Podcast Story Spotlight; Deah, Yusor and Razan

I've been struggling with what I should and shouldn't talk about on this blog, I'm usually always talking about lighter topics and I tend not to focus on anything negative as I struggle with my own internal worries and negativity... but recently I've been listening, reading and talking about topics that I just can't seem to understand or keep away from people because I need people to understand that although the world we live in is amazing, we also have our ugly side that sometimes we just want to cover up and forget exists.

I'm an avid listener of The Moth, a podcast filled with stories that fuel different types of emotions. If you see me laughing my head off while driving or crying because my tears have a mind of their own... its not because I'm crazy(I think) it's because of the stories I'm listening to..  Sometimes I force my boyfriend to listen to it with me because I LOVE stories... any kind of stories, real stories. While I was on a trip recently, I binge listened (is that even a thing?) to the moth and one of the stories I listened to was by Suzanne Barakat. She is the sister of one of the muslim students that was killed in North Carolina. If you are not familiar with the story click here. While listening to her talk, I was so sad and so shaken by the turn of events in her families life and how it shook not only the muslim community but other communities. I decided I wanted other people to listen to the story too because it is time we started being more aware of what is going on.

To listen to her story please click here

Valentine's Day - What To Do ?!

It's coming guys.... Valentine's Day is almost here and I've been getting the question, so what are you doing ? what do you want to do ? and all I can really think about is... Why do we make this day so important out of all the other days of the week. I think I prefer getting flowers, chocolates and gifts everyday :).. scrap that, maybe just the flowers... and the gifts, and chocolates once every 2 months ? So it got me thinking, what are 5 things that can be done without being over the top or feeling overwhelmed. I think this is good if you 1, are in a brand new relationship, 2, in a growing relationship, 3, in a relationship with your girlfriends and they don't have a significant other :) and 4, in a committed relationship with yourself.

Stay at home, cook and make drinks

For food, a few days before V-day, decide what you'd BOTH like to make and you both go to the store to buy the ingredients, I might dabble in trying to make my mum's version of Jollof rice, and my boyfriend might convince me to make lamb curry. This recipe for potatoes is a crowd pleaser and goes well with this amazing wings or you could opt for Italian? (Click for recipes).  For drinks may I suggest Moscow Mule, my sister makes the best I've ever had  (recipe below) or get your favorite wine, I'm really loving this wine, and just relax!

Moscow Mule -

Vodka (Tito's or Ciroc)

Blueberry Syrup - 1 cup fresh/frozen blueberries

1/4 cup of water

1 tablespoon sugar or to your taste

Ginger Beer (the best brand is Fever Tree brand)

Juice of Lime/Lemon

Make the blueberry syrup first by bringing the water to a boil/

Add the blueberries and let it boil for about 5-10 mins (depending on if they are fresh or frozen)/

Add sugar/

Stir and let boil on low temp for about 10 mins/

Once thick and to your desired taste, sieve into a bowl/bottle and chill/

Mix Vodka, Ginger and juice of Lime/Lemon in a bowl/

Add Ice and Mix until everything is incorporated/ 

Add in Blueberry Syrup/

Mix and Drink! 

Go for a "romantic" dinner, and watch Deadpool after! 

Some of my favorite "romantic" restaurants here in Atlanta (in no particular order) are - 

$$$$ - ($50 and over) $$$ ($31-$50) $$ ($30 and under) 

4th & Swift | Contemporary American

$$$ 

Get anything they have with pork!

Canoe | American

$$$ 

The location is very romantic! 

10 Degrees South | South African/Global

$$$ 

An American/South African restaurant. My best friends and I saw someone get proposed to here <3 

Ocean Prime | American

$$$

Their steak is one of the best I've ever tasted, and ask for a virgin margarita = Key!

Nan Thai Fine Dining | Thai

$$$

So many memories here and their food is amazing! 

La Petite Maison | French

$$

I came here for Valentine's day and it was so sweet! 

Tomo Buckhead | Japanese

$$

Sushi! Need I say more ? 

