Mobile blogging | witsandnuts

Category: Mobile blogging
- Learned the hard way
  
  Posted at 1:57 pm by witsandnuts, on May 26, 2014
  
  So I feel so extra sad today. I have just paid my traffic violation fines. I feel so extra, extra stupid because I have a high regard for hard earned money. I could have used that sum to help the needy. The Abu Dhabi Government doesn’t really need that money.
  
  The other painful part is when pride is taken into account especially when human nature of not wanting to be slapped on by my mistakes kicks in. And of course, I am striving to have a clean file ever. Yeah, I may be cool but there’s a soft spot for arrogance for most of the drivers.
  
  Naive mistakes and plain stupidity.
  
  It is a humbling experience to learn my lesson(s) the hard way.
  
  By the way, I unintentionally (of course) jumped on the red light on that quiet weekend morning in Abu Dhabi Corniche. Camera captured me. Amber is my new most favorite color. Lol.
  
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  Posted in Boohoo!, Mobile blogging, UAE | 1 Comment | Tagged Abu Dhabi, I hate penalties
- Back from Manila
  
  Posted at 6:03 am by witsandnuts, on August 27, 2012
  
  I am back in Abu Dhabi from another whirlwind trip in the Philippines. All in all it has been a productive trip since I was able to accomplish the major to dos. Without mention of the serious stuff, we bagged in a handful of experiences:
  
  *Tried the three ziplines in Dahilayan Park in Bukidnon, including the 840 meters ‘superman’ style ziplining. I almost chickened out but I am glad I did it. Even the youngest (little J) and oldest (my parents) tried it with smiles.
  *The sweet 16 (a pineapple breed) satisfaction from a harvest in Del Monte’s plantation.
  *The serenity, sunrise, sands and volcanoes of Camiguin.
  *White water rafting in Cagayan de Oro.
  *Back to the rained Southern Luzon from the sunny South of the Philippines, we had to ride a banca to get to a particular bank’s branch for a certain transaction. It was a joyful experience especially to a rain and flood-deprived person like me since I am based in the UAE.
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  Posted in Food, Mobile blogging, Musings, Philippines, Sundry, Travel | 0 Comments | Tagged Vacation
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- About witsandnuts
  
  Marhaba! That's "hello" in Arabic. I am an expatriate based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). I started writing about my adventures and misadventures few months before arriving here at winter of 2008. I have 2 cats and a dog who live harmoniously together. I am also surrounded by kindhearted, crazy, funny and indescribable humans! I was a dormant blogger for almost 3 years because of countless reasonable justifications like watching football, postgraduate studies, sleeping, traveling, caring for the world, and more! :) I am just so happy that I am back! It is never too late to catch up with the people and things we really care about. Feel free to look around.
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- Random snaps
  
  I’m hugging your most favorite toddler top as I type this. I haven’t noticed but just now that it lost a couple of buttons. My mind never paid much attention, probably. My heart only remembers the giggles while you spilled ice cream, corn and Popeye’s crumbs on it, how it gave you warmth in many years, our very first morning in Abu Dhabi that you were wearing it, the plenty of stories you shared with me about your playmates, friends, Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, and more, and how you happily managed to wear it until it didn’t fit you anymore. I’m glad I didn’t push the ‘pause button’ nor blinked in the past years. You have grown into a rare species, beautiful and genuine inside and out. We may lose more buttons along the way, but we will never ever lose each other. Happy 19th birthday, J. Much love. ❤️
  
  13 January 2020 Timelapse shot with an iPhone 7+ (pre-sunset, actual sunset, post-sunset). 🌅 . . . I have started practising a bit of Stoicism (branch of philosophy) since August of 2019. I liked its effect on my well being. Therefore, while I am quite far to being a real Stoic and I do not intend to perfect it, I joined the 21-Day New Year, New You Challenge. It is the 13th day... Well, I am proud to say that I have failed in majority of the challenges, so far. 😅 I like that some of those challenges seem easy, unreasonable and may trigger a “what the F”🙈... but whenever I fail, I do not feel upset but more encouraged to try again. In the process, I happily learn, know myself more, become better in many aspects, and more at peace. One of the challenges is to constantly watch the sunrise and sunset. I thought it is plain and straightforward, particularly that I like watching the sunrise (more than) and sunset. Hence, my IG bio says ‘Waiting for the sunrise’. Watching the sunrise is also more accessible to me because I usually do it at the parking area near the office or when I walk Clover (our furmily member) on weekends. So, I thought I would challenge myself more in finding quality time to watch the sunset. I tried something new. Without proper planning (out of character), I drove somewhere wherein there is a reflection pool to ‘experience’ today’s sunset. I was there 40 minutes before sunset. I was truly present and witnessed all of it — the ripples, changing colors, until the bottom of the sun reached the horizon. Wow, it felt symbolic and cosmical at the same time. I realized that this challenge taught a great practice — of renewal and rejuvenation. One day has finished and I look forward to witnessing the sun’s reappearance tomorrow, with gratitude and hope.
  
  “It feels like Christmas everyday because you are here.” #blessed #grateful #Jsjourney #abudhabi #christmasbreak2019
  
  Exactly a month ago, as we were sitting on this bench. 🕰 . . J: Mama, is there any shop you want to check or would you like to buy something from here? . . Me: No. I don’t feel the need to buy anything. I am quite happy about what I have... . . J: Is there anything specific you want to do while we are here? . . Me: Hhhm... I just want to sit and enjoy the moment. . . J: Wow. . . Me: Wait, I just want to take *this photo*, so I’ll have comparative photos in the same spot, of the times we visited Covent Garden together. #Jsjourney #conversationswithJ #lateupload
  
  The day we said “see you again”, “don’t cry too much”, and many other things, culminated with the warmest embrace of the century. #Jsjourney #blessed #graceatwork
  
  J: Mama, it’s amazing! Well, this and that (blah, blah)... What kind of magic did you do? Me: I prayed. I ALWAYS pray for you. Remember the book, ‘The Power of A Praying Parent’? #Jsjourney #thedaybeforemyreturnflight #blessed #grateful #graceatwork
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