Are You Happy?

After the two (2) out-of-town trips; which as of this writing, I just finished booking for another one - a Saturday escapade, I come home to a list of series and movies that I wrote on a paper and posted on the wall beside my bed - I got so much posts which reminds me to take some down and post some new ones up.

So yeah, a day at home had me glued to my bed watching episode to episode of my long overdue series and movies that whenever I see the title takes me back to each of its trailer vividly that only makes me wanting to rush and finish an episode that sometimes I just pause it and start with a movie.

I finished some movies and some eps and chatted with somebody until around 3:00 in the morning got me hit the sack with a smile on my face.

Little things, really.

Then I’ve woken up to a text on WhatsApp asking "Are you happy?".

The thought of the night prior surfaced and I replied "Yes. I am happy. Thank you for asking. How about you, are you happy? Why'd ask anyway?"

And he answered that he happened to see the post on IG that I liked and made him asked me, and that yes, he is happy too.

Well, it's true. I saw a post on IG about people being asked about almost anything but on feeling happy. It struck me that time and had planned on asking my friends about it but I was preoccupied with you know - visuals and virtuals, as I multitasked.

Happiness is definitely fleeting, this I know by heart. Last night I was happy, and I woke up feeling nothing until I was asked, which made me happy because somebody out there is concerned of how I feel.

Happiness for me varies from person to person. For sure the level of my happiness when seeing a clean sponge doesn't equal to anyone's who has seen the same, much more to someone's who doesn't really care about cleanliness. (a clean sponge, really? of all that I could use to compare. this only means one thing - wisdom :P). 

And I think that there are a lot of contributing factors to happiness - every thing (like, every thing!) that you see could affect mine's, your's or someone else's happiness.

To add, I really believe that it's just within us. I mean, as I have mentioned earlier, I woke up not feeling anything but when I was asked, I snatched out a thought; a happy thought, which made me feel happy in an instant. Well with that, it might work to some and not to others, but the point is we can control it.

Anyway, so around 2:00 in the afternoon. I was still in bed and didn't want to move, yet managed to send a text - 'Are you happy?' to a few dear friends through WhatsApp and below are their answers giving hints to what makes them happy.

Ch. 32.

Fair point. I couldn't agree more.

Ri. 24.

But of course! what makes a sweet-tooth happy?!

La. 25.

Yes. It is "Who" that makes her happy!

Om. 27.

Yes, a straight No.

This is where 'happiness varies from moment to moment' comes in.

He's at work and even sent a snap of his chaotic table

so a straight No is just right.

An. 27

Oh I know she is, VERY. 

However, days prior, she wasn't really.

And, am happy for you!

Ab. 33.

Well I know he's at work, and maybe his day was mundane or something

so yeah, that I guess so is just fitting.

Le. 27.

Oh, someone misses me. Haha.

Well, I can't last a day without having to talk to this somebody.

Such a happy spirit despite the toxic environment.

Kr. 33.

This lady is always happy, like every time you see her, she's all smiles and laughing.

An iridescent.

Which kinda had me like, what the eff?!

But yeah, happiness also varies from person to person.

Ko.23.

I never find him unhappy, unless I made him haha nah I dunno

The most disciplined person I know.

Ja. 30.

I want to say that she definitely has a lot in her mind when I asked her this.

Oh trust me, I know how busy she is.

Ma. 34.

She has money. She gets sex whenever she wants.

She's happy most of the time but her answer surprised me.

So, how about you? Are you happy?

I Joined An Online Dating App; I Dated - A Social Experimentation

And I did. 

Having a profile pic below, I got swarmed with messages inviting for coffee, tea and whatnot.

I entertained some and I ignored a lot :P

Which I will be sharing how they were and my experiences with the former here.

So, brace yourself, you maybe one of them :D

Okay, let us start with how on earth i ended up on that app (i despise online dating :P) But I got so fed up with my friends' annoying and constant battery on me to put myself out there and attract a guy. Plus, a dear friend just got married to somebody whom she met on that app, so yeah, I gave in to their rants and signed away. It was also some kind of social experimentation and was nervous as I set the bar high on the number of men who would get interested in me and of course - what kind of men are in there (-limits to only those I've met).

It was the first dating app I joined in and it was not that difficult to figure how it works. Only that, the first minute i delved into it, I threw Likes away to every man that appeared on the screen, one after another LOL *sigh - ignorance excuses no one. HAHA

I did not know how many I have liked but a lot have liked me back (*chirpchirp-truth!). So yeah, let's unravel the mysterious guys who made the cut and got me out of my beloved abode (*bed) and my so-so routine.

