Emirates ID

Meron na akong Emirates ID. Natanggap ko kangina – pinadala by courrier. Isa't kalahating buwan matapos akong mag-apply. Ano kayang maitutulong nito sa akin?

Actually, meron nang kaunting naitulong. Nasulat ko ang “Kanta ng Paghihintay” dahil dito.

Kasama ko si Jovi at Dayan sa pag-a-apply sa Al Barsha Center. Alas dose ng gabi kami pumunta roon noong 17 November 2008, pero hindi pa rin kami ang nauna sa pila. Numbers 10, 11 and 12 lang kami. Habang nakapila kami ni Jovi at natutulog si Dayan sa kotse, naglalaro sa isip ko ang mga linyang naging unang talata ng kanta.

Ito'y isang gabi ng paghihintay.
Hindi ako inaantok.
Ito'y isang gabi ng paghihintay.
Hindi ako mahihimbing.
Magbibilang ng bituin.
Kung gusto mo ay sumabay.
Ito'y isang gabi ng paghihintay.

Alas siete y media ng umaga nang papasukin kami. 150 lamang daw ang pinapasok. Marami pa ring naiwan. Pagkatapos ng dalawang oras, tapos na ang application procedure na may kasamang kaunting interview, fingerprinting at pagkuha ng litrato.

Dumiretso kami sa Noodle Bowl sa Al Diafa pagkatapos at kumain. Doon kami nakakita ng dyaryong 7 Days na ang headline ay “Deadline Extended”. Ok. Basta kami ay tapos na.

Yun namang kanta, natapos ang pagsulat ng lyrics 3 days later. Ito palang si Jovi at Dayan ay nagpla-planong pakasal nitong December. Kaya sa ikalawang talata, naging romantic nang todo ang kanta.

Ito'y isang taon ng pananabik.
Kay tagal nag-aasam.
Ito'y isang taon ng pananabik.
Kay tagal humihiling.
na di lubhang maninimdim.
at di lubhang maiinip.
Ito'y isang taon ng pananabik.

Sa huling talata ay mai-imagine mo ang isang rock star, kasama ang kanyang banda, na nagpe-perform sa harap ng libu-libong Pinoy sa Rakrakan sa Dubai.

Ito'y isang kanta ng paghihintay -
sa titik ay kinakapos.
Ito'y isang kanta ng paghihintay
sa tiempo ng pusong sabik.
Dito ka lang at makinig.
Kung gusto mo ay sumabay.
Ito'y isang kanta ng paghihintay.

Ako yon. Pag wala na kasing mapasukang trabaho sa construction dito dahil sa global crisis, ipu-pursue ko ang matagal ko nang pangarap na . . .

Na na na na na na.
Iilang oras na.

. . . na maging rock star. Pwera biro.

Round-about Drift.

This is a little similar to the world famous Tokyo Drift (from the movie of a different name, HA!). They are both exciting to do and very illegal. Speed junkies are more likely users of this addictive thrill-ride.

However, there are several distinctions to keep them apart; One major difference is that in the latter, you may hit a wall or a column; while the former, you would likely hit another car. Another is that the latter is world famous, and the former is infamously UAE. He3!!!

I don’t usually do this Drift. But unfortunately, I am an occasional doer of the former. And no, I will not whine about it now and tell you my horrifiying car accident details, nor do I intend to soliciting some pity and consolation from you and tell me in-return that I was wrongfully wronged (what?) and violated. Well my friend, we will come to that, but at least not just yet. He3!

Anyway, it’s not my fault!!!! He3!!!!

A drift is a slide of the vehicle perpendicular to the intended direction. Since a round-about is, very good, it is round, and it is more likely that the vehicle inside is induced to drift.

Aside for the physical attributes of a round-about, there is the psychological aura it gives those who enter it. The drivers in that area unexplainably tend to suddenly suffer from acute stupidity, road rage or recklessness. It is like the mysterious Bermuda triangle in some ways, but the round-about is not a triangle (DUH???). Iodized salt please……

Lighting strikes twice, maybe not in the same place, but in the same circumstances. One was at the round-about near the Etisalat Bur Dubai business center, the other was near the Shindagha Tunnel, both in Dubai. What could be wrong? Why do they keep hitting me?

Is my tower of sticks done yet? Not quite.

Funny thing is that there are hundreds of round-about in Al Ain, and no Round-about Drifting has (and I hope, ever will) ever happened. Maybe the problem is the drivers in Dubai are crazy. Good thing I’m transferred to a different place already. He3! Safe!

Also, this bunch of liars driving around this country is causing insufferable harm to other innocent people (like me) on the road. They could tell lies to the investigating police and over-turn the verdict and give you the red copy instead (i.e. the “judgment”, or the police report, yani, you are at-fault while the green copy is the opposite), so you better be on your toes.

Swinging around the round-about at 80 Km/H is quite fun. It is like you’re riding in a roller-coaster ride (uh, redundant again). You should try it yourself sometime. He3!

However, this round-about drift has a major hassle because after doing it, and thereafter get caught, you have to visit the nearest police station to give statements about your demented fun that went wrong. Darn! Those involved in this drift, like the other kind of drift, includes hefty fines and maybe a few black points. kaliwali! A morsel of advise from a junkie like me, just be careful next time and try not to get caught.

My Tower of sticks is done. I’m finished here. You can do anything you want with it. Bring it tumbling down to the ground for all I care. It doesn't matter to me anymore.

Now, we ride baby!

Maui had moved-on.

It happens sometimes without you consciously knowing it that you have to move on and look for yourself out there.

Who? The girl in the picture is who? Ah yes! Partly yes, since she had moved-on in someway or another, but I am not referring to her specifically in this article. Sorry guys, no scoop about her.

It is the apparel that had moved-on, so to speak. Unclear? Let me expound upon this theory.

Flashback!!!!!!!!!

High school, Junior year. The t-shirt brand was the coolest thing so far!! Good thing someone gave me a gift of it that’s why I’m very proud and happy. And I saw a couple of my friends; this was how the conversation went:

Oiey! Nice shirt!
Thanks (am smiling smugly).
Lemmi’ see that tag (he quickly went to the tag at the back of the collar of the shirt). Eih? (Something disappointed him, I wonder.).
How about your tag (the nosey one to the other friend)? He looked. Ooah! Very nice man!
And I also looked at it myself, he is right. The tag indicates that my friend's shirt is original.

