Sweet Riyadh

How was your week? Well, it started out busy for the tarhas and it's ending pretty much busy too. We are all sure you're dying for the workweek to end so you can start your day off. Whew Wednesday!

Well, we have a nice sweet idea to jump start your weekend. We're spreading the calories by sharing photos of the some of the desserts you'll find in Riyadh. Yes, we're eating Riyadh today.

We start with a simple slice of chocolate cake. 

Sinful much?

Pardon Cafe and Restaurant in Olaya has one of the best in town. It has wafer-like layers that add crunch to the moist base. It also has this glazed cereal accent that glistens like a jewel. Yum-oh!

And some ice cream, please.

A pairing of sweetness

Gate of Jazeera Palace in Suleimania has small scoops of vanilla ice cream in cute glasses drizzled with some lovely chocolate syrup. You can order it with bananas or lychees.

Add the chocolate cake and ice cream and we have the infamous chocolate fondant, which you might have encountered in the Philippines as "lava cake."

Best when shared.

A chocolate volcano can be found in Steak House. The cake is soft and the fudge is warm. We cannot resist!

Starry-eyed.

Nino in Olaya has a simpler version... with a star. It's a little bit dry but it's satisfyingly sweet nonetheless.

The volcano erupted!

A favorite is Cafe Ceramique's in Sahara Mall. This is the chocolate cake that tastes like our cakes in the Philippines. Not too sweet, not too exquisite to be expensive. The milk chocolate oozes out effortlessly. (For the record, this did not come out in the kitchen looking like this. We had to digest the main meal first before we can attack this dessert that's why it was left alone for a while. Our bad!)

An order will leave you longing for more. It's small. Really.

There's the cutie-patootie version of Wayne's Coffee, minus the ice cream. This is the cheapest in this bunch.

Dessert became the main dish?

And then there's the version of Ketchup (at the back) but what caught our taste buds off guard was the banana pudding. It was lovely. E can't get enough of it.

Are you done with the chocolate cake and ice cream pairing? Hey, the ice cream has always been a free agent so it can be paired with anything! Try these:

The yummiest bunch.

Outback Steakhouse in Tahlia has an ice cream+brownie combination. (Get their sampler of three desserts!)

Hot and cold is a winning combo.

While Ketchup has an ice cream+cookie offering. The cookies are warm and crisp.

Who has the heart to destroy this tower?

Le Relais de L'Entrecote has a sosyal French dessert that has meringue+ice cream. This Vacherin tower is exquisite.

And Dairy Queen has their famous wafer+ice cream aka the ice cream sandwich. It gave us a teeth freeze (pangingilo=dentin hypersensitivity). We have a photo in my phone somewhere.

The Sumatra with pancakes filled with pistachio and cream.

More chocolate goodness comes in The Noodle House's chocolate Sumatra. This is wicked. If you haven't tasted chocolate with a punch, this is it.

And if you're tired of chocolate, then there's always...

Walnuts love!

The carrot cake of Tony Roma's. It's crumbly, fruity, nutty... almost like a fruit cake. The syrup was too sweet though. (Try Outback's carrot cake too.)

The anatomy of a carrot cake.

Or this one from Cakelicious, which is well, a cake so delicious!

Sultry and sexy dessert. ;P

Or the oreo cheesecake of Ketchup, which we devoured in a matter of minutes. Or was that seconds? It's too fast my memory failed me.

Well, that's quite a long list huh? We hope your sugar levels did not go up and reach new heights upon seeing the photos. All we want really is to wish you a very merry weekend. It is not our intention to make you salivate and be hungry. Nope, not at all. :P

Enjoy! ;)

The (Aqua) Radiance of Kaya

I made the mistake of going out on the night of September 23, Saudi Arabia's National Day. The traffic was migraine-inducing and watching youths snatch balloons from a car filled with children made me want to lash out harsh words at the rude teenagers... and the police officers who seem to think all was perfectly fine. Talk about unnecessary stress. It's been a golden rule for expats not to go out on the occasion of this kingdom's Independence Day but oh well, I admit it was a wrong move for this tarha.

