Coffee Kong
2:55 PM
If you're looking for a great chillout place after a long day of island hopping in Coron, Palawan, Philippines, visit Coffee Kong. It's a nicely designed coffee shop along Coron Busuanga Highway within the town proper.
Korean music wafts in the relaxing brewed coffee scented interior of this cafe. They have free Wi-Fi. Muffins and pastries are personally baked by the owner and they're fresh everyday. Their brownies is definitely a must-try!
They have this interesting wall where you can freely post your pictures and messages.
Where is it?
Along the main road just opposite Dive Cal.
Speaking of coffee, for today's challenge..
{Day 26 Sunday: Something you read online}
Do you want to find out your personality type by the coffee you drink? Not necessarily spot on but it's just for fun. Here are links:
- Do You Know Your Coffee Personality Type?
- What Does Your Coffee Say About You?
- Your personality in a cup
Mine's plain freshly brewed black coffee, what's yours?
Happy Sunday!
Love & light,
Arni
A Changeover
10:18 PM
{Day 25 Saturday : Something someone told you about yourself that you'll never ever forget}
It took me quite a while to figure out what I could share with you today. I seemed to have forgotten certain parts of my life. Whispers of the past that I no longer think about, so I asked my Mom. She reminded me of a story that I repeatedly told her, since I was in my pre-teen years until I finished school. So here goes..
At a fashion event |
Someone told me once when I was twelve years old, "You're such a lousy dresser. Look at what you're wearing! You're embarrassing." With that he dismissed me with a disgusted expression.
That was my Uncle. For some reason, he was mean to my brother and I, when we spent summer vacations with them.
A Work in Progress
11:19 PMHello? |
The above photo doesn't have any relevance with today's challenge but that's how I am, I always fly off at a tangent. :)
{Friday challenge Day 23: Your Top 3 Worst Traits}
1) Very transparent and very emotional
I can't hide it nor fake it. My feelings are always written on my face. It's both good and bad, but my judgement gets clouded when I'm feeling emotional. Like when I cried and vowed to leave the island, about to give up, when I almost got scammed the second time around. I usually have to sleep it off and step away from it all to get a better perspective. I'm still learning.
2) Perfectionism
I always expect things to be perfect, to happen effortlessly and flawlessly and I get easily disappointed when they don't turn out the way I want them to be. Then I turn emotional. I also have high expectations in everything. It's not good, because I tend to focus on what's wrong instead of appreciating what's good and right. Still a work in progress.
3) Eccentric, most of the time
I am an INFP (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving). My mantra is, "I go with my gut and feelings 100%" I agree, it could be an annoying trait. Yesterday, we hit it off, partied together and I seemed to have been the most bubbly and fun person to be around. The next day, I am nowhere to be found and it appears, I suddenly transformed into a hermit meditating in the mountains and there's no way of reaching me. I can get lost in my dream world in a nano-second. With a serious face, I would utter the most outrageous sentences that you would never ever imagine would be coming from me.
What's your personality type?
What are your worst traits?
Check out other's worst traits here.
Have a great weekend!
XOXO,
Arni
What are your worst traits?
Check out other's worst traits here.
Have a great weekend!
XOXO,
Arni
Our Great Professor Called "Life"
8:37 PM
The last few days have been very stressful. We found the right land and we were in the middle of final negotiations the last few days. It's a small parcel of terrain that has good potential. We finally closed the deal today. There were many administrative processes that we were not familiar with. Most of which, were different from the usual procedures in the capital. I can't wait to share with you the knowledge I've stumbled upon and the lessons I've gained during my trip. I'll write about my ordeals when I get back to the city.
I thought I won't be able to blog today. After transferring to a new hotel and some problems connecting with their Wi-Fi, I'm glad to be back online again. I'll now make up for what I have missed in the challenge.
On the island after a long day, visiting forest lands and checking out places. |
{Day 23, Thursday: Things you've learned that school won't teach you}
Though I'm grateful that the high school, where I studied, taught us the importance of taking responsibility, time management and application of good conduct and moral values, there are things that we'll only learn in the real world.
