Lost and Finally Found

For a few days now, I have been putting some (relatively) serious thought into what to do with my blog.
Before you burst into a happy dance, let me assure you that I am not thinking of deleting it.
I've been thinking about what I write on my blog and why.
I started it initially because I wanted to have a kind of "portfolio". Something to make it a bit easier for those I submit my work to, so they can decide if they might like to have me write for them.
As I wrote more articles for DesiVibe though, as well as just wrote more in general, I began to realize what I enjoyed writing most.
I became more certain that I didn't want to go into journalism, or any kind of field where I'd be restricted to writing only neutral or factual type pieces.
I love voicing my opinions, being creative, and asking for my readers' opinions as well. I really do enjoy knowing what others think, not just about my writing but about different issues in general.
World events are always important of course, but I found that I gravitate more towards more subjective topics like observations on the world around us, and issues that define and concern certain groups of people perhaps. I guess that would be included in the realm of personal, anecdotal, and even cultural discussion type writing.
Some time ago, I decided to change my blog's direction, and write about what it's like to be shuffling confusedly between Ottawa and Dubai, among "other stuff".
Unfortunately, I forgot the former part of my blog description, and got caught up in the "other stuff".
I'd remember periodically that I was also supposed to be writing about my experiences, which is when you'd get the more personal type blog posts, but overall I believe I failed to do justice to what I had set out to do.
Lest I get sidetracked again, I've gone and made some changes to my blog description and how I'm going to approach topics now.
I'm too much of a wanderer though, and don't like to confine myself, so there will still be a mish mash of things on my blog. That'll probably help prevent things from getting too serious or monotonous, which is always good, right?
So what can you expect from this blog?
You can expect the honest and candid thoughts, experiences, and situations, a 20 something, Canadian Desi girl finds herself in as she lives in two totally different parts of the world. 
The first is a part of the contemporary Western world, and the second, the modern Arab world of today. There is a third too, my homeland, which I visit for a few days every now and then.
I understand and respect all three cultures, even though I don't agree completely with everything in any of them. I am aware of the advantages and pitfalls of each place, and maybe that's what makes it difficult to decide which one truly comes out on tops. 
Until I navigate my way around in my head some more, and write up my next post, why don't you be so kind as to visit the link to my latest article and leave your comments on the website?
It would be much appreciated. 
And if you know someone like the character I've described in my piece, do let me know how you've been dealing with them. Maybe we can exchange some valuable tips.
Till next time then,
xx


Link: http://www.desivibe.com/special-feature/679-the-human-leech

Ottawa to Dubai - In Dubai

I know I've been missing in action for a while now.

Just like I do every few months, I had to catch a flight to Dubai on the 17th of last month.

My parents plan on moving to Dubai for good sometime next year when our villa there is completed. At the moment though, we live in its neighboring emirate, Sharjah, because that's where my dad works.

Contrary to what most might think, I haven't been blogging because I've hardly had time to sit down and write since I've gotten here, and it's not because of my extremely lazy-to-the-point-of-being-debilitating nature.

My mom, dad, and myself have been busy going around doing all sorts of things because we just moved into our own place here in Sharjah.

Because it's a new place, and because we didn't bring a single item of furniture (as well as other household things) from our old place, it's like starting all over again.

It's a lot of fun, no doubt.

But it's also very tiring, time consuming, energy sapping, and downright frustrating at times.

We got most of our furniture custom made, according to what we had in mind for each of our rooms.

I picked out the theme and colours for my room, as well as my sister's, who is still in Ottawa, and couldn't be bothered to tell me what it was that she wanted done to her room.

Not to brag, but our rooms turned out pretty neat, so all those hours spent figuring out every little detail with the interior designers finally paid off.

I'll be back, with more details of what I've been up to here.

Till then, take care,

xOxOxO

Salman Khan's First Painting Exhibition in Dubai

Bollywood star and heartthrob Salman Khan was in Dubai last week to host the first ever exhibition of his paintings in the Gulf region.
Khan kept it simple but classy in black, and looked as charming as ever.
Reports have it he arrived by himself, without any pomp or show, and was the perfect host. He seemed thrilled yet humbled that so many people had showed up to have a look at his creations.
Khan even patiently explained all his art work to those who were curious to know what it was about.
He started painting because he felt like he needed an outlet for his emotions and all the things going on in his life.
All the proceeds from his paintings are going to go towards his charity, Being Human.
One of his paintings went for a huge sum of AED 350, 000.
Khan said he was scared no one would show up for his exhibition.
Fear not, Sallu! You may be notorious for being Bollywood’s bad boy, but we love you all the same. Keep painting, because your loyal fans will always be there to support you.
Now hopefully he’ll come to Dubai again soon, so those of us who missed out can join in too!

Source: gulfnews.com

For the complete piece, a video, and a few words from the man himself go to:
http://gulfnews.com/about-gulf-news/al-nisr-portfolio/tabloid/salman-khan-confessions-of-an-artistic-mind-1.514511


 

Man Torches Workplace in Dubai

A man in Dubai has been arrested for torching his workplace and stealing money from it.
The 32 year old accountant first embezzled AED 10, 000 from his organisation, and then poured benzene all over his office and set fire to it.
The Judge ruling on the case sentenced the accountant to two years behind bars, after which he will be deported to the Philippines, his home country.
Some of his co-workers testified that they suspected he torched the place because he was rowdy, aggressive, and often played truant from work.
Don’t like your job? Spare everyone the hatred, and just quit.
As for the accountant, well, he’ll have plenty of time off work now that he’s going to be in jail for two whole years. It’s probably not the kind of time off he wanted, but hey, he had it coming!

