365: New Years Eve

We did it ladies and gentlemen! We've made it to the final post...

On nights like this you sit and reflect on all that's happened in the last 365 days of your life. All the good and the bad. And then you sit and think of the coming year... But I won't be dragging you all into the drama of that. No, I'll talk briefly about how we spent new years eve.

This year was spent in an unconventional way...
How, you ask??Well, this is the first new years eve in a long time that we don't throw a party... Instead, we had a seafood dinner with loved ones and went home early, since people still have work tomorrow morning in this part of the world.

Honestly, I couldn't have asked for a better ending to this crazy year.

2012... I won't ask much from you... I only ask that you're better than 2011.

364: Things I am Thankful For

Right now, at this very moment in my life... At this very second... I'm thankful for my amazing, loving husband for always being there for me, when everyone and everything around fails me or falls apart, he's the one that puts it's all together.

I'm also thankful for my adorable cat, Boobi. For bringing life and entertainment into our home, and for keeping me company when I'm home alone and there's nobody else around.

363: Vanilla Latte

This drink has been my obsession of 2011.

I can't seem to get enough, even though I'm not really a coffee drinker.

362: Sleeping In

It's one of the best feelings in the world, to have one of the best uninterrupted sleeps and waking up when you're good and ready to wake up.

361: Memories

This year has been full of surprises for everyone all over the world. It's been full of many bitter sweet moments.

But it's time to move on and look forward to change.

360: When Boobi Is Quiet

It almost ALWAYS means she's up to no good.

359: Silly Moments With The Love Of My Life

I think the title of this post says it all...

358: A Good Night's Sleep.

Nothing better than falling deep into sleep, where you wake up
refreshed and invincible.

357: Wild Imaginations

I realized recently that I've been watching way too many episodes of
"Fringe" & "Supernatural" when I couldn't even walk through this
parking lot without imaging something big and ugly just around the
corner.

Made me think of my childhood and all the good times we came up with
crazy imaginary games.

356: Going Out With New Friends

It's nice when you meet good, genuine people. Conversations that are
like a breath of fresh air.

355: When Curiosity Strikes

It usually gets the best of her. Nothing happens without her peering
over someone's shoulder or even climbing over that someone to see
what's going on.

354: Melting Pots

It makes me smile to see places that have mixed cultures, and traditions. 
People that can get along and overcome their differences. 

353: Cloudy Skies & Pretty Lights

My favorite moment during or after an event, is moments like this.

352: Unexpected Surprises

It's a delightful surprise finding a fluffy cute monster behind my bed.

351: Making New Friends

Nothing like a good ol' fashioned game night to get closer to friends.

350: Lazy TV Days

Nothing like a day spent watching mindless tv shows and eating salad for lunch. 

349: Holiday Fun with Boobi

She really looks like she's wearing that hat, doesn't she??

348: Fluffy Ornaments

Boobi has decided she wants to be part of the deco this year.

347: Sparkling Pretty Little Lights

This is something I've loved and obsessed over it's magic since as long as I can remember!

How can someone NOT be entranced with this ?

346: Xmas Decorations

There's something fun and festive in setting up decorations for any occasion actually. But xmas decorations have always had a bit of a warm fuzzy soft spot for me. Maybe because I associate it with the cold winters that I grew up with and that these pretty things brought warmth to the soul?

345: The Gift of Giving

I'm not a gifty person. I don't like large extravagant gifts (normally). I'm more into the the sentimental ones, the kind that are personal and that mean something. A dinner out, gift certificates for anything, photos in a frame, homemade videos, anything personal.

 

What kind of gifts do you like?

344: Gift Wrap

For birthdays, holidays, or just random gifts.... I've always enjoyed wrapping gifts. Apparently, so does Boobi.

343: Lists

I'm not really one of the neatest people you'll ever meet. My mind sort of works in a haphazard kind of way. I'm very systematic and repetitive in certain aspects, while insanely fuzzy all over.

