Saturday, May 26, 2012

MADONNA IS IN THE HOUSE! (Well, parang ganun na rin)

I got all excited and thrilled when I knew that Madonna will have a concert here. Kaso nga lang, hindi dito sa Dubai pero sa Abu Dhabi. ANG LAYO KAYA NUN! Pero, I got excited pa rin. She is an icon for music, style, fashion and charity. We cannot deny na she had many relationships na pero one thing is for sure, LOVE lang na-feel niya sa lahat.

AYAN NA SIYA! PARATING NAH! No other than, MADONNA! :)

Near our place was a Luxury Mall called BURJUMAN. Since malapit lang siya sa building namin, gumanap kami ng ate ko one FRIDAY Night. And then, na-sight namin ang mga damit ng Lola Madonna ninyo! It was on display for a week which was sponsored by Saks Fifth Avenue. Pangsosyal lang talaga ang peg ng mga ganap dito. Ewan ko bah but it seemed that she was a very celebrated celebrity for whatever age. Siya na talaga ang nag-iisang MADONNA!


KUNG MAKA-TARPAULIN SI MADONNA OH! Bulang lang ang hindi makakapansin sa kanya dito noh?! IKAW NAH!


A number of interesting things were display at lahat ng ito ay nagamit mismo ng nag-iisang si Madonna. From Costumes, Gowns, Accessories hanggang sa mga documents at fan collectables niya, nakadisplay ito. It was very interesting as some of teh items were nagamit pa noong 1980's na peak ng kasikatan ni Madonna. She is the one icon and I guess the FIERCEST of all female celebrity sa time niya and kailan pa man. 


MATERIAL GIRL! Kita mo naman ang Lola ninyo, project lang kung project! PAK KUNG PAK!

Heto pa ang mga ibang costumes which she used in her music videos and movies! I'm sure that you would find some of them very familiar! :) 



AMERICAN PIE! this was what she wore in the music video of American Pie. :) Sompleto yan ha including the choker necklace! :)

EVITA PERON! with the panyo on the side lang oh! Parang kay Ate Vilma lang ito! PERFECT!!!

American Music Awards 2000 ito for the track MUSIC. :) Do you remember the song?
 

Her award for the track Music which was also back in 2000.

MTV trophy ito! There was also the Spaceman trophy pero wala kasi yung flag ng MTV. hehe

Scroll up kayo sa poster ng Material Girl at ito ang makikita ninyo na sout ng Lola Madonna ninyo! True yan ha. hindi remake. AUTHENTIC!




Music, makes the people come together! Pero ang diamonds sa jewelry nito ang peg ko!! Versace and Jimmy Choo lang ang combination na yan! Ito yung sa music video niya sa MUSIC! :)

ANG WEDDING GOWN NG "LIKE A VIRGIN!" KKLK lang! HAHAHA

This was her gown sa isang scene na siya si Evita Peron!  HEAVY ang DETAIL nito! PAKAK!



MGA papel ng Lola! Documented lahat pati mga sulat kamay niya! Imagine?!



         
              


Wednesday, May 23, 2012

The end of summer

The sun was shinning on my face as the wind keeps me calm. Music was playing as each word of the song I was listening to was making my heart beat; making me think of the best thing that happen to me this summer. All this was unplanned yet it made me plan for what lies ahead of me; ahead of us. It will be a year until we can see each other again but she is with me. Shen will always be with me until we would meet again.

I really don't plan what my summer would be this year but I was invited to go somewhere south. I heard about it's beaches and it made me eager to be there for the summer. I love the beach. It keeps me calm and relax. It makes me happy and smile. It was summer. I will just have to enjoy myself like I would always do each year for myself.

I was set for my trip that day. Everything that I needed was in the bag: clothes, mobile phone, camera, iPod + earphones, personal stuff and money. I was ready for the best summer. Never did I know that it would be the greatest summer of my life.

