ChicolatesEmirates

mismas pictures June till August - under reconstruction :)

2007-08-10T06:24:00.001-07:00

City in the Jungle

2007-08-10T05:55:00.000-07:00

Yangoon - the capital of Myanmar - ex Burma...

Absolutely green, fresh, juicy, tropical city - full of palms, birds, lakes and very humble and respectful people.

Thanks to my job - one week after my trip to Nepal - I got the chance to visit Myanmar. We were accomodated in the hotel next to the King's Lake and there was amazing view directly from my room.

I have to admit - there is nothing more beautyful than greenery and fresh air - specially if you come from desert :)

We were travelling around the city with local people - visited Golden Pagoda and couple of local places with handkraft - wood.

I was enjoying Thai food :) and sweet chilli every day :) and every morning I woke up earlier just to have chance to walk through the garden, looking at squirrels and birds, enjoying morning nature. I met several monks, who were taking care of the garden and park around the lake and it made the picture of Yangoon just perfect :)

I will upload pictures ASAP :)

Mount Everest

2007-08-10T05:36:00.000-07:00

It is a little bit more than one month, when I posted my last post :)

Since that time maaaaaany things have happened:

I went for 1 week to Nepal - Katmandu and without any planning I attended trip to Himalayas on the board of small plane - Air Budda :)
It took off around 5 in the morning and within 30 minutes I had chance to see Mount Everest just couple of meters far away from me...
I can't describe that feeling...you know, I would have NEVER EVER thought that I will be there and see it...the TOP of the WORDL...
This made me think, how many weird coincedences had to happened to bring me here and see this icy beauty in the light of morning sun...I didn't plan it - and at the same time, there are so many people they dream about this, searching for money and vacation just to get there...and I got it just like that...without any special effort...going from the 5 star hotel by privat 4x4 on the airport, sit into the little plain and ... just wait to see it...
I even though that actually I don't deserve it...seriously - I found this unfair, that I'm experiencing something so amazing withou ANY effort.
You know - you are trying so many times so hard to get something and you are facing so many difficulties to move just a little little bit towards you goal...and at the same time, some things falls into your hands just like that...

When I told my mum, she was thinking I'm making fun of her :) and I ended up saying - eeh, trip was nothing speciall - just saw Everest :) but I guess everybody knows, that this was awesome experience...

Unfortunately I didn't have that much chance to "feel the country"...I mean going through Katmandu, eat local food and observe peoples life...I was travelling with other people from our company and they didn't feel comfortable and I coudn't go alone.

There was one incident, what made me feel really stupid...Our guide wanted to take us to local restaurant.If you see the country, you just can't expect luxury of Dubai and you have to set you expectation pretty low, but Nepali people are so humble and ground to earth, that you actually don't need fancy place to eat to really enjoy it. So, we entered local restaurant,run by family.They saw us and immediately started to prepare table. Place was dark, but coisy and small. Water was already on the way, but my collegues just turned and left without saying anything. I was surprised and looked on faces of the family members. All of them were so shocked - you can see how much they don't know what happened. They were standing - frozen -in the middle of welcome, eyes with question what did THEY DO WRONG...probably somebody did something HORRIBLE. They were really afraid...I was left there - having no idea what to say...I was able to wisper something like :sukria and was trying to smile with kind of apology on my face...but inside I was really embarrased by behaviour of "my people". This is big des-respect of local habits and culture and I guess nobody has right to behave like that in other country. I was very upset because of this...

I felt sorry for this family and at the same time it help me to make picture about character of some people I was travelling with.

Just to think about that again and again to see in from of me faces of these poor people - make me feel stupid...

Upsssss

2007-07-06T12:40:00.000-07:00

time is flying...

I'm really sorry I was not able to update my blog for such a long time...

The thing is, that our company blocked this web, so I can't log in and therefore I can't give you updates regulary...

Just to make it fast and easy :)

I'm doing fine, my husband and all 2 kids are also fine :) :) :)

No - seriously :) I'm very happy in my life in these days there is only one thing I'm not happy at all and it is my job. Actually my boss :) to be exact.
But since she was out of office for 2 weeks, I had BLAST :) and now I have to survive only one week and then I WILL be out of the country also :)

I'm quite excited, because there are 2 business trips planned - 4 days in Nepal - Kathmandu and 5 days in Burma-Yangoon :)
Well, I know it will be more about airport -> hotel -> interivews -> hotel -> airport, but I believe, I will be able to at least look around of the hotel area :) to get a little bit of "smell" of that place :)

I'm really looking forward to get out of desert to green area, mountains and some nature :)

AAAAAAAAAAND

I'm planning to go home :) for vacation - 14 amazing days :)
Planned timing is to leave Dubai on 22.8. and come back on 5.9. just before Ramadan starts :) so I should get back to work in easy mood :)

Talking about work - I'm looking for job - new job and new boss :) and also higher responsibilities.
It is time to move on with my career and since I'm planning to go home in 2 years, I should really make a move :)

Regarding my social life - there is nothing I can complain about - I'm meeting my friends, having fun and enjoying beach :)

Recently I had just amazing time with closer friends on Music Festival. The top of the evening was Laurin Hill, but unfotunately she got strong cold and her amazing voice was gone.
She was singing anyway - even she was hardly able to speak.
Many people left, but I was happy we stayed and enjoyed special atmosphere...all of us were singing with her and had space enough to dance and the music just got you :)

I believe - being there - with special people around - listening to her and seeing her effort - feeling free and happy - this will stay in my mind forever.

I had really nice time...

Now I feel a little bit guilty, because some of my friends are going through very difficult time...and I can't help them, I can't be with them...I just know what is happening. So, how come, I can have such a nice days and time, when they can't...
They are not worse or better than me, so we should be on the same line...

It is just couple of days ago - when I was discussing this with Ana...

We were talking about life - playing "fair play" game or not and based on what kind of rules.

I just don't know where I got this from, that life is fair. Maybe from my childhood, when I believed in fairy tales and magic :) That I was brought up in a way to believe, that bad things will get back to me and good things will be recognized and rewarded.

But this is not happening!

And I still believe in it...I still believe in balance in life and some kind of higher justice...

But it is getting harder and harder...

Let's see, how long it will last in me...

Reason, Season ect.

2007-06-07T06:03:00.000-07:00

Hello my friends,

I just got email today from one person, I met 6 months ago...just for couple of days...
His name is Mark, he is funky Filipino guy - young, crazy and working for our company in KSA. He was admin support for recruitment trip in Indonesia and we had really fun...

Just 3 days - and we became close friends...very easily...haven't seen each other since than...just sending emails and sms time to time.

At the same time, I had to say buy to VERY close friend from the office. Gigi - Turkish girl with temperament, brain and heart on the right place - funny, smart, professional, honest and brave.
We join company together - the same day, the same position. I learnt a lot from her - talking about work, but also as person.
We went together through good times and bad times and spent together more time than her with her husband :) (thanks to our long working hours :) )
Now she is gone...back in her home country-to take rest, relax, enjoy family atmosphere and generally to get better...
I lost my soul-mate...good colleague...kind of older sister...

I told her - I'm not saying bye bye, because I'm going to visit you...and I'm really going :) to Turkey :)
Well, I don't know when, but it will be soon :) that's what I know :)

At the same time - I have still good friends here in Dubai and was in contact with my family recently...and all this lead me to think a little bit about following email I received (from Mark):

People come into your life for a reason, a seasonor a lifetime.
When you know which one it is, youwill know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usuallyto meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a god send and they are. They are therefor the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die.Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season!

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons,things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down will probably will.... You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder everytime.... You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken.... You'll fight with your best friend and you'll blame a new love for things an old one did.... You'll cry coz time is passing to fast and you'll eventually lose someone you love.

So take too many pics, laugh too much, take time to look up at the stars, sing loudly, feel the cold wind, smile a lot, and love like you've never been hurt coz every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back....

Being SILENT...

2007-05-13T06:19:00.000-07:00

Have you ever experienced a moment in your life when you just ran out of words and you go...

S i l e n t???

Let me assist you in recalling...

...the moment when you left your home for the first time and you look back at your parents who are worried that their son/daughter are leaving them yet happy that their child took the first step towards independence.
... ...the moment when the girl/boy you like most.. smiled back at you!
You don't say anything... you just smile back...

... the moment when you get better marks than you expected... those "numb" moments of ecstasy n surprise "is that true?"...

... the moment when you are parting with your old friend(s) and the train has just started... and you are standing on the door of the wagon... waving "bye-bye" with your heart beating fast...

... the moment after the HR manager has just called you and told you," You are through! Congrats!"

... the moment when you sit alone in your room after having told everyone that you cleared that exam you prepared for 6 months!!

You can go on remembering your "special" moments!

I had always wondered why I never said anything to myself at those moments... as if it was "understood"... happiness, joy, pain... all feelings just flowed ceaselessly in the 'years' that passed in those flash moments!

They say... the best way to communicate is through "silence".

Love. Joy. Grief. Surprise. Anger. Hope. Expectations. Support.