Silence Tea
10:22 PM
It's a crazy world and so many things are beyond our control. I just posted this photo because a cup of tea brings me a sense of calm in the middle of internal and external chaos.
Today's challenge is to provide links to my favorite posts. Please feel free to click any of the articles on my Popular Post Feed. I'd like to spend today in extended silence. I'm taking this opportunity to pray and send positive well wishes to Oklahoma.
Wednesday : May 22, 2013
Day 22 Challenge: Rant about something.
I'm still in silence. I don't want to rant about something trivial I'm experiencing compared to the catastrophes and tragedies going around the globe. I just heard that a terrible crime happened in our residential neighborhood back in Manila. I'll continue to pray and send positive thoughts to sad events happening in different parts of the world.
Wednesday : May 22, 2013
Day 22 Challenge: Rant about something.
I'm still in silence. I don't want to rant about something trivial I'm experiencing compared to the catastrophes and tragedies going around the globe. I just heard that a terrible crime happened in our residential neighborhood back in Manila. I'll continue to pray and send positive thoughts to sad events happening in different parts of the world.
Love and light,
Arni
Silence
4:24 PM
{Day 20: Get real. Share something you're struggling with right now}
“Quietly endure, silently suffer and patiently wait.” - Martin Luther King
Coron, Palawan, Philippines {Photo by Allu de Rivera} |
Perfect words to describe the challenges I'm facing today. You might have read my previous posts on my current situation and the power of serendipity, so I need not describe in detail what I'm struggling with right now. I'd rather stay silent and see how things unfold. For now, I'll leave you with an image of a nearby island we've visited two years ago, not far from the main island where I am right now.
Happy Monday!
Have a great week everyone!
XOXO,
Arni
Serendipity
11:44 PMWatching sunset at La Sirenetta in Coron, Palawan, Philippines this afternoon |
I'd love to share with you everyday adventures and the details acquired during my land hunting here on this island. I will, but for now until everything is 100% closed and sealed, I'll keep mum about it.
What I can share with you though is the lesson I've learned in this trip.
My venture here taught me many things; patience, humility, openness, understanding and the amazing power of synchronicity. As I faced many types of people, some opportunists, some who are genuinely honest, some who look after their own welfare and some that just bring out the best in me, taught me that trusting in one's instinct and gut feeling or some might call inner voice, goes a long way coupled with logical reasoning. That quiet voice will keep us safe.
Favorite Picture
9:08 PMPhotography by: Gabriel "Toti" Abul {In His Image Photography} |
I was extremely and genuinely happy during my wedding day. It was very difficult to choose from 1,000 photographs because I love them all, but these wedding snapshots are my favorite. Different emotions and reactions were captured by our wonderful wedding photographer's black box and talented eye. I could have selected a photo of myself alone, but I just feel like posting these.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
In Search of My Niche in Life
12:51 AM
{Day 16: Something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you're working to overcome it.}
I'm not getting any younger. I am grateful for being able to freely nosedive into the unknown.
I left a job I didn't like that I have kept for 5 years. I stayed for practical reasons, to pay bills. Family responsibilities as the eldest child of 5 motivated me to persevere. I embraced tasks I didn't like, because it was the sane thing to do.
The company was my comfort zone. I had great bosses whom I learned a lot from, wonderful colleagues that fostered team work and a company whose philosophy and goals I have deep respect for. The problem was, I hated what I did. I didn't have the passion for it. It reached a point, I'd cry every morning on my way to work.There was an absence of fulfillment, a sense of purpose that my former job failed to fill. Each day, I told myself, I'm lucky to have a job, but a big part of me was dying within.
Circumstances aligned that forced me to choose between a temporary job to do what I love, or a permanent job to do what I hate. I quit and pursued the temporary freelance work. Once that was finished, I found myself in a maze.
My biggest problem is: I have absolutely no idea what I want to do and where I want to go from here.
I always seem to find the easiest way out by packing my bags, physically leave, to avoid things. There is always that feeling of not being good enough, whispering through the wind, in whatever I do. I've always used this as a motivator by proving this voice wrong, but lately, since I received my first artwork project rejection that was the first step to all of my future plans, I've lost all faith in everything.
