Bright Lights@ Amsterdam
Updated 17 seconds ago · Taken in Amsterdam, Netherlands
I thought I was dreaming not until the cold water came pouring over from the shower as I rush myself to get ready in half an hour. Been off for 2days straight, so engulfed with a new book and bugging my loved-ones to keep me company I was completely in the zone for not flying for straight two weeks until i guess they noticed I need to get my butt back to work. Oh well, never been here and my friends been raving about their experience and truly I was glad to have done this flight.
The whole crew were amazing and our Purser truly live up to his name. He's a funny angel and a great leader. Our layover was well-spent. Never been so consumed with worldly stuff so it came to me as a shock . When prostitution and smoking weed are centrally legal and prude-ness certainly has no space. I find this incredible city alluring. Like their gorgeous women half naked in the windows at the famous Red light District , Amsterdam is a city hard to resist, unforgettable, and unforgivingly exciting. Home of beautiful tulips, the most museum in the world, cheese, wooden clogs, the sweet Anne Frank and a whole lot of other things. Our short trip was indeed too short, but short enough for all of us to fell in love withAmsterdam and get high while strolling. I never smoked weed but there, it's just a way of life, it seems ...

#Motivation, Inspiration ( and the story of the man who can't read and my impulse on buying paperback )

I can't believe I just bought the biggest size of Coffee Crumble yesterday in Carrefour. I should blame my friend Noor for talking excessively while I'm grocery shopping. Bumping into her in the supermarket should not be shocking considering Deira City Center is the nearest decent shopping mall around Nahda. But the reason behind my immediate disbelief with the situation was finding a 40-year old man standing beside her with a foolish grin plastered across his face. Aha! Mr. M!, I silently exclaimed. The infamous Mr. M! who ditched her for three months after a tumultuous Sydney flight. The guy who went MIA, broke her heart but who obviously pedaled his way back in to her life. She looked happy. While Mr. M was mumbling something about our pictures in Facebook which as far as I remember I haven't posted anything interesting or extraordinary recently. I guess it was his way of being polite or pretending he knew me before .
After about an hour of picking up stuff and changing grocery aisles I left her with Mr. M while I sheepishly gathered my fresh goods and my big bad baby of sinful delight. It sure felt like I am throwing a party for myself with all the stuff I bought. I was secretly hoping to cook dinner for my beau on his day off if our lovely Scheduling people will let me.

So I ended up eating a quarter of the whole ice cream pint with major guilt on the side. Expectedly this morning I double my turn in the treadmill. Goodness gracious I just can't resist the temptation with its marvelous bitter-after taste and its rich coffee sweetness. I believe having ice cream in my freezer is a great excuse to work out harder.
But this morning session at the gym was not typical. Most fitness establishments in Dubai are sorted by Gender. Female and Male cabin in the Metro, even sometimes the queue at the checkout line is divided by Gender. I like the fact they give high priority to women and children, because with all these different nationalities living in this country you may never know if that person next to you may impose danger. So anyway, with two other female fitness enthusiasts working out in the gym today as they were about to finish their last set doing the lifts, an alien suddenly came to break the norm. Confident, unaffected but serious darting eyes towards us, this person suddenly made me feel that indeed pervs can be just about anywhere. He took some equipment and bravely demonstrate how he keep himself fit. I started to lose my desire to stay longer. This guy got some serious nerve to show off even when girls will obviously repel from his attempt. Maybe be can't read or maybe he's plain dumb to follow rules. I turned the volume up so I won't hear his dramatic moans as he do the heavy lifting. Sadly I wasn't able to bust my yoga poses afraid that this guy was just waiting to take a peak of my underwear or more. Call me paranoid but with all the stories I've heard I had enough. In the lifts, in the Metro station, in the cabin itself, during or after a taxi ride I had witness or experienced what being alone with a stranger might end up happening. I am certainly not aiming for somebody to squeeze my butt cheek (again) if you're not boyfriend. Tomorrow I will run at six am.

