Could not get enough of Christmas markets.

Meanwhile in Dubai…

We had a Christmas market too. I know. I know. Dubai is a Muslim state. It is a desert. What could a Christmas market be doing in here? Well, anything is possible in Dubai, remember?

Our Christmas market was not bad at all. In fact, I honestly thought that it was one of the best that I have visited ever. Not that I have visited a lot, but I have visited enough to have a say on this one. First of all, it was huge. Second, it was well organized. Third, looked like they paid big bucks for the decoration. There was Santa Claus waiting for a free photo opportunity. A huge Christmas tree glittering with all kinds of Christmas trinkets stood in the middle of the venue while a train went around it. There was an ice skating rink. There was a fake snow blower. There was a play pen where kids could make snow angels and pose with the snowman, which my son AND (especially) MY SISTER really loved. There was a stall to make gingerbreads. I loved it. There was a huge inflatable slide, a trampoline and so so so much more!!! They even sold mulled wine over there and a blonde guy sang Christmas songs and played the guitar live!

Other than the “fake snow”, the Christmas market was overall a fantastic idea. The fake snow part sounds really awful but what to do. Dubai is pretty good in faking things. Whatever. At least they are spending their money on something worthwhile. What else should they be doing? Keep riding the camels and make sandcastles? 🙂

Speaking of…er, not original…I took my husband to the pyramids of Egypt. Not the real ones. Just over there at the mall. 🙂

So today, I took my husband to Wafi City for the first time in four years. This mall was the first mall that I visited in Dubai. I loved it then, I still love it now. It looks like a glass pyramid from the outside that is guarded by giant statues of the sphinx and pharaohs. It is definitely not your ordinary boring mall. The interior design is just crazy. In fact, it felt more like a little museum tour rather than a trip to the mall. Even if you only have a few days to spare in Dubai, this mall is still worth a visit. You might even find this more interesting than the more famous Mall of Emirates.

While it is unsafe to travel to Egypt at this time, this would do my Egypt tour for now.

Devoured Wagyu beef burger from SoHo grill at the Food Court.

Forget the Wagyu patty. This apple pie was a culinary explosion in my mouth. I scraped the plate clean down to its last few drops of melted ice cream. Scrumptious! I think I even ate it a little faster than normal so I did not have to share half of it with my husband. Hahah!

Happy monthsary to you, darling!

When in Saudi.

A liter of mineral water costs more than a liter of gas. One USD is around 3.8 Saudi Riyals. SO that is about 4 US$ for 33 liters of gas. Whoah! Just whoah!

If that was the case in the Philippines, I’d be joyriding every day. 🙂

*Photo grabbed from Jem DOmat-ol’s Facebook account.

My new neighbors.

We moved in to a new flat to save ourselves from that daily ringing of the fire alarm in our old building. Good riddance! It was a lot of fight just to get out of that flat. Dubai landlords just like siphoning money from your pockets as a hobby.

Guess what was the first thing I saw from our new bedroom window.

The originality made me smile.

#3rd world living in a first world country.

We are not in the best area of Dubai but we feel really good about all this. Most importantly, I found the perfect bedside table lamp for our bedroom.

Cars and groceries.

Yesterday was grocery day. Who would have thought I would bump into Bumblebee. 🙂

This was just a normal scene at the Mall of Emirates entrance. Adorable.

And a few Lamborghinis with V-12 engines lying around.

Wait until you see the new collection of Dubai police cars. You know what they said about if something is too good to be true? These are all true. 🙂

Bentley police car

$550 000 USD Lamborghini police car

Mercedez benz police car

Ferrari police car[/caption]

jalopnik.com

Now, go to sleep and start dreaming.

Valentine’s Day 2013

Found this really neat photo of an Emirates airplane that is very appropriate for Valentine’s day.

