International Aerobatics Show 2010

Howdy visitors! The family attended on Friday the 7th edition of International Aerobatics Show in Al Ain. Comparing to last year's, this was more organized with everything in the family area for free teehee. Ticket costs 40 AED (P480) per person. Child under 3 years old enter free. There were complimetary t-shirts for kids, numerous bottled water, and ear plugs from Abu Dhabi Tourism.

I took plenty of photos and I share with you today some of what i think my best shots. I should have brought my 75-300mm lens but with a toddler to run after, I didn't think i would have time to change lenses.

Disabled pilots of "We Fly Team" from Italy enthrall the spectators. The even was jointly organized by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and UAE Air Force and Air Defense at Al Ain International Airport.


Breitling Jet Team from France in action. Dozens of aircraft, including 45 military fighter jets and civilian aircraft in solo and team formations took part from 15 countries, entertaining thousands for four days.

Saudi Hawks from the Royal Saudi Hawk Air Force. They are the most-loved performers of the show. And this is also my favorite from all of the photos.

Precision bombing from The Viper Jet Team of UK. Some 7 airfcrafts displayed such skill. Last year, the precision bombing was made for competition.


The Bahrain Team. The show is also a unique combination of jet and propeller planes, as well as helicopters.


The Goodyear Eagles, a South African Aerobatic Team, performed a never-before-seen triple synchronised inverted parachute drop during the show.

I will share more breath taking stunts in the coming posts so do come back. Thankies for the visit!

An entry for

Breakfast at 3nity

We woke up late on Saturday but because we had plenty of errands to do, we decided to eat out for breakfast. We visited the charming 3nity Fusion Cafe at Bur Dubai. We frequent the area but we never had the chance to experience their offering because the place is packed at night.

Hubby had English breakfast and I opted for this Spanish Omelette served with beef bacon, sausage, tomatoes, potato wedge, and lettuce. I normally finish my breakfast but this was too much for one person i had to bring home half of my food.

They offered this complimentary freshly squeezed orange juice, toasts, butterm honey and jam which all delighted Andreas.

The Cafe interior. Aside from the regular newspaper and magazines, they have chess board as well which kept mouthful Andreas busy.

3nity Fusion Cafe is located along the busy Trade Center Road, in front of Spinneys Supermarket, opposite McDonalds. If you want other than hash brown to break your fast, 3nity is worth visiting.

An entry for

Chocolate Chip Muffins

My son really like muffins so I try to learn plenty of muffin flavors that he won't be bored with my baked goodies (I am not about to let go of my biggest fan hihi). I make berry muffins, banana and cinnamon, oatmeal and raisin muffins among others.

Recently, I found an easy chocolate chip muffin recipe and I tried it for my bebe's snacks. Here is the yum, yum result.

Chocolate Chip Muffins. I used all of my semi-sweet Hershey's chocolate chips for my cookie recipes so i tried the cupboard reserve Van Houten chocolate buttons.

And this is the serving for my Andreas (yes, he is never content with just one) which he cleaned up happily!

An entry for

Beauty and The Beast

My take for today is a scene from the Disney Princess Live Stage Show at Dubai Festival City.

B is for Belle and Beast. Their dance performance was the most applauded from the show of the seven Disney Princesses.

"So you've come to stare at the BEAST, have you?"
~ Beast


"I want adventure in the great wide somewhere. I want it more than I can tell. And for once it might be grand, to have someone understand. I want so much more than they've got planned."
~ Belle

"There's something sweet and almost kind. But he was mean and he was coarse and unrefined, but now he's dear and so unsure, I wonder why I didn't see it there before." ~ Belle

An entry for

ABC Wednesday Round 6

Eminent Eight

This meme has been making round the blogosphere so i snagged one from Mommy Liz. I am soo stressed (and hubby too hihi) and I need this to put things on perspective. Gosh, we need all the combined forces of the universe from today until April!

8 Movies You Recently Watched

1. New Moon
2. The Hangover
3. 2012
4. Up In The Air
5. Charlie Wilson's War (highly recommended)
6. Red Cliff
7. Cars
8. North Country (highly recommended)

8 Places to Eat & Drink

1. Taza, Al Satwa (you must try their spicy broasted chicken)
2. The Noodle Bowl, Al Dhiyafa (Cantonese Food)
3. Sezzam, Kempinski Hotel (Intercontinental Friday brunch)
4. Tagpuan (the best pinoy restaurant we tried)
5. MORE Cafe

6. Al Muntaha, Burj Al Arab (a must for an expat)

7. Seville, Wafi City (Spanish food, music, and wine)

8. Spice Island, Renaissance Hotel (perfect when you have guests visiting the city)

8 Things I Look Forward To:
1. My 30th Birthday in February!! I want new haiir!
2. New decreased rent. And/Or place. By March.
3. Our 4th wedding anniversary in April.
4. The Holiday
5. Al Ain Aerobatics Show
6. Gulf Bike Expo
7. Dolphin Show
8. At The Top, Burj Khalifa

8 Things that Happened Yesterday:
1. Made good ol' macaroni salad.
2. Watched Andreas enjoy his first pony ride
3. Negotiated with travel agents.

