A Bundle of Thoughts

Koala

2011-02-08T00:25:00.000+03:00

I somehow consider Lauren to have achieved another milestone today. We were browsing her books when I pointed to her a picture of a koala. I told her as she patiently looks at the picture that it's name is "koala". She repeated after me and said "ko-wa-ya". I asked her again thinking that it was just a coincidence that she pronounced a babyish version of the correct word. She again said "ko-wa-ya". Nice one my dear!

God grant me strength and resilience

2011-01-26T01:48:00.000+03:00

What if I am the one who is at the other end today? What if I am the one being subjected to hopelessness, despair, agony and even pain? Shall I be able to take the blow well? I'm pretty sure that most of us are trying our best to avoid stress, humiliation, scrutiny and shame. But the truth is, even if we try to avoid these things, we still end up being tested, jilted, rebuked and hurt. It is inevitable. Afterall, we are just mere human beings, who in one way or the other in the event of our existence, are creatures meant to survive and cope.

And today, just in case if I am the one being on the spotlight? I really don't know how will I take the blow. Just one thing is for sure. I want it real quick to get it over with. I'll take the blow, hoping that I won't be persuaded by retreat and in the end I hope that I'll find myself still standing more stronger than the moment before.

Thoughts

2011-01-24T22:51:00.001+03:00

I've realized today that a little sacrifice goes a long way.
If little information is enough, then don't lay down all your cards. It's good to have the advantage and if the going gets tough, at least you still got some spare bullets.
Enjoy the moment while it lasts, worry would have to wait in line.
It is good not to speak for sometime, let them wonder and enjoy for a moment their cluelessness.

On a Lazy Saturday

2011-01-22T13:59:00.003+03:00

Cooking Pinoy Chicken Barbecue for Mars. Smells delicious...I wonder if the taste is as good as the smell.

Bon appetit!

Checking the December and January expenses.

Got to do a little budgeting!

Arrange, wash and tidy up the latest shopping finds!

Dresses are "in" in my wardrobe!

Must Haves

2011-01-21T12:27:00.002+03:00

Here is the list of the things that I must have soon:

1. HP Slate
2. DSLR Cam
3. Sewing Machine

Must Do soon:
1. ILS training
2. Budget and Vacation Planning
3. Plan for LL's birthday party in the Philippines
4. House hunting by March
5. Book for tickets to Manila
6. Plan for Nining's foster home for 1 month while we are in the Philippines.
7. Hair Rebonding in Manila
8. Trip to Singapore and Malaysia with the Toralbas

Hmmm, where to I start?

The Anticipation of the Breaking Dawn Part 1

2011-01-20T14:08:00.006+03:00

"Only a vampire can love you forever"

Can't wait for November 2011. Damn, that's too far ahead.

Swimming time

2010-10-09T14:30:00.000+03:00

Swimming at the Swissbel Hotel.

Lauren enjoys waddling her arms and legs in the water.

Lauren doesn't mind drinking the pool water from time to time!

Lauren seems to tell her dad not to let go of her. So touching!

Doctor, doctor!

2010-10-09T11:16:00.001+03:00

What could be worse than spending Saturday, a rest day, at home nursing a seemingly flu-like feeling? I've got to admit that I only get sick a few times every year but I really hate having the cough and colds specially now that I have a little one who is always tagging along beside me. I'm afraid Lauren will catch it also from me. I just wish that her immune system is now adequately equipped with the necessary antibodies to guard her of any infection. Albeit, she must be sick from time to time to let her body develop its own defense. Tomorrow she'll have the much awaited appointment with her allergist at the Hamad Hospital. We will be again spending the afternoon among other pediatric patients on que for the evening clinic. I hope tomorrow will be less stressful than the previous check ups. Arriving there very early to fall in line in the cashier doesn't necessarily mean that we will be the first patient to be seen later on. Some people doesn't have the decency to fall in line to wait for their turn to be attended by the cashier. Anyway, as they say here "what to do yani?" After paying for the check up, we will then wait for at least 1 hour just to have the vital statistics taken. Then we will wait again until our turn comes which usually averages to 1 hour to 2 hours. And if the doctor will prescribe some medicines, approximately another hour will be spent at the pharmacy just to claim the medicines. Whew! Indeed, spending the afternoon at HMC is tough!

