A Whole New Year Over Here! (Re-post)

5…4…3…2...1 “BOOM”! It’s 12 midnite & 2007 has just slipped away alongside the glitzy lights, roaring blast & spirited smokes in the sky. In dotted red garments, I vividly see & hear jubilant souls, young & old , both seemed to be in good cheers & vibes. Their eyes gleam, feet leap while hearts are delightful as they share in good grace. 2008. Indeed welcome with a happy note & a Big Bang! - But that was Philippine’s festive sights, sounds, emotions…& time.

In reality, it’s 8 pm., & I’m in the line of duty right here in the Gulf , in service to strange bloods whom I supposed, both ignore & unconsciously miss the advent of a promising year. Soon after I comprehend the clear picture, their carry out their own way of feast – so remote from mine. I again mirror the sentiments of every Pinoy Expats globally whose mind & spirit flies away…on the wing for beloved native abode. Holiday Homesickness as they call it, its creeping sincerely at me, too.

Barely little more hours, & I could come up with my own NY merriment in this distant land. It is hush and unadorn yet a noteworthy one for I will rejoice it with folks I deeply esteemed – my fellow “modern-day heroes” who helped me brave the torrid weather & pass through roundabouts of hope & despair.

I yearn that my pledge of trust to the Almighty is not like a House I used to build in the sandy-land near the shore, so in period of great tide – It shall not be moved; and as I toil each day in my overseas station, my end goal is not just to received my paycheque but to uplift my country’s banner & bring her Honor– whilst the Glory is for the very One who has been and will always be my Greatest Provider.

They say & its true: IT IS IN GIVING THAT WE WILL RECEIVE. When I gave myself away, I was blessed to bless the others. So I should opt to regret no more for all the struggles & sacrifices. But must be grateful for this meaningful privilege to experience over here a whole New Year. My “lost” celebration moments with my long-missed ones? I discern, that would be restored in an awesome way – In His perfect Time!

One (Fine) Day in My Life

Instead of me hosting a fine-dining treat for my December Bday, It was my "GodSent" who gave me one prior to (so josh was taken ladies, :).

She brought me at Thai-Chi Resto' of Pyramids, Wafi City a section of her present/my former Company.
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My initial plan for this 19th Dec-National Holiday (Eid Al Adha) is to carry out a general cleaning task for the year-end (ff: what the Feng-shui expert chided in TV: "hail the NYear w/ a polished surrounding" - exonarate the bedbugs!, bring-in the luck!). Since our impulsive date is far-more V-Important, I kept aside the anti-pests tool (or better say: leave those to my ever-supportive mother) . ( Sori mom, your pet-son isn't getting younger, - I promised, I'll buy the Christmas Gift you want ).

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Thai Chi, as the name oh-so cleverly suggests, offers an exotic blend of Thai and Chinese cuisine. The competitive menu a-la-carte' went well with the bistro’s themed-décor & refined setting. The service is prompt and to our extra-delight, filled w/ famous Asian smile

For starter, we headed for authentic chicken wrapped in pandan leaves (it was stripped off to leave the meat’s glorious hunks (yummy!). Time Magazine writers appraised it perfectly when they vouched for the popular main course (our motivation to select it over veggies), the so-called goong thirapod – huge prawns escorted with blend of sweet, spicy & sour sauce. (Ugh , I sweat like a fat lorry driver while ‘Melites grin in the corner as she tried only a bit of those.) As per the day's mouth-watering deserts, I can’t say No! even. I’m a big fan here of Thai sweets. (In fact, I bday-wish, I could pocket home some).

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Joining us on this blogpix is Woody, my ex-accommodation-mate who was said to be my genetic copy. (C'mon! - the guy oozes with more sex-appeal!).

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Wood, (who chose his name?) is another blind (x), I mean proud pinoy item material. Mind you, he just trekked Europe & dished-up w/ the rich & famous aboard a Celebrity Cruise Line. Back in Dxb, i sighted him overseeing the resto’s sumptuous premise & directing a unit of multi-lingual men. Boy, you are already “Heavy-gatin” huh', but you remain “weightless” to be with (So twin-bro, do call us for any complimentary meal for two, - ANYTIME.)

