Hello Sunny Dubai

I thought I will never say this but after our 10-days stay in the very cold and still very wintery weather in New York, made me miss Dubai badly. And to top it off, I was raring to go home during the last few days in Buffalo.

The weather there is extremely cold for me and I am one who loves cold weather but not the wintery one. My friend from Canada who drove all the way to Buffalo to see us even said it was mild. I can just imagine what "extreme" is like. I can feel the cold in my bones. My back was getting very stiff and my layers of thermal clothing are not really helping.

So, we're back in Dubai and I could not be more relieved. I am happy to be able to experience the cold weather in the beautiful state of New York which will always be one of my favorite places to visit. I am just not sure if I can stay longer during winter.

Hello Sunny Dubai. I missed you!

All Set And Ready To Go

Everything is set. The hotels have been booked. The car rental is confirmed including our special request for bike rack for suvs. We are just waiting to get in the flight. My daughter and I are here in Dubai and my husband and mom-in-law are still in Manila, waiting for a chance to get seats so they can connect to the New York flight here.

Our logistics and coordination in this trip was almost perfect if it wasn't for travelers chancing their minds and traveling on the dates we have already planned few months ago. The seat availability looked very promising few days ago but now it is crazy!

I am thinking positive and praying for miracles that my husband and mom-in-law will be able to get in the next flight to Dubai so they can follow right away. My daughter and I will take our chance in the Dubai-New York flight tomorrow at 02:55 a.m.  I just hope we get in so at least my husband and mom-in-law will have greater chances of getting in the succeeding flights due to lesser competition.

I am really thinking positive and praying that all goes well.

The Eventful New York Vacation

The recent trip we had was quite the adventure! I still vividly remember feeling scared to a point of getting very terrified about Hurricane Sandy. I can still hear the howling of the wind, I can still feel the cold and moist air biting my face and I can certainly remember how it feels to be really scared stiff.

Images were running in my mind. What if we had to evacuate? What if the flood reaches where we were? What if the tree falls on the apartment? What if the water surge is so high that we would go down? Flashes of various images were running in my head like seeing many police patrols, ambulances, medics running around and carts pushed in the hospital just like the ones I see in the Howard-Medical.com hospital carts.

I know it was negative to think such thoughts but when you are in a situation where you and everyone else is at the mercy of Mother Nature, then you can only hope and pray that everyone will be safe and that everything will calm down.

Despite of the recent calamity and the exciting adventure we had gone through, I still want to visit New York. I will just have to make sure that no storm is brewing nearby.

This Blogger Is On Blog Leave

Every blogger needs a break from the blog scene and I am taking my blog leave from October 25 to 31, 2012!

Last time I went on a blog leave was last July and even then, it was a short break too just like now but it was something my mind begged so I could recharge and enjoy my time with my daughter. This time it's the whole family.

We are visting some relatives again in New York and we just love that place! The weather is cool and inviting, there are lots of goodies on sale and the autumn foliage is starting to show its wonderful hues. Besides those wonderful stuff, I kind of miss Shake Shack and Century 21!

So, if I will comment and visit your blogs on Nov.

Cold Weather Gear

We have trip in the offing by the end of this month, just in time for the long Eid holidays. And guess where we are going again? New York! Yes, it is our all time favorite place to go to during holidays just because everything is accessible and we have family and friends there. It's just so much fun to visit a place when you know people who live there.

The weather there now is getting cooler. We have to keep our warm clothing ready. I may have to buy new winter clothing just like the north face womens jackets I saw in the internet. My winter clothes are getting very outdated and I feel it is time to update them too.

I hope to find great offers there so I can buy some nice winter clothes for myself and family. Who knows, the new winter gears may come in very handy when we push through our Europe tour next year.

Fabulous Shopping Spree in NYC

I cannot get over gushing over NYC. So pardon me dear readers because I just love it there. If only we can live there for good, why not? However, our life is back home so I guess, allow me to just swoon over NYC.

My husband and I have so much fun every time we visit the place. This time, it was just the two of us. Our daughter didn't feel like traveling. Anyway, I have never seen my husband so enthusiastic about shopping in New York.

We went to Duane Reade several times to buy some groceries and stuff to bring home. He even checked the pharmacy area and asked me if he could buy testosterone supplements or the protein shakes. I asked him if he was even working out and wondered "do testosterone supplements work?" He paused and put the jar of supplements and the protein shake can back on the shelf and took other stuff instead like vitamins for our daughter, fish oil capsules for both of us and other vitamins and supplements for our parents back home.   I bought Bengay for my aching legs and feet due to all the walking we were doing there. I also bought my goodies in Duane Reade because everything I wanted to bring home was there. So why go all the way to Walgreens to buy stuff when Duane Reade was just around the corner where we stayed?

