2nd day of fasting...during office hour

I'm not a Muslim, neither is my husband to be! I'm not TRYING TO IMPRESS MY LOCAL BOSS OR MUSLIM COLLEAGUES TOO! I've been fasting during office hour for the past 2 days as I think I should since our coy shorten our office hour across the board for all staff! It's not easy not to eat or drink for 8 hours in office! I've tried and it's really tough. Dehydrated, hunger etc. Thus, it's a good time to test my patience and endurance! It's also a good way to detox myself and lose some weight :)..

Of coz, my company did not enforce that 'non muslim' are not supposed to eat or drink while our muslim colleagues were fasting. We're still allow to eat or drink in the pantry room with the door closed. I'm doing it for the sake of trying it, and understanding my counterparts' culture. I respect those who religiously fasted and I looked upon them! We may be of different religious, but I respect the perseverance of those who practiced it!

I've a question though.. I don't understand why are non-muslim allow to follow the working hours of muslim even though they are not fasting??!??? This privilege should be given to those who fast as they were really drained out, not those who still go on tea breaks, lunch breaks etc!

Ramadan 2009

images from http://dinodaloo.blogspot.com . Checked out her blog, it's really funny!

The UAE has announced that 22/Aug 2009 as first day of the Holy Ramadan.

Heartfelt wishes to all my muslim friends and colleagues :

Ramadan Kareem!

Car Wash in Dubai

Having your car wash is as addictive as having your mani or pedicure :)

I've never expected myself to be addicted in such a way that i'm willing to queue for 30 minutes to have my car wash manually, making the whole ordeal = an hour! I'm referring to those car wash service provided by petrol station.

They did a very good job! Auto (machine wash, where you will remain seated inside the car, while the machine will foam, wash your car exterior while you enjoying your music inside your car with A/c) that cost 35DHS vs Manual car wash (Thorough cleaning interior and exterior including the engine, bottom of your car with foam spray and water etc done manually by the worker) and you're not suppose to wait inside your car (don't know why, perhaps for safety reason) at 45DHS. Anyway, I vote for the latter.

Also wondered how much Petrol station waste on machine/manual car wash!

However, i really have to compliment these guys as they are the ones who sweat under the hot sun, doing the work manually! I don't know how much is their salary but I really hope their employer will reward these guys well as they are really hardworking.

Dubai malls join anti-indecency campaign

http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Society/10338386.html

After reading this news, I've so many thoughts!

Disputes & opinions of individual (mostly ladies of coz:) discussing on the above-captioned.

As a non-muslim from a mutli-religions/races country, I don't see the problem respecting the Islam's culture eventhough it wasn't practiced at all back home.

For example, our shops/malls/restaurants/food courts still operate as usual during Ramadan season and we've no issue being seen eating in the public during Ramadan. Moving towards into UAE, I respect the culture and endurance of the Muslim community as I personally tried fasting for a day and i feel like dying before sunset! Therefore, I will never eat or drink in the public even though majority of the residents here are expats and non-Muslim coz I really Respect the perserverance of fasting. However, I've also came across in 2007 during Ramadan while having lunch with my English counterparts visiting UAE another arab Arab (not sure of his origin) wearing his local wear having his meal in the same enclosed restaurant. My business counterparts whispered to me softly : "I thought it's fasting period, is he allowed to do that?!!!????"

Most companies will impose dress code policy that all females should not be wearing jeans/sleeveless/tight fitting clothes or translucent/sneakers/slippers at all times during office hours in the corporate compound! I'm 100% compliant to the dress code policy as whether it's official or leisure as I don't have the nice body for it *Yawn* Yet, most of the ladies in albayas wear jeans/sleeveless/low cut top/slippers/sneakers underneath it! Taking aside top attires which they are obviously covered up by the albaya, what about the jeans and sneakers which is obvious to all. Of coz, i'm not generalising that ALL local ladies wear jeans/revealing clothes underneath their albayas..

I'm giving my opinion as a bypasser since this new rule will have no impact on me coz i followed them. However, with such rules implemented it may deter Dubai portraying itself as a tourist spot. As we understand, tourists came here for the sun/beaches/shoppings! Most of them are from non-muslim countries and they were brought up in the way that wearing camisole or shorts = wearing clothes.

So what's the meaning of having dress code? It's to address to Expats that you can buy it but you are not supposed to wear it in public?

