Ha2 - حاء

Simplicity is Elegance!

I think it is the most elegant and most tasteful

Ramadan collection I've seen so far.

حاء

you can find حاء @ Ghazl El Banet boutique

in KARIZMA opposite to Amiri Hospital

Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Tel: 22 46 12 49 Ext.105

Home Made Chocolate Ramadan Collection

Limited Quantity of Baskets!

Order Now!

We will stop recieving orders two days before Ramadan.

To Order please call 97656999

للطلبات ارجو الاتصال على 97656999

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/group.php?gid=137482425319&ref=ts

I Scream For Ice Cream

If it was only Gelato Italiano...the ride would have been more delicious ;p Naaah... I love Cadbury Flake 99 ;)

Road Rage - Must Read!!!

Our car. It makes wonder how fast the other guy was driving.

My kids were sitting at the back. My Kids were sitting at the back!!!

It was a simple Friday afternoon. Fahad was ill, so we didn't go out and I sent the kids off to the club. Nothing interesting just a lazy day of food, and movies and I at the kitchen trying some ice cream mixes. Then I get a call from the driver who was supposed to be on the way to pick up the boys. He tells me he is in an accident. Of course my first concern was my boys. He assured me they were all ok. In matter of crisis I get very calm until I asses the whole situation. It was a wonder I managed to change very quickly, leaving a frantic Fahad behind and drove to where the accident was. Half way through the driver calls me again and tells me they were all going to AlDe3ia Station. The accident happened at the cross road from the Gulf Road which takes you directly to the Second Ring Road. To what the driver explained to me he was standing in the middle lane and signaling left to turn under the bridge which takes him to Fahad Bin Abdulaziz road. The other driver was coming from the left lane and was speeding to go straight into the Second Ring Road (aka. The Love Road), when it is common knowledge that driving on the left lane means you're turning left. No. Al7abeeb was speeding and collided with our car. Now, I arrive at AlDi3ya Station, and the first thing I notice is the dent in the car, and I was thinking, how fast that other guy was driving??? It is at a traffic light for God's Sake! How fast was he driving to make this kind of damage to the car which had my kids in it!!! I quickly looked for my kids. They were so relieved to see me. When Abdulaziz got out of the car he threw himself at me and started crying, "I was very scared mama." He said to me. "Are you hurt?" "I just hit my head on the window." I checked his head but couldn't see clearly in the dark. I check out Ahmed who still doesn't understand the gravity of the situation. And the nanny who was looking very pale. They were shaken but all fine. "Madame that boy was driving very fast." She tells me. I turn to look at the boy she pointed at. He was a boy! Between 19-21 years of age, from the looks of him, and his car was Smokey silver Chevrolet truck! "He was speeding. We were turning left and he wanted to go straight, and hit the car." That was John our cook. He and his family have been in the employment of my husbands family for the past 30 years. I ask him if it wasn't Raju's fault, and he assures me it wasn't Raju's mistake. Raju already had the left signal on, and was ahead of the other car before they were hit, and I believe him. Raju was nowhere to be found. He went to make copies of the license and car registration. I give a call to Fahad and assure him the kids and the staff were all fine and that I'll be heading back home soon. I still couldn't keep my eyes off the dent in the car, and the worst case scenarios started playing in my head, and my worst nightmare came popping as clear as the day I've witnessed it. Years ago, before I got married and had kids of my own. I witnessed a traffic accident and one of the cars had kids in it, the driver was disoriented, the nanny was screaming, and I remember clearly one of the kids was bleeding from his head. Men from other cars rushed to them and I remember the one was carrying the child who was bleeding and rushing him to his car and off to the hospital. The bleeding boy, not more than 6 years old, was crying for his mommy, the other kid even smaller than his brother was crying hysterically. Then all semblance of calm evaporated. This could have happened to my kids. My kid could be bleeding when I'm far away from him. Al7amedallah I believe in "Gatha2 w Qadar", but I will never accept that my child gets hurt because of a road rage king of the road no sense of responsibility 19-21 something years of age SOB!!! It is a wonder I didn't hit him and buried him where he was standing inside the police station. No. I will not accept it. When I asked him if he cared. He said the investigator will determine who is right or wrong. I told him I didn't care who is right or wrong. It was obvious he was wrong, I want to know if he cared there were children in the car! There was a woman, the nanny, who is also a mother, and the driver, a man, a father with his own children. There was John, who isn't only a cook, but practically a member of the family! Did he even think about the lives in the car when he hit it? Did he check on the kids inside the car after he collided into it? From the look on his face, and when he turned and walked away it was obvious, he didn't care. I was dragged out of the station. The officers, although neutral, but understood the rage I was in. I left then. My dear brother came to follow the investigation after I left, which is still going on because that other driver refuses to be wrong. The investigator, whoever he is, was in a hurry to leave, so he gave us another appointment for this week. To Fahad and I, it isn't a matter of who is right or wrong. Or who is going to fix and pay for the car. Al7amedallah, e7na ahal 5air. It was and is a matter of principle! This guy was speeding. Driving as if "Alshare3 Share3 abou!". Not caring about the lives around him and no sense of responsibility. Not caring there are children in the car he collided with. Not caring that he endangered the lives of the children and the people in the car. And We do not accept it. WE DO NOT ACCEPT IT! Something should be done about those speed crazed drivers. A law should be made just for them, to be conscious of those around them on the road. They have to be held accountable as long as they are speeding! I am so incensed, so infuriated I was ready to bury him where he was standing. I want to teach him and others like him a lesson. Will we make it easy for him? No! I made Fahad swear on my life and those of our children to make an example out of him. I am still angry and infuriated. Alf Al7amedallah 3ala salamat 3yali w 3ala salamat alnas elli fee amanatna. W ma agool ela 7asbyallah wa ne3ma alwakeel.

