That Extra 5

Note: Starting today, I am joining Girl's Talk. It is a weekly-themed meme for ladies of all ages where you share all things kakikayan under the sun. For the month of July, we are encouraged to brag (teeeheee) on what we love about ourselves - physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually.

For this week's theme, participants are asked to talk about what they love most about themselves physically. So here's my take.

I love my body. Before my pregnancy, I celebrate the physical me. Back in my single, days my grandmother enjoys going to ukay-ukay and buys me all sorts of dresses and jackets and blouses because I can get away with just about anything. 

Then after giving birth, I gained 5 kg. Most went to my chest (new bra size, yes!!!) and butt  (new pair of jeans aaaarrggh) and some went to my arms.  Maybe I should get a weight loss plan. A friend suggested, without my asking her opinion, that  I should hit the gym. But heck, when I  see myself in the mirror everyday, I  think everything is still proportional hahahaa!

Or maybe I  just choose to have a healthy body image. Honestly though, I feel like finally, I have those  that they call womanly curves..... I should also consider that Hubby is definitely enjoying those extra curves =)

Thank you so much for your visit!

An entry for

Yas Marina F1 Circuit Model

Where will you be on November 14?

Formula One tickets for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was made available worldwide last month. The ticket booth at the Dubai Mall gave a visitors a chance to see the miniature model of Yas Marina Circuit.

The circuit is situated on Yas Island, about 30 minutes from the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi. Yas Marina is the second Formula One track in the Middle East, with the first being in Bahrain. Designed as an Arabian version of Monaco, the twenty-one corners twists through the man made island.

The Yas Marina Hotel. It is the first new in the world to be built within a Formula 1 circuit.The hotel consists of two twelve story hotel towers, one set within the race circuit and another placed in the Marina itself. 

The circuit has four grandstand areas (Main Grandstand, West Grandstand, North Grandstand and South Grandstand) and part of its pit lane exit runs underneath the track.

Reception -- Nico Rosberg and Fernando Alonso commeneted that every corner was unique. Giancarlo Fisichiella though dislikes the pit exit which dips under the main circuit by way of a tunnel. Fisichiella says it was both difficult and dangerous.

My son at the F1 simulator

There are three types of tickets available. Grandstand tickets are priced from AED1,800 ($490) for two days and AED2,000 ($544.49) for three days. Premium “Category 1” ticket, which are three-day tickets and include balcony seating, air-conditioned lounges and VIP parking, start from AED4,250 ($1,157.06).

Finally, Paddock Club ticket, which is the full VIP experience, starts from AED14,480 ($3,942.17).

An entry for

Blue Monday

Play Time!

My toddler's current favorite play.

Andreas the Builder! He loves to stack up just about anything these days.

An entry for 

Trevi Fountain

Trevi Fountain is the most famous and largest Baroque fountain in Rome. It was built in 1629 and finished in 1762 by Guiseppe Panini. The impressive monument dominates the small Trevi square in Quirinale district.

The central figure of the fountain, in front of a large niche, is Neptune, god of the sea. He is riding a chariot in the shape of a shell, pulled by two sea horses. Each sea horse is guided by a Triton. One of the horses is calm and obedient, the other one restive. They symbolize the fluctuating moods of the sea.

On the left hand side of Neptune is a statue representing Abundance, the statue on the right represents Salubrity. Above the sculptures are bas-reliefs, one of them shows Agrippa, the general who built the aqueduct that carries water to the fountain.

 My son reaching out to touch the water.

The Trevi fountain is at the ending part of the Aqua Virgo, an aqueduct constructed in 19 BC. It brings water all the way from the Salone Springs (approx 20km from Rome) and supplies the fountains in the historic center of Rome with water.

The water at the bottom of the fountain represents the sea. Legend has it you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water. You should toss it over your shoulder with your back to the fountain. 

An estimated 3,000 euros are thrown into the fountain each day.  The money has been used to subsidize a supermarket for Rome's needy.

An entry for

ABC Wednesday