The Year That Was and The Year That Will Be

I welcomed 2009 with big, open arms but was disappointed as the year wore off. I am not saying that my 2009 started on a wrong footing. As a matter of fact, the beginning of 2009 was promising for us. We spent the holidays with our love ones back in the Philippines. We applied for our USA visa for the first time and got approved. My brother's employer gave him a chance to work full time in their company. And I established good blogging relationships with new bloggers who later on became my online-sisters cum buddies.

2009 didn't really start to disappoint me until the recession took a nose dive sometime mid of the year. Our company did not give us increment in lieu of our job securities. We did not get our bonus for the exemplary performance we gave for the previous year. However, despite the lack of monetary award, we have our jobs. That is a blessing in itself.

A lot of misfortune happened this year. Many calamities hit my motherland. A lot of people perished. And now, Mount Mayon is showing its natural force! Are there more to come before the year ends?

My heart ached for this year's misfortunes and misgivings of people I trust and close to my heart. I feel bereft of anything except for the flicker of hope that is 2010. The recession is still on. But I hope that tiny shimmer of hope does not wane as I enter the new year ahead.

I am praying for everybody and not just for myself and my family. I am praying that the coming year will bring us good tidings and peace. Please join me in this solemn prayer I wrote:

Dear God,

We thank you for the year that was and the year that will be. We know the trials before us are something to prepare us to strengthen our faith.

We pray that You will guide us through 2010 with big hopes and belief that all these will come to an end. Help us detach ourselves from earthly possessions which hinder us from accepting all the harsh realities. Let us grow in our faith and hope with your loving grace.

We know it will be tough but with You on our side, we will get through this. We will believe that there is hope in everything as long as we pray with sincerity.

Thank you dear God for the lessons we learned this year and prepare us to learn more with a better discernment and bigger faith as 2010 approaches.

We believe. Amen.

Time to Get Insured

It is that time again where we need to check our house's insurance back home. We make it sure that our home is covered from fire and other calamities. So in this regard, we need various insurance quotes to enable us to choose the best offer with the best coverage and best price. We are very particular on the coverage and as much as possible, we want an affordable insurance scheme.

Secured in my Home

Living in Dubai has its perks in terms of security and safety. Although we cannot dispute the fact that there are crimes anywhere. However, crime rate here is down to the minimum.

We live in a building flat and have a security guard round-the-clock. The home security systems here are okay because most buildings are equipped with auto-lock system in the main lobby door. Unless you are a resident of a certain building, you cannot enter right away without buzzing the owner of the flat or leaving your ID in the security guard.

Career Make or Break

I was hoping to shift to another line of expertise come 2010 but never expected the recession to be this long. My careers has entered a plateau. I have been in my current post for more than 6 years. I have been in the same company since I arrived here in Dubai for almost 10 years! I have actually over-shoot my record of staying in a firm for only 5 years and then on to my next job.

The situation right now is not very promising for a career move. I think I will wait and see the recession dust settles.

On Student Loans

When I was in university, I never had the opportunity to borrow money or apply for a student loan. Although our university offers such for students who needed financial assistance, I was not aware of it until I graduated.

Students these days are very lucky that more and more colleges and universities are offering financial assistance. Unlike before, there were only a handful which offers such aid to deserving students. The financial aid came in the form of scholarship and grants.

Christmas Greetings from the DOG :)

Santa's little helper, Millie, wants to greet everybody during this festive season "woof, woof, woof!" That's dog talk for Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Enjoy the celebrations!

After the Holidays Slim Down Project

I have not officially put on the shelf my weight loss goal this holiday season. However my will try to resist the festive food around me, I just have to go with the flow. I do not want to starve nor deprive myself with the lovely and sumptuous meals on the table when everyone else is having their share.

I plan to limit my food intake. Continue with my regular exercise and probably take some supplements like Stimerex ES. I have been looking for this supplement here in Dubai but to no avail. I will try checking for this on my next trip to the US of A this January.

Real Human versus Automated Voice Response System

I do not know if it is just me or one major international bank has decided to use automated voice response system over real "human" call center operators.

I was trying so hard to get hold of a real person few days ago when I called this major bank. Unfortunately, each time I press the number "0" which is universal for operators, my call would always go back to the automated voice service.

I hope they have realized that by going automated, they have just cut jobs of many operators working in call centers.

Sunshine Blog Award

It is really heartwarming when fellow bloggers recognize you for the good vibes you spread. I am very honoured that Ria (my namesake too) of My Journey To Life gave me this award:

It is with great joy that I accept this award. Thank you for the recognition. It is for this reason that I enjoy blogging because of the love that goes around. I am glad to be an instrument to give sunshine to others.

