How's your week going? I'm sure a lot of you will be cooking up a storm in the next 2 days. Here are inspiring kitchens from IKEA. A trip there always brings me a dose of happiness. I like both of these designs, especially when all of the appliances are built-in. Take your pick.

I am glad I finished all of my gift shopping in one day.  Since I have been on house arrest  {A term I refer to since we live in the middle of the desert and is not accessible via public transport and a taxi fare is more than a full tank worth of gas.} last week, I spent a lot of time researching possible gifts online and concocted the best action plan in buying them all in one trip. :) As soon as the car was ready from the garage, off I went.  I must say, shopping the entire day with a baby should be an olympic sport.  I will attempt to make my first pot roast on Christmas Day. Wish me luck. What will you be preparing?

Happy holidays and happy cookin' everyone.

Love and light, 

Arni

A collection of 10 of My Favorite Things to Do in Coron, Palawan on those chillax days when you're not island hopping. 

1.  Explore the island of Busuanga on a moped or motorbike.

2.  Relax at Maquinit Hot Spring.

I'm supposed to prepare my interior design portfolio to bid for a project in the hopes that I can work on it on a freelance basis, even if I'm overseas. Yet, here I am, procrastinating while my daughter is sleeping and writing a blog post instead.

Ups and downs, mostly challenges have been preoccupying us the past few weeks. Yesterday, our small car, the one that we have been using has met an accident. Thankfully, my husband was not hurt. The damage to the car is more than its value.  Funny how he's blamed for something he didn't do. Thankfully, the guy who reversed without looking at his mirror, admitted it was his fault and volunteered to take the blame. 

With all of these events, it's pretty clear, our time here has come to an end. My heart calls me to move. Much to the thrill of my husband who was dreading to come back here from our vacation in the Philippines last September. It has now become a unanimous decision, since I was the culprit for delaying our plans to leave. Let's face it, Dubai has become my home and I love it here. Honestly, I still do.

My logical mind dictates that my ambition will thrive here far better than anywhere else. Yet, my logical mind cannot see the future. My instinct tells me it's time to move, firmly backed up by circumstances. That small voice against reason is starting to become louder every day. 

What are you up to the first three weeks of December?  20 days more and it's Christmas! As I write this message in my favorite blogging corner at home, I think of each of you.  

My goal for next year is simple.  Gratefulness.  To appreciate every second.  I kept saying this to myself all these years, but it didn't all sink in.  Somehow a trace of discontent always manages to squeeze itself in, even in small doses.  Eliminating thoughts of complaints whenever they surface and dwelling in the good. Celebrating the good all the time, even during bad times. 

I finally got myself a plain recycled notebook for a gratitude journal where I will religiously write down what I'm thankful for each day. 

What are you grateful for this year?

We have a few days left to make 2014 awesome.

What do you have planned to make this happen?

Love & light,

Arni

Wow, it's December! The chilly breeze outdoors beckon al fresco dinners, barbecue parties and relaxing evenings with a hookah pipe.  Speaking of which, the last bit of November was spent doing exactly that.

A Post- Thanksgiving dinner last weekend to thank everyone for everything. I love the fact that it started turning emotional when each one started sharing what they're thankful for this year.  Sadly, it would also be our last Thanksgiving together in the UAE.