UAE's 40th

UAE will be celebrating it's 40th National Day on December 2 and 3, 2011. Here in Al Ain, weeks before the said dates; the roundabouts, selected date palms and trees (which divide the roads according to the direction of travel) are decorated with colorful lights in pan arab theme and it will be taken off a week or 2 after the celebration.

Photos shown above were taken yesterday at Sheikh Zayed Roundabout and Deer Roundabout in Al Mutaredh District. I will be posting more photos of UAE National Day decorations tomorrow or a day after tomorrow.

If you'd like to read about this year's theme for UAE National Day, please click here.

(Apologies for the quality of the photos, guess I was not in the mood to click after a tiring day. I wish I could snap better tomorrow night.)

Understanding and Appreciating Weeds

Weeds are plants which grow where they are not wanted. They are armed to survive in the bleakest conditions, thrive even in arid and dry desert with austere season, multiply and grow miraculously even after deracinating them for several times. I can even compare them with cancer. They can destroy good plants and over time, conquer the entire garden or lot area. This is the way I used to define weeds before I discovered my interest in macrophotography. Ask me to define weeds today and you will probably laugh. Why? Allow me to write the reasons why I like them.

• Weeds are the cutest plants that I have ever seen.
• They can even put a smile on my face by merely looking at their flowers.
• Their different shapes, colors, and length can tickle my imagination.
• They can make me walk and exercise a bit (remember the "acrobat" thing that I have mentioned here?).
• They can enhance and boost my creativity.
• They taught me the virtue of patience (especially when I'm shooting outdoors).
• and a lot more reasons that I couldn't explain.

You see, I shouldn't be a gardener for I am a sucker for cute and tiny flowers of weeds. Hahahaha! Did I mention that there are lots of ornamental weeds here in Al Ain? Yes, we have them at the parks, gardens and pathways.

By the way, thank you for dropping by my blogsite. Let me know your thoughts about the weeds. I will be delighted to read them tomorrow after my duty.  Have a nice start of a new week dear readers and friends. Salaam!

Herbs & Spices and Yummy Watermelon

Hubby loves doing the groceries and now that he's staying at Ruwais, Abu Dhabi, no one will do the groceries twice or thrice a month any more but me or else, I and the kids will end up starving. Lol! 

Three weeks ago and day before hubby left for Ruwais, we've been to Carrefour at Al Jimi Mall. We were surprised to find a watermelon with yellow flesh. We bought a slice of it even if it was a bit pricey for AED 13.15 (USD 3.5). We just wanted to try and compare the difference between the watermelon with red flesh. We're glad that we bought a slice of it. It's crunchy and  sweet. 

By the way, allow me to share these info from PMA Labeling Facts. A serving size of 154 grams of watermelon will give you the following nutrients: 12 grams of total carbohydrate, 1 gram of dietary fiber, 1 gram of protein, and 1 gram of sugar. It is also rich in Vitamins A and C, Iron and Calcium. Hmmm sounds good!

Walking through the other corners of the hypermarket, I have noticed these colorful herbs and spices--such a delightful sight to enjoy though I wasn't familiar with the other herbs and species. I was trying a take a second shot using my N8 mobile camera when somebody stopped and reminded me that photography is not allowed inside the hypermarket. I did. I am a law-abiding resident. Lol! Who wants to end up in jail anyway? Hahaha!

Back to the topic. Did I say that spices and herbs are common ingredients to Middle Eastern cuisine? I think I did mention it in one of my posts about Al Ain Souq.  Herbs and spices are commonly used not just to add flavor in the food, but also to add color. In fact, they make some of the Arabic food so delectable and unique (for my taste buds, I guess). From the very common kebabs, broasted chicken, chicken biryani and shawarma to the complicated saloona (well, for me it is), they are abundantly used. 

By the way, If you'd like to buy the traditional ones, I suggest that you should head over to Souq Alsamak, better known as Al Ain Souq, located a few meters away from Al Ain Bus Station.

On another note, yesterday was the Islamic New Year. Belated happy new year to my Muslim friends and readers of Al Ain City Daily Photo!

