GREMLINESS

Kalel's first tooth off

2012-05-27T13:19:00.000-07:00

2012.05.16

"Mama, my tooth, it fell off by itself!", Kalel exclaimed handing over his little pearly white as he started his breakfast. His Dad just left for Muscat and it should be his honor to receive the tooth (lower central incisor) at last after a month of father and son brushing the loose tooth. It loosened apparently after food (chicken meat) clung between his teeth and pulled it.

To calm him, his dad talked him through tooth fairies, putting the tooth under the pillow, receiving surprises and the like -- which excited the boy. For about a month, we asked him to hold on of forcing the tooth to fall, and finally, it did today.

The excited mom in me brought the tiny tooth to the kitchen sink to wash, but lo! it fell down the drain! HEART BREAKING! I cannot exactly define the feeling -- the FIRST tooth was like everything to us, if only I scan scour through the drainage of the building to have the prized tooth back. I was crying inside.

Then, I calmed myself and called my son over, gave him a tight looong hug, apologizing I lost the tooth. His face turned red and heavy but was quick to suggest we ask help to recover it. He remained composed through my hugs and had not freaked for my losing the precious tooth he'd been speaking about for weeks and been eager to place under his pillow for the tooth fairy to collect. Amidst the situation, I realized a certain 'emotional maturity' in my Gremlin.It was just like a half year back when his immediate reaction to frustrations was to cry.

Back to the precious tooth, I hoped on hope, got a pail, opened the outlet pipes below the sink and with the pail, caught the water and dirt that dropped. I scoured among the tiny pieces and a was I so blessed -- there on my hand was the precious tooth! Imagine how thankful and happy I was!

It was until the following night when his dad is back from the trip that we placed the precious tooth under Kalel's pillow. While he was asleep, his dad came and replaced the tooth with a mini British Airways airplane. He was so happy the next morning!

Kalel and his Disco Moves

2012-05-25T00:09:00.000-07:00

Kalel recently attended his classmate's birthday party. On one part, kids were asked to voluntarily dance on stage with steps of their wanting.

He was one of the four kids on stage, and we were caught surprised of his guts and moves. Mid way the kids were asked to leave yet he continued until his dad asked him down:

Louie Garcia: A Racist, Environmental 'Rapist' ?

2012-04-18T11:42:00.000-07:00

If any Igorot must have done something really bad to a certain Louie Garcia, I wonder how bad is it for him to post a blunder on Facebook.

Wait, let me set aside the racist comment he made against Igorots, but take more concern on his anti-environment stand on SM's tree-cutting - just when most of Baguio's people and environmentalists are rallying and fighting against SM's tree-cutting.

God bless Louie Garcia's soul!

Could this be him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000558485116 ?

Of Flowers - Al Ain and Baguio

2012-03-05T11:11:00.000-08:00

We played guide to our friends on their first drive from Dubai to Al Ain Zoo and Al Ain Paradise. Below so far are the efficient routes we took to minimise the traffic and missing on the many roundabouts of Al Ain’s town center:
Easiest Route from Dubai to Al Ain Zoo
- Take the Dubai - Al Ain Road (E66)
- Reaching Al Ain, steer right towards the Airport
- On your left, find the way to 130th St, or Zayed Al Awal Street. (There are detours as of this writing, with the road under construction)
- Drive straight past roundabouts and the end of it is Al Ain Zoo
Easiest Route to Al Ain Paradise from Al Ain Zoo
- From Al Ain Zoo, exit to the first roundabout, take left
- At the next roundabout, take left again
- Enter to the first right, then another quick right to the parking

AL AIN PARADISE
One’s appreciation of Al Ain Paradise is subjective but the common denominator is that one gets to step on a Guinness Book of World Records site (world's largest display of hanging baskets).

We first roamed Al Ain's zoo under the scorching heat last Friday that drained us before heading to the flower park. The heat dampened our energy, that drained us to appreciate the flowers. The park is now wider since our April 2011 visit , but I felt that the compressed ‘architecture’ last year gave a more ‘flowery’ feel. Also, the many staffs manning the area could be distracting with their whistles as they prevent people to step on grasses or touch the flowers. I thought it could have helped if sign-ages were installed for do's and dont's and that the staffs at least smile.

BAGUIO’S FLOWER FESTIVAL
On flowers still, I missed (again!) joining this year’s flower festival back home. Baguio’s (Philippines) Panagbenga Festival this year reportedly gathered 1.5 million spectators during the opening floats and street dancing parade. Baguio’s cool climate encouraged the flower industry, most of which are distributed at Manila’s Dimasalang area. What makes the event spectacular is the mix of ‘flower arts’ and ‘cultural accents’.

