(Digital) Scrapbooks and Memories

As the year draws to a close, we've had our fair share of happy and memorable moments. (Not to mention loads and loads of photos in our hard drives....) so what would be a good way to commemorate and re-celebrate each of those moments again? How about scrapbooking? Better yet, digital scrapbooking!

Yep, I love scrapbooking! As I child, I would cut out photos and turn them into collage sheets. Unfortunately, time ages materials and I've grown weary of cutting and buying scrapbooking materials that I get to use only once. Good thing Sundrenched introduced me to Digital Scrapbooking! Now with the advent of technology, we can fully customize and create beautiful scrapbook layouts. We can share them online or even print them as glossy Photobooks!

Digiprint can turn your scrapbook pages into coffee table hardbound photobooks. These are especially good for wedding and baby albums because these are printed on acid free paper, so you'll know it won't fade as the years go by.

I personally love digital scrapbooking because it allows me to be creative and at the same time, I can help sustain our environment by not having to cut and paste actual paper. The digital elements can be resized and reused for future scrapbooking projects!

Here are some of my personal scrapbook pages:

Here's a scrapbook page of my Lolo's 70th birthday party.

Some highlights of my trip to Manila that year

Photos of The Singapore Flyer

Some memorable photos at Sentosa

So? Are you ready to make your own Scrapbook layouts? How do you do this? First you'll need the following:

1. Computer know-how (Photoshop, Illustrator or MS Powerpoint will work but I personally use Photoshop because it gives me more control over effects, layers and image size. Note: If you use MS PowerPoint, the image output will not be as crisp and clear as it would if you used a dedicated photo program like Photoshop or Illustrator. So if you already know how to use Photoshop, I would suggest that you practice with that program. I'll try to make a separate Photoshop tutorial as well.

2. Digital Scrapbook Elements (there are tons of freebies you can download online. Here are some websites to get you started: Smitten Blog Designs, Peppermint Creative, Raspberry Road Designs. They also have even better kits for sale for low prices.)

3. Photos that you want to re-cherish! 

Getting started:

First thing you should do is look at Scrapbooking websites and download the kits that you like. Try to visualize what motif you want for your scrapbook page and what photos you want to include. Once you've downloaded your digital scrapbook elements and digital papers, you're ready to go! In this example, I used a freebie kit from Smitten Blog Designs, a stock photo of some random family and MS PowerPoint.

Sample Scrapbook Page

I personally like my scrapbook pages square. If you want to do the same, just set your paper size to 8x8 inches (click design; page setup; then input the desired size on the fields for height and width).

Resize your "canvas"

I then pick out the photos and elements that you want to use. Choose a background "paper". I like to layer prints so I usually pick 2 background papers.

Add all the photos and elements you want in your scrapbook page.

Now arrange and resize the photos, papers and elements to suit your taste. This is where your creativity can run amock! Though in my opinion 1-3 photos are easier to layout. Hehehe...

Layout and layer as you see fit.

Once you have the general layout, you can start adding shadows to give your scrapbook a layered feel. You can do this by double clicking on a photo or element until the "format" tab appears on the toolbar above. Then click on Picture Effects and then choose an effect that you want to use for that particular photo. You can also add your own words on the scrapbook page.

Add some shadows

Once you're done and you want to share your creation online, just save your work as JPEG and upload it. Or you could save it and have it printed as a glossy coffee table book at Digiprint in the Philippines. 

Don't forget to save!

There you have it, a basic guide to digital scrapbooking! So what are you waiting for? Let the creative juice flow and start sharing those wonderful memories :) 

L-O-V-E,
Sampaguita Pride 

Coron: Paradise Found {1/3}

When OFWs and expats come home to the Philippines for vacation, we usually spend most of our time with our family and friends in our hometown. There are some, like me, who use the time to explore the other provinces of the Philippines and travel like there’s no tomorrow. I find it liberating, especially after being stuck in Riyadh for a year (not that it’s too much of a bother; believe me, I rarely complain of my life in Riyadh), and fun because I get to spend quality time with my friends who I missed so much. I think it’s a good way for OFWs and expats to unwind. You will not see these scenes in other countries. Only in the Philippines talaga!

This vacation, I tagged along with my college friends to Coron, Palawan. We spent more or less 8,000 pesos in this journey. Just 800 riyals to see paradise? Count me in! And after I tell you what went on with my adventure in Coron, I’m sure you’ll be inserting it in your itinerary on your next vacation!  I hope this travel entry can also encourage our foreigner friends to visit the Philippines. I tell you, Coron that took my breath away. Hindi pa ako nakakauwi, gusto ko nang bumalik!

This Coron journey started a few months before the real trip. My friends kept tab on airline promos, which make air travel from one province to another so affordable. They saw a  fare promo that fit their budget… P2,700 to go to Busuanga, Palawan, the gateway to Coron. So goooo! They told me about their plan a few months after they bought their tickets (they didn’t know I’m going home on November). They have also booked a package (accommodation+food+tour) in one of the lodges in Coron for P4,500 per person. How can I say no to such inexpensive deal? I’M INNNN!

