Friday, January 23, 2009
fridaY
Thank god its fridaY!!!
whew, a day to rest my soul and mind; a day to chill out and have fun.
WE don't work around this time, its a time for us to rest and gather our strength again for another week of non-stop grumbling and nipting out work.
right now, these are the things we do during friday.
12:00 - 10:00 am : snoring, snooring, snoooring
10:01 - 10:25 am : waking up, finding out didn't sleep on the same room
10:25 - 11:00 am : going home, watching sun go up (actually the sun is really up!!!)
11:00 am - 12: nn: cuddle up, tell me not a good time to wake up, somebody stop this biatch from waking me up.
12:00 - 1:00 pm : thinking of what to eat, really dude really thinking.
1:00 - 2:30 pm: breakfast..... bread, rice, nachos, egg....
2:30 - 4:00 pm: sleeping (1), watching tv (2), going to starbucks (3), write the blog (4)
4:01 - 7:00 pm: finished lord of the rings ( part 1 )
7:01 - 10:00 pm: lord of the rings ( part 2)
10:01 - 10:02 pm: had enough...
10:03 - 10:03 pm: enter the bathroom, dilly dallying now
10: 03 - 10:04 pm: made the decision, prepared and ready to roll
10: 04 - 10: 35 pm: bath time
10: 36 pm - 1: 00 am - visit the homies (i say friends). watch the Lord of the rings ( part 3 )
1:00 - 2:00 am - back at home. bed time
this is a typical day in Dxb for me/us. nobody likes it, but nobody complain. Life in itself needs to rest.
Coffee anyone?
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Chameleon
If there's one thing you can do after working hard the whole day, what do you think it would be? Here are few suggestions:
1. Treat yourself a bountiful dinner at your fave restaurant.
2. Watch a movie.
3. Play catch up with friends at a coffee shop.
4. Have a warm bubble bath.
5. Go to the gym.
6. Sleep.
Most of us have our own way of dealing with everyday stress. Some go shopping, some have dinner outside, some just hang out at their own flats, some even go straight to bed to sleep.
Here in dxb, there's a lot you can do. Majority of the expats I know go to their fave bars to unwind- have a few beers then go home. Its not a major lifestyle issue for all, but even for a few dirhams to spend on alcohol is worth it to release the stress of your manic work life!
Two years ago, my buddy and I were walking along the Muraqqabat area. Just simply clueless on what to do after a chaotic day in the office. We walked right past a discount store, a mini mall, a prestige hotel, a building and just right at the corner on the far right side, another hotel. It looks not as elegant as the one we passed through but as my friends say now, “its ish”. We went in, asked if there's a bar somewhere and the concierge pointed us to its direction -even told us that there's an acoustic band playing later on. We got in and saw a few people at the bar, had a look through the place and managed to see a spot where we could sit. Its very cozy with its warm lightings, dark yet comfy furnitures,small bar but filled with spirits and wide variety of drinks and mixes, a range of oriental, arabic, meditteranean menus and most of all, friendly servers. Seems we have found a new home here! Hehehe
Its the Chameleon – that what its called. We go here once or twice every week to vent out our angst with work, life, and about whatever comes in between. There might have been a few changes with the place aside from the acoustic band, like dancers and magicians, but we have grown to love the place. It is where we feel at peace. And we've brought our friends over to see and have a feel to it. Up until now, we're still called the “regulars” over there.
Last Saturday though, we went there to have a few glasses of vino. And there presented to us was there their “Theme Nights”. They just came up with this idea but I think it will be a hit.
Sundays – 20% on all spirits
Mondays – 50% on vodkas
Tuesdays – Pinoy night – buy one take one of a pitcher of draft beer.
Wednesdays – Saturdays – Normal rates
So if you want to save a buck or two, go to these theme nights that they have. But remember not to be hammered as you still got work the next day!
Enjoy peeps!
