I'm so glad it's the weekend; happy to have a little time to slow things down..

My parents are traveling tomorrow & will be away for about two months.  I on the other hand won't be able to travel this summer {at least I highly doubt it} – though with the escalating heat, I'm tempted big time!  A one week cruise seems heavenly to me, or a 5-day-getaway to somewhere beautiful +sigh+ I need to unwind.

& why can't I travel you may ask?  Well, a tiny investment in the form of a partnership started a few months back – pure agony in the paperwork / sign-offs / bank guarantees etc… department, but now comes the most beautiful part of it – the interior design with the stylish-and-ever-so-energetic Julie :}  I just lose myself in the world of interiors and styling.  I promise to take photos as the place evolves!  & yes, I'm way too excited!
Though it's not a business activity I thought I will ever be involved in, I'm thankful nevertheless.

Apart from work and the continuous insane demands of the various sovereigns & regional requests & conference calls, I've been focusing on core exercises, reading, looking out for a logo / business card / stationary / sign-board designer, dvd'ing, window-shopping with Amna who's my official Abu Dhabi abaya/sheilah scouting partner *lol* {okkk, not just that, she's my AD everything +hugs+}

In the weeks to come, I'll be spending most of my after-work hours at my family's office – with the mention of that, for my office there, I'm in need of a cozy couch and 2 comfy chairs – I don't know where to start looking...   I've also got two huge artworks I'd like to get framed {and a little one which will be a gift for someone very dear to my heart}.  & a carpet – as just looking at the cold marble makes my back and neck ache =S {if that's even possible..=? *lol*}

I'll leave you with some snapshots & hopefully will be able to blog in a few days, if not earlier.  Oh! How could I forget?! - yours truly has at last jumped on the Twitter wagon, you can find me here =} I'm still trying to get the hang of it - it'll be great to see you guys there too!

Happy weekend, everyone =>

[I want to
nom nom nom
deliciousness =D]

At 10.38 pm as I was tucking myself in bed, my cell-phone's screen lit up.  It was a message from my dearest friend Reem.  Its content numbed me:

"...he passed away an hour ago. Please tell your mum.."

He reminded me of my late grandfather.  A lot.  Which in an unexplainable way made me love him even more; I've never shared this thought before.  Except for his continuous use of foul language - with no intention of any offense; it was a 'habit'..  Hearing him use such language always made me quietly gasp in shock and sometimes giggle - especially when he was talking to my parents.  He was a very loving man who was fond of our family; his eyes said it all.

It was just a few days ago while driving to work - that I thought of him, wondered about his whereabouts and how he was doing...

& now,
he's gone.

May his soul rest in peace.

[Empty.]

[I'm craving
vanilla crème brûlée -
=D]

*Messages:-
thesahara: thank you very much for helping me figure out who the singer is :} Much appreciated.
mn~dubai: thank you for offering; apologies for responding so late - but the big mystery was solved: Jaber Jassim.  If I figure out a way to upload & share like the above, I'll do so.  It's such a pretty song :}

Main Entry: per·se·vere
Pronunciation: ˌpər-sə-ˈvir
Inflected Form(s): per·se·vered; per·se·ver·ing

: to persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement

Since a hideous incident last year, I've miraculously been able to do just that {& God willing, will continue to do so}:
Persevere.

How? Praying, looking at the cup as half-full rather than half-empty and taking things a day at a time.  Sure I have my moments of curl-up-and-give-up {several actually..} but I eventually always remember that all is written & that there are people who have gone/going through much worse in life. 

Life?
Goes on..
One day.
One step at a time.

+++

I haven't shared vids with you in ages - my bad; I just never seem to be able to blog these days.  A blank screen keeps staring back at me; writer's block?  Or is it something more than that?  Can't really tell... 
+sigh+ Oh well, hope you enjoy :}

Lost Generation:

Polina Seminova <3 <3 [& I <3 the music too!]

Her Morning Elegance:

I've been looking for a song I fell in love with which I heard on the radio a few days ago; kind of difficult as it's pretty old.  It's about the UAE and sung by a male - I've been checking out singers' profiles in different websites trying to get a matching identity! I just have to find it.  If you're able to recognize singers of old songs, would appreciate if you'd let me know - I recorded a part of it, & wouldn't mind sharing the same!

Have a beautiful, beautiful Saturday, everyone.

[How I've missed
the luxury
of a lazy Saturday..]

What have I missed?

1. Blogging
2. Taking photos
3. Sharing photos with you
4. Meeting up with an old friend
5. Several social functions
6. Being in touch with my girlfriends
7. Reading your comments/emails & responding {will get to it asap}

What have I been up to?

1. Sports rehabilitation sessions with Lacey {& slowly - similar equipment is creeping into our home - I have to give the setup of my gym at our new home more thought!}
2. Regular visits to my chiropractor
3. Work, work & even more work
4. Watching movies
5. Retail therapy >.<; - I simply couldn't resist pretty things!
6. Brainstorming the very probable business venture with Joe
7. Seeking a job elsewhere
8. Staring at the ceiling for what seems like ages every night while Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata plays in the background; has become a nightly ritual - a lot of much needed soul searching takes place then
9. Catching up on unwatched tv series' dvds
10. Communicating with several store owners abroad
11. Stumbling upon the most magical & breathtaking dress I've ever laid my eyes on...I purchased it - I couldn't walk away from it, no matter how much I tried. <3 [I'm contemplating whether I should purchase the matching pair of shoes >.<;]

What's on my agenda for the weeks to come?

1. Fashion designer scouting {If you know of anyone amazing, please let me know! You can get in touch with me via email: lulu@uaezlulu.com - thanks!}
2. Go through my closet & only keep items which I actually use & can't live without - everything else will be boxed and given away
3. Hair trim
4. Be able to do 500 crunches in one daily session
5. Contact a charity organization for reasons I'll share later
6. Cook something >.<;
7. Visit our capital city - any restaurant recommendations for an early dinner?
8. Take photos of my grandma & videos of her reciting prayers and a bit of poetry <3

Wishing you a beautiful weekend.

[I'm visualizing
another
very late night tonight...]