Count your blessings

I feel so sad these days and I have a lot of things do (including blogging and blog hopping) but I don't feel like working to accomplish them. I can list so many reasons to be happy, so why in the world don't I feel happy? Maybe because I am too tired of having a day off or 2 in between 3 or 4 graveyard shifts. Sometimes I feel miserable for no reason at all. Am I experiencing PMS? Maybe, I reckon. Or am I just too worried about  my obligations? Just thinking out loud. Whenever I feel like giving up, I always close my eyes and think of how blessed I am. That I shouldn't complain....but hey! I am just a human--an ordinary woman. Nevertheless, I am still thankful and grateful. Thank you Lord for all the blessings!

Allow me to share some of my favorite quotes and my photos.

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;Count your gains instead of your losses. Count your joys instead of your woes; Count your friends instead of your foes. Count your smiles instead of your tears; Count your courage instead of your fears. Count your full years instead of your lean; Count your kind deeds instead of your mean. Count your health instead of your wealth; Count on God instead of yourself.

~~Author Unknown

Every positive thing in your life represents a single unique blessing. Every negative thing in your life has the opportunity to become a double blessing. For when you turn a negative into a positive, you gain twice. You are no longer burdened with the negative situation, and in addition to that you are strengthened by a new positive force.

~~Ralph Marston

Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not your past misfortunes of which all men have some.

~~Charles Dickens

The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.

~~Eric Hoffer

A blessed weekend to everyone! Salaam!

A Child's Dining Experience at T.G.I.Friday's-Bawadi Mall

I've been wanting to drag my family to T.G.I.Friday's since it's opening at Bawadi Mall and finally did last week before hubby left for Ruwais, Abu Dhabi. It wasn't my first time to dine in at T.G.I.Friday's but it was JM's first. We don't eat out a lot but when we do, I usually stick with my sons' preference. Allow me to write  JM's review about the food, place and staff.

PLACE

1. Colorful but dimly lit.

2. Thumbs up for the coloring pamphlet and crayons though he did ask for extra crayons especially the green and brown ones. It allowed him to count, draw, color, unscramble words, and complete a maze.

FOOD

1. Tasty and delectable but the wait for food was a bit long. Twenty minutes for a simple Chicken Fingers Meal.

2. Yummy sauce. Enjoyed dipping his french fries up to the last piece.

3. Small portion, not satisfied (and shall I say a bit pricey--oh! that was supposed to be my review...I'll post ours--hubby, Joel and myself, anytime soon).

STAFF 

1. Friendly and communicates well with kids (referring to himself asking for more crayons and the staff was explaining that they run out of green and brown ones).

That's all folks! Are you done Mama? Let me finish watching my favorite movie, okay? I'll get back to you if there's anything that I'd like to add (JM with a big grin).

Al Ain Benches Series #2

It's Friday once again and it's time for my Al Ain Benches series. 

I had a 'toxic' night shift--my first of 2 graveyard shifts. I couldn't imagine that I have been to 3 different units within the 12-hour shift. Last night seemed to be one of my busiest nights---it was like a roller coaster ride. To sum it up, I am dead tired! Too bad that I punched out at half past eight in the morning because of the last minute orders. Good thing that today's weather is nice. I opted to take the bus. I was on my way to the bus stop when I saw these green benches at the parking area...punctuating in a constant distance and in between date palms and trees. Located at Tawam Hospital's Polyclinic area, a few meters away from the bust stop. Since I was late for the 8:15 bus, I sat on one of the benches while waiting for the next bus. These benches are not comfortable for the butt to sit on--they are made out of steel and puddled iron. Anyway, I had a 15-minute rest...it was good enough for my aching legs and feet.

See you next week for another Al Ain Benches series. Apologies for not visiting today--I am still on tonight. I need to hit the sack and take a rest. Have a great day ahead everyone! Salaam!

Hand Hygiene Day

Germs are in the air, on our hands, on our feet, on the table, and everywhere. They can even get on the foods that we eat. To get rid of them and prevent them from invading our system, we have to wash our hands. Remember that the most important thing we could do to prevent the spread of illness is to wash our hands often and thoroughly.

