MIMAY SOON IN DUBAI Part 1: PHILIPPINE EMBASSY AND DUBAI IMMIGRATION

It’s exactly 2 months, 2 weeks and 2 days before we can finally kiss, hug and be with our dearest baby.

Husband and I were on leave yesterday from work because we need to go to Philippine Embassy for Mimay’s Travel Clearance/Permit requirements.

The almost 50 deg. temp and the long queue did not stop me from feeling so happy and excited because processing all these documents simply means we will be with Mimay SOON! =)

From our place, it’s only around 15 minutes cab ride going to Philippine Embassy. Outside the cab, super init na to the highest level! Husband and I only have our sun glasses on, hindi uso ang payong. We arrived there at around 11 am. There’s a memo in the gate saying that office will be on holidays starting Sept.8 – 13. Buti na lang today is September 7 or else sayang ang leave and effort! Expectedly, there are many kabayans processing different documents such as visas, marriage docs, and passport renewals. Since it’s Ramadan timings, office will be closed at 2pm and cashiers at 1:30 pm with a 12nn-1pm lunch break and its 11:10 am na! OMG!

We only have less than an hour, and with a long queue it seems impossible we can finish before 12nn! But with prayers and God’s grace, we were able to finish everything just in time. In fairness, embassy officers are accommodating and nice naman especially the photocopier which I thought at first is a Chinese national, kabayan din pala. Guess how much is the photo copy per page? It’s AED 2 or 25 pesos per page! Kaloka db? I remember during my college days in Letran, Photocopy is just 50 cents per page. I suddenly thought “Am I that old?? Ganun na itinaas ng photocopy fee ngayon?” Well anyway, notarization charge is AED 100 per document. So for us, we paid AED 200 for the affidavit of support and SPA. We need these documents since Mimay will be travelling not with us but with her Naynay (my mommy). Since there will be long holidays, our documents will be released on the 15th pa. We paid another AED 30 so that we need not to come back again to pick-up the docs and instead it will be delivered to us through EMPOST courier on the 17th.

After Philippine Embassy, we went straight to Dubai Immigration to check and confirm the requirements and fees for Mimay and my mommy’s visa. UAE attested birth certificate, UAE attested marriage certificate, passport copy and parents salary certificate. So far, my ate and kuya are processing our UAE attested docs in Pinas which will tentatively reach here in Dubai by the end of September or early October. Visa processing pala is just one day according to the immigration officer. We just have to make sure that we have complete documents.

Before heading home, we dropped by in City Centre to get some food and fruits. We will have our late lunch sa house na because we can’t eat anywhere or even in malls because of Ramadan. Restos are open just for take-out. Poor us, we we’re hungry to death! We just thought, this sacrifice is all worth it because everything is for our Mimay. Hubby and I just diverted our hunger to day dreaming. We were imagining we’re running after Mimay inside the mall, getting foods and toys for her, playing with her and buying things for her. We are also thinking what will Mimay’s reaction after 7 months of seeing us only in the computer monitor? Will she immediately come with us? What will be the airport scene? Oh my we are so excited! Non-stop kwentuhan with Poy until we reached home.

It was a very productive day! We are becoming more and more excited to see Mimay and ofcourse my Mommy. I miss her so much too!

Note: I hate myself for being so forgetful! I failed to take some photos! Sayang Sayang! Mimay could have seen what her Mamee and Dadee look like while queuing at the embassy with empty stomach at almost 50 degrees temperature. Awful really!

CELEBRATIONS IN DUBAI: ERIC’S BIRTHDAY!

Guess how young is the celebrant? 23? Nah! 25? Nah! Higher please! Ok ok 26? Still wrong! But I have to keep quiet about Eric’s real age. Anyway, he doesn’t look his age naman. Nani’s bolera no? =)

Celebrant: Eric Paming Espinosa
Birthday: September 5, secret
Age: Secret nga eh! Clue: Bert’s age less 20 years (haha peace Bert!)
Most Loved: No one else but his one and only “mahal”, Len =)

Surely a very special birthday celebration for 101’s Lebron! Not only because he celebrated it with us (ehem ehem) but simply because this is his last birthday. What? Last birthday na ni Eric to???? As a bachelor, hindi pa naman tapos eh =) Len and Eric are one of our “soon-to-be” legal couples this coming December.

Everyone had a blast last Sunday night! As in stomach explosion because we had the best dinner prepared by the people who loves Eric.

parang kulang, where's Win and Jay?

Ayun si Jay! Eh si Win asan?

"yan Win di ko sinabi na ilong mo yan ha! =)"

What are the menus? (drum roll please!)

