Attention all males: NO means NO

I've noticed a growing trend lately with a large percentage of males in Dubai to whom the word "NO" (coming from a female) means absolutely nothing

I don't know whether its a lack of respect for women, or the fact that the majority of the men in this city think that they're heaven-sent, but telling a male that your not interested these days is the worst thing a female can do if she wants to get rid of him as they think that any response from a female (even if it is a NO) is like an invitation to continue whatever the hell it is they're doing - whether its trying their pathetic pickup lines, asking you where you are from before they even say hi (which seems to be a trend), or just awkwardly standing next to you or in front of you and stare and not say anything hoping that you'll just fall head over heels in love with them and live happily ever after!!!!!!!!!!!!! (seriously?.... WOW)

I went to Barasti last night with a friend of mine (girl) after the Rugby Sevens (therefore i was all kitted out in NZ gear)... she got up and went to the bathroom... she was gone no longer than 5 minutes and here's what happened:...

1 Minute - The Creep - a creepy old man who's old enough to be my dad:

The Creep: "excuse me, when is the best time to go to New Zealand"

...the guy didn't even know where NZ was so you can imagine how the rest of the conversation went!

2 Minutes - The Loser - some desperate guy who had clearly come to Barasti hoping to find some poor drunk expat who's vision will be so blurred that she'll think he's prince charming:

The Loser: "are you Arab?"

Me: "NO".

The Loser: "are you Indian?"

Me: "NO".

The Loser: "are you Arab?" (yes... AGAIN)...

...let’s just say what happened next made sure that he won’t be showing his face at Barasti again

3 Minutes - The Fly - some dude kept circulating around me probably in the hopes that I’ll eventually look up, see him and fall head over heels in love with him (cause let’s face it... that’s how it normally works right ladies???!!! *eyes rolling*)... he eventually ended up behind me at some point, taps me on my shoulder and says:

The Fly: "can i buy you a drink?"

.... no thanks, i can afford my own drink!

4 Minutes - The Smooth Guy - so some guys think that they're sooo smooth.. sooo charming... sooo irresistible... that all they have to do is drop a casual (more like a random) line to get the girls attention and she'll be hooked:

Smooth Guy: "why is a pretty girl like you sitting alone"

Me: "I'm not... my friends just gone to the bathroom"

Smooth Guy: "friend girl or friend boy" (oh god the freshness!!!)

Me: "it doesn't matter... now move along"

5 Minutes - my friend comes back and i thank the lord

But seriously, what is it with guys being so desperate these days... i mean the ratio of women to men in this world is 1:1.05... so it is almost safe to say that for every man there is a woman... so relax guys... stop being so desperate... and when a woman says "no" that means "NO"... move on to the next poor victim

TIPS:

1. I understand that most men fear rejection as it lowers their self esteem, but sometimes rejection can turn into an ordeal ten times worse if a male is in denial and chooses not to accept it... and that, my male friends, i can guarantee will do some serious damage to your self esteem
2. Also, here's another little tip my male friends (thank me later)... if you are frequently hearing "NO" and getting rejected; its clearly time to CHANGE YOUR APPROACH!
3. Not every women is going to be interested in you... so get over your self and stop thinking that.  In saying that, that doesn't mean that there's something wrong with you, it just means that she's simply not interested in you and that she probably not right for you so separate your sense of self-worth from how women perceive you and MOVE ON!
4. If you're embarrassed of getting rejected in front of your "boys" then don't hit on women while they're around... because let me tell you a little something about us women... we DON'T get intimidated... so if you're on your own or with your posse... we will still reject you if we want to... so save yourself the humiliation and do it without your posse holding your hand
5. Don't hit on a woman just for the sake of it.... when will men learn this.... stop being horny and control yourself for gods sake!

 

And The Fog is Finally Lifting...

Have you ever found yourself in a position where all of a sudden something unexpected has stopped you dead in your tracks and made you think "this is my life... but how did i get here?!"

Its 7.31am... my alarm went off 15 minutes ago and I'm still lying in bed thinking.... asking my self the same question I've been asking since the day i moved to Dubai... "Where am i gonna be in a couple of years from now?.... where DO i wanna be in a couple of years from now?"

Well I'll tell you what.. that "couple of years" deadline is fast approaching and i still have no idea where i wanna be or what I'm gonna be doing... until a couple of minutes ago that is... there i was lying in bed and it finally hit me... its been the most obvious option and i cant believe i haven't thought of it any sooner... I've never felt more clear about my near future and its an amazing feeling... having a short term plan gives you something to look forward to... it gives you ambition... It gives me HOPE!

But its not going to be easy getting there... lets just say that I'm going back to basics!

So wish me luck my dear readers as i embark on a new mission... a new journey... a new adventure... as this time next year i hope to be posting a blog by the title "...As The Sun Starts to Shine"

My Geek Charming

Franklin Jones once said that "love doesn't make the world go round.  love is what makes the ride worthwhile"...