4. Had dinner at Zabeel Park
5. Enjoyed the trampoline with Andreas
6. Bloghopped
7. Replied to e-mails.
8. Re-reading Nora Roberts romance book ;)

8 Things I Love about Winter:
1. Trips to the park!
2. Winter boots.
3. Sale of summer clothes =)
4. Hot chocolate.
5. Flea market
6. We can enjoy eating, sleeping, reading, and playing at the balcony.
7. Global Village

8. Comfort food.

8 Things I Learned In The Past
1. Exercise is not over until you do your sit-ups.
2. Listen to that little voice inside.
3. Don't try to impress people you do not know.
4. Let kids enjoy their childhood.
5. Parents are the best role-model for their kids.
6. Tolerate.
7. SAVE. Live credit card free if you can.

8. Love, eat, and pray.

Feel free to snag, ladies!

First Pony Ride!!

We didn't wrap any gift for Andreas' second birthday. His chocolate gateau cake was even complimentary lolz! So as he was about celebrate his 25th month, We treated him to his first pony ride.

He enjoys riding his Dada's back as they do carabao ride around the house. So I figured he was ready as well perched on a pony. Indeed, he enjoyed the ride without Mommy accompanying him around Zabeel Park. When I tried making him ride those little train and swirling helicopter, he wanted Mommy to come aboard as well hihi. Yun pala, he wanted to ride the real thing!

As soon as the pony made its first step, Andreas never looked back. He was smiling and behaved well on top of the pony. They went far to the opposite end of the oval ground. I was just waiting for the man accompanying him to say loudly that my son jumped off the pony but Andreas did made it back to the temporary stable.

When I took him down, he was grinning broadly so proud of himself. We asked if we could touch the pony and the people in-charge agreed. I let Andreas stroke the little animal before he ran off to another adventure at the park.

Well done, darling. Mwah!

Global Village 2010

We spent the Friday weekend visiting Global Village. Running on its 14th season, this is Dubai's biggest outdoor entertainment and shopping venue during winter. Some 50 countries put up pavillions showcasing their local products. Leather jackets from Pakistan, Persian rugs from Iran, Turkish fashion, Vietnamese handicrafts,...and everything else that delights a shopaholic. In between these shopping bazaars, there is simultaneous cultural presentation from each country bringing dance and music from all over the world.

This is our fourth time to attend such event and I managed to look beyond those leather bags and Lebanese couture. I share with you some of the most interesting products you can buy and bargain for =)

handmade traditional Indian slippers


handpainted ceramic plates from Turkey pavillion


You guessed it right, capiz blinds from the Philippines.


Cocktail rings from UAE pavillion


Sand Art from most Middle East countries


of course, those famous Persian rugs


Performers from Africa


and you can buy just about anything...


It's a festive night all the time at Global Village.

An entry for

The Food Rules

I want to share some interesting food rules that I read online last week. As a mother, we are all aware with some of the rules by now but do consider this as a reminder as well.

After consulting dieticians, doctors, nurses, folklorists and yes even the grannies, one author came up with a fascinating list of how and what we should be feeding our kingdom called the body.

Food Rules

1. The whiter the bread, the sooner you'll be dead.

2. Do not eat cereals that change the color of milk.

3. Avoid foods that Grandma does not recognise.

4. If it came from a plant, eat it. If it was made in a plant, don't.

5. Eat when you are hungry - not when you are bored. (I am soo guilty of this)

6. A healthy plate of food features several different colors.

7. Avoid long lists of ingredients...and ingredients that you do not recognize.

8. Avoid mass-produced food. Only eat foods cooked by humans.

9. Buy smaller plates and glasses.

10. Eat like the French, Japanese, Italians, or Greeks. Small portions, no second helping or snacking.

11. Try not to eat on your own.

12. Treat treats as treats.

Kare-Kare (Oxtail in Peanut Sauce)

I was in the mood for some tedious cooking so I made kare-kare for dinner. The dish goes with sauteed shrimp paste and we like ours a little spicy =)

An entry for

New Favorite(s)

We resumed our trips to Zabeel Park the other day. I see that the little boy is now making the most of the playground. Last year, he would slide and then ran off to the water fountain. I will bring him back to the sand play area, he would climb the web but as soon as he reaches the top and sees the water fountain, he will climb down in haste and run again to the fountain area.

