The Lost Ones. Or So I Thought...

I thought I have forever lost these photos from last year of  early December.  It was the day we went boating around Corniche. Correction, it was more like, Yllac decided to hop on the boat finally after almost a year of convincing him that boats are safe. And that there are no sharks to stalk us. So, back to that unfortunate time I lost these photos, I asked and asked Jayson about these and for some reason we couldn't remember where we stored it. We checked our laptops a couple of times with no success of finding them. I thought Id lost them forever until a month ago, when Jayson was working on my laptop and miraculously they were there, hidden on some wormhole of folders. I was relieved. I showed them right away to Yllac to refresh his memories. Lo and behold, he has absolutely no recollection of this supposed to be memorable experience even a tiny bit. It's okay I guess, being less than 4 year old that time, I don't expect him to remember every bit of details of his cute life. Oh! But I vividly remember that he did not crack a single smile that day. 

So, unto the lost photos....I hope you like them as much as I do.  

West Bay, you are absolutely gorgeous. In every angle, in every direction, and on land, sea and air, you are perfection. You are my beacon of inspiration. The first day we arrived in Doha, Jayson took us driving all over West Bay right away. It was 6 in the evening and West Bay just took my breath away. She's so shiny and twinkly and bright. Like a star on Earth.  

Per person cost about 15-20 riyals for 20 minutes ride. It was fun. I highly recommend this activity. These boats are easy to spot. They are all over Corniche and am pretty sure they will try to approach you if you want a boat ride. Plus they play super upbeat Arabic music as you go along. So not bad at all. 

That's all for today. God bless. 

Hello. It's Me.

Hi! Just wanted to check if this is still working. Are you still there? 

There are so many days I tried to be here, write something, or share a photo, or something. 

I am a terrible, terrible, terrible blogger. That too! I am not even worthy to attach my name to being a blogger. Real bloggers out there would cringe. 

The truth is, I am always here. I am the same. Maybe a little changed Denise Katipunera, but still the same. 

Sometimes I don't know what to say. Can I just be here without saying anything? 

Can I? 

Three-ish am...

Today was good. We didn't plan on sleeping at 7 in the evening but it just happened. Next thing I know I was punched in the face by no other than Yllac. He didn't mean it. He was asleep. And now, I had finished a bowl of instant vegetable noodle soup and just took out fresh warm blankets from the laundry machine. I just had to wrap my arms around those snugly warm sheets before folding them, because it felt good. 

Today is Friday and it's the start of the weekend. I am looking forward to a lot of sleep and getting more laundry done because it's eid holiday here and we get to have a week off. I hope to see our friends and send one particular officemate off - sort of a farewell-and-goodluck-ikea-meatballs-dinner tonight. Also, looking forward to Ikea. Because, it is the faaaareaking Ikea. 

So, to complete this blog post, here are some photos taken weeks ago, some humid nights ago. 

Happy weekend folks! 

 

Right Now...

There are so many little things in my life that i love about where I am right now. Nothing major. Just simple things. Good things. I know, some days are horrible and you just want that day to be over, but some days, it just feels so "perfect". It's like, I just want to pause everything and just stay here for a while. Just like these days.

For example, Yllac has become an absolute blabby hoot these couple of weeks. I love that he is talking now. Thank God. We've all been waiting for him to talk, and now that he is talking I am even more crazy about him. It was like, flicking a switch and he just goes on and on and on. Some I get, most, I just don't. It's like seeing a miracle, how our DNAs have made another human being, and this small human being that we get to mold. I don't know how to put it.... I guess it's an honor and a blessing to rule over somebody's life???! Okay, sounds crazy, but in real sense, it is overwhelming to be a parent. I can't speak for Jayson, but as a mom, I hope i don't break Yllac in any way. Or maybe I will. 

Two days ago, Yllac was taking a bath. After washing him I let him stay awhile inside the water bucket (half his size) while Jayson and I was also inside the bathroom and talking. Then suddenly Yllac called us, "mama, daddy, please get out..." and motions his hand to the door. It wasn't a command, it's more like a sweet plea. Jayson and I looked at each other, a bit shocked and about to laugh too. So I asked Yllac, why? He points to the door again and said the same thing, "pleeeeeease go out, out, out, out". So we rushed out, and closed the door a bit and I heard him say "thank you, see you later guys". Jayson and I was like, "what just happened there?", He is three and a half years old. Just three and a half!!!! So every other minute we would go and check him and everytime he sees us, "oh no!, close the door please."

So, anyway I am feeling a little rusty. My blogging mojo has not come back yet. There's a little spark of energy here and there, so let me take my time. So I hope to make it up to you by bombing this post with photos I've collected lately....

Here goes,

YUP! That is all for now. 

Qatar International Food Festival 2014 Photo Diary...

I must have busted all my marbles last weekend I couldn't get up, couldn't think... I mean, the Qataris know how to throw an awesome food fest. I am very glad Jayson's schedule from work permit us to attend three out of four-hallelujah-days of chow down partaaaay held at Museum of Islamic Arts park. It was one of the most glorious experience of my life. My whole family was nourished to the bones! 

So anyway, the photos, the photos...

Best Part Of My Day...

