i just wanna share with you a different take on the wisdom of God on crossroads that we encounter... it helped me, and it just might be of use to you too.
"The wisdom God gives is not necessarily information on how to get out of trouble but rather insight on how to learn from one's difficulties (see also Proverbs 29:15). It is not more information about how to avoid times of testing but instead a new perspective on trials. The wisdom of God begins with a genuine reverence for the Almighty (see "the fear of the Lord" in Ps. 111:10; Prov. 9:10) and a steadfast confidence that God controls all circumstances, guiding them to His good purposes (Rom. 8:28)."
4.14.2008
4.12.2008
Up Close and Personal
i think i got this inquisitive bone from my dad... i do not normally pass up opportunties to meet with people, either old friends or new alike. i consider every encounter a big opportunity and a privilege. i am always curious to know how God has dealt wonderfully with them, either in good or bad times. i get excited with people the way some get excited with fashion, with cars, with gadgets, with sports, with investments. i ask a lot. i learn a lot. i see precious souls within. sometimes i confuse them a lot too, or they confuse me back. then, at the end of each meeting, it's like i'm living ten new lives...
lately, i've been going to different small get togethers. each one is unique in its own. i've met so many wonderful people who has touched my life in one way or another. some i did not have a good start with, but we ended up well anyways. some were hard nuts to crack. dubai, being a melting pot of cultures, will open your eyes to different point of views and i celebrate the diversity of it all! they have different stories to tell about their lives here, about struggles, about victories, about life-changing moments and the ever-present roadblocks! i am even surprised to know that those who seemed to appear having a problem-free life, are actually a testimony of "peace in the midst of storm"!
and what struck me also are the stories of seemingly "random acts of kindess" which we often hold back because of past pains and mere laziness. it's really true that God works thru us in answering prayers of others. so do not hold back that thought of sending sms to comfort someone, or stopping and entertaining a directionally-challenged person, or simply popping up "hey how are you?" to a friend, or thinking of giving food to someone, or even saying the long-delayed "pls forgive me" to a hurt person...
i realized it's really equally blessing to go out of your comfort zones and try to start a conversation, which in the end may turn to something up close and personal...
lately, i've been going to different small get togethers. each one is unique in its own. i've met so many wonderful people who has touched my life in one way or another. some i did not have a good start with, but we ended up well anyways. some were hard nuts to crack. dubai, being a melting pot of cultures, will open your eyes to different point of views and i celebrate the diversity of it all! they have different stories to tell about their lives here, about struggles, about victories, about life-changing moments and the ever-present roadblocks! i am even surprised to know that those who seemed to appear having a problem-free life, are actually a testimony of "peace in the midst of storm"!
and what struck me also are the stories of seemingly "random acts of kindess" which we often hold back because of past pains and mere laziness. it's really true that God works thru us in answering prayers of others. so do not hold back that thought of sending sms to comfort someone, or stopping and entertaining a directionally-challenged person, or simply popping up "hey how are you?" to a friend, or thinking of giving food to someone, or even saying the long-delayed "pls forgive me" to a hurt person...
i realized it's really equally blessing to go out of your comfort zones and try to start a conversation, which in the end may turn to something up close and personal...
Grass is Greener
many times, it takes another person to point us to appreciate what we already have.
i met some friends from london, who had their one week vacation here in dubai. even before we finished our dinner, i have a pretty much clear picture of how unlikable london is. not that they are discouraging me from staying in london (i do not have plans anyways), but i guess, it is just pouring their hearts out as part of their "vacation". they kept comparing london to dubai. but the thing is, they see london in a microscopic lens, and they saw dubai in a macroscopic one. so, it's not a fair judgement at all! it's not comparing apples to apples.
then last friday, i had lunch with other girlfriends. talks about work tales, and worse, work woes! i told them "i think i'm liking these kinds of lunches coz it makes me appreciate my work more" ;) of course, it is too bad that it is at their expense!
but it all led me to confirm more this ever-pervasive disease of "grass is greener on the other side of the fence". always is, and will always be... and the antidote? Read Phil 4:11-13
"11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
i met some friends from london, who had their one week vacation here in dubai. even before we finished our dinner, i have a pretty much clear picture of how unlikable london is. not that they are discouraging me from staying in london (i do not have plans anyways), but i guess, it is just pouring their hearts out as part of their "vacation". they kept comparing london to dubai. but the thing is, they see london in a microscopic lens, and they saw dubai in a macroscopic one. so, it's not a fair judgement at all! it's not comparing apples to apples.
then last friday, i had lunch with other girlfriends. talks about work tales, and worse, work woes! i told them "i think i'm liking these kinds of lunches coz it makes me appreciate my work more" ;) of course, it is too bad that it is at their expense!
