The Cross and the Moon

As the communion song is sung by the choir, the booming call of prayer over the neighboring mosques' speakers also fires up, paving way to the contrast of 2 faiths being practiced right at the very same moment. This irony comes from practing Christianity in a Muslim nation governed and ruled by Islamic people. We Christians, particulary Catholics here in Qatar are thankful that the government allows us along with other several religion to legally practice the faith within their walls. It is alright to go to mass and pray and to bring bibles and other sacramentlals through the airport. But even if with permission, praying should be done discreetly or else deportation will be imposed on the offending individual. We should remember that this place is owned by the Muslims afterall. It is their land, their faith and their government. These were the thoughts that came into my mind as the priest raised the host to my lips and I said Amen.

Practice, Community, Fun

I was doing Yoga for quiet sometime although not as much as a regular thing. Way back when I was still in Manila, I've joined Fitness First's program for body balance. It was a workout combination of Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi. It was then that I was initiated to Yoga. I particularly like Yoga because for me, it is a combination of the mind and body working. I don't have a very good background of Yoga but somehow I am drawn to it and would like to explore the other benefits it'll give me. Yoga has been passed down from centuries and across the globe from India. I suppose it would not stand the test of time if it is just a fad or a regular form of exercise and relaxation. The testimonies of the people practicing it is another aspect to look at. They claim that Yoga in many ways improve the quality of life. Boy, how would I like that! In our times today, we should be aware of the ways on how we should be able to improve the mental and physical state of our bodies. And that was how the decision of hooking myself with yoga was born.

A couple of months back, I decided that I will do Yoga and practice on my own. I bought a Yoga DVD and a mat to practice in our room. I got many smirks and indignation from Mars because of this but nonetheless he was supporting me and hopefully I can influence him in doing Yoga as well. I religiously immitated the instructions on the video. But afte sometime, I got used to the routine playing just the same over and over again. I felt something is missing. Then suddenly after a few months, I got engaged with the first ever Yoga studio here in Qatar. Maybe this is the answer to that thing which is missing. I was browsing the website Qatar Living one lazy Friday morning and I saw one upcoming event, the opening of Pepka Yoga studio. Since the studio was just a couple of blocks away from our place (another blessing indeed), I went there to join the free class for the day and see how do they conduct the class. It was basically an expat crowd, no locals. It was a great experience and immediately I signed up for the pass which will entitle me to have 10 sessions to be consumed within 3 months. Entire the week, there is a schedule of the different levels and types of Yoga they teach. There is Astanga Yoga, Morning and meditation yoga and lastly the Moksha yoga which is a hot yoga....this I've got to try. I went in to join the Astanga Yoga this morning. I tried the Level 2 astanga which I think will be a little difficult than the first one I tried the other week. The basic class was done on the other room adjacent to the main studio. I was so sweaty throughtout the workout. I was here in Qatar for over a year now but never did I sweat as much as I did this morning. It was a great experience to feel my lazy muscles stretched, to feel the air as I breath and to relax with each exhalation. If I keep doing my yoga, maybe the benefits will start to show. Practice, community, fun....that is the motto of Pepka Yoga.

My cooking anyone?

I'm home, just waiting for the day to pass while doing some small chores. I'm currently enjoying a few days off work and I kindda just taking it slowly. I don't push myself to do the laundry, ironing the clothes, cleaning and dusting. The only thing I try to do most of the time while I'm home is cooking. Here are the reasons why I should be cooking:

1. There's no work means there's no reason to get tired most of the day ergo more time for cooking.

2. No more budget to spend eating out so I have to make use of whatever food is in the cupboard and the fridge.

3. I am choosing to cut down a few calories by refraining from deep fried foods bought from fast food restaurants.

4. and simply because Mars expects me to pamper him now that I'm home for vacation.

On our last trip to the souq, Mars and I bought some beef from the butchery. This is my first time to buy from there as I always buy from Carrefour or Lulu. Buying from the souq is much cheaper compared to buying from the big groceries. Later on, I found out that the meat tastes better too. I just have to deal with the fact that the cleanliness and sanitation of the butchery in the souq is less maintained. I just have to wash thoroughly the meat before cooking and boil it much longer to kill the unwanted bacteria which may be present. I divided them separately in 4 cellophane bags to proportion it into cooking portions.