Panagbenga 2012. Photo Credit: Ompong Tan

Panagbenga 2012 Street Dancing. Photo Credit: Rhodyl Ambloza. More of his photos HERE

A Gremlin @ the Social Scene

2012-03-01T12:49:00.001-08:00

My used-to-be ‘unsocial’ son is hatching out of his shell and starts catching up on his self-imposed social deprivation.He scribbled below paper and inserted it on our neighbor’s (apartment) door.

And he approached his aunt Aggie to dance with him in a recent event below:

He wasn't anthrophobiac (afraid of people), nor a social menace, but imagine a kid growing with mainly his parents as his only playmates. I tell you, we felt it was good -- until he started school. He was not exposed to bullying so he remained nice and sweet. He’d laugh when being pushed by a nasty kid, but mom and dad are always around to pull him away so nothing goes beyond that.

But he eventually attends school away from mom and dad's guards. This environment change shocked the Boy as much as we his parents found ourselves unguarded. School and social play was new to him that he didn't know what these meant. He found himself constantly crying, and he had difficulty focusing in school.

His Kindergarten 2 at four years old did not pose much concern to us. His Teacher Ailene refers to him a baby, and hugs him during his frustrations or when he cries. There was Tita Ping and Tita Joan as teacher assistants to guide him as well. Benjie is a hands-on bus assistant too. While he is physically active and a blabbermouth outside school, it came as a surprise that his teacher noted he is a quiet kid in the classroom. He even got the Most Behaved award.

Then came Grade 1, no teacher assistant/s and probably no classroom hugs.

He started school with his “un-social” mark, keeping alone by himself. And his Teacher would later let me know that he bit Gian’s (not his real name) arm after Gian’s teasing did not stand well with him -- let alone a boy who scowls when being laughed or talked bad about at. This greatly surprised us and we put this on record as the first physical assault he'd done. Is it something he saw on television, or from his classmates that he imitated?

Then once, he came home with scissor cuts on his polo, trousers and shoe-string so I rang his teacher on what his classmate Adrian (not his real name) had done. His teacher seemed un-aware but told us - “kaya pala nasa under the table sya umiiyak, pero when I asked him why, wala namang sinasabi”.

On another case, his notebooks got torn one after the other. He named Simon (not his real name) doing this as I asked him one day after another. Again, a ring to Teacher who said “Pasensya na po kayo Mommy, Simon is a special child kasi. Ewan ko po, pero tuwang tuwa sya na nakikitang umiiiyak si Kalel.”

Our school boy also later witnessed Adrian bang Simon’s head onto the wall as Simon’s face quietly cried in pain.

And the used-to-be sweet and nice physically active Boy turned nasty. He shriekingly cry to insist what he wants, wont budge on his fears and cannot be pacified to trust on his parents’ presence; he shouts at kids who displeases him; he doesn’t want to share his toys. Let me say it bluntly -- he was selfish.

At this time, Husband relocated in Muscat and seeing us only on weekends. I was also on the peak of my early pregnancy discomforts. I was so irritable that this was the worst time for the Son. I didn’t spare the rod on him. My monstrosity further moulded him into a little ‘monster’.

This attitude and my stress on overlooking his studies (frustrations, another story), took a toll on me that Husband had to resign and eventually rejoined us home. We would discuss for days how to deal with our son -- get him out of his selfishness, get him to fit socially, get him back to being nice.

Husband and I agreed to guide him by starting with ourselves. Weeks later, there’s none of or just isolated raising of voice to the Boy. Comments on his behaviour are cautiously done constructively. We entertain his chatters as he engages us in discussions. He get praises at consistently speaking ‘sweetly’. We surrendered to not force our expectations on him. We bring him to social gatherings. And guess how he is now? He's starting to get out of his un-social shadow. It's a long way but he started. And how about us his mom and dad? We're learning that some kindness and patience to our kid pays a lot -- we are less stressed; and we constantly smile and laugh at our Boy's progress.

Happy Birthday My Dear

2012-02-21T11:03:00.002-08:00

Oh well, we all get old, a year at a time. For one who feels less accomplished, it becomes less of a celebration. Still it needs to be celebrated, after all a year added to life is already a blessing to thank for.

The Big Boy and his Dad's cake

It’s Husband’s birthday today, but none of a tear-jerking surprise from me. He had his ‘gift’ early this month that he’s quite happy of. So for today, the most I can do is to be nice to him :-) :

1. I volunteered that we hit bed early at 10pm last night rather than at 1am (he struggles to put me to sleep early)

2. No massage for preggy me last night

3. I managed the kitchen chores last night (this is his task) while he taught the Big Boy numerical substraction. He peeped later to say he felt a sense of fulfillment that the Big Boy finally can subtract multi-digits by himself (we’re still complaining his Math learnings are mostly done at home, and hoping his teacher was much better in explaining the lessons).