It made me travel back to my roots. I uncovered the past, unearthed what's causing all of this internal turmoil and confronted it. I spent the last few months drifting through the wind, hopeful that life would give me a clue. Here I am, in a place I never expected myself to be. One day, I hope I'd be able to define the subject title of this post and finally answer what it is. For now, I'll continue searching.
Happy Thursday!
Love & light,
Arni
A Day in the Life of Arni
4:41 PM
{Day 16 Challenge: A photo journal of my day}
I miss Dubai. This is one way for me to connect to my life back in the desert. I'd like to share activities during one of my last days there, before I left for this trip.
I miss Dubai. This is one way for me to connect to my life back in the desert. I'd like to share activities during one of my last days there, before I left for this trip.
8:00 AM Hot Black Coffee Breakfast with Dark Chocolate or Strawberries while reading blogs. |
9:00 AM Feed Tiptoe (my cat) and Blog while he's outside |
10:00 AM House Cleaning and Chores |
11:00 AM Laundry, Hanging and Folding, Packing (luggage) |
Dali Dali Korean Food & Happiness
10:16 PM
Looking for a great place to eat in Coron, Palawan? Try Dali Dali, it's a small Korean joint with one of the best Kimchis I've ever had and a mouth watering selection of Korean dishes. It was so good that I had lunch there two days in a row.
Dali Dali Restaurant Dining Interior |
Meal I tried the first day: Bulgogi, marinated beef dish |
Clockwise L-R: Interior / Accessories / Yummy Kimchi (spicy fermented cabbage) |
Kimchi, Korea's iconic food and national treasure is one of the world's healthiest foods. Made from cabbage, garlic, vinegar, salt and seasonings, it's fermented for 3-4 months.
Corto Del Mar
9:51 PM
{Day 13: Issue a Public Apology}
After touring around to look for a place that we can call home in this seemingly growing popular town tourism-wise, I chanced upon this haven at the corner of a busy market place while walking. It stood out immediately among the clustered small stores and cramped pension houses.
Hello everyone! For today's Story of My Life challenge, I'd like to issue a public apology for spending the entire month of May talking about myself. To make up for this, I'm going to share an interesting find during a walk in the town of Coron, Palawan, where I currently am.
Hotel Entrance |
Nestled in a quiet and narrow street, the clay tiled roof of this quaint French Mediterranean resort caught my eye. I found myself in front of the entrance staring at this imposing structure that looked out of place from its neighboring fishing town.
A French gentleman on his mobile phone greeted us, "Please come inside, don't be shy." I made my way inside the lobby for an afternoon coffee at the courtyard.
Missing Him
11:35 AM
"Missing someone gets easier everyday because even though you are one day further from the last time you saw them, you are one day closer to the next time you will." - Loving From a Distance
{P.S. Day 12: Check out what others miss here. I'm flying this afternoon to Palawan and will be there for 8 days. I'll continue posting and share what'll happen to my trip there.}
Source |
Missing Him, a post I wrote the last time I was away from my husband for a month and a half. Here we are again, in a similar fate. Much as we're both used to cruising each day apart, I miss him. Having survived a long distance relationship for four years, before our paths finally settled in one place, I'm grateful for technology. Distance appears shorter, despite the time difference.
I miss him. Waking up in the morning to find him next to me. His smile. His laughter. His voice. The way he holds my hand before we sleep.
I remember that time when we had no inkling what awaited us, when we had no idea I would ever be married to him, when there was no way for us to be together, life gave us no other way but to trust in the future. I looked up at the night sky that was painted day for him. Knowing we shared the same sky reassures me.
Twenty five days and I'll see him again. A small price to pay, hopefully for our future together, for his happiness and eventually mine too.
Happy Mother's Day to all Moms!
Love & light,
Arni
Candy Crush
3:12 PM
{Day 11: Sell yourself in 10 words or less}
Source: |
"Addictively sweet like Candy Crush."
That's my shameless sales pitch. Eek! :) (I would understand if readers will stop visiting this blog now). Haha! Blame it on my addiction to Candy Crush. Speaking of this game, I'd like to share an article with you: 8 Life Lessons Taught By Candy Crush
Curious to see more self ad posts, click here.
