It’s my Birthday!

Did you know that…. August has a highest percentage of Birth #ibelong

Did you know that… It’s a National Heroes Day in my Country Philippines #iamone

Did you know that… It’s my birthday today…#yes it is

Thank you Lord for giving another fruitful year, I am blessed in many ways and I really really appreciate it.

I am so happy to have my family, relatives and friends to share my life with.

Thanks for all the greetings sa  Facebook, Twitter, mga nagpm, BB Buddies. Sobrang dame nila grabe I am very lucky sobrang rich ko friends kung pwede lang iwithdraw sa bank ang mga greetings nyo may pang blow out sana ko sa inyong lahat… kidding aside I’m so thankful for making me feel special (with ice cream and cherry on top)

I’m just a bit sad cause I am sick during my birthday but I don’t let this sickness ruin my day. Thanks din pala sa doctor ko for giving me the authorization to ditch on my birthday… hehehe 2 days rest are enough, I’m feeling well now, maybe I can go for work na tomorrow.

Thanks you Lord for letting me celebrate my birthday for the __nth times. Alive and Kicking!

Thank you Lord for the Gift of Life!

Ana Banana

Served Chilled!

Postcripts to a Bloodbath

Just saw this article currently circulating over the net, still need to verify if this legit or not. This postscript is allegedly from one of the survivor in the hostage Drama at Quirino Grandstand yesterday, August 23, 2010.

Note: Media confirms that there is no survivor named Bang Lu Min. Therefore this article is only fiction.

Mr. Mendoza was already upset even before he saw on television what the policemen did to his brother. The other tourists who remained inside the bus were complaining. Wei Ji Jiang wanted to go to the bathroom. Dao Chi Yu was hungry and the rest were just groaning and whining like they have forgotten that our lives rest in Mr. Mendoza’s hands. The hostage taker, as you know him was really nice. He treated us okay and even let the elders and the children leave the bus. He said your policemen treated him unfairly. He was a policeman too and was accused of doing something he had no knowledge of. But your government didn’t listen so he used us to get everyone’s attention. Things would have never turned for the worst if he didn’t see how his family was dragged out of their house and taken into custody. He was watching the news all the time as we huddled around each other behind the bus. He shouted some words in your language then started shooting in the air. A girl about my age started screaming. Mr. Mendoza demanded her to stop but she didn’t understand English. God, he had to slash her neck with a knife just to put her to rest. Her boyfriend who tried to hit him was shot in the head. Tension was rising. You can see in his face how scared and confused he was. The bus driver ran away leaving him alone with strangers from a distant land. I can see him walking across the aisle, sometimes pointing his machine gun to one of the tourists. But he tried his best not to hurt us, especially those who really cooperate. I guess its in your nature not to inflict pain on others unless it was necessary. I remember him saying that he will free us before sundown and implored us to forget everything when we return home. But his words don’t matter now. The policemen were trying to force their way in, while we all lied down to shield ourselves from bullets. Mister Mendoza blindly shoots at his enemies which I think kept them from rescuing us. I hear sobs under the chairs. Some were even shouting the names of their loved ones even when the air merely eat their words. Kevin Tang tried to escape when the glass door was was shattered, but one shot and he slumped on the floor with blood gushing from his mouth. Heavy rain pitter-pattered on the rooftop. In old Chinese saying, it means an end to a struggle. Finally, somebody was able to open the escape hatch at the back of the bus. Freedom. But I knew Mister Mendoza was still alive. I knew he was just waiting for a chance to strike back at his enemies. So I told those around me not to escape. Let the authorities come for us instead. Then there was gunfire. He was firing at his enemies with a machine gun. Those who were at the escape hatch fled abandoning us once again. It’s like a nightmare with no end and to wake up means a certain death. Then somebody from outside the bus threw a canister. It forced out a black smoke that is so painful to the eyes and putrid smelling to the nose. People started screaming. We cannot breathe. Some ran in front of the bus but Mister Mendoza warned them of stray bullets. It was too late. One was hit on the head, the other was hit on the shoulders. Bullets were now flying. Its like the authorities thought we were all dead. Mister Mendoza finally admits his mistake and said sorry to everyone, dead or alive. He then ran towards the front of the bus where he would meet his maker. As he passed by my chair with bullets whistling overhead, I clutched my hand on the velvet curtain and wrapped it around my face. All I could think of was to stay alive – for my child who is waiting for me back in Xinjang.I know I will survive, I will come home.