Source: gulfnews.com

Calligraphers Produce Authentic Copy of Qur'an in Three Days

In a Ramadan forum for Quranic Calligraphy in Dubai, a team of skilled calligraphers produced a copy of the Holy Qur’an in three days and three nights.
A special ceremony was held at Zabeel Palace in Dubai to honour the calligraphers and the members of the jury who attested to the authenticity of the text.
The calligraphers were praised for their determination and passion in producing an accurate copy of the Qur’an in such a short time.
The copy is said to be exquisitely beautiful and will be displayed at the UAE museum.
Now that’s really taking the spirit of Ramadan to heart, and having something to show for it too!

Source: gulfnews.com

Bird Story

A man in Dubai has confessed to stealing a hundred frozen chickens. The 28 year old chef stole the frozen birdies from the place where he worked.
He sold the stolen birds to a salesman, who claims he didn’t know the illegal nature of their transaction.
The duo was ratted out by one of their night-shift supervisors, who claims the salesman was in the know and was helping the chef in his birdly affairs. They are both being charged, and the trial is currently underway.
Too bad they couldn’t “fly” under the radar on this one.

Sources: Radio 101.6, gulfnews.com

Because It's Ice cream!

On my latest trip to Dubai Outlet Mall, I decided to check out the Cold Stone Creamery store that is located on the first floor.
I’ve never tried one of their ice cream “Creations” before, and while I did expect something delicious, I was pleasantly surprised. I ordered “Chocolate Devotion” in a freshly made waffle cup dipped in thick chocolate. Not only was it absolutely heavenly, the way it was made was equally glee inspiring.
Options are abundant on how you want your tasty treat. You can choose a “Signature Creation” or a “Custom” one. Since this was the first time I was trying one, I decided to make things easier for myself and pick something from their diverse menu.
If you opt for a Custom Creation, you get to pick the ice cream flavour you want, and all the other ingredients used to make a Creation. Ingredients range from different types of cookies, chocolates, nuts, caramel, fudge, as well as your choice of waffle.
Once you’ve picked what you want, the fun begins. Stand back and watch your Creation take shape. Making your creation involves scooping, chopping, folding in, and believe it or not, throwing your in- progress creations high up in the air and then catching them. My “Chocolate Devotion” was made air bound a number of times, before being hurled across the room where it finally landed in its waffle-filled cup.
A variety of scrumptious looking ice cream cakes are also available. Once again, these can either be chosen from the Signature Creations menu, or made specifically to suit your tastes. A Custom Creation can be a great way to set your imagination free and create something truly novel. It will also give you bragging-rights when people compliment you on how delicious your cake is.
Cold Stone Creamery is an experience that is not limited just to your taste buds. I intend to visit every time I have a craving for a cold treat, and plan to take my friends and siblings as well. After a tiring day of shopping at the mall, this is just the energy booster you need!

Official website: http://www.coldstonecreamery.com/index.html

International store locator: http://www.coldstonecreamery.com/google/stores/store_locator.aspx
For some store locations in the UAE: http://www.arabianbusiness.com/index.php?Itemid=77&ln=en&option=com_pressreleases&pr_id=10319&view=detail
Want to contact the supplier in the UAE?

Visit: http://www.alibaba.com/member/sachin1968/contactinfo.html

Paris in Dubai?

Paris Hilton is coming to Dubai this June. Love her or loathe her, she's not someone you can ignore. Whether it's her less than model behaviour, or her legendary vapid-ness, the hotel heiress shows no signs of fading away. She's got the media hooked on her every move, despite not doing anything of any real consequence.
At this year's Cannes film festival, all eyes (and cameras) were on her and her new boyfriend, Doug Reinhardt, because well, she's Paris and people want to know what she's upto (and with who).
So why is Paris coming all the way to Dubai? Is she tired of her already full (of bling anyway) life?
Not even close. Paris is coming to Dubai to find her new "BFF". After doing two such shows, first in America and then in the UK, she's now coming here to find herself a new (more like additional) "best friend forever". Maybe she should add an "S" to the end of the word BFF because one is clearly not enough. For Paris, perhaps BFFs are like the blingy jewellery she so loves to adorn; she just can't have enough it seems.
Or perhaps, as she herself says, she travels regularly so she'd like to have a best friend wherever she goes. Errr, Paris, that's not a best friend. That's more like a friendship of convenience. Certainly not the kind that would involve a friend who would be ready to stay up with you all night if you needed it (unless the staying up was partying related).
Contenders for Paris's new BFF are going to be a mixture of both, locals as well as expats who live in Dubai. Frankly, I can't imagine anyone who'd want to be her BFF in Dubai. Then again, I can't imagine anyone who'd want to be her BFF by taking part in the show, unless they have other, less than sincere motives of course. In any case, the show will probably be an amusing watch to say the least.
For more info visit:
http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/blog/2009/06/paris_hilton_is.html
http://www.timeoutdubai.com/knowledge/news/8883-paris-hilton-in-dubai