Nightmare

A mother's worst nightmare is when something happens to her kids and she isn't with them!

Al7amedullah my kids are fine...however I'm still in shock and I can't think clearly...and I will post about it soon.

Blessed Friday

لا اله الا الله الجليل الجبار,لااله الا الله الواحد القهار,لا اله الا الله الكريم الستار, لا اله الا الله الكبير المتعال ,لااله الا الله وحده لا شريك له إله واحدا ربا شاهدا أحدا وصمدا ونحن له مسلمون لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له إله واحدا وربا شاهدا احدا وصمدا ونحن له عابدون لاإله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له اله واحدا ربا وشاهدا احدا وصمدا ونحن له قانتون لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له إله واحدا ربا شاهدا احدا وصمدا ونحن له صابرون لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول الله . اللهم إليك فوضت امري وعليك توكلت يا أرحم الراحمين

Diet Update - July

I've been good all month. I'm exercising every morning before I head out to work, treadmill and I added Steps. Sometimes I do 10min of brisk walking and 2x15 Steps & 2x15 wide steps and I alternate between the two for 45min, it really makes your heart pump. I also do light weights every other day. When I'm not in the mood for cardio I just do yoga and the fun thing about it, my kids join me. Ahmed has really become the yoga pro, and the Nanny told me that Abdulaziz has led a class of yoga at the club with the trainer. Abdulaziz started yoga about a month ago and he does it every morning. It helps him with his concentration.

I'm not sure how much I lost. Not much anyway. However I still can feel it in my clothes which are getting less constricting ;p I've been saying it for the past two months and I'm still saying it…I really have to get me a scale! Ramadan is coming inshallah… I'll continue exercising. I just hope I don't go crazy over food, desserts and Gelato!!! ;p

To Flex or Not To Flex?

My kids membership at Flex family is almost ending, although they are enjoying themselves just because they are out of the house, but honestly I'm not sure if I should renew it or not. I am not pleased with their services. Kids have a half hour class and a half hour nothing to do until the next class. They don't have a variety of classes to interest kids. There is no one around to guide them. They are kids, they need someone to tell them what to do. There are what they call at the club child minder (not trainers) who are suppose to encourage the kids to participate in games and be active and to guide. But those so called child minders, from what I saw on the many occasions I went to check on my boys, they are clustered into groups gossiping or just sitting there waiting for their shift to be over, and they have their private black market going on with the other nannies, and I saw it with my own eyes. Their swimming schedule is constantly changing and they give priority to the women members, although the fee for the Childs membership is more than the women. Isn't it a club for mother and child or children in particular? Half the women who are there don't have any kids in the club. They are there 'cause the membership is cheaper than Flex Women. Yet they get the priority! I wanted to be with my kids, just to make sure that they benefit from their time there, unfortunately I'm having a very crazy schedule and it's getting crazier in Ramadan. To be fair, the administration at Flex has responded to my complaints, and I do complain a lot. Yet there is still not much change. It is really frustrating for me to find my kids time wasted without doing anything fruitive. I checked out Champions few weeks ago. Yes they have a program and a variety of classes, but I had several issues with them. First, it is very crowded, half the kids there don't have a chance to play and exercise enough. Second, the trainers are all men. Third, nannies are not allowed (Cranky Ahmed will never go anywhere without me or his nanny). I don't know how it's going to be during Ramadan. I still don't want my boys to mop around doing nothing.

