It's a GIRL!

from here 

... well, 80% it's a girl, as per the ultrasound. However, that 80% is close enough to 100% from where I stand, and it is great news.

One of my closest friend, Y.J, is preggers, and she is having a baby girl. We are all so excited for her, and I am truly happy for her. She will make a great mama, and I will make a great whacky auntie - just give me a little human to ruin =D

Congrats Y.J and Fadz!!

love you!

On being MIA

Yes, I realize it has been ages since I last blogged.
Yes, I realize my blog has recently turned into a stream of images and videos.
And no, I will not apologize, however, I will update :p

Where do I begin?

Well, to begin with, I finished my 8 modules for my masters and have officially progressed to "writing" my thesis. Of course, I haven't really started writing yet, but today my lovely sister gave me advice on how to get my lazy ass motivated to start, and I will take it. Actually, I did take it, I printed out calenders as per her advice and have filled them out... just an initial thing for now.

Last month my friend Nan got married in Lebanon. It was a beautiful ceremony and she looked stunning. Words can't describe how happy I am for her and her new hubby.

My friend Umen is preggers, meaning I'll be an auntie again before the end of this year!

My friend Beli's bday passed a few days ago, and this is for her:
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPPPYYYY  BIIIIIRRRTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTHDAY!!!!

I got the Game of Thrones game on Xbox and it is AWESOME =) I think now we all know why I haven't really started my thesis * shameful face*

Apart from that, nothing major has been happening on a personal level.

I miss blogging... but I've been busy pinning on pinterest. It's a labyrinth that sucks you in and you just can not stop.

This must be one of those totally spaced out posts... but at least I posted.

Out

On sand and fog

I haven't been posting recently as I have been super busy. My sis and her kids are visiting (yaaaaay), and all my deadlines are coming up (boooooo!). I'm currently juggling family and uni and it is so tiring. The only thing that keeps me going is that knowledge that I'll be forever done with classes, and come August, my one year intensive Msc. will be over! Wooohoooooooo!!!!

The weather has been horrible lately. No sun, only sand and fog. This should now be known as the land of sand and fog. Other than all that, I'm alright. I just wish I had the power to slow down time, or alter it, just like that Japanese guy from Heroes could do.

This must be one of the most unconnected posts ever. I just can't think in full sentences and introductions anymore. My brain is fried, fried is my brain.#

So, Good morning world. Hello Coffee. Welcome, Screen glare. Lovely sounds, keyboard.
Do your magic.

Dec 2011 in pictures

Dancing fountain at the Dubai Mall

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

Fastest roller coaster in the WORLD

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Cappuccino with gold flakes at the Emirates Palace

Gold to Go ATM machine

Cold Play, NYE 2011/12

Jaws at the Dubai Mall

Too tired to swim, so instead it stuck to the glass

Everything really is not that much to ask for... 

On friends

My friend Yoyo is in town for a conference and I went out for lunch with her a few days ago. At lunch, I told her about my newest shocking personal experience in the dating field. Her answer? Blame America, it is the root of all evil. If they hadn't invaded his country, he wouldn't have come here, he wouldn't have met you and you wouldn't have gone through it. Priceless, pure wisdom. Even my lack of a love life can be blamed on America, isn't that a nice thought?

Yesterday was probably one of the best nights out that I've had in a long while. I went out to dinner with Yoyo and Nan, my oldest friends, where they surprised me with a birthday cake- one month after my bday- because one was away, and I was sick and didn't get to enjoy it. How sweet is that?

After, I went over to Nan's place and we just chilled, drank wine, and talked till the morning. I love having these two around, everything just somehow seems simpler, effortless, easy and clear. From Dr. Hell's classes to America intervening in my life, everything somehow made sense this morning. Oh, and no, being hungover is not the reason for that because almost 19 hours later, they still make sense.

Time: Frozen

I just came back from a wonderful almost 2-month holiday in Canada. I had a wonderful time visiting my sister and spending time with my niece and my nephew. They have grown up so much since I last saw them in December. The saddest thing about not living in the same country or city as them is that you miss out on a lot of their growing up, and they do grow up fast. It is like their tiny little bodies are supercharged or something.

