Merry Merry Christmas!

May the true meaning of Christmas "peace.love.joy" be always in our hearts always! Wishing each and everyone the best of everything this season could bring. Merry Merry Christmas!

First Class

Flying with First Class seats really gives me a sense of royalty from the food to its amenities. A warm welcome by the staff is provided with a cardamom-flavored Arabic coffee and dates, as well as selection of the freshest juice. With the help of a fully electronic control, foot rest, and an adjustable headrest, I was able to secure a comfortable position during my trip. Without a doubt, First Class cuisine is the best in the air, you get to choose on the menu provided.

This is the time that I really appreciate being an overseas worker having the time of his life in an environment very conducive for relaxing.

sTriKe oNe!

Driving in Saudi Arabia for over three years now have made me very cautious, alert, and very attentive while on the road. With my untarnished record of zero accident within this time frame, suddenly it was tainted yesterday, when I slammed into the rear of a native resident – a students’ car. Though, the damage on my car was minor still it was an accident that should have been avoided if road courtesy, road safety rules and regulations have been followed.

Although, road network in Saudi Arabia has the highest standard, with eight lanes for inter-city highway and construction of ring roads and over- or under-passes, still car accident is one of the top 5 causes of death in the Kingdom. In Riyadh alone, at least 5 accidents occur every hour. Traffic accidents are a significant hazard in Saudi Arabia. Driving habits are generally poor, and accidents involving vehicles driven by minors are not uncommon. Other causes are over speeding and inattentiveness.

Quick facts: In the event of a traffic accident resulting in personal injury, all persons involved (if not in the hospital) may be taken to the local police station. Drivers are likely to be held for several days until responsibility is determined and any reparations paid. In many cases, all drivers involved in the accident are held in custody regardless of fault. Those involved in an accident should immediately contact their sponsor and their nearest Embassy and Consulate. Under Islamic law, blood money of up to SR 100,000 can be imposed for injuries, so it is important to take out insurance to cover this. Speed detection devices are in use in the country, and there are standard fines for exceeding the speed limits of 45kph in urban areas and 80 to 120kph on motorways. There are automatic jail sentences, or corporal punishment, for some driving offences.

iF OnLy...

posting Ely's poem, a reply on sa isip lang.

remember the days we’re together?
isn’t it bittersweet and no reservations..
who thought that will be forever?
letting our heart flows in different directions..

grudges have no room anyway,
who do you think someone had a regret?
in some point we have those decisions what would I say..
never in my deepest soul, should I forget?

life is a choice of your own will..
how about the Almighty hands to you?
His plans are perfect , so better stand still..
did I said I follow mine or to those are few..

this again a piece made to you to think..
can somehow tell the contents of my within?
you can read twice and have a single blink..
are you a good one to be that keen?

—-cheers on xpressing the other side of yOu

tHe heRo wiThin uS

"Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colors, shapes and sizes. We are one great tapestry. "Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need.

"So to each and every person inside ...this theater and for those who are watching at home, the hero in you is waiting to be unleashed. Serve, serve well, serve others above yourself and be happy to serve. As I always tell to my co-volunteers ... you are the change that you dream, as I am the change that I dream, and collectively we are the change that this world needs to be." Efren Penaflorida

We are created unique; every one of us has the ability to transform whatever we want to everything we wanted to be. We have the power to think and knowledge to create something substantial and tangible that would uplift the betterment of our surrounding. If all of us have just to look inside our hearts and radiates that to everyone, this world would be a better place to live in. Everyone would have an equal share to what is available to us.

Everything boils into one word “LOVE”. If we have love for mankind and humanity, we have to act now; it is not yet too late for us to catch up on the things we have lost. I know it is not easy achieving our goals, there will be ups and down, all we have to do is to believe and have faith that we can achieve it. Let us unleash the hero within us, share the love within us and be an example that others may follow.

