January 11, 2011

Dear Grace,

I know, this mail is loooooong overdue, I’m so sorry! Of course I remember you (even your tag I’ve never forgotten, believe it or not!! But I’m losing hope that I’ll ever manage to take it up…)

You might know that a few weeks after your comment I was diagnosed with cancer, so I’m going through some tumultuous times right now… It’s very hard for me to sit and type – apparently those terrible backaches are caused by metastases in my bones. So please don’t take it personally if I don’t reply to messages. I am trying to keep up my blog with some resemblance of regularity, so at least my friends will know what’s going on with me.

Sorry again – and I send you my best wishes for a wonderful New Year! (Better late than never!! )

xxx
Sabine of Gozo (http://www.scagozo.com)

*****

This was the last email I received from Sabine – a lady living in the beautiful island of Malta in the Mediterranean whom I “met” through blogging. This was my reply:

January 11, 2011

Grace from Dubai

I continued to read her blog but never got an email again. She was getting weaker but I still wished her full recovery and she was always in my thoughts.

Sabine lost her battle to cancer yesterday and my heart is bleeding.

She was a wonderful woman, so elegant and modest at the same time and very in touch with readers of her blog. I was wishing one day to be able to visit Malta and see her personally. She was one of my few online friends whom I really wanted to meet.

That day won’t come now.

Cancer sucks. It doesn’t choose people, no, actually I feel that it does choose people: it takes away the beautiful, wonderful people who  otherwise still needed to be here. Death relieves the cancer patient of pain and suffering but the pain remains in the hearts of loved ones and friends left behind.

I wish for a world free of cancer one day, soon.

Thanks to mine and Sabine’s common friend (another) Sabine from  California who informed me of the sad news.

[Top Photo Credit]

I had a chat with a good, old high school friend of mine (whom I’ve lost touch with) last night via Facebook. Usually Facebook chat acts like a young child that’s sweet at first, grumpy the second so I thought our chat would only last for 10 minutes max before we tell each other “hey Facebook chat sucks, bye!”.

It seems a miracle in itself that my friend was online but another mystery was that, Facebook chat didn’t suck last night.

So we chatted for 2 and a half hours.

The last time we have seen each other was 14 years ago in 1997. And prior to that was high school graduation in 1993. It feels so good to reconnect with old friends because suddenly, I am not the working mother who’s tired at the end of the day and counting the days till the weekend, not the person who can’t stay up late beyond 10 pm – I become alive and young again while being transported back to high school, giggling and telling silly jokes along the way.

I was actually smiling in front of the computer beyond 12 midnight.

We reminisced and reminisced and laughed at little things like how little children around us before have been popping in Facebook, already married and have kids of their own! Suddenly that made me feel old. My mom who’s turning 60 this year once told me she doesn’t really feel old and that her feelings are still the same – as the years go by, it’s only added responsibilities, wrinkles and stomach gas.

From last night’s trip down to memory lane and small giggles, I do believe we are only old as how we feel.
Top Photo credit

This post is dedicated to one of my blog friends, a sweet lady named Libby of Libby’s Library News. She’s a mom to ten children, grandma to fifteen, been married for almost 40 years. She’s a ray of sunshine, blogging and being a great blog friend. Lately she’s been declared medically disabled by her Spine/Pain Management Specialist and needed a service dog.

A service dog is expensive and finally she got one through the help of people who cared. However, to save on expenses, she did not opt for a fully trained service dog but got one from a woman in Kansas who rescued the dog from a shelter because they believed he had potential to be a good service dog – well socialized and they think somebody already trained him before.

Gabe, that black Labrador in the photo, Libby’s new dog passed his Canine Good Citizen Test and ready to work. However, he needs some veterinary care for the next months.

I believe the blogosphere exists for a purpose – to entertain, to provide bloggers an outlet for their feelings and in some cases to help each other out. If you like to help in some way, Libby is still trying to get donations for her Service Dog’s Veterinary Care. You can go to her blog, Libby’s Library News and find the Paypal button on the right sidebar. When you make a donation, please type “Service dog – Gabe” in the purpose box.

Also, you can vote for Libby’s gift idea on It’s Thoughtful. It’s free.

Thank you. Libby and Gabe send their love and appreciation to all!

We had a baby. Yes, an overnight pregnancy and one minute labor is totally possible. In my dreams!