The best place where I would find myself smiling. I never thought that this would be different this time.

The beach was beautiful as I imagined it to be. Perfect waves, cool breeze, shady palms trees and the powdery sand. It was perfect. I was having a great time spending the days by the beach. If I don't feel like swimming, I would lie under a tree's shade by the shore and relax while listening to music. It was the summer imagined it to be: PERFECT.

As I was resting under my favorite shade, a certain girl's voice caught my attention. She was walking by the shore singing and humming a beautiful song. She didn't notice me at first so I sit up and took my earphones off. She stopped, looked at me in a shock and was silent. I didn't realize that I was smiling at her. Maybe it was her face or I think it was her voice. No, I was smiling at her but I didn't realize that I was amazed at what I heard. She walked on and ignored me. She didn't sing or hum this time as she was passing by me.

She was the same age as I. She was cute and very simple. Sun-kissed skin and had beautiful eyes. It was the first time I saw her in the few days that I would spend the day along the beach. And I didn't know what happen but I longed to see her the next day and even in the coming days. Let's just say that I was interested in her. I wanted to get to know her; befriend her. It was a simple friendly thought to know this interesting girl for the summer.

It all went by so fast and we became friends. Then the feeling grew into something more than friends. We were in love with each other and the beach was our witness on how the feeling grew. The sun guided us to each other and waves washed all the sad feelings away everyday.  It was fast but it was all real.

I fell in love with the beach and I fell in love with her. It was an amazing feeling to be with her.
Mikaela was special to me. She was very happy, loving and positive about life. She was the greatest thing that happen to me; ever. I wasn't planning to be with someone but summer was the perfect time for me to be with her. She became my life. She became a part of me. We were inseparable. What we have was incomparable. She was my sun and I was her summer. The beach lead us to each other and each wave would shower us with love. What we had was as endless as the waves from the sea and as strong as the breezes that the wind can give. We were in love.

We went around the island and she helped me discover what beauty it had to offer. She was my angel. She was my guidance. She was my Sun. She kept me looking forward for each sunrise on everyday. She was my mornings and each sunset would make me excited on what the day day would bring. She was my everything.

She was my sun and I was her summer. She was my every morning and so was I to her.

The days would go by as if they would never end. We went to places, seen new faces and did new things that made us knew who we were for each other. The beach was our rendezvous and it never failed to make us fall in love all over again. She makes me laugh and I make her giggle. I was not the one with the words but she said that my eyes said everything that needs to be said. Her smile was as sparkling as the sun would shine. It was warm and very true. She had her way with her smile and I was never ashamed to admit that she had me.

What we had was very special. It was love and all the world can bare witnesses to what we had. It was special.
 We share the same dreams of what life can bring the best out of us. We knew that we were for each other and it was nothing that can be neglected. Like I have said, what we have was special.




......




12th day of summer...




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16th day of summer...





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It was that certain day that sealed things. It was the longest day for us; specially for me. Summer was almost done.





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25th day of summer...




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28th day of summer...





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.......







30th day of summer...





Me: "This is the best summer. And you are the greatest gift that God gave me."

Mikaela: "Hmmmm.. for me, this is not the best summer for me..."

Me: "What do you mean by that?"

Mikaela: "I have had summers in this place. It was all the same. But then you came and changed it. This is, by far, the greatest summer of my life, Brad. It's not the best summer, it's the greatest summer of my life."

Me: "I never have thought that I would find you here. It leaves me smiling at night just to think that I have found you here, Mikaela. It was beyond what I expected to happen."

Mikaela: "Me too. And I am happy to have found you too."

......





......



Summer was almost over. And I had to make up my mind about the end of summer. I didn't want this to end.


.....



......



Me: "Life here is beautiful. It's peaceful, no traffic, no pollution. It's beautiful to live here. Everything is beautiful here."

Mikaela: "Uh-huh. Life here is different but I love it here."

