The Love Story That God is Writing For Me

AM I MEANT FOR A FOREIGN GIRL AFTER ALL?

After 6 years of waiting...in faith, God will give her or someone like her back...

I got introduced to this lovely East Asian girl by her Igorota Tutor and Bestfriend In a China tour. She invited her to visit Baguio as an exchange for her hospitality when they were in China tour. This girl is so interested about Igorot Culture, so I acted out as natural as possible. the "rude but sweet' highlander type of guy...Intentionally eating sayote and camote tops and even feeding our chicken, ducks and rabbits at home. i really miss her seeing her feed our pets on high heels with short skirts on despite mosquitoes all over her sensitive porcelain skin...eat in lunchboxes in Burnham Park and not in fancy restaurants...walk instead of taxis..a lot of poorman's frugality.

I became her tutor without any choice because here bestfriend have to fly to Singapore for a very short job notice. i was endorsed to her and she does not like,,, in fact, she even hated me for "not-so-good" but difficult lessons, strange accent, always late and cancels classes...its like water and oil...but things change when i noticed a Bible together with her books...so i teased her..we have nothing in common actually.. She was a spoiled "Korean Princess" from Suwon and i'm just this poor, pitiful miner from Itogon...we have nothing in common but talk about faith in Jesus...then long story short, we naturally fell for each other, without courtships nor dates...the next two years of my life with her was like a dream, it was 2 years of heaven on earth for me, until she has to practically go because i could not sustain her Princess spoils anymore...

6 years of no communication, up until yesterday (Dubai Time).. .she emailed back...maybe this is the love story that God wrote for me...

Are you excited to know more about the details about my love story with my "Korean Princess?" Do you want to know how would it ever be possible for interracial relationships to work out? Are you interested in learning the ways and means to maintain such relationships?

Do you have an amazing personal experience to tell? Share your memories as well! Hope you enjoyed my love story experience.

How I Started to be an IELTS Coach

I was going over some old files: documents, photos and videos on my computer. Sending those which I truly believe that  I don’t need them for now to the Recycle Bin.I had had removed a few and I saw this file. I thought it would be worthy sharing it to everyone.

I have plans of making and designing and soon publishing my own IELTS or practical English guide book specifically designed for Asian learners. For 8 years working part time as an English tutor and/or IELTS Mentor, I have seen  a lot of books, skits, drills, review materials, strategies and techniques. Some work well for others, but some don’t. But for a scored English exam such as the tough IELTS, nothing could be more important than results. Some techniques and drills might be so fancy or appealing for the teacher level, but what’s more important is something that students could grasps right away since IELTS is also a time-based test. You have got to get results done in a few given minutes for the test. Regardless, how one is well-adept with words or confident with his language level if he could not manage the given time, then probably he might end up having a lower score than his goal.

There are many approaches to IELTS actually, I mean for targeting a certain bond score for that matter. And the good thing here is that, I  had developed certain drills and experimented on my students for almost a decade. I stayed away from technical Western-suggested strategies because obviously, the level of language is different with ours. As an Asian myself, and a 2nd or 3rd language learner, I knew what works best for us. Whether formally or informally, I had coached students mostly from East Asia (Japan, Korea, and China). 80% are Korean High School and University Students. I also guided Filipinos (mostly nurses) and Thai Students as well. Along the way, there were few handful of Arabic and African students that asked guidance on how to arrived at their IELTS goal scores.

Anyways, the introduction seems too be too lengthy but as as a retrospect, it would be worthwhile to go back to how I got started as an English or leveled up to be and IELTS Coach and Adviser. I am not a language expert myself, because obviously I’m already a 3rd language learner, I had my own share of flaws and mistakes (often verbose and redundant) but what matters most is to be  or achieve a certain level that you could be very confident in.

This was the letter I gave to the Academic Head and the Vice-President of the School I used to work part-time for. And so, I  got in–was accepted and trained with some few selected faculty. And from there I developed and leveled up  my basic English skills into something that would benefit other Second/ English language learners for the next years despite I was just doing it part-time–mostly night time actually.

So without much further ado, Here it its:/
                          

                            Dra. (Name Witheld)

                           CNS I Academic Head

                           Vice President

 

                            September 13, 2010

                           

                             Dear Ma’am;

                            Greetings of Peace and Love!

