Do You Host Blame-Shame Parties?

Photo by Igor Starkov

Throughout these months, I've realized that I feel more in tune with my intuition than I did a year ago. I trust in it more and it feels like we're more partners than simple friends we were before. We've grown through mistakes and lots of crying, but I'm glad we're at this place where we're almost one.

Our trip to Europe was an adventure but, I do regret a few things. One of which was being too scared to really follow my gut to go out on my own because I didn't know the language. Being out with the group was hard enough but with their support and translating, I was able to get by. But my image of staying in a cafe, reading, writing, practising calligraphy didn't come to life because I was too fearful of making a fool out of myself in my pronunciations and if I'm honest with myself I do regret that part. 

The instant feeling of regret is blame but there is no one or nothing to blame at all. Why do we always want someone or something to blame? To feel better about ourselves? That never really works out, does it? It always brings up arguments and you'll fight back to make yourself feel superior to the other party. 

"Damn it, fear! Why do you always get in the way?"

Although you genuinely are superior to fear, by putting the blame to it, you're bringing yourself down alongside it. You'll feel awful and sulk in that blame-shame party for a bit and when something else gets your attention, you'll feel great! But when you think about that regret, dan dan dan, that blame-shame party starts again, like a cycle. 

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There are Miracles and There are Downward Spirals

Photo by JC Gellidon

Last year, I flew to Kuwait for the first time for a Toastmasters Workshop and had a disturbing experience. It was my second time travelling alone, and although it was another leap, it flew out of hand. I'm not going to go into details about that trip since that's another story to tell, but I will tell you this, there were tears, a cloud of negativity, blood stains, cramps, and anxiety attacks. It was a tough trip that I am ironically grateful that happened in a country that looked like home—legit, with flat houses, sand, sea, and dates trees which makes a typical gulf island. And this year, I had to fly back to Kuwait this May for another Toastmasters Conference, and this time, I flew with the intention of changing my perception of the country.

I had never felt so determined to do something as vague as changing my perception of a country. I mean, how can you actually force that to happen? You have a bad experience and it's out of your control, right? Nope. I had it all wrong.

I put my intention forward and surrender to your guidance and path.

I remember praying and praying, and I never thought that my prayers would be answered, but it was. For the most part. 

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Hotel Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa

Bernard Shaw, an Irish playwright, had once said,

“The great advantage of a hotel is that it is a refuge from home life.”

The Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Hotel is a hotel that has proven to offer that said refuge. I had booked a one night stay with the wife, in one of their famous Luxury Club Millesime rooms. The lobby was an open-air affair, with high walls littered with beautiful lanterns which design was a true French-Arab flair.

The staff were diligent and efficient with their smiled “Bon Jours” all around. Check-in was seamless, and in within 15 minutes, we were in our room; granted, our room was a long walk to the end of the hall of the 2nd floor, but definitely worth it I might add. Read on to know why!

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Summer in an Aquarium

An alternative to going to beaches during the summer is visiting a marine theme park with a huge aquarium that has ample air conditioning. 

These were taken at the Manila Ocean Park aquarium. The first time I went to this park was back in 2010 with my family. This time it was just with my siblings and my best friend Michelle, which was a lot more fun since we were in control of where to go and which shows to see. It feels nice being independent even if it's just in a marine park. 

Since it was hot in the Philippines, and I knew I would sweat through my clothes and would probably get a tan from walking outside trying to catch a taxi, so I went for my Hogwarts tank, white shorts and, of course, my sneakers.

| Shirt - Hot Topic | Shorts - Forever 21 | 

| Shoes - Sketchers | 

Photo cred: Michelle Salvatierra

I'm highly looking forward to a fun summer by a beachside and/or a pool sipping mango juice while the sun shines high and bright. 

What are you looking forward to this summer? 

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Some of Makati City and Mall of Asia

I was in the Philippines for just 10 days and it felt like more than that. One of the main reasons why I went was to see my best friend, Michelle and some of my family, whom I haven't seen in about three years. 

The other reason was because of the scenery. Even if we just stayed in city; which was gorgeous, by the way, there were a still a whole lot of nature to go around and be appreciated. 

Here are some photos from Makati City, Manila and the scenery from Mall of Asia.

Photos by: Najla Qamber, Ludee Gem Figueroa, and Me 

Some of us may feel trapped in the country we're currently living in and have this need to travel.
How often do you guys travel?

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Those Floral Leggings

From galaxy leggings to floral ones. Oh, I think I'm in love.

It's not just the pattern that make my eyes ogle out of my eye holes like a cartoon character, but also the fact that these leggings are super comfy that I have this urge to wear them every single day but I don't because that'll be gross. 

