That’s the bad news.  The good news is I found a job in one of the best IT company in Dubai and freelance jobs and enquiries are coming in. Now I can say that my bad days are finally going to an end.

So, what was I doing for the past weeks and months? I went home to Philippines to look after my father who had his 2nd stroke. I stayed there for 3 months. It was the longest time I had spent together with my father since I came here in Dubai in 2002.

Before I got a job recently, I was doing content management and SEO services for a real estate company.

I have to give credit to the guy from Wilson Learning for the Dubai sales training I attended a couple of months back. I applied the technique I have learned and it works.

Now I can say that my bad days are finally over.

If they are using a Smart simcard, you can tell them to call you by just dialing 000097150 + your mobile no. There are actually people whom I have spoken just now and they said that it is actually true.

I don’t know if this is Smart’s strategy or promo but I’m sure those who had chance using this free call make their family smile and happy.

There is no harm in trying, so call now and tell them that they can call you for free.

Tnomeralc Web Design Toys importance

A great way to start teaching and educating babies or infants is through toys. I believe that toys improves babies and infant’s visual, motor and independent play skills. Newly born babies are all about discovery. They are learning how to use their hands, feet, eyes and most of their senses. They are fascinated by cause and effect, and are becoming aware of their surroundings.

Toys that are the most popular for young babies at this age include toys for looking, listening, sucking or fingering. Babies love to see bright primary colors like red, blue, or yellow. Toys with high contrasts and simple designs are the best buys. Toys should be light, soft and easy for your baby to handle. Toys that respond to baby’s actions are more popular. LA Toy Store has a great collections for this kinds of web design toys.

As they grew up they can benefit from toys that encourage learning through scientific experimentation. Chemistry sets, microscopes, telescopes, and digital building tools all help to promote strong thinking skills.

For big adults, toys like RC’s, computer games gives them pleasure and relaxation.

Types Tnomeralc Web Design Toys

1 Construction Toys
2 Dolls
3 Action figures
4 Stuffed animals
5 Drawing toys
6 Educational toys
7 Executive Toys
8 Miniaturized items
9 Model building
10 Model collecting
11 Puzzle/Assembly Toys
12 Science and optical
13 Toy Vehicles
14 Physical activity and dexterity toys
15 Whistles & Noisemakers

It is very important that we should check what kind of toys you are going to buy. Remember that not all toys are good for your children and there are also toys now a days that are harmful for kids like those toys that has Lead substance. So be careful on where you are buying them.

To find out more about where you can buy Tnomeralc Toys online, visit LA Toy Store. The web site was designed by Claremont Design

National ID usage

The Identity Card can be used as a unified identification document with all the government, semi-government authorities and private entities. An individual may utilize it to obtain all the administrative services easily and promptly guaranteeing the highest levels of security and privacy

• UAE National may utilize the Identity Card as a traveling document to travel among the GCC neighboring countries
• The ID card can be used to logon to Computers and Access online services
• The ID card can be used for access control, signing electronic forms, and signing documents to protect it from being altered by others
• It is agreed with the Ministry of Finance to include the e-Dirham service to the Identity Card
• It is agreed with the Ministry of Interior to include the e-Gate service to the Identity Card
• The ID Card can be used on Abdu Dhabi e-Gov portal www.Abudhabi.ae to Authenticate your identity and get access to services

Future Usage

Thanks to the systems integration Emirates Identity Authority envisioning to achieve with various governmental, semi-governmental, and private sectors, it is expected to extend the identity utilizations in the future to include other domains especially after completion of the registration of all national and residents of the United Arab Emirates. The ID Card maybe utilized in the future to store other cards information or provide various applications as follows:

• Labor Card
• Health Card and Health Insurance card
• Electronic Portfolio
• Commercial and Banking applications
• Driving License
• Passport
• In addition, the ID Card acts as an infrastructure to many applications and services to entities to use such as:
• Public Libraries and rental stores to check out books, movies, games, cars, and others
• Utilized to get access to exhibitions
• Metro, public transportation

We were told that the centre only accepts few applicants per day so we went there early. We arrived at EIDA around 4 in the morning and there were already around 40 people waiting on the que. This week will be more busy as there are still 400,000 professional expats that has yet to apply. So I advise you to come earlier.