4. I woke up five minutes ahead than him this morning (this is his task - again) to prepare breakfast for the three of us, plus I lit his birthday cake (from JW Marriot – bought at 50% off. Yeah, we also make the most of discounts on occasions. Vienna Café sells their cakes at half the price between 5pm to 9pm daily).

5. I’ll abstain from making fun of him today. I have this habit of teasing him as ‘physically-not-so-hunky’.

6. Probably no massage for preggy-me tonight

7. Thank you Entertainer voucher – this task is made easier – I booked a dinner at Farriers Restaurant at Meydan Hotel.

Family dinner at The Farriers, The Meydan Hotel

Both busy. The celebrant tinkering with his white-colored 'gift'.

The Husband’s blessings are all a family affair. As we look forward to another blessed year, we’re greatly grateful for the past year highlighted by our Little Precious One. On travels, while a planned Sri Lanka trip was stalled by my getting preggy, we visited Turkey last year. On career, which we believe was the reason behind Little Precious One’s coming into picture, Husband relocated for work in Muscat last August , which he eventually has to leave five months later due to my pregnancy. But graces still, he continues to work for the company now remotely. There’s really so much to thank for than be smirking at getting old :-)

And to My Dear Husband, Dad of my kids – you know we love you lots. And no other Husband and Dad can love me and your kids as you do.

And my prayer said through my pastries :-)

A Gremlin's Prayer

2012-02-19T03:24:00.000-08:00

While we await for the five-year-old Gremlin to improve in writing down his thoughts, his school activity below is another of his writing feats (as far as his parents see it, hehe) that made me smile.

He leads our nightly prayers so he’s familiar with this activity. On writing though, it’s still too incomprehensible, but seeing him write “manstr” in reference to “monster” made me grateful that he is developing his faith in prayer. He doesn’t mention monsters in his nightly prayers except on saying he doesn’t like dreaming about them.

I believe the teacher has guided him here: “Dear Lord God, Thank you for all your blessings. Please guide (me/ us against) monsters.

And it seems without his teacher guiding, he meant “Dear God Jesus, I will pray. In the name of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit”

Celebrate Love

2012-02-11T11:19:00.001-08:00

The town is being painted red ahead of February 14 when people celebrate Valentine's Day.

Our Big Boy saying "I am a kuya!" to our Little Precious One in my tummy (29 weeks at this time).

In Dubai, there's a thousand and one ways that malls and shops highlight the event, such as the floating hearts of red roses in our background above.

Our Christmas 2011 and New Year 2012

2012-02-10T11:00:00.000-08:00

After more than a month, my blog welcomes this first post for 2012 -- my traditional journal for our Christmas 2011 and New Year 2012 celebration (ooops as late it may be).

The Nativity by the altar, is a scene I always long for in the desert. Rarely is this seen outside the Church and at home.

Ours was highlighted by attending the Christmas midnight mass at Saint Mary's Dubai. “Christmas brings the message of hope, love and joy”, came the Priest’s sermon. It was our first midnight mass yet in the sandpit, as we decided not to host friends over Christmas eve which we had been doing over the years. It was the most low profile Christmas eve we had – just the three of us plus Little Precious One in my tummy, but having attended the midnight mass well over makes up for it and is the most fulfilling.

To show how near we were to the actual Church altar.

The altar for the night with the mosque at the background. Christmas is one of around ten masses we attend all throughout the year, we came not to know that at this day, the celebration gets officiated outside.

Our family Christmas meals were home cooked – grilled turkey (my other first), paella and buko salad. And our Christmas tree saw its third year with us, with a big Christmas gift box beside after the Gremlin slept.

For Christmas gifts, Husband and I made a pact of not surprising each other with any gift – big nor small and instead pooled what we have to surprise our Gremlin with a big boy’s drumset. Yet the Husband violated the pact and handed me a necklace-earring gift set, with an alibi that he acquired it with his flights miles points, no cash outlay. I shed little tears of course accusing him unfair =)

The Christmas tree and its ornaments on their 3rd year with us, with a big present beside it. But here the Gremlin was more excited to guess what was inside the smaller gift addressed as his.

Yes, he was too happy to see it's the same airplane book he was eye-ing at Kinokoniya bookstore. Anything of airplanes and make the Gremlin really happy.

And the big thing inside the big box is a big boy's drumset.

Then came the new year. With much zest, we welcomed the year 2012 as we --
-       Collected as much round fruits, a Chinese belief adopted by Filipinos
-       Had friends joining us on the 30th Dec, 31st Dec and on the first day of the year
-       Had crispy pata, sisig, pansit Malabon, spaghetti, siomai, ube halaya, ice cream, cake -- all outsourced, we bought or brought by friends.
-       Midnight was at Dubai Festival Center for the fireworks where we assumed the least traffic – and true of course. Our previous Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab destinations were a no-no for preggy-me who needs to troop the toilet a lot and cant withstand a two-hour ant-paced traffic.