1 Week Vacation

2010-09-18T10:36:00.001+03:00

I love the Eid holidays. Our company allows us to have a break for a few days. Time to have R and R. I've spent most time of the week going to the gym, going shopping and bonding with Lauren. I've gone doing ukay ukay with Elouisa one time somewhere at the Industrial Area. Now I know where I can buy some flee market bargains to practice for my sewing escapades (that is if Mars will buy me the sewing machine soon). Mars also goes to the gym everyday, goes for some intermittent duties at the hospital and of course accompanying me to do the groceries. I didn't notice that vacation is almost over. Tomorrow is the first day of resuming for duty as well as back to the 8 hours duty. I hope I'll have the energy to start work again. How nice it is to just be at home and doing whatever I wish to do.

Lauren is walking all over the house now. I can't see her crawling anymore. She likes following me around the house and when she reaches me, she extends her arms to me and wants to be carried. She's becoming heavy now and I can't stand to carry her anymore for a long time. She gets upset if she sees me going away from the room. Mars jokingly say that I am the mother goose and I have a duckling following me around. I recently bought 3 posters for Lauren. She knows where to point if I ask her "Where is the dog, cat and the telephone". She knows also where to point if she is asked where is her hair, head, eyes, nose, ears, teeth, tongue, tummy and toes. She knows all of them on most of the times that she is in the mood. But if not, she'll just point to some of the body parts and ignores the rest. She has 8 of fully erupted milk teeth (4 up and 4 down) now and 4 molars are crowning to come out soon. My little Lauren is growing very fast day by day.

So goes my 1 week vacation. Next vacation will come around 16th of November for the Eid Al Adha.

Gym

2010-09-12T13:51:00.000+03:00

At last after 4 years, I finally stepped inside the gym once more. Mars and I enrolled in a 3 months membership at the Swiss Belhotel gym here in Doha. We have unlimited access to the gym inclusive of the machines, sauna, steam room and the pool. It was my first day yesterday and I had fun familiarizing myself with the different machines. I was checking which machine should I or shouldn't I be using because of my SIJ dysfunction. I will stay away from those which I think will harm my back as well as will put too much strain on it. I will be very careful not to overdo the exercises. Afterall, I am there at the gym just for fitness purposes. I am considered underweight and therefore won't need to lose weight. I will just do exercises that would strengthen my core muscles hoping the my back problem will go away. As for Mars, he really wants to lose weight and to change from his sedentary lifestyle into something which involves some activities.

We hope that this is the start of a better healthy lifestyle for me and hubby. Aside from that, there's another thing to list among the things that we both can do and enjoy together.

Daddy Gorio

2010-09-06T11:18:00.003+03:00

I was very lucky to have experienced the joy of having a grandfather. I can't help but miss the old times my sisters and I spent at our province during weekends and vacations. Our daddy always made it a point that we enjoy our stay there and also taught us a lot of things about life in general. He used to provide for us our abong-abong (make shift tents) where me and my sisters play bahay-bahayan. Early mornings, he taught us to pick up the fallen leaves and branches from the trees and gathering them underneath the tall mango tree to burn. Another times, he taught us how to take care of our pets and prepare for their meals. He instilled in us the love of animals and nature. Maybe, he unconsciously taught us also the value of reading. He reads Bannawag-the Ilocano magazine which I grew up seeing it always at my daddy's house. Infact, I also read and enjoyed the stories published. All the things we did with him were all seen as happy moments. He sometimes lost his temper but we knew how to stay away from his way once he lost it. The good thing about his "muryot" episodes was that it passes quickly. Once finished lashing out his sermons, he became silent and soon he is pacified again. He had the habit of ending all his sermons with the syllable "si or C", which my sister Tetet, would tease him, "daddy, ag-D kayo metten ah, kannayon la nga C" (daddy, say D, this time, you just always say C). Yes, my sister Tetet had a special bonding with daddy. She was the favorite since she knew how to deal with him. She was the one who patiently cleaned the tough nails of daddy, pulled his uban (white hair) and slept by his side at night.

Today is the birthday of my dear daddy. Wherever you are now, I know you are at peace and happy. I pray that you are happy seeing what your grandchildren has become. I regret that my dear daughter didn't have anymore the chance to see you. But you live in us daddy, someday when she's old enough to understand, she'll know you through my stories about you. I promise to impart to her all the lessons I learned from you. Happy birthday daddy, we love you.

10 Tricks for Improving Your Memory

2010-09-04T20:48:00.000+03:00

10 Tricks for Improving Your Memory

Ramadan almost over...

