Classes Suspended or Not?

Despite of dusty weather, my daughter set early for school. She called her teacher to confirm today's class. But the answer was unpredictable. Class might be suspended, it might be not; depends on the weather condition.

While preparing our breakfast, I overheard my daughter Roni talking to her classmate updating her today's weather which myself verified later thru the internet.

So, a thunderstorm and rain is anticipated today. Because of the rain forecast, my daughter opted to stay at home. She will not take same risk again bought by the flood last year. That she was 15 hours stranded in the school bus; in between a transport to stay overnight at her school. They were 10 children in that bus. It happened so close to this day.

Some Sandstorm Facts

I had very little knowledge about sandstorm for years. I grow up in a tropical country and while I was hailed in my mother's province known as "The Land of the Howling Wind", Catanduanes. On 2007, I set foot in the Middle East where sandstorm is quite a natural phenomenon like typhoon in my home province. The constant experience had brought me to research facts about sandstorm. Since I am not a weather guru, let me share you a short article from Wikipedia.org.

A dust / sand storm is a meteorological phenomenon common in arid and semi-arid regions. Dust storms arise when a gust front or other strong wind blows loose sand and dirt from a dry surface. Particles are transported by saltation and suspension, causing soil to move from one place and deposition in another. 

Dust Bowl Image

The Sahara and drylands around the Arabian peninsula are the main terrestrial sources of airborne dust, with some contributions from Iran, Pakistan and India into the Arabian Sea, and China's significant storms deposit dust in the Pacific. It has been argued that recently, poor management of the Earth's drylands, such as neglecting the fallow system, are increasing dust storms from desert margins and changing both the local and global climate, and also impacting local economies.^[1]

The term sandstorm is used most often in the context of desertsandstorms, especially in the Sahara, or places where sand is a more prevalent soil type than dirt or rock, when, in addition to fine particles obscuring visibility, a considerable amount of larger sand particles are blown closer to the surface. The termdust storm is more likely to be used when finer particles are blown long distances, especially when the dust storm affectsurban areas.

[Source credits: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_storm]
[Photo credits: http://www.weru.ksu.edu/new_weru/multimedia/dustbowl/dustbowlpics.html]

Sandstorm Memory Lane

Common people would find sandstorm unpredictable. We may not know unless it happens. Nowadays, sandstorm can be forecast-ed because of the improved technology. 

Today, the grandmother city of the Kingdom is having a sandstorm. I’m thankful it’s moderate as it seems. I can still view big structures and the streets. Uh-oh, that was an hour ago. Now, it’s foggier! The sky looks nostalgic which drives me on to memory of a milestone.

I had my first sandstorm experience in Doha way back 5 years. It was memorable. I was assigned to work with a consulting team for Project Hilton Hotel. That time was the peak of construction. The team do regular rounds on site every morning. But that day was different, my colleagues and I went outdoor to take pictures in the midst of sandstorm. It isn’t bad at all! I thought it was literally raining sand like a typical one back home, lols! I was surprised that the sandstorm was as fine as a flour.

Below are few photos of my first sandstorm memories: 

My first sight of sandstorm in Doha City.

A frenzy feeling of a child out on the first rain, err, sandstorm!

I played on this a bit, I forget I was suppose to show sandstorm on site.

I was clueless about sandstorms way back many years. Until I set foot on 2007 to the land of vast sandbox, the Middle East. From there, I started embracing a new way of life including its climate and the sandstorm in particular. 

Picnik Saying Goodbye?

Oh no, no, no! Tell me, it's not true!

So, it's true then. I'm darn sad of the news! It's a real lost on my side who is a non-pro of anything graphics. Picnik is one of my favorites. I'm one of those million users find Picnik a generous and useful site. For years, Picnik is like a virtual friend helping me to set-up a customized graphics in my blog, my photos turned  awesome of its effects, enable me to create a great collage for keeps and a  text feature that authenticate my own photos and more! I've been to several sites with the likes but Picnik has surpassed them all! Kudos to all in the team, you did a great job! Just a regret, you are saying goodbye.

Thank you my friend. I will miss you, Picnik...

 

Starting Anew this 2012

Belated Happy New Year!

Indeed new, my first post this 2012 to a newly published blog. 

After several months of been here and been there, finally I was back to blogging arena.

Nah, I didn't go somewhere. You might suppose I've traveled. :) But technically yes, I've been into a roller coaster ride of life that's quite overwhelming for awhile. But I thanked God, despite of the "ups and downs", I was able to reach other end peacefully. The hiatus had bought me to my inner sanctuary to gather myself once again including the thoughts of continuing the blog writing.

I learned to live by this saying every moment I face tough times in life:

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

In simple thoughts, in every rain there's a sunny day after. Confident of the certain promise this saying possess; this year's perspective would be promising.

• Setting a better financial goal
• Healthy Habits
• Restoring relationships
• Planning ahead a retirement scheme
• Extending help for missions
• To invest another property

I'm thankful, by His grace the every vital aspect of my life will be for better. Truly, this works for those who believe that God always have a better way out for His children to overcome trials victoriously.