Over the Rainbow

 

 

 

Pretty sure most of you still haven’t moved on from the recent episode of MMK that featured an extraordinary story of love that transcends almost everything, particularly that pesky little thing called gender. The episode that trended in most social networking sites and made Kevin and Allan household names, commemorated the observance of the World AIDS Day. It has subtlety created awareness and educated viewers about the perils HIV/AIDS and offered a wider perspective and understanding of the casualties of the disease, notjust the infected individuals but their families as well.

 

In its central core however, is still a love story trapped in the discriminating panorama of people with HIV/AIDS. Kevin and Allan’s story is a defiant and poignant tale of unconditional love between two unlikely couple and their lasting commitment to have and to hold despite their predicament, one that is certainly not bound to thrive if it finds its way through the burrow of normal relationships.

Despicable Me

December. It's the season to be jolly bitchy.

 

It’s another long weekend in Dubai, normally during these times; I just stay in the house and cut off all ties synonymous to bliss. If I am not drowning myself within the limitless bounds of the cyber universe, I am sulking in one corner, feeling pathetic, wondering how some people below my level are able to be happy and I’m not despite my excesses.  Oh well, when you come to think of it though, they are not actually good excesses; my oversized brain, innate talents, mounting pride, work experiences and finally, a bloated idea of myself. They are too heavy they always let me down. I bet not all would be interested to come close to this kind of guy, inferiority is inevitable. Having known that, I shouldn’t be wondering at all. Until such time I burst that bubble in my head, then this grim, forlorn and desolate room is where I rightfully belong.

 

The Road Home

 

How is the road home for OFWs? Two words. It’s long and it’s expensive.

In two weeks, I am one again coming back to the place where everything got started, the laboratory that has kept my blueprint and the workshop that has molded me to be the character I am today. If you think this decision entails only temporarily leaving my job, buying a ticket and packing my baggage with tons of chocolates in between, you’re dead wrong. This vacation is almost two years in the making. And again, if you’re thinking my presence will alone well absolve my family's anticipation for not seeing me in years; I have some qualms about it. Truth is, they expect more than just seeing me and I am happy to deal with it.

A Mother's Story

She comes to office at 7:30 each morning, a time at which most souls are still in bed enjoying their extended slumber. She turns the lights on; put her bag on her desk and heads straight to the pantry. She opens one black garbage bag and proceeds to each employee’s desk to collect the trash. She then wipes the tables, arranges the chairs, vacuums the carpet floors and neatly sorts the things in the desks left scattered by employees after the day's work. After making sure everything looks like what a clean office should be, she heads back to the pantry. This time, she washes the coffee mugs and removes the stains and granules spilled over the sink and around. She then refills the beans in the coffee maker and replaces the empty water dispenser with another 5 gallons of liquid all by herself. After probably forty five minutes of motion and devotion, she leaves the area and carries on to another office in another floor and again do exactly the same thing. Before anyone comes in, traces of what they called an office day has been completely vanished and just like what she always greets everyone with, it’s time for another very good morning.

Near Sighted

LONG WEEKEND

It’s an extended weekend in the UAE across all sectors. On Sunday, Muslims celebrates “Israa and Miraaj”, the two parts of a Night Journey that, according to Islamic tradition, the Islamic prophet Muhammad took during a single night around the year 621. It is one of the most significant event in the Islamic calendar, but for OFW’s like us, this day off spells gimmick and bonding, more time to sleep and relax, rejuvenate and recover from stressful work and do things you normally do without the rush in bathroom usage, kitchen schedule and of course, Facebook without fear of your boss catching you!