My Wedding Dress

I finally found an online picture of my wedding dress to share it with you

Sun Flower By Michael Cinco

Cinco is a Filipino designer who started off his fashion career in Dubai. During my search for my dream wedding dress I visited many couture houses of well known designers but never left breath taken the way I left Cinco's!

The office had a white decor all over the place as if you're entering a magical ice palace and the staff were the friendliest I have ever encountered. They knew very well the uniqueness every bride wishes for her big day and they did their best to guide me through the process of selecting the dress keeping in mind the body shape, personal preference and most importantly the budget.

Michael Cinco

The reason why I totally loved Michael dresses even the ones I didn't pick is that; they all have this majesty and prestige aura around them, where many designers managed to make me feel like a princess, Michael made me feel like I'm a queen in his dress

totally loved him and his dresses ~!

Peace,

Amna

IELTS challenge

I hate those ironic pictures of IELTS students

IELTS is a horror movie to most students especially when their academic future depends on it.
When I joined university I took a TOFEL test instead and was pretty enough with my English level at that time to get me accepted in all colleges. Now that I graduated I wanted to keep my options open to possible future higher education pursuing so I decided to go through all the trouble now when I am somehow free rather than wait for a last minute chance to apply.

The challenge I'm gonna talk about is not an expected academic one but rather a challenge of getting passed harsh circumstances on the way to get the IELTS. I reached a point where I truly believe its not meant to be to take this test or worse I got hit by the evil eye lol

I tried to keep it a secret from many people that I'm planning to apply for IELTS simply cuz I wasn't sure if I'll take it now or then. Only my close family members and some of my workmates -who were so nosy to ask what I'm reviewing in my free time *pfffff* - got to know about the IELTS on my schedule.

When I went to register for the first time I took few hours off work and had to walk around a huge ancient university building to reach the IELTS center. When I finally got there I was given a bank account number to pay the fees and was not allowed to even reserve a seat or fill an application before that!:l

After work on the same day, I headed to the nearest bank which told me that an amount less than 1000 won't be accepted and that money exchange offices are more suitable for such transactions.

I went to the office which then said it won't work to transfer money to a university account I need a specific person name and turned me back to the bank I came from..(this is when I started to lose my temper) 

I went back and explained that to the lady and she asked me about which bank the account is under and so its easier to go there and pay (why u didn't say so from the beginning!!).. unfortunately that bank was already closed.. 

Due to work stress I couldn't find the time to go and pay so I was late by a week or so and thus missed the exam on January, yet I believe its for the best.

to cut the story short; I had to go back and forth for around 4 times to register and every time I forgot an important document unlike the usual me who comes fully prepared. First my ID was at home then it was expired. back for my passport and lastly the receipt as a prove of my payment !!!!!!!!!!! on the last time I started crying on the way back and bumped my head on the car door so hard while my husband trying to comfort me lol

I FINALLY reserved a day, the first of Feb ~

My sister in law happened to had the same exam with her friend and it was nice to have an experienced company on the day of exam. All the time I was praying to this last step to go smooth. 

when it was time to enter the exam hall we took a place at the beginning of the line and when it was my turn bad luck came knocking again !!! I was told that I need my ID not my passport as the lady reserved my seat using my ID before knowing its expired and forgot to replace it with my passport number instead !! I kept my nerves cool and left the line rushing to my car where I kept my ID. Although I was supposed to be from the first batch entering the hall I ended up at the last of the line =___=

there was around 10 rows and guess what!? my sister in law and her friend were at the second and me next to college students at the 10th row !!!!! still cool.

prayers on my mind while holding my disbelief from the series of bad luck doings happening at once. The exam coordinator was reading the guidelines for the exam meanwhile I started feeling like I need a visit to the toilet immediately ! WHY THE HELL did I had cornflakes with milk on an empty stomach! I was in a war wondering if there's time to go to the toilet now or wait for the breaks between each session. I took a risk and went with the first option. xD


luckily the listening part went great but when the reading part was being distributed the craziest shock came rushing !! Now I understood the meaning of "Genre: G " posted on my table, I was assigned for the GENERAL version of the test not the academic! Here I went nuts, "EXCUSE ME!! EXCUSE ME!! I registered for the academic test this is not what I registered for !!!" *freaking out*  the row examiner went rushing to the coordinator and explained the situation while I was like no way such a joke is playing on me oh god no please no I can't wait for 15 more days to retake another exam nor can I go through the long process of registration AGAIN!!