How to apply for an ID card

Visit the nearest EIDA service centre. Once you are allowed to get inside, they will give you a ticket number for typing ( if you have not applied online ) and another ticket for registration. Then once they called your number, you will be ask to pay either 220 or 320 depending on the validity length of your residence visa. After that they will take a photo of you and fingerprints. And that’s it. You will just wait for your ID card to be delivered by Empost on the address you mentioned. They said that it usually take 10-14 days for the card to be delivered.

For more information about Emirates National ID, visit there website here.

BEST NEW ARTIST

Adele Duffy
The Jonas Brothers
Lady Antebellum
Jazmine Sullivan

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Alison Krauss & Robert Plant, Raising Sand
Coldplay, Viva La Vida
Ne-Yo, Year Of The Gentleman
Lil Wayne, Tha Carter III
Radiohead, In Rainbows

BEST ALTERNATIVE ALBUM
Radiohead, In Rainbows
Beck, Modern Guilt
Death Cab For Cutie, Narrow Stairs
Gnarls Barkley, The Odd Couple
My Morning Jacket, Evil Urges

BEST COUNTRY COLLABORATION WITH VOCALS
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, “Killing The Blues”
Kenny Chesney & George Strait, “Shiftwork”
George Strait & Patty Loveless, “House Of Cash”
Sugarland, Jake Owen, & Little Big Town, “Life In A Northern Town”
Trisha Yearwood & Keith Urban, “Let The Wind Chase You”

BEST COUNTRY PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP
Sugarland, “Stay”
Brooks & Dunn, “God Must Be Busy”
Lady Antebellum, “Love Don’t Love Here”
Rascal Flatts, “Every Day”
The Steel Drivers, “Blue Side Of The Mountain”

BEST DANCE RECORDING
Daft Punk, “Harder Better Faster Stronger”
Hot Chip, “Ready For The Floor”
Lady Gaga & Colby O’Donis, “Just Dance”
Madonna, “Give It 2 Me”
Rihanna, “Disturbia”
Sam Sparro, “Black & Gold”

BEST ELECTRONIC/DANCE ALBUM
Daft Punk, Alive 2007
Brazilian Girls, New York City
Cyndi Lauper, Bring Ya To The Brink
Kylie Minogue, X
Moby, Last Night
Robyn

BEST HARD ROCK PERFORMANCE
The Mars Volta, “Wax Simulacra”
Disturbed, “Inside The Fire”
Judas Priest, “Visions”
Motley Crue, “Saints Of Los Angeles”
Rob Zombie, “Lords Of Salem”

BEST METAL PERFORMANCE
Metallica, “My Apocalypse”
Dragonforce, “Heroes Of Our Time”
Judas Priest, “Nostradamus”
Ministry, “Under My Thumb”
Slipknot, “Psychosocial”

BEST POP COLLABORATION WITH VOCALS
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, “Rich Woman”
Alicia Keys and John Mayer, “Lessons Learned”
Madonna, Justin Timberlake, and Timbaland, “4 Minutes”
Rihanna and Maroon 5, “If I Never See Your Face Again”
Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown, “No Air”

BEST POP PERFORMANCE, FEMALE
Adele, “Chasing Pavements”
Sara Bareilles, “Love Song”
Duffy, “Mercy”
Leona Lewis, “Bleeding Love”
Katy Perry, “I Kissed A Girl”
Pink, “So What”

BEST POP PERFORMANCE, MALE
John Mayer, “Say”
Kid Rock, “All Summer Long”
Paul McCartney, “That Was Me”
Jason Mraz, “I’m Yours”
Ne-Yo, “Closer”
James Taylor, “Wichita Lineman”

BEST POP PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCALS
Coldplay, “Viva La Vida”
Eagles, “Waiting In The Weeds”
Gnarls Barkle, “Going On”
Maroon 5, “Won’t Go Home Without You”
OneRepublic, “Apologize”

BEST RAP ALBUM
Lil Wayne, Tha Carter III
Jay-Z, American Gangster
Lupe Fiasco, The Cool
Nas
T.I., Paper Trail

