Fined because of StarBucks

Before I do not have a car and I wished I had. Now that I have, I wish I don't have. 

HADEED Friends: Strong as Steel

Last night we dined in Dubai with old friends from our first company in the UAE, Hadeed Emirates. Such a happy evening.

Interview with a Successful Pinay

Most Filipinas are shy, reserved often silent but honest and caring individuals. All over the world Filipinas find employment as house maids, caregivers, supermarket cashiers and sales ladies. Not that they are not qualified for what we call higher class jobs but very seldom you see a successful  Filipino Executive overseas.

Here in Abu Dhabi when you ask the Philippine Association of Civil Engineers UAE chapter, one famous name will be Ms. Maureen Balitaan - she is a successful pinay Civil Engineer who is still very young but already at the peak of her career as she leads the procurement division of one of the biggest construction group in the UAE.

I easily lured her to share her secret over a cup of coffee. She readily opened her heart and shared her past life changing experiences that led to her success. I will also share it with you to learn, fellow Filipinas out there.

Why we love the UAE!

(Reason No.3) 

The UAE is said to be one of the safest countries in the world.

Crime rate is very low hence it is very safe to live here, matter of fact, most of the local law violations are usually committed by tourists. People from around the world who live here have learned to respect the country's rules and regulations.

Why we love the UAE!

(Reason No.2) 

Salary is Tax-FREE

well, here almost everything is tax free....

Why we love the UAE!

(Reason No.1) 

 1Litre of Gasoline cost less than a 1 Bottled Water

Classy Office

UAE has become the place of modern architecture. There are many new beautiful buildings and still more are being constructed. This is one of the most fascinating structure, its called Aldar HQ. See, its standing like a coin yes? When you drive from Abu Dhabi to Dubai or vice versa you will pass by this famous building, the facade is all glass. Before I always plan to stop in the road and take a photo with this in the background as souvenir, and now, wonder of all wonders! This is now our new office!

I love my boyfriend and my husband too!

It has become already a way of life here in the gulf.

The Red Bull Air Race 2014

Today, world champion pilot Paul Bonhomme (UK) won again on this year's Red Bull Air Race!

The Red Bull Air Race was created to challenge the ability of the world's best pilots using aerobatic air crafts. The sky race tests not only their speed but also their precision and skill by maneuvering on especially designed obstacle course set usually near the beach which the pilots would navigate at high speeds.

Qasr al Hosn: The Story of Abu Dhabi and its People

(February 20-March 01, 2014)

This Exhibition tells the story of Abu Dhabi and its people through its most iconic building: Qasr al Hosn - the oldest and most treasured building in city going back to Abu Dhabi's origins.

It's Just Money...

"He who loses money, loses much; 

He who loses a friend, loses much more;

He who loses faith, loses all."

~Eleanor Roosevelt

Saturday Night Hamdan

Its a cold Saturday Night. As usual Hamdan Street- the center of Abu Dhabi- is silently sad at 8 o'clock in the evening.

Challenges

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” 

   -by  Helen Keller

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Teach me, I promise I'll learn!

New Company, new office, new people, new work is....scary and sad.

Final Final Goodbyes!

Today at 4 PM our office staffs surprised me with a party. It is my last day in our company. They expressed their love and support and despite the sadness of saying goodbyes I felt grateful of the good relationship we have developed during the 2years of working together.

It is very kind of them to prepare cake, KFC, and pizzas with extra speech from the big boss and sweet farewell notes too.

They also gave an appreciation letter signed and stamped from both companies I worked with- Al Jaber and SKEC- by both Project Managers. Both were very kind and supportive.

My stomach was filled with food and my heart was filled with joy. I am very, very humbled.

Farewell Dinner with SK PISA Filipino Friends

<after work sky-gazing hehe with pretty Joan & mommy Anne>

Sweet Poem from Masood Bai!

Sir Masood Bai is my favourite Indian Manager at work, when he heard that I am leaving, he wrote a poem as a farewell gift. My heart was greatly moved....

