It's been 3 years.
9 years ago
Friday, February 29, 2008
we were supposed to go to Dubai today but marvin failed to get a rent-a-car vehicle that's why the original itinerary was cancelled. my cousin and aunt, together with a friend, opted to travel to Abu Dhabi instead so that we all could go to Lulu Island together.
they arrived sometime after lunch but before we headed for the island, we had our lunch consisting of fried chicken and adobong squid. doing this, we only have to bring snack which is composed of a medium-sized pizza, the super-yummy special cassava cake* that i baked, a bottle of cola and water to drink.
we headed off to the island around 4 pm. taxi fare cost us 6.50 AED from our home to the boat ride station. the travel by boat lasted for only about 10 minutes. nope, no fare was collected for the boat ride. even babies were allowed to board alongside with their strollers (sayang nga eh, we could have brought Lance's stroller. anyway, there's always a next time). lifejackets were provided for all the passengers during the course of the trip.
when we have reached the destination, a ticket booth can be found right after getting off the boat. the entrance fee for the resort is only 15 aed per person (children excluded), which includes a ride to and from the main gate to where you wanted to get off. bus stops and canopies are strategically located on the island. you have to tell the driver where you wanted to get off! aside from a bus, a train ride can also be availed of for 5 AED per person. like the bus counterpart, the train will also tour around the whole island.
they arrived sometime after lunch but before we headed for the island, we had our lunch consisting of fried chicken and adobong squid. doing this, we only have to bring snack which is composed of a medium-sized pizza, the super-yummy special cassava cake* that i baked, a bottle of cola and water to drink.
we headed off to the island around 4 pm. taxi fare cost us 6.50 AED from our home to the boat ride station. the travel by boat lasted for only about 10 minutes. nope, no fare was collected for the boat ride. even babies were allowed to board alongside with their strollers (sayang nga eh, we could have brought Lance's stroller. anyway, there's always a next time). lifejackets were provided for all the passengers during the course of the trip.
when we have reached the destination, a ticket booth can be found right after getting off the boat. the entrance fee for the resort is only 15 aed per person (children excluded), which includes a ride to and from the main gate to where you wanted to get off. bus stops and canopies are strategically located on the island. you have to tell the driver where you wanted to get off! aside from a bus, a train ride can also be availed of for 5 AED per person. like the bus counterpart, the train will also tour around the whole island.
in our case, we decided to get off in the pool area. interestingly, lifeguards are also within the vicinity to oversee the tourists. the water in the pool is clean enough (hehe) and the temperature is controlled. if it hasn't been a chilly afternoon, we surely had a dip. yun nga lang, it's freezing still kaya picture-picture na lang muna. hehe.
here are some of the pictures taken during our short but fun weekend escapade.
here are some of the pictures taken during our short but fun weekend escapade.
mga turista sa sariling lungga
the girls
mga babae sa batuhan 1
mga babae sa batuhan 2
man-made island at the back
katatapos lang maglaba...hehe
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
i am having terrible headaches and eye discomforts lately. i haven't been able to see an eye specialist yet kasi tinatamad ako and honestly, a bit scared. anyhow, i have been to the driving license office and i was not allowed to open a file for driving license due to uncorrected eyesight. hay. that means, i really need to see an eye doctor. i had no choice but to convince myself to see one as soon as possible.
on the contrary, life's been the same as usual. work-home-work routine. i sleep late, yet still wake up in the middle of the night to cuddle lance, i still eat a lot, still loveless, still envious for those that gets a church wedding, still undecided whether to help somebody who doesn't deserve helping, still bitter to those who have hurt me, still regretful for people i let go but shouldn't have, still suffering for holding on to someone who should be set free, still blaming myself for someone else's unfulfilled dreams, still lonely, still bored, tired yet still fighting, still daydreaming, still afraid, still hoping for happy endings, still believing that fairytales do happen... to some folks but unluckily not for me, still wishing to find unexpected happiness, still being still.
Friday, February 15, 2008
we went out and had dinner in Talay, a Thai resto inside Le Meridien Hotel. we had a sumptuous dinner actually and the evening was breezy. it was a family affair and everyone behaved well. marvin shelled some prawns for me and helped me disengaged the lobster's meat. yeah, yeah, so the food was great. i love seafood and we were seated right next to the sea. so that makes the food and ambiance goes together.
after an hour of eating and being so fat (the bill and us!), we paid the bill of 730 aed (PhP 8,000+!!!!) and headed for home. yeah, we need to rest as we have spent more than we should for a month. haha. anyway, once in awhile lang naman yung ganitong pagkakataon. i guess, this is his post-valentine's treat. okay na sana eh. if not for being so masungit when we were watching TV. hmp.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
yep, it's valentine's day. it is something being celebrated here in the UAE by expats, including pinoys. as for me... well, i spent my valentine's day at work. i was in the office til 8 PM because i still have an equipment installation going on. actually, the supposedly Thai resto dinner is not something i'm looking forward to. honestly, i don't look forward to valentine's day anymore.
the day's been busy and gloomy. one thing that made a difference lang is a friendster message from a long lost friend who never fails to remind me to take care and take it easy at work. buti pa siya, kahit hindi nya nakikita physically how hard i work, alam nya how i devote my energy at my job. i missed my friend. i missed being called "dear". i missed being reminded to smile.wala lang. happy valentines sa lahat ng inspired.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
i am not fond of yoghurt... well, not until today??!! i tried to eat it twice on separate occassions long way back but both attempts failed to get me hook into it. then marvin get hooked on it lately and he used to give me a spoonful or two each time he consumes one. now, i am infected with the yoghurt madness!!! hahaha. now, yoghurt becomes a part of our grocery trolley. even lance gets his own yoghurt for kids! =) i like the layered fruit yoghurt. i am having one right now with blueberry. yummy!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
i made a few changes on my Save the Date card layout as suggested by a co-forumer. :) lance's picture used to be a watermark but now, i had it pasted as normal. it looked better, i may say. if i run out of time, i plan to have the save the date cards be used as invites. ngi! tinamad! hahaha. anyhow, i've been working now on his AVP and i have made the M&M stickers for the envelopes, too. Last night, i also tried to bake the M&M cookies i found over the internet and it tasted so good! hehehe. i might make it as pica-pica stuff. i also started on the first layer of my pinata. i used the spoiled baking flour as paste. may silbi rin! hehe.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
despite having no nanny for 5 days, i'm proud of my first accomplishment amidst taking care of Lance and his dad. yeah, yeah... para akong may 2 anak when they are together. both needs to be fed on time, watch out for and iligpit ang lahat ng kinakalat nila! ooopps! na-a-out of topic na ako..hehe.
going back on track... as for the birthday preps, i was able to make two layouts! one's for the save the date cards and the other's for the tarpaulin. the save the date cards will have soft- and hardcopies. softcopies are for those with emails and outside the emirate (para tipid! hehe) and hardcopies for those who are located here in abu dhabi and primitive (meaning walang emails...hehe). i plan to have the save the date cards printed on 3R size photopapers then seal in red/blue/green envelopes with an "m" self-made stickers para ma-emphasize yung theme. as for the tarp, i am not sure how big it will turn out but based on my layout, less than 5 ft wide lang ito. i tried to make a 5ft wide tarpaulin but the M&M graphics i was able to download were not high-resolution enough. hay.
by the way, the save the date cards has 4 pm as timing nga pala because marvin prefers that time instead of 8pm. that i still have to arrange with the venue folks if it's still possible to change. hopefully i can have it change this week or else, ulet na naman ako! hehe. anyway, all's well that end's well so just view my accomplishments' snapshots below. =)
save the date card front 1
save the date card front 2
save the date card back
tarpaulin layout
Thursday, February 07, 2008
a few more days to go and it'll be my baby's first birthday. hectic nga eh at wala pa akong accomplishment besides conceptualization on how it'll be celebrated. anyhow, as for the plans here goes:
1. Venue : Al Muhairy Center (tentative). i had it pencilbooked on April 10th between 8-11 pm. the other schedule's 4-7 pm and considering that it's a workday for some, i deemed it'll be better if we'll have it on a later time. the advantage of this venue is that there would be no need for fuss on decorations anymore as the place is prep up already. a plus, is the availability of a projector and a widescreen excellent for an AVP.
2. Decorations : i might add a few balloons to suit my theme. a few red, blue and green balloons would do. i inquired from a balloon shop and it'll be 4 aed/pc. i might ask other shops for a cheaper find. i miss balloon pillars... sigh.
3. Food : i might have it catered. i don't have anyone on mind yet as to from whom. but i'll surely have a chocolate fountain and a chocolate cake! the choco fountain supplier i still have to get from mitch and the chocolate cake... hmm, i might bake one nalang as what my hubby suggested. if i find the guts to do this, i'll just put the M&M characters na lang that i bought online as toppers. hahaha. astig! however, i dunno how to make the icing wording nga pala... need ko yata mag-crash course on cake decoration pa. hehe. perhaps, to make my life easier and my guests lives safer, i'll have to order a cake from Ms J na lang. hihi. lastly, i need to buy red, blue and green paper plates and colored cutleries to go with them pa pala!