I saw 5 local children last week at SAFA remote carpark driving a land cruiser! One of the driver was only less than 1.2m tall and he was hardly seen when he was driving. I described them as children coz they looked as they were under 12 years old, if not 15! Though the carpark was remote but it's just outside the famous park. Imagined if the driver lost his control, he may hit other park users jogging/walking outside the park! Instead of drilling in all these cats fights, why not the govt emphasize and enforce stricter rules on reckless driver? Not only are these reckless drivers posing dangers to themselves or their passengers, they are also causing harm to other road users! Tough measures should be implemented and enforced to all road users (regardless if they are Emiratis or expats). Of cause, there are times when accidents were not man-made and should be fairly justified. As parents, i'm sure you don't want your children to meet with mishap and same goes to those innocently involved.

Delayed or Suspended Developments

Investors who bought raw lands in prime areas, intended to build prestigious projects in trend during real estate boom. Land/Building costs etc were high during projection and investors decided not to proceed with development due to the sudden economy downturn when market plummeted.

Being a developer or investor, will you proceed to build the building or hang on to the raw land in view of potential returns when land prices escalate in many years down the road? Or, proceed to build the desired prestigious units at 1/4 projected cost earlier?

Many of the developers decided to hold on or cancel off-plan development in view there's no buyers with the over flooded of ready units, with the golden equation : Current Supply greater than demand.

However, they've also forgotten that when there's crisis/threat, it also poses opportunity.

For individual property buyers : -

If you are buying for own use or investment, do not overload yourself with mortgage loan. Always set a sum of money sufficient to service your home loan x a year incase of job loss. Don't buy just because others said it's good time to buy as price is low. Current rental yield may not be able to cover your loan interest in 3-5 years. Unless you are one of those with the extra pennies and you are sure you can afford to hold on to the property for at least 5 years later.

If you are free, drive around dubai and you will notice alot of rented/sales banners as compared to 2 years ago! Are there so many people around to rent the place if you are buying for investment? The luxury of quick high turnaround of ROI no longer exists as ccompared to many years ago. Moreover, the mega developments that offered thousands of units in Motorcity/JVT/DSO etc will be ready in near future but there are still many vacant units in JLT/DM/Business Bay etc.

Again, buying power and intention has changed too. Previously, buyers buy for the prestige location even they can be paying over a million for a pathetic 400 sft area. Buyers now are more realistic than materialistic. They knew if they can buy a much bigger unit in some area compared to paying X price for a very small unit.

I may be wrong but this is just an opinion of a small property buyer that experienced the ups and downs of real estate investments. Don't quote me for that! Again, do your homework first before you invest in anything.

I know you will hate me for suggesting this...

My local friend was telling me his colleague attendance is very bad, yet no one dare to complain to the Human Resource dept. as he was the cousin of another top management in the company. No, this top mgt. X = not equal to owner/share-holders/chairman of the company.

Anyway, back to his colleague. He got the job through his aunty's influence even though he is not experienced at all in the designation given. *Well it's common here if you've connection but well.. it's not how smart you are, it's who YOU are. Anyway, this person is always absent, and others have to share his workload instead yet 'that' absentee get better salary and grades than those who work! Worst of all, that person had others clock in time for him during his absent so it show as perfect attendance sheet. This person is always LATE and leave early toO! Yes, you bet the person is a local too but look, there are other hardworking locals who came early and leave on time, yet this particular person get the special privilege! When it comes to bonuses/benefits/promotion, the person get what he do not deserved compared to peers who were twice eligible for it.

So is it fair to the stake holders as they are the paymasters of all employees and assets?

Well well.. it happens at time`in this city.. Unfortunately...

Being a major stake holder or government bodies, how do you ensured that your corporate arms are operating the way it supposed to be, without being unfair to others?

Simple Maths Equations :

A company employed 5 bakers to produce 1000 breads a day with a monthly target of min 30,000 breads. Each bread they make will bring in profit of USD1/each. Montly revenue = 1000x30 days = 30,000 USD and you pay 1K USD for each baker.

Deducting rest days entitlement for each, each baker should bake 6,000 breads a month. Unfortunately, one baker is always sick or comes late and leave early, and the other bakers have to work extra hard to produce the 30,000 bread/mth target for this person's behalf.