SPAGHETTI – everybody’s favorite! Cooked and prepared with so much love from Len for her “mahal”.

CHICKEN BARBEQUE – well marinated chicken in Len’s secret sauce. Though at first, the taste was horribly sour but Len’s magic hand made it perfectly yummy for our taste buds. I even had it AGAIN for lunch today, coz it’s so sarap.

LUMPIANG SHANGHAI – perfect for spaghetti, fried by yours truly =) Wow rhyme!

BICOL EXPRESS – this made our night really HOOOT! It’s Lyn’s latest specialty. Pork boiled in coconut cream with tons of chili. Highly recommended!

KALDERETA – mouth watering pork & potato in a superb kaldereta sauce made by our very own chef, Jay! We had to wait until 10pm to have our dinner because it took hours before the pork gets done. Well, sabi nga nila, patience is a virtue.

sorry for the blurry photo, this is the lamutak version :)

TURON – all time pinoy’s favorite! I personally miss this! I haven’t eaten turon for almost 5 months na. I even had it AGAIN for snack here in office. The sweetness is just so right and it’s so crunchy which made it more masarap.

MIXED FRUITS CAKE – sponge cake with cashew nuts, kiwi, peaches, apple and grapes on top! Another calorie enhancer from my bibi. It’s not super “mabenta” unlike the strawberry cheesecake from M&S. We had leftovers pa on our dining table. But still, it serves its purpose, birthday wouldn’t be complete without blowing of the cake =)

ICE CREAM – calorie na rin lang naman usapan, itodo na natin to! Chocolate and strawberry ice cream c/o Dong c/o Lucky 9! May purpose pala ang lucky 9 na yun! =)

What made the night happier? Again, it’s our 40 lbs Lexie! (I think she gained more after 2 weeks pa lang) We had an instant photo shoot kasi of Lexie. Ay ang saya! She was so game and always ready for posing. Camera loves her too! All the ninangs are making their own different style to get Lexie’s attention. We are so excited for her actual photo shoot! See her sample shots below.

Truly, it was a night not only full of food but laughter and calories as well. Happy happy happy birthday to Len’s one and only mahal and 101’s one and only Lebron! We love yah Eric!

NANI’S NEW CAREER!

And now I’m on with my new career! In case of recession in Dubai (wag naman sana), eh may fall back haha!

Let me share to you my fun photo shoot experience with my 101 girlfriends. But first, let me introduce them one by one:

Aileen – a genius in all crafts especially in photography. Leader of the photo shoot team =)

Carleen – a very good motivator, bolerang photographer ;) wala pang formal lesson pero malupit na!

Arlene – the real model turned talented make-up artist!

Mei – a soon-to-be wife con model potential with an enviable skin

And of course yours truly, Nani - mamee ni Mimay, hehe yun lang ang description =)

The shoot was scheduled at 5pm yesterday, but since I came from work, I arrived late.

Carl: “Ano late na agad? May attitude na?”

Kalokang photographer/director, ang sungit! After a very quick freshen-up, we went straight to the location and let Len do her thing to my face. The excited me keeps on peeking in the mirror, I can’t help it! I look so different. But according to Len, ganun talaga mowdels, strong and full make-up! So “go-ra” lang!

After 20 years, we are all set for the shoot.

whatta thunder legs!

Carl: “Ni, stretch your legs, usli ang pwet!”

Lyn: “Ni, face up, stomach in, chest out!”

Len: “Nani, tissue oh pawis ka na.”

Carl: “Nani, don’t smile. Natural lang.”

Lyn: “Ni, pout your lips. Wag kang madaldal!”

Haha! I can’t help not to show the real “madaldal” me.

It is my first time to do a photo shoot like this, parang pang FHM haha! And boy I swear it is not easy as you think. Mei and I felt body pain after the shoot but it’s truly all worth it. It was indeed fun and memorable bonding experience with my 101 girlfriends! I super loveeeet!

Hopefully I’ll post the photos from the shoot maybe after a day or two. I can’t ask copy pa from our photographers =) But they gave me sample raw shots so ok na din. Enjoy viewing! I hope Mimay will not get ashamed of her TH mom haha!

I’M SO EXCITED FOR ‘LOVE YOU FOREVER’

  

Got this book from a co-blogger’s entry, which according to her is a nice book not for mother alone but for kids as well. It tells the story of a mother’s unconditional love for her child. Sounds interesting no? I want to be a first honor mom for Mimay kaya I thought of immediately getting a copy for myself.

I called Magrudy’s and learned from their customer service that they don’t have this book at the moment. Sad me =( But according to them I can place an order and wait for 21-30 days before I can get my book at AED 48 (Php 600) + shipping cost. That price is just for a paperback copy ha, a bit pricey no?