BEST RAP PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP
T.I. feat. Kanye West & Lil Wayne, “Swagger Like Us”
Big Boi feat. Raekwon & Andre 3000, “Royal Flush”
Lil Wayne feat. Jay-Z, “Mr Carter”
Ludacris feat. T.I., “Wish You Would”
Young Jeezy feat. Kanye West, “Put On”

BEST RAP/SUNG COLLABORATION
Estelle feat. Kanye West, “American Boy”
Flo Rida feat. T-Pain, “Low”
John Legend feat. Andre 3000, “Green Light”
Lil Wayne feat. T-Pain, “Got Money”
Lupe Fiasco feat. Matthew Santos, “Superstar”

BEST R & B PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCALS
Al Green feat. John Legend, “Stay With Me (By The Sea)”
Boyz II Men, “Ribbon In The Sky”
Anthony David feat. India.Arie, “Words”
Jennifer Hudson feat. Fantasia, “I’m His Only Woman”
Raphael Saadiq feat. Stevie Wonder & CJ Hilton, “Never Give You Up”

BEST ROCK ALBUM
Coldplay, Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends
Kid Rock, Rock N Roll Jesus
Kings Of Leon, Only By The Night
Metallica, Death Magnetic
Raconteurs, Consolers Of The Lonely

BEST ROCK SONG
Bruce Springsteen, “Girls In Their Summer Clothes”
Radiohead, “House Of Cards”
Death Cab For Cutie, “I Will Possess Your Heart”
Kings Of Leon, “Sex On Fire”
Coldplay, “Violet Hill”

BEST SOUNDTRACK
Juno
American Gangster
August Rush
Mamma Mia!
Sweeney Todd—The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street

BEST SONG FOR A MOTION PICTURE, TV SHOW, OR OTHER VISUAL MEDIA
“Down To Earth” (Wall-E)
“Ever Ever After” (Enchanted)
“Say” (The Bucket List)
“That’s How You Know” (Enchanted)
“Walk Hard” (Walk Hard—The Dewey Cox Story)

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL
Rick Rubin
Danger Mouse
Nigel Godrich
Johnny Karkazis
will.i.am

BEST SHORT-FORM MUSIC VIDEO
Weezer, “Pork & Beans”
Erykah Badu, “Honey”
Gnarls Barkley, “Who’s Gonna Save My Soul”
Alicia Keys & Jack White, “Another Way To Die”
Radiohead, “House Of Cards”

SONG OF THE YEAR
“Viva La Vida,” Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion & Chris
Martin, songwriters (Coldplay, artist)
“American Boy,” William Adams, Keith Harris, Josh Lopez, Caleb Speir, John Stephens,
Estelle Swaray & Kanye West, songwriters (Estelle Featuring Kanye West,
artist)
“Chasing Pavements,” Adele Adkins & Eg White, songwriters (Adele, artist)
“I’m Yours,” Jason Mraz, songwriter (Jason Mraz, artist)
“Love Song,” Sara Bareilles, songwriter (Sara Bareilles, artist)

RECORD OF THE YEAR
Robert Plant and Alison Kraus, “Please Read The Letter”
Adele, “Chasing Pavements”
Coldplay, “Viva La Vida”
Leona Lewis, “Bleeding Love”
M.I.A., “Paper Planes”

What I remember when I was a kid, there were Chinese people who gives gifts, Chinese food like the Tikoy ( Tikoy is the most popular treat during Lunar New Year festivities in the Philippines ) to my grandmother. I also remember receiving ampaw ( money ).

Chinese New year starts at the first day of the Lunar Calendar. And what’s good about year of the Ox? According to some Feng Shui expert, this years color is Purple which gives fire energy and this energy will be very intense and could bring disasters,war or racial conflicts. Some even say it will be a prosperous year. Some say that this year will be good for those who’s looking for love and wants to get married.

Though they say this year will not be a good year for those who are born on the year of the sheep like me, I still believe that we are the one who brings good or bad luck to ourselves.

Again, Happy Chinese New Year to all of you!