4. Invitation:
- save the date - i have a layout already and some wordings to go with it. am not sure yet kung okay na yun. anyhow, ito na yung final layout talaga. the back would say:
Melt or roll, run or crawl
Please grace Lance Ralen's
1st Birthday and go out of control!
Have your party hats readyFor it'll be a fun M&M's party
for our little baby!
- invitation - no layout yet. i might go with M&M cut-outs and printed photo of Lance to go with it. DIY lang.
- note card / gift tags - no lay out yet. however, it'll have the same contents as the invites na lang siguro.
5. Banner & Tarp : i have no layout yet. i am now working on the tarp, however i couldn't find a high resolution M&M clip art over the net!! grrr... i was able to crop out Lance's photo though and had it positioned on a 5x3 feet blank sheet. thank God for PhotoImpact! as for the banner, i am thinking of making a welcome banner which has Lance's 12 months' pictures. i have spoken to Mitch regarding her friend who's willing to print this out. hay, heaven sent talaga!
6. AVP : yep, i should do this! sayang naman yung venue kung wala nito. nope, wala pa akong nagagawa. perhaps, i'll make one in powerpoint na lang since i'm cramming already.
7. Games : Bingo, Guess How Many M&M's inside?, Pin the Tail on an M, and Dress Me Up! i need to make the M&M for pinning and have ate bel make the M costume pa! pressure!!!! i have 6 types of prizes for giving, although i secretly want to keep one. hehe.
8. Music : I'll have Lance's favorite CD played na lang siguro... hehehe. though i have downloaded some dance songs as well courtesy of Limewire. i still have to streamline the song lineup and have it burned on a CD. cramming!!!
9. Loot bag/Souvenir: i might have an M&M bag na lang filled with goodies for the kids. then for adults, i'll have shot glasses with M&Ms. for the loot bags, it would be nice to have M&M coloring book sana inside each bag but i couldn't find a downloadable print over the net. kainis!
10. Outfits : we don't have yet for now. pero it'll be nice if we could get a blue colored shirt for marvin, green for lance and red for me, just like our M&M characters. hehehe.
hopefully, i would be able to pull this off! iba na ang OC mom! hehehe.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
marvin called around 8:30 pm and invited me to go out. he said he wanted to unwind and suggested we go to Tambayan and have a few drinks. straight from work, he fetched me around 9:00 pm and off we went to the bar to chill out. while on our way, he said "see how small my world here in UAE is. i only have two friends at ikaw pa yung isa". of course, it's just a description but it did make me laughed. somehow, it's nice to know that at least, i am one of his friends and in times like unwinding, i get on the list to be invited. after two hours, 2 bottles of beer for him and a rum for me over a platter of calamares and fries, we headed for home and went fast asleep.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
after almost 15 days, me and lance are going back to UAE. marvin will be trying out as a chance passenger.... i will be coming back with a confused mind, a love and respect going down the drain and a trust that is completely broken. as to how marvin will fix things, that i do not know and is yet for me to find out. as for now, he claimed that everything's over between him and the girl. he told me that from now on i shouldn't worry about it. to show that he has nothing to hide anymore, i will now be taking care of his finances including allowances which he needs to send to the philippines. though i still have doubts on his claims i am risking again at the moment because lance embraces him at night, the delos reyes family loves lance so much and because i know he would do the best thing for lance (or the next best thing, at least). i made him choose which family he plans to build and he chose us. this is something i should hold on for now... (okay, aside from the fact that i know he got ditched out, bwahahaha).
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
me and lance had to come home to Manila ASAP for my father's wake. marvin said that we should take the Gulf Air flight so that it will be the three of us who will come back to UAE together.
the trip back to Manila was very difficult because lance is throwing off feats on the plane. good thing i was able to sit beside rolly's sister and another kind bicolana who helped me out in pacifying lance when he's at his worst. we arrived early in Manila and marvin fetched us at the airport. lance started showing off to his father. i was just casual as i don't have the energy to be angry at this time.
we reached home around 5 PM and i immediately went to tatay's casket. his face was so heavy and i felt his pain. i didn't cry as much as i have had too much crying yesterday and the days before already. it's as if all my tears ran dry. i felt angry inside but i was trying to hide it because i know it is too late. too late that i wasn't able to dance with my father on my church wedding, too late that i wasn't able to bring him in the UAE and enjoy its winter, too late that he wasn't able to see lance walking and talking, too late that we were not able to show him that he means so much to us... so sad.
me and lance stayed in my sister's house. during the funeral, all sorts of emotions and reasons for depressions came in. depression on what happened and what is happening in my families. i guess, it is also tatay's way of trying to fix things for me.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
i was taken off balance with the recent happenings at the start of the year that is why i wasn't able to formulate my 2008 resolutions on time. however, now that i have managed to be still i think it is just right to have my resolutions in placed. here goes...
- love and take care of myself - i have forgotten to take care of myself lately and i will try to be better on it this year. i need to stay pretty, cheerful and jolly. as what my friend tells me before, i should "keep smiling". i need to go to the parlor more often, stay focused in getting fit, eat and sleep right, have a positive outlook, and seek unfulfilled dreams with such gusto once more.
- love and take care Lance even more - i have been slack on this task as well. i have been so depressed that it affected my role of being a mom to my son. i promise to wake up in the early morning for his milk, check his diapers, play with him more often, feed him, go out with him and be patient with his kalikutan.
- value time - i have missed so many things and is now cramming to make up for the lost times because of procrastinating. from now on, i will try to stop sulking, stop sour-graping... but instead, do the things that i should be done.
- move on - a hard task to do but something to be done. i should be firm on this decision and stand by it. i should not be contented on what was offered but instead, demand on what i want and what i am entitled. otherwise, better to have none at all.
- pray more - i am lost and i need to find peace. i need to do this more often.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
you are not the first man that i have loved but i promised myself that you will be my last. i have gave my all to the point of not leaving some for me. you let me believed that you will never hurt me the way others did. and what do i get after all of these things... broken promises and shattered dreams.
sabi ko sayo noon, 1 or 0 lang. i won't take half or even 3/4. you agreed, you convinced me that i am the One. bakit ganon? i dunno when exactly you started lying. has it been a lie long before? hay, ang sakit-sakit. unexplainable how hurt i am.
when i first fell in love and get dumped, i feel like my heart has been broken down to a thousand pieces. ngayon, hindi lang thousand pieces because i am hurting not just for myself but for my baby. reconciliation? what is there to reconcile? we didn't fight because of something. i am letting you go because you don't love me anymore. yep, no need to deny it because i can feel the difference and i can see that your smiles are entirely different when you are with them.
i don't know what is to happen in the coming days. all i know is that ayoko nang ipagpilitan pa ang sarili ko. i don't like to hope that we could build a happy and peaceful family. enough is enough. it's a new year and i like to start a new life.
Monday, December 31, 2007
looking back with the year that passed, it was not bad after all. there are still many things i am thankful for although there are still things left unaccomplished. lemme start off with things i am thankful for:
- lance - of course! my baby and my life. everyday he's growing up to be adorable and makulit. we often wondered where he got his traits become he is so malikot, makulit and funny in his own way. if i have been beaten with walis ting-ting when i was still young because of my kamalditahan, then stop wondering where lance took his personalities. =) i am so thankful i gave birth to a healthy and bright baby boy.
- new friends - yeah, i have listed this as the 2nd because not only it is hard to find friends but it is even harder to find good friends here in the UAE. to mention, they are rolly, ely and molly... hahaha. their name rhymes! =) rolly's been helpful and i really find a "brother" in him. not an older or younger one, but someone of the same age. i could talk to him about family life, my work, my plans...minsan nga, nagi-guilty na ako because i could be consuming more of his time for his own family eh. but then again, i am very thankful for meeting him. the two new guys, sir ely and coach molly as i call them, were my other new friends. they are the most patient ones, of all my friends! hahaha. imagine, teaching a cat to swim??!!! of course, i am not a cat. but they were really supportive and patient in teaching me (and my kumareng jen) in playing tennis even if we hardly have the potential. anyhow, me and jen still scored A for Effort. =)
- family - i am thankful for my families who has been supportive, helpful and understanding. i thank my brothers and sisters who are always there. i thank my cousins here in the UAE who always visits me and lance. them, who help me take care of lance especially ate bel.