Yllac loves his bike. He rode it everyday and that made me glad. I'm really really glad because it means brisk walking for me too. I haven't had any form of exercise since I gave birth to him. I've only been in the gym once or twice for the past 3 years, and I don't like it. I felt like rushed, and wanting to go back home. Being away from him worries me that something might happen. So forget about gym. And now that he's attached to his bike anywhere we go, it sort of making me feel good inside. I'm fit. I'm feeling light. Lotsa energy. Zero mood swings. I haven't felt tired the past few weeks even though much of our activities revolves around playgrounds, parks and lots of biking.

This is our favorite park , - The Museum Of Islamic Arts park. It's like an endless road to walk on. You can see the whole city from where you are. Breezy. Lots of shades. 

I know. Must get myself a real shoes.

Speaking of shoes...  that husband of mine. 

Anyway, me and my shoes four years ago.

The end.

Kite...

A few days ago, we took our kite flying talents for public viewing. Turns out, we have none. Maybe the kite was broken??? Nope! Let's put it this way, we are these drooling idiots thinking kite flying is a piece of cake. Truth is, we've never flown a kite before, both Jayson and me. Are you appalled? So this kite flying adventure is a childhood-dream-come-true for us. A lot of times, when the kite was almost 8 feet high, suddenly it dives back to us, like it's gonna kill us. But we survived. We managed to make it fly for some minutes. I mean, it was fun! All that was needed was some wind, a kite, some energy to run back and forth like headless chickens bumping into each other and of course a lung full of air for all that screaming. No need to pay to play. It's just good, clean fun. 

Have a great Wednesday everybody. What's your plan for today? We're going out again to fly our kite. Wish us luck.

Souq Waqif In Doha (Part 1)

Hi! How are you my fellow Katipunera! Since we arrived here, my dear darling husband has been in his best tour-guide self and took us to all to the parks, shopping malls and beaches. I loved everything so far...but last Wednesday night, right after Yllac's afternoon play and biking, Jayson dragged our butts off to Souq Waqif. (you can read more about it HERE) Oh boy, Oh boy was I dizzy from all the exciting sensory gallery my brain was trying to absorb. I felt like stoned maaaan! The good kind of high. All natural high. That Souq Waqif is heaven to my soul.  

So here's the portion of the photos we took last Wednesday. Let's soak all in the magic shall we??? 

Valentines Day 2014

I cannot tell you enough how much I am thankful to spend every single day with my two boys. To use the word "lucky" cannot comprehend the gratefulness in my heart whenever i look back at my life since I met Jayson. I've been a lousy wife since I became a mother. I cannot elaborate on that... But I can tell you that I am really striving hard to be a good wife since the day I saw a bunch of Jayson's office shirts all wrinkly sitting at the back of our closet, unironed, that has created a very visible crease even if you're light years away. So i wanna be good. Really really good. I wanna date my husband more. Write to him more. Kiss him more. Hug him ever so often even when there's people around. Remember that spark and spontaneity when you started dating??? It's kind of hard to maintain that once you popped out a kid. The cuteness of your spawn will draw both of your attention towards them and sometimes you forget that you both need attention from each other too.

So last Valentines Day here in Qatar fell on the Family Day, which happens every week, every Friday. Friday is a much celebrated day here in Qatar. Every family goes out with their picnic baskets and spends almost the whole day in the park. They let their children be kids, be silly and play, the adults plopped on the grass, all happy, chattering and sharing a meal. It's a beautiful sight. It inspired me as a mom and wife. It won't be easy but it was an effort. To attempt, i feel like Im slowly getting to where I want to be as a person. I was given one chance to have my own family. So I will work hard for it. I was given the chance as a mother to mold a child's life, to nourish, love and be loved by one man. I only have one family for the rest of my life and i will take care of them.

Sooo...the photos...the photos firing at yah! 

One Week In Doha...

Hi Hi Hi! and Yup! You read that right. We're all now in Doha. Jayson, me and Yllac, and Jollibee (the dancing doll), and ten of my shoes and a little of my clothes.  A lot has happened apparently. Quick but careful decisions has been made for our family for 2014. Actually it seem simple the way I said it, but the whole planning of moving to a new place that involved a lot of courage, gutsy move, patience and of course a lot of prayers had been a dream of ours. Took us a year to prepare for this. Year 2013 was our year of transition and to say the least, a very tough year for us. I will remember it as a year of a few trials and sweet triumps. It was last year that my husband moved here to Doha to start his new job. We decided, we'll brave the months of temporary separation because we'll eventually join him here. 

So, that "eventually" happened last week. We are finally here.

Doha is our home now, altogether as a family. And as you can see it's hard to deny how happy I am, the three of us together in one roof.  It makes me smile too, thinking that every time Jayson goes to work, I know we're still near each other. No more skyping, no more expensive long distance calls, but instead we're here just arms length away from each other. We can kiss and hug each other anytime we want. I mean, life is good. Kiss in the morning, Kisses at night...And yes, I am one happy wife and mama here. 

We arrived here on February 6, last week. And today marks our "one week anniversary" here in Doha - my new city I call home.  So we've been busy celebrating our week together as a family. Seriously though i love this month. February is my fave month so far. It means new beginning and adventure for this little family of mine.

anyway, the photos...the photos... (warning, this is a photo heavy post)