It was a great start indeed =)

Dubai - New Fujairah Road Route

2011-12-17T01:50:00.000-08:00

This blog had a sudden surge in hits from searches on the new road to Fujairah through Maleha Road, and that gave us a cue where to head this weekend -- off for a lunch buffet at Fujairah Rotana with our 2011 Entertainer voucher before it expires end of this month.

We started through E11, or from Ittihad Road, but we thought this is a longer route after we came back to Dubai through the By Pass Road, which took considerably shorter time and avoiding the usual traffic at National Paints roundabout.

ROUTE TO THE NEW FUJAIRAH ROAD FROM DUBAI

Coming from the Deira Clock Tower, head towards Airport Road.
After the Rashidiya Metro Station, get straight up the bridge, then down to Emirates Road towards Sharjah.
As you approach the National Paints Bridge, take right, do not go up.
Taking right before National Paints Bridge and down before the roundabout, be careful not to go straight, but take the road to the right, signposted as Maleha Road.
Keep driving straight along Maleha Road for around 54 kilometers from the National Paints Roundabout before you need to get up the interchange to take you on the new road . Here are some guides to spot the interchange, aside from the sign posts: Soon as you see the first hills/ mountains, you'd see a petrol station, the Maleha Interchange, then Maleha Hospital.
From Maleha Hospital, stay on the right lane as you are approaching Exit 47. Take right at Exit 47, go up left through the interchange and voila! you're on for a smooth three-lane drive along Shaikh Khalifa Road - the new Fujairah road.

From Exit 47, it's 39 kilometers towards Fujairah's oblong roundabout. On a 100-130 kph speed, we clocked 23 minutes.

FUJAIRAH - DUBAI

Going back to Dubai, we headed back to the oblong roundabout ( :-) the shape I guess makes it peculiar and the best way to identify for those who doesnt know its name (like me!)). We took the exit to the "Dubai" signpost.

Get past the first intersection. You know you're not lost when you see the Fujairah City Center (still under construction as of this writing) at your right.
You approach a roundabout, then take left.
From the roundabout, get right on the start of the Shaikh Khalifa highway.
After some 35 kilometers, you are now to take a right back on Maleha Road

On Maleha Road, you have the option to head straight to National Paints Roundabout, (which we don't recommend if going back to Dubai and you're avoiding traffic), or through By Pass Road. If deciding on the By Pass Road:

At Maleha Road, slow down and keep right soon as you see signs of Jebel Ali/ Abu Dhabi, and By Pass Road. Take right and up the interchange.
Now at the six-laned By Pass Road, you would see the Burj Khalifa on your right as you advance. You are now driving in parallel with Emirates Road.
Exiting to Deira, take right to the signpost of Al Khawaneej.
Keep driving straight until you reach the roundabout that points left to Deira.
You're led to take right then straight until you cross the interchange above Emirates Road. You're now on the Airport Road.

The reason for the drive

Of Assignments

2011-12-06T10:43:00.001-08:00

One of the Gremlin's assignments - Merry Christmas!

Can you know online if my irritability has something to do with my pregnancy? I asked my husband this morning. Jokingly he asked back "Arent you that way everyday?"

As much as I am avoiding rants in this blog, I just cant withhold it. I don't mind being irritated, if only there's not a Little Precious One in my tummy whom his sibling whispered to me "Mama, are you not hurting Ading too, because if you get mad, she will feel it?" (Ading refers to a younger sibling)

(PS - I cant get much help from the Gremlin's dad who's based in a nearby country who flies in and out during weekends only -- who because of my rants, thought of resigning to rejoin us. Also, there are instances of after work stress, hence tired to spend the night doing assignments after cooking dinner and packing next day lunch.)

My frustration on the Gremlin's schooling is at its peak yesterday and today. It's 10:49pm and he just hit bed after 2.5 hours of doing his home works, and much of them I'd say is worked on 'blindly' because he just copied what I wrote as answers.

ASSIGNMENTS:

On occasions the Gremlin seem to have not learned/ understood underlying lessons to his assignments, we just photocopy his questionnaire, and let him copy what we write as answers. If it's a reasonable lesson he understands, he participates in answering it. Most of his assignments seem advanced and that there's not much sign that the teacher is really discussing it adequately in class if I am to rely on his book activities. His book activities are mostly not answered, and if they were, the Gremlin only gets half as correct - where the half are 100% guessing it seems. And rarely does his books have check marks, I mean rarely does the teacher inspect the answers.
I just can not count how much of his assignments are the so called parents' assignments, or those that we need to source out. How many are "... cut pictures of this and that" and we parents google them as soon as the child is put to sleep. Or those that says "... bring this and that to school" that we need to scamper out to buy.