2010-09-03T16:52:00.002+03:00

Almost over....just a week to go, and our normal working hours will be back to normal. Aside from that, I won't be having any evening duties which ends until 10 pm. Whew! Hopefully everything will just be fine on the last week. If the Eid will fall on Thursday, then the clinic will be closed on that day. Either way, since I will be coming tomorrow for my Saturday duty, then definitely I will be off on Thursday. I'm blogging about this to remind me just in case I forget what were the events that transpired which I need to ask for my colleagues' in lieu of duties. First, Samah owes me one afternoon duty and I will ask Wafa later on who owes me for this coming Sunday's duty.

So what will be our Eid Holiday plans...come what may...most probably we will just be bumming around the house, visit some friends and maybe just stroll around Doha. Wish that I can spend the holidays in the Philippines..

2010-08-30T15:22:00.000+03:00

On this day, God wants me to know

... that change is the very nature of life, - welcome it. No glass ever became sand again; No bread ever became wheat; No ripened fruit ever became a flower. Welcome change, and choose what kind of glass you create, what kind of bread you bake, what kind of fruit you harvest.

2010-08-30T11:33:00.000+03:00

Today is my second afternoon duty for this week. Yesterday's duty was manageable. Just a slight nuisance from the SQA-V machine. I was supposed to use it for a patient having a scheduled semen examination yesterday. I thought that it would be best to do all the quality controls for the machine so that when the sample arrives, the only thing I've got to do is to feed it in the machine and voila, my work is done. But unfortunately the machine failed in its auto calibration. I tried to troubleshoot the problem but I guessed that the engineer has to come to fix it. And so it was, the patient arrived and good thing, he didn't bring any sample yet. I told him that we will reschedule his test since the machine is out of order and that the engineer has to come and fix it by morning time. At first, I thought it was a problem and so I decided to call my supervisor and tell her of the situation. She agreed that it is best to tell the patient to come back until the machine is fixed. It was good that the man saw and heard my conversation with my supervisor and no more protests nor questions were asked when I told him what my supervisor has just said. The afternoon went on smoothly with some patients coming one after the other. My day should have ended fine only if dear husband came early to pick me up from the clinic. He came from a birthday celebration of one of his colleagues. To make it up for his tardiness, he gave me some chic Body Shop gift pack consisting of a perfume, lotion and a shower gel. I tried the perfume on my wrist and briskly sniffed the fragrance. Because of my dampened mood last night, my nose had the instant aversion to the aroma of the perfume. I told him that the next time he decides to buy me some colognes or perfume, he should bring me along so that I myself will have to choose the fragrance I want. I felt guilty afterwards. He again made it up to me when he prepared for me some instant noodles to serve as my dinner last night. He didn't even bothered to play his Legends game last night and just allowed me to use the laptop. That's my husband, he really knows how to manage my intermittent hormonal attacks.

As I end this post, I tried smelling again my wrist to see how it smelled this time, what came to my nostrils is a sweet and mild cherry blossom fragrance. Hmmm, I think I kindda like it now.

2010-08-29T10:16:00.001+03:00

"Eventually all the pieces fall into place until then, laugh at the confusion, live for the moment, and know that everything happens for a reason". (--Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw but picked up from my friend Aby's post in FB)

All the events in my life, during the exact time of their occurrences seem to have very vague reasons for happening. I may not comprehend the reason on that time the particular situation happened but each time I look back now and ask myself "why it happened", I always end up understanding that it happened so that I will be the person I am now, that I will be exactly in the same place I am now and that I might be on the exact moment now. All events in my life in the past contribute to these 3 generalizations. I always question why it happened, I sometimes address to God that question. Frantically, I evaluate and assess what went wrong and lo and behold, I find myself clueless. Most of the time I questioned, cried, and suffered along the way. In the stillness of confusion I learned how to be resilient. I can't control the situation but I can definitely control myself. Slowly, I accepted the situation and realized that I have to move on. Life doesn't end with one bad blow and that life is so short to waste it sulking. Gradually I learned how to laugh about it, just let time took its course to heal me, and hoped that everything will turn out just fine. I became my old self again and realized that all things happen for a purpose. It happened so that I can learn something from it, to apply in my life and to become if not the best at least better than before. I pray to have the courage to stick that wisdom in my head and not to be indecisive whatsoever.

Aby, thank you very much for the countless times you were with me during those moments of confusion...

