Falling on my Head

I found it strange to wake up this morning without seeing the familiar beam of light at the window. Yes, it was one rainy day. I was thinking of a million excuses not to go to work, but I figured, what is there to lose? I'd rather save it for my migRAINey days...

I was half-hoping that I didn't have to go out for errands, but there was. It was noon when I had to go. It began to drizzle when I was in the bus. The stop is like a few hundred meters from my target place. I had to walk. The fun started. I was walking with my raincoat on (it's the one I am wearing in my profile image) and was actually feeling happy and gay while I was walking. I have never enjoyed walking in the rain before as much as did today. I contemplated later in the afternoon that it might be the fact that we RARELY have rains here in Dubai. But hey, whatever, I enjoyed it, and what else is there to think?

Later in the afternoon, I was talking to one of my clients about medical insurance and asked her if she'd like a maternity option because of the waiting period. She said she's 40 and is not thinking about it anymore. To which I agreed without hesitation. I said I feel the same way, too. Well, I just realized now; I used to say that I wanted to have someone walk with me in the rain, and never happened before. But I guess, right now, with or without someone, I'm happy having raindrops falling on my head.

I went home early today though, which is kinda lucky since this rarely happens that I got a carpool going to where I stay. I wanted to have more time with Fyodor and Myshkin since I haven't been spending time with them. It's not that they have become less interesting. In fact, I couldn't wait to get through with the story. But the thing is, the book is soooo good that every idea, argument, thought and opinion needs more focus and I get a lot of disctractions on the internet.

I'm off to be with them for a longer time tonight...

Mood Music:

One of my old-time favorites:

Aint Nothing Gonna Keep Me From You - Teri Desario

The Week That Was

Being so busy even at the beginning of the week, I guess everything took its toll. Not to mention that last night, I went home late. Too late and too tired to even do my laundry. That which I had to put off for today. But never did since Cindy came by (a former room mate), full of enthusiasm to tell stories about her homecoming.

But last night, I FINALLY got what I wanted. I used to have it and lost it, and had it back. Hehehehe, well, I am just talking about my e-mail. I used to access my hotmail account using Microsoft Outlook. But that was back in 1998 maybe. Then, came something that didn't allow it anymore. The message was you're supposed to have a subscription or something and key in your password and blah blah.

But anyway, I have it, that's why some of you might have received an e-mail from me about my migration. I remember perfectly well when I used to have this facility, I did have more time for answering e-mails since it's not web-based and everything remains on your computer even if you're not online and that it sends automatically every draft you made in the outbox once you're online. All these without having to have an internet subscription. Well, we do have one here where I stay, but we share the bill, so there's no problem.

Everything is cool now. I am totally adjusted to where i stay and as a friend's email said, it's a welcome change. INDEED! It's REALLY a welcome change. I know some of you might tell me that you should have done long ago (and I know someone who was pushing me since about this time last year). I don't blame her though nor got irritated. But it just wasn't as easy as it seemed before.

But I have always believed that everything will fall into its right place at the right time.

===============

Quoted:

"Compassion was the chief and perhaps the only law of all human existence."

- The Idiot

- Fyodor Dostoevsky

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Hard-work

Yellow, Green and Red

Pedestrian stop.

I got there with the red signal on. Ahead of me were three couples - all of them white, and all tourists - and two or three Indians and one more I couldn't tell. We all waited patiently for the light to complete its full circle [this is what I call it when the lights completed its green on all sides].

Then this Beemer X5 comes. It was red on their side. But the driver overtook those cars ahead of him, drives through the pavement that divides the road for those going straight and making a turn, then made a u-turn on red.

All of us waiting at the pedestrian stop couldn't believe he'd done it. All our jaws dropped as he was making this scene. The three couples couldn't believe what they saw. What a show!

That's why if you browse about Dubai, you won't miss a comment or two about the road conditions here. Whenever I cross the street on the P Xing, I don't make sure that the red is on. It is not simply red. I also make sure that all the cars in front have yielded before I walk. Otherwise, drivers here do not beat the red signal.

They pass through red signals - many of them.

Quoted:

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow."

- Helen Keller

Mood Music:

I just love this version of the song. Frankly, I couldn't dig the original version. But this unplugged, acoustic version is on my playlist; definitely one of my favorites.

Wake-Up Call

6.00 am... buzz

Snooze.

6.05 am... buzz

Snooze.

To tell you the truth, this has happened quite frequently the past few weeks. Savoring the remains of the winter season, I try to make the most of the early morning cold. I almost do not want to get up, almost too lazy to get up, but get up I will, lest I am going to be late for work.

Now, summer whiff is in the air. It is now trying to squeeze its way in. The cold weather is not an excuse anymore. But I still snooze. This morning, I am in my complain-mode again. Why do I have to wake up early... blah, blah, blah...

