Halloween in BKK

The embassy hosted its first ever Halloween party for the staff and their families last night. Now guess who's the youngest party-goer? No other than our little Yam! It's the first ever party she has ever gone to and it's a halloween! Hahaha! I don't remember going to any halloween party before so I guess, it's my first time too!  

This mummy greeted guests at the door. 

I have no idea what to wear for the party since I don't like being either under- or over-dressed so I came being just my usual self with a big ribbon-headband on top my head. Hahaha! For the little one, I dressed her in a sailor girl outfit, a gift from Jabar's former colleague, and accessorized it with a pointy evil-horn headband with a pitchfork. Pink para matchy-matchy kami. Hihi. 

Embassy peeps. Hubby wore his kimon and red sahal. To those who might comment why he wore a religious outfit for a halloween party, relax.  He doesn't mean to disrespect the symbolism of the said outfit, like I said above, we came as our usual selves. 

With Ms. Lanie

Someone doesn't seem to enjoy the attention but she was so attentive to everyone. She was observing everybody especially the kids as they were running around. She doesn't seem to get irritated by all the noise, in fact she was enjoying seeing a lot of people and the lights on the ceiling. Is it too early to train her social skills? 

With Ms. Mae and her pretty daughters Sandra and Sofia who came as the Addams Family. 

Food, singing, games, the little one and I enjoyed everything!

With Khun Yupin, the Thai embassy staff who's being a huge help to everyone in their office. She was one of our first visitors at the hospital when Yam was born. Khun is a Thai equivalent for Miss and/or Mister.

With Ms. Michelle who came as Chun Li. 

There's Jeremy, Ico and Sofia, who topped the 3 best costumes in the kids category. Vice Consul Jay who hosted the event came as a Bangkok motorcycle driver. Haha! Nice! 

And the night was capped with the award for the top 3 best costumes: Manith as Sadako, Ms Lanie and hubby as witch and skeleton, respectively;  and Ate Rose and hubby as Lola Nidora and Rogelio (pero siya daw talaga si Alden! hahaha!) respectively. 

'Til the next embassy party! Thanks for inviting us! 

3rd International Pyromusical Show

I've been dying to go to the 3rd International Pyromusical Show at the Mall of Asia since it started last February. It ran every Saturday and two countries showcased their world-class fireworks display accompanied by upbeat music. If you remember THIS post then you will understand my consummating desperation. Hehe. However, my duty schedule was so unfavorable for the weekly shows but I asked our block head during our ORL (otorhinolaryngology) rotation to spare me on March 17 which was the finale. I was so delighted for the show I invited people to go with me to witness the event. People = proximal friends. I guess I was jinxed, or perhaps God tested my hankering to see the hour-long fireworks, that, no joke, ALL OF MY FRIENDS WERE ON DUTY ON MARCH 17!!!! I mean, ALL of them!! Was it mere coincidence?! I was so appalled that even my housemates had an important event to attend to!! But thanks to my stick-to-it-iveness, I pushed my way for it even watching it ALONE was my last option. Haha!! Imagine yourself watching beautiful fireworks amidst sea of lovers and group of friends in full awe while you were standing there all alone with tears rolling down your cheeks, not tears for the beautiful sight, but tears of self-pity. Hahahaha!!! Alhamdulillah, I have the best cousin in the world! Ate Hannah texted a day before that she'd be going home from Laguna and was inviting me for a movie date. I thought of the Pyromusical show instead of a movie. What a brilliant idea I had! 

Our VIP tickets. Naks. Italy was the last country to expo what they got under their sleeve. Philippines, being the host country and champion in an international fireworks competition (Yes, I just learned about it that night. Magaling din pala tayo sa fireworks!! #morefuninthephilippines), was tasked for the finale which was fantastic despite the technical glitches!!

While waiting for the show to start, we were treated to a magnificent sunset at the Manila Bay. Mashaa Allah. :)

People were starting to gather up. The huge ferris wheel at MOA was at near sight.

Photo collaged by photovisi.com

And then after some introductory programs, our eyes indulged to the glittery explosions in the sky!!! I loved how the flickers hover us I can feel them on my skin! Haha! They're not the best fireworks but they sure filled my cravings to see magnanimous lights! Mashaa Allah. :) People were ahhh-ing and oohh-ing while dancing to the tunes, and then people behind and beside us were kissing as love songs started to play. Whitney Houston songs were also being played as slow fireworks blasted in the pitch-dark sky. Buti, hindi nagparamdam si W.H. Hehe. 

At about the same time I boasted the photos at Instagram and FB, my BFF Lily, who was at HK Disneyland  with her hubby, simultaneously posted this photo below. 

Photo stolen from BFF Lily's FB account. 

Walang sinabi ang pichur ko!!! Hahahahaha!! Knowing she took that using her iPhone while I used my point-and-shoot Canon, I melted in stark envy!!  I'm sure my best friend had a GREAT time with her hub-babe-by. :)

Oh well. Therefore, I shall save up for that. :) Save up for a hub-babe-by. JOKE!!!

11.11.11

What to do on a postduty Friday night that corresponds to a date deemed astrologically important? 

DINNER with Friends! 

At Martabak (Malay-Indo resto) with (l-r) Rox, Jay-jay, Sam (na mukhang tanga in this photo!), Isaw, moi, and Jehan

 Post-birthday dessert treat at Chocolat [sho-ko-lah], named derived from Johny Depp's movie under the same title. We had loads of chocolate maple cake, chocolate hazelnut, New York cheesecake, chocolate carrot cake and tiramisu. 

