Iskolar ng Bayan!

While browsing my FB last night, I have just noticed this inforgraphics of the tuition fees of  leading colleges / universities in Manila. I just can’t help but be proud to myself that I graduated from the Universities which has a very low tuition fees yet has a very good education system.

Imagine during my Academic years I’m paying roughly around 300 pesos only for my 21 units subjects, Isn’t it amazing! I’m very thankful that PUP still maintain the same affordable tuition fees despite increase in all basic commodities.

Children are entitled the right for education, but how can we give good future to our kids if only few can afford good education. Of course we love to go to prestigious School like Ateneo, DLSU and UP, but how about  those families who have enough only for their food.

I hope the government will build more Universities and Colleges like PUP which offer very affordable Tuition Fees. A lot of student will be benefited specially the low income families who’s their children are very eager to go to college to achieve their dreams.We are living in a fast paced world. We need to mold our children to be globally competitive. Let’s shape the leaders of tomorrow.

Mabuhay ka Sintang Paaralan!

5 Years!

When I opened my WordPress Account this morning and click some notifications, I was surprised to know that 4 days ago I am in my 5th year in blogging.

I can’t believe I almost missed my 5th Year Anniversary in blogging. March 16, 2008 when I published my very first post in WordPress. It is indeed a milestone for me, Five years of sharing my feelings, thoughts, experiences, everything about me, being an OFW, family life.

As much as I want to update my blog, It is impossible for me because of my very hectic sched. I was trying to squeeze my time in work, family, business, sidelines in 24 hours. I just hope I can find time to share my stories. I terribly missed blogging.

I’m thankful to those people who still visiting my blog despite luck of updates. I hope you find something useful in my blog. Glad to have 123,555 visitors up to this date.

So, what else should I say… THANK YOU! Happy 5 years to me. Hope for more blogging years!

My Baby is now a Lady!

Last January 12, 2013 my daughter celebrated her 10th Birthday. It was unplanned party since she decided weeks ago not to have a party anymore. She just want a shop-till-you-drop shopping for herself (whew), which I discouraged her much, I’m not rich I’m just beautiful lol. Then she opted to have simple dinner with family, ice skate with her cousins then buy one gift she like most.

It was 2 days before her birthday when  this pickle minded girl ask me to throw her a party, it was really a last minute preparation. We don’t have any invitation yet, no venue, no food, no anything (panic). How can I start organizing a good party in just 2 days.

I started by making an online invitation through facebook. Since I cannot get last minutes booking in any fast food or  party hall venue. I decided to do it in the Park which later on moved in my sisters place. I contacted some restaurant to order foods, drop by at our favorite bakeshop to order cake,  walk at the nearby gift shop to shop some party favors.

On the day of the event I beg for some help from my beloved relatives. I ask my mother to take care of the decoration and styling my pretty daughter, my sister and my aunt for cooking additional food, My niece Cathy for assisting them and our friend Jane for taking pictures.

After all the hard work and dedication in what we did, I may say we have Job well done. The party was awesome, the kids and kids at heart enjoyed it and my daughter was very very happy.

Special Thanks to all my relatives and friends for helping me out in organizing my daughters party. To those who come to join us in this memorable event for Kat a BIG thanks to all of you.

Here’s the sneak peek during the party:

The beautiful celebrant

Her Birthday Cake from Capricorn bakeshop

     

Foods

Thank you!

Thank You 2012!

Yeah! It’s the last day of the year. There’s a lot of things happened to me and my family during this year. God gave us so much blessings in 2012 and I’m very thankful for that. It’s been a fruitful year for us.  I am counting my blessings!

• Family. Being an expat here in UAE, we are very lucky to have our whole family here. Not all OFW has a privilege of bringing their family with them, and we are one of the few. Thank you Lord! I’m still praying that the UAE Immigration will be more considerate in approving Residence visa for the expat’s family next year. The rules here in UAE nowadays is quiet unpredictable. May the Lord give us more years to be together.

• I’m very thankful for all our jobs, Our Bread and Butter!  Our generous companies, for supporting us financially. It’s not easy to live here seriously, but because of our job we can still manage to support our family.

