'In a Parallel Universe'

A few parallel universes over, I realize it is not a dream; I'm only afraid that I will miss things in life.

As time is ageless I wish life was like a painting, a dry permanent timeless painting. Where you can stop and live in in the now, without anxiously wondering what will be, in the next 5 minutes from now.
Its 12 o'clock in the early morning the thought of you crosses my mind like a comet, a split of a second a fragment of a memory its you, thats what you are when I think of you. A memory a lapses in time of memories to rewind.
Confused by the memories of others, you seem always blurry behind, behind every wall, every closed door, every failed relationship. Like my back up bone, you are always behind and it makes me wonder if its me who is blind?
You once said so clearly we can only be friends if either you never loved at all or you never stop loving. I go back in time and I get lost in that moment, it makes me wonder if Im also holding on, when I am trying to move on. You are my past and present and is so difficult to picture a future.
The past blinds as memories disguise.
I never thought love was real and now I think life is not real without it.
Sometimes is just about knowingly knowing the ending; as every beginning and middle, there is always an end.
Don't call it cynicism I am just a realist; realism keeps me away from love skepticism, as I believe faith in love will never be hopeless in vain.

'Caught Up In a Dream

I don't know what it is, who you are or what you do to me, but is that venom within you that intoxicates me, leaves me breathless, mouth mute and heart wide open.

After almost one year I can seem to shake the thought of you, every time you are back I fall right back into those empty arms of lust.

You wake up the demons inside of me, while I get lost into a sweet familiar serendipity.

Our vulnerable hearts lead us to an intense love embrace, but the cynicism within you breaks the odds, the possibilities, and me I just want more; part of me wants to change you, part of me wants to make you mine, but my hands are tied and my words I swallow in sorrow silence inside.

Is the things you do, the words you say, why is it so hard to let go of what you cant change?

Like the forbidden fruit of Eden your venomous bitter taste; burns like fire under the rain, penetrating deep inside like a bullet to the heart. 

You are like no sunshine when you are gone.

Expectations are inevitable to disguise.

I am caught up in a dream.

An endless dream without you in vain.

'The Skepticism of LOVE'

'First comes work, then comes marriage' at least that's what they say, but why have many become so cynical about the whole idea of finding that one true love? They say, why get hooked for life? when you can be motivated by you own self-fulfillment?

'We have been taught pursuing happiness is part of sharing its with someone else', but in a society where individualism is one of the most common factors that eventually leads to attention seekers, you often find those who give in so easily and those who get back even easier. By this means I do not only refer to sex, but the simplest way of reciprocating attention, by listening. Some want to be heard, while others want to be talked to and others want to be felt physically and emotionally.

But in a transitional city like Dubai. lead by capitalism and success, most of us prioritize finding that significant other, as the second, third or forth most important factor after work, making money and being successful; which surprisingly is most commonly practiced by women.

Women have evolved, we are no longer dependent on men, we depend and rely on no one ourselves, our self-fulfillment, satisfaction and actions.

Therefore it makes me wonder, how far have we've come, to become so self-determined and appreciate the monetary success more than finding our own happiness and having that want to share it with someone else?
Is it too hard to believe in a materialistic society you can't find love, peace and inner happiness before a successful career?

Call me a romantic fool, but I stand for my belief in love and I believe those who practice appreciation starting from themselves are the happiest no matter what comes along.

'Because in the end you will only regret the chances you didn't take, opportunities you let go and love you didn't loose yourself on'.

'The Cynic Romantics'

I cant help but wonder the irony of one who has been hurt and holds on to his pain reflected in his/her cynical disbelief on love.
Throughout my 6 years in Dubai I have met and seen those who have been hurt, those who enjoy hurting and those who hurt in reciprocation of being hurt.
I have seen those who see the opposite sex as meat and carelessly pretend to taste and digest, as the bitter taste of lust stays in their mouths.
One way or the other I have seen pain, regret and vulnerability that just leads to an endless circle of emptiness; so it makes me wonder when does this endless carrousel of unfulfilled inner-satisfaction gets to an end?

