INCESSANT MACK'S NAG

“Feels like I’m running, not away, but to take off and fly.”

2011-02-02T03:54:00.001+03:00

Run Away - Georgia Anne Muldrow

Hey there Kuwait,

Crazy things happened and are happening. In less than 5 days I am getting out of here. Leaving you for good after 7 wonderful years together. I am thankful for the opportunities and the good times as well as the bad that smacked a lesson in me or two.

I spent a better part of growing up here with you. I arrived a wide eyed angry 19 year old rebel who wants nothing in the world but to fly back in the Philippines. Funny how time changes everything, especially one's sense of perception. Seven years, 4 houses and 2 jobs later, it is finally time for me to go home and face the music.

I am ready. Willing and able.

Will post more once I've actually managed to un-clutter my brain.

XoXo,

Mac

The Turkey Situation

2010-11-24T20:13:00.004+03:00

Thanksgiving is a huge affair in our home. It's up there with Christmas and Easter. Every year we throw a Thanksgiving feast for family and friends and as part of tradition we roast the biggest turkey we can find served with classic beans casserole, mashed potato, gravy, pumpkin pie, ham, lasagna and loads more.

This year, we started the preparation early as we thought we have learned our lessons from the past. Apparently, based on what I've been twittering yesterday, we have not learned an iota.

THERE WAS TURKEY SHORTAGE everywhere!

Macsiomai: Is on a fat turkey run!!! #Kuwait is experiencing a turkey shortage at the moment =| #Thanksgiving - posted Tue 23 Nov 20:50

We looked everywhere and by that I meant to Lulu Hypermarket, Sultan Center Mangaf, Sultan Center Al Kout, Sultan Center Fahaheel and finally we found a 6 KGS buttercup baby turkey at GEANT at 360. We got two. We have friends who are inside Sultan Center and they have confirmed that all the turkeys was sold out that night.

Macsiomai: Tomorrow's #Thanksgiving Menu: 2 roasted turkeys, 2 baked ham, 2 lasagna, classic green bean casserole, baked beans, macaroni and cheese etc - posted Wed 24 Nov 20:16

You read it right TWO turkeys and 2 baked ham & lasagna on top of everything else. Why TWO? I've no clue except that we're a bunch of hoarders and we think that our guests eats like an elephant =))

Macsiomai: My family is seriously insane.After the turkey panic last night, we are now roasting 3- 7 to 10 KGS turkeys for 2moro's #Thanksgiving feast! - posted Wed 24 Nov 23:29

YEP! It has now become 3 turkeys in matter of hours. We went to Sultan Center looking for pecan and pumpkin pies but we ended up buying the biggest turkey since the craziness began. How can we walk away from 10 KGS Buttercup young turkey? We can't so we bought it and now we discovered that there's STUFFINGS SHORTAGE too! Psh. Fail.

Macsiomai: It of course means,no sleep as each turkey roasts in approx 4 to 8 hrs depending on the size & oven capacity.Spell WALANG TULUGAN! #thankful - posted Wed 24 Nov 23:31

Our turkey last year was such a huge success the tragedy was we did not write down what we did so now we're back at counting on our capabilities to be a bunch of geniuses in the kitchen. Our Wansa oven does not help either =|

Macsiomai: and I'm up for the first shift on the first turkey rotation. Kuya Lino and Ate Nell on the 2nd and third. Good luck sa oven! #Thanksgiving - posted Wed 24 Nov 23:34

It's 12:09, I'm blogging in front of the oven while simultaneously checking on tweetdeck, facebook and watching The Filipino Channel.

Theory is we should be basting the turkey every 15 minutes to prevent drying out.

Diet be damned. I can't wait to devour!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING people!

Kuwait Ministry Banned DSLR in Public

2010-11-21T04:07:00.001+03:00

LOCAL NEWS - Kuwait Times

Multi ministry camera ban frustrates artists

Published Date: November 20, 2010
By Abdullah Al-Qattan, Staff Writer

KUWAIT: After the ban three ministries placed on photography, most Kuwaiti youth are a bit confused about what to do with their cameras if they can't use them in public and why such laws were implemented in the first place. The Ministry of Information, Ministry of Social Affairs and Ministry of Finance recently came to the conclusion that photography should be used for journalism purposes only. This has resulted in the ban of Digital Single Lens Reflex Cameras (DSLRs) in public, on the streets and in malls
.

What most Kuwaiti photographers have come to wonder is how such a decision could be reached by authorities, especially considering that digital cameras and cell phone cameras have the same abilities. What most people think of photography as a hobby has become a bit misguided due to the fact that the country has so little exposure to art. While using a DSLR, passersby may wonder if the camera is being used for the wrong reasons.

Mohammed Al-Eisa, who picked up photography as a hobby more than 10 years ago, said that he has decided to take photos of animals or still life due to the fact that these subjects don't mind having their picture taken and don't make a scene. "I started facing problems the very first day I bought my camera," Mohammed added.

What often happens is that a big black camera tends to worry people. Taking a picture of a stranger would seem like much less of an issue if you were using a more discreet camera or even a cell phone. Mariam Al-Fodiry said that she has faced similar problems with her hobby and that being a girl doesn't help at all. She said that in some cases it makes the problem even worse. "Switching to abstract and landscape photography was one the options I considered after getting into enough trouble," Mariam said.

Majed Al-Saqer said that sometimes people stop him while he is in his car with his camera, as if he were planning to kill someone with it. He said that he isn't sure what the real problem is, whether it is people taking photos of each other or the size of the camera.

________________________________________________

Now what would PINDOT do?

Personally, I think it's a dumb law because if people really want's to take pictures they can without the DSLRS. There are amazing point and shoots in the market like my G11 who can do almost what DSLRS can. Heck, even my Sony Ericsson W995 mobile phone got 8 mpeg resolution and can perform awesome zooming in if I want to. The article does not really say the reason behind the banning but it probably have something to do with privacy and security which again takes me back to my point above.

Cirque Du Soleil Kuwait Tickets For Sale

2010-11-20T20:51:00.004+03:00

Hello Kuwait,

I'm sure by now you've heard about the Cirque De Soleil brought by Al Ghanim groups here in Kuwait and most have been astounded by the ticket prices.

Well here's your chance to see this world renowned performers! My sister was given a ticket date for the 25th of November but unfortunately we're having a Thanksgiving party on the same day. Expectedly, she choose Thanksgiving with family over the circus so she's selling 2 tickets for 15 KD each.

If you're interested or know anyone who is, please leave a comment and we will get back to you. Thanks!

Filipino Pizza Hut Crew At Avenues Kuwait Jamming After Work

2010-11-19T21:28:00.000+03:00

Pinoy's For The Win!!!!!!

Talentado kahit saan man sa mundo =D

Logos Kuwait Anniversary Celebration

2010-11-15T01:28:00.002+03:00

Got this from Facebook verbatim:

"To All Friends here in KUWAIT,
You are all invited to attend the 1st year anniversary celebration of Logos Kuwait on 19th November (friday) at 10AM-12NN @ King Palace Restaurant, Kuwait City.....Hope to see you all........Surely, We Will Be Blessed! =)"

Pacquiao vs Margarito Live in Kuwait

2010-11-14T12:55:00.007+03:00

At 4.30 a.m. today, me and my family trekked over to my aunt's place to watch the ultimate fight between Pacquiao and Margarito.

Woozy should be the word that describes the state of my head due to the flurry of activities such as snoozing the alarm clock one too many times, running around Dunkin Donuts to buy 2 dozen assorted sins in the form of sugar and figuring out why I'm there in the first place.

You see, I'm not a Pacquiao fan. In fact during the fight, I was quiet right until Margarito punches the heck out of Pacquiao wherein I would shout profanities. Seriously, I wanted him beaten too.

Welcome haters!

It's not like I want him to lose, no. I am, after all, born and bred in GenSan thus I still feel a sense of loyalty to the guy as he's also born and bred there. I want him to win but I also want a blow by blow punching from both sides. It looks so uneven watching him beat the hell out of Margarito. It's not exactly Pacquiao's fault since Margarito was slow with his return jabs and I have to admit that Pacquiao is really great with what he does. He is the epitome of a great boxer. Also, Margarito brought along his son, it should be illegal to make your child watch you get beaten to a pulp but you got to hand it to him for enduring the fight for 12 rounds.

Waleylung. Parang kulang sa bugbugan. Oh, speaking of beating the crap of each other, I am a little miffed with the undercard games result before the main event. The one with Jones and the Mexican guy. The mexican guy should've won. Jones did a flurry of punches, 89 punches, approximately during the second round but that was that. He lost his wind and his power punch that the rest of the game he was so out of it. The Mexican on the other hand had the pulpy face but he boxed on and he threw heavy punches. Real good ones too! So when the judges decision came out, I was a bit miffed that Jones was still undefeated. That Mexican dude deserved it.

Hhhhmm, I sound like I always go against the expected results but what the hey, I'm no expert in boxing, just my two fils worth.

Anyways, during the game my aunt served the best Chicken Arroz Caldo I've tasted in years since I've been here. It was comfort food to the fullest! Right after that, I fell asleep and just woke up past noon.

On top of all this, I'm still not over my flu, upper respiratory infection and a cough that won't let me sleep at night.

Tonight, we are going back to my aunt's place for a little victory party for Pacquiao. Should be fun. If my itchy throat would leave me alone for a second so I can eat the "papaitan" and "bopis" served.

Today is a good day. I'm beginning to think that it's going to be a good week because of the super long holiday due to Eid Al Adha =) So yey!

Congratulations Manny Pacquiao. Thank you for giving us Filipinos something to be proud of once again and for the humility/ compassion you've showed towards your opponent. I don't know how you're going to split or even count your 2 billion pesos winnings, not including the pay per view share, with the rest of your entourage but seriously Jinkee Pacquiao should have unlimited shopping credit in all the shops in Beverly Hills. Go team Jinkee!

Halloween Awesomeness

2010-11-13T23:39:00.007+03:00

I am going to over use the word AWESOME! Because for the past couple of months the family and extended family has been nothing but AWESOME!!!!

Just look at our masterpieces below and try to counter our awesomeness.

Blair Witch Area

It's amazing how the whole group united in a whole month worth of preparation. We did not only converge every weekend but sometimes twice or thrice a week.

The sleep overs were especially super fun!

We bought the spider webs from Party Land and some to New York. We painted the tombstones and cut out spiders and bats out of black card board papers. Don't let me start on 2 hundred balloons and crepe paper flowers.

Skeletons were bought from London to Waleed Super Toy store at Shuwaikh

You've been warned door

How awesome and lifelike are these?! =D

Spider webs with spiders and bats cut outs

The Halloween banners on the other hand was printed at my office using HP free art prints. Thanks HP!

More skeleton stuffs from Waleed Super Toy Store

Skulls and scary pumpkin bottles galore

At closer look! This skull flew all the way from London! How cool is that? =D

Oh I can tell stories about this graveyard aquarium! Up next!

I can't even begin to describe how proud I am of my cat skills =D Well, my ability to persuade my younger cousins to draw numerous different cats and to persuade the gang to cat out different kind of cats and rats!

Yes! All kinds of scared rats =)) Awesome right?

The main table designed with random skulls from Sultan Center, Ikea candles and holder and a huge glow in the dark skull from Party Land!

For the pool/ garden area we have forewarned people of the danger they were about to embark on

Mr. Scarecrow should be enough to scare the bejeesus out of you. If not then the door bats and the big warning sign should!

Every party should have a picture wall. Our awesome Dexter's blood spatter was from Party Land and it was huge!!

It was windy that day so we anchored it with bricks. Our photo ops turned out great I tell yah!

One of the most challenging art work we've done was the coffin. Good thing, we bought a huge aquarium that provided us a kick ass box perfect for our coffin! We bought crepe papers and glued the heck out of it. Of course, when I say, "we", I meant those people I boss around =D

Those people are brilliant by the way. BRILLIANT!!!!

For the kids we made couple of pinyatas filled with candies which went bust. More on that later because right now I want to talk about that scary picture. We have been awesome but we also have failings, case in point the photo above. It's supposed to be a pinyata but 2 super glue and loads of news and crepe papers later, it becomes unbreakable! Thereby rendering it impossible for the kids to get their candies.

But since we are awesome!! - we had this brilliant idea of turning it into a scary pseudo ballooned pumpkin. Whatever that means.

Point is, WE ARE AWESOME! yeah.

Smells Fishy!!!

2010-11-13T21:30:00.008+03:00

Been such a couch potato today so I'm giving you silent pictures of dead fish and sea creatures which by the way is yummy once cooked =)

For a quarter of a price, you can get all kinds of fresh fish you can possibly imagine to crave for here in Kuwait.

If you're a good haggler, then you can get a very good price plus cleaning!

Kuwaiti Tilapia yum!!!

I was allergic to crabs, one bite and I break out all over. Gradually, with constant medication and hard headedness, I'm presently able to eat 3 whole crabs!! Wooot wooot!