We also went to TJ Maxx and Century 21. I had a blast in Century 21. That place saved us the time and hassle of going to New Jersey where Jersey Gardens is. We bought whatever we could in Century 21 near Ground Zero. I bought so many designer bags and wallets. I also bought clothes for my daughter, nephews and nieces. I bought watches like Kenneth Cole and Unlisted for my husband and brother. My husband had plenty of loots as well. And you think only girls go crazy when shopping! He had more stuff in his cart than mine, so who is the shopaholic now?

The shopping didn't end there. He had to go back to TJ Maxx to pick up more stuff for his family and went to NBA store on the last day of our stay in NYC. I forgot to mention, we also went to the souvenir shops near our hotel to pick up some trinkets to bring home for our friends and colleagues. The whole shopping experience in NYC was marvelous. I am used to shopping in outlet malls whenever we are in the US but knowing there are good finds within Manhattan in NYC will definitely save us time and money. We don't have to go to Woodbury Commons which is another premium outlet in New York. If we are buying branded and designer items then we may consider visiting the other outlet malls nearby but I guess, TJ Maxx and Century 21 are enough and what we need to buy is right there anyway.

New York Deals

Visiting New York is one of the best experience a traveler can have in his or her lifetime. It is really a great opportunity to see the place up close and personal and to observe the normal happenings in the city as opposed to what is being represented in the movies and TV shows.

New York has so such to offer in terms of tourism, economy, entertainment and in fashion due to its strategic location in the world. There are numerous new york city daily deal you can find in the internet if you are planning to visit the place or stay there for a certain period of time. These deals can give you access to arts gallery and museums or in the observatory decks of The Rock or Empire State Building. You may also find great offers on city tours, sight seeing, passes and even discounts on shopping outlets and groceries.

A short stay in New York is still worth it if you just want to see the famous places in the city. However, a longer stay like a month or so can give you the feel of being a New Yorker by sitting on the sideline and absorbing the culture and local scene of the place and even enjoy what the city offers in the night scene.

Check the internet now and plan your travel ahead to bag those great daily New York deals. Being in New York is a great deal in itself.

Quake Hits U.S. East Coast

A magnitude of 5.9 quake rattled the east coast side of U.S. today at 1.51 p.m. EDT. The earthquake was centered Northwest of Richmond, Va. It shook Washington D.C as well and evacuation was conducted on the White House, Capitol and part of the Pentagon.

The rambling was felt as far as Rhode Island, New York City and Martha's Vineyard in Mass. where the US president is vacationing.

No casualties has been reported.

Lady Liberty

I remember dreaming about setting foot at Staten Island where the Liberty Statue is situated. I was five years old when I listed it in one of the places I would see when I grow up. And I did!

I never thought I would actually visit New York and some of the famous landmarks of the beautiful state of the US of A. I am very happy and privileged to be an airline staff because I get to afford all the travels my family make.

New York is such a magnet. I am drawn to it despite the negative comments of some people who have been there. I still find the place easy to navigate and everything can be accessed by train or on foot.

I miss the place. I can't wait to visit the place again. I hope very soon!

Dreaming of a Longer Vacation (in NYC)

My body clock is starting to settle in the usual Middle East time. My heart and mind, though, have not.

I normally don't fall in love in a place so fast unlike the way I felt when we visited Paris. I instantly loved New York maybe because of the lifestyle which is similar here in Dubai. The fast-paced life did not appeal much but the fact that everything is almost accessible is a plus factor. I love the fact that we can just go to the subway and take the train to where we want to go without hailing a cab. We don't have to rent for a car to drive around. We can go to the nearby Catholic Church to hear mass. Cross 2 blocks to visit my favorite arts' store - Michaels and simply enjoy the nice fall weather. Not to mention, Central Park is just around the corner if I need to jog.

I have been thinking about New York since we came back. I know I am feeling this as a tourist but it will be a different ball game when I am a New Yorker. To work there will be a different story. I am not aiming that anymore as I have set my heart back home. I don't know but NYC has that certain charisma that draws you more. Funny that in every vacation to other countries that my family and I have, this was the only place I dreaded leaving. I wanted my vacation to last longer than it should. It was the same feeling I have when we visited Paris. I just wanted to stay there forever.

