Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi

To lift our spirits from everything that's been happening and maka YOLO, we decided to take a little trip again to Yas Island and try Yas Waterworld for the first time in almost 9 years HEHEHE (me lang because he already tried it back in 2015 -_-)

Thank you ADCB for the B1G1 promo

 To get there we took the 102 Bus from the stop right across the main bus station on Muroor Road. It was a 30-45 minute trip through scenic Saadiyat and we alighted at the Ferrari World section of Yas Mall.

We wanted to eat first before going there as theme park restaurants are hella expensive. I didn't want to eat fast food also so we steered clear of the food court pero all restaurants were full T_T kasi merienda hour.

After almost 30 minutes of going round in circles, we came to find Urban Eats - the food was filling and affordable. We ate chicken katsu curry and chicken ramen.

From Urban Eats, we went down to the bus stop again thinking to catch a cab to Yas Waterworld. However, after checking the map, it was actually within walking distance so we decided to just go there directly instead of dropping 12 AED on a cab ride.

We followed the directions below up until the Yas Mall Tryano carpark. After that we just went across the signal to Warner Brothers and there was a little shortcut there towards the entrance so you don't have to go all the way down to Ansam Bldg 4.

Once you're there, you don't have to rent a locker to store all your stuff. You can bring it with you and place it on any vacant sunlounger - but if you want peace of mind while running to and fro between the rides, you can rent a locker for 45 (small) 55 AED (medium). Forgot what the large locker costs but the medium suited us just fine (1 backpack, 1 bodybag, 2 shoes and enough space left over to hang some clothes).

I'd definitely return and without the anxiety attack sa rides :) see you back in August!

Getting an IELTS Band 8 in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Early on this year, I already had plans to take the IELTS - I even bought a full set of reviewers in March but it went untouched till early November :( Kakaiba ang katam! I did not even book my exam yet until I saw Nurse Even's youtube channel (on OSCE) in October and spontaneously booked mine the following month.

Tip #1 on prepping for a goal: Surprise yourself with deadlines HEHEHEHEHE

Since my test date in CPC back in 2015 was November 21st, I decided on the same for my IELTS exam for extra luck. Booked a pen and paper Academic test initially but changed to GT at the last minute.

After booking the test, I dawdled with work and webnovels until I suddenly realized that it was already November! I still had to:

1. Change my module to General;
2. It's been 9 years since my last IELTS exam and there might be new changes. Haven't started reviewing yet for LRW sections nor prepping for the speaking test (Iba ang confidence!)
3. Was there a dress code? What should I bring? 
4. I should've scheduled it earlier because my school mandated me to take an extra English assessment test (for free thank you Lord) to process my LOA. Good thing I scored high :) pero extra tense moment there!

LRW Test at Park Rotana, Nov 21st

School English Assessment Test, Nov 25th (Toronto time)

Speaking Test, Nov 27th

With all these thoughts swirling in my head almost giving me a second panic attack (char), I started to act systematically to minimize the pressure I was feeling.

1. Change my module to General - I emailed British Council for revision and they responded 3 days before my actual test date. Good thing they had extra papers for the GT so I didn't have to reschedule :) 
2. It's been 9 years since my last IELTS exam and there might be new changes. Haven't started reviewing yet for LRW sections nor prepping for the speaking test - Started reviewing in coffee shops round Muroor & Al Wahda Mall kasi I can't review at home (ended up sleeping most of the time). Focused on writing & reading comprehension mostly though. 
• Listening - I did 4 sample tests back to back with Crack IELTS with Rob's Youtube channel and whenever I got stuck on a question, I googled my mistakes and how to improve it. My target timing per question improved per test, so I was able to finish both Listening & Reading tests at least 20 minutes before schedule.
• Reading - practiced my reading comprehension with my IELTS reviewer. Brushed up on my skimming & context clue skills as well to improve my timings per question.
• Speaking - watched a few Youtube videos on my target Band 8-9 tests and timed my responses within 2 minutes. Read up on additional vocab tips on FB and IG as well.
• Writing - did a few exercises on my IELTS reviewer while making sure that all my exercises reached the word limit for both Test 1 & Test 2.
3. Was there a dress code? What should I bring? -  Dress up in casual, comfortable and in my case, conservative attire. I brought a cardigan as well in case I get cold. I even saw some wearing slippers as in Islander levels so there's no actual dress code. On the speaking test I was dressed more formally so I won't feel self-conscious. We were mandated to take the exam with a mask throughout and were only allowed a pen, pencil, eraser and our registered IDs on the table. For me, I used only a pencil for my LRW tests.