TIP: Here are the sites of low-cost airlines flying to Busuanga: Cebu Pacific Air and AirPhil Express. Make sure to sign up in their newsletter so you receive email alerts when they go on sale. CebuPac's SMILE Magazine is also a good read. You'll be enticed to book to other provinces and other South East Asian countries pronto!

Back to my story... We’re taking an early flight via Airphil Express, one of the budget carriers in the Philippines at the NAIA Terminal 3. It's a relief that we're using Terminal 3 now. It's cleaner, wider, and more well-lit than the old NAIA terminal, which huge international carriers still use. There were a lot of people but checking in was a breeze.

Our flight *excited much*

A mini bus had to take us to where the airplane was parked. We're using a Bombadier Q400 for this flight. The plane is a little bit small, my first time to ride something like it. The weather is fine and we were in the air in no time at all. Snacks are not served for free but you can buy them from the attendants. They’re too pricey so better eat in the airport if you’re hungry.

[For some reason, the photos which should be vertical are automatically made horizontal by the settings of my laptop/system. I will correct them soon. Thanks for reading! :)]

The view from my window... still on the ground.

The inside of the aircraft

G'bye for now, Manila!

A welcome sight to the last ecological frontier of the Philippines!

We arrived in Busuanga on time. For a little bit of info on the island, head on over to this link. Busuanga is the largest island in the Calamian group of islands. This is the jump off point to Coron.

Landed on a clear, sunny day

Arriving at the Busuanga airport

The Francisco B. Reyes Airport, named after a mayor of Coron during the Commonwealth era and located in the Yulo King Ranch, is small and the process is no-fuss. We got our luggages and head on out the door. A van from the Ralph’s Lodge, where we’ll stay is already waiting for us. Travel time from Busuanga Airport to Coron town proper is 45 minutes. Views of hills and meadows will greet you while passing through the ranch, one of the largest in the Philippines. The sceneries are so serene and laidback. You’ll be glad to see the cows and horses grazing in the road side and just lounging around looking so lazy but serene.

I was already inhaling deep and pinching myself. Am I really here? How did time fly by so fast? From the desert to the meadows… how very interesting! Well, it does get more interesting in the days that follow so make sure you visit The Pink Tarha site again in the coming days. 

This view gives a glimpse of what awaits...

And before I forget, (advance) Merry Christmas po, mga kabayan!

Sundrenched (blogging from MNL)

A Filipina's Food Trip (2 of 2)

Who needs a drink? Or a sweet fix?

In Part 2 of my massive food trippin' in the Philippines, I'm ushering in the last installment of what caught my tastebud's hearts. Let's begin with what can mostly keep us warm in the recently occurring winter here in Riyadh...let's toast and cheers to that! 

Cappuccino from Figaro

I did my best to stay away from the glare of Starbucks as it's already everywhere, home and abroad. While I was in the North, I enjoyed this rich cup of capp over the view of SM Baguio from Figaro. I am loving the coffee art too as it's not something I see everyday in Riyadh. 

Milk Tea from Serenitea

Milk Tea was also a big deal in the metro, with people flocking to "chai-it-out" (such as myself). Serenitea is a popular name in the milk tea business at the moment, allowing customers to customize their own drinks by size, tea flavor, and add ons (think zagu balls and or red mongo beans). And indeed, it is not your ordinary cup of tea. :)

Salted Caramel Cappuccino from CBTL

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf at Greenbelt was a staple hang out for me during my last vacation since most of my friends work in Makati. One day, my aunt (who is a year younger than me) invited me to try out this drink, which I've only heard of the first time. I am not exactly a fan of salty food, but I am a fan of trying out something new - and lo and behold, I finished every drop of this salted+caramel fusion of a coffee. Think tequilla shots, but instead of Cuervo, you get a dose of caffeine - filling you as equally warm inside. :)

The Teen Craze

Speaking of alcoholic beverages, the Tanduay Ice Alcomix was all the rave when I was back on vacation. Tweeners were anxious to taste it and are excited to act like they can actually get drunk from it. But when I gave it a try, it almost tasted like a more sour version of a 7-Up and seriously, there ain't no buzz. To those who claim to get drunk by this drink, it's like saying even Cali Shandy can get you wasted. But then again, that's just me. Disclaimer: I am not promoting underage drinking.

Who would turn down a glass?

Now I'm not a big beer drinker, but the boys in Riyadh would often times torture themselves and imagine an ice cold beer, complete with the sisig to boot! This one is a classic folks, and should not be missed! Kampay!!!

