New year

My quote for the new year:

"Keep in mind that letting go isn't the end of the world; it's the beginning of a new life."

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

(from last new year's fireworks display)

The Real Reason for the Season

The Real Reason for the Season

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Christmas in My Heart

It’s so funny that I have not felt so christmasy this whole December as I would normally be back home. Perhaps, the pressure of work, and the fact that this is a Muslim country, really made me not so excited about the coming holidays. I had my share of holiday breaks BEFORE Christmas, when Eid Al Adha came and gave us 5 days break, 3 days before Chriistmas. Then we’ll be back to work for 2 days and take another leave (for Christians only) during Christmas.
It was only today that I felt the season coming in to me. A Filipino office mate came up to me and gave me chocolates. He is usually the person who I share my “sugar free” stuff with, another dieter. J Someone who would shake his head when he sees me eating non-diet stuff. But this time, he just said “Merry Christmas!” and said that today is an exemption, we can eat normal, sugar laden chocolates! And it came from my favorite chocolate shop called Patchi (thanx Marx!).
It was only then that I felt the true meaning of the season.
Since I am away in a foreign land, with only one Catholic church in the area, I have tried to dismiss the fact that I cannot celebrate Christmas like I used to. There is no Christmas Bonus, nor 13th Month Pay, or Christmas parties and kris kringles… No long vacations (well, except for Eid) nor aguinaldos…
It would be so weird! But then,
Christmas is celebrated in our hearts!
Eventhough my family is away and is usually busy at this time of the year for parties and gift giving, I would not be sad.
Because I know in my heart, I am there (on webcam!).
Merry Christmas to everyone back home!

My Christmas Wish

Okay, this is the best thing I want for Christmas. Of course, I wish to be with my family and friends back home. But since I’m here in Dubai, THIS is the only thing I want (okay, aside from an iPhone!).
A Beagle puppy.
Can someone give me one please???? I’ll call him Barney, or Dimitri...or something. :)

Souq Madinat Jumeirah

This is my first favorite place in Dubai (before I've discovered DFC)
It's near the beach, on the other end of Dubai. I usually go here fo my shop visits because we also have a MIkyajy shop here. These pictures were taken a few months back (Feb I think).
I really love the scenery.
I could stay here for hours and just sit.

Souq-ang souqa na nga ako dito. hehehe... (corny)

That's the Burj Al Arab, a famous landmark.

Long Vacation

My very long vacation is almost up... I have been procatinating, even during holidays hehehe... Spent most of the days sleeping and watching movies and stuff... But I did bum around the beach! Same old Jumeirah Beach. I've had a lot of pictures, but since I've gotten tired of the same old beach, I just didn't take any more pictures, as I have always frequented the same beach every so often. :)

So the other day, I went with my best pal to Ibn Battuta Mall. It was the first time I have been to this mall, and we have a Mikyajy shop here too, so I did a few inspections as well (work and leisure sure can mix!).

They have different areas, inspired by the places the person this mall was named after. Apprently, he was a traveller... So inside the mall they have China, Persia, Egypt, India Courts.

I especially loved the design and architecture on the Persia side:

nice!

I think I can add this to one of my favorite places!But it is too far from my place and we have to drive at least 45 minutes (without traffic) to get to this place. But it can take around 30 minutes if you're driving at 120 kmph, which we always do. hehehe... Hey, this is Dubai, everybody drives fast!

The Old Sheik Zayed Road

I have seen these pictures a number of times from various blogs, news feeds and other websites. I might as well put them here and show everyone how much Dubai has changed for the last couple of years. (Really don't know where this picture came from originally)

This picture dates back between 1988 to 1991 (really can't tell)
And some are saying that back then, they have to look out for camels crossing the road :)

This one is from 2005. I can now tell you that this is an OLD pic because on the left side of this road, new buildings have been added (and is completely lined up).

Just to show how Dubai have changed quite quickly over the years.

