Monday, November 30, 2009

PBW - The Boy's First Visit To The Zoo

Posted by Kero at Monday, November 30, 2009 12 sweets for Kero
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My 23 months old enjoys watching his Barney At The Zoo and Brainy Baby Animals DVD so when the weather cooled down, we decided to bring him to Dubai Zoo.

Oh he was soo happy! He enjoyed the lions roaring, the tigers growling, and wolves howling. He was amazed with the tall giraffe and was ecstatic with so many birds flying at the aviary. I share with you some photos. I took plenty so i decided to make a collage.


Enjoying the gorilla and greater flamingo


Arabian Oryz, Leopard and Bengal Tiger
Chameleon, Baby Crocodile, The Aviary, Lion


It was an exciting weekend for Andreas!

See more fun weekend adventures at Sassy Mom's Pixel Bug Weekend!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Yummy Sunday - Shrimps & Salad

Posted by Kero at Sunday, November 29, 2009 5 sweets for Kero


Howdy visitors!

I cooked some buttered shrimps for the long weekend.


Shrimps, lemon zest, lots of garlic, and onion springs

I needed a break from using the oven for making desert so off i went to the hypermarket. I bought a can of lychee, fruit cocktail, pineapple chunks, sweet macapuno, and double cream.


The quickie fruit salad

Thank you so much for the visit and a blessed Sunday to all!

Saturday, November 28, 2009

The Weekend That Was

Posted by Kero at Saturday, November 28, 2009 0 sweets for Kero
So here's how we spent our Eid Holiday :)

Day 1
*Hubby had to finish some work for Mirdiff City Center project so he was up early and worked till past noon
*Ate Ayen came over. We spent a late breakfast with her.
*I made some home made thin crust pizza which hubby really enjoyed. All the toppings were left-overs -- bacon bits (from the brunch), pineapple (from yesterday's tropical carrot cake), and capsicum.



* After hubby and Andreas' afternoon nap, we went for a walk along Floating Bridge


*Andreas went to bed early so hubby and I sneaked in a movie date - Red Cliff by John Woo. I recommend.

Day 2
*We woke up early to pack our brunch. The family headed to Dubai Autodrome to check out the Carboot sale. It was hot and there were only six SUVs selling very few but interesting items. There were plenty of buyers checking the goods.
*We drove around Motor City and Arabian Ranches then we headed to Dubai Silicon Oasis. Hubby considers the place our next home.
*We saw hubby G+9 project with Al Futtaim. The building is now a busy residential.



*We went to Dubai Outlet Mall. Worth coming back definitely.
*We visited Nad Al Sheba.


* Andreas slept early again so we squeezed in a 2012 documentary and MJ's This Is It.

Day 3
*We packed our brunch and headed to Safa park for Mother and Child Flea Market.
*We went home after lunch and hit the swimming pool. Because the water is icy, we donned our 3mm Camaro diving suit. We swam, played and frolicked for more than an hour.



* Tired yet happy, I baked chocolate ring cake for my two boys.

Good night visitors!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Batanes Nescafe Commercial

Posted by Kero at Thursday, November 26, 2009 1 sweets for Kero
It is holiday and I am suppose to prepare food for some guests coming but I just have to sneak a quick post. I think I am never going to look my cup of Nescafe the same way again.

A fellow Ivatan working in Kuwait posted this commercial on FB this morning.



I am soo proud.....I wanted to cry. I haven't been home to Batanes for almost four years. Hearing that laji (the back ground song), and the old woman's face that reminds me so much of my grand mother. I want nothing more in the world than to be wrapped inside my Grandma's arms right now. Sniff, sniff.

And to use our dialect in the commercial was a brilliant idea. At last people could hear how our Ivatan dialect sounds. Frankly, I am tired of being asked how do we speak. Most people assume we speak Ilocano. And funny how they stare in horror when i say we Ivatans have a different dialect :)....and then comes the dreaded how do you say I love you in Ivatan? ;P

Thank you to the director and to all the creative people behind this. You eased our lonesome souls here in the desert. We are definitely going home for vacay next year.

Go to go and start baking!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

With Love Wednesday - Love For Life

Posted by Kero at Wednesday, November 25, 2009 4 sweets for Kero
I am invited to a brand new meme called With Love Wednesday. Participants are encouraged to share photos or videos of something or someone they love. There's a weekly theme and a lovely badge coming soon.

For the first post, share a photo with the Love of your Life.


My Mr. Wonderful. Hot Date. My Lover. Best friend. Ka-landian. My great life coach. Kaharutan. Ka-inuman. The much loved husband of a happy wife.