Tell me a girl who doesn’t love chocolates and I will tell her what she’s been missing!

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While strolling around, I passed by at Regalong Pambahay and found these super nice stuff! They can be make-up or jewelry boxes that came in Eiffel prints! So cute! Kinda costly so I didn't buy. I so want it! :'(

Service Dinner

Service 5 residents, interns and clerks. We are a team! 

For Internal Medicine (IM), our block was divided into different services to be with interns from other block. It's kind of mingling with other interns as well. Last week, we had dinner at Patricia's house at Forbes Park (!). She's rich but she's not mayabang. Good times, good times. :) 

Eid'l Fitr

(this is an overdue post) 

Islam celebrates only two festivities: Eid'l Fitr and Eid'l Adha. Eid'l Fitr is celebrated at the end of the Holy Month of Ramadhan while Eid'l Adha, the feast of sacrifice, is celebrated during the month of Dhul Hajj. Basically, the festivities consist of prayers (salaa'tul eid) and greeting family and friends with peace. Most often than not, families spend the important occasion with each other by rising early for the congregational prayer and afterwards sharing their best culinary specialties. Eid'l Fitr celebrates not just the mere act of "being able to eat again" after one whole month of fasting, the same way that Ramadhan is not just about skipping meals/water during daytime. Eid'l Fitr entails that the discipline and the strength of faith that we have developed all throughout Ramadhan must not put to cease but must be continued all year round. The Eid is meant to bring tranquility to the Muslim Ummah as we give our salaam  to everyone. Ironically though, looking at the news, tranquility and peace is a strange word in the Arab world nowadays. 

It is my first time this year not being able to spend the holiday at home, but being with my cousins here in Manila, I don't feel any less at home. We were up very early on the morning of August 30 to catch up the salaatul eid at Quirino Grandstand. Thousands of Muslims all over the metro were there to pray together. It was wonderful, wonderful sight. How can I not believe in the miracles of Allah when the previous night it was raining cats and dogs due to the typhoon and then suddenly the sky cleared and became sunny on the Eid morning? Allah (s.w.t.) indeed gives abundance of Mercy. 

My family in the metro. (l-r) Kuya Dabs, Ate Papay, moi, Ate Hanna, Princess, Uncle Mumar and the two adorable kiddos Sabreen and Asma. Hosni took this photo. 

It was just us here so the table was set to seven people only, unlike in inged  where we don't use the dining table. We use tens of tabaks for a buffet style meal because everyone comes around. :)

It is but tradition that Muslim women boast their culinary expertise on this holiday. My cousin Ate Hannah is an excellent cook so she did all the cooking while Princess and I played her apprentice slicing peppers and handing her the spices bottles etc. She does it perfectly without exerting too much effort and voila! here are her mouth-watering specialties for the day.

Cassava ala Hannah. You guys must have a taste of her cassava cake, it's simply the best!! It's full of texture and every ingredient slips smoothly into your tastebuds you can't get enough of it! For orders, do text me. Hehe. 

Chickne Khabsa Rice. This is an Arabian food which is my ultimate favorite! The rice is cooked using various Arabian spices which gives a strong aftertaste but something that makes you crave for more. The chicken was cooked separately using the same spices and placed on top of the rice.

Pindiyalokan a Manok. This one's a native Meranao food, chicken cooked in shredded coconut meat and our famous palapa (this one doesn't have an English translation) and kalawag (yellow-ginger powder). 

Koning Rice. Who among the Meranaos don't love kiyuning a begas? This is cooked using coconut milk instead of plain water, peppered with yellow-ginger, laurel leaves and pandan leaves. Koning is served during the best  of occasions and when you visit a Meranao household, you know you're special when this is served.

Pasta. Need I say more? Well, I guess everybody just loves pasta! Haha. Oh, we also have grilled chicken that day which I fail to take its photo! That one's better than Mang Inasal or anywhere!

Post-Eid meal. As I always say, nothing beats being with the family on special occasions.

Alhamdulillah (all praises belong to Allah) for a wonderful family I have, back home and here; for being able to survive Ramadhan alongside OB-GYN; for providing all of us good health; for the gift of friends; for being able to live everyday with peace and tranquility in our hearts.

There's FUN in Goodbyes!!

Thank you Nurkhan Istarul for capturing memorable moments during the send-off party! 

Class 2011

Class 2011 and Class 2012, with Doc Ikoy

The lights.

Group 4 goofing around. Tisoy didn't make it to the party. 

Sabi ko senyo eh, MASARAP ANG PAGKAIN!! Thanks to Daroy Catering Services. :)

Free henna tattooing!

I so wanna do it again but I don't want my skin "dirtied" for the grad rites. Henna tattoo is really cool!

Our wonder photographer had his deltoid sun-kissed!

Kantahan galore!!

Getting ready for the games!

Brainstorming for the win!!

Them people on the pool. 

Silang matitipunong ginoo ng College of Medicine na hindi ko malaman kung ano'ng gustong gawin sa shot na 'to!

Party peeps!

I wouldn't dare showing off my pout beside Angeli!! She has full-thickness leps!

Papay, my dance mate. :) It was smoky and the lights had a blinding effect!! Behind us are Nurkhan and Naj.

With that,  I'll leave you with my favorite jumpshot of the day. :)

Again, my heartfelt THANK YOU Mangbala Class of 2012!