My Birth Month

I got this Meme from my sister's blog and she tagged me to post the same.
I will be turning another year older next month (on the 3rd to be exact) so I guess this is a reminder for me that I am getting old! (thanks a lot sis! haha)

JANUARY: Stubborn and hard-hearted. Ambitious and serious. Loves to teach and be taught. Always looking at people’s flaws and weaknesses (Val-in a constructive way!). Likes to criticize. Hardworking and productive. Smart, neat and organized. Sensitive and has deep thoughts. Knows how to make others happy. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Rather reserved (depends on the meaning though). Highly attentive. Resistant to illnesses but prone to colds. Romantic but has difficulties expressing love. Loves children (only the cute ones! lol). Loyal. Has great social abilities yet easily jealous. Very stubborn and money cautious.

Ok, so MOST of the things written here is so true. But I am not prone to colds... and I am not money cautious :) And if I can make LOYAL even more highlighted, I would! :)

Hey you can copy this meme too... see here.

Oh Christmas Tree!

It's Christmas time once again. My favorite mall displays one of the best trees around.
It is also a cool idea to place it in between the trolley-lator (that's what I call it because it's an escalator for trolleys). :)

Very nice concept I might say!

During the night...

What's in a name...

Have you ever tried googling yourself? You know, where you search your full name in Google and find relevant and not so relevant things about your name. Actually, I never got info about myself but rather on two other Valerie V_____’s out there.
One girl of the same name is a marine biologist. Wow, my alter ego! According to a news feed that had her name, she is a “highly trained scientist and research biologist studying Beluga whale communication in Canada…” Wow. I could be like her. I have always wanted to be a veterinarian when I was little. Better yet, a marine biologist.
The other Valerie is a supplier manager for a phamaceautical industry from San Francisco. Again, I could be like her. I graduated from university with a degree in Chemistry… And that is a related industry.
Hmmm, I wonder how many more Valerie V______’s are out there and what industries are they in! I just can’t believe we are all science related. Not even one is an actress, or a singer or something other than being into science. :)
Comes to show that we are all smart (or boring?). Just kidding.

Oh by the way, I did find my own profile on one of the websites. It had my picture as a member of this Dance Club here in Dubai, which I attended once, and never came back. And they even placed my picture on the member’s list. :)
We're not so boring after all! :)

Fitness comes First!

Lately, I have been attending aerobics classes at my local gym. We have a Fitness First near my house (of course, at the Dubai Festival City again). I enrolled last September and I’m proud to say I have lost around 15 pounds… Not too bad for a slacker like me who used to (?) feast on potato chips, french fries and fast food. Totally inactive and wouldn’t even dare use the stairs So even if my weight loss is pretty slow, well, at least, I’ve lost a couple and have seen results. My thighs and legs are firmer. And according to my mom, she thought my nose grew bigger (because of my now smaller cheeks hehehe). Fair enough.
Like I’ve said, I have been addicted on going to these classes. They are a lot of fun and makes me sweat too much! Here in Dubai, I don't go out in the sun too often when I have work, especially when every place is airconditioned, you barely sweat (unlike the humid Metro Manila). So it is really a treat to sweat (ewww…).
All thanks to my favorite instructor, B, who is a wonderful, wonderful motivator and teacher. He teaches most of my favorite classes that I go to. (Note: Frequency of class attendance by Valerie, is NOT related to frequency of B’s classes…u get my drift?). I DO NOT attend B’s classes only (not to sound too defensive here). I think I have found a new perspective in fitness (or whatever you may call it). I think, I’ve become more serious in working out (and getting my money and time’s worth).
The classes that I go to are as follows: LesMill’s Body Balance, LesMill’s Body Step, LesMill’s Body Jam, LesMill’s RPM, Swiss Ball, Yoga and Pilates. I enjoy all the cardio workouts like RPM and Body Step because I really want to get my heart pumped and lose weight. And I am proud to say that I can really do the step class pretty well. Hehe. I am such a nerd, even with these classes!
I always make sure that I have the correct posture (in yoga) and correct steps (in aerobics). I never wanted to let my instructors down. :) and I always make sure that my classmates would envy me because of my correct posture and breathing (such a geek!).
I also enjoy Swiss Ball among other things (also taught by B). It is such a fun class where you get to roll around (not really!) even if it means getting on top of this giant ball and do push ups!.
I never knew gym could be so fun!
Also thanks to this guy I will be calling Pretty Boy because he is such a pretty boy! I don't have a crush on him, but he is just so darn cute! He is a cross between Brad Pitt (in his younger years) and the guy from the boy band Blue. Hahaha. With blond hair and all the smiling. Sigh...

