Thousands of mainly Shi’ite protesters occupied Manama’s business district, turning the regional banking hub into a ghost town as they pressed their calls for democratic change from the Sunni Muslim monarchy.

The Saudi government said it had responded to a call for help from its neighbour as Saudi-led forces from the Gulf countries’ joint Peninsula Shield Force crossed the causeway separating the two countries.

‘The council of ministers has confirmed that it has answered a request by Bahrain for support,’ the Saudi government said in a statement carried by the SPA state news agency.

It said that under an agreement of the six-country Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), ‘any harm done to the security of a member state is considered a harm done to the security of all members.’

The exact make-up of the force was not known, but the United Arab Emirates also confirmed it was participating in the operation. The GCC groups Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Television footage showed convoys of unmarked, desert-brown coloured armoured vehicles crossing the causeway from Saudi’s Eastern Province into Bahrain, the home of the US Fifth Fleet.

The Shi’ite-led opposition alliance said any foreign force would be treated as an invading army.

‘We consider the arrival of any soldier, or military vehicle, into Bahraini territory… an overt occupation of the kingdom of Bahrain and a conspiracy against the unarmed people of Bahrain,’ said an opposition statement.

Helicopters buzzed overhead as protesters blocked access roads to the Financial Harbour business complex, a day after more than 200 people were injured there in clashes between riot police and demonstrators.

Sunday was the worst day of violence in the tiny Gulf kingdom since seven people were killed at the start of anti-regime unrest a month ago.

Shi’ite-majority Bahrain has transformed itself into a regional financial centre as it seeks to diversify its economy away from dependence on diminishing oil revenues.

But to many of the country’s disenfranchised Shi’ites the banking district is a symbol of corruption, wealth and privilege.

Police appeared to have deserted the area, while shopping malls and office towers were closed.

Protesters persisted with a sit-in at nearby Pearl Square, where activists were readying for a showdown with the security forces.

Most workers seemed to be following a trade union call for a general strike to protest against violence by the security forces.

The Saudi intervention comes two days after US Defence Secretary Robert Gates visited Manama and urged King Hamad to undertake rapid and significant democratic reform, not just ‘baby steps.’

Gates told reporters after the talks that Washington was concerned that the longer the instability dragged on the more likely Iran, a Shi’ite theocracy, was to try to meddle in Bahrain’s affairs.

On Monday, US National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor urged the Gulf states to ‘show restraint and respect the rights of the people of Bahrain, and to act in a way that supports dialogue instead of undermining it.’

In a major concession to the opposition demands, Crown Prince Salman on Sunday said he supported the creation of a parliament with full powers and pledged to tackle corruption and sectarian tensions.

But he warned that ‘legitimate demands should not be carried out at the price of security and stability.’

The opposition has refused to negotiate until the government resigns, a condition the country’s rulers have deemed unacceptable.

Foreign Minister Khalid Al-Khalifa, in comments posted on Monday on Twitter, accused the opposition of shifting their demands and likened the protesters to gangsters.

‘All goodwill gestures were not reciprocated by (protesters)… Look where we are now,’ he said, adding that demonstrations amounted to ‘wanton, gangster-style takeover of people’s lives.’

The mainstream opposition says it is not trying to overthrow the royal family, but more radical Shi’ite elements have said they want a republic.

Source

Source

(CNN) — Foreign troops arrived Monday in the strategically and financially important Persian Gulf kingdom of Bahrain after a month of citizen protests, the Bahraini government said.

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain’s giant neighbor to the west, appears to have provided at least some of the troops, who arrived under the banner of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

In a statement, the government described the troops as “coalition forces” but did not say what countries were represented. Their mission was equally vague: “The GCC Peninsula Shield coalition forces arrived in the Kingdom of Bahrain today following recent events, to help protect the safety of citizens, residents and critical infrastructure,” it said.

The Saudi state news agency said its government had responded to Bahrain’s request for help in view of the importance of security there.

Source

The Arab world woke from a lazy sleep when a series of people political protests a.k.a. “people power” and unrest swept across Egypt, Tunisia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Algeria, and Libya in a bid to demand for political reforms or overthrow the existing regime.

The match was lit when mass demonstrations swept Egypt which eventually toppled President Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year rule by January 2011; and in Tunisia, people power overthrew Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s regime.