So the other day, together with my supportive hubby, we personally went to Magrudy’s and ordered my book. And I was surprised that the price is very cheap pala! It’s just AED 24 and the book will come from US at 21 days max. Yey! The prices vary daw depending on the year it was printed, etc, etc. But the contents and illustrations are the same so no problem if I’ll get the cheaper one.

the happy me at Magrudy's counter

 I can’t wait for Magrudy’s SMS telling me that my book has arrived. I can’t wait to read and sing the contents of the book to our dear Mimay.

Mimay anak,

Anything that will make Mamee and Dadee a good parent, we are more than willing to be taught. Anything anak that will express and affirm our unconditional love for you, we are more than willing to know. There is nothing that can make us stop loving you.

See you soon baby,
Mamee Nani

WHY I LOVE POY - Part 4

Another Poy story for all Poy fans out there! =) We were having dinner last Thursday night sa house. Husband noticed that 1 couple is missing in action, Mei and Yo. Usually kasi pag Thursday night, complete kami every dinner.

Poy: “Bi san sina Yo?”

Nani: “Nakita ko sa FB ni Yo, having dinner with fiancé. So sa labas sila nag dinner ni Mei”

Poy: “Ah ok.”

The same night, as we were about to sleep, someone turned off the light. I kinda saw it was Mei but I’m not sure, so I asked hubby.

Nani: “Bi sino nag-off ng ilaw?”
Poy: “Si Beyonce bi.”

Nani: “Huh? Sinong Beyonce? Si Mei ba?”

Poy: “Opo, si Mei nagpatay ng ilaw.”

Nani: “Eh bakit Beyonce tawag mo kay Mei?”

Poy: “Eh bi ikaw nagsabi nun ah, kanina nung hinahanap ko sila sabi mo nasa FB ni Yo dinner with Beyonce. Di ba sabi mo yun? Favorite ba ni Mei si Beyonce bi?”

Nani: Speechless. Blanko. Speechless. Tapos, laughing trip!!

All the while, Poy over heard fiancé as Beyonce! He thought all the while, that Beyonce is Mei’s favorite =) Sleepless Thursday night for me and husband, laughing trip talaga ko! Nyahaha!

I SO LOVE THOSE CHUCKS!

Guys look look! After doing the grocery last night, we pass on a sports shop in City Centre and look what I saw! Super beautiful high-cut Chuck Taylor for Mimay! I was so “aligaga” while checking the shoes. All are very beautiful! Nice style, design and colors.

Nani: “Bi look, ang ganda no? Super cute ng mga shoes!”
Poy: “Oo bi ang ganda nga. Bagay yan kay ineng.”
Nani: “Sure yun bi bagay lahat to kay Mimay. Ganda nung yellow at blue no?”
Poy: “Yung pink bi maganda din.”
Nani: “Oo sige ok din yun. Tara bilhin na natin kay ineng. Yung 2 lang muna, yellow and blue.”
Poy: “Magkano bi?”

I haven’t told him the price yet, pero may “drama” na akong nararamdamang magaganap ;p

Nani: “Bi AED 145 (around Php 1,800) per pair. Tapos dapat tyo din bi meron, para pare-pareho tayo!! Saya!”
Poy: (Hawak sa ulo at batok) “Bi nahihilo ako, para kong high blood.”

May ganun? Nalaman lang yung price high blood na??

Nani: “Ah ok bi, sige tara na nga next time na lang.”
Poy: “Hindi bi sige, ok lang. Lakad check ka na ng sizes. Pero nahihilo talaga ko bi, chicken lang nman kinain natin no?”
Nani: “Tara na bi uwi n tayo. Next time na lang.” (march out of the shop)

Ammff!! Bibi ko talaga “basag-trip” Tsseee!

When we were in the cab na, ok na bigla si hubby! I know, super chikadora talaga tong asawa ko. Anyway, we can buy naman those shoes anytime. And I thought it’s still more than 2 months before Mimay will be here in Dubai so it might not fit her if we will buy this early. I just can’t help it kasi, I’m an excited mamee!

I swear, I’ll get those Chucks as soon as Mimay’s here with us. Hindi na papatok drama ni Poy, promise! I’ll make sure to bring calciblock in my purse for his “high blood daw.” =)

CRUZ TRES INHENYEROS

God is indeed good, all the time He is so good. I’m a living testimony to that. My life is so full of blessings and I have many things to thank the Lord for. One of those are my SIBLINGS.

SGP vacation (Sentosa)

proud Letranistas! (they wore my uniform!haha!)

