Term 7 is finally done! Waiting for September to seal the degree of Bachelor of Culinary Arts and off to Santa Catalina Island Company , USA as Culinary Arts Management Trainee.
Wow! My emotion is soaring high, I won’t tell you how many times I edited and deleted my words because I know my Chef Kevin doesn’t like drama and flares, he rather take in, all the positivity and let the negativity inspires him to move on. But I would like to share with you that it wasn’t an easy ride for both of us.
“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them. and you will have them. ” Mark 11:24
My budget was only for two years and I told him, if in any case I can’t send you anymore to finish your Bachelors degree, please find a job and continue to pursue your dream. There’s no point of stopping! We tightened our belt, closed our eyes to the things that we don’t need and can afford to do without. I borrowed money from here to there. While others are building their mansions and buying properties,acquiring signature bags and jewelries..I am working hard, saving every amount I can. Every salaries ,it only took seconds in my hand, it goes to pay bills and debt. Kevin was able to adjust to the standard of living and not to the luxuries of other students who has both parents to pay the bills. It was not only financial problem but also adjusting to the new environment, to the new system ,meeting and dealing with different people with a different culture. Being alone in a foreign land without a family to run to every time a mishap happens was a difficult if not the saddest part of being by yourself. I won’t bore you to go on details the low and high moments of what happened in three years but I can share a few :-)..I know..i can hear MOM!!! hahaha
Look at this shoes..this is love..this is hard work..this is the future..
200K tuition fees for 3 years, living expenses, ticket fares etc– going to College at a tender age of 17, knowing the budget is only for two years, the uncertainty..the pressure of finishing on time doubled or even more..
– finishing the full 7 terms in three years, leading to Bachelors Degree is an incredible journey and an awesome accomplishment. My eldest son quotes that stayed on my mind when he was giving his advise to my youngest son.
“Make your own mistake and learn from it , DON”T COPY OURs “
– getting sick all alone by yourself especially the car accident, losing money to bad people, travelling alone with only less than 20 Swiss franc or sometimes only 20 Saudi riyal 🙂 unfortunately at times, we blamed credit cards that doesn’t work!
– working hard on the job training, sometimes you don’t share because you know the weight on my shoulder are already too heavy to carry by one person only.
– and on top of all the difficulties, there was also Dad’s infidelity rumours, those sharp tongue came like sword lashing every strength I have (gossips of mindless people). With your pale lips, trying to smile and gave me comfort, I saw a brave man mightier than I thought; you gave me an extra boots to let it go. There were also people who were so envious of sending you to Switzerland and made an obnoxious remarks of where will I get money? Are you serious? duh! am I committing a sin? Switzerland? If a normal office clerk man can send his son in UK what about a Cosmetic Dentist mom? Does this make sense?
With all the adversity….you took it with profound sanity..pound by pound,moment by moment..
My son, Kevin, I am proud of the young man you’ve become, finishing College at age 20! You showed courage ,confidence and dignity that every parent would like to see in their young adult son or daughter. I am honoured to be a part of your journey and I know in every chapter of your life there is always a new beginning. And this is it! another country, another culture, another experience and I wish you all the happiness and good luck to a new adventure; my nomadic Chef! Explore the world, gather all the spices, make a fusion of each continents’ dishes and make your own signature dish, your own secret spice and conquer the world’s cuisine! Whoa! dream BIG! its free 🙂
This is how you begun your journey at a age 17. One day will come that you will be standing in front of your own restaurant or bistro 🙂Ladies, did your eyebrow dropped and your mouth opened with an “O”?, don’t worry I won’t take it against you, because I took it as a challenge and not an obstacle and I can assure you, slowly and surely we will hit the goal!
” I rather spent my money in my son’s education and see a good future ahead of them..than spent It in a beautiful house with an empty mind.”