- work - for the financial needs i am getting out of it. yeah, yeah... even the learnings. =) i don't think i still have anything else to say about this matter as my issues were already flooding this blog. anyway, despite all the negative things i feel about it, i am still thankful i got a job. a job that helps me buy lance some milk, diapers and clothes. =)
- sanity - hahaha. yep, i am thankful i haven't lost it yet. with all the problems that battered (and still battling) me this year, i so thankful i am still sane. i just don't understand why some people are so hard to talk to and just couldn't decide what they want to do with their lives. if only my (or lance's) future will not get affected, i wouldn't care!!! the sad part is, that is not the case. with that, i am continuously trying to figure out what's on their heads and how to make them think straight. will they have a chance? i dunno.. i guess, it's what 2008 have to offer me --- to look forward that miracle happens and it will make difficult people a little less difficult. hehehe.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
i have laid back in blogging because i am uber busy these days. i am juggling between being a mom, a domestic goddess, a daughter, a worker, a tennis player, a choir member, a friend and a migrant wannabe.
as a mom... i had to take care of lance at least, even after office. he's closer to ate bel na nga than me eh. good thing, he still sleeps with us and i'm still the one who can lull him to a good night sleep. mas type nya kasi ang lullabye songs ko. =)
as a domestic goddess... just as soon as i change to my house clothes, i had to cook dinner. ate bel aren't into cooking eh. even if it's okay for her, i still prefer that i'll be the one to cook. masyado kasi nyang minamadali ang pagluluto, which i don't like. i feel na masyadong nasa-shock yung niluluto when done in a rush. =) imagine eating a shocked fish??! hahaha. ang weird, diba? with the fish's eyes looking at you... haha. also, friday is ate bel's off, therefore i had to be both a mom and a domestic goddess at the same time on that day.
a daughter... yep, lately even if i am miles away from home, i had to call every once in awhile and check the olds. the family is in the most difficult trial in a lifetime that needs resolving kasi. it's hard to get things done, especially that i am relying on my siblings to keep things under control. it's doubly hard that those involved are not interested to fix the problem. sigh... the least that i can do is check on them and pray.
a worker... things aren't good in this role of mine. i am pissed off with my superiors but i have no choice but keep working. if not for my son's future i could have given up... =( right now, i have four instruments for installation. four different processes to study.. cathodoluminescence, laser diffraction, centrifugal force, spectroscopy... plus other issues to settle. mababaliw na nga yata ako!
a tennis player... with all the roles that i am playing right now, this is what makes me feel alive. and why not??? i had tremendous body pain every sunday because i play tennis on saturdays. it all started after ramadan when i met two new friends (ely and molly) who had been so patient in teaching me and my friend (jen) how to play the game. we are not that good yet but at least, the tennis balls can now reach the end of the other court and we can now volley.
a choir member... oh-no.... this i have completely backed off. hopefully, not for long. but for how long, i don't know. i wanted so much to go back but my 24-hour is just isn't enough with all the things i need to do. hay. anyhow, i am hoping i could go back when lance finally walks on his own so that we could spend our mommy-baby bonding time singing with the choir. hehe.
as a mom... i had to take care of lance at least, even after office. he's closer to ate bel na nga than me eh. good thing, he still sleeps with us and i'm still the one who can lull him to a good night sleep. mas type nya kasi ang lullabye songs ko. =)
as a domestic goddess... just as soon as i change to my house clothes, i had to cook dinner. ate bel aren't into cooking eh. even if it's okay for her, i still prefer that i'll be the one to cook. masyado kasi nyang minamadali ang pagluluto, which i don't like. i feel na masyadong nasa-shock yung niluluto when done in a rush. =) imagine eating a shocked fish??! hahaha. ang weird, diba? with the fish's eyes looking at you... haha. also, friday is ate bel's off, therefore i had to be both a mom and a domestic goddess at the same time on that day.
a daughter... yep, lately even if i am miles away from home, i had to call every once in awhile and check the olds. the family is in the most difficult trial in a lifetime that needs resolving kasi. it's hard to get things done, especially that i am relying on my siblings to keep things under control. it's doubly hard that those involved are not interested to fix the problem. sigh... the least that i can do is check on them and pray.
a worker... things aren't good in this role of mine. i am pissed off with my superiors but i have no choice but keep working. if not for my son's future i could have given up... =( right now, i have four instruments for installation. four different processes to study.. cathodoluminescence, laser diffraction, centrifugal force, spectroscopy... plus other issues to settle. mababaliw na nga yata ako!
a tennis player... with all the roles that i am playing right now, this is what makes me feel alive. and why not??? i had tremendous body pain every sunday because i play tennis on saturdays. it all started after ramadan when i met two new friends (ely and molly) who had been so patient in teaching me and my friend (jen) how to play the game. we are not that good yet but at least, the tennis balls can now reach the end of the other court and we can now volley.
a choir member... oh-no.... this i have completely backed off. hopefully, not for long. but for how long, i don't know. i wanted so much to go back but my 24-hour is just isn't enough with all the things i need to do. hay. anyhow, i am hoping i could go back when lance finally walks on his own so that we could spend our mommy-baby bonding time singing with the choir. hehe.
a friend... this is a role i am not so very good at. i cannot say i have fulfilled this task quite well because if i would befriend myself, i would definitely plunk. i help friends through friends. does it make sense? all is can say is, i hope my friends pardon my shortcomings. i definitely love to spend time chatting with them, hear their sentiments, enjoy barbeque, go shopping with them, do crazy things... i just couldn't snatch a perfect timing right now. however, i will make up next year. pramis! =)
as a migrant wannabe... yeah, 2 more years to go and it would be the end for this goal. yep, i have set my 35th years of age as my final migration year. within that period, i should be able to submit the immigration application to the country where i want to migrate or else i should say goodbye. decision-making as to where's the best place to migrate is just tough. i haven't been to these countries (Canada, Australia or New Zealand??) and opinion varies. because of these, i have to do a lot of reading and research which are just so difficult to squeeze in my schedule. sigh...
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
our family had one and probably the biggest family problem we have encountered. my siblings had to actually hold meetings in order to talk about the issue and how to resolve it.
yeah, unfortunately, our mother has gone astray and she turned into someone we don't even know. our worries escalated when our father became a willing victim of the situation. we love them so much, but we also cannot tolerate wrong things and make it right. what's the use of all the character-building lessons in life that we acquired from them when in the end we'll have to break the rules?
anyhow, i hope things will all pass and we will be able to surpass this trial.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
since lance isn't giving me a hint which theme he likes for his party, i decided i'll choose for him instead. with all the choices i have, from spiderman, to winnie d pooh, to superman... he now has an M&M Party Theme! yipee!!! and since OC mommy ako, i am now starting my preparation. to start it off, me and his ninang Ellen went to the clothing area in salam to buy give-away telas... and just this morning, i've been tweaking with the http://www.becomeanmm.com/ for the personalized M&M character for his save the date card! and viola, see the finished products below! ganda ba? hehe, excited na ako...
Choice #1 - with a cake.. pink nga lang. daddy M's boots in white color.
Choice # 2 - without cake, but with party hat. daddy M's boots in brown color.
introducing the M&M family...
papa M, as in Marvin
Friday, October 12, 2007
maridel has been in the UAE since wednesday (oct 10) as a stop-over before she leave for UK. in this case, me and our gradeschool classmates (and fellow Bicutan gals na rin!) decided that it'll be the best time to have our second reunion. most have been married already, therefore it'll be the chance to meet each other's hubbies na rin.
we agreed to meet up in Mall of Emirates at around 3 pm but finally had a complete attendance at around 4 pm. after we had a snack, the boys and the girls splitted out and stroll around the shopping area. the girls discovered the "black hole" attraction in the arcade area. it was so funny! everyone's been tricked with the illusion that the bridge is rotating. hahaha.
when 7pm came, the tour operator picked us up and we've been brought to the Dubai Creek area for our Dhow Cruise. here are some snapshots of our gathering:
we agreed to meet up in Mall of Emirates at around 3 pm but finally had a complete attendance at around 4 pm. after we had a snack, the boys and the girls splitted out and stroll around the shopping area. the girls discovered the "black hole" attraction in the arcade area. it was so funny! everyone's been tricked with the illusion that the bridge is rotating. hahaha.
when 7pm came, the tour operator picked us up and we've been brought to the Dubai Creek area for our Dhow Cruise. here are some snapshots of our gathering:
the girls!... at the ship deck... sino si rose? =)
the friday bunch at the ship base... enjoying the music
the reunion was fun and full of hagikgikan.... hihihi. it's a good thing that even our hubbies and the Bicutan boys got along well, too. the girls, as usual... easily bonded. we will surely miss maridel and hopes she'll come back to UAE for another visit some time soon. or sooner?! hehe...
