About

I didn’t plan to come here, it just happened. I was living and working peacefully in Japan when a call came.

My name is Grace and I am a blogging expat mom in the city that is galloping into the 21st century with break-neck speed.

*****

That was my introduction of myself  on this blog for more than three years now. I thought it is high time to expound more.

Take 2:

Hello, my name is Grace and I’m a 30-something expat mom living in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Since I am an expat mom, I am not an SAHM, or a Stay At Home Mom in mommy blogger lingo. I’m a mom who works outside her home 48 hours a week. And tackles daily traffic and Dubai nerve wracking driving 6 days a week. Whew, that was exhausting.

*Sips cold water*

I have lived in Japan for more than 10 years (so all the Japan travel bits and recipes I feature) before I uprooted my family (husband and daughter, then 3 years old) to live in a place unknown to all three of us. So far, they still thank me for bringing them here. Sun worshippers, they are.

My blog is all about me/my family’s day to day desert living (hint: it’s not that bad), sh*tty chronicles of the Mid East heat every summer year after year (hint: you get acclimatized to it), my journey to going back to my pre-pregnancy shape whatever that was (hint: it’s slow but I’m working on it) and some travel stories (hint: it can be anywhere). I also host giveaway from time to time but no, you can’t just win because we are friends, although I would really love you to win - I do not look at the entries until I draw the winner by random. Sorry, but just like you, I also want the prize to my giveaways but unlike you, I don’t stand a chance because I don’t participate in my own contests. That would be pathetic.

Oh and that is how I look like in that picture over there. I know people always say that everyone don’t look like their avatar picture but I really look like that in person (I think). In case you’re curious, I was born in the Philippines to Filipino parents so the typical brown skin, black hair and all that Asian jazz. Though not shown in the picture, I stand five feet and four inches (160 cms) tall – and grew up thinking I was the tall kind (in the Philippines) – until of course I was surrounded by Americans and Canadians in Dubai. Then I had a light bulb moment that I am but one of the Hobbits. Well, Hobbits are cute so I’m ok with that. I can skip the hairy toes, though.

Anyway, chatter box me – I have spent more than half of my life outside the Philipines so I guess I’ve been so detached from the Philippine society so much to be called a Filipino. I do know though that the bus fare has increased  TEN times (and counting) since I left. I am a naturalized Japanese citizen and holding a Japanese passport right now – which I got before I got married because I’ve decided that:

Me + Japan = forever

FYI, I didn’t get it just because I married a Japanese. In Japan, no one can have a Japanese nationality through marriage.

That’s random trivia for you, hey.

I am the type of person who writes rather than talk - especially in a new crowd so please don’t drag me to parties where I don’t know anyone. I’d probably spend time in the powder room even when I don’t wear makeup. I could even be clinging on your skirt the whole time.

Other than here (on this blog), you can find me on Twitter (I’m quite chatty there so come say “hi!”) and sometimes Facebook (I’m still afraid of Facebook) and Emails are welcome, not spam at:

sandierpastures [at] gmail dot com

*****

Sandier Pastures in the Media

More Emiratis are writing blogs – The National

Top Ten UAE Blogs to Follow – Explorer Magazine

Pristine is featured here –> Everyone’s ready for summer break to end – The National, August 2009

We’re featured here –> The digital footprints of your children, April 2012

My interview in 2009 at Expat Interviews.