Some of the beef, I cooked for "beef sinigang". This is also my first time to cook such dish. According to my ever loyal critic and husband, it was delicious, only that the meat was not tender enough. So next time, I know that I have to keep it boiling for a little bit more.

The next day, I used some of the beef to cook "beef caldereta". This, he ate with gusto and asked me to wrap the leftover and pack it as his "baon" for his duty that night.

I missed eating fish and that is why I bought a milkfish from the grocery. I bought the fish even though I know that Mars wouldn't eat it. I also thought that I have to start pushing him to eat fish from now on. The fish came from the Philippines as stated by the plastic wrapper the fish was wrapped in. It never crossed my mind that the fish was just plain fish frozen. I still have to scale, clean and remove the gills and internal organs. Did I say that this is also my first time to do that? I always come back to the thought that I'm learning to cook because of necessity and scaling a fish is one of them. So far cleaning the fish was fun. I just searched from my memory how my grandmother do it. Watching her do it when I was a little girl, paid off afterall. The cleaning and scaling was okay until I have to cut it into portions. The meat of the fish was a little bit crushed because of the pressure of my dull knife. From that incident, I learned that I have to use a very sharp knife next time.

Cooking the fish was not so difficult afterall. I used the rice washings as my broth and in it, I put sliced tomatoes, ginger, onion and the dried kamias (courtesy of Ate Lulu). I let it boil for sometime until the tomatoes are wilted. Then I put the cut up cabbage and beans together with the fish. I jazzed up the saltiness by putting a little bit of salt. After simmering for a few seconds, my sinigang was done. Mars had his share of the broth and vegetables while I ate all the rest. How I love the belly part, yummy! He did ate a little fish though when I spoonfed him with some. Maybe if I keep incorporating fish in our menu once in a while, his tastebuds will soon be familiar with it. Maybe, just maybe. And by the way, he ate the leftover munggo and some fried tocino from our lunch as his dinner last night.

Ten Simple Steps to Happiness

I came accross this article on my email and I think doing these simple things can take away the complications of the busy lives we live. Only if we can religiously find the time and do the things in the list then probably each one of us has less worries to think about.

Ten Simple Steps to Happiness

SIMPLE SOLUTION:
From a BBC documentary that aired in November of 2005.

1. Plant something and nurture it.
2. Count your blessings - at least five - at the end of each day.
3. Take time to talk - have an hour-long conversation with a loved one each week.
4. Phone a friend whom you have not spoken to for a while and arrange to meet up.
5. Give yourself a treat every day and take the time to really enjoy it.
6. Have a good laugh at least once a day.
7. Get physical - exercise for half an hour three times a week.
8. Smile at and/or say hello to a stranger at least once each day.
9. Cut your TV viewing by half. (Some of us have opted to have no television at all!)
10. Spread some kindness - do a good turn for someone every day.

Enough of the long hibernation! It was such a long time since my last blog. So anyways, nothing interesting happened really, so what was there to blog about, harharhar! Aside from that, I rarely have a time with the computer since Mars use it most of the time. Being a Knight Fight and Monsters Game fanatic (although he doesn't admit that he is), he is usually infront of the computer from the moment he wakes up until the time he decides to stop playing for the day. I even told him jokingly one time that the knights are luckier than me since they get the chance to have the first morning kiss from him, hahaha!

The other day, we went to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix at the Citycenter cinema. Hooray! After 14 months in Doha, I finally had the chance to go to the movies. The interior is fine, the screen is wide, the seats were not really that comfortable for me since it was designed for big people. I felt like I was being enveloped as the back of the seat doesn't fit perfectly to the curvature of my neck and back. The chair thing is nothing compared to what really made me nuts inside the cinema. Before the start of the movie, certain reminders were played in the screen. They were written in Arabic and English. They were simple reminders like turn off the celfone, crying children should be taken out, no smoking etc.... Plain and simple as I have thought they were understood by all. Suddenly my sensitive nose for cigarette smoke caught something from a distance. Somebody from the crowd got the nerve to smoke inside the cinema. OMG! I couldn't imagine just how I managed to watch and enjoy the movie while I was covering my nose the whole time. Those people are just so inconsiderate for the other moviegoers who by the way have paid for their tickets just like them.

