Our housing complex is already connected to the web! Pathetic as it seems, it took 6 months (almost a year for the earlier tenants) for the Emirates housing complex in Al Quoz to get an Internet connection. It didn't come easy. We finally got word from Du (the provider) only last Jan 5th that the area is already wired.. after countless email requests, follow-ups and empty promises by the Accomodations division of the Emirates Group Headquarters.  Can't blame them though.  Al Quoz is a very remote place..often regarded as the 'final glimpse of undeveloped Dubai.'  I was so disappointed the first time I came here. The area is in the middle of the desert amidst the many cement factories and labor camps that surround it.  Our housing complex is a different story though..the area was still buildings and all-sands 6 months ago. But now sidewalks are fixed with red bricks and they've began development of the gardens, walkways and lit-up roads. Dubai Properties is the developer of the area so I know the final outcome will be good once it's fully -developed. We're fortunate enough to be given a fully-furnished villa with free electricity, gas, and water. A lot of EK employees are now lining up to get company-provided accomodation in Al Quoz because of the skyrocketing rent prices in Dubai.

Anyway, I did my grocery in Satwa yesterday, as usual in the ever-famous Al Maya Supermarket. I didn't have rice anymore so I went straight to Satwa and asked Fahad the carlift driver to wait for me for 30 minutes. I took the usual stuff..rice, canned goods, fish, chicken, and my personal hygiene stuff. I then proceeded to the Pork section to buy pork and canned products like SPAM (the Lite variety), Purefood hotdog, and other pork products that Filipinos love. After having the pork meat cut into cubes, I was ready to exit the place when my eye caught one product on display...Purefoods Fiesta Ham!    Haha. I got really excited because it's always a tradition in our family to buy that product during Christmas. I only get to eat it once a year so when it wasn't available during the Christmas rush last month, I kinnda f elt disappointed. My sister Kristine, my brother Kenneth  and I always had a good time eating it with rice (haha) after putting it inside the microwave oven, making it semi-brown and crisp. I immediately put it in my grocery cart before somebody else does as there were only a few balls left. I'm just thankful that the UAE is an open-country, respecting the religion and culture and other nations. Pork is a taboo in Saudi and I must say I'm really glad I left the place haha.

Aloha (my former officemate in Lighthouse) texted me earlier to arrange a meeting in Dubai Mall. She came here in Dubai just 2 weeks ago and we have yet to meet. I was sick for two weeks due to flu and it's only now that I'm fully recovered..I hate coughing! My flu was really bad that I felt my entire lungs were filled with phlegm. Yuck. It's just great that the healthcare system here in Dubai is very efficient as medicines are provided for free and I don't have to pay for doctor's fees. Wish it was the same case back home in Manila. At least I'm recovered now and I get go back to the gym to do some cardio and weights.

I'm excited to go home! I'll be taking my vacation in February 15 and my friends and I are going to Boracay! I haven't been to the place so I'm really looking forward for the trip there. Let's see if it's still the world class beach that the Department of Tourism is claiming it to be. A few years ago the beaches were ordered closed because of the presence of coliform. But they've cleaned it already and I hope by the time we get there the waters are still pristine and sand beaches powdery white. I still haven't planned where to go with my family. Probably it'll just be a weekend getaway in Tagaytay or wherever far. We can't go far as my sisters are working.

Like my hair? It's just an experiment. Eversince my childhood days I've always had the boring 'gupit binata' haircut haha. But when I grew up I just tell the barber to cut it the way he wants...in other words...'barber's cut.'  I'm still not used to it, but I style my hair this way once in a while haha.

Oh gee..Aloha texted me again. I got so excited resurrecting this blog back to life haha. I'll post again tomorrow. I'm off to Dubai Mall!