I am honestly beginning to think that commercials are continually dumbing out our population. As seen in this commercial in this blog entry, it is about a very respectable TV personality (Boy Abunda) talking about corned BEEF versus corned TUNA. For crying out loud!!! I mean I don’t necessarily have respect for Boy and what he does but endorsing such a commercial isn’t necessarily degrading but is really questionable and destroys many of my brain cells, if not many people as well. It is basically Argentina Corn Beef slugging it out with Century Corned Tuna and San Marino Corned Tuna brands. When I first watched this thing, I was seriously dumbfounded. I thought that a small portion of my medulla oblongata might have been damaged by my recent flight on my way back to the Philippines however, what I heard was true. At first I smiled, then I chuckled and finally, let out a roar of laughter. It’s just plain to see, you simply cannot compare corned beef against corned tuna because they are two totally different things, they are not even the same species listing. Even if you compare corned tuna with corned sardines, it will just not mix. If it were two brands, then we have a contest but this, it just simply doesn’t make sense at all. The person who conceptualized such a thing should be fired on the spot. The texture maybe the same but the process and the meat are different. Even you if go out unleashing corned-beef-flavored tuna or corned-tuna-flavored beef, this is just taking things out of the box and putting it into another time space warp dimension. Like in the Youtube commentary, which is tastier milk, Cow’s Milk and Milk Fish? Lol! Of course, if you know Boy, he backs up what he says and what he endorses but no matter what explanation is given out, you’ll see my trying to revive a couple of my brain cells that have just died because of pure idiocy or just died laughing.
Well, it isn’t Christmas per se, it actually is closer to my birthday when I come back from my vacation on February 2.
The countdown begins today when I will be retiring my beloved I-mate phone. With much dismay of the company shutting down and poor support as I was trying to get it fixed, I’ve given up and will be moving to a superior product, the Apple iPhone 3GS. I was waiting for the phone plan for the 3GS since Gitex but only last week did they release the packages. I was expecting this to dawn on January and I was completely caught off guard since I have not made any purchase for the casing from Switch Easy. I did find out last night that they’ve released new casings and I have my eye on the Switch Easy Torrent.
Since I am going on vacation and will not be in UAE for the 3 weeks, its a waste of good money not being able to use the 99AED consumable hence I opted for a February purchase. I just hope there are enough units for me to get one, apparently there is a shortage in this pro-Nokia / Blackberry market.
Another minor issue is if I keep my iPod, which apparently is the thing I am using to create this blog entry. Wouldn’t I look like a complete show off having an iPod Touch and an iPhone? I do think it all boils down to preference as I am really concerned with battery life. Ever since I got my iPod and a new battery, my I-mate 8502 has had better up time, max of three days. We’ll see how the ball rolls, you never know if I end up giving this unit to my wife.
Just a few weeks ago, the people from clinical nutrition as well as myself were teasing my friend Reverie for putting here brother in law to an 18 hour flight ordeal going to The Philippines. Unfortunately, his exploits here were not as successful and he had to be sent home. One of Rev’s biggest problem was getting an affordable and cheap airline that would be able to get him home cheaply. Fortunately for her, she found that Air Asia has just linked up Malaysia to the UAE. At the end, her bro was able to fly off for roughly 1000AED but since Air Asia was a no frill carrier everything had to be bought like luggage allowance, food, blanket, the works. The highlight of the trip was an eight hour stopover in Kuala Lumpur giving a grand total of an unprecedented twenty four hour trip. =)
As for me, it hasn’t been a holiday for me planning a trip back home with my youngest daughter’s visa becoming a small issue. At the end, I need to bring her here on visit visa and hopefully on her next trip, she will be on residence. That was only half the issue I actually faced as I have yet to actually book a ticket. I actually placed a booking through Al Amaan Travel and everything seemed good with a one way trip from Manila to Dubai costing 1860AED through Cathay Pacific. I also booked my flight as costing 2200AED. I sat on my laurels thinking everything was good until I came across Etihad’s fares which was cheaper and no stopovers involved. My flight was coming up to 1905AED with a bus service to Al Ain. The only drawback to this was that the PTA from Manila costs around 2420AED and that wasn’t the deal I was expecting. To make things worse, when I was inquiring about my ticket from the same travel agency, prices may have jacked up a bit. To my dismay, I was decided to just go with Etihad since I didn’t need to bother anyone coming to Al Ain when arriving at the airport.
