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It was a refreshing feeling that someone from the Philippines came to visit me here in Dubai albeit his trip being principally more of business related than leisure.
Aris, my dear HS friend, arrived in Dubai last 27th October and stayed here for six days. He was pretty thrilled about the fact that he’s in a completely different place and finally seeing right before his very eyes the things that he used to read on papers and hear about from his business partners.
During his first day in Dubai, we managed to tour him around the metro and bring him to a desert safari tour. It was the de Gracias’ first time to go for this tour, too, and blame it on me for being too scared of getting onboard the feisty 4x4s. The experience was definitely not for the faint-hearted – one can literally feel motion sickness while aboard, or worse, suffer from a heart attack from the thrill you're bound to get.
It was already almost sun-down when we pulled over to the Bedouin campsite. Parked around the area were dozens of Land Cruisers and a station of dune buggies for the more adventure-seeking souls. Bessie Beth and I queued for the camel ride while the boys took our snaps and stood by till we finished. Afterwards, all five of us tried on the traditional costume of the UAE nationals and posed for our souvenir photos. We all looked silly but what the heck!
While waiting for dinner, we checked out the apple flavored Hubbllee Bubblee or more commonly called “shisha”. It was a good chance for us to technically try smoking minus the bad taste of tobacco & the unpleasant niff of smoke. After getting bored with all the huffing & puffing, Beth & I lined up next for some henna tattoo. Funny how some male tourists queued, too…they didn’t know that henna tattoo in the UAE is exclusive for ladies only!
Of course, we didn’t let Aris miss the most exciting part of the night – the bellydancer’s show. He didn’t bat an eyelash during Valentina’s dance number… either he was mesmerized by her beauty and gyrating talent or he was jetlagged and slept with his eyes wide open! *rolling with laughter*
The adventure-packed day ended with our droopy guest dragging himself to the lobby of his hotel. We were not sure if he took mental note of the plans we made for the rest of his stay but we hope he had fun as we absolutely did!
Come Monday night, hubby & I met up again with Aris to have dinner at The Noodle House in Burjuman, and soon after went on see the majestic Burj Al Arab. I had to attend a client’s cocktail reception then, and my invite became our ticket for all of us to enter the elite hotel’s gates without any fee. It’s a shame though that we forgot to bring our cam so we just made do with our mobile phones’ built-in cameras to take a few keepsake photos.
The lavish lobby with extra huge aquariums to its left and right which were filled with varieties of fish and other underwater creatures complete with corals and seawater plants was such a wonderful sight for the two men who escorted me to the hotel. Although they only stayed in the lobby to roam around, I sure bet they had a grand time people watching. A lot of rich and good looking people were going in and out of the over rated hotel, and their eyes feasted on them. Well, sorry for these two guys because I didn’t stay long in the reception and we left the hotel in an hour’s time.
The icing on the cake of Aris’ trip, so to speak, was his last night in Dubai.
Since he finished early with his meetings, he did an early check-in at the airport and then went to my office to meet me. Ryan fetched us and we proceeded to Mercato to meet our other companions and find some birthday gifts for our friend Sam. Meanwhile, Aris picked up a nice pair of earrings from Damas for his wife who is also celebrating her birthday. *sweet!*
Next stop was the Madinat Jumeirah complex. His brief visit to the Souk Madinat was an eye opener for him to the kind of lifestyle the people of Dubai have on a Thursday evening, which is equivalent to the “TGIF” gimmick night in all other parts of the world. He’d seen all corners of the Souk brimming with people of various cultures – either having dinner, sipping coffee or simply hanging out to start their weekend. A lot are in their party outfits ready for clubbing after having their meals in one of the fab restos in the famous complex.
It was a busy evening (payday Thursday). We found our way skimming through the crowd towards the hip Japanese resto called Japengo. We were extremely lucky to find a table inside although it would’ve been lovely to dine al fresco with the cooler winds embracing us as we overlooked the waterways leading to the hotel side of the Madinat Jumeirah.
I guess between all the places Aris has been to the entire week, this was his personal favorite. He couldn’t stop himself from vocally admiring the place. I couldn’t blame him though. among all the properties of Jumeirah International, this is my preference, too.
After having our meal, we walked through the maze-like halls of the souk and helped Aris find some handy souvenirs. We were about to hit one of the bars in town, but I guess Aris was feeling run down already and couldn’t wait to go home, so before 1:00 am, we dropped him off to the airport and bid goodbye.
