The happy mess of gift wrapping. Need to triple our time, we started so late.
And thanks to our reliable elves, 9 month-old Winello (he’s a big “boy” now!) and 3-month old Perdita (she loves hiding on that particular gift box under the Christmas tree).
The younger elf is more active, busy with sorting the greeting and post cards.
Knocked out!
******
Let’s help!
Click the photo above or this link to learn the many ways to reach out to typhoon Sendong victims.
Following Britney Spears’ after-race concert was a back to back oozing performances from The Cult and Incubus. We didn’t know who is going to perform first, but the spotlight buzzed at 8:00 PM, an hour earlier than the usual gigs in Yas Arena. There the British rock band, The Cult came in full enthusiasm.
I had a little adjustment to the ‘gothic rock’, but they were pleasant in the ears. Add to that the contagious looks of people around me who were obvious die-hards. For a moment I felt a little out of place. Hahaha. But not too long I was regaled by the head banging of the lead vocalist, but I liked more the depth of the guitarists.
The band existed even before I went to gradeschool and it was interesting to see them still standing as group although it went through ‘break-up’, reunion, hiatus, and other challenges. (In my dreams, I hope that can happen with the Philippines’/ our very own ‘Eraserheads’.)
I can say that The Cult’s appearance in the back to back concert with Incubus seemed like a ‘swing by‘ in Abu Dhabi as they are preparing for their 9th studio album.
Ended their performance via the classic She Sells Sanctuary
And as they concluded, we paused for a break as the stage was being switched on to a different kind of energy. We were at the same (front) row with them — few minutes before Incubus appeared to the crowd (*inserts teenage-like screams here*).
[The Cult in Abu Dhabi photoset]
It’s been almost a year since I attended the basic and food photography workshops conducted by the maestro. And guess what, he’s back in Abu Dhabi (although we occasionally meet him here for random gatherings and we expect to see him more since he tied the knot with one of my very good friends; I remember the giddy me when he had dinner in our house and saw this ‘gonna make you thirsty’ photo I took during a workshop hanging at the dining area) and he will conduct a free photography talk on seven (7) easy steps to creating a better photograph.
Please do come and don’t miss the experience this coming Friday, 9th December 2011, in Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi. It will start at 9:30 AM. We hope to make it on the latter part since we’ll be proceeding there from St. Joseph Church (little J is attending the catechism class every Friday). Admission is free, just present your 2011 Paskuhan ticket. (Click here to read about last year’s Christmas bazaar/paskuhan in Philippine Embassy.)
My nicest memento of the celebration is the Spirit of the Union pin. And of course, this long weekend. 
Edit: Added new photos as 3 December 2011
[Spirit of the Union pin]
[Photo taking with the falcon in the office]
The following from one of my UAE-related books, Rags to Riches:
[Old Abu Dhabi]
Wonderful coverage of UAE’s 40th day celebrations via Abu Dhabi TV. I had to record this inspirational part (lots of, actually!) wherein the Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammad danced with the locals. See that genuine beams.
How moments fly! It’s now round 2 of our version of bloggers Christmas exchange gift. Thanks to our gracious host, PM for sustaining this initiative. It’s given that gift-hunting and and wish-listing would be challenging since I’m too busy (the same old tune), but I willingly joined in again because I don’t want to miss the fun. I enjoyed last year’s entire process of exchange gift — stitching the set of surprises for my baby blogger and personally receiving the package sent by my ‘mommy blogger’ and exclaiming “yehey, she sent me Princess Leia and R2-D2 (Starwars) and all those things that made my 2010 holidays happier!” It was extra interesting because I got the package while I was vacationing in the Philippines in time for Christmas. So here we are again, I’m looking forward to have an ‘exchange of warmth and care’ with another blogger. Do we have the same wish list? (I did a strike through of those which already materialized. Yehey!)
Something (1) small: artsy hairclift (2) big: new or old magazines which had a feature on Ely Buendia (3) cute: earphones (4) soft: socks with cat print
Something (5) techie: e-reader preferably a Kindle (6) fancy: a brown case for my Fuji X100 (I got two from my friends!) (7) fave color: right now my fave color is ginger because that speaks about our new kitten, Perdita; I’d be pleased to have the book “How to Live With A Neurotic Cat”, PM’s post piqued me (8) wearable: bracelet
Something (9) I need: SLEEP. I’m always striving to increase my zzzzzs-time. As an alternate wish, I need Fuji films for my Instamax mini. My film stock is depleting soon and unfortunately, I can’t source anything within the UAE. (10) work: I miss those Panda pens with sweet scent and glitters from the Philippines, with blue ink as I recall (11) sweet: Lala candies from the Philippines.
Wish-listing is challenging but fun. To my exchange gift partner, I hope this helps as a guide. Enjoy the hunt and stay cool because anything from you is going to be much appreciated, basta don’t forget my Lala candies (wish # 11).
[Photo credit: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11]
(Kindly CLICK the PHOTO for more details)
The Only Real Studio Lighting Workshop in Abu Dhabi, UAE
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