I've no idea what kind of a fish this is but my mom and my aunt went berserk!!!

Baby sharks!!! I can't imagine eating sharks but I guess some people has special tastes =|

My family is crazy about anything sea food. We devour them like wannabe Pescetarians. Anyone close to us could expect a seafood dish on our table in every meal / party in all kinds of cooked variations.

We usually grill, fry or make a soup but we always makes it a point to spice things up.

No we don't use this one. I've no idea what this is but I found it pretty =)

Fruits!!!!! =B

It took a lot of growing up before I was able to appreciate vegetables! I <3>

There are a couple of fish market that we like but the family's favorite is the one at Souk Sharq just beside the Sharq mall and Sultan Center where you can gaze at an amazing Gulf sea side view.

Fresh fish is a must for delicacies such as "Kinilaw". This is absolutely divine in authenticity.

Rows of soda steamed crabs! Family tradition requires everyone to stand around the spread on the table and just hammer away to get the fatty, juicy goodness!

It's amazing what crab meat dipped into a vinegar soaked garlic can make you feel.

90's Birthday Bash

2010-11-12T00:07:00.003+03:00

Sickest party in K town happened last weekend!

I know the photos looks like kinsenyetas w/o the pinyata but believe me we did no cha-cha at all!

What we have was a huge cake, fierce people who are game for a 90's costume party *cough-baduy-cough*, our in house DJ, overflowing food, century old parlor games and fierce party people.

As usual, due to privacy reasons, I can't post photos but believe me when I say, it was awesome! Never had much fun in a K Town party except the ones that I organized. LOL!

Fangtastic! - Costumes & Candies - Boo'yah!

2010-10-31T22:11:00.007+03:00

Happy Halloween everyone! =)

While everyone's out trick or treating, I am now nursing a bad case of hang over with our Fangtastic party last weekend.

We have been planning, cutting, drawing, printing, brain storming, climbing up the walls and ceilings to put up our amazing Halloween props!

Making this Fangtastic party has been so much fun and it's such a great feeling to see the fruits of our labor and creativity come alive and be appreciated and awed by our monster guests.

The bewitching welcome room

w/ the lovely host on the side

Black candles & spider webs adds charm to any Halloween table.

I will post a separate entry on the whole Halloween interior and the how to's but first -

Let me regale you with the amazing Spiderman who loves his suit so much that he was wearing it 3 days in a row! LOL

Halloween won't be complete without trick or treating for the kids.

Sweets for our sweets. Candies galore!

Beautiful Halloween cupcakes

After our sumptuous dinner, we started off with making a mummy contest for the kids!

and breaking the Pinyata. The yarn broke before the pumpkin pinyata so XP Gensan Monster went up the second floor and threw candies to the candy mongers.

Once the kids program are happily munching/ counting their loot, it's time for the adults to have some bizarre fun!

The lovely Pancit has graced our Halloween party wearing a corset.

I am not scared of the clowns but this one scares the shit out of me.

Amazing is a over used word in this post but I have no words except AMAZING for the people who gamely dressed up in costumes and painstakingly put on their monster make up as adherence to the party dress code.

My lovely monsters, as I'd like to call them now, have shed off their inhibitions and dressed up to the ~~night~~ nines!

Angel slash cupid trying to capture the Pinoy Flick Zombie

Monsters of the night!

Monsters, angels, clowns, devils, terrorists, Schwarzenegger, scary movie dude mask, witches and vampires have all danced, laughed, ate and took gazillion photos of the night away! =)

This has got to be one of the most memorable Halloween ever! Not only because of the success of the party but because along the way we have discovered vast potentials on what we can do.

Is anyone in need of a party planner here in Kuwait? Call us! LMAO!

It's been 48 hours since the Fangtastic night but I still can't get over it. Rawr. If only I'm still here next year so we can make this as an annual thing.

I <3>

Family Time @ The Hilton Hotel Kuwait

2010-10-27T11:29:00.001+03:00

The pure detox entry I did yesterday reminded me of another pampering me and my sister got at the Hilton Hotel couple of months ago.

Thanks to Ate Amy, I got a couple of passes for The Spa's Aquamedic pool which is sublime IMHO. Aside from the use of the pool, we're also able to use the Moroccan bath, the steam and the sauna.

It's my sister's first time to experience all that so it's a wonder seeing old routines through new eyes again.

August was still Ramadan time that is why after our Aquamedic pool session, the parentals are waiting for us at the Ramadan tent of the Hilton.

The tent is 4 times bigger than our house in the Philippines!

Ever since I've arrived here in Kuwait, all special occasions of our family has always been celebrated in Hilton Hotel. Not only proximity wise, they also serve really good food and gives us great service. It doesn't hurt that we have some wasta inside too. Teeehee!! =P

I love this lamp! I wish I can take this home

During Ramadan, people normally break their fast by eating laban milk and dates.

Since I'm not particularly found of dates that is not in cake form, I broke my fasting with all these!! =D

Really long stick bread is yummy!

The tent have different food stations. From traditional shawarma, grilled kebabs to different kinds of pastas.

My plate is a mishmash of everything and anything!

One of our favorite every time we eat at Hilton is their dessert station. It's where you can find layers upon layers of heavenly goodness!

My dessert plate. Gazillion worth of yummy calories.

I've said it before and I'm posting it here now, Ramadan for some reason invokes the hunger within that people eats more than normal.

It's very true but lame enough reason as my excuse for overeating during the Ramadan season! LOL!

No. You're Weird!!!!

2010-10-27T00:04:00.003+03:00

I'm getting so used sleeping surrounded by these

Spider webs & hanging glow in the dark skeletons

Spider & webs everywhere!

Madam skeleton on the chaise lounge

Who wouldn't feel safe with this guy watching over you?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!

I know... I know it's not until next week but heck it's so fun celebrating it everyday this month. I seriously love this holiday.

Pure Detox!

2010-10-26T04:03:00.002+03:00

There's nothing more wonderful after a hard day of desk job and

cardio on the treadmill

but a rejuvenating bath soak.

This time my mother told me to use The Body Shop Wasabi bath soak

and instructed me to drink 3 small bottles of water before submerging myself into Wasabi bliss.

Detox is a must for everyone out there especially to those who absolutely loves Johnny Rockets breakfast

on a glorious weekend morning by the park.

The detox should be done 3 times in 3 consecutive days for it to be effective. On those days & week following that, expect a lot of toilet trips.

Government Warning: Smoking is Dangerous to your Health

2010-10-25T15:43:00.003+03:00

My mom and my aunt are smokers. Not only are they smokers, they are very picky on what they smoke!

Most of the time, the cigarette that they would only puff is not available here in Kuwait making their friends and family import it from Thailand.

Now this particular brand of cigarette is not only available in that country but this photo gives a pack from there a blog worthy post

Disgusting right!?!?!? EEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!

In hoping that the people I know would be as disgusted & scared enough to stop smoking, I posted this on Facebook and tagged all the smokers in my friends list.

Wadya know! They untagged themselves! Hahaha! They said it's super disgusting but apparently not disgusting enough to stop smoking =|

I should've known better. My mom and my aunt solves that hard reality & yucky problem by covering the photo with ink so they can smoke in peace.

Fail!

Halloween & Party Land

2010-10-24T14:57:00.000+03:00

Beside Christmas, Halloween is my second favorite holiday!

This year, with a little prodding with the old people, I finally got the go signal to decorate our house.

Which better place to get decorations but in Party Land! So after work, I asked my driver to take me to the biggest Party Land branch which is in Shuwaikh.

Their window display is so eerie & cool at the same time!

The store is full of wicked designs that will amaze, startle and will make you scream like a little girl.

They have masks galore!

and costumes too! All kind of paraphernalies you could think of is there.

The very same weekend after I went, I dragged the family + a dozen extended ones back there for costumes & more Halloween decorations.

FUN!

Who's Excited About Halloween?

2010-10-22T22:33:00.001+03:00

WE ARE!!!!

Wonderful Dinner Cruise on the Bateaux Dubai

2010-10-19T14:52:00.003+03:00

On the 20th of August, I have enjoyed an enchanting dinner along the Dubai Creek under the starlit sky on board the unique Bateaux.

That unforgettable luxury cruise experience served us sumptuous four course gourmet meal.

For the appetizer we had - Salmon w/ Baby Artichokes, Capers & Tarragon

and sinful Crabs and Prawns Cocktails with Avocado

Seafood en Papillote for the main course!

Dessert was Strawberries with Date Crumble & Mascaporne Ice Cream

Everything was absolutely delicious!

Except for the drinks. Don't order their Long Island. You'll gag.

Aside from that the whole night was fun with non stop talking and loads of laughter. We hardly felt the boat move true to its Bateau form. It's really way up there compared to the other dhow cruises.

From Bateaux's glass enclosed interior, we saw the landmarks and historic sights along the Dubai Creek.

The British Embassy Building
Maktoum Bridge
Dubai Courts
The Floating Bridge
The Clock Tower
The Dhow Wharfage
Dubai Chamber of Commerce
The National Bank of Dubai
The Etisalat building
The Twin towers
Deira tower
The Old Souk/ Spice Souk
The Gold Souk
The Heritage and Diving Village
Sheikh Saeed's House
The Diwan and Bastakiya
Dubai Museum
The Grand Mosque
The Old Boat Port

It was a wonderful dreamy night and I wish this experience to every girl out there.

Ramadan & Golden Sands in Dubai

2010-10-19T14:25:00.001+03:00

I've been to Dubai 4 times in the past 6 months and I don't remember blogging any of it so on my latest escape in that country, I decided to slowly but surely share =)

Arrived and stayed at Golden Sands for their awesome Ramadan price. haha! It's a studio apartment. I love staying with friends but I don't want to impose much so I almost always want to stay in a hotel.

Golden Sands is a hotel apartment that literally gives more value for our money. More on the price we got sold on the free wi-fi! boohooo to other establishments that asks for internet pay.

The studio entrance

When looking for a place to stay during vacations one of my ultimate requirement is sparky white bed sheets. Anything darker than that is a no - no mainly because of hygienic reasons.

Part of the itinerary is to celebrate Roxy's birthday all the way from Canada =D

Cake for the absentee celebrant!

House party for the win!

Since it was Ramadan, eating out during the day is next to impossible but was not a problem because hey who wakes up before lunch while on vacation anyways?

To accommodate our appetites we hoard the nearest Spinney's that we can cook back in our studio!

Nom! I salivate just looking at the photos. I wish we have it here in Kuwait =| I gained 2 kilos because of these in the span of 8 days!

Better than any breakfast buffet in town! Yum!

I'm getting hungry by blogging about this now.

To complete the Dubai escapade, it's a tradition to stop and hoard at Duty Free for these! =D

Kampay! LOL!

Be A Winner With Al Rai Newspaper

2010-10-12T11:38:00.004+03:00

Got this in my email but since I can't read Arabic probability is I won't win.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2010-10-09T08:48:00.000+03:00

Ladies, have your HR/ Boss/ PR representative to register and hold a breast cancer awareness seminar in your company.

Young people in Cebu reclaim their campus quarry with trees!

2010-10-07T14:34:00.002+03:00

Reading Mark's blog at 248am.com regarding a beach clean up this Saturday 09-10-10 took me into this site www.350.org

10/10/10 - Global Work Party

Start an Event ➥

Find an Event ➥

Read the Invitation ➥

With your help, 10/10/10 is going to be the biggest day of practical action to cut carbon that the world has ever seen.

We're calling it "A Day to Celebrate Climate Solutions"--together we'll get to work in our communities on projects that can cut carbon and build the clean energy future.

But we won't stop there--we'll be using the day to pressure our leaders to Get To Work themselves by passing strong climate policies promoting clean energy and reducing emissions.

Thousands of people around the world have already registered their plans, including bike repair workshoppers in San Francisco, school insulating teams in London, waste-land-to-veggies-gardeners in New Zealand, and solar panel installers in Kenya.

It's a nice surprise and I'm proud to say that young Filipinos in Cebu has taken it into their own hands to fight global warming. Below is the excerpt from www.350.org

Students are not waiting for their administrators to agree to green the campus, they are taking matters into their own hands. Dozens of students used their green thumbs today in a symbolic tree planting in a quarry site on the University of San Carlos campus in Cebu City, Philippines. The planting took place after a sit down meeting with the chairperson of the committee of the environment where the students laid out their demands for a bold emission cuts and innovative green programs on campus.

If you guys are free head on to the Marina beach this Saturday and participate. For more info please go to http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/beach-clean-up/

What's up?

2010-09-23T16:36:00.004+03:00

Me? Nothing much. Same old. Same old. Going through the motion of T-4 months before take off.

Same old shopping addiction. Which will be the cause of the flight delay, hello non existent savings.

Same old antipathy towards anything that has claws. Sorry I'm a kelloid maker and I just can't risk it.