but it all led me to confirm more this ever-pervasive disease of "grass is greener on the other side of the fence". always is, and will always be... and the antidote? Read Phil 4:11-13
"11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Touch and Go
" Hold on tight'
Cause life is touch and go
It's sink and swim, But never doubt
If you're out on a limb
I'll get the call
To break your fall
I'll never leave you
Even when life
Is touch and go
Or hit and run
We'll never break
If we take it as one
I'm here to stay,
I pray you know
I'll never touch
I'll never touch and go"
so goes a famous 1980's love song... recently, i've had more than my share of encounters of people coming in and going out of my life. that's what so unique about my expatriate life experience here in dubai. the only permanent thing is change. even friends come and go (well, some just physically, coz there are a few gems i've kept until today)... jobs come and go.... opportunities come and go... men come and go...
but if you look at it at half-full glass perspective, it has made me appreciate and treasure each moment more, knowing that "life is touch and go"... and more importantly, it has made me clung to Him more and surrender to Him more, whom i can count on when "life is touch and go"...
Cause life is touch and go
It's sink and swim, But never doubt
If you're out on a limb
I'll get the call
To break your fall
I'll never leave you
Even when life
Is touch and go
Or hit and run
We'll never break
If we take it as one
I'm here to stay,
I pray you know
I'll never touch
I'll never touch and go"
so goes a famous 1980's love song... recently, i've had more than my share of encounters of people coming in and going out of my life. that's what so unique about my expatriate life experience here in dubai. the only permanent thing is change. even friends come and go (well, some just physically, coz there are a few gems i've kept until today)... jobs come and go.... opportunities come and go... men come and go...
but if you look at it at half-full glass perspective, it has made me appreciate and treasure each moment more, knowing that "life is touch and go"... and more importantly, it has made me clung to Him more and surrender to Him more, whom i can count on when "life is touch and go"...
4.10.2008
Eureka!
It is most famously attributed to the ancient Greek scholar Archimedes; he reportedly proclaimed, "Eureka!" when he stepped into a bath and noticed that the water level rose – he suddenly understood that the volume of water displaced must be equal to the volume of the part of his body he had submerged. This meant that the volume of irregular objects could be calculated with precision, a previously intractable problem. He is said to have been so eager to share his realisation that he leapt out of his bathtub and ran through the streets of Syracuse naked.
Well, i am no archimedes, but i had the same "enlightenment" when i was doing just a very ordinary thing -- writing a response letter to a friend. you see, months before this, i had in mind tons of questions that has been nagging me, and somehow putting me in that hanging scenario. i kept all these questions at bay, thinking i'd deal with it when i have the time. so while writing a letter to a friend... composing answer to his question... i just realized that i had been answering my life questions already! in an instant, a light bulb lighted up, and i pushed back my laptop, thought for a while and the big picture just snapped right into my face! it's like the whole thing fell into the right place! i immediately called mano and recalled to her my 'eureka' moment! oh, it's very liberating indeed!
there will be times in your life when answers to pressing major questions do not come in big packages. you maybe just doing the most mundane things, when God flashes the answer! just make sure you are not tooooo busy nor toooo blinded to read His words ;)
4.06.2008
The Customer is Always Right
i've always worked in a service-oriented industry, so it is common for me to handle customer concerns, or worse, complaints. but did i tell you that customers here in the UAE is a far-cry from what i've been accustomed to in the philippines?
1. "where's the manager?" that's always the question whenever our staff encounters problematic customers. they would not deal with the lowlies, but rather only with the decision-makers. i guess this is a european influence, or maybe, they are born with this assertiveness.
2. "no Filipini, i need arabic" ok, here's when they bluntly tell you i do not like to talk to you, period! that's when our emirati employee comes in handy. and this is the time when i get frustrated with my arabic skills, although really, even if i know how to speak the language, they want someone from their own race.
3. "why before, they always allowed my son to ride here, and now no?" (yes, that broken english) this rational for insisting their kids to go to our rides even if the kid does not meet height restriction has been so infamous that we already learned the antidote: "sir, we are very strict with this safety rule given to us by the manufacturers to avoid accidents. so tell me who's the ride operator who allowed you this, and i will fire him immediately." almost all the time, they cannot point a person. really! but then, i'd give them a plus point for trying soooo hard just to let their kids into our rides :)
4. "i came all the way from oman just to get these free rides!" there's really nothing wrong with this statement, except that they are asking for redemption of free ride vouchers which are two months expired! yes, they have a talent in switching the burden on you. this is when a certain level of judgement call is needed among our managers.
just yesterday, my operations manager called for SOS. we had a very angry customer and insist on talking to his superior. i ushered him to come to my office. i let him vent out his complaints and then i stated my side, which is the same as what my manager said. he became more furious, insisting on allowing his child on a ride, breaking the height restriction rule which is a cardinal sin for us! and since he sensed i will not allow that to happen, he then accused us of inconsistent implementation of rules depending on our mood. he ended up asking for my name, to which i gladly gave my business card, and telling me that he will call the owner to complain about this. i told him "sir, it is perfectly ok as it is your right. once again i apologize for the inconvenience we have caused you. " he said to me to stop apologizing, saying that i ruined his life and his child's enjoyment, and went out of my office and he said "f**k you!"
my operations manager apologized that he had to elevate that seemingly simple concern to me. i told him that any given day i'd take in a hundred of this kind of complaint, rather than one accident just because we've given in to this safety restriction.
well, all in a day's work....
