Sandier Pastures

Just because I got some fabulous shots of Mt. Fuji in Japan from a friend, I’m posting my favorite here.

It’s that time of the year again when I wish I could bring my cross stitching kit, books and probably a portable DVD player to watch and see movies I missed, my daughter and her coloring books and crayons…..at work.

Starting on May 1st to May 7th, Japan will go on holiday for the Golden Week. Actually, today is a national holiday there too and for people who work closely with the Japanese market, it’s a challenge to stay awake until the 6 pm bell rings.

Don’t tell me to sort out my internet bookmarks and organize my desktop icons coz that’s been done today already. On the other days that I’ll be vacant? I’ll probably write menu plans for the whole month! 

My work is put to a halt when the office in Japan closes. Sure I have some reports to do here and there but 8.5 hours is more than enough to do that.

A children’s CD even the adults can enjoy? I am not kidding!

I never thought I would enjoy That Baby CD/DVD as much as my 4 year old does. I thought the songs are the same typical jumpy redundant children’s songs but its’ not. The CD is full of soothing, mellow folky-country songs made popular Joni Mitchell, The Pretenders, Fleetwood Mac, among others. The songs are redone in acoustic style that is an instant hit in our home, including my mom!

Mine and Pristine’s favorite is “Happiness Runs/Circle Game” not because it is the first song in the CD/DVD but because of the relaxing tune and tastefully done video. Pristine even requests me to sing the song to her during bedtime. The music video of the song in the DVD is something you’ll love - the lovely images of trees with red hearts, autumn leaves and adorable kids made the song extra special. The DVD has the same songs in the CD that come to life with cute babies and kids, puppets and animation.

Pristine loves fast and danceable tunes so I didn’t think she’ll ask me to play the DVD again after the first run but she actually did! This CD/DVD is a great addition to our music/video library.

As for me, I am happy to find another way to make long rides with the kiddo more enjoyable. I love the songs so much that I even play the CD even without the toddler on board - on my way to work! I’m amazed at how the songs soothe my senses and almost make me forget about the traffic jam outside.

For more information, you can check out the website and if you enter the coupon code “MotherTalk” when purchasing, you save 20% off on your entire order! From now until May 18th, all orders using the coupon code “MotherTalk” will be entered in a drawing to win a new iPod nano.

This was part of the MotherTalk blog tour.

We went to an open beach (free entrance) near Jumeirah Mosque last weekend. I am not really a fan of open beaches because it would mean the lack of sufficient lifeguards, facilities, parking, etc but since we did not plan to stay long and just walk (who am I kidding, the babe would like to swim for at least an hour!) and feel the cool afternoon breeze, we opted to go the open beach instead of the enclosed beach park where we have pay 30 dirhams at the entrance.

As expected, we could not find a parking spot. Lots of drivers had been driving round and round trying to find a place. In one corner, there was a vacant spot under the date tree. The spot never had any signs or marks that parking is prohibited, except that, there were no white lines on the sides and there was a car beside it so we parked.

~ The white car way behind me is our car, safely and properly parked! (or so we thought!) ~

The beach babe and her dad frolicked in the beach while I watched the afternoon sun and took pictures.

~ she loves the feel of fine sand in her hands and feet ~

~ all set for an afternoon swim! ~

When we came back, there was a paper stuck in our windshield. It was all in Arabic so we couldn’t read it but the logo is very familiar: Dubai Police. I grabbed the paper, tugged an Arab looking man and let him read it. He smiled as if saying, they gotcha!

It was a parking violation card. The lovely vacant spot had been a trap and a perfect place to milk money out of clueless expats!

So much for living frugally by not going into the paid beach park and end up paying a hefty 200 dirhams ($55) parking fine!

This week’s theme: Unique/Funny Signs

I wonder how many rainbows are brought in for color separation every day? Poor rainbows!

I apologize for the grainy photo. I took this from a moving vehicle on our way to work.

I grabbed this from MakiMeji. 

1. What is your occupation? Technical Consultant/Translator

2. What color are your socks right now? black

3. What are you listening to right now? the sound of the keyboard only since everyone is asleep.

4. What was the last thing that you ate? Brown bread.

5. Can you drive a stick shift? Yes and honestly I prefer to drive manual than automatic.

6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? light blue

7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My husband.

8. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Yes, we’ve been friends for more than 10 years.

9. Favorite drink? water

10. What is your favorite sport to watch? tennis

11. Have you ever dyed your hair? Yes, two years ago.

12. Pets? none, we gave away our rabbits last year

13. Favorite food? calorie laden chocolates!

14. Last movie you watched? (on DVD) Monster House

15. Favorite Day of the year? My birthday

16. What do you do to vent anger? I chat with my sister or a close friend or most of the time, I go out and see the sun and the blue skies!

