Yes, that’s how I feel regarding our Dubai vacation.  We already have our tickets, our hotel has been confirmed and the whole family is starting to feel excited to see the fastest growing cosmopolitan city in the Middle East.  The only catch is that I still do not have my exit/re-entry visa, which I need to have in order for me to be able to leave and re-enter the Kingdom after our vacation.

For those who are not aware, all expatriates who work here in the Kingdom (and their dependents) are given the visa so they can freely travel in and out of the Kingdom.  It is usually applied with the consent of (and/or through) the employer and is normally for a “single” use only.  For some fortunate souls, like me,  I am able to get away with a “multiple” visa since we occasionally have official bank activities in Bahrain.

The visa that was previously issued to me will expire a few days before our planned departure so I, confidently, applied for a renewal.  Unfortunately, the HR Manager said that the bank has, for one reason or another, become more strict in granting these visas.  In short, the approval of my direct line manager was not enough to secure me the document and I still needed to get a special approval from our Division Head, who is based in Jeddah.  Grrrr! 

So there, my life has been HELL the past few days because of this new policy.  Although I was able to secure the approval already and (supposedly) my visa is currently in process, I am afraid that this privilege will eventually be removed from me.  If ever that happens, that will definitely spell ”living hell” for all of us since will no longer be able to easily cross the causeway to Bahrain in order to have a few hours of normalcy.

Anyway, enough with the ranting.  It is officially a little more than 3 weeks before my whole family flies back to Manila.  So, to our family back home, please bring out the fattened pig and be ready to slaughter it .  My children have been longing to eat Wiwa Petite’s ”crunchy” lechon kawali for the longest time now … hmmm, yum!

That’s all for now. I hope to share more good news with all of you soon.

 

My cousin, Weng, and blogging friend, Nell, tagged me with this Meme.  The instructions are simple:

Link to the person that tagged you. Post the rules on your blog. Share six unimportant things/habits/quirks about your self. Tag 6 random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs. Let these random people know that they are tagged by leaving comments in their blog. Let your tagger know when your entry is up.

 Okay *Keith: deep breath,*  here is my list….

1. I love cutting the ingrown nails of my big toe and letting it bleed.  There is this weird sense of pain and pleasure that I feel whenever I do it… sadistic tendencies, I guess, hehehe.  What is more weird is that after a few days, my big toe swells with pus that walking becomes very difficult, not to mention very painful.  Once everything subsides I enjoy pulling of the dried skin from the infected area… oooh! so gross but sooo good!

2. I love pouring soup over and/or mixing food (i.e. corned beef) on my rice.  This is the way to eat good food and enjoy it.  Keeping the plate orderly with certain sections assigned for each viand is just a bore.  Give your mouth and stomach a break and make it easy for them… just mix, chew and swallow… end result will all be the same, promise!

3. I organize myself by keeping all my credit card slips in my wallet and matching them when the statement comes.  What is so quirky about that?  Well, I seldom get to match them so you can just imagine how thick and messed up my wallet can be.  To tell you the truth, I have more useless paper in my wallet than money.  I must say, though, that a thick wallet helps give that impression that I have a lot of money inside it or, at least, that is what I think it does.

4. I am a sucker for any drink smothered with crushed ice and flavouring… anything colored blue, green or red will definitely catch my attention. Yes,  I love these drinks whether it be under the hot summer sun or even cold and wet with torrential rains.  Fruit shakes, Quickly, Zagoo, Pina Colada, halo-halo… name it, I’ll drink it!

5. The first time I moved to Dammam, I shared a flat with my office mate.  I did not have too much things except for a few office clothes and only one set of bedding. Okay, I’m pretty sure you have a weird feeling where I am leading to.  Yes, for the longest time (i guess two or three months) I did not wash my bed sheet because I felt that, if I did, I would not have any spare bed sheet to use (grabe sa excuse no?).  I relied purely on my wife’s quirky “pagpag” method, which, to be honest, worked for me at that time.  Bed bugs?  Well, let’s just say they were kind to me… or was so replused by my “cleanliness” that they went somewhere else… hehehe!

6. During any trip (long or short), I can not pack my suitcase in advance.  Pressure is something that gets me going and without it I am like an engine that just ran out of fuel and refuses to move.  24 hours is enough time for a long trip… one or two hours (tops) before I leave is perfect for a short vacation.  Yes, I often leave a lot of my stuff but, what the heck, packing my luggage would not be as fun if I got everything covered, right?    

So there, I’m pretty sure sharing these to you did not help a bit in keeping my “pretty boy” /”boy next-door” image intact.  Gosh, how does Pinky take all these quirkiness… well, let’s just say, I guess she really loves me.

Okay, I tag anyone who loves making their big toe bleed… come on, there must be someone out there who loves it the same way I do. Please…. please…. please!