Same old attempt in losing weight. I know, not the brightest idea but this is the most fun I've had on the treadmill.

Same old unexplainable burst of love and overwhelming joy whenever I see this kid =) He started school btw.

Hhmmm......It's been almost 6 years since I got expelled and thrown here in the arid land of Kuwait.... Time flies so fast when you're having so much fun!

Greasy but Yummy

2010-09-16T14:39:00.000+03:00

Totally unhealthy for the calorie snobs but oh how I crave to eat here now.

Mario's Restaurant is located at Fahaheel near NBK behind Al Baha store.

*snobs*

Hard Rock Cafe @ 50% Off!

2010-08-16T14:08:00.006+03:00

Hello boys and girls,

Friends have informed me that Hard Rock Cafe offers 50% off on all meals for Iftar all throughout Ramadan.

The same friends forgot to call me when they went there last weekend. Major fail.

Anyway, my family loves Hard Rock. What can't you love about the rock and roll memorabilia atmosphere?!

What we don't love about it there is the slooooooooowwwwwwwwwwww service. Although when the food arrives, you forget all about the bitching and the waiting coz the Hard Rock nachos seriously rocks!

For the nachos & the half price slash, I'd recommend people to go there and enjoy.

Traffic chaos after sinkhole opens up in Kuwait | ConstructionWeekOnline.com

2010-08-08T14:03:00.000+03:00

Traffic chaos after sinkhole opens up in Kuwait | ConstructionWeekOnline.com

Sanitary drainage works taking place underneath a road in Kuwait are suspected to have caused the massive sinkhole that obstructed traffic flow in the country earlier this week.

The Ministry of Public Works is currently cooperating with the Ministry of Interior to find out the cause of the sinkhole, which occurred on the sixth ring road next to Amghara bridge and towards Al-Jahra City.

The new sanitary drainage line, which is part of the Ministry's plan for upgrading the health sanitary drainage systems in the region, is being laid at the site of the incident, extending from Al-Jahra station to Kabd station.

The Ministry’s of Public Works’ head of engineering Mahmoud Karam told Kuwait News Agency that the sinkhole most probably occurred due to a break in the tunneling machine being used to lay sanitary drainage line underneath the road.

He added that a report was being prepared as quickly as possible to establish the exact reason for the land depression, as well as to determine the amount of damage caused to the area.

As part of the investigation, the Ministry’s engineering team will be examining whether the big water pipeline affected by the land cavity is supplying fresh water to the region, in the hopes of helping devise a plan to address the damage.

The Kuwait sinkhole follows a similar incident in Guatemala earlier this year, when an enormous 200ft sinkhole swallowed an entire clothing factory.

Until a final report has been produced, the Ministry of Public Works promised to make traffic shifts on the sixth ring road to ensure the safety of road users and pedestrians.

Mandatory Pag-ibig coverage of OFWs takes effect August 1

2010-08-02T14:32:00.001+03:00

I screamed UNFAIR when I first read an article about mandatory PAG-IBIG membership and the payment of 600 PHP on top of the OEC fee before a OFW is cleared to travel back or out of the Philippines.

I screamed UNFAIR because although I am a PAG-IBIG member and I believe in the organization, I don't believe in taking the basic rights of the people to choose. The freedom to choose whether the OFW's would want to loan from PAG-IBIG or build their houses slowly from their own savings. To blatantly force people to pay for something that most might not even use is just wrong. Last I check, you need 24 months of payment before one can be eligible for a loan.

And then this article comes out today;

PIA Information Services - Philippine Information Agency

Tacloban City (August 2) -- Membership to the Pag-IBIG fund is now a requirement for the processing of documents of OFWs and the issuance of OEC, for applications processed both in government-run placement agencies and in licensed recruitment agencies.

Based on POEA's Memorandum Circular 06, the mandatory coverage to the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) or Pag-IBIG Fund, which took effect Sunday, August 1, involves a membership fee of P600 to be paid by the workers upon deployment.

The amount will cover 6 months. Thereafter, the workers will pay a monthly due of P100. Those already working abroad will automatically be covered by the directive.

The mandatory coverage of the Fund provided for under Republic Act 9679 or the Home Development Mutual Fund Law of 2009 signed by President Arroyo in July last year.

Under the new law, an OFW-member will contribute a minimum of only P100 a month as contribution, much lower than the US$5 he or she contributed before.

Under Pag-IBIG's universal or expanded membership coverage, all Overseas Filipino Workers, and Filipinos employed by foreign-based employers, whether deployed in the country or abroad, are mandatorily covered beginning January 2010. Also covered are those employees who are members of the SSS and GSIS, uniformed members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and the Philippine National Police.

Members' contributions are credited to their savings or the total accumulated value that earn dividends and fully guaranteed by the national government. In 2009, Pag-IBIG declared tax-free dividends amounting to P8.5 billion with a dividend rate of 5%. At this dividend rate, an OFW member will generate savings amounting to P40,753 if he contributes P100 monthly for 20 years; P81,507 if he contributes P200; and P203,768 at P500 a month.

The savings are also portable which remain in the name of a member even if he transfers employers, works abroad or becomes self-employed or even unemployed.

OFW-members can avail of short-term loans that will help address their immediate financial needs such as payment for tuition fees, hospital bills, appliance purchases, minor home repairs, and even for small business capital.

OFWs can apply for a home financing loan that has an interest rate of as low as 6% to 11.5% payable in 30 years. The maximum loan amount is P3 million. In 2009, Pag-IBIG extended a total of P9.6 billion in housing loans to their OFW members which financed 12,233 housing units. (PIA 8) [top]

I am confused with the line: "Under the new law, an OFW-member will contribute a minimum of only P100 a month as contribution, much lower than the US$5 he or she contributed before." Is the 100 PHP the payment fee for PAG-IBIG membership when getting the OEC? Or is that the standard monthly contribution all across?

I'm confused because I pay 14 KWD a month or 2,198 PHP. That amount is seriously a far cry from 100 PHP.

If that's the case, couple of months of 14 KWD payment can make me eligible to acquire a loan now basing on the 24 months membership payment. Uhm. This needs a whole lot more research and open mind.

Although I like the idea that the 600 PHP to be paid by those who aren't a member yet can be stretched into 6 months because it will be light in the pocket.

I wish Philippine Embassy of Kuwait will update their website to keep us OFW's here in Kuwait well informed. If they only answer their landlines & update their website, the work traffic in the embassy would surely be lessened.

Emirates | Make a Booking | Enter Billing Information

2010-08-02T11:41:00.001+03:00

Whenever I go on vacation outside of Middle East my first airline of choice is Emirates. Not only do they have the state of the art equipment, the seats are also very comfortable and not to mention clean!

When booking for the parentals we opt for credit card payment but when booking for myself, I'd always use the book online and pay at the Emirates office. Apparently, that does not apply here anymore.

What they did instead is give their customers 3 payment options which in my opinion is totally considerate of them.

Emirates | Make a Booking | Enter Billing Information

Option 1 of course is payment through Credit Cards

Credit/Debit Card

You may be able to choose to pay for your booking using a credit or debit card. Please note that this depends on your country of departure as different rules apply. See online payment rules

Option 2 is through bank transfer (this is especially useful for people who does not or chose not to have a credit card like moi)

Bank Transfer

Emirates will provide you with a unique payment reference number and details of the Emirates/GlobalCollect bank account on booking completion so that you can make the payment. The bank may charge you a transfer fee. The unique payment reference number must be quoted when making the transfer.

The payment must be made within 48 hours or your booking will be cancelled. Once payment is made, please allow up to 6 days to receive the e-ticket.

International bank transfers are not permitted.

The confirmation of the transaction will appear on your bank statement as 'GlobalCollect'.

Option 3 is my personal favorite - payment through Western Union!

Western Union

We will provide you with a prefilled Western Union QuickPay form that has a unique payment reference number for your booking. Please pay at your nearest Western Union outlet that accepts QuickPay payments.

Click here to find your nearest outlet. Please ensure that it that supports QuickPay transactions before making payment.

Please note that payment must be made within 48 hours or your booking will be cancelled.

You can also select this option if you are not travelling however you wish to pay for the booking.

Payment has to be made in KWD currency at Western Union and they will charge you a transfer fee.

P.S.: I read from Mark's blog that the building where the new Emirate's office is had a fire incident so those who wants to avoid the inconvenience will do better by booking online and availing of these options.

OFWs’ mandatory membership to Pag-Ibig hit - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

2010-08-01T13:12:00.002+03:00

OFWs’ mandatory membership to Pag-Ibig hit - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines—An alliance of Filipino migrants rights group on Sunday criticized the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) for collecting the P600 mandatory Pag-Ibig membership covering all overseas Filipino workers.

In a news release, Migrante-Middle East said the amount is on top of the P1,164 membership fee for Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, their P900 contribution to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., and P100 processing fee.

“While we recognize the sound intent of the government’s housing program for OFWs who mostly have no house of their own, we question the implementation of the new Memorandum Circular 06, Series of 2010, issued by the POEA on 7 July 2010, requiring OFWs mandatory membership to Pag-Ibig,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Monterona said The Home Development Mutual Fund, popularly known as Pag-Ibig, has already an existing housing loan facility for OFWs.

“Before it is only optional, not mandatory, thus giving OFWs and their dependents leeway to choose which is better, appropriate, and practical considering the family’s priority, to get a housing loan from Pag-Ibig or just gradually build their own house from their earnings,” he said.

Monterona said making OFWs membership to Pag-Ibig compulsory is like highway robbery because it is tied up to getting an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), required for all out-bound OFWs and would-be OFWs.

He said that while the MC6 clearly stated that the collection of mandatory Pag-Ibig coverage shall start on 1 August 2010, “fellow OFWs have told us that upon getting an OEC (overseas employment certificate) at POEA main building, they were asked to pay P600 for Pag-Ibig membership on the first week of July.”

“After hearing P-Noy’s first SONA, we are asking, ‘is he only dreaming or will he be true to his words?’ The president did not even bother to give his marching orders and directives to all concerned government agencies concerning OFW concerns and issues. This is a bad indication that he too would be anti-OFW,” he said.

Sakura Buffet

2010-07-31T11:24:00.000+03:00

The recent weekend is binge full!

Woke up to a lot of Facebook messages of people who are dying to eat and get out of their houses. After numerous wall to wall comments, lunch buffet at Sakura was a done deal.

Eating in a buffet restaurant has a secret in maximizing what you pay: you have got to PACE YOURSELF! Slowly but surely.

Open atrium is kind of hot for a lunch date w/ friends at Sakura in Laila Gallery but we don't mind as it's worth it!

My first serving: Corn & Chicken soup (should've gotten the Miso!), Crab Salad, a salad that has avocado in it, a tiny glass that has raw fish in it, and sushi.

Second servings consists of maki's and rolls =D and loads of shaved garlic!

Third serving is a little conservative as by this time i'm super full!

Fourth serving is finally desserts!

At 10 KD per person excluding drinks, it's kind of steep but if done right, people will have their money's worth. My only regret is that I saw the Teppanyaki's and Yakisoba's last. I got blinded by the maki's

and sushi's

and tempuras!

Below are what the others ate in all it's food porn glory.

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at the Kuwait's best address....
Laila Gallery in Salmiya

Choose from Sushi, Sashimi, Tempura or Teriyaki...
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our own Japanese Chef Akio Miyajima.

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in an atmosphere of elegance & exquisite comfort
combined with personalized service....

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Filipinos in Kuwait unimpressed by Aquino's first state address � Kuwait Times Website

2010-07-27T10:04:00.001+03:00

Filipinos in Kuwait unimpressed by Aquino's first state address � Kuwait Times Website

Published Date: July 27, 2010
By Ben Garcia, Staff Writer

KUWAIT: Filipinos in Kuwait were largely unimpressed by their country's new president's first State of the Nation Address (SONA). Philippines President Benigno Aquino III delivered his first, keenly anticipated address yesterday at the opening of the 15th congress. Since then, several online bloggers have questioned the new administration's failure to include anything in the address about overseas Filipinos in general or the administration's plans to avert the exodus of hundreds of Filipinos who travel abr
oad seeking greener pastures outside the Philippines on a daily basis.

Around 11 percent of the country's total population of 96 million are currently working abroad and are reportedly helping to keep the Philippines' economy afloat during periods of economic trouble such as the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis and the 2008-09 global economic downturn. In 2009, the amount of $17.348 billion was sent to the Philippines by Overseas Filipinos, highest among prior years, or an increase of more than 10 percent on the 2007 figure.

One Filipino community leader in Kuwait, who asked to remain anonymous because in the beginning he was a loyal supporter of its new leader, was disappointed at the president's failure to mention any plans for the Filipino workers abroad. "What I was expecting from his first SONA was his great programs to help OFWs. Why are people like us working abroad? Because we have no job opportunities back home," he said. "We need him to say that his administration is committed to creating new jobs for OFWs, so that w
e can cut, if not stop, the exodus of Filipinos abroad, especially domestic helpers. Unfortunately, he ignored OFW subject and spoke only about his predecessor's mismanagement thing, and other subjects, but not the OFWs. Maybe, just like his predecessor, he wanted Filipinos to go and work abroad; it's not a good start.

