What's Your Kukuruza (Popcorn) Flavor?

"Of course life is bizarre, the more bizarre it gets, the more interesting it is. The only way to approach it is to make yourself some popcorn and enjoy the show." 

There's no quote more appropriate in describing how we're living in Riyadh, or how we should live it. Grab yourself a popcorn and enjoy the show. I know it isn't that simple but look at it this way... there are things that are beyond our control and worrying about them doesn't do us any good. Why can't we all just take a back seat and enjoy Riyadh more often? It shouldn't be all work. All work and no play? That's depressing! So, what do you say to grabbing some popcorn and watching the world go by? And when I do say popcorn, let's not go for the normal buttered ones. We can all get them in the grocery aisles. Let's go for gourmet! (Because we hardworking people all deserve it!) 

You might have visited Hayat Mall lately and saw their latest dining section, named Al Liwan, on the second floor where Applebees is. They've re-designed and spruced up the place to accommodate more restaurants like Maya Chocolaterie and Crepe World. There's a froyo booth (Fresh n' Tangy), a juice shack (Farghali) and a gourmet popcorn booth. The latter perked up my senses with its sweet sugary scent tickling my penchant for all things dessert-y.. And its name piqued my curiosity. What in the world is Kukuruza?! That is the popping question! 

Enter the Kukuruza world...

Kukuruza Gourmet Popcorn is a family business that started in Seattle. The ordinary popcorn is bathed with creative, unique flavors that make it extraordinary. They have over 30 flavors ranging from the usual cheese, caramel, and coffee to the intriguing jalapeno, lemonade lavender, maple bacon, and buffalo blue cheese. The sheer variety is interesting and unusual. I wanted to taste everything and make my head spin over the countless possibilities. However, the branch here in Riyadh does not have every flavor after all. 

Caramel and Kettle Corn

Guess which fruits are in there.

For their first few weeks, the Kukuruza franchise in Saudi Arabia offered most of the flavors but when I got there two weeks ago, there were only a few flavors available. According to the salesman, they are having a hard time getting all flavors through customs. They only offer what they can manage to obtain. Oh what unpredictability! 

Free taste,  yummy!

Sweet or savory?

Sweeeeet!

Although the around ten flavors available that time seemed enough for me. The taste test went on for about ten minutes before I settled on four flavors: rainbow fruit, jalapeno white cheese, dark chocolate kettle corn, and coffee. If the cheese flavor would've been available, I'll order the Chicago Mix because that's what I've always been waiting for to land in the sand dunes of Saudi Arabia. 

Salt+Vinegar | Coffee | Fancy Nut Caramel

The popcorn is crunchy and a little chewy at the same time. The flavors burst in the mouth without too much resistance. The rainbow fruit is very interesting; I didn't know what fruit I was tasting. Haha! I just know it's fruit-flavored. The jalapeno white cheese was mildly spicy but I couldn't taste the white cheese. The kettle corn drizzled with chocolate was a revelation. They were a perfect pair. However, I'm used to kettle corn that has a very pronounced flavor in the Philippines. I couldn't get that in this version. The coffee was a lot crunchy because of the hardened glaze. There were little bits that are hard and not-so chewable I had to spit them out but those are quite rare in the bag. These popcorn are quite addicting, especially when you find the right flavor for you.

Tin cans in various sizes.

Perfect for gatherings and events.

You know it's actually easy to taste everything in Kukuruza. Apart from the glasses filled with popcorn for free tasting, a small resealable bag is only SR 9! They also have tins for larger gatherings and they can prepare a gift box for any occasion. I am hopelessly waiting for the other flavors to come. Please customs people, let go of Kukuruza's other popcorn flavors (esp. the Chicago Mix and Buffalo Bleu Cheese)! Thank you! 

I can't wait to enjoy Riyadh more with all of Kukuruza's flavors! ;) Now, if only there's a cinema in here... (whew!) ~ Sundrenched

Kukuruza Gourmet Popcorn 
Al Liwan Dining Area 
Second Floor, Hayat Mall 
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

PS. Kukuruza, the word, is Russian for corn.

Happy Birthday, Eyecandy!