And then I remembered my motivation last year. The whole month of cold January, I even had to get up earlier, 5.45 am for the bus wait is long and the keys to the office were with me. What my motivation was? My dad woke up at 4.00 am every morning to go to work, for almost 27 years. I repeat... for almost 27 years (that's not for you... that is for me).

What right do I have to complain now?

===============

The re-emerging of the Dacer-Corbito double murder.

Erap speaks up... and I quote what I read on the Philippine Daily Inquirer:

[click on the quote for the whole article]

“What would be my motive? He [Dacer] was my good friend, my ‘kumpadre’ twice over,” Estrada said.

But isn't Chavit Singson also his kumpare? Go figure.

After Nicole

Online.

It has been a long time since I have read (nor watched) anything about the Philippine news. Where I used to stay, we unanimously decided not to renew subscription to our TFC since we do not have much time and use for it after all. I used to update myself with the news on tv with regard to what's happening in our country.

Today, I have the chance to browse the internet for news in the Philippines. I was actually surprise to find the "Nicole" name again in the papers. (Do you remember "Nicole" (Suzette Nicolas) and Daniel Smith?) The first thing that popped in my mind is that "another rape case similar to hers?" So, I started reading. In between articles and my favorite section, "Columns," I found out a lot about this.

The most interesting article is this Link, "A Shot Across the Bow" by Amando Doronilla. Initially, I was a little bit appalled and irked that her case re-emerge in our news. But then again, there is a more serious concern lying underneath as I read through pages.

After reading several articles, I ate dinner and began to think about these whole Nicole show. How everything boils down to the political effect of her retraction, or is it the political reasons? These days, I think it all boils down to the strategic location of our country, and how Obama is starting to realize the role that we can play in this show he is now in. He needs to gradually get back the VFA so that he can carry on with his plans.

In any case, the last part of the Philippine Daily Inquirer's editorial read:

She was the Filipina who wanted to live the American dream. She was comfortable around American soldiers, “as [she] practically grew up interacting with American servicemen in Zamboanga City” (paragraph 12). Many were aghast when they heard the news that, despite everything, Nicole had gone “for good” to the States, to be together with her (new) American boyfriend. How could she even think of living in the United States? This is the question that continues to unsettle many of us. The answer must be: Because she did not consider herself raped, or taken advantage of, by the United States — only by a single American.

The second statement may tell us more about her than we are ready for.

If our country would not be very careful, I think Filipinas would be the next one after Nicole. So, I think it's better that we learn from Nicole's fate; she was raped by "only one single American." and I hope we would not allow Filipinas to be taken advantaged (again?) after the VFA. What happened before could be considered statutory rape (wherein the victim is considered too young to give consent). But if this happens again after Nicole, I should say this would now be rape with consent.

Anonymous

Link

A very wonderful thought.

You won't be sorry if you clicked.

On Comfort Zones

Out of Namamahay mode.

I woke up this morning feeling a lot better than the past few days. The exhaustion brought about by the move + namamahay mode is hard to beat. A little undersleep due to my internet session (which I hope would be over soon) prevented me from continuing to be with Myshkin. The only time I can be with him recently is at the bus to and from work, that's it.

Now I have more time blogging (sarap talaga mag-blog). The funny thing is I am currently getting a "thought overload" is how I call it. A lot of thoughts, little time to write. I must say that a lot of them are already loss in the abyss of my brains which I do hope I can get back so I could put it in writing.

Anyway, today, I thought about comfort zones. How I feel secured having people that makes me feel secured. It is probably the reason why I did not look for a place to stay near where I work. I feel safe here, I feel secure, I feel like all of the very few people whom I know I can turn to will just be in the area. Venus, the only room mate that right now Iives with me, didn't want to be separated from us, either. To tell you the truth, I actually didn't make any effort or spent some time looking for another place since I just went home one afternoon and she found a place for two. It is so sad that Mimi couldn't with us, she's one of my comfort zones here. But I know we are Venus'. That's why we tried to stay together. Being in a new place could really be uncomfortable. But right now, everything is fine and I hope it would stay this way.

Let's see what happens after two or three months.

Trivial

Months ago, I think I was complaining of two-hour bus waits. But I am not quite sure if I did blog on it here. But anyway, it was like that long enough for me to be able to accept that it might be a part of my Dubai life for God-knows how many years. But the past few months has been a good thing. No more two-hour waits.

Until this morning.

I was on time for the seven o'clock bus, but the bus wasn't on time. What's new, right? It came like 40 minutes late that we even doubted that the route was changed and the public didn't know. Well, that's another trivial thing here.

Yeah, I had to wake up early since I have the keys since Sunday. Ara got sick. She came this morning with a med cert saying she has URTI - pharyngitis. I told her she had to rest and should take a leave for a few more days, if not a week. But she says, it's hard to rest at home. Another trivial thing here. Since you are sharing a room with at least three people, rest is very aloof especially when all your room mates are there and hyper-active. That's why as for me, the next best thing from my laptop is my headset.