  

After several months of delaying, I finally had my dental operation this morning to remove the epulis that was growing on my gums.  The procedure took just a few minutes.  This is how I felt after the operation….

Feeling “Artistahin” ….

What the … Quasimodo in shades!

The left portion of my face (in this shot)  was swollen due to the anaesthesia.  It took several hours to fully subside so I felt like I was beaten up by Pac Man when I went back to the office. 

Pinky was not happy that I wanted to post these pictures.  I think she felt embarassed for me.  She has a point, though, what if some of you think that I look better in these photos …  oh, please don’t be cruel…

 

Sorry, I have been quiet the past few days.  Things have gotten very busy in the office again.  You know I think I should make a formal complaint to  my employer since my real work is starting to get in the way of my blogging - yikes, tama ba yon?  Also, since joining Litratong Pinoy, I have become more active in going around (lurking) the blogosphere and this has partly contributed to my long silence.

Anyway, things have been quite the same in our house.  Luigi, Rafael and Marga are now down with colds and fever ever since we came back from The Lost Paradise of Dilmum in Bahrain two weekends ago.  As you all know by now, things like this can instantly turn our world upside down.  Although minor illnesses seem to be a regular part of our life here in the KSA, Pinky and I still have not yet gotten used to it… and I do not think we will ever be.  Oh, when will this end!

Looking on the brighter side of things, it is officially a month from today before Pinky and the children fly back to Manila for a much deserved R&R.  Their tickets and exit/re-entry visas have already been issued so there is really nothing that will or can stop them now… unless of course I refuse to drive them to the airport… hehehe!

We are also currently planning a weekend getaway in Dubai on the third week of this month.  This trip was totally unplanned.  We just saw that there were some good deals in the Internet and we decided that it may be a good time to see the place.  Anyway, it would be the perfect way to celebrate Marga’s 2nd birthday on June 3 and my 30+ birthday on May24. 

Our travel agent has not yet reverted back to us regarding the travel package so things are really still up in the air at the moment.  We are hoping, though, that everything pushes through as planned.  By the way, I would like to thank our blogging friend, Grey, for helping us with some inquiries.  She has been a resident of Dubai for sometime now and her inputs have helped us a lot in trying to look for a place where we can stay.  For all those who are not aware, hotel cost in Dubai is known for its unreasonably high prices so looking for a decent but reasonably priced hotel is a challange for budget conscious travellers like us.  Anyway, we really appreciate all your help, Grey.

Okay, that is all for now.  I have to go back to work.  Until next time.

 

 

 

 

Last week, our family watched this episode on Oprah about this man who was diagnosed to have pancreatic cancer.  His name is Randy Pausch, a Carnegie University professor, a best selling author, a dedicated husband and loving father of three.  He struck me because, despite his painful illness, he continues to have a very positive disposition and remains very optimistic (hopeful) that he will get well soon.

Despite this positive attitude, he still decided to prepare a brief talk (fatherly advice) for his two boys and baby girl.  Of course, given their age, he plans for them to listen to his lecture when the right time comes.  In the mean time, he decided to share his thoughts to his student through his “Last Lecture” in the University.  Nedless to say, his words touched so many people that his lecture was published into a book.  Also, Oprah asked Randy to share his lecture on her show in order to inspire more people.  

On a slightly different note, my friend Meeya also shared to me this site about a young Filipno boy named GJay, who was travelling to the US with his family for the first time.  Like most vacations, his story would have ended happily had it not been for this very tragic car accident, which took his life shortly upon his arrival in California. 

Reading GJay’s story made me very sad.  However, it also made me realize that life is so short.  Anyone can die at any moment - even during a supposedly fun-filled vacation.

It is because of this that I decided to take this opportunity to say I love you to my wife, Pinky, and to my children Luigi, Rafael and Marga.  I know I do not get to say it often, but you guys mean the world to me.  Do not worry, God forbid, I still have no plans of dying soon.  I just wanted to let all of you know how I feel at this moment (please blame Meeya if I sound so morbid).

That’s all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My friend, Goyo, started this Group in Yahoo called Philippine Connections.   The idea behind it is to create a venue for people to be able to know more about the Philippines and/or talk about anything and everything under the hot Philippine sun.

So far, we just have a few members but we expect our group to grow in number soon.  Should you be interested to join us, please click this link Philippine Connections.  Come on, don’t be shy…you know you want to.

I am quoting below the welcoming statement prepared by Goyo for this Group.

“Welcome. This is a group for people from around the world to connect with each other about their love of the Philippines. Join us and tell us your connection to the 7,107 islands of the Philippines. Want to know something? Ask a question. Already know? Then give an answer to someone’s inquiry. Tell us where you’re from. Are you living there or perhaps wanting to move there? What do you like the most about the country? What are your favorite foods? Post a recipe if you have one. See old friends, make new friends. This is the place for all that and more.

