An Answered Prayer?

Well, someone from the office must have read this OR maybe the angels must have answered back my office rants.

We're having a Christmas party cum exchange gifts today at lunchtime!

I hope we'll have a blast (not really).

P.S. Sorry guys and gals if I have not blogged regularly. It's just that I'm in a middle of a whirlwind right now. Just so much going on right now and I can't focus!

Anyways, Merry Christmas to you all in advance.

And so, Christmas is on its way!



[Source]


I can hear and see Christmas coming. At the office, each department has its own Christmas tree and decors. Most of them are having also the ever popular Christmas parties and gift-giving to secret Santas. I have volunteered myself to be a part of our media division’s party and gift-giving ceremonies because our own division is just so flaky icky dry when it comes to such events. I don’t blame them much. I do understand that due to religious affiliations, most of them do not celebrate the holiday season the way Christians do.

It’s just that, we are an advertising agency and we’re supposed to be an all-rounder when it comes to such festivities. Anyway, enough of the office rants.

For us Christians, it’s the most festive season of the year. The more I miss home because of this. I am a bit worried with my Mom (although she kept on reassuring me that she’ll be okay) since this is the first time that she’ll spend Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) to someone else’s home. My sisters have flown to US two days ago so it means my Mom is all alone. Although my younger brother is in the Philippines right now for his Christmas vacation, he’ll be spending most of his time with his wife’s family. Mom says that she’s planning to spend Christmas day with my brother’s in-laws. I hope she'll enjoy. I know that she misses us so much.

I’m just feeling sad that all of us in our family got separated at this family-oriented celebration. My Papa and two sisters are in the US, I am here in UAE, my brother and Mom in the Philippines.

I miss them so much.

I don’t want to be emotional and I’m still here in the office so I just can’t be seen crying here.

At home, it’s still very plain and gloomy. No Christmas decors or Christmas songs. We just moved in last Friday so it’s still a huge mess. Our shelving units and TV are not yet fixed. And we haven’t decided until now how to arrange the huge sofas (they took a lot of space in the living room). Another thing is we haven’t bought our dining table and chairs yet. And lastly and most importantly, our gas connection is not yet done, which means we can’t cook anything yet (except for the rice because we have a rice cooker anyway) and we just have to satisfy ourselves with oily icky take-aways for the next 5 or so days.

Give me another week or two. Or maybe just in time before Christmas, we’ll be able to finish everything.

Please wish me luck.

And for the rest of you, enjoy shopping for your gift list coz I don’t think I can do my own shopping anymore.

Remember me on your list okay? Haha!

Uber Xcited!




Mubadala World Tennis Championships in Abu Dhabi

 

I am going to see Roger Federer!

Super duper excited for this event.

I bought tickets for the Day 2 and 3 games.

A New Year gift to myself and hubby.

Can't wait!!!!!

What's Happening on the 31st of October?

It’s the last day of the month.

And unlike in the Philippines, this side of the world is more concerned with Halloween parties and Trick or Treats than on remembering our loved ones who had gone to heaven. Well, I’m not even sure if they’ve got cemeteries here coz if there are, I wouldn’t know where. Maybe out on the desert?

Here in the Middle East, I think that Halloween is really not a national or regional festivity not like in Europe or in the US. But since most of the population is of expatriates, through the years, some companies, families and communities have also started to partake on the celebration.

Last weekend, we went to Spinneys to buy some stuff. Even at supermarkets, the festivity is very obvious. On the veggie stands, you can see the different sizes of pumpkins and also different textures and shapes, made into Jack-o’-lantern. I even saw this odd-looking pumpkin with so many bumps and lumps on its skin. It’s already “kadiri” (yucky) just looking at it.

Anyway, here in the office, the media division of the company will have a “pizza lunch party” later in the afternoon PLUS a costume party. Of course, no one will dare to let themselves look stupid with scary Halloween costumes unless there’s a prize. A top management official is giving away cash prizes for those brave enough to shame themselves. Even I can’t wait to see them. A colleague sitting next to me is wearing an all-black ensemble. She showed us this morning her tall witchy-pointy hat which she’ll put on later. She told us she wants to look scary but “No”, we told her, “you look cute”.

Most of the accounts/finance people are not participating since this is a really busy month-end-closing-week. I haven’t seen the other guys and gals on the other side of the building (also part of the media division) but I hope there will be lots to see of them (costumes).

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In the Philippines, I remember visiting our departed loved ones on this day, as we try to avoid the crowd and the horrendous traffic on the day itself (November 1). Now this reminds me to light our candles tomorrow evening. Plus a little prayer for their souls.

How about you? How do you remember your departed loved ones?

Happy Halloween!



Jack-o'-lantern [Source]