When I wake up tomorrow morning, the world's painted in RED...but shouldn't it be everyday?

It's the time of the year where hearts and cupids adorn the windows and walls of shops. Kids at school will be busy with their valentine cards in various shapes and sizes. Restaurants and hotels have yet another reason to hype up their rates, pitting against each other with their offers for romantic dinner dates and getaways for couples, for families and the singles too.  Flowers seem to be more beautiful, chocolates sweeter and greeting cards more bewitching.

But whichever way we wanna celebrate life this "LOVE" month, we should keep painting our world, THE WORLD, red each day, everyday, no matter which month we welcome in. Like the CHRISTmas spirit that should be lived everyday, not just on Christmas day but beyond.

Keep loving, keep smiling, keep celebrating life!

When there seems to be no reason, look up, HE loves you! *wink*

Layad,

Abel

It wasn't even five minutes, the chair I was seated was still as cold as when I found it, shook hands with the interviewer and walked off the door to the astonishment of other candidates waiting by the reception. This was the shortest job interview I had ever and the shortest among all candidates to have been inside.

But my experience didn't end up as soon as the door shut behind me. It was the start of another journey of finding my way to where I should be next, a good way of understanding and appreciating life better from the perspective of strangers I come across with.

Over late lunch at McDonalds with fellow candidates, I had the chance of listening to their stories, to why they were in the same place as I was. One lost her job when the construction company she was working for have completed the last of its projects. Another is about to lose her job once their project finishes in two months time. While the third, who is on her husband's sponsorship, is seeking employment to augment the husband's income as the whole family is living here.

STRONG-WILLED PINAYS

Listening to their stories, it is sad how other nationalities belittle Filipino women, how the negative acts of some become a generalized concept of Pinays, negating qualifications and experience to land a job. I myself experienced that kind of insolence when I was job-hunting back in 2009. And until now, from time to time, though indirectly. But no matter how frustrating and irking a situation like this, fighting back head on is the best way to prove them wrong. It is only when you show them you're a toughy that makes them back off from walking over you. And I'm glad I met these women who are on the same side of the fence I am on. 

HAPPINESS

Filipinos are a happy bunch. That is why a sense of happiness in the workplace is something very important to us. Although we could always find a way to laugh amidst the struggles in our everyday life and are flexible working with anybody, it helps in our performance and relationships in and outside the workplace if we are happy. And it's quite comforting that with these women I just met, we are all for a balanced way of life. We may not afford a luxurious lunch at Burj Al Arab with an average monthly salary, we would be thankful to get ourselves new jobs where we could be happy, effective, no salary delays and be able to support our families back home.

As ate Jacky, one of the 3 Pinays I met, made her way to hop off the bus, she stopped, looked back and said, "Jesse, kahit mas mababa bigay kesa sa tinatanggap mo ngayon pero alam mong magiging masaya ka, tanggapin mo na ha?" I smiled and nodded.

By the way, ate Jacky was supposed to go back after lunch for her second interview but she didn't.

Keep smiling everyone and the world will smile back at you!

Layad,

Abel

Being the sixth in a brood of eight, I have not witnessed how dad took care of mom at the hospital and later at home, when she gave birth to all of us. I was in junior high when I first saw how they took care of each other in the hospital, when mom was badly injured in a road accident. Dad stayed by mom's bed while we were all gone to school. Seeing mom suffer with her catheter, he almost grabbed the arrogant nurse on duty who cared less of his repeated calls to check on mom's situation. Mom and dad were struggling financially that time. No wonder the nurse didn't care but dad did and that's what mattered most.

As I grew older and them wiser, it's dad who constantly needed to visit the hospital with mom always on call. Dad doesn't want to go to the doctor without mom. One time, mom had to go to Baguio as 2 of her grandkids were stricken with dengue fever. When they recovered, mom decided to stay for few more days with the kids in Baguio but had to cut short as Dad was complaining of a lump on his chest. Mom told him to consult Doctor Ligot but he did not. He told mom, we better go together when you're back. Cheesy eh! (",)

Forty years in their marriage, dad was confined at Lumed Hospital with mom taking dad's post 16 years ago. This time though, no discrimination, even when there is not enough to pay the bills. Yesterday, dad underwent a major spine operation. His BP went ballistic one time but thank God, He was there to calm it. My sister who was in the operating room with the medical team said that dad responded well when she asked him if he can hear her and if he feels any pain on his nape.