Good thing, the workplace declared September 24, Saturday, a holiday. I decided to avail of the facial Kaya Skin Clinic offered. I was booked for a 4pm appointment and I made it five minutes after 4. I was led to their waiting area while they prepare the room where I'll be administered what is called an "Aqua Radiance Facial."

This facial has something to do with water (obviously, hehe)... and air. I didn't know at first what would that mean. I do wash my face with water right? Will this take more than 5 times washing perhaps? How different will this facial be from the Advanced Kaya Facial I underwent a month ago? (I did enjoy that microdermabrasion facial btw.)

I was ushered into the same room and was greeted by the lovely Lala, one of Kaya's skin practitioners. Loiue, who did my facial before, was currently in Hayat Mall for Kaya's booth display. I had no problems with the SPs of Kaya. They're very friendly and well-trained. As I was saying, Lala explained to me the process of the Aqua Radiance facial while I took photos of the room.

Clean, no-fuss room

You might be intimidated with the look of the room because well, it does look and feel like a hospital room. But there's no major surgery going on here. This is a skin clinic, not a spa, so the rooms are kept bare with just the necessary machines, tools, and products. Lala was still preparing the room and the materials to be used when I went inside the room... excited much?! :D

The Jet Clear system

This is the supersonic (-expialidocious) machine used for Aqua Radiance.

Tale of the prods.

On to the Aqua Radiance process... this facial has three major stages: 

1. Exfoliation

What Kaya Says: Cool and soothing supersonic jet sprays gently slough off layers of dead cells, instantly enabling your pores to breathe and restoring lost lustre. This deep cleaning process penetrates the deepest layers of the skin whilst unclogging blackheads, leaving your skin spotless and fresh.

What I say: It was ticklish and cold. It was like having a hose directed at my face, without really getting wet. By the time the exfoliation was done, I thought my face was frozen. Don't get me wrong, it's a wonderful feeling - very refreshing. With that amount of  force, I was sure my pores opened wide, breathed, and sighed. Those who are very sensitive to touch might find the tickling sensation uncomfortable but I'm fine with it. I wanted to laugh but I'm afraid the water might get inside my mouth. :P

2. Hydration

What Kaya Says: Next, these cool and soothing jet streams are used to infuse therapeutic elements deeply into your skin, recharging and revitalising the cells. This stimulates the production of new collagen, an essential part of skin rejuvenation.

What I say: It was like the first stage. At first, I was doubtful that the jet streams can remove layers of dead cells, much more infuse elements. How can that be? It's just water, right? Let's just say the force of the jet is actually enough to cause abrasions when not handled well.  (Read: cuts like a knife.) Fortunately, Lala knows what she's doing and she was gentle on the strokes. She tells me what part she was doing next (the eyelids are pretty sensitive) so I have time to prepare and stifle my giggles.

3. Nourishment

What Kaya Says: After a thorough initial assessment of your skin type, a range of vitamins selected to suit your specific needs are then infused into the oxygen and water jet streams, feeding the skin with the nutrients it requires. These vital vitamins are then again applied to the skin for further nourishment.

What I Say: The same jet machine is used to apply the vitamins. By this time, I'm used to the sensation and I knew I'm going to miss the refreshing and relaxing feeling of the facial. Of course I can't see the immediate effect of the vitamin dose but I'm hoping it did nourish my skin.

Minor steps include the facial massage which was very relaxing. The kneading was kept to a steady pace. Then the extraction which hurts (darn those blackheads and whiteheads!) for the sensitive to pain types. It doesn't hurt as much for me because I'm thick-skinned and not sensitive the comedones living (and thriving) in my nose were easily nudged and removed. The last step was the mask, which calmed my nerves.