Thursday, September 20, 2007
in my eagerness to get back into shape, i have started with the tennis clinic i once tried before i got preggy. as usual, i am still the clumsy, unathletic-type kind of girl back in the gym. hehe. anyhow, i was able to shed some sweat, kaya okay na rin. basta, my goal is to make myself fit and pretty para makahanap ng magmamahal ("the fairytale kind of love"). ngehehehe.
before i rested my tired arms, nag-forum muna ako for awhile and came across tle Legal Rights section of GT and was able to browsed thru the "annulment" and "maintaining your maiden name after marriage" threads. natawa nga ako deep inside kasi nde lang pala ako ang gumawa nito. well, i do wanted to use marvin's surname. yun nga lang, unless we get married in the church i'd rather not muna. i don't feel i am the legal wife unless i feel and he proved to the world that he is proud to have me. yeah, emote na naman ako. =( i am still in the denial stage, alright. convincing myself that i did let go, yet deep inside i am holding on. hay. ang hirap.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
finally reported back to work after three weeks of hibernation in the philippines. for my first day, two folks commented na gumanda daw ako... asus!!! hahaha. kung alam lang nila that i looked like a witch prior to my hair rebonding. yep, though it isn't 6 months yet after giving birth, i have insisted to have my hair rebonded at David's salon to gain back my self-confidence. hay, tama bang ma-insecure! anyway, what's important is, i feel pretty. ngehehehe.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Church : Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Shrine (Rating:****)
the ceremony has been short and was held in tagalog. pinapili ako ni father and i opted for the tagalog version so even the kids can understand. only the godparents, family and some friends are in the church. yung mga guests na may dalang kids, mostly ay pina-diretcho ko na lang sa reception para nde hassle sa mga bata. the delos reyes family were also able to arrived at the reception only.
4 stars yung rating because i love this church for some personal reason. =) i subtracted 1 star kasi biglang umalis si father after the ceremony at nde agad ako nakahirit nang request na mag-stay siya for photo op. =( therefore, kasalanan ni father yun na 1 star less rating ko, hehehe.
the ceremony has been short and was held in tagalog. pinapili ako ni father and i opted for the tagalog version so even the kids can understand. only the godparents, family and some friends are in the church. yung mga guests na may dalang kids, mostly ay pina-diretcho ko na lang sa reception para nde hassle sa mga bata. the delos reyes family were also able to arrived at the reception only.
4 stars yung rating because i love this church for some personal reason. =) i subtracted 1 star kasi biglang umalis si father after the ceremony at nde agad ako nakahirit nang request na mag-stay siya for photo op. =( therefore, kasalanan ni father yun na 1 star less rating ko, hehehe.
baby lance was sleeping during the mass. he got awakened only when the priest started to pour the holy water into his head. nalamigan siguro...hehe.
definitely, an angel in my arms
a view outside the church with the godparents
Reception : Shanghai Garden Resort (Rating:*****)
the place and the services were superb. necy is nice at laging may available person to attend to our needs. even the guests love the place, especially the kids who got to swim sa pool after the event. =)
the place and the services were superb. necy is nice at laging may available person to attend to our needs. even the guests love the place, especially the kids who got to swim sa pool after the event. =)
Food : Blue Petals (Rating: ****)
my guests love the food. personally, i find their lengua something different yet yummy. first time kong nakatikim nun and i didn't even thought na yun yung dila ng baka... hehehe. services were good din naman except that in my observation, the waiters need to be more attentive in refilling drinks and attending to new guests.
my guests love the food. personally, i find their lengua something different yet yummy. first time kong nakatikim nun and i didn't even thought na yun yung dila ng baka... hehehe. services were good din naman except that in my observation, the waiters need to be more attentive in refilling drinks and attending to new guests.
Cupcakes and Choco Fountain : Sweet Affairs (Rating: ***)
the goodies were mouth-watering especially the fountain, but the 3-ounce cupcakes are still small for me. hehe. nothing is extraordinaire with the taste as well. however, Van was there to oversee yung set-up at kahit na meron pa siyang event on some other place, she was there before and after our event kaya okay na rin.
the goodies were mouth-watering especially the fountain, but the 3-ounce cupcakes are still small for me. hehe. nothing is extraordinaire with the taste as well. however, Van was there to oversee yung set-up at kahit na meron pa siyang event on some other place, she was there before and after our event kaya okay na rin.
Set-up: Balloon Kingdom (Rating:**)
dito lang ako disappointed sa suppliers ko because i was not that impressed sa actual set-up ng pillars and balloon clusters vs. the one i picked based sa portfolio. even the extras that she promised ay nde na-deliver. was it because i paid the whole amount due beforehand? nway...
dito lang ako disappointed sa suppliers ko because i was not that impressed sa actual set-up ng pillars and balloon clusters vs. the one i picked based sa portfolio. even the extras that she promised ay nde na-deliver. was it because i paid the whole amount due beforehand? nway...
Photo : Marq Oliver Photography (Rating: *****)
Oliver takes one stress away! stressful ang event but knowing that someone's taking the photos was something that reduces the stress. i couldn't imagine how it'll be kung walang kumukuha ng pix tapos busyng-busy ako with the guests. a heaven-sent friend talaga itong si Olie!
Oliver takes one stress away! stressful ang event but knowing that someone's taking the photos was something that reduces the stress. i couldn't imagine how it'll be kung walang kumukuha ng pix tapos busyng-busy ako with the guests. a heaven-sent friend talaga itong si Olie!
Tarpaulin : Simple Touch (Rating:*****)
had a 2.5 ft. x 5 ft tarp made by Simple Touch in 168 mall. lance is really gwapito. =) namili nalang ako ng design sa portfolio nila. i chose the under the sea design, kasi mala-pool party naman yung baptism ni baby eh.
Souvenirs/lootbag/prizes/guestbook/candlewrapper : DIY by me and my sister (Rating: *****)
everything were bought in divi except the printer ink. =) we have personalized everything by printing tags na may pic ni lance and event details. tapos yung guestbook, ginawa nalang din namin ng sis ko using American Greetings software and had it ringbinded for P30! hehe. ganda!
everything were bought in divi except the printer ink. =) we have personalized everything by printing tags na may pic ni lance and event details. tapos yung guestbook, ginawa nalang din namin ng sis ko using American Greetings software and had it ringbinded for P30! hehe. ganda!
the candle holders from front
candle holders pic taken from the back
behind this festive celebration, the baptism was kinda sad in a way. i remember, i was trying to hold back my tears while carrying my baby during the mass. i felt that marvin have been so cruel to stood up his own son's important event. somehow, the presence of his clan took some of the disappointments away. some... kasi up to this time, it saddens me that his family and mine weren't formally introduced. how could i? sobrang busy ako on the day! gustong-gusto ko na ngang umiyak even at the reception but doing so would all the more, spoil my son's event. pinigilan ko na lang din. sigh. ang mahalaga, kristiyano na si lance and i promise to raise him up to be a good boy. kasingbait ng mommy nya. =)
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
the essentials....
- Church - paid and reserved Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal for August 4 event. sa hinaba-haba ng prusisyon, dito rin pala ang church namin. hehe.
- Reception - paid and reserved Shanghai Garden Resort. i have visited the place with my sister and their customer service personnel, Necy' s very accommodating.
- Food - paid downpayment to Blue Petals. we shall be having our taste test this week. yummy! hehe.
- Guestlist - still waiting for RSVPs. sigh...
- Sponsor List - still waiting for Aldous and France's RSVPs.
- Cake - scrapped out of the list. =( however, red ribbon cake looks yummy. if there will be a spare money from the budget, i might get one as well. replaced the cake with chocolate fountains and cupcakes from Sweet Affairs. Van is such a darling! =) paid her downpayment already.
- Photo - called up Oliver already... ang gulo nya... ibitin nya lang ako at papatayin ko siya... hehe
- Video - no appointed videographer yet.
- Wardrobes - i was able to buy a blouse for myself for 300 bucks at 168.... hehe.
- Decor - ordered pillars and some baloon clusters from Balloon Kingdom.
- Tarpaulin - had a 2.5 ft. x 5 ft tarp made by Simple Touch in 168 mall. lance is really gwapito.
- Souvenirs/lootbag/prizes - souvenir for guests, partial lootbag contents and 3 pieces prizes were bought already. still need to personalized the souvenirs, organize the lootbags, make lootbags, and buy more prizes.
- will u be my godparent e-card - scrapped out of the plan since the ecard maker software that i was able to download was not that user-friendly, hehe.
- invitation - sent out save-the-date cards and baptism invites by email only and those that don't have email access were invited through sms. =)
- guestbook/guestsheet - no update yet
- centerpiece - will just have the flower centerpiece provided by the caterer.
- thank you card - no update
- gift tags - no update
- candle wrapper - no update
- baptismal rite - no update
- program - no update
Thursday, July 12, 2007
marvin, lance and me went to the gold souq area to look for necklace for lance. it was marvin's promise that he will buy us necklaces. i didn't actually look forward that he'll keep this promise but i went out with him anyway. he bought lance a necklace with a cross pendant. as for me, he asked me to choose a necklace. i did not. if he really wants to give me something, i will let him choose whatever he is willing to give and shell out. for the record, naluha ako that he actually bought me a necklace. why? because i don't expect it and it's something i really wanted to have but chooses not to buy because there are other more important things where my salary should go to. anyhow, i am thankful and somehow nabawasan ang insecurities ko.
updates are available on:
1. Church - Better Living Church is finally scrapped out of the choices. wala pala talagang Saturday ceremony for a baptism dun. therefore, we were back to Posadas and BPS church as choices. considering proximity of the church plus its rates, i therefore laidback with the splurging the emailed my sister to choose Simbayanan ni Maria Parish Church na nga lang. hehe. i'll just instruct Oliver not to take outside the church photos. perhaps, i could also make the ceremony special with a choir? this i have to check when i got back. sana may silbi ang pagiging ang aking ex-BPS student. *choosing all my fingers*
2. Reception - my sister finally paid the reservation for the Shanghai Garden Resort. yep, Aug 4 is totally ours and ours alone... ngehehehe.
