Desert Safari Adventure

Desert Safari is an experience that you shouldn't missed when visiting Dubai. Dune bashing, short camel riding, ATV bikes, belly dancing, tanoura dance plus the traditional Arabic food are just some of the highlight of this activity.

This is not my first time; I've done the dune bashing for countless times already with family and friends who visited us here in UAE. But the feeling is never the same; the excitement and fun differs, with the people you are with...

Sharing you the happy-best-day-ever-video of our desert safari adventure. Enjoy!

Jordan Journal | Up to Mt. Nebo and Down to Dead Sea

Here we are, heading now to the final 3 destinations from our Jordan travel:
Let me take you to the City of Mosaic, go up to the peak of Mount Nebo where Moses got a view of the Promised Land, and down to the lowest point of Earth - the Dead Sea.

From the Roman Theater, we had a city tour around Amman. No more stop at this time; but the bus pass along the souk, the commercial district and a private village where big villas are located.

Wadi Abdoun Bridge
The only cable-stayed bridge in Amman

One Sunny Day

We seldom see the beauty of our own backyard...
In the busy life that we have, we neglect to see what's instore for us in the surrounding environment.
And often, we plan to go far from our own place to relax and unwind.
But have we ever tried to look around you?
In your neighborhood? On the street next to yours?

On my previous post, you joined me on My Route  and you've seen the Sharjah-Dubai road on my way to work. The high rise buildings, vast dessert and the on-going constructions which symbolizes the continuous development and evolution of Dubai.

Now, let me show you one of Sharjah's beautiful spots.. the newly constructed buildings with ancient Arabic look... their old dhows and the new yachts...

I've seen the past and the future during this one sunny day - and a bright and shinny realization of what life was... is...  and would become.

 

Sheikh Zayed Mosque

The largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates -- Eight largest in the world.

Ramadan Kareem!

Ramadan (Arabic: رمضان ) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.


The word Ramadan comes originally from the word ramd "to burn". The month is spent by Muslims fasting during the daylight hours from dawn to sunset. The name came from before the Islamic calendar creation, when the month of Ramadan started in the summer. Fasting during this month is often thought to symbolically burn away all sins.

Simply Happy

Hello!
Sorry for not posting for quite some time...

December, as always is the busiest month of the year.

And it rolled double for me... adjusting to my new boss and living in our new home :)

Actually, we had some holidays, but of course, I won't spend it sitting all day in front of computer to write... sorry, but I also have a life :)

but then again, I am here to share some with you...

Eid Al Adha passed... we had 4 straight days off :)

and it was all well spent.

Not the same as how we celebrate before. No out of DXB trips... No shopping... No Malling!!!

Instead, we had simple hang out with our new found family... we attended to our newChristian church in Sharjah and enjoyed exploring the new place where we live.

(Qanat Al Qasba - Sharjah)

It was more of having quality time... to rest, relax and pause for a while.

(Buhaira Corniche - Sharjah)

This new world is totally the opposite of what we had in Dubai.

Yes, this is the "worst - traffic" destination in the UAE, but it is nothing compared to the peaceful life that we are enjoying.

-

2nd December - the UAE 38th National Day. It's celebrated all over the Emirates.

Sharjah, of course is one of them, and for the first time, we were able to witness the fun.

Last year, I shared with you how I admire the Emirati for their patriotism during the 37th UAE National Day. And this year, I was there on the street, watching these people celebrating their country's Independence... looking at these proud and happy people waving their flag as high as they could.

-

The above events are not new to me, the only difference is that this year, it gave me a new meaning.

I may be stuck in traffic once in a while... far from huge malls and world's largest... but the life that I am living is greater than before.

We are now far from the race track, where time runs fast, and leave unnoticed.

I have found happiness through these moments, and I finally have a new home...

Belated

Two occasions on the opposite side of the world.

Thanksgiving in the US... Eid Al Adha in the Middle East.
Both celebrations are spiritual... basically dwells on gratitude.

In US, it is the time of giving thanks to God for the many blessings...
In ME, it is the commemoration of obeying God, willingness to follow by the traditional offering of sacrifices...

Our world today may be considered fatal... crisis is now covering the earth.
Yet, despite all the trials, the war, the disasters, plagues around the world...
Praise God for tradition of Thanksgiving and Eid... because during these days... even for once, both the Muslim and Christians were together, being grateful to our Lord God. 

And in these difficult times, gratitude reminds that God is good!

When we dont know what to do, when all our best efforts seems to be no effort... gratitude reminds us of our purpose... that we cannot do things alone, unless we seek for God's help, unless we are willing to obey, only then that our efforts will have effects...

When we are down and discouraged, when we think that everything is useless... gratitude empowers us with joy and give us reasons for hope.... it tells us that, Yes! Indeed we are blessed! It reminds us that we can all be well... we just have to have faith...