Cosmopolitan from Friday's, MOA

And of course, to my ladies out there who just needs to loosen up a bit (but not get totally wasted), another classic cocktail drink is the Cosmopolitan (which happens to be my favorite). Mainly made up of vodka, cranberry juice and some triple sec and lime, this will still keep things classy and sassy. Plus it's pink! What's not to love? Cheers ladies! (And let's start talking about that new boyfriend! Tee hee!) 

--

Moving on to desserts..

FroYos are still making a name for themselves with stores like the White Hat and the Red Mango. I stayed safe in trying out these babies coz I'm not a big fan of sour-tasting food. And if you noticed, I kind of buried the froyo in a sea of chocolate (takot sa maasim!). 

Plain FroYo with Choco Bits

Banana Waffle with Froyo from Red Mango

This was a deliciously made waffle topped off with the right amount of frozen yogurt on top. I actually had this dessert with P while we were catching up at SM Megamall. It was soft and fluffy and the sweetness was just right. This I highly recommend. :D 

Cupcakes from Sonja

What is already an established name in the cupcake biz is "Cupcakes by Sonja" located at Bonifacio Global City, The Fort. Must tries are their red velvet line and these choco crumbles which just begs you to lick it. Price ranges from 85Php to 150Php a piece. 

Coffee Bean Sansrival from Chateau 1771

This, hands down, had got to be the most unique Sansrival I have ever tasted in my life. You have to taste it for yourself to know what I mean. :)

Mango Jubillee Gelato from Amici

Amici is one of the longest running Italian restaurant chains in Manila, especially the one located near Don Bosco. One rainy night, my friend introduced me to this wondrous place of gelatos and gelato cakes (among others) and found myself in awe of their homemade food. The taste and quality is worth your money. 

Sweet Potato from Red Mango Bistro

Simple but with impact. It's your regular kamote (sweet potato) that's been steamed and tendered, smothered with coconut cream sauce that may have a magic potion in it. This plate was wiped clean! 

Chocolate Cake from Conti's

Conti's is a popular pastry label in the metro too with minions flocking in and out for their many favorites. It's fast becoming the next Goldilocks if I would be so daring to say so. I liked that this chocolate cake resembled my mom's own cooking of a beautiful chocolate cake. Moist, right icing and not too sweet. 

Cinnamon Bun from Cafe by the Ruins, Baguio

Just from the looks of that luscious piece of bread can already tell you everything you needed to know. Did it taste as good as it looks? Hell yes! Cafe by the Ruins in Baguio is a quaint place that's loved by the locals and remembered by the tourists. They have these items freshly baked daily, plus an undisputed menu of specials. They have great coffee to go with this too!

Halo Halo Special from Chowking

Last but definitely not the least, how can we go home to the Philippines without having halo-halo?! Umulan man o umaraw! Granted that this is the commercial kind, but hey, if you don't have the luxury of time to hunt down the best street halo-halo in your neighborhood, then Chowking's version of it isn't too bad already. So, scoop away kabayan! :) 

--

And there you have it, what's been long overdue of my food trip part 2! 

I just got back from my trip to the Eastern Province, visiting Dammam, AlKhobar and Jubail all in one weekend. Perhaps I have that to talk about next! 

Til next time....

Eyecandy

Guide to Philippine Schools in Riyadh

So you've got your visa to sunny Riyadh (plus family visa too!)... but what about your kids? Will they be able to go to a DepEd accredited school? The answer is YES! There are currently a lot of Philippine Schools in Riyadh and other cities in the Kingdom. In fact, Eyecandy and I are proud graduates of Elite International School and International Philippine School in Riyadh. Laking Saudi talaga :)

(Photo credits: http://dexfamily.wordpress.com)

The first ever school in Riyadh is the International Philippine School in Riyadh (formerly the Philippine Embassy School in Riyadh). In the late 90's, other International Schools were established. As of press time, the schools that are still in operation in Riyadh are: 

     1. International Philippine School in Riyadh (IPSR)
     2. Second Philippine International School (SPIS)
     3. Elite International School (EIS)
     4. Riyadh International School (RIS)
     5. Future Generation Philippine International School (FGPIS)
     6. Al Danah International School (ADIS)
     7. Millenium International School (MIS)
     8. Al Taj International School (ATIS)
     9. Palm Crest International School (PCIS)
     10. Fawaq International School (FIS)

Majority of the Philippine schools are located around the Riyadh Military Hospital and Suleimaniah Area. It's like the U-belt of Pinoy Expats here. :))

Levels Offered
Most schools offer Pre-Elementary, Elementary and High School education, however some schools like IPSR offer Post-Secondary Courses such as Computer Science, Business Management and Liberal Arts. SPIS also offer IT Occupational Courses such as CISCO training courses and introductory computer courses.

What if you relocate to Saudi Arabia in the middle of the School Year? 

That's not a problem. Most of the Philippine schools will accept enrollees even in the middle of the school year, to help OFW's adjust to Saudi life faster. But they will need all of your child's school documents in compliance with DepEd regulations.