Five hours later, mom was called in. Imagining how things unfolded, it's like watching a love story where the doctor calls in the wife or the husband saying, "Ah Misis/Mister, maaari niyo na pong makita ang pasyente." Phew!

It's heart-warming how they share their love for each other. Their relationship, like any other, is imperfect yet they stick to each other like two peas in a pod. It's like even when the eight of us are not immediately there for them, they have each other.

Indeed they vowed, and lived it, infront of God and man, "to love one another, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health".

What could be sweeter about growing old than that?

Cheers,

happy abel

126 days ago...was the last post in my blog.

134 days ago...was the last time I wrote something in my blog.

For easier comprehension, that would be 4 months ago.

It's been a while and I don't know why I wasted such a long while yet again. Was it the lack of time or simply wanted to laze around whenever there was free time. Or weren't those 4 months sort of the moments of once in a while writer's block. Whoa, could that be it, I am NOT even a writer.

But whatever the reason behind those 4 plus months of abeyancy, allow me to hop back and get on with my blogging.

Stay safe everyone and God bless you all!

Cheers,

abel

It was my first time attending Good Friday service in my 4 years in Dubai.  The whole St. Mary's Church compound was full.  I was among hundreds of people standing outside the Church for the 6PM service, listening to the Priest from the speakers mounted on various locations as we can't quite read what's on the projector screen. 

Suddenly I noticed everyone was turning to the back...there comes the Officiating Priest and his entourage and actors re-enacting the Way of The Cross.  I never thought they have this here too. 

It was that scene where Jesus fell the seond time that the actors where infront of me.  When "Jesus" was kicked and pushed down on the ground, I felt chills all over my body and was in near tears.  Then again, as always, Jesus' passion and death never fails to make me very emotional and reflective.

As the Celebration of the Holy Week comes to a close on Easter Sunday, I hope and pray that the message of Christ's sacrifices for us continue to live in our hearts and minds; and may His love and peace continue to be with us all.

God bless! =)

I may be sleep deprived, with stiff neck and back that’s been badgering me for days, but I feel girly today--- sporting wavy curls and silver bangles. Woot! Woot!

Anyway, talking about my silver bangles, they are not really made out of silver but of plastic material coated in silver paint, light weight and stylish. It was one of my and friend Rya’s best finds during our trip to one of the malls in the City.  They were originally priced at 46.00 dirhams, we got them at a dirham. Yep, as in 1.00 dirham only.  Hmmm, I bet the tag and wrapper were more expensive than the item.

Being stylish could cost much, but not when you know how, where, and patient enough to find stuff that could make your outfit standout. Think of it as like you’re rummaging through your mom’s or Lola’s baul and find amazing stuff you could actually wear, except that you need to pay, but for way less than the original tag, sometimes almost for free.

Doing this could be a bit embarrassing but not if you know how to stoop down or even get down on your knees with grace.  Actually, I find it fun, especially when I get to save some of my budget.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Check on the sale item shelf or stand.
2. Keep in mind (as always said and proven true) that products at eye level are priced more, yet has the same or almost same quality as those displayed underneath. Not all branded products are good for you, in the same way that not all unpopular brands are bad for you.
3. If you have to stoop down or get on your knees to check on the items underneath, do it but discreetly and with grace. As much as possible avoid saying stuff that invites a sneer look from the sales assistant. Our goal is to be a responsible shopper but without having to act like a pathetic penny-pincher.  (Honestly though, there are times I forget to put on my brakes, that because I get too thrilled at how low the product is priced, I would say, “Ay, it’s still expensive!” at items that are on sale but not yet too wallet-friendly.) Lesson, try saying that only in your head or in a lingo you think the sales assistant will not understand.
4. Discovering things on your own could be exciting and gives you power over your own decision.  However, sometimes it would be more fun “treasure-hunting” with a sister or a friend who shares the same interests as you.  This way, you can compare and get suggestions on things you want to buy.
5. If unsure about the product, how to use it, where to use it or quality wise, DO NOT buy even if it costs only 50 fils or cents. Remember, 50 fils may mean nothing but doubling it could pay for something more worthwhile.
6. When at the counter, check for worthwhile items that have or about to have red tags.  That’s how Rya and I got these bangles. The cashier was at that time busy putting new tags on their products and these caught Rya’s attention while at the counter to pay for our finds.
7. Wear/Use what you bought. Only then will you find out if your purchase was worth your penny.  If it makes you happy, congratulations! Otherwise, give them to somebody you know could give justice to it or better yet, use them as an accessory for other things. Be earth-friendly, bring on your creative flare. For example, you can use a necklace to tie a gift instead of a ribbon. At least you know better next time.

