I Wish!

For the longest time, I wish I can do this!

Filipini

We were calling a taxi to go home when I heard a hi-pithced young voice shouting 'Filipini'. I only noticed it when nanay called my attention. A chubby boy, about 9-10 years old wearing a big curly hair, is frantically waving towards us with half of his body out of the car yelling 'Filipini! Filipini! While a man, I'm assuming it's his father, is gleefully smiling and holding the boy. It was a very nice scene so I happily waved back.

It's a pity that I was not able to take a picture of the boy. He was so cute!

The people seem to like us, Filipinos. Most of the time when we take a taxi the driver would try to impress us. They would speak few tagalog words like 'kanan', 'kaliwa', 'kumusta ka? mabuti?' There was even one who played a tagalog album so loud that it irritated us.

Oh, there was instance when my father almost lost his balance while we're going up in an escalator. A Saudi national who was going down in the elevator asked tatay, 'Kumusta ka?' when our way meet.

Aren't these encounters cute? They make me feel proud and happy to be Pinoy, Filipini!

Unending Love - Rabindranath Tagore

Where have the love poem writing have gone? Wish I was born in the 19th century when men expresses their love to women through letters and poem. Ngayon through texts, FB posts and emails na. So, impersonal, for me.

Unending Love

I seem to have loved you in numberless forms, numberless times...
In life after life, in age after age, forever.
My spellbound heart has made and remade the necklace of songs,
That you take as a gift, wear round your neck in your many forms,
In life after life, in age after age, forever.

Whenever I hear old chronicles of love, it's age old pain,
It's ancient tale of being apart or together.
As I stare on and on into the past, in the end you emerge,
Clad in the light of a pole-star, piercing the darkness of time.
You become an image of what is remembered forever.

You and I have floated here on the stream that brings from the fount.
At the heart of time, love of one for another.
We have played along side millions of lovers,
Shared in the same shy sweetness of meeting,
the distressful tears of farewell,
Old love but in shapes that renew and renew forever.

Today it is heaped at your feet, it has found its end in you
The love of all man's days both past and forever:
Universal joy, universal sorrow, universal life.
The memories of all loves merging with this one love of ours -
And the songs of every poet past and forever.

25 Random Things

I posted this in FB last May of 2009. If I'm going to do this again, I think noting will change. Is that sad?

1. My way of expression used to be sending out letters to friends, families and even to my "ka-something-an". "Tagos sa laman" is what they usually say after reading my letter. I'm so creative (magbuhat ba ng bangko!) that i can make my own envelope, write to any type of paper be it bus ticket or the sides of the continous paper. lol.

2. Talking about creativity, i used to draw from landscape to care bears to portraits of my idols. By just looking i can draw them. I am proud to say i was able to draw Mother Theresa got a few of fans after that. =) Btw, Ampalayo too... idol ko dati. =)

3. I used to be afraid of knives. Whenever i hold it i'm pretty sure i'd get a good cut. Ouch!

4. Speaking of cut, i cut my left thumb with a blade when i was sharpening my pencil. I was bleeding so mcuh that made my mother panicked! As in panic to the highest level. Got a few stitches, the wound was about 2 inches long.

5. I used to sport a short hair. As in bob cut, syete, name it i tried it. Now imagine me wearing that again? hmmm... why not?

6. The highest number I got for my weight is 104lbs. I dream of getting at least 110lbs. Gosh, hirap!

7. I conquered some mountains and the best climbs for me were Pulag, Pico de Loro and Cristobal! I miss the adventure! Cristobal was the most difficult w/c brought out the worse in Anne and almost put Annie in danger.

8. I'm a little OC. I use a tissue paper to open and close the faucet and doors of public toilet, sometimes even in the office. hehe... And whenever i use restos' spoon and fork the thought of someone else has used it kept bugging me and sometimes i give in after wiping it with a tissue i soak it in a hot water. (tama naman yun db?)

9. I never thought I'd get married. I'm not a wife material. I don't cook, I can't wake up early to prepare breakfast but i'm the best at cleaning the house. OC pa rin, clorox and disinfectant are my best buddies. harhar!

10.I've been sober for 6 years now. I've stopped joining drinking sprees when I experienced palpitations and my gastric ulcer got worse.

11. Fashion entrepreneur is what I hope to become in the future...near future. =)

12. After more than a year of scouting a place to settle in finally we found Pramana.. a residential park in Sta Rosa. Excited na ko!

13. A modern house is what we plan to build in that lot! And definitely it will have a separate T&B for me and K. Para peaceful ang buhay. hehe!

14. I once dared myself of going out of town overnight on my own in Anilao, Batangas. Wala lang tamang senti lang. Tsaka nagback-out mga kasama ko. hmp! But, I'd like to do that again. =)

15. I envy the artists. They don't really work because they enjoy so much what they do and yet they get so much money from it.

