Golden Tiara

Saudi License Renewal

2012-03-05T11:02:00.000+03:00

Today I woke up so early to get to the Saudi Council Commission Office to renew my Saudi License Card. I have prepared all the necessary requirements the night before. My card had expired last December 2011, and I cannot apply to other hospitals if I will not renew my card.

The Saudi Commission Lobby


The Reception and query area for Men

I arrived so early that I was number two when I got a number from the machine. When I sat down and greeted the receptionist, I told her that I want to renew my license under the "not working" category. Why is that so, it's complicated! My sponsorship is still with my husband, not with the previous hospital that I had worked with. Anyway, she asked for my original license card and my current employment certificate. She entered something in the computer and asked for my original IQAMA. Then again she asked me to pay for 150.00 SR for the renewal fee. By the way, this is the most important thing, all payment transactions inside the commission are made thru credit card ONLY, no cash payment.

I waited for about 10 minutes and she presented me a new card with an active license until December 2012. I asked her if she needs anything more, then she replied , nothing more.

I was amazed by how easy the process was. I didn't expect that despite all the preparation I did, it would only take fifteen minutes at most and good thing was I didn't have to come back. What a great relief, now I can go back to the hospital I'm eyeing to be my future employer. :)

The requirements for Medical Technician renewal are the following:

Saudi Council Re-Registration Form (to be filled-up)
30 original CME certificates, BCLS
MOH License
Passport copy and Iqama (Residence Permit Card) copy
2 recent photos (2x2)
Original Saudi Council Registration Card
Saudi Council Accreditation certificate copy only

The requirements for Medical Specialist renewal are the the same listed above except for bullet number 2, which should be 60 CME hours certificates.

Golden Tiara

Riyadh - Saudi Arabaia

2012-03-03T15:22:00.000+03:00

Kingdom Mall
One of the nicest and the tallest building here in Riyadh.

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the city capital of the country. You think Riyadh is just plain deserted area? Well think again! I'm gonna show you how it looks like living here. Check out some of the pictures below. Riyadh has so many malls and beautiful buildings to visit to. You just need some to plan your visit specially you have to be keen when would be the next sale season is. And of course with the planning to shop, it goes with ample budget as well. :)

It's only some of the highlights of the place, I haven't sub categorized it yet, but I'll do that on my next post. I promise it'll be more organized and more detailed.
For now, just enjoy the cyber views!

Faysaliah Mall

Ritz Carlton Hotel

Ministry Of Interior

Riyadh View at night

Royal Mall

Centria Mall

Sahara Mall

King Fahad Stadium

The Seven Bridges

Tahalia Street @ Night

Al Qasr Mall

Riyadh Gallery Mall

Granada Mall

Golden Tiara

Sandstorm Aftermath

2012-02-29T06:40:00.001+03:00

I was at home spending time with my little one, when I heard a bang in my room's window glass.

Oh No! It's sandstorm! Sandstorm usually characterized by a heavy strong wind, with a dusty vague color red orange sky. Sometimes it accompanies with little or heavy rain. It seldom occurs all year round, approximately three to five times a year. It also indicates a change of weather, from winter to summer or the other way around.

I cannot see anything outside from afar. If you are out driving or crossing the street, just be cautious because the street has zero visibility. In times like this, you have to wear mask to protect you from the dusty wind.

The sandstorm aftermath is so difficult, because you will have a lot of cleaning up to do. So much dust in all places in the house! Pictures below were the actual photo during and after the thirty minutes episode of sandstorm!

Vague view of the street during the sandstorm

The sandstorm aftermath cleaning to do! :(

And Another One! :(

Golden Tiara

Glimpse Of Saudi: Janadriyah Festival 2012

2012-02-29T06:39:00.002+03:00

Glimpse Of Saudi: Janadriyah Festival 2012

Golden Tiara

Janadriyah Festival 2012

2012-02-29T06:38:00.002+03:00

Janadriyah Festival is a national heritage and folk cultural festival. Located 45 kilometres outside Riyadh, geographically at the back of King Khaled International Airport plays hosts to the cultural festival annually. Traditional activities, including folk dances, camel races, arts and crafts exhibits as well as poetry readings are showcased for the entire duration of the festival—it lasts for two weeks and is organized by the National Guard. It also include miniature replica of Saudi's various ministries and other government agencies.

Many people come to this annual event, not only Saudis but also expatriates like me. This time as I have witnessed the event, it's a bit crowded, men, women and children went together in one place. There are also a lot of food stall in the area, so no need to worry about getting hungry. It's a little expensive for about 2 to 3 riyals difference from the main price. There were also abundance of street vendors selling traditional headbands, flowers, and I could't believe they're selling Jasmine (Sampaguita) which are abundant in my native land. They were also giving give-aways and souvenirs in each miniature places that you visits, like pictures, caps, etc.

The vicinity is safer than I thought. There were ambulance cars and military officers all over the place. So I had a peace of mind. If you are an artistic person and enjoy looking on artifacts and knowing historical events, and like walking as well, this is the place for you. But if you are an active adventurous type of person, this will just bore you to death.

Take a look on some of my pictures taken during the festival, and check out my photoblog "Glimpse of Saudi" for more captured moments. :)

My "Sampaguita" (Jasmine) Tiara

A native selling a Sampaguita (Jasmine) necklace

Golden Tiara

Palawan - Puerto Princesa

2012-02-29T06:37:00.002+03:00

April2011 -- We arrived in Puerto for a three days and two nights get-awaywhere we stayed at The Legend Hotel. The hotel was just few minutes awayfrom the Puerto Princesa airport. The Staff were pleasant and accommodating.