Note: I entertained one guy at a time. :P

Drum roll ***

The Dentist, 33.
He bombarded me with messages on how much he was attracted to me (my profile photo). I checked his profile and seemed okay and legit so I entertained him. Days of chatting were great. He was so into me and would do everything I say just to have me - gigolo; proven and tested twice (I maybe wrong on testing him but I just don't trust in a flash). I still had one thing on mind to try out on him but the waters got murky at one night we planned to meet. I had a prior commitment - a movie with colleagues, but he was willing to wait, he said. He came straight from work and waited for more or less two hours outside of the mall - he could have done something else, but instead, he blasted my phone with messages and calls. I was so into the movie and my phone was in silent mode the whole time and got to read everything after - worst words ever! (Here is one 'decent line' depends on how you read it though - "f*ck!!! enough with the movie and see me!!!"). Thanks, but no thanks.

The Auditor, 31.
Had been pestering me to have coffee with him and am not really into trivial stuff (or I wasnt just really interested) but one day I got stuck somewhere and badly needed a ride and since he was raining my inbox I then decided to meet him up; win-win. Sent him my location and got a reply "Why the h*ll you are in there, I am coming". It was fun. He was cool. I liked him right away. Until, I saw how he takes the road. Patience - this he lacks. So, nope. Just not my cup of coffee. He still pests me til to date anyway, but naah. Pass.

The Realtor, 29.

The most talkative I have ever met! Like, how-can-I-make-you-stop-talking kind of guy (I know how to if I just wanted to) but to be fair, it was not that kind of full of himself convos. He was cute and has a very charming smile and I wanted to pinch his face with all my might. But we have never gone to touching after he made me wait for three hours (haven't really felt the wasted time as I was with my friend playing pool but the thought of it makes me cringe - I waited; unlikely me) as he had dental appointment. He was sorry and all but lame. So, bye. He still calls though, when I feel like talking I do pick up, but most of the time I just watch the phone ring and ring and ring. Tsk. Me.

The Engineer, 31.

I did bad to him. He was a kind soul. I messed up. But I was and am sure that he deserves someone better. I am just not the one.

The Photographer, 26.

I love photography and I found a common ground with him. So, we decided to meet in a place I have been planning to visit for a long time with a friend who have been bugging me for a photoshoot. He comes handy in those situations, haha. He has a friendly vibe and I am comfortable with him. And, we are planning to visit another location soon.

The Ideator, 32.

He had me at "you missed the P" opening line. The best I have ever talked to! He talked my talks and walked my walks. He's perfect! He piqued my interest in him so high that it was me who was in the place of inviting him out! I gotten so much into him that I even gone out of my usual ways for him (chat wise). Intellectual - my weakness, and playful - just what I like! But he was such a busy man; had me on a time frame; days prior to this date - which by this very moment of writing, we already stopped communicating, that he'd totally be free after the launch, debugged and polished their project. Totally honest on the project thingy as I was informed of the development from time to time but I am not patient myself and that he - like me - won't go out for petty meet ups unless it is something major he'd go against all odds to make it (ugh, men), which I myself is sure will not ever engage on.

A Lot Of Men - disclosed their intention of planning to not to get emotionally involved (am not sure myself of this either but i was like giving it a shot) upfront and were only there for fun (you know) which of course will not get myself into.

So there. Two weeks in the app and found myself bored. I deactivated and now back to regular programming, HAHA. At least I have tried. It definitely is not for me (I think) and I don't know what is. Well as I have read somewhere, "I don't know what I want, but am sure as hell I know what I don't want."

The Ghost Town, Ras Al Khaimah

The spooky Ghost Town of Ras Alkhaimah

The abandoned village or known as the Ghost Town, the Al Jazirah Al Hamra, Ras Alkhaimah, UAE

CLICK HERE FOR THE STORY AND MORE PHOTOS

Eye of the Emirates, Al Qasba

My short visit to Al Qasba to see for the second time the

Eye of the Emirates

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

The Wedding

A lane of Poinsettia at Conrad Hotel, Dubai, UAE

She was an event organizer. She was artsy. Her friends gathered at her dining, persuading her to organize a small wedding. She is done event organizing but she obliged anyway. They were her friends; close friends, she can't just say no.

The place was beautifully done. She was sitting at the corner while unfamiliar faces kept flowing in, congesting the tiny decent room. She was unconsciously watching the bunch of people in rows of benches adorned with white roses and flowing royal blue sashes and she spotted him, caught looking at her then she looked away. She took a glance back checking him out if he was still looking and yes but sweetly staring now.

The people were ready. The place was ready. The wedding officiant was ready. Everything was ready but the bride and groom. They were nowhere.