Can you imagine the importance of a silent moment in a song?? When Bryan Adams stops for a while along with music, before he goes on in his husky voice...

... Please forgive me. I can't stop loving you!

Ever had those moments when you thought you were tired enough that you reach for your bed after dinner... but find yourself wide awake looking at the roof of your room silently...

But you sure are 'thinking'.... those moments of self-talk are the most important in our lives. Those moments when we listen to our own hearts!

Those promises... those decisions... those are the moments when we make our destinies!

Next time you go silent... listen carefully to what your heart is saying... listen to its joy...listen to its pain.. listen to its fears... listen to its desires..

Don't make it shut up and go off to sleep...

LISTEN TO THAT VOICE and ACCEPT EVERYTHING IT SAYS!

That voice alone can lead you to the abode of peace that your sleep lacks... peace that awaits you!
Be in touch with your true self... be silent once a day, every day!

Silence Speaks More Than Ur Words

GOOD NEWS !

2007-04-23T06:38:00.000-07:00

Fist of all I'm back from Jordan :)

I'm back in one piece, full of amazing memories and 2 CDs of pictures :)

Next blog post will be about my vacation :)

Second - our company revised working hours and we got shorter working time in the office!!!
Isn't it amazing to come back from vacation and go home earlier?

Third - I'm going home in summer :)

well - if for good or vacation, this is not sure yet, but I'm going home...so far it seems it will be only for vacation, because there are some positive perspectives in our company. But since I'm here for 2 years, I already know - you actually never know :)

Fourth - that will be too much for one post, wouldn't be? :)

What about your good news?

Picture of the Month

2007-04-23T06:33:00.000-07:00

we got this, while we were roaming with Evicka around the Creek :)

no commets :)

Reflection

2007-04-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

Upss...another month is gone :)

Everything happened so fast!

Evicka was here for 4 days - veeeeeeeery intensive 4 days :) We almost didn't sleep and were visiting everything possible, so she will have colorful portfolio of memories:

We started in the Mosque - with presentation about islam, than we went to Jumeirah beach for short walk and visited Madinat Jumeirah (really nice shopping mall). Than we were observing crazy construction of palm islands and Dubai Marina area, took picture of Ski place in Mall of Emirates (the biggest shopping Mall on the world) and to complete nice trip, we got stuck for more than hour in que in Deira City Centre - waiting for taxi to get home :)

Day after was more relaxed - sleeping, walking around the creek, we enjoyed nice hour on the boat to see historical part of Dubai & museum & gold & spice souq. Evening was in "Easter mood", since there were parents of friend of mine - from Slovakia and we were eating and drinking home, central European food and of course following necessary "easter beating" and "water pouring" :)

Well - to enjoy UAE in all possible ways, we managed thanks to my another friend to get out of Dubai and went to Fujairah - mountains, beach, historical places and mniameee food and great evening in sheesha place next to the creek was the best end of the day.

The last day with Evicka was full of new things for me - we went to Al Ain, emirate full of green gardens and flowers - thanks to good visibility we had amazing view from mountains all around. And to make the last day perfect - we were cooking for dinner "bramboraky" with some filling of chicken&mashrooms&vegetable.

But the fact, that Evicka was here was not only about running around UAE and feeding our stomachs...for me it was about feeling home...able to talk in my mother language...

Since we haven't seen each other almost 2 years - it was reflection on my UAE experience, on my life generally.

We were talking a lot about us, about our friends and people we know and of course also about our future. We were laughing together, we were crying together, we had fun and serious conversation...

And the most important was, it was like Evicka never left...like we haven't seen each other just for a while...

Yep, we are older, more mature and each of us had to cope with different things in different ways, but still - we are the same in our hearts...and thanks to her connection with other friends, I had impression we are here all of us - not only me and her.

I'm really happy Evicka was here and she left piece of her here - I don't think she "again" forgot something :) I mean, she brought here for me a little bit of home (beside bottle of Fernet and Studentska pecet) :)

Hmm - she actually forgot here her sweatshirt, but we were able to get it back on time :)

Thank you, Evi :) REALLY THANKS and let's go to China together!

Chico

Btw...

2007-03-22T06:03:00.000-07:00

There are people in our office, who are investing cca 1 hour per day into discussion about diet.

Woah! That's drives me crazy...I personally believe, that these people really don't have to be worried about their shapes, since they have probably the same weight as me, but are 3 heads taller...Second thing is, that if I understand it well - only talking doesn't help :)

Since this topic seems to be never-ending and other people in the office are getting annoyed by this, somebody sent to those people following email (I swear, that it was not me!!! and if I know WHO was it, I would kiss this person :))))

HEALTH QUESTION & ANSWER SESSIONQ :

Q:I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?

A :Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q : Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?

A :You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafyvegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q :Should I reduce my alcohol intake?

A :No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

Q :How can I calculate my body / fat ratio?

A :Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q :What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?

A :Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!

Q :Aren't fried foods bad for you?

A :YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!!... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q :Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?

A :Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q :Is chocolate bad for me?

A :Are you crazy?HELLO. Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around!

Q :Is swimming good for your figure?

A :If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Q :Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?

A :Hey! 'Round' is a shape!

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have hadabout food and diets.And remember: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride"

What's going on...

2007-03-22T03:02:00.000-07:00

Yaaaaaj, long time, right?

Btw. how are you enjoying March, guys? Spring is coming, love is all around...Easter holidays are knocking on the door...

I miss a little bit observing melting snow and little green pieces of plants trying to fight with rest of winter...you can smell fresh cold air on your face, but sun is warm already...tickling you on your nose :)

I used to enjoy spring 2x per year :) because my university town was a little bit warmer than my home village. So I was able to breath spring atmoshpere in Karvina first and when it was almost over, it went to Sobotin and had one more chance to enjoy "wake up" of Mother Nature again :) (btw. I'm not sure if "Mother Nature" exist in english, so I'm sorry if it looks weird)

Here in Dubai you can't feel it...well, it is getting warmer and warmer. It is already 25 C at 7:15 in the morning (I'm checking this when I'm walking to the office). But since I'm still able to walk - it is cool :)

In my country - we have something like "Spring cleaning" - it means BIG cleaning everywhere - house, personal life, life style...it is symbol of being ready for new life...Yep - kind of milestone for somebody, who is into New Years Resolution.

So, I was cleaning also trying to organize myself and make some plans...

1. I arranged visa for my friend Evicka :) and she is COMIIIIIIING!!!! first weekend in April! I just can't wait that day :)

2. I booked my ticket to Jordan! - I'm going to spend there one amazing week! Travelling around and meeting other friends, visiting PETRA (my dream since childhood), Aqabba, of course Amman and Jerash :) and I have to check, how much dead is Dead See :)

3. I signed in to Kick Box classes and I have to say, that our trainer is really cool :), tough guy, who helps us to get fit. I'm seriosly enjoying these classes - it is the best way how to relax - forget about everything, being focused only on the spot and kicking and boxing and sweating :) music is loud and keeps you in rythm - simply AWESOME! :)

4. I went also with my friends into BellyDancing class - it is actually more about fitness and dancing. Ehhh - I think I'm good dancer, but all these moves are so funny and new to me, that I look like piece of wood :) I was wondering HOW our teacher can MOVE with THIS part of her body ?!!! And I was laughing so much whole class :) Really good relaxation :)

5. Regarding some recent social activities - my life was in last 2 months...interesting :) - going out with my landlords (Global Village market) - arranging B-Day surprises for my friends (Nadine was the BEST!), visiting friends and trying to get more concrete picture about my carreer :) and I also celebrated St.Patric's Day - Irish tradition - everything was green, Irish music all around, smiling people with beer - well, life is great in such a moment :)

Actually on this place I discovered something :) I took picture of friend of mine, just to show him, how do I see him from my point of view (I mean thanks to my size...) and he did the same for me...have a look - this is really funny :)))

I miss you, guys :)

2007-02-04T03:24:00.000-08:00

Well, this is not about my czech friends :)

This is about "my" trainees...

Carl Ross Dean, Canadian trainee number 1 at our LC, become so much part of our lifes...
Carl, I miss your: "but I'm Canadian and everybody loves me" :)
Always full of positive energy, big guy with big smile and big heart...

Guilherme, Brasilian who learnt how to speak czech - sometimes we made fun of him and were telling him, that he is actually not important...he is just number in our database :o)
"Klaro, staci jen malo a budeme par..." I will never forget his favourite song and pictures from family rice plantage :)

Nicolas Gagne Cote - Canadian musician, who created own CD during his internship and was using blanket from dorms instead of sleeping bag :o) and getting everywhere on in-line skates.
When we saw each other last time, he told me, that he is not crying, that it is raining...
I know it was not raining and it was one of the most beautiful morning walks I have ever had in Karvina :)

They are coming this year to Europe...wanted to meet...I'm not sure if I'll be able to make it, so I'm thinking of them and miss them :)

That's it.

spray paint art 3.wmv

2007-01-27T20:53:00.000-08:00


Spray paint artist from Portorož, Slovenia doing sci-fi paintings in less then 10 min. You can find more about artist and his art on www.sprej.com

Get Organic :)

2007-01-22T00:54:00.000-08:00

You know what?I was observing what are we eating in our office...It didn't come just like that...people were complaining for longer time, that they don't know "what to eat"... and were complaining about quality of fast food products...