One of the things I like to do, to hopefully get things in just a little order is... lists... I like to make grocery lists, lists of things to do, things to look forward to, people that owe me money or I owe them money, movies I want to watch, books I want to read... and the list goes on.

I was looking through photos and found this.... 

It's a list my mom made.

Apparently I got the list obsession from her.

342: Frosty and Rudolph

I've never been a big fan of Santa... 

My favorite characters were always Rudolph the red nosed reindeer 

and

Frosty, the snowman.

I can't begin to explain why a talking reindeer with a glowing red nose

 who could fly/guide the rest of the reindeer...

and a talking/walking snowman 

were less creepy to me as a kid 

than an old man wearing a red suit who apparently only wanted to give kids gifts.

It's a mystery that shall never be solved.

341: The Sense of Smell

I'm beyond crazy for smelly candles and oils. They lift up your mood and they give you that energy you need to complete your day with a smile. My sin is I can't stick to one scent for very long... I mix them all up, and I jump from one to the other. Vanilla, strawberry, berry, ginger, apple, grape, cinnamon... are just some of my obsessions.

What are yours?

340: Holiday Yummies

It's that time of year, when we all break the rules several times to nibble on the holiday snacks.
Baked goodies, sweet and savory craziness, cookies galore along with some of the best hot chocolate with marshmallows in the world.

339: Santa Hats

Maybe it's the fuzzy part... or it's the color red that radiates warmth... but I can't deny that it's one of my favorite hats in the whole wide world.

338: Christmas

It's that time of year where people are either very happy... or they're very miserable and grumpy.

Growing up with friends and family who celebrated Christmas was something I was more than happy to be a part of. Not for the whole religious aspects, but in terms of what this holiday has come to represent. If not for most people but more for me. Christmas is a time of tolerance, giving, joy and warmth. (A lot like the month of Ramadan for muslims but much more commercial?)

This time of year brings back a lot of good memories as a child, and makes me reminisce all that this holiday is good for. This month almost always takes me to a "good place" full of smiles and joyful moments.

To all those who celebrate Christmas...

and to those who don't actually celebrate but just

enjoy the ride...

Hope you have a good month full of jolly hohoho's.

337: Not Kids Anymore

I love days like these. Days when you make crazy massive impact discoveries.

Learning that you've somehow, somewhere... at some point in your life when you learn you've crossed that invisible line from being a kid to being an adult... Woohoo!

It's funny when you organize a day out with friends... full of activities, games, bbq, snacks and about an hours drive away from the city and you get excited because there aren't any "adults" involved in any part of this little adventure, not the planning, the packing, the cooking, or even attending... (by adults, i mean parent's, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or older siblings who take care of everyone)

Only to realize that.... We ARE the adults... 

we packed everything....

cooked...

and took care of each other...

The only difference was, we could still be silly and not so adult like too.

Is this a sign we aren't fully adults yet?

or is it a sign of an evolved adult coming out?

336: When the Weather Changes

The best thing about the month of December in Saudi is the change of weather... It's that time of year when everyone does what they can to spend time out in the fresh air, the cool breeze and practice some sort of outdoor activity.

It's also that time of year when all the sweaters and jackets come out, just because we're deprived and it's our only chance to wear such a thing... even if it's not ENTIRELY that cold.

 

335: The Terrace Lounge

Ahh... December is here... this is the last month for the 365 day photo challenge... Can't believe it's gone by so fast!

This post is about a cute place hubby found called "The Terrace Lounge" aka the terrace. It's located at the Attallah Park. They've got great seats, and even nicer windows. (I can't imagine how nice it is during the day with the view of the sea and the never ending amount of sun)

Anywho....

The food wasn't bad either, except it was a bit chilly and well, the food ended up getting cold.
They lighting was dim and very cozy. Infact, it wasn't bad for photographs either.