Last Ikea breakfast for 2016

Today is 30 December 2016.  For Catholics, it is the feast of the  holy family - Jesus, Mary and Joseph.  For me and my flat mates, this is our last Ikea breakfast for the year 2016.

Breakfast is important for us.  We have been together for a few years and we make sure that every Friday, which is an off day for us in the middle east, there is something special for breakfast.  If we do not cook at home, we would go to Ikea.  Every breakfast, we make sure there is something to laugh about. The year 2016 has been a roller coaster ride especially for my health.  But it is over now, 2017 is about to come.  We look forward to more breakfast dates and breakfast at home.  What's important as we bid goodbye to 2016 is that we continue our bonding as friends and pray that 2017 will be an abundant year for all of us.

How to: Renew passport in Philippine Consulate Dubai

Philippine Consulate Dubai's location

Villa No. 234-851 ,Beirut Street,Al Qusais 3 - Dubai
Telephone No. 04 220 7100
Timings:  8:00 to 5:00 p.m. (lunch break: 12:00 to 1:00) but skeleton staff is present except for cashier

How to get there:

Metro:

Red line - Emirates or Rashidiya Station then get a taxi.
Green line - Al Qusais Station then get a taxi or walk during winter time.

website:  Dubai PCG

Step by step renewal of passport:

1.  Get an online appointment from https://dubaipcg.checkappointments.com/
2.  Download application form.  Better to fill this out before going to the PCG.  The form is also available in PCG.
3.  Attach the following to the form:
    Copy of old passport's data page and visa page
4.  Go to passport processing area - left side upon entering the PCG.
5.  Pay to Cashier.
6.  Fill out voter's registration and submit to encoding area.
7.  wait for your name to be called.
8.  Encoding and pictures.
9.  Check online after six to eight weeks if passport is ready for collection.    

How to: Notarial services in the Philippine Consulate Dubai

Here is a step by step easy guide on how to get through notarial services in the Philippine Consulate Dubai.

Philippine Consulate Dubai's location

Villa No. 234-851 ,Beirut Street,Al Qusais 3 - Dubai
Telephone No. 04 220 7100
Timings:  8:00 to 5:00 p.m. (lunch break: 12:00 to 1:00) but skeleton staff is present except for cashier

How to get there:

Metro:

Red line - Emirates or Rashidiya Station then get a taxi.
Green line - Al Qusais Station then get a taxi or walk during winter time.

website:  Dubai PCG

What to bring?

REMEMBER:  Two copies ALWAYS!

1.  Two copies of your passport and visa.
2.  Two copies of the minor's passport if document is for minor.
3.  Two copies of the minor's guardian or your SPA for your minor.
4.  Two copies of the affidavit or SPA form which can be downloaded on the website.

Where to go:

1.  Step 1 is C1 window (notarial services.  It is located on the right side hall upon entering the PCG.
2.  After getting the receipt and one copy of your documents, go to Cahier (2).  This is located just at the back of the notarial services.  Go out of the hall and then turn left then straight and you will see the Empost and Armex guys which brings us to step 3.
3.  Pay empost for local and Aramex for Philippine document sending before paying the cahier.  Fill out a sticker form which these guys who are very helpful will give.
4.  Pay at cashier.
5.  Wait for five days or one week.

How to know if you have gallstones

A week ago I was rushed to the emergency room for severe stomach pain and vomiting.  The pain was worse than a labor pain.  I was vomiting even without eating anything at all.  All blood tests including liver enzymes were normal except for w very high white blood count, low potassium and low phosphorus.  Infection was suspected but from where?  The low potassium and low phosphorus was due to severe vomiting.  I was admitted with the suspicion of cholecystitis or gallbladder inflammation because of an obstruction from a gall stone.  The next day, I was sent for ultrasound of the abdomen which confirmed gall stone.  The gall bladder was badly inflamed that is why i was having sever pain and vomiting.  After two days of continuous antibiotics, metronidazole and Ciprobay, I was sent to the operating room for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.  This was done under general anesthesia but there were only four stabbed wounds on my abdomen, so it is quite fast to heal.  I am currently at home healing.  It has been a week and the wounds are getting itchy.