A toast to "Kuya EF", may you continue to be a good example of doing extraordinary things and may GOD bless you always!

sA iSip LaNg

posting Ely's comment on my poem ...sa isip lang...

i thought there is someone better than you
nobody knows what we’ve been through
i have found something that never can replace
the space you fill in my heart, no one can erase….

times flies and thousand miles we’re apart
who says you haven’t captured my deepest heart?
i miss you the most on this journey they called life..
when will be the time again that i can hug you tight??

prayers and love is what i always have for you..
you can smile, but u never know this is so very true..
there maybe ups and down on us before..
i jsut want you to know i always care for you more and more..

if you are reading this, and you feel i have touch your heart ..
somehow this is for you , or maybe just a piece created..
for more than once read it again, and tell me why..

maybe this piece have posted … just for you to say HI

sA iSip LaNg

posting Ann Agustin reply on my poem sa isip lang

winner ka badonng… sa pag-gawa ng tula…
sa pagbasa nito ako ay namangha…
mga adventures and get-away iyong nilathala…
sa pag babalik tanaw ako ay tumula…

di matatawaran ating mga pinagdaanan…
mga simpleng mithi, malayo ang napadparan
sa bawat usap at kamustahan, loob ay gumagaan
kalungkutan ay napapawi pag mensahe at chats na ang pinag-tutuunan…

salamat sa lahat ng inyong pananatili…
sa barkadahang ito tayo ay nakatali…
malayo man sa pisikal, puso’t isip ay wagi
basta nandyan ang kaibigang winner ka kung pinili….

sA iSip LaNg

Ito'y pagpupugay sa mga kaibigang tunay

Na sa puso’t isip ay kailan ma’y di nawalay

Saan man mapadpad pagkakaibiga’y taglay

Sama-samang inaabot mga hangaring binuhay

Ito and simula ng pagkakaibigang makulay

Naalala mo pa ba mga nakaraang napakasaya

Kasama na rin mga lungkot na minsan dala’y luha

Mga tampuhan na kung iisipi’y sa ngayo’y nakakatawa

May tatalo pa ba sa ating mga ganitong eksena

Na sa pagdaan ng taon ay kaygandang balikan tuwina

Sa bahay nila Inay at Agus, sa Bulacan ay napadalas

Handa nila Nanay at Mama ay ubos at masarap na likas

Swimming nagkayayaan kaya daan sa Puerto Galera’y binagtas

Papunta sa Corregidor sa barko sama ng loob naibulalas

Na di mawari kung anong mangyayari sa pagdating ng bukas

Sa awa ng Diyos ating napagtagumpayan

Mga pagsubok sa atin ay kanyang pinapasan

Upang maging matatag para sa ano pa man

At sa tulong niyo kaibigan aking nalagpasan

Mga salitang magaganda sa aking loob ay nakagaan

Tayo’y nangarap, plano ay nabuo “Laudry shop” naitayo

Salamat kina Flora, Nelson, at Fria na naging abalang puno

Mga masasayang trip sa Subic palaging takbo

Kotse ni Inay at Agus dyan ay panalo

Masarap na tulog sa apartment nila Flora at Nelson ay isa pang panalo!

Di rin pahuhuli ang ating Tagaytay adventure

Siksikan sa kotse ni Agus ating nasurvive

Sarap ng kape at lamig sa Starbucks ay na endure

Sa maliit na kuwarto’y tabi-tabi’t walang demure

At sa Bag of Beans almusal ay mahusay!

San man mapadpad komunikasyo’y nandyan

YM chat siyang naging huntahan

Yahoo Mail naging sulatan

Yan ang patunay na kahit san man

Sa pagkakaibigang di mapapantayan

Salamat mga kaibigan ko

Kayo’y dumating sa buhay ko

Di ko man sinasabi mahal ko kayo

Sa aking mga panalangin kasama ko kayo

Di man tayo nagkikita nasa puso ko kayo!

Basta isipin mo lang….mangyayari!



tHe paLaCe...