Thanks with all my heart.

Girls Talk - Christmas Decoration

It's Thursday again! And why am I excited? Well, I get to talk to my blog sisters! Yehey!

This week's theme is my favorite. It's about Christmas decorations. Although our Christmas 2009 is a bit subdued compared to last year when money abound (hehehehe!!). Every year, I make it a point to change color motif and design for our Christmas tree. Last year it was red and gold combination. This year, my family decided to focus on blue and silver. So, this goes without saying that our tree is decked with blue and silver ornaments. However, the Holiday table pieces are still the same: Santa, Angel and Snowman.

Window Shades

Old adage says that the eyes are the windows of our soul. For a home, it is the window.

The window showcase a sneak-peek to one's home interior and a glimpse of the personality of the homeowners. However, an unprotected window can be a little perturbing too. Bare windows open an opportunity for strangers to have a look on one's privacy. So, using Window Coverings can help curb that feeling of paranoia and vulnerability to other factors.

A house is not complete without any windows. And a window is not complete without any shades of various forms like curtains and blinds. The market for Window Shades are quite proliferating. Due to this, consumers have the ability to decorate their windows according to their preference. The consumers are also not limited to the common curtains now. The choice can be from wooden or aluminum blinds, small or wide blinds, vertical or horizontal blinds, roller shades, woven shades, cell or honeycomb kind of shades and vertical panels with tracks. Colors will vary from natural wood, white, cream or the color of your choice.

Window Blinds are great covering to use at home. The advantages of using this kind of window covering out-weighs the use of the conventional curtains. It is affordable. It is easy to maintain and clean unlike the drapery where it requires careful washing and drying by professional dry-cleaners or laundromats. It does not rip like the fabric counterpart. It is in with the times in terms of design. It is simple and one does not have to worry about over-doing the house interior.

The windows shade will be a great choice for the discerning consumer.

Heaven Award from Kikamz

It has been a while since I posted some nice awards received from great blogger pals. This award is really a welcome respite and I am glad and honored to be a recipient. Thank you Kikamz of Just About Anything for this wonderful award.

Waking up on a Rainy Sunday

Much as I miss the rainy season back home and love the winter feel of the new climate, it is different when you wake up on a rainy Sunday morning.

It has been raining for the past three days now. It was the same situation last year around this time when Dubai and neighboring Emirates were submerged due to the non-stop torrential rains. It is nice to be relieved of the scorching heat once in a while. However, there is not good drainage system here so we expect flooded thoroughfares again and it is going to be one hell-of-a-traffic in the busy streets of Dubai.

Although it is gloomy and all and the sky is very bleak, I still find a recluse in the coming of the new season. After this season comes a spring of hope.

Time for a Party!

Party organizers must be getting their plans and materials ready for the holiday season. Even companies are holding their annual Christmas Parties and the employees are all excited. Who would not be? With all the exchange of pleasantries, merriment, gifts and food abound; having a great party is indeed one to look forward to.

I am sure that suppliers of materials used in parties must be having a ball of time meeting orders and running after clients for future events because of the holiday season. I wonder how the event organizers or party hosts or hostess are coming up with their planning and execution during this time?

Holding a party takes a lot of work and preparation. One has to consider many factors before jumping to the planning stage of holding a great and fun party. Issues like theme, location, date, attendees, food, supplies and most important are the commercial tables and chairs are just a few to note when preparing a party.

I have not attended a standing party yet so if I am to host my own party, I will definitely need folding tables and stackable chairs. I cannot imagine causing inconvenience to my guests by keeping them on their feet for long. So having chairs and tables around will be vital to have a fun-filled and successful party.

Girls Talk - Christmas List

This Christmas is a different one compared to the previous Christmases we have had in the past. I honestly don't have anyone nor anything in my Christmas Wish List.

I am singing a different tune this year because of the ongoing recession. I just feel a wee guilty about spending much when the budget is tight and the world is going through a rough time. Although I have few gifts under our Christmas Tree this time of the year, I will still have something special for the people close to my heart.

The Trees of Christmas

Christmas brings forth good tidings and warm feelings. Adding more fun to that jovial spirit are the gift-giving, holiday festivities and the decorations.

One of my favorite Christmas decorations are the Christmas Trees. A Christmas Tree adds that special feeling of warmth and coziness to a home. There are a wide variety to choose from pertaining to ones preference. There are real ones, artificial, white and even some made from indigenous materials like corn husks. I have seen some in my home country and they are just lovely!

