|Edit: published January 30, 2019|
First, I am not a professional photographer. I just wanted to explore the world with my camera.

I am a lazy photographer and I always rely on Fujifilm's auto-focus capability and I am mesmerized by amazing bokeh as much as anybody would. That pro-like photo and subject separation is my Instagram photo inspiration.

This is why I was intrigued by the famous swirly bokeh of the Helios 58mm series. Output is pretty much as they claim it would be — lovely swirly bokeh even on striking ambient light.

It has soft focus, perfect for portrait shots

Swirly Bokeh : Fujifilm XT10 with Heliod 44-3 58mm Lens

I have it for over a year or two now but I don't really use it much because it is such a drag to use manual lenses especially if you're travelling a lot.

I had fund playing with it but it is definitely not a go-to lens.

Here are some of the Frequently Asked Question for application of South Korean Visa in Qatar

Jammin' early 00's music, I realized how time flies, how time changes you, how different or similar you are from yesterday.

I started blogging in 2017, not too long but I'm already in the brink of giving up. Is it too early? Or it's simply not my passion? I remember when my friends advised me to make a blog to be with them during events. Soon enough, I've been tagged along on some Qatar Blogger's meet up and more.

It sure is fun and who wouldn't say no to free stuffs?

It is however the feeling of commitment to posting stuffs on your personal social media to satisfy the host establishment that made me stay out of the game — the feeling of not being my true self rather.

On another note, I am proud of Qatar based Filipino b/vloggers that are rising in Qatar now. Passion is the key in succeeding in whatever path any person will take. Salute!

I might still write some topic that interests me, who knows? As long as I do things to my satisfaction, my happiness. :)

Because in a world with billions of people, the race is not against anyone else, and there's no one to impress but your old self.


A better me,

Meloi 2019 ;)

View this post on Instagram

My 2019 Mantra: Live in the moment

A post shared by Melody Rose 🌹 ميلودي روس (@ms.melodyrose) on Dec 28, 2018 at 3:30am PST

What is VFS? 

In layman's term, they are third party or middle-man for visa processing of numerous countries. In this case, I've applied for Schengen Visa - The Netherlands.

Set an appointment

No walk-ins allowed so I advise to set an appointment first to make it just right on time in completing all the requirements. As the schedule shown in their portal is a week late and is filling up so fast. (link here)

What are the requirements?

Download the requirements/checklist in this link.  Below are excerpts from the checklist, however, i have included some tips to guide you further.

• Application Form - (link here)
• They key to any visa application is honesty. They will check for sure so fill out the form will all honesty.
• Documents
• Original Passport (& copy of the personal details page)
• must be valid for at least 3 months from the date on which you leave the Schengen area
• must have at least 2 empty visa pages
• cannot have been issued more than 10 years ago
• Copy of previously issued visas with entry & exit stamps (if there's any)
• Evidence of legal residence - for Qatari Residents, it is the Residence Permit a.k.a. QATAR ID 
• should be valid for at least 3 months
• Tip: if you are working but on husband/father sponsorship, include the Labour Card for proof of employment           

• Photo
• A passport photo that meets Dutch passport requirements. This photo cannot have been taken more than 6 months agoand must bear a clear resemblance. 
• See:https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/brochures/2014/02/11/photomatrix-guidelines-2007.

• Proof of travel
•  Travel itinerary (travel reservations to and from Schengen in your name, not a ticket) - this is the most confusing of all. You don't need to make a list of where you are going. It is as simple as plane booking or reservation (i repeat, booking not ticket which means it should be cancelable)
• Hotel reservation - a cancelable reservation that should match the dates of your plane reservation
• Bank statements of the last three months - the million dollar question, "how much should be on your account?" Who knows? It depends on how long you'll stay and how much will be the total cost of the tour. I'd say, it should be a little over the expected expenses during your travel. When Financial Capacity is asked, it should be enough to nourish the tourism of the country you wanted to visit.
• If you are employed: a declaration from your employer stating the period of absence ; Documents proving that you will return to your own country after your trip; & Documents proving your visit is for tourist purposes - a.k.a. Noc for Travel. It should match the salary in your bank account, should be on Company Letterhead, should be signed and stamped by authorized signatory.
• sample of my Salary Certificate/NOC                                                                                       

• Proof of health insurance  
• The insurance policy has been taken out in your name
• Your insurance is valid throughout the Schengen area and for the duration of your stay.
• At least €30.000 of medical costs are reimbursed, including hospital care, emergency
• I got mine at AXA via online (click here). However, I wanted to make sure that it will be accepted by the consul so I opted to go to their City Centre branch and get it stamped. 

• Visa 
• A visa, residence permit or passport which gives entry to your final destination after your visit to the Schengen area
• if your final destination is Qatar, then it is the Qatar ID

• Payment
• Visa Fees (regular)- QR 256
• Processing fees - QR 120
• SMS notification fees - QR8 (if you're excited, this is essential)
• Make sure to bring cash as they do not have POS Machine (Card).

Processing Time:

Contact Details:

3rd Floor (301) Jaidah Square, Al Matar Street (Airport Road), Doha, Qatar

Submission Timings:

09:00 to 16:00 (Sunday – Thursday. Except on Public Holidays.)

Passport collection time:

16:00 to 17:00 (Sunday – Thursday. Except on Public Holidays)

Ramadan Timings:

Application Submission: 09:00 - 14:00 (Sunday – Thursday, Except Holidays)

Passport Collection: 14:00 - 15:00 (Sunday – Thursday, Except Holidays)

For information through the call center:

+974 44069001 between 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 15:00(Sunday – Thursday. Except on Public Holidays)
email: info.netherlands@vfshelpline.com




Disclaimer: The above are only guidelines and does not guarantee approval of Visa. Rates may change without prior notice. These are all as per my personal experience during my application on November 2017.

90 Seconds.


What's behind Mc Donald's Kitchen? How long does it takes to serve the meal? How do they retain freshness of food?



It takes around 90 seconds, on the average, for your food to be served from the time you've ordered. We'll of course it all depends on how many meals you've ordered.

1. Getting the order

Orders are taken from "Point-of-Sale" and will be passed to the kitchen – a systematic procedure to ensure that all orders are being served accurately and will meet the expected allocated time leading to a productive sale and of course, customer satisfaction.



You can also order directly from the kiosk...

2. Preparing

Each item in the menu are being cooked separately and each is set to have specific cooking time.


Staffs are so quick at wrapping burgers.

3. Serving

You can check the status of your order at their digital board.




But what's best about Mc Donald's is their commitment to serve fresh and clean  food at clean environment.

Separate Gloves for food to avoid cross-contamination: Blue for raw; clear for cooked and ready to eat food

Checking the oil status manually and their state of the art kitchen equipments that have indicator for oil change

Hand wash is a must

Storage

Big thanks to Mr. Ujjal & Ms. Lala of Al Mirqab Branch for accommodating us during the Kitchen Tour.

Photo by @bestlifeqatar

And yey! I've tried to swirl an ice cream!!  ❤️️

A post shared by Melody Mendoza (@ms.melodyrose) on Nov 16, 2017 at 6:25am PST

Send a private message to @mcdonaldsqatar to book your visit.

Watch how our work flows and join us behind the scenes! Book your kitchen visit today by sending us a private message. #KnockKnock

A post shared by McDonaldsQatar (@mcdonaldsqatar) on Apr 17, 2017 at 11:00pm PDT