The Perfect Husband
by Ogden Nash

He tells you when you've
got on too much lipstick,
And helps you with your girdle
when your hips stick.


Join the love fun and visit Mommy Jona's With Love Wednesday!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Mafi Eid Plans

Posted by Kero at Tuesday, November 24, 2009 2 sweets for Kero
Yep. Still writing. I have to cook three recipes tomorrow (grilled stuffed calamares, yellow rice, and carrot cake) so i am not sure if i have time to go online. I am also invited to another meme by Mommy Jona. I em excited to join so here's hopin' have the time to squeeze my first post for With Love Wednesday.

Anyways, we have a long weekend vacation here starting on Thursday. Our Muslim brothers are celebrating Eid Al Adha -- 45 days after The Holy Month of Ramadan. We have no definite plans yet -- except for the sharp shooting trip with hubby's former HS classmates. We were asked last month and we confirmed but we still have to hear from them again.

I am actually not planning anything because it is only for three days and all the hotels are certainly full. Hubby will go on local leave for about two weeks next month and then i will make some holiday plans.

But just in case my ever adventurous partner asks where are we going today (for the millionth time), my list includes:

1. Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club
2. Jebel Ali Golf & Resort Spa
3. Jebel Ali Racecourse

Eid Mubarak!

The Christmas Shopping List

Posted by Kero at Tuesday, November 24, 2009 1 sweets for Kero
I am half-way done. I even wrapped those that we already bought. For others that we still have to buy, i know exactly where to get them :)

One problem though, we do not know what to give hubby's chief engineer. Last Christmas, Mr. AA gave him chocolate and a bottle of French wine. We were really tight at that time with Andreas' first birthday so we did not give him anything. This time, we are credit-card free and still triply trying to save but we must wrap something for the boss.

We thought of wine and chocolate (gaya-gaya eh) but we know nothing beyond tequila or vodka. A bottle of fragrance, i suggested. Hubby says he is not sure if Mr. AA wears one. Then hubby said how about those chocolates with wine filling.

We visited Candylicious and inquired where to buy such chocolates. The kind Filipina said we check out Waitrose next time. She even gave us two heart-shaped Madeleine chocolates for free :). But since alcochol laden stuff are not sold publicly here, I have doubts finding it in Waitrose.

Hmmnnn..we need to think of other choices. Necktie, nah. I've never been inside MMV or African+Eastern store so maybe we will check these out soon.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

PBW - Vessels at Dubai Creek

Posted by Kero at Sunday, November 22, 2009 7 sweets for Kero
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A warm hello to my visitors!

We took our little boy for some bird watching activity at Dubai Creek. While Andreas enjoyed the greater flamingos, i was fascinated with the vessels passing by. Today i am sharing with you one of the more more traditional sight in the city.

Dubai Creek is a natural sea-water inlet that cuts through from the Arabian Gulf to the center of the city. It divides Dubai in two parts - Deira Dubai on the north side and Bur Dubai on the south side. The length of the Dubai Creek is 14 KM. You can get a unique and wonderful view of the cityscape from the Creek. Thus making it very popular among tourists.


The traditional way of crossing the Creek is by abra. Originally, they were rowing boats, but now they have diesel engines. The ten minute ride will cost around 50 fils. Approximately 15,000 people cross the Creek by abra every day.


The air-conditioned Water Taxi was introduced to the public two years ago.


The amphibious Wonder Bus. True to its name, the bus will tour you around the city -- from land to sea -- seating on the same seat.

At night, wooden double-deckers like this turn into a floating restaurant with plenty of charming little lights. They offer intercontinental buffet on board while touring the Dubai Creek.


Luxurious private yachts like this are also a very common sight.

Thank you so much for the visit! I shall be very glad to see your weekend activities as well.

Share your adventures at Pixel Bug Weekend.

Yummy Sunday - Coffee, Ice Cream, and Edward

Posted by Kero at Sunday, November 22, 2009 7 sweets for Kero


We spent our Saturday morning coffee at the charming Shakespeare & Co. Restaurant Cafe.


Hubby ordered his favorite cuppa, the Turkish coffee. Know though that it is a method of preparation, not a kind of coffee. Beans for Turkish coffee are ground or pounded to the finest possible powder, finer than for any other way of preparation. Other ingredients include cardamon, cold water, and sugar if desired.


I had Strawberry Vanilla Ice cream served just the way i like it. Creamy with not a hint of sugar.


And this is my tribute to all the Edward Cullen fans. New Moon opened in UAE this week. The beautiful and dangerous Robert Pattinson graces the cover of almost every magazine. Yummy!!!!

