What Lies Ahead

Until now, just when my fingers started to type, I still have no idea what to write. My blog is idle for a few weeks now and that makes me a little disapppointed with myself. But my mind is still blank or maybe I have loads of ideas and putting it in writing is so much of a work.

Since today is the last day of 2010, maybe I'll start of with how the year had been for me. I was actually backtracking but I guess I don't have that much drama in life and I can't afford to have that kind of life either. I don't like too much complications. I hate to confront anyone, to say things that I would regret later. Maybe "this too shall pass" applies to me so much. It fits my personality. But of course, I have friends who I trust with my secrets. I let it all out to them until I pacify and once I did, I'll always be glad that I didn't let my emotions took over me.

2010 is not so lucky when it comes to family matters. We had problems, big ones at that. Those that you wouldn't have imagine happening and just want to forget. But we were  able to handle with head still  up high. Those that had wish us bad luck, may have been laughing for giving us headaches in the past but our good breeding is still stuck within us and wouldn't leave us fighting back in same dirty way.

In the later part of the year, our supposedly main man just made a grand exit in our lives. But I am not bitter about it. It somehow made us more at peace, me in particular. You may think bad of me, but I am not ashamed admitting it. He had done a whole lot of things in the past that somehow made me thankful he's gone but not entirely though, he's just around the corner, making our lives miserable every once in a while but that is better than living with him entirely so that is something I am still thankful of.

I had become part of 2 companies this year. One, giving me positive and negative experiences. Good people and bad ones. Company that I wouldn't wish coming back to. Haha! The other one is still existing, better than the last one mind you but I am still on love-hate relationship with it. Hopefully, I will be able to decide should I'll be staying or hit the road.

My life revolves around work and my daughter this year. I am proud to note a few successful decisions I made when it comes to Bella. I am proud to say that my girl is breastfed from birth up to 1 year and 4 months of age. She is not dependent on pacifier, feeding bottles and powdered milk. She drinks fresh milk and water on straw and glass respectively. She is not a picky eater. Except for some cough and colds, she never had a serious illness. She is growing up to be a happy baby. The things that we are still on the process of teaching Bella is encourage her more to talk and potty training.

The only sad part right now is I am away from my little girl, its breaking my heart that I am missing her milestones from October 2010 up to now and until around March and April of next year. She just doesnt recognize me anymore and I can't help but be sad about it. My only consolate is seeing her waving at me and throwing flying kisses and watching her sleep during Saturdays and if I am lucky Fridays as well. I can't wait to see her soon.

My Far-ouT and yours truly were separated for more than 1 year. I had to leave Dubai to give birth to Bella and stayed with our little girl for a while and during those times we still made sure to keep our relationship going. Then work came and we were reunited again. I am still having the time of my life with my husband. Though Bella is away from us, we are working together so she will be with us soon. My life will be complete by then. I still thank God that he gave me someone like him. A "Better Half" in every sense of the word.

And now as the year end is coming I hope to have a better and more happiness in life. I will forget the negative effect of this year and look forward to a more positive 2011. Face the new year with head still up high and face the new challenges gracefully. I am not wishing for too much. I only wish for good health and safety for year 2011.

What would I want for 2011?

I am listing a few wishlist at the moment

1. Be with Bella in April 2011
2. Get a place for us
3. Start to save for our house and lot
4. Visit 1 country in 2011

UNDERCONSTRUCTION.

2011 Awesome Calendar of the Philippines

I've been trying to get a calendar of the Philippines for the longest time and now here it is. Thank you Anton, You are Awesome! I hope you won't mind me posting your link. But let me know.

The Costa Coffee Experience

I've always been a loyal Starbucks coffee drinker. I never really appreciated other coffee shop until recently, when circumtances prevents me from drinking my favorite "1 tall mocha frappe decap with coffee jelly." For one, coffee jelly is not available in the UAE. I don't know how that happened. There should be uniformity in all there stores, right? Two, it did not measure up to my mocha frappuccino taste standard. And last but definitely not the least, THEY DO NOT HAVE DECAF FOR FRAPPUCCINO HERE! I love coffee in the morning but caffeine late at night will keep me wide awake in the evening. This is the sad part of it all. So I search for alternative.

