where is this sun you speak of?

It's day six since my isolation because of COVID-19. I've had it for six days now and so far, thankfully, I have no symptoms. I have, however, made sure to eat vegetables, fruits, and vitamin c every day along with breathing exercises in the morning when I wake up and before I sleep, and in between.  I received the test results early on a Monday morning - and looking back, I did not know how I managed to survive the day with two meetings and handled one system training online. It seemed as though it was a normal Monday morning although I remember that day was one stressful Monday that I would probably not forget. I survived my first week of working from home while in isolation. I hope next week will be better... I am grateful that I am not experiencing any symptoms so far however it is mentally distressing to "wait" for something to happen within the isolation period. I know that I should not think about such things but my brain just can't stop wondering - what...

Seven years ago was when I said my word for that year is brave: enough to face the ungracious people every day, enough to stand on my own, and enough to forgive all the hurtful words and actions done to me. Little did I know, that year was also the year when I had to live in the same environment for another year until my life would literally be totally different and more uncomfortable than it was in a different and, so far better, way. We all have struggles in life, and those were the years when I had all the emotions to feel every single day. Looking back to those years, I always wondered how was I able to endure those lovely days and years. I guess it was simply because I still felt loved by people who care even though they were far away. So, through them and the constant reminder to myself that it is better to forgive and be humble every single day, I was able to still have joyful days. Those were the most golden years of me getting to know who I am in certain situations. That build...

This is a super simple recipe that you can prepare for dinner! Ingredients: Chicken cutlets Olive oil Zucchini Onion and garlic Apple cider vinegar (I used a peach-flavored one but you can use anything) Tomatoes Cream cheese Provence herbs Dried basil Salt and pepper Instructions: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add oil. Add chicken and cook until brown.  Add the sliced zucchini, garlic, and onion. Cook until the zucchini softens. Add apple cider vinegar and stir. Add tomatoes, cream cheese, Provence herbs, dried basil, and stir. Add salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer and cook until the cream cheese is completely melted. When I prepared this one, I realized that I needed some bread - garlic bread or any baguette! It definitely resembles a pasta dish so don't forget to serve some of your favorite bread on the side! Bon appetit.

New Year fireworks view of Burj Al Arab and Atlantis I am grateful for the hope that the New Year brings! With all the meaningful celebrations with loved ones, hugs, cheers, fireworks, among others, we are always looking forward to a better year ahead. Over the holidays, life was so full of great surprises that I wonder what I did to deserve them. I am forever grateful to have my family and to my extended family who are happy about me and Aurelien being engaged!  There are so many things to accomplish for both of us and I hope for this year (or in the coming year - because we do not want to put too much pressure to ourselves) that we find ourselves being together and that the distance between us would not be a hindrance to what we want to pursue with and for each other.  May all the lovely things that we missed throughout the past year of 2020 would be showered upon each of us this year. We've gone through almost a year of so many changes in all aspects of our lives and I hope...

Christmas of 2020 was all about - guess what - cook-off! Aurelien and I decided that we prepare food separately each for an appetizer and main course. So for appetizers, I prepared bacon and broccoli with cream. I honestly was not very sure how it would be as I have never prepared anything like it before although this was based on a beans appetizer from the internet... I wanted to use broccoli because it is not his favorite vegetable 😂 (and he was going to prepare snails for the next appetizer... which I was not so sure about at first!)  Bacon and broccoli with cream (next to it is the sausage pastry that Aurelien prepared which was yum!) He was very keen on making me eat snails so I challenged him to eat broccoli since it is his least favorite vegetable! Turns out, he liked it. As per him, he would only eat broccoli if I cook it with cream - probably the same way as to how this was prepared. So, maybe if you don't not like broccoli as well but would like to try, you can give th...

Those twenty-five days with you were the best gifts that I could ask for last year. It was a year full of uncertainties for everyone but there you were -  making sure we start and end  the crazy year together. The moment I saw you at the airport was the moment I knew that my day-to-day routine will end. And those perfect days were ahead, for sure. Those twenty-five days with you were the most eventful days of last year. Afternoon walks at the beach or around the lake, along highways and streets, sunset views, twilight times, fireworks,  movies, food - mostly sweets,  teas, snails, and broccoli, Christmas and new year celebrations, painting, reading, and shopping, driving across emirates, barbecuing stargazing, getting lost... living life with you  did not have to be perfect  but they were.  Simply because we just let it be.  Thank you for spending those twenty-five days with me.