Jane Austen's Fight Club!

I found this on one of the blogs I follow and wanted to share it with you. Jane Austen's Fans and Fight Club Fans will love this. It is just awesome!

My New Love - Olly Murs

Love comes on different levels…the unconditional and highest love for my man and boys, my love of food and cooking, my love of art, my love of literature and history, my love of music and performance, my love of humanity and spirituality, and my love of everything beautiful. Many many kind of love...I fall in love ten times a day! Yesterday I discovered Olly Murs…on the X Factor and I am besotted and very much in love! My sister has been forever telling me about him, but I haven't paid much attention until yesterday! I just love his soulful voice and his whacky geeky dance moves, it is all over the place but it still looks good. See for yourselves and tell me what you think! These are my two favorite preformances...

10 Things Which Makes You Happy

So how was your weekend? Mine... I did nothing. Fahad was ill so we stayed home, even the kids who were out most of the week didn't complain by spending the day at home. So on the white board I asked Abdulaziz to write a list of "Ten things which makes him happy". These days Kids do not appreciate what they've already got. The idea of this exercise is to make him conscious of what he already have and be thankful for it. It isn't as simple as it seems. We spent half the time talking about the list and the hows and whys, and then we made a collage of it. The collage is still under works and will post it as soon as it's done ;)

On Abdulaziz's list was:

Chocolate cake

Books

Bowling

Cooking

Jokes

Taking pictures

Football

Swimming

My Family

My Friends

Now...give me your list of Ten Things Which Makes You Happy! ;)

House of Hunks

For Swera...just Please don't faint...and if you do make sure someone is close by to hold you ;)

Matthew Staton Bomer (born October 11, 1977)

Matt Bomer in White Collar as Niel Caffery

He is a guy who really looks good in a suit!

Shatha Chic Ramadan Collection

Ramadan Collection By Shatha Al Neamah @ The Exhibition

27th -28th July- 10am to 10pm Trendy Collection of Dresses, Jumpsuits, Darra3as.

Fabulous pieces made of precious fabrics.

Food Fever

This picture was taken a while back,

The Ice Swan in the middle is made at Gelato Italiano :)

Yesterday at the Co-op I've noticed they've already cleared spaces to stack food for Ramadan! And so! The food fever begins!!! Does the food fever hit you every year? I must confess, I've been hit by this fever in the past and over did myself with the food and the cooking! In the end none of us ate much! And half the food went to waste! Last year was the first Ramadan I haven't spent much thought or money on food, in the end I cooked food which I actually ate! This year inshallah...I'll try to concentrate on Soups and Salads...it is useless to say I'm going on a diet in Ramadan. I'll end up eating twice more than I normally do. So…again…do you go crazy on food in Ramadan? If so…what are you planning to cook? ;)

Flashbomb: Pregnant Women Breakdancing In London

If you think this is dangerous, try giving birth in poor countries without a midwife, hospital or medicine. This flashmob is one of a series happening in Paris, Berlin, Utrecht and across Canada to highlight the scandal that millions of women in poor countries and around the world aren't getting the healthcare they need for a safe and... healthy pregnancy.See More

Black Swan

Natalie Portman in Aronofsky's Black Swan.... can't wait! It's a Darren Aronofsky’s new psychological thriller Black Swan! Starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Winona Ryder and Vincent Cassel, the film is set in the world of dancing, where Portman plays Nina, a dancer who finds herself locked in a web of competitive intrigue with a new rival at the company.

Love Letter - Anne Bradstreet

Snow was kind enough to share this wonderful Poem and decided to post it instead of another a Love Letter this week ;) Anne Dudley Bradstreet (c. 1612 – September 16, 1672) was an English-American writer, the first published American poet, and the first woman to be published in Colonial America. Her work was very influential to Puritans in her time. To my Dear and Loving Husband If ever two were one, then surely we. If ever man were lov'd by wife, then thee. If ever wife was happy in a man, Compare with me, ye women, if you can. I prize thy love more than whole Mines of gold Or all the riches that the East doth hold. My love is such that Rivers cannot quench, Nor ought but love from thee give recompetence. Thy love is such I can no way repay. The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray. Then while we live, in love let's so persever That when we live no more, we may live ever.