3. Decor - my sister said she found someone who can do the decoration for us. i just dunno how much the rate will be. but as far as other suppliers are concerned, i got a quotation for a venue dress up for 5K pesoses (without the transpo and other ek-ek fee). grabe noh, decor lang ganun na kamahal. will check out this supplier that my sister mentioned and see how it goes.
4. Cake - i have sent an inquiry to another supplier based in QC, the Quintbelles. I do hope they give a better quote. hehe. try lang...
almost everything's working out well for Lance baptism preparation. okay na sana ang buhay, if not the insurance card and visa and our trip back home. hay naku. idadaan ko na lang sa prayers ito, kasi parang hopeless case na rin that we get the visa on time and we'll go home with his dad on the 20th. =(
Thursday, July 05, 2007
so far, amidst my pagkainis and aside from the daily improvement of Lance weight and health, the preparation for his baptism keeps me excited and mellow. as of now, here's the update!
the important ones:
- church - shortlisted now the Our lady of the Miraculous Medal Parish (aka Posadas church), since United Paranaque church do not have a saturday ceremony, Better Living Church is not accommodating enough to non-parishioners, Simbayanan ni Maria looks degraded now...
- reception venue - the Shanghai Garden Resort (www.shanghaigardenresort.com) yipee!!! pencil booked the August 4th date already.
- food - Blue Petals, most probably since it is the only well-known caterer inside Paranaque area.
- guestlist - trimmed down to a hundred.
- sponsor list - finalized. the ninong's will be Ariel, France, Reggie and Aldous while the ninang's will be Fe, Elena, Lea and Marifer.
- cake - pencil booked with Recipe's and Magic
- photo - Marq Oliver Photography... for free!!!!!! another yippee!!! (www.marqoliver2005.multiply.com)
- video - our own miniDV cam. no appointed videographer yet.
- wardrobes - no update
- souvenir / lootbag / prizes - no update
- will u be my godparent ecard - no update
- invitation - drafted the online invite
- guestbook/guestsheet - no update
- centerpiece - no update
- thank you card - no update
- gift tags - no update
- candle wrapper - no update
- baptismal rite - no update
- program - no update
badtrip na badtrip ako kay marvin since yesterday. i just didn't get the reason why he has to choose his work over Lance's needs when he is supposed to resign from his job na naman. with that, sobrang gahol na kami to have Lance's visa settled before we get to go home. nanggigigil talaga ako sa inis. ewan ko ba, para siyang babae! ang bagal mag-desisyon sa buhay... grrr.... mabagal na, paiba-iba pa. buti sana kung hindi naka-depend yung legal documents ni Lance sa kanya. that's why, i really don't prefer to have Lance future rely on him dahil walang kakahinatnan for sure dahil sa sobrang uncertain ng mga plans at diskarte nya. grrr..... i even skipped from work just to get the salary certificate from his office na wala pa naman pala. kung nde ka ba naman makakapatay ng tao!!! at ako pa ang pagagalitan dahil dali-dali daw ako mag-decide to skip work! eh an hour before i leave the office when i told him that i'd rather be the one to get that damn document but he has to make sure it's there. i wasn't able to get any reply so i presumed okay na and left. tapos, wala pa rin pala!!
then, speaking to him regarding his supposed to be resignation, he changed his mind na daw!!! ayun, nagtapon na naman kami ng AED 300 for Lance visa application na nde na magagamit dahil nagbago na naman isip nya. kakabadtrip talaga. nauubos na savings ko dahil lang sa mali-maling desisyon na na ako ang nagbabayad. i don't want to sound so materialistic about it pero hello.... tama ba yun na mapunta lang sa wala yung mga pinag-ipunan ko just because nagbago isip nya???!!!! ewan ko, as i was always saying, he is a hopeless case.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
we plan to have baby Lance's christening on the 28th of July instead of August 4. anyhow, with such short time and being hundred of miles away, i am in a panicky mode as i haven't even accomplished any of the preparation need- and wish-to-haves. anyhow, here's my checklist which i will try to update every once in awhile:
- church: nothing final yet. still undecided and unregistered. we already have 3 choices in mind, which are United Paranaque church, Better Living Church and Posadas Church. all within taguig area.
- reception venue : nothing final yet. still undecided and unreserved. we have 2 choices for now, the Villa Juanita in bagumbayan and the Alcatrocks inside Better Living Subd. picked due to proximity to the churches mentioned above.
- food : nothing final yet. eyeing for Blue Petals' menu for 100 persons. might lessen the number of guests due to budget constraints.
- guestlist : list is still on draft mode and formal invitations are not yet sent. tentatively, 100 guests. the more, the merrier. =)
- sponsor list : still on draft mode. so far our list includes ninongs to be ariel and aldous while ninangs will be fe, elena, fer, marianne and lea. we still have to think and finalize this list and send out favor request. to note, ang hirap to get ninang/ninong in the philippines! not unlike here in the uae, ninangs/ninongs were all in a voluntary basis during conception palang! hay, how i wish ellen and jen could be in the philippines to be the ninangs para no doubt ako that baby Lance will be taken cared of when something goes wrong with me. knock on wood! hehehe.
- cake : wishing to have a cupcake tree. shortlisted suppliers are French Kiss, Recipes and Magic, Gervy's, Sugarbox.
- photo : shortlisted suppliers are Ging Lorenzo, Jeff & Pia and probably Oliver's photography if he gives me a friendly rate, hihi.
- video : will probably use my miniDV cam. i just haven't nominated who among my nephews will be the official videographer of the day. =) i need to bring the tripod though kahit hassle sa luggage.
- wardrobes : christening wardrobes for the baby, parents and grannies. i already bought Lance's party dress in Red Tag last week (my only accomplishment so far!). cute siya and formal. i'm sure, Lance will be so cute in it.
- souvenir / lootbag / prizes: still clueless on what and where to get a useful yet cutey souvenir. i will just visit divi at the last minute for the loot bag and prizes. gawin daw bang photo-finish. =)
as for not-so-important but hoping i could get done do-it-yourself projects, the list goes as:
- "will u be my godmother/godfather" e-card : e-card making software downloaded already. poem requested via my GT forumer and is waiting for her response. i just don't have anymore of those creativity juice flowing... =(
- invitation : poem was written by my GT forumer, isisalexi! thanks sis! although all photos are available already, i still cannot make this as i have no church/venue details yet.
- guestbook / guestsheet : yep, i haven't decided which of the two to make... hehe.
- centerpiece : i have made the collage already although i am not sure if this will print out just fine. will print test it this week.
- thank you card : i already have the text waiting to be used. hihi.
- gift tags : for the kids' loot bag and guest souvenirs.
- candle wrapper : of course, for the candles! hehe. like the others, pure idea palang. no realization yet.
- baptismal rite : i have a sample already (from a forumer also) but not the one from the "supposed to be" church. technically, idea palang din ito. =)
- program : vina agreed to be my host, had 2 games in mind but still doesn't have a final program.
Friday, June 15, 2007
I've been living with a shadow overhead
I've been sleeping with a cloud above my bed
I've been lonely for so long
Trapped in the past, I just can't seem to move on
I've been hiding all my hopes and dreams away
Just in case I ever need em again someday
I've been setting aside time
To clear a little space in the corners of my mind
All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
Oh oh oh
I've been watching but the stars refuse to shine
I've been searching but I just don't see the signs
I know that it's out there
There's got to be something for my soul somewhere
I've been looking for someone to shed some light
Not somebody just to get me through the night
I could use some direction
And I'm open to your suggestions
All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
And if I open my heart again
I guess I'm hoping you'll be there for me in the end
oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
There are moments when I don't know if it's real
Or if anybody feels the way I feel
I need inspiration
Not just another negotiation
All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
And if I open my heart to you
I'm hoping you'll show me what to do
And if you help me to start again
You know that I'll be there for you in the end
oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
-------
this is the OST of the movie Music and Lyrics which featured my favorite actress, Drew Barrymore. nope, i don't relate to either the song or the movie. i just posted this song because i like the tempo. as for finding the way back into love.... i'm not actually expecting such miracle to happen.