I came to a point of asking, is it valid to say we pay for our children's education so that the institution let them learn how to read and write, and home learning would only be supplemental, and not the other way around? When we spent 2.5 hours today for assignments, it was just for the Gremlin to copy my answers, and it I did not really have time to explain why and how. If I still had let him understand, I surmise we have spent 5 hours learning? If only one of us his parents does not work, then might as well, we put him into home schooling, and save on tuition fees as well as frustrations on school expectations.

Looking back at my education back home (I had elementary education in a CAtholic school then), I now appreciate how much better it was. If only we could send our son to study there... Or yet, I miss how the Gremlin has been well attended to by his teacher last year in KG 2, who along with teaching him the start of reading and writing, she also showed care and affection, having to hug my kid whenever he gets frustrated.

My Gremlin wears Kandoora : A Happy 40th National Day, UAE

2011-12-02T13:36:00.001-08:00

In honor and gratitude to our host country, the Gremlin wore a Kandoora (a white cloak used by male UAE nationals) accented by a cap and silk shawl in UAE flag colors to school during their UAE National Day celebration. The United Arab Emirates marks its 40th year today since its formation as a country .

"National Day is celebrated on the 2nd of December each year in the United Arab Emirates. It marks the UAE's formal independence from the United Kingdom and the eventual unification of the seven emirates in 1971 which combined to form the modern-day country.

On 2 December 1971, all emirates except for Ras Al Khaima, united as a country at the suggestion of H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, and his other brothers, the rulers of other emirates. Ras Al Khaima joined later as a part of the country. Qatar and Bahrain were also suggested to be a part of the country but they declined the idea.

" (Source: Wikipedia)

Sunset at Dubai Silicon Oasis

2011-11-30T09:58:00.001-08:00

It took me a full year at Dubai Silicon Oasis to re-learn that the sun rises and sets at and from different locations during the year.

Around summer, a rounded sun sets down just beside the spiked cone of the Pineapple building from my workstation angle. The cold months are here and I missed to take a photo of that beautiful summer view. Save for next summer, so here's a November sunset photo of Pineapple building for now .

This alley below too, has the setting sun's beautiful golden hue peeking out given the right timing, which also remains on my wishlist to capture:

Global Village 2011- 2012

2011-11-29T02:00:00.000-08:00

2011 Entry fee : AED 10/ person.

Duration: 1^st Nov 2011 to 3^rd Mar 2012 (website)

Timings: 4pm to 12mn , Monday is family day (website)

Dubai Global Village is an annual fair revolving on the one-world-one-place concept providing a quick insight of the participating countries' architecture, cultures and products.

There’s always a magic at Dubai's Global Village that pulls us to check it yearly even when we don’t shop nor scour inside each of the pavillions. I recall that I loved it when I first visited in 2004. A greater proportion of each country’s booth were manned by its nationals selling their own products (as against seeing Chinese products displayed in most of the booths); more pavilions ran regular cultural shows in their own stages; and there were more participating countries with facades seemingly engaged in a race on which was the most passionately built.

How to get there:

It is located along Emirates Road (E311). I suggest aiming to immediately enter Emirates Road rather than aiming to drive in parallel along Ras Khail, a newbie on this road runs the risk of missing the right exit. Once we wasted 75 kilometers and an hour finding our way out. From Sharjah and Mirdiff City Center, keep driving past pineapple building at Silicon Oasis (on your left) and before you reach the interchange at Motor City (that’s kilometers apart). It’s signposted so it’s easy to find.

Parking:

It’s great to arrive at 4pm to get a space near the entrance. There’s a sea of cars in the evening so note where you park. Once, our friend took an hour locating his car at 12 midnight.

What to see and do:

Shopping, dining, cultural shows, boat rides, other fun rides

Personally, our annual visit always include the following: (1) check the Philippine pavilion’s theme for the year; (2) indulge in a food trip at Thailand Pavilion and exit with a bagful of dried fruits; (3) move at fast pace to take photos of the pavilions before sunset; (4) catch cultural shows.

More updates and info is available at their website: http://globalvillage.ae/

Do check my other photos here AT FACEBOOK.

Sumo Sushi Al Qasba is Preggy Friendly

2011-11-27T10:31:00.000-08:00

Sushi is generally associated to raw fishes and creates a general notion that it is a no-no during pregnancy. I would not take the risk even when few argue otherwise. But there's still a way around it, sushi minus the raw fish is still sushi for me, at this era when sushi has evolved to cater to other non-Japanese patrons.

Big Gremlin's typical plate

My husband and I love sushi and we mostly satisfy our cravings during Sumo Sushi's Friday AED88 buffets either at Al Qasba or their Garhoud branches. I wouldn't let him suffer (naks!) at the expense of my pregnancy knowing that the weekly buffets include non-raw servings of tempura, teriyaki, katsu, yakisoba and fried rice plus miso soup and a little of fresh cucumbers, lettuce and tomato slices.