I’d say the few days that Aris was in town were very enjoyable. For a change, weeknights were spent with a long-time ka-barkada. It felt good to see a familiar face in person and hear a recognizable voice while we talked about married life in general and how our friends back home are doing. It sure made me miss Manila even more, and somehow, the regret of not coming home this year has started to seep in.
When I got sick last September, hubby and I realized that it was high time we get a vehicle of our own for mobility purposes especially in cases of emergency. Thankfully, Ryan had just passed his driving licensure practical exam with the Roads & Transport Authority so that made us officially eligible to own a vehicle in this country.
Our main requirement for our first ride is that it must be of substantial size enough to fit a small family. It should be able to seat people comfortably at the second row with ample shoulder and leg room, and must have a big space accessible at the back/trunk for bulky items such as luggage, a week’s stock of grocery items, and even a baby’s stroller in the future. But it should also be compact so that I can manage to drive it easily and not have any trouble parking it – that is, if I ever get around to getting my own license…LOL!
Of course, since this is a desert country, we also considered the functionality of the vehicle. these are a few of its must-haves:
- 2 wheel and 4 wheel drive option
- fog lamps, which are crucial when it suddenly becomes hazy or foggy depending on the weather change
- cruise control for long drives
- dependable braking system
- exceptional safety features
Originally, we were pining for the Toyota RAV 4. It fits almost all of our requirements (except for the fog lamps). It was pricey for a 2.4 litre, 4 cylinder engine compared to its contemporaries, but we were so convinced that we were ready to buy one. or so we thought.
One morning during Ramadan when my Filipino colleagues and I were having our coffee at the pantry, Raquel mentioned to us in passing about the new 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander that she and her husband were considering to purchase. We weren’t aware that Mitsubishi had already released a newer version of their slightly smaller SUV so as soon as I got back to my desk, I straight away shared this with hubby over the phone. Now you must know that Ryan is a huge fan of Mitsubishi motors. He loves Ralliart and has always dreamed of owning at least one Evolution in his lifetime. Just imagine him hearing this piece of news…I tell you, he was instantaneously excited about it! Later that evening, I found him busy googling and checking out reviews of his latest discovery.
Apparently, compared to its predecessor, the new Outlander has the 3.0 litre, 6 cylinder option with the latest MIVEC engine, and multi-select 4-WD mode. Not only that – it has a paddle shift, and boasts of a Rockford Fosgate audio system with 9 speakers. Eagerness had struck Ryan big time so that very same weekend, he dragged me to the nearest dealer to see the actual piece in the showroom. When we took our first glance at it, we were instantly dazed by its classiness and bang for the buck features. It was a case of love at first sight!
After two days, we came back to submit our requirements for financing and placed our order. Since it was newly launched, no units were on stock, and the local dealer had to order it straight from Japan. We got a bit disappointed when we were told to wait for 3 more weeks to a month for the 1st shipment to pull in, but settled on the idea of waiting since we already fell in love with it.
From then on, hubby started counting the days 'til “Yumi” arrived (yup, he already thought of a name for his new babe! Yumi is a Japanese word translated as “beauty”) and I’ll even let you in on a little secret: every night, he would browse at the catalogue as if it’s his favorite fairy tale book. I wasn’t surprised at all that that he had memorized all of its features in less than 3 days! :D
Until finally, Monday of last week, our much-awaited ride arrived to the shores of Dubai. We’re so delighted that the unit was worth all the delay. She's a total black beauty inside and out, and more importantly, she’s a practical choice for a starting family. With all the add-ons that aren’t available in other compact SUVs in the market, plus with the price tag that goes with it, it was a sure-fire winner. You bet Ryan was over the moon when he drove it home. He was too excited that the following morning on our way to work, he exceeded the maximum speed limit and got a ticket for it. (sheesh, what is it with boys and the fast lane...seriously?)
Anyhow, we are now the proud owners of one of the first 2008 Outlander units here in the UAE. We had her blessed at St. Mary’s Church last Saturday before meeting Aris for his Dubai tour, and this coming weekend, she’s already due for her 1,000 km check-up.
We gladly welcome “Yumi” to our family, and cheers to the many memories our family will share with you!
Two weeks ago, my cousin Arnie happily turned another year older and invited a few people to join him celebrate his natal day. Known for being quite a spontaneous person, he often arranges last-minute gatherings, and this occasion was clearly not his first attempt at stressing people with his late notice.