I've been sleeping with a cloud above my bed
I've been lonely for so long
Trapped in the past, I just can't seem to move on
I've been hiding all my hopes and dreams away
Just in case I ever need em again someday
I've been setting aside time
To clear a little space in the corners of my mind
All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
Oh oh oh
I've been watching but the stars refuse to shine
I've been searching but I just don't see the signs
I know that it's out there
There's got to be something for my soul somewhere
I've been looking for someone to shed some light
Not somebody just to get me through the night
I could use some direction
And I'm open to your suggestions
All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
And if I open my heart again
I guess I'm hoping you'll be there for me in the end
oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
There are moments when I don't know if it's real
Or if anybody feels the way I feel
I need inspiration
Not just another negotiation
All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
And if I open my heart to you
I'm hoping you'll show me what to do
And if you help me to start again
You know that I'll be there for you in the end
oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
-------
this is the OST of the movie Music and Lyrics which featured my favorite actress, Drew Barrymore. nope, i don't relate to either the song or the movie. i just posted this song because i like the tempo. as for finding the way back into love.... i'm not actually expecting such miracle to happen.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
my application for a december vacation was denied. =( i feel bad about it since i've been hoping for a yuletide holiday in the philippines. a mid-july to mid-august vacation was approved though. oh well, i might as well go and take a break after all my hard work, be it personal or professional. i really think i deserve one. =)
in between today and before leaving abu dhabi, i really should finallize the things (the legal requirements for my new quest, hehe) i should attend to in the philippines. while in the philiipines and in between the christening of baby Lance, i also should roam around the island and enjoy my stay. how's that for a plan?
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
among other problems i have right now, i feel so depressed upon knowing i have a whooping 1,500 AED dirhams telephone/internet bill!!!! hay, para akong nanganak ng 2 beses. =( i had lots of expenses these past two months but of all things that got my attention were those wasted on unimportant things such as phone bills and unused visas. nakakapanlumo and nakakapanhinayang when i could have invested these money to business with lea sana, instead of going down the drain. hay. anyway, what to do yani???!! damage has been done and i had to literally pay for it.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
"umiiyak ang aking puso't nagdurusa, ngunit ayokong may makakita..." the lyrics of a song that's just right for what i am feeling right now. why? my hubby committed the same mistake all over again. i don't hear any more of his promises. even if i do so, i can't seem to believe it any way. i am not sure what to believe anymore. i am really disappointed at him.
as of this time, one thing i am sure of is... Lance Ralen will be my top most priority. he will be the reason of all that i will be doing. my plans and goals will shift from now on.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
i just gave birth to the most beautiful baby in the world! =) you can read the exciting birth process on my other blog (www.preggymai.blogspot.com). i just wanna add that this day was something extraordinaire for me as i am now officially a mommy. it was a different happy feeling. it was like my world shifted from my husband to my son, at an instant. =) from this day on, i will try to be the greatest (at least, almost perfect) mommy there will ever be. ikaw na magka-anak na gwapo. eh di lahat ng pwede mong i-promise, gagawin mo. hihi.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
we both have 2-days off today, birthday kasi ng prophet ng mga muslims.. we just stayed in the house the whole day wherein he just slept most of the time and i have been tidying up the place while he is enjoying his sleeping moments. anyhow, when the parttimer that i have contacted came in, i woke him up and asked him to transfer to the other room as he will surely be disturbed when the cleaner starts her work. he obliged naman and made lambing pa nga. it was really odd because he was not the type who will be in a good mood when you wake him up. siguro, feel nya that i am really angry.
instead of going back to sleep, he just watched TV na lang in the living room. he asked me if i am not hungry yet as we haven't taken our lunch still even if it is almost 3 PM. told him, i am indeed hungry but is not in the mood to cook lunch. he then made lunch for both of us. sauteed tuna. okay naman kasi yung Rio tuna yun eh, it's yummy talaga. =) he was constantly making lambing the whole time. hmp.
the cleaner was able to tidy up the terrace area and our john. after the parttimer left, i decided to handwash my two blouses and then hubby came to the room and asked me if i am not bored. told him that i am bored, that is why i am keeping myself busy and hinted him that maybe he should do the same. syempre, ni-dedma niya yung sinabi ko. after finishing up my laundry, he asked me to lie beside him on the bed. that is when, we had this all sorts of talk. about plans, frustrations, etc. nag-heart-to-heart talk kami, finally! the talk did well naman, at least he heard me na this time.
the outcome??? i allowed him to have his vacation this May and the three of us will go home in December. maybe not all at the same time, but we will surely be in the Philippines to have our wedding day and/or baptism for our baby this year. yun lang naman ang gusto kong marinig eh, to have a concrete plan for the two important events. =) mahirap ba yun pagbigyan???
Friday, March 30, 2007
nagtatampo talaga ako sa hubby ko. he is decided already to have his vacation this coming May. eh bakit nga ba ayaw ko? simply because i cannot go with him because at that time, i would have just given birth. so??? i dunno where to start why i feel this way. what do i feel nga ba?
i feel that...
- we don't have the same plans / priorities.
- he just don't see what is important to me and what would make me happy. kahit na anong gawin kong explain or mention what is important to me, nde naman niya iniintindi. ni nde nga binigyang pansin eh. =(
- nde kami ng baby ko ang first priority nya. siguro, if i had to list down yung mga taong important sa kanya, ni wala kami sa top 10 and the sad part is, he is not making an effort to make us feel otherwise.
aside from his medical check-up, his reason for going home was to unwind. according to him he is just so stressed here in the UAE. stressed in all aspects, job, surrounding, etc. perhaps even with me. imagine that... pag uwi nya from office, he doesn't even have to cook. i can claim that i am taking care of him as what a wife should supposed to do. despite of which, stressed pa rin siya!!! yung iba ngang OFW, they have to cook, wash clothes, etc. pagkagaling sa work. pero siya, no need na and yet stressed pa rin! gusto ko na ngang sabihing, he might as well stay in the philippines and not to come back anymore. hmp. sabi nya magkaiba daw kasi kami, mataas daw kasi stress level tolerance ko. i was the one who even has to make all the plans and who thinks of my baby's yaya eh. ni hindi ko nga pinapa-problema sa kanya yun or financially needs his support! =( ewan ko, i just don't see any justification sa kino-complain nya.
with that, i decided na lang to go home this july and give my baby a baptism without him or his family. what for pa? nde nga kami important sa kanya eh, what more sa family nya. tama nga ako. there's no point planning for a future with him. tatanda ako nang maaga kung palaging ganito. when baby finally comes into this world, i will just be a mommy but won't be a wife anymore.
Friday, March 16, 2007
being a friday and a day of rest, hubby and me woke up late. we did not attend the friday mass today as i am not feeling so well and is having all these pregnancy dull moments. he made a breakfast of hotdogs with catsup and some onions. something yummy naman, aside from the fact that i missed purefoods hotdog so much. mag-plugging ba. hehe. as always, i do appreciate him making breakfast for me.
after our brunch and a couple of hours of watching tv, hubby made an invitation for a nap. i declined to follow him because i still have to do my chore of doing the laundry. wala na kasi siyang uniform eh. all were soiled and i need to make sure he has something to iron tonight. hihi. in fairness, each time i went inside our room, he always asked me to take a nap. i don't want to go into details, basta sweet siya today. =) when he finally decided to wake up fully, he said that we will go out.
after taking our shower, we indeed went out and had a stroll in the city. we went pinoy grocery-hopping. haha. mga walang magawa. we noticed how the weather had changed, maalinsangan na. but then again, i just needed this stroll because my edema's getting worse to worst. buti na lang, hubby was kind enough to accompany me in doing some leg exercises. =)
Thursday, March 15, 2007
me and hubby went to a travel agency to pay for my sister's ticket. grabe, it took us more than an hour just for that. daming passengers! anyhow, the PTA ticket price was just exorbitant! imagine, he paid AED 3,320 + 2% surcharge fee. naaawa nga ako eh because it costs almost his entire monthly salary but i have chosen not to give in, para naman maging responsible siya financially and that he learns to save for his child.
before, whether PTA or not, round-trip ticket just costs 2K to 2.5K AED. but now, tickets that have passengers originating from Manila pays twice as much. their explanation was that these airlines have upgraded their system. but it was not a big "upgrade" if i may say. just because it can send travel advisories online, will cost each passenger $300 more???!!! kainis di ba? anyway, sister dear will be here in UAE on the 2nd of april via etihad airlines.
by the way, our director went to my office this afternoon. he asked me to do another job for him and this time he also asked for silvía to check my work prior to my submission. it was okay, at least on speaking terms na ulet kami despite the reason that i couldn't bring myself to look straight to his eyes. nahihiya ako for my kapalpakans which were just so petty but destructive.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
addendum to my previous post, i got scolded by our director today. he was just furious!!! ang high-profile nga eh, director pa ang nagagalit sa akin. i just dunno know how that error (singular lang huh) missed my eyes. if i made him mad the last time, this time he was extremely overly mad. according to him, i made him look bad in the eyes of his not-so favorite person in PI. however, i also did not like that to happen but what can i do? i am just human, prone for errors. hay. still, i had cried a river. =( i wrote him an email to seek for his apology and before the day ends, i got a reply that he just overacted with what transpired.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
contrary to my expectation of a scolding by our director, i wasn't able to get one today. i submitted the technical evaluation the other day, took him a day to check it and this day he forwarded it to the procurement manager without any corrections. he hates mistakes kasi and as he reminded me last week, we cannot afford to have one. not these days or in any other days. it this is the reason why i wasn't able to get a promotion this year, i still think it is unfair. hello??!!! i was the one making all these technical evaluations kahit na magkanda-duling-duling na ako sa dami! nde naman sa nag-rereklamo ako. hehe. my point is, i should be given some credits for this effort. imagine, i have to think of the all our laboratories needs, then all these people have to ask me where is this, or that. hello??!!! ako ba tanungan ng nawawalang beaker at kung ano-ano pa??!! ano pa use ng database, when they are just so tinatamad to check it. buti na lang, kabisado ko where everything is supposed to be. hay naku, venting lang.
anyway, making these technical evaluations were not that difficult naman. it's just that medyo nakakaduling lang talaga when there are just so many items to evaluate or incomplete/new informations that i have to research pa, just to evaluate sensibly. but somehow, i am thankful that i was the one making it at this time. at least, nde ako feeling useless now that i don't have that much laboratory works. also, searching for informations that were greek to me adds a little something to my coconut. like differences/advantages of having incremental vs. absolute rotary encoder, optical vs. laser plummet, etc. wala lang, not my field but nice to know. =)
Sunday, March 11, 2007
i had a terrible day at the office. =( i don't wanna talk about it for it would make my night a terrible one as well. all i can say is, i would expect a much terrible day tomorrow. hay, kasi...kasi... no one to blame but me. oh well, as for the day's other happenings...