• Friends, We are truly blessed with amazing sets of friends, really feel grateful to have them. Our extended family… the so called “Dimagiba Family”. Someone to laugh with, to cry with and of course to eat with. Someone who are willing to lend a helping hands when you need it. Thank you so much! Can’t imagine life without them.

• Our supportive relative back home, my Cousins, Tito’s & Tita’s,  and of course my In laws. Thank you for taking care of my family during my absence. I hope we continue to support each other.

• Our car, “KC”. This car is such a blessings in our family. She’s making our life easy, not only for taking us to all the places that we need to go,  but also help us  financially. KC is my hubby’s  Great Buddy. And of course My Bro. and Sis Car Fordy and Mitzi as well. Thank you!

• Our Doctors for taking care of our health especially my Baby Kat. Our Medical Insurance for shouldering medical expenses. I pray to God to give us  Good Health in the coming years. No more sickness please, only healthy and strong body.

As 2013 approaches may we become a better person,  learned from our mistake, take all the opportunities that may come our way. And with the Lord Al Mighty in my side. I’m now ready to face all the challenges of 2013.

Happy New Year to All!

41st UAE National Day!

41st UAE National Day in Picture! (December 2, 2012)

This is how we celebrate the UAE National Day! We had so much Fun!

Liebster Award

Thanks to Cris of Thumbelina’s Leaf for the Liebster Award… Ya’y it’s been a while since the last time I did this stuff.

Liebster is a German word that means “dearest” or “favorite.” Other meaning may include sweetest, kindest, nicest, beloved, lovely, kinda, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome. 

The award recognizes  new and upcoming bloggers  with less than 200 followers (or friends) who deserve the recognition and support for their contribution in the blogosphere.

In order to accept this prestigious award, one must abide by the list of rules which are:
Each person must list 11 things about themselves.

• Answer the 11 questions that the tagger has set for you PLUS you must create 11 questions of your own for the 11 people you will nominate with this award.
• Choose up to 11 bloggers linking them to your post.
• Go to their page and inform them of their nomination.
• Absolutely no tag backs. Remember to ONLY tag bloggers with less than 200 followers.

11 Things about me!

Since I’ve already wrote 10 things about myself, 9 lang pala since 1 in the list is not true which you will also see in About Me section of my blog, I will provide only 2 additional:

1. I’ve never been to Boracay. It seems all the people already visited Boracay except for me hehehe. I hope I can visit the Island soon, maybe on my next vacation.

2. I’ve got our first car here in UAE and my daughter named it sa “KC”

Here’s my answer to Cris Questions:

1. What was the last movie you saw in a cinema? How was it?

Breaking Dawn – The Final Saga. It was just ok for me, since I’ve read the books, so nothing so special but I love Jacob! Yes, everybody does

2. Are you a bag or shoe person?

I’m a bag person… I really love BIG bags… I always bring lots of stuff with me. I’m not comfortable going out without bag, I feel incomplete without it.

3. What’s your favorite sport (doing or just watching)?

I’m not a sporty person, I was once a volleyball player when I was in High School but I’m just an average (my hubby said they get me into the team only to complete the line up) very rude hahaha. In Olympics I love to watch synchronize swimming, very entertaining.

4. Who is your favorite Disney Princess?

I like Little Mermaid… I’ts my daughter’s favorite, she always watching it ,so I appreciate and adore Ariel very much.

5. What can you say about the Gangnam Style?

Cool…. Can you imagine the 500 million hits in youtube.com. 

6. What’s your favorite country?

Of course, my country Philippines. Do I need to explain more?

7.  Would you cross the road like the chicken did? And why?

Hahaha… Yes, If you will dare me I will probably do that…. just for fun!

8. Are you dressing up for Halloween? What’s your costume?

Yup! We love costume party. I dressed like a witch the last time I attended Halloween Party.

9. What is your ultimate dream?

Just simple… Happy family, own a decent house and car, Travel,  good education for my children

10. How did your parents come up with your name? (still inspired by that post)

My name derived from my Tita Ana (my moms half sister).