We asked the hotel staff where we could have a superb lunch, and they havesuggested the Badjao Sea Food Restaurant. We went there via"tricycle" transport, the Philippines is well known for that kind oftransportation if you're planning to go nearby, in addition to that it has avery cheap fare. The restaurant was located above the sea that's why it'scalled the floating restaurant. The food is good to taste but not of anabundant serving for it's price. With lots of mangrove trees under therestaurant and you can actually go down and take a near view of it.
After that we went to the town proper again, with the help of the tricycledriver whom we call Manong (mister), who waited for us until we finished eatingour lunch.
In the town Proper we bought some souvenirs for pasalubong (gift) andsome dried squids for a very reasonable price.

Inour first night, we went to one of the bar in the plaza and we had a relaxingnight listening to the band singing the audiences favorite songs upon requestit.

Thenext morning we had our breakfast buffet in the hotel, that was includedin our package tour. After that we were informed that in the next two hours weare going to go to the Underground river cave, which is also included in thepackage. If it's not included and you will avail it from the hotel, it would costyou probably like 1,800 pesos/head.

Weused a van going to the area of the underground river together with othertourists. It took us 2 hours including stop over to get there. On our stopover, we were in a resort where we had our lunch, which was included in theunderground river package tour. It had a very nice white sandy beach that it'sirresistible that I took off my clothing (I was wearing a swimsuit underneath)and dive-in into the water. The water was warm, very clear and clean. It's likeyou were in Boracay! :)

Uponarrival in the underground river island, you will be asked to register yourname and where you came from. The staff then will ask you to wear life vest andhead gear. You will be grouped by corresponding number of people that a"bangka" (small boat) can accommodate. Then you will be headinginside the cave, without any lights only a portable flashlight. From the momentwe entered the cave, the crystal stones and minerals formed were captivating!You will be amazed by what nature had created over a hundreds and eventhousands of years ago. Worth the adventure and the money spent.

Wehave known from the natives that it will save us money if we are going to go tothe ISLAND HOPPING TOUR with just by ourselves. So on our third day, we went tothe docking area where the Island Hopping tour starts. We hailed a"tricycle" to get there. From there we registered and paid for awhole "bangka" to get us to all 5 islands, Coral islands, Bat island,Snake island, Pandan island and I forgot the 5th one. All of the beaches wereparadise! Except for the Bat Island where we didn't docked in, becauseaccording to our guide, the land is so muddy that it's very difficult to walkon. We finished by after lunch and headed back to hotel for checking out. At thesame time our flight going back to Manila was at 5pm that same day. :)

Itwas my first time in Puerto Princessa Palawan, and it took my breath away! Theplace was very spectacular. If you are a nature loving and adventurous personas well, Puerto Princessa is best for you! Nature Adventure in one placeindeed. I can say that surely I will come back when time permits me. Check outmore of the pictures of Puerto Princesa below. :) --- thea

This was the restaurant we had our first lunch . We took a tricycle to reach there for a reasonable fare.

The servings they serve for a not so costly price.

Some of the souvenirs I saw in the plaza.

I was amazed by this big wood face carvings! :)

A Cashew Nut Tree.

Along the Road going to the Underground river spot, we can see the end of the cave of the Underground River, the white wall.

This is one of the nice beaches in Puerto Princesa which I took a swim before heading to the Under ground river.

Nice Clear blue green water!

In Palawan, natives eat what they call Tamilok (wood worm) and they made it a practice specially the guides to challenge the tourist/visitors to eat some. LOL

I was about to ride on a boat going to the Underground river cave, and it would took us 30 minutes to get there

This is where we docked our boat going to the cave, From here, you have to walk a few meters to get in the registration area of the cave adventure.

A local government campaign lead by their City Mayor before Puerto Princesa Underground River Cave became and was announced as one of the 7 Nature wonders of the world.

This is the usual fare when you don't go by the packages. The picture below was the cave's mouth where you will all pass through.

On our third day, we rented our own Bangka going to the 5 islands known for it's Island Hopping Activity. The picture above this was the aerial view of the 5 islands that tourists visit for the said activity. You can avail the package or you can go by your own. Going on your own can saves money as well as your time if you are in a hurry like us. You can ask the natives in town on how to get there, the people are wonderful, friendly and warm, so there would be no problem about asking.

Bat Island -- Known to have so many bats at night. And nobody particularly tourist are allowed to dock there because of the very muddy soil.

Heading towards Isla Pandan

A very nice beach of Isla Pandan

Golden Tiara

Davao - Scuba Adventure

2012-02-29T06:35:00.001+03:00

Davao - Scuba Adventure

September 2010 - Aerial view going toManila, Philippines :) When I arrived in Manila, I tasted some of the nativedelicacies only made in my native land Philippines.
One of my favorites andcraving the most was the maggang hilaw with bagoong! hmm Yummy! I also did notlose the chance to eat in our famous fast food chain Jollibee! :) Native Foodsin Manila.
Hmmm yumyum! I'm ready to eat! Manggang hilaw with bagoong! (unripeMango with salted fish) Jollibee Value Meal! =) After few days of staying inManila, I traveled to Davao to visit my relatives...

Golden Tiara