Just when you think that Iftar always has to be an Arabic dinner, Eataly has created a special menu for breaking your fast during Ramadan with an Italian twist . Cherry and I were invited to grace the Iftar preview in Eataly at the Dubai Mall a few weeks back.

We were served with breads and a glass of Jallab while waiting for our orders to be served. As I've read and as what Mark has also been telling me, fasting during Ramadan is usually broken by eating dates first, so I thought having it in a form of a drink was a brilliant idea.

We got to visit another burger haven in Dubai a few weekends back. Mark got invited by his client, who happens to be the owner of Burger Hood, to try out their specialties, so he tagged me and Cherry along. Yay! :D

Burger Hood was initially opened to serve high-quality gourmet burgers to Abu Dhabi’s community, until it eventually branched out in Dubai. And I'm sure glad that they did. :D

Ramadan is drawing near and is expected to begin in barely a couple of weeks from now. Although we have Filipino Muslim brothers back home, I never really knew anything about Ramadan, except for them having to fast and pray for the whole month. And I, being a Catholic and a first-timer in the UAE, am very much excited to finally get to witness and have a first-hand experience of Ramadan.

I only knew of Ramadan as having to fast for hours until sundown, when everyone then gets to go to prayer, break their fast, and eat. It was only until I got an invite for a pre-Ramadan Iftar (Arabic term for breakfast; the evening meal when Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset) that I knew that breaking the fast would also mean having a feast, an extravagant feast I must add, and that almost all hotels and restaurants here offer sumptuous and lavish feasts for Iftar.

Cinco de Mayo, is celebrated in the United States and in Mexico on May 5 and it is a significant breakthrough in Mexican history. It celebrates the Battle of Puebla, when a small contingent of Mexican soldiers, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, defeated Napoleon III's formidable army.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo

Aside from it being a celebration of independence, it's also a great excuse to enjoy delicious Mexican food! :D Mark and I were invited to the Cinco de Mayo celebration at Rosa Mexicano, but since we couldn't make it on the day itself, we were given the chance to commemorate this special event the day after. :p

Hi everyone! I'm sharing this fund raising and fitness event organized my good friend since childhood, Majoy. She's now a dance fitness instructor (Zumba, Zumba Gold, Hip Hop, and JFH) in Sydney Australia. She will be in the Philippines next week and she's organizing a Zumba class for her birthday. Proceeds will go to a local charity, called Home of Love Orphanage, in our hometown in the Philippines.

Home of Love takes care of orphaned children and babies who were abandoned by their parents because of poverty, amongst other reasons. The funds will help them provide for these children as they solely depend on donations. This means that your dollar will help them buy milk and diapers for the babies, as well as clothing and books (and education!) for the older children.

For more details about the orphanage please visit http://graceybwebber.wix.com/home-of-love or https://www.facebook.com/HomeOfLoveOrphanageTheSionyFoundation?fref=ts

Details:

6th June 2015 - Saturday

3:00 to 3:50PM -1st class

4:10 to 5:00PM - 2nd class

Registration Fee:

PHP 100 per person

PHP 50 for Crestwood homeowners

(Crestwood Homeowners are kind enough to lend the venue for free)

What to wear: your usual workout clothes (or anything comfortable) and cross trainers

What to bring: water and towel

Where: Crestwood Clubhouse (please send Majoy a message if you need help with the direction)

WHY JOIN: this event will give you a fun cardio workout and at the same time the opportunity to help orphaned kids get a better life =)

If you are unable to attend but would like to donate, you may do so by doing a bank transfer (for those in the Philippines and in Australia) or by donating via GOFUNDME (for all other countries):

BANK TRANSFER: PHILIPPINE DONATIONS

BDO ACCOUNT

Mary Joyce Clemente

Account: 4030137760

BANK TRANSFER: AUSTRALIA DONATIONS

Mary Joyce Clemente

Commonwealth Bank of Australia- Victoria Ave. Chatswood

BSB: 062140

Account: 1095 0759

OR you may also donate online at http://www.gofundme.com/vtyjjg

Majoy is hoping to raise $800 from this event and she will update everyone with the total $$ donations. Let's all help her meet her goal and raise even more funds! Thanks everyone!!!

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PRESS RELEASE

Pullman Dubai Deira City Centre is ready to nourish you and your loved ones with a variety of offers to enjoy this Holy month of Ramadan.

Gather your family around the table and relish the Ramadan feast for Iftar and Suhoor prepared by Executive Chef Andreas and Chef Mama’s pan-Arabian delights, traditional sweets and savoury delicacies with a Moroccan twist. With its mouth-watering buffet and best family- friendly setting in town, Medley is the ideal place of choice to experience the true spirit of the month.

Prolong your experience at Pullman Dubai Deira City Centre’s Azure lounge by choosing your favorite flavour of Shisha from 13 different options while gazing over Old Dubai’s skyline.