The Philippines is such a wonderful and beautiful country full of friendly people. Come, help us celebrate the glories of Republika ng Pilipinas.”

 

 

 

 

Whoever said ladies can not drive in Saudi Arabia is WRONG!

Hmm, “I wonder what should I bull doze next?”

 

“Trucker Babe”, Marga … hottest chick in town.

 

Sound the siren! I see a fire …

 

… and a paparazzi!

 

 Grrr, I said no pictures, please!

 

Jungle Jane on her tiger-striped Safarimobile.

 

 Hmm, that is strange… where are all the animals?

 

Maybe if I change trucks then I can see all those animals.

 

There’s a what on my truck?  Ahhhhhh!

 

Thank goodness there’s another truck here… that giant bird drove me nuts!

 

But yellow really ain’t my thing.  This military jeep is more like it.

 

Hey cute fat boy with a camera, do you need a ride?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Wednesday, I attended ISG’s Art Exhibit. Of course, I went there because I wanted to see Luigi’s artwork, which was on display alongside a hundred or so masterpieces all made by the students.  I was actually surprised at what I saw.  The artworks were so beautiful especially if you think that these were only made by students who had no formal training whatsoever.

Anyway, enough with the introduction.  I’m sure these pictures are more than enough to prove what I mean.

I assume these were done by students. 

Grade 3 art work on display.  Luigi’s is at the bottom left.

A closer view of my son’s masterpiece.  He said it is supposed to be mosaic art… his interpretation of France…hmmm.

I think these were done by the 4th graders.  It is glass art with metal foil. 

This is my favorite.  Definitely done by an older student… or should I say, future master. 

 

Another one of my favorites.  Definitely not Arabic-themed this time.  Looks like it is Indonesian-Filipino inspired, what do you think?

 

Boo! An African mask or self portrait?  I hope it is not the latter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, I just wanted to update you guys that our family has been busy doing so many different things.  The children just ended their week long vacation and went back to school this morning.  Yesterday, Pinky, Luigi and Rafael started doing their Science Fair projects, which I should say looked absolutely great (and I say that without any biases).  I’ll try to check if Pinky or the kids plan to post about these, otherwise, I’ll try to steal a few pictures so I can post it here.

Ira, my nephew, is still in the hospital but has started his way to recovery.  He has been confined for more than a week now but the latest news I heard is that he is now eating regular food (i.e. fried chciken and ice cream!).  Previously, they inserted a feeding tube on his nose since he could not take anything orally.  Despite his regained appetite, we still need your help in praying for him.

Pinky and I have also been very busy visiting the sites of our friends from Litratong Pinoy and making comments on their pictures.  Gosh, I never knew that joining a group like this entails so much time.  Imagine visiting 50 or more blogsites and leaving comments on each one.  In addition to this,  there are also people who comment on your site and you also have to reply to those too.  Whew!  I am not complaining but now I know how hard it is to have a blogsite that is visited by other people … hehehe.

So there, all has been well in this part of the world.  I hope the same goes for all of you

 

Luigi and Rafael have been on spring break since last Saturday.  They have been very busy watching non-stop episodes of Ben 10, Hannah Montanna, Zack and Cody and all the shows you can think of in Disney Channel and Cartoon Network.  Occasionally, on their free time, they use the computer as if there was no more tomorrow.  Believe me, Pinky and I have to beg them to get off the Internet so we can do our own surfing.  Hay, they are growing up so fast.

Anyway, since April 1, our whole family has been going through an emotional roller coaster ride since my nephew, Ira, fell ill during his vacation in the US of A.  He needed to be confined to a hospital in Orlando and is, up to this moment, still being treated by the doctors. For all of you who do not know Ira, he is the (energetic) son of my first cousin who is also based here in Dammam.  I would rather not go into details as to his illness since I am not sure how my cousin would take it. But, if you can, please do include him in your prayers.

In order to have a break from the emotional stress we were all having and to give Pinky a much deserve rest from cooking and taking care of the kids, our whole family decided to just eat out last night. We went to the nearby Al Shatea Mall and just ordered a simple chinese meal in the food court.  Nothing fancy, believe me. 

Despite the lack of anything special, we had a great time.  The light and very casual conversation with had with our kids made a big difference.  We talked about anything we could think of from how the pancit tasted better than most chinese restuarants here in the Kingdom to how we preferred to eat waffles over pancakes (by the way, Luigi ate waffle for dinner).  I personally felt so happy… there was no struggle, no shouting, no forcing of things to be done. What a moment.  To top it all of, we each had a scoop or two of ice cream, which we unanimously felt was the perfect ending to our dinner. 

Truly, these are the moments we all live for.