We (me, the man and the babe - you know I couldn’t leave her home) checked in at The Palace Hotel in Old Town Burj Dubai. The scene around the hotel was awesome, lots of green (real), a superb pool, great view from our room, moonsoon type showers in the bathroom, etc. Honestly, I didn’t spend time looking around the facilities or check out the smell of the soap or pocket those little bottles of shampoo and conditioner - I immediately ran for the bed and landed head first, nose squished in the marshmallow-like softness of the mattress.

We stayed for two nights, relaxing bythe pool, lazying around in our room, watching TV (Pristine fell in love with Handy Manny. It was love at first sight since we do not have TV at home), lying in bed. Mostly lying in bed. Makes me think - if the rich people can afford this obviously expensive bed and feather filled pillows, throws and comforters, then why the hell some of them are still unhappy?

I would be smiling everyday with this bed and likely wouldn’t be bothered by the negative forces of the outside world! The only problem I would have in my life if I have that same bed at home would be getting up in the morning and going to work.

Hope you all are having a great weekend!

Post from: Sandier Pastures

Related posts:

1. You could have! A husband and wife are travelling in their car from...
2. Week 7: The importance of rest My week 7 of the Turbulence Training Transformation Contest...
3. the other side of the UAE Last weekend, we went to Fujairah, one of the seven...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Laurageorge is an Etsy shop that showcases the artwork and illustrations of Laura Berger, an artist and illustrator living in the lovely city of Chicago. By the way, Laura George is a nickname given to her by her dad

 Laurageorge is filled with illustrations and printings of imaginative creatures with personality. Her prints are so simple yet filled with little details and touches.

Quoting Laura:

 Laurageorge has been an amazing way for me to connect to other artists & buyers from all over the world. There’s a lot of love back & forth — it feels pretty nice.

You can check out the latest on her and her work at her blog and her Flickr page.

I love things with a touch of whimsy in them and I’ve said it before, these type of artwork will be lovely to hang in my daughter’s room!

WHAT’S UP FOR GRABS:
One lucky winner will get any print of their choice from Laurageorge!

HOW TO WIN:
Browse all the artwork and illustrations at Laurageorge  and pick a favorite.

That’s it!

For additional entries:

• Subscribe to my RSS feed
• Blog about this linking to this post and to Laurageorge .
• Submit to any social network (StumbleUpon, Kirtsy, etc) - Click on the “Share This” at the bottom left of this post
• Twitter this giveaway –> copy and tweet: Win a beautiful art print from Laurageorge’s Etsy shop at @sandierpastures http://bit.ly/cY1c6
• Subscribe to or be a follower of Laura’s blog
• Put my button on your blog (button code is on my sidebar)

It is important to leave a separate comment for each of the entries to count. Thank you.

DRAW:
A winner will be chosen at random on 24th July 2009.

WHO CAN WIN:
This contest is open to everyone, wherever you live!

Good luck!

Post from: Sandier Pastures

Related posts:

1. Artist Feature & Giveaway: Dallas Shaw ** This giveaway is now closed. Thank you for all...
2. Giveaway: Vol. 25 ** This giveaway is now closed. Thank you for all...
3. Giveaway: The Lalala Shop ** The giveaway is now closed. Thank you very much...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Before, I needed to go out at 7:15 a.m. to travel less than 10 kilometers to my workplace or else I will be late for my work at 8:30 a.m. Now, I am able to go out of the house at 8:00 a.m and still arrive on time.

Some of the causes of this ease are/could be:

• increase of public transport - new buses and bus routes have been implemented. I don’t know if the taxis have increased but it seems like it.
• completion of several road works - when the construction of the Dubai Metro started, several arterial roads have been closed resulting to very bad traffic. Now that the completion of Dubai Metro is nearing, the roads have opened (including Ittihad intersection that services thousands of cars travelling from the neighboring Emirate of Sharjah to Dubai).
• School is out - It’s summer vacation so this could be one of the reasons why there’s not much traffic in the roads. Stay at home parents needn’t drive their children to school in the morning, thus lessening the morning rush. School buses are out of the roads now too.
• Population decline - my biggest hunch. I look around and see a lot of “To Let” in apartment buildings. At night, there are a lot of building with “black holes” - rooms that are dim because they are unoccupied. No doubt the recession has sent a lot of expat families and workers home. Dubai doesn’t report a lot about the loss of jobs here but several of my neighbors have moved back to their home country due to job loss and we hear the stories everyday about it. The effect of recession may not be as huge as that in other countries but certainly the effect is there.

The global recession lessened the population of Dubai. Again, I DON’T have the statistics, just how I feel while driving in the streets and hearing people’s stories around. Next up? The UAE government is set to revise the salary norm for family visas soon.

