Paskong Pinoy

Christmas was fun for us at the flat. roxanne and the gang cooked the food which was delish! hmm...

after the eating, we exchanged gifts and played the pinoy henyo game and we were super noisy. but, what the heck, all the other flats were a-ruckus as well..

Happy Christmas everyone!

Christmas Party at the Office

we were told to bring our gifts for our party, and i did. quite frankly, i was really surprised and very happy that everyone joined in, regardless of religion. i mean, i'm saying this because back in the philippines, colleagues who had different religion would back out or just plain refuse to join in on the fun saying they don't celebrate christmas or some other excuse. but here, where most are either muslim or hindu, and just a handful of us are christians, everybody joined in. and i had super fun. it's obvious (in the pictures). ",)

it was simple: we cut the cake and had our exchange of gifts at the office.

and guess what i got?

Belen Ngayong Pasko

i know i did mention somewhere in this blog that my colleagues have decorated the office real well. the ceiling's all glittery and the doors are adorned with bells, stars, christmas balls etc... it's neat! of them all, i like this nativity scene. to us pinoys, this is fondly called 'belen'. why so, i really do not know. but, it's how i will always call it. belen ng pasko.

Belated Birthday

'twas the last month of the year when the boss called me in from my checks. i hurriedly went back to the office and found to my surprise that they are giving our birthday gifts to all of us.

whoa!!! my birthday was last february. i started thinking if this was for next year already. but they said it's for this year's... hahaha... some kinda belated ha! well, i was home that time, or should i say, was walking the streets of Ho Chi Minh.

still, i'm grateful...

thank you QCRD!

and of course, here's the birthday cake!

Gift Wrapping

woke up late yesterday.

slept late the night before as i had to wrap some gifts for our exchange of gifts at the office and here at the flat.

was happy though because i was able to buy some items at duty free for a discount (it's DDF's anniversary sale and airport staff get a 25% off ). imagine me doing the happy dance all the way home. ",)

have bought all my wrapping paraphernalia days in advance so i just went ahead and started wrapping my presents. now i've got some names ticked off my list.

the wrappings though is not as important as the thought that someone remembered you on this joyous season. truthfully, i don't want to be caught up in the fever of frenzy for gift-shopping. but since i had some time these past weeks, i just slowly scoured for bargains really. for me personally, it's not the wrapping but the gift and the gesture of giving even the simplest thing. and it need not be material. a warm hug or greeting, a smile, a handshake, a helping hand - they're a God-send. at times, a quiet gesture can be louder than a shout and can really warm the heart.

1, 2, Go

i have already finished the first and second steps in procuring the E-ID. finally...

but see, after step no. 1- typing, we were told that within 48 hours, we'd get an SMS for our appointment (2nd step: biometric scanning) in the processing of our emirates ID. but after a week no SMS came. nada! so i called the customer service number they gave for follow-up and still no SMS came. hence, i decided to take matters into my own hands and went for a walk-by (walk-in ito sa linggwahe nating mga pinoy). i waited about an hour before my turn came 'coz they were prioritizing those who had appointments that morning. and then finally it's done.

naku salamat naman, at natapos din. ngayon, ang next step ay maghintay. don't know how long it's gonna be. but i have patience naman. ",)

Chocolate Temptation

for a while now, i have found myself gravitating towards the chocolate section of supermarkets and stores. i'm such a chocoholic, which is quite obvious with my size now. and i try to justify by saying "down lang ako ngayon. i need a perk-me-up."

not quite ready to give up sweets (oi, bantay abigail, may diabetes predisposition ka!), i've resolved to pursue my baking interest. self-starter na ako ngayon, kaya todo panghahagilap ng recipe ang ginagawa ko, sabay panonood ng video.

here's my first attempt: choco chip cookies!!!!

Simbang Gabi

attended simbang gabi last night. grabe, sobrang late na kami nakauwi. paano kasi, nag-aya pa ako sa pinsan ko na magpapapicture ako sa may christmas tree. waited until the crowd has somehow thinned bago kami makakuha ng matinong pic. joked with our parish priest while waiting, napadaan kasi siya sa amin habang nag-iikot sa simbahan to talk with the parishioners.

i cannot however complete the 9 night masses, due to my shifting sched. sayang.

the spirit of the season is somehow getting lost on me. lonely yata ang aking pasko ngayon. buti na lang, okay ang atmosphere sa bahay. i can get my moments of peace. at mababait ang mga tao sa house, pinagtitimpihan ako ng aking mga pinsan at flatmates sa aking mga moods.

sana po mabago ko ang ugali ko. mainitin pa rin ang aking ulo at madaling mapikon. lalo na ngayon at may hindi ako type na katrabaho. pabaitin niyo po ako Lord. pahabain niyo pa po ang aking pasensiya. Diyos ko po, di ko na po 'ata kaya.

mukhang madami pa yata akong hihilingin ngayong pasko. but first i have to start the change from within. i should begin with me.