2010-08-27T12:50:00.003+03:00

Lauren intermittently woke up a couple of times last night, undecided about the best position to sleep. Mars has to go for an overtime today and as he was leaving, I asked him to take Lauren and let Nining take care of her as I catch some sleep. That was the reason why I woke up around 10:30 a.m. I woke up very hungry and decided to cook for some oats-one of the food they say that boots the serotonin level. To make it a little palatable, I dashed some chocolate powder and sugar while cooking. I hoped that Lauren will also eat some spoonfuls if she she sees me eating oats. She only had a 1 bite the last time I asked Nining to feed her with that food. Lauren ate with me but I think she still didn't like it but thanks to the diversion from watching YouTube in the computer, she managed to ate more than 1 spoonful. She didn't notice the spoon reaching her lips. Maybe out of habit, she just opened her mouth as the spoon is near her lips. We finished the bowl of oats, drank some milk juice and continued watching video clips of animals and babies in the computer. She was very quiet as she watched the theme song clips of her favorite TV shows. She got tired afterwards and she was taken by Nining back to the room hoping to put her to sleep for her usual noon time naps.

So what's next for me? Today is Friday, and a weekend. I don't know what to do, what is it in store for me in my agenda. Actually there's none. I wish to cook later but still I'm wondering what to cook. Mars called and he told me that he'll have to buy his lunch outside and eat at the laboratory pantry. So again, what's in store for me today....I was website hopping when I encountered one very nice article about the topic "wanting to be loved". I read that in order for one human being to be wanted and loved, one must be able to become lovable. Most of the time, we are waiting for the right person to come into our life but most of the time we fail to become the right person ourselves. All of us must be ready to fill in the space of becoming the right person before we should be looking for the right one. Maybe the right man/girl is just also waiting for us. So how should we be ready to become the right one for them? In Sri Lanka, they have this saying that a a flower full of nectar doesn't have to beg from the honeybees to pollinate it. The honeybees know which one has the sweetest nectar and once they find it, they will know how to take care of it and not to destroy it. The article continued that we must first be flowers with nectars in order to attract the "honeybees". These honeybees will know the flower which posses the sweet essence. I quote this from the article: "For human beings, spirituality and love constitute the nectar of life, the sweet essence within".

I think a flower having a sweet nectar doesn't end with the honeybees' discovery of the flower. While the flower is alive and capable, it must make its effort to continually produce the sweet essence. It must always be rekindled.

Once you pop, you can't stop!

2010-08-26T14:53:00.001+03:00

There's this line popularized by a Pringles ad, "once you pop, you can't stop".

Just recently at 14 months old, Lauren learned to walk on her own unassisted. She can be included in the bracket of late-walkers. I was really praying a few months back that she start walking soon as I envy some of the babies around her age who already started walking. And now that she knows how to move around by herself, I now have second thoughts praying way back then. To my surprise she's now going anywhere she wants to and plays with anything her little hands could grasp. One time she was in the toilet playing, another time in the kitchen attempting to open the cupboards and now inside our room, pulling all the papers from the cabinet, my socks and undies from the drawer, the pillows and blankets are scattered all over the place. I'm sure this is just the start...more to come from my darling Lauren. I know she'll drive me nuts putting the place back in order. But that's just how it is, she may become a little monster but the bottom line she's still my little darling I love very much. Starting to walk is just the beginning of this. As I contemplate on the line "once you pop, you can't stop", I guess that's the same with Lauren now, she has learned how to walk and she's all over the place non-stop. Enough of this for now....enough also of me munching Pringles from its canister. But on the contrary, I can stop knowing that I should leave some for my dear husband.

I've Got a Feeling

2010-08-25T15:14:00.004+03:00

This is one of the few days which I really feel so down. I don't like to go to work later, I'm tired, dead beat tired and most of all bored to death. I wish to have some kinda inspiration to get me going. I really wish to set my feet on new grounds to start anew. I don't know how and when but I really, really, really hope that something good and better is coming soon. I must be strong and not be easily wavered, so long that I keep my focus I know anything is possible. But first, I've got to deal with what is in front of me now. Got to get ready for another grueling evening duty at the clinic. I pray that tonight is gonna be a good night....(makes me remember BEP's song...."I've got a feeling, that tonight's gonna be a big night")....well hopefully...

Lauren attending a birthday party

2010-08-22T15:13:00.002+03:00

Yesterday, Lauren attended the 1st birthday party of Gabriel. I sensed that she enjoyed the party. She really liked seeing other kids, looking at the lights and playing with the balloons. The party was held at the Gondolania Theme Park in Villagio. The place was very nice, complete with crystal balls giving the atmosphere of a real party. It was also not too crowded which allowed children to roam around and do some party games. The food was great and everybody both young and old had a great time.

