Just recently, Manny Pacquio conquered the boxing ring again beating Miguel Cotto via a 12th round techinical knock out to become the first fighter in boxing history to win 7 world title in different weight divisions.
Just recently too, Efren Penaflorida won the hearts of the world over which won him the CNN Hero of the Year Award. However, unlike Pacman, Paqcquio's nickname, Efren's winning was not well publicized among the common Filipino masses, which is such a waste because his is a story that can inspire the littlest hero among us.
And today, we are front page here in a UAE national newspaper... why? Because of an infamous act of magnanimous level... election-related killing of almost 20+ reporters in one shooting at the south part of the Philippines. The world is saying they have not seen killing of media people of this level.
We cover the world dailies with different news... some victorious, some shameful. I just hope we do it more for the first reason...
11.25.2009
11.11.2009
Curtain Call
Still reeling from the harsh effects of recession, expats from Dubai are finding it hard to move on. Newspapers say that the economy is now improving, that more jobs will be created in the next months, that banks are now confident again to lend, etc. But all these maybe are just a spin doctor's campaign to manage the crisis. I guess, Dubai is doing its curtain call...
Every week, my prayer list always has "job-seekers". Many are long time, many are just recent. The feeling of paranoia is just so daunting that even the most stable man may find himself with emotions he is not familiar with.
Gathering from the various stories of people in the workforce like me, I can only say that truly, this recession has revealed the ugly face of consumerism/ capitalism. And what is that? The name itself says it. At the end of the day, it is money that really counts, and not the relationsips, not the human resources and not the skills. Many owners are turning into growling hungry tigers, who want the people under them to be turned into tigers as well, and threaten the people to do this, or else... The threat of "a lot of people are lining up for your post" is just so fiece, and so cold. Looking back, I think many of the employee empowerment programs were just a lie, a social blitz campaign to get all the brains it needed, just to be thrown away so easily when useless. Redundancy is such a convenient excuse for many companies.
This is the very cycle of the world that we are in that we fed ourselves with. More people spending, more jobs, more spending, more jobs... Vicious cycle. Cut it somewhere and you have recession. The good side is, we are back-to-the-basics.
There are a few laudable exemptions who have kept its corporate virtues and I really do admire them and these are the companies worth cutting paycheck for.
Every week, my prayer list always has "job-seekers". Many are long time, many are just recent. The feeling of paranoia is just so daunting that even the most stable man may find himself with emotions he is not familiar with.
Gathering from the various stories of people in the workforce like me, I can only say that truly, this recession has revealed the ugly face of consumerism/ capitalism. And what is that? The name itself says it. At the end of the day, it is money that really counts, and not the relationsips, not the human resources and not the skills. Many owners are turning into growling hungry tigers, who want the people under them to be turned into tigers as well, and threaten the people to do this, or else... The threat of "a lot of people are lining up for your post" is just so fiece, and so cold. Looking back, I think many of the employee empowerment programs were just a lie, a social blitz campaign to get all the brains it needed, just to be thrown away so easily when useless. Redundancy is such a convenient excuse for many companies.
This is the very cycle of the world that we are in that we fed ourselves with. More people spending, more jobs, more spending, more jobs... Vicious cycle. Cut it somewhere and you have recession. The good side is, we are back-to-the-basics.
There are a few laudable exemptions who have kept its corporate virtues and I really do admire them and these are the companies worth cutting paycheck for.
11.06.2009
Fujairah, Baby!
Hubby and I, with another friend couple went to this one weekend getaway that I thought was just going to be like the rest. But I was wrong! Our trip to Fujairah was one trip that will be part of my list of memorables in UAE.
I packed so quickly for this trip the night before. There was less thinking, as hubby has been brushing off his spontaneity to me so strongly! I do not know what's gonna happen. All I know was that we'd stay overnight somewhere in Fujaira, and that hubby and friend will be playing tennis, while me and friend's wife will play... you guess it right, ball girls. Hehe. We did for a couple of minutes only, because we realized that we are distracting them more than helping them.
