New Year flying

After that airport fiasco (okay, minor setback) last Saturday, I was fearful that something else might crop up and hold me back again.

People always say that 'things happen for a reason'. Aside from forgetting a vaccine that I was supposed to bring back with me, I did not see any good reason for me to go through this hassle.

But then, I settled down again. I did not unpack my bags, since the next flight was just a few days later but I did unpack my gadgets and my mind.

We went to Ocean Adventure which my nephews enjoyed so much and I was able to meet some more friends. Last night, dear friends who are usually here for my last night every year were finally able to come. I didn't realize till then that we were not able to hold that annual despedida.

Though I was not conscious of it, I was not ready to go. Now I am, even if I'm spending Philippine New Year on air and most probably, Dubai New Year in the airport.

Luckily, that's nothing new. Once the new year almost found me in a speeding taxi cab, zigzagging through firecracker-filled roads.

But then again, there's also a first - two New Years for once.

I'll be squeezing the vaccine in my apple green suitcase after I log out, then I'll be zipping it close for the last time this year.

So before I go and prepare for another trip to the airport I wish you all a Happy New Year. May the new beginning prove to be what we are all looking for.

*Handpainted eggs by Ysab

Left in Manila

Somebody is praying real hard for me not to go. And the first candidate would be my nephew who kept praying that we get stuck in traffic so that I don't make it to the plane. Well, long story told short (won't elaborate right now since I need to mention names), red tape got me stranded in Manila. So I'm still here when I should be back in Dubai.

We are getting back on our production schedule so the pressure is on, luckily I have enough materials to meet tomorrow's deadline. It has been all emailed earlier. I can go to sleep now. Good night Manila.

When the shoe dropped

I haven't been watching the news nor reading newspapers. But when this shoe dropped, boy, did it echo all throughout the world!

Bush visits Iraq and gets the ultimate Iraqi insult, two pairs of shoes were thrown at him by Al Zaidi, an Iraqi journalist, while he was delivering a speech:

"This is a gift from the Iraqis, this is the farewell kiss, you dog!" Al Zaidi shouted just before he chucked his shoes at the US president during the live broadcast of the press conference.

"This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq!" Al Zaidi shouted as he hurled his other shoe.

- Gulf News

As a journalist, I don't believe he should have done it. But I'm clapping inside.

Manila, Manila

Back in Dubai, we often talk about living in a bubble: we feel like time and even life is suspended. Yes we get our ups and downs, usually with jobs, but it doesn't feel 'real'. This feeling was all the more pronounced during my Manila vacation two years ago. In the short time I was here, two very close friends got married, my cousin's grandmother passed away and my sister was hospitalized.

This time around, I've been in Manila for about two weeks and yet, I've seen another wedding (congrats Irish & Pau!), reunited with old friends and enrolled my nephew in Taekwondo classes. Of course a lot of it is because you tend to cram in as much as you can in such a short time. But we have to admit, and often remind ourselves, that Dubai is not our 'real life'. We are mere visitors there, everybody will go back again to their homes.



Every year, around this time, I go back to my reality. But now, I question if this is it.

Getting used to Manila again is easy. Just accept the chaos.

I haven't been outside yet without seeing people who treat the whole city as their home: bare-chested men hanging out in the streets, tummy bulging out or skinny chest proudly showing, men relieving themselves against walls and even a lamp post in the middle of the road, women and children crossing without looking left or right and drivers who have no concept of lanes and stick their cars wherever they will fit.

Once you're passed those, you're all set. You'll see the beauty that is chaotic and people-filled Manila. A host of friendly, smiling people with beautiful places to visit and great shopping to boot.


But on my way to Quiapo one afternoon, I stood near the exit of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) where I was waiting for my cousin. To my right, I can see the hordes of people alighting from the trains and exiting the station. To my left, I had a great view of the south end of EDSA. Buses where stopping nearly in the middle of the road, motorcycles were zooming past bigger vehicles, traffic aids were motioning vehicles to hurry up or slow down... and the question suddenly popped up, "Is this really my reality?"

Yes and No.