Cool Breeze Ahead

The weather is starting to become bearable now that autumn is officially on. It's a good thing to be able to stand outside and not get drenched in your own sweat even for just a minute. The breeze is inviting. It's cool and such a respite from the long, withering, summer months of the Middle East.

I am looking forward to a nice fall season this time and hopefully, winter will be ok (not that it snows here). I just miss the cold season and my winter outfits!

Welcome autumn. I will welcome winter very soon too!

Suddenly Sandy

One look at my blog post's title will make you think of a song or our memories of Hurricane Sandy. No, not even close to those things. I'm talking literally. It is suddenly sandy in our area now.

We came home around 4 p.m. and the weather was still fine. The breeze was blowing not as hot as the previous days and it was sunny and bright.  And just an hour after we got home, my daughter heard the howling of the wind and thought that I was making fun of her. We checked the balcony area and yes, it was the sandstorm. I thought it was too early for Little Sandstorm to make a visit but it did anyway.

It is still blowing sand all over as of this writing and thank goodness I didn't leave any clothes to dry outside today. I guess, the weather will be a bit kind in the coming days. This can only mean one thing - Hello Autumn!

Video of the sandstorm from our balcony...

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!

It's So Cold Here

I think I don't like to come here in the US during winter or post winter time. It is supposed to be spring already but the weather is like winter.

We are bracing ourselves to the colder temperature in Buffalo, New York later on. Today's weather forecast in NY is around 15 degrees Celsius but I am not sure if it's April Fool's Day or what but the forecast for April 1 and 2 in Niagara Falls, NY is around 4 degrees Celsius as the highest and 0 to -4 as the lowest with snow. I keep checking on the weather, maybe it will still change but no luck.

Screen shot from Accuweather.com

Much as we are all excited to see snow, we're more eager to see the blooms of spring. Anyway, snow or not, Niagara, here we come!

November Rain in Dubai

A lot of us here in Dubai have been praying for rain to come, even briefly. And our prayers are answered last night and today.

It doesn't rain here often but when it does, it signifies the change of season. We're ushering to the winter season now so we expect a drop in temperature in the coming days. That can only mean one thing, hello winter clothing!

As of this writing, it's still raining like cats and dogs. I had to put the air condition unit off because it's a bit cold and bearable. The road's wet and the drainage is not that good here. So, it's a bit flooded in some roads. Thank goodness it's weekend so there's not much traffic around except for some cars and trucks doing their usual business on a Friday morning.

I miss the rain, not the hurricane or typhoon kind but this light steady downpour as it washes the sand away. It's not every year that we get rain here and when it does, it's a welcome respite to the hot, summer days of the previous months.

It's nice to just sit near the balcony, watch the rain fall and drink a very hot chocolate in this rainy Friday morning.

Not Quite Up And About

It's been more than a week since we got back from our eventful NYC vacation at the height of Hurricane Sandy. I'm still reeling and the jet lag is kicking in big time. BUT, I am missing NYC already.

Call me crazy but I love the place so much I just can't get enough of it, hurricane and all. I just hoped the natural calamity didn't happen while we were there because I was looking forward to enjoy that getaway.

I learned a valuable lesson here. Next time we travel, I will certainly make sure that I check the weather  forecast around the place, in the nearby states and even from nearby countries before we go. I have not fully recovered from scary experience but really thankful that we are all safe. I feel so bad for those who have lost their properties and loved ones. This whole thing only proved that nobody can mess with Mother Nature.

Giving Thanks Today

Photo credit: yahoo.com

It's so nice to wake up in the morning feeling refreshed and relaxed after a long and taxing work week. And what's so great about this morning is that I thank God for another day, for the beautiful weather, for the family beside me, for a quirky little pooch sleeping on the foot of the bed, for the cozy bed, for the home, for the food on the table, for the warm clothing and there are just too many to be thankful for. 

I don't have to wait for Thanksgiving to appreciate everything around me for today is another day and I shall live it to the fullest!

Happy Friday everyone! Be thankful for your blessings!

Weekend Activities and Good Weather

The weather is quite inviting these past few days. I think it signifies the coming of the cooler months. We are all enjoying the breezy weekend and the whole family has so many stuff to do. My daughter has her activities with friends, hubby with his guests and I with my blogging and business opp.

Our weekend has never been this manic before. We used to just stay home because the weather is uncooperative. However, October spells more activities for all of us and probably the coming months.

I do hope I will find the energy to do all that we have lined up for the month (not to mention a travel in the offing...hehehe)!