We (nurses, doctors and allied health professionals) believe that hand washing, when done correctly, is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases and hospital acquired infections. To remind and to re-educate ourselves, we participated in the recently concluded PICU/PECU Hand Hygiene Day held in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Conference room. Our Infection Control Link nurses gave us a lecture about the said topic followed by hand washing technique activity. Our hands were tested under the ultraviolet light after an application of "germs" in a form of powder and washed with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Here are some of the photos taken by myself during the activity. Thank you Joy, Nazy and Helen. Congratulations on the job well done!

Thelma's hands under the ultraviolet light

Nazy was inspecting Dr. Nidal's hands

Two Activities.One Purpose...

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, families are not only affected emotionally, but financially as well. They struggle to pay for hospitalization and treatment necessities while trying to cope up with the emotional turmoil. The disease does not only affect and changes child's life, but also poses challenges to parents, relatives and even some friends to cope with this life threatening illness. The family process is definitely affected including their coping mechanisms. This is so true for Therese Faye Macabbabad's case, a little girl suffering with Relapsed Clear Cell Sarcoma of the kidney.

Al Ain Benches Series #1

I am a keen observant and I'm always spotting new things especially when I am taking the bus or any public transportation. This characteristic of mine led me to discover the beautiful roundabouts and fences with varying artworks in most of the major roads in downtown Al Ain. After posting several photos of Al Ain roundabouts and fences, here comes Al Ain benches series. Let me start with these benches along Al Jimi District, a few kilometers away from Al Baladiya roundabout.

I've been to Al Jimi District at the Department of Naturalization and Residence yesterday afternoon to get my brother a tourist visa. After spending a couple of minutes in the typing center, I've realized that I forgot the sponsor letter that I needed to submit together with the other documents. Since it's already three in afternoon, I decided to go home and come back next week. While waiting for the taxi, I sat on one of the benches. I must say that these benches are commuter-friendly. You will never get tired while waiting for the bus or taxi. They are made out of wood and steel, slightly reclined to simply support the back.

One thing that made me wonder was the presence of several cigarette stubs on the grass. I understand that there is a law prohibiting smoking at the public places. How can one lit a cigarette in this place even in a broad daylight if he's aware of the NO SMOKING LAW? 

See you next week for another Al Ain Benches series!!

(photos were taken with N8 mobile camera)

I'm loving the weather these days

I'm loving the nice and cool weather that we're finally getting here in Al Ain. The sky is turning blue from the usual gray. I really like the contrast of the blue sky against the beautiful white clouds. For some reasons, I prefer cloudy days over sunny days. I just like less sun rays and less harsh---not that I am afraid of getting tan but I simply love the cirrus and puffy clouds. It brings happiness and uplift my spirit. This is the season that I really like in Al Ain and I am looking forward to wearing my cardigans, more photowalks, and outdoor activities.

These photos were taken last Sunday at Tawam Hospital bus stop. I was with Emily and Joy--my colleagues in PICU, and we were waiting for bus number 980 going to Al Khrair. I was so glad looking at the sky--a simple way of destressing after 3 graveyard shifts. I couldn't help but to click even with my N8 mobile camera. 

Thank you!!

I came to the UAE in May 2005 and started blogging in December 2006. I was alone because my family hadn't joined me yet here in Al Ain. If my memory serves me right, homesickness was the main reason why I started a personal blog to record my thoughts on living and working here in the sandpit. It was one fine day--my day off,  when I was browsing the net that I stumbled upon a photoblog. Since then, I started browsing and looking at different photoblogs, from one photography site to another, and so on. It was impossible not to be impressed by the remarkable range of beautiful photoblogs in the net and at the same time I discovered my love of watching the sky and taking pictures of Al Ain's many roundabouts. It tickled my interest in photography and finally in November 7, 2009, I started this photoblog to share my photos.

To date, it has been 2 years that I am trying my very best to maintain this photoblog. I know, no one asked me to do so but I feel that without Al Ain City Daily Photo, my life is not complete. There were times that work got in a way---graveyard shifts, 3 or 4 successive nights or I run out of photos to share, and most of the time, I find myself lost for words to write or to describe the places that I've been to. There were times that I wanted to delete this space but because of you--my blogger friends, readers and followers, I opted to keep this photoblog. Having said that, I want to thank: 

• the people who inspires me--my family, friends, colleagues, readers and followers
• My host country and city
• Oasis Living Magazine and Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (Seyaha) for featuring my photoblog.
• Al Ain Mall for sponsoring my first photo exhibition 
• Gulfnews for publishing my photo as Picture of the day (sometime in March 2011)
• Most of all, I thank GOD for the all the blessings bestowed upon me

Thank you for the gift of friendship.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING A PART OF MY JOURNEY!!