I looked in the mirror after the Aqua Radiance and I must say that my nose was redder than ever. LOL. That was expected. I also noticed that my face was radiant and smooth to the touch (I couldn't help touching my face, sorry!). I also felt like my face was squeaky clean! That for me was already an achievement. I did not go to Kaya for a fast miracle for my skin woes but I got what I wanted: a face that feels clean and hydrated inside and out.  (There should be before and after photos here but I'm too shy to show my huge face I forgot to take photos of the "After"... hello?!) Suffice to say, I'm happy with the effects of the Aqua Radiance. I did not get allergies from the creams used nor had pimples after wards.

I don't know about the restorative and healing properties of the Aqua Radiance but we all know that maintenance is a key factor in making the skin youthful and beautiful. I don't have enough riyals to maintain a twice a month facial regimen with Kaya (my wallet will kill me, if it's not dead already) but I will visit again soon to try their other treatments and meet the friendly and professional staff. :)

The Aqua Radiance service is priced at SR550 but is currently offered at SR450 for the month of September. Hurry and avail of their promo. Be tickled fancy! :)

§undrenched

PS. Thank you very much to Lala, my Aqua Radiance SP, who kept me perky despite threats of pain from the supersonic machine. Hahaha, just kidding. And to Louie, who I saw in Hayat Mall and reminded me that I had to keep my appointment after I bailed on the original sked (btw, you did not give me a free patch test. Chos! ;) Thanks to the  staff of the Kaya Clinic, Oruba branch, for making me feel welcome. Hope to see you again soon. Who's willing to be my next SP? Hahaha.

Special thanks to Ms. Kholoud, client coordinator, Ms. Nadia, area manager of Kaya Clinic KSA, and Ms. Danya, assistant brand manager. I did not get to meet you all personally but thank you from the bottom of my pink heart. :)

The Chichi of Tao

Whatever happened to our food posts?! We did not stop going out and eating (who does?). We just stopped writing.

I'm gonna pick up the pen for us again. Sorry, are you getting tired of my writing? Apologies. The other tarhas are busy with career changes, events, vacation, and personal issues. That is not to say I'm not busy too. I'm just not too busy, I guess. Haha. Okay, so what will I bring you this time? I've had it with cupcakes but there are still cupcake stores opening in the city. I saw Kitsch in Tahlia and a Cupcake Shop in King Abdullah Road. Yes, it's literally called "Cupcake". Gee, I wonder what they will sell. :) Will have to get back to you on those. I'm not still over with desserts, of course. And if there's one thing that caught my fancy and attention in that department over the last few months, it's the peanut butter ice cream of Tao Lounge.

Okay, let me back track a little. Sampaguita Pride and I went out for dinner days before her vacation in the Philippines and we went to this restaurant called Tao in Tahlia. You might not have seen this but it's there. Just look for a massive sculpture of something that look like an arm, a microphone, trophy, or er, well... a phallic symbol. I swear I did not think of the last one first upon seeing that silvery thing in the middle of a boxy building. I didn't even think that was Tao until I saw this thin neon sign with stars that say "tao" in cursive. Ohkay. How are they related? Mind you, I wore my best abaya, like our dinner in L'Entrecote, for this because the place is 'reservations only.'

I felt like a socialite when I stepped inside. The place screams 'sosyal' and I would have reverted to the conyo-tic English if not for P. This is an English teacher in front of me, what was I thinking?! Hihi. If Riyadh have socialites, then they probably visit Tao Lounge and Restaurant. The place is stylish, chic, elegant, and trendy (thus the "chichi" in the title). There were couches perfect for friends gossiping and hobnobbing and smaller tables for couples on dates. Huge curtains separate the spaces. P and I were led to a small, intimate table for two (we were just on a friendly date, lol). There were soft lights around in shades of purple, pink, blue, yellow. I looked at the menu and gawked at the prices. A maki platter was SR62! Seriously? A pasta with no meat is SR67?! On to the foodography:

Have you seen a green and orange bread? :D

The fab trio of dips for the multi-colored bread (olives, herbed butter, tuna)

California Tao Roll, SR62

This is one of my fave makis ever but still, why so expensive?!