17. What was your favorite toy as a child? plastic toy guns that squirt water.

18. What is your favorite, fall or spring? Fall, I find Spring still a little bit cold.

19. Hugs or kisses? Both

20. What kind of pie? Apple pie I make.

21. Do you want your friends to email you back? Yes. I’d be sober if they ignore my email.

22. Who is most likely to respond? Most.

23. Who is least likely to respond? Those very very busy.

24. Living arrangements? I am living with my husband, daughter and my mother who takes care of my daughter after school.

25. When was the last time you cried? Can’t remember but in most cases, it’s during my PMS period.

26. What is on the floor of your closet? unused duvets.

27. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to? Charlotte

28. The friend you have known the shortest amount of time that you are sending this to? Cathi

29. Favorite smell? White Musk by Body Shop.

30. What inspires you? People who succeed despite the odds.

31. What are you afraid of? Dying young

32. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Cheeseburgers.

33. Favorite car? A convenient family car I guess. If for myself only, I’d love to own a Honda CRV.

34. Favorite cat breed? Sorry, I am not a cat person.

35. Number of keys on your key ring? 5 (One for the apartment main door, one for the bedroom, one for the office, one for the car and one for my office drawer)

36. How many years at your current job? 1 but I have had several jobs before this one.

37. Favorite day of the week? Friday, my day off.

38. How many provinces have you lived in? 3

39. How many countries have you been to? Excluding stop-overs: 7 (Philippines, Japan, Germany, Belgium, UK, The Netherlands, United Arab Emirates)

Charlotte and Cathi, also Kpriss, Lorelyn, Kaylee, Jaxie, Melba, Kat and Krista, I would like to know you through this meme, too.

Starting next week, Japan will have a long vacation called “Golden Week” - a Japanese term applied to the period with the following public holidays: April 29 (Greenery day/Showa Day), May 3 (Constitution Memorial Day), May 4 (People’s holiday) and May 5 (Children’s day).

It  the longest vacation period of the year for many Japanese companies so that means for someone who works closely with the Japan office, I will be left with nothing much to do. Me thinks, I should have a break when there’s no office there.

List of holidays in Japan in one year:

1. January 1st- Ganjitsu or New Year’s Day

This day is considered by most Japanese to be one of the most important annual festivals and has been celebrated for centuries with its own unique customs.

Most companies are closed from December 29th to January 3rd.

2. 2nd Monday of January- Seijin no hi or Coming of Age day

This holiday was established in 1948 to congratulate and encourage people who have reached the age of maturity (20). Cities and towns throughout the nation hold ceremonies for the 20-year olds.

(photo) 20 year olds dressed in their colorful Coming of Age day kimonos.

Prefectures with long winters and experience heavy snow in January hold their Coming of Age Day sometime in March or April.

3. February 11th- Kenkoku kinen no hi - National Foundation day

A day to reflect on the establishment of the nation and to nourish a love for the country. From 1872 to 1948, February 11 was known as Kigensetsu, a holiday commemorating the on which, Emperor Jimmu is said to have acceded the throne in 660 BC.

4. March 20th- Shunbun no hi or Vernal equinox day

Established in 1948 as a day for the admiration of nature and the love of living things.

5. April 29th - Showa no hi or Sh?wa day

This national holiday was established in 2007 as a day to reflect on the events of the Showa period. As the birthday of the Showa Emperor, April 29 was originally celebrated as a holiday during his lifetime. After the death of the emperor in 1989, the date continued to be a holiday under the new name “Greenery Day”.

In 2007, Greenery Day was moved to May 4, and April 29 took the name “Showa Day” in honor of the late Emperor

6. May 3rd- Kenpo kinenbi or Constitution Memorial day

This national holiday was established in 1948 to commemorate the day on which Japan’s post-war constitution took effect.

7. May 4th- Midori no hi or Greenery day

This national holiday is celebrated as a day to commune with nature and be grateful for its blessings.

8. May 5th- Kodomo no hi or Children’s day

Established in 1948, this is regarded as a day on which to esteem the personalities of children and plan for their happiness. On this day, families who have a boy in their home may fly koi streamers and decorate their home with armor or samurai dolls.

9. Third Monday of July- Umi no hi or Ocean day

Celebrated as a day of gratitude for the blessings of the oceans and hoping for the prosperity of the maritime nation that is Japan.

10. 3rd Monday of September - Keiro no hi or Respect for the aged day

This national holiday was established in 1966 as a day to respect the elderly and celebrate long life.

11. September 3rd- Shubun no hi or Autumnal equinox day

Established in 1948 as a day in which to honor one’s ancestors and remember the dead.

