weekend snapshot #16

Chocolates anyone? In one of our weekend trips to the Burjuman Shopping Mall early this year, we saw a replica of the famous 7-star hotel Burj Al Arab.

17 kg edible chocolate replica of Burj Al Arab

Happy Sunday everyone! I am excited to see your WS entries too. Thank you for the visit!!

coffee break #12

This week's coffee break asks

How will you keep yourself busy in the middle of a traffic jam?

We bring Andreas with us wherever we go so i guess the question is how do i keep my little darling from getting bored inside the car?

I bring his current favorite toy (which is a cuddly bulldog we bought from Ikea), and teether. We listen and sing along to his nursery rhymes. And now that his vision is as good as that of an adult, hubby and i tell Andreas what we see along the way. We explain to him the colors of the stoplight. When it turns green, we go. It is red now so we stop. We tell him the colors and size of the SUVs we see. Sometimes we even name the exotic cars we pass by hihi. We encourage him to enjoy the sight of the huge fountain at the roundabout. Sometimes he listens quietly, and sometimes he just sits silently enjoying the lights. Yes, he loves it especially when we travel at night.

All that keeps us busy and entertained in the roads of Dubai, where traffic is just as worse.

beef sopas

It is nearing weekend and grocery day at the same time so i did some "slight" cleaning of the fridge. (slight because it is hubby who regularly cleans the fridge on weekends (*_*) lucky me. thank you darling. mwah mwah). I found out we have many leftover veggies and meat. There are some extra fresh milk too, from my pancake recipe so i decided to make beef sopas.

Ate Maya and my Andreas loved it so here is how it was prepared

I sauteed the ground beef in garlic and butter while the pasta shells were boiling. Then I diced carrots, celery, capsicum, and onions. I then sliced thinly our leftover cabbage.

When the pasta shells were nearly done, i add in the sauteed ground beef and celery. I let it boil for awhile before adding the vegetables and fresh milk. I added a little salt and pepper and let it all boil together.



Yummy.

Andreas and his doctor

We took our eight-month old prince to his pedia last Saturday. Andreas received his monthly check-up and his third shot of pneumococcal valent. His doctor, a Sudanese, said everything is going fine. He weighs 9.1 kg and measures 75 cm.

We feel lucky that we have a good relationship with his pedia. So far, we have not seek any other medical help from other hospitals or pediatricians. Andreas seems happy with him too. Take a look at the pic i took when we visited last weekend.

With Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Nand of Belhoul European Hospital.

greetings from the east

I got tagged by my new blogger friend, Joanne. Now i get the chance to greet everybody in Arabic.

::: Start Copy Here :::

Memes are a great way to link everyone together. In Cyberspace, many people use English as the Universal Language and say Hi, Hello and more. Have you tried learning other languages of the same meaning?

Let’s get to know each other by placing a welcome/hello greeting in your language and spread it over all bloggers in cyberspace.

Rules:
1. Copy the text from Start Copy Here.

2. Post it in your blog. Make sure you copy it in compose mode (blogger) or visual mode for the others. This will enable you to copy all your friend’s link as well. Have fun doing it.

3. In the next number, add your blog url and link it.

4. Add the greetings that you use frequently or one that is in your traditional language.

Konichiwa Meme by AikoAiko

1. All About Kawaii says Konichiwa

2. MommyAllehs Up-Close And Personal says Mabuhay! Hello! Hi!
3. Insights from the Grocery Cart says Mabuhay! Haler! Kamusta?
4. Eds Mommy Life says Mabuhay! Kumusta! Hi! Hellow po! Haler!
5. Jhona My Wonderful life says Hi! Hello! Kumusta?

6. Me, Myself and I says Hi! Haler! Elow! Kamusta?

7. Kero's Celebration says Mabuhay! Marhaba!

8. YOUR BLOG HERE

::: End Copy Here :::

Thank you Joanne, for the tag. I had fun doing it. Keep them coming!!

Now I am tagging Butchay and Jan and Rosilie.

happy and sad

I got this happiness and sadness taggie from Butchay. My Andreas is busy with his alphabet video so i grab the chance to do it . Sorry for the late posting but here it is.

Here are the Rules:

1. List the things that make you Happy and those that make you Sad.
2. Add your Blog to the list. Feel free to add all your other Blogs.
3. Tag other online friends you know.

Participants: T?ni’s Attachments, Cecile2’s-Small and Simple Things, Lara’s Pinay dot US, Lara’s My Blog Entry, Lara’s Byaheng Pinay, Living A’ La Mode, Bits and Pieces, My Life in this Wonderful World, My Online World, Ozzy’s Mom, Me,Myself+2, Kidd Designs, Fun|Fierce|Fabulous , Eds Mommy Life, Just Me.. Eds, My Precious Niche, Music of my Heart,Me and Mine | Creative in Me | For the LOVE of Food | Little Peanut | Pea in a Pod | It’s Where the HEART Is | Around the World | SugarMagnolias | Clark & Butchay’s Blogs |Butchay’s World | Oranges and Melons | Kero's Celebration | YOUR BLOG HERE

WHAT MAKES ME HAPPY?

1. a healthy, happy family

2. hugs and kisses from hubby and my son

3. making new friends and hearing from old ones

4. when hubby and visitors appreciate what i serve

5. trying out new recipes

6. shopping teehee

7. bubble bath

8. book and brandy and jazz music

9. travel and vacations!!!

10. watching my Andreas sleep peacefully

WHAT MAKES ME SAD?

1. when things don't go the way i want them to be
2. Andreas getting hurt
3. hubby stressed out from work
4. enduring cruel and whiny people
5. when a schedule is disrupted

Now i am tagging Artemis and Joanne. Have fun ladies, and let me know when you are done so i can come visit.

fresh lumpia

I made my very first fresh lumpia today. Maybe i will take a picture of it later when i prepare some for hubby when he arrives late in the afternoon.

So here is how i did it.

For the filling:

1/2 cup minced pork
2 large carrots, sliced thinly
1 medium cabbage, sliced thinly
1 stalk of celery
4 stalks of green onion leaves
2 minced garlic
1 large chopped onion
a dash of salt

I sauteed the garlic, onion, and minced pork adding very little salt. When it turns golden and slightly toasted, i added the carrots. When nearly done, i mixed in the cabbage, celery and onion leaves. We like our vegetables crunchy so i am careful not to overcook them. Just warm them a little. Set aside in a bowl when done.

You can also use monggo sprout, baguio beans, bamboo shoots, and tofu for the filling. I only used the leftover vegetables in our fridge.

For the sauce

3 tablespoon flour
1 cup water
2 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tsp soy sauce
1 tbsp groun pepper
3 tbsp sugar
1 minced garlic
1 small onion

Dissolve the flour in the cold water. add soy sauce and sugar and continue to dissolve. Then sautee garlic and onion in a saucepan. Pour the mixture over a saucepan. Keep on mixing then add oyster sauce and pepper. Add sugar depending on your tase.

You then proceed to wrapping your vegetables. Pour over a generous amount of sauce, sprinkle it with roasted peanuts and garlic.

weekend snapshot #15

We took my vacationing sister-in-law to a souvenir shop yesterday. We checked out the goodies and what would be a nice treat for everybody back in the Philippines. We both liked pashmina shawls and these delicately hand-made sequined bags.

Happy Weekend everyone! Thank you so much for the visit. Just leave you comments and will comment back on your WS entries.

what makes a Mom

It's almost eight months now since i gave birth. I was supposed to see my ob-gyne two months ago for the last check-up but i figured i am healing very well so i dismissed getting an appointment.

Now i am not so sure if that was a good idea. The morphine they gave me has wared down and i feel the pain now on my wound. It is tolerable but when you have an 8 month old to take care of, it is just very tiring. Sometimes, when i lay down at night, i cannot feel my limbs. And there are times, i cannot sleep because of tiredness too.

I already asked hubby if i can go home for a short vacation now that Ate Maya is here. At least he won't be too alone as he has company. But i guess he does not like being away from Andreas too. And of course, the vacation i am wanting will just blow off our budget. I know i need to rest. I can feel what my body is asking. But i guess, this is what mothers do. They learn to sacrifice for their family. They learn to hold back on what they need and focus on the what is best for everybody.

coffee break # 11

Reminiscing time on today's coffee break.

Back in high school, what were your usual worries and fears.

I had my secondary education at a public school called Batanes National High School (main). It is only a 10 minute walk from our house so i do not worry about fare and commuting. Instead, i worried about what to wear on Wednesdays because it is not a uniform day and i am bound to meet that senior crush in the corridor. Yay!

I feared flunking my chemistry because our teacher has a very soft voice and my bestfriend and i were seated far back of the class room because we were the tallest in class.

I worried about what college course to take. If i could turn back time, i should have insisted Hotel & Restaurant Management hihi.

I feared at the thought of being alone studying college in the city. I've always been safe and content in the province and the thought of riding the jeepneys alone in the streets of Manila was most unpleasant.

I worried about UPCAT. I didn't want to go to any other university. And it was only what my grandparents can afford.

And the thought of Bret Hart losing that WWF Championship belt was most fearsome.

Silly me.

kissy, kissy

My prince Andreas is now learning to show emotions. And boy i am soo glad he starts with kissing!!!

When he is simply happy and content, he puts his two small hands on my cheeks and brings his mouth closer to my cheeks and plants a kiss hahaha!! His saliva will be all over but i soo love it. He is such a darling!!!

Here is his latest picture with his Dad trying to help him walk.

Oh he is raring to walk. He never gets tired of trying to stand up on his own. He falls down hard and i swear his butt might be aching but he does not complain but keeps on trying hihi. He can now stand on his own for about 10 seconds. Sometimes, he can even take one step before he falls down. Oooh he is such a cutie.

I love you, darling. You bring so much joy to Daddy and Mommy and Tita Maya.

pancakes, anyone?

So my culinary skills is extending to pancake haha.

Ate Josie, one of the helpers here in the villa, was kind enough to show me how to make pancakes. After my first attempt, i decided i want my pancakes to be a little more interesting. So that on my second attempt, i folded cashew nuts and raisins. When i finished, i decided i want them fluffy to so i decided to adjust the ingredients and create my own.

Teehee. They came out beautiful, golden, and fluffy and Ate Maya (who has a great baking skills) commented i have perfected it. Yay!

So here is what i did

250 ml all purpose flour
3 tbsp oil
4 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
100 ml fresh milk
cashew nuts
raisins

I split the cashew nuts in halves so they will be flat when i fold them later. Then i soak the raisins in water so they will be soft.

I mixed the sugar, salt, and baking powder in a bowl using an egg beater. After making sure there are no lumps from the baking powder, i added the flour, eggs, and fresh milk. Mix them all just until the ingredients have blended very well. Do not overbeat, otherwise, you will end up with a gummy pancake.

When done, smear it with butter and maple syrup. It's the next best thing to a bubble bath.

Thanks to hubby for buying those bowls, mixer, and measuring glass. They are the envy of everybody in the kitchen hihi.

meet my sister in-law

Like i posted before, my sister-in-law Maya, is coming over to try her luck here in the medical profession. She's been staying with us for about three weeks now. And she is almost giving up looking for a job because of the numerous requirements they are asking in order to become a nurse here in the UAE. One must have MOH/DOH license before they can practice being a nurse. Ate is slowly convincing herself to go to Saudi Arabia instead (where it is rumored that hiring is very easy as they do honor the PRC license of Filipino nurses).

But this afternoon, there was a call from Belhoul European Hospital. She is scheduled for an interview on Saturday. Ate Maya is ecstatic hehe. And we are all excited for her too. Andreas will also have his vaccine on the same day around the same time so all three of us are heading to Dhiyafa tomorrow.

I share with you a picture i took last weekend when we went to the themed Ibn Batuta Mall. Ate Maya found the shopping complex very interesting and took her time to read Ibn's voyages.

Daddy, Andreas, and Tita Maya

Yes, my Andreas adores her sooo much. Heis at the stage where he is having separation anxiety but I can actually leave the room for an hour while they read together or practice his walk. So i take advantage of those time to go downstairs and whip up something in the kitchen.

tete-a-tee

I got no news to share but i just want to write teehee.

It's Thursday now and i love it. I still don't know how are we going to spend the weekend but i am always excited at the thought of having hubby around for two days and just relax. He could be playing with Andreas while i cook a hearty meal. After lunch, I prepare their bath and my two boys enjoy frolicking in the tub. Their laughter and squeals simply warm my heart.

I thank God for all of these -- a healthy family, a devoted Ceasar, and a wonderful Andreas.

i think therefore i am

I am: Kero

I think: I am going mad anytime now.

I know: i need to keep calm but i hate it when people make me feel inadequate.