1. "where's the manager?" that's always the question whenever our staff encounters problematic customers. they would not deal with the lowlies, but rather only with the decision-makers. i guess this is a european influence, or maybe, they are born with this assertiveness.
2. "no Filipini, i need arabic" ok, here's when they bluntly tell you i do not like to talk to you, period! that's when our emirati employee comes in handy. and this is the time when i get frustrated with my arabic skills, although really, even if i know how to speak the language, they want someone from their own race.
3. "why before, they always allowed my son to ride here, and now no?" (yes, that broken english) this rational for insisting their kids to go to our rides even if the kid does not meet height restriction has been so infamous that we already learned the antidote: "sir, we are very strict with this safety rule given to us by the manufacturers to avoid accidents. so tell me who's the ride operator who allowed you this, and i will fire him immediately." almost all the time, they cannot point a person. really! but then, i'd give them a plus point for trying soooo hard just to let their kids into our rides :)
4. "i came all the way from oman just to get these free rides!" there's really nothing wrong with this statement, except that they are asking for redemption of free ride vouchers which are two months expired! yes, they have a talent in switching the burden on you. this is when a certain level of judgement call is needed among our managers.
just yesterday, my operations manager called for SOS. we had a very angry customer and insist on talking to his superior. i ushered him to come to my office. i let him vent out his complaints and then i stated my side, which is the same as what my manager said. he became more furious, insisting on allowing his child on a ride, breaking the height restriction rule which is a cardinal sin for us! and since he sensed i will not allow that to happen, he then accused us of inconsistent implementation of rules depending on our mood. he ended up asking for my name, to which i gladly gave my business card, and telling me that he will call the owner to complain about this. i told him "sir, it is perfectly ok as it is your right. once again i apologize for the inconvenience we have caused you. " he said to me to stop apologizing, saying that i ruined his life and his child's enjoyment, and went out of my office and he said "f**k you!"
my operations manager apologized that he had to elevate that seemingly simple concern to me. i told him that any given day i'd take in a hundred of this kind of complaint, rather than one accident just because we've given in to this safety restriction.
well, all in a day's work....
4.03.2008
Interviews
it's that time again of the year when we line up people for interviews as part of our staffing 
program. in front of me are CVs of 5 shortlisted applicants--- in manila. yes, i've conducted interviews of people in manila thru internet. this is how we've been doing things for the past years.
there's much lost when you interview via conference call, even if there's webcam. the eye contact, the involuntary gestures which means a lot to an interviewer, and the curve of the lips when they smile, their attire, the sweaty palms, the train of thoughts when the line gets so choppy, etc.... so these aspects, we have to leave in the able hands of our manile agency who shortlists for us.
as i interview them, i've to up my antenna in terms of other aspects in liue of the personal connection. so i am more conscious of their wordings, their stammerings, and the consistency of their answers after numerous rewordings of the questions.
my filipino boss has always been asked to get staff from other nationalities, especially when the partners know that we are having problems with our pinoy staff not finishing their contracts. but he has kept with his policy of "one filipino staff coming here, means one less needy family in our country". very noble, yet most would forget that and the other bold statements they have said during the interview, a few months after......
program. in front of me are CVs of 5 shortlisted applicants--- in manila. yes, i've conducted interviews of people in manila thru internet. this is how we've been doing things for the past years.there's much lost when you interview via conference call, even if there's webcam. the eye contact, the involuntary gestures which means a lot to an interviewer, and the curve of the lips when they smile, their attire, the sweaty palms, the train of thoughts when the line gets so choppy, etc.... so these aspects, we have to leave in the able hands of our manile agency who shortlists for us.
as i interview them, i've to up my antenna in terms of other aspects in liue of the personal connection. so i am more conscious of their wordings, their stammerings, and the consistency of their answers after numerous rewordings of the questions.
i love asking them the perennial question of "what makes you the best candidate for the position". i love the resolve, the self-salestalk, the promises which i know would be broken someday. there are times too that i learn a lot from their experience, and from the industry the've worked on. you just don't realize the valuable information the interviewer gets from all of these ;)
more often than not though, i am the one who gets lost in the interview, specially when they start telling their tales when i ask them "why would you like to come here to the UAE". i know it would always be financial reason, but the reason of their lack of finance varies from pole to pole, and that's what would usually captivate my ears! i would be drawn to stories of big families trying to make both ends meet, to candidates left to fend for their own, to hate tales of being victimized by swindlers and fraudulent agencies, etc.my filipino boss has always been asked to get staff from other nationalities, especially when the partners know that we are having problems with our pinoy staff not finishing their contracts. but he has kept with his policy of "one filipino staff coming here, means one less needy family in our country". very noble, yet most would forget that and the other bold statements they have said during the interview, a few months after......