Our fierce and vavavoom Eyecandy celebrates her 27th year in the wonderful world! It's getting more beautiful for her, yes? And speaking of beauty, Eyecandy has a not-so-secret stash herself. I mean, if Shoegarfreeruby has her hundred pairs of shoes, Eyecandy has her collection of lipsticks! She's the lippie lady in The Pink Tarha. She finishes a tube in a month... or less. Here she is... and her luscious lips. (I'm quite sure I won't be punished for publishing these photos. :P)

A 'pink' Tarha indeed.

Vampy red

Glossy, shiny, sunny!

Matte red is always a classic.

To our eloquent Eyecandy... HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Cheers to more beautiful years ahead! ... And more tubes of lipsticks to wear!

Isko(lar) in the Desert: The Graduation

Note: This is a long, long, long overdue post about my UPOU graduation from last May 2012. I hope you'll forgive me. But I promise to post more blogs whenever I can. ^_^

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The day finally came. After 2 1/2 years of study, I was finally going to graduate from UPOU. It feels like a dream because I never thought that I could study again while I was abroad (to read about my experience as a UPOU student, click here), so you can imagine my relief when I finally received my graduation pack. :)

Since I was based abroad, I had to process my clearance the day before graduation. So before my flight back to Manila, I made sure that I got all the info I needed to clear my accounts with UPOU like the graduation fee, shipping fees and alumni fees. With that settled, I then moved on to more important details such as my graduation dress. LOL.

UPOU has a strict dress code for MA graduates. Aside from the Sablay, we were also required to dress accordingly. Men were required to wear white/ecru barong for men and black pants and the women, white or ecru dress, mid-calf length with sleeves and black shoes. I was trying to imagine it but all I could picture was a ninang dress. Hahaha... so I made sure that the outfit I chose would be comfy and "me". I got my blouse from Dorothy Perkins and my skirt from Freeze at Riyadh Gallery. The idea was similar to this: 

May 4: Graduation Practice and Clearance Day

The graduation practice was scheduled the day before graduation. In true blue "Distance-Ed Style", this would be the first time for me to visit my Alma Mater. For the first time, I met my professors and classmates who I've befriended, defended and consulted for the last 2 years. When I met them in person, it felt like we were just picking up conversations we left off at our FB group and I was really happy about it. It's really amazing how we build bonds over the internet. 

My online barkada, my groupmates and friends.

After submitting our clearance and paying for our graduation fees, we were invited to an alumni meeting for our program and in the afternoon, we attended a program in tribute to the graduates. There were a lot of performances from UPLB students and UPOU Chorale. 

The very wacky and happy DevComm Alumni at UPOU

The very talented UPOU Chorale

May 5: Graduation Day!

My parents and I decided to head out early because Los Baños was about 3 hours away from where we lived. The graduation was held during the afternoon at the UPOU grounds at UP Los Baños. My parents patiently waited for the program to start. The grounds were prepared ahead but it was a shame that there weren't enough seats for the guests.

The graduation venue.

Before the program, the graduates were given free lunch and a place to rest and mingle with other graduates. By this time, I was already giddy with excitement but I also regret wearing my 4 inch stilettos. :))

Here's a photo of my fellow graduates, the DevComm program garnered most of the Chancellor's List Awards that year.

The "class picture" and solo photos were done before the graduation ceremony. I ordered group shots and diploma shot package and I received them a week later. 

MA Development Communication, Batch 2012

My perennial group mates and online buddies: Jher Trinoña (L), Francis Noces and Mayeth Rebutoc 

(both from Riyadh, as well!)

Finally, we're marching! :P

Miguel Zubiri, who is also a UPOU Alumni, was our guest speaker.

Receiving my diploma from UP President Alfredo Pascual. Success!!

The graduation ended around 8pm and there fireworks to commemorate the event. I guess that's the reason we had the photo-op before the graduation because it would be too dark to do anything else. Plus everyone was really hungry already. Haha... 

To my loved ones and inspiration, this is for you. To our readers, thank you so much for all your help and moral support, especially those who answered the questionnaires for my research. You are all a huge part of this success. To my fellow Pink Tarha ladies, thank you so much for all the support and encouragement. 

I hope that this will encourage other OFWs to inquire and enroll at UPOU. It is never too late to be an Isko or to pursue further studies.

Love,

Sampaguita Pride

P.S. I would like to thank my classmates for 

sharing most of the photos I used for this blog 

post. Much Love. 

MIG's Gold and Stones

Remember the gold souks I featured before? While they have a lot of jewelries to offer, our indecisiveness can't be satiated still. What's the solution? Go for customized, handmade jewelries, of course! 

