(The restaurant revolves slowly, in a manner that will not make you dizzy. You enjoy the sumptuous meal while your eyes are fed at the same time through the panoramic and per minute changing view of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. And yes, the Norah Jones-like charming lady sings Don’t Know Why, I’ll Be Watching You, Somewhere Over The Rainbow, and other renditions that will make your stay more worthwhile.)

Since the first year I have been miles away, I have learned to celebrate my birthday with people back home simultaneously (i.e. we munch on pancit or anything that symbolizes long life and other comfort food).  On the other hand, my friends-colleagues and I in this part of the globe do a sort of thanksgiving for the added year that we have wisen up. I must say that we are intentionally mindful of each other’s birthday and other occasions because these are the perfect chance for us to get together, to withdraw from the inherent monotony (we all have that eh?). We have tried something very different from last year, plus that I had a joint celebration with a colleague.

(Left to right: The hummus-like tomato dip, scallops carpaccio with lime vinaigrette, foie gras, and langoustine lobster ravioli)

We are most of the time loud when we go out as a group. Hence, when the Reservation Manager told me that the place is intentionally set as romantic such that unnecessary noise is discouraged (take note that kids are not allowed during dinner), I had to ask and warn her, at least twice, that we will be loud definitely. That night, a long table was arranged for us, in contrast to the couple table set-up. Also, ours was strategically located with ample distance to the others.

(Clockwise: Lobster and bisque scented with vanilla, grean peas and asparagus, angus sirloin steak topped with beef marrow fried shallot and panisse, roasted turbot with baby leeks, tomatoes, capers and lemon peel, veal rack steak, eggplant puree and green apple sauce.)

Our conversation triggers ranged from mundane to out of the world topics. A classic and tested formula that is hard to beat: random talks over good food and good company go on and on that you forget the time. From the minute we stepped in, until I appreciated foie gras (duck liver) and lobster (funnily coined by one of our colleagues as “love-ster”; seriously, all the dishes were worth the price) so much, to the point that my  fellow celebrant and I blew our birthday cake, it actually took two hours for the restaurant to complete the 360 degrees turn.

(The birthday cake. Whoever did the inscription had mistaken me as a man, and referred to me as “Mr. Jo”. Ha ha ha. On the fourth frame is my fellow celebrant with his cheerful wife.)

There is a small funny story about the birthday cake. As one of the restaurant’s policies, cakes not sourced from them are discouraged. Otherwise, an indemnity form shall be signed by the guest to mitigate the risks that might emanate from the cake which is not “homegrown” (well, that is how I wanted to call it). “But I want to bake my own birthday cake and bring it to dinner!”, of course, I just had to throw a joke to the Reservation Manager. But she took it seriously and gave me a lengthy explanation (over the telephone) with her French-Italian accent. Anyway, the (white forest) birthday cake was beautifully and deliciously done. I currently do not have the capacity to do that (winks). The pianist played the birthday song as the staff approached our table to give the cake. The entry was too cute as there were three sparkling candles on it which made the slightly lit area more dramatic.. err, romantic. From that minute until the “express your wish” part, I felt the camera flash and continuous video recording. Thank you for the coverage, friends. Ha ha ha.

[Clockwise: The revolving restaurant on the most upper floor of Le Royal Meridien Hotel, a replica of an Emirati boy displayed infront of the hotel's souvenir shop, artificial ice cubes in the lobby (probably to reverse psyche the summer's heat?), and the area dedicated to us, standing is a friend who religiously took videos (thank you!)].

Celebrations do not have to be fancy. Whether we are munching anything over the grass, gracing a picnic, doing a bowling party, and the like, togetherness is what matters a lot. The fact that there is a restaurant which revolves, is just the icing on the cake.

