The Winter Ends and Leaves Will Grow Again

The process of life is hard to understand until we are in each season and it brings us nothing but healing and a better perspective of the reality.

I am writing this article to share a little bit about my tita who is now in Finland.
She graduated with her course BS in Nursing and passed the board examination in her first take with her average rating as top 15 in the Philippines. Many of my father’s siblings are nurses; she had a lot of pressure coming from the family especially from her bigger sister which is now working as a nurse in London, United Kingdom. She was also a hardworking person and that is how she notched top 7 in her boards back then.

My tita worked at the provincial hospital, but just like what the other nurses in our country are pleading, the salaries are not enough, the system is broken, and this country do not give enough credit for their sacrifices especially amidst the pandemic.

In addition to that, the working environment was too toxic for her.

In a split second, her prayers were answered by an opportunity—to work in Finland.

However, despite this opportunity, there were a lot of things to settle. First is the language barrier which required her to study the Finnish language. She had regular classes fixed by her agency in connection to Finland. She had to pass weekly assessments, she had to pass the language (written and speaking) exam in Manila, and of course, it was financially heavy because of the pandemic which requires endless testings and border and travel requirements.

Before she could even go to Finland, her savings has been zero balanced.

But, the stars aligned for her.

Many hindrances came by. Before 2021 ended, she landed in Finland.

We contacted multiple times so that we could make sure that she’s okay. It was winter season there which definitely made it hard for her to adjust. Everything is too different and from now on, she is now bound to depend on herself.

She didn’t get deployed to her work immediately. She had to wait for more than a month before she was able to settle in her apartment.

The food and the environment is completely new to her and so it was evident that she lost some weight. She can only eat rice sometimes because rice is expensive in Finland. She is trying to get used to pasta and vegetables.

She is balancing work, adjustments, and her schooling. I told her to wander around and so she did. She likes aesthetic things and she goes to a thrift store where she could buy cute mugs for only one Pounds.

She has debts because of going there but I remind her not to think about it too much and she should also treat herself and buy enough food.

The first thing she bought is a comforter because she said she’s having a hard timing sleeping because it is too cold. Then she also bought a new pair of boots. The one she brought to Finland is a pair she got a thrift store here in the Philippines and it might have given up already.

She’s also tracking her bus promptly so that she won’t miss it.

During the winter season, this is her bedroom view. She said that it is hard because it is even sad that she can’t determine whether it is already day because it’s always dark outside and the snow is continuously pouring.

However, winter season has ended and a new chapter unlocks.

Spring season is here! Leaves will now start to grow and the flowers will bloom silently every where.

The seasons change to remind us that life comes through in phases. The last time I talked to her, I saw that she’s getting used there, with her routine and all.

Here’s to a hopeful and cheerful spring!

Thank you for reading! Stay kind and do your best!