Documents that you MUST bring to enroll your child

The documents required for admission would depend on the grade level of your child, but here is a list of documents usually required to enroll your child here in Riyadh:

     1. Birth Certificate (Photocopy)
     2. Iqama of Parents (Photocopy)
     3. Passport of Parents (Photocopy)
     4. 6 pcs of colored 1x1 ID picture
     5. Student's Passport
     6. Original Report Card
     7. Form 137
     8. Honorable Dismissal from last school attended
     9. Certificate of Good Moral Character

  

Tuition Fees

Tuition Fees vary per school but generally the tuition rates are around 4000 - 4500 SR per year plus 500 SR miscellaneous fee. You can pay for this in lump, quarterly or monthly installment. There are also schools that offer graduated discounts for the next child.

For example, IPSR offers "graduated discount for the 2nd & 3rd siblings; whereas the 4th child enjoys 50% tuition fee discount and the 5th child is free from tuition fee." (IPSR website)

Scholarships

Again this depends if the school is actually offering a scholarship grant. For example, RIS offers scholarships and tuition fee deductibles for consistent top-notchers in class.

The Curriculum
Philippine schools in Riyadh follow the prescribed curriculum from DepEd. Your child will still be studying English, Math, Science, Araling Panlipunan or Sibika, Filipino, MAPE, THE and Computer. Most of the time, they will also be required to study Saudi History, Islamic Studies and Arabic Language, which are mandated by the Saudi Ministry of Education.

School Activities

Schools offer a wide range of extracurricular activities like Intramurals, Field Demonstrations during the schools' Foundation Week, Quizbees, Literary Contests, Science Congress and JS Promenades among others. Students may also join non-academic clubs, school newspapers, CAT, basketball and volleyball varsities and Student Council Organizations.

School Facilities and Services

Photo Credit: http://dexfamily.wordpress.com

Most schools would have a Clinic, Science laboratory, AVR room, Computer room, Home Economics room, Bookstores and Canteen. Quadrangles are also used for school activities and ball games like basketball and volleyball. School bus service is also offered by most Philippine schools.

Tutoring
Some schools will offer tutoring service for children who are having a hard time coping with lessons. The rates vary per school but rates would be around 200 SR per subject.

Gender Segregation

In most schools, students are sectioned by gender and not by scholastic standing. This is also a directive from the Ministry of Education that boys and girls should not mix on campus. Usually, only the Elementary students are allowed to attend a mix gender classroom.

Classroom Size

The average number of students per class would be around 20-30 students. Some schools provide armchairs, while others provide desks and chairs for each student. Most rooms are air-conditioned and use white board instead of the traditional blackboards.

 
Well, there you have it. I think this covers most of the basic details about Philippine schools in Riyadh. We hope this post will prove helpful to our Kababayans who are planning to bring their children to Saudi Arabia. :)

All the best, 

Sampaguita Pride

How To Find Your Way in Riyadh

How do you address the address situation in Riyadh? It's not easy to remember places. Believe me, when I first went on my trip in the city center on May 2008, I muttered to myself, "I will never ever be able to navigate this city!" Riyadh is a grid of long and wide roads, boxy and low-rise housing and villas, and a ramble of Arabic-named stores. Fast forward to today, I can pretty much go out on my own (of course, equipped with taxi tips from this blog: here, here, and here)  and I can pretty much find addresses, no matter how vague they may seem.

Here is The Pink Tarha's ONLY tip:

Hire a reliable car/taxi driver that knows his way around. ;)
A good and knowledgeable driver can save us from haggardness and stress. Most of you probably have your own drivers but for those who don't have, pick your own suki from the drivers of taxis you've ridden. Choose the one you're most comfortable with (and someone whom you can trust your life with).

Of course, our reliable drivers are not know-it-alls. No one knows where every store or house is so it's really a good thing to have good drivers who'll be patient enough to take you round and round an area to find the specific location you're looking for. ;)

Now you may ask, what if our drivers don't know where to go? Or what if I have a husband (aka driver) who gets cranky when I ask him to go to this place but I don't know where that place is either? Or the taxi driver keeps on saying "mallum" (I know) when I asked him if he knows this place and suddenly becomes clueless when I'm already inside?

Well, here are our other tips when the ONLY tip doesn't work for/doesn't apply to you:

1. Never leave your house or workplace without knowing where to go. If you have a restaurant or store in mind, look up their address in the Internet. If the address is as vague as "Tahlia St. Riyadh, KSA" then call their contact number and ask them where it's located. If they don't have a contact number or no one is answering, ask The Pink Tarha. Hahaha. Chances are, we've already visited the place, or have seen it in our lakwatsas. Ask in our Facebook wall so we can answer faster. :P

2. Memorize major streets and highways. If they're major, they're popular! Check if you know where these are:

Can you see the Faisaliah Tower up ahead?

^King Fahd Road

Newly-constructed!

