The Palette of Life: diary

When I feel down sometimes I want to give up. I feel like I'm done with this life and there is nothing more out there for me. This way of thinking is very destructible and I've been starting to build a stronger character that doesn't make me give up on everything.

We all have ups and downs in our life. And for sure our ups will be more than downs. And the downs are there to make sure we keep our feet on the ground. So what can we do to feel better when we have a down moment? Here is my top things to do.

1. Buy a candle with your favorite scent and light up. It’s been proven that certain fragrances can have an effect on your mood.

2. Spend time helping others. Like playing with children, sit with elderly people or do some charity work. Helping others is always rewarding and gives you a sense of being useful to the society. Spending time playing with children can always make you better. Children are innocent and always fun. Elderly people always have a good advice.

3. Exercise. Because exercise gives you endorphin. And this hormones are the responsible of making you happy!

4. Grab a tea or a coffee your favorite biscuits/chocolates/popcorn and watch your favorite TV shows. This doesn't even need explanation. It includes food and TV. Watch those TV shows that everyone is always afraid to admit they watch. TLC is full of them.

5. Pinterest. Go to Pinterest and search inspirational quotes. I always spend to much time on Pinterest. I start by searching food recipes 3 hours later I'm watching funny inspirational quotes or thinking about redecorating my bathroom. For sure you will not be thinking about what is bothering you

7. Shopping. Shopping always gives a sense of happiness. Pampering yourself is important to feel like you're worth. You are the most important thing in your life. So treat yourself nicely. Even if you don't have a lot of money buy that cheap nail polish from the dollar store something that would make you feel good at the time. But don't exaggerate, don't spend your whole salary or you will have one more thing to worry about.

6. Pray. Pray comes in the same category as talking to someone. But much better. I'm not saying we shouldn't talk with a close friend or a relative but sometimes we talk with someone and we don't get the support we were expecting or their opinion is really hurtful so instead of getting even more sad, why not pray? Whatever your religion is or even if you're not into praying, try. Just seat and try to talk about what is making you feel sad. There is nothing better. When we feel sad we just want to talk about what is hurting us. All we need is someone to listen. You can be sure that you will not hear: I told you so or I knew he wasn't man for you, etc, etc, whatever the reason is making you feel sad. And if you believe, God is always listening to us. And He always helps.

What about you? what are your tricks to lift your mood?

10:47
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Eid al Adha

Abu Dhabi

Eid al Adha is the second holiday celebrated by Muslims around the world. It is also called the Feast of Sacrifice as celebrates the sacrifices made by Prophet Ibrahim. Eid Al Adha falls of the end o the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Makkah.

image from pinterest

Four thousand years ago the valley of Mecca was a dry, rocky and uninhabited place. God ordered Ibrahim to take his wife Hagar and his son Ishmail to the Mecca.

Hagar asked him, "Did God order you to leave us here? Or are you leaving us here to die." Abraham didn't even look back. He just nodded, afraid that he would be too sad and that he would disobey God. Hagar said, "Then God will not waste us; you can go".

He left them with a good amount of food and water, but soon they start to feel the hunger and dehydration. So Hagar desperately looking for food and water went up and down between the two hills seven times, Exhausted, she finally collapsed beside her baby Ishmael and prayed to God for for help. Miraculously, a spring of water, the Zamzam water, gushed forth from the earth at the feet of baby Ishmael.

Years later Ibrahim and his son Ishmail constructed the Kabah as God instructed as a place of gathering for all who wish to streghten their faith in God.

When Ismail was 13 God decided to test his and his father's faith. Ibrahim dream that God was commanding him to offer his son as a sacrifice. Ismail accepted this sacrifice as a test of his maturity in faith; love and commitment to God; willingness to obey his father; and readiness to sacrifice his own life for the sake of God.

When Ibrahim was preparing to slaughter his son Satan tempted Ibrahim and his family by trying to dissuade them from carrying out God's commandment. But Ibrahim drove Satan away by throwing pebbles at him.

When they went to do the orders of God, Ibrahim attempted to cut Ishmael throat, but he was astonished to see that Ishamel was unharmed and instead, he found a dead goat which was slaughtered. Ibrahim and Ishmael passed a Gods test of their faith.