                            Not only are my experience and training in IELTS not being put to “better” use                                         but also I feel too little or no growth at all with the work I’m having right                                                   now.  Though they are not actually getting wasted but seemingly I feel                                                         dormant  in  my department.

                             Nonetheless, I still feel satisfied enough because I think I’m an effective teacher in .                            a  way that there are improvements in our students performance no matter how                                      small  these improvements were. Related to these are our understanding                                                   and kind heart to at least “baby-sit” them. Personally, if I were asked, these                                           “numerical”  improvements are improvements in their behavior.

                             Going back to what I’ve stated earlier, I am re-expressing my desire to join                                               your  pool of IELTS teachers because I strongly believe that I can best help “lift                                          the  students’ bar” to another 0.5 or to a 1.0 bond. My ways and means                                                       of  instruction might appear different or radical but this is how I was molded                                             from CNS II—that is to invest and develop what the students have and less   on                                         feeding, which others my have been doing [unconsciously]. Unlike them, seldom                                      do  I give and feed, then at the end of the week or month, withdraws everything                                      fed by a test or two.

                             Only through joining your IELTS team can I really be of potential help to our                              clients  while achieving growth and further honing of my skills not only as                                  a teacher but also as a better person in the larger picture.

                             Should there be any vacancies or possibility that I can be a part of your                                                       elite IELTS  team, then I would be very grateful to grab that chance—an                                                       opportunity to work for and work with you.

                         

                              Think like an examiner,

                               Teacher Eddie

                               Intensive English Program Teacher

Did you enjoy this “flashback”  article about my part-time job as a Language Coach? Are you interested in learning the technique I developed for 2nd or 3rd language acquisition?

Do you have an amazing personal experience that brings back wonderful memories to tell? Share your memories as well! Hope you enjoyed my personal experience.

HELLO KITTY DUBAI

VISITING THE HELLO KITTY DUBAI AT IBN BATTUTA

Welcome to Hello Kitty Dubai!!!

Allow me to introduce one of my favorite childhood animation character when was I really a bit bit younger. (words and introduction from Wikipedia.com)

The cute, sweet, adorable Hello Kitty

Hello Kitty

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

  (Redirected from Hello kitty)

For other uses, see Hello Kitty (disambiguation).

Hello Kitty
Sanrio character
Hello Kitty
First appearance	1974
Created by	Yuko Shimizu
Voiced by	English: Tara Strong(Hello Kitty’s Furry Tale Theater) Karen Bernstein(Daisuki! Hello Kitty) Monica Rial(Hello Kitty’s Animation Theater) Melissa Fahn(Hello Kitty’s Paradise) Japanese: Fuyumi Shiraishi(Kitty and Mimmy’s New Umbrella) Mami Koyama(Hello Kitty’s Cinderella) Akemi Okamura Yuko Kobayashi(Playing with English: Hello Kitty’s Magical Journey) Kyōko Hikami(Hello Kitty’s Furry Tale Theater Japanese Dub and Daisuki! Hello Kitty) Megumi Hayashibara(Current Voice Actress)
Information
Nickname(s)	Hello Kitty
Species	Gijinka (anthropomorphization of human and Japanese Bobtail cat)
Gender	Female
Family	Mimmy White, George White, Mary White, Anthony, Margaret[1]
Nationality	British[2]
Kitty White	Kitty White[2]

Hello Kitty (Japanese: ハロー・キティHepburn: Harō Kiti^?),^[3] (full name: Kitty White (キティ・ホワイトKiti Howaito^?))^[2] is a fictional character produced by the Japanese company Sanrio, created by Yuko Shimizu and currently designed by Yuko Yamaguchi. She is depicted as an anthropomorphic white Japanese Bobtail cat with a red bow.^[4]

Hello Kitty Ibn Battuta, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Shortly after her creation in 1974, Hello Kitty greeted the world with a “Hello!” on her very first product. The Hello Kitty vinyl coin purse was introduced by Sanrio in March 1975. The character was then brought to the United States in 1976.^[5][6] The character is a staple of the kawaii segment of Japanese popular culture.^[7] By 2010, Sanrio had groomed Hello Kitty into a global marketing phenomenon worth $5 billion a year.^[8] By 2014, when Hello Kitty was 40 years old, she was worth about $7 billion a year, all without advertising except on Sanrio’s, related show producers’, and ticket sales’ webpages and at show venues and nearby locations.^[9]
Originally aimed at pre-adolescent females, Hello Kitty’s market has broadened to include adult consumers. She can be found on a variety of products ranging from school supplies to fashion accessories and high-end consumer products. Including various diamond necklaces. Several Hello Kitty TV series, targeted towards young children, have been produced. Hello Kitty is also the main character at the two Japanese Sanrio theme parks, Harmonyland and the indoor Sanrio Puroland. (words and description from Wikipedia.com)

