My chat box is gone! I have been tweaking lately some of my tweeties in a text box for the sake of updating blog stuffs prior to my long holiday.

But alas, one of my significant widget is gone. It drives me nuts resolving the problem in the usual procedure like I used to. Apparently, to no avail my chat box is still missing. I tried again and again the “get the code and paste” way but sadly, it did’nt work. I want to have it back.

One of the most fulfilling reward among OFW’s after several years of hardwork abroad is going home to visit his mother country where the family is.

I could verily relate to this now that I’m counting days for vacation after two years of not seeing my mom, my one and only sister, my second mom T Pol and ofcourse - the fruit of my labor, Princess.  Neither not a good timing for my husband who is newly based to work at the western part of SA.

I realized I’ve been living alone and away for awhile. At a time, a sting of emptiness  visit myself in some ocassion when I found myself staring to a family dining out together with their little ones or seeing family picniking along the corniche. What a longing sight! Sigh.

For days I’m counting. I might be exaggerating like I used to feel against my colleagues over their scheduled vacation. As they say, “half of their soul already travels back home”.  Forgive me if the way I say it, ”big deal”! But true enough, they were right. You turn out to be anticipating more as the day of your flight approaches. Now, Im into their shoes of experience. I could relate!

Looking back my early beginning abroad, I had a very rewarding exposure. Experience as merit. New culture and lifestyle had become another way of life.  These changes are bought of love and sacrifice to live away from loved ones. Yet, there is one thing that I will always look back of a reason that defines home.

A home where my heart is…

You know what? One of the seasoning I have’nt seen for two years is our very own native kalamansi. 

It sounds very funny for someone like me who is not even an expert cook craving for one, hahaha! But true enough there are things you won’t stop missing back home. And what Im talking now is about the Pinoy taste that matters. If there is a saying that “there’s no place like home”, let me re-phrase this one to make more relevant topic into a saying “there’s no taste better like pinoy spices!”

Foreign friends, some of you might not know ”kalamansi” as Pinoys calls it. Calamondin or Kalamansi is a fruit tree from the family class of Rutaceae and belongs to citrofurtunela group commonly classify as citrus fruit. This fruit is very abundant in the Southeast Asia especially in the Phillipines.

A small round lime in olive green color, kalamansi’s taste is intensely sour better than lemon. Kalamansi is a fruit seasoning commonly used to baste fish, fowl and pork dishes.   How I crave for the succulent sour of calamansi! To top that, you may also enjoy its juice drink rich in vitamin C. Each time I fry fish, I often thought of kalamansi. The craving of its intense taste that even a lemon everywhere could not surpass.

Along the local markets of Doha, you would ask; “kalamansi, anyone?” Nah, you won’t dare. Cause you will never find one.

It was December when I received a wonderful invitation from Ate Alice. Im delighted much pleased,  I would be one of her bridesmaids. I wont forget my regret missing my two close friends’ wedding of which I could be their bridesmaid. Via got married on year 2003 happens to be Princess’ 3rd birthday and her first flower girl experience. While Rona just married last year regretting that I was not around to assist her in the wedding.  

This time a Silver Wedding….

The bride ask from our group about the preparations of her wedding ensembles. The concept, program, invitations, entourage, venue, food, giveaways and most of all — the gowns! I chuckled Esther women similar gesture upon knowing themselves a part of the entourage. 

The gowns! All girls are excited for the gown detail. A very meticulous part. We exchanged ideas for the color and design thru our email loop. With promptness, we finalized its details after 2 weeks. Esther is fascinated with her glam look how the wedding gown would be fitting her. But it does’nt end there. Wanted an eligible tailor. The making of the dream gown to be handed over to the skilled people. It take several weeks to complete all the fourteen gowns of the entourage.  I would’nt miss the appreciation towards the dressmaker being patient enough to repair my fitting thrice! Lol!

Now the absence of Mama is more missing. If only Mama is with me, she’ll probably do my gown. She is my mother dressmaker of all times.  It’s her fascination and her pride. Oh, my! I thought of something. An article whom she deserves to be shared.

Oh, sorry. Got carried away, haha! I revert my topic about gown and being glam.  After long trials and weeks of preparation. The glam day came and Esther walked down the red carpet. Thrill is being unfold. Sadly, it would’nt hold the nick of time.  Yet gladly, again I would say, “thank God, the glam is captured by the cam!”

Red all over!

My favorite poem by Carol Wimmer.

For the whole year, I could count in my fingers how many times I walked down or spend my feet jogging the ground of Corniche.

Everyday as always, this boulevard scenery is like a morning buddy gracing my way to work. The long curve of corniche faces the gulf is one of Doha’s graceful landmark. I’d never get tired watching its beauty.  Nor gets bored watching people who were lucky enough to walk around their dogs, couple walking together, jogging buddies with their MP3’s on finds time to this routine before setting to work.

Every morning, along the road of Corniche, I always take glance of  men-in-green uniform. I simply admired their dedication to beautify Doha streets visibly and consistently. The cleanliness, the greener ground, well trimmed shrubs, well-watered gardens and well-maintained palm trees abounds are the physical evidences of their industriousness. You will be amazed how these city garderners patiently prune each dried twigs of countless dates trees everywhere.  Someday, I’l be lucky enough to capture a photo showing how men-in-green manouvered this job.

Another scene which I cannot avoid is the Alba Rumaillah Park; where families often tag along their kids to play around during afternoon of  Fridays & Saturdays.  I was also imagining the same for my daughter. I could not wait for the April to come. Each time I pass by Corniche (in two years) I endured my longing seeing those mothers strolling with their kids which constantly reminds me of Princess coming to Doha.

Princess would like it here...

Now, I’m a happy mom. Not forgetting to mention how the immigration process smoothly went through. The dream of Princess walking with me to the streches of Corniche will soon to come.