Summer in Abu Dhabi, Week 30 Pregnancy Update, Weekend in Abu Dhabi

Do more. See more Summer Fun for Everyone. That's the Summer in Abu Dhabi spirit for you. 

The nation with 40+ degrees heat along with its great beaches, white sand, mojitos and 70% Sale all over the town makes Abu Dhabi a fun place to visit. 

Starting June 21 which will run till 19 July, 2012 - Summer in Abu Dhabi  (please click for the website's link) a yearly fun filled festival for the whole family will be once again held in ADNEC (Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company), one great event Abu Dhabian shouldn't miss.

Source. www.summerinabudhabi.ae; Summer in Abu Dhabi

Personally, if Ate Pao is here, I would definitely bring her to see the shows where Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella and Peter Pan will have great fun on Ice.

For all the shows details, please visit their website.

And for you party animals out there, you shouldn't miss Madonna Live with Benny Benassi on 3rd and 4th June in Yas Island (Du Arena formerly known as Yas Arena). 

Source: www.thinkflash.ae;  Madonna Live in Abu Dhabi

Unfortunately, I won't be one of those who will run the field this time. Hahaha!

(Sorry, this is an inside joke and I'll tell you the story--Du Arena is one heck of a place that the stage is so far from the entrance, you literally have to run to get the best spot, that is if you want to get close enough to the stage area--and my good friend, call her D, did a "Run Forrest Run" antic on two concerts she attended in Yas. First, when Ms. Beyonce came and last with Kanye West. I am lucky enough to witness how she sprinted on the latter. hahaha! So funny!)

Since, I'm little Ms. Preggy this time, your lola (grandma) won't be attending any concert as such. Baka maagang maging party animal ang batang ito. Isa pa, wala naman kaming tickets. hhahaha! And even if I have tickets, I still won't take risk of standing there (for longer than 2 hours for sure), with the blasting sounds from the humongous speakers. I don't even have the energy to dance in the tune of Ray of Light this time. hahahah!

For some more infomation regarding thinkflash.ae events, please visit their website.

You can also add ADNEC's website for future references on the upcoming events there.

So much to do this summer. 

I'm already on my Week 30 of pregnancy. Pretty much on my last weeks. If you will ask if I enjoyed food binging since pregnancy permits pigging out, well, you're wrong. The "abnormal maternal glucose tolerance" made it too hard for me. Sucks right?

Though, I'm still thankful for letting me have 5 orders of Chowking Halo-Halo before I knew that I have gestational diabetes. (Wikipedia: Halo-halo (from Tagalog word halò, "mix") is a popular Filipino dessert that is a mixture of shaved ice and evaporated milk to which are added various boiled sweet beans and fruits, and served in a tall glass or bowl.)

Chowking Halo-Halo
Source: www.chowking-me.com

Anyways, my check-up last week showed that I'm now a borderline and my blood sugar is in control. Yehey! Naman. If not, what is my eating like goat (salads) is for? The endless fruits diet and 2 liters of water. 

Speaking of water, I'm drinking like drought Liwa desert and yet my OB said I'm having UTI. Ahhh, the drama of pregnancy. But need not to worry, it's all because of my baby's head pressing on my urinary tract.

Weekends are not as much fun. We're in home confinement as the hot weather can immediately make me wither. We stayed home right after church service coz' I'm having such a headache yesterday, my hormones shoot up to the roof and I was crying a river for nothing. Crazy! Fighting the husband for petty things. Good thing he understands or else hahaha!

That's all for now. I will upload some photos from the Philips Avent Child Care event held last May 28.

I'm scheduled for opening of my registration with Corniche Hospital this week. And I'm hoping they could schedule me for check-up soonest because omg I'm already on my last weeks.

Thanks for dropping by. I'd be posting photos of my oh-so-preggy-tummy soon!

P.s. I'm attaching links on my post so you can easily bookmark the links for your references. Again and again, this is not a paid post. I'm merely reaching a proper traffic to get paid. hahaha! Such a loser.

Philips Avent Breastfeeding & Childcare Nutrition Conference

I hope it's not too late for this post.
I've just remembered I haven't informed you guys yet about it. I posted this on my FB wall though.