**NOTE: Since dxb is a muslim city, they prohibit the use of alcohol in public areas. So, don't go walking along Jumeirah beach road or even Al Rigga carrying a bottle of vodka, orelse you go straight to the police station. They don't even sell it in supermarkets hence they have liquor shops here that enables an individual to purchase alcohol with the use of a liquor license. You can drink in hotel bars but make sure you get your receipt when you pay - its your proof for getting wasted.
1. Treat yourself a bountiful dinner at your fave restaurant.
2. Watch a movie.
3. Play catch up with friends at a coffee shop.
4. Have a warm bubble bath.
5. Go to the gym.
6. Sleep.
Most of us have our own way of dealing with everyday stress. Some go shopping, some have dinner outside, some just hang out at their own flats, some even go straight to bed to sleep.
Here in dxb, there's a lot you can do. Majority of the expats I know go to their fave bars to unwind- have a few beers then go home. Its not a major lifestyle issue for all, but even for a few dirhams to spend on alcohol is worth it to release the stress of your manic work life!
Two years ago, my buddy and I were walking along the Muraqqabat area. Just simply clueless on what to do after a chaotic day in the office. We walked right past a discount store, a mini mall, a prestige hotel, a building and just right at the corner on the far right side, another hotel. It looks not as elegant as the one we passed through but as my friends say now, “its ish”. We went in, asked if there's a bar somewhere and the concierge pointed us to its direction -even told us that there's an acoustic band playing later on. We got in and saw a few people at the bar, had a look through the place and managed to see a spot where we could sit. Its very cozy with its warm lightings, dark yet comfy furnitures,small bar but filled with spirits and wide variety of drinks and mixes, a range of oriental, arabic, meditteranean menus and most of all, friendly servers. Seems we have found a new home here! Hehehe
Its the Chameleon – that what its called. We go here once or twice every week to vent out our angst with work, life, and about whatever comes in between. There might have been a few changes with the place aside from the acoustic band, like dancers and magicians, but we have grown to love the place. It is where we feel at peace. And we've brought our friends over to see and have a feel to it. Up until now, we're still called the “regulars” over there.
Last Saturday though, we went there to have a few glasses of vino. And there presented to us was there their “Theme Nights”. They just came up with this idea but I think it will be a hit.
Sundays – 20% on all spirits
Mondays – 50% on vodkas
Tuesdays – Pinoy night – buy one take one of a pitcher of draft beer.
Wednesdays – Saturdays – Normal rates
So if you want to save a buck or two, go to these theme nights that they have. But remember not to be hammered as you still got work the next day!
Enjoy peeps!
**NOTE: Since dxb is a muslim city, they prohibit the use of alcohol in public areas. So, don't go walking along Jumeirah beach road or even Al Rigga carrying a bottle of vodka, orelse you go straight to the police station. They don't even sell it in supermarkets hence they have liquor shops here that enables an individual to purchase alcohol with the use of a liquor license. You can drink in hotel bars but make sure you get your receipt when you pay - its your proof for getting wasted.
Monday, January 19, 2009
From 401 to 205
Since I arrived here in dxb, it has always been flat 401 in a building near the bank in al rigga road. I have seen people come and go, met new faces, establish a relationship with the watchman, fixed a few pipes in our kitchen, threw some old stuff and bought new ones. It has been like this for four straight years up until we had to give up the flat that my cousins are sharing with.
Its actually a long story… it started out when we’re bringing in friends to visit every weekend, having drinks and occasional sleepovers and Friday cookouts. It was then the watchman has been observing us for over a year and has reported our actions to the landlord. They have given us a warning as what I was told and since then, we were limited to our actions. But then few months later, we’re back to our old selves again and back to the weekend fun (c’mon, we all work hard, don’t we deserve a bit of fun during the weekend?!)
