As I mentioned initially, I was overwhelmed by the amount and quality of responses that got in. It was extra nice that it was during my birthday that I sorted through your account on how we have met, why you read this blog (thank you!), traced the links to your favorite posts, validated the topics that you want me to write about or the changes to this blog that you wish to happen, and honestly, I did not realize the “danger” of the fifth requirement when I wrote there: “A suntok sa buwan possibility”, the first thing/question you are going to ask me if we ever get to meet in person until I read your responses. Haha.

I really appreciate that you willingly embrace my no niche approach [i.e. my babbling about (almost) anything under the sun], which is not by intention. If you might have noticed, while the topics are unboxed, they are generally a reflection of my interests. And I try to write with no hard and fast rules, as much as possible, except that I do observe a sense of accountability for the veracity of things that I share even if I am writing under a pseudonym.

I took note of all the suggestions and I think that these shall work to everyone’s advantage. I will try to address the following “requests” which I will categorize into two: the generally workable (to continue and increase my entries pertaining to UAE such as food/ restaurant reviews, must-visit places, more kitchen experiments with food local to the UAE, my travel experiences, daily inspirations, more book reviews, to venture on something fictional, and to share stories/caricatures about the varied people I meet, discreetly cloaked in pseudonyms) AND remotely workable as of the moment, but I will try to address in an indirect means (to become visible on this blog by sharing my photos and to write on a more personal level).

Based on the comments gathered, the following turned out to be the more popular posts:
(1) The 8 faces of adobo
(2) The things that we love (one of the more personal posts ever written here)
(3) Witsandnuts 2009 in a glance (I prepare a collage/mosaic before the end of the year to look back at the year that was about to conclude)
(4) Wolf with me friends, a very funny Twilight related post in 2008 – at my most addicted phase
(5) The Procession, a Holy week related entry
(6) The Killers concert in Abu Dhabi
(7) Kwentong Kayumanggi, Ayoko munang mag Ingles, I intended to blog in my mother tongue regularly but was not able to sustain it. I will try to revive it.
(8) What Leo Messi can do
(9) The milk toof book, I am still giddy with the fact that I am currently one of the very few who got a copy of this book
(10) My first creative swap haul
(11) Crochet slash (ala transformer) sewing box and other creative swap entries
(12) Kulinarya, A Guidebook to Philippine Cuisine
(13) December 2008 Ultimate Kapampangan Tour
(14) Desert Safari camel ride
(15) Climbing the world’s tallest tower, Burj Khalifa
(16) My favorite section in the supermarket
(17) Hongkong related posts
(18) Food related posts

The suntok sa buwan questions ranged from “Saan tayo kakain?” to personal ones. As promised (laid down on the giveaway mechanics), aside from the designated prizes, I will respond to the question of the three winners through a personal note. But to be fair, I will try to respond to some (*winks*) from the rest of the questions. With that, let us say “cheers to our winners!”:

♥ Toni of Wifelysteps – chosen by my sort of panel of judges as having the most valuable comment

(1) How we met virtually and/or in person (I think the second one’s rare)
Bloghopping!

(2) Why you read this blog
You’re a great writer and photographer. I feel like I’m talking to a friend, or rather, a friend is talking to me when I’m reading this blog. It makes for a down-to-earth and cozy stay.

(3) A link to your most favorite post from this site (and why)
I just had to do a search for this post: http://witsandnuts.com/2008/09/18/wolf-with-me-friends/
Why? TWILIGHT KINDRED SOUL!!! It took over our lives for awhile, didn’t it? Haha!

(4) Topics that you want me to write about/proposed changes to this blog
Write about a secret you’ve never shared with anyone but are opening up to the world now.

(5) “A suntok sa buwan possibility”, the first thing/question you are going to ask me if we ever get to meet in person.
“Saan tayo kakain?” That’s because we’ll bond over a good meal, my treat! Happy birthday Wits!!!

♥ KG of Ang Bahay ni Kumareng Grace – as all the comments were intentionally held invisible, KG happened to be the third to have left a comment
♥ Caryn of Sari-Saring Kulay – based on manual draw

I will send an email to the winners to confirm their mailing details.

Thanks to everyone. The participation was so enriching.

(One of my favorite Burj Khalifa souvenirs. These are journals with unique covers. Which color do you prefer?)