I've read on a thread at www.qatarliving.com about this kind of behavior from some people. I might be wrong to pinpoint the obvious culprits so I will just be then talking in general. In the thread, I read so many posts about different kinds of disturbances during a movie. To name a few: somebody intentionaly banging his feet at the back of the chair, people talking loudly with the person beside them, someone answering a call loudly and even smoking as I have personally attested. Some tried to hush the inconsiderate people by complaining to the management. The management reply was surprisingly baloney. They said that they can't do anything about it since most of them are locals. Duh!

Maybe some places aren't fit to be called a civilization afterall....since a civilization is composed of civilized people, then this place desperately needs some improvement.

Well this is just me thinking out loud, peace!

Heinous as the the hot weather

I've been here in Qatar for more than a year but never have I encountered any heinous crime not until last week. It was reported that cannibalism happened here in Qatar. Apparently one worker was rushed to the Hamad Hospital for a severe reaction brought about by the cannibalism act. The doctors ordered examinations and on some x-rays they found out something which looked like a human finger inside the patient's stomach. The doctors took the initiative to endorse the matter to the police. When interrogated by the police, the patient has admitted that there were 3 more accomplices. Rumors has it that the victim is a from Nepal and the 4 cannibals are from Vietnam. It was also reported that the 4 have killed (not known if accidental or intentional) the Vietnamese first. Afterwhich they decided to eat the victim to conceal any trace of the crime. Reports says that the investigation is still going on.

Also there were several killings that happened. One occured within the premises of the Women's Hospital inside one of the lavatories. It was reported that one Qatari man brought his wife on one of the toilets and there he gunned her down. Some several days back the woman has just delivered a baby. Some say it was an honorable killing. The crime was left unnoticed until one of the cleaners has discovered that blood was coming from one of the booths. I wonder what would be the reason why did the man decided to kill his wife.

There was also a crime reported about a Filipina maid who died inside the house of her employer. Investigation showed that she suffered several bruises all over her body. The authorities are trying to find out if there was a foul play involved.

So much crimes lately for a generally "safe" state here in the middle east. Maybe we can blame it on the hot weather which is on its toil now.

Well Hooray!!! My cough has just receded a few days ago. Although a couple of coughs much caused now by allergic reactions to the weather is still lurking every now and then. I'm just happy that I am not a thunderous cougher anymore.

Well, another week has just passed and nothing much happened. We were supposed to start the MIMS this week. Apparently some gliches hasn't been worked out delaying the implementation. I hope this week all will be sorted out since the Labtrak manager will be staying just until Wednesday. I hope our machines will all be ready eventually which I think in order to happen we have to close the lab for a while, gather all the people concerned to facilitate the transition for a day or two, establish a trial period and finally the launch will follow afterwards. Wouldn't it be great to do that rather than sneaking in between operation the machine preps? Much time spent will be reduced as well as outcome exceeded if only my bosses will be doing the lab closure for a while. Sometimes a little sacrifice will go a long way.

I was doing the laundry last night while watching several episodes of Desperate Housewives. I finished all the laundry and tonight I plan to do the ironing while watching the American Idol. I'm watching the last season which has just ended in real time in the US.

A while ago, I was able to convince Mars to go with me to the Mega Mart. This was the grocery store in which I was able to buy some dried mushrooms. I haven't seen any dried mushroom elsewhere. I was supposed to cook mongo beans and add the mushroom to have a little texture on it. Unfortunately, there wasn't any at all at the moment. So Mars ended up buying his supply of snack foods which I think are just junk. No wonder they are called junk foods anyway.

Cough, cough go away....

