Do Not, I repeat, DO NOT Study the Emirati Arabic...

...you have to SPEAK IT! 

When it comes to acquiring a new language, you have to USE it on a regular basis otherwise you will forget it. 

I am trying to relearn spoken Emirati dialect and re-familiarize with its culture (after three years) because I know that I am losing it. Yes, I am bringing my Emirati dialect back to life, I still have my old notes and keep on revisiting them. 

Recently I got a copy of this "Teach Yourself Gulf Arabic" book which I will tell you more later because I haven't gone through yet... though I aready have this feeling that my old notes are more helpful than this book. So judgmental, LOL. Worry not, I am still going to read and use/make it as a supplementary/resource book. 

And as I was browsing about learning Emirati language online, I have come across Emirati Arabic project (SERENDIPITY!), with a tag line of 'Making the Emirati culture and dialect of the Arabic language more accessible, fun and easy to learn." This project is really a great help for people like me who wants to speak the dialect and understand its culture and its people better. The best thing about this project is you'll be able to learn how you actually say the words and phrases because they have a YouTube channel where they just recently started their animated series. You can find them on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Tumbler and Google+ too. 

So happy learning speaking Emirati/Gulf Arabic everyone! 

page 190 of 365: Iftar Party

Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek

My 2nd time back in this nice and cozy place for our company's Iftar party. I'm so glad it's free. I love dressing up, meeting most of my colleagues and eating good food though last year's food was waaay better and greater. Check my IG for more photos.

-the end-

page 71 of 365: Annual Party

And we danced all night to the best party ever.. I think it went oh, oh, oh... 

My first time to attend a colorful and lively staff party. I was so excited to dress up and all. The event was really huge and it was held on a football pitch with massive crowds of more than 2,500. I believe everyone had fun watching the band / dancers / entertainers that night and enjoyed the grand buffet and unlimited beverages. 

Here's how it did look that night (photos taken from company website and colleagues):

Culture Blunder: Meeting Gone Wrong

Three years ago, a friend and I had a chance to meet up with a young Emirati lady for a certain project along with her friend (also an Emirati ). They were very nice and accommodating. And tried they very best to speak in English for our sake.

During the meeting, another young Arabic lady joined us and later two more elderly (an Arabic man and woman) from a local TV station. They started discussing in Arabic, they excused themselves though. The young Emirati lady was kind enough to explain what was going on and being discussed. 

Then the TV peeps said their byes to all of us. When they stood up from the table [non-Arabs, please take note!], everybody else rose for them, well, except me and my friend. See what we did there?

I only realized it later, when my friend mentioned it. When I asked her why she didn't rise for them she said she looked at me but I remain seated so she didn't bother, LOL. But seriously I cringed when I realized what we've done there. It was a total embarrassment. Felt guilty for being ignorante and insensitive. We weren't aware of this gesture. 

In the Philippines or at least from what I know, only the gents get up whenever a lady leaves the table. In which they seldom do it nowadays. LOL.

And that, my friends, was our first and sadly the last meeting.

Lesson learned: 1 of Emirati etiquettes or prolly in the Arab world — At a meeting or social gathering, everyone stands when an elderly or high-ranking person arrives or leaves the room / table.

page 16 of 365: Emirates Park Zoo, Abu Dhabi

My 2nd time in Abu Dhabi, we went to Emirates Park Zoo to visit the relatives and go wild with them, LOL. 

The Relatives

Meet The Other Relatives
You can interact with most of them, they are all very charming. No need to do anything to get their attention as they, themselves, will stick their head out as soon as they see you coming.

Other photos in my phone:

I almost dance when this group started singing Waka Waka at the entrance of the resort

Some of the covered walkways between the resort and the zoo

Outside the zoo, you'll find Al Dar resto which serves Arabic dishes

And finally, the most dangerous in the kingdom... who let her out?

page 2 of 365: Atlantis The Palm, Dubai

The day after new year, my sister told me to get ready as we are going to have some tastes of Sweden in Dubai aka super-late brunch at IKEA... which is approx an hour drive from my sis' place. So I just put a simple skater dress, slipped in a pair of flip flops and brought my corduroy jacket, just in case it's gonna get cold.

Don't worry this blog is not about the famous Swedish meat balls nor the grilled salmon we ate but after eating like a Swedish, they (sister and bil) decided to go to Atlantis,The Palm.. which was more than half an hour drive from IKEA. 

This trip, was unplanned and I wasn't dressed up for the "occasion". So imagine my shock, LOL. 

Atlantis The Palm, Dubai

So anyway, Atlantis that day was so jam-packed with holiday-makers so we opted for The Lost Chambers' Ambassador Lagoon experience for my nephew to enjoy...

originally posted on my Instagram: desireest

One of the ceiling murals / fantastic roof designs in Atlantis hotel

The Ambassador Lagoon, a remarkable exhibit contains ruins and artifacts from ancient Atlantis along with hundreds of species of marine life indigenous to the waters of the Arabian Gulf.

Imagine, 65 thousand aquatic animals glide together providing a glimpse of life beneath the waves.

You'll have fun watching graceful rays, reef sharks and schools of fish gliding between the mystical relics.

the most endangered specie, Ariel, the little mermaid under the sea no more. LOL.