16. I share the same sentiment in Jolie's words - "Trust is a bizarre word" so true.

17. No one can say they know me very well. As in no one! And no one will!

18. I live by the saying "what you give is what you get". If you give me 75% of yourself I'll give 75% of mine. (sigurista!) I've stopped taking risks in relationship long time ago. Painful experiences sometimes can make you so cautious.

19. This is contrary to the culture of Student Catholic Action (SCA) w/c I'm a member in college. I'm sure my formators will be disappointed. =(

20. Going to HK Disneyland was the thing I never thought I can do. Thanks to Cebu Pacific for the zero fare promos! The trip was the best so far.

21. I love Kuya Kim. I enjoy Matanglawin so much!

22. I wish to build a shelter for the street children and provide education to them. Or put up a nursery school for less fortunate kids.

23. I'd like to go back to Midsalip, Zamboanga and teach the children of Subanen tribe again.

24. I'm a tatay's girl! I try to love what he loves... boxing, basketball, fpj, politics (he gets vicious when it comes to this). Except for kinilaw and paksiw! I don't eat raw dishes.

25. Last, hay salamat! I strongly believe that nothing is by accident. Everything has a reason no matter how unimaginable it may be. I feel blessed with all the world has given me. My big family of 10, husband, real friends (quite few though), experiences and of course sally! =)

At The Kingdom

I am only able to go out in my parents flat when I'm with my parents because women here are not aloud to go out alone. Although, there are some women who are bold enough to do so because Saudi have gone a long way to leniency. There are times also, when women are able to walk around without tarha.

But, one time when we were having dinner in a mall, an Indian maintenance kept calling me to cover my hair. I was glad that I was able to hear it and able to cover my hair fast enough before the mutawa walked through our table. Huh! That was close!

Last night, we went to the Kingdom Mall to go to the Sky Bridge. Since it was still Sala, prayer time, the store and all establishmnents are closed. To pass some time, I asked for a jump shot. This is the only shot that is worth calling a jump shot aftet countless of tries. This is mu cousin, Craig. A cute and smart boy.


He loves his uncle and aunt.


We had our dinner at Chili's.


The tables have heavy curtains which looks like a big photo booth. LOL.


The serving is big. I had Grilled Salmon with Herbs. The salmon was grilled tenderly but it's a bit salty especially the veggies. Looks like it was sprinkled with some pinch of salt.


This is where we are headed. Gwapo ng tatay ko, no?


The view from the sky bridge.


The entrance fee is quite expensive. 25SR for just a view of the Riyadh! Not worth it.


But, the experience and company of my parents and tatay's cousin and his family is what made the night worth doing again, minus the Sky Bridge.

Taklesa

This post from a friend reminded me again of my promise while I'm here with mother.

Nanay is the one who cooks the meal. I don't dare cook because I'm afraid they will not like it. One dinner I found the adobong saluyot (sorry, I don't know the English term ) a bit salty but it's good.

Nanay: o, ano masasabi mo s luto ko? Paborito yan ng tatay mo.

Me: ok naman sya maalat lang. (w/o looking at her)

Tatay: oo nga mejo lang naman pero masarap sya.

There and then I noticed that for the last three days I'm here I noticed that I never heard father say any negative comment about mother's cooking and I, never miss the opportunity to say that it's a bit salty, it lacks a little of this and too much of this. While I was cleaning up the table to wash the dishes I felt bad and guilty because nanay, after a hard day's work, she would just put down her things and prepare the food for us with the thought that we, specially me, would be happy and full after the meal. Urgghh, my mouth seems to have a mind of its own!

From then on I promised myself to appreciate any food nanay would give. I still miss sometimes but I make a conscious effort to look through the food and savor the love she had while preparing it.

Romans 8:18

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."

I found out today that the agent who called me in response to my job application have lied to me. He said that my interview to the director will not push through since the position was put on hold. My friend ym-ed me saying that an agency emailed her about the application she sent in the web. It turned out that it was the same position and the same man who called me. Talk about coincidence and small world.

Recently I am feeling frustrated and insecure. Things aren't seem to be in my favor. It has been four months and calls about job offers have come to zero for the past weeks. I haven't had any face-to-face interview with even a single company. I feel like I am not good enough for any of the positions being posted in the web. Until, I read Bo's Soul Food email.

The above verse hit me. It is true that whatever I am having right now it cannot be compared to the fulfillment of God's promise to me that, good things will surely come to those who love Him.

I can't wait for the glory that will be revealed to me. I can't wait for that day when all I do is praise and worship my God for His faithfulness in me.

For the meantime, I pray that God would grant me the grace of faith, patience and persistence to endure the predicaments I am in and the trials I will be facing ahead.

