My Yellow Bells

Pinas Vacation 2011: Punchline Comedy Bar

2012-01-25T22:51:00.000-08:00

Me and Ferald has been meaning to go to a comedy bar, an opportunity came in when his high school friends ask us to join them. We expected it and I tell you from the moment I sit and the time I stood up to leave, I was laughing. We were elated, I barely could feel the muscles in my face, it felt numb from too much laughing. The topic being discussed by the comedians were something very sensitive but are able to speak the truth and make fun of it. (Ano pa bang tinutukoy ko kundi *ex) I just wonder if they talk about the same thing every other night. Hmmm!

Everybody can be funny I guess but not everyone has the talent like these people with extreme sense of humor up to the point that it became their bread & butter. Read: I am proud of them, they are very talented. Every word that comes out from their mouth is like feather that tickles the crowd. Of course they do practice the act but the spontaneity when they go live and do some ad-libs is clearly one of their best assets. They are a crowd-pleaser. If you are feeling sad, lonely, bored and less appreciated, this is the place to go for you will be appreciated pag inokray ka na nila ;) hehehe!

Pinas Vacation 2011: Tagaytay Horseback Riding

2012-01-22T23:19:00.000-08:00

My daughter is a fan of Saddle Club-it is a TV series about three heroines - Stevie, Carole and Lisa who form the Saddle Club at Pine Hallow Stables. Each character has a distinctly different personality but all share an equal love of horses and a strong loyalty to each other.

Influenced by this, she wanted to go horseback riding in the Philippines-an idea given to her by my sister-in-law and we promised her that we will go on our vacation. From then on, Mica would always mention to us or to anyone that she will go horseback riding in the Philippines when she goes on vacation. To fulfill that promise, on our way to San Luis, Batangas-my husband’s hometown and province, we pass by in one of Tagaytay's horseback riding grounds.

We would have visited Picnic Grove if we have more time but since we are headed to Batangas, we only stayed for an hour in another horseback riding facility in the area, one or two kilometers away from the latter.

Compared to Picnic Grove (which is actually a park), we only have to pay for the parking fee here although it lacks in some necessities like a toilet and food stalls. There is a small shop for souvinirs though.

There are big and small horses, the small one above, a white horse (Mica's choice) is PHP 250.00/hr plus PHP 30.00 for an extra rider and the time will be cut in half (30 minutes) if there are two or more extra rider. They also have bicycles for rent and a Carabao ride.

Pinas Vacation 2011: A High School Reunion

2012-01-19T04:32:00.000-08:00

My husband's high school classmates arranged a small get together when we were in the Philippines. There were only 7 of them and we are total 8 people including me. We drove for like an hour or two all the way to Manila from Laguna and our time was spent on laughing and his friends well including him reminiscing their high school days and catching up on things. It was obvious that they had a good time during those times. It was hard for me to relate but I am happy just to see how my husband enjoyed his teenage years with them. It was good old memories they carry in their hearts and it makes them smile just by thinking about it not to mention the humor that the Batangenos have-they are I think fun loving people. I couldn't help to think about my own high school experiences especially when they were talking about the junior and senior ball. I myself attended it four times from freshman to senior ball. How'd that happened? That's another story.

Anyway, so we reached Manila and we were all starving, with the way our tummy growls, we can eat anything served on the table (wag lang lason :)) How do you feed 8 starving people? With a Monster Meal

Suzette and I could not get enough of the chef’s salad, it is really good, and actually all is good and yummy. The meal was big enough for 8 people and we even have to take out the left over.

Three people are also celebrating their birthdays in January so it was more like birthday celebration high school reunion in one. We are thankful for another year given to you guys by our Almighty God. I really wish that you three will all be blessed. Ferald will turn 3* this January and I can only wish for good health, more success in career (promotion :) hehehe) and family life. May God always guide you and help you in all that you do. You know that we me and your kids will always be here for your no matter what.

I thank you guys for inviting me, I really had a good time and it was nice meeting all of you. I am looking forward to that another get together like this. (excited :)? konti lang po, masaya kasi

That's just the end of the meal, the night was not over yet for we headed to one of the most happening place in the city...Punchline up next.

