Ang Paskong Nagdaan

Ang bilis ng panahon. Para ka lang umidlip ng ilang minuto, dumaan na naman ang pasko. Ilang araw na lang bagong taon na naman. Pero paano mo ba ipinagdiriwang ang pasko mo? Ang pasko ko? ‘Wag mo na lang itanong. Hindi naman siya ganon ka-blue. Sa bagay, masasabi din nating hindi ganon kasaya.

Kung isipin mong malungkot ito dahil nag-iisa ka at wala kang natanggap na bonus galing sa amo mong napakabait, hayaan mo na lang, ang importante buhay ka at napi-feel mo ang spirit ng Christmas. Teka, paano mo nga ba napi-feel?

Hay, isipin mo ito. Pagsapit na pagsapit ng pasko, ang daming magparamdam sa iyo. Buksan mo nga ang inbox ng mobile mo, diba panay ang text ni kapatid, ni pinsan, ni kaibigan, ni mga pamangkin, ni mga inaanak. Kesyo wala daw silang handa sa noche Buena. Panay ang text ng buong barangay. Hindi ka naman ganon ka sikat. Bakit ba sila magte-text sa’yo tuwing sasapit ang pasko? Di mo ba nakuha? Simple lang naman ‘yon. Ang ibig sabihin no’n, kung meron kang pamasko huwag mo silang kalimutan. Diba nasa ibang bansa ka? Kumikita ka ng dollar/dirhams kaya kailangan mo silang ambunan ng kunting grasya.

Pero paano ka nga ba magbibigay ng grasya kung di sapat ang kita mo? Wala ka rin namang bonus. ‘Yung sweldo mo tuwing katapusan ng buwan sapat lang sa pamilya mo at wala kang naitatabi. Gustuhin mo man pero mahirap talaga.

Teka, balik tayo sa pagdiriwang ng pasko. Sa akin, ordinaryong araw lang ang pasko ko. Pero feel ko naman ang spirit ng Christmas for sure. Apektado lang ako sa mga storya ng buhay sa mga kasama ko. May storyang nakakatawa, meron ring nakakainis.

Si Ate Myrna laban sa asawa niya

Umuwi ang asawa ni Ate Myrna (asawa lang dito sa Dubai) noong Octobre. Sabi sa kanya babalik daw bago magpasko, or bago mag-new year. Di tiyak. Di naman niya pwedeng araw-arawin ng tawag kasi minsan walang signal minsan din si Mrs. No. 1 ang sumagot ng phone. Kaya ito si Ate Myrna, ang tamlay-tamlay noong pasko. Di man lang niya nakausap ang asawa niya. Pero may pag-asa pa rin siya. Parating pa ang new year.

Si Ate Amy laban sa mga ka-room mate niya

May di pagkakaintindihan si Ate Amy at ang mga ka-room mate niya. Bina-back fire daw kasi siya sa mga kasama niya. Kesyo daw di naman daw siya ganon kaganda (kamukha daw niya ang nanay ni Pacman), bakit daw nakabingwit siya ng Emirati. Kaya tuloy naiinis ang mga kasama niyang di man lang napansin ng mga Emirati. Di siya kinausap. Ito naman si Amy mukhang palaban. Pero noong pasko, ang saya-saya nila. Nagkakantahan at sabay-sabay na dinaraos ang pasko. Sana, tuluyan ng maayos ang hidwaan nila.

Si Ate Rose laban kay kuya James

Tanghali na ng pasko dumating si Kuya James. Galit na galit si Ate. Bakit daw parang di galing sa trabaho si Kuya. Mukha daw’ng galing sa ibang pintuan. Medyo may mga pag-du-duda na’to si Ate Rose. Nahuli kasi niya minsan si Kuya na may katawagan. Pero nagkabati rin sila. Kaya lang bandang alas 10 ng gabi umalis muli si Kuya. May work daw siya kinabukasan at kailangan maaga. Di na lang kumibo si Ate, nakabit pa naman daw sa kanya ang korona niyang pagiging “orihinal na asawa dito sa Dubai.”