~Bang Lu Min Survivor, Quirino Bloodbath~

Iftar

Iftar (Arabic: إفطار‎), refers to the evening meal when Muslims break their fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan. Iftar is one of the religious observances of Ramadan and is often done as a community, with people gathering to break their fast together. Iftar is done right after Maghrib (sunset) time. Traditionally, a date is the first thing to be consumed when the fast is broken.

Last August 9, 2010 my company sponsored an Iftar Dinner for  it’s employees and their family. We dine at Azur Restaurant @Al Raha Beach Hotel. The menu are consist of variety of Indian, Arabic and Continental cuisine. Everyone enjoyed the foods, (my mom can’t  decide which one to eat first). It was also a bonding moment for us and to meet and greet each one’s family.

Thanks boss for the wonderful evening of great foods.

My boss told us that over the years there’s a lot of people forgot the true meaning of Ramadan. Ramadan is not a month of food festival or even shopping festival. Let’s remember that it is a time for spiritual reflection, prayer and doing of good deeds. Fasting is intended to inculcate self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity.

Ramadan Kareem!

I’ve got mail! :)

I was surprised when I’ve got this e-mail from my dear blogger friend Ms. N, hindi naman nya 1^st time mag e-mail sa akin, she’s always in touch, sometimes just to say thanks for the small things, for my support in her  Pens of Hope Project and sa pagiging constant visitor ko sa blog nya.

But this particular e-mail caught much of my attention, I just want to share it with you guys cause I’m very much flattered sa news nya sa akin, It’s just a small thing I know but it means something for me. It’s a nice feeling knowing that someone recognizes your blog.

Here’s Ms. N email (copy pasted as wrote)

From: nortehanon ako <nortehanon@gmail.com>
To: anasarmiento_30@yahoo.com
Sent: Thu, August 5, 2010 9:56:20 AM
Subject: Hi Ana!

Magandang araw! (Teka, anong oras na ba dyan? Baka naman hindi na araw, baka gabi na hehehe)

Nag-email lang po ako para magpasalamat sa patuloy mong pagdalaw sa blog ko. Masarap sa pakiramdam na may mga taong nakikibahagi sa aking buhay sa mundo ng blogging.

Siyanga pala, kailan lang bigla kitang naalala. Dumalo kasi ako sa isang pagtitipon ng mga eksperto sa lingwistiko sa Filipino (para naman hindi Ingles ang palaging gamit ko sa blog ko hehehe). Isa sa mga presentor ng paper ay isang manunulat. Ang gagampanan niyag papel sa pagpupulong na iyon ay ihain ang isang salita para maging nominado bilang “Salita ng Taon” sa Sawikaan 2010 sa University of the Philippines.

Ang salitang kanyang ipinapanukala na maging salita ng taon ay “SPAM.” Kabilang sa kanyang ginawang pagtatanggol sa salita ay pag-quote mula sa iba-ibang sources ng kahalagahan ng salitang “SPAM.”

Habang nagpapaliwanag siya tungkol sa etimolohiya ng salitang SPAM ay nagbigay din siya ng kahalagahan nito sa mga blogger na OFW. At sa aking pagkakaupo ay dinig na dinig kong binanggit niya ang isang pamilyar na pangalan, “Ana Banana” at naka-powerpoint pa ito.