So without further ado, here are my scores:

Even if I did not go to a review center, I wanted to set a personal goal of 9 per section so in case I fell short, it would hopefully be within 7.5-8 (too bad for writing). At least I know where to improve on next time :)

EXTRA: I have this tradition where I go to Church to have all my stuff blessed right before a major exam or event (back in Manila, I always go to Mount Carmel in Quezon City and offer eggs and prayers). Good thing that St. Joseph's Church was now open, though all churchgoers need to socially distance inside (only 2 per pew with 1 empty row in between) and been registered beforehand. Since I can't exactly go up to the presiding priest, I just brought my pencils, erasers & sharpener and placed it in front of me all throughout the mass.

Also, since I took the pen and paper test kasi #oldskul, my exam results were released exactly 13 calendar days after the LRW section (my speaking was moved to November 27th), on the eve of December 4th. Got the hard copy 4 days later via Emirates Post. If you will be taking the computer-based one, I think around 3-5 or 5-7 calendar days you'll be able to get your provisional scores already.

If you're taking yours soon, best of luck and God Bless!

PHL Passport Renewal at VFS Global WTC AUH

 Just renewed my passport today!

My initial schedule at PHL embassy was supposed to be on January 28th and my UAE residence visa was up for renewal ALSO on the 28th :( --- I had to think of an alternative because I need a renewed passport for my Feb-March plans!!!

Ok, panic attack aside - I was really glad I chanced upon an FB post regarding passport renewals at VFS Global. I was hesitant at first because I didn't want to pay extra for an appointment but when I e-mailed them for the earliest one they can provide - they told me I can come in on the next day! 

Convenience fee is TRULY worth it. 

BTW, it's an additional 91.75 AED for it (not bad). Passport release, as per their e-mail, will be 4-8 weeks. If you want to be notified via SMS of process updates, you can opt for their SMS service for an extra 8 AED. Actual fee for renewal is 240 AED.

To book your own appointment, send an email to info.philippinespptauh@vfsglobal.com with your preferred date and time. They will respond in a very timely fashion, with the link to the online application form which you will need to print out and sign. Make sure to save a PDF copy on your mobile as well just in case the QR code is blurry on your print-out.

In addition to your original passport, make sure to bring:

• Copy of passport bio page and residence visa
• Print out of completely filled out passport application form which was emailed to you upon appt. confirmation. Make sure all info is correct so you won't have to go through re-registration (will cost you an extra 20 aed for the typing fee).
• Copy of your appointment
• Exact fee (passport + appt fee) if you'll be paying in cash but if you're paying by card, then kaliwali.

Also, can I just say just how lovely it is not to queue up in a mall vs. in a villa somewhere remote? I didn't have any breakfast yet and once I was finished with the renewal all I had to do is to go opposite VFS to Spinneys for brunch.

How to go there if you're coming from Al Wahda Area:

• Bus - Take the 041 bus (if from Airport Road)
• Taxi - 12 AED

Once you're inside WTC, just go down to the basement. VFS is right across Caribou Coffee and Spinney's. Walk-ins are welcome as well, I believe.

Update: 26 days still no sms for release. Last youtube vid I watched, he got it 48 days after renewal so good luck T_T

Update as of 21-Dec, passport now ready for release. A day after I renewed my EID. Yyyyyyyy

Finally A ---!

Still a part of the Wedding Preps Series though :)

After 4 months of requirements, seminars and wedding jitters (SRSLY), finally had the budgetarian civil ceremony slash elopement over and done with!