Al Fanar Revolving Restaurant is in Le Royal Meridien Hotel, Khalifa Street, Abu Dhabi
Landline: +971 2 6950490 [Open Friday-Wednesday  12:30 PM to 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM; Thursday 7:00 PM to midnight]

Before we go back to the regular programming (i.e. resume with the regular topics from the giveaway phase), I would like to share this entry from a friend whose blog is, by intention, known to very few friends-readers. We have not seen each other ages ago, but with her, the “once a friend, always a friend” cliche is very true. As I read her comment, each word struck me. I felt that she was indeed talking beside me. Not surprising though, she is one of the sincerest and warmest (but she is not a wolf!… I think only those who are oriented with Twilight Saga will get the joke) people I know. I am not sure if you noticed this entry from the at least 30 comments on the giveaway post. I am afraid that you were too intent on the “questions” asked. Haha. Anyway, here it is:

Jo, deary

Here’s hoooping I “win” this time:

(1) How we met virtually and/or in person

I remember it so well, Jo and her smile. It was your first day at work, my first few months or so. We were both early birds. You greeted me first! And so it was love at first sight for moi. Thanks, Jo, for that beautiful morning. And for all the rest of the mornings that you are a part of my life, that is, for life

(2) Why you read this blog

Because although you don’t exactly blog your more personal stories (hear my clamor, hehe), it makes me feel OK that you’re OK, then I can sleep more soundly, naks, hehe. It just warms my heart hearing from you.

(3) A link to your most favorite post from this site (and why)

It has got to be this: http://witsandnuts.com/2010/06/11/the-things-that-we-love/#more-3044

Why is it my fave? Let me count the ways:
1. It is categorized under life and I am naturally drawn to life stories.
2. I can so relate, being an immortal myself, hehe.
3. It’s so Jo

(4) Topics that you want me to write about/proposed changes to this blog

I wouldn’t want you to be any other than your good ol’ self, Jo, although this is too serious an answer, hehe. Hokey, since you’ve asked anyway, I wish you’d blog about your day to day inspirations…

(5) “A suntok sa buwan possibility”, the first thing/question you are going to ask me if we ever get to meet in person.

Does this apply to me? Hehe. I emailed you a question before.. If you just didn’t receive it that’s why it’s unanswered, it’s the same question I would want to ask you. Otherwise, it’s “How are you? Really.” And I hope the setting is as cozy as when we had our last long talk at RCBC Plaza, remember?

Then, am gonna hug yah real tight!!! I really really missed you, my friend. I’m happy when you’re happy. But you know when you’re not, you just have to holler, hokey? We’re all here for you kasi lab na lab ka namin.

(Yiheee, I played with the pigs! It took me days to remember how it happened.)

I recently stumbled upon a random envelope in one of my rarely used bags. I suspect that I put in it (last minute) some of the treasured and trivial stuff while I was packing for my first trip to the UAE years ago. I am proud to share that I am one of those who lazily do the unpacking, but I am tight when it comes to holding too many stuff. Afraid that I might trash something insignificant at the moment, but is going to be someday.

Inside the envelope are floppy disks which I have no idea of the contents because I am still looking for a machine with floppy drive (hahaha), snail mails from my dearest late grandmother (I had mixed emotions while re-reading her epistles beaming with care and most of which were written years before she died of cancer), photos taken before the digital camera days, and photo slides and negatives. I left all my photo albums in the Philippines and I can only guess wildly what made me randomly select these to reside in the magic envelope and carry with me to UAE.

These old photos awed me in a way that I had to ask myself (again) if these really happened, even at a wink. I had a “treasured” shot with the pigs which had to be taken for a project in highschool, being dressed literally like a white lady, with icing on the face with my classmates, unfashionable-which-we-considered-fasyon-that-time dresses, laughing out loud showing my tonsils (wahahaha), me holding a film-type camera which tells that I have been into shutters since then, and a lot more. It is interesting that one of the initial realizations that tickles us while looking at old photos is that we either have depreciated (I normally use this accounting terminology to mean “face value lessen” or in short, “became ugly/uglier” or appreciated (got better/looks pretty/prettier) after several years.

(Taken while in National Bookstore in EDSA Central when I was in first year highschool. I had to crop it, I look so amazingly ugly. I can not believe I used to be so thin ala tingting. The branch is still alive, isn’t it?)

And one of the oddest surprises was that I used to like Loren Legarda toooo much since gradeschool. Remember PEP Talk (1986-1990)? You can just imagine what and who engrossed me ages ago: Loren Legarda, Gloria Arroyo, Miriam Defensor Santiago (I even collected her comics campaign materials when she ran for president, Fidel Ramos won).

Old stuff are always a source of wide and almost never ending (we wish the enjoyable) memory lane.