The color, texture, and quality of textile, everything looks great. After the faux pax, I gave an inconspicuous glace to my shirt, suddenly it looked pale in comparison. Shucks! I was given a fake, (PEKE PALA!). I was very disappointed. I dunno’ which case is worse, wearing a fake, or not knowing it is a fake. Duh? Ashamed and defeated as I was, I slowly slipped out-of-reach, out-of-sight, and into the background.

Damn! I did not wear that shirt ever again.

Stop. Back to the Future!!!!!!

Here, in the land of sand and oil, after a number of years, I saw this brand of t-shirt again inside a mall. Hah! Payback time! Now I can buy 10 original shirts if I want to. Huh! We’ll see. This time, I would be wearing ORIGINALS! Bwahahaha!!!! Then I began to browse the shirts in display. The problem presented itself in an undeniable way. The designs are way-out-there and above me. Yani, the shirts could be too colorful; maybe the color scheme is “different”; I cannot finger it. The layout and also the arrangement does not speak to me, does not communicate to me. Lastly, the figures/drawings that I expected to see in this brand (a shark in tees and shorts holding a surf board) of shirt is not anymore present there. There is something huge missing, something lacking. I cannot believe it. I am holding the very same brand of t-shirt of high school days, here in my hands, but somehow it is not it, it has dissappeared. I had a feeling that I lost something forever. My nostalgia was dashed into smithereens!

Something had happened. And it hit me, hit me hard. Remember the theory I mentioned earlier? That Maui had moved-on. The answer is, maybe yes. But I recon, that I myself had moved-on also. Not in the same way more likely. And the world had moved-on.
Good grief! I’m getting older faster than I thought.

bow-tie bow!

I bought a printed blue bow-tie in the Mall of the Emirates ages ago. Not the clip-on stuff mind you, but the mature and dignified self-tie tie-type (pardon for the double redundancy, he3!). I used to fancy myself wearing that thing around my neck walking around the party, looking smart and preppy, just like suave actors in the movies. Wicked!

I tried to tie it once, but I was not satisfied with how the finish product looked like. Maybe I did a lousy job in doing-the-knot. Also, I am not used to it. Have you seen a Filipino wearing a bow-tie? Guess not. Another maybe is that it is cultural. I have no roots for it and most (99.5%) of all the “Kabayan” I know are not “in” with the bow-tie thing. So, what the H, I am different from the rest of the potatoes, and I will show it with my unique-”kamote” bow-tie. Bow!

The actual effort is an “extra challenge”. It is like Hercules wrestling Hydra’s heads. It was very difficult to manage and my arms were sore doing the loops-and-turns. Why is it here? Where is that A-Hole? It is supposed to be here. Even though I had instructional print-out sheets of How-to-tie-a-bow-tie-you-idiot, pasted on the wall near the mirror, I am “sotong” (confused) already. In spite of these, the end-result is not very encouraging (to put it lightly). But it looked more like shoe laces of a 4-year old that went awry. B@#$H! So, I decided to put-away the damn thing, well, at least for the time being.

Then suddenly, like a phoenix rising up from the ashes, I resurrected my bow-tie from the abyss of obscurity last night. Something mysterious happened. I cannot explain it, but with some serious effort, that gorgeous bow-tie is now nicely fastened around my neck, complementing my simple handsome self (note: adverse reactions are not permitted). Indeed, practice makes perfect.

Chill!!!!

A Different Taste

My brother-in-law just celebrated his birthday in a nice fine dining restaurant inside SM annex in Pasig. I have discovered that although the restaurant is serving a unique spaghetti and pizza, the owner is not italian nor an america born citizen but a filipino who used to have his business in US and open up a branch in the Philippines...below is the narration of the restaurant origin...




The foods we have feasted...







And some of the famous guest staring on us while we are chomping...



This can be a challenge to our balikbayans or returning OFW...why not try opening up a restaurant serving foods with a foreign taste...like chopsuey, in Dubai...or my favorite chicken recipe...

NOSEBLEEDDOTCOM

“Nose bleed!!”

Medically speaking, Epistaxis is defined as bleeding from the nose. Minor injury to the nose is a common cause. This may be an injury to your nose, or may be due to nose picking. People with blocked noses blow them very hard and this may start bleeding. Infections such as the common cold make the vessels more likely to bleed.

(Siyet!!! Ingles yun ha… NOSE BLEED!!!! TISSUE! TISSUE! TISSUE!!)

However, there is another common cause of a nosebleed (iyung tipong magdurugo talaga ang ilong mo sa hirap!). The following are the “nosebleed” collection that I have gathered around:

Case 1:
I was in the gym one evening when two kabayan ladies came in fully geared up with short-shorts, tank top and rubber shoes and headed to the 2 treadmills beside me. Kabayan 1 set up her ipod and started walking on the treadmill while kabayan 2 was just standing and with arched eyebrows seriously staring on her mobile.

Ten minutes passed by when kabayan 2 noticed her friend and asked:

Kabayan 1: Hoy, ano ba? Bakit seryoso ka jan?
Kabayan 2: Teka lang sandali, nag-iisip pa ako kung paano ko sasabihin…
Kabayan 1: (Sensing that her dear friend is in a dilemma, became eager to help) E, ano ba ang gusto mo kasing sabihin na di mo masabi sabi?
Kabayan 2: Gusto ko sanang sabihin sa kanya na gusto kong ilaglag ang lakad ko para makaatend nang bertdey nya.
Kabayan 1: Eh di sabihin mo, “you want to DROP YOUR WALK to attend the bertday party” (inday, ganito na lang ba, “I want to cancel my previous appointment?” malaglag ka sa kinalalakaran mo, sigue ka!)
Kabayan 2: Ay oo nga, ‘no!! (ay oo nga, eto pa ang isa!)

(NOSE BLEED!!!! TISSUE! TISSUE! TISSUE!!)

Case 2:
On day three of my Hong Kong vacation with some friends, our next stop is Hong Kong DISNEYLAND RESORT (Yehey!!!). We were the first group that was picked up by the tour guide which was good coz we could get the front seats. However, in our dismay there were personal belongings on the seats indicating that it is already occupied by somebody else. So we just settled on the seats directly behind it.

Second group that was picked up were a group of kabayans (approx. 15 pax in total). They were headed by a middle aged woman whom they refer to as “Ma’am”.

As “Ma’am” got in the bus, she stopped beside the 4 empty front seats, and commented “OH, somebody still sitting there already!” (Ano un ma’am? Maybe it should be, “oh, somebody had taken this seat already?”) then headed at the back of the bus.

