Cruise Control

I never thought I'd say this but cruise control is a risky feature... for me at least.

Years ago I learned something of myself, during a long drive to Pagudpud (my apologies to the people I was with 'coz I never told them). Driving at a constant speed, maintaining the same level on the gas pedal (not just on straight roads), was apparently too boring for me - so much so, I would nod off to sleep. gasp! the only cure I found at that time was... to overspeed. I would overtake when I could - big cars, small cars, big trucks, extremely big trailers. what-the-hey, they kept me awake.

The memory hit me again this morning. Driving to a customer location (quite a long drive compared to the usual daily grind), finding myself somewhat alone on the long road, I hit the cruise control. I found myself again nodding off and having difficulty keeping conscious. So - I disengaged cruise, I sped up a bit, overtook when I could, slowed down, then sped up again - true enough, it kept me awake. I guess it was the monotony of the thing that made me nod off - and subsequently, the constant change in pace was the cure. Upon getting to my destination, I realized I should've pulled-over and rested for a bit ,which is the more prudent option, but then... that might not have been for me.

Billy-No-Buzz

BSM's KS1 (KeyStage1 -which are Years 1 & 2) classes held a production last Monday of Billy No Buzz. They spent a couple of weeks preparing for it - practicing the songs, choreography and preparing their costumes. Judging from the results, the kids really did a great job overall. In fact, even Vivian was singled out during one of their practice session...she got the StarOfTheDay (again) for doing so great during the practice sessions.

Overall, the kids seemed to have a great time with the production. Past few days, Vivian had been blurting out every time we mentioned the show, 'I'm so nervous!!'. She did a pretty good job. Enjoy the videos and the pictures...I guess its not so difficult to single Vivian out in the troupe.

Wake up! Shake up!
Billy No Buzz - 1EB
Finale!

National Pride

January 17 is a date that will long be remembered in Oman. On this final day of the 19th Gulf Cup, Oman hurdled over three centuries of...well...loser status. Since two Cups back, the 'revolution' started but never quite snatched the football championship...until now. With a tied 0-0 during regulation, the Oman team penalty-kicked their way into the title - overcoming the Saudi team by just one. Final score : Oman 6 -KSA 5

For about a week now, people have been on impromptu motorcades celebrating with the Oman national colors strewn on their cars. Celebrations last until the wee hours of the night or until their car horns grow hoarse. Endless press news about what the championship team has been awarded and the drag along interviews thereafter. Although, for the most part, they did seem all in the name of good fun, I did hear of a few casualties of cars having a few dents and dimples from a few raucous revelers.

It all seemed over the top at first. However, learning how long it took for the nation to get recognition in a sport, regionally venerated to the point of fanatical, somewhat clears things up. Football here is like how Ginebra's basketball fanaticism is (maybe was) back home in Manila. Football here is like how Pacquiao's wins brought national pride back to Filipinos.

With the euphoria of the win dying down, things have started to back to normal on streets. Less cars sporting the whites, reds and greens. Less honking around town. Less cheering on the streets. However, quieter it seems though, I'm sure the Omani win and the Omani national pride will last for centuries...decades...more.

Mabrouk Oman!!

Dancing Queen

(big) N-O to plastics

somewhat recently... a local campaign led by Environment Society of Oman was launched and today we gave it a try. It basically raises awareness for the dangers of plastics to the environment and such. The campaign also informs residents that there is now an option to drop the plastic habit and load up reusable bags. It was an easy decision to stop using the plastics (or at least dramatically lessen the usage) given these very sturdy, spacious, affordable (100bzs or about 10pesos per) bags....and seriously, they look cool. Now, wouldn't this be great if they could do this in Manila?

can't possibly be Muscat

Tuesday night, while getting ready for bed, we were surprised by a strong whirling sound outside our place. It was then accompanied by wood and metal sounds being dragged about . So we first thought it was coming from the nearby highway construction, from equipment going berzerk. To our surprise, the winds were really gusting outside throwing things about. Ten minutes later came the splat-splat-splat of raindrops. Unbelievable...it was raining really hard in Muscat. If I remember right, last time it rained (somewhat) like this was around September of '07, a few months after Gonu. Needless to say, Vivian was so happy with the rain and kept looking out the window.

For only the second time since I moved here, I had to use an umbrella - whoopee!! Vivian still went to school the morning after (later on we heard other schools had decided to cancel classes for the day) and along the way, we saw bent steel girders, newly installed traffic lights crashed down and moderate floods. Havoc aside, the rains are always welcome for us - in some way reminds us of home and there that something in the way wet earth smells...

little girl tries on the chair

for a few weeks now, Vivian's second permanent tooth has been slowly coming out but then the original tooth stubbornly decided to stick around. This was unlike the first one where the old tooth just decided drop as it was.

The dentist was great with the little-girl...she let her play with the chair's buttons and other gadgets first before the pinprick(s) and quickly pulled out the milk tooth. Vivian was really brave and didn't cry at all... until 2 seconds after it was pulled out. All was well though upon our entry into the nearest Baskin Robbins shop.









A few days after though, tragedy, of the canine variety, struck again. The wife's crown got pulled out (screw and all). The same doc accommodated us - in between appointments - as it was an emergency. The doc fixed it - reinserted the screw, gave it a new base, popped-in the crown - however, a caveat...the doc can't guarantee how long the tooth will hold. An old Scotty adage comes to mind, 'I don' know how much longer I can hold 'er t'gether.'

...and right before I click publish...tooth falls yet again

Goodies from Manila

A friend asked me what (food) I missed back home, of course I had a lot in my mind but at that time the craving for chocolates and nuts surfaced. One particular brand of chocolate that I like and a garlicky peanut to crunch while watching TV. Now, I don't miss them anymore because I'm savoring every piece of them with my daughter and hubby.

Thank you very much to the Velarde family who went home for the holidays and brought the goodies here.

Thank you, thank you to the Dalusung Family...Elaine thanks a lot!

Here are the goodies
Royce Bitter and Mild Cacao , though it's not really a Filipino product, I can only source them back home. Once you put it in your mouth then it melts.. hmm yummy.

Adobong mani, I really like the salty and crunchy garlic with it.

Also, I asked for the 2009 Starbucks Planner. I used to have it every year back home, just complete a certain number of coffee orders and you get one planner free. Though for this one , she bought it for me! I love the artworks and the pen, too.

Christmas 2008: Vivian opens her gifts

Happy New Year!