I will be upgrading my wordpress soon as well as changing my theme and will be posting general topics that will make this blog more informative and active.  

Over a thousand Filipinos arrive in Dubai every month. And why not? 

Literally, the sun shines here all year round; prosperity is in the air; and it's a place where people have reasons to dream of waking up in the morning as millionaires or with kilos of gold on their lap! 

Yun nga lang, habang hindi pa nangyayari yun, iba ang nakikita ng maraming Pinoy pagdilat nila sa umaga — kurtina! Sideways…sidesteps  Hindi yan dance step. That's the latest move ngayon sa mga sharing flats. Sa sobrang liit ng space, patagilid ang galaw. Kaya minsan, mga ka-flatmates, hindi na magkakitaan. "Hoy, where have you been, ba? Hindi ka na umuuwi sa flat!" Kasi nga lagi silang naka-sideview!

Warning: Smoking is dangerous to your room. 

Yes, naunahan ng Pinoy ang IKEA sa innovation na yan — Yes, styrofoam walls, styrofoam doors, styrofoam room. Di ba nga naman, styrofoam keeps you fresh! Para kang gulay, o kaya ice candy. Pero siguro mas feel mo minsan na 'tuna' ka, o di kaya 'sirena' kung feel mong si Claudine ka. 

"Ate, di ba fire hazard yan?" "Anong fire hazard ka dyan? Rent ang mas nakakamatay dito!" 

"Illegal ang partitions sa Dubai. At least ang styrofoam, pag nagkahulihan, mabilis sa baklasan. Gets mo?!!!" "Yes, Ate."

Therefore, 'no smoking': ang sirena baka maging daing!
 
Burj Al 'Cupboards' 
 
Hindi lang Emaar Properties ang may 'K' na magtayo ng skyscrapers? Haven't we heard, the Philippines is a major supplier of architects in Dubai? In other words, nasa dugo natin yan! Kaya ba ng Arabong gumawa ng rooms out of cupboards, luggages and shoe boxes

Dati sa airport lang bida ang mga luggages, ngayon multi-purpose na: dividers na rin sila — para ang isang kwarto maging lima! 

Pampataas sila sa mga cupboards kasama ng mga shoe boxes na pinaka-antenna.
Siyempre, the taller the better — you keep your neighbor's eyes away.
 
Now Showing
 
Pagpasok ko ng flat, akala ko sinehan, ang daming kurtina. Mga kuarto pala. Pero ang cute, cinematic!!! Parang barangay, complete with skinitas. Kada bukas ng telon, parang movie — sari-saring life. May natutulog, may nag-eemote, may nka-curlers, may nakasimangot. Sa panlimang kurtina, may nag-totong-its, sa pang-anim, may naggugupit.
 
Ang gandang movie, di ba? "Ang Pinoy sa Likod ng Kurtina!
 
Paraisong Kurtina 
 
Ayyy! Our Paraisong Kurtina. It can make you laugh, it can make you cry. 

Be proud of our Paraisong Kurtina. It exists because we'd rather send our money home than spend more for our comfort. Within its walls, lies our desire for a little privacy, our groans, our tears, our dreams, our struggle for some little savings. My curtain says a lot. It says, "I have saved again, inay; I'll be able to send money next month"   

Dream mo pa bang pumunta ng Dubai ???

Mag isip-isip…

The Isra Wal Miraj recalls the night the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon Him) was sleeping near the Ka’bah in Makkah, when the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) came to him, woke him up, and taking him by the arm, led him to Al-Buraq, a beast resembling a horse with two huge wings springing from its back. From Makkah, Al-Buraq took off toward Jerusalem. There, the Prophet was met by all the other prophets. He (Peace and Blessings be upon Him) dismounted, tethered AlBuraq to a ring in the gate of Jerusalem, and led them in Prayers. 

While I was searching the net for the start and end of ramadan this year to know when will the Eid-Al-Fitr ( for my flight booking ), I found out that there there is a holiday end of July. So I looked for our company handbook and there I found that there is really a holiday. 

Residents of Dubai will have a long weekend. Don't forget to look for the partial solar eclipse this coming Friday at around 2 p.m. 

Photographers prepare your cameras!