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With me this time is Anthony of Nepal? or India?, who equally commands a hefty gratuity for being a loyalist to Wafi's FNB outlet. Pardon me dude. "Walls have Ears". Years have also enhanced my X-colleague - he seemed more friendlier ..err, healthier. I luv your first-rate coffee, man. (arrange for us some more free-of-charge, and I'll seal my naughty lips ..deal?!, hehe).
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Back to 'Melites, how could I thank you for making my day, my life worth celebrating for?. I owe you this precious moment. I was pleased. No, I was overwhelmed. My upset emotion were revived, truth behind my swelling eyes were ignored - at least for a day (I still need to let-off a cold-blooded crook!).

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Hang on for the rest of our "worry-free" shots captured in Wafi’s spectacular exterior. The same are a "good portion of our fondness together, my one fine day in December ".

My Salamat and Patawad Day

”No longer forward nor behindI look in hope or fear; But, grateful, take the good I find, The best of now and here.- (John Greenleaf Whittier)

Mother,

THANK U for 9 gruelling months of storing my heaviness in your tummy, and for a painful Day of breathing me out. From that laborious moment and today, you made me see the light of day -
SORI, I’m wayward at times, giving u wrinkle-producing worries whenever I stayed late outdoor or went amiss to come home at all - and when my morals u instilled plummet like a shooting star. Also, for interrupting your luck on Bingo Games when I popped-up to claim your promised merienda once I’m done with noon napping.

Father
THANK U for holding my weak foundation in difficult storm. You feed, clothed and provided me the warmest shelter i could have and my hair you comb still - even my height dwarfed yours.
SORI, your son’s not as virtuous as you are; that I messed-up with your plans for me, partied with weird-looking barkada over techno sounds, gold-wine & forbidden pulutan (our next day ulam); & for not inheriting your valor in slitting a duck’s or chicken’s throat for our Sunday Supper.

Brod & Sis’s
THANK U for shielding me against my bully, burning the midnite oil to cram on my school chores - for bringing me as buddy in your personal revelry so I ‘l enjoy a fine treat too….
SORI, for keeping u and your family posted once in a blue moon, ..& for grudging towards the fact that when u settled that far, I’m now an heir to your unfinished Earthly-household “mission”.

Teachers & Classmates
THANK U Mam for your disclosed acumen & for my toned biceps shaped by your books & sweet stuffs as you permit my skinny arms to lift those; Mates on “thrown” notes in Math & shared munchies when I have nothing, for gossiping your crushes & shelling-out for my cinema ticket when Rain “cut” our Class.
SORI, I remised our batch reunions. Not that I detest seeing you turned flabby & lose your teeth but blame my phobia that I’l be teased if u discovered that my youth were maintained & I’m yet to “Tie The Knot” (mis u!)

Friends & Acquaintances
THANK U for sailing with me against life’s grand wave & anchor my tense vessel on safe borders, lessons on our squandered liberty from our old world & harmony with the new one, for helping me to pretend to be brave, even tho’ I’m not (& you’re right guys: no one can tell the difference anyway).
SORI, for not being around when u required my company - either I’m dog-tired or busy as a bee w/ another.

And for The Love of My Life
THANK U for inspiring me to create poetries; I don’t mind if my eyes swells like that of a zombie as writing kept me awake till next sunrise; I only aim to match your Tender-Loving-Care like when u put my pic in the core of your house that your Townsfolk spot & ask “whose this cute guy”? (hehe)
SORI, my complacent nature caused you tears and fears, but in your heart, mine will dwell soon.. for good.

To My Author, above all -
God THANK U for this Gift of Life, for Thy Compassion & Grace – so faithful, pure & true.
SORI, I’ve been such a filthy rug, yet in all my iniquities you still hold, washed and made me a bit useful.

These and More on MY BDAY…Again, Salamat & Patawad.

22nd Dec

You Blog, Smorty Pay!

