I’ve always been a bit of a day-dreamer. I came to work in Abu Dhabi in early June 2005, employed as a nanny to a 13 year old Egyptian-Canadian student, but two years later I found myself struggling with my domestic role and my day-dreaming took hold.

I would see people in the shopping malls and on the streets, smartly dressed in suits, going about their daily business, and I would feel envious – especially at the sight of another Filipino. Why couldn’t I be as lucky as them, working in a well-paid job and dressed for the part? Being the breadwinner for my family made me long for a white-collar job, making the most of my skills and earning twice as much money.

With this in mind I decided to speak to my employer with the hope of giving up my domestic duties and working in a more professional role. I was thrilled when my employer agreed to let me go and make my day dreams a reality.

In 2007 I started working as a PA to the General Manager of a contracting company. I got to wear suits, I enjoyed my new found freedom, and I felt blessed.

But my happiness quickly dampened. In my old role everyday essentials such as shampoo, toothpaste, even some clothing was provided; now finances became much tighter. I couldn’t afford to send money home to my family in the Philippines and I was even kicked out of my home three times by my landlady when I couldn’t make the rent on time. In the end I couldn’t even afford to make it to work every day, with no money to pay for transport. I longed for my old job and net income – and I began to envy the life of a domestic helper, the role I had once had myself.

Experience has taught me that it’s not the kind of work that you do that makes you earn more money; it’s the way you handle yourself financially. I also learned to be happy with what I have and to be careful what I wish for. Sometimes you need to step outside your own circumstances before you actually appreciate them. I still day-dream of course, but I’m also careful to remember to be thankful for what I already have.

Mai Cadungog-Amer