UN Masquerade Ball 2007

Winner of the Mask Competition
Dear Friends - It has been cold in Dhaka lately, we get to wear our boots, jackets, wool cardigans and linen pants. We get to wear socks inside the house and sweaters over our pyjama to warm ourselves. This is never like this in Dhaka for quite sometime. So got more time home and I was slowly organizing our albums. And would like to share with your our last UN Masquerade Ball. It was, as always jumpacked with guests of 450people, from different International Organizations, private entrepreneurs and Embassies. A gathering of diplomats, Bangladesh Elite and expatriates supporting the cause and enjoying the ball at the same. Our welfare projects and drives for the cyclone victims are really well supported..We had mask and face painting competitions initially. Since no one came with a painted face, it was then a mask competition all the way. We got two winners and I was one of them. The European Commission Ambassador awarded my price which I still did not open until now. Apparently, it's a dinner set. We had some art auction that night and raffle draw. It was a dinner gala on a table setting with dance at the end of the program. It was organized by the ball committee and the members of the executive board of UNWA (United Nations Women's Asso). Lovely masks were parading that night in different styles and colors. We had a face painting game too.White masks were provided in the table and the guests painted it with the talents they have.. It was fun and night worth spending for the victims of the cyclone. This affair is months of preparation, to get everyone together at one time. Booking the band, booking the hotel, making the poster, food tasting, decorators, writing letters to embassies and sponsors,sending them after, making brochures and menu and arranging the art auction. So much to do yet we had the most and it was such a great accomplishment for the board and members of UNWA. Welcome all to our masquerade ball.
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=18960701&uid=4491712&members=1

A Christmas and New Year to remember together

To my friends,a little update from us. The second part of the year 2007 has been our busiest time. When Christmas holiday was approaching, we were all looking forward to see our baby colleen. The pre-christmas trip to Phils. has given us the chance to see a little of our beloved archipelago. With only our Alexandre to cheer up, we went visiting the northside of Luzon. From Manila to Baguio, on to Bontoc and to Banaue. We finally get a lot of time to see most of the terraces built by our ancestors. It was an enriching trip for the 3 of us being my first time as well in those corners.
The trip back to Manila from Banaue was a long winding road and a two day rest in Manila was an absolute necessity. We then get on to Tagaytay. It's a quiet yet progressing city. We took the boat and walked up to the volcano crater. Most of the visitors there take the donkeys to go up, we preferred the stretch and it was our guide who rode on our donkey. It was an exhausting yet exciting and enjoyable walk. Our stay in Taal Vista was a comfortable and satisfying experience. We had a magnificent view of the lake and Taal volcano from our room. The foods in Tagaytay were really delicious. Back to Manila, we took time to rest although shopping was never discounted in the day's activity. The day of Colleen's arrival from Paris was the most awaited time for us. Once together, nonstop giggling and fascinating smiles join the season's decor and lights. Christmas was a complete celebration for us, not to mention that we spent it with my mom and family. My mom was teary eyed, she was full of energy in our trip from bacolod to Brazaville. She doesn't want to go back to the city anymore but we have to divert her thoughts to come back. It was a reunion for all of our families and really a beautiful christmas I should say.
Separating from the family was not easy as we get ready to go back to Manila and flew to Boracay. Full splendid memories for Colleen and Alexandre, the bonding time with cousins. We arrived in boracay in full spirit. Looking forward to the new year celebration. We were in the exclusive beach of Panoly. The place is beautiful and not crowded. Those lazing in the sun are only hotelguests but it's quietness made us feel limited in terms of fun. .From January first, we were in station one where the activities are. A mixture of fun, relaxation and dining, the abundance of seafoods was an irresistible treats. Just in the middle of all those vibrant restaurants, fascinating sailboats, clear water and white sandbeach. Kids are loving it. We went sailing and jetskiing. I did prefer the less crowded part of boracay in some days. But seeing their smiles and enjoyment, I forgot the crowds. Just a memorable time spent all together. In organizing this trip, the hardest part was finding a hotel with a two bedroom suite. We did find in Manila in Best Western Hotel and in Baguio but the rest of our accomodations were two bedrooms. Luckily, we get rooms just beside each other. All photos are now loaded will share it to you by email. Still wishing you all a fabulous year.

Ramadan Begins.............

For knowledge purposes, I would like to share this as we are celebrating here the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is derived from the Arabic root word ramida or arramad intense scorching heat and dryness, especially the ground. From the same root there is ramdaa, sunbaked sand, and the famous proverb: "Kal Mustajeer minar Ramadaa binnar" - to jump out of the frying pan into the fire. And in a hadith the Messenger of Allah (saas) said : "The prayer of repenters is due when the young camel can feel the sun's heat early in the morning." Thus, the Ramadan is so called to indicate the heating sensation in the stomach as a result of thirst.

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Muslim Calendar. It is the most sacred month in the islamic calendar. The islamic calendar is a lunar calendar that moves back about 10 days every year, which explains why there is a different date each year for the feast days of Eid-Ul-Fitr. It is an important event in the islamic faith because fasting is a reminder to each muslim that during this month the Quran was revealed to their prophet Mohammed. People of the muslim faith not only refrain from eating or even drinking water from sunrise to sunset but also from using any impure language or showing any anger. Special prayers and reflection are common as the faithful strive to improve themselves spiritually and to develop compassion for those less fortunate.

Fasting for them is to give the ability to rise above great pain and see calmness and peace in any situation. By fasting they focus on sentiments that promote harmony. Fasting promotes them to find inner strength and eliminate hatred.

We hope the effect of fasting to linger longer than ramadan time for the world to have peace (smiles)

Asian Link

We had the other night the Indonesian Independence Day. It was quite a crowded gathering mainly with diplomats. I was apprenhensive to see 2 filipinos only in that gathering. Meet friends and acquaintances. I know I can be mistaken as Thai, Malaysian or Indonesian. But I know by heart, it's not simply by features, being asian myself. I know for a fact that I can be with any nationality and still be able to make the most of each gathering. They are all friendly, used to go around their circles. An extra effort on my side to take a habit of learning a few words of each of the asian countries we had been. It sounds funny to be saying words in another language but it seems my tongue has found home to each malay language. Not much to carry a long conversation but good enough to break the ice of a new meeting (he he). Here are a few of the asian togetherness I am part of. I truly enjoy their company. Sharing with you as well the fashion show of "The east mingles with the west" a showcase of different traditional saris mixed with western clothes. Missed the first part as we were in a reception but somehow enjoy what I was able to capture

Thank You Carlots

Hi Friends,

Would like to share with you my new blog, beautifully created by Miss Carlots. I really appreciate this nice gift from her. She planned to offer me a surprise since she has been planning to create one for me. But here I am,I eventually requested her assistance and ended up being offered this marvellous creation. She did it all with talent and touch only her can do.

Thank you so much Carlots, will be so happy to work on this. Just browsing slowly to familiarize myself.

See you soon in the next issue.