Today we feature a jewelry shop that makes amazing and well-crafted jewelries. MIG Gems and Jewellery  (Ashoor Jewellers) has been in Riyadh since 1985. They specialize in gold and precious and semi-precious stones such as diamonds, sapphires, and rubies. Being in the industry for 15 years, MIG has branched out to Qatar, Dubai, and Sri Lanka. 

Lovely rings in gold with various stones

Pick your color!

They do not only sell ready-made jewelries. They're also very good in custom-made jewelry. You give them the design you want and they'll make it for you! How great is that? You get the finest quality of gold and stones and craftsmanship. And since they're very much familiar with the Filipino market, they have installment plans that are budget-friendly and flexible. I plan on having my name necklace and ring with my birth stone peridot done by them (good luck to my wallet... but this is good investment, right?!).

What huge stones!

Simple designs.

More "blue" jewelries

Remember when I told you about my brother and his then fiance (now his wife) were looking for wedding rings (that led to my entry on gold souks)? They couldn't find a design they wanted so they looked for a design in the Internet and went to one of Manila Plaza's gold store to have it custom-made. While they got it for a pretty good deal, it didn't quite turn out to be what they wanted. The design wasn't followed accordingly; the rings were thin and the edges were a little bit rough. So, I'm suggesting they take them to MIG because according to Jefry, the salesman in the KFSH&RC branch, they can "correct" it. They can re-design it, if wanted. MIG Gems can take your old jewelries and re-design them to match the modern times or your style. 

I do!

The stones of MIG Gems are sourced from other countries as well. You can pick your birth stones and voila! They have it. Even those colors of stones you didn't know existed, they probably have it. Just look at these blings...

I'm soooo tempted to run away with these! Hehe!

I love anything royal blue! Princess Kate's engagement ring, anyone?!

I looove the shine of the blue sapphire. It was dazzling! Can you guess how much this ring is? Well, tumataginting na... over SR35,000!!! Approximate lang yan. Whoahhhh!

Woman's bestfriend!

Necklaces with stones

What a bling!

Not as shiny but as precious.

What a rainbow of semi-precious stones!

Now let's talk about gold, because MIG has taught me one or two about it... 

The allure of gold is long lasting.

Many of you have asked what's the difference between Saudi gold and Italian gold. Try as I might, I couldn't even look for answers in Google but MIG explained it to me simply. Most gold are imported from other countries, mainly from Africa. Contrary to what we believe in, Saudi Arabia doesn't have a lot of gold mines. They don't have a lot of gold. The Saudi gold pertains to gold that are manufactured here (meaning the mixing and designs are done here). The same way that Italian gold means the gold (imported from some where else) were polished and designed in Italy. What makes Saudi gold cheaper? No taxes, of course! 

Name pendants

What's the difference between yellow gold and white gold? (Ehermn, aside from the colors!) The metals used in the alloy mix. Remember that not because it's called gold, it's already pure gold. You can't wear "pure gold" because it's soft and malleable. Pure gold needs to be mixed with several metals to make it into jewelries. So does it mean that yellow gold is more valuable than white gold because it has more pure gold (which is yellow)? Nope. The gold content of yellow gold is the same as that in white gold. It's just the metal components in the alloy mix that makes the color different. Yellow gold has copper and zinc while white gold has silver and palladium. Let's throw in the rose gold for some tri-color action. Rose gold has more copper, which gives off the pinkish color. Now you might ask, what's better... yellow gold or white gold? That depends on your taste and style. I see yellow gold as traditional while white gold, modern. It's not bad to have a mix of both, diba?

A nice, simple ruby ring

Like what I said on my gold souks entry, I'm not really into jewelry but if I have to buy anything, it would have to be something like the ring above. Simple and classic. And of course, nothing too expensive. 

What kind of jewelry are you into? What's your favorite gem stone? We will try to make a schedule and tour the factory of Mig Gems and we'll tell/show you more about it. For now, we can ogle at these pictures. If you plan to visit Jefry, mention The Pink Tarha orayt? ;) ~ Sundrenched

Ashoor Jewellers
MIG Group of Companies 
Social Club Building (in front of the grocery)
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre
Riyadh, KSA 
(Another branch is in Olaya)
T: +054-7994505
E: jefry1979@yahoo.com