(Si Ma’am talaga, NOSE BLEED!!!! TISSUE! TISSUE! TISSUE!!)

Case 3:
Still on the tour bus heading to Disneyland, the tour guide was doing her usual stuff. Informing us about the location of restaurants, Cinderella castle, schedule of the fireworks and that Disneyland City Hall gives gifts to guests who are celebrating their birthdays that day. Then she asked the group if anyone is celebrating his/her birthday.

A very excited high pitched voice came from a kabayan at the back of the bus saying, “Me! Me! Todey is my bertday!”

The tour guide congratulated her and advised her to go to Disneyland City Hall to be able to claim a free gift by simply presenting her passport.

Then the excited high pitched voice became a disappointed high pitched voice saying “Aaayyy… I donut hab my passport!”

The tour guide also disappointed, asked her why she did not bring her passport with her. And she replied on her high pitched voice, “you did not TELLED us, eh….” (Asus ka! ”you haven’t told us?”)

(Wwwaaahhhhh!!! )
(Si kabayan, NOSE BLEED!!!! TISSUE! TISSUE! TISSUE!!)

Case 4:
I was enjoying and feasting my eyes on the awesome sceneries outside on our way to China, when suddenly I heard a high pitched shout coming from the back of the bus that ended my tranquility saying,

AAAHHHH!! ITS FALL!!! ITS FALL!!! (oi! baka naman, “aahh!! It fell!!! It fell!!!)

Then came a big bottle of mineral water rolling to the front of the bus.

(Si kabayan na naman, NOSE BLEED!!!! TISSUE! TISSUE! TISSUE!!)

Case 5:
We were in IKEA one afternoon looking for some stuff for the house when we chanced upon a kabayan sales lady and her European customer.

European Customer: Excuse me miss. Could you please tell me where I can find an ice maker?

Kabayan Sales Lady: “ICE MAKER? Ah you mean the maker of yelo!!!” (Huat? Di ba tagalog ang yelo? Pa-sosyal ka pa inday!)

(NOSE BLEED!!!! TISSUE! TISSUE! TISSUE!!)


Case 6:
This is the best of them all!!!

Quote

Dear All Good morning, I would like to thank all the staff committee members for giving us the help during
Last week (Kailan ba talaga? Noong isang linggo pa o kasalukuyan?) , we pasted in their office (Ano ito? Cut and paste?) in cargo village
Really it was a very good opportunity to meet and to work with another part of XYZ team and i would give a special thanks for the persons i didn’t say good by to them yesterday (Sana lang naintindihan ninyo iyun, o baka naman gusto nyo na ng tissue?)have a good day see you soon Very Best Regards AIDA

Unquote

(Si Aida Ferchichi, NOSE BLEED!!!! TISSUE! TISSUE! TISSUE!! Parang naubos na tissue ko ah!)

So far, exposure to these nose bleeding circumstances can cause mild nasal hemorrhage. If symptoms persists, insult your doctor.

Bubble has busted!

It started in the US, where the property sector fell to the ground in flames. Then, from some reason or another, in the UK and Europe, banks suddenly fell like flies. Across the Atlantic, large banks in the US filed for bankruptcy. The American Congress is deliberating for a huge economic bail-out for main industries that are gravely hit by the onslaught of the recession. Consequently, the rest of the world was in a scramble, looking for cover from the economic fall-out.

Some said that there were signs that a recession is ahead. Politicians and economic managers somehow, according to their ulterior motives, ignored these signs, or rather, brushed it under the rug.

Like a tsunami, it hit the coasts of far-away regions and swept away billions upon billions of dollars, reducing the coastline into a damaged and impoverished wasteland.

Lo and behold, Dubai is the beach-head of the UAE, splendid, high and rich as it is, crumbled to the ground, breaking into pieces, severely maligned by this global catastrophe. Hundreds of expatriates were immediately laid-off in this great city alone. The economic implications are staggering in magnitude. All sectors are affected, one way or another, in more ways than another. No one is safe now.

Dubai is hardest hit of all the emirates in the UAE because it is more exposed in the global financial market. An anomaly in the worldwide trading system has serious, and now, as we are presently experiencing it, have negative repercussions here. Experts say that we are in an unprecedented downward spiral towards global financial collapse, and no one can predict when the recession will last.

None in this once proud city, do not know someone who were recently re-trenched or worse, downright fired. Hiring in companies is stopped. Job contacts were suspended indefinitely. Some people may estimate it to 97% of all projects in Dubai are either on-hold, shelved, stopped, cancelled or a variation thereof. The construction industry is literally in a stand-still.

Traders are now demanding for small change unlike before, it is easily forgiven. Credit cards were relaxed in their payment collection whereas now, a few days of delay would warrant you to be threatened with incarceration. Banks now are very stringent in the approval of personal loans, or worse, as the gossip grapevine suggests, they are not lending at all. Accommodation annual rentals may not go up, but landlords demand 100% payment instead.

Where to find money in this cash bereft city?

The bad times are undeniably and unmistakably here.

Is this the very end of the “Dubai Dream”? Maybe it is.

Of all the worries going around, one thing is for certain. The dream of Dubai that was, the wonder that sparked imagination, and the glittering thing that attracted countless many is all but no more. The financial plague consumed it. The bleak reality has set in. The bubble has busted and we can do nothing about it.

Halaga ng bandila sa kotse

Ang komentaryong ito ay pag-sagot sa sulat sa pinaka-ibaba:

Para sa kung sino man iyun na “mas higit na nakaka-alam”,

Una, hindi ako nagsasabi na burahin ang Plate Number ko sa computer ng mga pobre nating kababayan na nagtatrabaho sa tanggapan na nagbabantay ng lansangan. Bakit nga ba nila binubura? Pinagtatakpan ba nila ang mga pagkakamali ng iba nating mga kababayan na hindi sumusunod sa batas? Mali naman iyun. Mali sila dun. Kung sino ang nagkamali, siya ang managot.

Pangalawa, hindi kasalanan ng bandila ng ating bansa ang pagkakamaling ito. Walang kinalaman ito sa pagkakamali ng ilan nating mga kababayan. Inilagay ko ang bandila sa likod ng aking sasakyan upang ipakita sa buong mundo na ako ay galing sa “Lupang Hinirang”. Hindi ko ninais at ayaw kong maghari-harian sa mga kalye dito. Gusto ko lamang makarating ng payapa at matiwasay sa aking pupuntahan. Magkarerahan sa Sheikh Zayed? Ipaubaya mo na lang iyun sa mga taga-rito kung gusto nila.