For several days now, I've been nursing a terrible cough. The doctor I've seen in QP prescribed some cough expectorant, anti-allergy and some losenges since my throat seemed to be congested and sore. After 2 days of taking those medications my situation has worsen. I cough so hard that I turn so red and my eyes start to water as if I'm already crying. Sometimes I even hear myself sounding like a barking dog or s loud thunder. Coughing became a nuisance especially when I'm at work. I hid in the store room or in the toilet just to do some hard coughs and hoped that the stimulus will go away. And to make the situation worse, I was assigned to have the week training in Microbiology. I can't do anything to cough every now and then, even if I'm not supposed to in that room. And so I decided to see the doctor again and tell her that I might need some antibiotic to hasten my healing process. She then prescribed an antibiotic regimen which is 1000 mg each capsule to be taken every 12 hours for 5-7 days. Boy, it was indeed a whole lot of mediations in my system now. Somehow the color of my phlegm started to get back to normal after taking the first pill. I hoped and prayed that the next day I woke up, it will be all gone. But then, the morning I got up yesterday, I started coughing so hard again which gave me some headache. I'm so already anxious to get back to normal but I guess the changing temperatures coupled with the high humidity makes this sticky cough a hard to combat one. Then finally, I tried this folk medicine which I read in the internet this morning. The secret concoction was to mince some garlic and cover it with honey. After 2 hours, a spoonful can be taken without chewing the garlic. Just swallow all the way and gulp some water afterwards. If preferred, better have a toothbrush to freshen the breath. Boy I just know how terrible my breath might have been smelling. After 1 hour, I felt the sudden urge to cough and lo! The phlegm is less sticky and much much more colorless now. I just wander how often should I take a spoonful of this bad smelling garlic-honey mixture. Maybe as often as needed that is if I feel coughing again, or then again maybe as long as I am able to stand the smell.

MIMS training

MIMS, as they call it in here but as the instructor, Mr. Andy Love told us that it is more common to call it Labtrak and Trakhealth, or LIS. Today is our first day of actual training. We expected to have a pre-assessment exam but luckily there was none, although I know if there was indeed, it wouldn't be so hard since maybe the only thing the trainers would like to know is that we have a basic idea of the whole concept of the new laboratory information system.

The training started with the Labtrak, some basic principles and basic commands were taught. It is easy but since it is just a new system, we might need time to familiarize ourselves. The technique in using the program is to visualize the process in the mind thinking just like a flowchart. One must think and have a clear picture of the process intended while manipulating the system otherwise one might get loss in the flow of the process. To benefit using the system one must always have a trouble-shooting process done in a systematic way. For instance, there are a number of ways to do a simple end result. The user should master the shortcut commands, the options and choices in order to maximize and utilize the whole scheme.

Tomorrow, Trakhealth will then be discussed with some additional parts of Labtrak. I also enjoyed the breakfast and the lunch. Rarely that we get to eat free after a training so me, Ate Mercy and Fritzie went to Al Ghazal to eat. The food was tasty, although we didn't stay for too long since everyone is anxious to go.

A day in Mesaieed

Mesaieed (Arabic: مسيعيد, also transliterated as Musay'id and Umm Sa'id) is a municipality of Qatar. Its capital is also called Messaieed. To the east and south, Mesaieed borders the Persian Gulf. On land, to the north and west, Mesaieed borders Al Wakrah Municipality.

Mesaieed Industrial City is located approximately 40 km south of Doha. I went there yesterday to familiarize myself with the MIMS which is the new medical record system we will be having soon in Ras Abu Abboud. Other locations such as Messaieed, Dukhan and Ras Laffan have already gone live with it. At last, our clinic's turn to go on training and implement immediately as soon as all the prepartions are set up.

The Messaieed Medical Center is the best QP clinic which I have seen so far. Although I still haven't seen Dukhan clinic, just allow me then to express my praises for the MMC. As compared to Doha and Ras Laffan the MMC is designed to function for its purpose. Comparatively speaking, Ras Laffan is a make shift medical center which is built from port-a-cabins. The corridors are narrow, rooms are small and the ceiling is low. But even if RL is a make shift medical center, much praises for their effort to give the best medical services they ought to give. On the other hand, the RAA clinic was also designed to be a modern clinic but due to the rapid increase in the number of patients, it has become a little crowded for the people seeking medical attention. The general atmosphere has become old as compared to the much more modern design of MMC. The MMC has been strategically designed to separate the male and female areas of the clinic. The support services such as the laboratory, pharmacy, x-ray and dental areas were set up on the middle block of the clinic. Each unit has 2 entrances, one serving as the female patients' entrance and the other door for the male patients. Each door or service window is directly opposite of the other giving ease for the medical personnel to attend alternately to patients on the each side of the clinic. The laboratory set up is also designed to maximize the space by having top of the line laboratory work benches, the kind which I have seen in some US laboratories. It has built in lightings and cupboards as well as sink and water supply nearby. I wish that same kind of space-saving, effort-friendly work benches should also be acquired in RAA. Inshaallah.

