Mercato Mall

I can't help myself. I am here again starting my blog with a heavy heart. I will be 2 months on November 10 with my new job and I am still coping up with all my work load. I was given only 2 weeks to find my ways and I am still struggling as of time of writing. Its frustrating and my morale are so down low. I feel downgraded and stupid. The expectations were high as I had the experience but I got the feedback that I am not meeting it. What is wrong with me?  I had all sorts of boost of confidence from my fellow colleagues, it helps somehow but not entirely. I couldn't get over this feelings. I know myself, I know its not healthy, though, but it is who I am. Positive thinking is not on my list of good points and I am aware of that. I dont lull on thinking that everything will be fine. My pessimistic me is my survival kit.  I am having all sort of self destructive thoughts, haha! Paranoia is striking like lighting bolts through my veins.

Nevertheless, I bounced back. I am still giving myself a chance to prove to myself that I can do it. I am trying my best to improve. Maybe one more month will be enough to learn the ropes?

Enough of the heavy. On a different note, Far-ouT and yours truly went out again to avail of our free movie tickets that we got when he bought his new touch screen mobile phone. However, we couldn't be choosy on the film as it is on limited options.

From the list of option given to us, we decided to watched the Unstoppable. It is 2010 action thiller starring Denzel Washington and Chris Pine. It is a story of a runaway train, and the 2 characters attempts to stop it. At first I thought the movie deserve a snooze but after a while, I was glued on it. It was becoming a one heart pounding movie till the end of the story. It was ok, but nothing to rave about though.

After the movie, we grabbed a bite at Hardy's. Far-out! ordered Regular Cordon bleu combo, AED 18.00 (approx Php 216)

I wasn't able to taste it though, because I was also busy munching the burger that I ordered. I asked Far-ouT how does it taste, and he said it tasted like the usual cordon blue...obviously.

Mine's, Porto melt combo, AED 19.00 (approx Php 228).

It's surprisingly deli!  I may have to order the same one, once we decided to dine here again.

All these and more at Mercato mall. Mercato mall is location along Jumeirah Beach road. It has a unique blend of Tuscan and Venetian structure with a theme of Renaissance period.

This fountain caught my attention as well. Creepy.

You will be even be surprised at how beautiful the inside of the mall is. It has a charming cobbled web street-like features.

Yes, it is just one of the malls with a very festive atmosphere as Christmas holidays is just around the corner.

Mary Brown fast food

I am having a hard time for blogging lately. I envy bloggers who really have the time to post an entry and maintained a very nice piece regularly, not to mentioned earning money from it. That would be ideal, in time, I'll be able to find my passion. But for now, I'll just make the most out of it.

These past few days were spent working, not only physically but mentally as well. I can't help but unleashed the born-worrier in me. Especially during these times when I am still trying find my ways in work. Its still frustrating, I am still worried that I'd missed something again. I never imagined that my previous work made a difference in me, negatively. I became paranoid, nevertheless, that was the thing of the past, I am making an effort to remove this nagging feeling every now and then. I am just saying to myself, what's the worse thing that could happen anyway. I just think of happy thoughts.

On a different note, my Far-ouT and yours truly dine out and grabbed a bite at Mary Brown, just a walking distance from our flat. Our flat is located in a nice spot. Everything is walking distance. Anyway, My Far-ouT asked me why I'd write something about this. Its just Mary Brown. Well, just a Mary Brown to us but we don't have it in the Philippines, that's why.

And so I continued. It just the usual fastfood. Chicken and all.

If I am not mistaken, their Mascot is a chipmunk. Hahaha! I remembered Alvin and the chipmunks from it. Did you know that most fastfood here doesn't serve rice at all? Only bread. Thank goodness, MB serves it now. But it doesnt come cheap. It cost Dhs 6.00 (Approx Php 72.00).

It is sold separately from the Value meal (Dhs 14.00) that we ordered. But infainess, their chicken tastes good. They serve it spicy and original. I had requested the thigh part to be just the original version as I don't like spicy food, unfortunately, the order taker misunderstood, so I had to exchange my precious thigh part from Far-ouT's wing part.

and ohh, I forgot to mention, even gravy is hard to find, even Mcdonald's doesn't have it. How sad for those who can't live their chickens without it. Ordering gravy is expensive as well, it cost Dhs 2.00 ( Approx Php 24.00). Imagine a cup of gravy for that amount? Philippines can have Gravy-all-you-want!