I need a longer vacation. Maybe a month-long vacation will do me good to get away from the work stress and other personal dilemmas that I face right now. I want to soak in more of New York's simple beauty.

Indeed, I LOVE NEW YORK!

Bath and Body Works In Dubai

I have waited for so long for this favorite store of mine to open here in Dubai. Finally, last week of October, the first Dubai branch of the famous ultra-pampering scent store has opened its doors here.

I first encountered this brand when a friend gave me a lotion as a gift 2 years ago. Prior to my fascination with Bath and Body Works stuff, I was totally into Victoria's Secret and would order online to get my loot. I am glad that the favorite stuff I used to get from the outlet malls in the US are now available to the Dubai market.

I just bought some bacterial soap from Jersey Gardens last November 14 while vacationing in New York. Thank goodness I recalled that there is a Bath and Body Works shop here so I just bought the  promotional items there.

I haven't visited the place yet. I may check it out these weekend to compare prices. I am sure it will be slightly higher because of the mark-ups but it is okay. At least I don't have to cross the Atlantic Ocean just to get my favorite scented lotions and body mists.

What would they open next here in Dubai? Victoria's Secret perhaps? They already opened Gap, Banana Republic, Aeropostale, American Outfitters, Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel. I hope they'll consider opening the Middle East market to more great American retail stores across the sea.

Loving New York

I love to travel. My family loves to travel. We are a travelling family and we love doing that.

Whenever we go to other countries, we try as much as we can to see the place, enjoy the sceneries, breathe in their culture and observe how it is like to be one of them.

I have heard negative things said and written about New York and the people who live there. I guess what I have read and heard are all based on other people's point of view and personal experience. We just stayed there for 5 days so I cannot make a very concrete judgment about the place and people to quell the negative things written and said about them. So far, we didn't encounter anything that would "write-off" NYC in my list of "go-to" places.

Yes, the place is manic. People shuffle here and there. The movement is quite frantic and not to mention the billboard signs which light up most of Times Square at night. However, I have seen the other side of the manic world of NYC in Central Park last Sunday after we heard mass from the Holy Name of Jesus Christ Church near 96th St. West. People were having fun, exercising, playing soccer, children running around the playground, dogs fetching sticks, moms pushing their babies strollers, young fellows reading books and talking while seated on the benches and people just sitting there enjoying the sight.

I know it takes a lot of time to really let everything sink in but I am loving New York. I can't even believe people still open doors for you. It didn't happen just once by the way. People still greeted each other with hellos. Nobody shoved us while we gawk on the marvelous sights around us. New Yorkers are rather accommodating, if my observations are correct.

I want to go back there. Perhaps as a tourist again. I don't think we'll ever live in the US because of the recession. While I contemplate my next move, I will be reliving every minute spent in the beautiful city that never sleeps.

Back from NYC!

We just came back from New York City. My darling husband decided to spend the Eid Holidays there and it was a decision made in haste. We had no plans nor itinerary laid out which was unusual because I always made it a point to organize the trip.

We stayed in the Upper Manhattan area along 96th street in Days Inn Hotel. The location was perfect because it was walking distance to the metro station. The hotel was also close to the Central Park, some Catholic churches, Michael's (my favorite arts supplies store), TJ Maxx and cafes and restaurants.

People there, like in Seoul, are health buffs and exercise all the time. The metro was packed and we walked around Time Square and Central Park. I felt that I lost more than a kilo just by walking around the city. It was as if I have taken fat burners because my pants has gotten a little loose! Wow!

I like the place. I love the weather! I love New York!

Swimming in Garbage

Yes, people can swim in garbage - not the actual soiled things we throw but in a garbage dumpster. Who would have thought that a dumpster can be used as a pool? Well, Macro Sea is an innovative company who created the first dumpster pool last year. Now, they have set 3 more dumpster pools around the Park Avenue areas in New York to allow residents to take a dip.

The 8 x 22 foot dumpster pools are just 3 - 4 1/2 feet so diving is prohibited. The inside walls have been lined with layers of felt and pool linings. The pools have their own filtration system and deck and can easily be transported to other cities who will take in the innovative design of David Belt.

Residents in the Park Avenue areas are trying the unique experience. The city has given bracelets to residents on a first-come, first-serve basis to try out the dumpster pool. The pools will be around for 2 Saturdays (August 14 and 21) before the pools are moved.