I learned so much from the MIMS familiarization which will help me a lot in the training. Somehow I have seen the screen, menus and a number of processess done through this new medical records system. I am much thankful to Girlie for having been so patient with me, teaching all the things she know about the MIMS. I'm greatfully thankful for her time and effort considering that they are under staffed yesterday. I hope I will remember during the training and eventually during the ON LIVE stage all the things taught.

We left MMC around 3pm riding on the same bus which brought us there in the morning. I was just very thankful that I didn't experience any migraine attack yesterday. The new environment, learning the whole day, plus the heat outside the clinic are all stressors which can initiate an attack.

I firmly believe that each event in this world has its own purpose. From the most catastrophic event until the minutest detail, all these things are part of a greater plan.

Tonight I received the news that a member of my family has loss a child. My cousin's baby girl was birthed still-born at 8 months. It is so sad to know that this little angel has almost seen our world. We might not see the reason for now, but only God knows why. I know that our little angel is now in a place where she can play endlessly with the other angels. A place where there is no pain nor suffering. She may be earth's lost but definitely she is Heaven's gain. In the loving memory of my niece, I offer my prayers. In heaven she is at peace.

Yellow Cab for dinner

Yesterday, Mars and I had a Yellow Cab Pizza and a pasta for dinner. I felt lazy cooking that is why I asked him to go out and buy us some dinner. The pasta which we had was the Charlie Chan Chicken Pasta. I've alwasy loved this food. There were some difference between the CCCP in the Philippines and the ones offered here. The CCCP in the Philippines has a thicker pasta diameter, I mean the noodles are bigger or should I say wider and there were a little bit more of the peanuts. It is a little bit more spicy also. The CCCP here in Doha has thinner noodles but more of the chicken strips. But otherwise they are both delicious. Maybe the secret was in the sauce and I'm glad that they had the same quality. The pizza we have ordered was the 4 seasons. Each round of pizza has 2 slices of 4 of the pizzas which they have in the menu. This is recommended for those people who want to have a variety. I also recommend Benna Alfredo with Chicken. I had tasted that already and it was good as well. Their Ham and Cheese Calzone was ok but there is a slight difference in the taste to which I'm used to in the Philippines. Maybe because here, turkey is being used instead of the real pork ham. Since this is a Muslim country, the pork which is haram is replaced with halal food such as turkey or beef bacon. Next time, I plan to try their spaghetti and meat balls and the Jalapeno poppers. I can't wait for our next food trip.

Tonight after the mass, Mars and I attented the housewarming of our friends. We have met several people in the party, mostly Mars' coworkers in the EMS department of the Hamad Medical Center. Being at a party with many new faces makes me want to see all their faces, know their names and hopefully make some little chit-chat with them. But that would be impossible since everyone is engrossed in their own conversations either with a group or just with the person beside them. And so I'm glued in my seat, also doing the little tete-a-tete with the person beside me. After a while, Mars has asked me if we can get going soon. He has been from a night duty and would want to go to sleep early. For all I know, he would just want to go home and play his Knightfight. And indeed, as soon as we have arrived home he turned on the PC and now I'm doing my blog, harharhar....I told him, I will use it and he should move aside. Good thing his knights are on missions so that he can afford to spare for me the PC and just refresh his missions every 10 minutes. Talk about using the computer by myself! His missions run for 10 mins and after each mission, he has to come here in the PC and do another mission. Meanwhile, while he is not here, I try as much as possible to type the words from my head. I just hope that the words aren't lost once he comes here to do his thing. Oh no, here he comes again! I wish I have my own PC.....

This is Qatar Petroleum Medical Services Department where I work. It is located along Ras Abu Abboud Street, near the Mariott Hotel here in Doha. Going to work everyday from my home may be done in 2 ways. Either I come from the Corniche or either coming from the B Ring Road. Passing the B Ring Road takes a little longer time since there are several stop lights which are situated one after the other. If lucky we sometimes cruise the road without stopping at most of the stop lights at all which seldom happens. The former is a longer way but even so, I prefer going from the Corniche since traffic flow is less busy. Having a nice view of the ocean is also a plus factor why I prefer to go by the Corniche. Specially during the winter time, colorful flowers line the plant boxes along the road. Seeing these wonderful creations make any morning bright and beautiful.

