Forgiveness is such a big word and only for those with a very big heart. In light of my last post regarding the bad news I have received about 7 months ago, I am still suffering of the consequences of it. It is subsiding but nevertheless, it is still there.

I have said that I learnt a lot of that experience. Mainly how awful some people can be and how you learn about the kindness of certain hearts. I was still very bitter deep inside. Very resentful and felt very cheated by a person I thought was a very close friend.

Days passed by and I just became quieter than usual. Spoke only when spoken to. I took the time out to plan and re-plan things in my life. Did things I never had the time to do- simple things like taking care of unfinished things in the house, enjoying the precious moments with the kids, and de-cluttering parts of my life (physically and emotionally). I did things but never felt I accomplished anything.

It wasn’t easy and the light at the end of the tunnel was sometimes very bright and some other times dim.

That day came, when we all gathered up our prayers for our beloved Sheikh Ahmed. I was very emotional to learn the news. He was very close to my heart for reasons I can’t share. I cried, I prayed, and kept my hopes high that a miracle will happen and he will be found by some tribe who would be taking care of him and they will bring him forward in a couple of days. The couple of days passed and still no news and after the 72 hour mark it is usually known that the missing will be hard to be found alive.

They announced his death. I was devastated. I couldn’t move and I couldn’t even cry. I was still for a very strange period of time. I didn’t want to talk to anyone then. I just wanted to be with my very close friends alone. Not saying anything. Just being around people I love and love me back. Our thoughts were together on how things would turn out if we hadn’t had each other. The thought of that was unbearable to any of us.

Life then just seemed too short and too unpredictable to be worried about things that were beyond our control- like the bad news I heard 7 months ago.

Elreem started with her emotional abuse telling me that I should forgive the person who has wronged me and she just went on and on about it. It was sickening! I kept saying but I can’t forgive him for what he has done and she went on pressuring me on the need to do that because I cant live my life with that kind of bitter in my heart.

So I sent him a msg saying “God I have forgiven who has mistaken me, so forgive me too. I have nothing in my heart towards you and all I wish is for you to have a good life”
Oh My God! I sent that and all of the sudden- I swear, I felt it. I felt that forgiveness in my heart. I felt that nothing was really worth my anger. I threw away the resentments I had in my heart.

And guess what! Things in my life started de-cluttering on their own. It is so weird how it all happened. Days passed by and he then called me and apologized- not that it really mattered because to me it was over and done with.

That light at the end of the tunnel became so bright and I felt that cleanliness in my heart that I have missed for a very long time.

Things started happening with hard work from my side and friends around me. The continuous positivity from everyone just kept my hopes high that there will be a better day tomorrow. It is that sustainable positive energy that keeps my life on the right track.

I am surrounded by angels and I feel very lucky. I wish everyone had the people I have in my life. May God always keep them close and safe.

So this post is dedicated to all of you- everyone I interact with in my daily dealings. Thank you for keeping me alive inside.

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One of the hardest things we face in life is receiving an expected and unwanted news that is devastating. Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse. First reaction is total shock and it may take ages to grasp things that happen. What defines us is how we react to these events.

You can moan and cry over it and of course it is your right to do so. It can be very healthy but eventually you will need to move on and decide how you want to shake things up. It is really hard trying to turn things positively but it isn’t impossible. Sometimes we are so focused on concentrating on the closed door that we allow many open doors run past us.

I am going through this tough period at work. It is a real challenge. It seemed like the end of the world when it happened, until I decided to get over myself, my ego and my pride.

During this period, I realized people for who they really are. The true “them” surfaces. The cruelty appears that replaces all the fake smiles and hypocrisy becomes evident.
It was a strong slap on the face. Human beings are so complex that I find it really hard to understand how they can be so mean. People can be so ripped off of humanity and corruption erupts.
The corporate world just became very dark. Evil mushroomed in every corner poisoning my world.



The first week the announcement was made, I retreated away to the Seychelles to get the time alone to digest it all. I need the time alone. It was just perfect. It was my time to reflect, calculate, and plan.

I came back and things were awkward. I felt like I was hanging on this very thin string and I didn’t know how to deal with it. I am blessed! I truly am by being surrounded by the beautiful people in my life. I count my endless blessings as they make my days bearable when all I am thinking how they are not.
There are these moments that stick in your memory forever.
The first gathering in my office, having them all sit there telling me that I am never left alone.
Those loving hugs and very warm tears that came from the heart, the stops in the office corridors from people I don’t even deal with- telling me how I am loved.
These moments are precious and timeless. Those moments and these people I will treasure for life. I will remember all the profound respect and admiration.