Bertdeyhan na Naman

we had another birthday celeb here in the house. it was cousin guiller's natal day yesterday. kaya kainan at kantahan to d max na naman. at laklakan pala para sa mga naiwan sa bahay nung gabi. i had to go to work (night shift) kaya kahit hinahabol ako ng tagay on my way out, dedma na lang. at heto ang mga ebidensiya:

my cuz roxy busy in the kitchen...

while cuz rene got busy singing videoke...

singit naman ako ng isang kanta.. na sinundan pa ng isa at isa at isa.... ",)

tim-tim singing with feelings...

and d fudang....

On Eagle's Wings

Going through the collection of articles that i have kept with me throught the years, once again i came across this one favorite of mine. allow me to share it with you. i think this has been circulated in the email.

Wings of an Eagle

Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks? The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it.

The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it
higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm. When the storms of life
come upon us - and all of us will experience them - we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward God. The storms do not have to over come us. We can allow God's power to lift us above them. God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure and disappointment in our lives. We can soar above the storm. Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them.

The Bible says, "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles." Isaiah 40:31

Oh dear Lord, be the wind beneath my wings and allow me to soar high.

Sa Paliparan Na Naman

was pleasantly surprised when i came to work this morning and found the office all glammed up with christmas decors. kudos to the guys who worked at all the stuff: the manger, the ceiling all adorned with stars and glittering christmas balls and santas and gifts, making me feel all christmassy all of a sudden. now i can feel the spirit in the air already. yahoo!

but had to dash to the expo site to check on things there. there's the mid-east biz aviation going on. checked on food and docs and managed to squeeze in some time to walk around the halls to see some exhibits as well.

Standing in Line

woke up early to hear mass at St. Mary's Church. today is the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mother Mary. i went for the 6:45am mass so that i can come early for the Emirates ID in nearby Karama. but alas, when i got there at a quarter to eight, the line has been cut for the typing. we were told to come back in the afternoon or else at 7am again the next day.

some went home. but there were a number of us who remained. it's not as if it's so easy to absent yourself from work and request your passport from the office. we have to meet deadlines as well. and to add to that, the E-ID has changed the process. we have to come back again at a set date for the photo, eye scanning and finger printing. waited several hours before my turn came. thankfully i was back home by 2pm. tired and very hungry.

wish it will be easier for the next step.

Holiday Shopping

i was so pooped yesterday.

just finished my workweek and really looking forward to 2 days off. but since i already had plans for today, i managed to wake up yesterday just in time to do some christmas shopping. went from one mall to another, browsing through SALE items as we had pegged the price for our office exchange of gifts and i wanted to make one good buy ( i think i did, ). also bought a couple of sweaters for my night walks, a few socks (loved the colors!), Liz bag (again), and some items from Woolworths (i got a 50Dhs coupon when i purchased mom's laptop). then, went to Reef Mall for some home items that i've been long wanting to buy. Lifestyle is one good place to shop for gifts. finally stopped at Home Centre and bought a couple of baking pans to get me all set for my baking plans.

i was literally dragging my feet by the time i was coming home at 9pm, both arms laden with shopping bags. i think i may have looked like a christmas tree (as what roommie tikz would call me back in the days). one kabayan who was walking behind me even offered to give me a hand with my loot. ".) but i managed all right.

Feeling Cold

the air is so cold outside. i was shivering as i was getting out of the office this morning and while walking the short distance to my flat from the metro.

it's a cold, cold december morning.... i sure long for a warm hug to welcome me home.

Goodbye

Free

to roam around

see the sights

and laugh out loud

Sad

to hear your voice

watch your face

as your tears fall

Dark

are clouds above

awaiting dusk

as night time comes

Dance

swirl me around

as music plays

to calm my nerves

Kiss

me one last time

I bid goodbye

to sweet romance.

♪ Smile - Charlie Chaplin

charlie chaplin.... classic!