Serologically Speaking...

Today I had my third training day for the Serology section. My colleague Flossy taught me the basic work flow of this section. She teaches well and I learned many things from her. We run Hepatitis examinations on Sunday-Tuesday-Thursday. Monday, we do Thyroid tests and on Wednesdays, we do the Reproductive Hormones assays. It was nice learning the techniques and the necessary things to remember in running the tests. First, is doing the weekly maintenance every Sunday. This task may take a couple of hours and starting to do the running may start around 9 a.m. But at least the daily maintenance which is done on the succeeding days will just take some minutes to perform. This include checking the reagents, emptying of wastes and probe washings. The next thing to do are the Controls as well as the Calibrators needed. When everything is okay, meaning the controls are within the acceptable ranges and the reagents are made sure to be enough for the tests then it is fine to start analyzing. Checking the reaction vessels and matrix cells must be done every now and then to assure the continous running of the tests. Otherwise, interruptions may interfere with the smooth workflow since much time is consumed in troubleshooting any exception or error.

I think I had enough learning for the week but even so, I know I can master the whole thing only when I start working all alone by myself. I will have my chance of doing the serology section by myself after a few weeks. I just hope that I will do just fine and that I can manage coping with the pressure while acquiring the feeling of ease with this new task. So I pray that I may have all the help.

This is the machine we are operating to do the tests: Abbott AxSym

Infused Olive Oil

I read that olive oil is good for the health. Some cook food with it, others add it to any of their dishes, dip brea, some even use it directly on their skin. Filipinos aren't fond of olive oil on the food or on the skin and that is why, it isn't common for us. But I think there's no harm in trying, nothing to loose in doing. And so I plan to include it once in a while in our diet. I think cooking/frying on it is not practical because it is expensive. I only use it on pasta and on some stir fry. Probably I can do an infused olive oil to dip our bread and eat it before meals. I once saw a video on how to prepare for an infused olive oil. If I remember it correctly (well, I guess I have to check the net to confirm what I have in mind), all I've got to have are: Lemon peel, Bay leaves, Rosemary, Parsley and of course Olive Oil. It must be noted that all ingredients must be on their dry state. Otherwise, bacteria build up might be noticed after a while if one has to use fresh ingredients. The idea is to put in a bottle (nice if it is a decorative one) all the ingredients with the aid of a funnel. After that, just pour over the olive oil and cover the bottle. It is best to let it stand for 2 weeks to properly infuse the oil. Many other herbs and spices can be used such as basil, thyme, pepper and many others. Probably it is best to use whatever is available in the kitchen. This may come as a nice gift as well. Simple, healthy and inexpensive.

I tried a new recipe today. It is called Cheesy Beef and Veggie Pasta. Just made half the recipe, just to try. Im afraid that it may not be tasty and I just can't bear to throw all away if it is not good. Anyway, I'm glad it turned out delicious.

3 cups farfalle (bow-tie pasta), uncooked
1 lb. lean ground beef
2 carrots, sliced (about 1 cup)
4 green onions, chopped (about 1 cup)
2 cups milk
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup CHEEZ WHIZ Cheese Dip
1 cup KRAFT Shredded Cheddar & Monterey Jack Cheese

COOK pasta as directed on package. Meanwhile, brown meat in large deep skillet on medium-high heat; drain.

ADD carrots and onions to meat in skillet; cook 5 min., stirring occasionally. Drain pasta. Add to meat mixture along with the milk, peas and CHEEZ WHIZ; stir. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook 5 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

SPRINKLE with the shredded cheese.

BON APETITE!

taken from www.kraftfoods.com

A Day at Ras Laffan

For two days, I had the chance to have my duty in the laboratory department of the Ras Laffan Industrial City Medical Dept. There I met many laborers/workers of different nationalities who were ill. Some treated for cuts, burns and other work-related injuries others for fever, U.T.I, respiratory tract infections and many others.

It is so funny that I have witnessed a factual irony. Here in Doha, some of the people I deal with are well dressed, fragrant but rude and arrogant. I can feel the air in their heads as they demand for the service to be given right away. There in Ras Laffan, sweaty and dirty but courteous people I met. All are in the mercy of the health professionals treating them. So whatever the healthworker tells them to do, they do right away without questions. There were occasional times in which traces of uncertainty was seen in their faces when I gave instructions as if they didn't understand me at all. Then I realized that it isn't due to stupidity but rather because of the language barrier between us.