With no Internet and so many days off and boyfriend working so hard and having a day or two to recharge I mostly find myself everywhere Dubai with my cousins or friends or with her- me myself and I. It made me productive and sentimental. At least I don't spend so much time watching the latest scandal of Miley Cyrus or re-watching The Vow for the Nth time. I'm so easy to find. You can easily spot the Nerdy girl sitting at the Travel Section in any Bookstore. So today I spent four hours reading Glossy magazines starting from Vogue up to the latest update on Yoga and Fitness then switch to Classic literature , Award Winning and finally on Travel. I happened to finish The Great Gatsby last night in my room for four hours of uninterrupted silence. So stopping by Kinokuniya today was both a challenge and a guilty pleasure. I ended up buying a trilogy.
I like Kindle . I believe it's more appropriate at this time and age. But I am one of the many who will literally die if cyber-books will bring Bookstore to a forever doom. I like the touch and the smell of the paper as I carefully turn the pages. I like holding it and feeling how far I've come. I will leave Kindle to my boyfriend and I will stay joining the old fashion people who find indescribable happiness sitting all day in the bookstore.

I will post some quotes and snippets of the book I'm reading right now.
I will share its maddening brilliance sometime soon.
I suddenly miss having Narita flights..

Life on standby (a tale on food, shoe-love affair and loads of wishfulthinking ) #shallowness

Pay day is just around the corner and yet I feel like my dear company just send me on a paid holiday to rest and enjoy and take care of my health.

Lo and behold!

To God be the glory! I am feeling terrific since I started going out more instead of just moping all day waiting for Scheduling to change my Roster. I think staying still somehow makes me sick. I am a busy bee and take my wings away and I won't produce honey. Been here, there and everywhere Dubai visiting fiends and accompanying cousins last minute, I for one suddenly became a big fan of Bolognese having this dish two days in a row and still hoping to extend. I believe that when something is free, it tastes better. I never liked my own cooking, just like Mom. Maybe because I don't indulge on the ingredients to make it heavy and rich. I rely on health benefits rather than taste. But when a friend or a loved-one cooks for me the idea that the exact amount of butter and cream has been spared from my knowing in a way made the dish triple more delicious than its actual taste. Weird, huh but that's my view on food. I savor on what nourishes the body in the long term not the heaviness that I have to suffer after. Although I never was and will ever advocate eating disorders. I am just a fanatic on healthy eating and feeling good.

But surely, offer me Jamocha Almond or a Rocky Road or a Brownie Fudge Ben&Jerry's and I will not decline. Ice cream will always be my instant lift, and a 30-minute run in the treadmill.

It's been a while since I completely fell in-love with a particular shoe. The Isabel Marant wedge sneakers in beige/gray still gives me a slice feeling of heaven whenever it cross my mind and hopefully over the weekend my boyfriend and I can stop by Dubai Mall to purchase it.

And there's one story of the one that got away...
And just about two days ago I saw her again, 3-inch heels in her perfect animal print ensemble. I met her last year in KL but missed the opportunity to bring her with me to Dubai when my Kuala Lumpur flights had been cancelled. So when her look-alike sister parade her beauty in front of me I couldn't resist to try them on. My lovely partner disagree with her svelte-ness but since the thought of losing her again kept me up for two nights now I decided to secretly visit the shop again. Hooray! It's finally happening.

Me: I would like to have this in 38 please!
Mr. shoe assistant: Yes, ma'am I will get you!
( after 2 minutes of feeling the 37 size in my feet Mr. shoe assistant came back with a box)
Me: So?
Mr. shoe assistant: Sorry ma'am but we only have the blue one in 38, but if you want we can order for you and have it delivered right to your doorstep after 3 days!
Me: Alright ! It's ok.
(Mr. Shoe assistant clicking something in his computer... )
Mr. Shoe assistant : Oops sorry ma'am , all the stores in Dubai seem to have sold all their
38s! We have to wait for a week if the Singore branch can ship it here,
but we will call you once we have them.
And so I think, we're not meant to be... (Dear shoe...)

