Speak The Words I Want To Hear, To Make My Demons Run

Tragedy strikes through our lives like lightning across a storm cloud; it seems to cut through the darkness of raindrops and dust, sharp and clear. The flash of light is like an explosion contained within the clouds and although seemingly whole to the naked eye, only the cloud really knows what destruction the atmospheric electricity has wreaked within.

And then come the rain and winds and the darkness, water and dust create a blur. You don’t know where to go and where to hide. You go through the motions like a puppet in the hands of an amateur puppeteer; unable to stand on both feet at the same time, never in one place for too long, constantly being jerked around. Your emotions are haphazard and you feel everything with full force.

Then the dust settles and you are finally able to comprehend the intensity of the devastation. You know what part of you is gone forever, how much is broken, but can still be salvaged and how much left untouched.

And now, you make your choice. Do you try to rebuild from what was left behind? Or do you start over completely new; forgetting everything you loved and cared about, erasing all memories of what was once before, even that which was left untouched and just be someone else?

Or do you chase the storm?

I Look Inside Myself And See My Heart Is Black

Muharram is here. For the Muslim world, especially the Shia sect, it is a month of remembrance and of mourning for the man who sacrificed everything, even his infant children, in the way of Islam. Imaam Hussain was the grandson of the Prophet Mohammad and this month is dedicated to his entire family's martyrdom to oppose injustice, cruelty and oppression. He refused to accept Yazid as the the rightful Caliph as Yazid was openly condoning practices which were strictly against Islamic law. His refusal resulted in all out war against his clan and he was forced to leave his home in Medinah and fought against Yazid in Karbala. 

On the 7th of Muharram, Yazid's army cut off all water supplies to Imaam Hussain's camp. For the next three days, every single man, woman and child went thirsty in the blazing heat of the desert until finally, on the tenth, when the battle began, his entire army including his 9 month old son, were killed by the enemy. The martyr's bodies, which Imaam Hussain had buried with his own hands, were dug up and their heads cut off and carried to Damascus on tips of the soldier's swords. Their women and children were taken prisoners. 

This fateful day is known as Ashura and has since been commemorated by all Muslims as the day when one man stood against all that was wrong and unjust, to protect Islam from being destroyed and forgotten. Muslims all over the world go to religious gatherings known as Majlis-e-Hussain, remember his suffering and mourn his pain through the matam (beating the hand against the chest as a sign of lamentation. 

When I was younger and stood up for the Matam, I often looked around at the people around me crying and moaning, trance-like, hand against chest, hand away and wondered if they were really crying at the pain of a man they never knew or if somehow, the tears fell from their pain of some loss they alone had known? Was the woman in front of me really in so much agony from knowing about sheer cruelty inflicted upon one man's family or because she too had lost a son in a cross-fire? Was the man in that corner sobbing because he too had buried a new born? Was that young girl crying because she missed her dead father? For I would stand and perform the Matam and not a tear would roll down my cheeks. I would often think to myself if my lack of emotions meant that maybe, I was not a good Muslim; worse, maybe I was not a good person. This doubt in my own religious fervency often left me upset and morbid. 

Little did I know that my many musings about those gatherings were true. I have grown up now. For the past many years I have cried passionately at every Majlis and every Matam. I can honestly say though, that most of the time, the tears flowed because of some heartache of my own. I often try and distract myself from my problems and try to be less selfish, less self-involved. But I think the more I focused on the real reason for the Majlis, the more it intensified my own sorrow. 

I feel morally conflicted and utterly confused. Is it wrong of me to think of my own lesser problems in the light of the selflessly relinquished lives of such great men and women? Is it a reflection of who I am as a Muslim? Maybe. But I have also only known my own losses and suffered my own pain and I can only feel their pain through my own. 

And every motion with which I bring down my hand to my chest, in my head I am just trying to beat some faith into my soul. 

And praying to God to give me back those eyes that had never cried. 

Cardinal Sin

2 a.m is the worst time to work. Some might disagree and say its the best time to work. All is quiet, except for the noise of the generator. No one is there to bother you, you are alone with your thoughts and its easy to focus. Well, who the fuck cares about what some say?

Let me tell you a story about 2 a.m work madness. This isn't a true story. It has nothing to do with me or my friend with whom I wasn't working on a curriculum designing project. 

So, where was I? Yea.