I've pre-registered myself since April 2012 and you can still register tomorrow @ the venue itself. (Abu Dhabi: Beach Rotana Hotel, beside Abu Dhabi Mall)

Registration will open at 8am and the conference will start at 9am till 12:30pm.

They will serve snacks and will provide creche for babies (first come first serve basis though).

Here's a screenshot from the website:

Here's the link to the website (for Dubai Moms) : www.motherbaby.ae

I've been invited two consecutive years, but we all know I don't have reasons to attend till now. =)

I would've attended it when I had Ate Pao coz' we had difficulty breastfeeding her. I won't go into details anymore haha! But yes, I'm so into breastfeeding Makoy/Max until the situation permits.

I hope I won't forget to bring my camera and my best attitude so I could write something great from the conference.

If you happen to be there tomorrow, please do not hesitate to approach me. I'd be wearing something sunny and of course, sporting a big bump that I'm so proud of. hahahah!

Happy Sunday.

**Yes, I took off from work for this. Next event will be my monthly check-up. I think I'm also due for my next glucose test and scan. Let's cross our fingers that they could confirm my baby's gender this time.

Abu Dhabi Summer Sale, Expat-Blog and what's on

It was a great weekend for me and my hubby. Everything was done on relaxed phase and with pleasure.

I had a great Thursday afternoon wandering around Abu Dhabi city, maximizing my every dirhams to the city's summer offers.

Max and Splash, and some other known high street fashion retailers still have their 20-60% off sale.

Source: www.splashfashions.com

Though, I prefer to spend in Splash because Max Clothing has almost limited offer this time. (and Splash is true to their word, most items are still 60% off or more!)

Source: www.maxfashionretail.com

Wait, hindi to paid advertisement ha (this is not a paid advertisement).

I just want to give you an insider's thought on how great summers are here in the UAE. 

Sale plus sun-kissed tan (by going around town) is the best deal this place can offer.

What I want best with Splash (and other Landmark Group retails) is the Shukran loyalty card. 

As the word's meaning (translation: Arabic word "Shukran" in English means "Thank you"), they give discount and exclusive offers for card holders like me! 

Currently, I already accumulated 245 points. They give rewards as you reach 500 points. (halatang hindi nagsashopping).

I have other reward cards like AirMiles and airlines reward cards which my favorites are Etihad Guest card and Cathay Pacific where I already redeemed my points for electronic items. Nice right?

Matyaga ako sa mga rewards-rewards na yan e. hahaha!

Aside of winning prizes on some local magazine and newspapers, matyaga rin ako sa mga vouchers and rewards. hahahah! Bakit ba? What is my staying out of the country for na may few hundred thousands of competitor lang kesa sa pilipinas na milyon ang kakumpitensya mo sa mga pa-contest diba? My chances of winning and saving is much more!

Go to http://www.vouchercodesuae.com/ where you will find list of discounts (all over the city) and vouchers you will enjoy with your friends and family. Dito ko lang nalaman ang offer ng Ferrari World for UAE residents (AED. 165/- for General Admission valid only until June 2012). Na pakshet naman na wala sa panahon dahil hindi naman ako makakapagenjoy jan ngayon diba?

Dreamland is also holding a Five 4 Three discount, for a pay for 3 entrance fee for group of five. Panalo diba? Yun nga lang, Dreamland is in Ras Al Khaimah which is 3-4 hours drive from Abu Dhabi. And as I mentioned earlier, hindi keri ng situation ko ngayon ang kahit anong rigorous activities this time.

Those are few offers around UAE but I'm sure there's more out there.

Pang-hotel stay lang aketch and swimming sa swimming pool this time which hindi ko na kailangan pala ang hotel stay (hehe. ang gulo) dahil may mga friends akong sa commercial buildings nakatira where there's pools sa top deck.

Enlist yourself to www.booking.com for alerts on Hotel offers.  The latest they have is as low as AED. 200 for one night stay in Coral Khoory, Dubai, perfect location dahil it's near to the big malls like Mall of the Emirates and Ibn Battuta Mall. We've tried Coral Hotels before, they are lovely. Yun yung panahon na adik kaming mag-asawa sa pag-hohotel stay. And of course, I hold a membership card from them. hahahah! adik.