If I will get pulled put to do a Beijing or Bangkok, seriously I will spend all my energy to find the shoe that I will fall in love with and buy it right then and there... Because sometimes when you let go of something once you may never get a second chance .

Shallow. Shoe. Story.
I know.

If I have magic powers I will devour Miranda Kerr's closet and Olivia Palermo's.
I will blow fairy dust to Miley Cyrus so she will put her normal self back together ( and maybe Amanda Bynes too...)
Wake up each morning with довгалюк beside me, so no need to experience traveling far.
Play with my nieces and nephew more often.
Eat as much and not gain a single ounce of fat!
Become a Victoria's Secret model.
Become a multi- million best selling author.
Have all the Chanel's I want.
Everyday is Christmas Day.


And so far... This what happens when my life is on Stand by ( quite literally ...)

До свидания!

Out early for some tan and yoga

Self Medicate

 So I  indeed ended up staying sick for more than three days. Haven't been flying for 2 weeks I guess became an advantage after all. I was hoping against hope that I won't get pulled out for a Sydney flight anytime soon (maybe next week) until I feel completely well.

But despite my condition I still managed to do my chores and squeeze some workout routines while nursing my throat and stomach issues. Still not sure of getting internet in my flat because my friend who happens to be on a beauty-leave (  paid leave-days any woman in my company takes to do some major beauty overhaul) has been frequently inviting me over to her flat for some girl-bonding activities has sort of started to influence me in changing apartment. And we started the hunting game yesterday until we realized that the ladies we intend to visit all left for vacation. Too bad.

So while my singing voice is gone completely with the wind because of my sore throat ( it coincidentally  made my already husky voice even more husky,) my speaking voice became almost nonexistent. And so I just spent my waking hours with my friend cooking and listening to her naughty stories. Good times almost always happen when you're almost at the edge of losing your mind.

There were nights when my headache started tricking my mind into thinking that I see black shadows in the corner while I wash the dishes and noises like a chair being pulled at the middle of the night meant something as sick as having some unseen company wanting my attention. Oh please. Stay away from me. I decided to keep my curtains open to shed some light while asleep and the moon up in the sky to be my deaf witness in case some paranormal activity happens. Right, I swear off watching Horror movies for all eternity.

My wild imagination keeps me up all night and my ear plugs never works whenever my arm hair begins to stand up.

I'm still suffering from  light-headed-ness from time to time. I really need to go and visit the clinic. Must be some blood issues. More iron in the diet more vitamins to take.

Right now  I am currently enjoying accepting invitations to crash some couch for some beauty-makeovers-slash-bake off while on standby.

My loving partner is currently snoozing under a sea of blankets.
I hope I still have a off-day tomorrow.
Or a Singapore flight  or a three-day Shanghai...
That.....would be a great reward from all these delusion . 

Sweet dreams

#acid reflux

I miss working out.
If I will wake up feeling better tomorrow I will definitely hit the gym otherwise I will just sulk up in bed praying this pain will go away. Been having this pain for 3days in a row. Started with my throat and now my stomach acid started to go crazy that I could no longer identify hunger and satiety. I don't want to visit the clinic. I don't like waiting and the thought that something might be wrong with me is just terrifying.
Home alone. Oh I just love it when the house is all mine. If only my boyfriend can come and stay while they're gone.
I promised myself to never ever watch Horror movies as long as I live if I desire to live longer. You see, been becoming paranoid with the slightest sound i hear in the middle of the night. Shadows reflect monsters in my vision by default. I have a very active imagination. I regret watching Conjuring in the cinema.
On the lighter side, I feel very much happy to feel and know that help always comes my way. I feel delighted and blessed to meet people- friends and strangers alike who are very much willing to make my life a little bit easier .
Got my required visas for my future travels much easier than usual.
Met people who never miss to inspire me and push me to go after my dreams.
Acquaintances who keep in- touch just to make sure I will get promoted and to have "more" faith.
Being loved by someone whom I loved and to discover that they possess beauty inside and out.
And that if something will ever happen to me ( God forbid...) I will pass happy and contented because God has given me a wonderful life to live....