Thank god the drama ended by giving me the right version without questioning and I couldn't believe I handed in the papers and got out of that place finally

I went joking with my friends saying I'm sure my result will get lost somewhere in UK there is no way it can reach me smoothly lol

The results came in time and the series of drama ended with a big joy of getting band 8 out of 9 alhamdellah. :)

In this exam I learned the true meaning of fighting for something you want and working so hard to get it. It was such an unforgettable story that will keep me laughing whenever remembered. Did you had such a situation where you thought maybe its not meant to be but you made it anyways?

peace,
Amna

From 2013 to 2014

It is February already and life have taken me away from writing that I'm posting my 2014 wishes after one month or so..*sigh* This is a short self note on what I feel regarding flipping the last page of the year of 2013 and how I want 2014 to be without any clear plans written here:

A year had come and gone.
2013 had so many life changing events ..
Everything just happened in a blink of an eye, if I take a few moments I get surprised by the number of things changed within one year!

I graduated, I got my first job, I got married and now I'm getting over first year difficulties..

With lots of things twirling around my world I found myself really down yet really excited at times. How I can lead everything to the way I dream it to be? I admit its impossible sometimes to plan every step, and I do miss those days of doing nothing but lay on my bed. Myself and I got those confessions of getting sick of having changes all at once. Why can't I achieve all of this from building a family to finding the perfect job when I get enough of life?.. when I no longer feel like there is something more to give me goose bumps? .. maybe within 6 more years or so..

why all now or never?!

But its god's will that Amna starts building in the year of 2013 the harsh way. 2013 was a long self disciplinary lesson. A challenge around fast adaption. A leap of perspective change. and a initiative of priority setting.

I changed.

Once in a very long time I didn't greet a new year with a regular plan. I greeted 2014 with wishes and dreams. I don't want as much tangibles from life as before. I slowed down that urgency of time within me. I don't need to be the fastest to get this or that. College years are over with its childish competitions among friends. Its now us and how we want to draw the lines in our lives.
No wrong and no right.
No right time and no very late!
yet a fire must be kept burning within us to move on and the ambition is the fuel.

In the past I used to control myself and my own world only, now I hold a life of man and possibly a life of children who all depend on my shoulders to carry them in this big world. I need to widen my dreams net to conclude all of their dreams too because right now what's theirs is mine. We are a family. A very supportive one.

However, the year didn't only bring sweat and tears but was generous enough to give me the greatest gift of life. On my birthday month, November 2013; I received the news from god. I will be carrying a soul within me. I had intentions of crying for days if a news like that came across my ears but instead there was a bundle of joy blown inside of me. And NO! it was too early for the hormones to play in this equation but I believe its impossible for a woman to feel total sadness with a life beating within her. For this little baby all your plans and worries get on hold without regret. That how the series of sacrifice begin within mothers..

2014 I'm not delaying my future, I'm making one right now. A one more meaningful and more happier. I will be living and growing though my coming child. All I sincerely want for 2014 is a normal childbirth, a healthy baby and a healthy mother for him/her to take care of the world. I can't wait for our memories to be written down in our book of life.


love,
Amna

Paragliding in Switzerland!

I wanted to post about my honeymoon trip since October; however, I was thinking about how to break the adventure down to avoid long detailed posts. So in this post I’m gonna write about our memorable day in Interlaken- Switzerland specifically about the adventure we had there. Some of my relatives and friends still don't know about it as I didn’t upload pictures of it before. I went PARAGLIDING on my honeymoon!!!! ( and I didn’t even tell my mom lol )

 I visited this town two years ago and had plans to revisit it again

 so here is goes:

On our first day we had breakfast buffet then headed to the lobby to inquire about the tourists attractions and activities in Interlaken. One of the brochures that caught my attention was the paragliding experience! I’ve seen this sport for the first time in a Korean show and tried to look for it around UAE but couldn’t find one. I asked my husband if we should go for it and even though the nervousness showed all over his face he didn’t gave a real NO back. so I stopped thinking too much and just went with the reservation!