I have: post natal depression. kidding!!! i am just soo angry today that's all

I wish: I have a career!!!! I want to go back to work!!!!

I hate: it when people want more than what i can offer. i am getting tired of this feeling.

I miss: being a career girl. i miss the power. i miss earning my own money. i miss being independent.

I fear: giving up on something i dreamed of having

I hear: my Andreas' breathing

I smell: pancake.

I crave: for independence.

I search: for new recipes to try

I wonder: why men can never be satisfied with their wives.

I regret: not doing my best at some point.

I love: my Andreas

I ache: for this loneliness to go away.

I am not: happy today .

I believe: that God has a reason for everything

I dance: wildly on my own.

I sing: whenever I want to hahahaa

I cry: when I’m happy and sad.

I fight: for what i believe is right

I win: if I got the point right.

I lose: my cool whenever things don't go they way i want them to be.

I never: let them know the real me. the world is my stage.

I always: thank God for what He has put me through

I confuse: myself a lot of times

I listen: to funny and sad lovesongs

I can usually be found: At home and online

I am scared: of the edge

I need: to get away from it all. soon. NOW.

I am happy about: Andreas growing up a happy and healthy baby

I imagine: home in my Grandma's arms.

My 6 Layers

I snagged this meme while bloghopping. I wish sleep will come but darn, i had too much coffee today.

LAYER ONE:
– Name: Kero
– Birth date: February 12
– Birthplace: Buluan, Maguindanao
– Current Location: Dubai, UAE
– Eye Color: Dark Brown
– Hair Color: Brown Black
– Righty or Lefty: Righty

LAYER TWO:
– Your heritage: Filipino
– The last shoes you wore: Charles & Keith
– Your weakness: i flare up easily
– Your fears: i wanna go home
– Your perfect pizza: Papa John's Pizza
– Goal you’d like to achieve in life: be a great Mom to Andreas

LAYER THREE:
– Your most overused phrase on YM: eeerr..
– Your first waking thoughts: what's for breakfast?
– Your best physical feature: legs (naks!)
– Your most missed memory: spending time with parents and siblings

LAYER FOUR:
– Pepsi or Coke: COKE zero
– McDonald’s or Burger King: Burger King
– Single or group dates: it depends
– Adidas or Nike: Puma?
– Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Twinings
– Chocolate or vanilla: Chocolate
– Cappuccino or coffee: Lingzhi Coffee

LAYER FIVE:

– A famous person, dead or alive, would you interview: Kurt Cobain of Nirvana
– Movie can you watch and say the lines along with the actors: Love Story
– Name two of your passions in life : Blogging and Reading
– Least favorite time of day: Midday

LAYER SIX :

– Use hairspray or gel: none
– Your favorite meal: anything fresh and crunchy
– Color is the inside of your head when you close your eyes: Black
– Listen to classical music: Yes
– Ever said LOL in real life without thinking about it: Not yet!

....

I

am

S
E
E
T
H
I
N
G

inside.

humor time!!

Hubby shared this e-mail and i think it would be fun for everyone else to read so i am posting it. Have a good laugh!!!

Airline Cabin Announcements

All too rarely, airline attendants make an effort to make the in flight 'safety lecture' and announcements a bit more entertaining. Here are some real examples that have been heard or reported:

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES
On a Continental Flight with a very 'senior' flight attendant crew, the pilot said,

"Ladies and gentlemen, we've reached cruising altitude and will be turning down the cabin lights. This is for your comfort and to enhance the appearance of your flight attendants."

JAPAN AIR LINES
 
In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, masks will descend from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it over your face. 
 

If you have a small child traveling with you, secure your mask before assisting with theirs.

If you are traveling with more than one small child, pick your favorite."

BRITISH AIRWAYS
"As you exit the plane, make sure to gather all of your belongings.
Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight attendants.

Please do not leave children or spouses."

AMERICAN AIRLINES
Overheard on an American Airlines flight into Amarillo, Texas , on a particularly windy and bumpy day: 

During the final approach, the Captain was really having to fight it. 

After an extremely hard landing, the Flight Attendant said, 

"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Amarillo Please remain in your seats with your seat belts fastened while the Captain taxis what's left of our airplane to the gate!"

QANTAS AIRWAYS
Another flight attendant's comment on a less than perfect landing: 

"We ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal."