Weeehhhh... I am now off to a good sleep.... minus the headset since we moved here to the new place.... zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Too Much, Too Little

I feel soooo sleepy...

I want to blog, I want to write a review of the book One Hundred Years of Solitude, I want to surf, I want to continue reading Myshkin's destiny.

But I need to sleep. Again, need... not want...

I was chatting with my nephews a few days ago and it was like 2am there. I asked them why they are still up at that time. And they said that sleeping are for weepsies... whatever that means. So, right now I can relate with them. If only I can stay up until 2. But I'm too tired.

I'm just probably excited because here in my new place, we have online access. If it would have been back to my old place, I would have been with Myshkin until 12.

But anyway, at least I can feel that I am already over with my namamahay mode...

===============

Quoted:

"If you are afraid of wolves, you musn't go to the forest."

Nastasya Filippovna

The Idiot

Fyodor Dostoevysky

Left Behind

I don’t know if I ever wrote here that the part of day I do not like the most is dusk. Well, I don’t really know why. I like sunsets but most of the time, the feeling of melancholy sinks in. It might probably be because of the state I am in, like now. I am still melancholic about home. The adjustments right now is probably one of the reasons. Things that we used to have in our previous place.

I left behind memories (good and bad), a few trash (here and there), and a cat that I couldn’t bring for I do not know if cats are allowed here where I moved into. He was just a baby when he dropped by our kitchen outside and we gave him some food. But this was taken some time last week and he already added some weight. He’s so cute and loveable. He knows my ’smell’ (LOL) and is always asking for food. Funny thing is he doesn’t eat fish. They’re saying he is Arabic or Indian… whaetever… I miss him...

My Muning at Villa 16

Home

Even before this move to a new place, I have been thinking a lot about home. With the worldwide financial crisis, you cannot help to think of the worse that could come, and try to accept it beforehand; but not exactly worrying. As they say, hope for the best but expect the worse. I am still adjusting to our new place. It’s probably also the reason I think more of home. Like it’s the same with our home, or it’s kinda different but it works just as well. The funny thing is, I am also thinking what if I would be home…

Because just last week, I said goodbye to two people. One is to the security officer of the building that I frequently go to for insurance policies. I just say good morning to him every time I go to the place because he is stationed at the lobby near the elevator. I don’t even know his name. I was touched that he took time to say goodbye. He said he’s finished his contract and not coming back anymore.

Then a few days after, my pancake guy said, “Tomorrow no more pancakes.”

I said, “Why? You’re not making anymore? You will stop selling pancakes?”

“No, I am going home.”

“For a vacation? That’s good…”

“No, Work finish… I’m not coming back.”

I felt sad. Then I told him, “Okay, good luck my friend.”

Ever since that day, the crews from that bake shop was taking turns on who is going to make the pancakes. And no one knows yet how brown I wanted my pancakes to be.

Mood Music:

Moved

Finally!

Friday the 13th… the day we moved…

Last night was the first night I slept on our new place. I took a bath at about 12 midnight already. It was such a long, exhausting day. We started moving our things only at 2 pm since the house would only be ready at that time. The plan was to move Venus and my things first and get it all there, then Mimi's to where she'll stay. Mimi's husband, Kuya Isma cooked us a dinner of adobong spare ribs and that's the last supper we had together - Mimi, Venus, Ric and I. No matter how things were, it was sad.

Like anyone, namahay ako. And the airconditioning is not as cold as what we have back in the old place, so it was like a cold night for me… then I found out this morning that Venus, too, felt cold. To think that Venus is not really a person who is maginawin. Now we have to get a new blanket. LOL...

I tried to access the internet since we have a wi-fi connection here but I couldn't. As always, some things need to be slept on before it works… hehehehe… So I tried this morning and it worked! Yahoo!

I will have more time to write now!!! Yipee!!!

Agitated

Our little room has been agitated since last week. Since the notice came that there would be an increase on our rent, we have thought of getting a new place since the rate has become quite unreasonable. Developments happened almost everyday, if not two in just one day.

But the latest development is that we are now moving out, and we are doing it individually. This means that we (the six of us) are going our own separate ways. Three of us will remain together, Mimi, Venus and I. We got another room just near where we stay presently and we are scheduled to move this Friday.

Last night, we were having our happy hour. It was sort of nostalgic because we have been together for over a year now.

We all hope that this move that each of us is going to make is all for the better

Glitch?

I don't know why if I click on the multiply toolbar's "My Site" there's always a message that the site is unavailable due to some minor changes and would be back right away. This has been happening for a few days now.

Is this a sign that I should be moving to a new site?

I hope not...

Sky High

A client call at Sheikh Zayed Road, a.k.a. SZR.

I got a little excited since I haven't seen the Burj Dubai for quite a while now. I was more amazed when I found out that the office of my appointment has a very good view of the tallest tower in the world outside their window. I didn't get the chance for pictures on that window, but I didn't let it pass when I got out.

This is as close I could get...

But I thought of zoom.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

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