12. 2nd Monday of October- Taiku no hi or Health & Sports day

This national holiday was established in 1966 as a day on which to enjoy sports and cultivate a healthy mind and body. Originally held on October 10th to commemorate the anniversary of the opening ceremony of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

13. November 3rd- Bunka no hi or Culture day

This national holiday was established in 1948. It commemorates the November 3, 1946 announcement of the Constitution. It is recognized as a day to celebrate peace and freedom and promote culture.

14. November 23rd- Kinro kansha no hi or Labor Thanksgiving day

This national holiday was established in 1948 as an occasion for praising labor, celebrating production and giving one another thanks. Prior to the establishment of this holiday, November 23rd was celebrated as an imperial harvest festival.

15. December 23rd- Tenno no tanjoubi or Emperor’s birthday

The reigning Emperor Akihito was born on this day in 1933.

Totally unrelated, but this is also our house empress’ Pristine’s birthday.

Do you see a pattern? There is at least one public holiday every month except in June. When I was working there, I’d look forward to it everyday and what’s great is that when a holiday falls on a Saturday, they’ll move it on Friday and if it falls on a Sunday, the next day, Monday, will be a non-working day - to make it a long weekend so that overworked Japs can take a rest.

Information taken from Wikipedia.

In one of our long talks and my mindless chatter, I asked M if my going to the gym and doing cardio exercise for at least 30 minutes resulting in two very wet shirts will evah make a difference, he replied:

“Have you ever seen a runner/marathoner who’s fat?”

Oh, good point certainly not! Running is a good exercise not only to get fit but also to build stamina and remain trim. TRIM. The one word that I felt will never ever be used to describe me but that one sentence made me reaffirm my goal and change my lifestyle so with a better attitude, off I go to the gym again today!

Don’t get me wrong, I love going to the gym, running and strength training. It’s just that, lately, I am feeling guilty with the time I’m escaping from my motherly duties and think if it’s worth it. My mother says I should continue and she’ll cover for me until 8:30 pm on weekdays. On weekends, we can always take P to the health club to enjoy the kiddie pool with me and M. My mom says though time with the kid is important, my daughter will thank me for being a healthy mom who would be there for her without easily getting sick (my health has improved since I exercised) and being able to run a few more yards in the park to play catch without feeling overly drained.

I have a great support system at home. Now, the ball is in my court and I have to make a difference!

In July last year, Dubai introduced a new electronic toll system popularly known as Salik - which means “open” or “clear” in effort to curb heavy gridlocks in this rapidly growing city. Great use of technology, though - it is a free flow tolling system without toll gates, barriers or booths, no toll collectors and allows traffic to move freely through the tolling point at highway speeds by just sticking a piece of sticker in your windshield.

When I first heard it, I was impressed.

Currently, there are two tolling points in the city: one in the New Garhoud Bridge and the other at Sheikh Zayed Road near the Mall of the Emirates.

We only got our Salik tag last November because we are not using those Salik-ed roads that much. After submitting the application and putting the tag in our windshield, we would be given an SMS with our ID’s and passwords, as we were told.

It never came - if you have forgotten, it’s April now. 

Initially, the tag had a balance of 50 dirhams and it would cost 4 dirhams each time the car passes a toll gate. From November last year until now, I swear we only passed the toll gates 5 times. That would mean we still have a balance of 30 dirhams but guess what?

Dubai surprised us again.

Since it has been months that I’ve been waiting for that confirmation SMS that didn’t come, I checked the Salik website which led me to a link that can check for violations.

We are fined for 100 dhs ($30) for passing a toll gate without sufficient balance on our Salik account TWICE!! Great technology yeah, they even got a picture of our small humble car passing through the toll gate with my clueless husband behind the wheel and me in the passenger seat!

If I had known, I should have flashed a smile.

How did it happen? I called and called the number attached to our tag and literary spent the whole day being told, “Please hold, your call is important to us.” BS.

I got hold of an operator and he told me, the whole mess (violation and the non-existent SMS confirmation) was because of a data entry mistake in their part. Now we have to go to the RTA office to file a claim to waive the violation - as if it will ever happen!

Turned out that we are not alone in this messy situation. Some residents are complaining about the same thing. It took time for me to realize that yes, the system is meant to clear the resident’s money not the traffic!

After working for more than a year, I am finally eligible for my annual leave! Most companies in Dubai give expatriates 30 days of paid vacation every 12 months of service plus an economy class ticket to their home country. On July this year, I have worked for 18 months and eligible for 45 days paid vacation!!

My Indian colleagues spend their hard earned money relaxing in India where they could live for at least 3 months with their one month salary (the one they will be getting before going on vacation). I could not do the same since Japan is so expensive!

Anyhow, as someone who packs the luggages a month before departure in turn run out of clothes to use I am excited and dreaming of alarm-clock-less longer sleeps in the morning and not doing anything but see the sun go up and down.  :cool: