Strolling the Dubai Mall

Yesterday was even more monotonous. So, we in the house, decided to stroll the Mall of Dubai. We just  went there not to shop for anything really but just simply visited the place and took some pictures. I saw many Filipinos strolling as well. I thought they might be doing the same thing for the same purpose too.

Well, at least we had it on purpose first hand: we were checking on laptop prices as Pap got interested in buying his own unit so he can play games with it as long as he likes. He was addicted to playing the Snooker Game on our laptop and been wanting to soak himself out till exhaustion will call him for bedtime. Cool enough.

Anyway, I would not have come along since migraine has been ramming my head for almost two days now. I always tried to fight the head-bug by preoccupying my self. It's time for me to visit the mall also since everybody's been buzzing about the place a lot. It's time for me to find out. I never caught the first light well, probably eight out of ten persons will say they've been there. I'm testing if mine is worth the visit.

Ok. T'was nice! Huge! I like the aquarium a lot. I went to aim my arsenal of course so I took a lot of careless camera shots. Petty me. Amused or entertained. :o) Hehehe.

It is Dubai's demonstration of tremendously expensive architectural prowess. Adjacent to the still on-going construction of the Burj Dubai, it is one of the highlight in the vicinity.

Well, it was huge but empty for me! Why? I would not trade a time with my girls strolling inside Davao's Victoria Plaza or the Gaisano Mall adjacent to my provincial home. I can not trade the moment I wiped off the melting ice cream from my little JJ's fingers or chasing down JM while inside NCCC the Mall of Davao. Or, the 'no money' window shopping with my wife. :o)

(While there, you can avail of the mall's free transport going back to where you live like Bur Dubai, Trade Center, Jumeira Village, etc.)

LiveJournal Tags: Dubai Mall UAE,Christmas Morning,Pinoy in UAE

Pinoy Expat's Christmas Evening

 There never really was much event during these past few Christmas days except that me and the rest of the people in the house had a small Christmas party. Just a typical and very  simple Filipino party where hard -liquor is not part of the occasion. With the Black Label out of the closet, it would have but everybody's not apt for a drink tonight because the next day is still work for most of us. Well, at least just few cans of San Miguel Beer added a little bit of zest to the night I guess.

Everyone contributed something to the occasion. The foods were great. There were more than enough. We had some little exchange gift too and everyone's happy with what they received. This is a camaraderie of people whose respective families are back home doing their best to cope with the economy and trying to be happy despite our absence.

 Today, I spent some phone calls back home multiple times. And, again wished I was there to spent Christmas season with them. Nevertheless, thanks to the Internet and some little cell-phone credits, I was able to keep in touch with my wife and daughters very often to check what was going on right those moments. :o) Just hearing their laughter was enough to make me happy.

Technorati Tags: Pinoy Christmas Party in Dubai 2008

Christmas in My Heart

Like the dry winter that makes my fingers numb and clumsy, I succumbed to a three day hiatus of blogging; hopeful that my appetite for musing might come back. There have been many reasons at hand. Like these past three days, I decided to get acquainted with my new equipment. Trying to capture some scenes on my way to work every early in the morning. Good because in some ways, it mend my nostalgia for home. My daughters would want me to come home for Christmas whenever we chatted on the Internet via the Yahoo Messenger.

In a few hours is the Christmas eve. The last season, I was back home vacationing. I remember the days when I held them in my arms to warm against the cold night of the season. And now, this part of the world is even more colder - and I have nobody to hold. Time passes by like minutes and in a few hours is, the Christmas eve.

I always never care if me and my wife only have the ordinary meal to put on the table during the Christmas evening, so long as we are together. What could be more special than this? No fancy decorations - just one small Christmas tree on the corner of that almost empty rented house of ours. But, I remember that day my wife was in the rattle for the Christmas dinner. She wanted it all best. She did make all the efforts to make things turn out warm that evening. After all, that was our first Christmas together as a family in a newly rented house. There was just me, my wife and the two small baby girls. I was just observing her; I felt sad nor happy. She was enjoying it. Few months before, she'd been bogging me about us moving out to another house.

That evening, this date, she weeped. We had a plan. I left after a few months for Dubai. So here I am looking all the possibilities and ways to entertain my self while maintaining the comfort by calling them almost everyday now. Hopeful and prayerful about everything in our lives in the days to come.

Technorati Tags: Family,Christmas Season,Pinoy in UAE,Dubai

No Sweat for Manny

Wow! A sweet victory! And, a sweet surrender for Oscar who didn't wait to be knocked out.

We always believe in an old boxing cliche that says, ""the good big man will always beat a good little man". That was not the case happening on Pacquiao - Dela Hoya fight in the night of December 6. Indeed, this was David slaying Goliath in trunks and gloves.

Pacquiao, who started in boxing in the flyweight division, proved to be agile and fast which ultimately, proved too strong for the heavier De La Hoya - the golden boy. Added to his victory, Pacquiao with his signature moves, plays the elusive boxer which by the way inherent among intelligent athletes. Pacquiao, a reigning lightweight at 135 pounds worked out and moved to meet De La Hoya's 147 pounds stature.

The Pinoy's agility over the game again proves his dominance on a stirring upset of the game. The fate of the fight, which was backed up by a remark uttered by Manny's coach Freddy Roach sometime in the middle of the rounds saying, "Don't get lazy on the play", proves perseverance and stamina matters in the game such as this one.