I'm usually preparing my lunch and snacks at home, but some inspiration would be good...and since I'm dealing with brand focused on ORGANIC products,I did small research and there are some small tips :)

I even found some projects where is buying of organic product connected with projects contributing to development of poor countries - something like - buy our chocolate and contribute to "goat project" in Africa...

There is one more interesting page - where some group of people were measuring how much organic product can be actually organic :) They were focused also on chocolate, but they included not only way of planting&processing, but also packaging materials & taste :o)

I discovered new world :o) so if you are curious also - feel free to check at least following links :)

http://www.organicfood.co.uk

http://www.organicconsumers.org

http://www.love-organic-food.com

Thirteen Superfoods
Ever wondered what the very best foods are for healthy living? Opinions may differ, but Michael van Straten is the UK’s most respected naturopath, and these are the foods that he recommends we enjoy…

1 Apples
Pectin and vitamin C reduce cholesterol; pectin protects against pollution by eliminating heavy metals; malic and tartaric acids relieve indigestion and breakdown fats; traditional with cheese, duck and goose; two a day helps arthritis, rheumatism or gout; grated apple stops diarrhoea.

2 Avocado Pears
Potassium rich, for fatigue, depression and poor digestion; vitamins A, B, C and E, so an anti-cancer food; healthy monounsaturated oil; stimulates production of collagen; eat for circulation, skin and fertility. Ignore all rumours that this nutritional powerhouse is fattening.

3 Bananas
Perfect fast food with potassium, zinc, iron, folic acid, calcium, B6 and fibre. Good for digestion, menstrual difficulties; essential for athletes; perfect food for old and young. With apples, rice and dry toast they make up the BRAT diet - the ideal treatment for sickness and diarrhoea.

4 Cabbage
Iron, chlorophyll, vitamin C, sulphur compounds and healing mucilaginous substances. Powerfully anti-cancer; vital for anaemia; stomach inflammation and ulcers; protective against stress, infection and heart disease. Best eaten slightly steamed.

5 Carrots
Super-rich in betacarotene - one supplies enough for a day; anti-cancer, especially of the bowel; pureed for infant diarrhoea; juiced for liver problems; also contains vitamins C and E for circulatory disease, for chest infections, skin and eye problems. Eat at least two or three times a week lightly cooked.

6 Chicken Soup
Researchers have found a special sulphur compound in chicken soup that really does protect against throat and chest infections. Protein in the soup is easily absorbed, so it’s perfect invalid food. Low immunity, chronic fatigue and sexual dysfunction may all be aggravated by poor protein absorption, so chicken soup could be the answer.

7 Flax Seeds
These seeds and their oil are the richest source of Omega-3, 6 and 9 fatty acids. They’re heart protective, control cholesterol levels, help prevent some forms of cancer and improve brain function. The seeds are a powerhouse of other nutrients including vitamin E, manganese and plant fibre. They can help in the prevention of heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, asthma and other allergies.

8 Garlic
The king of healing plants. Modern science proves it reduces cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, stops blood from clotting and improves the circulation. It’s antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-cancer, and good for chest infections and stomach bugs too. Eat at least a clove each day.

9 Oats
Supply protein, polyunsaturated fats, B vitamins, calcium, potassium, magnesium, silicon and vitamin E. They’re easily digested and soothing to the digestive tract. Oats help depression and reduce cholesterol - a daily bowl can lower levels by 20%. They also help regulate sugar metabolism so they’re good for diabetics and oat fibre keeps the bowels regular. They are the best and cheapest of all breakfast cereals.

10 Oily Fish
Oily fish are the only source of all the essential fatty acids. These are vital during pregnancy and breast feeding for the proper development of the brain in babies and infants. In children and adults they maintain brain function and the oils can help in the treatment of dyslexia and ADHD. They’re also the most important source of vitamin D, essential for strong bones and many hormone functions. Great for the relief of arthritis.

11 Onions
Onions protect the circulatory system and are a powerful antibiotic. They’re good for chest, stomach and urinary infections, and their diuretic activity helps with arthritis, rheumatism and gout. A recent study in Newcastle gave a traditional fry-up breakfast to volunteers, but half of them got fried onions too; the onion eaters’ blood was much less likely to clot than the others - research in America shows that half a raw onion a day raises the amount of good fats in the blood by 30%.

12 Potatoes
Even when boiled or baked this wonderful vegetable is a source of fibre, B vitamins, minerals and enough vitamin C to keep scurvy at bay. Baked in their skins are best as lots of nutrients, especially potassium and fibre, are in the skin. At less than a calorie per gram, cheap and very filling they’re good news for slimmers, and all the bad things you’ve read about potatoes are unfair and wrong, unless you only want to eat chips.

13 Soya
Soya beans, tofu and other soy products are a vital source of plant hormones called phytoestrogens. These protect against breast and prostate cancer, hormonal imbalances, PMS and menopausal problems including osteoporosis. Though a normal part of the daily diet in Asia, they’re not consumed nearly enough in the rest of the world.

Happy Feet

2007-01-15T23:02:00.001-08:00

I’m BACK :o) and I FEEL GOOD!

(I really LOVE the song: I feel good :o) )

Yep... I’m back in our desert :o)

I didn’t met many friends back in CR and I didn’t call to all of them – because I was too happy to be with my family, that this feeling completely ate me :o)
But I managed at least to talk to some of them and became this way kind of Christmas gift :o)
It made me feel so much like home :o) and it made me think about my flight back to UAE.

I had my doubts before my flight…I was not sure if I really want to leave…but I decided to go.

I wanted to come back, because I have very close friends here and didn’t want to disappear from their life just like that…
I have still commitments here and want to clear the table before I go…
And I’d like to also finally somehow ENJOY life here J

So, I’m back :o)

Yes, I came back to say Good Bye, but there is still some time to enjoy whatever is possible :o)

Currently I’m enjoying my new place :0)
I’m staying with girl from Japan and Yemen and young Iranian couple.

Yesterday we randomly brought all our food in the kitchen in the same time, so we end up eating bites and pieces of everything and discussing “cooking” tricks :o). Honestly – I had many mniamee things...I would just think 2x before I would try again Kaio’s Japanese tea…

I would say, decision to come back also helps me to value more my time – to set priorities about quality of life I’m living.

And I’m happy for that :o)

I’m simply happy and I feel good!

Btw. have you seen "Happy Feet" ? It is absolutely AMAZING movie full of music and fun and...that's it :o)

photo show - office

2006-11-29T21:09:00.000-08:00

Making choice in my bubble

2006-11-26T01:31:00.000-08:00

Each of us is making choice every single day...
about food
about work
about friends
about weekends
and of course each choice brings some benefits and costs at the same time...

I made my choice this weekend...I decided to spent one day with my friend...because:
1. I really enjoy time with him, because of conversation we have, similar sense of humor and I always learn something new and we have lot's of fun
2. I seriously think he needed some company to avoid feeling being lonely (and everyone of us knows very well, how awful feeling it is)
3. I wanted to spent more time with him, because I felt I need it also
4. He offered me help by taking me to the optics (I had troubles with my contact lenses and needed eye check urgently)

What happened was, that later on we went to visit some other people and in mean time he got sick (maybe the Subway sandwich was not the right thing to eat...). We were actually thinking, that we would have to stay over night at his friends place, because situation with his stomach didn't look positive...Luckily later on things went well and I got home after midnight.

Therefore I was not able to attend Argentinean dinner (Romi was cooking with her family) and was not able to join people on GoodBye party for Sara. I called both of them day after to tell them sorry for not joining their events and explained them reasons behind & arranged face to face evening with Sara in the nearest possible day (on Monday ;o)).
I got a call from my other friends, that they got stuck in the sand on their trip in desert, but I didn't have available Jeep or any other strong car to help them at that moment and was cca 90 km far away. So I suggested couple of names, they can call and hoped that they will be ok. I called them up a little bit later to check, if they managed to get some people to help and they did, so I didn't worry anymore.

BUT
I didn't know that there were only 4 people on GoodBye party...
I didn't know that it took 3 hours to get the car out of the sand...

The day after one person was very upset...and made me feel bad for my decision...and I felt sorry, that my reasons didn't sound "reasonable" enough and I'm blamed for something, what actually at the end of the day was not my fault...Now it looks, that I don't care about my friends and I'm thinking only about myself...because I made my choice...Because I decided, that being with my friend is more important for both of us than going for the party (if I know, that I can see the person later) or dinner (if I know, that there are many people coming anyway).

So I'm thinking if I'm really selfish, when I ask for understanding and trust...and I feel stupid to explain all the time, why I decided for this or that...Maybe I ask too often for this respect and people are tired of this...
Maybe I'm really selfish, because I'm living in my bubble...and I make decisions without asking other people...