Thank You

For spending nearly half of your lives just to give us a brighter future. To fulfill the dreams they were not able to do and to give us the kind of life they never had.

at the Al Faisaliyah Mall waiting for eftr, break fast

Being here is a blessing. I was able to get a very little glimpse of how life is here in a country were your right as a human, let alone a woman, is very limited. I often ask them how Saudi were 20 years ago. It was more difficult than it was now. There were so many mutawa (religious police) that often would make a surprise check on their iqama (visa).

Today, few things have changed, my parents said. Foreign women are allowed to go out without a tarha (veil). But, you just need to keep it in your neck just in case. Very few Saudi women are now able to walk on the streets alone. Life here is not easy. Specially when internet was just an imagination decades ago. And, I am so proud of my parents for surviving Riyadh. For all the pain, tears, hardship and things they haven't said or I haven't known they never gave up. For the love of us they withstand everything. I feel so blessed to be their daughter. Have they given up on life I won't be where I am today nor be who I am right now.

My Escape To Riyadh

I really don't have to be here because I have to take care of my father who had his triple bypass. He is actually already reporting to office when I came here. But, I pursued the idea of going to this Kingdom for some blurry reasons.

Of course I want to be with my parents but that won't be strong enough to take me to this very hot, scary and boring place.I wanted to escape. My life took a different turn. I thought things will come out the way I planned it to be. I can't even get a job to keep myself busy because Singapore have made a more strict policy of prioritizing locals over foreign talents.Now, I'm reassessing my life. I'm beginning to be comfortable in staying at home - a homemaker. I want to put up a business so I can also help K in our finances. I want to join an NGO with a mission to provide education to poor children. I want to take up the cisco certification and PMP. So many things... I am torn between what I want, which is outside of my comfort zone and, what society dictates, to be an employee because it's the norm.

Awwwww

Aren't they sweet? Saw my parents HHWS - Holding Hands While Sleeping. I hope to have this kind of romantic relationship even after decades of being together. Haaayyyy....

Finally Here In Riyadh

The Saudi Arabian Airline left SG and arrived in Riyadh on time so we arrived in RUh at exactly 8pm local time, same as the ETA.

A lot of things happened the night before I left until I left the airport. But, what is bothering me right now and disturbing me is when I witnessed two nationals, they look either Indian or Bangladeshi, at the airport. Their passport were taken by the locals and seemed being harassed. After seemed to be 5 minutes or so of discussions they were taken to the car and to a place only God knows where.

My parents said that first timers are the victims of a scam where the passports are taken by the Arabs and then forced to tend their sheep or work in the farm without salary and adequate food. That happened to one of his Indian officemates. Lucky for that person he was traced by the company and was rescued in that depressing situation.I hope and pray that those two men who were just trying to earn money for their families will be able to get out to be where they should be.P.s. Are you wondering what happened to the offenders of my father's officemate? Nothing. There are a lot of horrible things that have happened here and have been happening and nothing is being done.

John Schimdt

I love this mash-up. Pachelbel and U2 by John Schmidt.

Separation Anxiety

In a few days I will be going back to SG. Nanay, has not been feeling well. Tatay's cough have been persistent. And, me, sore throat with foreboding cough and colds. This might be the fact that we will all be going back to when things are. Especially my parents, who for a month had me with them.

I am glad I did this. The escape was worth the trip. I was able to think things over about what I want in my life, my marriage and myself. There are a lot of things to be done. I guess until my last breath.

But, for the most part I am glad that I was able to be with my parents. I've seen and experienced their life here. Saying OFW life in Riyadh is difficult is an understatement. It is more difficult as days, weeks, months and years pass by. I am praising God for blessing and protecting them despite those difficulties.

I am so proud of my parents for surviving Riyadh. So proud, really!

I'm going to miss them.

The New Web Sensation

This is so funny. I'm not a driver but whenever hubby and I are faced with a street with water we never attempt to drive through the flooded street no matter how shallow the water seemed to be. Or we would ask some people around if it's deep or not. Or you could check if the water is above the gutter or what? Well, I pity this guy. He became famous for the wrong reason.

Here goes Mr Christopher Lao. Read the comments on the YT and you'll get a LOL!

Wait There's More

I wanna die! This September 9 we'll be going to my ultimate dream of destination - Seoul, Korea!!! (Frantically jumping and shouting) Yup! There's nothing going stop me now. Here's the proof:

Going To Riyadh

This morning I picked up my passport with KSA visa stamp. My parents will be buying my RT tickets to Riyadh since tickets here are quite expensive. The cheapest is around SGD1.3k which is Jet Airways with about 2-3 stops. OMG! 3 days travel I don't think I'll survive that! Also, I wonder if Jet Airways doesn't smell like India otherwise I'm dead!

I'll be in RUH for a month so see you there!

Desigual

I fell in love with the prints of Desigual when I browsed the items in the store. But, since I'm not rich I cannot afford to buy all of them so I bought two dresses. One of them is this:



It would be good to pair it with these:



Nice ba?