Artificial Christmas Trees these days are a far cry from what we used to have when I was young. The artificial Christmas Trees we used to put up were so simple. They were made of plastic and the needles were the tinsels. Although I see them as pretty but the leaves were not enough to cover the branch so you could see the mid-section. They were like malnourished Christmas Trees even when they were decked with ornaments. However, there has been a remarkable evolution on the presentation of artificial Christmas Trees in the modern times. You can now get wide-bodied Christmas Trees, slim or narrow-bodied Christmas Trees, realistic evergreen colored ones, White Christmas Trees, decked with real pine cones on the PVC branches, some with clear or colored lights, some even rotates on their stands, two or three-tone green needles, different colored Christmas Trees other than the usual evergreen or white, foldable branches for easy storage, Christmas Trees with frosted needles and very huge Christmas Trees! The choices are plenty. The quality is superb and the presentation these days is almost believable. You cannot make out if they are artificial or not because they look realistic.

So, no matter what your preference is regarding Christmas Trees. I am sure that you will find something that you will love and eagerly take home to decorate.

A Cross with Rose

I have been blogging for sometime now and have never rewarded myself with something special. I saw this website that offers beautiful pieces of cross pendants which I find very interesting.

I have already mentioned before how I normally don't buy myself jewelry because I am not fond of wearing one. However, this cross pendant I found in www.applesofgold.com is truly remarkable. One look and I knew, it was the one I wanted.

The cross pendants in the site's collection are really beautiful. I had to browse through 12 pages of cross pendants for women. The gold cross with rose which I have posted above is the one that truly captivated me. The intricate flower and leaves design is unique. I have not seen a cross pendant like that before.

There are other sites offering similar products which I have visited but nothing compares to this particular site. Their presentation is very straight-forward and clean. The return policy and shipping charges are clearly mentioned by clicking on their respective links. You can also track the status of your order and enjoy the flexibility they offer in terms of payment. The only thing I will suggest to further improve this site is a disclosure of their company's address apart from the toll free numbers mentioned there.

Maybe rewarding myself with a cross pendant is worth all the time and effort I spent blogging. I know it is something that will be very close to my heart at all times.

T'is the Season to be Jolly

Fa la la la la. La la la la....

I miss the Christmas carols back home. I miss the children clanging their tambourines made of bottle caps in a wire hoop.

I miss the warm "bibingka" you buy at the side street vendors after the "Simbang Gabi." I miss Christmas in the Philippines.

I don't normally get the chance to save the holiday season in my leave bank as most of my colleagues are Christians so they celebrate their Christmas too with their families in their respective countries. Although last year I was home, this year will just be one dry Christmas for me here in the arid place called Dubai.

We will still celebrate Christmas in the warmth of our home here sans the merriment. No matter where we are, Christmas will always be in our hearts.

Health Nut - Green and Slim

Who said going green can't make you slim? Well, there's good news to all of you greenies out there! According to RealAge.com, going after low-carbon-footprint on snacks will also be waist-friendly to you. You are not only being environmental by choosing food with short ingredients list because this minimizes processing time.

If you want to know some list of go-green food, please visit this link and see what you can do to help Mother Earth and yourself.

Cards Slide in my other Blog

Hi everyone!

Please check out my handmade cards slide in my other blog - Handmade with Love. I have uploaded my Christmas cards collection which I will be putting up for sale on my online shop soon. Hope you'll like them!

A Jamaican Holiday

I have been hoping for our company to add a flight in Florida so my family and I can have a side trip to Jamaica. I have heard so many nice things about the country and its pristine beaches. Not to mention the amiable people in the island.

Some of my colleagues have been to Jamaica and seeing their pictures made me list Jamaica in my one of the places I need to visit before I leave this plane. There are jamaica all inclusive packages available for airline staff so we can get good rates. Fortunately, I am an airline staff and I can find good rates if my family and I decide to visit Jamaica.

The Demi-Nurse

When my dad was still alive and was under treatment for his diabetes and major heart stroke, I was the one taking his pulse regularly and noting the results on a chart. I was his "home-nurse." I remember seeing small medical equipment in our house then which was lent to us by my aunt who happens to be an anaesthesiologist. Although I have no training as a nurse nor was a medical student, I just learned the basics by reading many medical books. I also read the manuals of the medical equipment at home to familiarize myself with their functions. It was really interesting to know more about the medical world when you're an ordinary denizen of the planet. Makes me remember the days when I was keen to pursue medicine but due to my frail health, I had to change my dream.

Drip! Drop!

I cannot believe that my flat is showing signs of wear and tear already when we've only been in this place for 2 years. This was a new building when we moved in. Seeing the paints chipping, the door hinges un-hingeing and the kitchen faucet dripping drives me up the wall!

