el acuario

I have not used this account for a long time,I have lots of stories to tell, thoughts to share but I did not have the chance to do so. Anyway, Its the holiday season once again. I have just spent my lonliest and depressing christmas ever. It was my third christmas away from my family. Third Christmas without the customs and traditions I grew up with. I have missed the usual Christmas foods again.

Last Wednesday, December 24, I went to hear mass at around 3pm, it ended at 4:30, I just stayed in the church for a while, went to Deira City Center, walk through the shops, and watch the people doing their last minute shopping. It was a pleasant thing to see, but it just made me feel that I am alone and lonely. After that, I went for my skin appointment at 7pm, it finished at around 8pm. Im supposed to have a buffet dinner in Park Hyatt with some friends, but unfortunately it was cancelled. I don’t want to go home and see my flatmate/colleague’s entire family preparing for their Noche Buena. So I decided to go back to City Center and let the time pass. I also bought a cake to bring to the Band’s Place where I decided to have my Noche Buena, which would be around 3 am. I went to their place around 9:30 and only my friend Kathy was there, I feel bored already so I decided to go to the bar and just chill out. The bar is still quite empty, only a few were there. So I went to a table, ordered a pitcher of beer and the tempting Crispy Pata. I was there alone for around 2 1/2 hours. The waiters and the band members(and are my friends as well) would approach me, and chat for a while. It is almost 12 and my other friends are not yet there. the bar is also being filled with crowd.At that time, I really want to cry, I feel soooooooo alone. Then past 12, they came. Enjoyed some drinks and danced the night away. We then went to the band’s place, and ofcourse more alcoholic drinks, now we are drinking shots of Jack Daniels, accompanied by a sip of coke. Its already 6 am, then all of us went to the company accomodation for the waiters, they are having some parlor games, and I joined the paper dance,with Mam Tina(one of the bar’s manager) as my partner. Unfortunately, we lost the game. I left the party around 8am, went back in the band’s place and had some chat with my friend. I then decided to leave around 10 am.

Im supposed to have lunch with my former house mates in Satwa,but Im drunk and sleepy and woke up around 4 pm.So it did not purse, I rescheduled it for dinner time, but I have cleaned the room, and my car and watched some movies, then I fell asleep again and woke up before midnight.

That was Christmas. Alone. Lonely. Depressed.

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Its another weekend my dear readers. What are my plans this weekend?Let me see, I’d like to have a BBQ picnic in dubai creek park, I dont know who’s coming with me, but I think Peach, ta jac, mico and nonoi are free tom. so we’ll see, but before that.her’s my sked.

I’ll be out from work at 6 am, before 7, im already in Satwa, buy some chicken tighs for the bbq, boil it for a while, then marinate them in BBQ sauce, with some garlic, pepper and tomato sauce. after that, I think Im gonna do my laundry until around 9 am, then sleep wake up at around 3 pm, and prepare evertyhting for the picnic.

Im excited to use my friends slr camera, he he. The creek park is also a nice place to unwind, reflect and simply relax.So we can have a different weekend this time.I think we’ll be finish by 8 pm, then i just have to relax for a while, take a shower. and prepare for my usual sat. night-out. I think I’ll be home by 8 am on sunday.

On sunday, I think Im just gonna sleep the whole day and go out at around 9 pm with my friends.

So there we go, another weekend is over, and start of another one.

Sometimes I’m thinking of going back to our shop in Jumeirah centre, I have been here in the airport for 8 months already. With shifts varying from 2pm-10 pm or 10pm-6 am, and a very rare 6 am- 2 pm, which I am thankful for bec. I hate the morning shift. Im an evening person and putting me in morning shift is a torture for me.In jumeirah shop, I dont have to pay for SALIK, bec. its just 15-20 mins away from my place.it is not as busy as airport.and duties are less, and besides, they have achieved their targets 4 months in a row.

But, why do i have second thoughts?Maybe because of the challenges here in the airport?

because of the interactions with different nationalities ,the challenge of mystery shoppers, the duties assigned to me..

whatever reasons I have, I think I’ll stay here for now, until they transfer me to a new shop, face new challenges and accept new responsibilities.

