love

Notes of the morning

Posted on by Selectively Curious

Journeying my way through the mall every morning has become almost therapeutic. I love that I get to see the mall at its quietest in the mornings, before the shops have opened and arguably at its loudest in the evenings. I love how the tourists pop in around the time I make my way to the metro, all dressed up ready to explore this concrete jungle that is currently my home, until I move to the next place.

The weather has been delightful, cold and crisp in the mornings. The morning air is beautifully refreshing and it’s probably the first time in the UAE I’m enjoying every moment of it before the heat seeps in. We don’t get many “cold” days but the days we do get, having lived here most of my life, I don’t think I’ve ever savoured it as much as I am this year. There isn’t really a walking culture here, to get around, you need a car. Driving makes you miss out on the good weather and positive effects it can have on you. It’s one of the reasons I miss London and look forward to moving back.

One thing I’ve definitely noticed is that people are always on the rush or on their phones. There’s no interaction and God forbid there be any eye contact. They say a silent retreat is challenging because you can’t speak or communicate with anyone, not even with your eyes. Ironically it will probably be more challenging for those that are fixed on their phones not interacting with “real” humans around them than the ones that aren’t glued to their phones all the time. It’s a bit sad that no one makes eye contact anymore. Makes me curious why some people fear the zombie apocalypse, it’s already here and we’re surviving.

Stay curious, my loves. X

Selectively Curious©

I hope…

Posted on by Selectively Curious

It’s been a while since I’ve been back and I guess a lot has happened and at the same time not much has happened.

To summarise, I went to Greece, Turkey (will post about my adventures soon) and I quit my job. Safe to say things are quite unstable, I have a plan because I can’t live my life willy nilly, however everyday I have a mini panic attack. I don’t know where things are going and hoping for the best is in my DNA even if things seem “all doom and gloom”. I have learnt that things are never as bad as they seem, in hindsight.

The inspiration for this post came from an aspect of my personality – hope (duh!). Not only do I just hope for the best but I think it is important to do everything possible in one’s control to turn that hope into a reality. However, this post isn’t just about my ambitions or goals in life but more of a general hope for the world.

Sometimes we get so intertwined with our own problems we forget the bigger picture. This post is my way of taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture. There is so much suffering and injustice in the world so I would like to send my positive vibes, for whatever it’s worth in the hope that maybe one day I am able to make some good difference in the world and leave a legacy behind.

So here goes:

I hope that whatever you are going through, know that nothing is forever and this too shall pass. I hope that you are not too hard on yourself, we tend to be our own worst critic. Let’s mix it up and I hope you become your own number one fan, it won’t make you a narcissist. I hope that you find your true calling and I hope that it makes you love your life. I hope that you are loved and that love makes you kinder. I hope your kindness spreads and infects everyone.

I hope you have the courage to walk away from anything that doesn’t serve you, the unknown is scary but sometimes it is important to make a bold move and deal with the consequences later. I hope that you have faith that things will all work out for the best. They say that belief alone gets you half way there.

I hope world education becomes a reality and that everyone gets educated as easily as they can breathe. The ones that have trouble breathing, I hope that you have access to the right medical treatments so you can enjoy life the way it is meant to be lived, one breath at a time.

I hope that you find the love that you have been waiting for, someone who is whole and someone who compliments you in every way. The kind of love that makes you want to be a better person. The kind of love that when you are around him/her, you’re home. The kind of love that cherishes your soul the way you deserve to be cherished. The kind of love that supports you and always only lifts you higher. The kind of love that will make you excited to wake up the next morning and find them next to you. The kind of love that you fall in love with everyday. The kind of love you want to have when you’re in heaven after having spent a life time together. I hope this for you and more.

Lastly, I hope that you have a wonderful day, leaving the worries of yesteryears behind you. It’s a new day, cherish it, love it and most importantly… live it.

Stay curious, my loves. X

Selectively Curious©

Sensitive soul

Posted on by Selectively Curious

The most difficult thing I’ve come to realise is trying to still be good to those who only do you wrong. When I was younger it would make me curious how my parents were always good to those, even if they were wronged. I grew up with such morals and have been taught that no matter what happens, always be kind.

How do you maintain a balance? I am a sensitive soul, in hind sight, I always have been. I feel deeply about everything, whether it be happiness, sadness, confusion, anger, and anxiousness (can’t think of any more words to describe emotions).

You may ask, what is a sensitive soul? Well for one, don’t be fooled by such individuals, they may be sensitive but they are far from weak. They have the ability to put aside their own needs and feelings to cater to those that need a boost. Their ability to feel deeply makes them great empaths thus helps them truly understand what the other person is going through. Often times people are unable to express how they feel and the sensitive soul will verbalise those feelings to the point, which shocks some people, sometimes. The emotions they feel are their strength as they allow themselves to feel deeply, thus making them able to handle a situation and controlling their feelings better than those who brush their emotions to the side. They can handle more than most because they’re used to feeling more than most.