Side entrance of the Hello Kitty Dubai

Every time I visit the IBN BATTUTA MALL (believed to be the most beautiful mall in the world) (so far i have to agree) in Ibn, Dubai, I get to see the beautiful and very adorable Hello Kitty store. I like dropping by when i go visit the mall because it reminds me of my childhood. And yeah, despite I am a straight male, I find Hello Kitty to be strangely sexy..haha.

Hey look, it’s the Hello Kitty Shop Dubai!!!

I could honestly say that going inside the huge Hello Kitty set-up tells something about the feminine or girlish part of me. That is in the part of art and beauty expression.

Look up, look up.. look everywhere is Hello Kitty

We all love art and beauty, who dislikes them? especially in my case that I love art in just 2 or 3 colors-monochromes and dichromes are so cool for me. And Hello Kitty perfectly suits that category in my taste of art expression as hello Kitty is depicted in plain and solid Pink, White and Blue. Plain simple colors but still depicts a clear cut colorful art rendition hat the whole world loved over.

Come in to feed your Hello Kitty fantasies…haha ;)

I had had enjoyed watching Hello Kitty animation series ever since childhood. And growing up, I could honestly tell I am a fan. I even remember my brother bought a “Hello Kitty” inspired electric guitar. Obviously, he bought a pink guitar as a musical influence and tribute to Hello Kitty. But that Hello Kitty guitar does not sound sweet or charming as the animation character is depicting–it’s nasty, deep and hard-rocking musical frills…hahaha

The nasty, hard-rocking squeally Pink Hello Kitty-inspired electric guitar

Would you like to play an angst-looking guitar like this? It would be very cool perhaps!!!

Moreover, as a fan, I even made a cute stencil on my door entrance into one of my coaching rooms way-back during the days when I was a part-time IELTS Coach and Reviewer among Korean High School and University students back home. Some of my students admired it especially the ladies, and some boys criticized it (or criticized me) as being too gay but I didn’t mind. I just ignored them because i believed into my self that it is just one form of my art expression as a fan of the very adorable and cute Hello Kitty.

The angry Hello Kitty stencil artwork with a Japanese Samurai at the door entrance in my IELTS Coaching Room (in here not yet finished)

Everyone of us have our own taste of art, own ways of bringing back memories of childhood. Things that would reminds us that we were once young and ambitious like movies, toys, fictitious characters like Hello Kitty. We became fans of the things that we love, but regardless what other people say, as girlish, too gay or too simplistic, what matters most is that freedom, the confidence, and the love for the things brings about nostalgic memories of our childhood, art expression and finding beauty in things around us.

One of my favorite progressive rock band’s guitarist, “Mike Shinoda” of Linkin’ park with his Squier Hello Kitty Stratocaster.

PERKS OF WORKING IN DUBAI AS THE CEO'S WATCHDOG

DUBAI AT WORK

PERKS OF BEING THE CEO's WALLFLOWER

1.    Everybody thinks you are “the boss” even if in reality you are just as common as everyone.

2. You can self-declare any day as your holiday and go to work with your own fashion trend like pretending to be athletic after a drunken-night party.

3. You can be absent as you wish. Even absent-minded at work thinking about home and gf. (but now, no gf, so think about pets and plants).

4. The HR doesn’t register you in the Time-in-Time out biometrics system, so nobody knows if you are at work or not.(I turned off the CCTV in my table) hahaha

5. You are not under, over or above any manager but still they respect your decisions (and absence too) haha

6. They house you in an exclusive villa with a wide room where you can play bedroom basketball or drown your date in the heated pools.

7. Choose a company car that suits your personality (if you are licensed to drive in Dubai or elsewhere.) 

8. You can work at any department and disturb everybody to your liking or sometimes throw you to a department that you do not like.