Scenario 1 :

The owner owns the bakery, so it's his/her rights to employ relatives or anyone he/she prefer since it's his own money! Endure and work, if not find yourself a new job!

Scenario 2 :

The 5 bakers are not related to the owner at all, do you think he/she (owner) will be so lenient towards that problematic baker?

Scenario 3 :

The owner has entrusted a Supervisor to run the bakery on his/her behalf. He/She (owner) is not aware of such thing that happen, and guess he/she will never know....Sadz but the solution = Scenario 1 - Endure or find yourself a new job.

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Local Casual Leave

15 days Casual leave entitlement in a year = Sick leave for employee. If you are sick for a day, you may just apply a day casual leave by calling your company without any doctor’s verification etc. If you are sick for more than 1 day, some company may require medical certification to prove your sickness!

Apparently, a lot of employees take advantage of the casual leave entitlement as an official day off whenever they like it. Coming from a country with minimum 14 working days annual leave a year (increase a day each year and maximum 21 days/year) for local staff, we hardly see any of our colleagues having unused leaves by end of the year. That’s because : We worked hard and Play hard as what we deserved! Yet, it’s always the case in this country that many employees claimed that they have no time to take leave as THEY ARE ALWAYS SO IMPORTANT TO THE COMPANY eventhough the UAE ministry of Labour imposed it. 15 days of casual leave + 30 or 35 calendar days = 45 days in a year (That’s excluding Public Holidays!) 35 days sound fair as some only returned home once a year after being away for 11 months. However, it seems that a lot of employees are taking advantage of it. I’m not suggesting removing casual leave entitlement but shouldn't it be apply appropriately. If you are sick, you should see a doctor for medication and certification! If you think you don’t have to see a doctor as you are not that sick, then you should come to work! Simple as that! You may challenge me saying that if you can step out of the house to see a doctor, you may as well go to work! Yes, you got the point! You can still see a doctor, get some prescriptions and return home for rest if you are really sick.

Suggestion: Implement sick leave verify by certified company doctors for any casual leave taken, even if it’s a day.

Monitoring attendance and Punctuality:

Security Access card is the card companies used to monitor employees’ attendance & punctuality. What’s the point of having it when there’s other colleague who will clock in the timing for the absentee on his/her behalf? Yes, we’re talking about things that will happen here. Obviously it’s not fair to others but what else you can do since you don’t want to get into trouble. We’re talking about big organizations where Human Resource dept. can’t keep track of all employees scattering in different places. For small companies where HR is the same office, Employ reliable staff! How to implement the access card by finger print thingy? Seek help from Dubai govt! They did a good job in tracking people coming and out with E-gate!

Suggestion : Implementing E-card with finger Print!!!! I’m sure violators will not be able to swipe/clock in time on others behalf! Oh..come with the finger then haha!

How to invest in Dubai Financial Market?

Want to share this post with any who is interested in trading shares in Dubai Financial Market aka DFM!

Please note this is the process i've went through, it may defer from individual.. eg. TIME needed for the whole process or changes in application procedure set by DFM.

1. Go to DFM located beside World Trade Centre, Dubai. Parking fee is AED5/hour at WTC, depend how long you need! I spent 15 AED :(
2. Bring along your passport and passport copy + Visa page x 2
3. Register yourself with DFM, you need to take a queue number and fill up a form. Ask the security in-charge. For ladies, please try not to wear skirt shorter than knee length, wear long dress or pants for ladies :) I was stopped by the security for wearing a longer than knee length skirt??!!!!!
4. After registering with DFM, you will be given an INV no. (a card handwritten of your name and In no..). You will need to register with any financial brokerage firm. Yes, it's located in the same area, just find one that you like :)
5. Register with your desired financial brokerage firm, fill a form again and show your passport for verification only plus a copy of it.
6. Opt for Internet trading or through broker, i preferred Internet Trading as i can do it as and when I like without calling the broker. If you are not Internet savvy, better go through physical broker to trade on your behalf but don't ask me how :P
7. After registration with a brokerage firm, you will be given an account no. by your brokerage firm. This is required everytime you correspond with your brokerage firm. You will need to deposit funds in the account no. provided by them. Each time you deposit some funds, you need to email the bank advice from your bank to your brokerage firm to activate your funds. Ya, if you are depositing more than 45k AED, you will need to fill a form for your brokerage firm required by the Securities & Comodities Authority.