In the news,

Expatriate residents who want to bring their families into the country should now earn a minimum monthly salary of Dh10,000 (US$2,725) and provide their family with independent accommodation.

It all makes sense that an expat who wishes to bring his/her family here should earn enough to support his/her family members, pay for health costs, school fees, live a comfortable life, etc. Independent accommodation? Yes, of course! Every family should have their own private space.

But sadly, that is not the case here in Dubai. So many salaries are way below the new minimum and living in cramped “sharing accommodation” because of the unreasonably high rents. I know TWO families (couple + children) living in ONE room, partitioned by a thin piece of cloth curtain because each family could not afford to spend all their salary for house rent.

It is sad that rather than thinking of how to make life sustainable for families, the government is doing the opposite.

The Immigration official continued,

Previously the minimum salary requirement was Dh3,000 (US$817), because this was acceptable under previous conditions. The amount was later raised to Dh4,000 (US$1,090) and then Dh6,000 (US$1,635) after rapid development and economic growth.

So what about families who have brought their families here under the previous minimum salary requirement? Will they be able to stay? or forced to move out?

When this law is officially ammended, some families will be packing up and Dubai’s roads will be empty.

And what will happen to the completed posh residential buildings, ambitiously claiming it will house hundreds of thousands of new residents?

The full script of this news and announcement can be found in Gulf news.

Post from: Sandier Pastures

Related posts:

1. Did you leave your car at home? Today, September 22, Monday is World Car-Free Day. Ever heard...
2. Dubai will run out of tent supply Dubai Municipality is cracking down on families sharing living quarters...
3. login problem persists (at home) I’m back to work. I know that sounded like I...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

See what others aren’t saying at 5 Minutes for Mom and at the WW Hub.

Post from: Sandier Pastures

Related posts:

1. critiqued! After I got a cue from my mommy blogger friend...
2. going for vacation but this blog won’t The vacation I had been thinking about for the past...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

From the sponsor’s website:

Nimli is an online marketplace devoted to providing natural, organic, and sustainable lifestyle products while embracing style and aesthetic. Nimli offers clothing, accessories, home décor, beauty products and much more from independent designers who combine their effortless creativity with our environmentally conscious ethics. We offer an array of ecologically friendly products that are natural, organic, recycled, sweatshop-free, and cruelty-free. We are firmly aligned with a lifestyle that cultivates a green conscious mind, body, and soul. 

I like this Fin Blouse with Zucchini Sleeve. It looks so comfy and cool, perfect for the hellish summer weather here.

The comfort and ease of a one-slip dress is unbeatable. The Lara Miller Rose Dress is made from organic cotton and bamboo. Environment friendly, casual and cute too.

WHAT’S UP FOR GRABS:
One lucky winner will get an Azuri Cashmere Pashmina Shawl* courtesy of Nimli! (valued at $150)

*Nimli will decide the color of the shawl to be given away

This finely woven Pashmina Shawl will keep you warm and looking incredibly polished whatever the occasion. The natural qualities of the Pashmina & Silk provide warmth, softness and durability while also adding elegance and beauty. Expertly woven with only the finest Pashmina & Silk, this Pashmina Shawl can be used all year and for any occasion. Due to the amazing versatility & practicality of this Pashmina Shawl, anytime is a good time - day and night, while traveling and at home, formal events and casual outings, as a wrap, shawl and scarf. A timeless, must-have piece that you can always carry with you. 70% Pashmina 30% Silk. 72″ length x 22″ width. Comes in 110 colors.

HOW TO WIN:
Browse all the items at Nimli and mention another item that you like.

That’s it!

For additional entries:

• Subscribe to my RSS feed
• Blog about this linking to this post and to Nimli.
• Submit to any social network (StumbleUpon, Kirtsy, etc) - Click on the “Share This” at the bottom left of this post
• Twitter this giveaway –> copy and tweet: Cashmere pashmina shawl from Nimli up for grabs at @sandierpastures! http://bit.ly/ItSvP
• Put my button on your blog (button code is on my sidebar)

It is important to leave a separate comment for each of the entries to count. Thank you.

DRAW:
A winner will be chosen at random on 21st July 2009.

WHO CAN WIN:
This contest is open to those with a US address.

Good luck!

Post from: Sandier Pastures

Related posts:

1. Giveaway: Shi Shu Style ** This giveaway is now closed. Thank you very much...
2. Giveaway: Bamboosa ** This giveaway is now closed. Thanky you very much...
3. Giveaway: Arabella Miller ** This giveaway is now closed. ** ** Congratulations to...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

This photo was taken during the cooler month of December. How else would you explain the people roaming outside if it’s the peak of summer, like now. It’s “winter” in Dubai in December so it being outside waiting and watching sunsets is not a problem at all. I am sure many of you think that it’s eternally hot here but no, it’s not.