4.02.2008
Loving the Long History
i brought my pair of shoes to Minutes to fix the sole. i got a look that says "hey lady, why don't you buy a new pair?". i just blankly stared back at him.... i love my shoes, even if it really looks worn and torn after years of loyal service. it's my fave shoes-- tangerine color, right 2-inch heel and it's just sooo comfy ;)
i bought a pair of jeans last 2002, and until now, it is what i wear for special ocassions... i have a
purse given to me by riza's mom years back, which is now already 
faded and really old, but i haven't changed it since... my bible has been with me since 93 given by my bro, and i wouldn't trade it for anything newer... i've this red tops i bought in HK last 98 which until now i wear for casual ocassions...
unlike most people, when i've new things, i do not take care of it so much more than i would an old stuff. i am not very 'new' fanatic, you know the kind most people usually are when they have new bags, new shoes, new things, new phone, new gadgets, treating it like it's so fragile, so immaculate... i don't freak out when it gets dirtied. actually the more i'd want it to be dirtied, crumpled, faded... weird huh?
there's something about old stuff that endears me. i like the worn-torn look. i like the old yucky smell. i like the signs of the years weathering the storms. i like the scratches... maybe it's the long history we've had together. or maybe i'm just typically sentimental...
i bought a pair of jeans last 2002, and until now, it is what i wear for special ocassions... i have a
purse given to me by riza's mom years back, which is now already 
faded and really old, but i haven't changed it since... my bible has been with me since 93 given by my bro, and i wouldn't trade it for anything newer... i've this red tops i bought in HK last 98 which until now i wear for casual ocassions...unlike most people, when i've new things, i do not take care of it so much more than i would an old stuff. i am not very 'new' fanatic, you know the kind most people usually are when they have new bags, new shoes, new things, new phone, new gadgets, treating it like it's so fragile, so immaculate... i don't freak out when it gets dirtied. actually the more i'd want it to be dirtied, crumpled, faded... weird huh?
there's something about old stuff that endears me. i like the worn-torn look. i like the old yucky smell. i like the signs of the years weathering the storms. i like the scratches... maybe it's the long history we've had together. or maybe i'm just typically sentimental...
4.01.2008
Alias
i started with season 3 last year-- the best season i must say! and i am hooked since then. i was so into the story revolving sydney who was back into the CIA but had severe memory loss specially of her past two years. and the first person that she saw? agent 
vaughn! cute ;) i learned from mano (who's the real avid alias girl) was that before season 2 ended, their love 
story really blossomed, but as usual, it went ka-poof! and that's why there is season 3 to keep all of us glued to the boobtube. the not-so-cute part is --- he is now married--- to a CIA officer! hmmm... very interesting twist and really keeps you at the edge of your seat..
vaughn! cute ;) i learned from mano (who's the real avid alias girl) was that before season 2 ended, their love 
story really blossomed, but as usual, it went ka-poof! and that's why there is season 3 to keep all of us glued to the boobtube. the not-so-cute part is --- he is now married--- to a CIA officer! hmmm... very interesting twist and really keeps you at the edge of your seat..so i watched season 3 almost non-stop (of course i gotta go to work as a break, hehe). it is about that love triagle, mysteries, espionage at its best and so much more in between. it is a well written plot and well written screenplay. i even borrow some of the lines which i use whenever it suits the situation (oh, yes, even during our ManCom sessions). it taught me also how to do the delegation thing, the interrogation sequences and most importantly, the separation of professional from personal life. tough! and after that, i of course moved on to season 1 and 2 (mixed up sequence? haha), and now i'm into the last part of season 4...
i like sydney's being the master of disguises. she's so cool in so many of the personas she's done. she has been a nerd, a nurse, a teacher, a bimbo, an argentinian, an american, european, etc. and speaking various languages! cool! and the coolest part is 
her fighting skills. i love jen!i love the other characters as well-- they seemed to be cut to a T! jack bristow, the ever irritating arvin sloane, and another of my fave, nadia, sydney's sister. she's also great and really gorgeous to boot!
each charater has its own flavor and kick, especially the antagonists. oh, you'll really abhor them, and even dream about them!
so, when evenings allow me 2 hours of tv watching-- i go for my Alias dose! watch it and see what i'm talking about!