To my old and new readers, did you know that I am now on my third year of random babbling? It feels like just yesterday. It started with irregular rants and raves on food (though I am no expert, I seriously thought that was all I should talk about)… and then, a little of MANY things I wrote as well. Although there are advantages and disadvantages of not having a particular niche, writing about my varied interests is how I roll. And I wish to thank all of you who sustain the fuel of our camaraderie in the blogosphere.

Since this is also my most favorite month, the next words are going to tell you why, I am holding a blog anniversary and birthday giveaway. I have this in my head since that day I went up to the tallest tower in the earth when I saw these pretty things from the souvenir shop.

(A postcard set containing 16 beautiful shots of the tallest tower and a CD holder with the same sweater/jacket design.)

This giveaway is for everyone and anyone and is going to be easy. Just leave a comment on this post to let me know (hey, not really fishing for compliments; but just to read your thoughts while on the same page):

(1) How we met virtually and/or in person (I think the second one’s rare)
(2) Why you read this blog
(3) A link to your most favorite post from this site (and why)
(4) Topics that you want me to write about/proposed changes to this blog
(5) “A suntok sa buwan possibility”, the first thing/question you are going to ask me if we ever get to meet in person.

(The several views of the tallest tower on the postcards.)

We are going to have three (3) winners, whom I am sending a personal note to answer their respective queries on # 5:
(1) You! If you happen to be the third to leave a comment. [A jacket notebook's for you.]
(2) The one whose comment is going to be the most valuable based on my panel of judges decision. Haha. Winner # 1 excluded from the selection. [Jacket notebook + jacket CD holder + 1 set of postcards + a personal stuff from me are going to be yours.]
(3) The one selected based on manual raffle. Winners 1 & 2 excluded from the raffle population. [One of the jacket notebooks flying from UAE to you.]

(On the postcards: Always grand wherever you view it. Of course, I also like my own snapshot taken from a restaurant in Dusit Thani Hotel.)

Comments are not going to be published/visible until 17th of July. Yes, that is my birthday!

I got this pretty tag from Heart of Rachel which is open to everyone. I am not much a red person, so I thought it would be challenging to find at least seven red things in the house. I got these (clockwise):

a.) Head of the lamp gifted to me during the housewarming. The lamp’s label/brand is “Lolo Jose”. Your guess is right, it is made in the Philippines. Yehey for the exports to UAE!
b.) 2010 Moleskine planner.
c.) Handycam/camcorder
d.) London bus souvenir item which is actually a sharpener. A friend’s pasalubong/gift to me two Decembers ago.
e.) First of the three-layer rack for the shoes that I rarely use. An open rack serves the others. On top are my current favorite footwears.
f.) The treadmill’s emergency button.
g.) My one and only red bag.

I think this camel stuffed toy is absolutely unique. Not your typical bear around the corner. I took photos before sending this to a blogger pal as a housewarming/birthday present, together with another UAE memorabilia.

And yes, her name is Sandy (as in Sandy from the Land of Sun and Sands). I wonder what are the names of the real camels we met during the Desert Safari last year.

This is my entry for this week’s photo hunt (theme: foreign).

Note: Below post was Isla de Nebz’s entry to the 2009 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards (PEBA). Since the time I read it (in July of last year), I had no doubt that it will be the best entry and that his blog will be declared the best. We may not have the same situation as Filipinos working outside the Philippines, but I should say that his entry had spoken a lot for people like (and unlike) us. I thank him for allowing me to repost this.

*********

Where my OFW dollars go?
by Isla de Nebz

My OFW dollars go straight to the bank located in my hometown.

Most of it gets withdrawn by my family for their daily and emergency needs. Some dollars left in my account are used by the bank for investments: either as loans to Filipinos who want to acquire a house or to purchase a car or for putting up a small business.

Amy has two sons in grade school. My nieces go to that same school where Amy’s sons go.

One of them is Sir Peter.

Sir Peter is still single and is taking care of his ailing mother.

Sir Peter buys her mother’s medicines from Mercury Drugstore, where my parents also buy their own medicines.

Mang Kaloy has five kids, ages three, five, seven, nine and twelve. His wife, Aling Thelma, sells vegetables in the public market. We are her suki.

Gina has two sons, all grown-ups and studying engineering in college. The sons also want to work abroad but Gina narrates that they have to finish school first before they can do that.

For our groceries, we buy them from Shopwise (I think it’s owned by Rustan’s).

He finished second year in college and wants to get his degree. He said he dreams of going abroad too. In the meantime, he said, he’s saving his Shopwise salary for his education. He is single and ulila.