To my real friends and my special friend..Thank you for all your support,drying my tears and joining my craziness 🙂 to my 2 brothers here in Jeddah, my boss and staff, thank you for always standing by and to my princess patient who always give a good tip 😉 for my Chef Kevin.
To my eldest son, Edgie thank you so much, I couldn’t do it easier and better without you on my side, thank you for being a confidante and an arbiter between us 🙂
and to all the people around the world who in one way or another my Nomadic Chef Kevin have had share moments, thank you for the experience !
Thank you Cesar Ritz College ( Culinary Arts Academy of Switzerland)
Friday the 13th when we started talking about going on road trip to see the 2015 Guinness World records – The Largest Carpet of Flowers in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. The Flower festival was opened to the public Feb. 9 ,2015. A week after ,there was no available car to take us all and surprise! the Festival got extended to March 1 , lucky us 🙂 My friend got his new car and off we went ..336 Km from Jeddah to Yanbu – 3 hrs and 12 minutes. And another lucky day for us, we were under the care of a very hospitable friends of friends 🙂 we arrived in Yanbu just in time to have lunch.
Yanbu al Bahr “spring by the sea” is simply called Yanbu, a very clean and well organised road of Al Madinah western province of Saudi Arabia.After lunch, we went around china harbour (I don’t have an idea about the name) why not yanbu harbour?
The 9th Flower Festival in Yanbu started Feb 9 – 24 but extended until March 1. I am not sure what time it opens regular days but every Friday it opens at 4pm, there’s no entrance fee, it is open for the public. Again, there was no brochure and I noticed there was no sign or card names to identify what kind of flowers was planted. However, It is fascinating to note, this is a dessert and to grow flowers like that is really amazing!
entrance to the festivalflower portrait of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosque King Salman
World’s largest carpet of flowers – 10712.75 sqm(s) created by Royal Commission landscaping and Irrigation Department, Yanbu Saudi Arabia – officially Amazing!
look at the smiles 🙂
there were also souvenirs for sale ,fresh flowers and plants and a place to buy foods and drinks after a long walk .
I always look forward for a day rest on weekend but when my friend says we have to go somewhere..GO! hahaha that’s me! My foot has an addiction to roam around anywhere!
As far as I know this is the second day of “Old Jeddah Festival” Jan.16,2015. Our car was parked about one kilometre away from the site.Downtown Jeddah (Balad) is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The festival is open for 10 days and its free entrance for everyone. The buildings were lit with different colors of light, there were guards, ushers and usherettes to guide which way to go.One thing missing were leaflets for guest like us, who can’t understand arabic, at least for us to know whose house, what stories behind the building,.. for us to better appreciate the history and reconnect the past to the present.
Jeddah wallold building
Mostly of the building windows are adorned with wooden lattices. The place were full with local and expatriate people. It was hard for me to take a good shot, I was afraid to lose my valuables and be left by my friends. The hustle and bustle of the festival was overwhelming.
this man not only has a good smile but he showed us how the old houses were built.
weighing scale for his fruits
the stamp maker
halib maker (milk ice cream? )
yoghurt seller
clay maker
old currencies
the traditional dress
knife sharpening
weighing scale
Beautiful girls and ladies of the night ..of course the gentlemen too!
Colourful display of food,tea cup, materials and equipments.
Old Dental equipment and forceps 🙂
old mosque under construction
It was a Funfair evening which ended up into a stressful night for me. To make the story short, I sprained my foot (mid section) as I was moving the chair back to stand up, I guess I was not paying attention or it’s me.. my old “ME” so much of laughter and accidents do happen at times 🙁 I am lucky my friends were all boys scout and girls scout. The first aid treatment was superb! I was able to walk and work the following morning 🙂
First road trip for 2015 ..the long winding road going to Taif, Saudi Arabia with an elevation of 1,879 m on the slopes of Al sarawat mountains. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ta’if
nanay aurea
This is also Nanay Aurea first road trip outside Jeddah. Our plan was just to have an early sunrise breakfast to our favourite “sand dune” but decided to go further and have lunch At Al Shifa mountain.