Rose, my preggy friend who went back the Philippines six months ago came back with her new baby. We were so excited to see her! Pristine can’t get enough of babies when they come to our house and I can’t really blame her. Them babies are hug and cuddle magnets!

Anyone want a baby sandwich?

I’ve almost forgotten how a three month old baby weighs or look like or act. Can they smile already? Can they support their necks properly when sitting down? How many times do they feed or how long do they sleep? Do they get drooly this early?

It’s been 6 years since Pristine was like this and to me, that seems so ancient. M needed some pointers on how to carry the baby properly but I think he did just well.

Husbands carrying babies always gives me a mini nervous breakdown but I’m happy to report that Baby Kate was just fine and dandy when we returned her to her mommy.

When they went home, Pristine and I had this conversation:

Me: ”Do you want baby Kate to stay with us? Longer?”

P: “Yes!”

Me: “Then let’s ask her mom that we’ll borrow the baby for one day!”

P: “NO. It’s better you be pregnant. Let’s have our OWN baby! Here! (patting my tummy)”

Me: “Why?”

P: “So we don’t have to return it and can have the baby FOREVER!”

If only babies could stay babies forever.

Our close family friend who also lived in the same apartment building gave birth a couple of weeks ago. The couple had been anticipating the birth of baby #2 after trying for years as their elder son is the same age as Pristine (7 this year).

We had no other time to go the hospital except after my work so I hoped the baby was still available for visitation and some holding. In Japan, hospital visitations close at 7pm. We were lucky because in Dubai, it’s until 10 pm.

Lordy, look at that baby! I can’t recall Pristine being so small 6 years ago. And the smell! That very nice baby smell you just want to bottle up and take home with you, sniff whenever you have that baby smell craving? Heh, that’s just me.

Pristine and her friend (the baby’s older brother) can’t get enough of the baby! They took turns holding the milk bottle – makes you think how awesome it would be if they would be taking turns taking care of the little blob when it cries in the middle of the night!

Baby Riley was born 4 weeks early and was so small, weighing at only 2,300 grams. Pristine came out at exactly 40 weeks, 0 days at 3,562 grams – so much bigger than this baby. See I can practically interlace my arms around him!

The baby wasn’t totally amused with me holding him and practically squirming away. He was hungry again  (we stayed that long in the hospital although we know we would be seeing the baby anytime since we’re neighbors. Duh). Feeding time!

Of course Pristine asked things when she was a baby (she loves these sort of questions about her past). I told her she was breastfed completely and exclusively and did not have any infant formula milk at all. That she hated rubber nipples like pacifiers and those attached to the bottle. I had sore nipples during the first few weeks of breastfeeding. It was painful, raw and bleeding. I regretted having told her this because it made her sober. Then in a typical Pristine kind of way, she hugged me, held my breasts and said: “Sorry, boobs.”

Kristin & me enjoying dinner

Last week, I met the mighty talented Kristin Luna of Camels and Chocolates. She’s a travel writer who has written articles for Frommers, Newsweek, Forbes Traveller and more as well as awesome blogger – do check out her blog if you love travelling or even if you don’t. There’s plenty of really good stories of her travels that will make you tell yourself: “I really need to go out and see the world!”

Kristin, enroute home to San Francisco after spending one month in Africa working on her latest assignment was in Dubai for 24 hours. We opted for a 2 hour cruise of Dubai Creek on a traditional wooden boat with buffet dinner. I’ve been to a dhow cruise before but my first time with the dhow cruise by Radisson Blu so I was excited. Moreover, I was excited to see Kristin – any opportunity to meet a bloggy friend in real life merits a celebration!

With my work-home-work-home schedule everyday, I have to admit, I don’t have that many friends here in Dubai. Totally my fault though as I don’t go out at night much when invited. I’m shy at parties…but I love small dinners with few people.

Kristin takiing photo of the night lights

Anyway, I immediately recognized Kristin as she walked by me. It was amazing how I feel so relaxed around her right there and then, like we’ve known each other for years? (Hope I don’t sound like a crazed fan or stalker!!) We get to chat the night away or until the cruise finished at 10:30 pm. The weather was great, not too hot at this time of the year. It even drizzled a bit when we were just about to board the boat! Rain in April! Hah, Kristin is a lucky girl coz it rarely rains in Dubai.

The night breeze on the top open deck was so lovely and I had the pleasure of hearing Kristin’s travel stories straight from her! Great food and great company, a very nice  break from my hectic days at work these past few weeks!

Thanks so much Kristin for the wonderful time and lovely dinner!