Pinas Vacation 2011: Butterfly Haven-Pulilan, Bulacan

2012-01-17T21:51:00.000-08:00

One of the trips during our vacation in the Philippines I got most excited about was our trip to Butterfly Haven in Pulilan, Bulacan. I guess most of you, just like me, are fond of butterflies, their metamorphosis from an ugly caterpillar to a beautiful colored creature in something really very interesting even we've known it since grade school. My seven year old daughter who was raised in the UAE is fond of this beautiful insect but rarely sees it. Even I miss the times when I used to chase butterflies white and yellow near the stream in our hometown in Bulacan.

Butterfly haven is actually a private resort, a museum and butterfly sanctuary combined.

It was before Christmas that we went to see it, we had the place only to ourselves to explore together with a couple and their daughter. Entrance fee is 50 php, a higher fee is being charge if you would like to have a pictorial or you have a professional camera with you so it turned out Ferald entrance is 200 php.

We are not able to see the museum since it is close for lunch which we actually did not mind as we are there to see the butterflies but on a second thought it would have been a plus if it was open.

We were greeted by these elves by the entrance and some beautiful greenery and landscaping

The caretaker showed and explains to us and to the kids how a butterfly transforms from larvae to a winged creature. The kids were listening as they go along to see the eggs, the caterpillar, the pupa or cocoon and the butterflies in the cages one by one.

Afterwards, we were taken to a garden where some butterflies flies freely. We needed to catch one for a photo opp since they would not simply perch. Surprises really comes in different ways because one of it stay put on an orchid while Ferald was trying to get a good shot of it and it was really beautiful.

The place was more than just a butterfly haven, it is also a haven for people who are tired living in the fast lane and tries to slow down a bit to see and taste a different slice of life in the province, it was a very short visit but we could not get enough of the peace it bring to ones soul. I felt I was home, really home.

Pinas Vacation 2011: Ube Haleya

2012-01-15T22:49:00.000-08:00

Hi guys, it's good to be back, I have lots of stories to tell you from our holiday vacation in the Philippines. I am super excited about it I actually don't know where to start. The easiest way maybe is share to you a favorite dessert I cooked for the first time for my family for Noche Buena, the same dessert I used to have every Christmas and New Year holiday while I was growing up. I am a purist when it comes to this dish, the taste of this dessert is altered when added with an extender like sweet potato or pumpkin. For me it has to be all purple yam on it to get the real taste of haleya. Some people call it halaya, ube haleya, halya, jalya but I just love to call it haleya as how I have known it from my dad.

As I have said, it was my first time to cook this dessert, luckily my mom was around and she knew exactly what are the ingredients and how it should be done properly to get the very taste of the desert.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 to 2 kilo of purple yam (available at wet markets) in the Philippines it is 60 php/kilo

4 cups of gata (coconut milk) or 2 cans of evaporated milk

1/2 kilo of brown sugar

1 can of condensed milk

2-3 tbsp of margarine

2 pandan leaves

Procedure:

1. Boil purple yam in water (skin on) in a casserole until its tender and then set aside to cool

2. Prepare coconut milk if this is what you are using

3. Peel the purple yam and grate it or mash it

4. Heat a cooking pot or a medium size iron vat for cooking (medium heat)

5. Melt margarine, add coconut milk, condensed milk, pandan leaves, sugar (add sugar gradually depending how sweet you like your haleya) and then the grated purple yam

6. Stir it all the time to prevent burning until it is sticky, when you find it difficult to fold, that signals you that it is cooked, you can fold it for some more minutes if you really want the haleya to be very sticky (makunat.)

7. Transfer to molding trays (llanera), let cool to room temperature and chill in the fridge then it is ready to serve

Maagang Pamasko from PEBA-MYB @ No 8

2011-12-10T22:44:00.000-08:00

I would like to thank Pinoy Expat Blog Awards 2011 and all its core members and volunteers and to express my sincerest appreciation for the award given to My Yellow Bells in the recently concluded awards night last December 9, 2011. It is such an honor to be a recipient of this award ♥.

I would also like to congratulate my fellow bloggers, OFW or not, for their commendable and very inspiring articles and blogs.

And of course kudos to my fellow UAE blogger McRich (ikaw na ang Rich-sa tagahanga) who bagged first place (Top 1) for this year.