Valentines Day was never the same again when anti-government protesters gathered at Bahrain’s capital Manama’s Pearl Roundabout. The protesters who are reportedly mostly from its Muslim Shiite sect demand political changes, while some demand the Sunni ruling family, the Al Khalifas to step down. This coincides with the fiery clashes in Libya between the government of Muammar Al-Gaddafi and the opposition. Gadaffi is said to be the longest ruling leader in the Gulf with a total of 42 years. The rest of mass demonstrations are still happening in Algeria, Kuwait, etc. as of this writing.

We can only watch in horror on what is happening around the world. We wake up the next day with the terrible news of an earthquake which hit New Zealand in its second largest city, Christchurch. Aside from that, oil spills, massive unrest, economic crisis, etc., and etc., have been our daily meals for a longer time. Are we going to be immune?

The world felt like spinning and spinning too fast that we can hardly catch up. If we feed ourselves with more bad news, we will never survive. Our common sense and tolerance will sure get down the drain if we don’t do something to balance up. What are we to do at these terrible times? Get immune? Be indifferent? Shrug our shoulders and block the realities? Sit on our comfort settees and ignore as long as we’re okay?

I choose to hold on to what good remains in this troubled world. I choose to hold on to my God who knows all things, sees all things, and will perfect all things. I choose to not fear and trust the Word. Let me quote Jesus Christ when He said: “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

May we find comfort on those words. The best antidote for all these evil happening around us is to bend our knees and pray. Light the match of hope in your heart. Wise words went something like this: “Hope is some extraordinary spiritual grace that God gives us to control our fears, not to oust them” (Vincent Mcnabb). Rekindle the fire of love, joy, peace and hope. Be strong, have faith, shine! It’s time to glow in the dark!

Every three days, more Americans die from sudden cardiac arrest than the number who died in the 9-11 attacks. You can lessen this recurring loss by learning Continuous Chest Compression CPR, a hands-only CPR method that doubles a person’s chance of surviving cardiac arrest. It’s easy and does not require mouth-to-mouth contact, making it more likely bystanders will try to help, and it was developed here at the University of Arizona College of Medicine.

Sarver Heart Center’s newest video was developed to make it easy for people to learn Continuous Chest Compression CPR. Dr. Ewy is hoping the video, which is posted on YouTube, goes “viral” and gives more people the opportunity to be lifesavers. “Every day people are asked to forward e-mails to their entire contact lists. This is one e-mail link that can truly make a difference in people’s lives,” said Karl B. Kern, MD, professor of medicine at the UA College of Medicine, who chairs the Sarver Heart Center resuscitation group.

Be a Lifesaver with Continuous Chest Compression CPR

If you see someone collapse who isn’t responsive and has trouble breathing:

1. Tell someone to call 911 or make the call yourself.

2. Position the person with the back on the floor. Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest (between the nipples) and the heel of the other hand on top of the first. Lock your elbows, position your shoulders over your hands and use your upper-body weight to “fall” downward. Lift your hands slightly each time to allow the chest wall to recoil. Try to compress at 100 beats per minute and about 2 inches deep until emergency help arrives.

Note: Mouth-to-mouth CPR still is recommended for drowning and very small children.

“This video is worth sharing,” said Gordon A. Ewy, MD, director of the UA Sarver Heart Center and one of the research pioneers who developed this method.

Source

Editor’s note: The following Philippine Daily Inquirer article is one of the most shared articles on OFW sites and blogs. Written in Filipino, it has been tossed around so much that many sites don’t even know who wrote it anymore. Some have edited it and put in their own remarks. It goes by different titles like, “Iba pa rin sa Pinas,” “Ang OFW ay Tao Rin” or “Pagpupugay sa OFW,” among others. It often comes with an introduction, like the one posted on qatarliving.com that says, “Here’s something for those with spouses, siblings, children, or relatives who are OFWs and especially those who hope to work abroad one day. This may help you better understand what it means to be an OFW.”

This is a translation of the original piece, published with the permission of its author, Saudi Arabia-based Filipino, Frederick Montilla Arceo.

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are not rich. We have this notion that when someone is an OFW or based abroad, he or she is loaded. Not true. An OFW might earn from P50K-P300K a month, depending on the location. Those in Saudi Arabia or the United States might earn in the high range. But to say that they’re “rich” is a fallacy (amen!).