While I could not say that we are the best airline in the world, we are definitely one of the top bests. If you are looking for valid reasons to fall in love with us, I would say, check out our in-flight entertainment system and well…have a look at our cabin crews. Ahem. 🙂

So, today is Valentine’s day. For this year, hubby and I planned to keep our Valentine’s Day celebration simple. Instead of splashing serious cash on a dinner outside, we have decided to just stay at home and cook our dinner specialty. But that cannot be done without the help of a chilled bottle of Moet et Chandon rosé Champagne sitting in the fridge right now. 🙂 Thank you hubby for surprising me with the bubbly.

Meanwhile, our V-day started early at the JBR beach.

Starting the day early with a little picnic by the beach. Time check: 0630 in the morning.

Breakfast at IHop across the street.

Swiss Mocha coffee for her and French Vanilla coffee for him. Plus a large plate of hot breakfast on the side.

With that, my day is more than solved!

We also received a precious love note from our little Cupid from faraway. We love you too our one and only.
Love, Mom and dad.

A beautiful veiL.

Had a date last night with my hubby to watch Hansel and Gretel and Django consecutively. Watching two movies back to back reminded me of the good old days in my province (circa 1998) when movie blockbusters were shown in couples for only 15 pesos. Right now, the cheapest movie seat is a hundred and fifty and that is only for one film. So, that is a thousand percent increase in fifteen years.

Anyways, on our way home, we took a cab by The Palace hotel, which was right beside Dubai Mall, because the taxi queue at Dubai Mall was snaking as far as the eye can see. True enough, when we got to The Palace, we got our cab in the first second. It could have taken us a good hour if we waited from the mall.

From where the taxi was parked, we had one of the best views of the Burj Khalifa. That night, the Burj was nothing less than majestic. It rose so proudly to the sky, its body of steel illuminated in electrical lights against the blackness of the night, and a third of which just disappeared into the white clouds. I wish I took a photo of it. It was just magical. And then I saw this photo again in my Facebook account. Last night was almost just like this minus the broad daylight. We do not have snow in the desert but we have this.

The tallest structure in the photograph is the Burj Khalifa. However, this photo is not mine. This is a re-post from other people’s re-post in Facebook. I would love to name the owner of this photo if I knew.

More foggy photos when I landed in Dubai last October. The visibility from twenty feet away was absolutely zero.This could be a scene from a Zombie movie. No fog machine necessary.

Señorita Resort Collection

Today is just one of the days that reminds me how lucky I am to be constantly surrounded by talented and ambitious colleagues. A friend of mine showcased her gorgeous resort collection whose hotness can only be equaled by herself.

The ever fabulous and stylish designer, Señorita.

Señorita Resort Collection

Before anything else, a HAPPY HAPPY 2ND YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO US, BABY BOY.

It has been two years of Rock ‘n Roll with you, daddy.

Fooling around in the dressing room with Madame Rita.

The butterfly bolero.

Judy Ann wearing the butterfly bolero. Those sexy heels look like Gucci.

MINE. MINE. MINE.

The “barely there” dress.

Señorita’s pair of Louboutins.

Warming up before the show.

All about Ning. She’s single and very excited to mingle. For date appointments, contact +97150….Hahah!

Starting the party right with a good red wine.

AND IT BEGINS…

Bringing out my party look.

Opening by the sister/hot momma, Bekah Luzuriaga.

Our beautiful colleagues walking for the fashion show.

Another dress that I like very much–the Peekaboo.

Juday’s butterfly bolero.

Bekah closes the show.

The final walk.

The models with the designer.

A series of photo ops.

Work hard, party harder.

Double the fun. Double the trouble. The party host with the Guevarra sisters.

DJ Major–part time deejay, full time husband.

The go go dancers after the show.

What can I say? It was a sweet night so sweet dreams to yah. 😉

Trick or treat?

TREAT!!!

As I have said, this year’s Valentine’s Day will be my first time since birth. I am a late bloomer, I guess. 🙂 But it was worth waiting for 26 years. After a long 15-hour flight from Sao Paolo to Dubai, I found these waiting for me. They are the biggest roses that I have received in my entire life too.