I just had my break, 3 pieces of spicy chicken, coleslaw, and mashed potato and a can of coke to quench my thirst.

I was just chatting with my friend,and former colleauge from hyatt. We were talking as if we were just both still in hyatt, talking about the places where we used to go, foods that we used to order,conversations that we use to have.

Captain Nook’s- a carinderia style restaurant just across hyatt, where most of the staff go for bottles of red horse, sisig or tapsilog and a videoke machine flooded with entered song numbers.When you go there, there would always be a hyatt staff present. They even have a wall, filled with pictures of different groups and occasions of hyatt staff.

A few blocks away from hyatt, and its already Nakpil street, where Gilligan’s, Blue room, synder and sala is located.

Gilligan’s- most of us know what it is, a restaurant themed after the gilligan’s island, so it looks like a ship, but we often go here for its sisig, which is crispy and creamy, pork sinigang and garlic rice and bottles of san miguel light., after that we’ll go to synder and have videoke in one of their private rooms, wait for the rest of the staff or just go home.

Sala- a very filipino style restaurant, an open-aired small restaurant where they serve the best tokwa’t baboy and tapsilog as well.

Blue room is located adjacent to Gilligan’s, opposite common ground.Its a cozy place to dine and just have small talks.They have good appetizers as well such as buffalo wings and nachos.

A few more walk from these street, towards taft avenue and a right on julio vargas if im not mistaken will take us to abas, its like a secret garden amidst the busy and toxic malate, it is an open-aired, ala beach house place with tables made of hard wood,nice lighting and landscape, a billiard table, and what makes it a nice place to chill out is the band that plays acoustic music.

Near Remedios, we also dine at David’s tea house, although we’re working in a chinese restaurant, we never had enough of it, so if we’re craving for some dimsum and chinese dishes we just take a jeepney ride and in 5 mins we’re already ordering our food, the timeless siomai and hakaw, yeong chow fried rice or salted fish fried rice, sweet and sour pork, steamed spare ribs and asado.

@!@!##$$@$$@##@###!!!!!!, i miss those times. I miss those places and the people im with.

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Last saturday, mga 8 am na ata ako nakauwi from work, natulog at nagising ako mga past 2 pm ata, I asked my friends kung tutuloy pa sa wild wadi at ano plans after, pero tinamad na rin ako, kaya ayun, nanood na lang ako ng Prison break, hanggang mga 6 pm ata. Then nagkayayaan manood ng Narnia, 8 pm daw screening sa Mercato, pero nag aalaangan pa ako sumama, ksi hinihintay ko ang reply ng isa man lang sa grupo kung saan ang lakad after wadi, coz i can just join them for dinner.Pero mag 8 pm na,and there’s no single msg from anyone of themSo, ive decided to join tita jack and my cuz peachy sa panood ng narnia, its almost half of the movie when my friend texted me, dinner daw sa madinat jumeirah, maya maya sa dubai marina na lang daw pala, sabi ko nanood ako ng sine, baka after dinner nlng ako mkipagkita sa kanila. I’ve enjoyed the movie, eventhough i wasn’t able to see part 1, naintindihan ko pa naman kwento.Bago pa matapos ang movie, nkaplano na ako pumunta ng c.g, to meet up some friends.

Tapos na ang movie, nag cr ung dalawang babae, at as usual, matagal.paglabas nila sabi nila, “kuya drew, fresh na fresh pa kami, nag re touch daw sila, ayaw pa daw nila umuwi, kung pwede daw sila sumama sa akin, di daw sila didikit skin, kung gsto ko daw di pa kami sabay sabay pumasok ng bar”Ok lang naman skin, kso ang iniisip ko kasi ay yung pag-uwi, kasi balak kong uminom at magpa umaga kasi off ko naman. Anyway come what may.

A concoction of two kinds of vodka, drops of tequila, and a green liquer and filled with red bull- this is what my favorite cocktail is made of, simply called Bull Frog.

This has been my preferred drink that I have discovered from Jules bar and now in Chikka Grill.