How would you fancy a trip around the world – 12 countries, 24 destinations in 12 months?

No, I’m not giving one away, don’t get too excited.

I’ve always loved writing and travelling so I look up to someone who does both. “Look up” means admire, get occasionally jealous and then dream and  travel vicariously through them. I first “met” travel writer Lara Dunston online through my blog way back in 2008. I think she commented that I’ve featured one of hers and her husband’s (Terence Carter) books in my website (in an Amazon ad).

Lara and Terry are husband and wife writing duo who has travelled around the world writing guidebooks. They’re the “you name it, we’ve been there” couple. Recently, they grabbed a prestigious project called Gran Tourismo.

It is really grand.

From the website:

In 2010, globetrotting travel writers Terence Carter and Lara Dunston, with the support of HomeAway Holiday-Rentals, will swap hotel rooms for holiday homes and embark on a contemporary grand tour of sorts they’re calling Grantourismo. Their aim is to slow down, learn and do things, live like locals, and give something back to the places they visit, as they search for a more authentic and enriching way to travel.

Their first home away from home is a swish 5-bedroom villa located in Palm Jumeirah. Lara and Terry held a launch party of sorts and invited me over last Saturday!

In case you don’t know what or how the Palm Jumeirah looks like, here it is (it can be seen from space):

So about the party – it’s a bit of a challenge to write all about it, post all the worthy photos and describe it. First off, a tour of the villa. How would you like to wake up to a refreshing sight of emerald green waters, powder white sand and the sound of the lapping waves?

 This is the back side of the villa where you can get access to the beach, 365 days a year.

Go down that stairs and land your feet in the sand, in the above photo.

If it wasn’t too cold that afternoon, I would’ve dipped my feet in the water. I wore a short dress to do that but Dubai’s weather had been a little crazy these days and we have cold winds and gray skies. Look!

The villa had 5 bedrooms.

Bedroom #1

Bedroom #2

Bedroom #3

Bedroom #4

Somehow I missed to take a photo of Bedroom #5 because I was busy talking to the Bangladeshi housekeeper Azim and telling him how nice his job is. Sometimes he has the house to himself (when there’s no holiday renters)!

Living room

The living room faces the sea shore. The line of houses you can see here are the villas in Frond D.

One thing interesting about the sea water between the fronds is that when the man-made island Palm Jumeirah’s fronds were made, the sea was reclaimed but a few meters from the private beach shore, the water level is kept as is. It is about 8 meters deep (you can see the difference from the color).

So a word of advice, it’s not a good idea to swim across if your boyfriend lives on the opposite side.

Back to the party, Lara and Terry served Arabic themed canapes and cocktail drinks, which the guests dined with gusto.

There were only a few guests, maybe less than 20 people, including Lara and Terry. I’ve heard that it is not permitted to have huge parties at the Palm, especially when it goes well beyond the sleeping time of the neighbors. The sounds, laughter and conversations can reverberate to the ends of the opposite frond!

It was cold, really cold – I’m not exagerrating. It’s not because a desert dweller like me feels cold easily so don’t judge. It must be less than 15C that night. Not cold for you? Okay, maybe we were all under-dressed then!

The guests by the way were associated with Lara and Terry through their blogs and Twitter. Maybe some personal friends. Then a couple came with a baby girl…and I felt weak in my knees. I am not good around babies, help! Of course I had to snatch it away from the mom! But don’t worry I said, “please” and most importantly, I returned her back. LOL!

It was nice seeing some familiar people I’ve known in Twitter – but next time, it would be better to have name tags with their Twitter names and avatars in it!

I didn’t go out much because of the cold as I’ve just got back to my feet after a terrible flu with monstrous cough last week. I didn’t want to get sick again. So what did I do? I was disturbing Lara and Terry in the warm and cozy kitchen.

It’s amazing how this couple prepared everything by themselves, from food to drinks! I luuurve the big kitchen. It’s about 5 times as big as what I have right now (mine’s abnormally small though if you put it in a different perspective). We’ll move to a normal sized kitchen on Friday, btw.

Ok, moving on…

Lara and Terry hosted the party to launch the Gran Tourismo project. Dubai is the first leg of their 12 coutnries-24 destinations-1 year trip. Next stop for them is London, then Marrakesh, Morocco and I forgot the rest. I was too starry eyed.