SMILE

Extended Eid Holiday

yes, we've had our fun at the beach.

but wait, there's more....

seems there was money left over from our department's budget for outing. we really didn't spend much at the beach. and since we were each allocated a certain amount for the outing, it was decided that we go for another outing two days after. so we went for a Desert Safari this time.

bitin nga lang ako. mas mahaba ang dune bashing na na-experience ko before with my bro and cousins. sobrang ang titinis ng boses namin kakasigaw noon. this time, nag-ga-gather pa lang ako ng energy para sumigaw, tapos na ang tripping. ngek, parang wala pa yatang 10 minutes iyong aming dune bash. hindi ganun ka-worth it and binayad naming 175 dirhams each.

here are my pics on the desert safari (selected na lang.. baka kasi ayaw ng mga kasama ko ma-post sila dito) :

and in the gathering twilight, feel na feel ko na ang lamig ng hangin. pumapasok na ang lamig galing europa at russia... mukhang kelangan ko nang paghandaan ang taga-lamig ko (tawag ng friend ko nung college sa allergy ko sa malamig na hangin). you got me scared there, Keys & Fingers. i really need to find out how to cure my allergy.

Building Character

When I was in my junior year in high school, I joined the CO training for officership during senior year. We called it TCOCCO then. Am not sure though if it's still around. Heard news before that the school admin and PTA had it banned for all the rigorously physical as well as psychological pressures students had to bear the whole year. Even alluded to some activities as a form of hazing. Well, I'm sure most in my generation (those who had citizen's army training in their high school's curriculum) can relate.

I enjoyed the training though. Not so much for the physical exertions but more because of the bonding that we developed with fellow aspirants. They were both happy years (fun, fun, fun) as well as sad (times when you get berated by officers). I have to say that a lot of character- molding happen during this period. And one of my favorite part was memorizing anthologies. I know, not many would agree. A lot of creativity go into the reporting period. Some poems we had to sing or rap or dance to. And it was fun! To this day, I still carry here in my heart countless lessons that I learned then.

Here's one anthology I hold dear:

Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak,

and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid;

one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat,

and humble and gentle in victory...

Build me a son whose wishes will not take the place of deeds;

A son who will know thee and understand

that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge...

Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort,

but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenges.

Here let him learn to stand in the storm;

Here let him learn compassion for those who fail...

Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goal will be high.

A son who will seek to master himself

before he seeks to master other men,

one who will march into the future, yet never forget the past...

And after all these things are his, add, I pray,

enough of a sense of humor

so that he may always be serious,

yet never take himself too seriously.

Give him humility, so that he may always remember

The simplicity of true greatness

The open mind of true wisdom,

and the meekness of true strength...

Then I, his Father, will dare to whisper:

“I have not lived in vain.”

~ Gen. Douglas MacArthur

QD Team Eid Outing

namamaga na naman ang mukha ko. it's been like this for days now, in fact almost a week already. season's changing. the air's gettin' cold. and that's where i have a problem. coz i've got an allergy to the cold winds. so here i am, with my face in blotches of mini-rashes.

i remember my birthday back in 2006 when i was in singapore with my mom, aunt and sis-in-law. my face went all puffed up. i really felt bad 'bout my look back then. now, i'm kinda getting used to it. i have not been feeling all that well though. so it kinda adds up. really feeling lousy.

but news, news, news. our outing finally happened. on the last day of the Eid Al Adha, celebrated wednesday here, my dept at work went to Fujeirah to have an outing. i really enjoyed being out of dubai for a day. though, i could not say the same for the driver. he must have been so tired. we left the airport at around 8am and got back around 10:30 in the evening.

guess i enjoyed just watching the view on the way while my colleagues were happily singing all the hindi songs that they love. i saw desert on the way and rock mountains. i was wondering really why it wasn't green from afar. when we got nearer, saw then that they were rocky.

we stopped by Friday market for tea, some shopping and of course, pics-taking.

the place we went to was an open beach. very public. i decided to not get into the water anyway. my colleagues enjoyed swimming and playing. but the water is quite salty. i sure miss our beaches back home.

Mom's Birthday

namaga na naman ang mukha ko. i remember yong bday ko nung 2007. we were in singapore when my whole face went puffy due to the cold air. but anyway, yesterday was my mom's 60th birthday. yes, it's official. my mom is already a senior citizen. hahahaha.... :-)

she had a wonderful celebration at work and at home. saw her looking so pretty, she looked younger than her age. (o, ayan bumawi ako mommy). be blessed with the Lord's bountiful grace. we love you, 'my! stay healthy.