There are currently around two million Filipinos working in the Middle East, with more than half this number engaged in menial jobs, many working as domestic helpers. Some of these domestic workers are mistreated and are given refuge by their embassies before being sent back home or re-deployed to similar jobs.

I am a teacher and have been working here because back home, we have low salaries for public school teachers," one male teacher at a local Philippine school told the Kuwait Times. "I want him [President Aquino] to increase teachers' salaries and provide more benefits in order for us to live decently and provide for our families,.

A Filipina housemaid, who also currently calls Kuwait home, said that if she had an opportunity to earn decent money back home, she wouldn't have come to work in the Middle East. "I would love to stay with my family, of course," she said. " The way I look at the new administration, I think, it's the same as his predecessor, no good plans for us.

While there are many Filipinos in Kuwait who still hold out hope for the new leader's potential, they want action rather than just words: "For me as his supporter, either we [the OFWs] were mentioned [in the SONA] or not," said another Filipino citizen currently working in Kuwait. "I would love to give him a chance to prove himself to the Filipinos. I will hold him accountable for all the promises thrown around during his campaign. He is a man and so I know he can prove himself to 96 million Filipinos.

Filipina maid inherits millions from Singaporean employer - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

2010-07-21T12:50:00.001+03:00

Filipina maid inherits millions from Singaporean employer - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

SINGAPORE-- A devoted Filipina maid inherited six million Singapore dollars (more than four million US) from her late employer after more than 20 years of service, a newspaper report said Wednesday.

"I am the luckiest maid in Singapore, with or without the money," the 47-year-old single woman -- identified only by the pseudonym "Christine" -- told the Straits Times in an interview.

The maid refused to be named in public for fear of possible threats to her life in the impoverished Philippines, where wealthy people have been kidnapped for ransom and some killed by their abductors.

The windfall, including cash and a luxury apartment near the Orchard Road shopping belt, came from the estate of her employer Quek Kai Miew, a medical doctor and philanthropist who died last year at 66.

The maid had also taken care of the doctor's late mother, and was told that she would be a beneficiary of her employer's will when it was drawn up in 2008.

"There were no secrets between us. I was not surprised at all when she told me how much I was going to get," the maid recalled.

"Christine" was devastated when Quek died a year ago, as the two were inseparable, and temporarily moved in with the doctor's nephew for solace.

"It was heartbreaking for me as I saw more years with Doctor Quek than with my own mother. I would break down every time I thought about her. I could not be by myself," she said.

"I was always beside her. Wherever she went, I was with her."

The maid, who is now applying for permanent residency in Singapore, said her newfound wealth had not changed her lifestyle.

"I do not really think much about the money I got. I just live my life as I did before, and not as a rich person," the maid, dressed simply in a blouse and slacks with short-cropped hair, was quoted as saying.

"I am still who I was before. I cannot behave differently because I have money now. Even my Filipino maid friends here still treat me the same."

Nearly 200,000 foreign maids, mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia, work in affluent Singapore, which has a population of five million.

American Eagle on Sale

2010-07-18T11:49:00.005+03:00

When American Eagle opened at the Avenues Mall, like the GAP store, I didn't venture in because I know the prices are going to be inflated like crazy.

The thrill of a good bargain hunt is my ultimate high and regular priced items aren't good enough for me unless it's really a must have.

I am lucky enough to be in Kuwait where prices are ridiculously high but when they go on sale the prices are slashed into tiny little pieces. Sale prices here are so good that it's incomparable to the sale prices in the Philippines to the point that I'd rather buy my vacation outfits/shoppings/ pasalubongs from here rather than there especially with the high street brands like Zara, Mango & Aldo.

Digressing again, as usual. Anyways couple of weeks back, a family friend was gushing on how crazy the sale at American Eagle is and it's an absolute must to go.

So I did and got these;

True enough, the prices are low. Not crazy low but low enough to justify it as a good buy.

AE Bermuda Pants for only 3 KD. Regular price would be thrice as that.

AE Floral Cami for only 2 KD. Regular price was I think 5 KD

AE V neck tees for 2 KD each. I went to AE twice on the same week to get 2 more of these V neck t-shirts plus a shirt for my brother.

Men items are higher compared to women items. Supply and demand ratio I guess.

AE Camouflage Midi shorts for 3 KD

A total of 15 KD (the sister also coerced me in buying her a tank top) for all of the above mentioned is what makes a good shop-a-holic. Not that I am one, just saying =)

If they are still on sale by the end of this month, I might go back there to buy some more shirts to stock up on Christmas gifts!

How To Take 13 Thousand Steps But Might Not Succesfully Burn Any Calories

2010-07-16T23:18:00.013+03:00

I'm not a ~~very~~ competitive person but I hate losing.

Today, I just have to use all ounce of will power to show who's the master of ~~the universe~~ my body.

I'll make this lazy bones realize who's the boss by taking steps that will not stop when the counter hits 10,000.

The great plan started good enough with a McDonald's breakfast but since sisterblister was so gung ho on sleeping until after lunch time, I had no choice but to eat eggs, smoked pepperoni & rice.

My great ability to justify everything saved me from declaring it a self control failure. I figured all those starch/ carbs I've indulged in is highly useful for the body to process and withstand the on coming assault it's going to face.

Turns out, I have great reasoning power because guess what? I WIN!

Yes that's 13,439 steps!

Some people would say, hey that's easy. Maybe for you but for me, there's nothing easy about walking 45 minutes on the treadmill on different pace (4 to 7 speed) just to take the first 5,000 steps.

It's not easy for my feet and for my wallet when I have to walk around The Avenues mall for 4 hours and a half enduring aching feet.

The remaining 8,000 steps was incurred from checking out stores. Which isn't easy because all frigging stores in that mall was on sale!

I want to learn how to play Monopoly. Or Pictionary. I haven't played either. Ever since.

These kids were jamming it at the Fantasy World (which oddly enough according to a very noisy bird is also a name for a strip club in Florida =))

They're playing the miniature electric guitars and air drumming. They look cool for 10 year olds.

When the counter hits 7,000 I decided to reward myself with Johnny Rocket's Oreo & Cream Malt plus Cheese Fries

Full and ridden with guilt, I've decided to do what I do best on a weekend at the mall. Check out more stores.

New Look was on a buy 1 take 1 special offers. Didn't see anything I like enough to buy.

H&M was also on sale but the tee's that I like wasn't so I had to pass.

Blistersister got excited when she saw that Oasis has a buy 1 take 1 promo.

Go Sports is still on sale. Last week, I got my brother a Sanuk shoes for only 8 KD! Original price was 18 KD.

Which is perfect because by that time my feet was starting to hurt from all that walking. Don't judge me for being great at justification and for what I did next

I bought a pair of FitFlops! See the benefits here. It was only 8 KD from original price of 21 KD therefore I am the goddess of everything on sale and justification. Rest your case.

Looking for a arm sleeve extension, we ventured inside Debenhams that's also on sale.

The search didn't last long. Starbucks was very inviting.
We took a break from all that shopping, had our frappucino's (mine is always tall coffee frap coz study shows more than that is 500 calories worth of evil) and read free magazines.

We saw the advert of The Sorcerer's Apprentice and decided we want to watch it. After 4 failed attempt of booking our seats at the Avenues, we finally found free seats at Al Kout

The movie was on at 7:45. Al Kout is 45 minutes away on a 120 KPH. We figured we can get there on time even though it's already 6:50

Thinking we had enough time, we went in the Lacoste store. It's also on 40% crazy sale!

That orange shoes was grabbed at a sale price of 16 KD only from the original price of 20 something KD.

We could've made it on time if only this didn't happen
That resulted to half an hour's bumper to bumper crawling traffic because these people had nothing better to do but gawk at an accident or a hanging steel.

At 8:10 we were still looking for parking slot so when we finally found one, we ran (giving me additional aerobic steps count!) and munched on Nachos while trying to understand the movie that we were twenty minutes late in.

It was a good movie in a I-also-want-that-superpower kind of thing.

So yes, I had an awesome today. Not only did I achieve my goal but I was also able to incorporate it with fun and a little bit of side tracked shopping.

The question though is, with all that walking, have I burned enough calories meriting me to lose some pounds this week if I continue, considering all that food I just ingested? Ah, guess I'll never know.

Gotta sleep. Tomorrow's another 10K adventure!

10,000 Steps A Day

2010-07-15T22:59:00.002+03:00

I thought it would be easy. I said, 10,000 steps a day? Piece of cake!

Damn. I hate it when I get to prove myself wrong.

Seriously wrong. And I don't even like cake!

Yesterday has given me empirical evidence that on a normal working day, I only take approximately 2500 to 3000 steps. That's a typical 15 hours daily activity.

That means, I only burn 70 KCal a day. That is if I don't shove any food in my mouth the whole day.

I think this is what my mother meant when she said I lead a very sedentary lifestyle.

Walking Style II

2010-07-14T22:16:00.007+03:00

Seven years ago, I arrived here in Kuwait 40 pounds overweight on my 5'4 frame.

My mother who was in the beauty industry at that time took it upon herself to save me from drowning in my own fats.

Name it, I've gone through it when it comes to weight loss.

2004 was the year where they hired a personal aerobic trainer for me at the same time nagging me to go down the building gym everyday.

2005 was the year where I'm obligated to walk our dog for an hour or so around the neighborhood and It was also the year for Xenical.

2006 was the year for more laxative teas, walking, spa slimming treatment and occasional work out at The Palms Hotel.

When I came back for the first time since in the Philippines I lost just about all of the 40 pounds. I even did some modeling stint. That made my mama very happy.

When I came back to Kuwait after a wonderful vacation, I gained back almost half of what I lost.

And so the yo-yo diet begins again.

2007 was Hydroxycut, walking, laxative teas, erratic eating habits and on/off working out at the Marina Hotel gym.

2008 was the most intense!I actually achieved my desired weight. How did I do that? Well, I lost my job & no one was hiring as it was in the midst of the recession, I was also in a bad break up so instead of wallowing up in self pity and tears ( I did a for awhile K =)) but enough is enough) so I had nothing else to do but work out twice a day. I'm so lucky that the Parentals are so encouraging when it comes to weight loss that they voluntarily paid for my membership at Crowne Plaza Kuwait.

I did nothing for 6 months but wake up, go to the gym, come back home to eat a little and pass out the sofa, wake up, go to the gym, come back home and pass out. I loved it! I felt so good I even forgot about my broken heart.

Then it was time to go back to the Philippines again for visa issues. I swear that country ruins my health! Kidding. I stayed there for the remaining 6 months of 2008 where I did nothing but BINGE. Drink, eat, sleep, party, travel and sometimes a mixture of everything. In fairness I did buy a gym membership during my stay in Davao but I only used it for a day. That's how bad the temptation in that country is. Hello free unlimited rice!

2009 was back to Kuwait year and where I also received the couch potato year award. Settling in to new house, adjusting to new work environment and lugging all those fat just made me even more lethargic.

Oh did I mention I have hormone problems? I totally do. I don't get periods like regular people does. I had to induced it with contraceptive pills. Doc said it's one of the reasons why I retain all this so cholesterol so much.

2010's first half was spent the same as 2009 oh except that I'm not heart broken anymore like 2008 coz Mr. Pagong finally committed after 5 long years & I'm not broke anymore (slight na lang) coz I finally paid up all debts mine or passed on to me.

First half of 2010 was lethargic because well... I have no excuse except that I just got lazy and tired and everyday it doesn't suit well with me.

So on remaining half of 2010 I'm changing all that. I started last June but admittedly it was still erratic. One week I'm all intense on the treadmill the next I hardly gets up from the couch. I've become so adept in this losing weight cycle and so knowledgeable in all things diet & calorie counting that I can actually justify why I cheat.

Look! One of those sporadic intense work outs last June.

Mostly, it's all about last supper.

I've never been this heavy since I first came here and it scares the shit out of me. Aside from the fact that I'm 7 years older than I was which makes it harder to lose weight, I'm also feeling numbness in my left side from my head to my toes. Seriously. So I become a hypochondriac, run to the doctor where I'll just be told to do a little exercise & that there's nothing wrong with me except my weight and my ability to sit on a chair/couch in front of a computer for hours on end.

It's scary and I have to start doing something about it. Like now. Oh, it's 11 p.m. so tomorrow then.

I live in a house where a room full of gym equipment and a swimming pool is waiting for me to abuse. I really have no excuse except that I'm very unmotivated not to mention lazy.

To solve that problem, I bought this

Omron Walking Style II Step Counter

This way, I will have a daily goal as well as a weekly goal. Lose a pound or two a week by walking.
The Omron step counter does what other people ~~are supposed to do~~ used to be - my gym mate.