It has been part of my night life and has been synonymous to me as well- Andrew & Bull frog = One hell of a night!!

Pagdating dun, puno na naman ang c.g, la pa avail. na upuan, order muna kami ng bull frog, maya mya may nakita na akong mga customer na paalis, pero pang 2 lang ung table, i dnt mind, kasi di naman ako nag stay in one place, sa dami ng kakilala ko dun, pa ikot-ikot na naman ako.

Anyway, to make the story short, we had  glasses of bull frog, one after another, medyo matapang nga ung timpla, at tinamaan din ako, lalo na ung 2 babae. na sobrang pasaway na. Pinapauna ako umuwi, kaya na daw nila, may mga linyang ” Kuya drew you trust us naman di b?” “don’t worry, kaya namin sarili namin, i-text ka naman namin kapag nasa bahay na kami”Pero syempre di ako papayag, although d ko sila maihatid pa satwa, sabi ko isasakay ko na sila ng taxi.aywa pa din, mauna na daw ako umalis, sabi ko naman sa kanila, mapapaalis na lahat ng tao, ako kahulihang lalabas ng bar.tinawag ko sai ate tina para pagsabihan ung 2, pero ayaw pa din, kinampihan pa ni ate tina, magpasaway daw ako, para awayin ko ulit ung bouncer, e ang nagyari kina ibigan pa ni tita jack- as she extends her hand for a warm handshake she utters the words “Hi, how are you?im Jack, and you’re? from which country?” hay naku, pasaway talaga. Maya maya may isa pang eksena ” Hala, anong nagyari sa pants ko?paano ako napaso ng yosi?, makikita ito paglalaba”syempre sbi namin ano ka ba paso lang yan, “hindi un e, ang laki kaya. paano ba ko napaso ng yoi” and this line was repeteadly uttered, hanggang makasakay ng taxi. bago sila sumakay, kinausap ko ang driver to take them home safely, binigay ko address, kinuha ko plate no. at nagpaalam na sa 2 pasaway.

mga after 15 mins, tumawag na si ta jack, nasa bahay na daw isla, ok na daw sila, wag daw ako mag-alala and thank you daw. so ok na ako, nasa band’s place nko by that time, nakikipagkwentuhan.maya maya tumawag ulit si ta jack, si peachy daw ang kulit, etc..

ayan na, kinabukasan, pagkagising namin, matinding asaran, madami pa palang nangyari mula noong sumakay ng taxi, ung mga oras na wala ako sa tabi nila, hanggang nung dumating sila sa bahay. Di natapos ang kwentuhan, asaran at tawanan. at ang di namin malimutan ay ang mahiwagang butasa sa pantalon, he he.

Sana sa susunod di na sila pasaway…….

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Im back to my usual shift, 10 pm – 7 am.

What I like about working here is that can see different cultures, talk to different people and I am starting to be good in distinguishing their nationalities even from a far.

In our shift there are flights from Nigeria, Kuwait, India, Bangladesh,Pakistan, China, Germany and Philippines.

As usual, lots of Kabayans have arrived, some we’re picked up by their friends or family, but most are for agencies from different companies, and most of them are waiting here for hours already. If they would be picked up by a company representative, most likely they have to wait for 3- hours before they could take a rest.

Its always nice to see filipinos around, but its also saddening, because it really shows how bad our economy is.

Most European travellers are light travellers, they are just here mainly for vacation, maximum 5 days. But when Filipinos arrive.They always have a trolley of luggages, already reflecting their lenght of stay here.

Just like me, they left our motherland for a greener pasture. But would it really be greener for all of them?Would everybody be fortunate enough to earn what they want, or even what they need?

It is not easy to leave our families behind, and in our culture, even though you’re single. You don’t have siblings or sometimes you’re really alone in life, no immediate family. There would always be an extended family, first, second, third degree relatives that we are willing to help. We are naturally helpful, loving and family-oriented.

Their flight of MNL – DXB have just landed, a new start. a new chapter. a new challenge.

and they are all looking forward for their next flight – DXB-MNL.

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Here’s another entry about love- don’t blame me for being a hopeless romantic, I was born in the month of love and passion.