A breezy morning to unwind, as we ascended to the mountain, Nanay aurea was quiet for some time, wondering whether the road has an end. At times, she asked questions like..why there are so many tires on the road? In the Philippines old car tires can be reuse and recycle to a flower pot holder, a swing ,chairs and table etc.She was murmuring “marami nang manginginabang sa atin nito” a lot of people will earn from these old tires. In unity, we all nodded our heads.
Dongyan of Sand dune
Once we passed by police check point, she readily took out her passport and got worried that her visa is only in Jeddah 🙂 to our amusement we told her, her deportation back home is imminent 🙂 hehehe of course not!
Her amazement of how the road was constructed echoed on how hard it is for her to relate the story to her friends back home. 🙂 me too Nanay Aurea ..I share your sentiments 🙂 I took a lot of pictures and I can’t decide which one to upload. Alas! I choose candid street photos! Alright friends..don’t roll your eyes on me!
fresh juices
fruits and vegetables
tea vendor
Taif is also famous for agricultural products like pomegranate, grapes and other fruits. There are also baboons on the street in which tourist have fun feeding them..oh wait! the last time I know they only eat banana but now they also eat arabic bread! huh? oh yes!
baboons in Al Hada
Rock climbing anyone?
house in the middle of the mountain
What about lunch? Chicken grilled on rocks!
among other menu 🙂
The road was so foggy when we reached the top of Al Shifa mountain, the hot chicken is now cold chicken on the rocks 🙂
After Lunch, we headed back home, Nanay Aurea asked what we did? hahaha we only ate Grilled Chicken, so next time..I wonder if Nanay Aurea will ever ask grilled chicken for lunch,..ever!
Oh! before I forget, what was the comment of Nanay Aurea on grilled chicken?
“amoy arabo ang chicken”..the chicken smells like the arab guy who was selling it 🙂 in fairness..the taste was superb! not the guy..the grilled chicken o la la 🙂
Third day of the conference, my chef Kevin was still not feeling well so after I’m done, we went strolling along the Dubai mall.
What a festive atmosphere in Lafayette Galleries!
I wish Jeddah would have something like this too 🙂 probably,.. in many long years? well, not really sure 🙂
not only that..what about ham, pork and other foods ohh yes, we can’t have like this in Jeddah, not in million years!
Actually, we would like to have a hot Thai soup to soothe chef Kevin’s sore throat unluckily, we were not able to reserve, so we opted to just go for a fast-food at the terrace of Outback steak, the food was not that great, so we just enjoyed looking at the Dubai fountain.
Not much to write though, we ended the night early for another day ahead.
First day of Dental-Facial Cosmetic Conference at Jumeirah Beach hotel and of course, looking at the ceiling is my way to get a snap shot of anything that catches my eye 🙂
After a day of workshop, time to unwind and what else to do?
Dinner date with Chef Kevin at La Parilla- an Argentine American Restaurant at the 25th floor of Jumeirah Beach hotel with live band and Argentine dancing.
While waiting for our food we got the chance to see the spectacular skyline view of Dubai. The terrace location was excellent !
Dubai skylineBurj Al Arab
and finally dinner is serve!
With a live band playing Argentine music, how I wish ..I practice my dance move so I can beg and pull my son to dance with me 🙂 … in my dreams.
Oh! If he was feeling well and in the mood,… I might be lucky!
nope!..I ‘m not rolling my eyes! neither you! I guess 🙂
Ladies, If ever you’re in Dubai, don’t forget to visit this place!
The 9th Flower Festival in Yanbu started Feb 9 – 24 but extended until March 1. I am not sure what time it opens regular days but every Friday it opens at 4pm, there’s no entrance fee, it is open for the public. Again, there was no brochure and I noticed there was no sign or card names to identify what kind of flowers was planted. However, It is fascinating to note, this is a dessert and to grow flowers like that is really amazing!
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