Penne tossed in cream and pesto sauce, SR67

Some green cocktail infused with fruit juices

The SPA: pineapple, kiwi, orange, watermelon

Oreo mousse... we like it. :)

Let me summarize the food experience as this: delicious but expensive. And I honestly think I will only go back to the place if I'm not the one paying for it.

Until the peanut butter ice cream came. It gave the meal a delightful perspective. Let me first say that I am not a fan of imported Peanut Butter. I dislike Goody. I dislike peanut butter that are salty. I'm all for the sweet, oily variety we have in the Philippines. Lily's FTW! So anyway, I was hesitant to order the peanut butter ice cream for the fear of wasting my SR30 for it. But you know what, it's one of the best spent SR30 ever. 

The highlight of our meal

This ice cream is sooo peanut buttery! I cannot even explain it nicely so I will explain it without logic. Tao probably took a bottle of peanut butter and placed it inside the freezer. Then they took it out to melt a little, whipped it, and voila! Peanut butter ice cream with the added mmmmm! It is really, really good. It's my favorite kind of peanut butter ice cream and that's saying a lot because they might have used imported salty peanut butter on this one. Yummy!

How chichi!

I got caught in nostalgia with the ice cream I mainly forgot I paid over SR300 for the entire meal for two. (I have no regrets though because I was in good company.)

And Tao's comfort room got me with its honeysuckle paint and mirrors all over. Can you say vanity?! 

Mirrors all over. Self-LOVE! Lol.

Made for the Pink Tarha! :P

I will probably be back in Tao for the ice cream. But then again, I'm not a socialite (in other words, I cannot afford this indulgence) so it's safe to wander to other restaurants for now.

How To Renew Your Passport in Riyadh

If there is only one ID a Filipino should have, it should be a passport. Not only is it one of the most recognized documents in the Philippines, it's also the most recognized ID in any part of the world. Don't get caught not having without a passport, much less an expired one. So, make sure you renew your passport on time. Please remember that traveling in most countries will require you to have a valid passport for 6 months. For example, your passport expires on December 25, 2011 and you're traveling to Japan today, they won't let you in the immigration because your passport is no longer valid for 6 months.

When I first went home for vacation in the Philippines, I was so excited and forgot to renew my passport months ahead. Good thing, it only took a month for me to receive my new one or else, I had to re-schedule every thing. My father, who doesn't really pay attention to these "trivial" things, didn't know his passport is expiring in two months and he had to travel to Pakistan for work. He had to ask the embassy for a passport extension, which will only be given with valid (business or emergency) reasons. He finally had his passport renewed and he waited a month or so to receive his new passport.

The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh has recently introduced a new appointment system for e-passports. You don't have to wait in line anymore and you'll be able to request specific dates and time. It would be less hassle for your work or everyday activities. Only renewals are accommodated on this new system. Lost passports and new passports for children will be entertained as walk-ins. The Consular Section will accommodate 120 applicants daily so it is a must to get your appointment. Wag pasaway! :P No appointment, no entry! no processing!

The following information is taken from the Press Release No. 74-2011 (24 August 2011) of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh.

How to get an appointment to renew your passport
1. The new appointment system is free of charge and the applicants may enlist themselves directly by visiting the Philippine Embassy-Riyadh website at http://www.philembassy-riyadh.org/ and clicking on the E-Passport Online Appointment.
• Family applicants must indicate all the names of its members. Otherwise only one slot would be provided to them.
 
2. Applicant should make an appointment at least 3 days before his/her intended day of personal appearance in the Embassy.