Firstly, we didn't want to make a fuss out of our civil union because the D Day festivities was already planned to a T later this year, along with all our funds. We only did it to cut down on the documents we'll be processing back home as I mentioned on an earlier post and as I realized ~ it's actually much better to have an intimate affair where the people attending are only your nearest and dearest. In our case, watching our small family and my colleagues hitting it off during our makeshift reception was really fun and heartwarming. We didn't get to do the beer pong but at least we were able to do the GOT S8 E6 viewing party (yes it's actually part of our program HEHE) and bond over our personal takes on it.

I watched a few vlogs as well on civil weddings on Youtube and I really liked the simplicity of it ~ in Japan all you have to do is just bring your family register and personal seal with your significant other and it's done! I watched Camie Juan again and her NY civil wedding (had this on loop one jitters-filled weekend) was so straightforward and simple and it made me feel that despite everything, it boils down to just the both of you and your commitment to each other.

DIYed the invites on Word and sent them out a week before the ceremony.

We received a call on the same week of our scheduled solemnization for the actual timing. Because of Ramadan, we were asked to come at 1:15 PM but we went there at least 20 minutes before in case we needed to do something else before the ceremony. Turned out to be a good call, final checks on the marriage contracts had to be done before we were asked to take our places in front of the podium.

The ceremony was presided over by the vice consul. We were 15 couples in total and I was the one wearing the simplest dress out of all the brides (Thank you Namshi!) which I got on sale for 71 AED (or 1,000 PHP). My sister and cousin signed off as witnesses while his sister was the designated P/V + chauffeur for the day.

Paying it forward: Enjoy 15% discount at Namshi. Use coupon code RFBCRAQ on your first purchase, just click on the images below and start shopping :) (Pics below from Namshi)

Backless ng slight! Pak! Sana by December ganyan na din ako kapayat! Pak!

I'm 5'1 so the mini dress became knee length which was fine because you have to be decent inside the embassy + RAMADAN. J just wore his Sunday best and luckily, his belt from aliexpress matched his shoes so he looked so snazzyyyy

We bought his shoes from Payless for only 60 AED! Imagine! AND it's MEMORY FOAM :)
My black strappies are my regular work shoes from SHEIN.

Bouquet from Lulu :) at 21 AED.

Fun after the ceremony ^^ We don't do adult affairs well HEHEHE

Over-all, the event lasted from 3 hours and off we went to prep for the boodle fight/reception.

Here's J, my eyebrows + me

DIY BOODLE FIGHT

Our simple yet sumptuous feast

(L-R)

Tinolang Manok with Papaya

Torta at Pritong Talong

Pritong Tilapia

Steamed Kangkong + Okra + Lorin's Bagoong

Adobong Manok

Buttered Shrimp

Ensaladang Kamatis at Itlog na Maalat

Tuna Sisig

&

Walang Kamatayang Unli-Rice

We booked a 3 fully furnished bedroom apartment, or should I say, my colleagues booked it as a gift to us ~ SHUKRAN sisters!

The day after: Me (slightly hung over) + J (fresh as a daisy) + my regular eyebrows :)

To think we started off as just me having this mammoth (WOTD) crush on him back in 4th year HS for his drafting + calculus wizardry and now we have officially tied the knot ~ HIHIHI landi! Chos! Lakas maka- A Love so Beautiful ♥

Now we can concentrate on our balik alindog program in peace. 

Thanks for the read!

Officially Mrs. A ♥

Wedding Preps: Getting A Marriage License in Abu Dhabi ✓

Time is of the essence for OFWs brides to be, and processing a marriage license is one of the musts that will need ample time to be processed prior to the ceremony. Since we don't have that luxury (the start of our annual leave is only two weeks before the 21st), we decided to do a civil ceremony here and then we only have to process our church requirements later on.

