Today is our daughter’s birthday!  Though we are miles apart, we make it a point to let her feel that she is special to us.   She is her Dad’s princess.  She can get away with her whims oftentimes, but she is a loving and obedient daughter.

We know that at times she stumbled but she were able to picked herself up and start all over again.  She is no perfect!  We are very proud of the woman she is becoming.  It is a great joy for us her parents to know that she is trying her best to be all that God created her to be, a beautiful one!

Our daughter is God’s gift to us!

She will be traveling to Riyadh next week along with her brother and they need to be here to renew their iqama (residency permit) which will expire soon.   We are planning to give her a simple yet meaningful celebration.  Anyway, last year, on her 18th Birthday, she celebrated it with a bang!  It was a lavish party complete with entourage and cotillion every debutante could wish for.  And she deserves the best!

She is one of God’s many wonderful blessings to us!

The Middle East Conference was our ultimate reason when we went to Bahrain few days ago and satisfying our food tripping came only as a big bonus.  Yes, we were satisfied to the max and we ate to our hearts delight!  There is deep religious philosophy why Islam forbid pork but I have no intention to contest or debate about it.   We all have our own philosophy in life and there should be mutual respect.

We were  in Bahrain for  our spiritual growth and we also enjoyed food tripping!  However, I have two regrets… my first regret is that we don’t have so much time to tour the city.  We were not able to see the legendary “Tree of life” which we have learned  existed for 400 years standing alone and survived in the midst of the desert.  The mysterious location of the tree of life was believed to be the actual location of the Garden of Eden.  I hope to visit the site one day!

My 2nd regret is that I have to sweat out all the cholesterol because of that food tripping.  Oh well, “if there is gain… there is pain!”  We gain weight, absolutely there  will be pain on how to lose it.

My oh my….

We ate to our hearts contentment!

Two of my ever reliable friends whom I talked to  scout for a gown appropriate for a Filipino wedding are alternately giving me reports of their finds through emails and  posting on Facebook.  I am really having difficulty deciding on what to wear on the wedding day since I am one of the principal sponsors that is why I sought help of my friends who are very gracious enough to grant my request.  Although, I told them that it should be “no pressures” on their part but I can feel that they are really taking their assignments by heart.  Every time, they are out to a mall or wherever, they are keeping an eye for a gown they believe will suit my taste.  And believe me, immediately after their day out, they will tag me with pictures of different gowns and a Filipino suit for my husband.  And as always I am quick to give my comments.

There is one “Barong Tagalog” (an embroidered formal garment of the Philippines), I’ve come to like which I believe will look good on my husband.   However, I am having second thoughts because it is pricey and my husband might not pay me back. (just kidding).  The wedding is  a month away, I think I have to make up my mind if I will go for that pricey garment with eyes closed.   For me, I am still thinking if I will just buy fabrics and have it custom made or look for  RTW (ready to wear) dresses.  I am counting on my 2 friends who are painstakingly looking for my gown and hopefully, I will be able to spot a dress on pictures that they will post.  Another good friend whom I have talked to through YM chat would gladly accommodate the dress on their return here.

Running errand is already high-technology.

Elegant designs!

Oh no! We received two party invitations (a birthday party and a Family Day gathering) this weekend and both occasions are on the same date and time.  The fact that we have been considered to share with them their joys as they celebrate is a good reason to be humbled and feel special.  Now, we are in dilemma which to attend.  So, I am still buying time, framing a suitable reply to the other invitation because I would like to attend the Family Day instead of the Birthday party of 2 little kids.  My reason is simple; I don’t feel we would be very much at ease in a children’s party since we don’t have any more kids who will tag along with us.

I believe that proper social etiquette dictates that it is important to respond to any invitation to give the host/hostess proper head count of attendees.  I will definitely do that today to spare the feelings of my other friend who is expecting us to come.  It is an R.S.V.P. invitation so I really need to fill up the attached response card to let them know that we can’t come.

Even if we are not going, I’ve decided to order cakes and I will have it delivered on the day of the party.  Yes, I am having this guilt and this is my way to soften up my excuses.  I know that the celebrants would be very happy to see the cakes with colorful toppers.

Aside from the chocolate cakes (I was assured that it would be a yummy cake!), I am pretty sure that the kids would love to see the cartoon character toppers.

These cute toppers are just perfect!

Our trip to Bahrain for the Middle East Conference is a part of my spiritual journey.  I believe that Spirituality is growth. I am demanding progress of myself and need to push myself harder to feel that I am living the best of my life. I am seeking wisdom into making genuine growth and living my spiritual life.  It is about action.

This is not the case where we can simply change overnight; we achieved a spiritual life by living righteously.  I’ve read a saying that “You can’t think your way into good living… you have to live your way into good thinking.”

I know that still it will be a long journey for me … but it will be worth it!