3.31.2008
Out of College
you're reading it right-- out of college. that exactly how i feel right now! as i venture into the unknown tomorrow, i am anxious but excited in equal measure at the prospects ahead. 2007 has been quite a whirlwind of major events in my life, which culmated in january 2008 when dad passed away. and then i knew, major changes will happen, and i have to do that leap of faith in Him and accept with open arms the new life that He will send my way...
if you know me, you'll understand my trepidation. i've always been a planner, a "segurista". and whatever iota of uncertainty the future shows, it rattles me. i am not talking about small plans, coz i can be very flexible with that, nor small adventures coz believe me, i love adventures. but i am talking about life plans. life plans that may kick me out of my comfort zones.
at the same time, i am thrilled at the thought of new beginnings. i never realized life is full of so many choices! wayback when i was really out of college, my only category of choice was -- which company should i apply for? my feet and hands then were itching for real work. and now that i've passed thru work life for 13 yrs now, i realized there is more to life than work, work, work. it's not too late to start anew i guess. i have a second chance at being out of college coz anyways, they say i am still 25 ;)
so whatever the future holds, i am at peace now knowing that God is there.
and if in case i choose the wrong path, He will be compassionate enough to bring me back to the right tract. i am His child and i believe He wants the best for me.
if you know me, you'll understand my trepidation. i've always been a planner, a "segurista". and whatever iota of uncertainty the future shows, it rattles me. i am not talking about small plans, coz i can be very flexible with that, nor small adventures coz believe me, i love adventures. but i am talking about life plans. life plans that may kick me out of my comfort zones.
at the same time, i am thrilled at the thought of new beginnings. i never realized life is full of so many choices! wayback when i was really out of college, my only category of choice was -- which company should i apply for? my feet and hands then were itching for real work. and now that i've passed thru work life for 13 yrs now, i realized there is more to life than work, work, work. it's not too late to start anew i guess. i have a second chance at being out of college coz anyways, they say i am still 25 ;)
so whatever the future holds, i am at peace now knowing that God is there.
and if in case i choose the wrong path, He will be compassionate enough to bring me back to the right tract. i am His child and i believe He wants the best for me.
God will Make A Way
i love humming this simple song each time i am confused or worried.... and i am reminded of His sovereignty in my life. and i am at peace.
*********************************
God will make a way
When there seems to be no way
He works thru ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
God will make a way
God will make a way...
*********************************
*********************************
God will make a way
When there seems to be no way
He works thru ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
God will make a way
God will make a way...
*********************************
3.30.2008
My 7-11 Trip
i am not talking about 711 convenience stores. i am talking about 7 life-changing days for 11 ordinary people going on an extra-ordinary adventure trip...
i've always been amazed at people, at community and the dynamics that exists between them. if possible, i always opt for cultural immersion trips rather than touristic ones. i'm fortunate that my job has allowed me in the past to explore a bit of social science as i study market behaviours in our target country locations.
now on this trip to maldives, we went into different inhabited islands. it is a very beautiful place where beautiful people live; where beautiful nature abounds; where the 
beauty of the sun, stars and moon shine in splendor; where life lived in simplicity reigns. but i realized beauty ends there... they do not know our beautiful Saviour.
on our first day when we arrived, the host set the rules upfront: (1) no talk about religion, and (2) no talk about politics. and guess where we were housed? right in front of a mosque! i am sure this is not mere coincidence...
for 7 days,
the 11 of us lived like the locals, did what the locals did, ate what the locals ate, played what the locals played. actually, it felt like i was in one of our provinces in my hometown where beach, sand, coconut trees, fish and fresh air abounds. the community is so small, where everyone knows everybody. the men do the fishing, the ladies keep the house and do their 
crafts, and kids go to school and play in the afternoons. it felt like home...
i've always been amazed at people, at community and the dynamics that exists between them. if possible, i always opt for cultural immersion trips rather than touristic ones. i'm fortunate that my job has allowed me in the past to explore a bit of social science as i study market behaviours in our target country locations.
now on this trip to maldives, we went into different inhabited islands. it is a very beautiful place where beautiful people live; where beautiful nature abounds; where the 
beauty of the sun, stars and moon shine in splendor; where life lived in simplicity reigns. but i realized beauty ends there... they do not know our beautiful Saviour.on our first day when we arrived, the host set the rules upfront: (1) no talk about religion, and (2) no talk about politics. and guess where we were housed? right in front of a mosque! i am sure this is not mere coincidence...
for 7 days,
the 11 of us lived like the locals, did what the locals did, ate what the locals ate, played what the locals played. actually, it felt like i was in one of our provinces in my hometown where beach, sand, coconut trees, fish and fresh air abounds. the community is so small, where everyone knows everybody. the men do the fishing, the ladies keep the house and do their 
crafts, and kids go to school and play in the afternoons. it felt like home...in 7 days, i learned more about their lives, their culture. in 7 days i have been personally enriched with my dealings with the local people. in 7 days, i appreciated the true simplicity of life. in 7 days, being one of the 11 lives, i have been changed. it was enough to scratch off the surface of God's masterplan for this place... but to fully continue with this, we need more than 7-11
i have faith that in His time, He will make His glory be known there... To God be the glory!