Me: "I love it here too. I have a plan to stay here.. for good. It's gonna be a big change for me but I'm sure it will be alright because I am with you."

Mikaela: "You have to think about it Brad. What about your work? Your friends? Your family? Your life in the city?"

Me: "I have thought about it, Mikaela. They would understand. I have you here. I want to be with you."

Mikaela: "I know that, I get you. But things just can't change the way you want it to be that fast. It will unfold by itself and I know that you know that."

Me: "I can't just leave you, Mikaela. I can't just..."

Mikaela: "Yes, you can. You can let go of this summer..."

Me: "I don't want to."

....



....



....


Mikaela was the woman for me and so was I the man for her. We will have forever together. I am sure of that.


....


....



....


The sun was shinning on my face as the wind keeps me calm. Music was playing as each word of the song I was listening to was making my heart beat; making me think of the best thing that happen to me this summer. All this was unplanned yet it made me plan for what lies ahead of me; ahead of us. It will be a year until we can see each other again but she is with me. Shen will always be with me until we would meet again.

 Mikaela was the woman for me and I was the man for him. What we have can never be compared to anything. It was love and it was more than I have felt before. She kept me alive waiting for the sun to shine the next day. 

Summer had to end but that didn't mean that It would be the same for us. I received a letter on the day I left the island. I know that it was from someone I love. It was from Mikaela.


"Brad,

Summer was all the same for me until I met you here in this lonely island. It was the greatest summer of my life to recall and I wouldn't trade it for anything. You have been my life now and I am looking forward to seeing you again.

Brad, summer has to end. But my love for you will never have that ending. I will be waiting for you, 

I love you.

Mikaela. <3"


---FIN---

Sunday, May 13, 2012

To all the Mothers out there: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Oh yeah! Another day to celebrate and to honor our Moms in the Philippines. Well, here in the Middle East, Mom's day is celebrated in some other time. Iba iba kasi yung time I think to celebrate it. But then, the celebration is still felt even if we are thousands and thousands of miles away from the Philippines. Ganun kalakas ang pagbibida ng mga Mudra sa aming mga buhay! Of course naman, ganun sila ka-importante!

I was watching PBB Teens today and the last episode made me cry, missing my mom. They are very lucky to have that certain time to be with their mom while they were in the house. Imagine, dapat wala silang contact sa Outside world pero they had the chance to talk to their moms sa phone at yung iba, temporary housemate talaga. Nakaka-inis din yun noh!

With Mother's day being celebrated, I would like to introduce to you my Mama Alma. :)

Mama's birthday (2011). I decorated the cake and my younger sister cooked for dinner.
Before, hindi kami ganun ka-close ng mama ko. I was never that affectionate to her pero I love her talaga. Ang daming beses na pwede akong maging sweet sa kanya pero na-uunahan ako ng hiya. Well, I guess it happens to everyone at some point of our lives. But then, I grew up from that situation (I think). 

That's me and my Mama Alma sa kasal ng Auntie ko. Sa tingin ninyu, saan ko nakuha ang kakulitan ko?
Hindi ko pa na-try to live out of our house. I mean, growing up for me was all spent in our house with my parents. Some of my friends were from a different place so they need to stay here at mag-boarding house nalang. Which means na nasanay sila na wala yung mga parents nila; specially their moms. Given this fact, I still grew up to be independent. Although I live with my mom, I can still manage to move around the house by myself. Yung tipong, pwede na akong mamuhay ng mag-isa. 

Ayan si Mama, busy talaga sa text. (haha) At ako naman ay busy sa pag-lamon. 
This was our last new year together (2011) and was taken at KFC Ayala. Makulit bah? Ganun kasi kami eh. :)
When I knew that I would be going out of the country, I knew this was another challenge pero alam ko na kaya ko. I know how to cook, I know how to clean the house, I know how to wash the clothes (given na merong Washing Machine) and I know how to budget. I think it was my mom who trained me to be like this. Hindi siya direct training pero I am sure that I really learned from her. 