A ten-stars compliment to Sumo for this voluntary complement for a preggy patron.

What's more was a pleasant surprise when a staff brought over our table a non-raw-fish maki prepared ala-katsu sushi (don't know its name, sorry :-) ) just because I was over the sushi table asking which ones are preggy-friendly. I did not request yet they made a 'customised' sushi for me :-)

Another Oman Road Trip

2011-11-26T00:37:00.000-08:00

Oman's got three-day holiday this week so the Big Gremlin is with us over the weekend. It's funny how we delight when we both can have two consecutive days of coinciding days in a week to be together. You see, UAE weekends are Fridays and Saturdays while Oman has Thursdays and Fridays.

This weekend, we drove to Oman as planned, leaving early Friday and back home Saturday night, clocking 1,110 kilometers.

The drive's goal was to visit Al Hoota Cave. This is our second time in the area. On the first drive in March this year, we needed to call off Al Hoota Cave when we got too scared then to get caught driving at night in an unfamiliar single carriage-way-no-light-posts-no-center-island road for the expected next 300 kilometes drive before we reach Al Ain border (it turned out that that scenario was only about half of the way).

Also planned was to spend Friday night at a hotel (rather than drive straight 145 kilometers to Big Gremlin's quarters in Muscat) so we could go roam other Nizwa, Jibreen and Bahla forts/ castles/ wadis. But with the long exhausting drive and our failed expectation on Al Hoota Cave, we decided to leave for Muscat right after the visit.

This post has nothing against Al Hoota Cave. The cave is a wonder in its own right for the region. However, I guess it becomes a lot different when one expects a lot in exchange of travelling six hours (including 1.5 hours traversing Al Ain roundabouts and stoplights and 30 minutes border formalities), 410 kilometers from Dubai and paying AED 55 cave entry fee per adult, one expects a big reward at the end of the tunnel. For someone like us from the Philippine mountains who explored the magnificent Sagada Cave, and many other caves we are taking for granted, our reward was to realize to take pride, love and care of our home resources, as how Oman is preserving the 'inactive' Al Hoota Cave. It's overwhelming how the Omani invested US$ 5.7m to develop the cave for tourism purposes, and properly mans it to ensure its preservation.

- - - - - -

We sure love long road trips but somehow we say enough when our interests and curiousity wanes down for a certain place. Either interest or curiosity make us return to a place twice. Road trips are mostly not comfort-based activities hence we make it a point to infuse something relaxing in it. To make up for the Al Hoota Cave exhaustion, we drove to Qantab beach the next day and took a chartered boat ride (photos in another post).

- - - - - -

Driving from Dubai to Muscat via Al Ain - Al Dhakiliya is long and tiring which we dont plan to doing again soon:

2.5 hours to reach the Mezyad border from Dubai, mainly due to Al Ain's stop lights and round abouts, (that's about 1.5 hours granting you have a map and a little acquantance of Al Ain). Dubai to Hatta Border is only an hour drive.
This route is costlier at 3 hours and more than 200 kms longer compared to Dubai - Hatta- Sohar - Muscat.
Much of the roadside is barren compared to the greener Sohar roadside.

If there's something to go back to Dhakiliya Region, I guess it will be a mountain retreat at Jabal Akhdar.

Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited

2011-11-19T10:47:00.001-08:00

My husband rarely do window shopping, and when he does, he rarely (can) spend.

We were too early for the Global Village's opening last weekend hence we detoured by Jeep's showroom along Festival Center to check an item on his wishlist - a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, one for his dream drive - to climb the high desert dunes. Of course, we're far off able to affording one.

Interested how much it costs now (as of 2nd week of Nov11) here in the Sandpit?

Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited - AED 134,900 / USD 36,700

Jeep Wrangler Sport Limited - AED 89,900 / USD 24,500

Jeep Wrangler Sahara Limited - AED 107,900 / USD 29,400

Tags: How much does a Jeep cost in Dubai?

Buying a new Jeep, anyone? Or shall I say, wishing for a Jeep?

Qanat Al Qasba at Night

2011-11-19T08:54:00.001-08:00

Sumo Sushi's Friday Buffets (served between 12 noon to 4pm at AED 88 per adult) always prompt us to frequent Al Qasba in Sharjah. But a few Fridays back, we lounged cozily with the perfectly pleasant weather and unknowingly we had stayed until sunset. We had to transfer from Sumo to Dunkin' Donuts on the other side.

As the Gremlin delighted running around and his dad giving him company once in awhile, I savoured the sunset and night views to practice night photography. See my tries below, isn't it inviting trying your lens there too?