I would like to hear yours. How would you sell yourself in 10 words or less?
Have a great weekend!
Love & light,
Arni
The Girl Who Flies Off at a Tangent
10:02 PM
{Day 10: Most Embarrassing Moment.}
I was used to my Physics teacher calling my attention all the time in class. Busy daydreaming, I'd vaguely hear my name. Each time I failed to answer his question with a proper and correct one, my teacher replied," You're flying off at a tangent again." With that, a nickname was born. "The girl who flies off at a tangent."
I embraced this nickname and accepted that yes, I do have a short attention span and could easily drift in the dream world in a nano-second. I'm not a girl who easily gets embarrassed. A girl with no shame, some of my friends called me. I didn't mind joining the group's laughter when something unexpectedly embarrassing happened to me.
I was used to my Physics teacher calling my attention all the time in class. Busy daydreaming, I'd vaguely hear my name. Each time I failed to answer his question with a proper and correct one, my teacher replied," You're flying off at a tangent again." With that, a nickname was born. "The girl who flies off at a tangent."
I embraced this nickname and accepted that yes, I do have a short attention span and could easily drift in the dream world in a nano-second. I'm not a girl who easily gets embarrassed. A girl with no shame, some of my friends called me. I didn't mind joining the group's laughter when something unexpectedly embarrassing happened to me.
I've had a lot of embarrassing experiences but one in particular stood out because it was the only humiliating experience that ever made me cry.
I was a high school Senior. I spent my last year participating in a compulsory military education in order to finish high school. It's part of the school curriculum to enforce discipline and learn survival skills. We called it CAT (Citizen's Army Training). Kids in school took this seriously (at least during my generation). It's a subject and usually taken after school for two hours, twice a week. The class is organized like a military unit, with battalions performing military drills and exercises.
The students have two choices, whether to be a cadet or an officer. To become an officer, one must give up one summer and several months prior to that in order to complete a rigid military training, a training no different given to actual soldiers.
I wanted to challenge myself. I was thin and fragile looking and definitely not military material. I joined. To my surprise, a group of fashionable girls joined the training too, the least likely you'd expect in such a group. We trained for the Medics team.
We wore camouflage and I watched us, girls and guys give up vanity, sweating under the sun as we were screamed at and asked to quit while doing push ups. Those girls are amazing and surpassed everyone's expectations. We all survived the summer and became officers.
I wanted to challenge myself. I was thin and fragile looking and definitely not military material. I joined. To my surprise, a group of fashionable girls joined the training too, the least likely you'd expect in such a group. We trained for the Medics team.
We wore camouflage and I watched us, girls and guys give up vanity, sweating under the sun as we were screamed at and asked to quit while doing push ups. Those girls are amazing and surpassed everyone's expectations. We all survived the summer and became officers.
We enjoyed the power we had during those CAT classes. As our classmates stop to give us salute whenever we pass, they greeted us, "Ma'am, good morning, Ma'am." We'll reply with another salute and continue walking. No one attempted to mock the system because they knew they'll be punished during the outdoor exercises. They were not allowed to pass before us. They always had to stop to let us through. (It's weird, right?) My mates, then fellow officers shared a table together during these days. We were granted the responsibility to punish them if they don't follow rules, asking them to do more drills, if necessary. It was surreal.
Until the day of our CAT graduation. It's different and held separately from the academic graduation. We were all dressed up in military uniforms with a formal ceremony that we practiced for weeks. (I told you, we all took this seriously). Alumni CAT officers attended this event and so did the entire high school in a big gymnasium. One of them sitting at the special table was a guy from an older batch (former officer) that I had a huge crush on.
The program starts with the entrance march of the country and school flag. They call this the Entrance of Colors.
There were five of us. Two flag bearers and two color guards with fake rifles. I was one of these color guards. We were trained to handle this fake wooden rifle. We all practiced how to make it turn and the works. We had an officer behind called a Color Sergeant to give commands.
The gym was silent. All attention directed to us as we paused at the central end of the gym. The commanding officer's voice bounced off the walls as everyone patiently waited for the flags to enter the hall.