This was our last Christmas together. Si Ate ko ay nasa Dubai na during this time kaya kami lang yung gumala.



I grew up to be a good man; open-minded, realistic, and most of all, God fearing. Sa tingin ko naman, mabuting tao ako at siguro naman ay may patutunguhan ang buhay ko. My Mom played a very important role to me. She gave me more than a life; she gave me love. Hindi siya perfect na Mama pero siya ang naging Mama ko. She loves us, and has been through hell para lang maging kung ano man kami ngayon. Ganun siya kung magmahal. 


I don't want to tell all the things na na-sacrifice ng Mama ko for us. I guess, what's more important is what we have now: the love and the relationship that we have after all those storms that we have went through. 


To my Mama Alma:


Thank you for everything that you have done for us. We know that it was not easy but you have believed in us and have made us into strong and God-fearing people. It is a fact that we also caused you some heartaches and problems and we are all sorry for those. 

We super love you Mama and we miss you so much. If pwede palang molupad padung dira and spend this day with you, why not? We can't wait to see you soon. I am hoping that you will always be healthy and happy. We love you so much! XOXO 


Happy Mother's Day Mama Alma!


I love my MAMA so much! :)

To all Moms in the world:

You gave us our lives, helped us all though the way and never left our sides. A grand "thank you" is not enough to show how lucky we are to have you as our mom. You are the greatest gift that God gave us and we will always be thankful of all the things you gave,sacrificed and taught us. 


Kayo na talaga! It is sooo you nah! Sandali muna ang kukuha ako ng hairpin para hindi mahulog ang KORONA sa pagiging Reyna ninyo sa buhay namin. 

Thank you so much and we love you!

Friday, May 4, 2012

Strolling - Shopping - Enjoying - Dubai Outlet Mall

View from the free-way to Dubai Outlet Mall.

I have heard a lot about the Dubai Outlet Mall pero di ko siya bet kasi MALAYO ang location niya. And since I got here sa Dubai, I always enjoy going to places specially if malapit lang or accessible via the Dubai Metro. Iba kasi ang weather so mas bet ko yung mas mapalit. But, things changed when I got there. 

It was our day off and we decided to journey to this destination. Maaga na gumising and nagprepare kasi malayu daw. Kaya ayun, nagbihis ng presko at nagbaon ng food para hindi maging Tom Jones.

Halata ba yung mainit na weather? In fairness, MAINIT TALAGA at hindi pa peak ng summer! IMAGINE?!

The TRAVEL

Since it was summer, the fear of the heat and sun was in mind. Kasi naman, nasa desert yung destination at wala siyang katabing mga buildings. Ayun, nagbiyahe na kami papunta sa ganap for that day! Smooth sailing yung trip since nasa highway naman. Walang traffic pero sobrang init!

At ito pa yung highlight, lumampas kami sa tamang Exit sa highway! IMAGINE?! Dahil sa sobrang excitement, hindi namin nakita yung access road para sa ganap. So, the trip continued but now, for the U-turn slot sa highway.

I always take the backseat kasi wala lang. Hindi ko din kasi kabisado yung area. Summer season na so it is very warm and humid nah!

Ang High-Way, bow! Walang traffic pero hindi rin safe kasi meron ding mga driver na nagmamarunong. LOL

WHERE AM I?! WHERE ARE WE?! WHERE ART THOU?! Ito yung itsura ng isang street sa high-way. Desert talaga!

The DESTINATION

After an hour (or more i think) of driving through the highway, we have arrived! Sa truth lang, lumampas na kasi sa destination namin kaya bumalik lang kami at searched for the right exit na pabalik sa destination. Ang saya ng feeling! I don't know why but I think the travel time was all worth it. And isa pah, I wanted to go inside the Mall na kasi mainit talaga sa labas kahit na may AC ang tsekot.  So, go na kami sa loob ng Dubai Outlet Mall!