We had a date by the poolside under a clear but almost starless night sky, Bossa Nova music, heart cutouts sprinkled on our table,  a whole bottle of Champagne, a special person in front of me, lovers all around us and some lonesome hotel guests watching us from their balconies.

The night was wonderful so husband, thanks to you. One day, I will surprise you too. And it’s going to be a good one.

We were booked on a date that night in here. Shades Bar, The Address Hotel at Dubai Marina Mall

GETTING READY FOR THE NIGHT

He finally got to wear the bow tie that we bought a year ago from Folded and Hung.

I gave this cufflinks to him on our wedding day.

He’s got junk in his trunk, yeah.

The sizzling menu on my plate tonight

MRS. PARAS

Some of my favorite things that can be found on my vanity table.

If you are not sure what color of shoes to wear, go nude. Nude-colored heels will look good on anything.

The things a girl will do to look good on a date.

My good ‘ol watch

2 hours later, I am good to go.

Another good 'ol trusted friend, my leather jacket that I bought on a bargain somewhere in Nottinghill.

Our building, Art XII

We have arrived.

The Address Hotel, Dubai Marina Mall

Dinner by the infinity pool

outdoor bed

bubbly for my bubbles

We downed a whole bottle for the night.

9 dishes for the night

They say about shoes, "If it ain't hurting, it ain't working." That was partly true for tonight.

Shades Bar

1st dessert for tonight. Second dessert was me.

We stayed a little longer and smoked mint-flavored shisha.

Can you spot me?

Two very satisfied customers. While waiting for by the ladies’ restroom, he already made a long conversation with a Russian man who was also waiting for his two dates. It is good for me that my husband is uber friendly because then I wouldn’t have to. 🙂

My restroom photo. If only they can set up the same lighting in all dressing rooms.

cute purses by Ted Baker

Don Ricardo Paras Jr.

My swag from our Vday date.

Thank you husband for indulging me in my top worldy sin--vanity. 🙂 Mwah!

A very disappointing movie that annoyed us too much we had to stop it after 20 minutes into it.

Culminating the night with steaming cup of organic tea from South Africa, a sweet kiss and much much more. 😉

 

P. S.  This year is a leap year. Just so you know.

Temptation.

SHOPPING DAY AT MALL OF EMIRATES.

I can resist anything but good books, Facebook, my favorite television series, new sexy underwear, end of season sale, shiny and expensive things, any reason to dress up and doll up, a few more minutes after the alarm goes off, and an irresistible pair or two of brand new shoes on sale. These among other things. 🙂

I AM SO GUILTY!!! But I am happy so it is okay.

And this day was all mine.

Thank you Steve Madden.

…I put on a new pair of shoes and suddenly I am okay…

I finally got a pair of riding boots.

My new favorite. they are very comfortable on the feet too. I have seen something very similar in Jennifer Aniston about three years ago. Since then, I never stopped looking.

A sweet pair of kitten heels that I bought for myself and my sister.

A pair of rock and roll that comes with a kiss.

Beauty doesn't have to hurt. This has got to be the most beautiful pair of leather shoes that feel like heaven on my feet.

Traincase love, anyone?

What better accessory to complete the outfit with than a smoking, yellow Lamborghini. 🙂 #Dreaming with my eyes wide open.

MY GROWING BOOTS COLLECTION

Found a safe haven for my wedding gown. 85 dirhams only at Centrepoint.

Phoenix and Mother visit Dubai.

This is a very long overdue post. How long had it been since my last decent post? Two months? Three months? I believe now is the ripe time, at 40 minutes past one in the morning, with my husband snoring in the bedroom, and my eyes half distracted by the film showing on the television. Anyways, I need to put an end to this never ending procrastination. Big problem is–how? 🙂

P. S. This blog entry is two weeks in the making. Hahah!!! Did that really surprise me? No thanks, partly to my internet connection that kept on refusing my blog inputs and mostly to my disease called procrastination a.k.a. PanAm tv series. I have to have this blue vintage PanAm travel bag. I am very high on PanAm fever right now!