Hajj, the pilgrimage to Makkah, is one of the 5 pillars of Islam and mandatory for all Musims to do it at least once in their lifetime. In this pilgrimage people follow a series of rituals honouring the life events of Ibrahim. They have to walk seven times around the Kaaba, run back and forth between the two hills. drink from the ZamZam well, go to the plains of mount Arafat to stand in vigil and and throwing pebbles to three pillars.

After, the men shave their heads and go to sacrifice one animal. The meat of sacrificed animal is divided into three parts. One part for the family, another is given to relatives, friends and neighbors and the remaining third is given to the poor and needy.

When Eid al Adha falls muslims from all over the world put their best clothes and go to the mosque for Eid prayer. After the Eid prayer they visit the family and give gifts for the children.

Some people decorate their houses to receive the guests and usually they distribute coffe or tea and some sweets.

How nice is the little card to the Money?
Sheeps are usually everywhere. Specially in cakes or cupcakes.

My suggestion for the Eid lunch:

Baked Lamb shoulder

Serves 4-6

1.5kg new season’s shoulder of lamb
sea salt
black pepper
2 rosemary sprigs, leaves picked, finely chopped
Cumin
Coriander
2 tbsp olive oil
1 garlic clove
Tomato sauce
Hot water
1 bay leaf
Yougurt

1. Marinate the lamb with the yougurt, spices and salt and pepper overnight or at least one hour.

2. Preheat the oven to 230C/210C.

3. Place the seasoned lamb shoulder in a oven tray and add the rosemary springs the tomato sauce, the bay leaf and the hot water.

4. Cover the meat loosely with a piece of foil and place it to the oven. Roast for a further 4 hours, basting every 30 minutes with the pan juices. If, at the end of cooking, the pan juices are reduced right down, stir in about 100ml water to extend the jus.

5. Remove the lamb from the oven. And set the lamb aside to rest.

6. Remove the remaining juices to a pot and Reheat then until bubbling adjust the seasoning and pour into a warmed sauce boat.

Serve with roasted vegetables and a potato gratin.

12:01
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Sandstorm Day!

diary

12:14
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Weekend

diary

12:06
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Seoul

Abu Dhabi

Seoul is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea and the world's second largest metropolitan area with over 25.6 million people.

With so many people living in this city, Seoul is very vibrant, the streets are full of colours and music from the stores. Myeongdong is the shopping area in downtown where you cam find high end brand, local brands and stores like Forever 21 or Zara. Skin care and make up are very important in this culture so there is literally from 5 to 5 steps a skin care store. I bought some things like a foundation that has apple scent, a eyeliner with some glitter and some masks. The products that you can find the most are skin whitening they love their white features.

The people is also very welcoming and everyone speaks perfect English. A fact Seoul is base for the American military so you will probably see one or two US soldiers.

I cant find my pictures for the Korean barbecue but its amazing.

This is just a little bit of what this city is there is much more to discover in Seoul.

Seoul é a capital e a maior metrópole da Coreia do Sul e a segunda maior área metropolitana do mundo com mais de 25,6 milhões de pessoas.Com tamanha populaçáo, Seoul é muito vibrante, as ruas estão cheias de cores e música das lojas. Myeongdong é a área de compras no centro da cidade, onde se consegue encontrar imensas lojas algumas de marcas de luxo, marcas locais e lojas como a Forever 21 ou Zara. Os cuidados com a pele e maquilhagem são muito importantes nesta cultura e por isso literalmente de 5 em 5 passos é possível encontrar uma loja de maquilhagem. Eu comprei algumas coisas como uma base com aroma de maçã, um eyeliner com brilhos e algumas máscaras para a cara. Os produtos que se pode encontrar em maioria é de clareamento da pele.O povo também é muito acolhedor e todo mundo fala Inglês. Um facto interessanto Seoul é base para os militares americanos por isso é possivel encontrar alguns soldados norte-americanos.Não consigo encontrar as minhas fotos para o churrasco coreano, mas é incrível.Este é apenas um pouco do que esta cidade pois existe muito mais para descobrir.