Hazy, Sandy and Hot UAE

Photo credit: offexploring.com

And the saga of the extremely hot weather system continues today but with a twist. It is hazy and sand-stormy too. The wind is blowing hot air and we can use a little rain, don't you think?

I prayed for a slightly improved weather and somehow, there is a breeze. Albeit it is hot, it is still a breeze that can bring a teeny-tiny comfort to everyone.

I wonder if the season will change early this year. There are tell-tale signs of seasonal change but I hope what we are experiencing now is not a prelude to a longer hot and humid summer.

Walking In An Oven

No, you didn't read the title wrongly. I am referring to the weather here in Dubai. It is extremely hot outside. It is like standing inside an oven and getting baked. I am actually wheezing at the moment and praying it won't develop into full-blown asthma bout. I can't stand having asthma. It's just very difficult to breathe and I feel like suffocated. That is how the weather is today. Suffocating. Stifling.

I am not complaining. It's just stating a very obvious fact. It was around 44 degrees Celcius around noon time, or maybe even higher. I feel so sorry for those whose job involves working outside for a long period of time because it's not a joke to even stand a minute in the blistering heat.

Dear Lord, please ease the heat a bit.

So Hot

It is very hot these days here in the UAE. I just feel so tired all the time and have a tad wheezing. I am afraid to go out after I come home from work because the heat is stifling. I feel suffocated. And that is only a brief moment out of the house. Imagine the laborers and construction workers whose daily work involves manual labor in the open.

So if you are out all the time, just make sure you are well hydrated and wear light clothing and cotton fabric to absorb perspiration. Last thing you want to get is sick in this very hot and humid season.

Gray Over Cast and Weird Weather

I woke up this morning feeling a wee disoriented because normally at this season, it's already sunny around 6 a.m.  The sky was dark gray and there was a slight drizzle. I was hoping it would rain briefly so we could feel the cool breeze once again before it finally bid adieu to welcome summer.

The weather system this year is so unpredictable. Well, it's never predictable really but it is so odd. Spring was short-lived and we are already entering the grueling summer season. It's not fun but we have to brace ourselves because it can get hotter, I pray not but I do hope we can bear the scorching heat once again.

Weather Dips in Dubai

Forecast for today is cloudy with temperature going as low as 13 degrees Celcius. This winter is not as cold as the previous winters in Dubai many years ago. I remember experiencing non-stop rains and hail storms. This year's winter is like the weather in New York on a mid-day fall season.

The sky has an overcast and I thought it would rain because of the gray clouds. It might rain this week and if that happens, it will be colder.

The wind is quite cold and bites. We all slept with our thermal pjs and socks with thick comforters to keep us warm. I know I said it's not as cold as the previous winters but the temperature at night takes a dip. We have to close the windows to keep the cold out.

The extended forecast until next week is still the same, max 18 degrees Celcius and a low of 12/13.

I love this weather - not very cold and not warm. I hope it's like this all year round.

Flu Season is On

Another bout with the pesky cold is dampening my spirit. I usually love the colder months here and I just like the way winter season makes my skin glow, my pores tight, my hair manageable and my complexion lighter than usual. However, this is also the season where I battle the fight to ward coughs and colds.

Just few weeks ago, I had my sinusitis attack again. It's coming back too! I have been sneezing with matching watery eyes and awfully painful joints. I hope I am not coming down with a flu because I cannot afford another sick leave especially when I just used few days 2 weeks ago.

So, this season is a bit tricky. The weather is either cool and cold. The breeze is inviting but it dips around the afternoon towards early morning the next day. It will get colder as the days pass and we should all be ready to brace ourselves with the weather changes.

Follow this tips to ward off the flu this season:

1. Drink plenty of water and fresh juices.

2. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Get proper nutrition and take your multi-vitamins too.

3. Have enough rest and sleep.

4. Wear proper clothing. If your office area is like a freezer then change the temperature control accordingly.

5. Wear woolen socks at night to keep your feet warm.

6. Have an inoculation for Influenza.

7. Control stress because it is one of the biggest factor which weakens your immune defenses.

Keep those tissues and flu virus at bay and strive to be healthy throughout the colder months.

Driving Safely in Foggy Condition

I am not used to drive in foggy conditions. It is a common occurrence here in the UAE especially when the season is changing. We are used to the weather but navigating through main thoroughfares with other motorists who have no consideration to other human lives is another story.