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Bad Credit Offers:A New Consumer Resource

Not only the United States recorded an alarming rate of “bad credit” consumers, many (if not all) countries has had its growing shares of credit-lovers-turned-credit-troubled citizens, too. A grave predicament of today’s times, if not properly dealt with, may result to a besmirched reputation, job-loss, divided relationships and broken homes. But as one saying goes: “dwell-not in problem but in the solution”. BadCreditOffers.com indeed, is a willing and a timely part of the solution.

So how does it help?

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1. how to monitor their bad-credit history
2. how to mend a mounting debt
3. how to find the best credit offer in the marketplace

Be it vis-à-vis on credit cards, home/auto/personal loan issues, credit reports & repairs, B.C.O can surely help-out, as per years of proven competence in the credit industry. It does not process applications, charge fees, or collect payments being a non-credit provider site. One must directly contact a certain major provider in regard with an existing offers. Whatever questions in your mind, BadCreditOffers.com is here to assist with efficiency.

Let us all start browsing the site, learn more about the exciting benefits, and most importantly, enjoy the extra-ordinary deals only BadCreditOffers.com provides!

Bad Credit Offers – A New Consumer Resource

1. 
   
   Not only the United States recorded an alarming rate of “bad credit” consumers, many (if not all) countries of the world has had its growing shares of credit-lovers-turned-credit-troubled citizens, too. A predicament of today’s times, if not properly dealt with, may resulted to a besmirched reputation, job-loss, divided relationships and broken homes. But as one saying goes: “dwell-not in the problem but in the solution”. BadCreditOffers.com indeed, is a willing and a timely part of the solution.
   
   So how does it help?
   
   As a practical resource, the online program was created for the mere purpose of directing consumers on various how to’s:
   
   1. how to monitor their bad-credit history
   2. how to mend a mounting debt
   3. how to find the best offer in the marketplace
   
   Be it vis-à-vis on credit cards, home loans, auto loans or personal loans, BCO can surely help-out as per years of proven competence in the credit industry. It does not process applications, charge fees, or collect payments being a non-credit provider site. One must directly contact a certain provider in regard with an existing offers. Whatever questions however, the BadCreditOffers.com is here to assist with efficiency.
   
   Start browsing now the site, learn more about the exciting benefits and enjoy the extra-ordinary deals!
   
   
   

I won’t be Home for Christmas (again)

So you can’t count on me, godchildren. :(

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Beside the fact that your experience-rich Ninong couldn't recall anymore your faces & increasing figures, I also owe you an apology for failing to make it there again. Yes Again. Tho’ smells a bit of “lucky-me”, I’m kind of hackneyed playing this (read: unintended) hide and seek game thing for years-; I’m tired missing my hometown carnival, the wholesome partying & food-trippings w/ my freaking circles. So everyone, I'd anticipate your wide-smile even you’ll catch me empty-handed one day, my presence would fill the hole and the finest gift I could bring, yah? (now no answer, he he)

"I'm dreaming back to the Philippines, where my beloveds are waiting".

Ditto, I did blamed myself for two (2) of my latest stupidity that spoiled my Sta.Claus-is-coming-to-town plan:

1st: I failed to get a December flight-booking to Manila 6 months prior to. I overlooked: UAE no longer is the same “ghost” country decade back when I first set foot. Pinoys, O Come All Ye Faithful Pinoys, our historical exodus here and there became eminent each day.

2nd: I entrusted, then lost my supposed Holiday funds to the wicked hands of Global Cruise Shipping Agency– a bogus internet syndicate w/c operates freely outside Canada. (Peeps, be warned! pay no heed to this $-sucking vampire.)

Emotions, sights and sounds of Pinoy Christmas maybe evident in this Far-Away Land of (they say) Opportunities, where exotic fruits, wines and meat in the tables of many are commonly within one’s reach. But it could not whitewash a humble root-crop, noodles or plain bread shared by frayed, yet hopeful spirit of fiesta-loving Filipinos back-home. And although, the universal Media are non-stop hurting our name with head-shaking reports on poverty, carnage and warfare, the Philippines remain to be the Earth's coolest, the happiest place to see for Yuletide. To balikbayan on-their-way, you made me green with envy!.

Wishing you all Blessed Holiday!. And to certainly meet you by ‘08, I’d start working on my plane-seat reservation - NOW!!!