It's 2 a.m. on a Saturday and two girls are sitting together, staring intently at a laptop, trying to work out the kinks in a paragraph typed out on the laptop in front of them and a bottle of Diet Pepsi, Pepsi, a large bar of Dairy Milk, chips and dip between them. Neither of them is actually reading the paragraph; one (lets call her Abeer) keeps alternating between thoughts of sleep, chocolate and the soft, snugly socks that she wants to rub her cheeks against. The other one (Sahar) is thinking of something which Abeer has no clue since she is no mind reader. 

After a few useless minutes of staring, Sahar decides to voice her thoughts and so the following conversation ensues

Sahar: "You know what's really upsetting me? That story about your friend XYZ"

Abeer puts off rubbing the socks on her cheeks for another time and decides to focus on what Sahar is saying. "Um, why? Because she's ugly?"

Sahar: "No! You know, the whole baby, amazing husband, chain of international stores thing!"

Abeer, realizing the uh-oh ness of this moment tries to avoid it getting too serious and decides to be shallow: "Who cares yaar? she is so ugly."

But it's too late. Sahar had gone down the much dreaded path of self-pity. Now, there had to ensue a discussion of how horrid this life was, the sorrow of unrealized dreams and the ache of unrequited love. 

"She's got a baby, a really awesome and rich husband and she has her own chain of clothing stores world over. That just bloody sucks"

"You've already said that," thinks Abeer, but knows not to say it out loud. Sahar's emotional state must be handled carefully; she must try and not say anything that might make her angry or start the water works. Abeer had her own tears to cry in a while and if she started to cry then it would look like she was trying to steal Sahar's thunder. 

"It sucks because she has all that and we don't or does it suck because she's ugly and has all that and we don't? 

Sahar reflects on that statement for a few seconds and answers "Both" There is a slight quiver in her lips. 

Abeer must deflate the tension in the room and soon. This must not result in a break down. 

"Okay, so basically what you're saying is that she has everything we want? And we will never be rich, have a husband and therefore, never have kids?" 

"Yes"

"Kill me now" 

The End

No, Please! Don't Call Security!

Remember ten years ago when parents made the mistake of buying cell phones for their young teens and expected them to be responsible and mature about their usage? We would feel oh so cool with the mobile in our hands, smaller the better (probably the only time when this term was acceptable) showing off to the less fortunate ones in our clique by randomly asking if they had any calls to make? Wait, so you're saying that was just me? Damn. 

The First Real Love of My Life

To All Cell-Phone Stalkers:
If You Don't Look Like This,
Don't Bother.

Anyway, the worst thing about having a cell phone was when random people would randomly type in your number and ask you to be their "Frand" (that's friend in stalker lingo) hoping you were some hot, desperate girl who would reply with "Han Jee" (yes). They seemed to have endless credit and a bottom-less pit of self-confidence even in the face of constant rejection. 

Then, you entered your twenties and your frands seemed to disappear because they probably grew up too. Wait. Stop right there. Are you sure they're gone? Are you sure they're not lurking in the corners of the airport immigration counters, waiting for their next chance to strike?

Yea, you read that right.

When I got back from Dubai, some guy started messaging me non-stop, asking how my trip went and obviously, I assumed it was someone I knew. However, as always, my assumptions were stupid and far fetched. It was just some guy who works at the Jinnah International Airport with the airport "security" and he got all my information off the airport computers. 

Okay, It Happened In Pakistan.
But You Get My Point!

He not only knew my name, he knew where I lived and worked; all the data that you would want to keep, if not private, then at least protected and not thrown into the hands of someone who would obviously abuse it. Talk about abuse of authority and an absolute invasion of privacy. 

And We Know He Ain't No Telemarketer.
So.....?

And God knows what that man is capable of? He knows who I am, he knows where to find me. What do I know what his intentions really are? I mean, if he's extracting my private details without my permission then anything can be expected. 

The lack of work ethics, corruption and exploitation of information in this country is disgusting and shameful. More than that, it is scary to see that this attitude has so completely infiltrated the nation in everything that they do. We have collectively forgotten what "wrong" or worse "illegal" means. We have crossed the grey area smack into the black and we don't even realize it. Nothing is sacred anymore. 

We want what we want and will cross all lines to get it. 