I bought these pants not knowing what I could pair it with. I basically bought it because I thought the pattern looked pretty. Thankfully, I packed this plain baby pink tee with me to the Philippines. Phew. Though my choice in shoes could've been better. These sneakers are the comfiest shoes I own, they've gone through hell with me and they still look brand new, but I do wish I had them in a different color. 

 | T-shirt - Forever 21 | Pants - Trifted | 

| Shoes - Sketchers | Infinity Necklace - Gifted |

Photo creds: Michelle Salvatierra

I made my best friend, Michelle, snap some outfit photos for me while I stayed in the Philippines, and I'm not sure if it's just the golden hour or her camera that made these photos look gorgeous.

What are your thoughts on patterned leggings?

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Freedom to Wear Shorts and a Tank

One of the things I highly abuse whenever I travel is the use of the excuse that I'm not from that particular country, to wear whatever I want – mostly shorts and a tank. 

Living in a middle eastern country, wearing such revealing clothing can cause bad, sinful, and thoughts of envy to the one looking; more like staring, at you. Just like where I currently reside, Bahrain, the people stare like a hungry person eyeing the cheese balls. And it isn't the usual 3-second glance, nope. These people will stare for a good minute or more before looking away. It really makes one quite uncomfortable. And this happens when I wear my usual jeans, shirt, and cardigan. 

This brings me to the urges to finally bring out those shorts and that new tank top that I've been hiding in my closet for a good six months, whenever I travel because people tend to stare less everywhere else around the world. 

 

| Tank & Cardigan - Forever 21 | Shorts - Thrifted | 

| Shoes - Sketchers | 

Photo creds: Najla Qamber

These photos were taken in front of the Mind Museum in Manila, Philippines. There was a group of people waiting in line to get into the museum while I was taking these photos, and yes, they were staring. But, not as much as they would in Bahrain.

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It's Been Three Years and I'm Back

It's been three years and I'm back in Manila. I thought it was five years, but my mental calculations deceived me and my verbal calculations told me that it has indeed been just three years and not five. (Darn, and I thought I was pretty good at maths.)

There was absolutely no travel jitters that came with long trips like these. I felt completely calm and kind of like I didn't really want to leave my homeland, and then I remembered that the Philippines is also my homeland, and a smile that came with nostalgia breezed by. 

  

| Top - Zumies |  Shorts - Thrifted |  

| Sandals - Forever 21 | Bag - Sange | 

Photo Creds: Najla Qamber

So the past two days in Manila has been filled with walking, eating, chilling, catching up, and sleepless nights. It's 1AM and I'm stuck on Bahrain time (8PM). That's actually not so bad if you think about it. 

I'm pretty happy that I finally get to wear shorts without people staring at me in horror or giving me perverted eyes. And it's spring so that means it's almost time to completely burst out those short shorts, skimpy dresses, and sandals we kept hidden all winter. Woohoo! 

We've got the whole week planned with family, friends, and numerous trips to the mall for some souvenirs, and by the end of this entire trip, I only wish that the people I give these souvenirs to would love, enjoy, and be thankful the things I get them. Even if it's just something small. 

"Please like what I get you!"

Do any of you usually travel jitters when you travel anywhere?

Let me know! :) 

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Good Skin in Casual

The one thing I noticed while I was in Dubai for the weekend was the fashion ads. I am unsure whether it was for the Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience event ads or just a random clothing store ad; I noticed that the models had waaay too much make up on, and their hair just didn't go with the entire look and theme of the ad. 

It's not just Dubai, it's here in Bahrain and I'm sure all around the middle east as well. I'm sorry but all these magazine clothing ads that are locally distributed look like their trying too hard. The big volumized straightened hair, the layers of foundation and eye shadow, and the highest skimpiest pumps. Honey, calm down. 

I don't really have an a big issue with how magazines shoot their photos, it's the people who copy the models make up and hair that I have issues with. 

When I used to go to uni, I would see women with at least 5 layers of foundation on their face that eventually made their it 5 shades brighter than their actual skin tone. That, along with winged eyeliner, a smoky eye, and a thick layer of lipstick they chose for the day. Honey, chill. 

I know you want to look good but doesn't your face get, I don't know, too heavy to carry around all day with that many product stuck on to it?

You don't need to wear 10 layers of foundation and concealer to cover that zit that popped up this morning. Just lightly cover it with concealer, and if it still shows then whatever. That just proves you're human. It's okay to look crappy sometimes because we all have our crappy days/weeks. Plus, your face will thank you when you give it a chance to breathe under those layers. 

| Plaid - Forever 21 | Shirt - Hot Topic |

| Jeans - Bershka | Shoes - H&M | Bag - Gifted | 

Photo Creds: Najla Qamber

Feel good in your own skin.
Look at yourself in the mirror and point out the clear soft skin instead of that zit or white head. 

Have a wonderful day everyone! 

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