Everything was planned out with my purchase to come in at the wee hours of The 19th of December. To my surprise, the fare I was taking moved up to 1945AED and may increase to 1975AED. I didn’t mind at first because this was the trend when booking online, prices fluctuate every minute. Coming back to my booking at 11AM on the same day since I decided to sleep off the problem, lo and behold, I was now being given a price of 2190AED and in a span of ten minutes 2375AED. The nearest one that would fall under my budget was a return flight on February 7 which was unacceptable as my wife and Isa’s visa was to expire. Left with no options I started calling travel agent friends and airline offices as well as checking out airline websites for the cheapest pricing I could find. Emirates, Singapore, Cathay, Gulf Air and even Kuwait Airways were on my desperation list. They were way beyond the budget I’ve set. I’ve called my good friend Dale just to pan out my disgust at my laziness but she consoled me that Etihad does offer 10% discount to Tawam employees behest unknown to her that the cheapest net fare was at 26XXAED.
With all hope extinguished, I tried to visit Malaysia airlines and with a little luck, I was able to get a fare of 1675AED for me and an almost similar fare for my wife and daughters for their one way travels. After conferring with my wife, I am heading to Manila on the second week of January courtesy of MH, airline code of Malaysia Airlines and Malaysian Hospitality.
A month ago the Abu Dhabi (or Al Ain) Department of Transport started the Al Ain bus services. Starting out with 4 bus routes in thirty minute intervals that all commonly meet in the city center, this is such a welcome sight to a town that is slowly coming into terms with modern life. Al Ain, is known for its greenery, low lying buildings, confusing roundabouts and laid back lifestyle! Now, the city that is usually mistaken for as an emirate is waking up up.
With the implementation of their modern taxi fleet, which will replace the privatized taxis owned by locals, life is slowly getting more expensive. People use to fight for the “golden” (cheaper) taxis but as their renewal permits are slowly being declined, we are forced to go with the “silver” taxis. Although less expensive than their Dubai counter parts, it really isn’t affordable anymore. This did concern me in the beginning because I did not have an alternative looking beyond 2010 but thankfully, to the wonderful thinking of the transport department, they’ve finally decided to have a “proper” bus service for this green city. Having a bus fleet, which only costs 1AED, has made my traveling a bit easier on the pocket as well as everyone else. Although, the this type of travel is nothing new to me, it sure beats paying a bigger amount or even sharing a cab with others who reek of havoc and I do mean “skunk-reek.”
The bus system is divided into 4 routes. Maqam West - Ain Al Fayada (990 - Blue Line) , Al Foaa - Al Bateen East (930 - Yellow Line), Al Nabbagh - Zakher (940 - Red Line) and Maqam East - Bawadi Mall (980 - Green Line). The buses all come from four major outskirts, converge at the city and then out to other outskirt areas of Al Ain, usually areas where taxis don’t go or charge you a higher than normal fee. Although at this early stage you could consider this more of something experimental, they’ve got this thing spot on! Traffic has never been an issue in Al Ain and now that they knocked out the city roundabouts and made traffic flow smoother.
It isn’t as much as a hassle unlike in Dubai but the thing for Al Ain is not to sit on it’s laurels. At these early stages, there are times that the bus already gets full and with only a 30 minute time table, it will be the longest half an hour wait you will ever have to bear. That isn’t even taking into consideration the rush hour that happens in the city during the evening. But for now, while the turn out is low, holding onto my iPod’s addictive tunes, with my sunglasses covering my sleepy eyes, it’s quite comforting to know that there is an additional 30 minutes of nap time for me going to and leaving from work.
