One Hot Afternoon in Riyadh

“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.”                                            

  - Coco Chanel

OOTD: May 09, 2014

Photo Credit: Bing Lurcha

Blouse: H&M
Leggings: H&M
Flats: H&M
Watch: Aldo
Necklace: H&M

Welcome Back Papa!

                                                     

“He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound].”

(Isaiah 40:29, AMP)

Hello!

Tito Felix or "Papa" is Fe's dad. I am just so fond of calling him "Papa" because he is one of my father here in Arabia. Recently, he took his vacation in the Philippines ( huhu, inggit much ) and he came back after a month.

When Papa went to Manila we were too excited to check Facebook every now and then for their new pictures.  Fe's mom and siblings traveled all the way from Bicol to pick up Papa from the Airport. A month before his vacation, I told my mom to get some things for me in the market, especially goodies from Watson s. Tito Felix and my Dad met before his flight and just couldn't hide my excitement. I will post another entry to show what I got from the Philippines.

We pick up Tito Felix at King Khaled Airport International Airport @ 12:30am. It was like 30 minutes druve from where we work. Lala and his husband was too sweet to drive us. We decided to have dinner somewhere and ended up on a Chinese Restaurant. 

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First Christmas Away From Home

Just having the thought of not celebrating the Christmas / Holidays with my family makes my heart break. For the past 24 years, I am so used of being with my loved ones on holidays.

Last year, I was able to be with my fambam on the Christmas Eve and spend the Christmas day (25th) in the office as I have a shift back then. On the New Year's eve, we were able to celebrate it in Quezon. I just love the thought that I have the best family in the world. We may not be perfect and may have some misunderstandings every now and then still, we stay together. Literally. Lol! Not until today, sniff sniff. As I am miles away from them. ugh, talking about being a diva.

I just couldn't contain my happiness though I wasn't able to celebrate this season with my family at least I have my new found friends of course. God is just so good.

Let me share some of the photos that I have for the month of December 2013.

Christmas lunch with my friends. ( Me, Lhalha, Bing and Fe )

Ika nga nila, "what is party without a selfie"... lol

Selfie with Fe's Papa

Lhalha, Fe and I. Ate Bing is the Nurse on night shift.

Baby's gifts. Ehem. Imma one spoiled bitch.

I am so back!

It's been a while since I created my last post. I made several drafts but for some reason, I couldn't post it yet. I don't have my own laptop yet, but I will surely get one the soonest. Harhar, it's already next on my list.

It's Holiday season and it's my first time spending it miles away from home. I really miss the Philippines. I miss the puto bungbong, bibingka, caroling, Christmas Parties, Simbang Gabi ( though I don't attend Catholic Mass). Overall, I miss the month long celebration of Christmas. I miss my family to death.

Whatever!!! Ang drama ko na naman. Well, I am not a total loser this time, coz I will get to spend it with my new found friends.

Anyway, Last couple of month has been a roller coaster ride for me. I was assigned to different departments consistently. Ugh, talking about being the floater. Yeah it challenges me and at the same time because it is fucking tiring!!! I have always been a flexible one, may it be at work or in any other aspects of life. I believe that I inherited that skill from my father.

Believe me I have been meaning to update this blog regularly cause time flew so faassst specially when you are an OFW. Wala akong ibang hinintay kundi ang lumipas ang oras at makauwi / makapag bakasyon sa Pinas. Namimiss ko na ang pollution, itim na usok ng public jeepneys, mandurokot, dugo dugo gang, aso sa kalye at kung ano ano pa. It's more fun in the Philippines ika nga. Aminin!!!

It's now 9 o'clock in the evening and my shift will end in 30 minutes. Yeahh! ( Parrteey!!! ) Joke lang.

I just want to share my Top 5 songs at the moment na super gasgas na sa playlist ko pero paulit ulit ko paring pinapakinggan, yan tayo eh. ^_^

So, here it is.

1. Across The Night - Silverchair - I fell in love with this song the moment that I heard it.

2. Unconditionally - Katy Perry - Who wouldn't love Katy Perry? I got my nickname from here btw.

3. Have yourself a merry little Christmas - Michael Buble - Christmas season is in the air, I usually play this when I am sad to make me double sad.

4. Stonehenge - Ylvis - Kase makulit eh.

5. Where were you when I was falling in love - Lobo


Just listen to this song and you will feel like you are with me sipping wine and chilling at the veranda. Charot.


Love,

Katy

Ladies Kingdom

We only have our Days Off during Friday. After the fun shoot at friend's ( Read my post here ) We headed to Kingdom Tower to roam around and have coffee with my girlfriends.

