My 2012 :)

Literally and Figuratively, it has been a brand new year for me. 2012 I should say could be a start for something new. I know that I have been living for 4 months in United Arabs Emirates, but up to this moment, I am still learning new things.

The good thing is, my vague perceptions and fears of the unknown are little by little deteriorating. I could still remember how timid I was when I first took step in this place. I could not walk nor talk to people in here with the notions that they might be harmful. Those typical thoughts of me made me realized today that people indeed are skeptic in nature. We do sensationalize things when we ought not to. Like, "Filipinos are entitled to be poor, domestic helpers, kurakot, magnanakaw". How bad is that? When in fact, not all filipinos are. There are so much to be proud of to be Pinoy. Well same is true to them. People all over the world are so scared of their "different" culture. The way they dress and they act. But when you come to understand them, you will realize that they are just like us. Same creatures we are, in varied races. So let's not be racist, that's the bottomline.

Well going back to my new year's day story, I started it fearlessly by riding the fastest roller coaster in the world in Ferrari world.

For the past few years, I was trying to test myself how brave I am in terms of extremes of life. I don't know why, but whenever I have conquered my fears, I feel like it's a sense of fulfillment for me. I feel so brave and proud of myself afterwards. I know that in a way, I could feel the fear before trying such but it feels so great to get over it once I've done it. I know that this is not the most extreme ride I ever had in my life, but I tell you, this is indeed the fastest which took my breath away for 45 seconds. Hamdullah, I am alive!

 Another new thing that I have tried on this day was when we entered in the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Well, it was awesome. Feeling ko ako si Jasmine and Alladin is waiting for me inside. haha We saw the biggest prayer mat in the whole world.

Well, the only catch in this tour is that you will not be allowed to enter the mosque without wearing their traditional dress, the black Abaya. So goodluck to me. It was my first time to wear it and I don't even know how to wear it.

Seriously, there were a lot of blooper shots we had. We just could not help ourselves laughing at each other. I was trying to control myself not to laugh coz people around us might get offended, but I just could not stop. Finally, we just enjoyed the beauty inside that we'd rather take pictures of than ourselves.



Well, from Abu Dhabi in a day, to Dubai the next.. It was from one emirate to another in just 2 hours drive.

But the shift of ambiance was so amazing. I never thought that Dubai could be so beautiful. We started the tour from Festival City that feels like Italy, to the city proper that looks like New York and the baywalk that seems like you are in Manhattan. It was really amazing. Had I imagine it was that beautiful, I should have visited it earlier right after when I arrived in UAE. Well, I still have 2 years t explore, by the way. So let me take you a little tour of what I am talking about.

 The most popular Burj Arab where Tom Cruise shoot the "Mission Impossible".

 Then the Wafi experience.. it was like a 10 minute experience in Egypt. I was so eager to go to Egypt this year, then I found this. Well, I think I had enough!

 The Jumeirah Open Beach. Somehow, it feels nostalgic to step on a beach sand. I feel like I'm home, not to mention that the Philippines has great sands pa din. But this something different, in a larger scale.

 Now, let's go Europe. When I entered inside Jumeirah, I never thought that the ambiance would be like this. It was a Europ-y accent and ok, maganda. period. I could no longer find an adjective to describe it. lol

 After some few walks, my shoes was about to give up then we found this shoes stand where we decided to buy the same pair, with my friend. Ta-da!

Finally, after some few walks and site seeing, we decided to look for a perfect seat where we could watch the Fireworks Display in Burj Khalifa, the tallest Building in the world. Haven't you noticed, their titles always come with the suffix, "est" in the end? "fastest roller coaster, tallest building, biggest hanging garden, biggest acrylic aquarium, biggest prayer mat", etc... okay fine, Sila na! haha

Okay, 10pm palang, the front side of the Dubai Mall was already jampacked with people waiting for the fireworks.. Nevertheless, we still found a great site. Fastforward to the fireworks...

I got speechless afterwards. Well, if the picture tells a thousand words, then I would let it speak for you. I was amazed, really. I never thought that this day would come when I would be witnessing so many beautiful places in the world on my own, and in His time.

After all those great things I had in 3 days time, I still cling to that feeling of wishing that I was home. Wishing that I was with my family and loved ones, as we together celebrated another year. But life is just like that. We can't have it all. I know I have been through a lot in 2011. Tears, struggles, downfalls, heartaches, laughter, success, and all that. I am so much thankful that God made me feel so blessed after all these years.

I just could not find ways to thank Him but I am really so much overwhelmed with all the things I have. If there could be one wish I would want to, it's the strength and readiness to love again and to have someone to share all the blessings and happiness with... Happy New Year! Yes, I am happy! =)))