How to know if you have gallstones?

Gallstones are hard materials formed from the bile produced by the liver.  It is not really a stone.  They are usually formed hard materials from bile or cholesterol.  These materials stay in the gall bladder.  The gallbladder, according to my surgeon, is a storage organ of fats.  Like the appendix it has little significance in the body.  It only stores fats.

Signs and symptoms:

1.  Pain in the right upper abdomen that radiates to the back and sometimes the shoulder.

2.  Indigestion.

3,. Gas.

4.  Vomiting

Treatment:

To prevent further problems in the future, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is recommended.  Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is removal of the gallbladder by using a scope.   It i usually done under general anesthesia.  Using four stabbed wounds on the abdomen, a laparoscope and cannulas.  The gallbladder is cut and taen out through the cannulas.

Postoperative care:

Since the operation is laparoscopic, it does not require much care but just like in any other operation, observe for any adverse effects or any untoward incidences.  Wound care is simple especially with Steri-Strips and OPSITE dressing available.  Diet is retricted to low-fat diet for two weeks and after that you can live a normal life.

Reference:

Web MD

SAGES

Chicken teriyaki pan grill with sweet corn and spinach

After my laparoscopic cholecystectomy, I had to be on low-fat diet as I have no more gallbladder to store my fats.  I made this chicken teriyaki pan grill and added sweet corn and spinach.

Ingredients:

2 Chicken breasts
a cup of soy sauce mixed with
Three tablespoons of honey
sweetcorn in can
one bundle spinach leaves.

Procedure:

1.  Boil the chicken breasts until tender.
2.  Remove from the pain.
3.  Poke the chicken with fork.
4.  Soak on the soy sauce and honey mixture for a few minutes.
5.  Pan grill.
6.  When almost finished, grill corn and spinach.

Enjoy!

The Dubai water canal

The mannequin challenge

Social media has been stormed by this so called mannequin challenge.  Just like any other fad, this has gone viral all over the net world.  I myself did one with my prayer group also.  So, what is the mannequin challenge and who started it anyway?

Wikipedia:  Mannequin_Challenge

The Mannequin Challenge is a viral Internet video trend where people remain frozen in action like mannequins while a video is recorded, usually with the song "Black Beatles" by Rae Sremmurd playing in the background.^[1][2] The hashtag #MannequinChallenge was used for popular social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. It is believed that the phenomenon was started by students in Jacksonville, Florida on October 12, 2016. ^[1][3][4][5] The initial posting has inspired works by other groups, especially professional athletes and sports teams that have posted increasingly complex and elaborate videos.

When I first saw Michelle Obama's mannequin challenge together with Lebron Jamed, I got interested.  I searched and saw a lot of uploads.

Ellen De Generes White House Mannequin Challenge

Michelle Obama and Lebron James Mannequin challenge

Catholic priests mannequin challenge

And of course our very own mannequin challenge  I love my household mannequin challenge

Whatever we get from these viral video trends, make sure you have lots of fun with your friends.  Just for fun.  Stop hating.  Love to all.

The Marcos loyalist I love the most

Today, the late president Ferdinand E. Marcos was buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes' cemetery).  This cemetery is a dedicated resting place for military personnel who served the country, national heroes, national artists, national scientists and Philippine presidents.

The Marcoses at the late president FEM's burial

There were different reactions from the Filipinos when one fine Friday news broke that today is the burial of the late president Marcos.  The Marcos loyalists rejoiced.  On the other hand, the anti-Marcos were furious.  Some went to EDSA where the people power revolution happened to kick out the Marcos regime, some in Libingan ng mga Bayani and some in schools - even little children protesting.

The anti-Marcos rally 

I am not writing this to state my side or point.  The burial just made me remember about someone so dear to me who admired the former president Marcos so much that she stated when we went to Ilocos where the body of the president was kept, "Nakita ko na si Marcos, pede na kong mamatay."  True enough, my mother died in December that same year.  