Anyway, if I want to lose all these
I have got to sleep early so I can wake up early.

Wish me luck!

10 Words To Help Motivate You To Exercise

2010-07-13T10:10:00.000+03:00

10 Words To Help Motivate You To Exercise

Since we like to keep it a cinch and emotive here at Everyday Tweet, here's 10 simple words to inspire you to workout:

health

lean
advantage
endorphins
boost
Lalanne
hawt *
strength
kickass
reward
fitalicious*

health

*modern meaning "sexy or hip", 50's acronym: having a wonderful time.

*fit + delicious

Dynamic Dymo!

2010-07-12T13:21:00.000+03:00

When I was a kid, my parents would draw a sun and a moon to my right and left socks respectively to let me know which side goes to where.

But that's not what Dymo does.

Dymo takes me to that place where I am free to label anything and everything I can get my hands on in different embossed colors.

That place is a very happy place.

When I found the Dymo label maker at Ace Hardware Shuwaikh, I can't stop grinning and can hardly wait to go home and play

and practice for perfection

and victimized my Qou Vadis Memoriae 2009-2010

and vandalized the laptop.

The result of a trigger happy Mackie.
It felt... liberating!

When the blistersister came home after work, she took one look at the amazing dymo, left the room and then came back to spend an hour labeling her mobile phone.

The dynamic Dymo is soooooooo pretty like Ken and Barbie.

Ice Skating in Kuwait

2010-07-10T22:30:00.007+03:00

One of the best days of my life in Kuwait happened yesterday.

It started late and very hot enough when a group of friends decided to try ice skating under the very humid Kuwait weather.

Before I proceed though, a little disclosure, I didn't even try getting my feet in those skates and unto that rink. Bruises, dislocated shoulder and getting my fingers sliced off is not in my agenda of fun.

Ice skating costs 1.500 KWD per person with free very painful pair of skating shoes. Good thing the my sister warned most of us that those free shoes hurts like hell so they opted on renting a good one for .750 Fils.

Ice skating would also cost you a lot of bruises and a whole lot of help from friends.

Coz you're definitely going to fall flat on your butt

or on your side that will give you a shoulder fracture if you're unlucky
so yes you definitely need your friends around to pull you up and do it all over again.
Stand up, take a step and split. LOL!

Secretly, I wanted to learn to skate since I saw the first "Cutting Edge" movie. They're so graceful and it looks like a lot of fun. Toe pick!

The skating rink is located at Kuwait City. I can't exactly give you the right address but if I'm not mistaken it's near the Discovery Mall and McDonalds.

So yeah. Toe pick!

Photos: Selma Royo Yap

Good Times

2010-07-09T11:12:00.003+03:00

Next year, when I'm back in the Philippines, I'm definitely going to re-read this blog to remind me that I actually had fun here.

My day ended pretty late or early depending on how you look at 3 a.m. when I tweeted

the best kind of day is the one where unplanned activities takes form like Ice Skating (I didn't skate! Afraid to fall =P), Cooking+Habhab at home (Sinigang na Shrimp,Fried & Crispy tilapia, baked chicken & Filipino spag),whiskey & overnight swimming.

The day started at the Skating Rink, then a "bit" of shopping of American Eagle stuffs at the Avenues where they have crazy sale all over and since everyone was so hungry but can't think of where and what to eat, I invited everyone at the house.

We immediately ran to Carrefour to buy the ingredients and went home.

Apparently it takes 5 people and a Japanese Chin to make a delicious spaghetti - Filipino style. It involved condensed milk and salt but strangely enough it's very delish!

The tilapia fried into it's crispy perfectness.

She crabs cooked just the way we liked it.
and Yaya Gina's new recipe. Baked chicken with potatoes, tomato sauce and bell peppers.

When everyone's burping with full stomach, card games and swimming ensued!

My night ended up at 3 a.m. but it's all good because heck, a night full of food, laughter, gossip and people jumping in a pool until the wee hour of the morning is so worth it.

Holy Sheet!

2010-07-01T23:13:00.006+03:00

Whenever I travel, once of the things I get so excited about is sleeping in a hotel bed. I love how the beds in the hotels are so soft, fluffy and warm. No inch of me is cold. It is my ultimate heaven on earth.

To take that wondrous experience home, I decided to indulge and dress up my bed.

As luck would have it, in a remote corner of UTC building in Kuwait City, this bundle of joy was found at a 50% less price.

William and Mary Matelasse

"The William and Mary Matelasse is based on a coverlet from the textile collections of Colonial Williamsburg. The antique's sophisticated design was made in Portugal in the late seventeenth century and features mythological flora and fauna motifs separated by columned arches. These motifs are seen in the decorative arts characteristic of the late baroque period, roughly concurrent with the reign of English monarchs William and Mary."

It's beautiful and feels so luxurious.

and this is how it looks like on my bed.
It's perfect for Kuwait's summer centralized AC weather.

London Hospital, Fintas

2010-06-25T18:10:00.004+03:00

Weekend plans is holing up in London Hospital here in Fintas. Aaron love had a severe case of asthma, so severe that the attending physician recommended we take him out of the country because Kuwait weather isn't susceptible for children's health.

I've only been in London Hospital twice and these chairs in the lobby always strucks me as quaint.
I'd like to have that in my ecclectic house someday.

Aaron love is admitted here.

In a VIP room with very cool wall paper. Even the adults are mesmerized going round and round the park track.

Hopefully the doctors will discharge him today! Please pray for his fast recovery. Thank you!

Observations:

London Hospital is severely under staffed and needs a thorough cleaning especially since they specialized in maternity, infants, children as well as beauty. The VIP room that we are in looks run down and could use some major lift. The emergency area only have 1 attending nurse while we were there who also serves as a receptionist. The doctors are ok but doesn't have a fixed time on their rounds in the morning or evening, we are always left wondering what time they'll appear. Even the nurses aren't sure and oh the nurse right now was supposed to change the IV but after 2 seconds here she was like oh wait it's change shift now, she left and didn't come back until we kept on pressing the call button.

The kid seriously needs to go home na.

Wealthy Kuwait hit by power crisis as mercury tops 50 - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

2010-06-17T10:10:00.000+03:00

Wealthy Kuwait hit by power crisis as mercury tops 50 - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

By Omar Hasan
Agence France-Presse
First Posted 00:10:00 06/17/2010

Filed Under: Weather, Electricity Production & Distribution,Government, Graft & Corruption, Politics, Crisis

KUWAIT CITY—Record temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) in the desert state of Kuwait have placed it on the brink of a major power crisis and put the government under fire politically.

The meteorological office said it recorded 52 degrees Celsius (125.6 F) on Tuesday in the capital Kuwait City, the highest temperature under the shade in more than 30 years, according to the office's boss.

"It is the highest temperature to be recorded in more than 30 years," Khaled al-Shuaibi told AFP. "Temperature has been above normal for a few days and it stayed above 50 degrees for up to four hours daily."

Under the direct sun, temperature "could reach 70 degrees Celsius (158 F) when humidity is very low and no winds blow," which has been the case in the past few days, said Shuaibi.

In the open desert at the Kuwait-Iraq border post of Abdali, the temperature soared to 53 degrees Celsius (127.4 F) for the second straight day on Tuesday.

It is not abnormal for temperatures to hit 50 degrees in Kuwait, but the big heat wave has arrived early this year.

As a result, power consumption hit new all-time highs on each of the past three days until it almost reached the maximum production capacity, prompted by the use of air conditioning to beat the heat.

On Tuesday, consumption hit 10,921 megawatts out of a total production capacity of just 10,950 megawatts after a small generation unit broke down, ringing a strong alarm.

Opposition MPs put the blame squarely on the government, charging total mismanagement, a lack of planning and corruption.

"The whole government is incapable of facing the (power) crisis," said Islamist MP Faisal al-Muslim in a statement on Tuesday.

"It is very difficult to transform Kuwait into a regional trade and financial hub when electricity is cut from the homes of citizens," said the spokesman of the opposition Popular Action Bloc MP Mussallam al-Barrak.

Islamist MP Khaled al-Sultan said this was the result of corruption and government incompetence.

"This is what the corruption has led to in the ministry of electricity and water ... The minister should step down if he can not perform his duties," Sultan said in a statement. He threatened to grill the minister.

On Tuesday, 21 MPs in the 50-member house demanded an emergency debate on the deteriorating power situation in OPEC's fifth-largest producer. The debate will be held on Sunday.

Three MPs proposed that public sector working hours end at midday instead of 2:30 p.m. to save electricity, and the government said it will consider the proposal.

Most electricity is consumed by air conditioning units, which are normally run non-stop from March to November.

The government instructed all ministries and government offices to switch off electricity at the end of working hours. Schools were ordered to shut down early and kindergarten children were sent home.

The army resorted to its diesel-powered generators as the government appealed to the public to switch off all unnecessary appliances and air conditioning units to save power.

Several residential districts experienced power cuts for several hours during the past few days, but officials said it was because of incidents at transformers and not a programmed power cuts policy.

"It looks as if we have reached the melting point. We have decided that the family and I will only venture (out) to go to work or if necessary," Ahmad Masud, a government employee, told AFP by phone.

Minister of Electricity and Water Bader al-Azemi blamed the lack of new power plants for the crisis, saying the Gulf state has not built a new power plant since 1988.

Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammed al-Ahmad al-Sabah said in September that Kuwait aims to double its power generation capacity to more than 20,000 megawatts over the next five years.

Kuwait, which operates a cradle-to-grave welfare policy for nationals, sells power at highly subsidized rates of 0.7 cents per kilowatt/hour to its 1.1 million citizens and 2.35 million foreign residents.

Totally tofu - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

2010-06-16T09:55:00.000+03:00

Totally tofu - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

When tofu is mentioned in a conversation, I always think of Tokwang Baboy. A Filipino delicacy usually partaken during drinking session or a sumptuous Sunday brunch with the family.

It's been awhile since I've eaten one until last February when Dubai people, on their Lenten fasting of not eating meat, prepared a tofu salad. Looking at the presentation, I was skeptical but when I tasted it - all I was able to say was saraaaaaaaaaaaaaap (YUMMY!).

Back in Kuwait, it proved to be a treasure hunt looking for Tofu in any grocery store or bakala. I can't find it in Sultan Center, City Center, any COOPS or small Bakala's. Like seriously. My mom insists that it's in Sultan but when I asked the personnel there they said they don't have it and the cycle continues.

My mother was able to find one though and told me it was from Sultan Center. What branch, that I'll have to wait until she gets back from the Philippines.

Why am I rambling about Tofu? It's because I'm starting on a new diet regimen again and Tofu is part of the menu. It makes me feel like I'm eating healthy without skipping on a taste of comfort food.

Happy Independence Day Philippines!

2010-06-11T21:19:00.004+03:00

Xoxo,
OFW's from Kuwait

Viva Prepaid Surf is A Joke

2010-06-10T09:17:00.003+03:00

Issues like these, I wish I'm in the Philippines where people are actually given unlimited amount of options from different telecom providers to suite their needs.

I like Viva Postpaid internet. Like seriously. Although 24 KD is a bit steep for 4 to 6 hours of Facebook and surfing but at least it's reliable and it's fast.

That's the HUGE difference with the Viva Prepaid surfing though which seriously is a big joke and really frustrating.

SURF ON PREPAID

What’s in it for you?

Enjoy surfing online and downloading content for the days you want with prepaid Daily Surf On.

What are your choices?

Daily Charge

Free Data for Local Internet Usage

Duration of Service

Charges after Consumption of 50MB

1 KD

50 MB

24 Hours

1 Fils / 1 Kb

How can you subscribe?

You can call Customer Care at 102 do either one of the following:

Send “ON” by SMS to 520
Dial *520# and Send

You will receive an SMS shortly after your subscription is completed.

What are the terms and conditions?

Provided for prepaid customers only
You can’t subscribe more than once within 24 hours of the first subscription
Not available while roaming.

For 1 KD and you get 50 MB downloads within 24 hours sounds like a good deal right? WRONG! It should be a good deal because no matter how much I downloaded applications in my Sony Ericsson W995 before the first 24 hours expired, I have 36 MB left.

I didn't re-register until couple of hours later as work grabbed my attention plus I called UAE for 8 minutes.

International Call Charges

Please, select your country of call destination from the drop down below to see the tariff.

Country Code	Destination Country	Value	Monthly
971	United Arab Emirates	0.145	0.140

Note : Price subject to change without prior notice

I use ZAIN for my calls and text but when I read about the prepaid surf on VIVA I immediately got a new SIM CARD for my SE W995. You see, the phone is awesome, It has all the features of a blackberry or an iPhone with a 8.1 mega pixel and 8 gig memory. It's a shame to be using it only for call and text.