These Beautiful Women, Lost Under The Stars

In the 25 years of my life, I have met some extremely fascinating women. Women with assiduous levels of strength and courage. Women who wage daily wars with their worlds; who have still made something of themselves despite being bound by an almost draconian society that seems to leave almost all of us suffocated by its orthodox ideology.

So today, I want to give these women a tribute. I want them to know how much I appreciate them, how much I am inspired by their lives, how much I wish to have the same grace and dignity with which they handle all their struggles and just how plain grateful I am for the comfort and support I find within them. So this one goes as a shout out to them and all those women world over who have found themselves in a similar place, but are yet to be broken down.

To Nasreen, Fatima, Shama and Shakeela: Women who have shown me the meaning of unconditional love and support and have taught me what family really means. They have given up their careers to build and raise the family of which I am so proud to be a part of and for which, no matter how many times I tell them I love them, it will never be enough. From these women, I have learnt what it means to make sacrifices for the ones you love, I have learnt respect and I have learnt how important it is to be a better person. I have seen their families bring them down, push them around and take them for granted and I have seen them do nothing, but give more love in return. They have taught me to have the courage to pursue my dreams no matter what stage of life I am in and to never give up on the ones you love. From them, I have learnt how to carry on even though never appreciated, to hope no matter how horrible the circumstance,  to keep on living even when everything seems to have been taken away from you and to leave what you have called home all your life and start over new in a place completely alien.

To Sahar: The sister, the best friend, the confidante, the tutor, the money lender, the stuff bringer, the feeder and over all evil genius. The one in whose lap I have cried for hours about my broken heart. The one who has seen me fail and fall countless times, but who never gave up on me. The one who I have watched suffer through intense trauma and tragedy, who has battled with depression and bipolar and who has known her own various heartbreaks which might leave many with a colder heart or a broken spirit, but she has only emerged with a bigger heart than I thought was possible. She has taught me how to be kind to strangers and forgiving to the most horrid of transgressions. She is, more often than not, my voice of wisdom. From her I have learnt what hard work really means. Truly, she is one of the most amazing women I know.

To my very own Amy Lee*: I hate to admit it, but when I first met her, she came across as someone with a one tracked mind; the kind that starts at clothes, ends at shoes and thinks of make-up in between. I've never been more wrong. She is this amazingly talented and really witty person who is a great writer, artist, singer and photographer. She has so much going for her, if only she realized it. She went through a few years of an abusive relationship and she bore it all without a soul knowing what was happening. Unlike others I have known, she didn't let it affect the way she dealt with other people around her. She was always cheerful and lively, making everyone around her laugh and have a good time. And even when things fell apart, other than her closest friends, she has never bad mouthed the guy nor bitched about him in anyway. She has taught me how important it is to put your problems aside and not let your issues ruin other people's day, that it is essential to be the bigger person in the relationship, not to give in to your baser instincts to try and destroy the other person and just try your best to carry on with the little pride you have left.

To Azeelia: Even though she recently became a part of our family, it feels like I have known her forever. She just recently lost a baby, but her morale and courage and the brave face she put up when most people would just give up on everything deserves a standing ovation. Each day that I meet her, she instills in me a whole new spirit of hope and faith. My problems are minute compared to hers and yet, she has accepted them with humbleness and dignity and dealt with them with far more grace and character than I have. I've learnt from her not to question God each time something goes wrong and sometimes, to trust Him and the way He plays the cards even if sometimes, it feels like He's cheating. And I want to thank her for not letting my faith go to hell.

To Samia: I haven't known her for so long, but from her I've learnt that broken homes don't always result in damaged children. Even though she's seen her parents go through an awful divorce, she has turned out to be a strong and stable person, not letting her circumstances influence who she became and how she lived her life.  She went to medical college and is now a doctor. She's one of the more down to earth and level headed people I know. Her story makes me realize that who you become is in your hands alone. No matter how dysfunctional your family and no matter how messed up the people around you, you alone are the molder of your character and your life and it is in your hands to make or break yourself.

To Maera: One of my best friends; crazy to the core. Although I've only known her for four years, it seems like a lifetime. She brought into my life a whole other level of friendship, love and of course the drama that comes with these things. I have watched her struggle with relationships and career choices and am often left  bewildered with the fire and spirit with which she lives her life and deals with her issues. With her, I have learnt not to take things too seriously and  how important it is to let go and just have some fun. She is this sexy, spirited, funny and crazy person who has made life a lot more bearable and pleasant.