“Be in the lobby at 1pm, the paragliding team will come pick you up” said the receptionist. Therefore, we had a walk around the hotel until it was 12:45pm, it was time to keep calm and wait for the van to come pick us up.

The driver showed up as agreed, we felt like we are on a reality tv show with all the excitement the driver welcomed us with. “ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR ADVENTURE?” said the driver with open arms.

At that moment no we were NOT ready anymore haha! 

We stopped at two hotels to pick more tourists; two Korean girls and another Korean man. The girls kept talking in Korean about how scared and how excited they were while the Korean guy remain silent and just when my husband and I predicted he is scared too, he mentioned that he already tried skydiving in France before coming to Switzerland !! *shocked face*

The team of pilots were so friendly they introduced themselves and the instruction post the flight very well. Every person had the chance to pick his pilot whoever you think you’re comfortable with. I picked a loud lady in belief that her confidence indicates and awareness of what she’s doing. (I prayed all the way up that I made the right choice lol) We had our belongings kept away and our shoes replaced by hiking shoes. We had to drive all the way up the hill for around 15mins then stopped near a green field.  We walked in pairs with our pilots having a little chitchats on the 10 mins walk to the spot of flying.

We reached a sharp edge facing the wind, that’s where they started unpacking their parachutes. My heart was racing. I’ve always been afraid of heights and edges especially were a nightmare for me. We all stood next to each other with like 2 meters away. It was very cold at the top so we were given special jackets. At first we had to demonstrate the run we will do when we attach the parachute, the idea was to never ever jump just run and let the wind do the work. I freaked out at the first trial, my pilot was screaming in enthusiasm while running but the second time with two pilots on each arm I got the courage to do it. I asked her for few minutes to relax before running and just when I was getting ready she pointed her finger saying “LOOK! Your husband already took off!!” what the hell! When did he find the courage to surpass me!!! D:!!

WHY YOU!

There was no turning back although I wanted to do so 10 times by now. The pilot holding by my back screamed: ”NOW! RUNNNN! FASTER  FASTER!!” I did exactly what she said and it was heavier than what I imagined and yelled back: ”I’M RUNNNNNNING!!!” and within a second of pulling we were already in the air.

Thats not our jump, the day was more cloudy but its a picture from the same spot

Among the clouds we started swifting, the town of Interlaken showing behind them. It was so magical, so cold, so flawless that I wanted to engrave it forever in my mind. We took pictures and videos in the air. We took a turn by the mountain, then over the town and finally landing in the park near our hotel. Before landing my pilot asked me if I wanted any more thrilling moves while landing but I had to say no cuz I was already having a light head from the excitement and the cold air.

Funny moment was: all the camera flashes coming from tourists while we landed. I covered my face with my hand. They gave me that feeling of having a glorious moment falling from the sky like heroes, or brave soldiers lol

We were gifted a flash disk with our pictures that had a piece of the parachute material written on it our name, date of jump and our pilot’s name.

We were drunk of joy the rest of the day and gave our moms a call to laugh hard at the scolding and hear how crazy we were. It was worth every euro we spent and my husband kept talking about this jump for days and days. I believe we will repeat it again somewhere new in the future!

Peace,

Amna Al Dhaheri

Say hello to the camera!

Book Review: 2 Books for Marriage preparations

I was supposed to post this before my wedding, but there were many things on hold at that time. It has been really stressful months. I didn’t have the time to update my blog much but I was trying my best to stick to the bunch of TV series (comedy ones) and some books to lighten up my mood and help me forget for few hours a day that I was gonna get married. 

I do love life educating books yet I didn’t believe in marriage education that much. The logic behind that in my mind was like “I don’t need book to teach me how to love, respect, care for my family” but man there were a lot of things to learn, If not learn then at least remind us of what we already know.

The first book I got from a colleague at work is “Why Men love Bitches!” by Sherry Argov and unlike what the cover says a bitch here has a different perspective than what we are familiar with. The writer describes her as an independent woman who knows how to make herself happy and at the same time maintain a strong loving relationship with her partner.