9. it is against your choice but involuntarily you become the Field Engineer of the contractors and subcons. (albeit the impolite visitors sometimes)

10. Most importantly, you become more “attractive”, “muscular” and “handsome” among the female workers even if in reality you look like a “mutt” to them. Hahaha

‪#‎OnlyGodCan ‪#‎DubaiNewYear ‪#‎PerksOfBeingaChristian‪#‎PinoyNinjaMoves ‪#‎ThankYouIYF ‪#‎DubaiTour‪#‎TrySomethingDifferentThisYear ‪#‎LookingForwardUkraine2016

WHEN TO LOVE AND WHEN NOT TO LOVE

WHEN TO LOVE and WHEN NOT TO LOVE SOMEONE

We all love beautiful things, love to have fun in the moment and always dreaming bigger! Friends and family are super important to us. We love to be chirpy, fun spontaneity and good networks. 

Some people love arts, music and travel while some love to write...I mean really really love to write and that they barely go a day without doing it in some way...Many are very passionate about what they do and love and that so often they are  too full on for some people. 

I am fascinated with human interaction and the effect of computer mediated communication these days and why people still do the things that they do. Technology these days had greatly affected the way people interact to each other or to the least extent, show love and affection to others. In a way, in these modern times, people have become selfish and obnoxious of others. Some would even go to the extent of just going around to find and collect old typewriters rather than to enjoy philosophical and academic  conversations with others or have someone or rather be with someone go crazy and do star gazing together on a clear dark night.

People tend to be choosy on someone to love or to lesser degree like something in another person especially to that of the opposite sex--beautiful green or blue eyes, a curvy figure, a wonderful smile, lean long legs, a quirky sense of humor. There are a lot of different things that might make someone get attracted to someone. But having a healthy relationship with one’s partner is more than just attraction; it requires respect, mutual trust and open communication. Whether you're looking for an LTR or as they say “long-term-relationship” or is already committed into one, make sure you and your partner agree on what makes the relationship healthy (as well as spicy!)

Keeping the fire burning in a relationship (I mean for the serious ones and not just hook-ups or night-stands) is not always easy, but you can build on such a utopian healthy relationship.

Here are some guides to tell yourself (and tell to your partner as well) when to love and not when to enter into a committal relationship. 

1.     Look for someone who treats you with utmost respect. 

2.     Don't make fun of things you like or want to do even if it looks too silly or corny for you.

3.     Never put the other party down or be pushy for the things you wished to do.

4.     Don’t get angry if at times she would rather spend time with her friends or family than heed your invitation for a date.

5.      Listen to her ideas and compromise sometimes. It does not mean you are a man does not perfectly mean you are smarter (better) than her. (Could also be the other way around).

6.     Do not be excessively negative if the tides are getting rough between the two of you—you could both resolve and sort things out together.

7.      Share some of your interests and hobbies such as going on movies and plays, do sports, reading, dancing, knitting, pet-sitting, gardening, playing music and the like. Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts and feelings and work on the common interests and hobbies that both of you could enjoy. Nothing could be more enjoyable and fun if both of you are into them.

8.     You have to be comfortable around her friends and family. 

9.     Be proud of her accomplishments and successes. Compliment her for these!

1.  Respects your boundaries and do not abuse technology. Talk and converse rather than staring or checking your latest gadgets and mobiles most of the time.

1.  Don’t act like a “father” requiring her to "check in" or need to know where she is all the time. Worse, don’t act like a “police” asking her a lot of questions where she is, what is she doing, who is with her, how long will she stay there, why is she there, and the pesky lists of questions goes on and on. 

1. Be more caring and honest. Don’t pressure each other to do things that you both don't know how to do and want to do. 

1. Don’t be paranoid of constantly accusing your partner of cheating or being unfaithful. Remember that a relationship consists of two people. Both you and your partner should have an equal say on things and should never be afraid to express how you feel.

1. It's not just about speaking up for yourself -- you should also listen and seriously consider what your partner says.

1   In every relationship, there are arguments and disagreements, on certain occasions, and that is practically normal. However, if every now and then one party flares up and sparks a fight very often, then you might need to have a recheck and consider things more deeply about continuing the relationship if its worthy or not.  Having fights sometimes is normal but how you choose to manage the disagreements matters. 

Now I’ve presented you some few tips and advice when to love and not when to love. If you think you are ready and fit in 80-90% of the guides I gave above, then you are most likely is ready to be in a relationship. But if you think you don’t’ even comply with more than 50% of what was written, then you might have to say “wait” to yourself before entering a relationship as there might be regrets in the later part and one feeling the “victim” if there is no magic and sparks with the other party.