And To Hani: Hani very recently came into my life, but left quite an impression. Her life has been, to say the least, chaotic. She's been through two divorces and in a society such as ours, that is seen as a major "humiliation". For her, everyday is a battle between doing what makes her happy and whats "right". She refused to stay in a marriage that didn't make her happy even though the world seemed to stand against her. She has built herself as a credible and respected individual in her field. From her, I have realized that it is important to have dreams, to be yourself no matter how scandalous that might be for others, to fight for what makes you happy and what you want, to not let the world's image of you bother you in anyway, to never let anyone try and change you just because it suits them and to be a successful individual in your own right.  She is a woman of mettle and I admire her for the battles she fights everyday.

If you know even one woman like the ones I have mentioned above, consider yourself lucky for you have a support system that is so powerful and unfailing, you can never lose your way.

They'll Call Me Freedom Just Like A Wavin' Flag

For those of you who don't live in this wonderful country called Pakistan with its "democratic" system of government, let me tell you about how the people in charge tend to pass their time doing things that have no head or tail in relation to politics or governance or anything remotely related to improving the standard of living here.

Recently introduced by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority is the infamous "Banned List". Its just a list of words which are forbidden while texting. Did you spit out your cereal yet? Stop eating, there's more. 

So apart from the absolute violation of the people's right to freedom of speech, the words on the list are, to be most polite, absolutely retarded, the thoroughness of the words on it just goes to show how much free time our authorities have. I mean do these stupid people have nothing better to do than to make fucked up lists telling us we can't use words like "sexy" on messages? (I told you to stop eating.) I mean, what is the word sexy going to do? Turn the country into nymphomaniacs? 

Needless to say, the list has been met with nothing but absolute ridicule. People are making fun of it on every possible social networking site I can think of. An example, a text conversation with a friend. 

Friend: Taxi, taxi, taxi

Me: Uh, What?

Friend: I'm doing illegal shit dude.

Me: ?!?

Friend: Don't you know? The PTA put "taxi" on the list of banned words on sms.

Me: HAHA! Wow, you're a regular old Jesse James.

Friend: What?!?

Me: Umm...like an outlaw.

Friend: You read too much.

I mean, what happened to actually doing something worthwhile for a change?

I Believe You're A Miracle Child

Once upon a time, not so long ago in a land not so far away, there lived an ordinary girl. Her father was no king and her mother was no queen. But in their own ways, they lived like royalty. This ordinary girl wasn't the most beautiful girl in the world, otherwise she wouldn't be the ordinary girl. But she was still pretty. She wasn't the kind of girl who sang songs to the birds or danced with the deer. In fact, she couldn't sing a single note in tune. 

Now, this ordinary girl was no academic genius, but she was smart enough. She wasn't fond of studying, but she did the best she could because it would make her father and mother very happy. She tried and she tried, but she just couldn't get those straight A's. Her mother cried and her father looked away in disappointment. It broke her heart, but what could she do. Her parents realized that now, only their sons could make them proud. So they let her be and let her do her own thing. In a way, the ordinary girl was relieved. Now, she only had to do things to make herself happy. She was free to choose her own path; the only problem was, she didn't know what she wanted. 

Time went on, the ordinary girl got older. She met a few ordinary boys, but you know how it is with boys. They come and they go. She went to college and made some not so ordinary friends and life was good. Ordinary, but good.  