Thank you so much for the visit! I would love to see all your delish entries :)

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Mommy Moments - Yummy!

Posted by Kero at Thursday, November 19, 2009 15 sweets for Kero
mommy moments

Here are some recent photos of my son doing his favorite hobby -- eating.


Lunch with mixed vegetables


Andreas' first ice cream cone


He enjoys the juicy cucumber


and the crunchy carrots.

He likes breads and muffins as well.

See more yummy moments at Mommy Moments!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Couple's Corner - The First 365 Days

Posted by Kero at Wednesday, November 18, 2009 17 sweets for Kero
Rodliz’s Nest

The following month after the wedding was a busy one. We spent our honey moon at Puerto Princesa, Palawan. We climbed Mt. Makiling in Los Banos Laguna. We went for Butanding (whaleshark) Interaction at Donsol, Sorsogon. We visited the Cagsawa ruins in Albay...and had a perfect shot of Mayon Volcano.


Dinner at Ka Lui Restaurant with fellow tourists. Earlier that day, we visited the famous Underground River


Enjoying the grounds of UP Los Banos -- a day before we trekked the enchanted Mt. Makiling. If you look closer, you will see the blue shoes with a bow that i wore to our wedding :)


Albay after swimming with whalesharks in Donsol, Sorsogon

Three weeks of love, laughter, and physical pain (oh yes Ceasar was THE FIRST *wink wink* call me old fashioned), the honeymooners had to part. Ceasar had to leave for Dubai. I tearfully dropped him off the NAIA. I was crying and sobbing and cursing the republic (sorry po!) why they cannot provide enough work for the Filipinos.....why husbands and Fathers had to leave their families behind.

For the next four months, we had again the entire Indian Ocean between us. Many nights, i would cry to sleep because i missed him soo much! For somebody who had been separated with her parents and siblings, I was pretty much used to the idea of loving from afar. But with Ceasar, being away from him was like half of my life gone.

The month of October put me out of misery. All our legal documents were ready and so i was able to leave the Philippines earlier than we anticipated. Seeing him again at Dubai airport was a most lovely sight :)

And that officially started our married life. I am sharing the details below so when my son is old enough to read this, he will know we did not always have that swimming pool on the rooftop.

Starting a married life in one of the most expensive cities in the world, was very hard. Though the city shouts luxury, we lived simply. Simple in ways beyond you can imagine. We stayed at a three-bedroom villa in Deira. We share the villa with 30 other people. Our room, was the maid's quarter so it has its own bathroom (just a shower, no tub). Back then, it was a luxury for a couple to have their own private bathroom. Yes, people here are used to making pila when taking a bath :). and they take turns cleaning the bathroom as well. Yes, the kitchen was common for everybody as well. We had like 20 rice cookers in there.

The monthly room rent was 2,500 AED (P32,000.00) plus water and electricity bill. We had no bed. Our single mattress was laid directly on the floor. We had a breakfast tray as table. We had a non-frost fridge. That and our laptop were the only expensive items in our room. If the human rights accused Dubai of exploiting the workers and laborers, there could be some truth in there.

March 2007, we moved to Al Satwa. Before, it would take more than two hours for hubby to reach work. Now his travel time to Al Quoz is 30 to 45 minutes. Our new room had its own bathroom and kitchen (though unfurnished). The kind Indian landlord gave the room for 2,400 AED/month including the electricity and water (we had to provide our own AC). The only problem was the room had no window :)

We lived frugally so we were able to save money to buy a window type AC. Then we bought our first gas stove and cylinder. Next we bought our front loading washing machine. I was living every housewive's dream teehee.



When we thought we couldn't be happier, my ob-gyne confirmed I was pregnant exactly the day we were to celebrate our first wedding anniversary, April 26, 2007!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Indian Neighbor's Birthday

Posted by Kero at Tuesday, November 17, 2009 3 sweets for Kero
Their son turned 8 years old. All the neighbors were invited. We feasted on vegetable biryani, chicken curry, paneer makhan, and paratha.


Rex is a charming boy with his eyeglass. He is the eldest among Andreas' playmates.


The other playmates (L-R): Leroy, Aruun, and three year old Harish


This is our second chance to attend an Indian birthday party. And we observed that the first slice of the cake is offered to every member of the family of the celebrant.


Living in multi-cultural community is among the best things i love about Dubai :)


Oh, we we're the only Filipino at the party but they made us really feel welcome. They were delighted we enjoyed the Indian food and amused that Andreas loves biryani.