To get a marriage license in Abu Dhabi, below are the requirements to submit:
*Taken from Philippine Consulate - Abu Dhabi website:

• 1 copy of DFA authenticated NSO Birth Certificate (original and 2 photocopies)
• Transcription copy of birth certificate, if the copy issued by the NSO is not clear (original and 2 photocopies)
• 1 copy of DFA authenticated NSO CENOMAR (original and 2 photocopies)  (same with the entries in birth certificate)
• 3 passport copies of the contracting parties
• For ages 18-21, DFA authenticated Affidavit of Parental Consent (original and 2 photocopies)
• For ages 22-25, DFA authenticated Affidavit of Parental Advice (original and 2 photocopies)
• 1 copy of DFA authenticated NSO Death Certificate of parents (original and 2 photocopies)
• Signed Joint Affidavit of Two Witnesses and their respective 3 passport copies (Yes, signed)
• 2 passport-size pictures of the contracting parties
• personal appearance of the contracting parties
• Marriage Counseling Certificate

*In photocopying your NSO authenticated documents, make sure that the whole page is copied, as you will be asked to re-do if the bottom is not included. You can submit these in the below order (3 sets each, per applicant):

1. Passport copy

2. Residence visa copy

3. NSO authentication - cenomar (full page copy)

4. Cenomar copy

5. NSO authentication - birth certificate (full page copy)

6. Birth certificate copy

Note: names should all match, as well as your parents' in all documents.

Also, even if you already attended the MPC course in St. Joseph's Church, you will be asked to attend a Marriage Counseling session in Philippine Consulate - Dubai (yes, Dubai huhuhuuuuu). They will give you the nearest schedule and they will do the registration on the spot (mandatory). 

However, they will still process your license even if you don't have the counseling at this time. You can submit it once you come back for your license.

In addition, for Annulled / Widow / Widower:

• DFA authenticated Court’s Decision and Certificate of Finality of Annulment (original and 2 photocopies)
• DFA authenticated NSO Marriage Contract with annotation that the marriage is already annulled/void (original and 2 photocopies)
• DFA authenticated NSO records of previous marriages (original and 2 photocopies)
• 1 copy of DFA authenticated NSO Death Certificate of the deceased spouse

Once you all have your documents in order, you can go to the embassy from Sundays to Thursdays at 8AM-12PM and:

1. Get your queue number from the guardhouse (left side). 

2. Submit your documents and fill up the additional forms you will be given.

3. Register for Marriage Counseling seminar in Dubai

4. Pay 200 AED 

5. Return the receipt copy to processor and she will give your copy back, along with the Marriage Counseling schedule and date of license release.

To go to the embassy (from Al Wahda Mall), please see below:

Wedding Preps: Religious Documents for MPC (Marriage Preparation Course - St Joseph's Church Abu Dhabi)

Here I am again, chronicling our journey to the altar ~ I just love doing this wedding preps series kasi I feel so helpful! Charot! Hahaha :P kidding aside, I am one lazy bride-to-be because I didn't do anything wedding related on our last vacay in Manila kaya now I'm cramming -_- and everything gets so expensive with the processing fees/ shipping fees/ misc fees that goes on top if you're doing everything from overseas - and you don't have a full time wedding coordinator.

Not that a wedding coordinator will help with your personal documents but you know what I mean.

Anyway, I read from a blog that to register for a marriage license at the embassy, you need to undergo a Marriage Prep Course (actually it's not required to do it first, you can just do it after you filed for a license but we didn't want to waste precious leave days just to go back and forth)  at St. Joseph's Church Abu Dhabi, usually held on Thursdays at 7:30 PM-9:30 PM and Fridays at 8:30 AM till 5. It's not every Th/F, they usually have a schedule so be sure to check the church website out before anything else.

To register for the MPC, you need to click on this link and fill up the form (separately) and wait for their email response.

TIMELINE: Registration on 17th Jan, we received the email on the 21st, asking for a copy of Baptismal certificate (if you're a Catholic) or just an Emirates ID copy and/ or passport copy (if not), to be sent prior to the next MPC schedule.

UPDATE: Make sure that the names on your baptismal certificates match your other documents as they will print your MPC certificates based on your baptismal docs only.