What was so nice about it? The destination? Not only, coz it starts with the journey itself. You will know that you are leaving dubai when you already see on the road these orange sand, and some camels ;) And a few kilometers more, you will get into this place where lots of carpets are sold. A pit stop. After that, we continued with the long drive (actually, just 2 hours total) and we're now amazed by the rocky mountains that replaced the sandy views!
When we got to this really nice Rotana hotel, we checked-in into a room where the balcony faces the... beach! I can hear the sound of the waves as it splashes to the shore! YOu will also know you're not in dubai anymore when there are no cranes nor construction in sight, which is really really relieving.
We had buffet dinner at the hotel restaurant and boy, was I so full at the end of the day! Selections were good and obviously this is the start of the peak season as reflected by the number of guests that evening.
The morning sun kissed my cheeks as we went down and headed to the beach as hubby did a second tennis match. He does not love tennis that much, really. I did snorkelling at the seashore and man was I impressed that I saw schools of fish at that shallow water! Later, we headed to the real snorkelling as part of the hotel perks! Great! This is my second time. We went to Snoopy Island and there, with snorkelling masks on and my flippers, I jumped onto the water and was transported into the magical world of "under the sea". I just loved looking at how these fish and other sea creatures swim around in packs or alone. I saw this rock-like fish, this beautiful blue-green huge fish, and others. I should say snorkelling is definitely one of my newest fave activities. The first time I did this at Maldives, I was just awed by the wonderful world down under.
On our way home to dubai, we did a side trip to the wadi wurayah. The trip to the destination was awesome, as we were driving thru this stony, rocky road, making my heart thump strongly at times as hubby drives across these huge rocks! However, the destination was not at all amazing. Maybe we went there when the pools are still dry. There were so many graffiti and trash. Hope guests will help in keeping it clean. The government has proclamed it as a protected area, and I hope that it will be restored soon.
Then we headed to the carpet place where lots of carpets stores line up the road. After haggling, we bought this nice long carpet for a cheap price that is now happily placed in our room ;)
After a seemingly longer trip back to dubai, as soon as we hit Dubai Bypass road, my heart sank...the adventure is over, and we are back to reality.
I packed so quickly for this trip the night before. There was less thinking, as hubby has been brushing off his spontaneity to me so strongly! I do not know what's gonna happen. All I know was that we'd stay overnight somewhere in Fujaira, and that hubby and friend will be playing tennis, while me and friend's wife will play... you guess it right, ball girls. Hehe. We did for a couple of minutes only, because we realized that we are distracting them more than helping them.
What was so nice about it? The destination? Not only, coz it starts with the journey itself. You will know that you are leaving dubai when you already see on the road these orange sand, and some camels ;) And a few kilometers more, you will get into this place where lots of carpets are sold. A pit stop. After that, we continued with the long drive (actually, just 2 hours total) and we're now amazed by the rocky mountains that replaced the sandy views!
When we got to this really nice Rotana hotel, we checked-in into a room where the balcony faces the... beach! I can hear the sound of the waves as it splashes to the shore! YOu will also know you're not in dubai anymore when there are no cranes nor construction in sight, which is really really relieving.
We had buffet dinner at the hotel restaurant and boy, was I so full at the end of the day! Selections were good and obviously this is the start of the peak season as reflected by the number of guests that evening.
The morning sun kissed my cheeks as we went down and headed to the beach as hubby did a second tennis match. He does not love tennis that much, really. I did snorkelling at the seashore and man was I impressed that I saw schools of fish at that shallow water! Later, we headed to the real snorkelling as part of the hotel perks! Great! This is my second time. We went to Snoopy Island and there, with snorkelling masks on and my flippers, I jumped onto the water and was transported into the magical world of "under the sea". I just loved looking at how these fish and other sea creatures swim around in packs or alone. I saw this rock-like fish, this beautiful blue-green huge fish, and others. I should say snorkelling is definitely one of my newest fave activities. The first time I did this at Maldives, I was just awed by the wonderful world down under.