While watching a tv show 3 or 4 days ago, one of the guests quoted that love is both magic and choice, then I told peachy that I thought of another blog entry.So here it is.

I think this is also a good definition of love – its not all about the spark, the magic, love at first sight or the like. Its also about making a choice, a decision, a conviction. And we often don’t realize how this two things would compliment each other. But it really does makes sense, its just a matter of own judgment and will. Which of the two would be considered more? the magic that you see and feel or the choice that you have to make.I think most of us are considering the magic, then making a choice. Do you get what I mean? For example you are attracted to 3 different ladies, you’re dating the three of them, but only one of them or in some cases no one got the magic that you are looking for, the spark that you want to see. So here comes the choice, you choose the one where you felt there is magic and befriend with the rest.

But there also some cases that we have to make a choice first, then we’ll wait for that magic to be developed. On these situations we’re talking more of practicality, considerations and could also be morality.

Magic and choice? or choice and magic? Actually its always both magic and choice, from whatever angle we see it, from whatever perspective we think of it and whatever objective we have. It does really come as a pair. But I think choice would always prevail coz in the long run, the magic would be gone, but the choice would always be there, this is the mere reasons for break ups, annulments and broken families. We always have options in life, we always have a choice but we cannot force the magic to come alive. As the song says, if the feeling is gone……

If the feeling is gone
please don’t pretend that you still love me
I can see it in your eyes
and it hurts to admit it
I can tell that the feeling is gone

All i ask is just a little honesty
Though i know that you’re not coming back to me
You know i’ll do anything to make you stay
But i just have to let you know
If the feeling is gone

There’s a sadness in your smile
Though I try to conceal it
I can tell that the feeling is gone

All i ask is just a little honesty
Though i know that you’re not coming back to me
You know i’ll do anything to make you stay
But i just have to let you go
If the feeling is gone

All i ask is just a little honesty
Though i know that you’re not coming back to me
You know i’ll do anything to make you stay
But i just have to let you go
I just have to let you go
I just have to let you go
If the feeling is gone….

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I was awaken by alarm clock/cellphone at 8 am, checked for any sms, got out of bed, freshen up, had my breakfast, checked my mails.Took a bath, dressed up and left the house at 9 am for my training about Blackberry that would start at 10 am. The training was held in BBC building in Media City, around 30 minutes away from our place. I have arrived there around 9:45, and because of lack of parking space I entered the room at 10:05, had a cup of coffee then the training began. The training finished at 1 pm, Im ready to go when my manager asked me to go to the head office and get the Airport Ids for some of our staff from our Regional Manager who is also a good friend of mine. The head office is just 10 mins. away from the training venue so I am in the head office in no time. As I make my way towards the lift Ibumped into a good friend, just exchanged hellos and I went up to 4th floor. Our RM was surprised to see me, he told me that I lost a lot of weight, but still looking good, he he.We had a small chat, then handover the IDs I need. I am already starving coz its already past 2 by that time, as I drive through Shk. Zayed road, I called one of my friends who has a TFC subscription and asked him If I can dropped by to have lunch and watch some shows as well. I’ve decided to drive to KFC and get some take away meal for us. I have ordered the big meal – 1pc chicken, a bun, coleslaw, fries and the chix fillet sandwich.and a big pepsi. for him he asked for a snack box- 2pcs of chicken , fries and a bun.When I got to their place, I just removed my shoes, sat on the sofa, and we started our lunch while watching Game k n b.After a few more shows, we left the house before 5 pm, I dropped him in a Bus Stop where he will wait for their company service, I called my tita Jac and asked them if they would like to go out. As they prepare, I stopped by Jumeirah Centre to get some sim cards for our shop. They gave me a ring, letting me know they are ready. We went to Festival City – waterfront mall, then Ikea, they were amazed by the concept of the model units, we had hotdog meals- a hotdog sandwich and bottomless softdrinks for only 4 dhs. After that we decided to go home,on our way home I dropped by the airport and gave the sim cards and IDS.Then I am supposed to get a package, but I have missed the service road, and then got messed up with the road, beac. of all these constructions, the 5 minute U-turn turned out to be a 30 minute one. Anyway, I got the package. Peachy asked me if we can have seesha and shawarma near the creek, but its already past 9 pm and I think its already closed so I’ve just decided to take them to an acoustic bar in Traders Hotel. After a round of Vodka-redbull for me and Mico, and strawberry Margaritas for ta jac and peach, we went to chikka grill in Marco Polo Hotel, and got ourselves glasses of Bullfrogs. After a while my baby arrived with her friend. then my friends came, one after another and bec. we are seated near the door, I looked like a welcoming committee,or a 2nd receptionist for the bar. After 12 glasses of Bull frogs, 3 glasses each, a great music, a nice conversation and the bar is already close. we went home.Peach, Mico and I had our very late dinner, freshen up then went to bed. Haaay!!!!!!it was a very tiring yet fun day for me.

