CHRISTmas greetings

Have a blessed celebration everyone.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS! c",)

WhaT is HOMESICK?!

Homesickness (or in some cases, Nostalgia), is the distress or impairment caused by an actual or anticipated separation from the specific home environment or attachment objects.

Believe it or not but I don't normally feel homesick though I'm so far from home. I guess living in a dorm during college days and in an apartment during my Hitachi days make me so used to being away. Besides, I have my brother (our eldest) and his wife around and their presence somehow makes me feel a piece of home. I also have my college friends here plus some office friends and my weekend is never idle because of them.


Isa pa, dito I could do more things. One example is diving. It's expensive in Pinas. And so only those richy rich could afford such activities. In short, am having fun here. And I'm not missing home much...

Uhm, not until recently.



Mom, Dad and my four pamangkins were here last October. It was a very short stay - roughly 10 days. But they were here just in time for my birthday. (My birthday is 25th. They were here on 24th evening, almost 25th mn. Their flight was supposedly a week earlier but due to the kid's exams in school, they had a change of sched.) Btw, my birthday was just an added reason on why they went here. They have some other agenda. Nevertheless, their presence added much joy to my day! I'll post my so late entry 'bout my party soon.

Our place was a mess those times. Imagine having 4 kids in the room! Yet the feeling of going home after a looong day at work excites me knowing that I'll see Mom and Dad plus the kids again. Bago pa lang ako makauwi, tatanong ko na kung san kami pupunta. My kuya and ate decide on where to go. Sila ang may mas free na sched.

Mom and Dad enjoying the view

Family souvenir

Tourists =)

Li'l Pink Girl and Li'l Green Boy

The KiDz Hannah Banana and Daddy with the super messy background

Me and Li'l Me

Luv this li'l girl

It was Nov. 3 (3am flight) when they went back to Pinas. The room seems empty when they left. Sob!

Friday last week I called Mom:

Ma: Uwi ka naman (for Christmas) kahit 5 days lang. Naho-homesick ako e.

Me: Ano ka ba, Ma?! Nasa HOME ka kaya! =)

The conversation made me laugh for a while but later I realized sana nga I could go home.

Symptoms in homesickness may be emotional, cognitive, or physical. In extreme cases, physical health problems accompany the hallmark symptom of homesickness, which is preoccupying thoughts of home. Most people describe homesickness as a want or longing to be back home, continuously missing their parents, spouse, relatives, friends, mates, pets, and aspects of their familiar environments. People may describe their feelings as a deep sadness, depression, frustration, anger, or hopelessness...Symptoms may include cramps, ulcers, diarrhea, headaches, tense muscles, vomiting, tears, crying and withdrawal, etc.

I knew I'll miss my FAM. But I never thought I'll have this extended feeling of Homesickness. Dec na kaya! Hindi naman ako ganito last year. Hhhmmm, kaya cguro lately I'm becoming sickly.

GeN naho-HOMESICK na OFW

Can't sleep

I was lying on my bed for more than a couple of hours but i just can't sleep. Sabi nila sa mga ganitong pagkakataon daw na d ka makatulog may nag-iisip daw sayo. Totoo kaya iyon?

I guess.

Dahil sa mga oras na ito may isang tao na sa tingin ko ay d makatulog dahil naiisip ako - ang Mommy ko. She's missing me. And I'm missing her too.

ApPLe of the eye ng Mommy ko

just a little unwell

Today is one of the very few times that I stayed home the whole day... Yes! That is because I'm not so well.

I don't wanna say I'm sick. I'm just a little unwell.

It started with colds yesterday. I usually don't take medicines pag may sipon. Pero since may nagmagandang loob to give me some meds and a bottle of lemon juice, I took colds tablet and have a short rest (I got out from work early). I still have a function to attend to sa gabi - NAMA-UAE General Meeting.

I was okei naman during the event. Buti hindi ako hinaching ng hinaching dun kagaya nung nasa office ako. I was home past 12 am and decided to take rest agad.

And this morning, it isn't the usual okei feeling. But i need to get up. Hindi na rin naman kase ako makatulog. Started doing the laundry after the morning rituals and a not so hearty breakfast. My brother has been doing the laundry the past weeks so it's time na ako naman.

I started feeling cold again this afternoon even after two tablets of Paracetamol! And now my eye bags are puffy na parang I haven't slept.

I hope tom I'll be SO WELL.

HaPpY HaPpeNiNGs ...SEPTEMBER Rewind!

Sept. 1 - Dinner Celebration at Baitong
Congratulations Ate Catz for being one of UAE's licensed driver!

For all those who doesn't know, it isn't easy to get a driver's license here. Hence, this event really calls for a celebration.

while the others are getting ready, the rest are having photo sessions

Teng-teng (Captain Barbell Dubai Version) & Me

(Wishing to be slim) Me & (Fatty) Xandz

Time to Eat
She's eating much & it isn't new

Gwapo (Handsome) c Josh

Cuties! =)

Kiddos

Purple & Pink & oily faces

ApPLe, Ate Cathy & Leyz

September 1 is also the start of Ramadan kaya naman office hrs is shortened. For me, 2 hrs less time sa work! Wow! =)

Sept. 5 - Ate Bing's Birthday Celebration
Another special occassion for the barkada. Everyone's at the mansion (that's how we call the flat in Bur Dubai. It's so spacious, that's why).

picture...

...picture!

gifts presentation...

bday girl with Ton-Ton & Tin-Tin

with our Ate Beng with Jun-Jun, Anne & Tuni

with Teodz

with K. Francis & Me

macho daw, happy birthday girl & long haired me (Ate Bing showing her golden make-up kit)

with the barkada's new couple, Xandz & Ate Cathz (& their gift from Ace hardware)another shot for their bonggang Lacoste gift (uhm, d lang kita. hehe!)

Ate Loves with Kuya Loves... LV gift! sosyal! =)

Time to do VIDEOke...while drinking the nyt away

Sept. - Coffee Chizmizan at Starbucks & Burger King
Nothing to celebrate. Just wanted to unwind.

Partners still

Johnz, para kanino 'tong picture natin? charing!

Since Starbucks is closing earlier than we wanted to go home, we decided to head to Burger King.

More chika, more photos...

E, bakit ako lang? super close up pa! =)

let's have some group photos...

hindi masyado kita c Johns

again (take 2!)...

Birdz, you're not so kita
again (take 3!)...

Ayan! =)
hindi naman kami sobrang masaya ng lagay na 'to! =)

Acknowledgment:

Sept. 1 & 5 photos are taken (using his DSLR), re-sized & sent by Xandz.

Starbucks & burger king photos are taken by Teodz, Johns & Birdz using my camphone & Birdz' digicam.

Note:

This post has been in my drafts folder for the longest time! hehe! =)

Another set of happy moments that I could look back to.

THANK YOU, guys! =)