Powerful Asian Voice

Charice Pempengco, 16 years old, hailed from Batangas, Philippines, is currently soaring high across the continent singing on top of her lungs. She gives me shiver everytime she starts hitting a note. After several tv appearances at Ellen and Oprah shows, her biggest break was when she recently had a duet with Celine Dion’s concert at Madison Square Garden where her ultimate dream was granted.

Her first appearance was in local Philippines TV show singing contest, “Little Big Star” by ABSCBN tv network in 2006. Almost everyone had bet that she would win the contest among the other teen/kiddie contestants. Unfortunately, due to low text votes she didn’t land in first place but as third place. It was Sam Concepcion who garnered most of the text votes. However, talent wise, Charice was apparently way better.

The judging computation was comprised of 50% by the judges and 50% text votes. Even if she got low text votes, the judges’ ratings could have pulled her score. Nevertheless, due to the mindset of future business gain of the tv network, the person who appealed most to the masses by basing on the text votes swiftly landed the first spot. You may ask, how far the first placer has gone now? He’s an actor/singer and showing on the said tv network. If I were Charice, I can kiss ABSCBN goodbye and give thanks for not letting her win. Shame on you people who do not appreciate what real talent is.

After the local singing contest, she joined another contest in Korea. Eventually, someone posted a video of her on YouTube singing in front of Korean audience in awe. From then on, Ellen discovered her on YouTube as well as Oprah and the start of her publicity rose.

Charice brought pride and represented Filipino talent. I hope she will start writing her own songs and not just by imitating or singing songs of other people which Filipinos are known for.

After (2008)

Before (2006)

Update: Oprah Winfrey is now her US manager in addition to her Filipina manager. Way to go Charice!

Amazing Facts About Q8

• There are no gazillion stars at night. I counted one star last night.
• Women tend to flaunt their designer handbags everywhere. Gucci, D&G, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, etc. Name it, they got it. Gotta carry it like you really own it!
• Men stare at you (if you’re a female) as long as they want. They walk back and forth and around you. Yes, I do feel like a celebrity without the paparazzi.
• Driving around the country, sports, shopping, dining out and the internet seem to be the most entertaining thing to do.
• Traffic can be build up by 2 cars situated side by side with men in one car and women on the other trying to exchange mobile numbers through the car window while driving really slow. So this is a new way of flirting in Kuwait like they never cared how much traffic they had caused.
• Hair salon is spelled as saloon.
• The word timings is reffered to schedule.
• Weekend is Friday and Saturday. Several employees have only 1 day off usually on Fridays. For those who work in the goverment and with company names that has the word “Kuwait” or “National”, they get the 2 days off.
• There are abundant supply of cheap vegetables and fruits. I can go as vegetarian from here.

  

• Birds (pigeons) dwell in the middle of the heat. So great to watch!

I will continue to update this as soon as I discover new things about Kuwait . It continues to amaze me everyday.

Tennis, anyone?

I’m looking for a good tennis court preferably free of charge and open to all. Any ideas?

The one in KOC is always full and the one in Adan Hospital is so dusty. If there are any sports clubs that charge for a very low price, please leave a message.

So hot in Kuwait

I will say it one more time in an exclamation mark… it is so hot! Even the normal faucet with the blue colored knob which is supposed to be cold, runs a lukewarm water.  The weather is windy + humid + hot.  Great combo. After 2 days, I noticed some physical changes like my skin getting drier everyday so as my hair looking dull and flat, pores opened up, and lips started to crack. I am so thankful that I am geared with sunblock, facial moisturizers, and one lip balm. I will buy more mositurizing lip balms soon.

As Kuwait Airways landed, I never expected that I would get culture shock after spending 8 years in Saudi before. The view of vast land of desert and small shrubs still haunts me. So this is what it feels like back in Middle East. The houses are all surprisingly designed in boxes which I can tell which one is nice or not. It has also a theme color of the sand, white and some gray. In every block, constuction is on going building more box like houses. I could really recommend a new exquisite design and color to the architects.

There are a lot of public transportations (buses and the white pick up cars) picking up mostly Indians, Filipinos and other nationality. I will try one since I don’t know how to drive yet. Is it safe to take the bus around here if you are a female? My parents have been overprotective of me. They made us wear extremely large shirts when all the clothes I have brought are very conservative; and they constantly reminded us to bring passport. Gawd, don’t know how long I will adjust here. I am itching to work here so I won’t get bored sooner or later.

I miss my girfriends and guy friends back home. Home sick is another thing. This is Kuwait, I am living up to the challege of living here and learning more about the culture. I have on hand the 2006 Kuwait Pocket Guide. It is a great guide for all expats out there. You should buy or get the updated one. It has everything about Kuwait, the local directory and what Kuwait has to offer.

Change of Nursing Address

For those nursing enthusiasts,

I am moving all my articles/blogs under Nursing to my other blog. The new nursing blog is http://lilacrn.blogspot.com.  I am keeping this one as my personal blog including all my rants and musings. Hope to see you there!

Prepping Up for the Heat

Kuwait is a a very hot and humid country. I think temperatures can go as high as 50 degrees Celsius. These are some of the things I’m bringing with me for the heat wave:

1. Sunblock SPF 50+
2. Shades
3. Moisturizer
4. Umbrella  (is this necessary?)
5. Clothes made of cotton
6. Antiperspirant deodorant

What else did I miss? I have read as much as many blogs about Kuwait. It helps a lot in giving a big picture of the culture and fashion in Kuwait. However, there are still some questions at the back of my mind that only true experience can answer.  I guess it is not the same when you are really there. I hope it will all be good.

So long clubs, pork, and booze… Welcome Kuwait!

Goodbye blues

Few days from now, I will be standing in another country full of sand and camels. I have made my decision to start on my nursing career somewhere else. For this main reason, I will continue my journey and I hope I could land a job as soon as possible as get settled in an Arab soil. As I looked back with the traveling I had in my entire life, I realized I am always constantly moving every eight years. I am hoping that I wouldn’t stay that long on my next destination.

This time around, saying goodbye had a different meaning. It wasn’t the same when I was 8 or 16 years old.  It’s now more dramatic in a way leaving your dear friends that you had created a close relationship with.  It is a bit more of a mixed emotions, sad for the people you are leaving and happy for the exciting world that awaits you. It will be my first time to be with my parents again. I miss them dearly. I just don’t know what would it be like now that we are all grown up and all.

Charlie Chan Chicken Pasta (Yellow Cab)

I haven’t tried cooking this yet though I’m glad that someone had the recipe revealed online. I’m actually craving by just typing this recipe. Yummy!

Ingredients

• 1 whole boneless chicken breast
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 piece onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 1/4 tablespoons char siu sauce (Lee Kum Kee)
• 1/4 teaspoon chilli-garlic sauce
• 9 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1/8 cup sugar
• 4 tablespoons water
• 1 kg cooked pasta
• peanuts (optional)

Directions:

1) Saute 1 piece onion and 2 cloves garlic in a little olive oil.

2) Cook 1 whole boneless chicken breast until brown.

3) Mix 3 tbsp sesame oil, 1 1/4 Lee Kum Kee Char Siu sauce, 9 tbsp oyster sauce, 1/4 chili garlic sauce, 1/8 cup sugar in a bowl.

3) Add mixture to chicken and simmer for a few minutes.

4) Pour in 1 kg pasta.

5) Add peanuts. (optional)