It was a busy day at the mall, the common past time here in Riyadh since women are not allowed to go out on the streets. Plus the fact that women should wear their Abaya ( black overall ) and cover their hair and face all the time.

What I like about the malls here in Riyadh is that they have all the International brands that we don't usually have in Manila. We visited some store such as Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, etc.

What we enjoyed the most is the Ladies Kingdom. It is the last floor of the mall that. ONLY women can go there. What it does offer? Well, the Sales ladies were not wearing Abayas and their face were not covered. The particular floor was only intended for ladies. I love it! I enjoyed the Make up sections. The brand available are Lancome, Chanel, YSL and other famous brands.

Starbucks inside the Department Store? Hell Yeah!

We removed our Abayas and believe me, that moment was the bomb. We get to enjoy the mall ambiance without these abayas. Some locals are staring at us, but who cares? At least we know the song that was playing! (Rolling in the Deep by Adele). I felt like I was in Manila for minutes.

There was a lady across our table who were very kind to ask if we want her to take our pictures Maybe she saw us having our ladies photo session that time.

Starbucks, Kingdom Tower Mall

Iced Caramel Macchiato, My favorite drink of all time.

First photo without Abaya. Yey!

Ate Bing looks very happy that day. :)

With Ate Myla. 

Grouuup shot!

Syempre, selfie din pag may time. 

Overall, I really enjoyed the whole day with the two sweet ladies. They're like a sisters to me.




Till next time.


Love,
Katy 

Kate says Hello

Where you are now is not where you will always be. There are brighter days up ahead.

-Joel Osteen

Hello! ( helow! )

I' m the type of person that greets someone with a high pitch, perky and with a wide smile hello! I always wanted to spread positive vibrations. Everybody has different struggles and problems in life but in my case, I don't want the world to know about it. As much as possible I am trying to keep it by myself but there is such a time that I needed to cry and have someone to listen to all my dramas in life. Thank you Lord for my friends. (You know who you are).

That moment when things doesn't go the way you wanted and imagined it to be? I feel ridiculous, devastated and unhappy at the moment. Hmmm. Should I kill myself now?...

Let me share you one of the craziest thing that I ever did when I am still figuring out how to cope with everyday dilemmas. There was a time back in college that  I dated someone. He always makes me laugh and I can talk to him about everything. It turns out so well until one day he stopped talking to me. I wondered why just to find out that he's back together with her long time girlfriend. Ugh! I whined like a baby, lose my self confidence, feel pathetic about my self and doubted my self worth and all the blah, blah thingy when a woman  is having a heart break. I even drag my friend to a pub to drink with me after school. I was so drunk that I couldn't even walk home...I went home and Papa saw me in that situation with my nursing uniform. Obviously, he didn't like it and I was grounded for a long  time. I wanted to blame my teenager's hormonal outburst. LMAO!
That thought me a major lesson in life. - DON'T BELIEVE IN ANYTHING THAT A GUY WILL TELL YOU. Sounds funny, corny, hard, bitter or whatevz but this is one of the necessary thing that girls should always have in their mind. I don't need to elaborate on this matter.

Anyhoo, that was like 5 years ago? Not sure but on the past 5 years everything has changed and I learned how to develop better coping skills.

I am now in my mid 20's and starting to think about my future. Dealing with everyday problems makes me think what and where should I be in the next 5-10 years. Btw, I am not seeing myself getting married in the next 5 years. I am more worried about my family more than everything else. That makes me sad everytime that I think of em' since I am living alone from afar . Me missing them so bad :((( but my mind keeps telling me "get up girl, wipe your tears, wear your favorite lipstick and be ready to kiss some ass". I always do that and after a few hours, I'm gonna be okay. That's how it usually goes. I am certain that I did finally learned this time.

I wanted to share the list of my coping strategies that really helps me along the way.

1. MUSIC - This is a temporary stress relief. I am now loving different genres lately. I am into classical music lately. I.E. Astrud Gilberto and Queen.

2. WISHLIST - this keeps me motivated to work my ass out harder. (:
Some of them are..

* PS3 - we had PS1 that I think it's so obsolute now adays. I mean, really.
* DSLR ( Nikon D5100 ) - I once had a Nikon D3100 and I sold it for some reasons.
MacbookPro - I don't know. It looks cool though.
*ENTERTAINMENT ROOM- new bad ass TV and home theatre for the family since we do love watching movies and series together.

3. The DON"T GIVE A FUCK ATTITUDE
-The lesser you give a fuck the lesser problems you have

4. FORGIVE
-Learning how to forgive the people who have wronged you would literally decrease the load of stress that you have. It works for me.

