commenting on my english

So many times, within minutes upon meeting people (from hotels, travel agencies, recruitment agencies, car rental companies, etc), they usually comment on the way I speak. They will look at my business card, look at me again, and ask where I’m from.

smile

Lately, this is Caila's favorite song which she asks me to sing every night before we sleep...

Smile though your heart is aching

Smile even though it's breaking

When there are clouds in the sky

You'll get by

If you smile through your pain and sorrow

Smile and maybe tomorrow

You'll see the sun come shining through

For you

Light up your face with gladness

Hide every trace of sadness

Although a tear may be ever so near

That's the time you must keep on trying

Smile - What's the use of crying

You'll find that life is still worthwhile

If you just smile

her first disney experience

Over the weekend, my family and I went to MOE to watch Mickey’s Amazing Adventure. I was excited, not for myself, but for Caila since she’s a real Disney fan. Unfortunately, we were late, arriving just as the show started, and being a Friday, the place was packed. After several unsuccessful attempts of getting a glimpse of what was happening on the stage, we decided to just walk around the mall and wait for the next show.

a birthday reflection

My age can no longer be found on the calendar. Oh well. Not that it should matter, right? Age ain’t nothing but a number (as the song by Aaliyah goes). What’s important is if I’m happy with what I am and what I have become. So, as I exit the calendar and enter the lotto (hehehe), I'd like to reflect on the different aspects of my life...

i'll be younger on my birthday!

At least, I’ll LOOK younger...because I finally had my hair cut!
I was supposed to have it cut the same time I had it rebonded, but the Chinese lady didn’t understand me; and when I told her that I wanted it cut, it was too late.

earth hour 2011

On Saturday, 26th of March 2011 at 8:30pm, people from around the world will be switching off their lights for Earth Hour.
Show you care about our planet by doing the same.
For more information on how you can show your support, please visit this site.

lent, meat, and my birthday

I just realized that my birthday will fall on a Wednesday this year...but we’re not supposed to eat meat on Wednesdays during the Lenten Season.
We're planning pa naman to try out this new restaurant that serves wagyu beef and steaks at BurJuman for my birthday.
AAAAUUUUGGGGHHHH!!!!
Lord, can we be excused just this once? Birthday ko naman eh.

singing for christ

I miss singing praise and worship songs at SFC activities and gatherings.
I didn’t realize it, until I found myself practicing last Tuesday at Rashid Park with some of the Singles of the Music Ministry I used to sing with. Fortunately, I was familiar with most of the songs, and those that I didn’t know were pretty easy to pick-up. Though there weren't any voicings, we blended well (at least, I think we did).

she'll be fine

A typical scene/conversation when Caila trips or falls over something:
Sound of something crashing or Caila landing on her mat.
Caila: Whoooaaah!!
Me or Hubby rush to check on her.
Me/Hubby: Anak, san masakit? Are you ok?
Caila: (I'm) Ok. I’m fine.
Then she stands up, makes pagpag her hands, and proceeds to continue whatever she was doing as if nothing happened.

a simple meal made special

This morning, I was so hungry that I wanted to eat a full meal (i.e. rice and viand). Since we already had leftover rice from the night before, I immediately took out something from the freezer to fry. After a few minutes, I was seated at our table contently eating my meal. Seeing that I was enjoying myself, Caila stopped playing and climbed up on my lap. And, since she saw that I was using my hands to eat, she did the same.

bad night...good night

Last night, hubby and I had our separate night out with our friends. I was with my SFC babies at Pizza Co. and he was with his colleagues at Barrio Fiesta. His dinner ended early (around 7:30pm), because it was their regular dinner out. Mine, on the other hand, ended late because it had been months since the last time we had gotten together and the only reason we did was because Leih had BIG news.

her first flower from a boy

This happened last night at the St. Mary's Church compound.
The main hall was closed and we didn't want to sit in the church full of so many people, so we opted to hear the mass from outside (near the basketball court). While waiting for the mass to begin, Caila was just playing around with the kids of our friends who were nearby. Then suddenly, a little boy around 5 years old, walked up to her and gave her a pink bouganvilla. It was so cute! At this age, everything is innocent so I wasn't worried.

a guy at a strictly ladies only salon

Yesterday, I went to this Chinese salon in Naif to have my hair rebonded. Being a weekend, it was full of ladies, with majority of them having the same intention for their hair as mine. Fortunately, even though all of the 3 rooms were packed, I was taken care of right away by one of the Chinese ladies.

our observance of lent

As much as hubby and I had wanted to attend mass yesterday, we decided not to. You see, being the only Catholic Church in the town of Dubai (the other one is in Jebel Ali which is waaay across town), we knew it would be jampacked with so many people (of all nationalities). It wouldn’t be good (nor healthy) because hubby had cough and colds, and Caila had just finished her bout with the virus.

new york from japan =)

My manager gave me a box of goodies yesterday. He said it was from our big boss from Japan who arrived the night before, and left in the morning. His (big boss) instructions were that this was for me only.

she's always a woman

Happy International Women's Day!

She can kill with a smile
She can wound with her eyes
She can ruin your faith with her casual lies
And she only reveals what she wants you to see
She hides like a child,
But she's always a woman to me

She can lead you to love
She can take you or leave you
She can ask for the truth
But she'll never believe
And she'll take what you give her, as long as it's free
Yeah, she steals like a thief
But she's always a woman to me

Oh...she takes care of herself
She can wait if she wants
She's ahead of her time
Oh...and she never gives out
And she never gives in
She just changes her mind

And she'll promise you more
Than the Garden of Eden
Then she'll carelessly cut you
And laugh while you're bleedin'
But she'll bring out the best and the worst you can be
Blame it all on yourself
Cause she's always a woman to me
Mhmm...

Oh...she takes care of herself
She can wait if she wants
She's ahead of her time
Oh...and she never gives out
And she never gives in
She just changes her mind

She’s frequently kind
And she's suddenly cruel
She can do as she pleases
She's nobody's fool
And she can't be convicted
She's earned her degree
And the most she will do is throw shadows at you
But she's always a woman to me
Mhmm...

a call from mama

Just a few minutes ago, my mobile rang...
Me: Hello, Ma!
Mama: Mel, tawagan mo ako ngayon. Wala akong load. May sasabihin lang ako.
Me: Ok.
Mama: Ngayon na ha.
Me: Opo.
We cut the line and I immediately dial Mama’s number.

her 2nd birthday party

Since her actual birthday fell on a work-day, we celebrated Caila’s 2nd birthday with close friends at home on the 26th of February. It was a simple celebration, but an enjoyable one nonetheless. Here are a few photos that were taken that day:

my birthday wishlist

Out of boredom here at the office, I came up with the things I would like to do or receive for my birthday. Some of them might be crazy or almost impossible, but hey, that’s why it’s a “wish”list, right?!

surprise (sana...)

Maybe it’s because I’m growing older (very soon, my age won’t be found in the calendar anymore), or maybe because I miss the birthday parties I had when I was a little girl...but I realized I really want to be given a SURPRISE PARTY on my next birthday.

summertime = haircut time

We’ve entered the month of March.
Already, we can feel the tail of the winter season leaving, signifying the start of summer in Dubai. Augh!!!