A colleague of mine and yours truly went walking one evening to just chat away, but since we have office the following day, I told her I definitely need a decaf. We asked nearby Starbucks but sad to say, no decaf. Tried coffee bean and tea leaf, the same thing. Then the last coffee shop that we came across has finally gave some hope to my growing frustrations.

Costa Mocha Frappe came to the rescue. I still "heart" my Mocha Frappe Decaf from starbucks but since Costa can customize coffee for no extra charge, guess I will have to live with it until I come home again.

I am still getting use to its taste but Costa is not so bad after all. Frescato is there version of Frappuccino of Starbucks.  The place has the same homey atmosphere as well.

with a touch of Christmas spirit. It also nice to have tables outside for some relaxing talk and a place for the smokers.

Costa coffee has a lot of menu to choose from

I forgot to mention, I never drink coffee on an empty stomach as it produces an even greater increase in stomach acid that can cause stomach pain almost immediately. So I am always careful even if I am a coffee lover. So we ordered their Turkey Ham and Three Cheese Melt Panini.

On another Costa coffee experience, we recently went to the airport to accompany our flatmate who is going home for a vacation. Its surprising that with so many Starbucks stores around town, they do not have it in the airport. I also notice that in our airport in the Philippine. That's sad.

Anwyay, with Costa being flexible and accessible, Costa coffee is love.

Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates

I'm guilty at charge. I'm not in the mood to blog in the past few days. I had so much things to say though. All my photos were compiled in one folder somewhere in my laptop and always tell myself, I'll do it later.  But recent events really caught my attention and I was tuned to Glee all the time. I only started watching it, sometime back and I can't help myself but get hooked on it. I am now on 2nd season, episode 5. The last episode that I had a copy of.

Alright, Rachel may have been the "star" of the show. Her character is annoying and she knows how controlling and conceited she is and her evil deeds are done in an innocent kind of way. I'm not a fan of her voice though. I must say I like the voice of Santana, Britney, Mercedez and Queen more.

I started to hate her even more when Sunshine came out of the picture. She should have gotten the lead role. Or at least be a regular on the show. They have 2 Asians on it anyway.

Enough of Glee. Im thinking of it at lot lately, even on my sleep. Dubai had another holiday and we had 4 days off again. So Far-ouT and yours truly went out again to watch Harry Potter. I am not a fan of this movie. But for the sake of watching, all Harry Potter. We went to Mall of the Emirates.

This mall is one of the biggest malls in Dubai. Its far from where we live though, so I had only visited only a couple of times.

This is famous for Ski Dubai. The indoor snow park. I have tried this only once as well. Just to experience how it felt like to be surrounded by snow. Obviously, its cold.

It would be nice to experience snow one time or another, but it just about it. You wouldn't stand staying in the area for a very long time unless you would want to try skiing as well. I haven't tried it myself, maybe not ever.  When Bella and my mom arrives next year, I'll be able to visit this place again.

After some window shopping, we decided to dine at Mongolian Barbecue to try their cuisines. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy my choice of food plus the fact that the servers were rude as well. I will definitely not come back again.

This is their sizzling beef, dhs 28.00. It looks yummy isn't it? Well, looks can really be deceiving as the beef feels like rubber on my mouth and the taste is plain salty.

The sizzling beef come with a corn soup that is so sweet and rice.

Good thing Far-ouT decided to get Fresh Salad from Mc donald's.

After that not-so-enjoyable meal, we decided to go to the moviehouse and wait for our time.

I had been thinking for almost 30 minutes should I be buying my favorite nachos, I gave in. I really enjoy watching movie munching on this with dips of cheese and salsa Dhs 20.00.

I recently came across Kitsch cupcakes. I was curious on how it taste and am thinking that if I'll like it, I may be serving these on Bella's future birthday celebration in Dubai. So when I had the opportunity to taste it, I didn't hesitate.

I was not wrong, I love it! Superb cupcakes! I swear! You'll love it to the last bite, I am not a fan of icings but the icing on top are surprising yummy. Kisch cupcakes cost Dhs 15 each.

and Oh, yes. I also ordered a huge coke, Dhs 12.

Going out really is expensive. Watching movies cost around Dhs. 30. But I am still thankful for times like these. A sure way to keep you sane on everyday stress.