Getting Hi-Techie
i do not like hi-tech gadgets.... given a choice between a notebook planner and palm, i'd choose planner where i can fold the page, write on it, dirty it, highlight it, cross the words, etc. for some reason i like the feeling of paper. friends have enticed me to try one. i did. i bought one, and after a few days, re-sold it.
i hate blackberries and complicated mobiles..... as long as i can call, send sms, have an alarm, have my reminders and have a calendar, i am fine. people have prodded me to upgade my mobile to no avail.
hmmm.... will get hold of you in a few days. i'm excited to travel again... no wonder they are going gaga over this.... now i'm living up to my name as i get hi-tetchie! ;)
i hate blackberries and complicated mobiles..... as long as i can call, send sms, have an alarm, have my reminders and have a calendar, i am fine. people have prodded me to upgade my mobile to no avail.
even my digicam is outdated. for me, as long as it can capture the moment, and has self-timer, i am happy.
my car is even outmoded. who's still using casette tapes nowaday? i raise my hand! ;)
you see here in dubai you're spoilt for choice when it comes to these gadgets. friends have showed me mp3, mp4s, multi-media players, but they did not interest me at all.
but........... a few days ago, i started looking at a multimedia player in a different light. it started to appeal to me, especially in one of my out of town trips where i've travelled for hours and reading 
hmmm.... will get hold of you in a few days. i'm excited to travel again... no wonder they are going gaga over this.... now i'm living up to my name as i get hi-tetchie! ;)
3.29.2008
Pretty Much Mixed Up
Name: Marites Ingente
Nationality: Filipino
Other Nationality: huh?????
Nationality in Passport: huh????
That question used to baffle me. But now that i met numerous who fit into this category, i now fully understand. air travel has made the world smaller. people lived in different countries, and thefore, couples have been more interracial, resulting to a pretty much mixed up upbringing and culture of their offspring.
Nationality: Filipino
Other Nationality: huh?????
Nationality in Passport: huh????
That question used to baffle me. But now that i met numerous who fit into this category, i now fully understand. air travel has made the world smaller. people lived in different countries, and thefore, couples have been more interracial, resulting to a pretty much mixed up upbringing and culture of their offspring.
Case 1:
her father is japanese and mother is venezuelan. she lived in venezuela, and married a scottish guy. they live now here in dubai with their kids. their kids' passport is british, but when asked what their nationality is, it will depend ;)
Case 2:
her mom is filipina, her dad is italian, but she was brought up in saudi, then in london and now she lives in dubai. so when asked about her nationality, it's italian, but she is every inch a filipina.
Case 3:
she is born in malaysia, lived in singapore, but her father's side is german, and she now resides in dubai. so her passport says singaporean, but she can also be a true blue german lass.
Case 4:
his father is irish, mom is nepalese. they settled in india for many years, and now he's living in dubai. so his nationality is indian, though he does not look any inch an indian.
there are more mixed up cultural stories like that here. so the simple question "from where are you from?" would usually be difficult to answer in one word ;) and this one question begets another question.... really an interesting conversation starter.
3.16.2008
Evenings with CnC Guys
for us from the philippines, we call it singles fellowship, but here and the US, it is called College and Careers. i think CnC is pretty much a better word, taking the pressure off out of the word ;) and here, we also have some friends attending who are 
'single' in a sense that they are far away from their spouse.
'single' in a sense that they are far away from their spouse.
i've been going to the weekly sessions since february 2008, and man, we have covered the life of joseph in a way i've never dealt with before. it's like we were given a magnifying lense and focused that on everything revolving his life. truly, bull's eye for the kind of life we live.
EB is our ever patient and quick witted teacher. every week, i have a dose of my college 
nostalgia-- what with all the 'kulitan', in-depth study and open discussions with young-looking guys and gals ;) watch out for words of wisdom from sri, narmi, aleks, nana, david (i learn a lot from them), comic reliefs provided by judson and daniel, inquisitive cris, andrew and mark.... and what makes 
the discussion more interesting is the varying grains of thoughts contributed by a good mix of filipino-, indian-, lebanese-, iranian-, british-, american-, singaporean-, brazilian-, australian- and german- grey matters.
so sunday nights, at 615pm, i've to be dashing out of my office all the way from sharjah to burjuman to catch mona, and then to mall of the emirates to fetch mano, and then to EB's place at the Meadows at 730pm!
see yah!!!
3.05.2008
It all started with I-Hop
it was the first church fellowship mano and i dared to go where we really do not know anyone. it was i-HOP, a weekly prayer meeting during ramadan (Oct 2007). the church coordinator hooked us up with others based on location. it was funny actually, coz the first email said "manoleth, you will meet with tetch", coz i guess we were the only ones who registered for deira area. after a few more days, names were added, until it became 5 of us. there i met the wonderful couple brett and kate (aussies) and the opinionated constance (singaporean). and that first meeting sealed a good friendship....
