HH in Khobar

I only took two hours of sleep today.  At 2am, I was awaken by the phone call from Tito Wilson advising us that T2 Jun Saporsantos is already waiting for us.   We immediately prepare the kids, our things and we started driving towards Madarem at near Exit 8.  And because the road was near empty, it didn't take us more than 10 minutes to arrive in the place.  T2 Arnel and T2 Rick - aside from T2 Jun - were already there.  They were just waiting for me and T2 Willy to start our convoy to Khobar.

T2 Rick took the lead car. Hehhee.. they all agreed to set me in the middle of the convoy knowing that I am fast driver.  And true to what we previously agreed, we cruise at 80 - 100 kph.   Gee... we were very slow and it made me very very sleepy.  I was so sleepy that was a moment that I swivel three lanes on my left.  Good thing, there were no other cars on the road.  I made a recovery just in time before I would fall on the road shoulders.  T2 Arnel notice that swivel and he immediately called on my phone and asking if I need an alternative driver.  I assured him that I was okay.


After a grueling four and half hours of drive, we finally arrived at Khobar. 

I love the place where we stay. It is a large apartelle suite with two big rooms, a huge sala, three comfort rooms and one nice kitchen.  The place is also clean and the room service was good.   My family took the masters room while T2 Arnel and T2 Jun shared the other big room.  T2 Willy and T2 Ric opted to share the very huge sala.  T2 Wilson will be on the other suite and will share with T2 Chris Miranda - who will arrive later.

We actually arrived very very early.  Our household will start at 7pm and the Lay Communion Service (LCS) will start at 10pm.  Meaning, we have the entire day to relax, move around and go shopping.   T2 Wilson and T2 Arnel went out to buy seafood at Khatif while the rest of the ladies prepared the house.







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Me on the other hand left the apartelle because I have a Toastmasters District 79 meeting to attend.  I was actually arrive late but not later than the Jeddah delegates.  I was just in time for the critical agenda of the meeting - the educational plan for the district - the part that matters on my Area.   I stayed until lunch and then went back to the apartelle.

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Tita Vicky was surprised to see me in formal clothes.  I just smiled and told her that I attended a Toastmasters meeting.  I proceed to our room and took a much needed rest.

Mommy woke me up at around 3pm.  Every body gathered in the kitchen to partake the sumptuous buffet of adobo, fish, and blue crabs.   We had a good time and did enjoy the food.  Me and Tita Mabel was particularly happy with the delicious blue crabs.  I guess, I eat 3 dozens of large blue crabs.  Whew!  After lunch, I went back to sleep.

We started our household at around 7:30pm.   As usual, we had some good time bonding together and sharing each others' joy and sorrows.  We made fun with each other - kulitan - and we always encourage each other.  I guess, we have matured as a household that we are no longer restricted by our inhibitions.  Tita Marian, who was the most timid among us, started to be assertive and open.  She even shared to use some personal secrets about T2 Arnel.  T2 Arnel gave us a revelation that he is now ready to accept responsibility in the community.   Tito Wilson, our household leader, gave us an inspiring message that made everyone smiling.  We enjoy our household meeting so much, we didn't notice that it was already past 11pm.   We close the meeting and started preparing for the LCS.

Minutes later, the FFL servants who were based here in Khobar start arriving.  I was nice knowing that there were three servants who are from Cagayan de Oro.


More picture in mommy's FB account

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.234241249927292.67694.100000242572580

The Beautiful Marina Bay

Marina Bay has transformed a million times better than it was three years ago.  

The entire flyover field has vanished. From the Esplanade viewpoint, it was now hidden behind the huge Marina Sands Casino Resort.   On my right, gone are the rusty boats at the old Clifford Pier. The pier itself was renovated and was transformed as the new Fullerton Bay Hotel - an extension of the iconic main Fullerton Hotel.   There were also several under construction high rise building between the old The Sail building and One Marina Boulevard building.  On my far left, the beautiful Singapore Flyer stood proudly illuminating the dark sky with its beautifully lighter observation tubes.  And there was a beautiful foot bridge that links the Marina Sand towards the Esplanade.  It was beautiful beyond description.

Oh, I miss Singapore so much... I want to come back and live here again!

Cancelled trip to Universal Studio

I have long wanted to take a glance to the famed Universal Studio of Singapore and this visit was my schedule.  To make sure I have the right information, I called Marie, my Pinoygrapher colleague who works with the studio.  She replied that today would not be a good time to visit the place because there is an ongoing renovations on major spots. To aggravate the problem, there was island wide brownout since morning.   Upon hearing the news, I decided not to pursue my visit to Universal.  I just proceed to Orchard hoping I can watch some good movies.