Are the guidelines given sound too familiar? Do you have an advice or tip to make relationships last longer? What are the ways and means that you do to spice up your relationships? 

CAMPING TRIP TO LIWA DESERT, ABU DHABI, UAE

This is my very first New Year’s Eve outside of my home country, but a least I got to spend it with like-minded people who loves adventures and the outdoors.

I set out early from work. Asked my boss to leave early so I could get a ride from the searing Jebel Ali Dubai Desert to catch the 1:30 pm appointment time at EPPCO Petrol Station in Dubai Internet City. I’m so glad, Nilesh Kumar from India shared his 4 x 4 Pajero with me on a very long road trip to Abu Dhabi where the well-known red sands of Liwa Desert is located. We are headed for that location to set it as our base camp for a two-day and a night escapade.

We arrived in the late afternoon, and enjoyed basking under the setting sun,  enjoyed the sunset while setting our BBQ grills in the dunes, had a bonfire, and we went to hike a little more uphill to watch the magnificent midnight fireworks from Qasr Al Sarab. The fireworks displays was quite far from a distance where we are located but still the fireworks was a spectacle to behold.

In case, anyone might be interested to go in the future, here are the Google Maps coordinates so that you won’t be at a lost at the very vast Liwa Desert Dunes.

(GATE (22°53’04.3″N 54°20’49.4″E).
https://goo.gl/maps/ThaDRomTi5k
CAMP SITE (22°53’11.8″N 54°19’08.8″E):
https://goo.gl/maps/5q3NUtkNNT72

The last part of the hike is a test for your driving techniques and skills as the  last few kilometers (more or less 2km) is only reachable by 4×4. It takes some skill and determination to get to the top as most of our colleagues get stuck in the sand every now and then.

The whole area is an infinite sun and sand. It is so hell of a gorgeous place to enjoy the wide desert away from the hassle and bustle of the busy metro life. More than enough space to chill and have fun, be crazy, to pitch your tent far away from any snorers & wild dancers, (sometimes drunkards, LOL). It was basically an avenue where you could have all the freedom to just be yourself.

On the first day of the year, after the shortest sleep of the year sleep, just roughly less than an hour due to the extended noisy party music of those who opt to party more until daybreak, we head into an almost secret “paradise” resort hotel in Qasr Al Sarab.We had a bit of dune bashing towards that lovely place.  We went there to have tea, coffee, beverages. Some of us had some breakfast before heading back home.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR THOSE WHO PLAN  TO GO
• To go you are required a 4×4 (Jeep, Prado, FJ, Pajero, Adventure, etc..) to reach the camp site  – SUVs won’t do. Your car must have front and rear recovery points. In the desert, the tires need to be deflated for more grip in the slippery and soft desert sand. Otherwise, you’ll get stuck, which many of us did..LOL…Therefore, off-roading in Liwa is NOT for newbie drivers.

WHAT TO BRING
• Your 4×4 should be ideally equipped with gauge, deflator tools, air compressor, recovery rope & shackles
• Take your torches and head lights and some extra battery for the phones. As a reminder, the DU Network does not work in Liwa, but rival Etisalat Network works just fine, so in case you might want to contact or message anyone for emergencies and just about anything else, bring an Etisalat Phone with you.
• For the sunset BBQ,  bring your fave food & drinks, chocolates or marshmallows to grill. Fish, chicken, beef would just be fine. Be cautious in grilling pork BBQ as some might get offended as Abu Dhabi or generally UAE is still pretty an Islamic State.
Also, bring a lot of  charcoal & firewood to keep you warm longer to stay for the night as it was really so darn cold during dawn.
• For breakfast, bring your eggs, ham, cereals, fruits, yoghurt,milk. Apples, Oranges and Bananas always come in handy for long trips. Make sure the bananas don’t get mashed up though.
• Usual camping gear: tent,cots /mattress, folding chairs and tables, sleeping bag, …. It will be cold at night, so bring your extra socks! and thick jackets;)

There was no checkpoint or border crossing anticipated or travel checkpoints but we still needed to  bring our passport / Emirates ID card with us because as there might be random Police checks anytime.

The group I went camping with is a non-commercial/profit group without officially trained or certified guides  but many members have had extensive  hiking experience world wide so they could easily give a hand for another member in need.

Attendance was solely under one’s risk and responsibility.Hence everybody was expected to behave in a very civil and professional way.

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