One more website that offers alerts and list of discounts/sale is Dubai Savers. Check the link to see their latest list.

Again, i'll reiterate that my links are not paid. I'm merely sharing what I know, so you guys would also benefit to it.

Alam ko this post is something not-so-new but different to my normal 'personal' posts.
See, I'm committing myself to blogging for expats like me. I've been a member of Expat Blog for quite sometime now, but still haven't really contributed to the website until, well, today? hahahah!

I'd be writing my personal views and reviews about the city, my adventures and experiences (isn't too late? I've been here for more than 12 years now! nyahahah!) soon. And hopefully, my post will not only humor help you but let you enjoy the city as I do.

Btw, for some Abu Dhabians/UAE expats who are looking for jobs and spaces to rent, please visit the following links:

http://www.expat-blog.com/en/jobs/middle-east/united-arab-emirates/

http://www.expat-blog.com/en/housing/middle-east/united-arab-emirates/

To Julien, who started Expat-Blogs, thank you for inviting me to contribute to this wonderful website. I hope to be of service to my filipino community in Abu Dhabi/UAE as well as to other expats around the world.

Link and share!

**and please spare me with Englishing review, because I'm not american therefore I'm not englishing good. hahahaha! just joking. Pagpaumanhin nyo na, tutal nagkakaintindihan naman tayo e. For other nationalities who would visit my site, please pardon my writing, I'm not an expert and I'm not really that good in english. This is also my way of zoning back to english writing as staying in the middle east can really fcuk your grammar. We all know that. haha!

Have a great Saturday!

Pregnancy Update - Week 28

Wohooo! This is pancit! Third trimester na po kami today. I'm exactly on my 7th month.

Last week, naghahanap ako ng heksaytment. O anong inabot ko? Nahilo ako last Thursday and I have to go see OB-GYNE dahil para akong idinuduyan.

Nasobrahan sa "no rice" diet. Nagutom ang katawan naming mag-ina. Masyadong bumaba ang sugar level dahil spring rolls lang ang kinain ko for dinner. 

Dapat nakinig na ako kay asawa e. Kasi by 10pm sabi nya nagugutom na raw yata sya. Kung sya na kumain ng 4 na rolyo ng spring rolls, ako pa na dalawang rolyo lang ang kinain?

E sa sobrang takot ko sa sugar sugar na yan, pinilit ko na lang matulog. Ayun pak! kinabukasan hindi ako makabangon, nagsisisipa ang baby at hilong hilo ako. 

Nangyari na kse yung hilo dahil  naman sa dehydration. Eto kasing magaling kong asawa, nagpatay ng ventilation. Ayun, nagising akong pawis na pawis at nagkukulang sa oxygen. 

Sobrang engaged ako sa pregnancy na ito this time. Nung kay Ate Pao, parang nanaginip lang ako na buntis ako, tapos nun nanganak na ko.

Though, everything is smooth so far, konting bumps lang talaga along the way plus the biggest deal lang talaga for me is the GD. 

Anyways, Ate Pao is excited na to see us soon. Paspasan ang pageensayo sa piano, gustong makapuntos ng iPad. hahahah! Saka excited na rin sya sa baby. Lagi ko syang pinapaalalahanan na magiging responsibility din nya ang kapatid nya once dumating kami. I want her to be engaged with the little one. Para alam nya na hindi lang sya ang baby at maaring meron pang maging responsibilidad kaming mga magulang nya aside of her.

See Ate Pao learning basic piano just after her 3rd session. Ang galing talaga ng mga bata!

http://ayie-marcos.tumblr.com/post/23157362831/ate-pao-practicing-twinkle-twinkle-little-star

Proud din ako para sa anak kong ito, sya ata ang Ate namin.

Minsan naiimagine ko na silang dalawa kasama ng mga pinsan nila. Si Ate Jewel na pamangkin ni asawa sa kanyang kuya. Ang mga pamangkin ko sa kuya ko, si Trisha and Chanel. Limang babae na magiging magkakabarkada. 

Ansaya siguro na makitang magkakasama sila. Nasa bahay, nagkukulong sa kwarto, tuksuhan ganyan. Kwentuhang crush. Pillow fights and sleepover. 