Eid Mubarak!

In celebration of this joyous occasion, I am wishing everyone, especially my Muslim friends and colleagues including the readers and followers of Al Ain City Daily Photo, a blessed and  happy Eid Al Adha!

My apologies for not returning your visits, my blogger friends. I am extremely tired after 3 graveyard shifts. As soon as I find time to sit infront of my PC for a longer period of time, I will definitely pop out and say hi.

Photo shown above was included and published in Sehaya, the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority's stakeholder magazine July 2011 Issue together with  9 other photos.

The challenges of macrophotography

Tell me something about macrophotography and you'll have all my ears. Why? Simply because I love macrophotography but I find it challenging yet frequently frustrating. You see, I bought a Canon 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro lens last April 2011 to satisfy my desire in shooting tiny objects. Honestly, this desire started when I saw the beautiful flowers at Al Ain Paradise (reminding myself that I bought the macro lens not on whim but because of my growing interest in different genre).

Great. I have acquired the proper lens and here comes the challenges. For some this may sound absurd but a photo enthusiast like me, I think it is pretty normal. First of all, I have to get dirty--I mean, I have to kneel and sit on the ground to get the shots that I want. I have to lie on my belly for hours, which I don't mind at all. I have to assume some awkward positions--almost ligament and tendon stretching positions which I often called acrobatics. :)) Plus I have to suffer and endure the pain while ants are feasting on my feet, belly and arms. Last but not least, I need to bear and ignore the odd stares coming from the people, especially when I am shooting outdoors. Maybe they're thinking that I have gone crazy for small weeds and flies.

For the technical issues, I find focusing on tiny object is very difficult especially if I'm not using a tripod. Reminding myself that I should always bring my tripod with me whenever I want to shoot macro. Light and camera shake, depth of field and framing are critical issues and most of all, I have to practice the virtue of patience especially for moving subjects like butterflies, dragonflies, bugs and birds. Even the wind can pose a challenge. Al Ain's weather during the month of October until February is unpredictable. Wind can almost kick up the sand and dust.

Despite of these challenges, I still love macrophotography. Yes, I still have a lot of things to learn and I don't mind even if it will take ages. After all, pressing the shutter keeps me sane.

Al Towayya Park by night

Al Ain's weather is getting cooler each day making it conducive for outdoor activities. I am off tonight and my mind is just too tired to think of my responsibilities. I really need to unwind and relax even for a couple of hours. Even my boys are asking me if we can go out. At 06:30 PM, off we went to Al Towayya Park.

Al Towayya Park is located in 2nd Street of Al Ragayeb Community at Al Towayya District. It has numerous benches located around the park, unlimited play areas for kids, lots of grass and trees, and several picnic spots perfect for outdoor gathering for families and friends. The park is also ideal for an array of activities having a basketball court, tennis court and volleyball court. 

The park is open to the general public free of charge. There are numerous parking spaces around the vicinity available for all. 

Here are some of my photos taken during the time of our visit. I was about to open my tripod when a security guard approached and reminded me of the rules about photography while visiting the park. I assured him that I'm a law abiding resident. ('',)

a fountain in the middle of the park

volleyball court and tennis court (my boys opted to play basketball)

photo op while waiting for my boys..thanks to my tripod and timer

Goodnight everyone! 

Theme Day: Fences

In my travels around the city of Al Ain, I have made some interesting discoveries and observations. Most of which are not always evident to first-time visitors and even to some residents. One of which is the fences at downtown Al Ain. I found out that most of the major streets have fences featuring artworks varying from an Arabic teapot, an incense burner, a date palm tree, flowers, fans, to a perfume dispenser, a mosque or a fort.

Photos shown above were taken a month ago at Al Jahili District, the place where Al Ain Palace Museum is erected. The fences that divide the road according to the direction of travel has an artwork featuring a fort. Photo frames were created using an application at bighugelabs.com.

November's City Daily Photo Community theme day is fences. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants. For more photos of fences, click here.