He phoned me hours before the unplanned party to invite me and hubby, and to make one request - he wanted a specific gift, and he wanted me to say yes to it. It would’ve been a lot easier had the gift been something inanimate but what he had asked was one of the most unexpected things I’d hear him say…he had asked me to patch up with my estranged buddy C during his party.
As soon as the line went dead, my palms started to sweat and my mind raced in lightning speed with dozens of questions and thoughts. I literally didn’t know what to say or do since it’ll be the first time in 2 years that I’d be meeting her face-to-face. The thought of that long period of time sans contact kept playing on and on in my mind. But my pride got the better of me so I decided not to plan anything since I still didn’t wanna make the first move. I left everything in fate’s hands and trooped to my cousin’s flat with a tinge of trepidation, and at the same time utter curiosity as to how the evening will progress.
On my way to the party, memories of how my friendship with C fell apart began to subconsciously flash in my mind. What happened 2 years ago was like a nightmare that I’ve always wished I’d never have to recall. We had a solid 10 years of friendship before our relationship faltered...and just because we had bottled up feelings and frustrations over each other in the past, we allowed our friendship to go down the drain in just a snap of a finger without the slightest thought of talking things through.
I lucidly remember how we were inseparable during college and how we kept the closeness rolling even after graduation. In all the years that we were in the best of terms, we patiently listened to one another’s worries & fears, mutually provided support in every career move we made, witnessed every heart break we faced, engrossed ourselves with meaningful conversations over coffee, and even excitedly giggled together like little kids as we boarded the plane bound to Dubai. Yes, we were there for each other during those times, and weird as it may seem, the very moment I stepped inside the building where the party was being held, I unashamedly admitted to myself that I did miss her and her company.
She was the first person I saw when I entered the hall, but I acted as if I didn’t see her and headed straight to where my hubby and friends were. I could sense that everyone in the room was feeling tensed, and I could almost hear what their minds were thinking. It was one of the most awkward situations I’ve been into, and it sucked!
Time ticked away while both of us pretended that tension wasn't building up inside the room. Bessie Beth, bless her, took matters into her own hands and initiated the talk. She took my hand and led me to the fire escape where C and I used to have our daily talks. It was the very place where we laughed and cried and vented out all our rants and shared unabashedly how scared we were of the uncertain future when we first came here to Dubai.
As soon as the door was shut, I bravely confronted her with an encouraging look on my face. Following my instincts to do the right thing, I gave her a warm, welcoming hug. I was tongue-tied when she apologized, and all I could say then was that I was sincerely glad the saga was finally over. My long lost friend was there, right in front of me, and you can just imagine what kind of relief it was when we stood there smiling as if nothing happened. For me, it was the perfect way to rekindle our friendship. In no less than an hour, we were chatting away like the way we used to, and shared the regret of missing out on a lot of things in the last couple of years that we weren't on speaking terms.
Looking back, I realized how much time we’ve wasted when we stupidly allowed our selfishness to tear us apart. But I've always believed that things happen for a reason. We've grown and matured while we were apart, and realized the kind of mistakes we've done to hurt each other. Yes, we got bumped and bruised but thankfully we weren’t damaged enough not to believe in starting over and having faith that our friendship can still be restored.
A few weeks ago, we attended the 1st birthday bash of Klyde Hendrix Joachim – Hazel’s adorable son. The party was themed “Pirates & Hidden Treasures” and the kiddo was in his cute costume, complete with a pirate hat and sword. Although the beautifully decorated ballroom was huge, the place was filled with guests - young and old alike. Apart from the usual guest tables, there were some colorful small tables and chairs, as well, a bouncy castle to entertain the little tykes, a face painting corner and a cotton candy machine which bought smiles and sugar to the guests’ lips.
There were only a handful of children who attended but the party turned out to be fun as the hall was filled with adults who were kids at heart. the games prepared were amusing, and the crowd cheered when it was time for the not-so-young couples to play in one of the games. During dinner, a heart-warming slideshow presentation from Klyde's Dad & Mom was played, which left the viewers in awe.
Hazel, a very hands-on working mom, prepared months in advance for this celebration, and twisted my arm to be the emcee for the party. It was my first time to host a kiddie shindig in a huge pack, and I must admit that despite feeling a bit nervous then, hosting it was such a delight. The program went smoothly – thanks to the ever organized Mommy of the birthday boy who painstakingly put everything together.