11. How long does it take you to prepare when going out (for work or just going out)? What’s your routine?

In just 30 minutes, all is well for me… I can take a bath in 10 minutes, dressed in 5 minutes. The next 15 minutes for some other stuff like fixing my things that I need to bring, cleaning up my mess. I can do my make up in cab, jeep, LRT. Yah! Time Management indeed

Okey, It’s my turn…  Here’s my 11 questions:

1. Since Christmas is coming. How will you celebrate it?

2. Do you prefer cash or gift as an Aginaldo to your inaanak?

3. What can you say about Zoren – Carmina Wedding?

4. How do you find Online shopping?

5. Laptop or Tablet?

6. Apple Iphone 5 or Samsung Galaxy S3?

7. As a blogger. What can you say about Tito Sotto plagiarism controversy?

8. Channel 2 or Channel 7?

9. How much time you spend in social networking site like Facebook, Tweeter, Instagram etc.

10. What are the usual stuff you will find in your bag?

11. Do you think you can live without cellphone?

Finally! After like forever I’m able to finish the post. Okey I’m tagging the following UAE bloggers, I hope they could find time to do this. It’s Fun!

1. Kiko of http://kritikongkiko.wordpress.com/

2. Jo of http://witsandnuts.com/

3. Carla of http://myyellowbells.blogspot.com/

4. Gremliness of http://www.kalelmosaiah.com/

5. Joyo of http://jowyow.wordpress.com/

6. Ayie of http://uaequest.blogspot.com/

Khalifa Park

Khalifa Park is one of the best place here Abu Dhabi especially for the young and young at heart like me. We’ve been to this Park several times already and we really enjoyed every visit.

This Park is situated 1.6 kilometre from Abu Dhabi International Airport and very near to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. This place has a lot to offer for all types of visitors. It has a beautifully landscaped grand avenue, a central plaza for meeting, a maritime museum, a time tunnel ride, a monorail, an Amphitheatre, a party hall, a women & children’s garden, a theme park, a mosque and an Islamic garden also. Tours can be carried out via train or by foot, whichever is more convenient.

Entrance Fee – 1 AED for adult

Train - 2 Dhs

For just 1 dhs (around Php 11.50) you can enjoy the following attractions inside the park:

Play Ground

Kids will surely love the Playing Area, it’s quiet big and lots of attractions. You can have all the playing facilities here for free. My daughter always had a blast whenever we come here.

Fees: (Park)

National History Museum and National History Museum

This museum provides information about the history and culture of Abu Dhabi. This history traces back to prehistoric times to the present time of Abu Dhabi. The Time Tunnel ride is the highlight of this museum, the monorail offers a journey of a living history with all the sights, sounds and smells of the past.

Fees:

Murjan Splash Park

Murjan Splash Park comprises an adventure land with water fixtures, areas for play, food outlets and seating areas. Exciting underwater events are highlighted by multi-coloured umbrellas and images of aquatic creatures as well as a theatrical lighting and sound system, which helps to create an interactive environment.

The main feature of the Murjan park is the children’s play area located in a shallow pool with four small waterslides, a giant tipping bucket, a crawl tunnel, water guns, a water umbrella, small tipping buckets, a water wheel and showers.

It also has a 257-metre lazy river that is 0.6 metres deep where one can relax in a tube and ride it around the twists and turns of the park. It also contains four trampolines. Guests will also be able to pilot their own dhow around obstacles, through tunnels and past other boats in the Radio Controlled Dhow Derby.

Timing: 4pm to 11pm in September

10am to 6pm From October to April

Fees: 40 Dhs

Children under 3 Free of Charge

Restaurants

There are several restaurants and Fast food Chain inside the Park like KFC, Pizza Hut and Hardees. Coin operated beverages units also scattered everywhere. There’s no  restriction in bringing food inside so you can have whatever you like. You can enjoy a barbecue session also with your family and friends, there are designated place in the area that allowed that but be sure to clean the area after.

The Dome

If you’re looking for the ideal venue for some important events, parties, weddings  etc. ,The Dome in Khalifa Park is definitely the place to be. The Dome offer outstanding facilities with state-of-the-art projection capabilities allowing you to create unique environments for any event or function.

You can have a look at their online brochure by clicking this link.