5. SEEK GOD
-Handling everthing to God may it be your financial problem, emotional problems or such would definitely help ya. I don't know how but for many, it is called "FAITH". But of course, you still need to get up and do something about it.

Favorite verse from the Bible:

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13

Short and simple but has a great message.

When I am about to start writing this post, I am in a very low mood wherein, all I wanted to do is cry. I feel so demotivated, alone and pathetic about myself ( most of the girls can only relate to this ) but, while on my way through it, it reminded of the the beautiful things that should motivate me and how thankful should I be. Now, I am feeling a lot better.

How about you? What's your easiest way to escape the dramas in your life?

Love,
Katy

8 Things I Love About Manila

Manila is just an hour away from my hometown. I remember one event in my life that I spent my birthday roaming around Manila. I went to Quiapo Church to pray, had a quick tour in Intramuros and ended the day in Robinsons Ermita all alone. There would be a lot of things that I could write down on this post but I prefer to write down the top 8 things I definitely love about Manila.

1. FOOD

Who wouldn't love food? As a food junkie ( certified matakaw ), I can say that I have tried different type food that satisfies my taste buds. Some of it are street food, such as kwek-kwek and fishballs.

Here are some of my photos that I collected for the last couple of years. Please excuse the quality of the photos as it was taken by phone's camera.

Starbucks' Oreo cheesecake and the usual frappe. Not a fan of frappe though.

Bannaple's Signature Blueberry Cheese Cake.

Happy Lemon's Bestseller.. Rock Salt and Cheese. I am a happy bear! There's Dee in the background. Hi Dee! ( Bff's son )

Chatime's Wintermelon Tea, I forgot the name of the other tea. Sorry. -__-

Pepper lunch!!! So yummers!!!

 And here is the the competitor... Pepper Rice!

Coke Float and Banana Split from a local Ice Cream Parlor near my Univeristy.

You are not a Filipino if you haven't tried the famous Lechon! Nomnomnom
( Photo was taken during my brother's 21st Bday. )

Pho Hoa's Vietnamese Pho

Savory's Meal Plate, I can't remember the name of the dish since my friend Garz ordered for us.

 Here's a photo of me on a Breakfast Buffet

2. PEOPLE

Filipinos are known for it's hospitality, genuine smile and perky attitude. Ehem! We are known worldwide
because of these qualities. Tourists also prefers Manila as they do not have a hard time interacting with the locals. English Classes has been included as early as Preparatory Education, but not all can speak the language fluently. 

Photo Credits: Jared Puge

3. NIGHT LIFE 

We have a lot of local singers and entertainers throughout Manila that performs in a different bars and pubs that offers extreme entertainment that wont't hurt the pocket. You can choose either from a Comedy Bars, Pubs that has Acoustic Nights and Super Clubs.

4. INTRAMUROS

Inramuros is a must see place in Manila. It was built during Spanish Colonial Period on 16th Century and also known as the Walled City. It is one of the most popular tourist attraction nowadays.

When I was 16, Mom was yelling at me one morning because she caught me sneaking back to my room. Those were the days that my cousin Ate Michelle and I loves to hang out on the Walled City every night. We love meeting other people around and dreams of catching a Spanish Soldier in the Middle of the night. We just love to sit at the top of the walls and look over the golf course around the Walled City.

Intramuros By Night

Photo Credits: amherstureiqn.wordpress.com

5. SHOPPING

Divisoria, Greenhills Shopping Center and St. Francis Square. This made it to my list. They are the famous shopping hotspots in Manila for both locals and foreigners. Unbranded products comes with a good quality for an affordable prices.

6. CHINATOWN

Every country has it's own version of Chinatown, here in Manila it is located in Binondo just across Intramuros.

Here are some photos that I took last March 2013.       

   

Richard and I went to Masuki. One of the oldest Restaurant in Chinatown that offers awesome Siomai (Dumplings), Siopao, and Wanton Mami.

 Look how big the Siomai is.Yum in my tum!

                               
7. MALL OF ASIA

Mall of Asia is located in Pasay, a few minutes away from the Manila International Airport, by it's location, it is easier for most of the people to visit the place. What I love about this is place is that you can dine, drink, shop, skate, walk by the bay ( Manila Bay ), ride the MOA's Eye.

Photo Credits: Google

8. JEEPNEY

Most common mode of transportation in the Philippines is the Jeepneys or we call it as Jeep (Dyip).

Photo Credits: Google

Thank you for reading and see you on my next post.


Love,
Katy