The Gremlins in the boat that went along the corniche (beach) and the canal.

From our seat in front of Dunkin Donuts.

WHERE TO GO IN SHARJAH

Al Qasba is one of Sharjah's landmarks. It's not much of a space, but there are a number of activities apart from dining, including the boat ride, Eye of the Emirates ride and for kids the play area and the small water fountain.

From Al Qasba, the Sharjah Aquarium is a nearby drive. It is located near a beach and a marina where jetskiiing and fishing by rods and boats are a sight. A 'heritage village' of sort, composed of ancient/ historical houses is undergoing restoration.

Kalei's Grill in La Trinidad, Benguet

2011-11-19T00:40:00.000-08:00

Scouting for casual dining places at night in La Trinidad (Benguet) without being tempted to just instead drive to the city, could be challenging for those finding an alternative to Jack's and Marosan's and for those who want to eat in comfort minus being seated near tables of alcoholic drinks patrons. Establishments close early , so our alternative fastfood meals at Pines Supermart's Calajo or just Tiongsan's Greenwich are but closed, unless we decide to pop in at Km5's Jollibee or McDonalds.

My brothers suggested Kalei's Grill along Km.4. All the while I thought this was a pub with live bands playing at night, and would later know it has two sections with adjacent entrances - the pub and the casual dining resto.

The resto has a traditional western tavern ambiance infused with some local (Igorot) accent as influenced by the country-music-loving market.

I'd say there's enough on the menu to offer.

I did not note the dish but it sure has wine.

The white sugar served in unsealed small plastic made me smile

The interiors give a mixed impressions of sorts. An Igorot deerhunter accent is added to the cowboy-cum western fisherman's haven feel.

Fourteen Years and the nth bouquet

2011-11-12T10:00:00.000-08:00

"Ate, may delivery ka" came the other end of the line, the Reception. I was not expecting any delivery but as I advance out, I felt a wee nervous realizing it must be my Big Gremlin bringing me flowers at work! As I reached Reception, I wasn't wrong at all!

Last week's occasion was something we had always overlooked in recent years with the coming of our Gremlin and with putting our Church wedding anniversary a greater importance.

Last week the Big Gremlin and I recalled fourteen years back when the University pond and trees stood witness as we both sincerely told each other " I commit". (I hope I am not sounding too cheesy here now :-) ). It was a celebration of thanksgiving especially of having a blessed relationship and union since then.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for blessing me with the love of a man who despite my imperfections, remains steadfast in letting me hold You. Please bless him as You bless me.
Please guide us as we share these blessings to others too.
Yours lovingly,
The Big Gremlin's Mate

A Patriotic Gremlin and his Lupang HInirang - 2011.11.11

2011-11-12T03:13:00.001-08:00

The Gremlin attends a Filipino school here in Dubai, hence the daily singing of the Philippine Anthem (I suppose).

Once in a while, he would browse youtube listening to Lupang Hinirang versions. He loves singing along, even when his lyrics are still lost somewhere. We took a video of his progress yesterday, which I uploaded on youtube today with the note:

Nah, this is not to make the Gremlin a laughing stock, in fact, we are glad that our patriotic five-year old has a bit improved in singing the Philippine Anthem, despite that he doesnt speak Tagalog/ Filipino to date.
Yes, we hide our giggles as he sings, but behind us is our gladness in his progress. :-)

And it's a rainy Muscat

2011-11-04T13:18:00.000-07:00

Rains are un-usually heard of in the desert, and if it rains people rejoice -- unless it starts to become disastrous to the sandpit whose systems are not prepared to flooding and whatever brought by raining.

Dubai is yet to get its share of drizzles this time of the year, but near or along the Hajar mountain ranges (Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Oman), rains started pouring in October.

On Wednesday (first week of November), the Big Gremlin waded in Muscat's afternoon rains. He reached their villa drenched and with shoes on hand as puddles covered the streets. The amount of rains that day was like a typical subtropical afternoon rain in Baguio (Philippines). Tuesday was bearable just with 'strong' drizzles.

Rains in Muscat

Tunnels that are on lower elevation are prone to 'flooding', such as this in Muscat

With the Big Gremlin working in Muscat now, I pray that the most he'd witness be limited to his light experiences so far, and not a repeat of Cylone Gonu (in 2007, the strongest tropical cyclone on record in the Arabian Sea) that brought forth substantial damage as below:

(Photo Credit: Wikipedia)

It's Eid Al Adha here in the sandpit and most are taking advantage of the long weekend break. Pleasant weather has now kicked in, and if not that I'm on pregnancy-induced-laziness mode, we would have pushed through with our planned Oman drive via Al Ain - Buraimi - Ibri - Nizwa - Muscat route to see more of those we missed earlier (more wadis, historical sites, Al Hoota Cave and Jabal Akhdar part 2). But with rains currently in season, it becomes risky getting into wadis (dried river beds) on chances of sudden gushing of water. So to those travelling offroad now - stay safe.

