RAMADAN Is Coming To Town...

Ramadan is coming to town...

It was September of 2006 when I first stepped foot on a foreign land where most of my information came from either watching Discovery Channel or reading my history books. I don't know what to expect, I was alone for a couple of weeks, the longest 2 weeks of my life though.

A good friend sheltered me in Abu Dhabi and I was fortunate to have a friend who offered his very fabulous penthouse in NBAD building at Old Airport Road.

The sun was super hot and I was amazed with these bunch of pointed nose driving the yellow cab at that time, holding hands like lovers and smelling like hell, very proud of wearing their national costume (white camiso knee length shirt and white pants)

I would say that I am a well-rounded person, I can cope and adhere easily to a new environment, that's why when I stayed in A.D and DXB, a couple of weeks later, I speak like them and talk like them, leaving my proper English on my suitcase.

And for the first time I experienced the Holy month of sacrifice. Store closed, most of the day and opens split shift, no eating and drinking in public places and no sex, imagine? Kidding aside.

People are quite uneasy during day time and too lively on night time.

It was a great experience, eating inside the loo because it's prohibited to eat publicly. It was 3 years now and I can still smell the toilet odor when we ate our Burger King Meal inside, passing ketchup and mayo discreetly underneath the toilet stall so not to see by the cleaners. It was fun!

And now it will be my 4th Ramadan in UAE. I tried fasting but didn't last long.

Salute to our Muslim brothers and sisters...

Ramadan 2009

Islamic Events 2009*

• Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year) December 29, 2008
  
• Israa'/Me'raj (Night Journey to Heavens) July 19, 2009
  
• Lailatul-Bara'at (Night of Salvation) August 05, 2009
  
• 1st Ramadan (Fasting Begins) August 22, 2009
  
• Lailatul-Qadr (Night of Power) September 16, 2009
  
• Eid-al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) September 20, 2009
  
• Eid-Al-Adha: November 27, 2009

Here's a few information about The Holy Month Of Ramadan...

Muslims around the world anticipate the arrival of the holiest month of the year. During Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims from all continents unite in a period of fasting and spiritual reflection.

Ramadan Basics

Each year, Muslims spend the ninth month of the Islamic calendar observing a community-wide fast. The annual fast of Ramadan is considered one of the five "pillars" of Islam. Muslims who are physically able are required to fast each day of the entire month, from sunrise to sunset. The evenings are spent enjoying family and community meals, engaging in prayer and spiritual reflection, and reading from the Qu'ran

The word "Ramadan" comes from the Arabic root word for "parched thirst" and "sun-baked ground." It is expressive of the hunger and thirst felt by those who spend the month in fasting. As opposed to other holidays, when people often indulge, Ramadan is by nature a time of sacrifice.

• Through fasting, a Muslim experiences hunger and thirst, and sympathizes with those in the world who have little to eat every day.


• Through increased devotion, Muslims feel closer to their Creator, and recognize that everything we have in this life is a blessing from Him.


• Through increased charity, Muslims develop feelings of generosity and good-will toward others. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once said, "A man's wealth is never diminished by charity."


• Through self-control, a Muslim practices good manners, good speech, and good habits.


• Through changing routines, Muslims have a chance to establish more healthy lifestyle habits -- particularly with regards to diet and smoking.


• Through family and community gatherings, Muslims strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood, in their own communities and throughout the world.

Ramadan is a very special time for Muslims, but the feelings and lessons we experience should stay with us throughout the year. In the Qur'an, Muslims are commanded to fast so that they may "learn self-restraint" (Qur'an 2:183). This restraint and devotion is especially felt during Ramadan, but we all must strive to make the feelings and attitudes stay with us during our "normal" lives. That is the true goal and test of Ramadan.

May Allah accept our fasting, forgive our sins, and guide us all to the Straight Path. May Allah bless us all during Ramadan, and throughout the year, with His forgiveness, mercy, and peace, and bring us all closer to Him and to each other.

Courtesy of AllAbout

I Saw The Sign...

I saw the sign....

On August 15, the new collection of Louis Vuitton will conquer the golden dunes of the United Arab Emirates, where will you be?

Primetime Bida

" Primetime Bida "

"Kapamilya Vs. Kapuso!" The network war is still on and definitely I am 100% kapamilya.

The acting powress of the artists from Abs-Cbn Channel 2 is still at par from the rival network GMA 7.

I was watching "May Bukas Pa" and "Only You" and I can't help but cry and be emotionally attached with the characters, their acting are from the heart and you feel dearly how passionate they are with their craft.

With GMA 7's Rosalinda and "Ngayon at Kailanman" I was laughing in a scene which everyone should have been crying by now. They are very raw and you can see literally that they are acting.

Well, as long as I am happy with what I'm watching, I will continue to support them. As for "Tayong Dalawa" I just hope they can finish the series. I hate it when a good television series extend just to ride the popularity, because what happens is that the story suffers.