Dear PEBA,

Thank you for keeping the spirit alive, thank you for giving life and uniting us all in one faith and advocacy to inspire many and to share the OFWs expereinces to the world.

This years winner of PEBA 2011-OFW Blog Division

TOP 1

Ako'y Magbabalik, Hatid Ko ay Pagbabago

blissfully RICH, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Richard M. Macarubbo

TOP 2

The Boomerangs and the Three Hunters

JP Quidores' Window,

Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

Jyppe A. Quidores

TOP 3

UUWI NA SI TATANG Pinoy Samut-Sari,

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Ponciano U. Santos Detektibgapo

TOP 4

Alohagems Online,

Lihue, Hawaii Alohagems Online, Lihue, Hawaii

Shirley P Mandel

TOP 5

I'll Go Home and Shall Bring Change (A Dare for OFWs) OFW Chronicles,

Pinoy Abroad, Doha, Qatar

Ronald S. Mallari

TOP 6

Michael's Shades of Blue, Riyadh, KSA Michael's Shades of Blue,

Riyadh, KSA

Michael C Juha

TOP 7

THREE The Gasoline Dude, Singapore, Singapore Alex T. Molina

TOP 8

My Yellow Bells, Dubai, UAE My Yellow Bells, Dubai, UAE Carla Roque

TOP 9

WATAWAT SA PALIPARAN Buhay OFW,

Doha, Qatar Alex P. Flores

TOP 10

Sa Muling Pagbukas ng Tala_larawan Kuya Poklong, OFW Ako,

Kuwait City, Kuwait

Rodel M. Jaboli

the joys of baking

2011-12-07T01:48:00.000-08:00

These are my freshly baked homemade cinnamon rolls, baked it with my darling mica last night.

While preparing our baking needs, mica asks me of a peculiar question as how to delete friends from facebook. I wondered why? I jumped into conclusion that she must have had a bad day at school and I am guessing that it is about her girlfriends.

I hugged her tightly and make face to make her smile and then I asked her if she is sure she wants to delete some friends and what if after sometime they kiss and make up? She thought about it for a while and changes the subject of our conversation."Every mother is a great chef", she said to me and even I heard it the day before, it is like a beautiful song ringing in my ear and then another hug before we proceed with baking.

"Baking makes me feel super happy", she said again, in hearing this, I thought that it is not the baking that made her feel happy but the companionship, an undivided time, a bonding moment of a mom and daughter. It is a special moment that I would want her to remember about us when she grows up.

getting OEC is as easy as 123

2011-12-06T23:51:00.000-08:00

A lot of our kababayans here in Dubai are very happy that the Philippine Consulate and POLO-OWWA in Dubai are right in one place now and in a newly built huge twin villa opposite Al Qusais Police Station. (it used to be in two different offices far from each other and POLO-OWWA's office was the one that is difficult to locate) It is visible from Beirut Street and it is just behind lighthouse cafeteria, very easy to spot, just look for the Philippine flag that hangs on a pole in front of the offices.

We were there yesterday to get our OECs (Overseas Employment Certificate). It is a document that certifies us as OFWs in UAE and it is mandatory for returning or vacationing workers in the Philippines. Immigration officers will be looking for it as well at the passport control by the time you are leaving the country to go back to your host country.

It was as early as 8 am when we reached, outside the Philippine Consulate were like a hundred people waiting while POLO-OWWA have only a few so we were smiling big until we enter the gate and saw the long line, when we finally have a number we were already at #106.

We filled up 3 forms - 2 duplicate forms, one for OWWA membership and one for OEC and another A5 size paper for PAG-IBIG funds. The processing of the documents is fast and easy but it is the long queue that is upsetting. Even if we showed up early it still took us almost three hours to get the certificate, well maybe because it is December and a lot of people goes home for the holidays so large number of people turn up to POLO-OWWA for this matter.

When were done with the OEC renewal, we proceed to processing the travel tax exemption for our kids, I ask for the form from POLO-OWWA but it is available at the consulate so we have to walk to the other office (well at least it is just the next building office and need not to grab a cab just to get the form.) It was not so hard to get it either as I was properly directed to where and whom to get this form, I filled it up and attach the passports of my kids, they stamp and signed it and it's all done.