We get to see the night fall at Atlantis Hotel.

This is an unedited photo of the shot I took with a nice bokeh shot of Pristine with the Atlantis Hotel at the background. I have an SLR with cheap prime lens so this is nothing but one of those “accidental shots”.

The crescent part of the man-made island Palm Jumeirah acts as a breakwater and has over seven million tons of rock. On the side of the road, there’s a cement wall barrier and the rocks used to reclaim the sea can be seen.

~ Pristine and my mom ~

Staying at the Atlantis Hotel maybe expensive but going to Palm Jumeirah and strolling around is free. It’s great for those early morning, late afternoon strolls - we just have to wait for the weather to cool down before going there again.

If you liked this post, check out my other posts, Visiting Atlantis Hotel by monorail & Dubai’s first monoral at Palm Jumeirah.

Post from: Sandier Pastures

Related posts:

1. Visiting Atlantis Hotel by monorail From our recent trip to Palm Jumeirah by monorail, I...
2. Experiencing Dubai’s first monorail The monorail connecting Dubai’s mainland and Atlantis Hotel at Palm...
3. Dubai’s first monorail at Palm Jumeirah Ride with us in Dubai’s first monorail, connecting Dubai mainland...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

My mom babysits one of our neighbor’s kids, a boy with the same age as Pristine. They enjoy each other’s company. My mom is a very good babysitter and they have lots of activities at home: spelling contests, crafts, coloring books, playing Lego, hide and seek, snakes and ladders and other board games, napping in the afternoon (the kids need to sleep so my mother can rest too!).

Last night I had a wonderful conversation with my daughter while she laid her head on my shoulders and I am enjoying the scent of her hair (this is my strange habit - I suck all the scent out of babies and kids, don’t judge).

Me: Pristine, don’t you find it boring staying at home all day?

* We could not play outside in the 120+F heat during summer *

Pristine: Hmmm, a little bit boring.

Me: Even with your friend visiting you and playing with you?

Pristine: still boring…

Me: Even with a Wii?

Pristine: still boring…

Me: Even with grandma making crafts and watching dvd’s together, Lego, coloring books…(can you tell my desperation)

Pristine: still boring…

At this point I felt so bad yet couldn’t do anything. I kissed her forehead. And she speaks.

“Mom? …. What is BORING?”

Post from: Sandier Pastures

Related posts:

1. a new culture lesson for me My Indian colleague went back to his home country for...
2. school vacation starts School term has ended to make way for the hot summer months...
3. Proper and improper swim wear, know the difference! I didn’t report for work today, Saturday (my first day...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Right in front of my face, complete with body gestures like shaking head, flailing hands in the tune of “whatever!” and a pair of eyes looking at me like I have two heads. In a very thick accent she came up and bitched blasted me:

“I don’t know why you keep on lifting weights this heavy!”

She was referring to the pair of 6-8 kg dumbells I am using for most of my arm/shoulder exercises.

“It doesn’t do you anything. In fact, it will just make you grow man muscles that are ugly and WON’T help you lose fat at all!”

Can someone remove this lady in front of me? Anyone? I was about to shout, but I didn’t. It’s her opinion and I doubt if I make a spat with her there that it would stop her from suggesting to me that I use the pink dumbells instead.

Man muscles? Oh yes, please. I kind of like to become The Hulk and green is not a bad color. NOT! (As per my reading, lifting heavy weights won’t bulk up women because we simply don’t have the hormones that men have. Unless of course we use steroids then we’ll look like a walking human anatomy.)

“Lower weights, high repetition is the key! 2-5 lb dumbells, 50 times. TRUST me!”

I wasn’t exactly face to face with Miss Universe or Jillian Michaels.

Not even close. And trust? Ah, such a heavy word. Why should I trust her!? To give a brief description of the nosy lady: she’s around 40, paper-thin, skin clinging to bones thin, makes people think what-the-hell-is-she-doing-at-the-gym thin, with a very bad posture and stinking with cigarrette smell. The only thing I find good in her is that she must have lower body fat percentage than I do (I was able to count her ribs when I saw her naked in the changing room). That’s about it. Otherwise, I don’t trust her at all and I won’t trade the current DB’s I am using to her pink ones. No way!

“Those heavy weights do NOT burn fat at all!”, she says.

But what was the 10 lbs I LOST since starting the Turbulence Training program (that included lifting weights heavier than the pink dumbells) these past 10 weeks? Surely it was not JUST sweat or water or whatever it was inside me! And uhm, no, I did not give birth recently so what I lost was not amniotic fluid and baby blob.

