What Happened To Spring?

At 4 p.m. yesterday, my colleague's Jaguar indicated 44 degree Celsius.

Seriously? 44 degrees in the middle of March? I can only cringe for July's weather.

Five years ago, when I first came here, the month of March still calls for light jacket and scarves. It still calls for closed shoes if not booties. It still had that nifty cold bite in the air that is perfect for a walk in the park, picnic by the sea side or just hanging out in your garden.

I guess that's not possible anymore. Hello Global Warming.

The only sign of spring I could think of is the mad dash of replanting/ uprooting of flowers along Bayan Palace (they don't even do it as much or as pretty compared to couple of years ago) and the butterflies in my mom's garden
They are everywhere and a great sight to see. If only they don't have a life span of 2 weeks, it wouldn't be as tragic.

Room With A View

The other night, I posted at Twitter on how I want to thank The Secret and the Higher Power in the High Heavens for giving into my positive thoughts of a new house, surrounded by civilized people, huge lawn, a pool & a room with a view.

Ladies and gentlemen, say hello to the Power of Attraction.

AHLAVET!

Serious Shoe Love

When I feel bad I like to treat myself. Clothes never look any good... food just makes me fatter... shoes always fit.

- Rose Feller: In Her Shoes


Left to right: Reebok Free Style Hi Jungle, Reebok blue metallic, H&M red loafers & Roxy loafer

Well, I don't just buy shoes when I feel bad, I buy them almost everytime I got extra moolah (or even when I don't) and I see something I really really really like. True though on clothes and food. For the obvious reason of over eating and not getting the right fit, I noticed I've been buying shoes more than clothes lately.

But it's so worth it. No buyers remorse whatsoever. They ever look so puuurrttyy! =D

We are on the process of moving house (AGAIN! Yes we do it every couple of years since time immemorial), and the first things I packed are my shoes, bags & books. In that order. They are just LOVE! Not all of my stuffs are going to be seeing the light of day in Kuwait ever again because I'm planning to ship them off to the Philippines as my deadline here is almost up. Yep. I'm only be living, loving Kuwait for the rest of 2010 and come hither twenty eleven, shukran maasalama is the drama!

I digress. As usual.

Back to my shoes. I've packed almost everything except for my pair of Havaianas slipper, that fugly black slip ons I use for work and those four lovelies above.

Despite public opinion, I am not a spendthrift. I only buy items when I really really really come to the point of feeling that if I don't get it I'll lose (lost?) sleep over it. Most of the time anyways.

That is why when I was in Dubai and my fabulous friends took me to Dubai Outlet Mall, I was on a lookout for the Reebok place where I bought the gorgeousness below the last time my Mama took me there.

Studio R is the place to be. They got amazingly crazy prices that my battered wallet (and pride) just can't resist.

Example:

Item #1: Reebok Free style Hi Jungle - only costs me 75 DHS. That's 5.760 KWD to you people here or 900 PHP to the Kabayans.

Item #2: Reebok blue metallic sneakers: costs me 120 DHs only. That's 9.300 KWD or 1,476 PHP. It was a little bit steep for my stingy taste but heck, I love the color!

Item #3: Roxy loafer: I call it a loafer because I've no idea what it's called. I'm in a habit of not taking the shoe boxes when I buy them so there. Major dumbo drop. Anyhooo. The Roxy shoes costs me.... NOTHING! Yes, it's FREE!!! I didn't pay a single fils for it. I even got a Roxy cap to pair it with again for FREE! How? Courtesy of Studio R's 20% cash back and of course the lovely friends who gave me there coupons. So YAY! That's what I call a great bargain.

Item #4: H&M loafer: was bought here in Kuwait yesterday. I wasn't planning to buy anything, heck, I am in no position to even shop for 2 months but I just can't myself. After the meeting with K Events people for the up and coming bazaar (later post!) at Marina Crescent, I crossed the street to Marina Mall & found myself in H & M. After half an hour, I noticed my basket to be teeming with items, mostly tunics and bags but I managed to get ahold of myself and walk away with only 2 items. That red shoes for 4.900 KWD and a tunic for 1.900 KWD only.

Funny thing is, despite my being twenty-something-working-girl, on the way home, I took both out items from the shopping bag and stashed it inside my Kipling body bag. Why? Coz I don't want my mom to see it because that would just attract gazillion comments. Yes. I'm a very bad girl. Please don't tell her! =)) Hi Ma!

Oh the scheming and plotting for the serious shoe love ♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥

POV

A 3 hour intellectually challenging conversation has just concluded in YM between me and Mr. Pagong. As a given, we have different point of views considering that we are raised in different country and of course ways.

I respect Mr. Pagong's strong opinion on the unfairness of having a scrap of paper that says you're a graduate to get a high paying job or to be recognized; on the too much freedom given to our generation which ergo paves way to the lack of morality by most; on the hard living situation in the Philippines compared to working & living in UAE; etc.

Conversation was heavily edited but Mr. Pagong got valid points.

That doesn't necessarily agree with my POV which are the following:

On - EDUCATION
*** Mr. Pagong says it's unfair how a scap of paper can determine your position in a work place. What about those who can't afford to go to school but are hard working.

Mackay: It's unfair generalize and to call it a scrap of paper as those who finished their Bachelors worked hard for it too. Unfortunately, most companies prefer college graduates because it is a given that those who did was prepared and got skills for the job required. Case to case are those idiots who went to school and pass due to family influence or money. Unfortunately, those who are hardworking but undegrad get left behind in hiring or in promotion but that is due to the fact that there are thousands of graduate that are looking for the same position.

