Begin Again Beta Version (Hello 2015!)

Warning:  this is not a movie review. A few more hours we will all begin another year. Am I going to celebrate? Absolutely. Why? I love fireworks. Period.

I don’t want to go UBER sentimental on how my 2014 went, trust me it has never been this bizarre. I don’t want to over analyze things either, go back and reflect on what happened each and every single day of the past year, when all things have already been said and done. Lessons learned on wanting more and giving back. On pleasing people. On putting yourself first. Blahblahblahblah.

Christmas In Dubai 2014

Just a quick post to greet everyone a very Happy Christmas! Been here in Dubai since December last year and it's my second time celebrating the yuletide seasons in UAE. I missed my family and friends in the Philippines but my current roomies made Dubai a little bit close to home.

DIY - Recycling Chocolates

If there's something that I should be excited about Christmas, it's the sweets. I told a good friend earlier that I don't celebrate the festivity, not that I'm a Grinch but there's something about the season that makes me feel really sad. Maybe it's the weather being cold and freezing, I really don't know. I just sometimes don't see the point of celebrating it and so I stopped few years ago.

But every time I see beautiful Christmas lights around me and think about how many packs of chocolates I will be receiving this year, my heart jumps with joy. CHOCOLATES MAN! No one can ever be depressed with a handful of yummy chocolates. Really.

Bottled Salt Water - Review for Yassat Gloria Hotel

I worked in the travel industry for roughly 2 years and recommended Yassat Gloria Hotel Apartment  to my colleague because the location and facility seems to be perfect if you're in Dubai - along SZR and very near Dubai internet City Metro station. Price sure is way affordable compared to other deluxe hotel apartments but to my surprise, the service is also way below standards.

How Far Can Your Fifty Dirhams Go?

When people say Dubai, top-of-the-mind words will be luxe and glamour, shopping and gold, Ferraris and parties, and the list goes on. I've been here for almost a year now and trust me, it's not always like that.

Comfy Dubai and I (Absolutely) Love My Birks!

Leopard Scarf | Forever 21 White Top | Denim Short | Neon Green Birkenstock Piazza

Hello there!

Probably my first take on OOTD because I'm feeling a little comfy right now. I can still remember the very first time I set foot to Dubai - my relatives from the Philippines have been telling me not to wear my comfy island clothes because the city is very conservative (they said I can get fined with dressing up on shorts and stuff).

Dubai Adventures - Barakat Fresh and Easy Juice Factory

Hello!

I'm sure you'll be surprised if I tell you that I pretty much enjoy factories. My memories of big ice cream machines and long strands of noodles back when I was still in kindergarten are still vivid and the last trip I had in the field was at a newspaper printing press.

But I'm in Dubai and beautiful buildings and amazing architecture are supposed to be my first stop in getting to know the city so why a fruit and vegetable factory?

DXB Updates

Hi from Dubai!

Online life is back and I'm thankful for the spare time I have as I get to write a few words here. I'm not really that good in putting words together but the help I am getting from awesome people are more than enough to say that there is a possibility for me to become a better and competent writer someday. Who knows.

What Makes Your Day

My everyday day walk from the Metro is always a sight to see and every time I get to see these cute little kids, I get inspired. Holding hands while walking together is a symbol of unity, teamwork, and solidarity. Need I say more?





A cup of coffee sure makes a day as well, it feels so good to be inspired again. :)

Ciao!

Bloggeroid for Blogger Test Post

Hi from Dubai!



I just downloaded this app on Playstore for mobile blogging purpose, thought I'd give it a try.

Ciao!

All Iz Well

A friend from the Middle East is teaching me a little of the Arabic language as I'm always eager to learn new things. Everyday, I become more and more interested on other people's culture - that's the beauty of living in such a diverse community.

The basics of Arabic are simple and if you mastered the right usage of words, you'll get by easily. I answered above through a movie line: All Iz Well.

Dear Readers

Dear Readers,

Thank you very much for passing by. I decided to keep this live even though the pages are incomplete because of one email I received that hit me and urged me to fight back. We sometimes need some inspiration and a little push to motivate us to do the things that we love. So here I am, acting hopelessly romantic - yet again.

Apologies if this blog has not been updated for quite awhile - I placed it on limited access as there are some people who want to access my online life and tried to delete some of the posts I had way back. How cruel.

