My Dubai Experience!

Assalamu Alaykum/ Hi,

My time in Dubai came to an end last Saturday morning. I thought that I would share my thoughts and experiences in Dubai.

When I was preparing to come to Dubai, I had preconceived notions of this grand and glamorous city. Dubai is like that. It is very grand and glamorous make no mistake about it. But, that's not all that there is to it. If that's all you care to see, then that's what you are going to see. However, if you go to the older parts of Dubai, to the Gold Souk and the Spice market in Deira. You will see 'Old Dubai.'

The difference between places such as Business Bay, the Marina and Deira is quite stark. 

Dubai Marina

Deira -Gold Souk

Dubai is not a walking city. Coming from NYC that was odd to me. I'm used to walking to get to my destination. It seems to me that people make up for it by going to the malls to walk around.Which can be quite annoying when you are actually shopping in the mall because it's overcrowded for no reason. Children are running around everywhere. It can just get a little chaotic.

While we are on the topic of children. It seems anybody that is anybody in Dubai or pretty much everyone has a nanny for their children. I've seen children with nannies before in NY but not so many of them and not when the children's parents are with them either. It just seemed so surprising to me. Because from what I learned of Middle Eastern culture family is very important. But, then it seems as if the children spend more time with their nannies than their parents. In one of my classes there, the professor discussed the problem. She said it's causing children to form a bond with their nannies and not their parents and it's becoming a problem in the Middle East.

The architecture in Dubai is amazing! The buildings are so grand. Would expect anything less from the city that has the world tallest building? I think the buildings felt so huge to me because they weren't all next to each other. In NY, there are building but they are so close to each other that you can walk right by them and not even notice their size.

I've been home for a few days now and I think I have reverse culture shock. When I went to Dubai, I didn't experience culture shock at all. But, at some point Dubai became the standard for me. NY seems so dull. I miss the glamour. 

It's not just me either. I became friends with other study abroads and it seemed like none of us wanted to leave. I definitely want to go back. I would love to be able to work there inshAllah. I guess I'll have to see what's in store for the future.

So, That's it,

Until Next Time

Movie Review: Identity Thief / Update

 

Assalam wa Alaykum/ Hi,

I've recently watched the movie Identity Theft. I've been meaning to see it since it came out but something always got in the way. It's going to be coming out on DVD soon.


Mild-mannered businessman Sandy Patterson travels from Denver to Miami to confront the deceptively harmless-looking woman who has been living it up after stealing Sandy's identity. 

I got the description above from imdb.com. One sentence sums up the entire movie. So, this movie is rated R. I am just finding that out as I write this. With good reason. Well, there is only one part of the movie to worry about.

Besides that the movie is hilarious. In the beginning of the movie I really didn't like Diane. You will find out why if you decide to watch it. The ending was sweet and it leaves you feeling happy.  If you like comedies and don't mind fast-forwarding through that one part then you should definitely watch it. If you have seen this movie before what did you think?


On a side note, I'm playing around with the layout and background of the blog (obviously). I decided that if I'm going to do this I'm going to do it properly. However, I write about more than just beauty and fashion so it's not going to be a purely beauty and fashion blog like some of the other ones out there because it was never purely about beauty and fashion. I'll also be editing some old posts if I feel they're not up to par with my writing capability.

Until Next Time
Aleema :)

Game of Thrones Season 3 Episode 9

Assalam wa Alaykum/ Hi,

Normally I rant on the Season finale of my favorite TV series, but the writers of the Game of Thrones did not wait until the season finale (next episode) to mess with my mind!

*******************************SPOILERS*************************************
I'm only shocked about the fact that they pretty much killed off every adult in the Stark family. Did they have a purpose? As you can tell the fact that they killed Robb and his mother really upset me! Especially since Arya was just about to be reunited with them. I knew something bad was going to happen because I found out that she was supposed to become an assassin and there was no way that would happen if she got reunited with her brother and her mother.