I tried couple of times to ask....what is the plan for the evening - and I end up sitting at home lonely and watching TV, because I got to know too late or didn't get email or people changed their plans and I didn't feel comfortable about that...I tried to ask what is bordering people around...and they either didn't feel comfortable to talk at that moment and I' was not nearby, when the right moment came, or they simply had somebody else closer...

My bubble is growing...I have to admit, that... even if I have good friends, friendship doesn't help my budget and I have to think, before I have fun, if I can effort it - and sometimes I just don't go, because I can for the same money buy gifts for my family...I don't talk about that anymore, because I feel stupid to remind this all the time...and who would like to hang out with somebody, who "has always some comments"?

I don't spent that much time with friends during the week, because I'm usually tired or feel stupid about my troubles...I believe many of us has so many challenges in our lives, I know some of my friends are in difficult situation and in a way, I'm lucky, because I have only one person to take care of - myself...and this makes me selfish...yep - I'm probably selfish...carring little stupid troubles instead of understanding that there are people around having more serious issues in their lifes...

But my bubble is getting bigger anyway...And I'm living in and make MY decisions without others...I'm trying my best to make MY choices right and not to hurt anyone, but it is difficult...I feel like being apart more and more, but I just don't know how to break it...and in the same time I believe that everyone of us has RIGHT to have own bubble and make decisions and choices on their own.

Am I really so selfish? Or do I take things just too personally? I'm sure I'm doing something wrong...other vise I wouldn't have troubles in last couple of weeks with people they are close to me...Or is it just bad luck - being on the wrong place in wrong time and make wrong choice?
Or maybe just stupid period of time, when things went together and all of us are tired...

Maybe I should just shut up, breath deeply and enjoy the feeling, that I'm healthy, I'm going to see my family soon, I'm going through interesting experience and there are people, who love me - and with this good feeling do something for others.

...maybe as the step nr. 1 I just should STOP thinking about MY bubble...

Back to basic

2006-11-16T05:36:00.000-08:00

I was reading lines from Evicka about her morning walk and couple of things crossed my mind.

First of all - I LOVE walking SO MUCH exactly because of all reasons Evicka mentioned...

I remember - as little girl - how much I loved to go with my father in winter time from evening bus home...I was tired after training and walking through whole city to catch a bus and then again walking home...but I just loved that time. We were able to talk about everything, arguing of course :o) making each other upset or watching black winter time sky with shining stars...smelling snow and feeling cold wind. Sometimes he bought oranges and we ate them immediately with my brother and reached home with sticky faces and dirty clothes...
And I loved to go out with my grandparents - in summer - just to see, what everything changed in the park and their city...
Lately I was enjoying night walks through village with my friends - just chatting and doing nothing - because we had summer holidays...
During my studies, I didn't use bus almost at all - I was walking everywhere - either because I just wanted to get rid of stress or to wake myself up...
Or morning walks with our dog - early morning, when everything is still sleeping - going through park, sitting in wet green grass, listening birds waking up...

I was missing walking in Prague during MC term...

Here in Dubai I'm usually walking in the morning - to my office...Holly (my room-mate) drops me at her office and then it is up to me either to catch a cab or just...walk :)

One of my friend said once: "Why it is so difficult to meet new people in Dubai?" - after we realized, that we are hanging out all the time with the same people. I was thinking about that...well, we are spending so much time in "our cars" and "our rooms" and "our offices" that we are in a way getting used to - having people around but not talking to them...
I realized, that some things got changed in our office, because of reconstruction...people see each other more and they are forced to communicate more. And I realized, how many people from our office are walking also in the evening. Now I'm really looking for the end of the day - because I know, that I will walk for 15-20 mins with Delle (Kenya) and Femi (South Africa) or Jo Anne (Philippines) maybe Ridma (Sri Lanka) or Kamal (India) or Samir (India). And we have fun and talking about our countries and families, problems and happy moments...I got to know them so much more...Once we were chatting only about fruits and vegetable, what we can plant at home ;o) and animals! That was soo funny...and we started having lunch or coffee together.

I feel like finding back piece of life I had before, but lost for a while.

I'm back to my walking too, Evi...

It is different walking, but I think, it is exactly what we need in this moment...

WHY ?

2006-11-15T20:37:00.000-08:00

…because each person is the product of million different moments, a thousands states of mind, a hundred adventures, and usually two different parents…

E.Berne – What do You Say, after You Say Hello?

Office

2006-11-07T19:49:00.000-08:00

Our office is under re-construction. This was planned for March...it started in September...typically...
I personally think, that starting re-construction before Ramadan is not smart.

Workers are usually staying during the night and starting their duty, once we leave the office. Then we see each other in the morning, when they are running around with pieces of different materials and trying to clean the dust and dirtness from our tables, chairs, PC,...

Just to give you the right picture, what happend:

There were small offices inside our office, but walls were removed - so right now you can see all people and what are they doing :) and it is kind of open space office for 100 people. Some pieces of walls were not removed, or only partly, because there were many cabels build in. Other cables are just like that on the floor and people are jumping over. It looks like warehouse. My table is right now in the middle of nowhere :) and black, yellow, blue and white cable lianas are hanging around me from the sealing to the floor like in the jungle or like some kind of Christmas decoration.

Because many people are walking around - it is normal, that they are stepping on my plugs or kicking telephone connection. But I already know, which color is what, so I just shake a little bit with the right one and phone is back or PC is again working. :) You are actually becoming member of either "shaking club" or "kicking club" - depends, what kind of excercise has to be performed to get back your connection. "Kickers" are for white plastic boxes :) Nice teambuilding :)

There is one more positive point - you can hear different kind of musing from different sides - turkish, hindi, arabic, czech (of course) and some general pop. People are communicating much more - to exchange their MP3 or pictures on screen savers. It is a little bit new world.

AC is not working - well...it is working, but just sometimes in some corners. It is interesting simulation of 4 weather seasons :)

Some people got alergy and sick because of so much dust around.

I'm hoping each day, that I will come to the office and it will be over...

I feel weird, when I'm coming to the office, and workers are trying to clean my table - usually by something containing a little bir less dust than something else...and at the end, I will clean it again after they are gone.
I know they are probably doing their best - but simply they don't have right tools. If there would be proper cleaning set and clean water or vacuum cleaner, that woud make a difference. But this is only waste of energy. And they are usually tired after night work.

Please, wish us good luck, that this construction time will be over soon...

Sending greetings from our - warehouse...
(pictures later on and I'm sorry for spelling and grammar mistakes)

Milionaire in Indonesia

2006-10-16T21:16:00.000-07:00

Yep, for the first time in my life I was milonaire...for a while :) Just for couple of days...and I lost my milions in bet with my manager...

I went for 5 days to Indonesia - Jakarta, because of my job and the currency is pretty much effected by inflation, so you are paying everything in thousands Indonesian rupees (1 USD = cca 9.000,- InR). We were quite lucky, because we were able to finish all our matters within 2 days and it ment we had another 2 days off!!! Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeepeeeeeeeeee!!!
Additionally to our luck, directors of company, we were cooperating with, were very much helful and gave us car & driver and lot's of advices where to go...so...we went :)

There is nothing interesting to see in Jakarta and night life was quite dead because of Ramadan (yep - remember that Indonesia is 2nd largest muslim country). But bars and restarurants in hotels are open to all random tourists, so we were not struggeling that much :)

The first day off we spent on the way to Bandung - cca 150 km from Jakarta - place very popular because of amazing nature, tea plantations, active vulcanos all around, hot springs...Beside the fact, it was first day of, it was my last day, when I was milionaire :)
One of the most popular transportation is using Ojeks (see picture). Little motorbike-taxi. There are thousands of them, able to take you whenever you want via weirdest places you can imagine (based on experience).
So, we were enjoying amazing view on vulcanos around and greenery and fresh air and by the way we passed in our car small family travelling on the Ojek. Dad, mum and between them little baby - maybe half year old. The baby was sitting backside to his dad and facing mum's belly (at least what I was thinking...) and I made a comment about poor baby. My manager replyed, that baby is actually very happy, because was breast-feeded...NO WAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!! We argued, forgoot about nature around and bet - than stopped, waited for the Ojek to pass us and..well, I really lost my bet... :) and I was not milionar anymore...(well, at the end - we claimed bet as not valid- and I was able to pay for my hotel :)).

But getting back to Bandung - we were visiting active volcano and also hot springs - guys, that smell kills, really :( and made two ladies happy by giving them 1 USD. I remember myself when I had this little green paper in my hand - wondering "so...this is IT..." so I had to smile, when I saw their excitement. We bought from them some fruit - don't ask me about the name, but is was good -something between apple and...melone?

Btw. I just LOVE Indonesian food! It is spicy :o) but not that much like in India or Sri Lanka, full of vegetable and chicken and fish. Mniameee :) My boss was making fun of me, that I'm like a baby with Christmas gifts. But what to do if the food is soooooooo goood?! (Ana will definitely understand...)