They even asked us to bring home some paneer and paratha. Of course i gladly obliged. It was the best Indian food we had!

Monday, November 16, 2009

PBW - Bird Watching

Posted by Kero at Monday, November 16, 2009 4 sweets for Kero
Pixel Bug weekend button 1



The reason birds can fly and we can't is simply that they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings.

-- J.M. BARRIE, The Little White Bird

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Yummy Sunday - Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Posted by Kero at Sunday, November 15, 2009 9 sweets for Kero


Time for some foodie meme again!

I share with you today my recipe for snack-time muffins. My son loves it! This is perfect for your toddlers as well because it is not very sweet. I always lessen the amount of sugar or chocolate for all my baked goodies so it will be more friendly to my son's teeth. Also to prevent his preference for sugary snacks or sweets.

Banana Chocolate Muffins
(Makes 12)


I served this to my lil' Andreas and he consumed it all :)


Ingredients
2 extra ripe bananas
2 eggs
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup margarine
1 tsp vanila
2-1/4 cups all purpose flour
2 tsps baking powder
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Here's how:

1. Pre-heat oven to 150 degrees. Grease a 12-case muffin pan.

2/ Puree bananas in blender. In a medium bowl, beat pureed bananas, eggs, sugar, butter and vanilla until well blended.

3. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour banana mixture to the dry ingredients.

4. Mix until just blended. Scoop about two table spoon for each muffin case.

5. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until springy to touch.

Happy Cooking!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Mommy Moments - Sporty Day

Posted by Kero at Thursday, November 12, 2009 12 sweets for Kero
mommy moments

A warm HELLO to my visitors!

We are all going sporty this week on Mommy Moments. These are the recent photos of my son playing on the hallway. Funny because he likes to do this indoor. When we bring him to the park, it's all about sand box, slides, crossing the bridge-rope, running, and climbing that he totally ignores the ball :)








All sweaty and very thirsty :)

Thank you so much for the visit! Check out more fun and sports on Mommy Moments.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Couple's Corner - The Wedding

Posted by Kero at Wednesday, November 11, 2009 21 sweets for Kero

Rodliz’s Nest

After two agonizing years, we met again nine days before we exchange our vows as husband and wife.

Ceasar went to Batanes alone to do the pamanhikan. Though all the papers we needed for the civil wedding had been prepared, he still has to speak to my grandparents. The funny thing was, i was in the office when he went to our house and spoke to them. Both my grandparents were silent. They did not say yes nor no.

We were suppose to have the pamanhikan that night but he said he had nothing better to do at Pension Ivatan so he opted to come and visit the house at nine o'clock in the morning. He said he didn't know if any of what he said was welcome to them. I could not blame my grannies because it was the first time they ever met him!

But they did gave their blessings after three days when we left the island.

Oh the first kiss?......nothing like it was the first time. It's like we've always been kissing lolz!. It felt so natural. It was like coming home....

This is our first picture together. Ceasar took it in his trusty old Nokia phone. It remains my favorite picture of us.


With the BOY - I love most. Pension Ivatan, Batanes

For somebody who prizes her clothes collection, i messed up on my wedding day. For every function, for every picnic, or just a stroll at the park, i plan for my clothes (yes, my closet is a nightmare). But for my wedding, i had no particular dress in mind. I packed three un-used dress hoping to find something nicer in Baguio.

We arrive Baguio two days before we exchange vows. Our hotel was just a stone throw away from the shopper's delight Session Road but I failed to do any shopping. After we had our ring engraved with each other's name, Ceasar decided we should wear it right away. And there, while riding the jeepney back to our hotel, we slipped each other's ring.

Ceasar said, now we are married. The ceremony at the civil court will just be for formality.

April 26, 2006. I wore a Grecian floor length pink dress. For the first time in my life, i was looking forward to the "event", not in what i was going to wear.

On our way to the ceremony, I suddenly felt guilty not having done better on every lady's dream day. I managed to acquire YSL and Chanel shoes. I wore Rusty Lopez on rainy days and yet I was wearing an old blue ballet flats! Even people who don't care so much as to how they look would not dare wear flats or blue shoes (no matter how cute the ribbon is), to their wedding.

I was absolutely wearing the wrong shoes. My husband-to-be quipped,

"At least you are marrying the right man."


We exchange vows before a judge in Baguio City

To my dearest hubby, who thinks he should have done better than to propose in YM, I will not want to change anything about the proposal and the funny, strange wedding we had. I told you before, I want a great marriage. Not a grand wedding.

And you are certainly doing an amazing job keeping your wifey happy and still blushing :)
 

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