Ciao Ciao De Carabao

What I Saw Today

Whew!

25th is coming and it means that responsibilities to pay the bills are approaching! Did I learned my lessons? Not quite I guess. I am a slave!

Well, what to do? I'm binded by this stuff I guess!

I would say that I had a goodnight sleep today, though I have an occasional no so-pleasantville dreams but it's manageable.

I started the day with a prayer then went to the loo to release some stress then went straight to the kitchen to wash the unwanted view.

It will be a long day today I guess before my late evening flight to Siam tomorrow.

My itinerary today is to go to uniform store to get my trolley bag fixed, my mountain-like laundry for dry cleaning, because honestly, I don't do laundry for my civilian clothes, I don't want them to be damaged if I do laundry myself, besides I hate ironing. So eventhough I should have saved a bit for the dry cleaning, I wasted it.

Only my white stuff and colored bedroom clothes including my undies goes to the machine.

I will be getting my 2 shirts and a pair of shoes eventhough I am entitled for a complete set, since it's recession, they are really making a big fuzz over this matter. Ohh well, at least we have a job as per the "M" during the roadshow. What an answer huh?

Need to eat breakfast please then all the supplements and Green Tea HP later okay so I continue chopping the vegetables for John's version of Filipino soup called Beef Nilaga.

I am so hungrrrrryyyy now Ei!

Of Dear Friends, Louis And More

I'm going 80's like most of my friends.

If before I am used to S or XS shirts I am now going for a more loose shirts. But of course my favorite outfit- casual chic with most of my clothes ranges from longsleeves, longsleeves and longsleeves only and will still be inside my closet.

I went to Abu Dhabi Mall to meet my dear friend Angelica with hubby Mikael to have some breakfast at Mugg & Bean then window shopped at Zara and Virgin Records then decided to go to Marina Mall to watch movie.

Unfortunately,they wanna watch The Proposal but it was showing no more so we decided to just roam the aisles of Marina Mall. Mikael shopped at Ikea, Carrefour, Quicksilver, Roxy and Billabong while Moi & Gen talked to catch up stories and more since we haven't seen each other for months now. I was able to sales talked Mikael in buying my diet supplement, Green Tea HP...

After hours of shopping, Not Me Okay... I paid visit to my uncle Louis, And of course my dear friend Alain (SA) informed me that my Monogram Davis Tote Bag/Cabas Macassar and a couple of new models will be due on the 15th of August. Good for them, as for me...I really need to let go of some of my precious to give way to my next baby.... So see you on the 15th? Huhuhu!

"Bad Habit To Break, Really!"

Since we are really hungry and thirsty and we are going to Hamdan, the best place to indulge our cravings? where else, but at TAZA's Broasted Chicken right? We had a great early dinner, thousands of calories went straight to our bums. Then after a long chit chat and contradictions we went to Elegance for some perfumes and sunglasses hopping. Never bought anything though, Yahoo!

I am tired really, very tired actually and I don't have an extra bucks for a cab fare? Did I walk? A bit and since the heat of the sun almost burned me eventhough it's already 6PM I walked. But right after I passing HSBC, I raised my hand and waved. The grey taxi stopped and heaven at last.

John, Godo & Bianca came after to cook " Beef Soup/Nilaga " chit chat till 2300H and finally parted ways to have a goodnight sleep.

Our grooming officer finally emailed me back and instructed me to get my new uniform after a series of replies and confusion.

Another day. Tired but satisfied.

Ciao Ciao De Carabao

Who Was Voted As Worst Tourist In The World?

French tourists are the worst in the world!, coming across as bad at foreign languages, tight-fisted and arrogant according to a survey of 4,500 hotel owners from around the globe.

They finish in last place in the survey carried out for internet travel agency Expedia by polling company TNS Infratest, which said French holidaymakers don't speak local languages and are seen as impolite.

"It's mainly the fact that they speak little or no English when they're abroad, and they don't speak much of the local language," Expedia Marketing Director Timothee de Roux told radio station France Info.

"The French don't go abroad very much. We're lucky enough to have a country which is magnificent in terms of its landscape and culture," he said, adding that 90 per cent of French people did their traveling at home.

"So when they're on holiday they can be a bit stressed, they're not used to things, and this can lead them to be demanding in a way which could be seen as a certain arrogance."

French tourists are also accused of generally spending less than other nationalities when abroad.

De Roux said the French, not accustomed to leaving large tips at home where a service charge is automatically levied on restaurant bills, can seem "tight-fisted" compared with other nationalities.

The Japanese ranked top of the Best Tourist survey, with the British and the Germans judged the best of the Europeans.

But French tourists received some consolation for their poor performance, finishing third after the Italians and British for dress sense while on holiday.

Courtesy of Reuters Live! & Joseph Tandy & James Mackenzie