Every three months, a portion of my dollars go to Sunlife for my pension (hey, I’m getting old and a pension from Sunlife will be a great help when I reach 60 — many, many years from now!).

Ate Gloria has two kids and his husband is tricycle driver, Kuya Dave.

Kuya Dave (who’s gone driving elsewhere that’s why he’s not in the picture) charges us PHP15 per head from the market place to our home. Costly, but what can we do? That’s the tariff imposed by the association of tricycle drivers in our place.

That’s where Kuya Dave gets gas for his tricycle. That’s where we get our gas too for our small car (which my family only use during Sundays in attending mass).

Speaking of gas, we get our Shellane from Mr Katindig who also sells us rice. My mom said we consume one cavan of rice every month and two Shellanes every three months.

You see, there are a lot of people who benefit — directly and indirectly — from my OFW dollars.

Oh, by the way, I think a fraction of my dollars gets back to the government in the form of tax.

Being an OFW in Saudi, I am tax-free. But the likes of Aling Thelma, Mang Kaloy, Ate Gina and Kuya Dave are not. So in a way, a portion of my OFW dollars goes to the government.

Based on recent reports, the Philippine Government employs 501,188 public school teachers (PDI 05 July 2009), more than 110,000 police, more than 17,000 elected officials (from barangay councilors to senators) and a partridge in a pear tree.

(Note: The numbers quoted above were taken from the National Statistical Coordination Board. Except, of course, the partridge.)

Who else?…

That’s why they call me a modern-day hero and PEBA hails me — an OFW in Saudi — as a gift to the world and a hope of my country.

Just kidding.

To them who call me a hero, I, with all humility, blushingly say:

I’m only a lowly OFW working for my family.

• Watched Sherlock Homes. Brilliant actors, must-see film. I am looking forward to seeing the sequel.
• I found myself wanting to join the children’s mass again. So I did. I became a little emotional when the children sung Shine Jesus Shine. I felt like transported to World Youth Day in 1995. It is a wonder how one song can affect you so much, that would make you think of places, people you met/have been with (I wonder where they are now. And do they think of me, too? Hahaha!), relive selected memories and experiences, etc. in a time warped phase. And that does not happen everyday.
• Spent another day in Ikea to complete my dining table paraphernalia. I did not think it would be that difficult to match all those plates, table runner, etc. with a black and white motiff. It looks like a fusion of Japanese-Chinese-Korean setting.
• Bought a painting (with a woman meditating on it) from Bayti (Arabic term for house). This now regales my living room. I still need to frame a couple of self-taken photos. They did not make it on time for the housewarming.
• Yes, I moved in to a bigger flat because I got bigger. Hahaha. I mean, I moved to a nicer place. The past weeks were very exhausting. But finally, almost everything is at the proper corners already.
• Yesterday, the housewarming was a success. My guests left with a happy heart and tummy (buttered crabs, my infamous lumpiang shanghai, menudo, etc.) Thanks for coming friends. And for the gifts.
• Only yesterday I got the several mails sent to me last month, including the greeting cards sent by blogger pals (you know who you are). Incidentally, I have changed my address. Much thanks!

I initially wanted to write about my new year’s resolution as a year ender post. But I soon realized that it is among my traditions not to do one or a real list. What I only keep in mind as another year starts are two things: to improve or learn from my mistakes and be happier. Sounds simple eh? Being happier would entail being nice, frugal, etc. You see I won’t be happier if I’m feeling and doing nasty stuff, I won’t be happier if I’m spending beyond my means, and the rest follows.

Reading a few random entries that I blogged about in 2009 gave me mixed emotions. I was grinning as it became more obvious that I wrote much about traveling and… eating! Haha. While my blog, of course, is not a diary, it’s definitely becoming one of the easier references of what I’ve been doing. While not losing too much anonymity, it also helps that some people away from me, wherever they are, (and you all know who you are) found another means to keep in touch. At first, it was a little strange (and scary, LOL) when some members of the family and friends would know what I’ve been up to and what I intend to do (the general stuff) without me disclosing to them. It’s the least of my concern, anyway, how they found out about this blog. Heehee. I realized though that I have an added reason to continue blogging. Yes, to keep in touch with them, including my blogger pals. Seriously, at times I get consumed by this sort of community. In 2008, I had a few minutes meet up with one blogger. I’m imagining how it feels to meet more in the future – maybe it would be like meeting an old friend that you’ve not seen for years.