Hindi nyo ba alam kung ano ang ibinuwis ng ating mga ninuno noong panahon nang Himagsikan? Binili ang ating kalayaan nang Dugo! Ang bandilang ito ang sagisag nang kabayanihan ng mga nagmahal sa ating bansa. Tapos sino ka na magsasabi na tanggalin ko ang bandilang ito sa kadahilanang may mga tukmol na tao na gumagawa ng mga kalokohan para ikahiya ko ang sagisag ng aking bayan?

Tama ang pamahalaang ito na palayasin ang mga napatunayang gumawa nang kasalanan. Khallas!!!

At kung nasa aking kamay ang kanilang buhay, baka bitay pa ang hatol ko sa kanila. Ano pa ba ang hatol sa nakakahiyan na ginawa nila? Hara-kiri? Sayang lang, hindi tayo Hapon.

Kayong mga kababayan ko, hindi kayo naparito sa gitnang silangan upang magtarantado at maghari-harian. Lumugar naman kayo. Mga panauhin lamang tayo rito. Kumilos kayo nang nararapat.

Magising sana kayo sa katotohanan.

Mabuhay tayong lahat! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

-0-

Ang sulat na pinagmulan ng isyu na ito.

Paki inform mga kabayan natin,

> > Kelan lang ay may naglabasang balita na pag may FLAG sticker ng > Pilipinas ang kotse mo ay ligtas kana sa mga violation sa kalsada > katulad ng overspeeding at beating the red light, dahil diumano'y ang > mga kababayan nating Pilipino ang kumukuha or nagda-download nito sa > mga nagkalat na camera sa kalsada at intersection. > >

Ang mga bali-balitang ito po ay nakarating nasa kinauukulan ng > Ministry of Interior at pilit na pinagpapaliwanag ang mga pobre nating > kababayan na nagtata-trabaho doon, ang ilan sa kanila ngyo'y under > surveillance at ang iba naman ay napauwi na. Marami sa mga kababayan > natin ang galit dahil ang iba sa knila'y nawalan ng trabaho at ito'y > ipinararating nila sa karamihan na kung pwede sana paki-tanggal na ang > mga sticker ng Philippine flag sa inyong mga sasakyan at kung gusto > nyo naman eh pwede nyong ilipat ng location ang sticker wag lang po sa > likod or wag malapit sa Registration Number. > >

Para maiwasan po ang kahit na anong problema na ating kakaharapin sa > kalsada ay sumunod na lamang po raw tyo. Ang sabi nila'y nasa watch > list ng MOI ang mga sasakyan na may flag ng bansa natin. Eto po ay > pawing transmitted message lamang ng mga taong mas may higit na > kaalaman.

> > Maraming salamat poh!

Long, Long Driving

Long drives from Al Ain to Dubai would take approximately 2 hours, and could be a daunting task because you are looking forward into the next couple of hours driving alone in the middle of nowhere. Furthermore, it could just be outright boring.
That is unless you do something about it. He3!!! Actually, you can do many things to keep you busy. Herein listed below are some suggestions to consider:
1. Listen to the Radio. Music can keep you company during long driving. Singing with your favorite hits or maybe shouting with it as if there is no tomorrow bro! However, you can only do that when you leave Al Ain town proper because it is difficult to catch english radio station frequencies there. I dunno if it is intentional or somethin’ b’coz even if the digital radio’s frequency is fixed in an english dubai channel, there is still a bellowing habibi comes thru the car radio. But that is just temporary. When you get to the fringes of the town, radio channels are back to normal. Keep on rollin’ baby!!!! Haya-haya habibi!!!! Nyeek!!!
2. Race. Yup, you’ve read it right, race. That four letter word that most people fear. I am not actually encouraging people out there to do careless drag-racing in the Dubai-Al Ain Highway. Nope, not that kind of race. Then, what the heck am I driving at? Well, let me explain it like this, play and imagine that you are in the Grand Prix. Thunderin’ motor-noise and cars passing at high speed. Whow! Adrenaline pumpin’ dude! Get the Tokyo Drift? Then continue, choose a competitor; there are many ways to find one. Observe the traffic population. Nope not that new shiny 4WD that sped past you, its waaaay outta your league. How about that wretched looking ancient dirty-white hatchback that is screeching thru the road on your left side? Nope. Mismatch. Look at the front-right side, there booming a 10-year-old Gringo 4WD. This is the competition? Why not? And then, Bang!!! Shot Fired!!! And the race is on!!! Run in full speed past the Gringo to challenge him, he will get what you mean. “Days of Thunder” is here!
3. Speed-Cam Watching. Out there in the desolate desert wasteland, in the wild high highway (he3! Similar to “the wild high seas”, get it?), where you thought you could have peace and tranquility and speed-up to your whim. It is just you, sand, breeze, rustle of grass, stars in the sky, WELL YOUR WRON-G! There are these loathed, evil devices called speed-cameras to harass you and make your life miserable. You would be forced to slow down and drive at 139 km/hr (a hairline below the speed limit) especially when you see a speedometer a few meters ahead. If you had just passed that hated device, immediately zoom above 150 or more and stay on guard for the next one at the left side of the road.
4. Speed Lane Hugging. The left-most lane near the road-island is the “speed lane”. Where all the newly minted, high-powered, bombastic and flashy automobiles speed-by, leaving you green with envy. They run to 200 and with headlights full-blast (sometimes light flashing), telling anybody blocking their way; “get the hell out of my way”. Since many people do not want to be bothered by these “show-offs”, the second lane is the popular choice for peaceful driving. But then again, who wants a peaceful-boring drive? Not me! He3! Wait for you chance to get inside the first lane, coast is clear? Go with headlights in full-blast too! Run to the limit. Chase away slow cars and make the sheep go to the second lane. However, when a much faster car approaches your rear, sway to the second lane, as the alpha passes, then spring back again to the first. Be persistent, consistently harass the sheep, mind you, you are a fine shepherd breed! Ruff!!! Ruff!!! You’ll be reaching the emirate-border in no time!
5. Pick a fight. No, not the actual physical thing, you rascal. Look for something unusual. How about a car with light in-full-blast but it not running fast enough? Good sport! He3! Go in swing in front of him and step on the ciliñador amigo! He will eat smoke and be humiliated for sure. The bloke would try to out-maneuver you and retaliate. Thus, you have your dog-fight. Several twists and turns would happen in the contest. And before you know it, you are in sight of the glittering Dubai Business Bay over-passes. Argh pirates! Land ahoy!!!
Please be noted that these written above are only suggestions that may relieve you of your boredom and are not intended in anyway; in getting you killed. Caution must be undertaken not to overdo any said tips and considerations.
Remember to drive safely (talking about U-Turn, he3!!!).
Khallas!