- i woke up so late that i wasn't able to take a decent breakfast. i just snatched the choco-mocca biscuit at the cupboard and munched it when i reached the office. oh, i also brought sliced pears and 2 bananas from home. =)
- i had tons of desk work that i only had chicken soup for lunch (a soup where i couldn't find a single chicken strip...). the soup for the hungry soul and bulgy stomach..hehe.
- the recreation committee's organizing an Egypt trip slated on April 8-12 and staying at Hilton Hotel. why, oh why??!!! of all times, do they have to schedule it on days i can't possibly go?? nakakainis! i repeat, nakakainis to the max!!!!
- our PRO refused to attend to my request of visa application for my sister. he suggested i go down to the Abu Dhabi Immigration Department myself. ako pa??!! nway, straight from the office, i went to the said government agency. i got there around 4:15 PM. the guard was nice and he instructed me for the procedure and where to go to. i went first to have the application written online and printed out (this is outside the immigration building, right side) to be attached to the required documents. the documents that i brought are me and my sister's passport copies, her photo (which i just grabbed from her friendster account and printed from my office's printer, hehe) and my salary certificate written in arabic. it costs me 25AED for that application letter which was also written in arabic. then, i bought an e-card with empost (courier) entitlement that costs 117 AED in all (100 AED for the visa, 10 AED for the empost and probably 7 AED for the card?? hehe). i finished attending to with these documents at around 5 pm. i went back to the immigration building (left side), took a number slip which serves as a queue. my slip reads i'm customer #0631 and they are currently serving customer # 0540!! ohmigosh! quite a long queue and my baby's having his tantrums already because of hunger. since i am pretty sure it'll take me centuries before i can have my turn, i went out and luckily found a vendo machine and had a cup of hot choco instead. i climbed up the stairs going to the big building where there are 3 adjoining seats at each side of the stairway. i sat on one of the seats, drank my coco and ate one of the bananas i hurriedly placed in my bag this morning. i don't care whether walang ka-poise-poise yung meal ko and that i had to bite into that banana in public! gutom na si baby and i don't think i could last that long with him doing somersaults inside my tummy until i don't give in to his demands. =) after a couple of minutes of being full, my bladder felt its needs to empty out as well. i went down, checked the queue... customer #0584... still a long way to go! so, i surveyed the whole immigration department for a sight of a john, which i luckily found at the left side of the big building, ground floor. ang galing mo talaga, myleen! haha. i took a refreshing leak and went back to the visa (leftside) building afterwards and waited there for my #0631st turn. however, with angels on my side making up for my bad day, the person seated beside me seemed to have lost his/her patience that he/she left his/her slip. i dunno the pronoun to use since i wasn't able to see the person responsible. all i did noticed was that a #0621 slip was at the seat beside me ready for taking. syempre, i am just a smart human so i innocently slid my hands into it. hihi. yeepee!! customer #0621!!! around 7:00 PM, "my" new number was called and i was able to submit my sister's visa application which i will just wait after 3 days for a courier to deliver right by our doorstep. before i left the building, i gave my customer # 0631 slip to a fellow kabayan na kahit na ini-snob ako, it's my way of paying it forward to the good angels and grant to her my unused slip. at exactly, 7:15 PM, i was out of the immigration department. =)
some things to take note though...
- the immigration department do not take cash for payment. that's the use of the e-card that i bought from the typing folks outside the immigration office.
- i saved roughly 50 AED, against having this visa processsed by our PRO who charges me 220AED/visa. hmp!
- i only had a regular visa for processing which was 100 AED. an extra 100 AED is required should one wants the visa processed and claimed after an hour.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
after my confrontation with my hubby and a phonecall to the concerned girl, i have once again made a phonecall to the same girl and asked for her view on the matter. according to her, i shouldn't be "worried" for anything that could happen between her and my hubby as there wouldn't be any because she is aware of the status of my husband. based from our conversation, it was reassuring to hear her side of the story. as to how much of it is true, that i am not so sure. but if i had to base my "peacefulness" with that, i could say it is acceptable. whether they are telling me the truth or not, i choose now to leave things as it is and treat it settled. anyway, i always believe in karma. so if they treat me bad, i always get the good karma. hehe. snatching my hubby is not as bad as snatching my baby anyway. hahaha.
Friday, March 02, 2007
with the recent controversy over the Kris Aquino and James Yap marriage, almost everybody's heart goes out to Kris inclding mine. i was so sad on what has transpired between the two of them, or should i say, the four of them (including the third party and the innocent child). however, i have never imagined that i would be in the same situation as Kris.
yesterday, i was able to read my hubby's YM transcripts with his supposedly "bestfriend" back in the philippines. yes, it was an invasion of privacy but hubby had given me his online account passwords for me to check out on him once in awhile and prove to me that how faithful he is. however, his conversion with this girl was different. it seemed to me that they have some sort of a "history" together. well, past is past. if they indeed has one, i wouldn't mind as long as he tells me the truth and promised not to continue it again.
after reading the the said logged conversation, i was really shaking. i don't know if it's because of anger with hubby's dishonesty, pity on myself and our baby, or hatred for the girl for messing with our married life. i called the girl and calmly relayed to her how she's making me feel. hoping that as a girl, she would somehow understand the situation and hopefully won't tolerate hubby's flirting. i know naman kasi, even if a guy flirts, when the other party don't respond, he'll eventually stop. i have called the girl because i cannot expect guys to stop flirting, it's in their nature. well, i'm speaking generally. i was hoping that she being a girl and supposed to be "just a bestfriend", would take the initiative to shun away from hubby on her own. although my conversation with the girl got cut-off, i somehow managed to get the message across. after that phonecall, i called hershey and cried. cried to the max. i am so sad. tama si Kris, this belongs to one of the saddest days of a wóman's life.
after an hour of pouring out to my friend hershey my heartaches, i have decided to go out. actually, hubby and me are supposed to go out today. but after i took my shower, i immediately took off without speaking or waiting for him to be ready. i need to cool my head off, think and be calm before i confront him. i went to the church instead, asked for God and Mama Mary's help and for them to take care of my baby even if i am in such a mess. i joined in the Station's of the Cross novena and somehow felt that Jesus is sharing my pain. i couldn't help to cry even at church. syempre, medyo pigil with all those people around. i have asked for guidance as to what to do and poured what my heart feels. i believe that Mama Mary listens to my prayers and helps me with my heart desires. when hubby and i are still going out, i have asked Mama Mary if he's the one and after we got married, i even asked her to grant us with a little baby. she has answered my prayers and i was hoping she will guide me again today as to what's the best thing to do or say or believe in.
i went home around 7PM finding hubby watching TV. obviously, he knows there is something wrong with me as he is very silent. i turned off the TV and told him we need to talk. i told him that i knew about his conversation with this girl. i asked him to explain things to me. he has told me that everything was just "playing around" and that it shouldn't make me feel less loved. he said that it is still the insecurity and jealousy that's killing me and that shouldn't be the case as he has never cheated on me. he promised not to chat with the girl again. a promise that i am not so sure he would keep but still hoping he would for our baby's sake. anyhow, he knows how affected i am. i have asked him if he wants to leave me or don't love me anymore. he answered that it was only me who was entertaining that idea. he embraced me and my tummy, kissed me, stroke my hair, reassured me... the sorts of things he used to do to weaken my angry heart. it did.
honesty, i was prepared for a break-up no matter how much i love him. i dunno what to believe in him anymore, but i always hold on to his decisions. if this is a sign of being foolishly in love, then i am one of the fools. i am holding on because of our baby and our family. i don't want him to grow up without a dad. i don't want him to grow up confused as to where to go home to. what i really wanted is a happy family. as long as hubby hold on to us as well, i will choose to believe to what he is saying. however, i hope God will help us to be true to ourselves and keep us binded to achieve all these.