Being a sensitive soul also gives you a hightened intuition in someways because they notice everything, even the most minor details such as a change of expression on someone’s face, which may have only lasted for a second. At times when logic makes no sense, their souls are able to come up with answers that does make sense. However there is a flip side, often such people have insecurities that cloud their intuition, as I have experienced many times and I think it’s important to listen to your intuition. Even if your mind tells you otherwise, listen to your inner voice, before the voice disappears forever.

Being around a sensitive soul, you will notice that they give you their undivided attention (to be fair sometimes people drag on a story longer than it should be and I get distracted). They can judge a situation and give you what you need. Even if it is just someone to sit quietly with. There is comfort in silence.

They have compassion on a deeper level and have the ability to move the world. Their kindness shines through their face and you can feel the genuine love they have to offer. They have so much to give and the ability to give wholeheartedly without being worn down. If anything the giving fuels them, especially when they see the joy on people’s faces. That is priceless.

Selectively Curious©

Have you ever?

Posted on by Selectively Curious

Have you ever looked at a full grown person and wondered what they looked like when they were babies?

It used to be my favourite thing to do when I didn’t have my ipod or a book to read on the tube (aka the underground train in London). Of course I would look away before any eye contact was made, didn’t want to be break the unwritten rule of “no eye contact”. I love how my imagination takes me to unknown territory. It’s not easy of course to picture a man with a full grown beard as a baby, or an older person who looks so tired and sick of life and it shows on the face.

Have you ever cut your hair? I don’t mean just snippets, trimmed but actually completely chop off your long hair into really short, ear length hair?

It’s absolutely the most liberating activity I have taken a part in and I’ve done it a few times. Usually when I feel that I’m losing control of certain aspects of my life and the frustration gets to me,  I pick up a pair or scissors and just cut it all off. I love it and it’s actually quite addictive. I probably would never shave it all off completely but who knows what the future holds.

Have you ever seen something and not believe your own eyes, something that may be paranormal?

When I was younger, I used to play the piano. I wasn’t very good but I would play random things, reminds me I should probably take it up again. Anyway, on one of those days, I was sitting by the window about to play and I see black smoke come out of a building opposite mine. One of the apartments was on fire and I could see the flames burning and in that moment I see a figure step out on to the balcony of his/her apartment and just lean on the ledge. I stopped and looked a little closer and I saw that the man’s (or well at least it looked like a man) arm was on fire and he was just standing there. I ran to go call my brothers to see what was happening but by the time we came back to the window, the man had gone. I still can’t believe what I saw. He was just standing there as his arm burnt.

Have you ever been electrocuted?

Just once and it felt really weird. My mom asked me to change a light bulb in the living room. I took the new bulb and walked over to the lamp that needed the change, barefoot. As I put my hand on the old bulb, to twist it out, I felt a shock go through my whole arm and my hand got stuck to the bulb. First impulse of any person, is to get away from the hurt, in any way. Since my hand was stuck to the bulb I moved away (all whilst screaming and shaking). It all happened so fast and the next thing I knew, the porcelain lamp had fallen and shattered on the ground. I broke free from the electrocution. Honestly, I didn’t even realise I was screaming until my brother came out and asked me why I was screaming.

Have you ever been determined and stuck by it?

Story of my life, which sometimes tickles me.

Selectively Curious©

Interesting fact

Posted on by Selectively Curious

As I was looking for inspiration for today’s post, I came across a fact, which made me smile:

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the most commonly stolen vehicle in 2012 was the 1994 Honda Accord.

We had that car for years, ours was gold (featured image is found in google, as we no longer have this car) and I still remember the new car smell it had when we bought it. My brothers and I had countless road trips in that car. When we were young we went to Saudi Arabia from the UAE in that car. As far as I remember, I was 6 and my brothers were 8 and 4. It was a 16 hour car journey and we put cartons of water bottles where our feet would be. So it became like a bed, more or less.

Whenever we went on a road trip, I would curl up on my side and sleep. Of course if you ask my brothers, they will say I took all the place, which I possibly did, I was sleeping so I’m not sure how accurate they were in their accusations. I’ve always been skinny and they would always tease me for taking so much space for a someone as skinny as me.

Amazing how quickly time flies, I feel like the three of us practically grew up in that car. We’d play the oddest games. Have you ever heard of dead leg or dead arm? Well, it’s a game where one person hits the other so hard that your arm or leg goes numb. It’s only fun in hindsight, I assure you. I am actually laughing at the memory of it.