Cost for registering - ZERO
Time used - 1 & 1/2 hours for me, mean no lunch :(
Cost for each buy/sell transaction - AED 75 min add 10 AED for admin charges or 0.02xxx % if greater than AED75/- plus the admin charge.

Phew....i'm telling what i known for the hassles I've made to all...................for FREE hehehee...

Finally-----O_o you're Done and Good luck! If you are lucky, you may earn some quick bucks in a week and lose the same if you are not! Obviously, do your homework well before you trade.

* ALways trade with due diligence!

WatsupinUae 's Bought & Tested - DIY (Do it yourself) hair products

Ordered some stuff from overseas and they arrived yesterday :) So happy...

Want to share what I've bought, personally tried them and they are really good.

Item no. 1 : Strawberry Sponge Curler, 6 in a pack

Objective : Cute and Sweet..Curl your hair without looking like 'Aunty' at night, wake up with natural curl hair. Also to create volumunious look to soft or fine hair. Best of all, you won't feel uncomfortable while having this on and sleep as they are made of sponge. I've long hair so i bought 2 packets instead.

Results : Create the sweet princess Look (^-^)

Item No. 2 : DIY Hair Clipper

Objective : To create the Zig Zag curl look without perming it

Results : Results as shown as per package. 1 pack comes with 3 only, if need to do for the whole hair.. I think I need at least 10 packets haha...

For items 1 & 2, you may put some styling gel or without prior to using. Of coz it will settled longer if you use styling products plus hair dryer. For me, i did not use any but i left it on overnight (before sleeping) and it last me for half a day w/o any addictive.

Item no. 3 : Cutey Ribbon hair Stablizer

Objective : Set your fringe to the side as it won't fall on your forehead when washing face or applying make up.

Result : Convenient, better than hair band as hair band tend to pull the hair to the back making forehead look very 'residing'. Wash your face without looking 'aunty' ! I love it!

* There's no Ugly Woman... Only lazy ones...If u r a lazy woman, it's not too late to start now...

Happy 44th Birthday, Red dotie....

Having bad headache.. yet i still want to wish my country 'Happy birthday' from thousand miles away............ .

Just had my 2nd dose of Gardasil at XXC Clinic, Dubai (UAE). Reason for not mentioning the full name of the clinic - Don't wana others to think that i'm maligning the clinic or causing them bad reputation. Then why mentioned of the clinic name as XX? Just in case anything happen to me later, anybody who can solve the clinic name can be my witness.

I really don't want to keep complaining about Dubai's medical services, or is it just my luck that I always experienced 'not up to standard' ones. I swear to my god that whatever i said was really 100% of my experiences..no 'add on' of story..maybe 'minus' some really very bad details at times..

Ok, here my story goes..

I had my 1st Gardasil vaccination did 2 months ago. Not sure if dubai carry the same vaccination, my gynae prescribed me one with her letter for me to carry all the way to dubai..*air flown in chiller bag..still cheaper than dubai haha** Anyway, this is not to whine about the cost. Ok.. so today is the time for my 2nd dosage. I've to go to a clinic to do it since I'm not a NURSE Or paramedic. I was actually looking for Medcare hospital but apparently i lost my way in directions again :) and so i ended up in XXC. This is not my 1st time to this clinic, i was here before for some flu medicines etc..

Was at the clinic around 5 pm in the evening. There were more nurses (easily named 5 that I saw), cleaners (maybe 4), 2 receptionist cum cashiers and maybe 2 doctors on duty vs Patients - Me and another Arab Gentleman and his kid....

The receptionist/administrator appointed one nurse to administer the vaccination for me with the letter given by my Gynae. From the way i see the nurse, i knew she was new! I asked her few questions and she just keep nodding her head and smile...She can't really understand my 'singlish' i supposed. From the way she was handling the injection.. I freaked out. I asked if she knew how to do it.. she merely nod her head...turning herself to another Filipino nurse standing beside her and whispering among themselves (Obviously they don't know)..so they asked another nurse who happened to walk in the room (must be some senior nurse)..A room WITH 3 NURSES, EXCLUDING THE ONE JUST WALK IN.. YET NONE OF THEM KNOW HOW TO ADMINISTER THE VACCINATION!!!