There you go.  This is not 100% guaranteed, but I hope a thing or two could be useful to you as it was to me..

By the way, I headed home with 2 nice head bands, a hair clamp and my bangles with a bill of 4.00 dirhams.

Stay happy.

Cheers!

Three weeks to take off yet my things-to-buy list is still long.  And with it getting longer with additional requests every day, I am almost close to calling off my vacation. Phew! Nah, just kidding!

Buying palubong is very much a tradition I find eminent amongst Filipinos and most Asians in general.  It doesn’t matter if you are coming from abroad or just from the town centre or even just from the adjacent village or across the street. From the soap-smelling balik-bayan boxes, to the Victoria’s Secret copycat-scented luggage and to the duty free bags teeming with chocolates; from the colorful box of dunkin donuts to the bag of pugon fresh pandesal from the nearby panaderia, whichever way it comes, however way it’s done, it may take you riches to rugs to get those pasalubong for your loved ones, nothing beats the feeling of seeing them happy.  Seeing that grin on their faces, their eyes popping in awe, their jaw dropping in delight and a sincere thank you make up for the lost times apart.

Now I just can’t wait to be home!

After 4 years of wishing and dreaming, I finally held Niko in my arms on Friday, the 11th of February 2011. It felt great and it still does. I'm still on a high! I felt so blessed when baby sam came into my life and to have Niko is a huge bonus!

Just a happy child! =)

The festival gives you an opportunity to have lots of options for a store, with up to 75% off the price and bundle offers that could take your breath away, but gives you 100% disappointment when that very thing you've always looked forward to buying is OUT OF STOCK!

They say patience is a virtue...fine...time flies so fast so let's give it 2 more days.

I had the priviledge of visiting one of the floating bookstores operated by GBA Ships-- the Logos Hope, currently docked at Port Rashid, yesterday evening. Of course I was too excited as finally, one of the things I've always looked forward to for years has happened.

The first time I came across this floating library was about 4 or 5 years back when I watched on tv the MV Doulos, another one of GBA, when it opened its gangways to thousands of booklovers and curious onlookers in Manila. There was even a young Filipina from Cebu who was among the volunteers of diverse nationalities. Unfortunately, I didn't have the chance to visit it. Since then, it has become one of my most sought after wishes...I so wanted to experience how it's like to be onboard one of their ships and share a thing or two for their cause. And yesterday, God granted my wish! =)

As soon as you enter the ship, there is a boat-like entertainment room. When you go past it, you will find the first section of the book museum which is also the bookshop itself where thousands of books are displayed on shelves similar to those in Magrudy's or National bookstore or even Jet Bookstore along Session Road in Baguio. 

Reading books; encyclopedias; health, fitness and medical books; novels; science; mathematics; children's books; photography; arts and crafts; geography; astronomy and thousands more of other titles and categories not commonly available in bookstores.

The prices are tagged in units ranging from 25 to 1000. To compute that in dirhams, which is the currency of the UAE, 25 units is equivalent to 2 dirhams and 50 fils. Whoa! I must say the prices are fair enough compared to onshore bookstores.

When you go past the cashier, you will find the second section which is the sort-of promo department where you can buy any 3 books at 10 dirhams only! Here I bought the movie guide of the Chronicles of Narnia:The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe! Oh happy child! I just love that children's book series by C.S Lewis.