That is the birthday boy, held by his mom. We could have taken a much nicer picture with the celebrant but he got tired and was already sleeping when we tried to have a snapshot with him. I was surprised that at least on the background in this photo, Gabriel had a picture with Lauren.

Bugs bunny pushed Donald Duck, and to our surprise! DD almost fell off the stage.

Lauren seems to be afraid of Donald

Daddy and Lauren playing "Eat! Bulaga!"

Lauren pointing to somewhere

This was the party place at Gondolania

I'm Yours - Jason Mraz

2010-08-22T14:05:00.002+03:00

I really, really love this song...Love the melody...

2010-08-20T19:34:00.004+03:00

Leila: "Luvcy, why do you love me?"

Mars: "What else is there for me to do but to love the one who completes me."

And he said I complete him. This made my day!

Pad Thai

2010-08-19T13:48:00.004+03:00

Tadaaa!!! Today I've got to try one recipe of Pad Thai. I had fun doing the cooking since it is very simple, quick and easy. The only trouble I had was cooking in a hot and humid kitchen. Infact, today's temperature is around 41 degrees Celcius. I was already hungry the moment I finished cooking. I was looking for something to pair with my pad thai and I found some chicken skin which Mars' bought from the souq the other day. I took a few pieces of these so called bad for the heart food, grabbed a pepsi and that was my lunch.

Here's my recipe:

3 T. fish sauce
1/4 c Tamarind juice
2 T. sugar
2-3 T. Chili Sauce
4 T. Vegetable oil (I used what I have, Canola oil)
8 oz. chicken, shrimp or tofu
1 tsp chopped garlic
1/2 cup chopped scallions
1 cup bean sprouts (I used the one in can)
1/2 cup coarsely chopped peanuts
1 egg beaten
1 lime or lemon
8 oz. rice noodles

1. Soak the rice noodles in warm water for 5-8 minutes or according to the package instructions. Be careful not to over soak. It should still be flexible but firm.
2. Combine the fish sauce, tamarind juice (I think tamarind paste can be used as well), sugar and chili sauce in a bowl and set aside. You may use a commercially prepared pad thai sauce instead and thereby omitting all the first 4 ingredients.
3. Heat the oil in high heat, add the chicken, tofu or shrimps or all of them for variety. Stir fry for a few minutes and set aside.
4. Add again 1 T oil in the wok stir fry the garlic, scallions, bean sprouts and peanuts for 1 minute.
5. Drain the noodles and toss in the wok, add the pad thai sauce and stir fry quickly. Push the noodles into one side of the wok and add 1 T oil, scramble the beaten egg. Combine all cooked ingredients and stir fry for just a little bit more.
6. Serve with lime or lemon.

Note: My idea of a real pad thai is the one we order from the Thai Snack House at Al Mirquab St. The next time I'm cooking pad thai, I think Ive got to add more peanuts and veggies (romaine lettuce) and maybe add more oil. I was so careful not putting too much and I think that was why my final product was a little dry. Some chili powder or flakes can be added if preferred.

FYI: Pad Thai, though a Thai dish was originally brought to Thailand by Vietnamese traders. There are actually two types of Pad Thai, the dry and the one which is popular outside Thailand, the heavier and oilier version.

Now that I'm full, I can concentrate on my next project...Wix.

New Dress A Day | 365 Days. 365 New Outfits. 365 Dollars.

2010-08-18T17:35:00.003+03:00

New Dress A Day | 365 Days. 365 New Outfits. 365 Dollars.

I love this site. She's amazing! Now the more I want to have sewing lessons! Mars told me he'll going to buy me a sewing machine probably soon!

Cutting labels

2010-08-17T12:11:00.001+03:00

Right now, I'm cutting all these labels while I listen to Yahoo music as well as catching up in Facebook. This is one kind of multitasking that I don't mind doing. I better finish cutting so that tomorrow I can start labeling our shelves. This afternoon I will have my very first PM shift duty for the Ramadan period. I wonder what is it in store for me? Will there be a lot of patients? Will I be free to do other things? Well I guess I'll get to see later...

Ang paborito ni Pong Pagong

2010-08-16T22:44:00.003+03:00

I bought some nice and fresh Kangkong leaves from the souq today. One bundle costs QR 4. I can't imagine paying around Php 50 just for these herbs! Way back in the province in the Philippines, we were just getting this for free from the neighbor's backyard or from the marshlands. Since I am here in the desert, without any hesitation I shelled out QR 4 for a bundle of Kangkong just so to satisfy my craving. I plan to divide into two dishes, one half as adobong kangkong and the other half as a simple salad with tomatoes and bagoong. Yummy!