We thought that it was all ok coz the watchman has been good to us ever since, little did we know that he was stabbing us in the back - smiling at us every now and again when we see him on the ground floor and at the same time, reporting us to the landlord again and again and again…
Christmas came and New Year’s too, we have not heard from our spinster cousin that the contract has not been renewed. All the while we thought that things are fine since if you have not heard from your agent, it means that they will automatically renew your contact and you just need to issue checks for payment. But that has not been the story otherwise. Come 4th Jan, we had a meeting about the flat with my cousins. Its no good news from the landlord, as they don’t allow men and women to be together in one flat unless you’re family. So, spinster needs to kick out the boys in the flat as the agreement with the agent was he will renew the contract if and only women are staying in the flat. And the boys needs to be out by Friday. Our meeting was on a Sunday so it only means that they’ve got only 5 days to look for place to move to- not an easy thing to do here in dxb since rents are very expensive nowadays.
So for 3 straight days, we’ve exhausted ourselves looking for a place to stay, made some calls to friends and colleagues, to check if they know any available room for rent. Luckily, we found a place we liked and it just fits! With built-in closets, bigger space, centralized air condition, bathroom with shower and tub, what more can we ask for? Found it on Tuesday, checked it on Wednesday night, paid advance and moved some stuff on Thursday night. By Friday, we’re out of 401, done and dusted! What a relief! It was not easy moving out specially if you have a lot of stuff to bring but good thing we’ve got friends to help us out. Come Friday, it was our first night in our own “turf” or shall I say, our room but still so messy though with clothes lying around the floor, boxes with various stuff and more stuff. Saturday we’re still sorting out stuff, buying this and that for our use but after our first week, the room has become an immaculate setting with warm lights, tea table, player and a television. We’ve somehow settled in already. Nice and warm family that we’re living with. Now I can say that we have found a new home and with no watchman to worry about…. And its in 205! Its not a notch higher but way better!
So it’s a start of the New Year, with a new life, a new home with new beginnings… here comes the year of the Ox…welcome 2009!
Its actually a long story… it started out when we’re bringing in friends to visit every weekend, having drinks and occasional sleepovers and Friday cookouts. It was then the watchman has been observing us for over a year and has reported our actions to the landlord. They have given us a warning as what I was told and since then, we were limited to our actions. But then few months later, we’re back to our old selves again and back to the weekend fun (c’mon, we all work hard, don’t we deserve a bit of fun during the weekend?!)
We thought that it was all ok coz the watchman has been good to us ever since, little did we know that he was stabbing us in the back - smiling at us every now and again when we see him on the ground floor and at the same time, reporting us to the landlord again and again and again…
Christmas came and New Year’s too, we have not heard from our spinster cousin that the contract has not been renewed. All the while we thought that things are fine since if you have not heard from your agent, it means that they will automatically renew your contact and you just need to issue checks for payment. But that has not been the story otherwise. Come 4th Jan, we had a meeting about the flat with my cousins. Its no good news from the landlord, as they don’t allow men and women to be together in one flat unless you’re family. So, spinster needs to kick out the boys in the flat as the agreement with the agent was he will renew the contract if and only women are staying in the flat. And the boys needs to be out by Friday. Our meeting was on a Sunday so it only means that they’ve got only 5 days to look for place to move to- not an easy thing to do here in dxb since rents are very expensive nowadays.
So for 3 straight days, we’ve exhausted ourselves looking for a place to stay, made some calls to friends and colleagues, to check if they know any available room for rent. Luckily, we found a place we liked and it just fits! With built-in closets, bigger space, centralized air condition, bathroom with shower and tub, what more can we ask for? Found it on Tuesday, checked it on Wednesday night, paid advance and moved some stuff on Thursday night. By Friday, we’re out of 401, done and dusted! What a relief! It was not easy moving out specially if you have a lot of stuff to bring but good thing we’ve got friends to help us out. Come Friday, it was our first night in our own “turf” or shall I say, our room but still so messy though with clothes lying around the floor, boxes with various stuff and more stuff. Saturday we’re still sorting out stuff, buying this and that for our use but after our first week, the room has become an immaculate setting with warm lights, tea table, player and a television. We’ve somehow settled in already. Nice and warm family that we’re living with. Now I can say that we have found a new home and with no watchman to worry about…. And its in 205! Its not a notch higher but way better!
