LIFE IS LIKE RIDING A BICYCLE

MY PHOTO FOR THE DAY - ANCIENT POTTERY

The pots are not pieces of relic or 'ancient'. The pots have been beautifully designed, sculpted and painted to give it an ancient look. They are available at A to Z stores in Shuwaikh.

HUMOR - AWARENESS

GIRGIAN - A DELIGHTFUL CELEBRATION

Girgian celebrated during the 13th, 14th and 15th day of Ramadan is a children's delight. Girgian was held last week. Children go to neighbouring houses singing Girgian songs and they receive plenty of chocolates, nuts and candy. Grown ups too enjoy the occasion as much as children and whether you are a child or a grown up, everyone enjoys the tradition of gifting each other candy, nuts and chocolates. Girgian has become more commercialized now with many shops selling amazing goodies, confectionary and traditional sweets in artistic and attractive packaging. Several Malls, shopping outlets, establishments celebrate the spirit of Girgian by holding games, events with cartoon characters and distribute candy to children.

My husband got his Girgian gift from his office. Its a yearly tradition at his office where all the staff are given Girgian gifts during Ramadan.

SEARS - TINY ARTIFICIAL PLANTS

Look at these really sweet looking tiny artificial flowers and plants. They would make nice pieces of  plant decor especially at window sills. They have a soothing, peaceful look. They are available at Sears in Dajeej. As for the clothing and footwear, I wish they'd bring all the new and latest stuff, like what they have in Sears outlets back in U.S.

Here are some photos.

SIGNS THAT UNCOVER YOUR DESTINY

"Everyone and everything is interconnected in this universe. Stay pure of heart and you will see the signs. Follow the signs, and you will uncover your destiny"--- opening quote from the movie 'Jeff who lives at home'

HAPPY FRIENDSHIP DAY ! 5 AUGUST 2012

Friendship Day is on Sunday August 5. It's day to be grateful for the good friends in your life. It's a blessing to a have good friend(s) who enjoy your company, understands you, cares for you and does not hestitate to give a listening ear or extend a helping hand and with whom you can have a good laugh.

HAPPY FRIENDSHIP DAY!

Here are some quotes on friendship:

Friends are one of the most important ingredients in the recipe of life.

Friends are God's way of taking care of us.

My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me - Henry Ford

The most I can do for my friend is simply to be his friend. I have no wealth to bestow on him. If he knows that I am happy in loving him, he will want no other reward. Is not friendship divine in this?" - Henry David Thoreau

Everyone hears what you say. Friends listen to what you say. Best friends listen to what you don't say.

Friends are those who nourish the spirit

Friends are angels following you through life

A hedge between keeps the friendship green - German Proverb

May the hand of a friend always be near you...(from the Irish Blessing)

Tell me what company thou keepst, and I'll tell thee what thou art - Miguel de Cervantes

Never injure a friend, even in jest - Marcus Tullius Cicero

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they are meant to be there. They serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help you figure out who you are - Lindsay Russo

MY PHOTOS FOR THE DAY - HEY WAIT FOR ME

HUMOR - MARRIAGE

He looked at her slowly...then said, "You're A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H.... I, J, K."

She asks...... "What does that mean?"

He said, "Adorable, Beautiful, Cute, Delightful, Elegant, Fancy, Gorgeous, Honey.

She smiled happily and said...."Oh, that's so lovely.....

What about I, J, K?"

He said, "I'm Just Kidding!"

His eye is still swollen....but it will get better.........

WEIGHT LOSS - WISH YOU WERE THINNER? HERE'S THE GOOD NEWS

On a weight loss journey, we find ourselves travelling into our past imaginging how thin we were, the smaller size clothes we used to wear, and how good we looked or how good we felt back then. It's okay to resort to time travel and think of yourself postively. Well, tell you what, use the same technique, travel into the near future and imagine how you want to look like, how much weight do you want to lose. Let's say you want to lose 4 to 2 kilos a month (which depends on your food choices, calorie intake, exercise), how would you look like in 3 months? You can already picture yourself dropping two or three sizes, fitting into smaller size clothes. Does the mental image of the thinner you make you happy? The best news is, it does not have to stop at picturization of your intent or goal in your mind. Science and scientists have proved a huge connection between mind and body communcation. What your mind tells your body is important. When your mind begins to think and feel strong positive thoughts about losing weight and you wake up determined everyday to do what it takes to lose weight, that is exactly what your body would do, lose weight.

Choose a healthy diet, eliminate or cut down what your body does not require, exercise, stick to it, be honest to yourself during your weight loss journey. Dedicate a few months of your life to reducing your weight.  You will be rewarding youself with a healthy body, healthy mind, and a great sense of accomplishment. In the meantime, be proud to be who you are. Let the weight not stop you from appreciating the person you are.