Most of the things these days are measured by terms of ROI (Return of Investment) or by how long something is made. No matter how expensive things are or how cool they look, they most probably be made in China. Even worse isthat during the first day a product is released, a knock off is out the next day. May it be phones or televisions, the truth is out there, there is an imitation for it, if there werebody organs that could be legally cloned, it be in the market and two of the most populous countries in the world would be the top exporters of such. Kidding aside, I’m simply ranting at my loss and for every proud owner of the Imate Ultimate 8502. After one and a half year of use and abuse, a once noble and proud owner, I am now distraught to learn that this unit I purchased for 2399AED is now a measly 749AED at Sharaf DG. I worked hard to purchase this unit only to find out that it dropped its prices by 65%. So much for the so called Blackberry-killer this phone was sought to be. Unlike HTC units which still cost the same despite several unit updates, some even more than 18 months, it just breaks my heart. It’s ironic that that though because I should be happy because I can plan for another unit but after seeing the 8502’s weakness aesthetically and seeing the superior simplicity of Apple Mobile OS, thereisn’t a chance I would a run for this phone.
My loyalty was with the product but slow development and delayed releases is enough to make me think twice. As for now, the calling of the dark side is strong. I have accepted the call of Apple and I am ready to make my iPhone purchase. This is a company I believe, despite their strict policies, will be able to deliver with their simplistic methods in the years to come.
During the past two weeks, I couldn’t stop the urge to purchase something really irrelevant. My wife just got a Nokia E71 and it just gave me a reason to get something for myself. I’ve already “rewarded” myself by purchasing the Western Digital HD TV and it was purchased with a reason, to have my daughter watch her cartoons on tv rather than on our laptops. All this time, it has served it’s purpose well as I have also used this device to watch my movies.
As the week wore along, there was really an urge for me to get an iPod Touch here in Al Ain. Unfortunately, the selection here is very limited and going to small stores in the mall actually rip you off with their prices and crazy credit card charges. So after battling temptation, I succumbed to the techno-devil in me and got myself a 16GB iPod Touch (2G).
Now being a Windows Mobile user all this time, I cannot stop speaking positives about the iPod OS, they are worlds apart. It is a totally different experience, it was as if this was the PDA I always wanted but never had. Now thanks to OS 3.0, bluetooth stereo support has been added so I never really need to have long earphone cables all over. Bluetooth has always, and i mean ALWAYS, has been an important factor when making my purchase for PDAs. I need my wireless audio. My Imate JAM, God bless it’s soul, was one of the first WinMo devices with A2DP. I was one of the first people in Dubai using that technology and has been part of my system ever since, it’s like breathing. Since the earlier generation iPods and iPhones were incapable of doing this and this was a major reason why i never made the switch aside from hating Apple by name. However, all that has changed.
The only thing I suffer from now are battery life and places for all my pocket bling. I carry a standard issue wallet in my right cheek pocket (LoL. Copyright to the movie: Transformers). My left cheek pocket carries a hankerchief and some times a portable HDD. In my left leg pocket, I have combined my coin purse and keys and finally my new iPod Touch encased in a Switch Easy Touch Neo casing is placed in my right pocket. I also have my Imate Ultimate 8502 on a belt clip. Somehow, my pants have become heavier and my pockets bulkier and pretty soon I will be carrying a belt bag. Am I better equipped to deal with all sorts problems in the world? Well, maybe not, as I begin to feel that I should have purchased an iPhone instead, but then again battery life plays such an important matter to me. On one hand I wanted wireless data connectivity where I am limited by available free access points. All the wonderful navigation tools in the AppStore will serve no purpose. Email on the go is not available as well, however, the question remains, do you have a data package from your carrier? Is it time to think about Etisalat’s iPhone promo? Only time will tell.
So one day, you might see an idiot walking with an iPod Touch in one hand and an iPhone on the other… Don’t be judgmental, it’s just me coming into gripes with information I need. I ain’t trying to be showy I just really need my dose of tech-coffee.
I just watched Drillbit Taylor and it actually is a recommendable teenage comedy movie. However some aspect of the movie actually is a bit disturbing as the movie’s main plot centers on school bullying. The protagonist actually hire Drillbit (who happens to be an ex-military homeless guy) to teach them to protect themselves or get even. Everything actually is funny until the last part where the three protagonist decide to fight it off. The antagonist go to such extremes that it drives the guys of the edge and this is where things become scary and an eye opener.
The 18-year old bully tries to run them over with a car, publicly humiliate them and the sorts that would make your blood boil. The worse thing is that the school system doesn’t seem to take matters seriously when the boys bring their parents in. At the end, no one gets killed, Drillbit loses a pinkie, bully gets sent to Hong Kong to see his parents.