Tummy Tales -- 11th to 12th Weeks

2011-10-21T23:41:00.000-07:00

I have just crossed 12 weeks (1st trimester) on the pregnancy scale, which is an exciting-looked-forward period for me! That’s when the early pregnancy discomforts are said to shy away. Oh, those times of eternally feeling hungry but feeling nauseaus at the sight and smell of food!

I have my constant pee visits, not that I feel the need, but my son wiggles three times nightly and is relunctant to stand until I pull him out the bed. I dislike now this exercise though when my pregnancy hormones make me a light sleeper. I fear unable to go back sleep and be groggy at work next day. Once it took me at 3am to get my sleep when I was already in bed at 10pm.

I was at the doctor last weekend (11 weeks) and had another ultrasound. I would have declined feeling I am having an ultrasound overdose, but I agreed being excited to show my Gremlins our Little Precious One swimming in my tummy as the doctor assured it’s now visible.

Now I forgot how I felt uncomfy with the doctor’s knowledge on operating the ultrasound machine during my first visit (she seemed to be at at her late 30’s though), kept asking help from the nurse (!) and eventually calling the other doctor. This recent ultrasound, she cannot see any image from my tummy so she has to do it from ‘down’ (again!). From ‘down’ she meant the vagi_ _.

On to the ultrasound. At 11 weeks, my expectations did not come full circle, not sure if it’s due to the doctor, the machine, or maybe Little Precious One is way small. During my Gremlin Kalel’s first trimester ultrasound, I was in tears of awe looking at his full body literally swimming on the screen. I did not want my Kalel and his dad to miss it this time, but they have yet to exactly experience it – hopefully next month’s ultrasound.

But Little Precious One didn’t totally disappoint. After about 20 minutes of trying the doctor found a partial view of moving limbs. We got to hear heartbeats too! So that made us happy. Even Kuya Kalel was acting out how Little Precious One was moving on the screen. Thing was, their dad missed to bring the camera cum video to record. Luckily, the clinic gave us a copy of three images, each on 3 seconds each. These were compiled below, and the best view would be on the 6th - 10th seconds:

I have done my blood and urine tests at 7th week, and so far so good. Last week, I declined a test:

Dr : Should I schedule you for a Nuchal Transluceny Scan?
Me: Do I need it?
Dr: I’ll take care of it. (Silence, senses I am more unwilling)
Me: My baby is normal and should be ok.
Dr: So you’ll continue with the pregnancy whatever it takes?
Me: Of course! I have a healthy baby!
Dr: That’s the spirit!

Not that I'm confident but I'm avoiding being too paranoid. I have faith in my baby, in my self, and all loving people around me. I have resigned on slowing down on everything and focus on healthily nurturing Little Precious One in my tummy.

By the way, Little Precious One is 4.61 cms at 11th weeks :-)

How cool can you be -- love proposal (naks!)

2011-10-19T12:05:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am married with a five year old Gremlin and another Little Precious One on the way, but the video below shared on cousin Geri's facebook account moved me, kilig pa rin ba :-) . (Dont get me wrong, My husband do surprise me once in awhile giving the same feeling as below, near tears, naks!)

It was an act 'supported' by the Marvels Dance Company, and oh boy, they seem to be gaining global attention now, of course online. The video has now reached two million plus hits and going, and their facebook page is receiving nice words.

The kids looked much as Southeast Asians, and checking through their facebook info, some of the members' family names sound Filipinos. Way to go!

Oman's Bimmah Sinkhole On the Way to Sur

2011-10-17T10:58:00.000-07:00

Any place of unique natural wonder or of historical story is attractive. On our first road trip to Oman, the Bimmah Sinkhole (a wide and deep natural inland 'hole' with salty water) and Bibi Maryam's Tomb (that's within the Ancient City of Qalhat, visited by Marco Polo and wrote about the place during the 13th century) were on our list.

From our google map prinout then, the place trickily seemed to be so near from Ruwi, Muscat. It turned out that it's actually more than 200 kilometers drive away. From our Al Suwayh offroad drive out to the highway, we unexpectedly realized we were near the Sink Hole!

We missed the sign and had to go back. If you intend to go, turn in as soon as you read the sign 'Hawiyat Najm Park'.

When planning to take a dip, be prepared that shower water might not be available in the toilet.

The flights of stairs is tiresome, emphasizing how deep the hole is.

At the opposite side of the hole

The big Gremlin and his signature jump (I am in for an explaining on posting a tummy :-) )

Notice the fearless man jumping from the mid-upper middle, we witnessed two of them.

Do not miss this sign, it leads to the sink hole