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Is this phrase familiar to you? Maybe yes, maybe not, this is just one line from a tv series which I am now addicted to, I know im already late because it is now o9n Season four or season 5, and I have just finished Series one this morning.Sorry, it is from Prison Break.

I heard good comments about this tv series, but unfortunately I was not that interested in such tv series before, and it is much better to watch it in dvd, at least one day would be enough to finish the entire series rather than wait for months to get the essence of it.

Last Saturday I have started series one. I was amazed by the twists of the story, the attitude of the characters, the strategies, techniques, disputes, deceptions, love and humor of the entire plot. The bravery, kindness and ingenuity of Michael Scofield is amazing. His way of thinking, resourcefulness, faith and love for his brother and friends brings life to the story, and to his character.

There are also lots of lessons that we can get from this series- Love for your family, for your brother.

Faith in your Creator, in your friends, in your team mates and in yourself.

Respect for your life, and for others.

To learn the strategies of life, how to handle pressure, how to think fast and react to your environment.

Lessons about fighting for the truth and foe what is right.

Lessons about trust, of knowing your friends. “Keeping your friends close, and enemies closer”

It is also a violent environment, lots of bloods have to be shed, toes to be cut, hand to be axed, necks to be slashed, but all of these has just been like toothaches for them, because they all focused in their goal, for the time that they have been preparing for, the time of their escape.

We all have our own Foxriver Prisons, we all have a Michael Scofield within us, a T-Bag, Abruzzi, Sucre, Lincoln or the rest of the Gang’s attituide in us.

We all have our own blueprints and strategies how to make our lives better, easier and happier.

We have our own different time of being outside the wall, it mainly depends on how we play our game.How we face our challenges, how we conquer our fears. Sooner or later we” ll all be free men,

All we have to do is “Just Have a Little Faith”

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Dito na ko ngyn sa shop, pagkatapos ng 3 araw na pahinga, na di naman ako nakapagpahinga, e trabaho na naman. Di maganda ang mood ko, puyat, at wasted. Galing ako sa Jules bar kagabi, kasama ko ang mga kaibigan ko at dati kong kasama sa Jumeirah shop.

Mga past 11 na ata nung dumating ako dun, nasa table sila na malapit sa pintuan kaya nakita ko agad sila, may isang bote ng Heineken para kay Kuya John, at strawberry martini naman para kay Agnes, at dahil filipino night kagabi sa Jules, lechong kawali ang pulutan nila. Madami pang bakanteng upuan, at kagaya ng dati ung malapit sa bar ang madaming tao, kasi may ibang negosayson dun, he he. Mga magdalena na araw araw na nandun.

mas masaya dati sa Jules, lalo na kapag monday, 2nd set pa lang may nagsasayaw na sa unahan, pero ngayon, hanggang magbukas na ng ilaw, nakaupo lang ang mga tao.Pero ayos lang, para maiba naman, hindi yung laging nasa party mode ako, kagaya kapag nsa C.G. ako.