Friday, February 23, 2007
after finally figuring out how to operate our sewing machine (thanks to my friend ellyn!), i finally found the courage to make my first ever masterpiece. hehe.
with all the retasos from the bedding that ellyn made for me, i tried patching things up and made a cover for our bread toaster. i won't post a photo anymore since it hasn't achieved that masterpiece quality. haha. medyo malaki siya than what it was supposed to be. however, since it still served the purpose of covering the damn toaster, pde na ring pagtiyagaan. =)
oh yeah, i haven't posted that around two weeks ago i was able to repair hubby's jeans and my maternity wear splendidly. naks! pinangangatawanan ko pagiging homemaker noh. actually, what made me really, really pursue learning to operate the sewing machine was the fact that hubby wanted to buy a new pair of jeans. haha. sayang kaya... pang-grocery na rin ang 100 dirhams noh. when i sewed his torn jeans, it looks good as new. bilib nga siya eh! hihi.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
i really don't expect anything special to happen this day or on any other Valentine's Day as my hubby is not that kind of guy. well, i have to live with it amongst other weaknesses included in the package. hehe.
anyhow, the day turned out different. when i got home from the office, he greeted me and i replied back casually. then he asked if i have seen his gift for me at the dining room. i said, i haven't and how i wished it was something tasty. haha, napaghaha-halata! before i go and see it, i told him it must not be a joke or i'd kill him. ;) so, off i went to the dining area and saw a single red rose, stuck in my vase. well, that's the vase where i put fresh flowers that i receive. it was kilig na rin since this was the first time i receive a flower from him that was bought. =) before, he gave me some roses too (not on a Valentine's Day), but it was just plucked from his inang's collections. at least, now he managed to buy me one na. improving...!!! haha.
more to that, we had dinner in one of the restos in the city. not a fine dining one, as he went home late from work so we figured out that fine dining at that hour means a crowded place with expats from all over. so we just had a quiet dinner in one continental restaurant with a candle at your table to make it romantic nonetheless. overall, the night was okay na rin. at least, valentine's day did not passed us by just like that.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
written by Arthur Golden
i don't have any idea about geisha's aside from what it seemed to imply from reviews that it was some sort of traditional prostitutes. however, after finishing this book, i definitely feel it was far from its assumption. my favorite character is Sayuri because of her innocence, her determination to change the course of her life, her strength to rise from her struggles, her love that kept her going...
the story has vividly shown the traditions and trainings of those that become geishas. the art involve and the discipline required. somehow, it represents that geishas deserve the honor that they are getting from their clients and from other villagers as well.
this book is not a love story but it is a good read to be acquianted with Japan's culture and in understanding the life of geishas. a story that shows how life can turn out positively despite its hardships.
Monday, January 22, 2007
8 P.M., Le Meridian Hotel, Talay Restaurant... this was where we met up to have our Ladies' Night Out with colleagues (me, Jovy, Pilar and Silvia). it was a Thai restaurant. at first, i wasn't too excited about the place since the Thai food i was able to taste back in the Philippines is just okay, but not that grand to actually crave into.
however, for tonight it was something different. the menu list is helpful as it had pictures of cute little chilis beside the name of the menu to guide the picker as to how "hot" the food is. 1 little chili for mild, 2 little chilis for moderate and 3 little chilis for above average hotness... hehe. we had soup for starters. i don't remember the thai name for the soup that i had. but it is a clear soup with prawns, mushrooms, asparagus, bell peppers and brocolli. no chili please! =) it was good! as i finish it up, i can't believe i was able to eat something with garlic! hihi. yep, it has garlic also, but i only notice (and tasted) it at the last portion after i have devoured the rest of the stuffs in the soup. hehe.
for the main menu, we had a seafood grill of all sorts... prawns, lobster, hammour and other types of fishes with butter and lemon sauce and a chili sauce, to choose from. we also had seafood fried rice on the side and mixed veggies to go along with the seafood feast. of course, we ordered a bottle of red wine to go with the carbos. i had a few sips so little baby was kinda tipsy that made him behaved while mommy do some socializing. hihi. overall, the food was just great and the chit-chat was not so bad as well! =)
Thursday, January 11, 2007
jhen's hubby, jasper, is on land at this moment (he's usually out in the sea to work, hehe). jhen and i decided to have dinner at home so jasper and marvin could have a little chat before jasper went out to his waterworld again. =)
anyway, for dinner, i prepared my ever delicious caldereta and "laing". it was my first time to cook "laing" (taro leaves) and it wasn't so bad huh! i also invited elyn and josie to come over, so aside from being tonight as jasper and marvn's chat session, it was also a chat session for me and my future "kumare's". yep, the three of them will be my son's godmothers here in UAE being the closest friends that i have on this side of the planet.
elyn also baked scrumptious cassava cake. it was her first time to do some baking and it turned out great already. may future huh! hehe...
the day ended past 12 midnight already. though everyone's still on the mood to chat, we decided to call the day off since some still have work tomorrow. everybody went home with a smile though. sarap chumika talaga in the company of friends! hehe.
Monday, December 25, 2006
i have prepared a oven-baked milkfish, beef balls with sweet and sour sauce and buko pandan salad for our Noche Buena feast. nope, no chicken today please!!! hehe. hubby and i had a quiet dinner together. we did not wait for 12 AM as we were supposed to attend the Midnight Mass at St. Joseph's Church. we went down our building around 11:15 PM and waited for a taxi cab that will take us to the church. since today is an ordinary day for non-Christians, taxis are not that abundant at this time of the night. luckily, we were able to get one at around 11:45 PM, just in time for the mass.
at the church, there was a huge crowd gathered at the grounds to hear the Holy Word. nationalities of all sorts, but mostly flocked by indians and filipinos. the weather was cold as expected. although one could feel the unity by having a common mass for any nationality, i still think that a separate mass for each laguage would be better to avoid such big crowd. anyhow, we were able to hear the mass proceedings until the Homily part, as my hubby felt so ill that we had to rush back home.
Friday, December 15, 2006
my hubby's karate club had their christmas gathering today at the corniche ground. i was invited by my hubby to tag along, in order for me to meet his karate friends and at the same time be their "photographer/videographer" as well. kaya pala ako isinama!!! =)
their stint started around 10 AM with individual demonstration of skills and then followed by group demo. they also had a fight match amongst each other. watching my hubby fight was kinda funny. hehe. he looked like a school kid challenged to a fight by a bully. =)
after all the karate show-offs we had lunch together with these karate guys. ang daming food!! we had different meat dishes, pancit, cassava cake, etc. with all these delicacies, me and "baby" in my tummy are happy eventhough we are just guests. hihi.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
i have been feeling "less important" the past days at work since i now work less at the lab. however, taking in-charge of the SEM and thin section presentation for the Open Day yesterday have made up my self-esteem. Aside from the vocal praises i received from our director, i also received a documented one. hehe. here's what he says...
All,
I would like to thank everyone for their participation in the Open Day yesterday. I think it went very well. We’ll see how many students decide to major in Geoscience. I particularly want to thank Myleen (Great job!), Silvia (Students really seemed to be interested in fossils!), James and his earthquakes, Jovy, Sree, Vicky, Pilar, and the faculty who spent the entire day interacting the students (classes permitting). I can’t overstress how important this kind of activity is in making
Geosciences attractive and interesting.
Thanks again,
Dr. Robert D.
Winn
Director
Petroleum Geosciences
Thursday, October 19, 2006
in accordance with the muslim celebration of Eid, today's our last day of work. yahoo!!!! we shall resume office on the 29th. =)
in this regard, the following will be on my to-do list:
- picnic with friends
- make the long overdue HK video
- buy goodies and send package to the philippines
- buy textile to be made into new clothes and beddings
gosh, i hope i can accomplish all these at nde na naman umiral ang katamaran ko... hehe.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
by Yeng Constantino
Minsan madarama mo kay bigat ng problema
Minsan mahihirapan ka at masasabing "di ko na kaya"
Tumingin ka lang sa langit
Baka sakaling may masumpungan
O di kaya ako'y tawagin
Malalaman mong kahit kailan
Chorus:
Hawak-kamay
Di kita iiwan sa paglakbay
Dito sa mundong walang katiyakan
Hawak-kamay
Di kita bibitawan sa paglalakbay
Sa mundo ng kawalan
Minsan madarama mo
Ang mundo'y gumuho sa ilalim ng iyong mga paa
At ang agos ng problema'y tinatangay ka
Tumingin ka lang sa langit
Baka sakaling may masumpungan
Di kaya ako'y tawagin
Malalaman mong kahit kailan
(Repeat Chorus)
Bridge:
Wag mong sabihin nag-iisa ka
Laging isiping may makakasama
Narito ako oh, Narito ako...
(Repeat Chorus)
Sa mundo ng kawalan
Hawak-kamay, Hawak-kamay
Sa mundo ng kawalan...
;;
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