Then, one day, she met a boy who made her feel not so ordinary. He sang a song that made her feel all tingly inside and for once, she didn't want this boy to go. So they got together, as happens in the ordinary world. He made her smile, he made her laugh. He inspired her to be more than she was; sort of like a muse, but more. And even though he didn't define her, she felt less confused about who she was. Yet, she had no idea what extraordinary thing to do in this, her ordinary life.
In college, she discovered many things about herself. She found she was a fan of books on magical realism; reading them was like taking a drug, they left her heady and disconnected with reality which was exactly what she needed. She updated her knowledge of music; once, she almost got beaten up by her friends when she said "Isn't Nirvana a song by Metallica?" Thanks to college, its not so bad anymore. She rediscovered her passion for writing, even learnt a little bit of photography. But sadly, none of this would help her get the 4.0 CGPA her parents would have liked to see. Still, she was as happy as a cat napping under the sun. The real world was far, far away; too distant to think about.
One day, this boy took her to watch a football game and as these things happen, she met a group of crazy people and in no time at all, they were stuck to each other like glue. They would do everything together; one of her favourite things was when they turned up the music really loud in her room and dance like there was no tomorrow. They loved each other, maybe a bit too much. So that when things got bad, it tore them apart. Just another ordinary thing in the ordinary girl's life. And when the time came, she had to let go of the not so ordinary boy because it wasn't what the universe wanted at all. Oh well, you live, you lose, you learn. And so, life went on.
Soon, the time came for the ordinary girl to graduate with her ordinary CGPA. She didn't get that gold medal her father thought she would get. She was proud of herself, but not so much. She got her gown and her cap and dressed up and went to the ceremony. When they called her name, the ordinary girl thought she would burst with happiness. When she sat back down, she got a call from her parents saying they were leaving. The ordinary girl cried; all the graduates had photographs with their parents, she had none. For once, that was no ordinary deal.
Life goes on, so did hers. She found a job she loved and so another tussle with the parents. "How can you settle for something so ordinary?" they said. But to her, it was a passion. For once, she had found something she could call her own; a path to follow, a goal, a vision. And no one would take that away from her. She would take these ordinary children and make them extraordinary. She would do what no teacher could do for her, she would help them find their way. She had found her calling.
Soon, she found another boy. This time, she felt extraordinary. She, for once, fell in love. She found new people to call her family. She felt that this was it. She had found her path and the one whom she wanted to go down the path with her. But this boy had once known love with a princess; what was this ordinary girl in comparison? And so they parted ways. As was the story of this ordinary girl's life.
And now, this ordinary girl is just trying in her ordinary way to find her way back to her ordinary self and what she is running from and why.

Blue Skies From Pain

If someone were to ask me 

what I missed the most about my old self, 

I'd say it was the sound of my laughter. 

CheckList

Things to do in Dubai:

1) Shop till I drop 

End Of Day One

Who Said Retail Therapy Doesn't Work?

2) Try as many dishes as I can from around the world

Sweet Moroccan Tea 

White Mocha Latte

Hummus Ma Lahmi (hummus with meat)

Chicken Teriyaki

Stir Fry With Schezuan Sauce

Tribe Special

Brainstorm

Amazing Thai Food At Ibn-e-Batuta Mall

Yogurt  With Strawberries, Raspberries, Kiwis and Walnuts

Sahar Devouring The Chicken Satays

3) Dance till the moon becomes the sun

4) Soak up the sun

Jumeira Beach

5) Dress Sexy

All Dolled Up

I Feel Pretty, Oh So Pretty!

Off To The JBR Walk and then Horizon

6) Learn some self control

I Dinnae Buy These

7) Try a whacky accessory

8) Sit in a corner, watch the world go by and pretend to be frozen in time

A Massive Crowd Outside The Dubai Mall

People Watching

9) Go sightseeing for a change

The Madinat Jumeira

Two Hotels, Summer Houses, Souk Etc In One Plaza

Connected By Boat

And The Best Things About The Hotel? Us.

The Meydan Racecourse

Global Village: A Central Exhibit For Worldwide Cultures, Shopping and Entertainment

Pavilions From All Over The World

Live Shows And All That Jazz

10) Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war

Pretty successful trip I'd say.

  

It Is Written In The Dust, It Is Whispered In The Wind

You, who I met through some horrid twist of fate. You, who in an instant took my breath away. You, who swept me off my feet with your laughing eyes. You, who held my hand in the garden by night. You, who showed me a world I never knew before. You,who plucked away my doubts about the existence of happiness. You, who made me dream of dreams I had never dreamed before. You, who made me laugh like a child swinging up high. You, who made me feel as beautiful as a swan on a crystal, clear lake. You, who whispered sweet nothings in my ear as I fell asleep. You, who said you loved me. 

And you, to whom it was nothing, but a game. And you, who walked across my heart and crushed it to bits. And you, who took my spirit and dragged it across a bed of thorns. And you, who has left nothing except tears in my eyes. And you, who is the reason for these endless, sleepless nights. And you, who never even dreamed one dream of me. And you, who told me I was worth nothing in this world. And you, who made me feel smaller than the smallest creature on this earth. And you, who told me nothing I did was ever good enough. And you, who left me with pitiful glances and questioning eyes. And you, who I can't hate even if I tried. 

And you, with a smile on your face and a dagger in your hand.
You, who I could have loved forever. 