Nanay in the Marcos mansion in Ilocos

My mother is a true blue Marcos loyalist.  When she was younger, she would go to Marcos rallies in different parts of the Philippines, showing her support and love for the president.  Maybe she saw something good in the person that the whole world tagged as the world's greatest thief of all time in the Guinness' book of world record. 

Nanay was like that, she saw something good in everything and in everyone.  She believed in me even when I lost my confidence.  She was the martial law of the family when my father was away to work abroad.  Most of all, she was thief who stole my heart.  She is the Marcos loyalist I love the most.  Rest in Peace Nanay Lucy with your most admired president, President Ferdinand E. Marcos.

Super moon 2016

At 5:32 p.m., the super moon manifested itself in Dubai.  I was off work at 6:00 p.m. and on my way home, i was able to see the nearness of the moon tonight.  My walking buddy, colleague and friend, Harold, joked that we should all be hiding from those people who has mental instabilities, those in emotional roller coasters and those ladies with menstruation he he he.

The supermoon is rising!
(Picture by Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News)
Gulf News

What is the super moon anyway?

Super moon is simply when the moon is closest to the earth.  So, it looks bigger and brighter during this time.  The super moon is 30% much brighter than the smallest full moon and about 15% brighter than the average full moon.

For more detailed explanation, please go to Wikipedia - Supermoon

Here is my super moon shot tonight:


Super Moon in Dubai

How to cope up after thyroid cancer?

It has been a year since I was diagnosed, tested and treated for papillary thyroid carcinoma.  Life has never been the same.  Comparing post total thyroidectomy to post total abdominal hysterectomy that I had in 2003, having no thyroid is the worst.  Both may be responsible for hormones in my body but the changes are felt more after my thyroidectomy than when i had my hysterectomy.  Some of the things I regularly feel even with maintenance medication are:

1. Hot flushes - I did not even feel this when I had hysterectomy but now it is part of my regular self.

2. Hair loss continues but remarkably lesser.

3. Dry skin, yes.  I needed to use tons and tons of moisturizers and lotions.

4. Tiredness and feeling uneasy.

5. Mood swings are still there, sometimes worse but sometimes controllable.

You see, those are just few of the changes I am having after my thyroidectomy.  It has been a year and it's never been the same.  BUT I cannot let these symptoms get me down in life.  I have to control them, fight them if I can and even be friends with them.  How do I cope up with these symptoms?   Here's how...

1.  I always remember my reason for living.  My older sister would always tell me, "Our children cannot bury us this soon. You cannot die now!"  I live for my one and only son.  I am a single mother but I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  (Philippians 4:13).  And that is why I kept on living despite the trouble this thyroid problem is giving me.

My son in 2008 with my mother (RIP)

2.  Chocolates.  Who does not adore chocolates?  I love it to bits.  I can live without salt but with chocolates, NO WAY!  Chocolates are known to increase our happy hormones called endorphins.  Whenever I  feel down or stressed, I would just munch a chocolate and I am on my way to happy land.

Chocolate

3.  Community.  I am a member of the Couples for Christ Handmaids of the Lord (CFC-HOLD) community in Dubai, UAE.  They have been my family from the moment I said YES to the Lord.  It is not only a support group, it is a way of life.  If your way of life is to follow Jesus, then how can anything else be not doable.  I have all these beautiful souls to back me up when I need a push, to cry with me when I am down, to divide my sorrows when I fail and to share my joys in times of success.  This my friend is my community, my family that helps me journey with life - through good times and bad times.

Handmaids of the Lord 

4.  Hobbies and Crafts.  To destress, I do a lot of hobbies and crafts.  Origami, jewelry making, clay molding, paper craft, almost crochet (my hands are poor with needles he he he), guitar, scrapbooking, smash booking, etc.  My hobbies and crafts bring me to another world and I forget about the unpleasantness I feel in my body.