Kuya: Letran highshool grad (college: Mapua)

Ate: Letran college

Nani: Letran highschool & college

I had a very simple life during my childhood days but it’s full of love and affection from my parents, siblings, families and friends. I’m the youngest or bunso in the family. I have a 10 and 8 yrs age gap from my Ate and Kuya respectively, that’s why I’m a semi-spoiled daughter and sibling. We were provided a good education by our hardworking parents especially by my mommy. We may not have a perfect father, but we have the best mother in the world! We’re not wealthy but I am so rich with the love and support from them.

During my college grad (they borrowed friends toga)

Kuya: BS Elec and Comm Engineering, Mapua 1996

Ate: BS Industrial Engineering, Letran 1998

Nani: BS Industrial Engineering, Letran 2005

Back during my elementary, high school and college days, I’m an active frog in beauty pageants. Aside from my mommy, my Kuya and Ate are my ever loyal fans! They were so supportive of me. Kahit among the contestants eh ako yung pinaka hhhmm chubby, super clap pa rin mga yan =)

I remember one time, I joined Ms. Intramurals in Letran when I was on my 4th year college. I was the Engineering Department’s candidate oh do you believe that? =) We had the talent portion. I was on stage ala J.Lo singing “Let’s Get Loud”. Eh since I’m wearing a top tank, my tummy is showing. So mega dance ako and there’s this one guy audience who yelled “Nagalaw ang bilbil!” then laugh! Bad no? This guy is a brother pala of the other contestant who showcased a weird talent before me. “Nagbuga ng apoy, wearing an igorot costume, then may dalang buhay na manok! Kaloka!” Unfortunate of him, this contestant’s brother is standing beside my Ate. Knowing my ate, being the big time maldita, she then screamed “Tiktilaok! Tiktilaok!” (with matching ethnic dance and kunwaring buga ng apoy haha!). Eh di tameme si brother haha! That’s how my Ate loves me =)

And there’s also this one time, naku super nakakahiya to, but for the sake of blogging I’ll share it na rin. I was in my high school when I joined an audition in GMA! (blush blush blush) Even Poy doesn’t know about this coz this is so embarrassing! Embarassing kasi obviously wala namang nangyari sa showbiz frustration ko haha! Back to the topic, this audition was held in Novaliches. Being the most supportive Kuya, he accompanied me all the way to Novaliches after his night shift work in Amkor. Imagine ha, his schedule in plant is 10pm-6am then he fetch me in our house in Calamba and go straight to the audition. We were in the location a little late pero since super as in sooooper haba ng line, we waited pa for hours. My kuya is so “bangenge” na but he insisted na ok lang daw sya. The audition ended late afternoon na, then he’ll work again at 10pm. See how supportive of him?

Then during my freshman days in college, I also joined Ms. Freshman. I have a “syete” haircut then so the make-up artist had to make me wear a wig! I look so freaking fanget! As in my original hair is dark brown then my wig is brown red! You can’t imagine how disastrous my look is! But despite of that, you’ll see my whole family, as in whole family from my Lola, Titas, Titos, Daddy, Mommy, Ate, Kuya and cousins in front row clapping and cheering for me. They are so sweet! =) Sayang I can’t post the photos here kasi they’re all in Pinas.

Since my siblings are way older than me (haha peace mga kapatid!), they always have the “say” in whatever decisions/ situations I am in. When I had my 1st BF in college, both of them are not agreeing. My kuya is somehow understanding, “nakikisama” if I may say. But my ate, ayaw kung ayaw talaga! She’s not afraid to show it to the guy. My ate is so true to her feelings, pag ayaw nya ayaw nya talaga. I didn’t understand their reasons at first but later on I realize they just want the best for me. They know I deserve someone better and their prayers were answered because I did not end up with this guy. But when they met Poy, instantly they liked him. My ate even asked me to tell Poy to come with us in our family outings. Maybe it’s ”lukso ng dugo”, my siblings know that I’ll be in good hands with Poy. They loved Poy and supported us all the way!

And now, when we had to come here in Dubai, my sibling’s love for me was extended doubled, tripled, and even quadrupled to our Mimay. They are the best Tito and Ninang/Tita in the whole wide world! They embraced and showered Mimay with their unconditional love. May bonus pa, and that’s my ate’s husband Kuya Dong na super bait din at spoiler Ninong. Our baby is super loved and spoiled by them.

That’s how God has been so so so good to me. I wouldn’t be where I am and what I am now without the love of my family most especially my mommy, daddy, ate and kuya! I am so blessed to have them.

Love you Kuya and Ate!