All is well, I just need to recover the things I have written here and photos I took to make this blog amazing. I worked hard on every post and some of them I did for a living and earned quite a few for my writings and photos. See, I really don't understand how somebody can hate me so much they want access in every part of my life.

Anyhow. I'm doing ok, thank you very much for asking.

Saying (Or Ranting) It Out Loud

Eid Mubarak from Dubai! I took the photo earlier at Mall Of The Emirates, I really don't understand what's going on and why there's music and dancing but I believe this is in line with the Eid festivity. The month of Ramadan has just ended and families are celebrating and wishing everyone a happy life. So just when I thought only Filipinos have close family ties back home, I was proven wrong. Arabic culture is not really that far from Filipino culture when it comes to family. I'm kind of liking their ways and this is not the point of this post.

Of Black, White, and Blurred Lines

Excuse my self portrait right here. This is the very rare times I get to have my photo taken. Thanks to my room mate Giasone for seeing through the lens they way I want myself to be seen; I am a woman after all. Been out for awhile wandering and exploring more of the outside world. Online life is becoming less interesting or maybe I'm just getting old. Lol.

xxx

Sneak Peek : Travel Agency Life - March

Hi from Dubai!

I'm trying to get myself back to writing - "trying"  an operative word. Deactivating one of my social networks somehow gave me time to reflect on the things that happened for the past what - 4 or 5 years? I mean I've wasted too much already: time, energy, effort, prolly relationship, and what nots (apologies if I can't  refrain myself from speaking my mind). Perhaps I can say I am now a little bit cautious on who to expose my vulnerability although more often than not, I still go beyond the boundaries I set for myself. I constantly break my own rules maybe because the world is not that safe anymore - an endless demonstration that this humanity can still be trusted and an assurance that  no one will hurt a fragile heart like mine is all I need for now. Or at least.

Always Remember Me

I don't know how many times I've mentioned how I loved weddings so much it makes me cry watching wedding films like Jason Magbanua or Mayad Studios same day edit collections. Feelings and emotions captured on SDEs are one of a kind - they are eternal. So when I was able to set foot at Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi, I was in awe when I saw this (I accidentally found it while taking photos of the place). This could probably be a destination wedding here in UAE if only the community is open to Euro or Cali-like weddings, don't you think?

Travel Series : UAE - Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort and Spa

The busiest season of simultaneous exhibition is just about to end here in Dubai. Finally, a little rest for me and more of my online life. (I'm still visible elsewhere, I am almost close to search engine and hashtag friendly  already *wink*) Oh, and thanks to Mimie for taking my obligatory self portraits, hihi.

Working in the travel and leisure industry might be one of the most challenging yet rewarding job this country has to offer. The city has a lot of great places to show travelers and business investors.  I will admit I have started here small - don't bother asking about salary and benefits because for newbies like I am, it works that way. Start small. And I can't seem to stop my itchy feet - going places and meeting different people is something that interest me so I guess I just have to deal and growth with it.

My February has been sweet on the first 3 quarters, the latter seemed to be a little too messy. Alas, all I can do for now is to show you around Dubai and here you go.

Kish Island Visa Run Experience - 3 Days and 2 Nights

I moved to Dubai last December, the first time I ever stepped to a foreign land. My friends say what I did is  the most liberating thing I have done recently. And I think it was, too.

Leaving the Philippines had always been my plan a few months back when I was still in Boracay. I somehow did not expect the process to be that fast - I was out of the country in less than a month or so.

Portfolio: Chasing Fianca

It's been a awhile since I did a fun shoot. Meeting Fianca in Dubai got me back to baby photography. The last one was with Pio, a few years back in the Philippines.

There is something about Fianca that inspired me to go back to photography. Capturing kids' emotions can be a bit tiring: you will have to do almost everything to make them laugh and smile. I did it without any efforts.

Little By Little

"We are travelers on a cosmic journey,stardust,swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share. This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity.”  - Paulo Coelho

More than a month now since I left the Philippines. I missed the people back home but you know, we need to figure things out for personal improvement and maybe, for us to know what else we can be capable of.

Little by little I'm gonna chase destiny on my own. Relying with false promises will lead you nowhere. I realized that the more I distance myself to love, the more I get to know myself better.

And so I did. Little by little I will find myself again.