Sandy Adventures

Sandstorm in Dubai

July 09, 2012

No, it's not dawn or sunset here, it's midday, but the sandstorm had covered the sun. I am not too sure but since I started in Dubai, I was made to believe and continues to believe that sandstorms mark a change in weather, so either way would bring a frown or a smile.

Below photos were taken in February this year that made me sigh, marking the start of summer. It's uncomfortably hot now outdoors, and I look forward to the next sandstorm that will sign in winter.

Sandstorm on Al Ittihad Road heading to Sharjah

Filipinos in Dubai

Friday Brunch @ Asiana Hotel's Lamesa Restaurant

July 06, 2012

Being the under AED 100/ person buffet patrons, we found Filipino fare alternative for our Sumo Sushi Friday buffets -- at Lamesa restaurant at Asiana Hotel along Siddique Road in Deira. (Speaking of buffets, Thai Chi at Wafi is on AED 120 for two adults but on weekday lunches only. Kalel was free of charge. Please phone them to confirm if promotion is still valid.)

Friends frequent Lamesa for Karaoke nights and comedy shows, but I guess my family would settle for their brunches for the time being.

-- Friday and Saturday Filipino brunches costs AED 69 an adult and AED 34 a child
-- Above brunch includes unlimited water, iced tea and coffee and tea
-- Buffet table includes a few sushi and a few Korean dishes
-- Prior reservation is highly advised. Call +971 4 238 7777
-- Venue carries a no-slippers policy
-- Weekend buffets start at 11 a.m.
-- Asiana Hotel is located between Reef Mall and Muraggabat Police Station
-- Check other details from the website here

Many Kabayans hold their weekend celebrations here filling the venue so the need for reservations. Today alone there were four big groups almost occupying all of the restaurant. Someone hosting a baby shower even had a small round table in front with their tokens and cake on it.

I'd stay away from commenting individually on the food except that I'd say (1) diners have more than enough for their value of money; (2) I wish there was Kilawen prepared a'la Barrio Fiesta style; (3) I thought that Dinuguan and other exotic dishes could've added variety in place of the three Korean dishes, (4) there's a few sushi but no sashimi.

Today's buffet line started with pork sinigang soup and appetizers including cold cuts and steamed veggies. Then below are some takes on the other offerings:

Spot all you can eat on my plate below: Crispy Pata, Pork Sisig, Chicken Sisig, Beef Tapa, Korean Noodles, Sesame Chicken, Pork Tocino, Kare Kare, Chopsuey, Embotido, Daing na Bangus, Korean beef dish, Chicken Dumplings, Korean Kimchi (I suppose):

A little of every dish on offer for the Friday Buffet

Sushi all you can on three limited types without sashimi on the appetizers area:

Not as 'appetizingly' prepared, but better than nothing

Who said a sleeping Girl in a carrier can stop me from fixing my waffles?

Waffles fresh from the griddle, warm, buttered and sweetened -- hearty indeed :

Pulutan galore -- pork and chicken sisig:

Crispy pata all you want:

Make your own halo-halo:

Completing the dessert offerings:

And from the appetizers where my first plate started:

And the bill:

Yes indeed, more than a Kuya, Kalel is now a paying customer, our wallets would miss those complimentary meals. *Sigh with a smile*

All about our Superman

Our Little Superman Turns Six Years Old

June 19, 2012

June 19, 2012

I posted this on Facebook today:

Kalel turns six today and definitely no longer the big baby. From a shy bullied school boy, to a chatty bully’s friend with a starting bullying attitude -- may he not become the bully as he starts Grade 2… He’s passionate of airplanes, youtube, google maps and said he can play by himself -- may he learn team play... He approaches kids in the malls, chatting and asking for their contact numbers – may he be charmingly friendly rather than irritating... That’s a hope list for him, but I guess he’d say “I hope mama and papa have lots of patience and wisdom in dealing with me”.

Happy birthday Kalel (with hugs & kiss)!

And here's a recap of how we celebrated your birthday:

On birthdays you attended, you had been inviting everyone to come on your birthday (without agreeing with us yet), so when we started planning your celebration, we had to discuss with your our budget. You were given a choice: first choice -- we invite your classmates, some friends and most uncles and aunties (and there's plenty of them) and you will not have a gift of your liking from us; or second choice -- we invite some aunties and uncles for dinner and buy you few gifts you want. You chose the second, you even said you're sure as you can celebrate by yourself (not that we wanted you to celebrate less, son :) ). So here it was:

2012.June.17 was a UAE holiday, we had your pre-birthday dinner at DFC's Hardrock Cafe. Juryn joined you blow your birthday candles.

Do you remember doing this, your usual approach-someone-a-stranger-and-ask-their-number thing? Miss Nice Lady entertained your question as you wrote her answers.

You went to Kidzania for a good four hours, became a pilot, an aircraft engineer, doctor, dentist, made your own coke and milk pack, delivered newspapers, among others.

You came home for late lunch with your third birthday cake. Your first two cakes were at Hardrock CAfe.

And we had another family picture. On your sixth birthday, our dear Baby Riane completes us.

Then you went on to open your gifts. There is one of your requests -- an Emirates Airbus A380-800 model. Were you too happy to have one of the new passenger aircraft model on your radar.

Another happy face with one of your favorite and skilled-at games - Angry Birds.

Happy birthday dear Gremlin, may you continue to grow in wisdom and goodness. We love you!

UAE - Sharjah

Turkish Ice Cream in Dubai

June 09, 2012

I once wanted a chance to be entertained, errr, buy Turkish ice cream sold by a Turk complete with his long paddle and antics, until we spotted one at Al Qasba, Sharjah.

A little from Wikipedia:

Dondurma (Turkish, literally "freezing") is the name given to ice cream in TurkeyDondurma is commonly sold from both street vendor's carts and store fronts where the mixture is churned regularly with long-handled paddles to keep it workable. Vendors often tease the customer by serving the ice cream cone on a stick, and then taking away the dondurma with the stick and rotating it around, before finally giving it to the customer.

Two qualities distinguish Turkish ice cream: texture and resistance to melting. Inclusion of the thickening agents salep, a flour made from the root of the Early Purple Orchid, and mastic, a resin that imparts chewiness.

Churning the ice cream to keep it 'workable', then spoons out a portion

Scooped ice cream kept stuck on the paddle and thrown to a cone

Cone gets pulled and given a little push to stick with the ice cream

... before being handed to the eager boy after a chasing game for the cone.

Emails on paper

June 06, 2012

At half past five years old, Kalel started his writing his 'emails' to us. His emails are handwritten messages which he usually pens on loose or obscured papers, and he does not really mean to hand us neither tell us verbally. Hence, we fail to see if his dad misses to check his notebooks and bags.

Here are a few he wrote on his notebook covers. (He is still learning his spelling but) what concerns us is the psychology behind his acts. Some of his messages are on crumpled papers you would think it's trash but it tells of his frustrations in school, like being hurt by his classmates or being admonished for misbehaving. He is quite a talker at home and is always proud to discuss his achievements, but yes maybe, he does not want to verbally dwell on anything negative.