Her friends came in. One of them directly went to his direction, leading him at the back of the seats right in the middle of the arc of flowers she made for the to-be-wedded.

He was the groom. Sleek and easy on the eyes.

She was wearing a long powder blue, venus cut and empire waist of chiffon dress. Not really trying to accentuate with the motif, Royal Blue.

Her friend, Celine, put a wedding veil on her.

She was the bride.

Oh. So he's my groom, she smiled to herself.

She was going towards him but stopped halfway, "I have to call Mom and Dad! But, this isn't like a real wedding, right? Right?"

Stay Miserable or Start a Step To a Joyful Life?

I may have not been in the same situation that you are in right now
but i know for sure that it's beyond awful.
And, I feel you.

I have felt that devastating feeling.
I have been through sleepless nights.
I have had those tears dried in my ears and pillows from unstoppable cries.
I have had my share of those sudden heart thugs when memories clouded my mind.
Those mini heart attacks that were physically paining.
Yes. I feel you.

BUT.
Do not dwell.
Give yourself a break.
Do not deprive yourself of the time you deserve.
The time to feel better.
The time to stay away from whatever that is crushing the entire you.
Block if you must.
Distant yourself.
You may miss them, you will surely miss them and again realize how much you love them,
such jolts of hormones
but you have to distract yourself from those wearing memories.

Get yourself busy.
Such a lame advice but has worked on me many times.
Do a lot of sidetracks, away from them and devote to something;
anything that you could bury yourself into,
anything that you can be proud of in the future,
anything that would make you realize that there is so much more to life than sorrows.

No one can help you but yourself so you got to decide now.
Stay miserable or start a step and on to a joyful life?

One Fun Friday Night @ The Beach, JBR

The Beach

It was already Friday night when we have come to a decision where we wanted to go. We were actually discussing lots of places since the morning but couldn't land on one as each has arguments on whatever was suggested. So, yeah, after thorough deliberation; seriously? we settled on going to where I was so excited to go!

The Beach

Nope, I wasn't excited coming to this place, as I have been here a couple of times already

This was were we found ourselves in. Haha.

For as we were about to leave our place, I suddenly thought of the proper clothing that must be worn when going to that other place.

Trying one of the fitness equipment that are sitting at the
sidewalk of The Beach.

We were clad in comfie clothes and it was already late if we were still to change and we were kinda lazy to go back. So, we went to a different place instead.

Dismayed? Haha. A bit. But there's still next time. 

 

Horses! Since there was no 'Keep Off the Grass' sign, so this photo! Haha

 

Yeah, we ended up to The Beach, located in Dubai Marina opposite JBR

between Hilton and Sheraton Hotel. 

There are actually a lot of shopping stores, restaurants, coffee shops and other entertaining amenities at The Beach.

The Reel Cinemas at The Beach

 

You will surely get tired from hopping from one place to another.

Male Washroon at TheBeach ( It's like an Igloo made of wood)

And, if that happens, you may take a rest from the benches that are in the sidewalk or go to the shore, feel the sands between your toes and relax your mind from the calming beach waves sound.

Walking the whole stretch of The Beach

 

This photo (above) was taken around June/July this year.

Stars and a crescent moon were displayed in celebration of Ramadan.

One of my favorites, the open ground with tiny light that change into
different colors at The Beach

 

I will be forever fascinated to these things at The Beach.

  Although this wasn't the place were I felt giddy and excited to be, but I had fun!

With the crazy and quirky ladies I was with, surely good times are expected. 

One Afternoon Delight

It was an anticipated exciting afternoon when my friend and I decided to spend it on the beach. We were talking about things like children and happiness then.

When my eyes glued to the vast body of water, I remembered my experience with this little fellow I was with in a tricycle with his mother. When the vehicle pass through the bridge, this little thing wailed “ma, dagat! yehey dagat!”, but his mother shushed him and said “sapa na ‘nak.”, the child went silent yet the glow in his eyes of seeing the river remained.

I shared it with my friend. And as the conversation lingered on such experience, a family of three, father-mother-little boy arrived on their motorcycle. Right after they have settled their things to the cottage adjacent to ours, the child semi-circled the kiosk and made a fuller view of the beach, clapped his hands and screamed with intense gladness “yehey! dagat!, dagat!” No one stopped him, no one shushed him to silent, no one hindered the overflowing joy as he’d seen the beach.

That alone, such scene, such tiny yet powerful voice had banged and washed silence over me. I was stunned for a moment of witnessing the teeming happiness that embraced the youth. Then quietly wished that I am a child again, capable of appreciating and finding happiness on things that I now consider shallow.