I wasn't thrilled with our food and I am still craving for something to munch, so I added another carbo loading food for my stomach to grind. Corn on a Cob. This cost Dhs 6.00 (approx. Php 72) Yaiks! I can buy it for Php 20.00 in the Philippines.

It wasn't even sweet corn! Bland taste and excuse me for my photo please.

I must add, the area has a nice park-like place

and a separate place should you wish for a children's party. It wasn't ideal for me, because it was long and narrow. But if it will only be for a few people, well, its would still not be ideal for me...sorry. We attended a birthday party in this place and we end up, crowded.

Anyway, we'll still come back for more when need be.

Goodness, I started this blog with a heavy heart and I ended up with a smile. Blogging can really be a therapy for stress. I should try to blog more to keep my emotions at ease.

A Gift from Sassy Hairsies

Last October 18, 2010, I received a FB message from Tin Malonzo-Torres, the one behind Sassy Hairsies. I was surprised and ecstatic at the same time when I read her message: That she'd like to send some hairsies for my beautiful Bella. I was so excited! I just can't believe that Bella will have her first ever Sassy Hairsies for Free!

It was so nice of her to give something to someone as an appreciation because I added her to my blogroll. Why not? I love looking at her collection. I wanted to be updated on her accessories. Though, I have not tried ordering from her yet...I find it weird, really, I kept staring at her work and visit her site every now and then but still can't decide which stuff to buy. Maybe that was the reason why Tin notice me and made contact.

I will soon buy more stuff from her...Few of my favorites that I kept looking at because Sassy Hairsies will have a holiday treat for all of us...FREE shipping for orders Php 1000 for Metro Manila orders and get 50% for orders over Php 1,000 and get a FREE shipping for orders over Php 2,000 for all provincial addressess. I don't want to miss this one.

This is my Bella's first ever Sassy Hairsies.

If I'm not mistaken, Bella got blue Heidi Headband, Hailey clippies, and the last pink piece is actually very hard to know from Tin's collection, but I am guessing it is Jessica. I hope I got it right.

Heidi headband - Two hydrangea flowers lay side by side each other, both with genuine Swarovski rhinestone at the center. These gorgeous flowers sit on a coordinating soft nylon elastic ribbon that will fit infants up to kids age 4ish - depending on the kid's size of head. This headband is perfect for the beach or a night out during these hot summer days.

Hailey - is a set of 3 very cute, coordinated and Halloween themed clippies. Each is made of imported grosgrain ribbon on a double prong alligator clip. The theme is subtle enough that is can be use even after the ghost season.

Jessica - If I got it correctly, these gorgeous little dainty flower is perfect for this season where gatherings are happening here and there, or a great photography prop for that season's greetings card.

I have yet to get a photo of Bella wearing her pretty hair accessories. I am sure it will look great on her.

So grab your Sassy Hairsies today.

Thanks again, Tin! It was such a lovely gift. I like!- (Some information were taken for Sassy Hairsies website)

BEAT Breast Cancer

This post is a week long overdue and I feel a little guilty about it as this deserve more importance than any other blog that I posted.

We recently participated a walk for a cause. It actually a yearly event but this is the first time that I was able to join in the Burjuman Pink Walkathon '10. Nearly 4000 people of different race and nationalities took time to support to beat breast cancer.

It was such an amazing experience that at least once in your life you do something for other people. The event original schedule was last 29th October, it was move to 5th November. We were lucky that our flat was only a walking distance from the event location (Burjuman area). Registration is Dhs 50 for adults and Dhs 30 for children aged 8-12 years. Children below 8 years of age do not require registration and walk for free. The walk started at 8:00 AM.

I have not experience, how do I put it, such unlucky event in our family yet, at least nothing that I know of, of someone with a breast cancer in our family and I hope and pray that we would not experience that in the future. But who would want that to happen to anyone? No one would wish someone to suffer. If detected early, breast cancer can be treated succesfully. Regular checks are important for every woman. Be aware.

What is breast cancer?  Very simply, when cells in the breast tissue divide and grow out of control they form a lump or mass called a tumour. Not all turmours are cancerous, but a cancerous tumour in the breast is called breast cancer. Breast cancer is currently the most common cancer affecting women across the world.