Heto ang halos eksaktong wika niya, “At sa blog naman ni Ana Banana, isang OFW sa gitnang silangan, binanggit niyang ang SPAM ay isa sa madalas niyang ipadala sa pamilya niya sa Pilipinas.” At ako ay napangiting bigla 🙂 Dahil sa loob-loob ko’y kilala ko bilang kaibigang blogger ang tinutukoy niyang si Ana Banana 😉

Ang nabanggit kong manunulat na nag-presenta ng kanyang paper sa U.P. ay isang propesor ng Filipino sa De La Salle University. Apparently, nahalungkat niya ang isang post mo na bumabanggit ng pagpapadala mo ng spam dito sa Pilipinas 🙂

Hindi nanalo bilang salita ng taon ang salitang SPAM. Ang nanalo ay JEJEMON na taga-U.P. naman ang nagsulong. Pero masaya akong sa pagtitipon na iyon ay narinig ko ang pangalan ng iyong blog 🙂

Sana ay nasa mabuti kang kalagayan dyan at sana ay nasa mabuti ring kalagayan ang iyong pamilya. Mabuhay ka, Ana Banana! 🙂

All the best,
N

—
Happily playing at www.nortehanon.com

Well….. the E-mail said it all. Thanks Ms. N for your e-mail, I somehow realize na may silbi din ako paminsan minsan lol.

Ito nga pala yung link ng post na nabanggit sa e-mail.

Sale

One of the perks of being expat here in UAE is a chance to own your fave gadget or signature items for a much cheaper price. People are accustomed into buying commodities that would be too costly in their home country due to custom tariffs. You can buy your fave stuff here in the price that you can’t imagine 70% off, buy one get one, Best buys, Freebies, etc.

Aside from the usual Week-end  Sale they have the following festival over the year:

Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) – a month long event usually scheduled during the 1st quarter of the year. Dubai Shopping Festival is basically a shopping paradise. Dubai is known around the world as such a paradise throughout the year, but they really lay out the red carpet during shopping festival month, with over 2,300 retails outlets participating, that offer everything imaginable from gold, perfume, haute couture, cars, electronics to handicrafts and textiles.

Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) – DSS just like DFS consists of numerous exciting activities that include entertainment, shopping, and winning, DSS has today become the ideal getaway for Family Holidays during the summer months. This year DSS scheduled from June 17 – August 7, 2010.

GITEX – If you are a techy person this event is definitely for you. GITEX is an annual consumer computer and electronics trade show which takes place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Recognised as the region’s largest and most popular technology retail event, GITEX Shopper attracts the biggest names in the retail sector, with unique launches and special offers across the best in technology, communication and entertainment products. This year’s GITEX is scheduled on October 17-21, 2010

Ramadan / Eid Sale – Ramadan is a month when the Muslim faith amplifies the act of giving offerings to the poor so a lot of buying occurs. It’s also a season when all retailers hold promotions and sales, so even the non-Muslim population sees it as a good time to buy.” Eid on the other hand is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan. It’s a great time to shop during this season, there’s a lot of Sale everywhere particularly in basic commodities like food and clothing. Home furnishing is selling as a hotcake too because most of the locals want a new look on their house so they end up buying new furniture, home decors and dispatched the old one. Some is enjoy buying slightly used furniture (almost new) in a very very low price while some get it for free.

I also benefited from this Great Sale.

Just recently during DSS, I bought Blackberry Curve 8520 for AED 899 with Free Canon A940 digital camera worth AED 399, 2 GB SD Card, & Camera Case. It’s bundle with Du Eliteplan with Free 6 months Dataplan subscription.

This HP laptop I bought in a GITEX Offer last October 2008. It comes with Free Fujifilm Digicam 2GB SD Card, Targus laptop mouse.

I got these nice Zara blouses for a 70% discount during the weekend Sale last July.

Looking forward for more sale /offer this month of Ramadan