Visit to Al Rafa

2010-08-15T21:34:00.001+03:00

Today we went to Al Rafa Clinic to have Lauren seen by the pediatrician. The doctor is a kabayan and that is why it is not so difficult communicating my concerns. We went there for a free consultation since the clinic is having a commemorative promo of having free check ups which coincides with the Indian Independence Day. I was glad that Lauren didn't have any tantrums. Taking care of her wasn't that difficult even though Nining was not with us. I let her stay in the house since she is fasting the whole day and when we left she hasn't had her ifthar yet. I was even lucky to have some free meds from the clinic. Ninang Elouisa and baby Norien was also there. We also visited Ninang Shary in the clinic's lab. Then later we went to get the Honda car fresh from a repainting job and after that we finally head for home. Lauren fell asleep as we were travelling. So far for this day, I'm so beat tired. Oh I remember I still got to do some scanning. Enough of this blogging and got to do what hubby asked me to do. All for the love of family, a wife and mother must do so many things.

Pondering thoughts...

2010-08-15T14:30:00.000+03:00

I've arrived at the clinic an hour before our actual work starts. I want to finish some stock inventory affairs that was why I decided to come early. Well it turned out fine, since I was able to do a lot of stock transfers to our other locations. I don't mind doing a little extra for the other extra jobs I have at work, so long that I don't fall below the expectations of my superiors. I accepted an additional work inspite of having already an existing job description. I do kinda like this extra job though I really need time to manage everything. I realized now that a lot of people are depending on me and that I must not let them down. I also learned that the other technician who's I'm helping in this job will also go for vacation. Should I feel scared that I will be left behind to do all the work? I hope I will be able to manage everything if not exceedingly well then at least at par to what is expected of me. May the good Lord grant me the strength, the wisdom and the patience to do what they ask of me. The bottom line is, I will do only what and when I can. What I can't, then I raise my eyes to Heaven and ask for help.

Multitasker Lei

2010-08-14T13:50:00.000+03:00

I was at work from 8 am til 1 pm. Though it is a Saturday, still a lot of patients are coming for blood works. I did manage to do some stock monitoring activities as well as running HbA1c tests in between patients. Those will be my additional work this week plus Hematology benchwork. Granting that if I go to my other duty at the Central Store by Monday, then at least I will have less work to endorse to my colleagues. I wish I have the luxury of time to manage all the jobs assigned to me. How often I wish that I have a superpower to be in many places at the same time. If that happens then I'm one of a kind multitasker. I might be blogging right at this instant and also doing my shopping at Carrefour or Lulu. Or I could be playing with Lauren and also attending to husband's needs at the same time. Wish I could be that girl. Oh well back to reality and time to do other duties....I guess only in my daydream that I can become a supermom. Later...

Grilled squid on Friday the 13th

2010-08-13T16:03:00.004+03:00

What's with Friday the 13th? Some consider it to be an unlucky day. I have learned that the fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskevidekatriaphobia. Para what? Well it is better to know the meaning than the word itself. On the other hand, my husband likes the number 13 since this is his birth date. He thinks this number is indeed lucky.

Today I will be cooking "inihaw na pusit" (grilled squid). I just finished preparing the squid (removing the outer skin and the plastic-like squid's version of its backbone). Right now the squids are swimming in the marinade I prepared from a cup of 7 up, soy sauce, lime juice, garlic and pepper. Later I will stuff the squid with tomatoes and onions and finally grill. It is my first time to cook this recipe and based on the numerous instructions how to cook squid, I learned that I should avoid under cooking nor over cooking the squid. So the right timing must be observed, just around 3-5 minutes on each side or just when there are burnt marks imprinted on its sides. I guess I just have to do it and see. I wouldn't know unless I try. Will update later for the final product.

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Here's how it looked:

I must say I wasn't satisfied. Probably because I failed to wash all the ink out of the squid. Lesson learned I should have pierced the sac so that It will yield all the ink and wouldn't make the inside so wet and black. It was not chewy though since I was very careful not to overcook it.

So much so for Friday the 13th. I wasn't so lucky though. There's always a next time to perfect every dish.

On top of my wish list:

2010-08-12T15:10:00.002+03:00

I wonder when will it be available here in Doha?

2010-08-12T14:20:00.000+03:00

2010-08-12T11:20:00.023+03:00

My joy and my pride, my Lauren Leela at 14 months old.

