[mood: Family-ish]
[craving: A good facialist]

At last, no more cliche baby gifts.. Say hello to UAE BABY CAKES!

Finally its available in AD, and a solution to your baby gift hunting.. no more random gifts, boring arrangements or repeated chocolate trays.. Now you can have customized diaper cakes with your own touches.. just contact uaebabycakes[@]gmail.com & they will be ready in less than 2 days.. She will be opening her own website soon! In the meantime, be one of her first customers! ;)

& she's here.. PinkSushi's little princess is here!! xOxo and just as I expected.. the coolest, funkiest hospital mummy room everrr.. with the coolest giveaways!! 7amdella 3al salama PinkSushi & mabroook 3ala ur baby gurrrl.. she looks as purrrty as her mummy! xOxoxo

I'm so happy for you PinkSushi & I am looking forward to new Dubaaiing adventures that include your lil princess! loool xOxo

[Final whisper: Elly ma y6ool el3inab.. ;)]

[mood: a little weird]
[craving: An unforgettable holiday]

I think you guys gave up on wondering where I disappeared.. & as usual I'm caught with the hectic work.. my piling responsibilities & titles that seem to sprout faster than mushrooms.. as well as staffing up & watching my team getting bigger! (lol I feel like a mum)

Being a manager, you find yourself in a totally different level.. & I don't mean that in the hierarchy terms, but in a more perspective way.. it just makes you see things from a different vantage point..

I have come to learn many things, and I will share the few following insights so far:

-Unfortunately at SOME situations, you cant be a friend AND a manager at the same time.. (I imagine it would be the same as being a parent).. You are the person who draws the line when too much fun affects deadlines.. =/ *party pooper*

- You often have to make the most difficult calls, no matter how much you delegate, and take responsibility for consequences.. You have to be the role model and think twice before you decide on anything..

- Think strategically.. think of the BIGGER picture.. & don't get too caught with the tiny details.. or they will burn you out eventually..

- Protect the sanity of your team.. delegate wisely & give equal responsibility.. continuously motivate & teach.. Never undermine anyone no matter what.. & most importantly.. Listen..

Ofcourse the best lesson I learnt, & I only came to know recently: Work never ends! No matter how many hours you put into it.. it will only keep coming.. so know when to draw the line & protect your own personal time.. Your own life is just as important as your career.. so make sure its valued.. since life is too short! ;)

Quick messages:

-SHMILY: I lurrrv the ring.. luv it luv it luuurrrv it.. & lurrrv you more! xoxo
-Hyndooshi, Mai & Supermum: Mabroook gurrrls.. You deserve it & more! Keep shining & impressing.. x
-TaLi: MABROOOOOOK 3aroOoosa!! *kililililiiish* Now next step, move to AD! =P xoxo
-Shimz: I found my super hero who'll save the day! Call me so I can update you.. ;)
-G: Until I find you an appropriate nick.. good luck & lets hope we hit the jackpot! ;)
-Super preggy Pink Sushi: Allah ysahhel 3alaich w y3eench.. I'm continuously praying for you.. xoxoxoxox
-Samsoomah: I miss you mn hnee.. laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaain the North Pole! x
-ArmaniLab, Leo, Saj, M&Ms and the coolest Doc on earth: My battery is getting low.. I need to be recharged eb shofatkom! ;P
-Mahra: I never told you this before, but you have the cutest way of expressing yourself.. lol & I won't say "Dont worry be happy" coz thats so cheezy.. I'll hand you the boxing gloves instead & hold the punching bag for you.. ;) Now punch that sucker & let it awwwl out! xOxo
-Ammami: Mabrooooooooook on your new job.. I am truly happy for you.. & can't wait to see you on Tuesday.. ;)
-aSms: You know I miss you & always do.. x This update is for you..
-Benj: You better got those tickets by now! *rOoar*

Later..x

[Final whisper: Life.. =)]

[mood: In a reality check]
[craving: Rewind 2 years]