On - CHILDREN
*** Mr. Pagong doesn't like/ want any & I am asserting my independence on the topic IF I want one someday.

Mackay: oh yeah of course ill do what i want, you don't have to be involve with them if that is what you prefer

On - NATIONALISM
*** According to Mr. Pagong 3 more friends agree that I am one as I post/talk about Philippine tourism, politics and it's people in every network and to whoever would listen.

Mackay: and as for being nationalistic. not that i see anything wrong with being one but this ill say only once. i promote what i know and i know the philippines. despite the flaws that country has got almost all the beauty combined compared to other country. mostly with its mosst natural resources with the ever resilient filipinos. So yea, im ok with being called nationalistic and if given a chance, i am more than happy to live all my life in that country. id even welcome it

On - GENERATION GAP
*** Mr. Pagong says due to too much freedom and leeway, today's youth are morally misguided compared to previous generations.

Mackay: and as for our generations, i love the fact that we are in this era and especially because we are filipinos that we are given enough guidance to use our freedom. it is up to us and not others on how we use it wisely because not all or other nationalities enjoy nor can even dream of having one

On - POV & FREEDOM

Mackay: you and i lived a different life which accounts to different point of view but that is just fine with me.

A famous philosopher used to say, my freedom ends where your freedom begins.

Sick Leave & Kuwait Public Health Care

I'm only allergic to 3 things.

1. Crabs
2. Dust
3. Stupid people

Unfortunately, I live in a country that got plenty of all of the above.

Yesterday I was hit with #2 and #3.

Allergy #2 made me incapable of going to work today.

I tried to drink it off with Panadol Cold & Flu which luckily enough is laced with lemon & honey. I don't like bitter yucky things so am happy with this one.

After tossing and turning all night, the dripping nose & headache - I decided to take a day off and recuperate.

Did some work in the morning, ate and dozed off pretty much the whole day. Thanks to Claritine and Panadol.

Of course I didn't wanna lose a days pay so I need a medical certificate that is why off I went to the public clinic.

One of the perks in living here in Kuwait is low cost health care. That is if you go to public hospital though coz private clinics can easily cost you 10 KD for a consultation plus a whole lot more for medicines. Last time I was there I cost me a whooping 40 KD for muscle pains.

To avail of the almost free clinic in the public sector, you have to find out which are your Civil ID is registered on. I was told it has something to do on your house address at the time of residency process.

Once you determined where you're registered on, find the area Coop. Nine out of ten major coops, the public clinics are located there.

Go inside, present your Civil ID & 1 KD for the stamp in the reception area. The person inside will give you a receipt with the stamp in it & will tell you what room to go in to.

You wait for that doctors room to be free and then go in. Most of the time there is no line. Today there was 3 people ahead of me but the consultation was fast so its fine.

Upon going in, the doctor will ask for that receipt, enter something in her computer and will ask you what is the problem. You start telling your story. Show her youre really sick and then if need be she will do her own physical check up. My doctor was sick herself but she told me that she's not allowed to skip work as she is a doctor after all. Weird stuff but then again, I just wanted my papers signed and get out of there. If she wanted to spread her germs to her patients, I find it unethical, but honestly she doesn't look sick to me.

After the check up, the doctor will type again in her computer, give you back the receipt and will tell you her diagnosis. Mine was common cold. If you have a company sick leave form, this is the time to present it so she can sign on it. The doctor will ask you how many days you want to rest so she can indicate that on your sick leave form.

After leaving the doctor's room, you go straight to the pharmacy and they will give you a cocktail like the one below for free!

Of all the things I dislike about this country, this is one of the top ten that I really approve off. Free clinic & medicine for all.

Hopefully, the nasal spray and wash plus the paracetamols can help me go to sleep well tonight so I can get back to work tomorrow. I would love to skip work again but unfortunately, work is embedded in my DNA.

Moving Out!

We are on the process of moving house again. The third house I've been in since the last 5 years here. The 30+ house I've lived in the past 25 years of my life.

That makes me an expert in packing!



Not.

For The Love Of The Written Word

There was an article I found through Twitter recently about someone who incorporated reading in just about everything she does but all of a sudden halted for a week of experiment on how she'll be fairing without it.

A Week Without Books certainly feels like it was written by me. A self professed bookworm. My room is literally littered with books of all genre and I could not go out without a book in my bag.

Snapshot on Sharjah U.A.E. road regarding a book fest conference

I read on the way and from work. I read in the eerr loo. I read in all of my free time. I read before I go to sleep and on weekends where I'd rather read than go to the mall.

Reading, I find, aside from it is educational, it saves me from moral decay and God forbid - boredom.

A lot of people, including my siblings, could not get my addiction to reading. Ever since I have learned how to read and saw my parents, who by the way had the greatest influence in me in regards to literature, I have never gone a day week without reading or finishing a book.

When I go on vacations, one of the best attraction of the place is the accessibility of a bookstore.

Malaysia was extra memorable when I got a free reign on purchasing almost a dozen books at Borders Bookstore.

I was super happy when I saw this Borders Bookstore all over Dubai. Photo above is at Ibn Batutta Mall

Magrudy's on the other hand is a new favorite. Saw it at Dubai Festival City after a dinner date. Yiheeee.

To date, my ultimate favorite bookstore is the Philippine's very own National Bookstore. That store is like a blood bank to my parched fangs.

The love for reading is like a legacy my parents bestowed upon me and I am forever thankful.

Some people paint, dance or act, I on the other hand read and will be reading every change I get as long as I live.