Many Filipinos seek work abroad because their needs are great. They have so many mouths to feed. Often, 3/4 or half of their earnings go to paying school tuition fees for their children and keeping up with the family’s household expenses.

It’s hard being an OFW. You need to scrimp and save as much as you can. Yes, food can be good abroad but often you stick to paksiw or adobo or eggs in order to save money. Come the 15th or end of the month, the first thing you look up is the conversion rate of the peso to the dollar, rial, or euro.

It’s okay to make do with what little is left than let the family go hungry. Come leave time, you also have to have some money left because many relatives will be waiting at the airport or at home. You know how it is among Pinoys, word gets around that you are an OFW and it attracts a lot of kin.

If you don’t bring pasalubong (a traditional homecoming gift) they may feel slighted and say bad things about you. Well, not all. But I’m sure some OFWs here have had that experience. Abroad, OFWs are also looked at differently. Very many have experienced not getting their due or being discriminated against in workplaces. You just take it, keep going, cry it out alone, because you think how miserable your family would be if you packed up and went home.

Besides, you really can’t count on a job waiting for you back home. And prices of rice, milk, sardines, and apartment rentals are high. So you suffer on–even though you have to work with a lot of jerks (kahit maraming kupal sa trabaho), even though you are sick and have no one to take care of you, even though the food sucks and working conditions bad, even dangerous, and the job difficult. Then when you have remitted money home, everything seems okay again; you call, “hello! kumusta na kayo(how are you all doing)?”

OFWs are not unfeeling (Hindi bato ang OFW).

You are human–not money or cash machines. You get tired, lonely (yes, often); you get sick, hungry; you stop and think, too. You, too, need support, if not physically, at least emotionally or spiritually.

OFWs also grow old.

Those I have met and spoken to, many have receding hairlines or are balding. Most of them have signs and symptoms of hypertension, coronary artery disease, and arthritis. Yet, they continue to work thinking about the family they left behind. There are many abroad, after 20-30 years, that still have not put away a savings stash.

No matter how hard they work, they can’t seem to save enough. It’s painful when you know that the family you support back home still can’t make ends meet, that a child is a drug addict, a daughter, pregnant; and one’s spouse is in a relationship with someone else. It recalls that popular old song “Napakasakit Kuya Eddie.”

OFWs are heroes.

That’s true. I, for one, realized this only now, that OFWs really are heroes in so many ways. Not icons or household names like Nora Aunor or Flor Contemplacion but heroes in the truest sense of the word. They could surpass even Rizal or Bonifacio: They have braved more wars and conflicts in order to give their families a better life; they have battled more political intrigues just to keep their jobs in hostile environments; they have exhibited more patience than your usual congressman or senator in the Philippines–all because of the fear of losing that precious pay check.

OFWs are survivors.

Pinoys are survivors (Matindi ang Pinoy). They are more tenacious than rats or cockroaches which are said to be able to survive cataclysms. Yet for all their sacrifices, they have yet to see solutions or results.

OFWs are unlucky–unlike politicians.

They don’t sign autographs or give interviews to media (unless they were kidnapped); they stay on the sidelines. When they leave the country, they are sad and on the verge of tears. When they come home, the lucky ones are welcomed by relatives at the airport. But if they come home without money, relatives are hard to find.

If only OFWs had a voice in Congress like politicians who are financed by the Filipino people and don’t have to work under the hot sun, or get scalded by hot oil, or shouted at by foreign employers, or eat paksiw day in and day out to save money, or live in a compound with conditions less than favorable, and be forced to live with people with strange ways if only to be able to live. Politicians are lucky, really lucky.

OFWs are steadfast.

Stronger and more steadfast than soldiers or other groups you might know. They are masters of reverse psychology, negotiations, and counter-attacks. Will the OFWs last? Most likely because we still don’t know when change and progress will come to the Philippines. Will it come? Is there a chance?

Happiness is imagining yourself in the company of your loved ones every day, watching your children grow in a healthy and loving home. Happiness is eating sitaw, bagoong, lechon, inihaw na isda, taba ng talangka. Happiness is watching a Filipino movie, whether old reruns or new ones. There’s still nothing like knowing your neighbors.

There’s still no place like the Philippines, being with other Pinoys (well, except those with crab mentalities). There’s still nothing like being able to tell stories and know that others around you understand what you are saying. There’s really nothing like the sound of “mahal kita!”, “‘day, ginahigugma tika,” “Mingaw na ko nimo ba, kalagot!” “Inday, diin ka na subong haw? ganahan guid ko simo ba.” There’s really no place…like home.