So, if you live in the area, you may want to shake off the summer heat and take a nice dip in the dumpster and swim in garbage (dumpster pool that is!) with style!

(Photo credit: David Belt)

Need A Help?

I have had the opportunity to experience the complexity and difficulty of planning, organizing, packing, and unpacking our stuff when we moved from one building to another in a different locale. It was the culmination of all headaches I have had in my life rolled in one event. My husband is contemplating about moving again to a cheaper flat but I have to tell him to hold his horses.

Moving should not be a horrendous experience. If you are left on your own devices then it becomes one. However, if you seek help from people who are professional movers then your moving experience becomes a breeze. If you are living in the US of A then there are various professional moving service companies you can choose from. I only wish we have the same kind of service here in Dubai. Unfortunately, it is a different case here.

Hire A Helper is an online site offering various professional help in the form of moving, cleaning, lawn help and day labor. The site is well-presented and you will not get lost in the process as you browse through their services. They offer listings for Moving Companies too based on your location and that covers coast to coast.

The site offers great services in terms of moving. They can help you with packing and unpacking, loading and unloading of boxes and furniture and even help you with driving. All these to make your moving experience a wonderful one!

Another great offer from this site is their learning center tab where you can get valuable tips in moving, cleaning your place, about labor and gardens and lawns. I have not seen that many service and products and even tips in one comprehensive site. Check out their satisfied customers' testimonials and you will be convinced to seek their help right there and then.

HireAHelper.com is the right venue to make your moving woes to awes!

To Travel Soon

I was supposed to go to San Francisco with my hubby and daughter today for the long Eid holidays but due to lack of time and not to mention funds and leave credits; I had to bail out.

I just dropped my hubby to the airport an hour ago for his flight and I really, really wanted to go. Sometimes I ask myself, why I am always stuck here when I can go? The answer always boils down to lack of leave credits. I wish I had many!

One might wonder why at this time of recession, we can still have the opportunity to travel. Answer to that is because we get discount airfare being airline staff. We only pay minimal fee for the ticket price. Also, we get rebate tickets from other airlines and avail of their cheap flights too.

There is a downside to being a staff too. We get very low priority in check-in because of our ticket cost. Most of the time, we even get bumped-off in preference to a paying customer. Well, I have had my share of bump-offs and I am certainly used to it.

Working in the airline industry is probably the best for people who is on the go and likes to see the world like we do. We get many travel advisory from other countries and offers on various destinations guide. We may not be paid well as compared to other companies but combining all the free and discounted ticket fares and special airline staff rates on most destinations and hotels, I think it is really worth it!

So, I may just travel again this January to New York. I have always dreamed of seeing snow so that time will be the best time to travel during the cold season. Anyway, I love cold weather! Big Apple, here I come!

Circus Camp in December

When I was young, about 4 or 5, I remember jumping around, doing cartwheels, splitting and bending my body until I reach the floor. I was very flexible and quite puny so my mom thought of enrolling me to a gymnasium class. Unfortunately, due to time constraints and probably lack of fund, that dream went down the drain.

Now, I see my dream in my daughter's eyes whenever she watches those ladies doing ballet, somersaulting gymnasts and the acrobatic acts of the circus performers. She is lanky and very petite but I find her tall to be actually doing those stuff. I know she wants to do some of the acrobatic tricks because she loves cartwheeling when she was younger.

Maybe I will check out the circus arts camp in New York this December. That will be a great opportunity to show her around the summer camps Westchester area. My cousin lives in New York so I think a drive to that place will be a bonus attraction to my daughter's Christmas wish this year.

Well, I know it's winter and all but it's not bad to think about the summer camp activity my daughter may engage in the future. Who knows, she may just decide to study in the US and take up the summer camp westchester fun!

Getting Excited

I cannot contain my excitement about our upcoming trip to the US of A. I have written our itinerary several times already just to be sure we would not waste precious time. 10 days is to short to be able to state-hop so I want to make sure that we visit great places as much as possible.

I am so glad we have relatives and friends who are kind enough to offer their homes for us to stay in. Imagine if we didn't know anybody there, we would be wasting so much money on accommodation alone. Thank goodness for them!

Our trip will be very lengthy. The longest we have travelled is 8 and 1/2 hours going home to Manila. This trip will total 14 plus hours direct flight to New York from Dubai and from JFK International Airport, another 6 plus hours connecting flight to Los Angeles. I can imagine the mega jet lag already. I hope we get upgraded to business class....wishful thinking!