SOHO Atlanta | Contemporary American

$$

This is a family favorite. They usually have amazing specials! 

Bundle up, get some cookies, or your favorite desserts, and coffee/hot chocolate at your favorite place, and take a long walk! Your Fitbit will be proud of you! 

Favorite Atlanta coffee places - Octane Coffee, Cool Bean Coffee Roasters - there's a secret room, and Brash Coffee. 

Buy this book (only $10) below and fill it out while doing any of the above (obviously not when watching the moving or at the restaurant). I got this for one of our anniversaries and it's the cutest thing ever! 

Netflix and Chill! Really Chill...

Watch a feel good movie (Finding Neverland), anime (Bleach), an international movie ( Piku), or a scary movie (The house at the end of time). 

Have a fun and stress free Valentines Day! 

<3 Dee!

images via Pinterest

On Moving To....

I noticed lately that a lot of people I know have been moving to places I would have been scared or not even have dreamt of moving to.... maybe I'm just a scaredy cat... So, I started wondering- how do you think they did it ? Wouldn't they miss America ? What of language barriers ? How are they doing ? I hope they like it... and I was always too shy to ask but I was still extremely curious. Then one day, I decided I was going to ask to fuel my curiosity and share it with everybody!

I'll be starting a monthly series called On Moving To...... It will feature women and men that have moved to foreign countries asking them general questions that one would ask if they wanted to move to the country they are currently residing, and also fun good to know questions. Our first interview for next month is going to be from a friend - Courageous Caroline who moved from the US to Thailand and I'm so excited to share it with you! If after reading, you have any questions for the interviewee, please leave a comment below and I'm sure they will be happy to answer any questions! :) 

On Doing Things Alone

doing......alone.

 

A few weeks back, I realized something: it is very hard to get my friends and family together in one place. I'm in my twenties (how did time go by so fast?!!) and I've realized that it is extremely hard to get my friends together at the same time, in the same place and even the same geographical location. It has gotten to the point where I kind of have to start doing things alone.

At first I was horrified about doing anything alone. Eating out alone, going to the movies alone, shopping alone... did I mention eating alone...? I remember the first time I went out to watch a movie alone, I convinced myself it wasn't going to be bad. Got into the car, drove to the theater, worried about how dangerous the theater was now with the shootings that have been happening, worried nobody would know I went to the movies alone, heard my mum's voice in my head asking me why I was going to the movies so late, got to the theater, got out of the car, swiped my phone for my ticket and sat down with my small popcorn and cup of water. It wasn't bad since my ticket was for a reserved seat so I got to pretend I was the cool aunt of these really cute 5 year old twins that ended up seating next to me (with their dad behind us making sure I wasn't some kind of psycho). It wasn't too bad. Plus in the theater, nobody can really see you so you don't have people staring at you (or so I thought).

Is it easier for guys to go out alone than it is for women? Women are always doing things together: going shopping together,getting their nails done together, eating together, partying together just to name a few things we do together. We even have girl squads or squads thanks to people like Taylor Swift. But a guy can do just about anything alone. 

One of my sisters is very very independent and when she moved out for Law School she had to adjust because none of her best friends or family were there. She went to movies alone, traveled to a neighboring city alone, went to lunch, dinner and even brunch alone for the first couple of months, she even went to a concert alone! I applauded her for her bravery and courageousness. She has won a platinum medal in the can-do girls section.

I know it sounds stupid but seriously, I was thinking about it today, I've never really been able to go out to eat alone. I always do takeouts because I just feel weird seating at a table for one. Is that bad that some of us women can't eat out alone or do other things alone ?? Or is it just part of and time for growing up and learning more about ourselves outside of our friends and families ?

All illustrations by the wonderful Garance Dore! 

Inspirational Quote - The Holstee Manifesto

The Holstee Manifesto

- this is YOUR LIFE
- when you eat enjoy EVERY LAST BITE!
- life is SHORT
-we are UNITED in our DIFFERENCES
 - try to think of something that made you HAPPY today :) - I added this one!