I tried calling the "watchman" (the person assigned to take all possible verbal abuse from the tenants *wink*) but I think he's off. If I wait another day without doing something to these, I might just go mad. So, I'll drive to the nearest hardware tomorrow and will ask hubby to fix the drippy faucet first.

Girls Talk - What's Your Birthday

It's Thursday again and it's time for Girls to talk in Girls Talk! This week's topic is about birthdays.

Well, I was born in March so my sign is Pisces. I honestly don't know what my birth month means so I searched the net and found this. Beside are my comments whether they are true or not or almost ;)

MARCH
1. Attractive personality - Not sure! I'm a loner. My deep in my heart, I know I am a good person.
2. Affectionate - TRUE!
3. Shy and reserved - TRUE!
4. Secretive - TRUE!
5. Naturally honest, generous and sympathetic - SO TRUE!
6. Loves peace and serenity - ON THE SPOT!
7. Sensitive to others - VERY!
8. Loves to serve others - YES!
9. Not easily angered - 101% TRUE!
10. Trustworthy - VERY, VERY MUCH!
11. Appreciative and returns kindness - YES!
12. Observant and assess others - VERY TRUE!
13. Revengeful - NOT AT ALL!!!
14. Loves to dream and fantasize - ALL THE TIME ;)
15. Loves travelling - IS THIS OBVIOUS? HEHEHE, VERY TRUE AGAIN.
16. Loves attention - NOT REALLY.
17. Hasty decisions in choosing partners - NO, AS A MATTER OF FACT, I AM PICKY.
18. Loves home decors - YUP.
19. Musically talented - 50-50! TO SOME I MAY SOUND LIKE A CROAKING FROG BUT TO OTHERS, MAYBE IT'S ACCEPTABLE...HAHAHA. ALL I KNOW IS, I LOVE MUSIC. QUESTION IS, DOES MUSIC LOVE ME?!?
20. Loves special things - OH YES.
21. Moody - ASK MY HUBBY....HARHARHAR!

As for my birthday, I was born on March 15. My mom said (or she may be pulling my very short legs!) that she was chit-chatting with their neighbor when her water bag broke. So, amongst the siblings, I was the only one born in a polyclinic. Yes, a clinic. A small clinic! Sigh... I guess my mom didn't realize she was due and had not planned to give delivery in the nearest clinic my dad and her could find. Nevertheless, I grew up fine. At one point, she even said she could just have delivered where she was standing near the "santan bushes." Oh my! ;)

Visit Niko's blog to find out what our other blogger sisters (or even brothers') birthday month says about them.

Dreaming of a New Home

I have this incorrigible habit of day dreaming when time permits me. Although my dreams take me to places I have never been, they have also served as good motivation to achieve my aspirations.

My husband and I had a bright-idea moment during our vacation to the US last April 2009. We actually liked the place so much that talks of migrating there in the future is in the offing. Since then, my day dreams have become a pivotal point for me to focus and really give it a go while we are young and able.

Moving to a new place entails great sacrifices and that includes jumping out of our comfort zones. Another thing we have to consider is looking for a suitable place to call home. I am sure that when we move, we will not be able to purchase our dream home right away. We are considering any of the Manufactured homes which we can afford when the time comes.

I have done my homework on this one, believe me. We read newspapers' ads and even checked web sites on Manufactured homes for sale. There are so many to choose from. We are keen to have at least a new one so we checked out New manufactured homes for sale too. The price is reasonable. So, if we need to start the ball rolling, we better start saving big time fast!

I am looking forward to establish our new foothold in the US. It has always been my dream. I hope that one day, my day dream will cease because we are living the US dream.

Oh Christmas Tree

The Christmas air is here, silently announcing the arrival of the holiday season. It is time to put up the Christmas decors and everything related to the Yuletide season.

Winter season here is rather short. One would even barely notice its passing if not for the cold breeze on your face and the longer nights. Last week, we put up our artificial Christmas tree. It is the only one we can have since we live in a very hot and humid region in this part of the globe. It is for that reason that we cannot put up real christmas trees much as our hearts desire it. The trees must be able to survive the climate here in the Middle East so they can carry on until New Year's.

I am really fascinated with live christmas trees. I enjoy seeing Christmas photos sent by our families and friends in the US specially when they are next to their real Christmas trees. I imagine the fresh scent of these trees filling their abode. It must be wonderful!

I am so tempted to get a real one this time and check out the christmas tree delivery service if I have the tree shipped here in the Middle East. I have yet to try it though and see if the live tree will withstand the humid conditions of this country.

Oh well, it is not bad to dream of having a real Christmas tree this time. We may not have a real one now but who knows. Maybe in few years time, we will be celebrating our white Christmas in the US with our very own real Christmas tree.