Hymne - Era (lyrics)

2010-08-12T09:31:00.000+03:00

Chanced upon this video:

Another proof that I am full of contradictions. I have a thing for this kind of music. A mixture of Celtic and somewhat like Gregorian chant like music. I think only a few enjoys this genre. Each time I immerse myself with this kind of music, I feel a silent glitter of peace deep within. I imagine that I am a tiny creature facing the very vast nature in front of me. As the blue sky towers above, I imagine I am atop of a cliff and looking down on the lapping waves of the blue ocean down below. As I raise my hands into heaven the cool wind blows continually balancing the warmth of the bright sun above. The feeling is overwhelming, something that is just there for the moment. I feel a very fragile feeling of peace which is like being cuddled beside your man just after a very precious moment of lovemaking. So serene and peaceful. I wish to hold onto this feeling, I wish for it to stay but as I try to frantically tighten my grip over it, the more that it slips away from my grasp. At this stage the feeling of deep trance is slowly dying. As I open my eyes, I can see that I'm back to where it all started. Back to earth, back to reality.

2010-08-11T19:11:00.003+03:00

"One day you're going to wake up and realize how much you love me and when that day comes I am going to be snuggled up beside the one who knew.”

Got this from a friend's Facebook page...I think these are self-consoling words pondered upon just after a break-up.

2010-08-11T18:43:00.003+03:00

Right now I'm searching my mind of what should I cook for dinner. Or better yet, I should search the fridge, isn't it? Mars said he likes chicken for dinner. Husband says chicken, then its chicken.

Later tonight, if ther'll be time (hoping that he won't be glued on his laptop playing Legends again), we'll be watching some recent Tagalog movies. I might choose the latest one of Bea and John Lloyd entitled Miss You Like Crazy. (Corny ba? Gusto ko kiligin eh, paki nyo ba? lol) We both love watching downloaded movies even before we were still dating. Being cuddled in hubby's arms is actually what I like in this movie dates at home. Hopelessly romantic? I say, yes maybe.

I learned from Nining today that Lauren is increasingly becoming very naughty these days. When Nining was fixing the master's bedroom this morning, Lauren silently found her way going to the bathroom. She opened the water supply of the bedet and started playing with the flowing water. She began crying as Nining led her away from her newfound playground. Oh my, I hope that she won't become a little monster in a few months.

Later...

Oh btw, today there was twice on 2...First time. (lol).

Label

2010-08-11T13:24:00.002+03:00

Spent the day doing a task which requires me to label some shelves for our laboratory items. I could have finished the task only if I was told the correct shelf to label. I was almost finished when I was told that I'm labeling the wrong shelf! So it took time again for me to remove and put back in place the labels in the correct shelf this time. Good thing there's always next time to continue and hopefully finish the job.

Ramadan Kareem

2010-08-10T11:50:00.003+03:00

Tomorrow will be the the start of our month long 5 hours duty. Yes its nice to have just 5 hours at work but sometimes it's a lot more stressful since the workload is just the same and we try to squeeze all of them with 3 hours less of our regular duty. Another thing to observe starting tomorrow is the fact that we won't be eating nor drinking in public. Ramadan is the holy month for Muslims to fast and pray. Eating is not allowed from sunrise to sunset. I admire how they manage to program their bodies to undergo such sacrifice. To all my Muslim friends and colleagues, Ramadan Kareem.

YouTube - Eminem - Love The Way You Lie ft. Rihanna

2010-08-09T14:54:00.005+03:00

I have developed liking to music which mentions the word "lie". Don't get me wrong though. I just like hearing some words which sounds just like my nickname.

Grocery day

2010-08-08T15:31:00.004+03:00

Hubby called and he'll pick me up then we'll go to the supermarket. At long last, I can buy our groceries to refill the kitchen and the fridge. Been too busy to do all the errands last week. But darn, I hate to go out in this hot and humid weather. =(

Reset

2010-08-08T15:04:00.010+03:00

I successfully log in our system through my Novell password this morning. I was halfway through it when suddenly I was prompted to change my password. All employees are made to change their passwords every 3 months. It seemed that I changed just recently though. After successfully setting my new password, the system asked me to log in once more. I tried several times using the new password but I don't know why I can't get through. Finally after many failed attempts I got a message saying that my account was locked or something like that. I tried to ask help from our IT technician but I was directed to the helpdesk so they can remotely reset my password. The guy who answered my call guided me through the process. After a successful log in, I was happy that I was able to enter just in time the result of one urgent urinalysis.