3. Applicant can request an appointment date and time.

4. Applicant will be informed of the date and time of appointment.

5. If the appointment is not confirmed, the applicant must request for another appointment.

6. The applicant should be at the Embassy at least 15 minutes before the appointment for personal appearance.

7. Late comers will be entertained after finishing all applicants who came on time.

The Embassy is open Saturdays to Wednesdays from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Thursdays from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon except on regular Philippine and Saudi holidays.

Requirements for e-Passport renewal:
1. Personal appearance
2. Original old passport
3. Photocopy of old passport (data page only)
4. Duly accomplished passport application form that can be downloaded from the Embassy website: www.philembassy-riyadh.org or obtained from Window 1 of the Consular Section or at the Information Desk at the Embassy lobby (no photo needed)

Requirements for replacement of damaged passport:
1. Personal appearance
2. Original damaged passport
3. Affidavit of Damaged of passport
4. Duly accomplished passport application form (no photo needed)
 
Requirements for replacement of lost of passport:
1. Personal appearance
2. Police Report with English translation
3. Affidavit of Lost of passport
4. Duly accomplished passport application form (no photo needed)

(Note:  There is a 15 days waiting period before the approval of the passport application)

Requirements for newly born applicants for e-Passport:
1. Report of Birth form accomplished in 4 copies. (Form available at the Consular Section of the Embassy or the website)
2. Arabic and English temporary birth certificate and/or other supporting documents (e.g. Notification of Birth from the clinic/hospital where the child was born) – 3 copies
3. Marriage Contract of parents duly authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Manila (if married in the Philippines) or authenticated by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs with English translation (if married in KSA) – 3 copies
4. Photocopies of parents' passports (data page only) – 3 copies
5. Duly accomplished passport application form (no photo needed)

What to do on your appointment date

• Come to the Embassy at least 15 minutes before the appointment time.
• Proceed directly to the encoding Area for encoding
• After encoding, proceed to Window 6 (Cashier) for payment. 

Passport  Fees  

Renewal 
e-­‐Passport  SR  240.00 
Lost  Passport  

Green  or  MRP   SR  360.00  &  SR100  for  authentication 
e-­‐Passport          SR  600.00  &  SR  100  for  authentication 
Newborn  children  

Report  of  Birth   SR  100.00 
e-­‐Passport          SR  240.00   
 
How do I get my new passport?
 
• After 30 days after applying for your passport, you may check the Embassy website at www.philembassy-riyadh.org to find out if your passport has been received by the Embassy and is ready for release.  You may also call 482-3815, 482-3559 and 482-1577
 
Releasing of e-Passport (Window 3)
 
1. Releasing will be in the afternoon only from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
2. Bring the following: 
a. Original old passport
b. Official receipt
 
If you cannot appear personally to collect your new passport, you may authorize a representative and give him/her a signed letter of authorization stating your full name and the representative’s full name. 

Project Blue Balloons: An Online Awareness Campaign Against Tuberculosis

Everyone is familiar with Tuberculosis. In fact, this is considered "old" news for developed countries but for countries like the Philippines, this is a stark reality. For a country like ours, a disease like Tuberculosis is not only debilitating but it is also costly to maintain medication. Personally, I think that until this disease is completely eradicated, it should never be "old" news.

There are so many misconceptions about Tuberculosis that timely diagnosis and treatments are not initiated. Did you know that an expectant mother with Active TB can transmit the disease to her unborn child? Or that TB can infect the uterus and cause infertility? Did you know that most children get Tuberculosis from adults around them? I didn't either. Tuberculosis is not just a lung disease. It affects every gender, every age, and every race. And it is our responsibility to understand and prevent this from spreading.

Project Blue Balloons is an online awareness campaign, initiated by UP Open University students, that aims to clear these misconceptions. By collecting credible information about Tuberculosis and informing netizens about the symptoms and treatments available for TB victims, the project hopes to generate awareness among adults who have children of their own, or live with children or work with children. It is important to understand and recognize the symptoms of Tuberculosis and have yourself tested so you can protect your family from getting this disease.