I arrived at Lido Cinema at around 5pm and tried looking for the Imax Theater.   I was surprised to see hundred of people loitering at the lobby.   I find the ticket booth and initially thought they just moved it to a new location.  After searching and failed to find it, I asked around.  A beautiful woman who was surrounded with chubby kids replied that the booth was relocated near the elevator and it is currently closed.  The showing right now,s he said, is a premier show for the movie X-men First Class.  There are not ticket because it is sponsored by Starhub.   She offered to give me her extra ticket... much to my delight.

Indeed, I was very glad to watch the opening show of X-men movie.

I left Orchard at around 9pm. I took an MRT train and proceed to City Hall.  I intend to take my dinner at the Soup Spoon at Raffles Place.

Good bye PR

I got lots of items in my itinerary and I wanted to finish them all so I have extra time to watch movie.  The first thing I did was to check out from Hotel 81 Boon Keen and transferred to Hotel 81 Baliester.  I find the new place closer to my destinations and nearer to my "friends".  Hhehehe...

First order of the day: Immigration and Checkpoint Authority.   I arrived at ICA at around 11am and took me 10 minutes to wait before an immigration officer came to see me.  She polite, accommodating and prompt.  She easily understand my case and readily explained to me the rules of Singapore immigration.   She said that my absence is Singapore is not a ground for rejection for renewal of Permanent Residence.  As long as I have an active contribution to Central Provident Fund, then I can be renewed.  In my case, because my employer is not based in Singapore then I don't have contribution to CPF.  When I inquire if an individual can contribute directly to CPF, she answered no.  Only registered Singapore companies can.  She summarize my case as follows:

• I had been away in Singapore for so long - not a ground for disqualification
• I don't have contribution to CPF - a ground for disqualification
• I have an option to apply for temporary extension of 6 months to give time for me to find an employer in Singapore.  I must be employed by a Singapore company during my application for renewal
• I have the option to withdraw or leave my CPF.  It will earn interest if left untouched
• If I go back to Singapore, I can apply for PR again.  If I am qualified, then I can get a PR.  Losing my PR may not be a ground against my application for another PR.

Now it is clear to me that after August 10, 2011 my Permanent Residence will expire and ... goodby Singapore.

I left ICA office with heavy hearts.

Nice to be back

3pm

Now with fully charged body and ready to go, I immediately took a stroll towards Singapore Management University MRT Station.  I was curious because this station was not yet operational the last time I was here.  I was glad that this station can take me to Harbour Front just right to get me to my destination - movie house at Vivo City.

I watched a 3D movie Kung Fu Panda 2.


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It was still early when I went out of the movie house.  I tried strolling at Vivo city but didn't find it interesting.  Perhaps there's just too many people around and it was raining outside.  No choice, I opted to indulge myself with my favorite Prawn Mei at the famous Vivo Hawker Center. 

Later, I went to Cathay Cineplex along Orchard Road to check for the schedule of Pirates of Caribbean.   When I found that the movie schedules were not on my side, I decided to talk a walk towards the hotel.  

I need a rest

 

Rest muna

8:10am

I guess arrived too early at the Hotel, the receptionist requested me to stay at the receiving area and wait for a vacancy in their rooms.  After making I have a room reservation and kept my bag safe, I went out to find breakfast.  I readily found the nearby hawker and ordered my favorite chicken rice and fish soup.  I went back to the hotel at around 9am and was advised to wait further because there was not room available yet.

10:30am

I started calling my contacts in Singapore and inform them that I just arrived this morning.  I was sad that Pinoygraphers had no schedule today and Bong Odal is in the Philippines.   Tolits and Tonski were not reacheable and I assume they chanced their phone numbers.  I also called Inkyo who readily answered and promised to drop by at the hotel after lunch.

11:10am

Finally, I got a room and was able to take a much needed rest.
 
I slept... zzzzzzz

Hello Singapore

Singapore Airlines flight SG 941 touched down at the Changi International Airport at around 6:30 in the morning.  It has been so long since I went back to my home base - over a year, I guess, and the scent of the cozy terminal gave me a mixed feeling of excitement and sadness.  Excitement because I will be seeing my friends again and sadness as well because I have to face the fact the my PR will soon expire.   

I didn't exit at the immigration immediately.  I stayed for almost an hour at the terminal and assisted my seat mate to find her transit flight to Cebu.  I tried to convince her to come with me since her flight would still be the following day.  Rather than stay bored at the terminal for 26 hours, she could spend the day with me and tour Singapore.   She was actually receptive to the idea and even agrees to share the hotel with me.  However after showing her the ins and outs of the beautiful Changi terminal and also assuring her that it is safe inside, she begs off on going out with me.  I politely bid goodbye and then proceed to the immigration area to pickup my baggage.

After showing my PR ID, the immigration officer stamped my passport without any question.  In less than a minute, I was already inside a yellow cab on my way to Hotel 81 Boon Keen.