Going away paper craft

5.  Journal and prayer.  Nothing beats a daily conversation with God - be it in speaking, writing, dancing or singing.  Having a personal relationship with the Lord assures us that the future is already taken care of despite of what I am feeling in my body.  And that everything is just temporary.

It's been a year.  I call my self a survivor.  Thyroid cancer is loses.  I won together with the rest of the cancer survivors and sufferers...victory until the end.

How I fell in love with Armenia?

How I fell in love with Armenia?  How will I not?  I fell in love with this beautiful Caucasian country the moment I laid my eyes on the snow-capped mountains while up on the plane before we descended to Zvarnots Airport.  So, how did I fall in love with Armenia?

1.  The people.  Oh how I love the Armenians.  From the taxi driver who fetched us from the airport, to the homestay family we so love and the random Armenians we met along the way.  There is something about the Armenians that you get to easily love them - warm welcome and hospitality.

2.  The food.  We ate only fresh and homemade/handmade by Mama Nvard from Homestay Yerevan.  This is my vacation that I did not eat processed food but did enjoy one "junk" food - the Lay's Bacon and BBQ pork flavor, oh sooo heavenly.  We had the chance to taste also beer, wine, apricot fizzy drinks, taragon juice and the Armenian tea and coffee.  I love the gata and lavash.

3.  Historic sites.   Armenia is rich in history and culture.  From pagan temples, to monastery and of course museums.  Seeing these structures and knowing their history really make me fall in love with Armenia.

4. Love of the cross and Jesus Christ.  Armenians used to be  pagans but in year 301, Armenia was the first country to become  Christians.  Their  love and passion for the cross is evidenced by the khachkar, the Armenian cross that can be found everywhere in Armenia.  When I came to Armenia, I was undergoing spiritual dryness but the moment I saw the shepherd in one of our trips up the mountains, I felt God telling me, it's all about Jesus, the shepherd.  Rest from all your burdens and negativities and rest on Jesus' love.  The Armenian's passion for the cross inspired me to better love the Lord despite of all the negativities around me.

5. Contentment.  The once Soviet ruled Armenia seems to have moved on slowly to the recent times.  If asked was life better during the Soviet rule, answer would vary depending on the age group.  The oldies would prefer being under the Soviet Union but the young and new generations would prefer to be independent Armenia.  What's important is they are content with what they have at present.

Armenia is LOVE!

It's not how long

"It's not how long you have been in the community.
 It's not how less we have been together.
 The most important thin is we continue to
 keep the Lord with us as we grow in holiness."

These were my opening remarks during the anniversary fellowship of units C and D of chapter 3 handmaids of the Lord in Dubai.  It has been a year since they have completed the Christian Life Program or CLP of the Couples for Christ.

People usually ask what I get from joining a Catholic community.  I actually cannot explain.  I cannot explain the kind of joy despite the trials and tribulations of life I can bravely and happily face each and every trial.  I can't explain the joy I feel every time I see these women who like me are also struggling in life but they kept on fight for the sake of love, for the sake of life and for the sake of the Lord.  

Armenian Genocide

Armenia is a very beautiful country with a lot of very warm people.  I felt easily at home when I went for a short vacation in Armenia.  The family who adopted us for a while was so loving.  The people we mingle with, though the communication barrier is really an issue, are very welcoming and nice.  They are beautiful both inside and out.  But behind these warm welcome and smile, this small Caucasian country has gone through a lot in the past.  The saddest part of this country is the Armenian genocide.

The Genocide museum 

 I was lucky enough to be able to visit the Genocide museum.  The museum is situated in Tsitsernakaberd in Yerevan.  In 1915, the Ottoman empire arrested and eventually murdered about 1.5  million Armenians.  

Turks teasing the starving Armenian children with food

For the story of Armenian genocide, check on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenian_Genocide

How to budget travel to Armenia

Here is the breakdown of our budget travel to Armenia.  