True thanksgiving means that we need to thank God for what He has done for us, and not to tell Him what we have done for Him.

I know I am quite late... but still, I am thankful... :)

Eid Al Fitr

Eid is an Arabic word meaning “festivity”, while Fitr means “to break the fast”;

and so the holiday symbolises the breaking of the fasting period.
It is celebrated starting on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal and upon sighting of the new crescent moon which signals the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

It is a joyous occasion for all Muslims.

It is a time when Muslims give thanks for the blessings they have received from Allah, celebrated the victory of the forces of good over evil, and forgive their neighbours for old grudges and ill feelings. It is also a time for spreading peace, sharing with others and giving thanks for completing another period of fasting for the month of Ramadan.

- * - * -

WoW! Its my 3rd year of celebrating Eid here in the UAE :)
It seems like yesterday, when I first saw BAGONG BUWAN (new crescent moon which signals the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan)...
and here I am again, joining the Muslim people in commemorating this joyous occasion.

Yes. I am joining them, not for the long weekend... but in prayers... and in faith...
This is the best time to give thanks... to forgive... to be healed... to share love and spread peace.

And isnt it even non-muslims can do it?

We can all join them.
Christians and Muslims can always be united in prayers...

I am sure that we are all hoping for peace.
To have a better world where our children and grand children can enjoy their freedom.
Together, we are hoping for an economic stability, that we can live life with less pressure.
We are all praying for happiness... for ourselves and our family.
Everybody wants a life without an enemy. nobody loves war... it only happens when people were not treated fairly...

We are both calling God, maybe in different names, but what's important is that we have faith in Him.
We may be divided through different teachings... language... customs and traditions, but still,we share the same world... we have the same hope... we pray with all our faith and we know there is God that listens.

EID MUBARAK!

Eid Al Adha

i was quiet for the last 5 days...
it's because we were on holidays for the Eid Al Adha.

The Festival of Sacrifice

Festival HistoryEid al-Adha lasts for three days and commemorates Ibraham's willingness to obey God by sacrificing his son, Ishmael. Ishmael is considered the forefather of the Arabs. According to the Koran, Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son when a voice from heaven stopped him and allowed him to sacrifice a ram instead. The feast re-enacts Ibrahim's obedience by sacrificing a cow or ram. This feast is shared with the family and the remainder is donated to the poor.
_________________________

the last 5 days (3 days holiday + weekend) was not spent the way you think it was.
we didnt had a holiday.
we were given a notice to leave the room that we are renting... for some personal reasons, and we dont have any other choice but to leave.

we looked forward to this long holiday. even had plans for jordan trip...

but it didnt turned out as a what is expected. forget the travel... but more than sleeping & eating, we spent more time outside, walking, looking for a new place. thank God it's winter :)

during those days & nights, we were so stressed. even though of going home... almost wanted to quit. aside from the not so presentable spaces... the rent was so expensive.
admittedly, our spirit were so low... we want to think of something good but during those times, none comes to my mind.

not until yesterday... when one of our neighbors accompanied me in searching. after the morning jogging, i showed them my choice, the only good space, i thought... but it was a NO! NO! to them. we checked out somewhere else, and that fits in!!!
we went again in the afternoon to check and finalized everything :)
we are moving this weekend.

it wasnt the best, but i know its what God has prepared for us. so, its more than the best!!!

we all could wish that we found it on atleast the first 2 days of the previous holiday... or even on the third day, so we still have 2 days arranging the things, but again, it didnt.

it wasnt late. i know it was the best timing... God's time is always the perfect time.

we didnt enjoy the holiday as everybody else did, but i believe that what we've been through these pass days was at least our share of sacrifice...
after all, that is the purpose of the Eid.

37th UAE National Day

2 December 2008

UAE celebrated its 37th National Day.

there was a grand celebration at Adu Dhabi, the capital of UAE.

Another spectacular fireworks glitters the sky of AD.

different programs were expected. of course, with the continous success of this country, occasions like this should be well celebrated. parades all around the 7 Emirates. they painted their cars with UAE Flag colors. some were decorated with stickers... some were airpainted with flags... some have pictures of Sheikh Nahyan & Sheikh Maktoum on the window pannels... and almost all have their flags.

these are not just in parade... most residents done these... cars like those pictures above are continously roaming along the main streets... people were screaming... everybody seemed so happy. they were so proud being Emiratis...

who cant be proud? UAE have come this far... from ashes... i mean, from their sand rises the largest building in the world! one of the largest mall in the world in on soft opening now.
and not to mention the only 7 star hotel, the burj al arab.

maybe, if i am also a natural emirati, i can feel the same confidence. as young as 37, UAE have contributed a lot in history.

but most of all, it is not being boastful or too proud. i noticed that these people was trained to be patriotic... their culture and tradition has been planted since childhood.



i think its one thing that makes them somebody. being able to preserve their identity amidst the rapid progress in their country.

*all photos from - GulfNews*