For Fahad :*

Wisdom Of the Week

There comes a time in life when you walk away from all the pointless drama and people who create it, and surround yourself with people who make you laugh so hard that you forget the bad and focus on the good.

Life is too short to beanything but happy...

Gnocchi

Spinach Gnocchi with Butter Garlic Tomato and Mushroom

Sauce ;)

Over the weekend I tried this new recipe... it was a lot of work...however it doesn't taste as good as it looks :( I followed the exact recipe but gnocchi was flavorless. The sauce was good though. I have to give it a second try and add my personal touch to it :) Lucky I made a lasagna on the side ;p

Just Catty!

My friend Yazzy and I were discussing about a show we're both watching and about the catty women characters, and she wrote this:

"I thought the sequence where the society women were all catty with each other was something as fresh and wicked then as it is today. Women don't really change that much. I wanted to slap each and every one of them."

I felt the same when I watched the show too, and was speechless as I watched, could there be women like this in our time and day? We are intellectual beings!!! We can't stoop so low in our character just to be catty to another woman. Unlike Yazzy, I haven't encountered this type of women in my life. Yes there are those who like to pry in my personal business and I know how to deal with them (just ask them personal questions and they'd tuck their tails between their legs and run).

However, the kind of women who likes to make you feel uncomfortable and throw slurs and sneers at you, no, I guess I'm lucky in this...or maybe they are the lucky ones... 'cause I don't tolerate this kind of behavior... I wouldn't waste my breath on them....I'd just put my hand down their throats and pull out their tonsils. So catty women, you've been warned!

WTH! To think at my age I'd be a bit more passive... I have to go and workout the aggression in me ;p 50min of treadmill today :)

A Day At the Office...

9:00 Am... I'm typing this as I'm checking other things around me ;)

Here I am sitting behind my desk…Fahad is annoyed with me this morning...I'm not being very productive. (my desk isn't extravagant, more cluttered with unfiled papers, recipes and books which needs to be arranged ASAP! I have OCD can't tolerate this kind of mess...no wonder why I'm not productive this morning) He is scowling at me. (I've said it before, he doesn't cut me slack just because I'm his wife) "Did you call **** and asked him for the dimensions?" He is asking me. I'm nodding. "Yes. He is emailing them right now." How could I do anything? Apart from making calls and replying to emails, which I already did, my other job is to come up with new flavors and ideas. I have few on my list which needs to be worked on; still I can't do anything 'cause the staff is already backed up on orders. If I haven't mentioned it before we supply to restaurants and Hotels, and since it is summer and high season for our line of work… just imagine the chaos down there inside the factory. I should have stayed at home this morning (Mr. Irresistible (and he really is) glaring at me again). The new ice cream machine I bought few months ago isn't doing a good job, cheap stuff. Once the new one I ordered arrives, I'd be spending more time at home. That is a good thought to hold on to. *sigh* Now I wonder… what kind of flavors our clients would like us to present for them this Ramadan season?

10:15 am... My phone is ringing… Chef **** calling. 10min later. Chef wants to know if I received the email for their order he needs it ASAP for the weekend. Sure! (I'm being sarcastic here.) I remember few weeks ago some underling in a kitchen of one of the restaurants we supply to calls me (we leave my direct line on contracts for emergencies) and tells me he wants our green tea ice cream now!!! Excuse me! We have to make it fresh we do not stock our ice cream, and then it needs few hours in the big freezer (minimum 6 hours maximum 12) before we can deliver. Besides, not that he thought about it because we only work for him, we have other orders to supply to other clients, and I have to check how swamped my staff are. At least we can deliver the next morning. When I explained all of that to him… "You do what we ask you to do." He tells me in a very derisive obnoxious tone! Gasp! Did I mention I'm a live wire? I yelled… can't remember what I said but I yelled, then closed the line.

Moments later the Head Chef calls and (still seething) I told him what his underling said to me he was appalled and apologized. I explained that my direct line is there for emergencies and I'm ready to help but I do not tolerate obnoxious attitude. You get to meet all sorts of people. At least it is better than when I was in the banking field. Agrrrh! And don't get me started about the people I met when I was in the banking sector! I'm going to check if one of the machines is empty to try one of the mixes I've prepared this morning….