These days, he loves, loves the swing, the springy bee ride, and all the other rides that moves and shakes (boy he used to hate them!). He went crawling inside those tunnels. And even crossed the hanging bridge unassisted. The unfortunate part is, I forgot to bring the camera with us :(

Luckily, my two year-old's widening interest also includes the soft ball play area. And i think he is soo thrilled to come home to his very own one.

First thing in the morning when he wakes up is a trip to the balcony where we placed his ball house. Andreas received this from his generous godparents last Christmas. He would stay there for some time with his long time companion, Chuckles, and whatever else that he decides to bring with him inside his little house. It could be Barney, one of his trucks, or one of his books.

An addition to his favorite foods is avocado milk shake. I tried feeding him this several times and i just gave up because it came to a point he won't even look at them. Now, when he sees Mommy pouring something green from the blender, he is first on the line.

We bought this toy train about six months ago, but it is only now that he paid attention to them. Before, we would arrange them and try counting but he just comes to smash and scatter them around. These days, he likes them all lined up and they are now a regular toy on the balcony - Andreas' own little area.

An entry for

Mediterranean Shrimp Salad

This appetizer was served to us during one of those family Friday brunch. Steamed shrimps in cream sauce with blackberries, tomato slices, and sweet corn kernels.

An entry for

A is for Aquarium and (tallest) Atrium Lobby

The Burj Al Arab features the tallest Atrium lobby in the world, at 180 meters (590 ft).

The Atrium in all its grandeur at nightime.

The atrium is formed between the building's V-shaped span. It dominates the interior of the hotel, and takes up over one-third of interior space.

And this is how it looks at daytime.

This is the fountain at the foot of the Atrium. It also features an aquarium on both sides of the lobby.

The signature underwater themed restaurant of the world's only 7 star-hotel is called Al Mahara (or The Oyster). It features a floor to ceiling seawater aquarium. Guests are whisked to the restaurant via simulated submarine.

The tables are situated around the giant aquarium. Al Mahara was named one of the top 10 restaurants in the world.

An entry for

ABC Wednesday Round 6

Old Spanish Churches

I have three more remaining photos from my Aunt's tour around the province. Yes, all these were also taken by the professional photographers.

San Jose Church, Ivana

Accordingly, this was built in 1814 although its foundation dates back to 1795. Of all the old churches in Batanes, it is the only one that was not built in the espadana style. It has a crenellated fortress-like campanile or belltower that gives the appearance of a fortification. Fronts the Ivana Seaport and offers a commanding view of the sea and surrounding countryside due to its elevation. Located 14 kilometers from Basco.

San Vicente ferrer Church, Sabtang

The church is modeled after the one in Basco. Following an unfortunate incident in 1790, when Spanish emissaries sent to procure goods from the parish were killed by some natives, the people of Sabtang were forcibly resettled across the channel to Ivana and not allowed to return until 1844 when the foundations of the present church were laid.

Savidug Church, Sabtang

Like the ones in Basco, this is also a Dominican church.

Flashcard Report (1)

I mentioned before how my son enjoys the flashcard activity. Late last year, I decided to make the activity a little more exciting by adding his other toys and books while we go over alphabets, shapes, colors, and numbers.

I would flash red, and point his book of Cars that Lightning Mcqueen is also red. I show him C is for Cat and cat says "meow" as i press the Early Learning Shape sorter which also features sounds of animals.

Yesterday late morning, while we were going with our routine, my little Andreas gave a sweet surprise. While i flashed on a square, he rummaged through his ELC shape sorter and picked out the square shape. He held it up high and tried to fit it on the square shape as if convincing Mommy, they are the same.

I showed him the card with a triangle shape and he chose the yellow triangle and tried to do the same. He did this again for the shapes circle and heart. Needless to say, Mommy was soo happy and proud of him. I see that flashcards paved so much for Andreas' interests on pre-school skills. He appreciates his alphabet and number charts we have on the wall. His familiarity with the letters and numbers also made him interested in his alphabet and the likes video. It used to be Barney and friends all day!

So what made me chose flashcards? Truth is i am not into playing (maybe because i don't remember having so much toys). He and his Dada plays more (we read more). Maybe because most of his toys are for boys. We do the basic stacking rings, shape sorters, and some musical toys but i leave the lego, cars, and keyboard toys to his Dada. Andreas enjoys reading but he can only take a few minutes of it in the morning and afternoon. I needed something to make our playtime a more learning experience. And then I remember my Grandmother's flashcards. My siblings and I all went through it so I bought a set of alphabet and numbers at Kinokuniya Bookstore.

Right after we went home, i urged his Dada to try the cards. For the first time, Andreas sat down and listened to us. That was six months ago. Then we bought another set from ELC that includes shapes, colors and some animals. We go through all those sets and he would patiently sit down and listen.

I got to go now and make his favorite chocolate ring cake =)

Andreas and his books. This was taken over the weekend.