I also appreciate the respect we give each other as online pals considering the differences in level of anonymity. While I evolved from being fully to partially anonymous as a blogger, here’s a bonus: you can ask me anything in this page. I will try to respond to each question which is answerable. I suggest that you create an account so that you’re going to be notified of the responses and that I’d be able to ask you, too.

2009 has been very kind and wonderful to me and I thank all of you for being part of it. I wish everyone a happier and more blessed new year!

There is a little mole on my left foot. The elders have a couple of interpretations about it, that I would be traveling from one place to another and that I would be a missionary in my own special way. I never realized both much until they happened phase by phase. Especially in one of my previous jobs that I was required to travel a lot within the Philippines. I became a regular at the airports and that gave me a healthy Mabuhay Miles balance. Lol. It was a very good opportunity to see how beautiful our country is from North to the South.

I think when one becomes a traveler in a real sense, he or she would always look forward for more. If the opportunity is there, one shall not miss it. As Saint Augustine puts it, “the world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

Looking back, I would say that it’s not the international trips that made a significant mark on me, but the places I visited in the Philippines. When I would visit a different emirate and/or state, the culture, people and other things about it that are new to me definitely wow me. But at the end of the road, I would always be reminded how more beautiful the different regions in my own land are . Aside from Laguna that I love to bits because there is where my roots are, my favorite destinations are Bacolod, Bicol and Davao. During my previous travels, these three give me the feeling that I am always going there as if it’s the first time. The food and people never fail to amaze me. You never run out of new things to do and to surprise you.

As for future travels, I dream a lot. I already booked two international trips for next year, but let’s not name them for now. You will feel though, that our dream destinations change from time to time. As Lao Tzu said, a good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving. My current state is wandering about revisiting Baguio (and to drop by to Sagada), traveling to Egypt (the pyramids are making special appearances in my dreams several times) and Alaska (I’m so curious to experience life there and it’s strengthen by the movie, The Proposal).

One of the nicest things about traveling is that you always learn from it, getting lost, discovering and re-learning, and a lot more. Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the most quiet chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey.

What about you? What are your realizations about traveling?

This is my entry to KG’s giveaway. Hop on to her blog to learn more and meet fellow travelers.

Eraserheads sana yung pipiliin kong artist. Pero naunahan na ako ni Bursky, the one who tagged me (gracias!). This tag is harder than I thought.

Simple rule: Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Pass it on to 20 people. Try not to repeat a song title. It’s actually a lot harder than you think.

Pick Your Artist:
Jason Mraz

01. Are you male or female?
Beautiful (LOL), yan talaga yung title ng song!

02. Describe yourself:
Bright Eyes

03. Describe your significant other:
Did you get my message?

04. How do you feel about yourself:
Geek in the Pink

05. Describe where you currently live:
I Melt With You

06. If you could be anywhere, where would you be:
Curiosity

07. Your favorite form of transportation:
Plane

08. Your best friend is:
Not So Usual

09. Your favorite color is:
Absolutely zero (i.e. nothing in particular)

10. What’s the weather like:
After an Afternoon

11. Favorite time of day:
Sleep All Day

12. What is life to you:
1000 Things

13. What is the best advice you have to give:
The Remedy

14. If you could change your name, what would it be:
Bella Luna

15. Your favorite food is:
Too Much Food

16. Thought for the Day:
The Beauty in Ugly

17. How I would like to die:
I’m Yours

18. My soul’s present condition:
Who Needs Shelter

19. The faults I can bear:
Clockwatching

20. My motto:
Life is Wonderful

This is a fun tag. Feel free to do so.

I didn’t expect that half of the mission in Glenda of Oodles of Goodles’ entry to my birthday/blogoversary giveaway pertains to me.

(Each notecard comes in set of five)

Hers is indeed an atelier, with these pretty notecards and bookmarks as testament. I think most of the people in my generation fancied and had a collection of stationeries and other artsy writing pads. Though I’m over that phase, handmade stuff are getting me since last year. I’ve been checking items from paperatelier and I was particularly eyeing two:

(a) The gold organza flower note card because I find it so elegant. When I met her personally, she really is.

(b) The shutterbug goes vintage notecards because they are so me, with the camera print as the main reason. I remember telling Glenda that I liked this set a lot during the first few days it became available in the shoppe.

Having these carefully crafted notecards is one of the reasons that revived my love for (cursive) writing.

Much thanks, Glenda!