• Air ticket

Whether you are backpacking or budget travelling, there are a lot of airlines that give lesser fare fee when the ticket is bought online months before.  In our case, i have checked the different airlines including Fly Dubai, Air Arabia and Armenian Airline.  Luckily, I have a cleartrip account and purchased an Air Arabia ticket for only 800 AED (Dubai-Yerevan and Yerevan-Dubai).  But six months before that, the fare was only 500 AED but we cannot decide because of leave issues at work

• Visa

Visa for Filipinos in Armenia can be taken upon arrival for only 3000 Armenian dram or about 27 dirhams for 10 days.  It is very easy to get Armenian visa from the airport.  Just remember to change dollars to Dram.  The immigration officers do not accept other currency except dram.  The exchange center inside the airport does not accept dirhams, only dollars or euros.  Always give them exact change or lesser amount at least 5000 drams or exact 3000 drams.  The officers will give you a "Russian eye" look if you give them 20,000 drams.

• Accommodation 

There a lot of accommodation booking sites online.  Always check the rating for these accommodations even for hotels.  For homestay and hostels, you can find on the following websites:

Air BNB

Booking.com

We had the best time in Homestay Yeravan.  The host family is very accommodating.  The food is great and the place is very near to the city center.  For only 372  dirhams for 5 days/4 nights with free abundant breakfast daily, what more can you ask  for?

The beautiful view from the balcony of Homestay Yerevan

• Things to do in Armenia for free or lesser budget

We love finding out things on our own, so we did not depend on any tours and beside, the tours are just too limited to know the country.  Before we left Dubai, i had planned our itinerary by the day.  Most if not all were fulfilled.  We only had 1000 dirhams as our pocket money and I am so proud to say that it was more than enough for all our DIY tours, food and even a 12,200-dram leather jacket on sale.

Another tip is to find other tourists to share taxi fees or transportation fees with you.  Luckily, we met several Filipinos who were travelling.  Some were on package but no tour included, so we asked then to join us in our plan.  They were so thankful that they joined us because what we had was more than a tour package.

Day 1:  Free walking tour (covered most of Yeravan) - we gave a tip of 10,000 drams and souvenir from Dubai.
           Dinner at Rossia Mall - Pork shawarma, fries and drinks - 3000 drams

Day 2:  Mountain tour                       80,000 drams for four persons
           Khor Virap
           Khor Virap cemetery
           Noravank
           Stone henge
           Tatev - Guinness book of world record

           Snacks and drinks                  1500 drams

           Dinner at Queen burger           2100 drams - three pork steak, fries and veggies

Day 3:  Churches, monastery and pagan temple             20,000 drams for four persons


      Etchmiadzin Cathedral 
      Roasted chicken dinner and half liter of beer each (street side) - 5500 drams for two

      Central Armenian Aposttolic Church where we found the first letter of our one true love :)
      Garni temple
      Geghard Monastery
      Vernissage market
      Republic square at night
      North ave
      Karabala statue
      Public market

                  
Day 4:  History tour                              15,000 for two persons

            Armenian alphabet monument
            Genocide museum
            Tsirani Restaurant complex       16,000 drams for three persons
            Mother Armenia
            Say cheese
            Sunset at Cascades
           
           Dinner at KFC                                   1450 drams for two persons


Day 5:  On our way to the airport           5000 drams

        The red piano inside the airport
        Airport sunrise

   

Cemetery

• Food

When budget travelling, do not eat in fancy restaurants.  We dared to eat local foods and most food in Armenia are handmade.  When on your feet, do not buy water from street kioks as it cost 300 drams for 500 ml mineral water.  There is a drinking fountain everywhere that you can drink free.  They said it is very clean and safe but since we do not want to take chances, we buy bottled water.  You can buy water, coffee and softdrinks from vendo machines also.  Water from vendo machine is only 150 drams but if you can go to SAS supermarket, a liter of water is only 200 drams, that saves you much.

Eat from small cafeterias and eateries.

Restaurants in North avenue is far more expensive compared to other branches out of North avenue.

There are a lot of fast food chains around Yerevan but there is no McDonald's and Starbucks.  You can find starbucks coffee for sale in SAS supermarket.