DECEMBER 18, 2012

My bag was ready for adventure. Recently, I have this obsession with traincases. Anything vintage just makes me feel like a rich, posh lady from the 80s. A girl can dream anytime of the day.

Mother and Buyugix had landed.

Met up with mother and baby at the airport for our Jordan trip. Caught my ever restless baby marching up and down the airport while mother did what she does best—pray.

Petra-bound on board Emirates flight to Amman.

TV games kept him busy.

Crew doing manual safety demo due to IFE failure before takeoff.

Landing at Jordan

Poor Buyugix. He was knocked out after hours on the flight. So proud of you, baby.

Finally in Dubai. Starting the day right by waking up early.

…and staying fresh with a bath.

What’s Christmas without gifts to open, right? Buyugix opening some of his pre-Christmas day gifts.

Spongebob electric toothbrush and matching toothpaste

And the shoes that he loves “so very, very” much. Glow-in-the-dark Dr. Seuss chucks by Converse.

SECOND DAY IN DUBAI–to the world’s biggest mall, Mall of Emirates.

Bad-ass car for a bad-ass baby

Contrary to popular belief, we do get to have our Christmas decorations in the mall in this Muslim country.

The giant Christmas tree with giant polar bears.

Mommy Lalang and Baby Yugz

Buyugix learning the glory of sensor technology by himself.

His favorite cakes–blueberry cheesecake and applepie. He was ecstatic to learn that it was applepie because he said he finally found the way to bake one. 🙂

Mama Connie enjoying her slice of cake or two, but still preferred her cheap cup of Nescafe over the barista-brewed coffee.

TIME TO SKATE ON ICE.

This was probably one of the best moments I had with Buyugix. It was a rewarding feeling to have shared my son’s first ice skating experience with me. I thought he would be having a very hard time with balancing because he has a fear of falling, but he aced it. He definitely did so much better than his mommy a year ago.

Mama Connie was documenting from behind the glass while praying the rosary on the side too.

Yugix and his training penguin.

Buyugix took this photo of his mommy.

…he wanted to sit on the snow.

Visiting the house of Santa Claus…

After taking two photos of me, Buyog said, “Mommy, I want to go skating. If you want more photos take them yourself.”

Ouch!

Fooling around before going home.

Mommy and Lola’s adorable baby dinosaur.

Baby Buyugix and his Mama Connie.

Baby Buyugix and his Mommy Lalang.

These are the two lovely keepsakes of Buyug’s first time to ice skate. It was everything that is memorable.

our snow globe with Mr. Penguin

A DAY FOR SWIMMING

It was winter in Dubai and the water was naturally freezing. But Buyog loved the water so much that nothing else could ever matter.

My little hotstuff was so excited.

All the photo credits go to my very cute photographer.

If only I could upload that video of Buyugix shaking his butt cheeks. 🙂

DESERT SAFARI

A trip to the Middle East will not be complete without doing the desert safari. Nothing like a crazy welcome of your car hanging on a 180 degrees angle of the sand wall and plunging down the sand dunes without warning.

The fun continues into a traditional Arabian welcome in a Bedouin campsite where guests can have a chance to ride a camel, savor delicious sips of Arabic brew, enjoy a shisha smoking facility, try a henna tattoo, feast on a splendid buffet Arabic dinner and be entertained with a graceful belly dancer. All of that at a price of only 100-125 United Arab Emirates dirhams, approximately 1, 300 Php per head.

But before all of that, I need to give my mother a makeover first. 🙂

My mother’s usual get up.

My mother was reborn aft receiving the blessing of my mad skills. 🙂

Our pickup had arrived.

My adorable baby with his sun-kissed skin.

Mother was saying hello to the desert sun.

sleeping on post

The entire dune bashing experience were on photo, thus, the absence of any photos. Let us just say that Mother was praying for her dear life for every minute and every second that we were in the car. 🙂

Photo Opportunity

It was one cold day out there in the desert.