Pandesal Mornings

<DC room: sir Michael, Jonel, Jimmy, Edison, Abner, Joan, Anthony, Rona, Ana>

Pandesal is the Filipinos favorite breakfast bread.

Death Where is Your Sting?

A while ago, during our weekly bible study one of our friends told us the saddest news that his sister in the Philippines died  last week because of heart attack.

What's Great About Resigning?

In 12 days I will be separated from SK -our company and will say goodbye to my dearest friends and dearest bosses. I have joined SK 2 years ago and PISA- our project became my life and my family and now it is very hard even to think about leaving.

Today during lunch, 3 of my friends asked me how I suddenly resigned. They thought I do not care. They thought I want to go just like that. They thought I am only concerned about my personal advantage. Wrong. wrong. wrong.

In middle east construction companies, it is common for us expats to shift jobs after few years since our working visa has only 2 years validity. Either you renew it or find another job if you want. Since our project is now nearing completion and just in time there is a good opportunity to join another great company, I decided to move.

ASAP in Dubai

Abnormal

Warning: this is a re-post if you have seen this already, no objections please, anyway you don't have a choice on whatever you read and hear here because I can say anything (at least here only) because this is my blog ^^. Cheers!

How to be abnormally different:

Before and After (Life is Funny)

Interview with the Korean Tiger

Together with one of my closest friend, in front of dynamite shrimps and cabbage rolls, we had a chance to talk heart to heart with our smart-funny-young-handsome Korean boss. You know we often refer to our bosses by their 'nicknames' and we sometimes call him 'small tiger' and 'bunso or youngest kid'. Let's take a look inside his heart and mind....

Interview with a Crazy Old Man

My boss is one of the wisest man I have known. I called him a 'crazy old man' because he called me a crazy woman, so this is my chance to get revenge using my blog. During a risotto-pizza-french fries lunch he allowed me to ask a few personal questions. i will share his answers here ^^

Take Care of Your Heart

Yesterday we visited a friend of my friend in Al Noor Hospital. He had undergone a heart bypass surgery. We saw many medical tubes connected on his body, some bigger pipes runs over his chest and thinner tubes sticking on his arms. He was still weak but conscious and smiling, he tried to speak to us, although he is not allowed to talk and move yet because his wound is still fresh. But overall he is slowly recovering from the operation, we prayed over him and his family before we left him with his wife in the ICU. 

Curious, I checked more about heart disease and about bypass surgery...

A Few Sweet Things

This morning at the office, I received the first email with this photo.

Makes me happy. The simple card I made and gave last christmas was posted on the wall.

Really?

Today is a Holiday in the UAE. The local newspaper announced..."The private sectors in the country will get a one day paid holiday to mark the birth anniversary of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), according to an official announcement from the Ministry of Labour."

So there is a lot of free time to spend in whatever you want to do hehe. This is also a good time to catch up on the current news and be aware about what is happening in the world since we are always busy spending most of our time at the narrow confines of our work place...

Who is the Real Mother? (short story)

There is a well known story of two women who sought a judgment from King Solomon over a baby...

One day two women came before the King. They carried with them a little baby, which was set down on the floor, at the foot of Solomon’s throne

The Tale of 3 Healers (short story)

One of the most often quoted of all fables based on the writings of the legendary mercenary general Sun Tzu is about three healers. . .

Learn Like a Sponge

Out of the 365 days of 2013 I spent 90% of it working in front of my desk, one on one with the computer, surrounded with many suppliers, engineers and colleagues. Work is far more than just making money. It offers a lot of good opportunities not only career-wise but more of our individual personal growth. I love the lessons of last year from the different people at work. They taught me...

Enjoying the Horse Ride!

It is now 12:15 AM and I could not sleep. My heart is troubled and my room mate is madly and loudly singing love songs with her mp3. Ouch. In times like this, the only escape is to blog.