Christmastime carol

This morning, just after Pacquiao won his match with Dela Hoya, my teenaged daughter Meg and I wrote together lyrics for a carol in a Yahoo Messenger chatbox.

The carol was an assignment for her English class. She was to come up with the lyrics and her groupmates were to compose the music. She said she didn't know how to do it and asked me to help. In around 1 and half hours of chatting, we wrote lines, argued, filled in missing words, argued, searched an online rhyming dictionary, argued, rewrote and rearranged the lines and reargued. Here are the final lyrics of the carol, which she titled "Christmastime".

It's Christmastime.
I stop and think of love that heaven sent.
It's Christmastime.
I thank God that you took me as your friend
and I wish you a wonderful time,
my buddy, my mate, my pal.

It's Christmastime.
I think of all the days that we've been through.
It's Christmastime.
I'm thankful that I have a friend in you
and I wish you a wonderful time,
as wonderful as you are!

Merry Christmas!

Rakrakan raks

I went to the Rakrakan Fest 2008 last night with my friends at the Dubai Festival City. The concert, sponsored by The Filipino Channel, featured Pupil, Kamikaze, Dawn and Bamboo.



Pupil, with former Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia, opened the show at around 7:00pm. Their sound was a bit raw, reminding you of the Rolling Stones. It's OK because the songs are good. Towards the end, they sang Eraserheads songs, including “Pare Ko” and “Alapaap”, in new arrangements. The crowd roared with approval as soon as they recognized the songs and sang along. Their finale number “Ang Huling El Bimbo”, I think, was one of the highlights of the concert. Buendia's Eraserheads bandmate Buddy Zabala, who is now with the Dawn, joined Pupil in this song.

Kamikaze played next. I'm not really into their kind of music but I enjoyed their set because the lead singer Jay Contreras was very funny with his confessional talks, dance steps and circus acts. Ang saya!

The Dawn, who's been around since the 80s, followed with “Iisang Banka” as opener. Their sound seemed to me the most polished. Vocalist Jett Pangan is still good. And Francis Reyes is still one of the best guitarists we have around. Their closing number “Salamat” was probably the highlight of the evening. It seemed that everyone was charged up and danced and sang along.



Bamboo was the last to perform. The band started with Rivermaya songs followed by their new ones that I'm not familiar with. They did “Noypi” in the middle of the set. “Here's our song”, former Rivermaya vocalist Bamboo Manalac introduced it. For me, “Noypi” is one of the best Pinoy rock songs ever written, along with “Ang Huling El Bimbo” and “Salamat” and some others. Yup, it's our song. Manalac did well in most of the songs. The surprise for me was the guitarist. I enjoyed his solos which bordered on jazz. They closed the concert with the Rivermaya song “Kisap Mata”.

Just before the first song of the evening, Pupil's Yan Yuzon proclaimed, “Ngayong gabi, nasa-Pilipinas tayo! (Tonight, we are in the Philippines!)”. He was right. For 5 hours, I felt I was, rocking with my friends and around 15,000 other Pinoys.

The mall

The Dubai Mall opened 2 days ago. At the moment, it is THE mall. It is what everybody is talking about. It is where everybody is going. It is the new center of the earth. (Teka, where did I read that one?)

The mall was the reason why I came here to Dubai 3 years ago. Its completion will not be a reason to leave, I hope. Despite the difficulties, masarap pa ring magtrabaho rito.

See you at The mall.

In a Wink of an Eye

“Kirat” is the Tagalog word for “wink”. We did some celebration in a popular hang-out bar among the Pinoys here in Dubai, the name is “Ratsky”, when reverse is “Kirat”. A famous Filipino singer-artist conceptualized the name of his bar with this franchise in Dubai.

By the time we arrived, the place is only half full then after an hour the ladies group we invited came, the place is already jam-packed. After some free appetizers, we have ordered our foods and drinks. Jovial mood fills the place.

After holding my glass of drink for an hour and tasted the “crispy pata” and ‘’sisig’’, I was teased by Froilan that I have passed already the “leak test”. I become conscious since I am enjoying listening some of my favorite songs from cover band performing songs from “Journey” and others, I finally dip my lips to my drink with my dummy glass beside to show that I finished my drink, I never really enjoy the drinking except only the songs the cover bands are playing.

The band played so well with lead singers and musicians interchange covering popular male and female hit songs.

During intermission, the dance floor was filled, we were invited by Raissa and her group for a dance and just to accept her invitation we followed them to the dance floor and by that time they were there we were suddenly out of sight, Rey and Froilan excused themselves and go straight to the gents room while me I preferred just to have a snapshots of them I told her instead. The truth we were just afraid that when we dance they will discover that our feet are both left.

When the band returned, dancing stopped and we have now depended ourselves from Raissa’s group why we suddenly got lost from the dance floor. To cap up the night, we were challenge for “bottoms up”, that’s the time I failed the “leak test”.

The following morning, we were satisfied that at least we have shared the reward weve got after working so hard with our project. The group we invited at least has their slice of fun in Dubai’s night life, washing away some hardship and loneliness they are experiencing being far from their families. So are our “Kabayans” in clusters of tables that night.

Resort to Convergence (Taste of an Island Resort)

A fresh adventure started when Edbert and Bong, our project site QA/QC invited us for a picnic. Then Dante again repeat the invitation to us, what will transpires are still hazy for me. After some details and amount of overall cost (100 aed plus) were confirmed by what I know who was the main organizer, Ms. Ro, I joined this summer affair months ago.

Destination. An Island Resort famous for fishing and crabbing they have told us.

What I have experienced. Convergence of adventure loving Pinoys about a hundred and I get to know and have some chitchat with some of them, I thought initially we are only a few groups of totaling at least 20. The transport vehicles are composed of 1 coaster, for me similar to a small plane flying to a rugged route because of how our Patan driver drove is a kind of dangerous adventure itself and a number of vans and cars.

What I have learned. That the place attract so many visitors with words such as Island Resort good for Fishing, that we will cross for about 15-20 minutes thru a speedboat occupied by batch of 10-15 persons with Hermie, Cresh and husband, William seating beside me, that night tide is high , it almost bury the island.