Tamang usapan lang, kwentuhan, kamustahan. Nagsabihan ng problema, at sama ng loob. Nagtatampo pala si Agnes sa akin, nakalimutan ko na daw sila, kapag daw masaya ako di ko sila naalala, kapag daw may problema ako, di rin daw masyado nagpaparamdam.May mga bago na daw akong kaibigan etc. etc. Ang sabi ko naman hindi naman ganun, dahil alam ko kahit di kami naguusap or nagkikita ng madalas e magkakaibigan kami, tulad ng iba pang tga du.pagkatapos ng ilang minutong pag uusap at ilan pang baso ng bull frog at shots ng di ko alam kung ano un, basta parang may whisky at baileys, e ayos na ang lahat. Mga past 1 am umalis na ako dun at pumunta naman sa CG, sakto rin naman nandun ung tropa.Kaya ayos din ang pagtambay ko dun.ddoon na ako nakatulog sa bahay ng barkda ko, at mag 9 am na ata ng umuwi ako. Mahapdi ang sikmura, masakit ang ulo, antok. Nagbihis, naligo, nagbukas ng lata ng sardinas, sabaw sa kanin at inom ng malamig na coke. Solve na, nabawasan na hang over.Di naman ako nag kaka hang over kung Bull frog lang, pero may iba pa kami ininom kagabi kaya ayan, hang over kung hang over.

mamayang gabi may nagyaya na naman sa akin ng inuman, sa accomodation naman ng ex gf ko, niyaya ako ng mga barkda nya, d ko na daw sila nakakasama. Pero dahil sa nalasing ako kagabi, baka ipagpaliban ko na lang muna iyon.

(Hikab) inaantok na talaga ako, kaso 4pm pa lang 10 pm pa labas ko. kumain na nga ako ng chocolate at uminom ng soda, antok pa din. Tapos sabay sabay pa tong mga naglilinis dito sa airport, ung malaking vaccuum, at dito naman sa loob nag shop, nagaayos ng sahig.(Hikab ulit)pakiramdam ko pipikit na mga mata ko,nakakatamad talaga. Di bae pagkalabas ko mamaya e 3 araw na lang ipapasok ko tapos pahinga na ulit.

sige na, tinatamad na ako e.

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“Experience is the name so many people give to their mistakes”

This is my current shout out in my friendster account. There are lots of reasons behind this phrase.I have made lots of mistakes in my life, and i always think of it as an experience, good or bad, still an experience where lessons should have been learned.

But the qestioin is have I really learned from this experiences?Am I still commiting the same mistakes?I thought my 3 days off from work would be a fun and relaxing moment, but its not.It has been a toxic, stressful weekend for me. ISSUES would always be there. I don’t know why?or should I say I know some of the reasons but not everything.

I have been always on the phone, talking with my close friends, sharing stories, heartaches and pains. I have been talking to my ex- why?I simply miss her. Last night, I asked my tita jac and peach’s friend, and our new housemate sa bahay ni TIta, mico if they would like to join me for some tequila shots.Ibought some crisps across the street, its already around 11 pm. I opened our Jose cuervo, pour a few splashes in my glass, added some red bull and sprite, and kalas, i have made my simple concoction that would help ease the pain that I have, even for a few hours.Its just a simple chat about life here in dubai, as both new here in dubai, we had some sort of q & a portion. About job opportunities, investments, hiring procedures etc. Some moments from our past, stories of the present and plans for the future. It was a nice casual conversation.The bottle is now half empty, and I decided to jump into my bed and rest. I switched on my laptop, checked my friendster, email and ym as I always do, nothing interesting though. So I just inserted a dvd movie and watched till I feel sleepy, but while watching the movie I received an sms from a friend, asking me questions which I don’t know the answer. situations that are not clear for the both of us. Scenes that should not be happening. We’re both clueless, but Im bothered. i wasnt able to sleep properly, thinking of one of our friends that was drunk, really wasted and troubled. Im just concerned about what’s happening coz I know in one way or another, I am part of it. Until now I haven’t receive any sms from my friends. Im thinking about all my credit card bills. Again, im bankrupt for this month.

I am thinking about my friends, my love life, my work, my finances. All at the same time,in a weekend that should be relaxing and calm.Im burned out. im stressed. i don’t know what to do. i don’t know where to start.

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