11:36 am.... Back…no not ready. Jeffery says he'll call me when one of them is ready. Just have to wait then. Fahad, left to the other office. I'm worried about Abdulaziz. You know when you have your first kid and do all sorts of mistakes with him. Like speaking to him in three different languages at once, to a point the child reaches the age of nine and he can't form one coherent sentence to express himself. Sometimes it is so frustrating for him he loses his temper and starts yelling and then just go berserk. For the past few days we've been practicing on speech, mainly French, and writing down what he said, like a Journal. Today I'm going to concentrate on emotions and feelings. He still needs a lot of practice. We do meditation just to shut down the noise around us and go deep inside our souls and find a moment of serenity. I might sound weird but he needs these quiet moments of reflection. Of course Ahmed is jealous and he'd charge on us yelling "Geronimo!" and shatters that moment of calm. In the evening when all my men are in their beds sleeping, I surf the net to find other ways and techniques to help my boy…I didn't find much. Any ideas?

12:35 PM... Jeff is calling...signing off!!! Get that mix in the machine then rush back home for 30min on the treadmill before the boyos get back home...

House of Hunks

I chose Ryan Reynolds for this weeks House of Hunks post for several reasons...

1- He's a HUNK!

2- Married to Scarlett

3- Funny

4- Still a HUNK

5- I found the last two pictures on Abdulaziz's computer. When I asked why he had these pictures "He's cool and I want a body like him!" he told me. I can't believe my nine year old is so self conscious about his slightly chubby bod. I told him "Well if you do then you better take your swimming lessons seriously!"

Ryan Rodney Reynolds (born October 23, 1976) is a Canadian television and film actor best known for his roles in comedy romantic and in several action hero films. Married to the gorgeous Scarlett Johansson.

Can't wait for this movie to come out!

I just love cute superheros ;p

Weekend Movie Fest

Again another lazy weekend spent at home

with lots of movies and food!

What would you do if you got a second shot at life? Class of 1989, Mike O'Donnell is a star on his high school basketball court with a college scout in the stands and a bright future in his grasp. But instead, he decides to throw it all away to share his life with his girlfriend Scarlett and the baby he just learned they are expecting. Almost 20 years later, Mike's glory days are decidedly behind him. His marriage to Scarlett has fallen apart, he has been passed over for a promotion at work, his teenage kids think he is a loser, and he has been reduced to crashing with his high school nerd-turned-techno-billionaire best friend Ned. But Mike is given another chance when he is miraculously transformed back to the age of 17. Unfortunately, Mike may look 17 again, but his thirty something outlook is totally uncool in the class of 2009. And in trying to recapture his best years, Mike could lose the best things that ever happened to him. I really enjoyed the movie. It was very funny and made me feel I want another shot at life again... what would you do if you had a second chance? I think I'll pay more attention in school the next time *shuddering* never liked school or what followed after that ;p

Three years after the Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth, rumors that he is a prophet who has risen from the dead are inciting the people to rebel against their Roman rulers. In an effort to control the unrest, the Roman Emperor Tiberius sends Taurus, a loyal Roman official, to Judea to find Jesus or his missing body and disprove the story. Taurus soon finds himself hampered in his investigation by governor Pontius Pilate (who is anxious to keep the details of Jesus' last moments on Calvary from becoming public knowledge) and drawn deeply into a maze of passion and faith.

History and religion are two of my favorite subjects. And a movie about the two is a real treat for me. It is an Italian production staring Daniel Loitti who graced our House of Hunk post last week, Dolph Lindbergh who had a handful of repeated lines and Monica Cruz, Penny's little sister me thinks. The filming was bad, but the whole story very interesting.

When Catherine, a successful doctor, begins to question her husband David's fidelity, she sets out to resolve her suspicions with the help of an alluring young woman, Chloe. Soon caught in a web of sexual desire, Catherine finds herself on a journey that places her family in great danger.

In short...don't butt in your husband's secret affairs or this is what will happen to you! Yeah sure come tell me something else! It is scary and a little bit stupid and predictable. Amanda Syfried was creep in good way.

For Your Tummy

You know when you wake up with a food hangover... you over eat and wake up the next morning feeling guilty and with an upset tummy...well don't you worry!!! I have the remedy for it ;)

1/4 ripe papaya stoned and chopped

2 slice fresh pineapple chopped

150ml pineapple juice (KDD)

1 pack of activia yogurt

put all ingredients in a blender and Whizz!

Makes about two glasses...you can add ice if you want

or place the juice in the freezer for 30min before you make

the smoothie.

Pineapple and papaya are rich in antioxidants and contain

digestive -system stimulating enzymes.