Thinking through this, I guess life is sometimes filled with instances like that. We are presented with some situations like forgotten passwords which can be changed anytime so as to have another chance to start all over again. But even if life presents us with chances for renewal, we seldom take heed the call and just ignore it. We might ignore the 3 chances of changing the password which when bypassed will temporarily cut out our connection with the system. Same goes in life, we may be too caught up with a lot of distractions which prevents us from seeing the real score. We are too happy with the present that we don't care what will follow later on. We opt to ignore. Later on, we hope that there's someone who can save us from this despair. Sometimes, it is really beyond our control, we stare into heaven and hope that someone could save us. We hope that there's somebody out there to do the password resetting for us. But I guess it isn't like that. We have to do what is expected from us. This is just me thinking aloud....

Good food + good friends = goodbye to Omar dinner

2010-08-08T00:09:00.014+03:00

We've just got home from my brother-in-law's sort of a despedida dinner at the Marriot Hotel. Omar, Mars and I were joined by Jess, Andy, Edwin, Mark and Leslie. I really had a marvelous night dining and itermittently laughing and giggling all througout the dinner. Contributing to my enjoyment was seeing for the first time Jess without any inhibitions talking just about anything. Maybe it was because of the "drink" which they enjoyed only within the four walls of the hotel.

While dining in a 5 star hotel like Marriot, I realized that from time to time, Mars and I should spend yes really spend some time and of course money to be in such a romantic ambiance. I asked him during our dinner that if I was still single, will he take me out to dinner in a nice hotel? He said he didn't got any chance since we were married immediately when I came to Doha. Well I guess it's not yet too late to make up for it.

I enjoyed the seafood buffet and most of all their dessert selections. Too bad that I had a late lunch and that is why I didn't got any chance to stuff my tummy more of the nice and colorful food. Well maybe next time.

I was busy capturing some experimental shots from my dear old point and shoot camera when Omar opened the table for his speech. He thanked everyone for making his 5 years stay in Qatar bearable, enjoyable and most of all memorable. He never expected to be here that long but his dream of becoming a doctor is far more important to him than being an ambulance driver forever. He's glad he's leaving but also sad to leave behind good friends who were with him through thick and thin. Mars, Lauren and I will miss you bro! See you sometime in June 2011.

Marhaba

2010-08-07T16:40:00.009+03:00

Marhaba is an Arabic word which means hello! Once again after a very long hiatus, I'm saying marhaba to my blog. I've been caught up with so many things which made me less and less mindful of this space I call my own. In here, I can post whatever comes into my mind and nobody can interrupt while the trail of words come one after the other. I really don't know where the sudden enthusiasm came from. Might be due to boredom? Or probably my need to spill out some of the thoughts that run through my head these days. Or probably just because of plain nothingness, I call "trip trip lang". Bottom line is, I'm writing again. In the coming days, I plan to resurface above the waters and once again breath in fresh air which might somehow bring lucidness to my world.

The Cross and the Moon

2007-11-10T07:02:00.000+03:00

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

2007-11-09T12:20:00.000+03:00

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?

2007-10-21T09:08:00.001+03:00

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

2007-08-28T20:52:00.000+03:00

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.

2007-07-31T19:14:00.000+03:00

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

2007-06-25T18:43:00.000+03:00

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.

2007-06-22T18:05:00.001+03:00

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....

2007-06-16T12:26:00.000+03:00

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

2007-06-09T18:42:00.000+03:00

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

2007-06-08T06:57:00.000+03:00

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.

2007-05-20T20:47:00.000+03:00

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

2007-05-19T08:10:00.000+03:00

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.

2007-05-17T23:17:00.000+03:00

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.....

2007-05-16T21:32:00.000+03:00

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...

2007-05-16T20:51:00.000+03:00

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

2007-05-13T16:55:00.001+03:00

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.

2007-05-11T17:14:00.000+03:00

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

2007-05-09T20:47:00.000+03:00

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.

2007-05-07T15:46:00.000+03:00

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.

2007-05-05T15:44:00.000+03:00

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.

2007-05-04T10:12:00.000+03:00

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!

2007-05-02T16:51:00.000+03:00

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.

2007-04-30T14:52:00.000+03:00

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

2007-04-28T16:30:00.000+03:00

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

2007-04-28T16:02:00.000+03:00

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

2007-04-28T07:33:00.000+03:00

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

2007-04-27T22:00:00.000+03:00

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.