If not, you have to request from pinas to have it revised - and from there it's quite a process. The request should be made from the diocese of the church you were baptized in and you have to give your NSO authenticated birth certificate as proof but usually the revision only takes 2-3 working days.

Once it was revised and MIL sent it via FB, we reached out to the program coordinator. We went to SJC again and personally gave him the updated baptismal certificate with the MPC one and he revised it in less than 10 minutes! Shukran brother! :)

MPC Check! ✓✓✓

Wedding Preps: Wedding Rings Check ✓✓✓

I've been reading up on multiple blogs and femalenetwork posts for wedding suppliers that I'm inspired to do my own :)

Major suppliers will be reviewed after my wedding though hehe but in the meantime, I'll be posting the little details that I'm done with.

Supplier: Carcassone Gold and Diamonds LLC

Shop No. 5, Hamdan Centre, Hamdan Street, Abu Dhabi, Po Box No. 42978

Ph: 02 6347676

We bought this in early 2018 so we can spread out our expenses for our dream wedding in 2019. Initially we planned to buy the rings much closer to the date (and in Manila) but once we heard that there was a 70% off promo in Hamdan, we rushed right over to check it out :)

The saleslady was a kabayan~very accommodating so we didn't have a hard time finding what we wanted: simple gold wedding bands.

Ganda! I love it ❤

Just recently, I came to know that the motto we had engraved was from US Marine Corps' :P but I originally got it from my favorite Precious Hearts Romance writer, Rose Tan so kebs!

Much love and can't wait for December ❤

Turkish Visa via VFS Global Abu Dhabi

Has anybody tried it? Would like to get some pointers for our National Day trip.

Thanks in advance!

BB Cream Girl Delivery ❤️

First time I tried to have skincare delivered, usually I just go to Al Wahda Mall to buy whatever it is I need but at these prices?!! NO CONTEST!

As soon as I ordered online, I went to The Face Shop to check if it'll be cheaper to just buy at the store since I'll be paying additional 20 for shipping anyway and the wait was least 3-4 weeks if the items you want are not on stock. There were still leftover Eid sales so I was expecting at least 60-70% off but when I went there, everything was still way too pricey compared to what I ordered online.

So after 10 looong years (or IRL, 3 weeks), my order came! Kudos to the courier guy who had to extend his duty for another 3 hours just to deliver my order - Ambait mo kuya! You already!

I got 2 free masks along with everything so the whole order was basically a steal! When I shopped at TFS, I paid 175 already for a tube of sunscreen, Calendula moisturizing toner and collagen spray (despite the 60% off) but with BB Cream Girl, I paid only 228 for everything below, plus 20 for shipping! Also, I just realized that most of what I ordered were TFS goodies, I should've been more adventurous and tried 3W, Laneige and Innisfree ~ anyway, I'll definitely do so next time. Ipon muna ulet hihihi

E ano naman, I deserve it! CHAROT! #feelingmillenial HAHAHA Please lang note to self, spreadsheet is life! Budget budget pag may time!

Anyway, try niyo rin! I'm open again to Kpop feels ulit, nakapag move on nako sa wakas. My sister loves the 3W Collagen Whitening essence too, which was a big YAHOO for me so she won't make me pay for swiping her Olay moisturizer. HEHEHEHEEEE

Excited to try everything out so till next time ~~

Weekend Review : An Iliad by Denis O'Hare

I have this habit of reading Abu Dhabi World because first of all, it's free *hehe* and I'm able to get a scoop on what's happening -- like the latest 70% off sales in Abu Dhabi Mall, job postings and random celebrity updates or sightings in the UAE. The best one is is where they feature your pictures holding an Abu Dhabi World magazine on any of your travels and you get to have a prize :) I was supposed to do it when I went to Japan but my copy was all wrinkly so I'll just do it in South Korea later this year.

Anyway, on their events page, they have a feature on NYUAD's Arts Center's latest performance. What struck me was first of all, admission is F R E E (who refuses free entertainment btw??), second, it's Greek mythology and lastly : DENIS O'HARE.