^King Abdullah Road 

Try if you know the following streets and visualize them in your mind:

Makkah Road

Khurais Road

Oruba Road

Olaya Street

Tahlia Street

Takhasussi Street

Thalateen Street

Dabab Street

3. Remember prominent buildings. They will serve as your landmarks, guides to your trips in the city. And we're not just pertaining to the Kingdom Tower or Faisaliah Tower. All the big and popular malls can serve as landmarks. Or those establishments which have huge, catchy signs in the major highways or those with unusual shapes or structures. Remember hotels and government buildings (hello, Ministry of Interior!) too. Associate these landmarks to the major streets. 

In your neighborhood, try looking out your window (I hope they're not too screened) and see the stores or eating places around you. Your building will probably have a number too. I thought ours doesn't exist but it was right in the center, just above the doorway of our building! Haha. What if you're in a residential district where most houses/villas are the same? Chances are, you have a number outside. Or take note of the color of your gate and walls. Draw maps to your house so you can guide relatives and friends over. Speaking of maps...

4. Learn to navigate maps. I know, I know... it's so old school. But they're helpful! What isfthe only available address in the Internet for the newly-opened store you're looking for is on Wikimapia? When Sugar Sprinkles in Takhasussi was new, I looked up the store in the Internet and found this map:

Where you at?

That little red box is where it's at. Now, if you look at surrounding details, there's not much to go on. Er, an empty lot? There are a lot of those here. Wow, the building near it has a pool. Nice! Okay, so you can't find it looking from above so what you do is to zoom out a bit until you can see the surrounding areas in a wider scale. To give you that perspective, here's what it looks like zoomed out:

Click to see larger image.

I spotted the Kingdom Center a few frames below. Hello, would I know where that is?! You bet! Now that I know where it is, I scrolled down a bit more to know that Faisaliah is way below (South) so Riyadh Gallery must be up that map (North). I can already clearly see the roads in my head and they're like puzzle pieces forming into a picture.

From King Fahd Road, I will just turn left to Oruba (where the ornate  AlGarawi building is in the corner) and head to Takhasussi. From there, turn right and drive straight. From that time on, I'll already be on the lookout for the Sugar Sprinkles on my right side.

This visualizing and analyzing is easy if you have mastered tip numbers 2 and 3. Don't worry, you'll get there. Just be observant when you're out and about Riyadh. :) Thank goodness, the street signs in Riyadh are also translated in English now. There was once a time when I just stared helplessly at those Arabic green signs and arrows looming overhead. I could only translate the numbers then.

5. Use a GPS device. My father would have laughed at me if I told him I'm still studying and consulting maps when the coordinates are clearly in the page too.  From the Wiki, it says Coordinates: 24°44'7"N 46°38'54"E for Sugar Sprinkles. With the right GPS device, it will be easy for you to find the place.

Hi-tech navigation!

However, I don't own a GPS device and the father is not always around. I'm guessing you have the same fate with your fathers and husbands so it's always handy to heed tip number 3. However, most guys will benefit from this tip because they're the ones using these devices. The Pink Tarha are actually thrilled to receive questions from guys asking us for the GPS coordinates of a place (ex. Edge of the World, Red Sand, etc... sige na, kayo na ang may GPS device!) but sorry guys, we don't have a GPS device and we don't even know how to use it. Besides, where's the fun in using that in a city?! Lol.

Do you have your own tips and suggestions on how to find your way in Riyadh? We'd love to hear them. We'd like to read 'lost and found in the road' stories too so do share.

Hope our tips above can help you. If all things fail, ask and you shall be answered. :P

*Click on photo for photo sources and credit.  

§undrenched

Addressing Adresses

Eyecandy and Sampaguita Pride grew up in Riyadh. Shoegarfreeruby has been here for 10 years. Me? Nearing 4 years. And you know what's odd? We still don't know where we live exactly. Uhuh. Let me explain.

When you ask one of us where we live, we will answer you with "at the back of Nafoura Restaurant" or "near King Fahd Medical City." There's no specific answer. Because like everything else you'll find in Riyadh, KSA, the address/location system is unique and one-of-a-kind.

Folks who are living outside Saudi Arabia, here are a few things you need to remember about an address here in Riyadh.

1. We live in P.O. Boxes. Okay, not exactly LIVE there because we wouldn't fit but addresses are P.O. Boxes. There are no flat numbers, apartment numbers, and street names like normal addresses have. Most of us use the P.O. Box of the companies where we work instead of where we live (houses and flats) because we don't avail of our own.

These are not the usual P.O. Boxes in Riyadh. I hope.

For example, a nurse working in King Fahad Medical City can use this address:

[name]

[department]

P.O. Box 59046

Riyadh 11525

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Take note that you don't even have to specify the hospital or company. The P.O. box number and zip codes are the important things to put there. Most companies and hospitals have their own mail room that sorts and distributes mails and packages. If it was following the Philippine address system, it would have went like this:

[name]

Department of Pediatrics

Room 62, Building 26

King Fahad Medical City

Abdul Aziz Bin Musaed Bin Julowi St.