Again, Manny, blankets his victory to millions of Filipinos watching over his games. An endeavor, model to every Filipino man and woman in this everyday battle in life - back home and abroad.

Some of the games recap can be read from this link. You can always browse Youtube for this famous Manny-Oscar fight.

Other Reference:(http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/boxing/blog/2008/12/de_la_hoyapacquiao_roundbyroun.html)

del.icio.us Tags: Boxing,Cable TV,Games,Online Streaming,Pacquiao,Sports,Watch Manny Pacquiao Vs. Oscar Dela Hoya

My Coming Christmas Musing

Oh well, Christmas is fast approaching. For an OFW, the season of emphasized loneliness. The season is like a day when the clouds are cleared to expose a sky of a clandestine blue. It's just you in the constellation of loneliness. This is what I feel and been expecting unless the season is feasted with my two small daughters and my wife; and among family members - back home.

It's sometimes sickening because there have been too many discussions about the coming season - it's the most talked about topic in this time of the month. With all these days' fears and tribulations of both economic and socio political. Worsened by recession resulting to rampant lay-offs. There'd be not much food in the table during the Christmas season.

And as far as I want to speak something out of the expected Christmas spirit, it weakens me. But, there is an urging willingness to discover the strength to be out of the blue; appreciate the warmth of others who has probably thought of this same thought; to be content and be  able to count the blessings received during our days.

 

Technorati Tags: Christmas,Faith,Family,Gift,Home,Occasion,Opinions,Party,Jesus Christ

Chowking! Indulge My Appetite

Yeah! Here's another every common topic in town. And, every one eats Chow-king.

One of my favorite topic to talk about when I'm hungry is - food! What else should I be musing about? My mind's probably loose right now. {--,}  I'm hungry and my ordered food from Chow-king Restaurant has not arrived yet.

Calling the restaurant has been the most convenient yet costly way of bringing down your lunch to the office. Well, not that costly but you loss the point of working your ass hard to save a penny to send back home. The people on the other lines are extremely friendly too. Well, you'll know by the tone of their voice they had a bad day but what the heck, it's always a good thing to cheer up people - even if it begins from a customer. Well, I'm a testified believer that when a customer is happy he will hail the people who served him and he will even write a blog entry about them. Hehehe.

The one in the picture is a beef mushroom wanton noodle - my lunch today! Good when it's served warm and a little bit of chili curry dipped with a little bit of soy sauce. Chow-king foods are known to have served lacking a little bit of salt because not every one likes it salty of course. Each person has a distinct taste when it comes to salty tasting food. This thing cost twenty-one Dirhams per order which will of course save you plenty as much as thirty-four dollars a week, one hundred thirty six dollars a month. Hehehe. Whew! the Chili sauce is hot!

Well, I am one of those people here in Dubai where one of the passion is food. And its not a good way to save a penny. It's always very cost saving bringing along with you everyday food for lunch - there will not be much dinner-left overs in your home. I find it very effective when I'm tight budget, no really, I mean when I'm really on tight budget, to be able to save money. It's usually a habit for a Filipino OFW like me to prepare food earlier at home to bring and consume the next day or two. Preparation is usually in the evening, and usually by bulk. One or two cups of plain rice in a topper-ware container for each day of the week.

Depending on your mood to share chit-chat around other office people, it will usually take you a total of thirty minutes to eat this thing which of course can be eaten in just a matter of sixty seconds. You don't have to drink water - it's in it already. Hehehe. You don't have to worry about the noodles entangling around your tonsils inside your mouth. You can have Maju pull that out that strings of noodles for you. Hehehe.

The thing comes good with Siopao too! Cost eight Dirhams ($2.18) in UAE.

Technorati Tags: Chinese,Chowking,Dubai,Fastfood,Food,Health,Noodles,Occasion,Party,Philippines,Pinoy in UAE,UAE,Siopao

Congratulations UAE - It's 37th National Day

Congratulations UAE for the 37th Anniversary as a nation of peace and prosperity.

However difficult it is living alone here in the UAE, I am still thankful for the opportunity of work and for the chance of better life for my family back home.

UAE, despite few problems the expatriates are facing, is still truly a country of equal opportunity and growth for as long as you have the guts to grab your heart's desire. People have many problems here, I'm no exception, but I always examine the condition back home before I begin to think or become vocal about it. Like for example, before I even begin to complain about the traffic condition, I always remember the condition of my own home-town's roads and streets. And, hopeful the same condition will happen one day in the Philippines.

This country is beautiful. And, many of its locals are respectable and honest. I think honestly and respecting one's belief and principles is the key to a nations growth and peace. One principle UAE is modeled. Wherever you go, you will still face problems anyway.

Everywhere or whichever company you will go, there will always be antagonists and challenges around. And, one sure way to make expatriate's stay worthwhile, endure homesickness is to find all possible ways to enjoy your self with the camaraderie of others. Might it be a fellow Filipino or not, there are good sides of people too.

I am sure the Filipino community of UAE is ever thankful and as well sharing the pride this nation has achieved for thirty-seven years of challenges and opportunities.

Well, at least I got a day holiday off to relax and contemplate my plans in the coming seasons. Government offices are entitled fifteen-days off and other private offices will have a two day's off in the coming days.

(Photos credits to http://fiveprime.org, http://experiencingtheemirates.blogspot.com/2008_02_01_archive.html & http://ofwzone.com

Technorati Tags: Career,Dubai,Home,Party,Patriotism,Philippines,Pinoy in UAE,Work,Opportunities,Living,OFW