Magic Carpet Stories

There's nothing like an afternoon of basking out in the sun, closing your eyes to feel the slight breeze, reuniting with a bottle of bud light, and trippin' on steady tunes. Some recommend yoga, some undergo retreats, some even try living with monks to nourish their spirits. For me it only takes good weather, the perfect playlist, and a nice cold one.

I spent the past hour negra-fying myself and I've never felt more energized, more centered, or more at peace with everything that I am and will be going through. I no longer feel like I'm helplessly caught in a rip tide, swimming in shark-infested waters only to drown or be eaten alive. WHUT.

I am gladly embracing the adventure, but simultaneously, I've never been more sure of where I'm headed. I didn't know it was possible, I guess I'm really blessed. At this point in my life, I have a clear(er) view of what keeps me grounded, what inspires me, and what I will be coming back to when I'm through conquering the world (HAHA). :p

Is getting lost a way to find yourself?...

Perhaps.





I miss my friends,
I miss the little rascals,
I miss Tomaso,
I miss the beach. Lalalalove! :c)

Phew. For a while there I thought I was actually going to get swallowed whole by all those boxes. I finished unpacking mine in one all-nighter (*bow*). I put personal touches in my room and it's now as "Katie" as it can get without me vandalizing the walls using loud-colored paint. (Too bad I can't). So just a few more of my mom's boxes to go. Go ma, hustle hustle! You can do it! :p

Aside from unpacking, I've spent the past few weeks spicing up my resume and writing cover letters. Sadly, I can't ignore reality forever. My (quite materialistic yet essential) mission to earn Dinars has evolved from being a wake up call to a now earsplitting fire alarm triggered by Time.

Ironic isn't it.

Living here in Bahrain as an expatriate's daughter, one might even say that it's hard getting used to the luxury. If they ask me, what's hard getting used to is NOT having the luxury...of time. In a foreign country, in a traditional and extremely patriarchal society, I have to admit that part of the struggle is to bribe time to be on my side. But that's the ultimate challenge I guess. Watch out, I have my sights set on coming out as phenomenal on this one. ;)

*Sigh* If only money grew on Date trees.
But ENOUGHaboutTHAT.


Last Sunday, I went out to dinner with a few NFF's: Eric (Mr. Fabulously Gay), Francis from Canada, and Abigail from the UK. We ate at Gulf Hotel in Sato, the "most authentic Japanese restaurant in the Island." WHOA. I'm not a difficult person to please when it comes to Japanese food, but that place absoluuuuutely lives up to its reputation. Actually no, I'm not talking about good sushi. Heavenly sushi is more like it. (Count this as a bittersweet farewell to my beloved raw fish). So as a vegetarian, don't even get me started on my now staple food, tofu. I'd MARRY Sato's tofu. Hahaha baboy!

From an authentic Japanese dinner, Eric dragged us to an even more authentic Filipino party at some flat deep into Manama. My gulay. I squeezed myself onto a couch and never left the spot until Eric tired herself out. Dunno how the whole pinoy population in Bahrain fit there but all I can say is that it was a piece of 'pinas alright. A very specific part of it.

Of course there was the reliable buffet of barbeque and hotdog-ed sweet spaghetti, menudo, kare-kare with bagoong, pale pilsens, boxes of puto and kutchinta. Think a fully-loaded videoke machine with the same drunken girl singing screaming "HOOOY PINOY AKO!!" and "KAPAG TUMIBOK ANG PUSO!!" for the whole Island to hear. Think of drunken gays and gals kumekendeng like there's no tomorrow. My dear friend Eric (and girl in red) demonstrates:

Eve's Venom invades the Middle East. THAT specific part.

Yeah, rub my magic lamp baybeh. HAHAHA

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6:30am, King Faisal Highway to City Centre

A few days ago, my Mom and I got SO scared out of our wits when our walls and windows began making a loud, vibrating noise. You know that sound effect in movies they use for earthquakes? Usually they use it in scenes involving a glass, with the water in it starting to ripple, then the glass falls to the ground, and then the whole frame starts to shake? THAT sound. It happened about five times. First thought, earthquake. Nope, my world didn't feel like it was swaying. Second thought, somebody's trying to rob us! Nope, no weirdos in black ski masks. Third thought, oh no a missile from the Middle East crisis landed nearby! Nope, my limbs are still intact. Fourth thought, we're being abducted by aliens. Nope, my skin's not turning green. Fifth thought, aaaay mumu!!! :s

Anyway I just found out the other day that there's some kind of an air base on the other side of the island. The vibrations were from the sonic booms of their crafts. Leche, yun lang pala. But sonic booms, friggin coooool! Who would've thought that'd be possible right? Once again, the size of this country continues to amaze me.

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Our shipment arrived today and I just figured out the reason why we were provided with such a big house. So it can contain these boxes (used to be the TV area),

Uh hi ma, how long are we staying in Bahrain again?

Ay nako, mom's talaga. But I have to admit that it's pretty fun unwrapping our things. I'd already forgotten what stuff I brought so everytime I tear off packaging material, I feel as giddy as a kid on Christmas morning. Wee! This should keep me busy for the whole month of September. HAHA

Lee and Nik, Gringo and Bubba are here na! :c)