Thank you Lord

#latepost

There's definitely one thing that I really miss doing. Singing.

Yesterday I was surprised that my dad couldn't answer the phone several times. Our landline just kept on ringing and his mobile signal was almost unreachable. It was a typical Sunday evening and its typically spent at home or with his sisters. After my last attempt he finally answered with some loud music blasting in the background.
Me: " Buon Giorno! Papa!" Le come esta? "
Dad: "What? Who's Giorno?" -
Me: " it's me! Haha! How are you? " I was trying to talk to you in Italian "
Dad: "Si, all is well. I am actually singing right now. I'm out with my church mates for Karaoke ..."

Me: "Oh. Is that so? ( feeling jealous ...)
Dad: " hey, do you still sing?"
Me: "in the shower..."
Dad: " I'm singing something you used to sing when you still have the voice..., I forgot the title...".
Me: " dad, your songs are too old. I bet they were not the songs I used to sing. If its not Cristina Aguilera or Britney Spears..."

At least my dad is having fun.
Give me a microphone and I'm telling you I won't stop singing unless you handcuff me.
If only Dubai has more Karaoke Bars maybe , just maybe I can still be Avril Lavigne. (haha. )

Sleep and dream

“I firmly believe in small gestures: pay for their coffee, hold the door for strangers, over tip, smile or try to be kind even when you don’t feel like it, pay compliments, chase the kid’s runaway ball down the sidewalk and throw it back to him, try to be larger than you are— particularly when it’s difficult. People do notice, people appreciate. I appreciate it when it’s done to (for) me. Small gestures can be an effort, or actually go against our grain (“I’m not a big one for paying compliments…”), but the irony is that almost every time you make them, you feel better about yourself. For a moment life suddenly feels lighter, a bit more Gene Kelly dancing in the rain.“


- Jonathan Carrol

Happiness is Contagious

The past few weeks had been extremely awesome and if its some karmic response to my good deeds ( haha ) surely I don't want this positive cycle to end. My flights were downright easy if not hilarious. My colleagues and my Seniors seem to like me ( ok ok, this is too much bragging already, please forgive me). It's just that I never really understood the real concept of being happy on the inside that it sort of attracts more happiness like how bees get so attracted to honey or Winnie the Pooh. Whatever. I can't really put my explanation regarding this phenomenon in the exact words but bottom line is we have this great power inside of us that if only we will learn to harness further can literally move mountains if we want to.

I realized that you can get away with anything if you will just be nice- sincerely. Nobody likes a faker. But if we share our genuine smile to others the response we get can really surprise us. Sometimes our efforts to get to know someone personally can give us some outstanding outcome in the end. I never thought that I will be able to build rapport then eventually friendship with people I have not even dreamt of being friends with. I learned that if we set aside our judgments we will have some unexpected treasures worth keeping. I'm glad that I have so much to share. And I'm happy to have people who are willing to share more than what they can give. It really is a blessing to create harmony in the midst of chaos and beauty in a pile of trash. A positive mind definitely harbors a positive life.

So just hang in there, every day may not be perfect but feel the positive power inside of you, spread happiness and love and in no time you will find yourself receiving more!

May the force be with you!

Sights and sounds

Rome essentials

1. Sunblock
2. Comfortable footwear
3. Empty stomach ( make room for gastronomic feast)
4. Hand sanitizer and tissue paper ( the toilets definitely are a- miss:-()
5. Nice camera-phone
6. Big suitcase for all the souvenirs and unique vintage finds
7. A handful of Italian phrases
8. Nice pair of shades ( eyes will hurt, sun directly shining )
9. Wonderful travel companion
10. Euro coins for the Trevi fountain ( make your wishes come true )
11. Loads of time ( in order to experience all)
12. Loads of energy
13. Your love-partner ( couples kissing everywhere make me jealous )

Roma part 2