So I was curious, I've been following NYU AD for quite sometime now because of their MBA program but I've been getting ads on facebook on their arts center as well. As soon as I saw the ad on AD World, I checked the site out (An Iliad) I googled Denis O'Hare up and lo and behold ~~ he's a Tony Award winner and he was on a multitude of movies like Charlie Wilson's War, Milk and Derailed! What to do, yalla I signed myself up and 2 other friends stat and told them to clear their Thursdays out so we can watch the show *evil grin* hehehehe

The only thing was NYUAD was in Saadiyat Island which is 21 minutes away from the city (see map below) so you really have to plan ahead for your transportation to and fro if you don't have your own.

And the performance didn't disappoint. Even if it was a one man show and in the generation of short attention spans, everybody (except for that random someone who still couldn't resist taking short clips grrr) was riveted for almost 2 hours. We felt as if we were actually there, in the battlefields of Troy with his spellbinding narrative - and that the war is not really over since it occurred time and time again, with the latest one happening in Aleppo, Syria. 

As what the review on their page said:

To call this a one-man show is really an understatement, as the scale of this work is genuinely epic. There are moments in An Iliad that will make you shed a tear for humankind…An Iliad does a magnificent job of retelling this Greek epic, making it accessible and timeless to the uninitiated; it’s sweeping, sobering, it hits you in the solar plexus, and it puts into staggering perspective just how obsessed with war-mongering humans have always been and continue to be. – Cicely Binford, Australian Stage

Quickly took a snapshot pre-show then dutifully turned off my phone :) Most of the audience were either NYUAD faculty and student body so everybody was making beso with each other ~~ was tempted to do the same with those in front just so that we'll fit in hehehe 

If the show's still on I would've pushed you to watch it next weekend but it was their final run - nevertheless, Noche Flamenco Antigona will be up on April 6th so be sure to sign up for it! I already have my tickets hehe #toomucheggzoited so be sure to get yours before they run out :)

See you there!

Accommodations : Dirty 31 at Aloft Abu Dhabi

To date, we have stayed here twice already - first was my birthday then my habibi's. By far, compared to all hotels we stayed both in DXB and AUH, Aloft Hotels remains no. 1 in my heart in terms of customer service, facilities, the view and the room, everything was exemplary.

How To: Eating Out in AUH Even If You're Broke

Eating out 2 days prior to payday aka Lingo De Peligro doesn't have to break the bank -- you can even do it for free! AMAZEBALLS!

That's what we did tonight at WTC's The Souk 😃 me and JRA decided to do dinnertime at a restaurant called Shakespeare & Co. The ambience has a Phoebe Buffay sort of vibe with its kitschy Victorianesque decor although the heat kind of ruined the mood a little bit. It's already summer over here and if you haven't experienced one yet in UAE, then you're in for a wonderful treat 👌🏽😃

Anyway, let's get back to the question at hand : How in the Seven hells does one have a very fulfilling meal even if you don't have moolah yet? Without going over your monthly alloted budget just to indulge your inner foodie?

All you grasshoppers have to do is download the Beam app, it's available in either Android or App store. It's the number one wallet app that you can sync with your cards and you can earn back rewards  for every transaction you make! Be it discounts on your Carrefour purchases, free coffee at Costa or additional credits to use at any of their partner stores (Vox cinemas, Aldo, Tim Hortons, etc.), you can be a wise consumer and take advantage of it all with Beam!

Over the weekend they had a surprise waiting for their users, you just have to shake your smartphone and you get 100aed in credits! We credited it to Vox and Shakespeare & Co. so it's like free date night ~~ Now that's what I call excellent customer service 😍 especially with Ramadan coming up and all.

So what are you waiting for? Download the app now, you can use the promo code KDJLCPV and get right on getting your rewards! Seeya around! ☕️

To check it out, go to their site by clicking here. You can also check if everything is within the allotted credit by going to your choice of resto's menu details by going on Zomato.