My SIM CARD had a 5 KD credit from the start of all this. That would be the following;

5 (start credit) - 1 (1st prepaid surf) = 4 - 1.164 (8 minutes UAE call at 0.145 per minute) = 2.836 - 1 (2nd prepaid surf) = 1.836 KD

This is where the problem begins. After I register for the second time, I barely had 10 minutes of surfing and Facebook (no apps download) and it starts telling me to check network provider or my WI-FI settings. I figured since I'm on the road maybe there's no signal connection but when I went home last night, it was still the same. I kept checking the *520*1# that should tell me how much MB and hours I still have but it keeps telling me "to register please text on to 520 blah blah blah" and when I try to register it would tell me that "daily surf on is already activated". I'm like hokey, what do I do next?

I did the only thing I could think of, I added another 1 KD credit because I thought it has a minimum amount that should be there for it to start working. You know what happened to my previous credit and the new one that amounts to 2.836 KD? VIVA ATE IT UP!

I now have ZERO balance and I wasn't even able to do anything! Take note that my second prepaid registration should expire only this afternoon. I know it's only approx 3 KD but that amount could've given me 3 more days of prepaid surfing but it didn't and I feel cheated.

For me VIVA stole that amount out of nothing and unless they show me a proof on where my every fils went then I would retract the statement that VIVA IS A THIEF!

When my mom tried their unlimited 44 KD monthly in blackberry she ended up paying almost 200 KD in a month. She doesn't even download, only emails and when we swipe it from her to do Facebook. She wanted them to explain or the very least give a statement of account but VIVA personnel in Al Kout are clueless on their own system so she had it cut off but of course they made her pay the 50 KD cut off fee. What a rip off!

I called their customer service but they are a bunch of sarcastic drones that I just hanged up the call.

I think I'm cutting this VIVA SIM card now. I've no use of something that not only steals but also sucks.

67 distressed OFWs from Kuwait fly home

2010-06-08T09:43:00.001+03:00

By Maxxy Santiago, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau

Posted at 06/07/2010 8:14 PM | Updated as of 06/07/2010 8:18 PM

KUWAIT - Sixty-seven distressed Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWS) were repatriated to the Philippines at 3:30 am on Monday (8:30 am Manila time). This is the first batch of a series of mass repatriation of stranded OFWs in Kuwait.

Philippine Ambassador Ricardo Endaya, Labor Attache Vivo Vidal and Welfare Officer Yolanda Penaranda along with other embassy officials were at the Kuwaiti airport to see the OFWs off.

Most of the distressed OFWs worked as household service workers who were victims of nonpayment of salaries, fatigue, lack of food, physical, verbal and sexual abuse prompting them to escape from their employers and seek refuge at the Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC).

Emma Cabila, 27, who hails from Iloilo City, cannot contain her excitement at the prospect of going home. Just like the rest of the group, she vowed not to come back to Kuwait anymore.

“Iyan ang hinding- hindi ko na gagawin sa buhay ko. Pwede naman tayong mabuhay sa Pilipinas, pero yung bumalik sa Arab country, di ko na po gagawin yon,” aired Cabila who suffered physical maltreatment in the hands of her employer’s kids.

As the group entered the Emirates check-in counter, some of them waved with glee and shouted in chorus: “Ang saya-saya, uuwi na kami, salamat!”

Ambassador Endaya disclosed that the airfare of all the repatriated Filipinos was shouldered by the Kuwaiti government as a result of the collaboration and strong ties between the Philippine Embassy and theKuwait Ministry of Interior.

“We hope to get the full cooperation of the Kuwaiti government, para pondohan ang ganitong repatriation tulad ngayong umalis na itong 67, sila ang nagbayad ng ticket. Hindi na dumaan sa talha (deportation center) diretso na mula embahada patungong airport. We hope na sana ang ang ganitong sistema ay magpapatuloy para ma-irepatriate natin ang lahat ng stranded na housemaids sa ating embahada,” pointed out Endaya.

Currently, there are still 170 distressed OFWs temporarily housed at the FWRC who are awaiting repatriation. Endaya disclosed to the ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau that with the full cooperation of the Kuwait Ministry of Interior, they hope to repatriate everyone before the end of June.

Meanwhile, the 67 distressed OFWs accompanied by Welfare Officer Marnie Halanes are set to arrive inManila at 10:30 Monday night on board Emirates flight number 334.

Tasteless

2010-06-07T15:16:00.003+03:00

Web surfing in the office is a battle everyday due to web filter. Web filter categorizes each site depending on its content such as Arts and Entertainment if I open People.Com or Shopping and Auction if I even attempt to open Amazon.Com.

Today, I attempted to blog hop into a website from 248AM but web filter told me this:

Hehehe. Pretty funny huh?! I'm like dude, what are you writing that the automated filter would put you into tasteless category?

Just wondering =))

UAE Exchange - Kuwait - Telex Transfer, Express Transfer, Xpress Money, Currency Exchange, Travellers Cheques, Drafts

2010-06-02T10:01:00.002+03:00

This morning, I was surprised to see my botherbrother inside the car - sleeping. The driver said that he's been sent out by Mama to send money to the Philippines and will hitch a ride with us. My brothers are the only guys I know who doesn't like car rides and when they're subjected to it, they are irritated and would sleep before the vehicle even moves.

UAE Exchange solves this dilemma!

No more grudgingly waking up so early on a weekend morning or unwillingly brave the traffic in the evening just to send money to the Philippines!

Not sure how long has it been up and running but, UAE exchange have now given us the options to send our remittances online.

This will save us a lot of time and money too since we don't have to pay for gas or for the majority - taxi's just to do all these transactions.

UAE Exchange - Kuwait - Telex Transfer, Express Transfer, Xpress Money, Currency Exchange, Travellers Cheques, Drafts

Update:

I've registered and called their hotline for confirmation. All I have to do now is go to their nearest branch for activation only then can I use the services.

Confessions of a Shopaholic

2010-05-31T12:05:00.004+03:00

I hope my mother doesn't visit this site until I bury this post with gazillions of well meaning, inspirational ones! =))

The impression that if I don't have cash in my wallet, I won't be spending as much is a fallacy.

NBK Laki account made it so difficult for me to curb my spending sprees because everywhere I go, it is very easy to swipe the card. Point in case the photo above.

I am literally all over Al Rai area which is unfortunately where the biggest mall and IKEA in Kuwait is located, The Avenues.

Update:

5 minutes after I published this post the office mate dragged me out to lunch to guess where? IKEA! Then we stopped by at Naser Sports where they have a "mega" sale that frankly really doesn't feel like one, where I bought a summer bag. All her fault!

Philippines Job Fair 2010 - AGAIN!

2010-05-27T13:13:00.003+03:00

The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, under the patronage of HE Ricardo Endaya, Ambassador of the Philippines, will hold a Job Fair for Filipinos in Kuwait on May 29, 2010 at the Kuwait Hyatt Hotel in Maidan Hawally from 9 am till 5 pm.Human Resources Managers and Recruitment Specialists of local companies will be available to receive CVs and conduct on the spot interviews for qualified applicants. 2,000 jobs available will be posted. The event has been organized in celebration of the Philippines’ 112th Independence Day.

via Arab Times

**I know our company will be there but am not sure if I'm playing HR this time. Until further notice =D I'll drop by though! See you there!

iWant: IKEA!

2010-05-26T22:14:00.008+03:00

I love IKEA! I want my house to be furnished by IKEA! Mostly because I love practical, rightly priced gorgeous stuff and IKEA has it all!

If ever you guys wants to send out some gifts to me, all you have to do is walk into the IKEA building and pick anything coz it will surely sell with me =D

On our lunch break today, office mate and I went to our usual hunt - The Avenues. This office mate was a vegetarian for 10 years until I introduced her to IKEA's salmon. Right then and there she turned into a pescetarian that swears no Salmon tastes right - not even Le Notre's - aside from IKEA's.

Actually, we were at IKEA yesterday too where I found out that they have a new dish to offer and those are PASTAS!!!
Of course I had the classic Spaghetti Meatballs for only 1.500 KWD in their special Pomodoro sauce. Looks yummy right?!

After lunch we usually go around the store (yes we never get tired of the place even if we're there almost every other day!) and good thing I didn't pick up anything yesterday because today turned out to be their ultimate SALE day!
I went ape crazy. Lack of salary somewhat made me conservative on my purchases.
I only bought half a dozen of these frames in pink, blue and black for my little project and vanilla scented candles in all shapes and sizes

Good thing I was stingy and didn't buy them at the 950 fils price the day before. Now that it's down to 500 I got half a dozen!

The office mate also wants to escape retail therapy and we had to get back to work anyway so not too much damage on the accounts.

The whole afternoon was unbearable as my feet was itching to around the whole area so after work, I went back.

Went back and walked around in a dream. I restrained from buying anything but took photos of what I wanted to get when I have extra moolah or as reference for those good people out there who wants to throw me some alms. Waves to the benefactor =))

For some reason I have developed a liking for Philippe Starck's clear design. IKEA has items that looks like it like this chair

and these tables.Isn't she gorgeous? I would've picked her up in an instant but the thought of shipping for the Philippines stopped me. I've been eyeing this particular piece for the longest time.
For the past several years, I have also developed a penchant for lightning and candles so when I saw this candle chandelier, I had to have it!
Wanted to pick up these candle holder that looks like it belongs to a romantic era. Plus it would be a realistic buy for me because of Philippine's history in power black outs. Despite the turd world situation we have to be chica right?
If you know me then you'll understand why a clamp head light is on my wish list. If only it's not so annoyingly expensive then it will be so perfect on my head board for those sleepless reading marathon night.

Seems like, the wish list has been broken down into 3 parts and the third part consists of clocks!
The one above is for my future kitchen and the one below is for my study. They are just so pretty!

Since lack of salary is the greatest motivator in holding back from shopping which I somewhat succeeded by IMHO, I awarded myself with an ICE CREAM CONE! It's so yummy it made me all feel better inside.

It takes 7 hours to Dubai via FlyDubai

2010-05-13T21:38:00.012+03:00

Since Jazeera was starting to be a little expensive for my short trips to Dubai I tried the newly launched FlyDubai airlines. At 26.950 KWD round trip, I can't go wrong with that right?

0600: Eagerly packed the 10 Kilos allowable hand carry.

0830: Worked like there's wings on my heels all day and no amount of bull can get me down.

1730: Went directly from office to the airport. FlyDubai counter is in the same line as Jazeera's so naturally enough there were long lines. The counter wasn't open then but when I asked a ground crew what time it will be, he said I might as well line up because by the time that I get in, the counter will be open at approximately 1815 so I did.

1750: Got in but counter still closed. Ended up waiting for an hour.

1800+: The FlyDubai counter opened, lined up again only to be told that the flight was delayed and that we have to come back by 2100 as the new departure time is at 2200. Say what?! I asked. Person at the counter said the aircraft is still in Dubai. Great. I can't go back home as the whole family went out for Pizza and it doesn't make sense to get stuck in traffic.

1815: Bummed around the airport.

1830: Ate Foccacia and Calzone at Pizza Express

1900: Bought a new wallet at Accesorize. Public opinion says that my Diesel wallet is fugly. I don't agree but I'm getting tired of the old thing anyways.

1920: Looked for new hand carry luggage at Carbon Fiber. Nothing caught my eye.

2000: Lined up for the Passport Control.

2015: Waited at the gate by reading.

2030: Waited at the gate by chatting up a fellow stranded passenger.

2050: Waited at the gate and feeling antsy. Supposed to be on the sky by this time.

2145: Waited at the gate and finished the whole James Patterson book.

2200: Waited at the gate and called the benefactor to check what's up with FlyDubai as ground crew can't give any information and the screen still says 8:50 departure time.

2205: Waited at the gate and cursing the lack of airport free wi-fi access.

2215: Waited at the gate while benefactor said that at first FlyDubai office insisted that there are on time but only until they were given my confirmation number did they say that there was some "operational problem" and flight will be at 11 p.m.

2230: Gate changed from 21 into 4.

2240: Waited at gate 4 for boarding

2250: Finally boarded the aircraft... and waited for flight time.

2320: Flight time.

Lost in time zones: Slept.

Lost in time zones: Woke up to a wailing baby. I hate children inside the airplane. Like seriously they are so noisy not to mention the chair kicking.

0200: Dubai time. Touch down. Apologies from the captain.

0205: Noticed the FlyDubai shopping magazine while the plane taxi's. They have pretty good stuff. No Can't buy it.

0215: Finally - Hello Dubai! Terminal 2 was a breeze. Probably because I arrived at a God forsaken hour and that the whole place charters for private planes.

Time I finally got out of Dubai Terminal 2 airport? See below.

Above timings are approximate except for the photo above. The whole waiting feels like I traveled to the Philippines as flight time takes about the same amount.

If only I'm not coming for a very special occasion and to The Cove, I would've said fucked it and go home.

Philippine New Government In Twitter

2010-05-08T21:11:00.004+03:00

For the past weeks, Philippines has been gripped with the election fever and no other way to expound and engage people but on microblogging known as Twitter.