What I have done. About 4 hours of overnight fishing and I catch nothing. Possibilities are, the fish are already full because they are having their own party, some are already asleep, we are on boat landing part of the pier that fish got scared away and lastly, they are tired of eating my bait and they don’t like it. Lucky for Dante who come earlier to the fishing spot, he got a catch of some at least, maybe those who are not able to join the water world grand party somewhere.

What I have discovered. Manny, my colleague in Project Market Market in my previous firm was there and we have nice sort of short reunion. Second, I occupied and slept on a very big open cottage all by myself on a carpet. The breeze of the air compensate the humid environment, I was able to take a short nap although frustrated with my fishing expedition.

What I have seen and heard. In the evening, the food nicely prepared by Ro and her housemates, the way I have roasted the fish, the dimly mile long coast across the island using a powerful telescope brought by Marvin, the loud voice of Edbert while sharing some story, the Arabic dance music in the background, the rising wave and my wasted/useless fishing gear.

What I have viewed in the morning. Whole island previously covered by water was revealed, the trees/scrubs, the sunrise, the birds, a boat model, the different color of banners, tents brought and set up by some couples and groups, the schools of fish who did not cooperate the night before and some guys in their trunks still sleeping, emptied bottles and still lots of foods.
What are the surprises in the shore. We go back to the shore and found more structures waited the whole night to take our snaps. Pyramids, statues, cozy coffee shop etc…

What I have lost. My mobile account number to a taxi driver during my return to my villa from the drop off point and eventually he got two months of outside the country free call perhaps. And about a kilo of shrimp that I eventually throw to the school of fish the following morning in surrender…

What an event…

Out of Order

Our site office situated inside the adjacent ongoing project experienced a total power black out one day due to flooding. The areas are having their pressure testing overnight and nobody noticed that there are parts of the piping system left open. We are not able to work, no recourse instead but to leave the place and just cool ourselves around the development with the invitation and courtesy of our boss. We found ourselves to a newly open coffee shop called Costa and rest are as shown…
Them...
We have found out how our project looks like in the other side of the development at least...

Journey to Arnel Pineda

Great…I was not able to sleep early because I have a friendster who becomes a fan of Arnel Pineda, then I become curious…who is this guy…I searched Arnel Pineda in yahoo…interesting person… I click the video link…with that I wasn’t able to sleep…I am not yet finished with all of his video but its almost morning, I need to sleep…he's versatile…the world will again salute a Filipino in music scene…one of the greatest american band Journey who popularized "Open Arms" took him as a frontman…one guy with a heartbreaking past now entertains so many people…he sings passionately because of his tear–jerking past…just click this Faithfully , then you may choose which songs you want to watch and hear as shown…then I become a fan too...

Soon

One afternoon, I surveyed one of a restaurant locations for our project but got confused in the direction to return to our site office, I end up coming out on ongoing construction of adjoining structure and here are what I saw.

I asked the one setting up some tables if this part of structure was finished.

He said there will be an event in the evening for the tenants and the contractor made available only the part where the event will take place.

Then I proceed looking for way out while taking some snapshots along the way.

In coming months history will unfold, everyone of you readers will have a chance to visit this place, soon.

The Whole World In One Place

One Friday morning, a one page advertisement in the newspaper answered my pondering on how will I spend my afternoon after attending church. I never have any second thought, I will go to this event, a book sale.



Although I am not familiar with the venue, thanks to a big banner outside I was still able to reach the place. This is the first time that I was engulfed by event like this satisfying my interest.

Since I was young, I am always fascinated by reading all types of books that interest me at a given time. I have grown up with my little wide big universe world should I say, a little bit confusing, that means while I’m in a little space such as sofa, chair, bed or in a corner of our home, my mind is preoccupied with everything in the universe and beyond by just turning on a page of a book.

My parents used to purchase us sets of encyclopedias, life science books, readers digest etc. everything that is written in alphabet and in English. For the Tagalog language which is mostly for the lighter side of life, my mother regularly supplied as reading materials such as Liwayway, Bulaklak, and Funny comics which I think I love most. And for my personal choice, I go for Minus One music magazine as dessert, reading articles of band members, singer’s gossip and life.



I never failed to informed some of my friend that day, I texted them details of the event and the location. I don’t know how many of the twenty plus of them responded.

The event leads me to purchased books for gardening, music (guitar playing), hobbies, crafts, camping, cookbook, children’s book (math, sea crafts, energy, art etc) and dictionary with discounted price ranging from 20% to 80%. A bit lucky since I used to buy piecemeal and usually only by chance, that is when there is somebody who barge into my current and previous office offering books.



My advice to the reader of this article, read before your eyes cannot help you, the book we purchase now and read is what will make our life a life.

OEC blues

Karama Kid: Mam, malapit na akong magtampo sa inyo.
Labor Attache: Bakit naman?
Karama Kid: Itong pagkuha kasi ng OEC, bakit kailangang maghintay kami ng 3 o 4 na oras?
Labor Attache: Ganun talaga. Tinatapos naman naming lahat. Konting tiyaga. Iisa lang kasi ang naka-assign dyan.
Karama Kid: Yan nga ho ang nakapagtataka. Bakit iisa lang ang naka-assign e 90% ng taong narito ngayon ay OEC ang sadya?
Labor Attache: Yung mga staff natin dito ay may kani-kaniyang assignment. At wala namang natutulog dito.
Karama Kid: No, mam. It's not the people. It's the system. Parang hindi nasasagutan ang pangangailangan namin dito ... This is Dubai. Every minute counts ... Can we have a Plan B? Kung mga 50 na ang applicants, dapat 2 na ang nag-iintindi ng OEC.
Labor Attache: Alam mo, kulang talaga kami ng tao rito.
Karama Kid: Dapat na ho yatang kalampagin ang dapat kalampagin.
Labor Attache: We have requested Manila for additional staff ... more than a dozen times. Wala pa ring nangyayari.
Karama Kid: Isa pa, mam, isa pang kalampag ...
Labor Attache: Sige.
Karama Kid: Kung hindi umubra, kami naman ang kakalampag.
Labor Attache: Ano?
Karama Kid: Thank you, mam.

First Birthday

John Francis have his 1 year old birthday celebration last 13 May 2008, thanks to his mother Dinia who is my site office colleague who invited me, I have a change to celebrate with them.


Jun and I got to the place late due to heavy work load in the office. I thought we enter a wrong place suppose to be a children’s party but to my surprise “kids at heart party” with the guest wearing party hat. John happened to be the only one who is a kid.