And do you know what? There is AWFUL traffic in Jakarta...on the way back, we made 140 kms in 1 hour and than we spent another 1 hour trying to finish last 10 kms. It was really bad...and smelly :(

What else I can say about Indonesia? I believe in good future of this country - people are hard working and if they will work more on infrastructure, they can make good money on tourism (as Bali).The biggest issue in the country is corruption and criminality - as usually - but new president has some plans, how to improve the situation. Wish you honestly Good Luck!

I might to go to Indonesia again - let's see when and where exactly. But I definitely enjoyed this country a lot and like people there (yeah and food) :).

Sri Lanka - island of Cinnamon and Elephants - comments

2006-10-03T03:29:00.000-07:00

It is nice to have business trips abroad for several reasons:

1. you will visit new country
2. you will get to know more your collegues
3. you will gain new experience

I was quite lucky and got a chance to go for business trip to Sri Lanka with one day off...
I left Dubai at 3:30 in the morning and landed on this amazing island around 8:00.
It took 1 hour to get to the hotel, but not because it was so far - it took that much time because of the vehicle we used and situation on the "road".
Because our agenda was starting next day, we actually got kind of "day off" and decided to enjoy it as much as possible.
Direcly from hotel we went to Kandy. Place cca 120 Km far away - but it took us 3,5 hours to reach.

Kandy is popular touristic place because of Elephants - as you can see, I didn't resist either and took some pictures :)

What I really liked on the way was the fact, we spent all the time in the nature, surrounded by amazing green colour, smelling flowers and trees. It is so nice feeling after leaving desert :)

I got lot's of tea...well, being on Ceylon and not bringing back tea - that would be really weird :) - specially for me - tea lover person. It has amazing pure and shining gold and orange colour, smell of tea and greenery, a little bit of cinnamon taste...simply jumeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

I made a cup of it last evening and I felt like in commercial...closed my eyes, smelled...tasted...and had impression I'm back on this beautyful island.

People here are very nice, polite and helpful. I didn't have any negative experience and had feeling of safety. On the other side I have to admit, that I was not alone (like in India) - I was always with another 3 people or with someone, who was "local". And we had just one day to go around, so there was not that big chance to experienced negative things.

One day I would love to take my bag and just walk through. I'm sure it would be much more different than out of the car window...

So, let's see...when my "one day" will come :)

Sri Lanka - island of Cinnamon and Elephants

2006-10-02T20:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Happy B-Day

2006-09-25T20:36:00.000-07:00

Last year - on my B-Day - I was sitting in Indian bus from Jaipur to Delhi...holding bottle of water and now sure at all, where I will end up and how...

This year, I was since the morning surrounded by friends and people I really like and had one of the most beautyful day. After very long time I had feeling I'm "home" and I belong here.

I REALLY REALLY enjoyed this time with all of you: Adri, Ana, Dan, Donya, Gautam, Gigi, Guilhermo, Holly, Nadi, Peep, Peter, Romi, Sarah, Shady - in the office, in Chilli's, in the party and during barbeque :)

Thank you guys :o) It was G R E A T time!

For Evicka

2006-09-19T21:43:00.000-07:00

The fern and the bamboo

One day I decided to quit...

I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality...
I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with GOD.

"GOD", I said.
"Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me...

"Look around", GOD said.
"Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care
of them.
I gave them light.
I gave them water.

The fern quickly grew from the earth.
Its brilliant green covered the floor.
Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed.
But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.
And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed.
But I did not quit on the bamboo."
GOD said.

"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.
But I would not quit.
In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed.
I would not quit."
GOD said.

"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.
Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...
But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.
It had spent the five years growing roots.
Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.
I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."
GOD said to me.

"Did you know, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots?"

"I would not quit on the bamboo.
I will never quit on you."

"Don't compare yourself to others."
GOD said.

"The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern.
Yet they both make the forest beautiful."

"Your time will come", GOD said to me.

"You will rise high"

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" GOD asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned

"Yes." GOD said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest and bring back this story.

I hope these words can help you see that GOD will never give up on
you.

GOD will never give up on you.

"Life is not a problem to be solved, but a gift to be enjoyed"

Changes in our lifes

2006-09-19T20:24:00.000-07:00

Please, don't expect anything sophisticated after 7 months :)

I know, I didn't update my blog...and you know...there were lot's of things a little bit more important urgent...but I will try my best to do some changes here more often than once in 7 months :)

It is actually pretty long time and many things happend and changed.There are "good" changes and...hmm let's call it the other changes.
I got a new place, where to stay, new job and new friends...
I'm keeping still my "old" friends and I hope they will keep me as well :)
Some of my friends got married (if it is good or not - depends on your opinion :)), some of them got some babies (no comment :)) and some of them I will never see again.

I was actually wondering, how many things are different at home, since I left...I'm getting pictures from home and have problems to recognize my sis. I can see, how my parents are getting older :)...Sometimes I have impression, that that's only here, where are things moving. Well, I know, this is kind of stupid idea and very naive - but you know it - if you see some little child and you will meet him/her after 3 years and it is walking and talking and it could be mean and sweet! Woah...what a change! :)

I think, I should finally accept this :) I have here some pictures from last months - not that many, because I didn't have camera. But one of these "good changes" is, that I bought new one and will be able to put some my pictues :) It means, for some of you, that NOW you will have proper reason to complain - we want more pictures :) (this is for freshly married and always complaining Tomas).

So far I was able to upload pictures from my small trip with friend Dan, friends from work Donya and Gigi, two doggies Sheeba and Mac, who are staying with us in our new house and the rest is random selection fom my poor storage.

Cool Cold Cairo

2006-01-22T09:02:00.000-08:00

New Year

2006-01-04T23:54:00.000-08:00

New Year in Dubai - it has to be crazy time...

and it is :)

How does an aiesecer can spend a new year in Dubai?

For me it started already on 30.12. when I went on the barbeque with friends and had amazing dinner and talks till the morning.
31.12. morning I went on the beach - just to walk aside and have a chat with my friend.

And then whole craziness started...

I joined group of trainees and went on another beach...

And it WAS RAINING!!! Really! Not much, but still it was and we had an amazing view on the Burj Al Arab and rainbow. Guys, I have to say, it was amazing view :)

After this show - everybody were already in the "right mood" :)So we went home to change and hurraaa on the airport to pick up new trainee Sara.

The way on the airport was crazy - 6 people in one car: italian girl Sophia, Peep - estonian dude, Ali, UAE Ahmed - driver, czech Chico...
Funny fights in the car me against Ali and Peep (don't remember why)...than looking for Sara (nobody knew how does she look like)
and somehow fitting back to the car...

And hurraaa to the party :) We reached the party right in the moment of counting down :) Well - that's A TIMING I would say :)

And partying till the morning...

What a life, right?

We are saying - how is your first day in the new year, the same will be whole year. Hmmm I think I will be happy & relaxed, what about you? :)

Christmas is not about getting gifts...

2005-12-26T06:03:00.000-08:00

Christmas time is very personal - at least for me. People they don't celebrate it are thinking it is about gifts. Well, to be honest, everybody likes gifts :) and for kids it is only about days off, snow and - gifts again.But if you are older you can actually feel the difference.You can enjoy more the fact, people are together, enjoying company of lovely person nearby, have more time to talk and simply BE a family.

Frankly speaking I was missing snow, family, Christmas atmosphere, smell of the tree and burning candles and sweets...

But I wanted fight with these feelings...

So I went to the Mall of Emirates to see the snow (and than I was missing that even more)...

And I wrote to my family to tell them how much I like them

My mum told me - if you feel sad or have depression, than go to the office and work
My father said - common, you have the same Christmas each year, so enjoy it
My sis wrote - I miss you (because she had an argue with my brother)
My brother probably didn't even realized I'm not at home...
My dog got someting to eat and went out - so no changes in his life...
My friends wished me Merry Christmas and come back soon

Well, so let's fight in a different way...

You can actually feel Chrismas here - if you REALLY want - just go to visit any of bigger shopping malls...you can hear nice winter songs and enjoy REALLY nice shining decoration and green trees...yes, I really did it - when I had a chance, than I stole small branche of christmas tree and broke it on mini pidi pieces to smell it. I'm sure you know the typical forest smell, green and cold and yeah, Christmas smell...and green colour on your hands, what doesn't wont to get away...

I had Czech-Estonian-German Chrismas evening :) we were trying to make our traditional meals, but it ended up as kind of mixture of everything including Dubai's ingredience and Moroccan cuisine...with a little bit of red wine and Fernet (thank you Ales for this amazing gift) and sheesha and christmas songs - I can say - nice evening :)

I learnt (and again forgot) how to say snow man in Estonian and was really surprised how many countries have Santa Claus.I was thinking it is an american grand-pa, but he is everywhere!!! :)

You know, non-muslims are thinking Ramadan is about fasting. But that's not true, it is a peaceful time, time for being nice, pure and with family.I would see Christmas playing similar role in our lifes (and I hope I didn't offended anybody by saying this).