I also got to spend some time in my favorite city of all-time: Montreal. I spent good times with great company and I will not even complain about the heat wave that passed. Montreal's beauty more than makes up for anything and everything. What can I say, this is true love for me.

Being back here in my own house and my own room is weird. It is just too quiet, too bland. You suddenly and quickly slip back into lazy-mode and life loses that touch of happiness it possessed just a few days ago. Over here, it is a whole new different ball-game that I will not go into right now as I am jet-lagged and just tired. Plus, I've whined about it too many times before already. Now who wants me to just repeat myself- yet again?

All in all, it was great catching up with family and old friends. The best thing was how easy it was to just slip back effortlessly into the life one once led. Meeting people went back to being effortless, almost natural. Meeting up with friends was the best. It was like time stood still for those few months or years, waiting for you to just pick up and continue right where you stopped. There were no awkward silences to be filled, no major catching up to do. Again, it was so effortless. I miss how easy laughter came, good times were had and good company was found.

Anyway, I will spare you the late night walk down memory lane, and instead I shall leave you with some random pictures taken while there.

downtown Montreal

This is what happens when you take pictures after chugging Sangrias all day.

Trapeze show/tryouts during Montreal's Cirque Festival

Old Port

An interesting addition to any bathroom ;)

Another interesting addition. Art found randomly in the streets is probably the best thing about Montreal

The alley where I tried my hand at riding a bike for the first time in 15+ years. It was Epic!

Even at 3:am on a Saturday night, people were still using bicycles to commute

Random guy posing in the picture

Quick, find Bambi!

Too hot to move, even for a lioness

Umm... Excuse me but, you have two baboons on your car... thought you should know.

dirigin dirigin

This was visiting the ladies room and then decided to shake its booty on the wall. VERY interesting sight to behold...

"No comment?!"

This zebra was dying for its 15 min of fame

their tiny tails were going right and left, right and left. So cute!

So these pics are from Montreal, and some from a Safari trip we took in Hamilton. The kids were psyched, and I must admit, so was I :)

Thank you family and friends for a wonderful time and great memories. Love you all mucho mucho.

On March

This month has been a really busy one so far. My sis et family are here on a visit and we are all happy to have her and the little ones around again. The house is always buzzing with noise and activity only children can make. My father is so cute, he can not get enough of the kids and my 2 year old niece plays the "hurt and misunderstood" part so well she breaks his heart. She really manipulates him to get her way, and she is so good at it! Ahhh, KIDS!

On Thursday I went on a desert safari with some friends and it was fun. They had dune bashing, belly dancing, camel rides and even sand boarding! The sky was lovely and it was a full moon at night. LOVELY.

Today is Mothers day here so we celebrated it with flowers, cards and cake.Mom was super happy, which is always nice to see. Happy Mother's Day to all Mama's out there!

Camels

"shy" desert sun

moving shadows on Sand Dunes

Tishtiki tum tum

Dune Bashing

I'm here, I'm here...

I know, it has been ages! I am truly sorry but I have been super busy. So much has been going on recently and I had to keep my concentration elsewhere for a while.

On a very happy note, Ranran and Alex got married last Friday! They had a beautiful wedding that was a perfect reflection of their characters and personalities. She looked radiant in her dress and he was dashing in his tux. The night was perfect, not too warm nor too cold, the view amazing and the people's love and happiness for them could be felt. It was truly a 100% joyous occasion.

On a more personal note, I started applying to grad schools. My first application was signed and sealed (umm... more like typed and sent via 0s and 1s). I'm almost done with 3 others, only waiting for my transcripts to get here. It has been 3 weeks, so hopefully they will be here soon.

Apart from that, I have been busy with the news. So much is happening. These are truly interesting times! Plus, this is the first time that something so big happens while I am in the Arab world, and I can view it from an Arabic tv channels' perspective. Tunisia, Egypt, Sudan, Yemen, Jordan... it is insanely exciting!! Of course, it is heartbreaking what all those people went through and still go through on a daily basis just to free themselves from this injustice. I am so proud of us Arabs, I just hope we don't go from bad to worse. So, I am spending it glued to my twitter, tv, radio, Internet... and this is super annoying because it consumes your time without you even realizing it.

