yet. I was not able to finish my master’s degree because I gave birth to my daughter. I also stopped writing my master's thesis for me to focus on my Norwegian language. I won't give up now…
Uncertain what will be our tomorrow, I applied for teaching jobs (which is my recognition) all over Norway. Although my grade 1 niece is more fluent in speaking Norwegian than I am (I don't even imagine myself being a teacher because of the language), I still submitted an application every single day.

Meanwhile, having a two year old daughter away from my husband was difficult especially if she got sick. Fortunately, my in-laws were there. They provided us home and companionship at our times of need. I just need to give a little amount for electricity and that’s it.

My husband and I argue every time his paycheck is sent to him. Most of the time, his remaining salary will be only around 500kr or sometimes overdrop. There were times he needed to walk from his apartment to his work place for around 40 minutes one way because he cannot afford to buy a monthly bus ticket. As for us, we do not have an allowance from his salary. We just prioritize paying for the preschool fee of our daughter. Good thing the government gave a monthly support for Esther and that serves as our allowance. I also worked hard to provide for our needs. I set aside the fact that in the Philippines I was promoted as a Teacher III in DepEd, became a part-time college instructor and mastergrad holder. Here in Norway, I worked in different employers cleaning stairs, apartments, houses, offices and airbnb/hotel. I also worked in the canteen and became an on call substitute teacher.

Last April 2023, I got job interviews. I was hired by an agency to be a teacher in different preschool & elementary schools that they are affiliated with. During that time, I was so happy and fell into tears thinking that this will be the answer to our prayers. Unfortunately, the immigration office said I cannot take the job because it doesn't suit my qualifications. Again, everything seems to have fallen apart.

I did not give up, I applied again. Out of three interviews, I was considered by two employers. The other one is the school where I currently teach. Right after I got hired, I needed to apply for a working visa immediately while the result of our complaint was not yet released. The problem is, we don't have an amount to file for our application. But still, God provides. One of my classmates lent me the amount that we needed.

By May 2023 I finished the language course and got a summer job where I got the chance to work in the health station as a caregiver assistant for two months. That time, I also applied for our visas.

I got my work visa approved by June 21, 2023. The same day, the result of my appeal for the student visa was denied, this means we need to leave Norway immediately. If I weren't able to apply for a working visa, that would mean for us to bid goodbye to Norway permanently.

By August, we transferred from the lowest part of the south to the toppest north of Norway. However, by faith not knowing what lies ahead, I brought my family with me to my work place. I was worried because my salary will not be enough to pay our bills, but thank God my husband got a job here too. He even started his job earlier than me. Big thanks to our Filipino friends here and to the person who introduced us to them (my classmate). The place we live right now is very dear to me. Not to mention that it is the very first place we live together as a family on our own, but on top of that we are surrounded with nice people as well.

Since my work contract is only valid for one year, I am once again worried about what will happen to us if the municipality does not renew me as a teacher. That’s why I decided to finish my masters degree. In the back of my mind, if I can finish the degree and not be renewed, I can still apply for a job seeking visa. After I finished the degree this December, I just realized something. Maybe God gave me this case (only 1 year job contract/ working visa), so I will be determined to finish what I started. The time and effort I exerted on my thesis paper will not be put into waste.

The last few months have been a real struggle for us. It seems like we are on a mountain cliff and at any moment we will fall off from this cliff. So far, I should say I got all the desires of my heart this 2023. I am thankful that right now God uses us to support His ministry in the Philippines.

But what will be next? Am I already satisfied? The status I have right now, is it enough? As human as we are, there is no contentment. I still have goals in life, and that's what all of us should do as well. Dream. Strive. Succeed.

As Lt. Mattias said in Frozen 2: ‘Be prepared. Just when you think you found your way, life will throw you onto a new path. Don't give up, take it one step at a time and just do the next right thing’’.

I realized after everything that happens, my family and friends are always there. They are my support system. It is their prayers and encouragement that made me going. Therefore, it is very important that one should maintain good relationships with our families and loved ones.

Lastly, keep your faith in God and align your heart to Him. As the song of Tommy Walker goes:
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And hears me when I call…

Reflection:

If it is for you, God will make His way though there seems to be no way.

There is always a time for everything, a perfect timing according to His plans.

Although everything will fall apart, trust His heart. He will reveal everything in His time.

Make the best out of everything. If the result will not go your way, at least you knew you tried everything you could. No regrets.

Nothing is instant. If you want it, work hard for it.

Missing home🇵🇭