Souq Waqif



Me at Souq Waqif 15-11-10



Souq Waqif is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Doha. Souq, btw, means market. Souq Waqif is an old market but the government decided to revamp it to restore its former glory and it's amazing that they were able to manage to make it look old and new at the same time.

There's a huge range of shops here mostly selling traditional handicrafts, garments, souvenirs and even spices and herbs. The best part about this souq is that you'll find a lot of restaurants and coffee shops where in you can chill out with your friends and loved ones.

We were lucky this day because we saw this group of camels near the parking area. It's not everyday that you see camels you know.

Love it!

Pacquiao VS Margarito

Today is the day that we have all been waiting for - the fight between Pacquiao and Margarito.

The Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito fight has been called as the fight of David vs Goliath which refers to the small speedy Pacquiao against formidable and bigger Margarito. However, the favorite one for this fight is PacMan, the reigning pound for pound king.

Manny Pacquiao (51-3-2 38 KO)

Antonio Margarito (38-6 27 KO)

I am no fan of boxing or any other sports for that matter. Just like what my hubby said the only boxer I know is Pacman and when he has a fight I'm always eager to watch it because it gives me a feeling of nationalism and excitement.

Margarito is way bigger than our champ - in size and weight, and that made me nervous a little before the fight. But I think Pacquiao has more speed and mobility. I whisphered a short prayer for P.

Truly God answers! Pacquaio WON over Margarito after the 12 rounds. On Round 1 I already noticed that P's punches are stronger and more powerful than M's. On Round 4 M had a cut below his right eye while P still had no scratch. On Round 11 P looked  at the referee/doctor, I think trying to indicate to stop the fight. He showed and defined what sportmanship is all  about at that round. I like it when he said on his interview when asked about Round 11 that " boxing is not about killing each other".

Way to go PacMAn!

Rain in Doha

I wasn't aware that it was raining till I saw the status updates of my friends in FB. Everybody's excited about the rain: first, because its very seldom to see rain in Doha, next, because it rained ice in the industrial area and lastly because rain in the middle east marks the beginning of winter.

As soon as I saw the updates I immediately look out of the window. And yeah it's raining. It was very dark outside. Looks like it was raining mud. There was even lightning. The parking lots were like pools. There is no drainage system here that's why it floods whenever it rains.

But though its dark, I  still saw the beauty of rain in the midst of this desert. Back in the Philippines I always took rain for granted, but here I'm always excited to experience and see it. It's always a blessing to see rain. It shows  us how magnificent and great our Creator is.

Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime;
   it is the LORD who sends the thunderstorms.
He gives showers of rain to all people,
   and plants of the field to everyone. 

                                          Zec 10:1 

                                       

Watermelon Seeds

When I was a child, I was often told by my grandma that an eaten watermelon seed will grow into a watermelon inside my tummy and leaves will pop out of my head. And being a child I believe that myth.

But now that I’m older and wiser I supposed ;P I discovered that watermelon seed is actually nutritious. It has its own nutrients apart from the nutrients of the fruit itself. It contains selenium, essential fats, zinc and vitamin E all of which help against free radical damage and aging.

Piece of advice: Before you think of swallowing a handful of seeds let me remind you that because of the hard coating of watermelon seeds, if not chewed or otherwise broken down before swallowing, it can easily pass through your digestive tract undigested. If this happens, none of the seeds nutrients will be absorbed by the body.

I tried to chew some seeds but it was way too hard. It’s better if it’s blended together with a shake or juice. So the next time you order watermelon shake or juice ask them to blend in some seeds get all those nutrients.

Office life

Even if I'm just sitting here behind my desk all day long in the office, I'm always bone-tired at the end of the day. That is because of the stressful office life that we have here in Doha. Stress level abroad is so much higher than the one I've encountered in the home country.

I'm working in the headoffice of the one of the biggest restaurant chains. Too much work, too much boss, too much staff, too much contacts, too much issues, too much problem, too much everything. (fyi, too much is a favorite term here in ME. I'm using it too much already :p).

Also, what's making it more stressful is the diverse nationalities that you have to deal with everyday. Thank God I have Pinoy officemates but we are outnumbered with the other nationalities. Working here have helped me appreciate our "lahi", our culture. It made me grateful that I was born a Filipino.I'm proud of my heritage.

Anyway there are also a number of good things about office. There is this what we call teaboy although sometimes or most of the times our teaboy pisses me. From the word itself, his main job is to make tea and also coffee, to serve you water, juice, soda and the likes and to serve fruits at lunch time. That's is good right? The office I had in Pinas do not serve free drinks. One more thing office stationaries are provided by the company. That's why my officemates here have not only their own color of pen but also their own brand.

And also it's ok to be late and leave early =) ehe. I think it's only applicable to our office because we don't have timecards. But of course, I try not to be late =D. Oh I shouldn't forget to mention that there's a cake for every office staff who is celebrating his/her birthday.

That's about it, time to go haha

Hello Winter

Yehey, winter in Doha is fast approaching. I can feel it in the wind and in the cold nights. Goodbye humid days! I've been staying here for a year with my hubby and have experienced the city's melting summer and boy i barely survived the heat!


I like winter over summer. It's the best time of the year here. For someone like me who grew up in the tropics, winter is a treat. What I love most about this season are the pearly clouds that will adorned the sky, the colorful flowers that will decorate the roundabouts and roads and the grass that is so green. They are sights to behold.

Finally I can wear again my winter clothes and boots and shawls and maybe furs. I'm so excited! What's more exciting is that it will be another good time to drink coffee with friends and talk about anything under the sun and have fun. To my athletic friends perhaps we can jog around Corniche in the morning. No matter what activities there will be I'm sure that it's gonna be a good, good time!

Prayer for Indonesia

As I was munching my chocolate cerials this morning in the office, I read this news about Indonesia. Actually I saw this news yesterday but I just didn't have time to read it because of my super duper busy schedule. It was really disturbing to see how the country has been hit with two natural disasters in a matter of days. What is more disturbing is the fact that a lot of lives were lost, children were orphaned, people lost their properties and loved ones. I feel for them. All I can do and offer is a prayer for Indonesia. I pray that God will heal their land and give them the gift of salvation. There is always a reason for everything. We cant see it now but I'm positive that God will reveal it on His perfect time.

Jelai is blogging

I became interested to create this blog upon realizing that my mind needs a bit sharpening. What I mean is life everyday in the office is routinary, like you really do not have to think to do something correctly at all. I choose not to be complacent about it and do something to resolve this problem. That's when an idea "lighted up" on my mind, why not create a blog? Hey everybody is blogging. Writing always help me to think better and deeper. Besides nowadays, it's the best way to keep an archive on my thoughts, experiences, happiness, interests, hobbies and so on. Perhaps in one way or another, It'll help or inspire another person. That will be awesome.

I know I'm no writer at all. But there's no harm in trying right? So help me God.