Yes, I have changed my blog name! My original blog name was Sandier Pastures, a name I picked when I started blogging when we moved to Dubai from Japan in 2007. I was happily blogging for eleven years and used the handle @sandierpastures in my social media accounts. Everyone who knows me connects that name … Continue reading Surprise! New blog name!
Personal
Why we left Dubai
I don't know how many times I've apologized for the lack of updates on this blog so I'm not going to do it now because I can't promise to be consistent in writing with all the things currently going on in my life. But if you are reading this, thank you for still being here. … Continue reading Why we left Dubai
Dealing with food allergies while eating out or travelling
My son Benjamin (6 years old next month) is allergic to all tree nuts - almonds, pecans, walnuts, pistachio, cashew, etc. We've had accidental ingestion in the past where he ended up in the emergency so we are very careful with his food but alas, sometimes even I fail. The last incident was a year and … Continue reading Dealing with food allergies while eating out or travelling
Sorry for the long hiatus. An update.
I've lost track. I've been on a blogging hiatus for the longest time in my ten years of blogging. Not writing anything for a month has been tougher than not eating chocolates for a month. I expected it. I didn't fully wanted it - semi-quitting blogging and all but it happened. I still couldn't believe … Continue reading Sorry for the long hiatus. An update.
When the fear of travel creeps in
Stockholm and Alexandria were on my mind and in my travel plans this year. By now, you must already know what happened lately to these two cities: a truck being driven into a crowded shopping street in Stockholm and there was a church bombing in Alexandria during a Palm Sunday mass at a Coptic Christian Church just … Continue reading When the fear of travel creeps in
How I got my Japanese family name
I was doing the car registration renewal process a few days back when the Emirati guy behind the counter at Tasjeel chit chatted me while he holds my car registration card, "So you are Japanese? You have a Japanese family name and nationality but you look Filipino!" If I attempt to count this kind of … Continue reading How I got my Japanese family name
International Women’s Day and other updates
Hello, beautiful people. If you are a woman reading this blog, hope you had a great day so far today. And at least got offered a seat on a busy train, even just for today. 8 March is International Women's Day, an event held around the world to commemorate the struggle for women's rights. There … Continue reading International Women’s Day and other updates
My year 2016 in review in twelve blog posts
Another year is about to end, in like, a few hours. Ready or not, 2017 is just around the corner. How was your 2016? Was it full of (hopefully) good surprises? A couple of weeks ago at home, our house help blurted out, "It's a lonely/sad Christmas!" maybe because she misses Christmas in her home … Continue reading My year 2016 in review in twelve blog posts
5 Things I’m glad I did before turning 40
When 2016 rolled over, the first thing that came to my mind was - this is the year I will be 40. The thought of being four decades 'old' didn't actually bother me. But then the annual birthday blues hit me again. Around this time of the year, I just want to curl up in a … Continue reading 5 Things I’m glad I did before turning 40
Why I am no longer on Facebook
I first joined Facebook when my daughter's favorite teacher relocated to Australia in 2009 and asked me to get on this social media network so we can 'get in touch', so I could see her baby (she was pregnant that time). And I did. I opened an account and slowly slid my way through in … Continue reading Why I am no longer on Facebook
Finding Backroads 