On our way home to dubai, we did a side trip to the wadi wurayah. The trip to the destination was awesome, as we were driving thru this stony, rocky road, making my heart thump strongly at times as hubby drives across these huge rocks! However, the destination was not at all amazing. Maybe we went there when the pools are still dry. There were so many graffiti and trash. Hope guests will help in keeping it clean. The government has proclamed it as a protected area, and I hope that it will be restored soon.
Then we headed to the carpet place where lots of carpets stores line up the road. After haggling, we bought this nice long carpet for a cheap price that is now happily placed in our room ;)
After a seemingly longer trip back to dubai, as soon as we hit Dubai Bypass road, my heart sank...the adventure is over, and we are back to reality.
10.25.2009
FB Status or Shoutouts, whatever!
August 23:
back in dubai... and it's ramadan :( :)
August 29:
went nostalgic when we had our first worship at the Villa last friday... it's good to be back 'home' ;)
September 1:
is still catching up with soooo much office load after 1 1/2 mos of vacation, so no ramadan timings for me....oh, the price you have to pay for enjoying to the max! haha!
September 23:
praise God for our new crib!!! let it be a home where the love and goodness of God dwells freely...
September 26:
thought for the day "if your heart is desperately against your job right now, pray for His will. but remember that His will can go either way... change of job or change of heart. be prepared to obey cheerfully" ;)
September 26:
praying for our kabayans who are stranded in manila flood that seemed to take everyone there by surprise! it was only signal no. 1, but the whole manila is almost drowning. even my family in cainta which is already considered a higher altitude... Lord, you're in control ...
September 30:
finally i was able to talk to my mom last night! tnx for your prayers! praise God they are ok and are already cleaning up ;) no more car and some house properties, but my family is complete and no illness! we have to remind ourselves on what really m...atters and thank God for it, or else it will halt us from moving on to the road of recovery... so my heart goes to those who lost their loved ones, be comforted in Him...
September 30:
Nanay (mom) who is already 63 years old said that she was amazed that she did not feel tired nor hungry in the process of lifting appliances up to higher place while flood was rising, until my other brother came to give them food early the next mor...ning. some call it adrenaline rush. i call it God's power rush! He provides ways beyond our imagination!
September 30:
flood overflowing in manila = prayers overflowing worldwide = love and care and help overflowing worldwide! such a small world after all!
October 1:
is wondering if typhoon Ondoy did not stop for 40 days...
October 7:
is finally clear from fever, sore throat, headache, body aches and dry cough! and yes, it's not H1N1. yehey! back to normal! ;) praise God!
October 10:
recent thoughts after flooding: 1. loved ones is 1 of our prized possessions; 2. lesser properties, faster to save self & others; 3. lesser properties damaged, easier for heart to move on; 4. more friends, faster recovery; 5. more people willing to hel...p if you let them. cultivate relationships w people, not with properties. don't wait for a calamity to teach us these valuable truths... maybe too costly and too late...
October 14:
is miraculaously a morning person now! even beating the sun before it shines!!!
October 24:
enjoyed beach time with the girls, while the guys rocked the desert!
.... and October 25
is blogging again after almost a yearlong hiatus.....
back in dubai... and it's ramadan :( :)
August 29:
went nostalgic when we had our first worship at the Villa last friday... it's good to be back 'home' ;)
September 1:
is still catching up with soooo much office load after 1 1/2 mos of vacation, so no ramadan timings for me....oh, the price you have to pay for enjoying to the max! haha!
September 23:
praise God for our new crib!!! let it be a home where the love and goodness of God dwells freely...
September 26:
thought for the day "if your heart is desperately against your job right now, pray for His will. but remember that His will can go either way... change of job or change of heart. be prepared to obey cheerfully" ;)
September 26:
praying for our kabayans who are stranded in manila flood that seemed to take everyone there by surprise! it was only signal no. 1, but the whole manila is almost drowning. even my family in cainta which is already considered a higher altitude... Lord, you're in control ...
