Flashback-Bon Voyage Cape Town

This morning marks exactly a year ago that I boarded my flight to
Dubai and I am having flashbacks to page one of my journey.

Here are a few flashbacks from this day exactly a year ago.

'Sitting with mum in the lobby of Perspectives (the building I used to
live in) waiting for Adhil to fetch us. My good friend Hangwi was
moving into the flat and was in and out of the lobby and at one stage
stopped to spend a few minutes chatting to mum and I. Hangwi and mum
shared some special parting words too."

'Dropping mum off at Adhil's place en-route to the airport as she
wasn't feeling well enough to make it. We hugged outside the car and
her parting words were "Let's say goodbye like I will see you
tomorrow".' (The hug itself was deep and i could feel its warmth and
motherly love flowing through my soul however the words very few which
was best.)

'Zac,Adhil and I heading to the airport.'

'Arriving at the check-in counter and there was Mariette awaiting my
arrival with a vida coffee for me.'

'Yasmin,Cashel,Aunty Lolie,Tatum,Zac,Mariette,Adhil and I having a few
last laughs and chit-chat in the food court area at the airport.'

'The final goodbye hugs and words exchanged before I headed through
the gate-each so special and unique.'

In 2010 I had shut closed the lingering idea of one day going to
experience working in Dubai and I had decided that I will go on a
holiday at some point of my life to see what it's all about and get
the curiosity out of my system. As the new year 2011 dawned destiny
came knocking on my door banging it open and thats how it all began...

"Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only
connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots
will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something -
your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let
me down, and it has made all the difference in my life."~Steve Jobs

New day...new dawn

"However long the night the dawn will break."African proverb

My new work week begins...week three in the new role. So looking
forward to crafting this week.

Enjoy your Sunday peeps.

Miss you deeply

It was exactly a year ago that we were spending our last few days together...

I miss you deeply.

Dreaming

This morning I am dreaming of my bonding and catch-up time that I will have with family and friends back home in June. Can't wait to connect,re-connect and just be in your presence.

Can't wait to have marathon chats....

The power within me and you

Today I was reminded of the power that sits within me...SORAYA PATEL and all of us who walk this planet to make a change in some form. 

I am sharing this beautiful snippet from an email I received today from a manager of a department that shared the same office space with my ex-team and I in my previous role here in Dubai. 

"This short but sweet acquaintance meant a lot to me as well. It showed me how one positive influence had the power to change the overall mindset of two totally different teams which was to the reverse before you came.… I too learnt a lot from you but your soft and calm approach Hehehe!!!   No for that I will need to be born again….  But I will not stop trying…... I miss you big time."

A few images from the Argus

Thanks Yasmin for capturing the moments. I love all of the photos you took.

Well done once again to all the Jellies who participated.

Aroon and Heids these pics make me so so proud of you both!!!!! So inspiring.

This guy makes my life so much sweeter

Bali 2008

Charleston 2010

New York 2010

Dubai 2012

"He's my brother...."

My Latin-American inspired afternoon tea review

Below is the email I sent to the food and beverage management who invited me along....

"Being a fellow "foodie".... when the concept of the "Latin-American afternoon tea" came along for La Parilla I was most intrigued.

 

A lover of Latin-American music and food…this has me rather curious.

 

Yesterday at last Joanna and I managed to get to come through to experience this and put my curiosity our of its misery.

 

I arrived with no expectations and an open-mind. Of course the gorgeous location and airy venue sets the tone and I feel keeps the charm and class of an afternoon tea setting. I think having the guests experience sitting in high back arm-chair style seating adds to the unique tea that you offer.

 

The beautifully presented menu had me excited about what was about to come out of the kitchen!

 

Each course was beautifully presented. Everything was so neatly placed on the table and the selected gorgeous crockery and cutlery made the experience of the tea most enjoyable. This for me being a lover of the "afternoon tea" experience can make or break it.

 

Ok onto the delectable bits of confectionery delight and sandwiches….

 

After my first few bites into the attractive looking sandwiches I studied the ingredients closely and was so impressed with the breads chosen and the fillings.  We did indulge in a second round of sandwiches and don't regret it one bit!

 

Onto the scones….wow the unique idea of serving a trio of flavours was a highlight for me. My personal favourite was the passion-fruit accompanied by the guava as well as papaya exotic jam. I wanted to hit the "pause" button here! Joanna reallyenjoyed the guava jam.