After the book museum is the main entertainment room with a wide flatscreen tv where you can watch the organization's many projects in Africa funded through bookfairs like this one. Apart from the videos, the entertainment area is where the volunteers stage a show. Check their website, they danced the tinikling, not only for entertainment but to convey a message. Sayang, we didn't get the chance to watch them perform.

Then you have the cafeteria. But before that, there was a notebook round the corner with a sign hanging above it that says, "Have you signed the Captain's logbook?" Aha! This is the one my boss was talking about. I wrote my message and signed "Met vriendelijke groet!" meaning sincere regards in Dutch...the Captain is.

The room smelled oohhh so coffeelicious but we had a cone of chocolate-vanilla icecream cone each. Hihihi! Each cost 5 dirhams...hmmm, more pricey and less yummy as McDo but the thought of our extra dirhams going to charity made us enjoy our ice cream treat!

We left bout few minutes before they closed, happy, smiling, with memories to share and books to read.

I've read there website today and it's heart-warming to know that while some of the crew are busy tending the bookfair, the rest of the guys are visiting schools, organizations and charities to bring joy, learning and help.

Indeed this cause brings knowledge, help and hope to the people of the world.

God bless their hearts, their cause and their journey!

Yesterday was housekeeping day!

It's been a while since I just concentrated my time after work doing my household chores. And one thing I am proud to have done was doing one of my fave past times...cooking! Aha! Vegetable fried rice was on the menu for dinner and of course, pack lunch for the next day, which is today.

You see, everything here has to be multi-tasking...you don't have a maid, not a cook nor the luxury of time. So even if you are too tired to do your chores, you have to do them. If you want to save a fil or two, cook your own food, pack your own lunch, wash your own clothes, tidy up your own clatter, clean up your own mess, and while doing so, be thankful for the strength to do them and smile at the thought that you can be SUPERWOMAN!

I took out all of what's left of our stocks of vegetables from the fridge...button mushrooms, beans, bell pepper, washed them and chopped them into tiny bits, brought out the pan, sauteed a serving left of the beef stroganoff I bought from Spinneys the day before, added the freshly chopped vegetables, a cup of frozen mixed vegetables, ground pepper, soy sauce, salt, egg and of course the newly cooked jasmine rice...whoala...Jesse's special vegetable stroganoff fried rice.

See yah...=)

Right, I missed two days of my DSF 2011 Blogbook.

I’ve been sick and hence too lazy to write. Since that fire in a residential flat, 2 floors up our office, engulfing the whole building with thick black smoke and triggering my asthma, been coughing like a sick old dog. The coughing subsided a bit after a week but then the sudden temperature fall made me cough like nuts again. Now I didn’t want to take any medication as I was no longer sure if it’s my asthma or the climate or both.

To make up for the lost days, allow me to blog a thing or two.

Saturday morning I had to wake up early as I am on morning shift. Sleepy and sluggish yet, but I found my way to the office... 30 minutes late! Hihihi! There was not much to do except for a bunch of timesheets to compute and operations planning I need to prepare. In the evening I went to meet my sister-in-law’s sister Jacq at City Centre to pick up the package from my sis mahal and be a “supportive” friend to Jel and Meg, who shopped for trench coat and laptop. My double cheese burger and fries meal was my only splurge for the day! Teehee! =)

I skipped work the following day hoping to take a rest and possibly pop in a doctor’s clinic to have my dry cough checked. So in bed I spent my day, from time to time getting up to load and unload my clothes from the washing machine, watching videos on the net while curling up in bed. In the evening I went to Prime Medical Center but they don’t have the specialist I need.  The option I got was to either go for a general practitioner or go to Sheikh Zayed branch. Phew! Then I went to the next clinic near to the metro station only to find that while it is listed under the insurance card I have, they are specialized in OB-Gynecology only. Hays! From there I decided to go to my former doctor who treated me for my asthma 2 years ago, taking chances that my card is valid. So to Deira I went. At first the nurse told me it is valid, however while checking on my file, she noticed that my card is under Restricted Network. Sigh!