Side notes:
1. Thanks to Kayni for passing to me the award of “A Blog with Substance“. This entails me to write about my blogging philosophy, motivation and experience on my next entry.
2. I am holding a birthday slash blog anniversary giveaway. Happening soon.

A friend asked me to cook for her as she had non-Filipino colleagues that came over to their house for dinner. Her guests requested for seafood and we thought that something that will sustain the appetite over chatters should be on the table. I am really glad that they enjoyed the hearty meal and I can just imagine when she told me that her guests devoured the buttered crabs with oyster sauce ala kamayan (eating with hands). This post is in response to her and her guests’ request for the recipe… and yes, for those who might need and want to try this. Although there is a lot of recipes available out there, this was a result of one of my kitchen experiments while in the UAE which was based on craving (and a little imagination on what might work when you combine estimates of ingredients). Fortunately, it never fails to satisfy the diners.

You will need:
1 to 2 kilos (preferably female) crabs
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 onion, minced
1 garlic, minced
1 1/3 cups oyster sauce

Put a little opening at the mid section (back) of the crabs. This is to make the broth tastier and to mix crab fats with the sauce later. Cook crabs with water for 10 minutes. Set aside. In a separate boiling pot, melt butter and saute garlic and onion (and chili, if you prefer). Add oyster sauce. Transfer the boiled crabs including the broth from the other pot. Cook until the crabs legs are orange enough. Cool for 5 minutes. Transfer crabs to a dish and evenly distribute the sauce. Serve with steamed rice. (I hope you have a crab leg cracker/scissor. You will be surprised by the yummier pieces inside the legs).

This is one of those dishes wherein you can pig out already with the smell (and sauce) alone. Seriously.

It is always fun to whip something for people we care about. Armed with my red spatula, I baked something for couple friends who threw a housewarming party over the weekend. You can never go wrong with a moist dark chocolate cake. I played a little with the icing and sprinkles, formed a mini-house made up of Hershey’s cookie bits, with photo of the cheerful couple inside it to “rock the house”, and with hearts surrounding it. The cake did not last an hour. Happy tummies. Yipeee.

(Photo taken by a friend-batchmate on 3 April 2010 during our reunion. The 3 different colors used in frames represent the sections.)

… because our photos from the highschool yearbook were on it.

Edit: Try to find the heart and you’ll see me.

The bride and the mother at the wedding reception.

Weekly photo hunt is hosted by tnchick. See more cuddly photos here.

• 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!

One of the things that we particularly miss pre-December 25 in the Philippines are the company Christmas parties. For some reasons, I especially miss the hat and oriental themed parties that I went to years ago. Hence, my friends-colleagues-former officemates (since I already transferred to a new organization last month) held our own, with a whirlwind preparation. With few exchange of emails in a “you bring this and that” style, we went to one of the parks to kick off the Christmas celebration. I volunteered to bring pancit, lumpiang shanghai, puto, pichi-pichi and cassava cake. Hep, don’t be amazed. I asked somebody else to cook those. We also had the well-loved sisig, crispy pata and turbo boiled chicken.

We also exchanged gifts. I got two books (Freakonomics and Superfreakonomics) which are actually on my wish list. Really, I am thankful that even if we are in a Muslim country, we can openly celebrate Christmas. To the extent that the current surrounds will make you feel you’re in the Philippines, plus the simbang gabi minus the puto bumbong.

We chatted about random things, took a lot of photos. We ended the “party” by feeling the sunset and the (now) much colder breeze from the seaside which is steps away from the park.

Note: No, this is not turning into a shoe blog. I just realized that I already have five entries about footwear.

One of my closest colleagues in the office recently vacationed in her motherland, Casablanca (Morocco) and she brought something for me. The famous Moroccan sweets (sorry, I forgot to take a photo and I ate fast) and a pair of traditional shoes.

Meet my newest pair!

Moroccan shoes are known for the pointed style, flat heeled and very comfortable leather piece. Believe me, the web feeds are not exaggerating. The leather quality is remarkable.

I was so ignoramus that when she handed it to me I was trying to move the end design. I did not know it was traditionally like that. Heehee. I told her that the color is very Chinese. At least in my eyes. It was a little short for my feet (I am size 39). But it doesn’t matter, there’ll be a way to manage it. I’m excited to wear it.