Ganun kaming magpipinsan noon e. Hindi ko makakalimutan nung mag-18 ako. Boyish kse ako e. Hindi rin ako makolorete o maarte sa katawan, kaya bilang pang-asar, pinag-debut nila ako. Though, sa debut na yon ko inintroduce yung ex-jowa ko noon. hahah!

Feeling ko kse time na. Gusto ko nang makaranas ng first kiss (hindi naman ako naunsyami), ng kilig to the bones, mga ganyan. My high school sucks kse. Pambihira.

Naalala ko na nag-sleepover kaming magpipinsan, tapos kinulong nila ako sa kwarto habang nakasalang ang blue film (bold), alam mo na. Sows. Natatawa lang ako sa pagka-juvenile ng style ng mga pinsan ko. E natuto nga akong magbasa ng mabilis dahil kay Manong Xerex e. hahahaha!

Iniisip pala nila noon na virginal pa ang mga mata ko sa ganun, e andami kaya naming tiyuhin at pinsang lalaki. Sa isang pamilya isa o hanggang dalawa lang ang babae kaya nga kami close lahat, e ano pang aasahan nila? Lumaki akong kasama ang ilan sa mga tiyuhin at pinsan kong lalaki, andami kayang collection ng Playboy magazine sa itaas ng bahay sa ilalim ng lumang aparador. hahahaha!

Kaya nga ako naging mas ugaling lalaki, kse hindi naman boys ang nababasa ko sa magazine kundi puro katawan ng girls.

I don't know how it will be for Ate Pao (and kung girl na nga itong isang nasa tummy ko) at mga pamangkin ko. I just want them to grow up na hindi naman tanga sa mundo pero hindi rin makamundo. I want them to feel their age, na bata sila--na magte-teen sila, na ma-enjoy nila ang life kahit pahirap na ng pahirap ang buhay.

Wala namang may alam kung hanggang kelan ang lahat hindi ba? I just want them to do the right thing, yung lumaki sila sa tamang pag-uugali. Ayokong gagawa sila ng hindi dapat, moral at ispiritual. Naiintindihan ko rin naman na dadaan sila sa mga sariling pagdedesisyon, kung saan hindi nila alam kung tama o mali ba yung gagawin nila.

Sana lang, patnubayan kami ng Ama, na kung dadating ang oras na kailangan nila ng payo namin, sana--magawa naming mapakinggan sila na walang halong paghuhusga, kundi maipakita namin ni Jovel na bilang magulang, maaasahan nila kami.

Less than 3 months more, manganganak na ako.

Less than 3 years more, may dalagita na ako.

So little time, so many things to do. I pray and wish God grant us the strength, health and wisdom (and blessings) para pag dumating na yung time na kailangang kailangan na kami ng mga anak namin, present naman kaming mga magulang nila. Para hindi lang sila lumaking magaganda, lumaki pa silang matatalino at higit sa lahat, may tamang paggabay mula sa amin. (akala mo ke tino ng mga magulang, hahahah!)

Basta. Marami kaming nagawa ni Jovel na mali sa buhay, pero hindi ibig sabihin non, wala nang magagawang tama. So far, sa lahat ng pagsubok na dinaanan namin, walang ibang idinulot yun kundi maging mas matatag at mas mahalin namin ang isa't isa. Hindi man namin mabubura yun, magagamit naman namin para sa mas magandang bukas para sa pamilyang binuo namin.

OMG. Sobrang Pamilya Matters na ang blog na ito. haha!

Happy Sunday!

Heksyusmi por my french

Isang nakakaputang-inang bored na bored day. 

May trabaho, pero hindi sapat para maibsan ang nagwawalang uhaw ko para sa isang essential at kapaki-pakinabang na magagawa.

Nabasa ko na lahat ng blog sa blogroll ko.

Tumawa na ako ng bonggang bongga sa mga post ni Mots hanggang sa marating ko na ang rurok ng ligaya. Nakakautot sa katatawa ang mga post nya.

Hindi ko naman pwedeng intayin na lang na parang manna from heaven sa dalang ng pagpopost ng iba pang sinusubaybayan kong bloggers.

Nakakaburaot lang sa office.