Sige lang. Tiis lang. Saan ba’t darating din ang pag-asa. So be it. just suck it in and keep going Somehow, you hope, things will work out.

A little boy asked his father, “Daddy, how much does it cost to get married?”
And the father replied, “I don’t know, son, I’m still paying for it.”

Candy Love

Four-year-old Sam loved candy almost as much as his mom Sally did. He and Daddy had given her a beautiful heart-shaped box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day. A few days later Sam was eyeing it, wishing to have a piece of it. As he reached out to touch one of the big pieces, Sally said to him, “If you touch it, then you have to eat it. Do you understand?”
“Oh, yes,” he said, nodding his head. Suddenly his little hand patted the tops of all the pieces of candy. “Now I can eat them all.”
—————————————————-

A young woman was taking an afternoon nap. After she woke up, she told her husband, “I just dreamed that you gave me a pearl necklace for Valentine’s day. What do you think it means?”

“You’ll know tonight,” he said.
That evening, the man came home with a small package and gave it to his wife. Delighted, she opened it–only to find a book entitled “The meaning of dreams”.
—————————————————-

A guy walks into a post office one day to see a middle-aged, balding man standing at the counter methodically placing “Love” stamps on bright pink envelopes with hearts all over them. He then takes out a perfume bottle and starts spraying scent all over them.

His curiosity getting the better of him, he goes up to the balding man and asks him what he is doing. The man says, “I’m sending out one thousand Valentine cards signed, ‘Guess who?’”

“But why?” asks the man.

“I’m a divorce lawyer,” the man replies.
—————————————————-

A smart, handsome and sexy young man dressed in the most sophisticated manner walked into the bar. He noticed a woman staring at him without blinking her eyes with an open mouth. Flattered, he approached the woman and said in his sexiest deep voice – “I’ll do anything you wish, beautiful lady, for just $20 but on one condition.” The woman was trapped in a moment and asked as if in a trance – “What’s your condition?” The young man replied, “Tell me your wish in just three words.” After a long pause, woman opened her purse, counted the money and handed it to the man along with her address. She then looked deeply into his eyes and whispered, “Clean my house.”
—————————————————-

A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position. As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, “Relatives of yours?” “Yep,” the wife replied, “in-laws.”
—————————————————-

A very shy guy goes into a pub on Valentine’s Day night and sees a beautiful woman at the bar. After a long struggle with his shyness, he finally managed to walk over to her and asked her politely, “Um, would you mind if I give you company?” She made a furious face and yelled at the top of her lungs, “How dare you asked me to sleep with you tonight?” Everyone in the pub started staring at the man who was completely embarrassed. After a few minutes, woman walked over to him and apologized – “You see I am a student of psychology and studying how people respond to embarrassing situations. I am sorry but I was just doing my experiment!” The young man suddenly gave a loud yell, “What do you mean $200?”
—————————————————-

After a quarrel, a wife said to her husband, “You know, I was a fool when I married you.” And the husband replied, “Yes, dear, but I was in love and didn’t notice it.”
—————————————————-

A couple came upon a wishing well. The wife leaned over, made a wish and threw in a penny. The husband decided to make a wish, too but he leaned over too much, fell into the well, and drowned. The wife was stunned for a moment but then smiled, “It really works!”
—————————————————-

If you want your wife to listen and pay strict attention to every word you say, talk in your sleep.
—————————————————-

When a man opens the door of his car for his wife, you can be sure of one thing: either the car is new or the wife.
—————————————————-

First Guy (proudly): “My wife’s an angel!” Second Guy: “You’re lucky, mine’s still alive.”
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Valentine’s Day One-liners

* Love may not make the world spin around, but it certainly makes a lot of people dizzy.
* Here’s to love – the only fire for which there is no insurance.

Worst thing you can say on a first date

* I used to have a real bad bedwetting problem … but the last couple of weeks I’ve gotten it under control.
* I know we just met and this might seem a little sudden … but could I borrow five hundred dollars?
* I don’t see my ex-girlfriend that much … thanks to the U.S. Department of Justice.”
* Wait till my wife hears about this!
* I had a good time tonight. I’d love to see you again in six to eight months with good behavior.