I just rolled my eyes and crinkled my nose (I hate cigarrette smell!) as she swept past me.

“And also, why are you doing pushups? Those are just for men!”

Clearly, she wasn’t finished with her lecture yet.

*****

Which works best, high weight-low reps or low weight-high reps? I could write a really long article about it but it will just hurt your eyes. It’s not good to hurt your eyes on weekends. Google it though, if you’re curious but me, I have made a choice and sticking to what works for me.

What would you do if someone criticizes the things you do at the gym? or do you have any suggestions what I’ll tell her the next time she comes up to me and offer her pink dumbells?

Post from: Sandier Pastures

Related posts:

1. TT Transformation Contest, Week 3: Conquering diet and exercise hills My week 3 of the Turbulence Training Transformation Contest is...
2. Week 11: Making changes in my diet I have made changes in my diet/nutrition since starting the...
3. Week 9: The importance of planning I can’t believe how fast time flies - when you’re...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

**Winner will be announced when I get a reply!**

Persimmon Jewelry is created by Gracie Miller, an artist and designer living and working in Los Angeles with her husband and two lovely daughters. Her creative career started after studying Fashion Design.

For these wearable works of art at Persimmon Jewelry, she combines her skills - hand wiring, soldering, prong, bezel cup and resin settings. She uses sterling silver, 14kt gold, precious and semi precious stones, and plastic vintage beads, often combined with untraditional elements to craft eye-catching and gorgeous personal adornments.

Gracie’s current design muses and obsessions are flocked wall-paper, plastic jewelry, objects with a sense of history, and imagery inspired by animals and nature.

Also check out Gracie’s blog and her other jewelry shop at Etsy, The Jewelry Bailout.

WHAT’S UP FOR GRABS:
One lucky winner will get the gorgeous Cafe du Monde necklace from Persimmon Jewelry! (valued at $68)

HOW TO WIN:
Browse all the items at Persimmon Jewelry and pick a favorite.

That’s it!

For additional entries:

• Subscribe to my RSS feed
• Blog about this linking to this post and to Persimmon Jewelry.
• Submit to any social network (StumbleUpon, Kirtsy, etc) - Click on the “Share This” at the bottom left of this post
• Twitter this giveaway –> copy and tweet: Win the Cafe du Monde necklace from Persimmon Jewelry at @sandierpastures http://bit.ly/3wdNYO
• Follow Persimmon Jewelry on Twitter
• Subscribe to or be a follower of Persimmon Jewelry’s blog
• Become a fan of Persimmon Jewelry on Facebook
• Put my button on your blog (button code is on my sidebar)

It is important to leave a separate comment for each of the entries to count. Thank you.

DRAW:
A winner will be chosen at random on 17th July 2009.

WHO CAN WIN:
This contest is open to everyone, wherever you live!

Good luck!

Post from: Sandier Pastures

Related posts:

1. Giveaway: Joie de Vie Jewelry ** This giveaway is now closed. Thank you very much...
2. Giveaway: JaC Jewelry ** This giveaway is now closed. Thank you for all...
3. Giveaway: Shellamie Jewelry ** This giveaway is now closed. ** Congratulations to #60...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Just look at the beauty that has been created as a direct result of money from and support of the USA, and we can’t even build good roads at home for our own people.

What a Shame.

HUH?

The IP address of the comment email I got indicates that it’s from someone from the US, or at least, the location where the comment was sent was the US.

Am I missing something here?

I’ve lived in Dubai for just two and a half years and yet not heard of any Dubai milestone project financially backed by America. So I checked Wikipedia (Wiki info is to be trusted right?). The first line says it all:

The Palm Jumeirah is an artificial island created using land reclamation by Nakheel, a company owned by the Dubai government.

I do not have the idea or inkling that the US somehow financed (even partially) to build the Palm Island. Nothing I’ve heard or read of, at least so I don’t know where the commenter got his/her information. I sure want to know…

******

Anyway, summer is finally here. The temperatures have risen and it’s so hot it could melt all the ice in Antartica within 24 hours. But I can under estimate.

We’re talking about 115F with super high humidity (enough to give you zero visibility when you’re wearing glasses and going outside from an airconditioned building) with lows at 100F. LOWS of 100F! How dare they put the word LOW on that hideous temperature. They’ve  got to be kidding me.

Post from: Sandier Pastures

Related posts:

1. Dubai’s first monorail at Palm Jumeirah Ride with us in Dubai’s first monorail, connecting Dubai mainland...
2. if you were in an island By the word island I do not mean a solitary...
3. thawing season begins Date: March 31st Time: 1:30 pm Weather: Sunny (blue skies),...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.