I've started to read the first book but was unable to finish it. So, I didn't know that this was coming! The whole time I was like "please let them live, please let them live." Another thing that got me is that they killed the direwolf as well! Poor thing. Those wolves are dying out with their owners. There are four left. But, Arya sent her's away and Jon Snow's is with the Crows on the other side of the wall. Hopefully, they will become reunited, especially Arya and her direwolf.

Speaking of Jon Snow, it was kind of messed up what he did. He should have taken that girl with him (I forgot her name). We didn't see any part of Kings Landing in this episode. I'm curious about what is going on with Sansa and Tyrion. He didn't force her to consummate the marriage. His father will be angry.
********************************SPOILERS*****************************************

I wasn't going to post about this but then I watched that episode and had to rant. Depending on how I feel with the season finale, I may post about that episode as well.

Until Next Time
Aleema :)

Little Mosque

Assalam wa Alaykum/ Hi,

So, I've been out if school for almost a week and during that time I've been watching a Canadian sitcom called Little Mosque or Little Mosque on the Prairie. My roommate showed it to me one night a couple months ago but I haven't had the time to watch it until recently.
This show is adorable. I really enjoy watching it. It's a Hulu exclusive series. So, I have been watching on Hulu nonstop. I applaud the producers of this show. They are portraying Islam in a very positive light.

The series focuses on the Muslim community in the fictional prairie town of Mercy, Saskatchewan (population 14,000). The primary institutions of the community are the local mosque, presided over by imam Amaar Rashid and located in the rented parish hall of the town's Anglican church, and Fatima's Café, a downtown diner run by Fatima Dinssa. The community patriarchs are Yasir Hamoudi, a construction contractor who originally fronted the money to establish the mosque under the pretense that he was renting office space for his business, and Baber Siddiqui, a college economics professor who served as the mosque's temporary imam until Amaar was hired.

The town of Mercy is governed by Mayor Ann Popowicz. Sarah Hamoudi, Yasir's wife, works as a public relations officer in Popowicz's office.
In the show, they have to deal with a lot of ignorant comments from non-muslims and I think it's a very good example of how some Muslims are treated. Also, it also helps dispel any misconceptions about muslims.
Until Next Time
Aleema :)

Pretty Little Liars Season Finale

Assalam Wa Alaykum/ Hi,

I'm home alone and I'm bored so I thought that I would talk about the last episode of Pretty Little Liars. Don't judge me people! This one of the...five/ six shows I watch regularly. Okay just five. It's not bad you just have to give it chance. This season finale left me like: what...??? Okay, if you watch PLL and missed the season finale stop reading because next I have spoilers.

*********SPOILER ALERT**************
Okay, so Spencer finally comes out of her self-imposed imprisonment in that mental institution and I'm like everything is going to go back to normal. Then I find out she's working with Mona and A! I'm like Spencer WTF??? Then Toby comes out of nowhere and I'm like huh? Well, okay I'm not that surprised. But, why would they fake his death if Spencer joined the A-team? Then we find out that Spencer took Malcolm not Mona. I'm like Spencer are you really backstabbing your friends right now? You are the cause for Aria and Mr. Fitz's( I can't remember his first name for my life!) break up! They confront her about and I'm like okay, this is the silverlining. They all start working together again trying to get one over Mona and A. Next thing I know Toby and Spencer are outside, A is coming in a plane, and the house gets set on fire with everyone else in it. At first I was like A set the house on fire because all the door were locked from the outside. But, then Toby gets knocked out (he separated from Spencer for some reason), and the girls are getting dragged out of the house because they are unconscious. We see Alison and so do Hannah and Mona. So, now I'm like who set the house on fire and locked the doors if Alison pulled them out? I thought Alison was A? Why isn't she dead?
**********SPOILER OVER**************