Missing daddy…

One step closer to our camel ride. 🙂

AND HERE WE GO…

The Russian family that rode together with us in the car.

the camel’s tail

Baby was scared to ride the camel so Mommy Lalang had to ride with him.

This was the closest that Mama Cons had with the camel ride. Hahhah!

Our kind friend, Rashid.

This has got to be one of my most favorite photos.

Mama Connie was not scared. Nah. ;P

our appetiser

He looked so cute especially with those aviator hat by Gap.

our Arabic tent

It’s time for some Arabic entertainment. Too bad it was too cold in the desert that we left before the belly dancing show. I have seen it before and indeed, it would have been worth shivering out there in the cold.

Time to say goodbye…

But not without Mama Connie having her photo taken with our Russian buddies…

That is one adventure down, more to go…

A DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

Morning. This was baby’s first trip to the gym and his energy level was up to the roof. I wish I could post here the video of him roughing it up with the treadmill then making a couple or more situps in the yoga mat. He told Mama Connie and I that we should go back the next day so he could grow abs in his tummy. 🙂

Ready for some workout in the morning.

Someone was really passionate about losing weight…

Afternoon. A long day trip to the salon. I am so proud of my baby for behaving impeccably for six hours at the salon while waiting for Mommy Lalang and Mama Connie do their hair. He got his training early in how to be a perfect boyfriend. 🙂

That is my mother’s favorite hobby–praying.

Thank God for iPad he found a way to amuse himself for six hours.

CHRISTMAS DAY.

This was only the second Christmas that we spent together so this means a lot to me. The third time if I count the time he was in my tummy. I am a horrible mother and I miss my baby a lot.

Preparation. Grocery shopping together. He was very excited, like usual. I did not even have to carry him around the very huge mall. 🙂

Starting shopping right with an elevator photo.

roar!!! I feel safe with my cute bodyguard.

Buyugix and the world’s tallest building.

Looking for the perfect Christmas Eve cake. We found one at Baskin Robin’s.

Our ice cream cake with Santa Town miniatures fresh from the store.

When we opened the cake box at home, we found this–courtesy of Buyog’s bum that was sitting comfortably on top of it.

Mama Connie’s little helper…

…and food tester.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2011, WORLD.

All eyes on the cake!

Christmas Tree photo with Lola.

Mommy’s shoes were really pretty.

MY CHRISTMAS EVE HAIR that cost Mama Connie 10K pesos and seven hours of my waking time.

One of the reasons why I always ran out of battery too early.

OPENING OF GIFTS. Nothing for me to open on the eve of Christmas Day. Getting a Gucci bag a week earlier should cover it. 🙂

Baby and Mommy tandem

OPENING OF GIFTS. No gift for me to open. Receiving a Gucci bag a week before Christmas should suffice, I guess.

A gift for mama–the most comfortable walking shoes in the world, available only at Virgin Megastores. They feel like walking on padded socks.They came with pretty, shiny bags too. I have mine in gold color.

THE NIGHT BEFORE OUR FLIGHT BACK TO PHILIPPINES.

Time to mark my territory on Mommy’s bed and wet her brand new bed sheets.

Sleeping with Claire, mommy’s rag doll.

DUBAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

This was only the start of our waiting game.

Manila flight was full as expected so we took the flight to Hongkong.

Ang maglola, onboard AIrbus 380 Emirates flight Dubai-HKG.

Traveling on the day after Christmas sucked. Fortunately we had wonderful cabin crew on our A380 flight, which was a surprise, to be honest. She even took a polaroid photo of Buyog wearing Santa’s red hat.

At the Hongkong International Airport with a gross guy in front of me with his hands inside his pants and newspaper pages with women in bikini on the floor. D-I-S-G-U-S-T-I-N-G.

Buyug loving his first gingerbread man cookie from Starbuck’s.

Camping at the airport was no laughing matter at all, but coming home was all worth it.

Airport camping was not easy at all, but coming home was all worth it.