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?

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

The Short, Beautiful and Heart-Stopping Encounter.

It's almost four years since the last time I saw you and it was when we parted ways; me, gone home and cried myself to sleep and you, I don't know where'd you go. It was one of my lowest moments and I swore I won't be in that situation again, ever.

And yesterday, the 'almost four years' has stopped. Of all the people in the world I could bumped into; not to mention that I am miles away from home, there you were coming towards me and all I was able to utter was 'what the h*ll'.

I wanted to hide that very instant. Or run away, but where to? I was there, boldly standing that even a twitch of my pinky would be noticed. I had nowhere to go so I just fervently hoped that magic exists so I could cast a spell and disappear in a blink of an eye. That very moment, I knew by heart how Daphne; the nymph who run away from Apollo, felt. I even prayed the same for the ground to swallow me whole but I don't have a God father like Peneus. Instead, the ground was very intact, concrete and as still as I was upon seeing you.

I wished I had not taken off my shades for surely you wouldn't recognize me (or would you anyhow?). I wished I had cut my hair shorter that it is now for pixie cuts don't get your attention (or do they now?). I wished I had worn baggy clothes, bulky shoes, a backpack or whatever. I have had wished all the wishes in the world so you wouldn't lay eyes on me.

But you did. And, smiled even.

Which caused the paining tugs in my chest. Oh yeah, there's a study about suppressed emotions can cause heart attack so maybe it was one of what they were telling about. For I just couldn't take my heart on halt, it was in a craze. Despite my frantic attempts to calm everything inside, my heartbeats were overwhelming.

And oh God, your charming eyes. *chirp *chirp *chirp

Good thing I snapped back to reality. I came to my senses before any humiliating encounter could take place. The ME in me overtook and steered things smoothly. I smiled back. I flashed my sweet-beautiful-according-to-you smile. I feigned shock and excitement seeing you. I pinched, squeezed and shook your upper arm in between chats. Yeah, still me. Haven't changed. Still touchy. Everything was light. I never thought of it. I never expected it.

I was okay. I was good. And so you were.

We were both good and better, Off our own ways.

So long! See you when I see you, as we bid farewell.

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?"

Rain - Untitled

She: I'll see you there.

He: No. I'll pick you up.

She: I'll see you there.

He: You are not home, are you?

She: See you in 30 minutes.

He: But it's raining. I'll pick you up. Where are you?

She: I'm going. I don't have data and I ran out of load balance. See you.

==

He: I thought you weren't coming anymore. Why weren't you picking up my call? Where were you?

She: Told you I'll see you here. I'll just have Americano with milk on the side.

Full Moon - Untitled II

Full Moon in Abu Dhabi, UAE

He was on his back.

She was on her side.

His arm was her pillow.

Her leg was his cushion. 

He breathed in the open air.

She breathed on his neck.

He moved.

She's a light sleeper.

He spoke.

She's woken up.

'What?'

'What?'

'You talked in your sleep?'

'I dunno, I think so. I dreamed.'

'What was it about?'

'We were going to this place blah blah blah.'

'Oh. I dreamed too. We went to this place blah blah blah.'

Dreamers on a full moon night.

I Wanted To Cry

i wanted to cry

but tears were somewhere but my eyes

i reached deep down for a push of emotions to surface

but to no avail

i wanted to cry

not just to clean my eyes

nor that for i was hurt or in pain

i was not

i wanted to cry

for they say a tear makes you feel light

for it heaves out whatever is weighing you down

whatever, vague. what are these whatever, really?

i wanted to cry

to feel human, perhaps?

for i was called cold-hearted, emotionless, logical

the list goes on but nah, lame.

i wanted to cry

that silent cry which could rip your throat out from suppression so no one could hear

that silent cry that tires the insides and burns the eyes

that silent and draining cry that makes you still feel crying afterwards 

i wanted to cry

but stopped and thought, what for?

again, i dug in for reasons that could justify the cravings for tears

still, to no avail

i wanted to cry

and you came across my mind
and i smiled

crap! even you.

even you, haven't given me reasons to.

Of Moon's Pull Off Me

Oftentimes, while on the way home,

my neck would do some to and fro sideways exercise from front to left.

Yes, as the setting sun brilliantly boasts his magnificence

across the horizon from my left,

I just couldn't refrain myself from looking over.

My eyes would stay still for sometime,

trying to drink in its wonder,

its striking hue of yellow, orange and red

until buildings and passing vehicles block my view.

And with the ever vigilant peripherals,

I would excitedly wait for a chance of another clear sighting.

However, yesterday was a different story.

While waiting for the endless vehicles passing by to come to an end,

I got tired and shifted my attention to my right.

Looked up and there it was, the almost-full moon.

Still and silently waiting its time

to outshine the remnant light of the setting sun.

It was white and bluish-gray, almost transparent to the vast sky.

It was beautiful.

Its beauty made the tide in me rise.

Then came the rush of memories flooding my mind.

And them beautiful, too.

What Really Was It That Made My Heart Panicked?

woken up from a weird dream.
my heart was pounding and my lungs were trying to catch air.
i was breathing heavily.
i reached for my phone to check the time, 02:09;
my usual waking hour at dawn.

i messaged a friend whom I wasn't able to reply before sleeping
and was told to get up, put some make up on,
shake up and to not leave the keys on the table.
nonsense.
i'd rather get back to sleep than make the effort of going out.

the scenes were so vivid then.

i can still remember how i blew air on the pad of my thumb

to settle my disturbed heartbeat

and how i told myself to not forget

the sequence of the scenarios

for I will write about it the soonest am fully awake.

and now here i am, trying to recall everything

but all i could muster were the vague settings;

came from a job interview,

chatted with friends on a boardwalk and the waters;

the vast body of water which i forgot

if i was in it swimming, floating or drowning.

What really was it that made my heart panicked?

Feel the Nature at Mushrif Park, Dubai

Mushrif Park

(in Arabic: حديقة مشرف)

is a 5.25 square kilometre (1300 acre) family-oriented park in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

It is located in the eastern part of the city (near the suburb of Khawaneej),

about 16 km (10 mi) from the traditional center of Dubai.

The park was created in early 1980 by Dubai Municipality

and was hugely expanded and refurbished in 1989.

Wikipedia

More photos in the link below:

Mushrif Park

One Star Gazing Night, Finding Orion

Stargazing

at

Al Fayyah Desert

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

More photos in the link below:

Al Fayyah Desert

I See You, Eye of the Emirates

Eye of the Emirates

Al Qasba, Sharjah

United Arab Emirates

Click the below link for more photos:

EYE OF THE EMIRATES

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.