In some ways, I’m not surprised that the 1994 Honda Accord model is the most stolen, maybe the thieves had equally good memories? Maybe we can give them that benefit of the doubt. As for me, I’m glad in my own selfish way that so many of those cars were stolen. I can honestly say that I probably wouldn’t have thought of that car today had I not seen this fact. It was a wonderful trip down memory lane. As I live, the more curious I get about the mysterious ways of God and how random connections come your way. Remember, everything is connected or maybe it isn’t, who knows?

Selectively Curious©

I love the beach

Posted on by Selectively Curious

I love how it’s empty on a Saturday morning and I love the way the sand is slightly cool at this time of the year. 

Abu Dhabi has really good beaches and the one shown in the featured photo is the famous corchiche beach. I can’t believe it’s been 22 years since I first went to it. So much has changed and yet so much has remained the same. It’s nostalgic. The sand is smooth so it’s comfortable to walk on it since there are no pebbles or shells mildly stabbing you as you walk on it. The waves are calm and I love the slight swoosh noise they make as the water comes to touch the shore before retreating back into the sea. 

This is what Saturday mornings are for. To take a break from the troubles of life and just forget, even if momentarily the things that stress you out. The beach is my sanctuary in some ways, I feel refreshed as I sit there and sort out my thoughts. 

I have always been positive but I’m trying something new. I’m curious to see how this will pan out and effect my life. I have begun to practice gratitude since this morning as I believe it helps ground a person and makes one realise the the important things in life. Everything is temporary, best enjoy the present and as the title of Richard Carlson’s book: don’t sweat the small stuff, and its all small stuff. 

Selectively Curious©

I’m listening…

Posted on by Selectively Curious

Recently, everyday after work and on the weekends, I binge watch Frasier.

I absolutely love that show and it’s one of the shows that has made me most curious about psychiatry and how the human mind is so complex. In some ways the character of Frasier reminds me of me. How he loves to help people by trying to solve their problems, how he would give reassurances to people that need it most and how to unlock their insecurities and find solutions to overcome them. I do not have a psychiatrist background or education but I like to read a lot and understand why people are the way they are.

He is also an empath and it made me curious, even though he is a fictional character, I wanted to see if Frasier’s birthday was recorded as I always thought he could be a pisces. It’s March 7, in case you were wondering, which makes him a fellow pisces. Now I am not one to believe in horoscopes, however in relation to the personality traits each star sign represents, there is a trend and I do think that it is accurate.

All things aside, I find him to be hilarious, I think it’s a very intelligently written show and the characters are so perfectly developed. It makes me so curious the way a psychiatrist can diagnose people thus helping them find solutions to their shortcomings , easily and yet it is almost impossible to self diagnose. Why is that? I think it’s because when the psychiatrists are diagnosing their patients, its on a very non personal/ non emotional level and thus they are able to form a non bias judgement/diagnoses. Consequently it may not be wise to self diagnose because they do not have that level of emotional detachment with themselves to self diagnose effectively.

It’s all quite interesting, I feel that I must learn a little more about this subject. Any thoughts? I’m listening…

Selectively Curious©

Everyday is a fashion show and the world is the runway – Coco Chanel

Posted on by Selectively Curious

I went to my first fashion show today.

It was a great experience. It started off with a networking event and as we walked on the velvety red carpet up to where they were serving the hors d’oeuvres, I felt like a star. More so, when my picture was taken by professional photographers, one was from the national newspaper, Khaleej Times… I wonder if I will be in the newspaper.

I love fashion, I’m too lazy to go shopping most of the time but I really love clothes and shoes, oh especially shoes. A few years ago, I wanted to be a designer. I designed my own dresses sometimes sadly my drawing isn’t great but my tailor is great, he understands what I want, most of the times. However, when I say designer, I actually wanted to be a bag designer, rather than a clothes one. I had a great idea for the next big thing, the only problem was, I didn’t know where I could get the bag manufactured. I had figured out how to get leather from a wholesale supplier. I haven’t given up on the idea and today’s fashion show was a reminder for me to go through with getting the bag manufactured and see how the world reacts to my design.

Today’s designer’s story is so great. It was her first fashion show. Before I continue, I want to share a few snippets of the show:

She had been designing clothes from a young age and opened her own boutique in 2012. Since then, her client base has grown consistently and it’s truly impressive how her popularity has grown, yet it is not surprising and the photos speak for themselves, every piece is beautifully unique. Her style is original and tailored for the individual’s style rather than just what’s in fashion. Goes back to what I’ve mentioned before, never give up because one day you will make it and have the privilege of having your own fashion show. How delightful!

I loved being a part of this. If you would like to know more about the collection, please visit this website (p.s. I wasn’t asked to advertise this, just thought that it’s nice for us to stick together and help each other achieve our dreams 🙂 ).