After handing down our gifts for John Francis thru his mother, the master of ceremony called for games. The first one won by partner Paul and Maja, the game is paper dance.

The next game was participated by 20 persons including me which ironically won by lady’s group, I thought men’s have more long things in their body. The game is won when one group will have the longest line of personal things in the floor. Maybe because we are so gentle men that is why somebody from us allowed some things switch to the other group.

Meal time comes, I think Dinia know that her guest will not be kids that is why meals are huge and some of us on diet wasn’t able to do something, each meal is good for two person.


After receiving our souvenir token, we go home. How I missed my two sons lucky I was able to carry the celebrant and talked to him.

Al Safa Park Flea Market

May 3 is a new Saturday break for me, I have a chance to enter one of the nicest places in Dubai, the Al Safa Park for a certain reason, to check things i need in a flea market. After Karama Kid and our office manager forwarded me an e-mail concerning the event, I was drag to go there after lunch from office which I did not regret.

We encounter some trouble finding the place since the park is so big with more than 3 km. perimeter, we enter the main gate and end up going to opposite side. Nevertheless, I have enjoyed walking on center of the park, fulfilling my almost a year of contemplating to be inside and explore the place.

Circulating to the place of around nearly 100 plus tables full of different stuff for sale, I finally found an item seems interesting to me, a double CD Jazz Album of 1930’s artist and old collection of Popeye cartoon films in DVD, although maybe weird for some but a rare find for me, it cost me 35 aed.

After a while, some volunteer band performing on makeshift stage caught my attention and my stuff hunting is momentarily interrupted. I enjoyed most the performance of a pair of Filipina performing some original composition, one is singing and the other is playing the guitar.
When I am tired of watching standing, I continue my items hunting. Karama Kid brought me to a table for a charity organization. Karama kid encourage me to buy some items first on the charity table, since thinking that the money I will pay will help a charity, I decide to buy a new 5 pieces of quality towellete costing me another 20 aed.

Hopping on the next table which I found so many attractive items, I bought CD rack, I really need this and cost me only 5 aed, About to leave I found another stuff which remind me of Polper, I bought the item for him, its an key chain and ID necklace with a his favorite brandname of wine on it. Cost less but worth something.

To wrap things up for my unplanned bargain buying spree, I found a golf club on the other table, long requested by my son, since it was cheap, I bought it for 20 aed. Then about to leave, I found another items for both of my sons. These are educational CDs of physics, chemistry and biology for only 3 aed.

I bought no items for my wife since ladies items are mostly slightly used.

There goes my park strolling cum cheap items hunting.

Rolling stoned

You can't always get what you want. I often find myself singing this Rolling Stones line these days. It’s true. You, instead, get what you need. Sometimes, when you’re not so lucky, you even get something distressing. But always, it’s something you can handle. So oks lang.

Terry's run

Terry Fox’s run across Canada to raise money for cancer research in 1980 was commemorated this morning here at Al Mamzar Park with the 2008 Dubai Terry Fox Run. Around 10,000 people walked, ran, biked or skated the 8.4 km and shorter distances.

I walked and ran up to the roundabout with the 2.3 km mark and went back. So did my taichi master Dr. Chen and his son Harry who was on bike. DTFR, by the way is chaired by Judy Rickatson, who is also a member Dr. Chen's taichi group.

There were lots of Pinoys who participated in the fund-raising event. It was a kabayan group that led the warm-up with aerobic exercise. And helping direct vehicle and human traffic throughout the event, in their neon green vests, were barangay tanods.

Rock on

I’d been looking for a t-shirt with a slogan “Rock On” for a couple of months now but couldn’t find any. Yesterday, I was at the Mall of the Emirates and saw this little store in the middle of the aisle selling t-shirts with slogans in them. I asked the saleslady if she has one with a “Rock On” design. She said no but she could print anything I wanted. I chose a beige-colored t-shirt but hesitated to have “Rock On” printed. I went out to smoke and think of what to print in the t-shirt.

For some reason, I thought of

“And in the end,
the love you take
is equal to
the love you make.”

and had it printed. It’s the complete lyrics of the Beatles’ song The End from the Abbey Road album. The End is the last in a medley of short songs which begins with Golden Slumbers. It follows the jam where all three of the band’s guitarists play licks one after the other for 3 rounds.

I still don’t know why I chose the quote. Maybe because it sounds like a re-statement of Newton’s Law of Reciprocal Actions, which every engineer knows by heart. Well, anyway, keep on rocking.

Green Issues

The earth’s environment is now deteriorating. Rich nations will never have their political will to hold back their sustained economic and industrial growth thus kept on expanding, turning bare lands into a city or suburban jungle leaving no mercies for a naturally balance biosphere.

Developing nations will not allow themselves to be left over also building and constructing so many infrastructures eating up virgin landscapes.

Poor nations will do everything to survive, scratching everything from all their resources thus also harming the ecosystem.

Something must be done, everything must be regulated, events must be monitored and somebody must be in control.



In Dubai, things have started to take shape, last 2 January 2008 we are able to be a part of a gathering of developers, government departments, contractors, designers, manufacturers and consultants to witness the government trust to save the environment and extend the supply of limited natural resources.

The event was held at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, inside one of its ballroom. Speakers are international experts particularly from USA and one is based in Abu Dhabi. They shared what are the organization responsible for energy conservation and management to minimize use of depleting resources and manage emission of environmental pollutant. They also laid ongoing programs training and licensing engineers and personnel for this purpose.

Some local speakers which are head of known land developer and government agencies promote green certification which now will be a must for the entire future project.

The way I understand, for an efficient and energy saving/conservation design project to be constructed an equivalent certification shall be release for that project. Any design and construction that will fail the set guidelines will not be given a permit.



I heard and read articles such as this one before. Domestic waste water shall now be recycled and reused, building cooling system to be properly utilized and electricity usage shall be managed properly. Lighting illumination will now be controlled with reference to outside natural light contribution, presence, location and sound technology control to be promoted for lighting.

Great new information and challenges now awaits those who are into this new movement. Meanwhile, in conclusion, the foods are sumptuous and the place is great for our snapshots.

Rainy days

It started raining last Sunday. Manakanaka.

It was very difficult to get a ride from office. It turned out that some streets, including Sheik Zayed Road, were closed in connection with US President Bush’s coming Monday. I had to skip my taichi class.

Monday was declared a holiday. Good decision. It would have been chaotic.

Nampating, kailangang labhan uli ang sinampay ko.