I was thankful that the process went smoothly and I am thankful if not proud of our Philippine Foreign offices here in the UAE for the improvement they are making to serve the Pinoy's here in Dubai. I just hope that soon they will think of incorporating automatic numbering system for the people to use.

a not so creepy crawler

2011-11-23T23:38:00.000-08:00

if a caterpillar looks like this, would it want to become a butterfly?

just the size of my thumb. can you guess whose work this is? according to mica this is a caterpillar and a catepillar it is. this is one of the many instance that mica surprised me with her art skills and imagination-kids have loads of it. they say let them play, learn and dream.

2011-11-22T22:15:00.000-08:00

in the middle of two swimming pools

it's november and the morning chills get into my skin so for addition warmth i added this blue sheila/scarf to my outfit. i love the combination of the solid colors of orange and blue here. these photos were taken in an open space at our building which I guess is suppose to be a small garden too, it is in between floors of the building which is quite a fantastic idea but the thing is it is a bit poorly maintained unlike the one on the lower floor. i'd only hope that the building management will pay attention to it a bit more, im sure with a little imagination this area can be transformed into something more admirable. btw the person behind all this beautiful shots is my colleague, of course i did not produce this pics myself, please meet my buddy the ever beautiful Jeah. woot!

shoes and clothes makes others happy, photos does it for me

2011-11-21T23:23:00.000-08:00

these photos were taken at a small garden in my work place. greenery in dubai is a luxury and it cost so much money to keep the plants thriving in this part of the planet. they need a life support that is water pipes/tubes to water them from time to time without the help of a gardener. the clothes i wore here is nothing special, just wanted to capture the look to keep it in my wardrobe capsule

Vacation

2011-11-20T21:29:00.000-08:00

my blog suffered from a long halt. it went for a three week hybernation just like its owner who is in a vacay mood already after holloween. i am (we are) very excited because we are "coming home for christmas"

normally our christmas tree would be standing in some corner of our dwelling by now like the rest of the years but since we are celebrating the yuletide season in the philippines with our loved ones, we skip the christmas tree decorating tradition we used to have here in dubai. we are saving those precious moments done with the family back home and my mom for one is actually waiting for us to decorate the house.

what's keeping us busy right now is shopping for presents and more presents. it is more costly to come home in december than any other time of the year and i think almost all ofws can attest to that but we cannot have it compromised with all the joys and love one can receive and one can give to the family and relatives during this season.

mica is counting down the days, she can't wait to see all her cousins, aunties and uncles and of course her grannies. I missed mom so much and it is a must that i see her, she just recovered from illness and i am teribbly longing to be with her make sure she's alright, ferald on the other hand didn't set foot since five years and the dude needs a break. this vacation is also very special because we will be taking prince home for the first time and introduce the little guy to the family.

our excitement grows day after day and me and ferald is looking forward to all the things we want to do togethter back home. I can imagine the all authentic pinoy food we can eat again, the places to visit and bring the kids, to experience old pinoy culture and tradition during the holiday season. much has changed in the last five years that we have not seen our provinces but it's home and we will never grew unfamiliar with it.

Prayers for the Faithful Departed

2011-10-31T06:56:00.000-07:00

MYB offers this prayer to all our departed loved ones. May your souls Rest in Peace.

Dad, Daddy Ray, Auntie Hubeng, Tito Venus, Aunti Moodie, Tito Buddy, Lola Dorang and Lolo, Amang Anse and Tita and Lola, Tito Pablo, Tito Johny, Tita Mercy...and all of those I can hardly recall

***

O Lord, my Creator and Redeemer, I believe that in Your justice You have willed purgatory for those who pass into eternity before having completely atoned for their sins.

And I believe that in Your mercy You accept suffrages, especially in the sacrifice of the Mass, for their comfort and liberation.

Enliven my faith and grant me sentiments of compassion towards these suffering brethren.

Eternal rest, grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.

O Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory, through the intercession of Mary and all the saints, please free from purgatory the faithful departed.

I pray you, O St. Michael, prince of the heavenly army, take them into the eternal light which was promised by God to Abraham and his descendants.

I offer You, Lord, sacrifices and prayers of praise. Accept them on behalf of those whom we commemorate this day. Admit them into the eternal light and joy.

Eternal rest, grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.