I just hope that people actually understood the message portrayed here that we need to stand up against school violence and these types of bullying in to lower levels of our school system. It all starts there as well as proper intervention by parents or guardians at home. Bullies are mostly adolescents having problems with their up bringing and so they release this rage and feeling of power up on their schools. This should be sorted out before it goes out of hand. School shootings that have happened in the past may have had bullying or school humiliation as a catalyst and these are things which are preventable.
There was this particular time in my blog that I was slamming the RTA public transport service. Forget their overpriced taxi and stupid 10AED policy because apparently their head nachos all own expensive SUVs and salaries that will lure 60 year olds out of retirement.
Despite all this, after being away from Dubai for almost a year, only coming during the call of weekends or shopping urges, I can startsaying that the RTA seems to have done their jobs finally. I have my own policy aboutgetting jobs done, “It doesn’t matter how long the job takes as long as it gets done.” Well, the RTA have completed the following:
Get their air-conditioned bus waiting stations up.
Improve the city bus service
I mean with wasn’t a complete overhaul resulting to 90% total improvement. First of all the air-conditioned bus sheds as mentioned as the first of its kind in the Middle East. It is only pure logic when I say that during June, temperature hit as high as 45C to 50C. It simply makes sense to get these facilities or you have customers looking like soaked rags or looking for some other form of transport with taxis being their last resorts. The sun isn’t the thing that’s hot here; its the wind and pavement. Unfortunately, it took almost ayear and a half or even more to get there things working. This was the only complaint I had regarding about this. They advertised this facility as being available but these were not yet completed. There are still some of them awaiting completion and those which will never have it (due to building constraints, Karama Post Office area) but the point is that almost 80% seem to working. The air condition is working and its 20C cooler. Waiting for the bus was tolerable and it wasn’t about the temperature gettingon your nerves but because of bus frequency. This is a good start, I just hope that these facilities last a long time, yes they can turn off the air-conditioning during winter, and I hope they can be enjoyed by all (Unfortunately, the workers in Al Quoz are hard working people and you can smell the day’s work they’ve been through, it doesn’t smell pleasant at all!)
Now increasing the fleet of buses is a very good thing and the fact that these buses were not the same Benz or Scania models used before, makes me excited. The buses theyve got arelarger and longer buses with more space, comfortable seats and better air-conditioning. They accommodate more passengers and makethe trip a slightly better experience. More bus fleet means better timings right? Not really. But RTA is getting there! During this time of recession there aren’t too many cars on the roads now, some how you feel thankful that the roads are less congested but at the same time you have to feel sorry for the guys who lost their jobs because of this economic downturn.
So from what I heard, buses come in more frequently and is easier to ride on unlike the past 2 years where you were mentally and physically sapped out from a 1 1/2 hour bus ride. Aside for their 2AED cost (near or far) charge and card only policies on some of their buses, I really have to hand it to them. Honestly, I can’t wait to get on one of those double-deckers and hopefully zip from point A at point B at a fraction of the cost and a fraction of the time.
As for the DURL (Dubai Rapid Link), all I can say is that this thing should have been planned since the 1990s to address the expansion problem. The problem with Dubai is that the plans were how to make the city more financially expandable not to mention vertical for their insane high-rise aspirations. They completely forgot the population growth and with the emergence of business, of course you will need better transport facilities. So as for the DURL, a little bit too late but I guess we can bear with it. Where were you during my 3 years of work in DIC? I suffered long and hard along with the other people working there. Anyways, better late than never I always say. Its just funny that the transport system is built around known landmarks and shopping malls and not the other way around. I always thought that once youve established transport landmarks, buildings will come up around it, now I see some DURL stations cropping up in the tightest of places. Time will tell how this will go.
* By the way, as the title suggests, GTA5 or Grand Theft Auto V, there are unconfirmed reports that they will make Dubai the model city for the game. Believe me, I bet the roads would be wider there and it would be lovely just to free roam.*
For the entire month of March and April, I have enjoyed my best month of attendance. It is the first time in my entire tenure in Tawam that I have not gone over the 15 minute allowance. Work starts at 7AM and I had the maximum IN time of 706AM. My daily average would be 3 minutes past seven o’clock and I think it good thing for me as a professional. I am earlier than most of my colleagues and gives a very favorable impression on my manager. I am very proud indeed because I have eliminated tardiness at work for 2009. I know it’s too early for me to summarize but its the positive attitude that moves me forward.