Yes, unfortunately, I skipped the whole month of March.. =/

I guess mn kether ma I updated wara ba3a'6, in7esadt! =P lool

No, really, since I got back.. I got snowed with a gazzilion things.. once I got back, it was just crrrazy.. & then March came & it was the busiest month I have ever witnessed.. It was very hectic, very looong & very dramatic! Because I can write a novel-ish update, its better to just simplify happenings in the next few bullet points.. While I was 'offline':
-My precious Viao baby BROKE! Yes, which is the biggest reason I didnt update.. & so I found myself forced to use my MacBook (Tofa7a) which I bought a few months ago, but never got the chance to use it.. I'm still getting used to it.. & yes, I am officially a MacConvert! 3ala goolat Meyam: "Allah yethabtch!" lol I still don't have Photoshop YET, so bear the very few pics that I managed to work on before my trial expired! ="(
- Was involved in a long 'moving' process of TWO of my offices in TWO different, far-from-each-other locations in Abu Dhabi! *wouldnt have been smoother if it werent for the committed BinLa7ej!* ;)
- My friends threw me a surprise birthday party with a "Gardens & Cats" theme after a movie "Kite Runner".. *Thanks so much* xo
- Attended two beaurrriful weddings of two beaurrrriful friends: Rohr Add!ct & Mai.. you looked breath-taking!! Allah yewafgkom w y7fa'6kom with your new life! xoxo
- & just when I thought Mai couldnt be anymore sweeter than she already is, she sent me MY birthday present on the most important day of her life.. HER WEDDING DAY.. straight to my office! *Woman you are killing me!* LOVE YOU SO MUCH!! Ya 7ayyaah wallah feech!! lol
- Mabrook to the new mummies: BABES & UAEyah!! God bless you & your babies.. I must come see you soon! *promise*
- I had an operation (no big deal) & partially recovered now.. It still doesnt feel the same again..=/
- Celebrated birthdays of Fattoooy, Armani.Lab, Mark, AK & most importantly my two crazy nephews! *Happy Birthday peoplez* =D
- Got an overdose of the chocolatiest GF cupcakes made by the talented Shimz! lurrrrv you to bits!! xo
- Abu Dhabi Fashion Week - with all its highs & lows.. Big, long round of applause goes to 3alaya for all her hard work! *hugz* xoxo
- Went to the 3ezbaa & rediscovered how amazing raspberry ice lollies with vanilla centers are in the middle of a warm day! *slurrrrp*
- Went to Dubai 5 times so far.. & still can't get enough of it!
- Dragged my bros to Bastakiya to visit Salem's !nk studio & after a wait of 2 hours.. we left literally 5 mins before they open!! *rOoOoar* So no, we didn't get to see any of the cool stuff =/ *Salem: You better frame my note there!*
- Saw a very pregnant PinkSushi try to jump-start a car! One word: H-i-L-A-R-I-O-U-S! *LOVE YA MAMA!* xoxoxoxoxo
- Went to WAGL conference for the only reason to see Reem Al Hashimi speak.. & give a kick-ass speech! *We are sooo proud of you & I'm so glad we're friends* All the best! xoxo
- Tried Chammas restaurant & oh-so-very-recommended!! My new hot spot to go!
- & most importantly gained new friends: Mahra, Buthy, Rere, Samee7a, Sara & virtually Hessa! xo
I ran out of thoughts & memories now.. so until my next update (Lets hope I get Photoshop soon!).. here are photos for all those who are here just for the pix.. =P

Saj: I love you more & more-er everyday! lol xo You are truly, a friend sent down from heaven..

[Final whisper: Tali: I missed you, come to AD so we can chillllll...]

[mood: Tired]
[craving: Manicure]

& it snooowed..

One of the best feelings one can experience: little, light snow flakes falling from the sky like cool feathers.. aaah beaurrriful! ;D

& to celebrate the 'coolness' of the weather, there's nothing better to do than to enjoy a hot steamy cup of heavenly Godiva hot chocolate & a chocolate-drizzled fruit kebab (that my bro keeps complaining I am addicted to)..

Later that evening, LoLo & I met and made our first snowman using old batteries for eyes, her glasses & my scarf.. lol It wasn't the ideal one but we still loved him nethertheless =P

Ofcourse I was later treated with an American-style 'fowala' back at her apartment.. which included sushi, chocolates & chips.. LoLo, your mum will be proud.. lol (& I already miss you!)

I still have a gazillion pics from NY, but I am sure most of you are already sick of seeing them.. I am back home btw, & already miss NY! ="(

Super quick messages:

-ThePeace & aSms: Just for the sake of the mention.. ehdaaaaaa2! =P lool

-LoLo: I owe you photos I know.. (but I am also bad in sending ppl their pics) I will do that soon.. Promise!

-Rohr Add!ct: Mabrooooooook 3arooosa.. I can't wait to see you! xo

-Baaaaaabes: MABROOOK 3al baby gurrrl w el7amdella 3al salama!! Allah yj3alha mn elthoreeeya al9al7a! xoxo

-Alya: You sent me an email re White House, & I know I suck in replying back.. but I will soon.. & no worries, I help you! ;)

-In her choos: KOI was amaaaaazing!! Thanks for the recommendation! ;D

-TaLi: Can't wait to see you.. You will sit with me!! YOU PROMISED!

[Final whisper: Sis, wish you were with us when it snowed..]

[mood: Jetlagging]
[craving: Spaaa]

I officially had the longest birthday ever.. with an early kick start UAE timing till the 00:00 of New York timings.. & it was fantaaabulous! =D

Starting the day with blowing a candle off the delicious gluten-free red velvet cupcake from Baby cakes NYC.. on a horse carriage ride in snowy Central Park..

Next we went around New York City, passed by the Rockerfeller Center.. very pleasant place..

My bro surprised me with a birthday ice-cream song sang by a group of Brazlians in a Steak House restuarant.. lol it was so funny & totally memorable.. *thanx bro*

In the evening, we were cycled to Serendipity 3 because I had to let my bro try it before we came back at least once.. & this time I tried their "Pink Ice" as a drink & it was heavenly!!

Finally to the end the day, my bro & I did something completely new & very unexpected.. we went to Broadway Comedy Club to watch a stand up comedy show, it was hilaaarious!! Even though we were hesitant, but it was definitely an unforgettable experience & we shall visit again when we go back to New York again! =D

Did I tell you that I absolutely LOVE NEW YORK?

Later.. ;)

[Final whisper: Thank you for everrrryone who wished me a happy birthday! xoxo]