for almost 2-3 weeks, we met up in brett and kate's house (thanks for the hospitality), and after
that, we have always kept in touch-- whether we bump into each other in the church, or we'd go to mercato for lunch or KFC twisters after the service, and oh yeah, the movie night at brett and kate's house where we watched National Treasure. all throughout those months, we've shared our conversion stories, work tales, culture, and so many other things under the sun. we were also together for mano's baptism at the jumeirah beach; in one shoebox ministry; and then the church christmas bonfire. two weeks ago, we had a nice movie night ("Feast of Love") and coffee talk at grand hyatt... and guess what, we all love Alias (and kate is Jen Garner's dead ringer, mind you!). i guess constance and now esther, will watch it too, if they find the time ;)
i've always been endeared to brett and kate's warm and sunny disposition, as opposed to my biased view of aussies... very humble people despite their (literal) towering statures... a couple who has their own brand of sweetness... a couple always on the go for outdoor adventures (very melbourne-y huh, if there's word like that)... a cool and sensitive couple i must say!constance strikes me as quite a feisty girl, well opinionated despite being the then sickly one-half of twin sisters. she's the typical singaporean who knows what she likes, goes for it and grabs it. and yes, fast talker and fast mover. one thing she strongly impressed in me was letting go fully of my dreams and unknown future into the able hands of our sovereign and loving Father.
we know how hard it is to get good pals here in this transitory and quite superficial world of UAE, but you guys, you're one of my rare prized catches!
Friends are genuine gems from our great Father who knows our needs-- especially for us who are miles away from home ;)
3.04.2008
The End of An Era
I've known fidel castro's name since high school, you know, the current events quizzes. and then vladimir's name has been there in the political arena eversince 90s. and now that they are stepping down, is it really the end of their era? maybe not, as they 'appoint' their successors...
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Feb 19, 2008 ABC News
After almost half a century in power, Cuba's Fidel Castro is stepping down. He made the announcement overnight on the online edition of the Cuban Communist Daily paper Granma. "I will neither aspire to nor accept the positions of president of the state council and commander in chief." That means that for the first time since 1959, the 81-year-old will not be officially in charge in Cuba.
His brother Raul, 76, who has been acting president for his ailing brother, since July 2006, will be formally installed this weekend. The world's longest-serving political leader is leaving on his own terms, having survived efforts by 10 U.S. presidents to bring him down, including a disastrous CIA-backed invasion in 1961 and a missile crisis that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war in 1962.
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March 3, 2008, World News 
MOSCOW, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Russia's first deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev won a landslide victory in Sunday's presidential election, becoming the successor of incumbent President Vladimir Putin, who is barred constitutionally from seeking a consecutive third term and is to step down in May after eight years in office. Following is a timeline of highlights of Putin presidency:
-- Aug. 1999: President Boris Yeltsin names Putin as acting prime minister.
-- Dec. 1999: Yeltsin resigns on New Year's Eve; Putin becomes acting president.
-- March 2000: Putin is elected president of Russia.
-- May 2000: Putin is sworn in as Russia's second democratically elected president.
-- June 2000: Putin holds a summit in Moscow with U.S. President Bill Clinton. The two leaders sign agreements to tackle new threats to global stability and also agree to bridge differences over missile defense system.
-- Aug. 2000: The Kursk nuclear-powered submarine sinks in the Barents Sea, killing all 118 sailors on board. Putin's image suffers a jolt as he comments on the crisis for the first time four days later.
-- June 2001: Putin and U.S. President George W. Bush meet for their first summit in the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana.
-- May 2002: Putin and Bush publicly differ in Moscow. Putin denies Russia could help Iran develop nuclear weapons.
-- June 2003: Russia closes the TVS television channel, the only countrywide TV station not controlled by the state.
-- March 2004: Putin is re-elected as Russian president, winning more than 70 percent of the vote.
-- Sept. 2004: A group of terrorists take more than 1,000 people hostage in a school in Beslan, North Ossetia-Alania, triggering a three-day standoff that ends in gun battle. More than 300 hostages are killed, half of them children.
-- April 2005: Putin becomes the first Russian leader to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories, as part of a Middle East tour.
-- Jan. 2006: Russian gas monopoly Gazprom halts gas supplies to Ukraine after Kiev rejects its terms on natural gas deliveries and transit. Europe's energy supplies are affected.
-- July 2006: Russia hosts its first Group of Eight summit in St. Petersburg, as bilateral relations between Moscow and Washington soured.
-- Dec. 2007: Putin publicly voices his support for First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev as his favored successor and starts to support him in the election campaign.
-- Dec. 2007: Putin is named by the Time magazine "Person of the Year" for 2007.
-- Aug. 1999: President Boris Yeltsin names Putin as acting prime minister.
-- Dec. 1999: Yeltsin resigns on New Year's Eve; Putin becomes acting president.
-- March 2000: Putin is elected president of Russia.
-- May 2000: Putin is sworn in as Russia's second democratically elected president.
-- June 2000: Putin holds a summit in Moscow with U.S. President Bill Clinton. The two leaders sign agreements to tackle new threats to global stability and also agree to bridge differences over missile defense system.
-- Aug. 2000: The Kursk nuclear-powered submarine sinks in the Barents Sea, killing all 118 sailors on board. Putin's image suffers a jolt as he comments on the crisis for the first time four days later.
-- June 2001: Putin and U.S. President George W. Bush meet for their first summit in the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana.