I have also been pretty noisy about the elections as this is my first time to vote in all of my 26 years. You can only imagine the self righteousness, the battle to be fair and the urge to convince everyone to vote and being annoyed when learning that at their certain age they're not even registered. Yea. I'm delirious with TMI.

Anyway, now that the election is over and thanks to Automated Election majority of the positions has been filled with declared winner, I have to learn to come to terms with the following on what Philippine Government now consists according to some Tweets:

ericaparedes: Every1 is saying how ironic it is that there was a Pres Marcos and a Senator Aquino and now it's the other way around----

ericaparedes: Y'all know what happened to Senator Aquino right?

ericaparedes: We have a congresswoman who dances on television, one who is a soon to be an ex-president everyone hates

ericaparedes: one who is a former first lady once in exile for crimes against our country her son is a senator, the world boxing champion is a congressman

ericaparedes: oursenators put together can film a movie and an ousted ex-con former president is number 2 in the presidential race.

KCMontero: Congressman Manny Pacquiao said, " Mom, can I please fight again, one more time?" somethings just so funny about this.

I used to say and until now believes that if you haven't voted then you don't have the right to bitch about your country. Now that I have, let's see if I will. As the government line up for me right now is depressing. I'd lash out at any one who looks down on the Philippines and the Filipinos but sometimes I'd think that we were asking for it. Oh life.

Labor Day Job Fair

2010-05-01T18:33:00.004+03:00

In lieu of celebrating Labor day in the park with actors and actresses, the Philippine Embassy in coordination with various companies across Kuwait decided to conduct a job fair for all Filipinos here in Kuwait.

The crowd from my vantage point

Maxi Santiago, Jeff of Philippine Embassy and his back on you is the Philippine Ambassador of Kuwait

I played HR for our company that day so I didn't get to take much photos. What little photos I managed to take was crappy through my SE K810i.

There are literally hundreds of Filipinos who came in all levels and skills. Most are Filipinos who are already working here in Kuwait but wants to seek greener pastures in another company. I was tempted to apply myself if only I wasn't playing HR there. Hehehe. Companies who participated were; Al Shaya, Johnny Rockets, Al Ghunaim, KGL, Fit for Fun, and many many more. I wish I remember the rest thought but like I said playing HR got in the way of observing.

The Ambassador giving his opening speech. Spot the blistersister in the photo! =)

It was a successful and productive day. I'll have it over a corny dance show in the park anytime. It's like community service but fun! Well, for me anyways as I don't have the pressure of handing out my resumes and being in my best during the on the spot interviews.

All work and no fun makes us all dull so we booked a table for the vacancy below =))
We kid! We kid!

One of the great result out of that job fair was we were featured in Balitang Middle East via TFC and Maxi Santiago. Well, I was just in the background but friends and the blistersister got interviewed.

Another awesome result is that, the blistersister finally landed a job! Woohoo!

Job Fair brought to you by Philippine Embassy

2010-04-28T19:16:00.004+03:00

Ok, since I can't open my outlook email from personal laptop (forgot my password) I'm posting this via Arab Times.

Philippine Embassy joins POLO, ACN to hold 2nd Jobs Fair May 1 event intended to provide Pinoys the opportunity to meet with company reps
by: By: Boie Conrad Dublin

KUWAIT CITY, April 24:

The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait, and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in cooperation with the Asian Cultural Network (ACN) will launch the second Kuwait Jobs Fair on Labor Day, May 1, 2010 at the Kuwait Hyatt Hotel in Maidan Hawally under the patronage of the Philippine Ambassador to the State of Kuwait Ricardo M. Endaya.

The job fair is being organized in coordination with various companies in Kuwait that require skilled, experienced, reliable and educated manpower to fill different job positions in their respective firms.

The event is intended to provide Filipino workers with various job skills and experience - many of whom were affected by the global economic downturn and were either made redundant or those whose contracts were not renewed - the opportunity to meet with company representatives and HR managers to get interviews for many of the available jobs on offer, and the chance to land better paying jobs.

The job fair also gives local employers the opportunity to fill their job requirements from an available pool of competent, educated, experienced and reliable Filipino workers and the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait is hoping to corner a large percentage of the projected 50,000 job openings for 2010.

Aside from hiring locally, representatives of participating companies will also entertain and receive applications from family members, relatives and friends of Filipino workers in Kuwait who wants to seek employment here.