Since I can’t get into their suitcases (they’ll be charged a hefty fine for excess baggage) if I did so I’d be cheering for them from far. And you should too, follow their adventures in the Gran Tourismo blog or on Twitter (@gran_tourismo, @laradunston, @terencecarter)

 Safe travels to Lara and Terry!

When my bloggy friend from Oman, UAE’s neighbor country said she and her family are heading to Dubai, I was excited! Mayya and I first “met” through 5 Minutes for Mom’s Blog Party earlier this year. I was ecstatic to know that she’s just in Oman. It’s very near so we have better chances to see each other in real life!

Anyway, I finally met Mayya, the talented lady behind Sew Chic n Unique. Dubai is a four hour drive from Oman and they were in town for her husband’s work. The picture we took was right after Pristine and I arrived, with exhausted smiley and all. Mayya was however, so charming. And tall. I feel like a dwarf standing next to her. Our girls had identical yellow shirts. No wardrobe pre-arrangements were made.

Why was I exhausted?

I arrived late. I hate to be late and I’m not your usual late person (you can ask my school friends if you don’t believe me, heh). I got out of the house early but on the way, I saw my gasoline indicator blinking – had to go the gas station to fill up only to find out three cars ahead of me. Tick-tock, tick-tock. Time was running out and I had to park the car in the nearest entrance of the shopping mall when I arrived. I was running like mad inside the shopping mall since I parked the car in the opposite end of our meeting place! I should have checked the venue of our meeting place the day before! I seldom get late but wait – I see a pattern here. I also got late when I met Stacey this year because I have to drive back home since I forgot ID’s to use at the entrance gate in our meeting place. Ah, maybe bloggy meetups make me nervous, and late. But I hope not next time!!

Moving on, Pristine and Mayya’s eldest daughter instantly clicked, giggled and talked like there’s no end.

Mayya also brought with her the one thing I had been wanting for quite a while now: a purse organizer! This handmade organizer organized not only my things but my LIFE! No exagerration there.

Now I can switch bags and never have to worry again about forgetting my things. I only have a few I can’t go out of the house without but when I forget or leave out any one of my essentials, I’d be in chaos. Mayya saw my bag open and she said, “You really need an organizer!” LOL!

I have to say that her workmanship is impressive! The way she measured those compartments? They were perfect. Oh and my organizer is not only functional but also very durable. It also has a key strap for my set of keys. This is not a paid advert, I am just a very happy customer!

You can check out Mayya’s organizers and other lovely work at her new site, Sew Chic n Unique. I am sure you would be happy with a little organization in your life too.

There’s no Wordless Wednesday today. Just lots of words and pictures.

We met the big, the high and mighty ship again, just like last year. This time, my friend Rose and her hubby came with us. It is their first time on the big ship and even it’s too hot and humid outside, they are smiling.

That’s me and my mom, then Ken and Rose. The short fellow is, well,  who else but Pristine, who doesn’t want to be beaten in the widest-smile competition.

Crystal Symphony is so huge, all of it didn’t fit in this photo:

We went to see my friend, Stacey, again. I can’t believe it’s been a year since we last saw each other.

What a difference one year makes. Stacey says Pristine has gotten big. I’d say yes! See that photo? They’re almost the same height!

She gave us a tour of the ship, (the photo is blurred but know that it isn’t my fault..see, I am in the photo so I couldn’t have taken it)

at the pool deck…

treated us to a nice meal…

(Left to right: my mom, Rose, Stacey and me)

and invited us to see her show. Pristine loves anything with music so it was a treat for her!

By the way, there’s a casino in the ship (along with other perks like movie houses, disco, bars, etc). Remember this photo I posted last Sunday?

The only reason Pristine was able to get inside that casino is because it is closed for business. They are not allowed to operate the casino while the ship is docked in Dubai! Casino lovers have to wait when the ship leaves the UAE port to have some fun!

The Crystal Symphony at night

Thanks for having us on board, Stacey! I pray for your safe journey, always. Till we meet again!

* Please say a little prayer for my friend Stacey and all the passengers and crew members of Crystal Symphony. The ship will go through pirate infested waters off the Gulf of Aden, near Somalia on their way to the Suez Canal in Egypt. *

The blogosphere is realllly slowing down. Bloggers are taking time off their PC’s, including myself! We have some house guests who needed touring around. I’ll still go around reading and leaving comments and writing every chance I get.

Our afternoon shadows in the desert (I’m the one with a babe stuck in hips)

Have a safe and blessed week everyone!