Suleimania, Riyadh

11525, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

It is longer so having a P.O. box has its own advantages. One disadvantage though of having a P.O. box as an address is when we shop online. Some stores do not ship to P.O. boxes. Sometimes, I have to contact their customer service and tell them that hey, it's all we have here in Saudi Arabia! So I hope stores like that are reading this.

2. Houses and buildings have no identification numbers. They have numbers alright but they're mostly ignored. You will not usually see them in our address. We just know them and would use that to direct relatives and friends who are coming over. I use all prominent landmarks around our place to direct people. For example... here's a conversation I have when ordering for delivery.

Resto Guy (RG): Hello.

Me: Hi, I'm ordering for delivery. Here's my order (blah blah).

RG: Where are you located?

Me: In Dabab St., turn right to Ar Razi St. The street going to Military Hospital.

RG: Where exactly?

Me: Uh, building 25, flat number 3.

RG: Where is that? Near Military Hospital?

Me: Uh, a few blocks away from the hospital.

RG: Blocks?

Me: I mean, not so near. I mean, a little bit. (HUH?!)

RG: Uhhhh...

Me: The building is beside DHL, across Little Ceasar's...

RG: Okay, I will just tell the driver to call you.

It gets frustrating that's why whenever we order for delivery, the father insists that I call. Why does it always have to be me?! Hehe. Of course, that would've been easier if I can speak Arabic or the operator (or the driver) can speak English. Some delivery guys find the right street and just cruise up and down until they find the right building. Btw, that in the conversation is a true location but it's not where our flat is located so please don't stalk. Hahaha. Jk.

3. Street names here are long and winding roads. Imagine saying to someone, "We just live in the corner of Abdul Aziz Bin Musaed Bin Julowi St. and Al Amir Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz St... kuha mo?!" Most popular roads have, thank goodness, shorter names like Olaya, Mecca, and Oruba. Some have nicknames which are totally unrelated to their real names seen on maps. For example, Abdul Aziz Bin Musaed Bin Julowi St. is better known as Dabab St. while Al Amir Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz St. is better known as Thalateen St. The parallel street named Al Amir Mohammed Ibn Abdul Aziz St. (spotted the difference?) is known as the hip and happenin' street of Tahlia. Confused much?

Oh, and if the confusion is not enough, they're also spelled in various ways. Tahlia can be Thalia, Tahaliya, Talia... Takhasussi can be plain Takasusi, complicated Thakhassusi, or longer Takhassousi. Spell them however you like to pronounce them. Go! :)

4. Floors are counted as ground floor, first floor, second floor, etc. It's different from how we count in the Philippines where we consider the ground as first floor and so on. Sometimes there are some buildings who follow that so to each his own. No one said there's uniformity around here. Haha. Thankfully, no one lives in sky-high condominiums with 40 floors. Not yet.

Eeenie meenie miny moo, to what store should I go?

5. Most store signs are in Arabic, especially the ones in the older areas of the city. It makes it more difficult to find the right store for foreigners and expats unless it's a common store for something. Some stores look like offices from the outside and it's upon you to guess what they are correctly. Hope the store keeper or manager speaks English.

And just to remind you... Riyadh is not just a city. It's also a province. So there's a Riyadh City located in Riyadh Province (ArRiyadh). It's like Tarlac City in Tarlac province in the Philippines. There's also a "Riyadh Center" symbolized by a circle with a dot in the middle on most road signs. We don't really know what is within the city center and where it ends but we just take it as this: if you're near the Faisaliah and Kingdom Towers (two highest buildings in Riyadh), then you're still in the city center. Once you get out of range of the two (meaning if you see them in your horizon like needles sticking out of the sand), consider yourself out of the center and into the outskirts.

The faraway hazy area? That's the outskirts and beyond.

Needless to say, it's confusing to find a specific address here unless they're prominent and famous. It's always been a must to provide maps to a specific destination, especially if we're talking residential. We wonder how ambulances, fire trucks, and police find the places when they get emergency calls. We guess local knowledge really helps a lot. But what if you're new in the city? What if you don't go out as much? What if you rely on Google Map, Wikipedia, and GPS coordinates?

HOW DO YOU FIND YOUR WAY IN RIYADH?

Do it the Pink Tarha style! Tips on the next entry! Hope you don't lose your way before then. ;)

*Click on photo for photo sources and credit. 

§undrenched

A Filipina's Food Trip (1 of 2)

Call me your resident "Foodiva" or we can stick to "WooF (Woman of Food)". Either way, I simply love food and I want to share the love. :) 

After three years of quiet hibernation and re-rooting myself in the country where I grew up, I finally went back to the Philippines to re-discover the motherland and feel what it's like again to roam free and unafraid of the world around me (but then again I already feel that way about Saudi Arabia), but like they say, "Iba pa rin sa sarili mong bansa!" I'll tell you about the places I visited later, for now, let's go on a FOOD TRIP shall we?