O good Master Jesus, I entreat You for the sake of all to whom I am bound by motives of gratitude, justice, charity, and relationship: my parents, brothers and sisters, spiritual and material benefactors, the members of our Congregation and my relatives.

I recommend to You the forgotten persons, those who were more devoted to You, to the Blessed Virgin, persons who on earth had great responsibility: priests, the authorities, superiors, religious. Call them soon to eternal salvation.

Eternal rest, grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.

I thank You, O Jesus divine Master, for having come down from heaven and redeemed the human race from so much evil with Your doctrine, sanctity and death. I pray You for the dead who are in purgatory because of the propagation of evil through the press, radio, television, and the motion picture industry.

I believe that they, once freed from their sufferings and admitted into eternal happiness, will pray for the modern world so that all the means given for the elevation of this present life may be used for the attainment of everlasting life.

Eternal rest, grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.

O merciful Jesus, for the merits of Your sorrowful passion and for the love You have for me, I beseech You to forgive me the punishments I have merited for the present or future life by my many sins.

Grant me the spirit of penance, delicacy of conscience, hatred for any deliberate venial sin, and the necessary dispositions to gain indulgences.

I bind myself to help the poor dead as much as I can, and You, O infinite Goodness, give me an ever-increasing fervor so that when it is time for me to leave this world, I shall be admitted at once to contemplate You forever in heaven.

Eternal rest, grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.

(source: http://undasonline.com/?p=75)

multigrain goodness

2011-10-31T00:05:00.000-07:00

Multi grain bread topped with cream cheese, smoked salmon and cucumber slice was my dinner last Friday night and my lunch for today.

We were at the supermarket last weekend for the much needed grocery list when I pass by this multi grain bread. I flip the box to see which grain it is made of, it has wholegrain rye, wholegrain oat, barley and millet. By the simple knowledge that multigrain is healthy, I toss it into the cart. Then I wonder what should I put for the toppings, I plan to have it for dinner so I mustn’t go home without the ingredients. I took the box again and just look at what’s on the photo, bought all the toppings. As soon as we get home I prepared it on a plate in less than 10 minutes and a minute later we were munching on them.

As usual, it is new to our taste buds but something I am very eager to try. Dad and Mica had one serving each and Prince and I continue to munch up to our hearts content, my little guy seemed to like it and helped me finish all of it up to the last bite.

I don’t know how you call this no cook dish though. It is best paired with fruit flavored tea or any tea you have at home. Very light but filling, to make it more guiltless, you can substitute the cheese with humus or any other healthier spread you can think of, the result is just the same, it taste good.

I googled FINN CRISP and I discover more amazing recipes for this healthy bread.

New Generation of Backpackers

2011-10-25T06:46:00.000-07:00

"high tide or low tide, gagala kami"

The photo above is for bulakboleros photo contest

Crabbing in Umm Al Quwain

2011-10-25T05:26:00.000-07:00

Sometime in March of this year when we still had Aero (our four wheel), we went for a crab hunt in Umm Al Quwain. Crabbing or crab hunting is some sort of safari or recreational activity offered by many hotels and tour companys here in UAE, we like ours DIY, it is fun and no need to pay extra for something you can do on your own.

Crabbing is done at night until the wee hours and it is best to follow moon tides - when the moon is new and full, tides are higher and crabs tend to feed more, the more they are out feeding, the more chances of catching them. :)

It is important to locate a good spot in the marsh land to have more catch. There are no lights to guide you so bring your own torch, the brighter the light the better because it is the same light you will use in spotting crabs in the water. Bring a long kitchen thongs for catching them, some use arrows but it is not advisable and of course a covered bucket, why covered because your catch are alive, they will crawl out of the container and since you don't want to go home empty handed, it is a must. You should also keep track of the path you take, it is easy to get lost in the dark.

While the girls put out the camping gears, the boys went to hunt. We got tired of waiting after couple of hours and so we camhore in the obleaque darkness with a little help from the full moon for light. After contenting ourselves with all the photos we've taken, we waded through the marsh land in ankle deep water untill we found the boys by the sea tossing their thongs towards the delectable creature.