It pains me to see these people to be ill and alone in a foreign land not knowing clearly what is happening to them. I'm sure they miss their families at this time of illness. It is indeed very difficult to take care of our own sick body. Isn't it nice that someone will cook and tend as one recuperates?

So then I ask myself how can we help in our own small way? There may be so many magnanimous ways but I guess the best thing to start with is to do our jobs very well remembering that we aren't serving only the company but also catering for the underprivileged guys who toil under the sun to give Qatar the resources needed to produce gas and oil. Maybe some little acts of compassion and kindness, a simple hello or a little smile can do something for these guys. Afterall, we are all humans who should treat each other in the most humane way as possible.

It's summer time again! This is the time when the land is filled with so much warmth and sunshine which I think this is how most people picture the middle east. Slowly I'm learning to manage the heat and the dust. What I don't usually like are the sandstorms. Sometimes it even lasts for the whole day. Ruining any outdoor schedule you may have. Inshallah, I would't be caught in it if soon there will be some sandstorms. Look at both pictures, one is taken during a sandstorm while the other was taken on a clear day. It is almost zero visibilty, isn't it? Glad in the Philippines there aren't any sandstorm but likewise the streets are always hazy with pollution, too bad.

The other day, I cooked some stir fried veggies. I had some cauliflower, cabbage, carrots, broccoli, onions, and peppers. Some of them I managed to take a snapshot before I finally chopped them. I love the red pepper, it is so nice to look at. Poor thing I have to cut it up. Although it looks lovely, the price may not be too lovable. It is more costly than the green one. I wonder why the orange, yellow and red peppers are more expensive than the green one. Afterall they are all peppers and they just differ in their colors and so I think that the price should all be the same. Well I am just a consumer and all I care about is the benefit of buying the colored peppers anytime and not just settle for the green one since it is the cheapest. So much for peppers for today....And oh by the way, I tried a Tunisian recipe courtesy of my friend Asma. It is a sandwhich which consist of egg, potatoes, tomatoes and guess what...peppers (the spicy and elongated one). All I did was to coat some salt and fry the veggies respectively in that order. I noticed that frying peppers is a little messy and noisy. Messy because it causes a lot of oil splashing and noisy because of the continues fizzing sound. And when frying is over, just tossed the veggies on a bun and eat. That's how simple it was.

Another weekend, another 2 days of chores and rest. I try to balance both by doing much of the chores on Friday. I intend to spend Saturday only for my things such as, sleeping, blogging, surfing, digiscrapping and a little of cooking. These 2 days are soon gone if I will not religiously do my chores and sticking to the schedule. But of course sometimes I am stricken with the weekend fever of just bumming around and just witholding everything until I find time to squeeze in the chores. Just wish me luck that I can do all my intended affairs flawlessly before Sunday comes. Ciao!

Today I nearly had a migraine episode. I was really feeling the tension building up on my head this morning. I thought I wouldn't last long enough to finish the day and so I decided to take one Panadol and prayed that the pain will go away. Thanks be to God, probably after an hour the pain finally subsided. Through out the rest of the afternoon, I just stayed away from too much sun or warmth since those things will definitely bring back the pain. Anyway I just wish that the medicine will definitely do the trick in each time that I will be having migraine or better still I wish I wouldn't be visited by any migraine anymore.

There are several constructions going on around our place right now. The building infront ours is currently being demolished to make way for a new 8 storey building. At the east side, another one is also being started. They made a very deep excavation which I think would be the basement for who knows how many storeys would they build. I can expect that these buildings will be made into flats and appartments which will be most likely to have high rental fees. There are several problems that come along with these hustle and bustle. First is the noise pollution that goes on from morning till night. Its good that we always turn on the AC these days thereby masking the noise with the windows closed as well. Next problem would be the dust that seems to be everywhere. Adding to these are the big trucks used to load the rubble from the demolished buildings and those which bring cement and other stuff needed for the construction. These trucks park along the narrow street beside our building thereby blocking the way for our car to get out of the parkway. I was late the other day because a big truck would'nt budge even with Mars telling the driver to move away a bit. The truck moved only when Mars honked the car horn several times. Whew! I just can't imagine what would be the episode the next day. Hopefully Mars can find a parkway far on the west side of the building to avoid a rendezvouz with the big trucks. Most of all, I just wish these buildings will all be finished soon.