Buy the bread - puri, lavash, gata - they are very filling.

Remember to always eat your FREE breakfast from your accommodation.

• Friends

To lessen the burden for fees, be sociable.  There are other tourists who do not have plans and you can mutually both enjoy each other's company with a lesser budget.

New found friends

• Memories

Charge all your gadgets and get ready with a power bank.  Do not miss the memories.  You only travel once in a place and make the most out of it.

These are just few tips on how to budget travel to Armenia.  They may also be applicable to other places.  The most important thing in budget travelling is having fun with a little less budget.  Seize the moment for we you only live once.  

Budget travel to Armenia

If you are on a budget and would like to have a getaway, here are tips for a budget travel to Armenia.  

1.  Plan your trip.  Have a travel checklist.  A month or two before your flight list down all your itineraries, homestay and food plans, etc.  If you plan well, the budget is more than enough.  Our pocket money was only 1000 aed and it was enough including souvenirs.  :)

• Book tickets six months before on Air Arabia for real cheap tickets.
• Book homestay on Homestay Yerevan or Diana Hovakimyan.  This is the most loving and accommodating Armenian family I have ever met.
• Check out things to do on a budget in different blog sites or Virtual Tourist.

2.  Free walking Tour.  The free walking tour is all over world.  You just have to find one in the place you are visiting.  In Armenia, the best free walking tour is Yerevan free walking tour.  Vako, the tour guide is very passionate of his country.  I learned a lot of things from him about Armenian history and culture.  The free walking tour is obviously free :) but tips are accepted and drinking at a bar after is optional.  He gives away backpackers' map after the tour finishes on top of the Cascades.

Yerevan Free Walking Tour.

3. Taxi Service.  Though transportation options in Armenia are many - Metro, bus, taxis and marshrutka, there is no Engligh translation on the bus route, so it is quite hard to get in and out of public transportation.  What we did was ask the owner of homestay Yerevan to recommend a taxi driver.  Luckily, they have a wonderful family friend, Narek, who knows English and treated us like sisters.  At times, if he does not understand what we want, he would call his wife, Luce' (very loving) to interpret for us.  We used Narek's taxi for out of town tours and even nearby town  tours.  He always refused to eat with us but a day before we left Armenia, he agreed to have a lunch date with us in Tsirani Garden Restaurant Complex.  Narek can be contacted through Diana of Homestay Yerevan or through Whatsap on +374 99934488.  He can drive through zero visibility snowy foggy mountains, that is real taxi service.

Narek at the Zvartnots airport

3. Be sociable and find tourists who would like to share fees for tours.  To save up on on our budget, we always make it a point to smile at every one especially Filipinos on tour and that is where conversation starts.  Then, we ask "re you planning to go out of town or out of city? " Then say, we have this taxi and we can share the fare, etc, etc.  And so, we shared and it lessened the burden of tour fees.  

With Jess and Jobelle, our new found friends

For the breakdown of tour fees, please read my other blog on Armenia budget travel - How to budget travel to Armenia.

4. Go off the beaten path.  As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.  Find something that is not usually seen on FB or travel pages.  We went to public markets, street alleys, mountain tops out of the usual path (where we met an Azerbaijan man who prayed for us), bordering towns and even cemeteries.  In this way, there is no  tour fee but we learn from these places and got nice pictures too.  Narek, our driver, actually got the shock of his life when I told him to stop in the cemetery he he he.

One of the cemeteries in Armenia

5.  Eat on the streets and small cafeterias.  The street food in Armenia is amazing.  The taste is so fresh and hmmmm, really home made.  The bread is so delicious and warms my heart.  The coffee? one of the best!  One big whole roasted chicken is only 3,000 Dram which is about 23 dirhams.  Best to eat with Armenian beer, Kilikia.

Pork shawarma is <3

So, there goes my budget travel to Armenia.  To see the world with limited budget requires planning and meeting new friends.  Dare to get out of the usual paths, go out of your way and learn about the country with such a limited time and limited budget BUT with a fulfilled heart.