It is not easy to crab hunt, you will get wet, you may slip and fall and you might get bitten by the crabs fighting for their lives (lulutuin at kakainin mo ba naman sila eh :)) but more than that, it is fun way to chillax and bond with friends or family. It is also an experience that you cannot forget, something extra ordinary.

On the shore we found a star fish.

Our buckets weren't that full but still it is more than enough. A bountiful blessing.

Above the Clouds

2011-10-18T23:45:00.000-07:00

So the foggy mornings continues. On the third day I captured interesting photos of what you can see above the clouds when it drapes the city below.

Spell "FOG"

2011-10-17T23:53:00.000-07:00

Hello foggy mornings :)! Two days in a row and I just love it. It felt nostalgic sometimes because it's like driving in Tagaytay or Baguio. Today was more dense than yesterday as in zero visibility after a few hundred meters, 500 to be exact. This weather phenomenon happens in pre-winter and pre-summer time and many

UAE motorists used to put their hazard lights on when dense fog draped the roads but Dubai Road and Transport Authority (RTA) warned that this will only confuse other drivers and might cause accidents. Dubai motorist are urged to open their fog lamps and not the hazard lights, do not over speed on highways and keep safe distance between cars.

In the morning news today, 3 people were injured in a 35-car pile up in Near Academic City in Dubai Bypass Road, in April 2 of the same year, 127-car pile up on Dubai-Abu Dhabi high way killing one and injuring more than 60 people.

According to The National Center of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) the fog will contibnue to persist until the weekend so drivers are warned to be extra careful.

Applaud the early doodles

2011-10-11T23:45:00.000-07:00

Prince is 18 months now and the first time he gets hold of crayons was on his first birthday that was celebrated in Chili’s - Mega Mall. At Chili’s, kids once seated are given three different colors of crayons along with a comic like kids menu with puzzles and games to keep them busy until the food is serve. This was the first time also that we have noticed that our little guy is a lefty, according to baby experts it is too early to determine now if he is a lefty or a righty but as we observe, he seem to favor his left hand over his right. Take a look at these photos of Prince at 12 months trying to make doodles.

This is Prince almost 18 months when we gave him a notebook and a pencil to write. Expert encouraged parents to applaud early doodles to cultivate a whole raft of new activities. Drawing with crayons includes fine motor skills such as holding and grasping as a well as boosting your child's visual insight and tapping his imagination.

We even captured it on a video

hey little guy, this is you when you were little and see, we thought you will be a lefty, we will wait few more years to confirm that. love you mommy

The Pink Book Sale at Burjuman

2011-10-11T07:01:00.000-07:00

Oct. 7 Friday - 11am - 6 pm

Book sale is a fantastic way to grab great titles without spending a fortune. Good books can be found in a book sale like hidden treasures in an island. The plus factor is the books here are donated and the tripple play was all proceeds are going to the Dubai breast cancer charity-safe and sound.

There were 15,000 books donated and are sold at bargain prices. Fiction, novels, learning, and childrens books are amongst on sale. Approximately, there were 15 to 20 table for the books priced only between 5-20 dirhams spread at Burjuman last Friday and a handful of volunteers assisting the buyers.

The book sale was heaven for my daughter as it was for me. I try to guide her in chosing the books she will buy but I myself was lost, with so many option to chose from, it was a hard decision which one to take and which one to be reserve for some other time. I got for myself "The Testament" by John Grisham and Chicken Soup for the Soul-a best seller. Mica got the craft book she wanted, the Miracles of Jesus and two classics-Black Beauty and Alice in Wonderland, and a small board book for Prince.

Safe and Sound Breast Cancer Awareness Program have weekly events this October. Cake for a cause this Thursday 13th Oct and The Survivor Fashion Show on the 21st with free check up for ladies and the Pink Walkathon will happen on the 28th of this month, Friday at 8am. Lets us help save lives of women.

things i love about you...

