Mellow Friday (Bubble Tea + Indoor Market)

   Although I had an uneventful Friday, where the usual grocery shopping, late breakfast and lunch, and wandering around Amman routine took place, it was still a casually nice afternoon. I took my mum to the bubble tea shop in Amman, one of my favorite new discoveries that I am currently hooked on, called JuiceBangBang ! I am loving their Yogurt based flavored tea they have! So far I've tried passion fruit, avocado, melon, and papaya, and I can't decide which is my favorite. Dying to try the normal flavored teas, however I am trying to cut down on caffeine wherever I can! So on a hot summer afternoon (or evening) instead of stuffing your self with unnecessary calories from Starbucks (where in Amman has become full of obnoxious teenagers!), those chilled Organic bubble teas (Bubbles are made of Tapiocas) are so ideal! It is located in Avenue Mall in Sweifieh!

Never having entered that mall, after having our tea, we went in this not very spectacular mall, and found a small indoor marker (souq) selling all kinds of home made jewelery, dates and other food for Ramadan, and many more! So you'd think I'd get out of there without buying me a few things? ;)

   

Would also like to mention that the people in the market, and the staff of juicebangbang as always were the all smiley and friendly, something you don't see much in Amman (like City Mall?). A lovely day :)

Dubai July 2011 - Purchases

My recent trip to Dubai was again for business purposes (not that it is a place I would choose to travel for a vacation), however, a lot of after work activities made it a very eventful trip! For some reason, when you are travelling, you feel that normal life rules don't apply. My eating habits were completely ruined, as I pigged out on everything possible you name it! Especially considering Dubai has so many diverse backgrounds, the same goes for the selection of food and restaurants! in the 5 days I was there, I tried every possible cuisine I could find, Indian, Iranian, Mexican, Thai, Chinese, Arabic, and Japanese (SUSHI all the way!). There was not one thing in sight I did not taste. As I arrived last night, the first thing I did was get on the scale. This result will not be shared. Lucky for me, Ramadan is coming up, and I usually tend to lose weight during this month! Another normal circumstance that did not apply to me, was me keeping a tight budget for my coming year of Master's, and that I cannot afford to spend money. I can say I did try my best, but was impossible to come back empty handed. However I did make sure I didn't buy anything that would make my luggage heavier (the usual scenario of clothes, shoes and BAGS!).
adidas Originals Watch / Cambridge Stones White 

and MAC products from the duty free!

From the left: MAC paint Pot Peintures in Soft Ochre - MAC lusture lipstick in Politely Pink - Studio Sculpt Concealer in NC20.I am currently into natural nude look that it looks like I don't have make up on. Any suggestions on a foundation that would also give me that look to go with these products during the day?? 

Getting ready for Master's

So, this is a little different than all my other blog posts.. As I haven't been blogging, I have been busy getting a lot done before moving to London, to continue my studies and do my Master's and spending time with friends with the time I have left.
Unlike other summer holidays, this one has a lot of changes for me, firstly, it is my last one year. One of my best friend is also leaving to England, and with the busy life, will be seeing her a lot less in comparison to now (As she lives down the street from me). Not to mention I am trying to spend as much time with my family, as I have never been away from them before. This change will also lead me to resign from my position in less than a month, give my notice, and find my replacement. I am an HR Specialist in adidas Jordan since its start-up in Jordan, and is my first job in the HR field! A little more attached to it than I should be, however, I am ready and looking for new challenges, starting with the Master's taught program I chose, Human Resource Management and Organisational Analysis, and hopefully what will come after it! This also gives me a chance to take a break from work where I can figure things out for myself and about myself, whilst my brain has a lot of learning going on! Looking forward to the knowledge and that confidence to boost my self esteem as a person and a professional!
On that note, I have been working hard trying to save money... Let me rephrase, I have been working very hard putting myself in an exhausting situation of not having time to myself (as in time to spend) by also tutoring as a side job (good for the pocket, and not good for my social life) to try and save as much as I can. Do not get me wrong some major spending has happened. However, I can say it was balanced and allowed me not to at least withdraw from my payroll :)
Yes, so I am giving up my lavish lifestyle of being one of the high income societies in Amman, socializing in the high end Amman lifestyle, being able to drive (Family SUV) to work (an International company) and a rent free house, to a life where I'll be living in... half a room where I share the kitchen (my favourite part of every household), jobless and no income, a place where I don't know a soul and don't know my way around, to taking public transportation and walking. However, this is all exciting for me, as this is the sort of the lifestyle I am used to and enjoy more as I tend to enjoy the simple things in life :) The jobless segment will hopefully not be applicable as I am intending to work part time (as there is a limit to the number of working hours an international student can work), preferably in my area, while enjoying the night life London has to offer me of coarse!
So what have I done this summer besides getting my papers sorted? throwing away a lot of clothes I wont be wearing (especially summer items), pairs of shoes that have fallen apart, buying my own hair dryer, and going through the sales season happening now, and not buying any summer clothes. TORTURE! The only thing I might be buying myself are makeup, but even that is a lot cheaper in London, so I am keeping everything on hold for now until then.
Please note that I am guaranteed to have excess luggage with me, but that has been taken care of, as I have already managed a WASTA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasta) to get all my stuff on the plane without excess costs as long as I fly on RJ going there! I have still not figured out how all this will fit in my dormitory room, but I am sure things will work to figure itself out in the end.
Starting two years back, every August 20th I have been buying myself brand items, a present from me! My birthday this year has not come yet, but I am likely to put that on hold, as my budget for 2011/2012 might be right, and I am sure surviving and living comfortably is 1st to carrying a designer bag to make myself feel good? Guaranteed in 2012, once I get my dream job (with a male assistant) I will buy myself two bags on my birthday then.
A very random blog, more like a DEAR DIARY moment, as mentioned, not many purchases have been happening to blog about. This WILL change once I move as I will be exposed to a good number of cheap items, so fingers crossed!