SACRED WAY OF LIVING

BEYONCE WITH BABY BLUE IVY CARTER SHOPPING IN MANHATTAN

Beyonce and baby Blue Ivy Carter was seen shopping at Fifth Avenue in Manhattan last month.

(via bittenandbound.com)

WOMEN AND MULTITASKING

Women are naturally good at multitasking -  be it at work,or at home taking care of  home, husband and children. I feel most women are comfortable and happy with multitasking. If she is taken for granted or ends up doing more than she should be without any help from her husband or a housekeeper, it can be pretty taxing, especially if she has no time for herself or for socializing or spends her weekends trying to catch up with unfinished work during the week. It's amazing isn't it when a lady returns home after 8 hours of work( let's not forget time taken for commuting, or stopping at supermarket  to do the grocery), she has fresh work awaiting her - taking care of children or their homework, cooking and probably lots more. She has no magic wand but sometimes she has to live life as if she has one, making everything possible, ensuring everyone's needs are met and pleasing everyone around her.

When a lady who is multitasking whole week, feels stressed or unappreciated or feels she is trying to do so much and racing against time, it's time to slow down, ask for husband's help or designate some of the work to a housekeeper if that's financially affordable. Think of ways to reduce the work at home. It's important to take care of one's diet, personal needs and sometime during the day or end of the day, have some time to relax everyday to replenish lost energies, socialize, go out with the family to park, beaches, shopping, game or movies. It's important to spend quality time at home with your husband and children, find time for things you like to do or a hobby,  rather than mechanically just doing routine work before you hit the bed. Be sure your happiness and well being count. It's so vital for a lady to be happy and healthy so she can appreciate and enjoy her life. So take whatever positive action it is to ensure multitasking does not lead you to neglect yourself or add more stress in your life.

AUNTY ACID HUMOR - A WISE MAN'S ADVICE

BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS OF LONDON OLYMPICS 2012

Some beautiful photos of the London Olympics 2012 opening ceremony and celebrations

PROBLEMS OR BLESSINGS - WHICH APPEARS BIGGER?

MY PHOTO FOR THE DAY - ROLLS ROYCE 1932

Taken at Luray Caverns Antique Car and Carriage Museum, Virginia, USA

SAMANTHA CLAYTON - POWER OF THE MIND IN ACHIEVING YOUR GOALS

Power of the mind is not a new concept in the world of sports, and after reading several books on success in the business world, icons such as Richard Branson, Magic Johnson and Warren Buffett have a few key things in common -- they each believed in themselves and their ability to achieve anything they put their mind to!." - Samantha Clayton, former Olympic sprinter and ACE and AFAA certified trainer.

This powerful, positive ‘I can do it’ approach is just as effective with any goal, including weight loss and health goals, says Samatha Clayton.

COOL AND NOURISH YOURSELF WITH FRUITS

It's summer, it's hot, and what better way to beat the heat, cool and nourish yourself with fruits. When you cut open fruits, they give out a natural beautiful aroma, and when you pay attention to the smell of fresh or ripe fruits (not over ripe!), they work beautifully as mood enhancers, filling you with peace, calm and happiness. And when you eat them, they are guaranteed to offer you the best nourishment with all those vitamins and minerals they are filled with. I love the smell and taste of oranges (the non-sour ones), watermelon, red cherries, dates, pomegranate and mango. What are your favourite fruits? Here are some seasonal fruits - a must have. Oranges, grapefruit and pomegranates are known to aid in weight loss (provided you watch the diet).

- watermelon

- orange

- pineapple

- strawberry

- pomegranate

- banana

- apple

- grapes

- dates

- cherries

POPEYE AND OLIVE OYL

I'm Popeye the Sailor Man. I'm strong to the finish cause I eats me spinach.  I'm Popeye the Sailor Man - toot toot!. 

Remember Popeye the strong muscular sailor man who was short, bald headed, honest, innocent, loved spinach and adored his lady love Olive Oyl and always smoked a pipe?. Olive Oyl on the other hand was tall, skiny, cute, a bit naive and always in distress. Then the other sailor Bluto who was trying to woo Olive Oyl and win her attention? Whenever Popeye felt he was on the verge of losing a battle with his rival Bluto (aka Brutus), he would open a can of spinach, gulp it right down and gain strength and muscle and fight Brutus and free Olive from his clutches. As a child I used to love watching Popeye cartoons and I wondered why is Olive Oyl so skinny and why is Popeye's arms so humungous and why did he like spinach - those were the days I never liked spinach and my mother would say, look at popeye eating spinach and that's why he is so strong. The trick didnt work, but I began to enjoy spinach way later in life. Anyways, I happened to come across this cartoon, that evoked childhood memories. I think my daughter and son too would have watched Popeye and Olive in their childhood days.

Popeye the Sailorman character was created by Elzie Crisler Segar in February 1929 for the comic strip Thimble Theatre. Do you know the character of Olive Oly was created by Segar in 1919, ten years before Popeye!