NORTHWEST AIRLINES
After a particularly rough landing during thunderstorms in Memphis , a flight attendant on a Northwest flight announced,

"Please take care when opening the overhead compartments because, after a landing like that, sure as hell everything has shifted."

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES
We're now preparing to land at Ninoy Aquino International Airport .

Kindly straighten up your seats, turn off all electronic gadgets, pull up your window shades and buckle up for safety.We hope you enjoyed flying with us as much as we did.

Sa wikang atin po, tayo po ay papalapag na sa paliparang pangkalawakang Internasyonal ng Maynila. 

Paalala po lamang sa ating mga kababayan -- ang mga unan, kumot, headset at iba pang kagamitan sa eroplano ay di po kasama sa pasalubong. 

Huwag din po lamang baklasin ang LCD-TV na nakadikit sa silya.

weekend snapshot # 14

Happy Sunday! We took our seven-month old Andreas to the beach yesterday. He had so much fun and screams in delight every time a wave approaches.

Father and son at Umm Suqueim Beach

Thank you for the visit! It will be my turn to blog hop later. Have a great week ahead!!

coffee break # 10

Today's coffee break, think food quality, service, cleanliness, and price, and parking (in case you're in Dubai)

Name three restaurants you highly recommend.

Since we are talking about where to celebrate one's birthday, these are the restaurants I recommend here in Dooobye.

If you are a family, the following are kid friendly for a Friday brunch.

1. Planet Hollywood in Wafi City. For AED85, you have access on breakfast station, soups, salads, li9ve pasta and sea food cooking, roast carving station, international main courses, waffles, pancakes, and dessert selection. There is an entertainment area with fun games and activities while the parents stuff themselves. (Valet parking)

2. Red Table Restaurant. This is a popular Iranian restaurant located only in Deira and Al Dhiyafa Road. They serve buffet every lunch and dinner time for only AED43. The staff, mostly Filipinos are very friendly and accommodating. There is a fountain and an aquarium that will keep the kids entertained. That is why we choose this as the venue for Andreas' baptism celebration. (car park is just beside the restaurant)

3. Ponderosa & Caravan in Deira. International buffet for AED50 inclusive of drinks and dessert. There is a huge car park in front of the building.

Now if it's only a dinner date for two, these are the following i recommend.

1. Seville at Wafi City. This is a Spanish tapa restaurant where you can dine in al fresco under the stars and moonlight and enjoy music in EspaÑol. You can have sea food paella and a litre of red wine for AED 99. Their stuffed mushroom ad potato wedges are a must too. Don't forget to bring a boquet of flowers to complete the mood.

2. Japengo at Madinat. We like anything Japanese so there is not much to say. I only recommend the one in Madinat because of the ambiance. Think dining in Venice with gondolas passing by.

3. Spice Island at Rennaisance Hotel in Deira. Name any liquor and they have it. With five live cooking stations for international buffet and sumptuous dessert selection, this is a must visit restaurant. Not to mention that they have been awarded several times.

toast me

You Are Toast

Old fashioned and a bit of a homebody, you totally go for comfort food. You're the type who loves to cook for friends, and they love you for it. You truly know what tastes good, and you can often pick out the best dish at a restaurant. You don't fall for food trends. You stick with what's been food for a long time!

What Kind of Breakfast Are You?

book tag

Time for some blog meme!

Teh Rulz:
1. Pick up the nearest book of 123 pages or more. No cheating!
2. Find page 123.
3. Find the first five sentences.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag as many people as you want.


The book: Dubai, The Arabian Dream by David Saunders

The sentences:

"The sumptuous Burj Al Arab is the tallest hotel in the world. Its exterior is constructed using double Teflon-coated glass fibre, while the interior revels in its 2,000 square metres of 22-carat gold leaf adorned walls, pillars and domes. Each of the 202 all-duplex suites has floor-to-ceiling windows and a personal butler."

Now I am tagging Kayni, Artemis, Jan, and Maris. No need to rush, ladies. Do this only when you have time. Let me know when you are done so i can come visit.

Happy Sunday!

weekend snapshot #13

We went to Mercato Mall last Saturday night and we chanced upon European Acrobatic Dancers Show. Take a look at some of their fantastic moves.

Thank you for the visit everyone! It will be my turn to visit your entries in awhile. Take care and have a great week ahead!