I am still in awe with what I saw a while ago, I was able to go inside a Prince Palace (Saudi). Actually my first and I truly savour the moment because I don't think it will happen to me again. I have been into a palace but mostly just outside the perimeter. I am very glad the work was given to me, to appreciate and see the beauty, the architecture, the grandeur, the technology and amenities of the palace. I was lucky enough to go each and every corner and room while doing my work (test calls). Sadly, I wasn't allowed to take pictures but I was able to get some with my cam hidden inside my pocket. The huge underground underneath the palace where the garage (basement 1) can be found, a collection of cars were parked beautifully, from Lincoln, Bmw, Mercedes, Aston Martin, Porsche, Ferrari , you name it they have it. On the opposite side of the garage an olympic size swimming pool was designed perfectly (imagine a pool underground) and across was the lounge area, massage, spa, sauna rooms and the bar. Picture this, a big hall was turned into a kiddie play room with a kiddie pool, rides, game room, and the “foodie” room which caught my attention because of the tempting and expensive goodies inside. “The kitchen, my goodness napanganga talaga ako as in ngangang-nganga! Imagine the refrigerator, ang haba at ang laki, one block ata sa dingding. If I’m not mistaken 10 doors, you can never find such this one on the market kundi pasadya para dito lang. Then the industrial gas range, the utensils, the machines my goodness gracious the room itself ay wish kong magkaron.”

Experiencing and seeing the entire place gives me a hope and dream of having my own “PALACE”. But for now, work hard huhuhuh!!!

aRRozcAldo aLa BadOng

Surprisingly for my lunch today, I was able to come up with a very sumptuous meal and named it “arrozcaldo ala badong”. My original menu for the day was to substitute rice with oatmeal and sardines as my viand but instead I incorporated the sardines on the oatmeal while cooking. While on field work I get used to eat on Arabic restaurants or Filipino restaurants, good thing there’s a mini kitchen on my hotel, I can cook my food. Due to time constraints and in a hurry always, cooking oatmeal is the best choice because it’s fast, easy, affordable, and very healthy.

Ingredients: 1 can sardines(in tomato sauce and chili)/ 6 tablespoon of oatmeal

Procedure:

1. Boil a small amount of water - enough to cook the oatmeal.

2. Add the oatmeal, cook for around 5 minutes.

3. When oatmeal is ready, add the sardines – cook for another 5 minutes.

4. Whalla “arrozcaldo ala badong” is ready

blogging on the phone?

Hope this one will get posted, I am blogging right now through my phone E71 while waiting for my flight 0745H going to Tabuk (Military City close to Jordan border). I am just trying out if it will work and get posted on my site and maybe do this from time to time while on field work. Good thing I am on Business class, I have access to Golden Lounge of Saudi Airlines where I can have Wifi access on my phone, Eat, and very comfy couch where I can sleep comfortably. I have 45 minutes more prior to my departure time. Right now I'm having a hot chocolate, 2 types of cheese - I don't know what type all I know It's very yummy together with my bread, small slices of kiwi, apple and grapes. Oh, after this meal I'll have to taste their freshly squeezed orange juice. By the way, it's my first time to see a hardened milk for coffee, just see the photo to appreciate, hope I can have this one as a "pasalubong" when I get home. Photo not of good quality taken by my phone.Yehey, successful!!!! Blog posted...edited 1908H.

tHe fLashBack...

I was thinking very deeply and contemplating on myself lately of the opportunities and blessings I may say pouring into me, do I deserve all of this?

Then everything came just like a flash of lightning. When I was a child all I just wanted was to grow up, go to school, graduate from college, work, be rich, and have a family. When I started working, all my aspirations changed and shifted to what I dreamed of.After being hired by SMART and working for them, I thought that will be all, work, earn money to be rich and help the family, but I was wrong. I am one of those people not contented with what I have, I want more. Being not contented, my expenses also became bigger that what I’m earning cannot compensate, it wasn’t just enough. When I was employed overseas, I thought this will be the end, it will me much enough for me and my family but, I was wrong again. As my earning became bigger, my expenses as well. Right then, I kept thinking when will be the time I’ll stop wanting for more?

After meditating to all the things that I have done, I may say I have no regrets. All things happen for a reason, God doesn’t give you anything that you cannot endure and surpass. As they say “we make our own destiny”. I am not saying I deserve all the blessings; I have just done what is right, to help and give back what I have. Being not contented for purpose to help my family gave me a reason to pursue what I have started. I don’t set any goals for myself before and plan to keep it that way for now; I’ll just take things as they come to me and hope to have a decisive mind as always.