Dear Wife,

I’m writing you this letter to tell you that I’m leaving you forever. I’ve been a good man to you for 7 years & I have nothing to show for it.

These last 2 weeks have been hell.

Your boss called to tell me that you quit your job today & that was the last straw. Last week, you came home & didn’t even notice I had a new haircut, had cooked your favorite meal & even wore a brand new pair of silk boxers. You ate in 2 minutes, & went straight to sleep after watching all of your soaps. You don’t tell me you love me anymore; you don’t want sex or anything that connects us as husband & wife. Either you’re cheating on me or you don’t love me anymore; whatever the case, I’m gone.

Your EX-Husband

P.S. don’t try to find me. Your SISTER & I are moving away to West Virginia together! Have a great life!

***

Dear Ex-Husband

Nothing has made my day more than receiving your letter.

It’s true you & I have been married for 7 years, although a good man is a far cry from what you’ve been. I watch my soaps so much because they drown out your constant whining & griping Too bad that doesn’t work. I DID notice when you got a hair cut last week, but the 1st thing that came to mind was ‘You look just like a girl!’

Since my mother raised me not to say anything if you can’t say something nice, I didn’t comment. And when you cooked my favorite meal, you must have gotten me confused with MY SISTER, because I stopped eating pork 7 years ago. About those new silk boxers: I turned away from you because the $49.99 price tag was still on them, & I prayed it was a coincidence that my sister had just borrowed $50 from me that morning.

After all of this, I still loved you & felt we could work it out. So when I hit the lotto for 10 million dollars, I quit my job & bought us 2 tickets to Jamaica But when I got home you were gone.. Everything happens for a reason, I guess.

I hope you have the fulfilling life you always wanted. My lawyer said that the letter you wrote ensures you won’t get a dime from me.

So take care.

Signed,
Your Ex-Wife, Rich As Hell & Free!

P.S. I don’t know if I ever told you this, but my sister Carla was born Carl. I hope that’s not a problem!

It was an event that’s meant to break the normal humdrum of our quiet nights. The air was teeming with excitement as production crew and performers alike run to and fro before the show started.

Gents and ladies wore casual get ups consisting of jeans, shirts, and since it was Bahrain winter, some of them wore shiny boots, scarves, and jackets. People piled up from seat to seat until finally, the lights went off, and the stage was set for a very unforgettable night…

A series of performers from different groups showcased their songs with live band accompaniment. The praise and worship line ups were indeed heart-warming and drew us closer to the Lord.

A little later, the curtains opened for a fresh surge of hot talent when the Worshipers in the Desert team hit the stage; kicking off with James Parmis’ rendition of “Hellsong.” (Hellsong is a Christian novelty song composed by Pastor Ogie Cayabyab in the Philippines). The song was so upbeat and funny that the crowd left their seats and danced their hearts away in front.

James went on with “Maging Sino ka Man,” composed by Cesar Molina from the album of the same title from Jesus is Alive Community Bahrain. Followed by Jimmel Galzote’s pop alternative performance of “Pagbuksan” and “Laging Nariyan.” Both songs were composed by Jimmel and belong to the same album, Maging Sino Ka Man.

The pop jazz “Laging Nariyan” with a Latin-Mexican beat, gave the crowd much fun that they formed a very long, single line and roamed the concert hall dancing.

When the crowd had mellowed, Jimmel sang “Maliligtas” and “Tayo Na” for the first time in public. Both songs were composed by John Yutuc and are reportedly may be produced in a single album by John himself and maybe in collaboration with JIA Bahrain.

The Worshipers in the Desert’s song finale gave an energetic boost that shook the place! “Tayo Na,” rendered by Jimmel, had all the back-up singers gather at the center of the stage and stimulate the audience with its fast, upbeat alternative-rock punch. “Tayo Na,” true to its message, urged the audience to live for Christ and celebrate life with Him.

It was indeed an unforgettable night of singing and dancing, not in worldly revelry but in godly devotion to the One, True, Lord—Jesus Christ. To God be all the glory!

HELLsong by James Parmis

Maging Sino Ka Man – James Parmis

It would have been better to write about lighter things such as a good recipe, love, a busy day, an experience, a movie, etc. But somehow some little guilt is ticking in our hearts when there are more important matters to write about, things that are current and with depth, things that are happening around us.