Now here I am sitting in the office, coughing like nuts. Though I got a prescription from my sis mahal over the phone, the problem is I will pay from my own pocket as pharmacies do not honor purchases via insurance without any written prescription. Sometimes I wish I am a boss so could get a better medical insurance. =(

Later…

The sandstorm yesterday afternoon kept me from going to Port Rashid to visit the international floating library--the Logos Hope. It was already 5:30 when I left my cousin's place. No longer excited about going to the port, I went to watch the Lights & Sounds Show at Wafi City.

Wafi is an Egyptian-themed mall and hotel (Raffles Dubai) hence the design is like one of the Pyramids of Egypt. The intricate paintings, mosaics, carvings, statues and other structures give you that Egyptian feel.

The theme of the show varies from time to time. This DSF, the show highlighted the beauty and richness of Egypt and the civilization that transformed in the area.

I wanna share some photos, however I'm having problems with uploading here at this time. Check my DSF Snapbook in a while.

See you...

I've got nothing much to say except that my legs are complaining for walking around in my 3-inch "dorothy" heels for 13 hours! Well, as they say vanity comes with a bit of a sacrifice! Ouch!

So tired and sleepy and sick...gotta hit the sack now and come up with something better to blog about tomorrow!

See yah...=)

Though not at the very front row, I made it to the Quick Change Show on time!

And true to its title, the show went so quick...barely 10 minutes and it was over! The Russian teens who performed yesterday were no longer present! Sigh!

After the show I made my way home. I passed by the Zara shop and thought of taking a quick check on their red tags. There was this brown suede bag which I so like but hmmmm, the price is over the top. I checked on the row of jeans but nothing was appealing. When I moved to a display of tops, there at a corner shelf near the fitting room are shoes with sizes ranging from 36 to 38. Aha! These must be last pieces. There I saw this pretty light brown shoes which I call "Dorothy shoes". It fit me so well...3-inch high, so light and comfy! Then came the most difficult part--decision-making...took it off, stared at it, flipped it, rubbed my fingers on it, put it on again, walked around a bit, checked the mirror, sat down, and did the same thing over. Then I said okey I will take it...headed towards the counter...hmmm...maybe I need another couple minutes to think about it...went pass the counter...checked on other displays...finally, I queued...I paid then I headed home! Wiehee!

I feel happy to have bought myself a new pair of shoes and I feel like Dorothy on Wizard of Oz on it! What made me more happy is the realization that I can be a smart buyer and no longer the impulsive one. And it is a bonus that my friend Marah liked it and so did my housemate ate Virgie! Now I can truly say I am a happy child today! =)

Tomorrow...

Fin'ly I found myself watching the Quick Change Show at Burjuman. Phew! Unfortunately though, not the whole of it. Toink! =D

What happened was I arrived in Khalid Bin Al Waleed Station before 6 so I thought instead of going straight home, why not watch the first show at 7PM first. So while waiting, I went window shopping, as usual, trying on shoes and jeans. I actually liked one pair at Jeanswest but the sale price is still not so wallet-friendly so I put it down. I still need a lot of thinking to do. Teehee!

Anyway, it was 5 minutes before 7 so I went to the activity center. But when I got there, the show was already wrapping up! Hays! Luckily, I managed to see the quick change portion of the show. The performers were Russians. Hmmm, it seems Dubai is so fond of getting Russian talents for events like this...just like when my Kuya Jun and I went to Dubai Dolphinarium, the acrobats, gymnasts and animal trainors are from Russia.

I found the show mind-boggling as it makes you wonder in awe how they manage to change into another outfit in less than 5 seconds. Your reaction is like...hmm, ah okey, but...alright! =D

Right after the emcee thanked the audience and announced that the next show will be at 8:30, I left the venue, thinking it's already finish. About 10 minutes past and I went back, there was music and there were people watching. When I got near, OMG, the show hasn't actually ended yet! Yayay! =(

I better make sure that tomorrow I get to watch the show from start to finish, front row!

Here's a couple of snaps!

...tomorrow! =D