Christmas are not about getting gifts...it is about us, people :)

Exhibitionism in Dubai

2005-12-25T02:27:00.000-08:00

he he he :)

Dubai is the city of Exhibitions...there is always something going around. I attended two interesting events last week.
One was about African art - full of "weird" things and pictures...I met there the ambassodor of Djibouti. Who knows where it is? He? I'm sorry for my low level of geographical knowledge, I had to search on net later on, to figure out, where it is :) I'm a little bit smarter now :)
But anyway - this person was typical african human being - with sunny nice smile, optimism and curious questions about everything :) I could almost hear the african music around :)

The second event was....about...

and about

Yeah, it was pretty cool experience - walking around luxory and crazy models, listening to music...observe people they were really - SERIOUSLY - thinking to buy this or that. (some people mentioned it is not the best place where to go before Christmas...but if I have a look on my budget,than I think I would be never supposed to entrance the hall - maybe even walk around the exhibition areal).
Several cars looked like tanks or tubes from toothpaste, but I'm sure several people loved that...
Couple of brands had show around their cars and couple of these shows were actually better than cars...
But it doesnt matter - at least for me it was really nice evening.I got to know more brands I had no clue they exist, tried couple of models (and didnt want to leave)and was amazed what everything could mean the word "car". :0)

So, you can see, social life doesnt have to be necessary connected with sheesha place or family garthering :)What a learning, right?

I like my bus

2005-12-11T03:09:00.000-08:00

Really...I like the bus I'm taking each morning and evening to the office and back.
There are couple of people in the age from 19 till 27 so you can imagine what kind of conversation can come up :0).

The most popular morning topics:
* excuse of the morning why are we late (traffic, fog, Nadine had to
change her clothes,...)
* who was late and why (James forget he should go to work,...)
* who is after party (James...)
* tips how much late we will be (the duration is in minutes at the beginning, but
can reach also hours...)
* who will go out of the bus as the first (Gautam's comments are not taking into the
concideration, because one day we agreed on dropping him first based on his "very
urgent thing" and it showed up, that he needed just to go to bathroom...)
* observing people in other cars (it could be really good topic for diploma
work, what everything can people do when they are stuck in the traffic)

The most popular evening topics
* One night in Paris and travelling
* James and his roomates
* our future (marriage, kids, cars) and our history (stories from childhood, teen
ages,...)
* future of Dubai (how much it could be poluted, full of people and stuck by traffic)
* who will find the best chick in the best car (than the conversation is about who
has the worst taste)

You would be really surprised what everything can happen in the bus. I'm used to travel by public transport a lot, but this bus seems to be really special. I remember one ride, we were laughing from the beginning thill the end...or I remember when were people arguing really badly (screaming and banging with doors)...and once we stopped in the middle of the way.
What happend? What was wrong with our bus?
Nothing...the bus driver just forgot to put the fuel inside...Yeah, it is possible :)

Each drive is small adventure - I never know who has good or bad mood, what happend at home/job...what kind of family issues or stories will come up on the way...the bus is part of my life and it is mixing with lifes of all my travel-mates :)

And I like it :)

Oman - Muscat

2005-12-07T06:06:00.000-08:00

Yooo people - if you want to relax and have really chilli chill-out time, then go to Muscat. Weather is amazing - not that hot like in Dubai, fresh wind is blowing during whole day, you can smell flowers and sea in the air...you can hardly meet people on the street (it means also NO TRAFFIC!!!), everything is green and fresh.
Local people are very friendly (we were using their phones for calling to our friend) and you can get huge meal for little amount of money...and there are not that many foreigners as in Dubai (at least I didn't meet much of them).

BUT

night-life is...is quite dead...you can go to hotel's clubs to enjoy a little bit of life :0) or to some sheesha place to enjoy mosquitos (huuhuuu many many many...and very very active) and that's it.

it was for the first time, when I got lost even though I had a map :) Me and Peep were trying to find certain places, but after 4 hours walking we gave up...we were asking people around, but they were more lost than we :) and hardly spoke english...Than we wanted to go to hotel - to get something to drink and we spent almost 2 hours trying to reach the place...there are no straigh ways - you have to go to the left, if you want to get to the place on the right... :) Really funny...

I wouldn't recommend girls to go to the public beach :0) I was sitting there and was not very sure if I can go to the water in my swim suit or not.Then I saw some foreigners (girls and guys) walking in the water (there was a hotel nearby), so I decided to enjoy the beach fully and took my T-shirt off...on the way to the water I got company of 3 small guys (quite cute), but they called another guys (not that cute) and some older (not cute at all). When there were around 10 people around me I realized I made a mistake and run back for my clothes. I spent really nice day on the beach in the shade, nearby a trash bin, in my clothes watching my team-mate in the water :o/.

Muscat is pretty "long" city - we were visiting different parts by taking taxi or thanks to our friend Hakeem (and his car). We haven't seen that much from Old Muscat, because it was closed at that time (Sultan had a tea with his friends)...There was a National Day and TV was full of shots about Sultan and economical progress of Oman...

Yeah, I can say, I really enjoyed time there, but to stay there longer than one week - it could be boring. But Oman is huge country and there are many things I haven't seen yet - so...where I will go next time??? Salala? ;o) Saaaaalalalalalalala :)

Oman - Muscat-pictures

2005-12-07T05:22:00.000-08:00

Sun & Sand & Jeep= DESERT adventure

2005-10-24T07:45:00.000-07:00

Ramadan Kareem!

2005-10-19T06:19:00.000-07:00

Yeah...Ramadan started...
...the whole Arab world is enjoying Holy month...
and I had an opportunity to spend one evening with UAE girls and guys by talking about this amazing time.

I was not alone, who was courious :o) As you can see on pictures, there were pretty nice mix of young people from different countries, different age, different religions. Whole group was counting cca 30 people.

We were in Sheik Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding - sitting on arabic carpet in the court, drinking arabic coffee and enjoying warm evenings weather.
Later on, we got also the chance to relish typical home-made arabic food...hmmm guys it was SOOOOOOO mniameee :o)

I understand, if you are not eating whole day, everything has to be mniamee than, but I was not fasting :o)

The first day of Ramadan is announced in the night before :o) based on the moon - if you see the mooon, than there will be Ramadan...and if not, so you have to wait :o) And that is the reason why Arab countries are starting with fasting in different time.

But Ramadan is not only about fasting...it is about thinking about poor people, getting to know yourself better and self control...and many other things.
Your fasting time start with sunrise and the time, when you are breaking fast is coming with sunset. This time is called IFTAR.

All companies are changing their working time - they work till 14:00 max 15:00 (only aiesecers are sitting in the office till 19:00)...almost all restaurants are closed and have curtains in windows, so you can't see inside.

It is not allowed to drink, eat, smoking on public...

It is really interesting, how the world is suddenly devided into "fasting" and "not-fasting"..how the working atmosphere is slow and relax...you can see people how they are respecting or also not respecting the others...how they are trying or not to understand local culture and religion.

I'm really happy I was welcomed to the world of UAE nationals with such great hospitality, friendly smiles and warmth.

Thanks to all of you, who were there...to create such a magic atmosphere :o)

My India...in 3 weeks

2005-10-16T07:46:00.000-07:00

Namaste :o)
I'm back...back in UAE, my second home...
Do you know, how it is to go abroad for kind of working vacation (InternationalCongress) ?

And do you know, how it is to stay there 2 more weeks, trying to get back ?
So...here is my story...

Expecation before my trip:
enjoy IC in India
enjoy India
meet all my friends

1.week - IC in Agra
learning points
* it is amazing to spent 1.5 hours on the corridor by kissing and hugging all good friends - one by one
* it is hard to see "ex-home delegation" and not being part of...
* it is not easy to represent young AIESEC country if you are just 2-3 people
* being from young AIESEC country opens your eyes and mind
* represent Arab country in Asia Pacific region is really funny...(don't aks me for the reason why is UAE part of AP - maybe because there are so many Indians and AP nations ? :o))

2.week - staying by Indian family in Jaipur
learing points
*Indian home-meals are amazing (and spicy, of course)
*I know how to cook keer :o) mniameeee
*if you get lost - ask Indian - even though he has no clue - he will sent you somewhere and maybe it will be more interesting than was you original plan
(me and Evka - my czech friend - followed the IndianGuide and istead of discovering beauty of some Temple - we become very good attraction in some Indian village - lost somewhere far far from Jaipur...)
*one day trip around Jaiput is 5x cheeper and 10 more interesting than one visit of Taj Mahal

3.week - alone in Delhi
learing points
* blond girl+ alone = paying attention everywhere
* if you are taking visit tour around Delhi - ask for english guide...I had great opportunity to learn hindi, because I was only one European + somehow english speaking person in the bus...
* bargaining is tough, if you are foreigner..but use your brain and charm and it will become a game :o)
* I dont know how to use phone in India :( (I spend almost hours on the line to get some info and I never got it...system error
* very cheap, very cheap - just for you, my friend, special price, for my friend - guys, be smart..this price is for sure "special", if you are a tourist :o) and forget about friendship :o)

Expectation checking:
IC ??? When it was ??? Long time ago...
India - hmm incredible..so many positive and negative memories in one - definitely GREAT
experience and I have to say I enjoyed it really much :o)
meet all my friends - sure and make bushel new

So, how it was? Generally - really INCREDIBLE :o)
I came home hungry (lost weight), dirty (clothes had to be desinficated), tired (but happy) and with head full of memories :o)

Social life...