Yesterday was terrible. It rained all day. Streets were flooded and people were stranded or stuck in traffic for hours. Parang Pilipinas.

Pumapatak na naman ang ulan sa bubong ng bahay. Ito’y hindi ko akalaing ... mangyayari pala ... sa Dubai.

It was raining again when I went to work this morning. The weather got better around 2:00 o'clock in the afternoon. The sky was still cloudy when I was going home from office but I think I caught a glimpse of the sun.

is this Manila?

Have you been in MMDA-controlled Manila already?

I came from a Singaporean vacation last October 2007. That country was hell of a clean space. You know what I mean if you have been there?

I have lived in Singapore for two years starting from 2003. Honestly, I was impressed because the place was clean and orderly. All the things I wish my country are to be.

But lo and behold, I was surprised. In my return visit last time, I was delightfully surprised that Manila that I know to be was dirty, was now (unbelievably) pretty clean. I am looking for reasons to explain this phenomenon. It may be an election period so that roads and by-ways are clean and squeaky. It may be a something else, but the heck with it. As far as I am concerned, it is political will. And that is rare. Political will is hard to come by these days.

For example, in the San Pedro-Biñan National road, concrete establishments are demolished because they have encroached into public territory. These structures have been there since time immemorial. No public office can get them out of these public lands nor have the political will to evict these squatters of the same. At present, the Old National High-way needs to be widened. No other entity has the political will to do this except for the MMDA.

I give my kudos to the Dictator of Metro Manila (MMDA) whom political will is stronger than that of neither any of the existing political party nor the prevalent kiss-arse attitude of our times.

We need professional and strong politicians now than ever. I hope they come in our time of need. God help us.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!!!

our election

This is the grassroots level of democracy and fair an election should be, ideally. Popular right of suffrage was invented by the Americans and was propagated throughout the world after the Second World War. This idea was given a class room trial at the time of the Thomasites (a term for the American teachers that came into the Philippines on-board the U.S.S. Thomas). Voting for the class officers, a class of 40 pupils, after canvassing, to the shock of the Americans, found out that a total of 53 pupils have voted. Was it a deficiency in mathematics? Beats me, better ask someone else then. Though democracy came early in our shores, electioneering and rigging comes just shortly behind.

Far from being an American and similarly so as being fair, I admit that, I participated in this “barangay” election period, as biased as I can be in favor of my ex-choir friend more so when I found out that he was running for a seat in the barangay council.

Going on, I never met him when I was on a 5-week “pearl of the orient” vacation last October 2007 not until just hours after the elections. When we did, it was kinda’ arguing about the democratic contest that he has just lost. We invited him to join us in a post-election drinking spree (I drink occasionally, and this is an occasion. Hehehe!!!). Although, during the campaign period, there was an alcohol ban, (drinking is not allowed. Well, when you are caught ofcourse. He3!!!) We nevertheless have done what all devotees of the Oktoberfest would do, DRINK & be merry!!!

I remembered the time when I were in college and ran for Grad Class Vice-Preisdent. The campaign period was rather good for me, until it was finally over. The “over” part was hard to accept. I was in the losing end of the election story. It did not fare very well to my ego. So I was accusing the other side of all conceivable things to justify their win. Rubbish. It was a landslide, it was decisive, and it was a knockout. It was uncontestable. Then ego turned to grief. Most of my running-mates cried. I did not cry with them, really. I was gazing up the sky, wondered what had had happened. There we were, on our backs on weary and weathered limestone, wallowing in despair on top of the battlements of old intramuros, looking for signs in the night, that maybe, all of these talk of defeat was just a really bad dream.

I understand my friends’ loss. I really do. I can relate with the sucker that he is now. Maybe it’s because of the sucker who I really have been. So when we were giving all his lamentations to us half-drunks, we just took it and gave encouragements and expressions of support to our recently defeated/injured friend. Sigh! That’s life.

Well, back into 2007, the winners of the barangay elections were the incumbent. And, as the gossip from the grapevine suggests (from inside the FX, from the wet market shoppers, vendors and from your regular corner bums), a PhP 1,000.00 reward was offered for those who voted for favored candidates (?). Although no legal protest were filed in Court by the aggrieved parties, the bribery issues was generally accepted as truth by the population. So, nothing could be done according to the eyes of the Law. But as far as I am concerned, the maiden Law became a whore of the highest bidder. Darn….

“The people deserve its government”. There are many things to say about his, but I will abstain, for now.

If money is the root if all evil, also, money is a requirement for election victory. money is the root of all evil. Could it be deducted then, that election victory is the root of all evil?

So, the night ended in awful sorrow for our friends’ loss. But hey, let us just account what had had happened, learn the lesson in it. And then, just move on. In the end, it is a question if you are still the man you still are and you're the man you hope to be? After this struggle, I hope you held you’re balls well. It is all that you have when you face your Creator.

As for me, we hope you do your best in life and in all jovial favor I say, let us drink to that!!!!!

New Year's Eve Revelry

A concluding sequence to a series of celebrations for the year 2007 completed last night. This time to a reinvented placed where I have my Christmas Eve dinner. The flat now becomes a much comfortable placed decorated with balloons around, furnished with new sofa and audio/video cabinet.



Smiling Louie opened the door for me and was greeted by versatile Carl singing a song. Bringing a wine as share inside the kitchen, I found Mariz and Edwin about to place the palatable tokwa’t baboy in the center table in the living room.



We have our dinner earlier since we have to get out before the New Year arrive, Celso lead us into encouraging prayer before partaking the foods.



When Donald arrived from visiting some friends, we started showing all weve got, a final push for year 2007 expressions, and we sing our favorite songs. Mariz and Donald's visitor Asi, taught us choose songs easily using mediacom remote control.




Once we are short of air, we now decided to breathe some fresh one, we go out the building to feel the festivities outside. We found Elvin waiting downstairs waiting for us.



We got excited while walking to a place near the world renowned Dubai creek, to watch the welcoming of the New Year. Droves of people flock near the creek bank. At exactly 12 midnight, fireworks started to light the sky, I have to move to a nearer view to took some snapshots. Since a little bit far to our place, I decided to took a video shot instead. Then we took also of our photo while feeling a more relaxed ambience after the fireworks.



Somehow a bit energized after taking a satisfying outside view, we walked back to host’s flat and continue jamming. Elvin added some flavor for the type of music we are singing which somewhat I was able to sing. Celso and Edwin have their own dance part that concluded our celebration.