Top Ten Happy Foods

Here's a nice info I read from Yahoo Health posted by Joy Bauer. Thought of sharing it.

Eating for a better mood boils down to this; control your blood sugars by eating every 4 to 5 hours throughout the day, eat a diet rich in soluble fiber, and incorporate foods rich in omega 3 fats, folic acid, B12 and Vitamin D - four nutrients that researchers have found to be mood lifting.
For meal plans, grocery lists, recipes and much more information on improving your mood, check out my new book, JOY BAUER'S FOOD CURES
The following are my Top Ten Happy Foods - bon apetit!
1. Wild salmon (rich in omega 3 fats and vitamin D)
2. Spinach - (rich in folic acid and soluble fiber)
3. Skim milk - (rich in Vitamin D and B12)
4. Ground flaxseeds (rich soluble fiber, omega 3 fats and folic acid)
5. Blackberries (rich in soluble fiber and folic acid)
6. Omega 3 fortified eggs - (rich in omega 3 fats, Vitamin D and B12)
7. Sardines ( rich in omega 3 fats and Vitamin D)
8. Soybeans - (rich in soluble fiber, folic acid and omega 3 fats)
9. Beans (rich in soluble fiber and folic acid)
10. Brussels sprouts (soluble fiber and folic acid)
Plus an extra for good luck!
11. Sunflower seeds - (rich in soluble fiber and folic acid)

Saturday afternoon

Spending one Saturday afternoon in our room is just another ordinary afternoon filled with some home chores i.e. laundry, ironing the clothes, cooking and a little cleaning. Of course the best part of it is spending the rest of the day infront of the computer. Whew! Finally I have my time doing my thing on the computer. Having Mars with me all day would mean wrestling with him over the computer. He spends so much time playing Knight Fight as well as corresponding with his fellow players on their forum. He is really into it. I let him be since I think he really derives enjoyment from an imaginary world the game is giving him. And since he is out having an afternoon duty, I immediately immersed myself infront of the computer the moment he left. I am now on my 2nd hour and until now, the laundry hasn't been hanged, and the pile of clothes to iron hasn't been started yet. That can wait. And so I continue blogging, reading my mails, and later try to finish a movie called Edmond. If ever I get hungry, I plan to just sip some apple juice and nibble some piyaya Ate Honey brought home from the Philippines. Later!

Good Morning

Today is just another day to live. Many things are on their way to happen soon. I thank God for giving me this new day to be awake and experience life. I'm also thankful for all the things that are stored for me today to experience. May it be a day filled with wonderful things and most of all filled with love. Today is a great day, today is a miracle.

A Walk To Remember

Today Mars and I planned to take a walk around the block after hearing the 5:30 pm mass at the Philippines School of Doha. I dressed up on my sneakers to prepare for this afternoon affair. Walking might have been difficult if I wore my sandals. From PSD we made our way going to the Food Palace area and turned right on the roundabout going to a mall called Centerpoint. We decided to enter the mall and just see what do they have there. I've been here in Doha for almost a year now but I've never been inside that mall though. Home Center is having a sale on most of their products and that explains the throng of people inside the store. There were many nice things to buy but I decided that those things were just nice to look at. Meaning, we were not on the buying mode so to speak. Admiring the lovely home decors and accessories was relaxing. I can't help to fantasize our future house to contain such nice, dainty and sparkling decors. I would also love to have my future kitchen to be complete with those essential and stylish cooking gears. I would have loved to stay a little bit longer but Mars reminded me that we should be getting home soon since his mission time on his online games will soon commence. I agreed since lingering in the store for a little longer might make me buy something.

We stopped by the Maramara Turkish Food before heading home. Grabbed some shawarma and a whole roasted chicken for dinner. The shawarma didn't last long since we already consumed our pieces as we headed for our accomodation. I realized that walking while eating is not a good idea. Next time we plan to do again the walking minus the munching. Anyway, the walk was relaxing and most of all it was a night to remember with my man.