To my dismay... it was very painful..I'm not sure if that nurse had did it correctly, i even wondered if she had shake the vaccination well before using as written on the packaging. I recalled it wasn't painful at all when i had the 1st vaccination, why is this so painful????? I asked her of coz, and two of them answered that it's normal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whatever it is.. just in case that anything happen to me.. this entry will be the proof that i had a super painful vaccination done...

Flu trend......

Few friends down with bad flu....

Continued from previous entry..........

At 12 hrs, 34 minutes, 56 seconds on 7th August 09..
12:34:56, 7/8/9
Wonder it's 0034 hrs or 12:34pm...

12:34:56,7-8-9

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THANK YOU GOD...

Thank God for Everything...

This is not an entry to preach. ..

I just want to Thank my God for not abandon me and answered my prayers, when I’ve drifted from him…

This is a personal encounter I had and I really want to blog about it.

I was tested positive for an incurable disease two months ago by my doctor and I was really devastated. Though it’s not life threatening as for now, but there’s possibility that it will lead to some other illness and may even affect my parenthood.

I’m thankful that my fiancé stayed by me, for not forsaking me even though this is something that will affect both of us and our family in future.

Other than crying and praying to God, there’s nothing I can do since there’s no medical cure for it as for now.

I refused to seek for medical treatment from the date I knew about it, which is June 09. Unfortunately, I had two attacks in July which is very abnormal of the illness. Reluctantly, I went to see a doctor for medical treatment as I need some medication to suppress the outbreak. The doctor took some test for me, which I told her that I already had the test results done earlier. Today, my doctor called me to inform me that my test results were good. I was very surprised and happy. Though I still had some doubts as it can’t be some wrong diagnose from the other doc. Will be going for a 3rd test from a different doctor to be very sure of the result.
If current result is accurate, GOD HAD CREATED ANOTHER MIRACLE FOR ME AGAIN…This also apply to anyone out there.. Please don't give up hope as miracle do happen...Don't lose hope easily...

I THANK YOU GOD………..I’M REALLY THANKFUL…….

THANKS FOR NOT ABANDONING ME……

With Faith, All things Are Possible...

To buy these figurines, visit http://www.preciousmoments.com/

***Yawn****

Picture speak a thousand words....I seldom tweet..and I can't TWIT now!

LATISSE - GROW EYELASH NATURALLY, FULLER AND LONGER‏

Yes! No more mascara, no more cumbersome eyelash extension.. now I can have natural looking, longer and fuller eyelashes ....

I was introduced to Latisse by my colleague. She told me her dermatologist is using it and it’s so effective! She said it’s meant for cancer patients losing their eyelashes due to medication and chemotherapy. Seeing that I don’t have very long or full lashes like her, she introduced me to it. It cost about hundred plus USD and you need prescription for it. Unfortunately, I don’t think they sell in Dubai or any other parts of UAE yet. Anyway, ARABS don't need it as they are blessed with long and full lashes.

Okay, back to eyelash extension. I've tried it few times before and I like it coz i don't have to put mascara and it really enhance my eyes..The one i did was the lash by lash technique but the maintainance part is difficult. You can't rub your eyes and have to clean it with care else the fake lashes may drop. At times, when strand of fake lashes fall off, you will look abit weird having some unproportionate lashes on your lashes. If you ever try to remove the fake lashes out on your own, you may accidentally pulled out your own and it's painful.

I've also checked for eyelash transplant before. This is permanent and you've to trim the lashes when it's long. ?? Hmm...does it mean if i don't trim it i will long hair fallen from my eyes that i can choose to perm or braid it? haha..However, the cost is very costly. It cost about SSGD5000 for an eye done by reputable tricologist back home. I'm vain but this is too much for me! For two eyes it will cost about 10 grand! *Faintz*

Anyway, I’m trying to get the Latisse for myself to see if it works coz it's much cheaper eventhough it's not permanent :) Can't wait to get mine...

Will share the result with all if I ever get the chance to try it...

Little info. about Latisse.

* quote *
Latisee is derived from the glaucoma drug Lumigan, which is approved by FDA since 2001, as an eye drop. The drug company Allergan Inc., studied the drug to know how it promoted eyelash growth, thickness, and darkness when used as an eye liner at the roots of the eyelashes on the upper eyelid.”

For more info. of latisse, check out this website : -

http://www.latisse.com/default.aspx?return=true

* unquote *