The Happiest Countries In the World

This morning I read a very interesting artical about the happiest countries in the world. Money plays a big part but not all the time. I believe money isn't everything, sometimes important but it doesn't play a major part in my life. I believe in health, communication, self-satisfaction (qana3a) and making a difference in my life and the people around me. So What do you think? What would make you happy? and what would you think will put our country as one of the happiest countries in the regeion? The World's Happiest Countries By and large, rich countries are happier — and that's no coincidence. By Francesca Levy Forbes In the wake of their World Cup loss, residents of the Netherlands may be feeling depressed. But there's reason to believe they won't be done in by the agony of defeat: According to a recent poll, the country is one of the happiest in the world. Championship-winning Spain, on the other hand, was swept with euphoria and national pride, but that may have been an unfamiliar feeling. The country ranks No. 17 of 21 European countries in terms of happiness. The fact is good times probably have more to do with the size of your wallet than the size of your trophy shelf. The five happiest countries in the world — Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands — are all clustered in the same region, and all enjoy high levels of prosperity. Behind the Numbers Quantifying happiness isn't an easy task. Researchers at the Gallup World Poll went about it by surveying thousands of respondents in 155 countries, between 2005 and 2009, in order to measure two types of well-being. First they asked subjects to reflect on their overall satisfaction with their lives, and ranked their answers using a "life evaluation" score between 1 and 10. Then they asked questions about how each subject had felt the previous day. Those answers allowed researchers to score their "daily experiences" — things like whether they felt well-rested, respected, free of pain and intellectually engaged. Subjects that reported high scores were considered "thriving." The percentage of thriving individuals in each country determined our rankings. Money Matters The Gallup researchers found evidence of what many have long suspected: money does buy happiness — at least a certain kind of it. In a related report, they studied the reasons why countries with high gross domestic products won out for well-being, and found an association between life satisfaction and income. "Money is an object that many or most people desire, and pursue during the majority of their waking hours," researchers wrote in the report. "It would be surprising if success at this pursuit had no influence whatsoever when people were asked to evaluate their lives." Indeed, Denmark, the world's happiest country, had a per-capita GDP of $36,000 in 2009, according to the Central Intelligence Agency. That's higher than 196 of the 227 countries for which the CIA collects statistics. But there's more to happiness than riches. The Gallup study showed that while income undoubtedly influenced happiness, it did so for a particular kind of well-being — the kind one feels when reflecting on his or her own successes and prospects for the future. Day-to-day happiness is more likely to be associated with how well one's psychological and social needs are being met, and that's harder to achieve with a paycheck. Take Costa Rica. The sixth-happiest country in the world, and the happiest country in the Americas, it beat out richer countries like the United States. That's because social networks in Costa Rica are tight, allowing individuals to feel happy with their lot, regardless of financial success. "Costa Rica ranks really high on social and psychological prosperity," says Harter. "It's probably things systemic to the society that make people over time develop better relationships, and put more value on relationships. Daily positive feelings rank really high there." Inhabitants of some rich countries are bound to feel happier. But happiness is elusive to define, and money isn't the only thing that influences it. Harter explains that the more abstract sense of happiness to which wealth contributes has a different effect on one's life than daily happiness. "Each of us is two different people. We evaluate our lives periodically; we sit back and reflect and summarize things that have gone on in our lives to date," Harter says. "Another side is how you experience things daily. Daily experience affects your stress and your psychology. How you evaluate your life affects your decisions. It's important to think about how you can leverage that well-being." And a very surprising list of the happiest countries in the world. http://www.forbes.com/2010/07/14/world-happiest-countries-lifestyle-realestate-gallup_slide.html?partner=yahootravel

Lord Perfect and other books by Ms. Chase

The first time I picked up a book by Loretta Chase was about three years ago in Cairo. We were there for Christmas and New Year holiday and the books I brought with me didn't suit my mood at the time. I found her writing light and witty, not the kind of historical romances that would go on and on with endless descriptive paragraphs which makes you skip three pages until you get to the main point. No, you don’t find much of that in Loretta Chase's books. The book which I bought was called Mr. Impossible : Egypt in 1821 is not a safe place for foreigners. So when her brother, Miles, disappears, Daphne Pembroke immediately goes to the British Consulate for help. What Daphne gets is Rupert Carsington. At first Daphne is quite vexed with the idea of being saddled with this cheerful blockhead, but she soon realizes that since she is clever, all she really needs is a big, strong man who will follow orders. As Daphne and Rupert set out in search of Miles, and a missing papyrus that may hold the key to a pharaoh's long-lost tomb, Daphne begins to suspect that she may have underestimated not only Rupert's intelligence but also her own susceptibility to his devilish charms. A bookish, sharp-tongued heroine with a passion for hieroglyphics discovers an all-together different kind of passion in this supremely satisfying and thoroughly romantic tale. Chase's subtly nuanced characters and deftly plotted story come together brilliantly, and her polished writing is imbued with a wicked wit. What was fascinating about the whole book, was when we were in Egypt (it was the whole touristic exploration kind of trip) we took the same route along the Nile as it was written in the book and made the same stops. We even went into unchartered places with shady characters to explore tombs which were found under old houses in remote villages. For me it was like living in two alternate realities one in the past and the other in the present. The historical facts I got from the book astonished the guides we had with us.