2011-10-11T05:52:00.000-07:00

you may frown purposely but your eyes still smiles :) your eyes are your best asset

when you texted me love messages i knew you copied from that little book of quotes youown

how you pulled me close and locked me in your arms while saying the three famous words

when you send me flowers at work, it makes me feel so special

how perfectly your hand fits in mine

when we talk long hours on the phone with just about anything until it heats up

when you smile

how passionately you kisses me like there's no tomorrow

when you eat the food i love that you don’t actually eats

how happy you are while playing with our kids, it makes me realized all the time how lucky we are - we have you

the scent of your perfume mixed with sweat after you play ball, it is very sexy

how you pretend you didn’t know what’s happening around you but guess you’re fully aware of

your love for adventure

when we go food tripping

how you can easily change your accent to your native one and back to the normal

how you throw your dart pins with the little finger arched

when you forget about motion sickness and took all the fun rides with me

when we cannot stop laughing over a joke

when you stare at me

every time you walk me to the car and open its door for me, i really think guys who do that are gentlemen

i can keep writing on and on and on...

but what i really wanter to say was iloveyou

Sharjah Open Beach

2011-10-09T04:26:00.000-07:00

We experienced foggy mornings twice last week which only indicate the changing of the season. This week was a bit humid though. We are happy to welcome this change for we know that the best is yet to come, WINTER - a favorite season here in the UAE. But before we cover up, let us first enjoy the milder summer weather by hitting the beach. Now is the best time to go swimming without the fear of burning your skin, it is advisable go there early morning or late afternoon.

We took our kids to an open beach in Sharjah two Saturdays ago around 6 am in the morning. There was cool breeze and the water was warm and calm; waves are small and only made because of the boats passing by. The kids enjoy as much as we did and ask me if we can go back next time. Our little Prince is a brave young boy; he wasn't scared or crying at all. Mica was hesitant of coming into the water but she was left alone in the shore so she shoves off the fear and went for a swim. We stayed for at least an hour and leave just before the sun was up. We pick some nice sea shells for Mica's scrapbook and headed home.

We ♥ Del Monte

2011-10-09T00:07:00.000-07:00

We all grew up seeing and eating products from Del Monte, its products are now in the supermarket shelves lately in UAE. Pineapple juice, tomato sauce and fruit cocktails are mainly some of the products we love from Del Monte.

RAVI RESTAURANT DUBAI

2011-10-05T00:52:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't know RAVI restaurant? If you have been in Dubai for quite some time now, you must have encountered the name if not dine. It is the most popular Pakistan restaurant in Satwa, Bur Dubai flocked not only by cabbies for lunch and dinner but also five star chefs. It has been reviewed by TimeOut Dubai magazine and featured on Out and About show in Dubai One.

Ate there twice and it never fails to fill my growling tummy with good Asian food but also never fails NOT to stash cash out of my pocket which is really good. I want to quote Lonely Planet's description of this place "you can eat like a prince and can pay like a pauper" which I find true to its sense. Some of the foods I have tried are my favorite butter chicken with a little hint of chili; we say medium spicy when we order and some mutton peshawari. I don't normally eat mutton but it was gastronomically delicious not to dip pieces of freshly baked flatbreads in its spicy sauce.

Last night was actually the second time I ate at RAVI. The first time was with a colleague who introduced me to the restaurant and this time with Ferald. He knew and seen the place many times but never had the chance to dine. We were starving and are on the lookout for a good place to eat, we are already in Satwa so I thought of taking him to the place. It iis packed and we think it's cool to see white collar employees sitting in this humble cafeteria. It all boils down to one point - if the food is good and inexpensive who can resist.

We should try the mixed grill next time!

Mica draws again

2011-10-04T01:10:00.000-07:00

Meet me and my daughter Mica :) I am the one in the yellow dress with heart prints and she is the one in the blue skirt. I wonder why she is blonde while I am brunette and me with a microphone.

It just feels good when my kiddo associates me in a lot of things she does and I love to be the subject of my little Picasso. I am compiling these pieces of art she created and I wish to publish it here to compile and to show her again when she grows up, you know how these smalls things gets lost and forgotten in time.

My mom used to keep my letters, greeting cards and small art pieces in her bible, a very old one - like she had it 20 years ago, that old. When I get to visit her, I look at the bible again and see some of our old photos and greeting cards we gave her when we were young, she uses them as book marks in her bible to mark her favorite verses, it makes me nostalgic but at the same time it makes me happy to see those things, things that reminds me how I showed mom how much I love her and how important she is to me just like what Mica is doing to me now.

We tend to have different ways of saving precious memories and this is one way of how I thougt of keeping them - online. I just hope that my blogger account will last forever for my next generation to see and read it.