I know, I know... there must be a lot of reasons for going to the gym. Mostly, health reasons. And I believe I have more energy now... but hey, it wouldn't hurt to look at these wonderful, beautiful people! (and I believe most of them are gay anyway).

Cheese!

No this is not a food trip entry...
Sometimes I just love the cheesiest songs. Actually, they don’t seem so cheesy to me, but after some time, you’ll know that the lyrics are as cheesy as it can be.
I love 80s music (and early 90s) and here are some of the cheesiest ones but I just really love them (always on my iPod playlist):

1. You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) by Dead or Alive
-this song is one of my favorite 80s track. I first heard this on Adam Sandler’s movie The Wedding Singer. This song is played at the beginning of the movie, with Adam singing. The movie still makes me laugh everytime I watch it.
All I know is that to me you look like you’re lots of fun, open up your loving arms. Watch out here I come! You spin me right round baby right round like a record baby right round round round… My spin class instructor also used this on one of our classes. Spin… how ironic (and how gay can he be).
I’m sorry but I play this song not less than once a day and is currently being played right now.

2. Love In The First Degree by Bananarama
-Only you can set me free, coz I’m guilty, guilty as a girl can be. Come on baby can’t you see I stand accused, of loving the first degree.
Oh my God. The entire song had this kind of lyrics. Title palang corny na.

3. I Think We’re Alone Now by Tiffany
-a classic! :)

4. Girl You Know It’s True by Milli Vanilli
-the song isn’t too corny, but the video is, which includes the infamous dance step…(oops I think I’m the only one who can still dance and sing to the tune…). I’m pretty sure everyone is shocked at the lip syncing thing back in the 90s which led to album refunds and lawsuits and stuff. But no matter what the controversy was at that time, I still liked them. God bless Rob’s soul (one of the members).

5. I’m Too Sexy by Right Said Fred
-Do I have to explain? I’m too sexy for your body, too sexy for your body, the way I’m disco dancing! How gay is that??? The music video says it all!
I think I remember they said they made this song to make fun of models and all those beautiful people sung from the point of view of a vain male fashion model (I shake my little tush on the catwalk) :)

6. Rock Steady by Kool and the Gang
-and we begin to rock steady. Steady rockin’ all night long… despite the lyrics, I still feel like dancing when I hear this. And I actually begin to rock, in a slow, steady way.

7. Barbie Girl by Aqua
-I’m a barbie girl, in a barbie world, wrapped in plastic, it’s fantastic. You can touch my hair, undress me everywhere….
Ewww?
All of Aqua’s song during this time is almost of the same beat. But it’s funky, and they’re on my Val’s Workout Tracks playlist on my iPod. :)

8. Ladies Night by Kool and the Gang
-another Kool and the Gang entry… hey, I love them! Oh what a night!
Actually, I’m more into the Atomic Kitten version (more for ladies).

9. Get Ready For This by 2 Unlimited
-I remember my Diko (2nd older brother) loving (liking is an understatement) this group back in the 90s and I believe, he is still playing their songs from time to time. I think we have a cd. :)
I remember this song from the movie Bring It On, where this gay/macho choreographer taught a cheerleading routine with this tune on Kirstin Dunst’s group. It’s so funny.

I am not saying that these songs are bad. I actually love them. And I think I have a couple more to add to these... probably, you guys have other songs to add?