September 30:
finally i was able to talk to my mom last night! tnx for your prayers! praise God they are ok and are already cleaning up ;) no more car and some house properties, but my family is complete and no illness! we have to remind ourselves on what really m...atters and thank God for it, or else it will halt us from moving on to the road of recovery... so my heart goes to those who lost their loved ones, be comforted in Him...
September 30:
Nanay (mom) who is already 63 years old said that she was amazed that she did not feel tired nor hungry in the process of lifting appliances up to higher place while flood was rising, until my other brother came to give them food early the next mor...ning. some call it adrenaline rush. i call it God's power rush! He provides ways beyond our imagination!
September 30:
flood overflowing in manila = prayers overflowing worldwide = love and care and help overflowing worldwide! such a small world after all!
October 1:
is wondering if typhoon Ondoy did not stop for 40 days...
October 7:
is finally clear from fever, sore throat, headache, body aches and dry cough! and yes, it's not H1N1. yehey! back to normal! ;) praise God!
October 10:
recent thoughts after flooding: 1. loved ones is 1 of our prized possessions; 2. lesser properties, faster to save self & others; 3. lesser properties damaged, easier for heart to move on; 4. more friends, faster recovery; 5. more people willing to hel...p if you let them. cultivate relationships w people, not with properties. don't wait for a calamity to teach us these valuable truths... maybe too costly and too late...
October 14:
is miraculaously a morning person now! even beating the sun before it shines!!!
October 24:
enjoyed beach time with the girls, while the guys rocked the desert!
.... and October 25
is blogging again after almost a yearlong hiatus.....
The Magical Three
wow, dec 2008 was my last entry??? have i been that lazy? not really. i should say, i've been that busy ;)
2009 has been some sort of a fairy tale for me... this is the year that God has finally answered my prayers of settling down with the man that i love...
january, david and i both went to the philippines for him to meet my mom, and my family
february, back in dubai... he proposed! and of course, i said "I won't................say NO!" ;)
march to july, wedding planning galore! by God's grace, we had a smooth flow planning, nothing of the drama that i have been warned of.
july 25, the big W day in the philippines! oh, everything was perfect! THANK YOU LORD!!!
august, went to US for our honeymoon!
sept, went back to work, preparing for Eid. in between, did home-hunt, and found the best one nestled at the heart of downtowb dubai..
october, still catching up with work, but peacefully settled with david in our new home. we did a house-warming treat for our friends ;)
and now, david and i celebrate our 3rd month together as husband and wife. there's just so much to celebrate and be thankful for. david is still the sweet miracle i once knew. each day with him is a wonderful discovery of treasures...
Lord, thank you for these three magical months. the cynics always say that 'yeah, honeymoon phase'... but i am optimistic that by God's grace, we will be able to continually enjoy this harmonious, loving and fun marriage...
2009 has been some sort of a fairy tale for me... this is the year that God has finally answered my prayers of settling down with the man that i love...
january, david and i both went to the philippines for him to meet my mom, and my family
february, back in dubai... he proposed! and of course, i said "I won't................say NO!" ;)
march to july, wedding planning galore! by God's grace, we had a smooth flow planning, nothing of the drama that i have been warned of.
july 25, the big W day in the philippines! oh, everything was perfect! THANK YOU LORD!!!
august, went to US for our honeymoon!
sept, went back to work, preparing for Eid. in between, did home-hunt, and found the best one nestled at the heart of downtowb dubai..
october, still catching up with work, but peacefully settled with david in our new home. we did a house-warming treat for our friends ;)
and now, david and i celebrate our 3rd month together as husband and wife. there's just so much to celebrate and be thankful for. david is still the sweet miracle i once knew. each day with him is a wonderful discovery of treasures...
Lord, thank you for these three magical months. the cynics always say that 'yeah, honeymoon phase'... but i am optimistic that by God's grace, we will be able to continually enjoy this harmonious, loving and fun marriage...
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