Now for the past few weeks I do see that the time I move from my house is getting past 650 and so, for my best interest, I am planning to set my alarm to 525 until I can actually speed up my movements. I’ve actually been thinking a lot of things such as getting things done in the least possible movement from one room to another, maximizing energy and dress up time. It is true that trying to look good will take up a lot of your time and it does, but punctuality is more important to me than looks. I can fix my looks at work. I guess I will need to bring in provisions to work like an extra tie, a shoe brush, a comb and some gel. Oh, lets not forget the tooth brush for those really rushed up breakfast attacks. Oh what the heck, I think better to bring the entire kitchen sink while I am at it.
The UAE has one of the cheapest gas costs around the world since it is one of the oil powerhouses in the Middle East. Unfortunately, taking a cab in the UAE is almost equivalent to the ones in New York. In a place where cars and gas is cheap, water and taxi fares are one of the highest commodities you can pay for here. However, the RTA has gone up one step better (worse) in the art of consumer mud hole stomping! If there was an award for worst way of making consumers suffer, this is one of the candidates for this award.
So what is it all about, well, to put it simply, short trips or the minimum fare will cost you 10AED. What is a short trip? A short trip is a taxi ride which is just a short distance of travel which is approximately 4.8Km. So if you travel 500m to 3Km, you will be charged 10AED as a flat rate, anything beyond that will incur regular charges. On a hot sunny day in Dubai and staying in Muraqqabat, a trip to Al Ghurair Center, roughly 1.4Km will cost me 10AED, when before it costs me 6AED or less when the meter runs on a flag down basis. And just to give you a clearer picture of this, I am staying in Al Ain and I pay 9AED for a 13Km trip, of course this is not Dubai and the taxi service is sub par compared to RTA. RTA used to charge 1AED per 800 meters, yes 800m not per 1KM, a taxi driver has told this to me and they change this rule to encourage longer travel, more profit and avoiding traffic infested areas. By the way, the increased their flag down from 3AED to 4AED, so my computation of 6AED X 0.8Km gives you at least 4.8Km of getting the taxi to travel round and round till you consume your 10AED.
A lot of people have had difficulty accepting this new rule and to tell you frankly, it’s quite a bad time to implement such strategies in the market. This is the time of recession and to some extent you could understand that this is just business but when you attack the consumer in this manner where it would seem more of profit making, then we see it in another light. It is not our fault that we don’t live in Jumeirah, and yes I know that most of your cab drivers love making rounds to really far places. It isn’t our fault that Karama is congested and Maktoum Bridge as well, either the roads were not big enough or there wasn’t a clamp down on car population control. If it wasn’t a crime to do car pooling (before the police department implemented it) then maybe there would be a slight drop in the number of cars, not to mention a very efficient bus service so that people would use them more. If you made the fares cheaper, then maybe the public would ride these taxis more.
I mean there are so many things that can be done to address these mere reasons for putting up such a tariff. Imagine tourists riding a taxi for 7AED just to get dinner, and then when they pay 50AED, they get 40AED in return, doesn’t create a favorable impression at all, and then you see the taxi driver who has difficulty speaking English, let alone read, point to a newspaper cutting about the fare tariff. One tip, remember, this is YOUT 10AED you are spending, make them earn it. If your trip is 2.5KM, then make them travel the extra distance, take the long cut!
Anyways, take a look at this article from Arabian Business and see Dubai do another first in becoming one of the most over rated and expensive places to live in. I know, its the place where I live in and I have no right to speak out like that but then again, I am not the only one with this complaint.
A taxi ride in Dubai will now cost a minimum of AED10, it emerged on Friday.
The increase comes after drivers complained that short trips wasted their time and hindered their efforts to hit their daily minimum targets.
While the starting fare will remain at AED4, transport chiefs have introduced the AED10 minimum fare with immediate effect, UAE daily Gulf News reported.
A Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) spokesperson told the paper that the final decision was taken on March 31 after consultation with the Dubai Taxi Agency and four other franchise taxi companies in Dubai. The new fare is effective immediately.