Si Kuya Sam laban kay Ate Myrna

Ilang buwan na ring walang kiboan ang dalawang panig. Ito kasi si Kuya Sam parang babae. Galit na galit kasi siya noong malaman niyang text ng text si Ate Helen kay Ate Myrna. Ang buong akala ni Kuya Sam si Ate Myrna ang nagsusumbong kay Ate Helen sa mga ginagawa ni Kuya Sam dito sa Dubai. Pasko man, wala pa ring imikan ang dalawa magkasalubongan man sila sa maliit naming pinto.

‘Yon ang mga estorya ng pasko ng mga kasama ko sa bahay. Sa akin? Alam n’yo na. Masaya ako sa pasko kahit malayo ako sa pamilya ko kasi alam kung napaka-supportive nila at naiintindihan nila ako.

MY NEW BLOG….

My apology to my dear readers and visitors. From now on my new entries to this blog will be posted in my other blog www.ruphestimate.blogspot.com. Thanks and happy reading!

Rain rain don’t go away…

Last night, while watching Predator 2 from Fox Movies channel, I was disturbed by the noise outside our flat. People were shouting as if there was a riot. I convinced myself that tonight our time to live in this compound is over. The police CID came to evict us since we are living in shared accommodations. It’s time to pack up now, I thought. 

But, when I opened the door to know what was outside, I was surprised to see my neighbours - wet and playing with the heavy downpour. Oh my God! It was purely rain that made them shouting. Whew.. I thought it is! It’s a blessing. I knew they missed the rain and I admit I do the same. Oh…I found my reason to join them and had fun until the last drop of it. I know this sounds a little bit of foolishness. We were not doing this in the Philippines. But we feel the need to replenish those days when we were exposed to the scorching heat of the sun in the past seven months.

It was a nice experience. Playing with the rain which we considered an extra ordinary thing here in the Emirates. I wish more rainy days to come! 

Many are called but only few are invited…

 Should I say I missed the opening of the 8th Wonder of the World  - The Atlantis or I was just one of those who were not invited? No need to wonder.. I am not a hollywood celebrity. But thanks to my Indian friend who lives close to the Atlantis he shared me some of the photos. By the way, Atlantis, Palm Jumeirah has 1,539 room and it is located at the apex of Palm Jumeirah just 5 minutes from The Village Centre at the tip of The Trunk. This unique property will feature the Royal Towers and the Bridge Suite situated on upper levels. It will also showcase an epic arch similar to that of its sister hotel in The Bahamas, but with an Arabic architectural twist.

Atlantis, Palm Jumeirah is built on 120 acres of The Crescent, and includes an extensive waterscape, complete with ancient rock formations, lazy lagoons, dramatic waterfalls and lush, vibrant horticultural elements from around the world, all designed to provide maximum thrills for adrenalin seekers, as well as calming water rides for those looking to relax.

On the eve of November 20, 2008, the Grand Opening took place. Big stars and hollywood icons like Oprah Winfrey were among the distinguished guests of the opening. I was not there, but these pictures (fireworks) below are enough for me to say, “I’ve been there!”

The Horror of getting Driver’s License in Dubai

I am quitting!

I always end up with this statement every time I called the customer service of Belhasa Driving School. I enrolled myself to this school last July and until now I haven’t received any call from them to start my training. I understand that most of the driving schools in Dubai have allotted three months before the start of the training. But I can’t imagine, it’s almost five months now. I did my classroom lecture and passed the signal test two months back. And one more thing, I have paid my bills. This is ridiculous!

Well, I admire the services of the customer agents. They are present every time I visit their office. They are very polite and respectful and very consistent with their phases. Whew! Come to think of it. The first time I came to ask for my training schedule, they said, “We will call you!” But they did not call. Tired of waiting, I came to their office the second time around and the same answer I got. But, again, they did not call. Another tiresome moment, I suppose.  Are they human who speak like a parrot or they are parrots that speak like a human? The third and the last time I came. At last, I gained new hope. I heard their new answer, “Please call us!” What a f**k! I insisted with all my might but all I got was nothing. Okay, fine! But what is the most funny (irritating) is I just follow what they said. I phone them most of the days, morning and afternoon. But this is totally crazy. None of these agents know better answer than the repeating, “We will call you!”

How many of us have encountered similar scenario? Getting a driver’s license in Dubai is as difficult as getting a bar or board exam. Good for the western people, for the citizens of rich countries of Asia – Singapore, Hongkong, Brunei and Malaysia, they can convert their licenses without any hassle.