You cannot imagine the pain when you learn that one of your loved ones was included among the victims of terrorism in a public place, was a victim of murder, or other worse scenarios. Overseas workers like us cannot just sit pretty in a foreign land and ignore what’s happening to our country. If we had too much money, and if it possible, we could have migrated our entire clan to a more peaceful land. We could have started life anew and forget all the chaos our country is suffering at present.

The Scriptures says: “so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” (Philippians 2:15 NLT).

If there’s one thing the world needs now amidst the chaos… is for the children of God to shine. Let righteousness, purity, morality, goodness, faith, hope and love shine among our lives that darkness will be overcome. In this crooked generation, God is looking for good people who will arise and make a stand.

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” – Edmund Burke (1729-1797). This is a beautiful quote from the famous Irish statesman. It challenges us to do something, to look deeper around us, and it somehow gives us a challenge to bend our knees and call on the most powerful and sovereign Force who can save us all, GOD.

This is not the time to ignore the realities of a fallen world. We live in it and virtually, we have to survive. But we cannot undo things and prevent evil from striking. It’s all in the Book. It’s all going to happen as per the divine revelation. The world has an end and we cannot stop it. The world will become worse and worse, from evil to evil. But wait… there is surely a hope. And all hope is on Him who offers it: Him who will provide a way out; Him who will make a way for our salvation.

This is the time to shine brighter. Being indifferent of the chaos happening around the world make us to be salt without our saltiness and deserved to be trampled on the ground. God will hear His children’s cry. May we shine our light brighter and fight the darkness of this fallen world.

One cool January day, while on a car, I cannot help but remember that once upon a time in Bahrain, everything I see was new to me. Passing Jidhafs, Sehla, then Al Hashimi Center, I felt like 2005 was just yesterday. The road, the trees, the houses and buildings were bringing sparks to my eyes as I felt so excited to be in another country and to see foreigners instead of fellow countrymen. That time, I thought it was all a dream. There was a sense of disbelief and awe that for the first time in my life, I was a thousand miles away from home, geared up for a new life and some new adventures.

There are little things I would like to compare as I observed them from five years then. In 2005, the air was more fresh, the roads have less traffic, the flats were more cheap ranging at (Bahrain Dinars) BD 100 for a whole flat, and now your BD 100 is only equivalent to one room in a sharing flat.

The exchange rate was much higher then, at 1 BD = 150 Pesos. Unfortunately, my salary then was very low and I can’t remit money back home to my heart’s content. And now 1 BD = 115 pesos and below. What a difference!

The Labour laws have changed hamdalilah! (thank God). If you want to leave your company and transfer to another, you would have to pass on the hole of a needle, pay BD 1,000 or go home. Now the Law says you can leave anytime as long as you give a proper one month notice and comply with its Labour requirements. Bahrain is somehow free from the clutches of greedy sponsors who take advantage of little people.

Five years ago, there were no iphones, blackberrys, ipads, macbooks, etc. We were contented with our simple cellphones as long as you can “tok and tek” (talk and text, pun intended). Our desktop computers were not flat screened, was there skype that time?

The winter of 2005-2007 live up to its name. When you get out of your car or home, your teeth will chatter, your bones will hurt, your back is painful. I remember we would walk along the road wearing bonnets, hand gloves, double jackets, socks, and boots. Today, yuh, it is still cold but it has little difference with the cool Christmas weather in the Philippines. It is just cold not verrrrryyyyy cold! I wonder which one changed: the weather (as credited to global warming) or my body temperature has changed and I am somehow immune to the cold? I need some answers…

In those times, you don’t dare ask a BD 500 (= 75,000 Pesos at BD 150 rate) salary when you’re a local transfer and would like to work in an administrative position. You won’t have the guts then unless you’ve been in Bahrain for a longer time.

Five years ago, life was more simple. Friends come and go, some of them remain. Love was a little more exciting. You fall for someone of different nationality or you find someone like you who came to Bahrain to find life, to find a job, to find love.

Five years after, you have more than a grasp of what life is in a foreign land. You have survived, you have settled. You could have become rich or stayed without savings. Your life is not a matter for you alone to determine. God has already engraved you in the palms of His hands (Ref. Isaiah 49:16) and His plans for you is to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Ref. Jeremiah 29:11). Live life to the fullest and hold on to God’s promises that the next five… ten… fifty years will be much, much blessed! Shalom!