People keep testing the religious tolerance of the United Arab Emirates particularly in Dubai. We know of the underground things that is happening there and the not so underground things have also shown up and is now being taken notice off. It actually is a blessing that this place does not have the strict regulations of Saudi Arabia where mingling with females is strictly forbidden and punishable by law. Unfortunately, many people have crossed the boundary of indecency (for them). We couldwallow in our own countries and enjoy leg revealing shorts, plunging necklines, arm over the shoulders, sweet kisses on the cheek and so on, but this isn’t our country. For the past year though, this system has been abused and now, the system is fighting back. Below is an article in Al Arabiya about this issue. So it is best to make sure to keeps your lips to yourselves and hands inside your pockets.
Dubai issues list of prohibited public behavior
Playing loud music, wearing short shirts, dancing, nudity, kissing and even holding hands in public are all considered inappropriate behavior under new guidelines laid down by the authorities of Dubai, according to a press report on Saturday.
The Dubai Executive Council issued a list of special standards governing public behavior that requires Dubai residents and visitors to respect the customs of the Muslim country and avoid what the council considers inappropriate behavior, the Arabic-language Emarat al-Youm reported.
The rules, which apply to all public places, include a ban on all forms of nudity, playing music loudly, dancing, kissing between men and women and unmarried couples holding hands. In addition, the council ordered that anyone caught under the influence of alcohol—even a small amount—outside designated drinking areas would be fined or imprisoned. Any breach of the guidelines, by nationals or expatriates, carries a possible prison penalty or deportation, the paper said, adding that the guideline have been distributed to governmental departments and private companies. The order also requires all visitors of public places, such as government buildings, shopping malls, streets and restaurants to dress in “appropriate” clothing, otherwise they would be denied entrance. “Pants and skirts have to be of appropriate length and outside clothing should not expose body parts indecently and should not be transparent,” the guidelines stipulate under section “public behavior.” Slogans or pictures considered “insulting” to any group or religion were also prohibited.
Conflicting reports
Nasser al-Hamali, the council spokesperson, refused to comment on the report. “We are not authorized to give any interview now and do not have any comment on this issue. We don’t care what is published in newspapers,” he told AlArabiya.net. “Let the press and the people talk.” But an official government source familiar with the matter who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter denied that such guidelines had been issued and said that if the report were true other newspapers would have received a copy of it.
Dubai, a member of the seven-emirate United Arab Emirates, has a diverse culture as it is home to a foreign population made up mainly of low-skilled workers from Asia and white-collar, mainly Western, professionals. Unlike most of its neighbors in the conservative Gulf region, the emirate tolerates a relatively relaxed dress code and hosts dozens of hotels that have bars and clubs, where alcohol is legally served. However, a series of incidents, including crackdowns on cross dressers and the expulsion of two British expats found guilty of having sex on the beach, has thrown the clash of local and foreign cultures in the limelight.
Despite not having a single tear drop from my eye, a heart streaming with grievous agony is calling and crying out. Within the past two days, March 6 2009 and March 7, 2009 will be both remember for one reason for two distinct individuals that have changed the lives of many. March 6, 2009, at twelve noon, Francis Magalona, the King of Pinoy Rap, Kiko, The Man from Manila, The Master Rapper succumbed to complications from a very life threatening form of leukemia. The Philippines has lost a national icon and a man who has spoken to the youth and the people of the Philippines through his nationalistic and thought provoking lyrics. I honestly could not believe it and it was difficult for me to believe because I really never paid attention with his batle with leukemia. A person, who in more ways than most politician have, tried to spread the message of oneness and better change for the land of the Three Stars and a Sun. It is so ironic that a person who has been so instrumental to change and nationalism be taken away from us while there are so many people who have no morals, with greedy intent that waste their lives away. It really is a sad day not just for the music industry but for the Philippines as the Pearl of the Orient has lost a true son!
I just want to also take time for everyone to view an Eat Bulaga tribute to Francis M. G-Loc 9 , singing the last verse to the song “Lando” brought so much emotion to this song. I couldn’t help but feel really sad. The song itself also had the rough touch of reality about losing someone which made it even more powerful knowing that my grandfather also passed away.