Col 2: 6-7 ….6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Trust me! Gold Shopping is indeed an exciting and wonderful experience here in Saudi Arabia.  You will definitely “drool” with excitement when you visit the gold souk (market) and you’ll see an array of shops with gold displayed in bulk.   An uncle of mine came to visit sometime last week and minutes after we have picked him up from the airport, he was already nagging me on where he can find gold bullion.  I decided to seek help from my other girlfriends who are seasoned shoppers  and who graciously gave me directions.    Believe me! His eyes almost pop out at the sight of bangles done to perfection and of quality craftsmanship.   He can’t resist and bought the perfect gifts for his wife and mother!

I later found out that he ventured as  coin collector.   So, I was not surprised at all on how he haggled and got a bargain.  Specifically, he was interested to buy gold bullion and he knows exactly what type of coins and editions and stuff that he wants to have.  He was persistent for the price of the gold that he was able to get big discounts since he bought more than one item.

I saw him smiling ear to ear when he got a bullion for a very good price.  He whispered to me that it was an amazing find!  He then, was persuading me to buy one  since it is unique and a wise investment.

Will I get one?

I did not have much sleep the night before our trip to Bahrain early Saturday morning.  I believe I was just excited!   Actually it was our 4^th time to go to this tiny gulf island-state of Bahrain but I always look forward to the trip.  Since it is an open country, use of abaya is not required but ladies should dress decently and we also have the liberty to eat food of our choice.

Our long trip started at 5:00 am and we drive past vast land of deserts and since my husband was able to sleep well in preparation for the trip, he was alert while driving.   Just the same, he prepared some taped songs – uploaded fast and upbeat music.  He knows that classical music can definitely lower his alertness.  Actually, a couple joined us in our car and our male friend did his share of storytelling besides my husband while my girlfriend and I were asleep most of the time at the back seat.

It was almost lunch time when reached our destination and we praised God for a very safe journey!

Saudi-Bahrain border

We will be traveling to Bahrain today , Saturday and convoy will leave at 4:00  a.m.   Speed is not our primary focus,  our husbands will drive leisurely to get to our destination safely.

My husband hit the sack early to have  enough rest and sleep.  I know he will wake up refreshed, ready and excited for the long distance drive. I am also ready and done with my things, and my laptop and camera are all fully charged.  I am looking forward for the trip and for sure, there will be a lot of interesting topics to write about while on board.  You’ll hear from me!

Got to go….

I’ve just finished writing a Congratulatory letter to my godson who got exemplary good grades in his Mathematics class.   While writing,  I can’t help but think about his Mom. The memories are still vivid and clear on how my friend called me a couple times frantically asking my suggestions on how she can help two of his children (one in K-12 and the other girl in college) get out of their crippling fear in Mathematics.  I could just feel the frustration from her because both children have Math problems, citing they have Math anxiety and dreaded studying.  They are struggling with Calculus and fractions and needed help badly.

Initially, I suggested that she find someone patient who can be of Homework help.   It could be a classmate, a tutor or even a professor or she can try doing it herself.   However, she sheepishly mentioned over the phone that way back in college, she too needed Algebra help. Yes, I’ve seen her cry because she couldn’t grasp college Algebra and again she feels useless because she can’t help them.

I told her that I’m not sure how available I’ll be in the next few weeks, but I assured her, I will more than glad to lend a hand on whatever I could.   Out of the blue, I remember a distant relative who was in dire need for Math help for her daughter before.  I was told that they have  found a gem in TutorVista, an online tutoring company which was recommended to her by a cousin.   She swore to high heavens that it is the best on line tutorial company because her “math-phobic” daughter turned out to be one of the best in her Mathematics class.

And just yesterday, I received an e-mail from my Mom friend who was ever thankful for sharing with her information about TutorVista.  She was inviting me to come over to her place to celebrate the good news.  Her children are now Math wizards (got all A’s), only after few weeks of on line tutorials.

I felt relieved!  My godson and his sister are now Math fanatics.

Since “ber” months had ushered in,  many are already comparing notes of possible Christmas gifts to give to a loved-one.  I’ve overheard a lively conversation on how to be in vogue.   The ladies were discussing that these days it is no longer enough to coordinate your clothes, bags, shoes and belts,  but your laptops and smart phones as well along with their covers!   It is a fact, that these electronic sidekicks  (cellular phones, MP3, ipods, laptops ) already have become extension of our lives and we highly depend on them.   We have considered it as indispensable tools.

Nowadays,  ” fashionistas” are called such not only on the style of the clothes they wear but the gadgets they own.   And oftentimes, to become trendy,  it is  not what we wear but rather what model we’ve got.

Technology is evolving in such a rapid pace that trends seems to change from one season to another.   My children casually mentioned about Apple’s iPad and iPhone 4 but I did not paid much attention to it because I don’t have plans to buy them those gadgets.   But I’ve heard that those gadgets have become this season’s must have.

I was somehow intrigued and did my own  research.  I found out “what’s hot” and “what’s not.”

IN                           OUT

laptop with skin plain without cover!

smart phones                    all other phones

Dotties cover                         hard plastic cover

High Perf. headsets            Standard earplugs

Funky USB’s                       Corporate USB”s

Oh well, I am definitely in the “out” list.   I am not much into gadgets.