Fog is a thick cloud bank that lies low in the ground. Visibility can be affected and most and if the fog is very thick, then you can expect a zero visibility. This condition is the scariest for motorists because you don't know if there is a vehicle in front of you and if it is slowing down or not.

Here are tips to drive safely in foggy condition:

• Check weather conditions and be aware so you can prepare in advance.
• Use your fog lights if it is installed in your vehicle. Is you live in a place where foggy condition is common, install fog lights in your vehicle.
• Do not drift in the middle of the line and stay in line as much as possible. Use your right side as a guide.
• If you are driving with someone else, please ask the help of your passenger to watch out for any oncoming traffic.
• Keep a safe distance. One full length of a car is normally the safe distance between 2 vehicles. However, in foggy weather, allow at least 2 full length of car distance.
• Do not speed up. It is difficult to know if the vehicle in front of you is slowing down if the fog is thick.
• Keep your defroster and wiper on if necessary because the moisture in the air can collect on your windshield making driving more difficult.
• Pull over to the side of the road if the visibility is zero. Better yet, let the fog settle and it normally clears mid-morning. If you can afford to skip work for few hours then do so. I would rather be late than sorry.

Hurricane Irene Hits Landfall

The much feared super hurricane Irene has set landfall today in the Eastern Seaboard of USA. More than 2 million people were advised to seek higher grounds and move to a safe place. New York City's subway station was shut down for the first time because of this natural disaster.

The angry storm is said to pack 100 mph of winds early today. North Carolina's coast has been affected already with power outages in some areas, some roofs ripped from warehouses and damaged buildings and trees. Witnesses report that a tornado might have been spawned by the super hurricane to cause the damages.

President Barak Obama has cut his vacation short and returned to Washington to address the people to act now before it is too late.

Hurricane Irene, so far, is the first to have caused this mass evacuation in New York, North Carolina, Martha's Vineyard in Mass., including New Jersey and Maryland's affected areas.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

It's been 4 days since my daughter and I arrived in Manila but we haven't seen any sunlight yet. All we saw were rain and more rain! I could barely go out because it is pouring every day. I haven't seen some of my family and friends yet and I haven't done what I have planned to do.

I only have few days in my leave so rain, rain, please go away. Let me enjoy my stay!

Summer Is Coming

I am really not so happy with the weather the past year and now. We did not feel the winter at all! It was cold very briefly but not very chilly to the point that we had to wear our winter clothing. It was just okay. It was not like that few years ago. Before it used to rain so hard that the streets get flooded. Sometimes there were even hailstorm for a day or two to signify the onset of a very cold season. Not this season.

It was already very hot this morning. I had to turn the air conditioning unit on. The same case is happening at home. Last 2009, we did not switch the a/c unit on until early May because it was still cold.

I told my husband that the climate is taking a different turn this time. We may have to check out humidifiers soon. I think summer will come very soon. We may not even experience spring because we barely felt winter. I hope that is not the case. It can be very, very hot in this country.

Stranded and Cold

The weather is harsh in the northern hemisphere. I feel so sorry and sad to all those who are stuck in the airport, subway, train stations, bus terminals, in the bus, in their cars, in the airports and anywhere else I can imagine. The snow storm struck in the most busiest of time - the holiday rush. 

This is one of the reason we don't travel to the colder regions on December - January. you just can't tell when the snow storm will hit the hardest. Even if the forecast says something about snow storm, one cannot expect the magnitude a storm can cause.

I pray everyone who are stuck right now in the cold will find some comfort in any means. I hope assistance and the resumption of transportation services go back to normal the soonest possible time.

Welcoming Autumn and the Onset of Winter

Well, it cannot be denied anymore. Fall has come! The weather is great. I woke up at 6:15 a.m. and the sun was up but not as bright as the summer sunrise. I quickly did the bath routine and ent to church with my good pal.

The air was crisp as it blew cool draft on my face. The sun was a little harsh around 8:00 a.m. after the mass. Good thing, I have checked some hydroxatone reviews previously so I applied moisturizer with hydroxatone and SPF to keep my skin nourished and not susceptible to the weather changes. The season change can do so much harm on one's skin so at least I am prepared on that. Clothing wise, I am eager to take out from the winter box all my warm clothing. I just love dressing up in layers.

I really love the onset of winter. The weather brings out the best of my skin tone and condition. Not only that, I love seeing autumn flowers in full bloom. Although the trees here do not change their color much as the trees in the Northern Hemisphere. I still love cool weather just the same.