In light of all that took place, the good news is, I’ve learnt certain things about life, I wouldn’t have learnt any other way or in any better way either.

The more senior you get the more politics you will need to deal with. I kept myself isolated in a bubble of my own, where I decided how I wanted to deal with it. My way was, not to play politics. It wasn’t the right choice; nevertheless, I don’t regret it as I actually learnt something.
I am able to see things with a different perspective now. I am naturally a very positive person but I do sometimes have my down times and they only get better with my true friends.
I am always asked if I regret anything in my life or if I would do things any differently; my answer still remains to be- NO.

Whatever we decide to do is our choice. We decide how we want to deal with things that happened. We decide how we react. We decide how long it takes us to moan and cry. We decide to forgive or if we really want to forget. It is all about making choices and eventually growing up. We plan our paths. us. No one else!

Things don’t just happen, they happen for a good reason that we are too blind to realize at the time because we are too busy moaning about the spilled milk, or the broken vase. Well I am done moaning and I am ready to be the force of my own destiny and change it, mold it, shape it the way I want it to be.



If you are reading this, then you are alive! You are here today so make the best out of it.

Appreciate life and learn to enjoy it, no matter what it brings, no matter how hard it gets. You are alive! Remember that.

I have tremendous energy and I will not allow anyone to let me down.

I will deliver, I will excel and I will exceed expectations.

My destiny, my choice!

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I wake up every morning to the smell of freshly brewed coffee intoxicating the air, and the sound of vegetables dancing on the frying pan. Rita our house-helper makes the best vegetable dishes. Breakfast although simple is always a feast.

I open up the windows and I hear the most beautiful laughs, the screams of joy coming from my little ones who are running around the yard barefoot on the dewy grass experiencing so much freedom like they never had before.



The smell of the grass mixed with lavender is something beyond description. The sun blinds my eyes and the breeze of fresh air hits my face and blows my hair away. I can’t but smile.

Everything is beautiful and serene.
Everything around me is just perfect.

View from my home

Away from the world, and tucked in between green hills in Tuscany. That’s my latest retreat with my family.
We moved to our temporary home a week ago. It took my breath away. A very old 400 years distinctive looking home. The bricks are in earthy colours, red, crimson, peach, white and beige. The scenary makes your imagination go wild.
I sat in the garden and looked around. I imagined every family that lived here. I looked at the stables and could hear the sounds of the horse’s neighs and their feet stepping in a slow steady pace against the pieces of the earth. This place is alive. Alive with memories, cultures and history.

We spend our day in the pool overlooking the valley of olives and vineyards. I take a lazy lap and rest again watching the reflection of the sun on the fields. It looks different every time I look.

Lunch is always ready by one o’clock and its always something made with organic vegetables and olive oil. It is always delicious. No matter how simple yet tingling my taste buds.
We spend the afternoons in the garden watching the sunset over the hills whilst having some delicious mouth watering Pecorino cheese spread with Fig spread over a slice of Tuscan homemade bread. The place is so calming. There isn’t a rush to do anything. Time is your friend, unlike back home where I am always racing against the clock.

Dinners are always fulfilling times. We spend almost 3 hours having them. Back home it takes 20 minutes tops.
It is refreshing just having nothing to do but sitting around all day conversing and just enjoying our times in utter serenity.



Tuscany is magnificent. I have always heard of it beauty but to see is to believe.
Last time I was in Italy was 5 years ago for my honeymoon. We did pass by Tuscany and visited Florence. I loved it but being in the countryside is a totally different experience.
Italians are very friendly and simple. They are a true pleasure to deal with. I always wanted to come back and when my hubby proposed Tuscany I didn’t think twice.

Tuscany is filled with history, it was a place where geniuses like Leonardo Da Vinci were born. History is written in every wall, every sculpture, every painting, every poem and through its people.

I love this place. It is a second home.







It is great the family is enjoying it too. My hubby and I needed the time alone away from the city and all the distractions. The kids needed a place to just go wild. This is the place to be.
I don’t think I will ever do this place justice talking about it.

Yazi trying to capture the little birdie- Come Bibi Come

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