I do love this book because it gave so many helpful situations from women of all kinds, although most of the scenarios were common sense or I already came across them I found myself happy with the strong reminder and in some cases wondering how she’s gonna react in such situation! It will help you to keep hold of what you like and want in your life and never to let this new relationship with a man makes you forget yourself and be what she calls a “nice woman” who is easy to deceive and willing to naively give all she got sacrificing her time and energy

Things I loved about this book are:

1- It gradually guides you through your relationship starting from date one and how its enough to have popcorn for a meal so you build a solid appreciation and respect for the coming meals lol

2- There are couple of comparison tables through the book drawing both scenes on what a nice girl and a bitch would do in each situation. Its scary to know you might be too nice without noticing sometimes and how its perceived by the opposite sex is even scarier!

3- when the writer gives a tip; she explains the logic behind! For example, ….. focused lots of her efforts to explain why its important to have a job of your own and that independence will not only keep the guy unable to predict your next move but even the richest men will sense your value and your addition to the house. Now before I thought rich men wouldn’t bother paying us for a lifetime long, not seeing the inner damage of image it can give to a woman.

The second book is a one I wanted to read long time ago but forgot all about it until recently when I was wedding shopping in Dubai. I couldn’t resist not buying new books and getting scolded by mom to focus on more important matters at that moment lol

Since the writer Steve Harvey is not a writer but a comedian he stated that the book will not be the same of that of a writer’s. It was simple, well organized and sweet. The book is a guide from a man to women on how to understand men explained in the shortest way possible. Through the book I loved these two facts as they worked in making me more realistic and more understanding to not expect a woman’s behavior from a man.

Two facts I loved:

1- A man is a good one if he feels good about himself and that happens when he knows: who he is, what he does and how much he earns.

2- If a man loves you, he will: give you a title (my wife, my fiancé, my girlfriend …etc), provide for you (money, food, shelter… etc) and protect you (he will not let any man harm you in any way)

I felt like it’s a father daughter kind of message and it didn’t miss a little sprinkle of his sense of humor. It’s a nice addition to build yourself a full picture beside the previous book. And now when I have feminine doubts on whether my husband cares for me or loves me I just remember those guidelines and drift away from all this negativity lol.

From my personal view, these two books are just a basic start for anyone. There are hundred of ways to learn and educate yourself and you have to pick the most comfortable ones for you, ones you think are interesting and will add to your balance of information. All in all, try to read books and learn from life as it’s the best teacher you will ever encounter and never take advices from people who are not professional in family relationships, these are serious stuff and we should handle them in a more serious mindset. 

And remember, marriage education still goes on even after getting married :)

Interesting fact from Women's Day.com : "Wedding and engagement rings have been worn on the fourth finger of the left hand since ancient times. The Romans believed a vein in this particular finger, called "vena amoris" (a.k.a. the "vein of love"), leads directly to the heart."

Peace,

Amna Al Dhaheri

Out of the closet before my wedding

I don’t know how I found the time to write down this post.. to be fair its not the time that is too tight for the bride it’s the mind’s capacity of productivity and creativity.

I barely push myself to write in a wedding diary I keep in my handbag so I won’t regret not writing it down one day.

Writing feels so good and now that I didn’t write for a while I don’t find a pleasure in life events as I used to ..

People has been the hardest part in my pre-wedding period. Its not that I care to make changes to please them but they certainly do affect your mood A LOT!

I really want to apologize for what you’re gonna read down there, unlike me it’s a bit negative but I can’t, I can’t, I just can’t keep it to myself or else I’ll go crazy. Its torturing psychologically as if physically is not enough.

So PEOPLE. Somehow you are their topic to discuss when they're out of topics, which is so irritating because you use people’s company to forget about the wedding stress and all they give you is another suggestions on how to get more stressed. I particularly hate it when they ask about private stuff like how much you spent or what EXACTLY that you bought with all that money.

Married and Divorced people

They always act like the wise ones. If you saw one I hope ur fit enough to do an air flip and hide behind the nearest wall. They don’t just give you an advice to follow they force it on you! BAMMM!!

"oh I’m sorry but maybe I do wanna share everything with my husband or oh no a hair mist is not necessary for a living I wonder if he will even notice it!"

you wanna hear something funny?! The most shocking lie I heard in my life from them was: “YOU WILL NOT HAVE TIME TO DO ANYTHING AFTER MARRIAGE!” I can’t wait to check it myself, I mean of course I won’t have time for the likes of you! but won’t I have time to shower? to drive? to eat? to chitchat? to visit? to write? Don’t you think its too much for 24hr to say its not enough? Sorry panda its you who didn’t find time and set priorities not all the brides!