As of now, I don’t have any answer yet to when will I stop wanting for more. All I wanted is to be the best I can be. Provide and support the family as long as I can.

“Sana di mapagod and Diyos sa paggabay, pagsubaybay at pagtupad sa aking mga kahilingan.”

a confessed addict to FV/FB...

I have been playing this online game for a month now, and it's seems I can't get myself out of it. It's probably the most fun on facebook right now. I rarely go on for anything else other than farmville related topics. I have to be online daily to get bonuses on my neighbours ribbon or achievement and even give shelter to lost animals found while farming. Can you just imagine how addicted I am? I have to sleep very late at night sometimes and even brought my laptop and hsdpa card at my worksite just for me to harvest my crops in order for them not to wither. There’s an instance that I was very angry and very devastated when I wasn’t able to harvest my crops because of Zynga’s Network problem (creator of the game) and all my crops have just withered and kept thinking my coins or money was wasted. I even have to compute the income of crops I have to plant. Who can tell that I really never thought that I’ll be playing this game on facebook?

Oh, no!!! A confessed addict to this game. Right now, I am aiming for level 34 in order for me to buy the villa on my farm and redecorate it as good as I can. So, why not be my neighbour and let’s be an addict together. I’ll be waiting for your request ok?

Diary of my Life

Have you seen my future?

No, it is I who will make it

It will be me who will traverse the feat

To conquer my fears and cowardice

To be brave and succeed courageously

I have been in the past

The yearning and longing instilled

I have fallen and have stood up

Faced the challenge this life could bring

And emerge triumphantly in the end

The present is a journey

To succeed is to believe

To fight and not to loose the battle

To be what I am and be the best

And continue for what is right

I know I am indispensable

Sooner or later I’ll vanish

But the things I have done will linger

So I live today as if my last

And do the best I can be

Life is what we make it

I am what I am; I can be what I can be

I am a son, I am a brother, and I am a friend

This is me, this is really me

Thank you! The Diary of my Life.

the "padalahan: telemoney(akaria)" experience...

I am very angry....as if I can do something about it?

From my point of view, Saudi Arabia is one of the countries that don't particularly care about the word “customer service”, with what I have experienced from banks, airline ticketing office, and government offices. Though, with exception to Saudi Investment Bank as I am very satisfied with the service they are giving me. This is somewhat a norm here, better not complain if you’re not a native or else you'll just be ignored. The slogan "Customers are always right", in Saudi Arabia “be patient, keep still and hold your temper".

I experienced the worst, last Wednesday(30 September 2009) at Telemoney(Akaria) – padalahan, I was on the long cue of customers (nearly around 50 people) waiting for my turn (15th on the line) with just two counters open, one for men and one for ladies with transaction per customer nearly reaches around 10-15 minutes. So, just imagine how long will you be waiting if you are no. 50? Coming from a customer oriented company, I can say their service was very poor. Actually, I waited for around two hours for nothing, as the stupid and idiot Saudi teller blocked my card. So, instead of being angry to his stupidity, I reported him to the bank manager. To my dismay, no action was done. I just walked out the bank upon bursting my emotions to the manager and keeping in mind just another ordinary “customer service” experience in Saudi Arabia.

The Beauty of Letting Go

I don't know where to start

The sadness pouring in my heart

Emptiness and loneliness by my side

Darkness became my sight

Tears became my laughter

Hopelessness became my strength

Though I don't know where to go

I have to let you go

Now I must go on

For surviving is living

Living is accepting

Accepting is the start of a new beginning

Life is colorful

As the saying "Don't forget the past, but don't dwell on it"

Now I must let go and learn from it

For I know I can make it

This is what we call life

To see the beauty in it

No matter what it is

Just like this

The Beauty of Letting Go!

the beginning...

There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real! When the door of happiness closes, another opens; but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one which has been opened for us. Don't go for looks; they can deceive. Don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile, because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile. Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do. The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.