Selectively Curious©

Today I got nominated (100happydays – Day 1)

Posted on by Selectively Curious

I got nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award! What an honour, please click here to see the blogger’s page who nominated me.

A big thank you to PurpleOrangeSite, I am so very honoured and flattered to be number 1 on your list of nominees. 😀 Great way to start my 100 day happiness challenge.

A part of being nominated, one of the rules are to say at least 7 facts about me, so here goes:

  1. I love naps, I would probably call it my most favourite hobby, if sleeping can be qualified as a hobby
  2. I am curious about the most random things, for example have you ever thought about why the chocolate company is called Godiva? Did you know that the name Godiva has history behind it? (please see below as I tell the story)
  3. I love cats, I feel one can never have enough cats. At the same time I feel the same way about dogs. I would like to have a farm one day with lots of animals.
  4. I am naturally like my father but due to being close to my mother I have moulded to be more like her
  5. I am a law graduate, working as a paralegal and hoping to find the right opportunity to qualify as an English Lawyer as academically I have passed my qualifications, I just need training (or do the nybar to become a US Attorney and then do the conversion exams to also be an English Solicitor)
  6. I love being by the beach, it’s the ultimate way for me to relax
  7. sometimes I like to sit… yes just that, just sit and do nothing but sit, with no tv on or phone near me but just sit.

Now for the story of Godiva. Legend has it, Lady Godiva was the wife of a landlord who was imposing an oppressive tax on his tenants. Lady Godiva took pity on the tenants and requested her husband countless times to reduce the tax. After various attempts and refusing his wife’s request countless times he says that he would do so only on the condition that she ride the streets of Coventry completely naked. She called him out on his word and rode the streets on a horse, her long red hair being her only cover on her body. Everyone in the town was instructed to remain indoors, close their doors and their windows as they were not allowed to see that she was riding naked. One, so called Tom had disobeyed this order and that his how the term “peeping Tom” came to be. The lord had lifted the heavy taxation and they all lived happily ever after (maybe, I actually don’t know if they did or not but hey at least they didn’t have to pay high taxes anymore).

If you look at the logo of Godiva chocolates, you will notice a lady on a horse with only her hair covering her. 🙂

Featured photo: google image search

Selectively Curious©

If you could go back in time, what would you change?

Posted on by Selectively Curious

Nothing.

That’s a simple answer, I guess. I do not have regrets, especially in relation to the mistakes I have made, I would make those all over again if it would mean that it would bring me to where I am now. Don’t get me wrong, I am not in an ideal place in my life, I have a long way to go to be close to where I want to be; at the same time I really like who I have become and I truly have come a long way from where I was.

Going back to the beginning, I didn’t start speaking until I was about 4. I could say words but I did not formulate sentences very well. My mother has always been very intuitive, so she knew what I was trying to say to her and because she understood me so well, I guess on some level I didn’t feel the need to talk or formulate sentences. When I started school, the first memory I have is not being able to speak English. I remember speaking to the teacher and other kids in my mother tongue and being quite confused as to what was going on. It’s quite incredible the way the human mind works and the ability of teachers to teach children a whole new language. With time I learnt English. I was a very shy child. I was always hiding behind my mother, whenever we went out. I think I’d describe myself as Bambi if I could relate to any cartoon and at the time Bambi was my favourite. My shyness still remains, ever so slightly that it’s barely visible. I have “grown up” so to speak and even if I feel overwhelmed, I have gotten quite good at “fake it till you make it”

Speaking of mistakes, one I would like to mention is not doing well enough in my A levels, which lead to me having no offers from universities. (That’s a story for another time).

Fast forwarding till I moved to London for university, I had gotten my dorm room and my parents were there to make sure I settled in nicely. After they had left, I sat in my tiny room, looked outside the window and immediately missed home. I never felt more alone and at that moment self pity kicked in. I have always been capable of taking care of myself, but in that moment all I could think of is how much I wanted to be in the comfort of my home. After a few days of wallowing, I got bored of myself and decided to make the most of it and started socialising and just opening up. I decided that I did not want to be shy anymore and really went out of my way to get out of my comfort zone. I joined various societies and even ran for treasurer for a society (got elected twice). It did wonders for my confidence and it is then that I realised that I actually really like people. Everyone is interesting in one way or another and people tended to open up to me, which in the beginning I would find to be strange. I do not trust easily, yet I would find people opening up to me as if they have known me their whole lives. It made me feel nice to be peoples’ confidant and give them the encouragement they needed to overcome whatever obstacles they were facing. I learnt that at the end of the day, everyone just wants to be understood.

I have made a lot of mistakes along the way, taken some wrong turns, got hurt and I know that I will make new ones as I am still on this earth. With every mistake I come one step closer to my destiny, grow more confident and wise. I would not have it any other way. 🙂

Selectively Curious©