2005-08-17T22:28:00.000-07:00

This week was really interesting...

I spent Friday's morning in the hospital...
Yeah, in the hospital...
There was a kind of a social event for kids...the aim was - make their Friady in the hospital a little bit nicer. There were some gifts for them, music, decorated room...

So, imagine kids in the age from 6 months till 12 years in one room with their parents + group of 15 @ people (Argentina, Belgium,CR,Estonia,Germany,India,Pakistan,Peru,UAE,Slovakia,USA,...) in one room...
We got some instructions at the beginning - about kids, about the hospital, about gifts...and than all our people jumped on the gifts and started to play with them...the lady, responsible for this project was a little bit shocked, because it was not very clear who is the kid and who should play games with who :O)
It was really nice to talk to the parents and try to interact with kids...whole room was full of smiles and nice atmosphere...and we were invited to the next social event during September. It will be not in the hospital, so I'm really looking forward to discover another face of UAE...

I already mentioned manytimes, that there is really big culture of visiting...
One of our friends Ali Shirazee invited us to this home for a lunch...ohhhhhhhhh,people, it was amazing...Ali promised me, that he will never invited me again :O) The point is, that I was not able to eat everything what was on the table...common,guys, I'm not national ice hockey team to eat so much!!! But Ali, our British/Pakistani guy took it really seriously and I kept complaining about me and Nadine whole week... :o) what a bad guest we were, Nadine, right?
So, people, if you are invited to the lunch, be as a vacuum cleaner and they will invite you again :O)

Thanks to friends of my friends I was invited to the cinema...hmmm okie it was not exactly like that...I got invitation for one event in one Dubai's hotel - there were many people from many companies just chatting, chilling out, eating and drinking...Gautam (the lovely friend) told me,that we should go in official clothes, but not THAT official..hmm so you can imagine how smart advice it was...it remind me one czech fairy-tale about the dressed-not dressed girl...At the end, there were people in suits, but also in jeans and T-shirts...verrrrrrrry funny...After the eating/drinking part they invited us to the hall to project a movie.
Woooooooooow...there was also very nice decoration on the table...small packages...but nobody knows what is inside...is it a decoration or is it not?
I wish you to see it...imagine adults, managers, ladyes - trying to open some of them under the table...or pretending playing with that... trying to identify, what is inside..
Yes, finnaly somebody was successful and discover small chocolates :O) in a minute all tables were full of papers and destroyed packages ;O)

How was the movie?
Great! Simply great - there was NO MOVIE at all...some very nice guy told us (after wishes of nice evening) that there is no dataprojector...so if we would like to see the movie, we have to go to the nearby cinema. HA! What to do? Nobody said if we have to pay for that...and if you don't have a car, how to get there??? But we managed (thanks to some guys by sharing a table and chocolates) and we saw a movie and it was for me the first time being in the cinema in the suit and get free entrance after showing destroyed package of chocolate... :O)

I have NEVER

2005-08-11T06:19:00.000-07:00

It is one month I'm here in Dubai...

and I have impression that

I have NEVER had such a big need to think THAT MUCH about me, my values, my life, my family, my country...each day is here something/somebody, who/what force me to ask myself, what is the right world...what is right and according to whom...where is the truth...

I have NEVER had so many discussions about religion...
I have NEVER been that lost in the shop...(try to buy something in arabic country in the indian shop...)
I have NEVER spent so much time with so many foreigners...
I have NEVER thought about me as an European girl
I have NEVER felt so dependent on the friends, who has cars
I have NEVER seen so many nationalities living at one place
I have NEVER thought how much could be the world different - you can see that in TV, you can read about that, you can discuss it, but once you live it, than the experience is coming...and touching you...
I have NEVER seen so many money/career focused people
I have NEVER been with so open and friendly people I have met here...

I have NEVER been so far from everything I know...

Farther and farther you are from your own world, closer and closer you are to YOU...yourself...

Bargaining

2005-08-06T22:26:00.000-07:00

What a life!?

My father keeps saying, that my mouth is bigger than our house and that nobody can stay with me longer than one day, if I keep my argumentation and negotiation on the level as it is now...

And before I left my home, he said, I will have amazing year and people in shops will cry and will be frustrated and depressed because of me...

Eventhough he is almost- always right, I have to say - WHAT A MISTAKE!

You know - fighting with siblings for a TV channel or with parents for being out -that is simple, but fighting in the shop is something completely different and I'm lost...

Really, that is an area, where I'm real "greenhorn"...

Story nr. 1
Rent a Car!
My first and also most intestesing experience came up with our team-days in Um al Kuwain. To get there, we rented a car...on my driving licence (nobody asked if Im really driving) and on the credit card our friend Anna. There is something about costs and insurance in a case you have an accident in the agreement...and my passport was kind of deposit (not nice feeling, people)
And as you can expect - we had a accident :o) he he he
The good thing was - the driver had licence valid in Dubai (Sameer I love you!...sometimes...), another good thing was - it was not our fault...
What was wrong? The police decided it WAS our fault...and the agreement was signed with me and not with Sameer...
Don't think we let it be that easy...actually we spent couple of hours on the police station with argumentation, but as I said, at the end of the day we got the stupid ping paper and went out. (if we have the green one - means it was not our fault).
So, we went to get the car back...and that is the beginning of whole story...Of course the rent company wanted money from agreement, but the amount was 2x higher, cause:
they can't accept the car today (Thursday), we can do it on Sunday (Friday is off and Saturday is off for insurance company)
we have to pay rent for these extra days
we have to pay some un-identifyed costs, because Sameer was not 25 (bullshits - Sameer has valid driving licence,so he has to be at least 25)
bla bla bla...
The first discussion was in english, but once it turned to hindee I just sat down and observed. This "cinema" took 1,5 hour...during that time people were angry, than nice, than angry...my friends were calling to another friends, they had friends in another rent a car company and these people were calling back to this guy...than Sameer and Deepak took a keys from the car went out, than came back...the boss was waving with some papers and my passport, time to time a realized something like "Police"..."low"..."extra costs"...
It is funny, to see how people use the same arguments and going in a circle. But guys were amazing and I got my passport back..and we also didn't pay these extra costs...

My Day

2005-08-03T03:13:00.000-07:00

:o)

how is my usual day ? Uuuuuuuuuuuh it is different...
Im supposed to be in the Knowledge Village office at 9:00 and Im leaving at 18:00. We arranged the special "Blue bus" - it is pic-up service. Don't expect anything blue, please :0) ... the bus will stop in front of our house and take us directly to the KV. On the way there are couple of people with similar way, so it is kind of bus-taxi. We are paying for each month similar money as we were supposed to pay for usual bus (means waiting, fighting, changing buses,...).
But to the price - we got it just because of our friends, being foreigner means, that they wanted to give us higher price - so use negotiation, negotiation, discrimination and contacts....There are still so many things to know !

One of the reason why we are using this "blue bus" is the fact, that there is no proper transport from Dubai to KV. You can take the bus, but this will not stop there - the nearist bus stop is 15 mins walking far. Walking on the sun, in the heat, along with the hi-way...cha cha cha... How are people getting there? They have cars :0)..but we don't so we have to use blue-bus.

Btw. there are many areas around Dubai, they are called Knowledge Village, Media City, etc. It is kind of the "zone" system, where you have everything concentrate on one place. For example KV is kind of the town, where are almost all universities and education companies and organizations. Media City is the area, where are many many companies (not only media) and there are a lots of new projects coming up - Medical City, Academic City,....

You can see also on the pictures my-our flat. As you know, Im sharing appartment with my team-mate Peep, pretending we are a couple (otherwise it would be really difficult to find a flat).

And you can also see my @mates: Peep (the Estonian Dude), Deepak (the chocolate spot in the middle) and Nadine (our German shepherd) :0)

If you check the timing, than it is clear, that if I wanna have fun out of the office (but believe me, sitting next to "MyDear Peep" and opposite to "MyBigBoss Nadine it is funny enough :0)), than it has to happen in the evening or during the weekend.

Btw - do you know, that there is different division of working days? There are 6 working days - the free day is Friday and if some companies have 2 days of, it could be either Saturday or Thursday. Funny, right?

Sometimes we are going to have a shisha or a tea...there are many things to do, but it depends on money, time and transport :0) I don't want to write you here about my work, cause till today there were not that many thing...but it will come!

I added also couple of pictures from our team-days and planning - just to make you jealous :0)

And plus to that - till today were my days sooooooo different that it is difficult to say, how does my usual day look like :0) But I tried :0)

Un-expectations...