Step Aside Please

On the way back home, I got stopped at Immigration. You'd think its no big deal, but for a Muslim girl travelling alone, its a mind fuck. Its a two minute walk from the immigration desk to the customs office; in those two minutes I had already imagined myself in the U.A.E jail; I thought of every single thing I could have done to be in this position. My heart was beating so fast, I thought I'd throw up.

I went in, sat down in front of this formidable looking Arab guy who looked like he hadn't smiled in decades. Anyway, five minutes later, he stamped my passport and sent me on my way. 

Word of advice: Make sure the cute guy at the immigration counter isn't too busy flirting and remembers to actually stamp your passport on arrival. 

This Is What Your Passport Should Look Like 

Seriously. Men.

All That Silence

I have so much to write about, but just haven't gotten the time for it. I shall post when I get home and finally have time to put it all together nicely.

Just wanted to say hi. I miss my blog. I love this city though and honestly, I'm just not ready to come home.

Sad Face.

What Happens At The Atlantis.....

Conversation among friends after some crazy partying at the Atlantis in Dubai

G1: Did I make out with anyone??

B: That cute guy you were dancing with was kissing you on the cheek

G1: What!? Are you serious?

G2: Don't worry, he kissed me too.

B: Yea, I think he kissed me too

At 25

I think I've hit a quarter life crisis. My emotions seem to be on some sort of roller coaster ride; one day I'm feeling content, joyous and ecstatic about everything. The next day I wake up and realize its all gone downhill. This morning I got up and the house was empty. My uncle and aunt had gone to drop off Sahar to meet some colleagues. I lay in bed alone for a while and that I think was my undoing. Everything just came rushing back and the more I tried to push the memories out of my head, the more they seemed  to attack with full force. I hate him for ruining my vacation. Stupid jerk. Au contraire,  if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be in Dubai in the first place. Yes, I know. I'm very confused. 

Anyway, I decided to let my thoughts linger for a while. I got into the yummy bathtub and surrounded myself with foam and bubbles and let myself go. You know how they show people trying to drown themselves in the bathtub? That's a lie! Your body just naturally floats up and its such a great feeling when you're no longer carrying your own weight. 

I have never played in a bathtub as a kid. I'm sure a lot of people haven't, but watching kids in movies jump around in their tub with that yellow duck floating around used to fascinate me. How come these kids get a pool in their bathroom? I used to think.

This Is The Tub I would Have Liked To Bathe In As a Child, But......

....This Is What I Got!

So I decided to go a little nuts and splashed around in the tub making duck sounds. It was brilliant fun till I came out and saw all the water on the floor. And then when I came out, the housekeeper was giving me strange looks. I suppose she heard me going mad in the tub.

Couldn't care less. That's another thing down on my bucket list. 

I Think I've Got Frostbite

Its a hot day in Dubai. You can't go for a dip in the pool because you don't want to get sun burnt. You wish for the Swiss Alps with its snow covered mountains. You'd think you're in a dilemma, but not really. Just get in your air conditioned Prado and get dropped to the Mall of the Emirates, straight down to the ground floor, take a left from the escalators and you're in a winter wonderland right in the middle of the desert. Welcome to Ski Dubai! 

 Snow, FTW!

I can't get enough of how amazing these projects are that the Arabs have constructed all over the place.

Sahar and I, the cousin I'm vacationing with, were told that we should not leave the U.A.E without going to Ski Dubai. And rightly so. They've basically built a ski slope smack in the center of a mall! Oh and another thing, its real snow. Have I mentioned how in awe I feel right now? 

I've Still Got Snow In My Shoes

So we went bobsledding, tobogganing and right up to the top of the slopes in the chair lift. We wanted to ski and try the crazy ball rolling down the slopes, but we were freezing in the -3 temperatures inside.

Why you dinnae believe me?!

 I had almost turned blue and couldn't feel my lips or toes. So when you see a poster that suggests wearing a beanie, don't ignore it and think "Oh! My hotness is going to take care of that." Wear the damn beanie. 

We so cool in our snow jackets. hehe. 

Almost a Smurf

It was a surreal place. All around its just a blanket of white. There are people screaming and laughing and just plain having a ball. And yet, the place holds an eerie calm and quiet. A must try for anyone planning to visit the city.

And of course, there is no place in Dubai where there isn't any eye candy

Pretty Boys Everywhere :D