Of course, the first thing that comes to mind when coming back to the Philippines is "Yay, Pork!" hahaha! But I guess, growing up here in Riyadh never had me appreciate the glistening and sought-after Lechon skin or say, the hot and steamy Sinigang na Babs on a rainy day. Though through college, I've learned to love Sisig and Pork Siomai as easy student meals. This time for me, I was more excited to try out lots of restaurants - as I feel like I've already eaten at almost every single restaurant here in Riyadh. And my, was I overwhelmed! In the Philippines, I could spend an hour at the mall just thinking about where to freaggin' eat coz there's a gazillion of options! Of course now that I am off the student budget, I have the liberty to pick whatever and wherever I want to eat -- which is excruciating! 

So as to help you not suffer the same ordeal, let me give my two cents worth of the places and dishes that my mouth and I found deserving around the Metro and then some. Be warned: The following photos may cause excess saliva, food (or)gasms and strong desires to fly back to the Philippines right away for a quick bite. 

Here we go...in true dining decorum, let's start with some entrees:

Deepe-fried, crunchy Kangkong and Okoy from Kabisera, Bonifacio High St.

Call me oblivious, but until that day I ate at Kabisera ng Dencio's - I had no idea that you can deep fry kang kong and dip it in some delicious mayo-honey-mustard dip. The Okoy is also great with their special Ilocano vinegar. Visit Kabisera at The Fort for an authentic Filipino dining experience. 

Garlic Fries at Stackers, Resorts World, Paranaque

Even before coming back to the Philippines, I already started reading about this new French Fry craze called 'Garlic Fries' and actually, I was smitten by this one store that's dedicated to garlic fries called, 'Eat My GF', but I couldn't go to their actual store so while at Stackers, which is an Australian burger joint, I decided to try out their version of garlic fries and well, while it's not 'Wow!' it is something new at the very least. :D 

Flaming Cheese at Cyma, Greenbelt 1

This is not only a delicious dish but also an entertaining one. The Flaming Cheese is one of the bestsellers at Cyma, a Greek-slash-Mediterranean restaurant. Why? Because every time somebody orders it, the server who will bring it to you will ignite the sizzling plate with flames and then shout very loudly, "OPAH!!!" (Just like they say it in the movie, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding). If you like being the center of attention, you'd like this one. ;) 

Gỏi Cuốn Rolls from Pho Hoa, Glorietta 5

This was my first time at Pho Hoa even though I've passed by it a million times back in college. One of the unique dishes I had at this Vietnamese place is their summer rolls, which are wrapped in this paper-like rice wrappers. Not like our fresh lumpia version, but something else. The sauces option cap off the perfect combination (depending on your taste buds). More specific details of this dish can be found here. 

Crispy Tawilis

Hito Flakes

Buttered Scallops

The last three entrees are all from the chic and quite affordable, Mesa at Greenbelt. Their food is mainly Filipino fusion, with a modern twist. Take that Crispy Tawilis and Hito Flakes for example. These are very traditional ingredients and yet they cooked it in a way that is quite upscale and probably aimed for the more probing palate. I particularly LOVED the Hito Flakes with that green mango and bagoong+sili on top! Ack, I want more! Hito is catfish by the way. :) I also say affordable because for the five of us who ate there that night, we were really surprised that it only cost that much (coz it would appear that their food is expensive, but in reality, it isn't). 

On to some heavier entrees, bordering on main courses:

Tonnos Salata from Cyma

Coriander-crusted seared ahi tuna with mixed greens, feta cheese, baked onions, Gavros (homemade anchovies), roasted bell peppers, black olives, marinated potatoes, green beans and boiled eggs, served with Cyma’s Summer Herb Vinaigrette. In short, YUM!

Buffalo Wings from Don Henrico's

These babies are the truest Buffalo wings I have ever met - unlike them other restaurants claimin' they got 'buffalo' wings - Don Henrico's is the real deal! A piece of this is bigger than your palm! It's still as good as I last tasted it. Prepare for some serious finger-licking after this. Good for sharing too, btw. 

Chicken Wings from Yellow Cab

Yellow Cab's chicken wings are juicy and crunchy, with enough hints of spice that will make you want s'more - especially when served hot! It's not as big as a buffalo wing, but it's close. GMOs FTW! LOL.

Pork+Shrimp Siomai at Eat Well!, Taguig

These are as good as they look! Probably the best siomai I've tasted in the Metro that's really worth your buck - heck, there's even caviar on top! Eat Well! is a little resto right across JP Morgan Chase in Taguig and I hear it's a favorite of a lot of employees around the block. I was sold! :D

Baked Tahong at Kabisera, Bonifacio High St.

Oysters Americana from Murray's New Orleans at Bonifacio High St.