Being a witness to the preparations that Hazel had done made me realize how much a parent can actually go for to make their child happy. It was like preparing for one’s own but double the effort to make it extra special and memorable. I guess nothing beats the feeling of fulfillment for something done out of love, especially for your own child. I just hope someday when it’s my turn to become a Mommy, my instincts will tell me what to do.
Having said that, I congratulate Hazel for a job well done...and of course, a toast to the good looking, future heartthrob birthday boy!
I’ve been meaning to write about this documentary for weeks. But as usual, I got sidetracked, and completely forgot to finish writing about this film I’ve seen on DVD a few weeks ago. My life has been so full of happenings recently so it was a bit difficult for me to stay focused on one task while I juggle my time as a corporate slave by day and a full-time wife and home maker by night.
Well, enough about my not-so-interesting life. Let me get to the real story that I wanted to share with you. this is about an uber cool documentary of an ordinary guy from New Jersey named Brian Herzlinger, an aspiring movie maker who’s got this huge crush on Hollywood’s prettiest angel, Drew Barrymore, since 2nd Grade (that’s after watching E.T.) It all started when he won $1,100 on a game show, where ironically, the answer to the winning question was “Drew Barrymore”. He thought it must be fate so he decided to pursue one date with her – not expecting anything romantic out of it.
A guy who’s jobless, broke, and only armed with $1,100 in his pocket, Brian chased this lifelong dream. With full determination and with the help of his trusted friends, they formed the ‘Drew Crew’ and embarked on a once in a lifetime 30-day journey. Why 30 days you ask? Circuit City then had a 30-day return policy so that gave Brian an uninsured digital video camera he needed to make his docu film, which is his only ticket to get Drew’s attention -- thanks of course to the dependable credit card of his buddy. The docu film, along with guts, will power, and prayer, will be sent to Drew using the force of the “6 degrees of separation”.
I thought it would be the usual boring documentary I’m used to but it’s totally not! It was hilarious and quite entertaining. It’s also an emotional film that captured the raw emotions of the people involved in completing it. The following are the highlights of the film that you should watch out for:
- Brian coaxing the ex-assistant of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, Kerry David, who ended up being the Producer of the film. When she finally jumped onto the car, passion just fueled her and drove her to use all her connections just to make the project a success.
- Brian trying to shape up in order to be physically appealing when he finally meets his all-time biggest crush (I swear, this guy is sooo motivated!!)
- Brian convincing his Mom that what he’s doing is simply just fulfilling his two dreams: becoming a filmmaker and having a simple dinner with someone in the Hollywood industry who's so down-to-earth and normal as any other person in this world.
- Brian showing off his membership to the Drew Barrymore Club when he was in Gradeschool (aaawww…you’ve gotta see the pink envelope and the autographed picture!)
- Brian going into a number of arguments with his ex-girlfriend who flew into a jealous rage at the thought of Brian trying to have a relationship with Drew Barrymore (sounds like someone’s still hung up on our lead star! LOL!)
- Brian successfully gate crashing to the Charlie’s Angels Full Throttle party after its Premier and briefly meeting Drew for the first time. Take note of this: he was accompanied by the wives of his friends. Talk about full support and encouragement!
- Brian returning the videocam to Circuit City (this scene may require you to hold on to your tissues)
Actually, the comedy is packed with more highlights but these were just my personal favorites. there’s one more but it’s like giving away the full story so I’ll just keep it to myself for now.
Two things I learned from this film:
1.) Never let go of your dreams. Some people may brush you off and tell you it ain’t gonna happen sweetheart, but who the hell cares?? They’re your dreams and you have every right to reach for them. Do not settle for anything less if you know you can do something about fulfilling those aspirations that mean to you. The choice is always yours, and at the end of the day, you’re most likely to be the one who will feel the satisfaction upon achieving them. so do not stop believing...do not stop aiming for something. The day we stop growing is the day we stop dreaming.
2.) Treasure your friends and have faith in them. Those who are true to you will stick with you no matter what happens. True friends’ support could bring out the best in you because most of the time, your happiness and success mirror theirs. It’s always this way when what you have is solid and sincere.
I highly suggest you go watch this movie and be inspired. It's not only a funny movie but it's also creatively done, which made them earn 4 awards in various film festivals. Before you share this with anybody, be sure to keep these words of Drew Barrymore in mind, "if you don't take risks, you'll have a wasted soul."
Very well said.
P.S. Thanks to sweet Cherry Dimples for sharing this flick with me!