So it’s a start of the New Year, with a new life, a new home with new beginnings… here comes the year of the Ox…welcome 2009!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
“Dubai....the home of Emirates...”
When I'm flying via this known airline, I always hear this tagline. With the soft voice welcoming me to the city. Its a fact that Dxb has become the cosmopolitan city in the Middle East with its multi cultural environment, fast paced man- made developments, and it is also called the Emirate that never sleeps...
Dxb is situated on the Arabian Gulf in the northwest of United Arab Emirates. It covers around 39sq. km. of the entire city. Dxb Creek, a natural inlet from the gulf, divides the city in two. You will find yourself roaming around areas like Deira, Bur Dxb, Sheikh Zayed, Jumeirah etc.
We find many tourists around the months of December to March as it is winter time. With temperature often comes between 10° C and 14° C, it is lovely to walk around the streets and have a picnic in the park with your families. Its a bit tough during the months of July and August when average maximum temperatures reach above 48° C on the coastal plain, like you can fry an egg on the street during these times. During the late summer months, a humid southeastern wind known as the sharq makes the region unpleasant. Rain in the coastal region falls short, sometimes resulting in floods in ordinarily dry wadi beds. It also prone to occasional, violent dust storms, which can severely reduce visibility.
Dxb is unusual, in that it's population consists mainly of expatriates, the majority of whom come from South East Asia. Majority of the expats who resides here are Indians, Pakistans and Filipinos. UAE nationals are in a minority, at just 20% of the total population. There are some 100,000 Western European expatriates in Dubai, many of them British.
I've been here for four years now and I'm still counting... Wasn't sure of staying here long time at the first instance but I've grown to adore Dxb as my second home...but I'll tell you all about it as we go along... a city that never sleeps, Dxb...the home of Emirates....
Dxb is situated on the Arabian Gulf in the northwest of United Arab Emirates. It covers around 39sq. km. of the entire city. Dxb Creek, a natural inlet from the gulf, divides the city in two. You will find yourself roaming around areas like Deira, Bur Dxb, Sheikh Zayed, Jumeirah etc.
We find many tourists around the months of December to March as it is winter time. With temperature often comes between 10° C and 14° C, it is lovely to walk around the streets and have a picnic in the park with your families. Its a bit tough during the months of July and August when average maximum temperatures reach above 48° C on the coastal plain, like you can fry an egg on the street during these times. During the late summer months, a humid southeastern wind known as the sharq makes the region unpleasant. Rain in the coastal region falls short, sometimes resulting in floods in ordinarily dry wadi beds. It also prone to occasional, violent dust storms, which can severely reduce visibility.
Dxb is unusual, in that it's population consists mainly of expatriates, the majority of whom come from South East Asia. Majority of the expats who resides here are Indians, Pakistans and Filipinos. UAE nationals are in a minority, at just 20% of the total population. There are some 100,000 Western European expatriates in Dubai, many of them British.
I've been here for four years now and I'm still counting... Wasn't sure of staying here long time at the first instance but I've grown to adore Dxb as my second home...but I'll tell you all about it as we go along... a city that never sleeps, Dxb...the home of Emirates....
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
welcome to dxb..!!?
We're a group of four human beings brought together to discover the highs and lows, the pros and cons of life as an expat in dxb.
Most of us have been here for quite some time now and as we go along with our everyday lives, we learn that life has something very different to offer...
And while dxb extends its warm welcome to us, we're eager to share our experiences with you...
So, check us out!
Most of us have been here for quite some time now and as we go along with our everyday lives, we learn that life has something very different to offer...
And while dxb extends its warm welcome to us, we're eager to share our experiences with you...
So, check us out!
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