So once again I'm left with more questions than answers at the end of the season. You really need patience for this show because it leaves you in a constant state of suspense. Anyway, I'll have to wait until June to see what happens. Sigh.
Until Next Time
Aleema :)

Movie Review: The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

Assalam wa Alaykum/ Hi,

Another movie review! This wasn't the movie I was supposed to see when I made the post for The Oz movie. Buuut, plans changed and I ended up seeing this movie with my friend. So, I'll get to it:

When a street magician's stunt begins to make their show look stale, superstar magicians Burt Wonderstone and Anton Marvelton look to salvage their act - and their friendship - by staging their own daring stunt.
Like before I got this summary from imdb.com. So, I'm going to admit that I didn't pay much attention to this movie until my friend suggested we watch it. At first glance I didn't want to. Can you blame me? Maybe you can. I don't know. I know you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover or a movie by its poster in this case. But, this movie looked stupid at first glance. I expected it to be one of those comedies that had plenty of stupid parts and raunchy instances. I'm not one to knock movies. But, I was in the mood for a different type of movie. Anyway, this movie was good. I greatly disliked Jim Carrey in this movie but that was because he was the antagonist. Steve Carell looked very orange for some reason. Or maybe that was just me? I was introduced to a song in the movie and now it's my new song obsession. It's On Top Of the World by Imagine Dragons.So, if you're in the mood for a light movie that can be slightly disgusting at times go for it.
On a side note: Going to the movies made me remember why I usually don't go to the movies when I am home. This movie costs $14. 14 flippin...! I'm a poor college student! I can't afford 14 dollar movies! At school movies are like 6 or 7 dollars. Compared that to 14. Can you understand my shock? Like why? Anyway, that's it.
Until Next Time
Aleema :)

Movie Review: Oz The Great and Powerful

Assalam wa Alaykum/Hi,
So, it's looks like another movie review! I'm getting out more often. So, expect more of these! In fact, I'm supposed to be going to the movies on Monday. Guess what movie I'll be seeing?
So let's get to it:
Like last time I'm going to post info I can find on imbd. That way I won't be a spoilsport. :p

A small-time magician arrives in an enchanted land and is forced to decide if he will be a good man or a great one. 


Wow. If I gave summaries like this for my assignments I would be failing classes. I suppose they don't want to give everything away because that's just annoying. I digress!

I liked the movie. (Wow, that was horrible) It was very visually captivating. I didn't see it in 3-D so I may have missed out. Hopefully, not on much. Majority of my friends that saw it with me compared it to Alice in Wonderland. I've never seen Alice in Wonderland. (Don't judge me!) I did find out that Oz had the same producer as Alice in Wonderland.
It could have been better. But, it was decent. I wouldn't say that it was my favorite movie all time. I think it received too much hype. So, it didn't reach my high expectations and I was slightly disappointed.
Please excuse me in this post if I'm strange in anyway. It's late and I'm tired but too lazy to go to bed. (Yeah, I'm weird like that)
Anyway, I'm on spring break! (Woot!) But all my friends from home get off for break next week...when I go back. -_- That's some real BS. I probably won't see most of them because they're busy. :(
So, there may be a couple more posts. MAY. I have many assignments to work on this week too.
Next post is on the Glinda palette. Oo relevance! Lol
Until Next Time
Aleema :)

Movie Review- Beautiful Creatures

Assalam Wa Alaykum/ Hi,
I'm doing something new this time. A movie review. The idea just came to me and I'm running with it. So, the movie I'm reviewing is Beautiful Creatures. This movie came out Thursday. I went to see it on Friday. Many people, including friends of mine, went to see this movie with the intention of comparing it to the Twilight saga.
Why?
I don't know. I've watched the Twilight movies and read the books. I'm not as critical of them as many people are. They're whatever. I will definitely say that the movies got better as they progressed and with the director change of course.
Anyway, I'm going to copy and paste the overview of Beautiful Creatures that way I don't run the risk of doing a spoiler.