Abdulaziz...in front of King Tut's tombe at the Valley of the Kings

(They wouldn't let us take a pic of King Tut )

I remember every time my sister called me I was in some kind of tomb or in a museum or a library. "I hope I don't call you tomorrow and find you buried in one of them!" I recall her saying to me. Abdulaziz had the time of his life. It was one of the best Exploration trips I had in a long while and en famille, and I hope to repeat it again when Ahmed is a bit older. One of the reasons why this book is one of my favorite I was at the same place where the story took place, besides it is romantic and very funny! Then a year ago I picked up Miss Wonderful, which was originally the first book in the series: Due to his history of expensive romantic entanglements, Alistair Carsington now has six months to find either a useful occupation or a wealthy heiress to wed. To prove he is not an idle fop only concerned with sartorial pleasures, Alistair agrees to help his old friend, Lord Gordmor, by traveling to the wilds of Derbyshire to convince Gordmor's neighbors to support the nobleman's proposal to build a canal. Upon arriving, Alistair, a famous war hero and eligible bachelor, finds everyone couldn't be nicer, everyone except for respectable, practical, spinsterish Mirabel Oldridge. The last thing Mirabel wants is for her tranquil little corner of England to be destroyed by a noisy, nasty canal, and she is prepared to use every weapon at her disposal--including her disheveled coiffure and unstylish wardrobe--to stop Alistair. This book I found it a bit exasperating although it had its moments. Not to be missed though. This weekend I was in the mood of some historical romance. But I didn't want the tedious kind of books, which will make me skip pages just to get to the interesting parts. I remembered I had a third book by Ms. Chase and picked it up. Lord Perfect: Benedict Carsington, Viscount Rathbourne, is in perfect control of his life until he meets Bathsheba, one of the "Dreadful DeLuceys." One encounter with the lovely widow, and he begins to wonder if his life is not so much perfect as boring. Benedict is certain that he can resist becoming involved with her, but he soon finds himself hiring Bathsheba to teach drawing to his nephew, Peregrine Dalmay. Then Bathsheba's impetuous daughter, Olivia, convinces Peregrine to join her quest to find the DeLucey family pirate treasure, forcing Benedict to become even more entangled with Bathsheba. As the two set off across England to retrieve the wayward young fortune hunters, Benedict is forced to admit that he is not as immune to the tart-tongued Bathsheba as he would like to think. It was an amazing read, very light, funny and romantic. I had butterflies in my stomach the whole time. I loved the characters and their relationship and the ending was satisfying, although I wanted more. Since I ignored my family for the past two days I can safely say I highly recommend Ms. Chase's books. The fourth book in the series is called Not Quiet a Lady, I still haven't read it yet, Maybe by next weekend, inshallah. The fifth book, is coming out the end of July and it is about Peregrine and Olivia, the brats in Lord Perfect.

Lists...Lists...Lists...

My list doesn't look as elegant as this one...

I'm a very organized person. I have a little note book which keeps me in line and not forget what I have to do. I have To Do List for the day, for the week, and for the month. I make plans all the time and write them down and keep on writing them until I get everything done. I stick to my lists… except…yeah it's coming… my grocery list!!! It is a nightmare for me!!! I don't seem to stick to the grocery list and this month in particular everything was disorganized… the house keeper doesn't seem to get things straight. She tells me what is missing I go grocery shopping and grab other things that I might need to use for recipes and then when I get back home, I discover there are other things missing or about to finish which requires another trip to the Co-op or Sultan. Last week I've been grocery shopping three times so far and thrown a substantial amount on each trip. Do you have a tip on saving up on money and preventing food waste? How do you do it? please share….help!

Wisdom Of the Week

‎"The biggest adventure you can take

is to live the life of your dreams."

My First, My Last, My Everything...