If you're not watching your high blood pressure, getting high on mussels and oysters is up for grabs in the Philippines. Being that such produce is very scarce albeit expensive here in the Kingdom, it's always open season back at home. My mom had such a craving that when we were at Murray's New Orleans Bourbon Street Steaks and Oysters (Whaatta long name!), we ordered three plates of different oyster dishes! Theirs are fresh daily and you wouldn't have to worry about angering your tummy - in fact, ours were very happy! 

Chicken Carbonara with Premium Beef Strips from Greenwich

Sweet & Sour Pork Lauriat at Chowking

Let's talk fast food now. A couple of things have changed since I was back - like the prices! Haha, talk about inflation rate Philippines! Other than that, most fast food chains have phased out a lot of old favorites like for me, was Greenwich's Chicken Quesadillas, which I learned that they don't serve anymore (I think the waitress was wondrous for a second and thought, where have I been the last 5 years asking for a phased out item?!).  My brother and I tried their carbonara and it's heavy - good option for the boys. Meanwhile, I also took my mom and grandma to Chowking, which is their favorite, and ordered their famous Lauriats. Same taste as years ago, higher price. :P 

All four sinangags at SEX (Sinangag EXpress)

After one of my heavy partying with friends at the Makati area, they brought me to a famous tapsilog place fondly referred to as 'SEX' (stands for Sinangag EXpress) to nourish ourselves post-party (you know how it is. ;p). AND NO, I DID NOT EAT ALL THOSE FOUR BY MYSELF Thank You Very Much! Hahaha. It was a cool place, a lot of call center employees apparently eat there and they have free  water and unlimited rice so, solved! Haha. I'm laughing a lot coz I remembered what went down that night....hahahaha! Anyway........

Seafood Mix from Mango Tree Bistro, Trinoma

My family celebrated my brother's birthday at this hip Thai restaurant in Trinoma called Mango Tree Bistro and we thoroughly enjoyed all of the things we ordered - except for this new pork curry dish that was too tough for us to chew (which they gladly replaced btw). All of the seafood dishes that we ordered was a hit, particularly this one above. I will definitely go back there again. :)

Kare-Kare from Max's

I ate at the Max's at Intramuros, which has bit of an ancient feel to it. I'm not sure if it's where the first Max's restaurant was, but it sure felt like it One of my favorites there is their Kare-Kare. Given that Max's is such an institution already, I'm sure most of you have already tried it. If you haven't, then try it! :) 

Sushi selections from Saisaki/Dad's/Kamayan, Megamall

I was with Sampaguita Pride on her birthday and she treated me and few other friends at the Dad's Buffet in Megamall wherein they have a package that let's you crossover to their other sister-restaurants like Kamayan and Saisaki. Of course, I first headed to the sushi bar and indulged my sushi desires. For like 700+ pesos, their buffets are really worth it. But with these things, the key is to pace yourself so that you can enjoy everything. :))

Peri Peri Chicken, Megamall

If you're opting for a change of chicken scenery, there's Peri Peri Chicken, a Portugese-themed restaurant and it's how they cook their chicken that actually makes it special: It's roasted for 30 minutes then exposed to spit fire before actually serving it to the customers. The term "peri-peri" refers to the spice that's used to create the dish (they also have it in condiment form). If you're not a fan of spicy chicken, fret not for they have other options for you to enjoy.

Hot Pot anyone? 

Yummy, yummy, yummy. 

Right along Roxas Blvd, there's a number of Hot Pot restos and my family and I tried one of them after watching the theater. Sorry here folks, but I totally forgot the name of the place. But, it is your usual shabu-shabu-type of resto with refreshing hot vegetable soup with selected seafood to boot cooked right in front of you. It's a different way to spend dinner with the family. :)

Yellow Cab's Charlie Chan Chicken Pasta

Hands down, this is my all-time favorite dish from Yellow Cab. It has the hot and spicy ninja kick, the crunch of 'em hot nuts, tender chicken bits and the somewhat sweet+salty combo sauce of the pasta - very oriental of a taste for a New York franchise, but it's amazing and I love it. I think I ordered it like five times throughout my whole vacation. :P

Lechon Kawali from Andoks

Pork Sisig from Kabisera

Of course, food trip in the Philippines isn't complete without pork overload!? I sure indulged til I surrendered (which was about two weeks into my return). While stuck in traffic one night, I was sitting inside the bus, imagining a hot, freshly chopped lechon kawali from Andoks on a plate, pouring gravy all over the it like a blanket then chopped chilis sprinkled over it while the wisps of steam from the newly cooked rice floats through the atmosphere. AHHHHH! I got home and did exactly that -- and that my friends is a dream come true. ;)


--


Let's take a quick break from here and digest what we've tripped on so far. I need to get back to work now, but when I come back, I'll bombard you with even more photos of the desserts and drinks that I had while in the Philippines.

Til our next Food Trip! 
Eyecandy