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*

Coke Side of Life 1905

stress free - miss stress

can we call her, miss stress?
my soon-to-be mom again friend who was... (you know the story)

why miss stress? because she was... before.
ofcourse, who cant be streessed in that situation?
maybe some will be more than that!

and it is the unique characteristic of her...
being stressed is normal... a lot of things annoys her...
and since its normal... its easier to handle...
she dont want to be stressed forever, so she'll let it go.

we are having conversation again.
but i was so surprised.
after 3 days... she is no longer the bitterness - miss stress!
i am now talking with stress free - miss stress!!!

i am happy to know that she is healing.
she is still in pain, but she knows that she shouldnt be stucked there for long.
she was very angry. she wanted revenge. but after entertaining the feeling, she stopped. who wants to be mad forever? who wants to keep the bitterness???

Revenge never heals a wound. it will just prolong the agony...

she wanted to forgive the 'ex'...
i know this will need a longer time.
for now, she can only forget. and that is a good start... a quick start actually!!!
how? she was sticking in her mind that 'ex' is gone... he is now resting in peace :) so that she wont expect that one day he will come back, because he wont.

she is letting go. quite fast? i know!
but that is her. she is miss stress!
and that is one thing that we, her friends, admire about her...

she accepted it. everything WAS over.

she was never that strong woman as you think she is...
she is weak... fragile... delicate.
but she is a woman of strength...
her faith, above all else keeps her going.

she knows that God will provide. (that is her shoutout on her friendster profile)
He who gives you the day will also give the things necessary for the day!
she might not have anything but we all know that this faith will give her everything...

in four months time, her baby will be born.
the source of her hope.
she knows that all this pain will end as soon as she see arrives...
and i believe everybody agrees to that!

and, she has kept her goals.
despite of all the stress and bitterness...
she managed to be focus.
she knows the reason why she needs to go on.
a decent living for her children. and she is dedicated to that!

i never knew her as a God fearing person.
she dont go to church... she is not even sure of her religion...
but she knows how to pray...
and she believes that our prayers are answered not when we are given what we asked, but when we are challeged to be what we can be...
she was challenged & she accepted it.

she is in the middle of this battle & her only weapon to survive is the little faith that is in her heart to keep the stress away!

the Coke Side of Life - 1904

seeing the sea

this is my relaxation...

water, sand and sunset.

i can never forget how my first step in the beach was, with my tita bunso.
we went to cavite for their company outing. i can barely recall the exact place, but all the details were in my photo album, at home.
i dont know how to float then... how to swim in open water. all i know is that i enjoyed it more that swimming pools. i love the water. the sand... it was all perfectly created.
years later, i was on my own... and more than shopping, i would spend money on beach.
feeling the fresh air... hearing the sound of the waves... its all worth the stay.
as if all your worries will be washed away by the waves.
i can feel that i was closer to God... the sky is within the horizon.
& at night... only stars will give light...
huuh! thank God its weekend... :)
you now know where to find me for the next 2 days...

women survives

Finally, I’m not busy today…
Work is manageable. Some are just waiting for signatures.
Weather is great. I had delicious lunch.
Everything is just fine… except for me.

I’ve been suffering from menstrual pains…
And it really hurts.
I know this is normal, but it’s not like this all the time.
Today is different. I don’t know why & I don’t want to know…
My head is aching… and I am feeling cold.

While writing this, I’m having a chat conversation with a friend...
She is in pain as well… not because of Dysmenorrhea but because her boyfriend who happens to be the father of the child she is bearing just left her…
And now, she was broken… don’t even know how to pick up the pieces…

Then I realize… these are just some kind of pain that only women can bear.
A monthly period that hurts so much that doesnt only lasts for hours… it can happen in countless days and it may even take weeks.
This is simple, this is just physical pain… and we endure it, every month…
We can’t always excuse ourselves to go to work because it seemed so childish to others. But the truth is… it really really hurts.

But mine was just mixed up with all the stress & pressures for the past weeks… all the physical activities that I did - and just with this thought… makes me feel less guilty because I was complaining with something that I should be used to. –I am not complaining… I was just sharing my experience & what I feel… OK!

Now, I thought about my friend’s situation. I don’t exactly know how to comfort her. I can feel her burden, just two weeks ago; she had some spotting… maybe because also of stress… she knew its happening, and now, it was over.

She is carrying a child inside her body. She fought for it. She gave up everything for the relationship & for the baby…and now; she is alone, with nothing.

In four months time, she will deliver her child. She said she have to do it alone, there is no other choice. That is the fact.

Then I realize, how painful will it be. The physical pain, the emotional pain… This dysmenorrhea is intolerable, I am hurting. How about her? The pain sucks… it can kill anybody. But not her…she has to be alive. She has to continue living, for her child…

We both have to move on, and so as every women in the same condition. I have to work. I need to work. She has to start all over again. Find a new job. Build new dreams and push her to move forward.

This not about feminism or something… This is just about two women, both in pain… and about some women, who feels the same.

___________________________

A strong woman VS A woman of strength
by Luke Easter & Dee Cheeks

A strong woman

works out every day to keep her body in shape...

but
A woman of strength

kneels in prayer to keep her soul in shape...

A strong woman

isn't afraid of anything...

but
A woman of strength

shows courage in the midst of her fear...

A strong woman

won't let anyone get the best of her...

but
A woman of strength

gives the best of her to everyone...

A strong woman

makes mistakes and avoids the same in the future...
A woman of strength

realizes life's mistakes can also be God's blessings and capitalizes on them...

A strong woman

walks sure footedly...

but
A woman of strength

knows God will catch her when she falls...

A strong woman

wears the look of confidence on her face...

but
A woman of strength

wears grace...

A strong woman

has faith that she is strong enough for the journey...

but
A woman of strength

has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong...

the Grand Launch of Atlantis Hotel

the most awaited grand opening of Atlantis Hotel in Palm Jumeira lit the Dubai skyline last thursday night - 27th November 2008.

one of the latest pride of dubai, Atlantis is the focal point of Palm Jumeira...

the fireworks lasted for about 30 minutes... we were along the Umm Sequiem beach road. all the people who waited for the presentation were all amazed by the spectacular fireworks display.

this proves that Atlantis is a must see... well, i havent been there...

but. wait for my update & ill show you around :)

*ito talaga ang bansang ayaw pakabog!!!*