2005-08-03T02:17:00.000-07:00

Maybe you also realized, that the life is not about BIG words, BIG events and BIG moments...that everything important happend in a while, moment, second or due to some detail or short comment, view...signal, sound...even my being is the result of nanosecond biological process (don't count the emocional and chemical show around :0))...

Details make our life difference...details make the life excitement and stressed...they are making our being different and more colourful...

Each day Im surprised by small details - and that means that each day is for me somehow special and new and I don't fall into the stereotype.

I still remember my big surprise, when I put my hand into the fountain in the Knowledge Village...You know, Dubai' s people love water and shopping malls and parks are full of fountains, rivers, lakes and pictures of wather. For me the water means refreshment...something cold...something what is so cold, you can feel frozen after you are in...so you can imagine, how surprised I was after I realized, that the wather is WARM! Of course it has to be warm, you say - it is outside, outside is cca 40 degrees and sunny whole day, so it HAS TO BE WARM...but you know, for me it was first new thing...first surprise...

And do you remember, how it was when you was for the first time by the sea ? Everybody says - the water is salty...you know it, but you HAVE TO TRY...the same was for me, when I was firs time in Spain. Now imagine - you are in the town, what was built up in desert...there is sand all around and everybody says - it is sooooooooooo hot...so, guess what I did...yeah, now I know how stupid it was, but I HAD TO try :0)...yes,you are right, I jumped barefooted out of the path-to the sand. It was cca 13:30, 45 degrees outside...and of course I will never do it again...but now I know - it IS hot....

Sometimes I feel like a kid - you tell him/her - but they have to go and try...and I know that is anything what I can be proud of ;o)

Another learning point - surprise - restaurants...For me the place with a sign RESTAURANT means - a little bit more expensive place, where you can eat and you expect certain level of service (depends on number of stars). Here this sign means - come here, maybe you can find here something to eat and nobody knows what will be with you after that....
No, don't worry, it is not that horrible, but be ready, guys, that a RESTAURANT here means place, where is a food - doesn't matter how' s quality.

And I would like to mention one more thing here...many people around see Dubai as one big petrol station...so, guys - Dubai is a business center...and very fast developing place. What is the question - if these changes aren't faster than the changes in the society...
Look, whatever you can see around - comes from last 30 years (people are saying, that these buildings are old :0)) , but 30 years are not enough for people to change/adjust such a quick development. And because of that there are many many big questions lying on the table...

But that is another chapter...

UAE is country full of surprises :) and Im happy to have one year to discover them :)

Friends and visits...

2005-07-30T23:01:00.000-07:00

Yay...

Im here already 14 days and during that time I met so many people! That is good test of memory - to remember all names and faces like Sameer, Arwa, Haila, Falan, Ali, Tareeq, Pieter, Ibrahim, Muhamed, Kanika....etc etc etc
But do you know what is even more difficult? To remember their nationalities...

Guys - Im sorry if I wrote your name with a wrong spelling - I promise I will work on that!

But thanks to this fact I had a chance to visit couple of homes so I can see how are different families living...

The last visit happend on Friday - Im very very happy that me + Eric American, Gulihermo Peru, Peep Estonian) got invitation for Friday's family dinner from one local family. Hana (the girl, who invited us) is one of the students, who is going through our organisation to USA for one year.

So we met her family + cousines. All people were very friendly and open. Girls were covered by scarfs, but genders were not separated and the conversation was very familiar. And the meal! It was heaven !!! Eric - already "educated" told us - there will be more rounds of meals, but I didnt expect such a big dinner (and at 23:00....) - barbeque, salads, backed meat, vegetable, pasta,fruit, than a cheese cake/pies, tea, coffee..yeah...I though I will not eat the rest of week.

I felt quite unsure - how should I behave, what is allowed and what is not, but thanks to the Hana's and Haifa' s attitude it was not that difficult and I felt like at home pretty soon. And what I really appreciate is their approach towards me - thank you, girls, for patience and understaning by my questions.

F = Family Day...

2005-07-23T01:55:00.000-07:00

Friday is amazing day...

You have freeeeeeee for your family and friends and shopping, relax, chill-out etc.

It is not possible to stay out on the sun, so there are 3 options what to do:
1-stay at home
2-go to the beach
3-go to the shopping mall

To the shopping mall
Before I came I was wondering how stupid it has to be to spent whole day in shopping centers and malls...but now I know...The concept is pretty good - these places are kind of cities - there are streets, restaurants, cinemas - everything at one place - it is usualy huge complex of buildings with fountains, kind of gardens...

To the beach
Thanks to our friend with car me and my "husband" went to the beach with friends from Germany, Belgium,Portugal, Morocco,Egypt etc.

We went to the Al Memza beach nearby Sharjah...it was really amazing - there were just few people, warm water (people, if I write warm, than I mean REALLY warm - like in the shower), sand...simply HOLIDAY ! :0)

Adding to these all amazing things I had to mention also jellyfish - many of them and they are everywhere...And as you know me - I have to try everything, so I met one of them and I hope it was the last personal meeting we have ever had. She/he or it? caught my hand around my writst and didnt want to leave me...thanks to that was my had as Peeps leg (I mean big...) and changing colours from purple to red and pink...the life guard gave me on that some desinfection and Calcium with recommandation to put on that lemon.
So, people if you are going during July to the Gulfs beach - count with this amazing jellyfish company. (it should be just during this month, I will make sure and let you know during the year, okie?)

What to do in the eveing?
There are many clubs and pubs you can visit in the evening, the nigh life is pretty cool :0). The "beach group" went to the Rock Button Cafe and you can smell Europe here. Many young people (from the whole world, but mainly from Europe), dancing, drinking, having fun...and laydies have drink for freeeeeeeeeeee :0)

Transport

2005-07-21T06:46:00.000-07:00

You, who knows me, can understand how funny it has to be for me...

Im used to walk everywhere...if it is not necessary, than Im not using any of public transports or vehicles...

But Dubai is different...Dubai is Dubai. If you dont have a car, than good luck, baby...

Almost everybody has a car here and who has not, has a problem. Of course, you can use the bus, but count with couple of things:

1 - eventhough there are time-tables, buses are going randomly, so don't expect them coming on the time (the perion could be + - 30 mins)

2 - ha, the bus is here, but it the tough time is not over, people - it could be possible, that the bus is already full and there will be any space for you and you have to wait for the new bus. Means nex 30 mins :0) on the sun, humid air...enjoy ! In a case you are already in and you don't want to leave the bus, the bus driver is ready to call special group of people, they will help you out pretty fast. Sometimes the negotiation doesn't work...

3 - yeah, there is one point more it could happen, that there is still place, but just for a woman...There are two sections in each bus, one for men and one for laydies, so be careful where you can sit.

One days I was waiting for the bus with my team\room-mate Peep and we started fighting for the place in the bus. Usualy girls are going first...discrimintaion is fine time to time...so I went in, but the driver didn't want the guys, he said - bus is full. I was in and Peep was outside,we just exchanged couple of non-verbal signs (f*ck\sorry\see you in 30 mins...), but one woman told me: Ohhh your husband is outside...
You should see my face - "husband" ?!
but I agreed: yes, he is outside
W: go and talk to the driver, go and talk, he will take him...
So I went, talked and he got in! It was working! :0) All people in the bus were happy to see us together, Peep was happy that he got in to the bus and I was happy, that he took the water...

But there aren't only busses and privat cars in Dubai. You can use also TAXIIIIIIIIIIIIII. But, people, keep in mind, you are in Dubai - so whatever is legal here, you can find also illegal...it means there are official taxi and un-official taxi. The difference is of course price and speed. Price could be half of the usual price in official taxi, but the speed could be twice slower...It happend to me, that we stood with this kind of taxi in the middle of crosroad, cause the were no petrol...and AC was not working as well...but that is Dubai :0)

What I really like here is the wather taxi - Abra - small boats, they will bring you for small price on the other side of the creek - can really recomend! Nice trip :0)

To the transport one more thing - there are bus stops with certain names, but nobody use them so nobody knows where is what. If you are leading the driver to you home - tell him: Computer streed or Bank street, Lulu market centre etc. than it will be more clear where do you wanna go :0)

First week

2005-07-20T23:54:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody everywhere :0)

as I promised to you, Im writting first news about my life in Unique Amazing Exotic country...
Yeah, Im in UAE, in Dubai - for ONE whole amazing year.

Some of you asked me at MSN - how are you there? Many people here are asking me - how do you like Dubai so far?

And my answer is - so far so hot :0)

48 degrees plus humidity...uff I was really shocked when I went out of the airport...so that was my first impression - HOT HOT HOT :o)

Another the most popular question is - what about your accomodation ?

Okie - so Im sharing the room with my Estonian team-mate. If you take to the concideration, that there are Arabians, Indians, Pakistanis, Lebanees, Saudies and other muslims nationalities , than it is quite clear that this sharing has some conditions.
And for us it means, that we are a couple...yeah, we are kind of husband and wife :o)...Guys - if I write kind of, it means NOT in reality he he he...

Yes, we share the room, the bed...but that it is :o) and it has also some positive relations to the life...for example cleaning the room, right, men?