Ethan longs to escape his small Southern town. He meets a mysterious new girl, Lena. Together, they uncover dark secrets about their respective families, their history and their town. 

Of course you get a bit more than that from the trailers but that was what  I found on imdb.com.
The movie was nice. The main characters were very witty with their humor. It wasn't like Twilight at all except for the fact that there was a love interest and most movies have that. I wouldn't say that it has become my new all time favorite movie but I may purchase the DVD when it comes out. I would probably rate this movie an 8 out of 10. I will say that there's a lot of kissing and making out. It is rated PG-13 I believe and I do have friends who don't always appreciate that so I thought I would just let you know. That's it. I hope this helps with your movie selection. If you have seen this movie, What did you think?
Until Next Time
Aleema :)

10 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Went To College

Assalam wa Alaykum/ Hi,
It's about that time of year again. Classes are going to be starting soon. I start next week. I can't believe I'm a sophmore. Three more years to go! Anyway, I saw some youtube videos on this subject and decided to do my own. This post will be about college related advice.
1) Get a Tutor
You may not think that you need one, but having is definitely helpful. I didn't listen to my dad when he told me this at first because I was lazy. But, when my grades started slipping. I quickly went and got help.
2)You Will Have a Lot of Free Time
Since most college freshmen have only 5 classes spread out over a week, there is a lot of free time before, between, and after classes. I remember during my first semester I had a 6 six hour break between classes on Tuesday and Thursdays. I used those days to do laundry and homework. It's best to plan for that time. I know it may seem obvious but I didn't realize the big break I had between classes until I actually started classes and I didn't know what to do with myself.
3) Budget Your Money (& Dining Dollars)
This is really important. It may seem like it is another common sense thing but it is really easy to forget that you need your money for certain things. Especially, if you are in the mall and you see something you really want. :) This happens to be way too much. Which is why I don't like going to stores unless I have money. You have to make sure you have what you need before you get what you want. Also, if your college/ university gives you money on your account that comes with your  meal plan to use at cafes and restaurants on campus (i.e. dining dollars), don't spend them all on smoothies or naked juices in one month. You will want them later.
4) Get a Job
I have always had a job. It was part of my financial aid. But, I do have friends who don't and wish they did or had a hard time finding one. A job will help with the big breaks between classes and it will help add to your resume.
5) There Are Crazy People Out There
When your mother warns you to be careful of strangers and the there are crazy people out there, listen to her! You don't know everyone's mental states, so be careful of who you bring back to your room (or alone with). At my school, I heard a girl getting raped at a party and then the whole campus received an email when a sex offender started attending classes. So, just be careful. Stranger Danger! Not to say that you shouldn't meet knew people and make friends, but be aware.
6) It is Possible To Keep in Touch
A lot of people assume that since you're going away for school, you can't keep your old friends. That's not true. I kept in touch with all of my close friends when I went away. Programs such as Skype, Oovoo, and Facetime makes it easier. The thing is, both sides have to make the effort. I have lost touch with a few friends because they were to busy to talk, hang out, or even text.
7) Dining Hall Food Sucks
No one makes food like your mom. That's a given but dining hall food can be an extreme sometimes. I've actually skipped meals because the food looked questionable or I didn't like it. Solutions for this would be (a) buy food for your room (b) learn to cook (c) order out. I have done the former and the latter. This semester I'm going to try cooking from time to time.
8) Prepare for the Weather
In college, you spend a lot more time outside than you did in high school. Your classes may be in different buildings. So, you're exposed to the elements. Make sure you're prepared for the weather for the day.
9) Buy a Planner and Use It
Organization is key! A planner will help you stay on top of your assignments and due dates.
10) Pack Light
In Dorm rooms space is very limited. Storage containers are very helpful. Bring only what you need.
Okay that's it. Is there anything you wish you knew before you went to college? Was this helpful?
Until Next Time :)