G-Loc 9
March 7, 2009, at around 7:40AM, my grandfather, Juan Martinez passed away with battles arising from complication of prostate and bone cancer. My Gramps fought this out for more than a year, we thought that he got well after his prostate cancer subdued but then it had spread particularly the bone area. It was really difficult for me to see my Gramps in pain. He was always having pain in his leg area and having his care taker stroke his leg, a feeling of helplessness sets in. I also learned that my Gramps was also taking morphine to subdue the pain and it was just difficult communicating with him because the medication was just playing with his senses. He kept mistaking me for my father.
During all this time, my aunts came home to the Philippines because there were indications that my Gramps was giving in. At the end, everybody knew what to expect. Somehow, despite our loss we were relieved because we know that my grandfather is no longer in pain, no more medication, no more injections and trips back and forth of the hospital. I won’t remember how he died, my Gramps tried valiantly to stay till his 90th birthday on May, he kept talking to my dad and my dad said he would come and visit but he told him that he could make it on his birthday. My Gramps tried so hard, unfortunately, fate had other plans.
Despite this, all I can say is that Daddy Pogi has done so much, not just for 11 kids he left behind but for the generations after that. My cousins and their kids, one way or the other have been brought up and instilled with Martinez family values. Raising 11 children is no easy task, I cannot help but take pride at the things he has done. I may not know all of it or may even know my grandfather so well but I see him in the way that my father brought me up. Living with the Martinez family is living in a very big community, we’ve stretched to most parts of the modern world, the seeds of the Martinez virtues have grown and blossomed and although it isn’t perfect, the world did become a better place. To Daddy Pogi; Thanks for everything. I miss you and I love you. I know that you live within me and through my brothers and sister, my parents, my family, through the entire Martinez clan! From your roots we’ve spread like branches with fruits. You’ve done a great job Gramps, now it’s time to rest… =(
So after thirty eight days of vacationing, I am finally on my way back to the place I also call home. Being away again from my wife, daughter, mom and loved ones, I kind oftook this trip back in a less dramatic manner. Was it because I would not miss them that badly?
Thetruth is that my wife and daughter will be back with me within six months time so it isn’t as bad as before where I had to wait for a year or even more at times. As for my mom and my sisters, I guess you can say that we are a bit parted. I will miss mymom and I already miss my dad. However, my mentality is set that he is still in Dubai although we know that he has already moved to Indonesia. I do know that there is still a lot to do particularly with my brother and sister who is back in Dubai. Marlon,with the ideas of entertaining marriage and moving out of the apartment we’ve called home for more than 15 years and Myra, although we can’t see the mess she is in right now, I am hoping that we can help her in getting back on track, she is taking this bachelorette thing a little bit too far and I am very concerned about her. I guess this will be the family projects I will be working on for the first half of 2009. I do have little side missions as well, completing the change of my passport to machine readable as per requirements of the Philippine DFA, I think the deadline for this is set to April. The next thing is to also get UAE National ID which has a deadline by the end of this year.
As for major things coming up ahead, I have to deal with the flights of Angie and Isa this coming July. Priorities first, to get the appointment that Isa needs for her right eye. Unfortunately a small cyst has formed up on the upper eyelid which can be surgically removed within 20 minutes. It isn’t life threatening at all but of course we would like to make sure that Isa gets the best for her health and appearance. I would like to extend my thanks to Fahad, the clerk in Opthalmology in Tawam who has helped me arrange the appointment with the good doctor.
As of right now, I am not really sure if the wait to July would be long. Travel and communication has really made this world a smaller place to live in. Sometimes, I feel that my wife and daughter is a stone throw away from me. It’s so easy to get in touch with them that sometimes I feel that I my wife is watching right behind me. Hehehe. I love my wife. Shesalways been there for me even though I am such a bum when I get back home in the Philippines. If it weren’t for the computer games I play, I could actually pay more attention to Isa and her. Unfortunately, this is how I am as a father. It does suck and when you are put away from the things you take for granted you sometimes realize the chances I’ve screwed up. It almost seems to be a crime but somehow, my wife has understood how I can be such an @$$, for this I love the way my wife cares for me even if sometimes I prefer that she give all her love to Isa who needs it more than I do. I’m a lucky son of a gun, to have a wife life her, in-laws who really don’t hate me for being like that, although I don’t send a lot, I just hope somehow they know that I care.