Don't forget to visit their website: www.blueballoons.yolasite.com and sign a (non-monetary) pledge to spread the word about Tuberculosis. With just a few minutes of your time and a few clicks, you can help educate people about TB and how we can help prevent it from spreading.

Love,

Sampaguita Pride

News From Home, The Digital Version

I love digital reading materials. As an online student, I live and breathe "digital" 10 months a year. So it's no surprise that I've developed a liking to ebooks, pdf textbooks, digital comics and mangas... but what I've been craving for is news... not just any news, but the meaty no-nonsense news found in our local newspapers.

Yes, I can read the headlines online for free but it lacks the appeal that traditional newspapers offer. I read the newspaper from front to back and devour every page. I like to look at the headlines, glaze over the business section, look at advertisements, browse the cinema and theater listings, read up on the lifestyle section (my fave), checkout the job market and read the local comic strips.

So you can say that I got really excited when I learned that the Philippine Daily Inquirer is now available through its digital edition. Some people criticized this as ripping readers off because the content was on a subscription basis. But to be honest, I felt that the bad reviews were made by people who didn't actually bother downloading a digital issue. So I decided to give it a try... why not? They had a no obligation 14 day/issue trial offer. What was there to lose?

Your digital news stand

I downloaded the app for my iPad. The Inquirer app is free. I signed up for a free account and tried out their 14 day trial period.  Let's just say that I was blown away! The whole user experience was easy and it didn't take long before I downloaded the Sunday issue. In terms of format, the PDI Digital Edition is similar to the online version of Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire, which are offered by online bookstores like Barnes&Noble.

The PDI Digital Edition gives you, not just the headlines, but the actual content of the news as they appear in print. If you're like me who appreciates the actual layout of printed newspapers, you'll understand my fascination. It gives you everything they have on the actual paper version of the newspaper. You will get even the local news in the provinces, the editorials, obituaries, the job openings, the cartoons... even the ads!

 

I miss editorial cartoons.

For the business minded

Lifestyle

This is something you don't get for free on other websites. I for one felt nostalgic when I saw the telecom ads and the theater listings....

Updates on local Indie Films

I've been fixating on Anne Hathaway's boots for a few days now. ^_^

You can click on a headline and a reader-friendly version pops up. Forget about cutting up the newspaper to clip articles! With the digital editions, you can email it, link it to twitter and Facebook or Airprint with compatible printers!

Very social network friendly. ^_^

Another reason why I love this is because it's a more earth-friendly way to appreciate newspapers. If you think about it, local prices for a paper-based PDI issue costs 20 pesos. The digital edition, only 10-14 pesos depending on your subscription package. They've already taken out the paper and delivery costs out of the price, reducing their carbon footprint as well. After the trial period, I decided to subscribe for one year. It only costs me about 99 halalas each day. Deal na for all the content I'm getting!

As an expatriate in Riyadh, I don't need to go to Batha to buy our local newspaper anymore. I can just download it on my iPad... less paper waste, less effort. Personally, I find it refreshing not to have old newspapers lying around the house. Let's be honest, I don't sell tinapa and I don't have a dog to paper train, so I don't need a regular supply of old newspapers.

A cup of coffee and my newspaper in a tablet! Geek bliss! ^^,

For a week now, my mornings have been perkier because I look forward to the news that will be delivered via wifi. In a way, it has rekindled a love for newspapers as well as a new found interest in what's happening in our country. I get to read about the good things about our country too, and not just the sensationalized news broadcasted here.

I understand that this is not for everybody. Some people like to collect newspapers and some are not used to reading online. I suppose these are for people who own tablets and are willing to pay for content. People who are used to reading online and don't mind spending money on subscriptions. No one will force you to make the switch. 

But for me, the mere fact that this technology is available now in the Philippines is amazing. I am so happy to know that our country is catching up with the ICT trend in communications and learning. I think this is a wonderful step towards modernity and another way to ease the homesickness. 

Sampaguita Pride