These are my updates, I will try to be a better blogger, I promise. However, Clau and Beli... why are YOU not updating?!!!

Power to the people!

I finally did it

Today, I decided to quit smoking. My last cigarette was last night and I am having such a hard time staying away from my packet and not lighting up a ciggie. I feel as though I can't breathe due to a stone lying on my chest. I went to exercise today and for the first 30 min, all I could think about was how much I seriously needed a puff. Afterward though, I was fine. I guess the craves have died down a little. It is not constantly on my mind, so that is good. Tomorrow will be a whole different day though, bringing with it a whole new struggle. If I can get through the initial 72 hours, I am sure I will be fine.

What is hard is that smoking is associated with so many memories for me, it was with me through a LOT and I will miss it. I will miss reaching toward that packet, sliding a cigarette out, putting it to my mouth, lighting the lighter and bringing it closer, closer, closer... until you hear the flame hit the cigarette... then INHALE- EXHALE. SIGH....

I also decided to quit alcohol. I know I don't drink often, but when I do drink, I binge drink. Plus alcohol makes me want to smoke and its a vicious cycle that keeps going round and round. No more cigarettes, no more alcohol and I will try my best to live healthy and get fit. I decided this is what I want for the year 2011, it is my year and I will grasp it by the horns.

But first, I have to get through 72 hours of hell... pray for me?

Picture from here

What's Goin' On?!

Dear friends, followers, random blog readers and the Void that is the internet:

This post suffers from ADD, I apologize in advance =)

So, a new year has begun. Happy New Year everyone, we all got to live to see year go by, we all got a new chance to make positive and sometimes much needed changes and most of all, we all got a fresh, clean, disinfected slate. This is chance to start new, to be the person you have always wanted to be. This is a chance to go to all those places you've dreamed of going to, of seeing the people you never had the time to see but wished you did and to make past mistakes right. In short, this is the chance for new beginnings, and we should all seize it. My new years' resolution? This year I am going to do my best to do what's right for me and by me, regardless of others. I don't mean that in a selfish way, I mean it in a I-will-start-to-put-myself-first-and-watch-out-for-what's-good-for-me kind of way. I will try to be fitter mentally, spiritually and physically. I will try to reconnect with my passion of reading and writing, and I will try venture out of my "bubble". It is a brand new year after all, and I want to do my best at making the best out of it.

I haven't blogged in a while, but not for lack of things to say. I have been busy with work and life. So, here are some of my updates:
* A few friends are in town, some from Canada and one from Lebanon.
* A friend is getting married at the end of the month
* Family is great
* Work is good
* Just joined the gym and will be back on that treadmill sweating it like a pig tomorrow- wish me lots of luck.

I spent NYE at home with the family, I must say, I enjoyed it. I was never a big fan of NYE parties and spending it with loved ones is all that matters. As for the friends visiting from out of town, 2 of them are old high school friends. They are both some of the closest people to me and the dearest to my heart, so it is great that I got to see them again and got to spend this much time with them. Life has been quiet, and I like it that way. I miss my sister and her kids so much though, it really gets me down if i dwell on it for too long, so I try not to. They are doing the best they can though and what is best for them. I am so proud of them for making this move, and so proud that they settled down and made friends quickly. My sister is my hero, really. She is a fighter and a survivor, and I would be lucky if I have an ounce of her strength.

Love you all loads and loads, and may this year be better than all those that went by, but not nearly as great as those to come

XoXo,

Berry

October Pictures!

My first Ever Jack-O'Lantern!

Shouldn't they migrate somewhere by now?

Beautiful Colour of Autumn

Thanksgiving Table @ friends'

 

Ok, does that flower not look like a cauliflower or what?

If I ever have a garden, I want these, not your usual roses.

Paliament

Parliament

Parliament

My 2-year old's niece work of art... on my arm. Take THAT, Picasso!