It feels as if my whole life this far has been nothing more than a journey preparing me for my real life for when it begins... yet when i think about the moment which defines the beginning of my real life i cant steer away from one thing... the four letter word which can make me feel joyful and miserable at the same time... L.O.V.E

I am not one who gets emotionally attached to anyone... yet i am a hopeless romantic... i am in love with the idea of being in love yet for the past 25 years that's all it seems to be... an idea

my idea of love is my irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired...  its finding that someone who will look at me without judging me at a time when the whole world is... someone who can give me reason to go on with my life at a time when i can no longer go on living... someone who can inspire me at a time when the canvas i call my life has been painted grey... someone who can give me peace at a time of war... someone who will define then redefine my idea of love

we are all in search of love whether we know it or not... for some reason we believe that by finding love we will find happiness... i will be the first to admit that i do believe in this... i do believe that the day i find love is the day that i will find happiness

turning my life upside down and moving to Dubai gave me hope again... new place... new people... a chance at finding love... yet here i am a year and a half later feeling extremely loveless

most women are constantly searching for their prince charming... but not me... i don't need a good looking man or a wealthy one... i need a wise man... a man who will have respect for me... but more importantly a man who will love me more than i will ever love him... i am looking for my Geek Charming

According to William Shakespeare, love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs. Being purged, a fire sparkling in lover's eyes. Being vexed, a sea nourished with lovers' tears. What is it else? A madness most discreet, a choking gall and a preserving sweet.  If that truly defines love then i am more than ready for it... for i have long had the fire burning within me... have been vexed in my journey to love and have shed many tears... and now here i am... ready for the sour and sweet madness they call L.O.V.E...

Nepal - Land of Culture

Namaste... a week ago... eid al fitr all of a sudden seemed to be just around the corner and after a month of fasting and hard work i knew i needed a break... and not just any break... i needed to get out of the UAE for a few days... so i booked my self on the first flight to Nepal the next day (with my colleague Farah)... random i know

Kathmandu (view from Monkey Temple)

Although the name may sound exotic... Nepal is anything but that

It is definately a third world country and that was evident from the second we landed where the airport looked like an old prison!!!... The taxi's looked like they dated back to the 18th century... There is no such thing as a paved road... and cows, dogs and monkeys roamed the street everywhere.

Despite all of this thought... Nepal was one of my best experiences to date. Our beautiful guest house more than made up for the prison-looking airport... the extremely friendly and kind taxi driver more than made up for the hunk of junk he was driving... the most amazing scenic views in the world more than made for the unpaved roads which made you feel like you were in a washing machine... and the random cows, dogs and monkey - well who can complain about that... they're sooo cute!!!!

We stayed at the Shechen Monestary Guest House which was a true haven for anyone whos after a relaxing holiday... the staff were extra friendly... the place is beautiful and very 'green'... there are monks randomly walking around everywhere... and the whole thing ended up costing me a total of $24USD for 4 days and 3 nights INCLUDING BREAKFAST!!!!!!....

It is however a little far from the city centre, the food in the cafeteria is terrible and the shower head.... well lets just say that you have to stand under it for an hour just so you can wash the shampoo out of your hair

Shechen Guest House

Shechen Monestary

The vacation was full of massages, facials, dinners, sightseeing, and attending festivals

An average massage cost $14USD... althought they start off at $28USD but you just have to bargain with them...

A massage, coffee body scrub and facial package cost $30USD...

A full lunch at a decent cafe cost $5USD...

And a nice dinner at one of the nicest restaurants in Kathmandu (Yin Yang Thai in Thamel was our choice) cost no more than $15USD

Out of all the sightseeing we did... Monkey Temple and the Patan Square were by far the best (better than Golden Temple and Pashipati Temple)... Monkey Temple is an absolute MUST SEE... it is located high up on a large hill/small mountain in Kathmandu... and after climbing hundreds of steps to get to the top where you're legs can no longer carry you... you realise that its all worth it as the view will truely take your breath away... oh and not to forget all the Monkeys running around everywhere... again!!!

Monkey Temple

Patan Square

Overall recommendation:

• 
  
  Stay in Thamel (an area in Kathmandu)... best area for tourists... Kathmandu Guest House in Thamel is a great option
• 
  
  Do not go clubbing in Kathmandu as its probably the most boring experience you'll endure in your whole life
• 
  
  Make the most of being in Nepal and its cheap prices and get as many massages and do as many treatments and meditation classes as you can... YOU CAN NEVER GET ENOUGH OF THIS!! 
• 
  
  First price is never the last price... what ever price a shop owner gives you offer him half... and if he can tell that you're a tourist then offer him even less than half... for example i bought a traditional Nepalese ornament - First price: 4000Rs... ended up getting it for 1500Rs after bargaining with him 
• 
  
  Take a torch with you everywhere you go as there is a power cut every night in Nepal between 8-10PM 
• 
  
  Agree on a taxi fare before you get in the taxi... again never accept the first price a taxi driver gives you 
• 
  
  Beware of the Henna ladies.... they are scary and will surround you and swamp you untill you agree to pay them to do Henna for you 
• 
  
  Take sneakers/sports shoes.... WARNING: ROADS ARE UNPAVED... oh wait... i said that already! 
• 
  
  The weather is amazing and very hot (even if its raining) so dont take too many winter clothes even if its gonna rain... we went in September 
• 
  
  Only drink bottled water... you'll understand what i mean when your hair smells like rusty pipes after you have a shower!

Well, i have come to the end of my Nepalese experience and i feel as if i've come out of it a changed person... overall great choice for a quick relaxing getaway... and the best part is that it was easy on the pockets... would do it again in a heart beat although next time it'll be more of a trecking/adventurous vacation to Nepal.... Mt. Everest get ready for me.