I've got goose bumps all over just listening to this duo!!!To all who love...love ;) Barry White & Luciano Pavarotti My First, my Last my Everything

Love Letter - Robert & Elizabeth Browning

Robert Browning (7 May 1812–1889) was an English poet and playwright whose mastery of dramatic verse, especially dramatic monologues, made him one of the foremost Victorian poets. Elizabeth Barrett Browning (6 March 1806 – 29 June 1861) was one of the most prominent poets of the Victorian era. Her poetry was widely popular in both England and the United States during her lifetime. A collection of her last poems was published by her husband, Robert Browning, shortly after her death. To Robert Browning: And now listen to me in turn. You have touched me more profoundly than I thought even you could have touched me - my heart was full when you came here today. Henceforward I am yours for everything... Elizabeth Barrett Browning To Elizabeth Barret Browning : ...would I, if I could, supplant one of an of the affections that I know to have taken root in you - that great and solemn one, for instance. I feel that if I could get myself remade, as if turned to gold, I WOULD not even then desire to become more than the mere setting to that diamond you must always wear. The regard and esteem you now give me, in this letter, and which I press to my heart and bow my head upon, is all I can take and all too embarrassing, using all my gratitude. Robert Browning *sigh*

Travolta Back to Back!

Fahad had his lunch and went for a short nap...the kids are at the club, I'm bored to tears... too hot to go out...my friends are busy and my sisters are out of the country... what's better to do than catch up on movies... oh! and Thanks to Dathra I was craving a fudgy chocolate cake!!! I decided to watch Old Dogs & From Paris with Love *Sigh* (miss you Paris) Both movies had John Travolta in it... I like him more in edgy movies ;)

Two best friends -- one unlucky-in-love divorcee and the other a fun-loving bachelor -- have their lives turned upside down when they're unexpectedly charged with the care of 7-year-old twins while on the verge of the biggest business deal of their lives. The not-so-kid-savvy bachelors stumble in their efforts to take care of the twins, leading to one debacle after another, and perhaps to a new-found understanding of what's really important in life.

The movie had its funny moments but I felt it was too exaggerated. But when you're bored its a good choice to watch a movie like this ;)

A low-ranking intelligence operative working in the office of the U.S. Ambassador in France takes on more than he bargained for when he partners with a wisecracking, fast-shooting, high-ranking U.S. agent who's been sent to Paris to stop a terrorist attack.

FPWL suited my mood better and I enjoyed watching the shooting the blood and explosions and the killing!!! It's been a while I have been at the shooting range...

Junk! Junk! Junk!

Never Shop on an empty stomach!!!

Total disaster!

I was soo sorry I bought these brownies they were

sooo good, I had a piece of each and fed the rest to the

boyos, then sent them off to the club to burn it off ;)

I just loved the peanut butter browni...so yummi! Saw this on Danderma's blog...had to try it and I liked it...Fahad didn't. My lunch with the kids, it was good ;) and the tortillas are smaller than they look ;)

Le Chateau de Fougeres

Abdulaziz and I were reading about Medieval castles and fortifications, and one of them which was mentioned in the book was Le Chateau de Fougeres. It took me back to one of those short vacations we had and we went scouring around the French country side, and in this case the northwestern part of Brittany, where the incredibly preserved Medieval Town of Fougeres is situated. Put it on must visit places when you're in France. It is already on my list when I take the boys Inshallah.

So What's Written on Iniesta's Shirt?

As Andres Iniesta scored the 116th-minute goal that helped Spain to its first World Cup victory, he took the opportunity to pay tribute to a colleague who passed away before the start of last season. In front of a TV audience of more than 750 million, the Barca star removed his shirt to reveal the message "Dani Jarque siempre con nosotros," which translates to:

Dani Jarque always with us

Espanyol defender Jarque suffered a heart attack before a preseason game in Italy in 2009. He never played club football with Iniesta, but they were the same age as they rose through the Spanish national team ranks. After the match, Iniesta explained his gesture:

“I wanted to keep Dani with me and with the other teammates. We wanted to pay tribute to him and we thought this was the best opportunity to do so.”

The diminutive midfielder may have earned a yellow card for the gesture, but what better way to pay tribute to a lost friend.

Interior Design

Knowing I'm in the middle of renovating my apartment, my friend sent me an email with interior design pictures, they are very elegant, although not my type. I'm not into Baroque or classic designs, I tend to lean more into Arabic or modern minimalistic designs, although there is nothing minimal in my home, it is filled with clutter, however I can't help liking the color combinations and material textures, giving me a lot of ideas. I still can't make up my mind on my living room.