The girl who flies off at a tangent heard a different command.
I heard "forward, " when in fact the actual command was something about halting and being present.
Guess what?
I marched forward. Alone. Unaware of the others frozen in place with an alarmed look on their faces. Halfway through the center of the gym, I was wondering what happened to the rest. When I glanced back with my peripheral vision, I saw that I was alone and realized, I have made a huge mistake. The crowd stared and I saw the guy I had a crush on with that shocked look on his face that says, "What the h*ll are you doing?"
It was too late.
The gym was silent.
Everyone was staring at me. Alone, at the center of the gym.
Time stopped and each second felt like eternity.
I had to think quickly.
I grabbed my rifle and did some movements. I turned it, twisted it. I honestly couldn't remember.
I just had to do something and pretended like it was part of the program.
After that impromptu stint, I marched back to the colors while trying to hold back the tears.
The color sergeant sensing my teary eyes uttered, "Hold it together."
We got through the national anthem. The guy I had a crush on was looking back at me throughout the song. I couldn't tell whether his expression was of disappointment or disbelief. The other kids in the hall didn't notice. I held my poker face and kept it together.
As soon as we left the hall, I ran straight to the toilet and unleashed the tears. A release from that pressure, from the experience. That's the price I had to pay for not listening.
As soon as we left the hall, I ran straight to the toilet and unleashed the tears. A release from that pressure, from the experience. That's the price I had to pay for not listening.
Check out other embarrassing experiences here .
What's yours?
Happy Friday everyone!
XOXO,
Arni
Writing a Love Postcard
5:37 PM
Today's challenge is to share a moment in my day. I've landed yesterday and am now soaking in sweat. It is hot. Sticky hot. The kind of hot that makes you want to stay under a cold shower forever. Since I spent today running around obtaining a resident certificate along with other boring errands that involve paperwork in the Philippines, I will cheat a little bit and will share one favorite moment of my day before I left Dubai.
I found this cute Paperchase All Abroad Postcard Book during a trip to Borders. I was excited to open it. When I did, I thought of all the bloggers I've met here online over the years and many months. Russia made me think of Stephanie of Stephanie Says, Australia made me think of Deidre of Decoybetty, Trishie of Under Lock and Key, Vanisha of Vanisha's Life in Australia and Helen of Eat Enjoy Live. London made me think of Meghan of Wishful Thinking and Miss B of Bobochic. New York made me think of Jane of Always With Yoo and Stephanie Lin of Fashion and Tea. I also thought of Sherry of Mama Diaries, Tina of Girl With a New Life, Helen of Ah That's Love and Irene of Away from Tenerife
This includes all of the other bloggers in my Daily Reads and new bloggers whose blogs I just started following and reading. You've kept me company every morning with my cup of coffee while I read your blogs. Thank you :)
This includes all of the other bloggers in my Daily Reads and new bloggers whose blogs I just started following and reading. You've kept me company every morning with my cup of coffee while I read your blogs. Thank you :)
I bought these cards to write love letters to my husband. I wrote short excerpts of memorable moments with him during our trip together in the city/ country mentioned on the postcard. If it was a country, we haven't been to, I wrote things I wanted to do with him there. I hid these postcards in places around the house where he'll easily find them. (e.g. on the fridge, in his drawer etc.)
He found one by chance before I left and smiled, "You and your love letters. How many of these did you hide?" He would need to search for them to find out.
Happy Thursday!
Love & light,
Arni
Travelers Without a Schedule
8:00 PM
Once you've crossed the threshold of not booking anything in advance, one great advice we have received from a group of backpackers we have met was this:
"Book only the first night, so you can easily shift to another B&B if you're not happy with it."
We traveled in Peru and Bolivia without booking accommodation in advance. Photo taken in Lima, Peru |
It made a lot of sense to us and the rest of the travelers we met. This tip deemed very useful based on experience, but may not work for those who prefer a comfortable scheduled trip.
This is perfect for our preferred mode of traveling: when we don't have a planned itinerary for our trip. We always travel this way. Traveling without schedule. We just know when our flights are and approximately where we want to go and what we want to see, but we can decide very easily if we want to stay longer or shorter in a place without being tied down by pre-booked accommodation.