Pwede bang uuwi muna ako sa bahay, aasikasuhin ang napakarami kong gagawin (kaya naman kung kelan gabi saka ako pagod), tawagan nyo na lang ako at ipasundo sa driver kapag may important matters? (CEO ka? hehe)

Tumataas ang stress level ko sa mga nangyayari sa mga tao sa paligid ko. Laway lang naman talaga ang puhunan ko at konting kaalaman sa pasikot sikot sa Abu Dhabi, saka budburan ng konting affection. Parang ganun lang. Nagawa ko nang maging legal, directory, marketing at researcher. Ako ba ang pambansang tanungan ng UAE? Ewan. Friendly kse ako, haha! Ayos lang. Nakakawala rin naman ng boredom.

Sobrang bored ko kahapon, napaluto tuloy ako ng lugaw, tokwa at lumpiang toge (pirito) for dinner. Tutal nagrereklamo si asawa at ayaw kumain ng heavy. Diet ang peg na akala mo ba may sasalihang beauty contest. Baka sasali sa bikini open. Nagbabasketball na sya uli (magaling na ang natwist na ankle) at nagwe-weight lifting. Pinaghahandaan ng todo ang nalalapit na bakasyon. Gusto yatang madiscover na artista. Ewan.

Buti pa nga sya may libangan sa gabi. Bago umuwi galing trabaho (dun din naman sila naglalaro), may diversion silang mga barako.

Kaya napapagdiskitahan ko ngayon ang pagluluto. Ayoko talaga kse sa lahat e yung hihiga-higa, nakakasakit ng katawan. Maikli lang kse ang buhay, tapos nun forever ka nang nakahimlay.

Hindi naman ako marunong magluto ng mga putahe. Hanggang simpleng ulam lang ako.

Ngayon ang order ng amo ay lumpiang sariwa. Namana ko sa tatay ko yung galing nya sa paggawa nyan. Kaya si asawa basta diet-dietan yan agad ang order.

Sabagay tutal kailangan din naming mag-ina ng maraming fiber. So, yan ang aking order for the day. Heksayted na nga ako makauwi ng makapagluto na.

Magiging busy lang ang week ko simula 28th pa. May Avent event (Pregnancy and Breastfeeding seminar) na gaganapin sa Beach Rotana Hotel. Dun makakapag leave ako at makikipagbalitaktakan kasama ng maraming buntis at mga nanay na nagpapadodo.

Sa 30th check up ko. Mumurahin ko na talaga ang radiographer/doctor pag di pa nila kinonfirm ang gender ng anak ko. Aalimurahin ko talaga sila mula ulo hanggang paa sabay hampas ng state-of-the-art gadgets nila kuno. hehe. Bayolente.

Sa June 2 na ang Baby Shower. Sa sobrang committed ko sa office, dito rin gagawin ang shower. Hindi ko pa mapagdesisyunan ang menu. Ayoko ng pancit na naman. Isip-isip.

Nagawa kong tapusin yan sa office, ganun kabored. Combination ng Blue and Pink.
Dahil nga hindi pa confirmed ang gender.

Nagmumura na tyan ko sa laki! Sa awa naman wala nang dagdag na stretch marks
Lahat ng marks na meron ako e yung kay Pao pa.

Wala namang masyadong effort na kailangan para sa baby shower. Wala na ang traditional na celebration na may games and speech speech pa. Yung tatay nga ng bata sa tyan ko ayaw umattend e. Baka daw pagsasalitain pa sya ng 'thank you' ganyan, e baka daw maluha pa sya. Drama.

Since lunch break baby shower celebration lang naman ang gagawin namin kaya hindi ko pinilit, tutal another baby shower celebration pa ang gagawin sa bahay. Syempre hiwalay pa ang pakain sa church group.

3 baby shower celebration+syempre ang birthday ko pa. (naaks!)

Ayan, napaisip na tuloy ako. Ano pa nga ba ang kulang na dapat kong gawin?

*Hanggang ngayon hiwalay pa rin ang tawag namin sa bata. Pag kausap ni asawa ang baby, Macoy ang tawag nya. Pag ako ang kumakausap, Max ang tawag ko. Anubeyen.