 

Onto the next course of treats which were the selection of petit-fours…a grand mix of different types of textures and tastes. Each fork full was delicious and didn't disappoint!

 

I was now anxiously awaiting the macaroons. Another personal favourite of mine! Joanna and I fell head over heels for the "coconut and dulce de leche flavor". I have never come across that combination before. We shared this love for this particular one with you and thank you for the refill of this flavor. The truffles of course do get a mention as they too were in a league of their own.

 

Gentlemen all of this served with the beautiful easy drinking teas which were the "Mate" and the "Life and Beauty". Being a tea lover this was the first time I came across such a smooth tea(if I can even use the word smooth). It was as if I found an easy drinking wine. The "Life and beauty" has such a subtle fruity hint to it and went so well with the courses we were served.

 

I was sold on this unique experience when I got to the passion fruit scone and Joanna and I truly enjoyed this "unique" experience.

 

Thanks to the guitarist who played familiar tunes that evoked memories within me and spoke to my soul.

 

Alessio as mentioned to Lai directly her service was fantastic. She was attentive, pleasant and knowledgeable. She knew exactly what she was serving and spoke with a sense of great experience. (I have not had such pleasant experience in Dubai in a while)

 

Thank you for the opportunity to experience the tea and we will without a doubt be sharing our experience with the team.

 

This is definitely something that can take off!"

 

Today is the 2 Oceans Marathon back home

This morning while doing my little morning run I was thrilled at the thought of a few of my friends back home along with all the other runners getting ready to head to the starting line of the race today. That excitement!!!! I can't wait to one day experience that too. I envision the four Patel siblings doing this together along with some of our closest friends.

My running strength is on the rise and it really amazes me that out of my inner well I am able to pull out more strength as the weeks go by and I feel my running ability escalating to new heights. Small steps but I am getting there.

All the best to all of you running today. I really admire you!

My heart might need a jolt

April has arrived and I can't help but start reflecting on the year that has past. The 30th April marks a year since I arrived in Dubai.At this time last year I was ending off a chapter in Cape Town.I was wrapping up a long and memorable service at the Mount Nelson hotel,packing up my flat,selling my car,trying to spend quality time with my friends and family,planning all sorts of farewells and sharing in the love and joy of Adhil and Bridget's engagement. While juggling all of this there was my mum in the midst of my madness spending time with me. I was so lucky to have her there guiding me despite her inner turmoil and health challenges going on. She really gave me such strength to get through it all and no matter how much pain she within her body and soul we still managed to share some laughs and meaningful conversations. (I recall her standing between boxes in my flat and saying "You will look back and think of your mum being here in the chaos of you trying to sort your flat out.")Deep down inside we both knew that it was highly unlikely that we would be seeing each other again. I had to trust in my destiny chasing me and having forced me to open the door to going to Dubai despite me closing it in 2011. I had decided that one day I would just come here on a holiday to see what it's all about but that wasn't the plan it seems. My mum was at peace seeing me take this journey.

I have been speaking recently about having lost a ray in my rainbow over this past year and I thought post Thailand it was coming alive with colour again however this morning I have decided to be brutally honest with myself. Despite me trying to keep my channels clear and open and always keeping my face to the sunshine while naturally looking for the beauty in every moment there is a truth that lingers. This ray sitting alongside the other brighter rays of my rainbow is battling to bring its hue back. I honestly feel as if there is a small numbness in my heart and it's been there since mums passing. This morning I accept yes that I am human and that healing is a process. A process that cannot be rushed. It needs to run it's course.

I honestly feel like I need a jolt to my heart to kick start that numbness. Maybe a bungee jump or something ridiculous?! Ok...ok I surrender...I have consciously decided that I need to just be and let's things flow naturally and it's ok to have that feeling sitting there.

Thank you to all of you who offered support to me, encouraged me and were there for me. You really helped me through one of my most challenging years and I am truly grateful for this.

Happy Tuesday

Happy Tuesday peeps!

Go on...take the day to new heights of discovery within yourself today.

Books do come alive!

Today I plan on finishing the book I am presently reading called "In the kitchen" -Monica Ali.
It hasn't been the best read but entertaining nevertheless.

Check out this video link...it brings me such joy :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKVcQnyEIT8&feature=youtube_gdata_player