- Advantages: This gave us flexibility to check out and move to a better place the next day, escaping the hassle of arguing with the hotel manager to get our refund.
- Disadvantages: Sleeping bags and tents may come in handy in case we run out of rooms during peak season.
Happy Wednesday!
Love & light,
Arni
{P.S. This is a scheduled post . Day 8: Blog Everyday in May Challenge. I might be somewhere in the terminal of Hong Kong today while you read this post.}
To Trust in Uncertainty
7:49 PM
Day 7: The Thing I'm Most Afraid Of : To Trust in Uncertainty
The uncertainty of going back, settling in my birth country, being away from the one I love and losing a loved one. These scare me the most.
I'm flying tonight, on my way back to the Philippines. This time, I'm on my own for one month. It saddens me to be away from my husband. Being apart is not foreign to us, but I know I will miss him a lot, even more this time around. Last year, I was even away for a longer period. The solace of knowing that the purpose of this trip is for our future brings me comfort.
I will go back to another island in Palawan to find land and obtain more information that I could use in preparing a move there. I have never set up nor run a business before so this is also scary for me.
I will go back to another island in Palawan to find land and obtain more information that I could use in preparing a move there. I have never set up nor run a business before so this is also scary for me.
Gauging the past events, it seems, there's a pull for me to return. After, my search of home and letting go , I have a strong feeling, I need to go back and prove all these false thoughts I have back there wrong. Only then, I think can I move forward.
So here I am about to dive into the fear. Wish me luck.
What scares you most?
Love & light,
Arni
{I hope to share our future project planning here in the blog and even if I'm in another country, I'll still be connected and will continue the Blog Everyday in May Challenge.}
How to Get to San Vicente from El Nido
7:00 PM
San Vicente Poblacion is a small town located on the northwestern side of the main island of Palawan. It is home to the longest white sand beach of the Philippines.
A lot of people by mistake think that Port Barton and San Vicente town are the same, mainly because Port Barton started a long while back, considered as one of the most frequented tourist destinations in Palawan and secondly, because it is part of San Vicente's municipality. However, it might cause problems while booking hotel accommodations. San Vicente Poblacion is in fact, another place.
San Vicente Poblacion / Public Market / Photo taken outside Picardal Lodge |
How to Get There?
From El Nido to San Vicente Poblacion
There are no direct buses from El Nido to San Vicente Poblacion.
At El Nido bus station next to the public market, we took the first trip of RORO Bus going to Puerto Princesa. We got off at Roxas Terminal, the second bus stopover. Travel time between Roxas and El Nido is roughly 1 hour to 1 1/2 hrs. You'd need to take the first trip to catch the poblacion bus in Roxas.
Roxas Terminal |
At Roxas Terminal, facing the long stretch of canteens / cafeterias, the San Vicente Poblacion bus loading area is located on the left hand side. These are old ordinary (non-air-conditioned) buses. There were no signage to indicate the loading area. We asked people around and we were guided to a small open-window bus. (Sorry, I didn't have any photo because we just caught this bus in time, before its departure). We were told to be there at the terminal not later than 11AM. There are limited trips to poblacion when we went there and there are no trips in the afternoon.
It is an hour or more ride from Roxas to poblacion.
The first quarter of the ride once we were off the National Highway was one of the scariest bus rides I've ever had. The driver was like an aspiring race car driver, driving through gravel and clay path bordered by forests and ravines. Up and down, we shook a lot and there were muscle pains afterwards similar to that feeling after a good workout at the gym.
It was one h*ll of a dusty ride! Be sure to protect yourself. We were told that when it rains, being stuck in the deep mud puddles are normal. We also found out that this present road is a whole lot better than how it was.
San Vicente poblacion is not touristic yet. At the time of writing this post, directions to get there and hostel information weren't even in the last edition of Lonely Planet yet. However, it's going to be the next big destination because they're building a domestic airport with international standards there.
I remember locals in the bus threw us curious and inquisitive stares when we boarded. We were the only tourists in the bus. I had a feeling they're not used to visitors, yet. They're mostly nice, but a bit guarded.