Pregnancy Update: Week 27 - Bored

Wala naman mashadong update. Steady lang ang life. May mga problema (as usual pera) pero keri naman. Kumbaga, pagkatapos mong masabi na 'andami kong problema' (pera nga), saka mo marerealize na maraming tao na yan din ang problema kaya, kebs na lang tas move on na. Attitude lang naman yan. hehe.

Ang baby ko malikot na malikot na. Madalas na maglikot lalo na sa midnight. Minsan tuloy imbes na makatulog na ako, kinakailangan ko pang bumangon ng ilang beses dahil lagi akong wiwing wiwi. Nasisipa nya yata ang pantog ko.

Ayos lang ang career life. Maraming trabaho wala lang bonus o increment. Letse lang diba. Ewan ko, pero sa basbas ng langit, pagkapanganak ko, move on na rin sa career next year, unless otherwise. Meganun pa?!

Meron akong tatlong option. Stay in Abu Dhabi, move to Dubai o fly to Qatar. Pero least na yung option ng Qatar dahil hindi masyadong appealing ang kanilang Labour Law. Kaya isa syang unless otherwise. Ganun na nga.

Niloloko nila ako sa office. Hindi daw halata ang laki ng tyan ko dahil ang dibdib ko raw parang 'dodo ng cow'. Mga hayup. Nilalapastangan ang alindog ko at walang galang sa size 38C kong siksik liglig at umaapaw! Kung alam lang nila na crossing 40B na ako ngayon. Nyahahaha!

Tuloy ang exercise. Walang sexercise. I'm so bored. There goes my sex life. Ang hirap mag maneuver, nakakainis mag effort. Hahahah! 

Less than 13 weeks na lang and I'm ready to pop!

Week 27 Update from www.Parenting.com 

Mahaba-haba pang panahon ng dyeta. Hays. (hehe!)

Just Random

Andami kong gustong gawin na hindi ko magawa. Mainit ang panahon sa Abu Dhabi/UAE ngayon. Nakakabanas.

Pwede kaming mag toast at sunny side up ng egg sa labas
(Image from AccuWeather.com)

Sa dadalawang weather na meron ang UAE (Abu Dhabi), parehong nakakataba.

Kapag summer, tamad kang lumabas, hibernate mode. Bahay-sasakyan-trabaho-sasakyan-bahay ang peg ng tao.

Kapag winter, ayaw mo rin maglakad lakad. Nakakairita ang sobrang lamig ng hangin.

Pero magaling ang marketing strategy ng mga malls at shops dito. 70% off sale anywhere, everywhere kapag kasagsagan ng summer at winter.
Mapipilitan kang lumabas dahil yung mga minamatahan mong items, baka nasa Dhs. 10 na lang ngayon sa dating presyo.

Halos pamigay na ang items.

Pati mga Hypermarkets, Supermarkets etc, sale din. Andaming mga grocery items na pwede mong mabili sa bundle offer.

Buti na lang tapos na ako sa pagsashopping ng baby things. Grocery na lang talaga. Pwede na yun gawin sa July. Ayokong mag hoard. Saka wala akong budget.
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Gusto kong magmaramot at magpakagahaman kaya wish ko lumabas ang baby by July. Basta bago man lang matapos ang July. Hehe.

Ako lang kse ang nagsecelebrate ng bday pag July. Masaya naman for once na may kakampi ako.  Para double happy celebration.
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Ayokong pumunta ng Max clothing store. Baka kse makita ko yung mga damit na pinamili ko ng mahal na nasa 50% off na ngayon dahil sale sila. Baka masampal ko ang sarili ko ng wala sa oras.
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Malapit nang maging tatlong box ang balikbayan boxes. Napakalaking pera para sa mga bagay na ipadadala sa pinas. Wala pa dun ang crib at gamit ng baby.
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Nasira daw ang aircon sa pinas. Bibili pa ng bago ngayon. Any suggestion? Pambihira. Hindi pa kami umuuwi, natutuyot na ang bulsa. Anobeh?
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Gusto ko ng halo-halo pero di ko magawa. Hay life.

Oorder na ba ako?
(Image from Google)

Chowking UAE:  http://www.chowking-me.com/ourstores.html