Jobs Fair highlights:
1. Enable companies to fill worker shortage preferably with Filipino nationals.
2. Chance to interview and meet applicants face to face.
3. Evaluate applications and hire Filipino workers who qualify for job posts on the spot.
4. Gather application forms from Filipino workers who recommend other applicants.
5. Do away with unnecessary expense by hiring locally instead of from the Philippines.
6. The opportunity to meet and consult with Philippine labor officials on job hiring requirements.
7. Companies will have the opportunity to promote their firms during the Jobs Fair.

~~~~

Please come together with your family and friends armed with your most updated CV's/ Resumes and copies of important documents such as passport, civil ID's, certificates etc.

I'm playing HR that day so see you there!

P.S.: The timings are between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. At least that's how long I'll be staying there. Hehe.

I Take Awesome Photos

2010-04-26T19:38:00.000+03:00

Even in a moving car.

I call this the wedding building along Gulf Road as the main purpose of the place is to celebrate... well... weddings =)

And yes those are Palm Trees in every corner of that building.

But that's beside the point. Point here is, I TAKE AWESOME PHOTOS with my equally AWESOME CAMERA, doncha tihnk?

Spring Bazaar 2010

2010-04-25T11:35:00.006+03:00

Welcome to the Spring Bazaar 2010
Where you have to pay 1 KD to feast your eyes on absolute therapeutically goodness of shopping finds.
Like these beautiful leathers
Hand made baby dresses
I love these!

I wonder where I can get these accessory tree? Hhhmmmm
Pretty little girls
The Mel Marquez booth is buzzing!
I love the Little Hooker table. I mean who can't love that it's so quirky! Top it off they have these pretty handbag hooks, coin pendants and if I'm not mistaken - key holders too.
Lookit!
All of the products came not only in Kuwait but around the world.

Organizers even offered snacks for the vendors =)

I went around the place for like half a dozen times but I end up not buying anything because I was sick with laryngitis. Haha! I know I shouldn't be spreading virus but it's too fun to pass. That and weather + bank account isn't cooperating too well too.

All in all, it's a good day and I can't wait for the Summer Bazaar ;-)

The Sand Storm That Was

2010-04-18T22:04:00.004+03:00

It started to be a gorgeous day at around 7.30 in my area.

So gorgeous that I even decided to hang my clothes out for that natural dry.
Took my time to make pa-art shots.

and tweeted/ facebooked about it.

And then I read Kuwait Paper Dumps tweet regarding ignoring their morning greeting with a twitpic that looks almost like this
Seconds later our Yaya ran to my room asking if I took in my laundry and when I asked why she said look out the window
It was about 10 minutes till 8 a.m.
In a matter of minutes, what started to be a beautiful day turned into something dark, smelly and very very dusty. It turned over my laundry (it's the last time I'm hanging laundry out in this weather!) and smacked hard rain on our roofs.

Living in Kuwait for almost 7 years now I can say that sand storm isn't a big deal anymore. Heck, I can smell a sand storm hours away. Unfortunately, I am allergic to it that I suffer for days on end with it.

What's unique about this is aside from your world turning really dark in a matter of minutes - which is very scary I tell you - is that it also turned bright and sparkly in a blink of an eye!

The whole sky looks like it has been wiped clean. Even the air smells good.

I wish I could say the same to our backyard though.

The pool side was totally trashed. The wind was so strong that it knocked over our pool umbrella damaging the pole. Which reminds me, does anyone know where we can get this fixed?
Mama's potted plants also got turned over.
We were planning to have a dip in the pool for the weekend but that plan's a bust now.
This bamboo plant isn't so lucky.
Toys, tables and plants got thrown around

Flood water had to be cleaned up not only out the backyard but also inside our house where rain seeped in through the windows and doors.
I wish I could say it was hard work cleaning all that up but I can't as I was too busy taking photos and blogging/ tweeting about it. Good thing I have younger siblings who can do the dirty work for their older sister =)

Kuwait's weather is messed up lately. Regular work week days are like bright and sunny but come start of weekend then it becomes gloomy and dark the whole time!

Open Letter To My Mother During A 5 Minute Sand Storm

2010-04-17T11:01:00.004+03:00

Dear Mama,

While you were sleeping and I was being a good girl basking in the glorious rays of the sun by washing my own laundry and admiring the 9 West ankle booties you gave me, the sky turned sinister dark suddenly.

Yaya Gina ran to my room yelling that I should go up and see what's happening outside. That is right after I read a tweet and saw a twitpic of the surging storm from Kuwait Paper Dump.

In a blink of an eye, the clear sunny sky loomed into darkness. My perfectly lined up laundry tumbled over and got rained at with sand. The air in the house turned musky & smelt like rust. I lost hope about my laundry that I just tweeted and tweeted and tweeted about it.

5 minutes later. The weather Gods probably had enough fun, they cleared the sky as if nothing happened.

Only something happened. Your perfectly freshly lawned garden became a marsh. The pool turned into murky brown that not even Ondin would swim into. Your favorite bamboo stalk got uprooted. Your potted plants and all our pool stuffs overturned. Worst, your beloved pool umbrella got broken.

I gave up laundry for the day. Please don't scold me. I had enough trauma already. The healing part is slowly coming by looking at your youngest children cleaning up the sinister sand storm. If my doing laundry is such a big news, botherbrother and sisterblister's together should be considered a miracle.

My trauma will completely heal if you and Oink will announce to everyone that due to the devastating event, we will all be taken to the biggest mall of Kuwait, The Avenues, for some good R & R through shopping and a brunch.

And oh, a dose of dragon smile will temporarily balm my pain.

So Mama, won't you please wake up and heal me already.

XOXO!

Your smart ass daughter

New Kuwait Labor Law 2010

2010-04-16T07:07:00.004+03:00

Published in the official Kuwait Gazette

Posted on 22-Feb-2010

Giving the expatriate working in Kuwait a new hope, the new labor law has been published in the official gazette on 21-Feb-2010 to make it into effect.

The law, which has updated provisions regarding the salary, public holidays, paid leave, sick leave as well as end of service payments deemed suitable for employees and their employers, was approved by the National Assembly last year and was sent to the Kuwait Cabinet before being sent to His Highness the Amir for endorsement. But the large number of domestic workers in Kuwait will not come under this rule.

On Salary:

The new labor law mandates that salaries of all employees be sent to the banks before the 7^th of each month. It also allows employees paid leave on all official holidays, a day off every week, and 30 days of annual leave even during the first year of work. Article 17 grants 21 days paid Hajj pilgrimage leave to an employee who has spent two consecutive years in service under the same employer and has never performed the Hajj pilgrimage previously. Leave must also be granted to the employees on all the 13 days of public holidays and if workers are made to work on public holidays, they must be given a bonus of half-a-day’s salary in addition to a full day’s pay.

On Leave:

Furthermore, a worker is entitled to 40 days of paid sick leave, with full pay for the first 10 days, 75 percent pay for the next 10 days, 50 percent pay for the following 10 days and 25 percent for the last 10 days. An employee is entitled up to 30 days of unpaid sick leave if all his/her paid sick leaves are used up.

On Compensations:

According to article 51 of the labor law, a worker will get complete end of service compensation at the end of the contract period. The employee is entitled to full indemnity if the contract is terminated by the employer, or the employment contract ends without being renewed. A female employee can get full indemnity if she terminates the contract from her side due to marriage within a year from her marriage date.

Article 53 states that the employee is entitled to half month’s salary for every year if the employee resigns after more than three years and less than five years in service. If the employee resigns after 5 years but less than ten years of service, he is entitled to 75 percent of the monthly salary for every year. Beyond 10 years, the employee gets full month’s salary as compensation for every year of service.

On Working Hours

Among other new points, the new law stipulates that minors under the age of 15 cannot be recruited and that women are not allowed to work after 10:00 pm or be involved in risky tasks. The new law also stipulates that employees can work for 8 hours a day, including an hour long break, for six days a week, and that if they work on Friday they are entitled to a day and a half’s pay and a day off during the following week, not counting the following Friday.

On Women and Children

Under the new labor law, pregnant women can now take a paid leave of 70 days as long as they give birth within this period of time. New mothers can also be granted an unpaid leave of four months and the law also prohibits employers from dismissing female workers during this period. An employer is also obliged to establish a day care center for children below four years of age if more than 50 women or 200 men work in the establishment.

On Health Benefits

Employees who meet with accidents on the job or on their way to and from work must receive full salaries throughout the recovering period slated by a physician. If this period exceeds six months, then the employer pays half the salary until the injured employee recovers, dies or his/her handicap is confirmed.

On Termination

Regarding employee termination, the new law says that the employer must give a notice of three months and no worker can be terminated while on leave. The notice period for an employee to resign is also three months. The law also prohibits employers from firing workers without reason, as a result of activities in NGO’s or because they demanded their rights.

On a personal side note:

Although the above has been published, it does not guarantee that it applies to you or your company will follow suit. I know some if not most companies are not implementing this just as yet. The Kuwait Government should be vigilant in making sure that their law is being practiced. Therefore it is always smart to be vigilant and to know your rights in your work place. The above are not guidelines, they are actually published laws so I encouraged all OFW's to check their contracts and talk to your HR department to maximize and put into effect these rules into yours. Kuwait government really did a good thing here. It would've been been awesome if it doesn't only covers the high level clerical staffs and above but also the domestic workers too.

The Spring Bazaar 2010

2010-04-14T13:57:00.008+03:00

Mel Marquez retail therapy is at it again! This April 23rd, Friday, we will be joining THE SPRING BAZAAR at Salwa Sabah Al Ahmed Hall from 11 am until 8 pm.

I have to say that the main ladies of The Spring Bazaar (hello Ms. Kim!) are very nice and accomodating. On top of that, they are also very organized when it comes to informations and table assignment. This is the second time that Mel Marquez retail therapy store their organized bazaar, last time was Fall last year.

On the last meeting, they have encouraged us to distribute the flyers and below is what it says:

Please join us for a FUN filled day of SHOPPING, SOCIALIZING, and COFFEE!

Many of the vendors are exclusive to The Spring Bazaar!

We offer a variety of jewelry, original art, souvenirs, gifts, crafts, and tasty treats not found anywhere else!

You a re sure to find what you are looking for!

Entry fee is KD 1 per person (including children) and K- NET is available on site.

Please support and visit booth #53 of Mel Marquez for all kind of fashionable items.

Thanks and see you there!

Pooped Out Rambling

2010-04-06T19:52:00.003+03:00

For the lack of better word that best describes the lethargic state I am in right now.

In exactly 2 weeks, I will be reaching the second half of my life. Dramatic as it may sound, reaching the age of 26 with nothing to show of accomplishments (or savings) from the past nor have a concrete plan for the future isn't boding well with me.

Granted I'm getting out here in more or less than a year to pursue my impending education, the nagging "now what" question always lingers.

I swear thinking is more tiring than a physical activity. Not that I do much of the latter anyways. Although I really need to start. Tomorrow. I swear. Promise I'll start mounting the treadmill. Like I promised yesterday that I'll start today. It will happen, it has to happen one way or another.

I'm officially the most lethargic person I know either that or I'm just being to hard on myself. After all, I do work 9 hours a day sitting in a cubicle dealing with drivers of all stink and nationalities not to mention ignoring stupid, ignorant and politically incorrect paper pushers isn't a walk in the cloud. Everyday I wake up at 5.30 a.m. wishing it's already 5.30 p.m. and I'm back where I currently am, in the cocoon of our spanking new house surrounded by dysfunctional but good people.

Lately I've been hooked on Tweetdeck. Not that it's advisable and a replacement for real people and real conversation but this time and right here, reading other people's inane thoughts suits me fine. I am not required to be nice, reply or even participate. All I have to do is sit here, read and occasionally retweet. Life is a lot more serene that way.

My room doesn't look like a mess anymore. Granted there are still clothes on the bed that I sleep with and laundry's beckoning me to take them up but other than that I am loving my new space. I bought a new chest draw last weekend and mom pitched in with my dresser both complimenting my hand me down bed so now the room resembles a uhm well a room. For the first time since I came back from Dubai which was last weekend of February, I am now sleeping on the bed.

Speaking of bed, whoever introduced the medical bed has a serious problem with the word soft. My bed is freaking hard! Everytime I lay on it, I feel like laying on a hard wood floor. Medical bed was introduced to me by my mom 5 years ago when I first got here. Since then I've been sleeping on ~~hard wood floor~~ one so I kind of got used to it. She said that it corrects the posture and actually helps with the back pains. I don't see how but mother knows best so yea, medical bed it is.

Five (?) balikbayan boxes was packed and ready to be shipped off containing my accumulated trash over the 5 years that I'm here. It was mostly books, bags, shoes, clothes and books, bags, shoes and clothes. See the pattern there? Yea. I know.

Despite all those packed up boxes, I still need more drawers in my room for the stuffs on my bed and the clothes that are pending on the laundry. Ang laki ng problema ko. Grabe.

First week of the month and I'm already broke. But then again, who isn't. On the bright side, the days are passing by so fast that I can hardly catch up so before I'll notice, it's the next payday again so yey! By the end of this month, I swear I'm kicking off all temptations and I'll save. save. save!

This blog is reviving again. I have to start writing again. I'll never be a great writer but at least, I'll be good enough to be understood. I'll be coherent enough that I'd get my message across the world wide web where it will be lost in the blogosphere.

Sometimes I'd wish I'm back in the Philippines where good times with great friends are aplenty. Then the reality would hit me hard. We're not young and carefree anymore. Some of them got children and family to take care of. Most of them left back home got unflexible work time that it's so hard to drag any of them out of their houses for a ladies night out.

Now the pull of home isn't about good times or free flowing booze. The pull of home for me is higher education. I am a learner. I love learning new things, discovering ideas may it be old and new. I strive on education. Learning is a constant for me. It's a wonder and a tragedy when I stopped the way that I did.

For someone who had a very long day, I sure do type and spent hours blogging about it. Thank goodness to the love life that keeps me grounded and made me feel loved enough to deserve being taken cared of.

I love my life. I will never regret living here in Kuwait. Despite the lack of hedge funds in my portfolio, I am happy as I was given a change to experience being a daughter of my mom. Being a big sister who can occasionally provide to my siblings. It isn't easy. Being a OFW kid and living alone independently as I grow up, I got used to my own ways on my own terms. Being a 20 years old and suddenly finding yourself being treated like a child again is a mixture of heaven and hate. Nevertheless, I'm not complaining. It was and still is a good run here in Kuwait. I have never lived and had a comfortable life until I got here. Kuwait for me is another learning ground that I have to graduate soon. I'm starting to come to terms with it.

Sometimes you just know when it's time to stop and start again. Like now.

Holy Week and Kuwait

2010-04-04T19:44:00.000+03:00

Back home in the Philippines, everyone was on a Holy Week mode. Family gathering, fasting, going out of town, some out of the country, penitence done in a truly unique individual Filipino traditions. I miss it. No matter what activity is being done though, it almost always involves being or celebrating it with the family.

Here in Kuwait, due to the inter religion status quo that we have in the house - my mom is a none practising Jehovah's Witness, me and my siblings are Roman Catholics, the old man is a Baptist - makes it kind of hard to follow a certain tradition.

But a tradition we make.

Our beliefs, although we are not regular church goers, focused on believing in the goodness of God and Jesus Christ. We believe on equality, respect and doing no harm to our neighbors and all living things/ beings in all forms.

Our tradition is strong on family. Every and in almost all activities involved being with the family. I for instance, everyday, can't wait to go straight home after work so I get to talk to them over preparation or dinner. We watch tv series & do house chores together. Of course friction & issues happens but we almost always work it out.

During weekends we go to the mall for a good movie, a lunch out or dinner or in a bookstore. We spend time by the pool but most of the time we are in the kitchen eating, drinking and talking a mile per second.

I am digressing as usual.

Back to Holy Week tradition - Kuwait style.

Thursday was spent at work but in the evening was all about fish soup, rice & Caprica the new tv series.

I woke up on the couch on a beautiful Friday morning not on my own accord but because my mom called telling me that it's time to go for Friday & Irani Market. We went out and bought new beds for the blistersister and a mattress for me.

Saturday was spent at Galleria along Dajeej, the furniture haven of Kuwait. I bought a dresser and a cabinet. Went home, the old man grilled steaks and shrimps, sat over the pool, talked and laughed for the rest of the afternoon. Well they did but I spent it online and in front of the tv watching comedy shows. Dinner was grilled garlic shrimps and grilled bangus. Now we're just settling in to watch Pacific an HBO mini series.

Our life is comfortable and I in behalf of my family is thankful to the good Lord for everything. So even though we don't go to church or have novenas, we pray to Him for guidance and celebrate him in our own way.

Life is good but weekend seriously ends so fast.

Happy Easter everyone. Happy egg hunting!

Irani Market

2010-04-03T21:02:00.008+03:00

I blogged about Friday Market before with a promise to blog about the Irani Market.

My apologies for the late follow up but ladies and gentlemen, Irani Market is one of the best Kuwait secret.

Where else can you find gramophones that looks so cool it makes me want to buy and store them for my future house.

I'm loving the vintage feel!

When I saw these leather darlings at Friday Market, I immediately drag my mom to the stall and asked for it as my birthday gift.

Unfortunately, she says no =( She said, pieces like those are good for hacienda/ country style houses.
I disagree because I really think I can make those babies work their worth. Maybe someday.

When I was a kid we had a rotary phone in black. My older cousins then used to sneak in the middle of the night to call up their friends. It was early 90's so mobile phones are still unheard of.

Seeing this gave me a memory flood of the younger compound living years with my Father's side of the family.

Irani Market also have a variety of oil paintings and canvass prints on intricate frames. I would love to buy pieces of those for my future house. During travels, a friend used to buy paintings and I'm beginning to think she had the right idea. It's not like we're going to go back there so might as well stock up for the future house designs.

Irani Market have lovely wooden tables, chest drawers, jewellery cases, lamps, vases in all shapes and sizes, even fish and plants!

Other stalls sells whimsical items such as figurines of angels and miniature Arab women depicting their culture.

If you find yourself in need of a sailor clock, Irani Market is the place to be!

Everytime, we get tired of the dust, noise and heat of Friday Market, we always have to pass by Irani Market for that much more feel of the culture.

It helps that it's airconditioned too!

Telephone Wired

2010-04-03T19:24:00.004+03:00

I have to blog about this before I forget.

One of the things I promised myself if when I lost weight, I will curl my hair like the telephone wire.

Yes. I can do that. In fact my mother has done that to me when I was a kid. Like 6 years old I think. Too bad all my childhood photos are gone. Too many houses along the years tends to make you lose things. It's a shame really because I really think I am way better than cute when I was a kid.

So imagine me, a way better than cute kid w/ a telephone wire curled waist length hair.

Too pretty to be true right?

And oh, my mom used bamboo sticks and some chemicals I'm sure doctors would advise against using to a child to achieve the look.

Now, 20 years later. I'm thinking of getting my hair curled like a telephone wire again.

It won't be easy as I have to first lose like gazillion pounds and actually find someone who knows how to do the curl.

My mom can do it. I know she's the perfect person to do it but she absolutely refused to do so. She said I can barely brush my hair when it's wavy now here I am going on and on about the curl. In my defense, if the hair is all curled up, there's no need to brush it right? God forbid it becomes straight again. haha!

Anyways. So that's that and my dream to have a curly telephone wired hair.

Thank you and we now go back to the regular programming of puke fest as it is Sunday tomorrow again! Ugh.

P.S.: I googled and saw these photos that will give you an idea of what a telephone wire curled hair looks like. At least an approximate look.

Cute right? =)

No Toxicity in MS Word

2010-04-01T15:13:00.003+03:00

Toxicity is when you just got a text from the bank that your salary was received, only to find out you got a deduction of 100 KD due to phone bills.

Toxicity is when you can't control the urge to call long distance but what's even more toxic about that is when Finance dept. of your work place forgot to pay last month's bill ergo the 100 KD for this month.

Toxicity is updating your monthly budget sheet and finding out that you're broke waaaaayy before you can withdraw a single KD.

Toxicity is moving into a new house and into a new work place all at the same month!

Toxicity is sleeping on the sofa for ~~couple of months~~ more than couple of weeks now because of constant packing, unpacking and your bed being given away.

Toxicity is taking your VIVA usb internet connection to work because the office firewall is crazy. Only to realize that you have nothing good to write about except what is toxic in your life right now.

Toxicity is the rigidness of Kuwait Consulate to let in tourists in this country. Now I can't party with my hommies.

Toxicity is prevalent when you start saying hommies.

Toxicity is the stress level on Saturday at the thought of Sunday. Sunday used to be fun full of oil laden breakfasts, sleeping in & movie marathons. Not anymore. Sunday is a puke day.

Toxicity is when you & family members agreed the night before on meeting up later today to shop for your bed but got a unconfirmed text instead.

Toxicity is asking your taxi driver how much you owe them for the month.

Toxicity is when you start your blog entry as well as every sentence of that blog entry with toxicity.

Toxicity is when you right click the word toxicity in MS Word, it does not have any synonyms nor is it included in the MS dictionary.

Toxicity is now knowing when to stop and end this blog entry.

What Happened To Spring?

2010-03-17T22:53:00.003+03:00

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

2010-03-17T22:42:00.001+03:00

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

2010-03-17T21:58:00.004+03:00

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 ♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