A Road We Took in San Vicente on the way to Long Beach |
This town is isolated. Driving through rice paddies, jungle and several villages along the way with the occasional view of the Long Beach is definitely an experience.
Any other way to get there?
Hiring a private boat in El Nido to drop you off at San Vicente Poblacion Pier.
Others suggested taking a bus headed for Puerto Princesa with a stop at Itabiak intersection (instead of Roxas) to wait for a bus/van going to poblacion. This option is quite risky if you miss the single bus trip (from PP) that passes here not later than 10AM. Some vans are also already full by the time they get to Itabiak.
In case you miss it, you can take a habal-habal, a motorcyle with an extended rear seat. This is quite a challenge. Only one person can ride with a back pack. Imagine, driving on a rough path to poblacion (Oh dear). A habal-habal trip will probably cost Php 200-300.
Hope the above info helps.
-----------------------------------------------------
Day 6: Blog Everyday in May Challenge
If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do'?
Nowadays, when someone asks me, "What do you do?" or "What are you doing nowadays?"
Source: |
The immediate answer that escapes my lips is: "I'm a housewife." This is the truth. Often times, they would leave it at that. Some will continue to ask with a bewildered look, "Why?" It depends who asks this question. If I don't feel sharing further I'd just say, "Because that's just the way it is."
Others will follow it up with, " Do you regret your decision to leave your job behind?"
With all honestly, I'd answer, "No, I don't."
The rest, closer to me will ask, "Are you happy with your decision?"
With a smile, I answer, "Yes, very much."
One lady I just met asked me once, a long time ago
"What do you do? Are you happy?"
That threw me off balance. It created a seed in my mind.
Since then, I often asked myself the same question every day on my way to work.
Now I can truly say, yes I am.
What do I do?
Being a happy soul.
Happy Girls are the Prettiest Girls
3:06 PM
One of life's greatest blessings to me are dear friends. Friends whom I've met in different phases of my life by fate. Ones who have come to accept me for who I am, who are aware of my strengths and weaknesses and never judge me for them.
I am drawn to these women. "Pretty and happy. Pretty and happy.." is a mantra chanted repeatedly after glasses of wine and cocktails. They're beautiful and they know it. What I love most about them is their interesting ability to laugh at themselves. Their inner confidence shines through and through. Each of them faces difficulties one way or another. They handled them with grace and a positive attitude.
How we met?
Majority of us met through an international interiors, exhibition and events management company 6 to 7 years ago here in Dubai. At that time, we were working in different departments and were not really close, except for one, Monique whom I've closely worked with in Interiors.
Two years ago, we all decided to meet up at a sushi place. The friendship blossomed since and lately, we could hardly get enough of each other.
Two years ago, we all decided to meet up at a sushi place. The friendship blossomed since and lately, we could hardly get enough of each other.
The only complete group photo we have. L-R: Gail , Bambi, Carla, Princes, (Me), Monique, Tintin |
The Gold Souk
3:25 PM
This is gold paradise. It is a traditional market at the heart of Deira where you can buy really cheap gold by negotiating prices. Diamonds, platinum, white gold, emeralds, rubies and more, it's fun to test one's haggling skills here. Gold is sold by carat and weight. For serious buyers and traders, they monitor gold prices daily. You will also find electronic signs displaying the UAE daily gold rate.
There are over 300 shops in Gold Souk within the maze-like streets of Deira. Considered to be one of the cheapest places to buy gold in the world, it is definitely a must-see stop for every tourist. Government of Dubai is strict in ensuring what you buy here is genuine.
Textile Souk
4:27 PMTextiles and materials are prevalent / Poufs and camel souvenirs |
For today's post, I'd like to share more about Dubai. The Textile Souk. Though Naif Souk in Deira also carry fabric, the original textile souk is on Bur Dubai along Al Fahidi Street. Deira and Bur Dubai are separated by Deira Creek in between. The easiest way to access and navigate the souks would be to ride these wooden boats "Abra boat" at designated Abra stations.
Abra Boat on Bur Dubai Side of the Creek |
How to get there?