Men too can get breast cancer but the percentage is much lower than women. Currently it's 1% of all breast cancer related cases worldwide.

Top risk factors for breast cancer

• Being a woman
• Getting older
• Family or previous history of breast cancer
• Being overweight
• Not breast feeding
• No children or first child after 35
• Use of birth control pills
• Consuming more than one drink of alcohol per day
• Having your period before the age of 12
• Dense breast or high bone density

Know what is normal for you. See a doctor immediately if you notice any of these changes:

• Lump, hard knot or thickening (breast or underarm)
• Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening
• Change in size or shape of breast
• Dimpling or puckering
• Itch or rash especially in nipple area
• Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
• Nipple discharge that is spontaneous and bloody
• A sore on the breast that does not heal

Three steps you can take to beat breast cancer

1. Annual mammography (breast X-ray) from the age of 40 onwards
2. Clinical breast exam by your doctor every three years starting from age 20, and every year from age 40
3. Monthly breast self-examination

Stay alert. Stay well.

Lemongrass: A Thai Restaurant

When the rest of the world says Thank God Its Friday, as weekend would start every eve of that day, we are one day advance. So we do most of the gimmicks, laundries and other household chores on a Thursday night just so to chill out and relax the following day. And yesterday was no exception, as we went and treat ourselves in One Fine Dining. Its not really the Fine Dining that we know, where you would dress up and wonder which spoon to use, but for us it is already, as prices are not the ones we usually would want to splurge on.

Far-ouT, 2 other friends and yours truly attempt to conquer the difference cuisines the world has to offer and since we were feeling Thai yesterday, our first stop is the Lemongrass, a Thai restaurant located just across Lamcy Plaza. It was difficult to find a parking on such day so we found a spot a little far from it. Nevertheless, it was something we look forward to as we are about to taste a different cuisine.

What I notice first was the homey ambiance the place has to offer.

Even the washroom has its elegance look.

Now for the highlights of our evening, we had the homemade lemongrass drink, AED 12 (approx Php144). They also have the lemongrass tea, the hot version.

If you would like to taste a bottle of perfume, then try this. Now I'm sorry, but I am not a fan of their lemongrass drink. The presentation was awesome, with orchid and all, but goodness! I can't stand its taste. Maybe is healthy but if I will be unhealthy for not drinking it, so be it. I am not the only one who doesn't approve of its taste, mind you, as well as my companions who ordered the same one. We have come to a conclusion that, we are just not use to its taste so we decided to order a bottle of water (water in Dubai is not free) and move on with our appetizer.

For starters, we had lemongrass set, AED 46 (approx Php552). Its a mixed of vegetable spring rolls, marinated chicken in pandan leaf, glass noodle salad with winced chicken, prawn cakes, served with traditional thai dip. The set menu is good for 2 persons.

The taste was superb! I love it. Everything has a unique blend of taste. The price we had to pay for this was definitely worth it. The set meal alone was already enough to fill our empty stomach. But the gluttons that we are, ordered the main course and eat to our heart's delight.

This is the Far-ouT's food for the evening, Pad Thai, AED 30 (approx Php 360). Its a wok-fried rice noodles with bean sprouts, chicken served in an egg wrapping. It has a sweet taste, it was ok but was so-so for me.

Another one for Clif was the Senlek Pad Pong Garee, AED 35 (approx Php 420) intriguing ey? Well is it a curry flavored stir fried rice noodles with prawns, chicken or beef. I like it too, the curry was not so strong but still with the distinct taste.

Allen and yours truly ordered the same menu, Kao Pad, AED 32 (approx Php384) but his was medium spicy, mine's not,  its mostly fried rice with mixed seafood vegetable

What I had was definitely yummy! Love the taste.

Notice that the color is a little darker from this dish, maybe because of the spicy condiment added to it? Who knows, right?

To top it all, we enjoyed the food and the big servings. All of us were so full after the meal and have leftovers that we took home for breakfast the following day. The service was also ok, with mostly Thailanders who were attentive and accommodating all through out our dining in.

I also was able to notice that Lemongrass was awarded for 3 consecutive years for their good food and service. They are the only lemongrass in the whole Dubai, the reason why people are flocking to have a taste of their food.

You will never go wrong with their menu except for the lemongrass drink,  it was indeed a nice start for our little adventure and looking forward for more. I hope.