The other half who are not married yet

A bride is a target for their hopes and dreams without realizing I’m not their little dreams-come-true fairy nor that the world is cheap enough to fulfill all their suggestions. Its sweet I know but please don’t show me that disbelief shocking “OH” face when I disagree with you. I understand no one realizes it as much as the one with money and time in hand to divide. Few years back, I planned must-buy lists for my future marriage and laughed at some money managing faults ...but now I understand! I know that some stuff you will be able to cover financially and timely but others you will let go or wish they come as you’ve always wished for.

Someone: “you should go get 6 branded bags, write them down: Channel, LV, Gucci, Givency...”

Me: ”Ummm well, I got Coach handbag”

Someone: ”OH MY GOD your not gonna get the rest? You can’t you’re a brideeee!”

Me: ”well.. ummm.. I don’t …know” awkward

NO NO NOOOO!! I don’t care about other brides' shopping rituals I’m not gonna waste huge amount of money over branded bags that can take up to ¼ of my salary each. I might buy one or two but never more than that at one time!

Not to mention that yes; some people still don't see through brands to care about what ur carrying! 

False predictions

I dislike people who try to be nice by guessing your emotions from your tired face.

Someone: “Dear you are thinking too much about the wedding? RELAAAAX!”

Me: ”No ..I’m not, its just lack of….”

(interrupting) Someone: ”YOU know its just one night celebration then you will regret all the worry for nothing”

Me: ”Nooooo its not like that!”

Someone: ”May god help you sweety”

Me talking to myself: ”oh why bother open my mouth?” walks away

Geeeeez people, trust me this is in no way a good way to start a conversation OR show sympathy towards a bride. You’re just driving her towards frustration when all she had on her mind that morning is to do well and get the wedding stuff on hold for once.

Prayers come true

Prayers are great as we believe its heard by god who understands us more than anyone else. However, people can even ruin this one faith rope we have. If you wanna pray for someone let it be a rational decent prayer. And always never wish for something jokingly cuz it might be fulfilled! When a bride gets a prayer like:

- “By god’s will you will get kids as soon as possible!! AMEEN!” or 

- "May we get to see your 10 kids" 

Maybeeee they think there’s some magical dust on it that would make a young soon to-be-bride get motherhood emotions flowing and go like “awwww I can’t wait to be a mother! I wish my wedding was earlier!!! And you to go to heaven for being so sweet”. 

Seriously! we can’t handle the drama of being in front of more than 500 people not to mention the fear of starting a new life with a new guy as a couple and you are bringing a third person into the count!?

I’m not against having those lil angels or anything but every topic has a proper time. Pray for happiness pray for wealth pray for health pray for everlasting love!!!

Questions before a week

Another important question that I’ve been asked 100 times when the wedding was less than a week near: “How is your spirit? How do you feel?”

do you really wanna know how it feels?

I don’t feel anything. Seriously my feelings are numb since two weeks now. I don’t think about the wedding fears and I don’t think about any other stuff too. Its really devastating to live with no purpose waiting for that day. I closed my door of listening to nosy questions and I started ignoring everyone because what I have is more major than anything else in my entire life. I’m focusing my efforts not to lose me around this mess when its so hard not to. I’m not sure but I think my emotions will awaken on the day I walk down the aisle lol

I started eating chocolate like a fat kid and I get these urges to argue with my husband over every word that comes out of his mouth but I held back (thank god he is miles away lol) and I certainly get into fights with each and every member of my family, I do scare myself sometimes. LOL

I do not wanna whine about how hard it was to keep myself together but really the fewer the people who knows about your wedding till the last minute the better.

Readers please take this with a sense of humor I can’t accept any more advising and directing about how I should feel or what should I say when all I need is to write about it. And please please pleasssse don’t be one of those people who gives a bride a hard time unless she asked for it herself. Life, marriages, love, mistakes, lessons and everything else comes by nature to everyone of us we don’t need someone to give us a cheat book. I said it to my husband once and I’m saying it to you too: “Don’t listen to others' life story,  give us a chance to build ours and take the best out of both”.

Ahhhh it feels much better .. wish me luck in my big day, gotta go try and get some beauty sleep 

Peace,

Amna Al Dhaheri