The Dubai Outlet Mall.

With the title of the "only outlet concept mall in the Middle East", Dubai Outlet Mall is the place for good bargains and good buys! In fairness to the mall, give ko yung "APRUB!" for shoppers of all sorts. Sa aking research, may 240 stores ito na nag-o-offer ng malaking discounts. The mall is not packed with shoppers kasi hindi din kasi weekend noong pumunta kami. Kapag weekend, until midnight yung store hours kaya mas masaya yun. For more Mall details, you can check it sa kanilang site: www.dubaioutletmall.com

Kuha ko ito sa entrance ng Mall. Feeling tourist lang ako when I went there.Malaki yung Mall at marami ka talagang makikitang maganda and good buys! May mga rules din pero ok na yun! It's a good place to shop. :)

The Mall has a wide variety of choices ng brands, shops and discounts! May mga Luxury brands din and designer products on sale! Although they are still last season, the items are still good and worth the buck.   
Just check the Mall's site for more information. 
 The GANAP

PAGKAIN

Pinoys as we are, we cannot deny the fact na mahilig tayu sa food. Kahit saan tayu magpunta, food talaga is one of the many things na hinahanap natin. Marami namang mga food stalls sa Mall and certified yun na hindi ka mato-TomJones doon. May mga choices ng cuisine din na nandoon from different cultures and countries. Pero sa lahat ng nandoon, may Pinoy Food stalls! Yun ang winner!

Ang sarap ng CHOWKING! Hindi sila same ng menu sa branches sa Pinas pero ok na, winner pa rin ang food nila! May ibang restaurants din sa Mall at coffee shops din. Parang masayang family outing talaga yung magaganap dito for all.

The Mall also has a small children's park with rides. I don't have pictures kasi di yun ang destination namin in mind. 

Starbucks' Vanilla Cream Frap - My Favorite forever! :)

Tom Yum soup from Chowking. It's spicy-sour but very good and satisfying. Walang ganito sa Menu ng Chowking sa Pinas kaya na-isip ko nga Mixed Asian Cuisine yung Chowking dito.

Fish Lauriat for me!

Ang SAYA ng pagkain ko! :) You will be eating na surrounded with these messages in different laguages. Ang saya lang!

STROLLING

After ng lafang, of course lakad na! Actually, nagstart na kami sa lakad pero nagutom kaya break time muna sa food court. So, basically continuation lang ito ng lakad namin. 

One of the first shops na napuntahan namin was Splash. Bet na bet namin yung brand na ito kasi mura and very new ang style. Hindi din siya common na fashion at pwede siyang i-mix with other pieces. Ganun siya ka-versatile in style. Maraming shops pa yung napuntahan namin pero a few pictures lang yung meron kami kasi naging busy sa ganap. Ganun ka-busy yung mga paa at mata namin. 
 
Shopping bags! Splash is our brand. :) We also bought some paper bags! HAHA :P

See mo ba yung isa? Nagkakape pa yan ah! Multi-tasking ang tawag sa ganyan! Give nalang natin!

I think 4 liters ng kape ang na-ubos ng ate ko! Hanggang dito kasi, may hawak parin siyang kape! ADIK! LOL

This is the view of the Mall's cone sa may parking entrance.

Bet ko yung Lamps na ito!! Ang mahal nito sa Pinas ah!
In fairness sa Dubai Outlet Mall, kahit malayo siya at mainit yung byahe, kabog talaga ang shopping dito! And the service from the stores was just right! Hindi tulad sa ibang Malls na OA na parang security lang talaga na sunod ng sunod. Obvious na may trust issues ang mga tao na iyon!

If type ninyo na pumunta sa Dubai Outlet Mall, just check out their site for more details. 

www.dubaioutletmall.com

:)

Is this the end?

Ive always dreamt to have someone who is proud of me; who understands why i am like this; a person that brings the best in me and accepts ...