-- May 2002: Putin and Bush publicly differ in Moscow. Putin denies Russia could help Iran develop nuclear weapons.
-- June 2003: Russia closes the TVS television channel, the only countrywide TV station not controlled by the state.
-- March 2004: Putin is re-elected as Russian president, winning more than 70 percent of the vote.
-- Sept. 2004: A group of terrorists take more than 1,000 people hostage in a school in Beslan, North Ossetia-Alania, triggering a three-day standoff that ends in gun battle. More than 300 hostages are killed, half of them children.
-- April 2005: Putin becomes the first Russian leader to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories, as part of a Middle East tour.
-- Jan. 2006: Russian gas monopoly Gazprom halts gas supplies to Ukraine after Kiev rejects its terms on natural gas deliveries and transit. Europe's energy supplies are affected.
-- July 2006: Russia hosts its first Group of Eight summit in St. Petersburg, as bilateral relations between Moscow and Washington soured.
-- Dec. 2007: Putin publicly voices his support for First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev as his favored successor and starts to support him in the election campaign.
-- Dec. 2007: Putin is named by the Time magazine "Person of the Year" for 2007.
Gift Cheques
i receive numerous gift checks. most of which i am happy to receive, yet normally, i'd tuck them under my planner and forget about them until......... it's near expiry! we keep stalling enjoyment of it until we do not have time anymore to think on how best to use it!
in many of our promotions here in Adventureland, we would always have people coming to our office and asserting (not requesting!) that their vouchers be made valid even after days or months of expiry. reasons given ranges from them being out of the country, to them coming here to Sharjah just to redeem this voucher so we have to make sure that make it worth their trip, or to simply not giving any reason except charming us with their kids' longing looks!
Gift checks... we'll never realize their worth until they're about to expire. i guess the same holds true with the one great gift given to us--- the gift of life!
in many of our promotions here in Adventureland, we would always have people coming to our office and asserting (not requesting!) that their vouchers be made valid even after days or months of expiry. reasons given ranges from them being out of the country, to them coming here to Sharjah just to redeem this voucher so we have to make sure that make it worth their trip, or to simply not giving any reason except charming us with their kids' longing looks!
Gift checks... we'll never realize their worth until they're about to expire. i guess the same holds true with the one great gift given to us--- the gift of life!
2.23.2008
Construction Wonders in Dubai
this is the architect's perspective of the Burj Dubai, the current tallest building in the world.
here's the vertical comparison of the skycrapers in the world
this is burj under construction, towering among all the other construction projects in dubai.
here's another construction wonder--- Al Nakheel's The Palm-- not one, but three! Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira (biggest).
here's a closer look at one of the branches of the The Palm.
**********************************************************************
and if Burj Dubai and The Palm are not enough, here's one more amazing project -- The World .
*******************************************************************
Dubailand was conceptualized to be 'the' leisure and entertainment destination in the region. composed of numerous projects (some under construction, some under negotiation, some still on conceptual plans, while some are still in someone's imagination )
here's the vertical comparison of the skycrapers in the world
this is burj under construction, towering among all the other construction projects in dubai.
**************************************************************************
here's another construction wonder--- Al Nakheel's The Palm-- not one, but three! Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira (biggest).
here's a closer look at one of the branches of the The Palm.
**********************************************************************
and if Burj Dubai and The Palm are not enough, here's one more amazing project -- The World .
Dubailand was conceptualized to be 'the' leisure and entertainment destination in the region. composed of numerous projects (some under construction, some under negotiation, some still on conceptual plans, while some are still in someone's imagination )
whew! and then there's the Metro Rail, and the underwater hotel, and the list goes on and on (just google it!)..... whatever Dubai is aiming for, one thing i admire with them is that they turn their visions into reality, amidst all the skepticisms and impossibilities.
Pure Madness
Posted last Feb 17, Gulf News
Abu Dhabi: Licence plate No 1 broke the world record as the most expensive, fetching a whopping Dh52.2 million in fierce bidding in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Saeed Al Khouri, 25, a businessman in Abu Dhabi, won the number plate after a furious contest in the final stages of the auction conducted at the Emirates Palace hotel.
He broke the record by paying more than double the previous record which went to plate No 5 
that sold for Dh25.2 million and is owned by his cousin Talal Ali Mohammad Khouri, also a prominent businessman.
that sold for Dh25.2 million and is owned by his cousin Talal Ali Mohammad Khouri, also a prominent businessman. "The final value of the number plate auction exceeded our wildest hopes and dreams," said Abdullah Matar Al Mannaei, Managing Director of Emirates Auction, the official auctioneer for Code 5 distinguished number plate auctions, supported by the General Directorate of Abu Dhabi Police.
"Today we set not just one, but two records," said Al Mannaie, adding that the auction - the sixth organised by Emirates Auction - attracted 750 participants and generated a record Dh89 million from the sale of 90 number plates.
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even if they say that the money generated will be used to establish a specialised hospital in Abu Dhabi for accident victims, i still think it is pure madness!
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