I have seen and learned that being cynical about love does not only hurt one but those around us, one is not only an influence but a transmitter of negativeness; and yes its inevitable but not unchangeable.
If having your heart broken, being cheated on or anything potentially worst, has been your trigger to cynicism; its has been, it has happened, let it be, let it go, let it flow. 
Learning to forgive without regret is the key to a cleansing restart, leaving the past where it belongs. 
Therefore, don't misjudge the potential future opportunities for fear of getting hurt.
Be open to the idea of something better, something unexpected is bow to happen and be surprised that not all men and women are the same we are just sinking in the same societal circle of mistrust. 

Dedicated to all my cynical friends who once gave up on love, who threw the towel and gave their backs to an open door. 
I know you will remember this when love suddenly knocks on your door at a time and place that you least expected.

'La vie est fabuleuse' when you expect without expectations.
xoxo

'Only Fools Rush In'

Dedicated to all hopeless romantics out there who like me, still believe in genuine, true and limitless love. 

Despite the distractions, the societal paradigms that limit us to be who we are, transparent with no fear, no limits and no regrets; there is still that one big part of us who is desperately waiting to blow in emotional sentiment. So why do we limit ourselves to feel, to express, to say what we want? 

In a city like Dubai where time flies by and everything is said and done in a split of a second, relationships can be an express-way to disaster. The faster it starts, the faster ends. So why rush down the railway?

They say 'don't chase the rabbit down the rabbit hole' because you know it will be gone, before you know it.

Therefore, why have we lost the essence of relationships, of having our daily companion, with whom we can transparently be who we are, no pretentiousness? We have become so damn obsessed with the social expectancies of what a woman and a men should be and behave like; that we can no longer be naturally who we are, but instead we pretend to be the best expected or the 'the b*tch' to be chased after. 

'Sooner or later true colors will show' so be proud to take a stand and be who you are and those who judge, let them talk, may they envy your self-appreciation.

I take a stand for all my frustrated friends out there for their lost of hope in relationships but their strong stand for their beliefs in love. 

I shout out for the acceptance of who we are, our standards, our self-respect and preferences; to remind ourselves that no one, is worth even a slight part of your package if he/she is not an option, then why make an opportunity? 

'Maybe some of us simply not meant to be tamed, but meant to run free until we find someone as wild to run with us'

"

'Midnight at 3000ft'

You may call me a hopeful romantic, but I don't find anything hopeless about believing in love. 

Cynicism is not my thing, I believe those who are eager and passionate to find their other-half; rejoice in satisfaction as they search among and walk on stepping stones.

Because the further you go, the closer you get and love will always await; until the right moment in time comes along and forever is spelled on our hearts and souls.

May the wind blow, where the river flows and love be dressed undisguised; cause in distance through time, souls may find their true selves and love each-other unconditionally.

Love is a word of diverse expressions, that one can only feel and express. 

May we find thy true love and share our achievements and success; and may no man rejoice alone and his happiness be shared with that one true soul, for one will never be forever alone.

'Je sais poete, et toi poesie' <3

'The 20 Something Generation'

Because the 20's are to figure it out, the 30's to settle in and the 40's to enjoy your success.

Settling in as a 25 year old cosmopolitan woman, in a modern on development country, is not an easy thing to do or say, but it is as fun and good as it gets when you live every transition, as an adventure.

When you welcome change into your life as a positive radical twist, what is to come and go becomes part of who you are and what you will become. 

Live a life of constant transition will make you evolve and emancipate into the men/woman that you desire to be. The only limits and paradigms are set by yourself; the world is on your hands not on your shoulders. Therefore is up to you, to determine your steps to success, because there is nothing in this life that is impossible to achieve. 

I was told once by someone I admire for her early developed success 'there are no limits to being sublime' because you are your own force to be reckoned with. 

So why wait in vain for life to take you where the river flows, simply take a breath of life and follow your intuition, because life is a short but memorable journey of achievements to be remembered.

'There are no limits to being SUBLIME'

Being and becoming your best self, the exuberant individual filled with positive vibes, characterized by a lively energy and excitement, is everyone's ultimate goal; but why can't this be our daily motivation?
When you are determined to excel the best in you, you not only come to a moment of eureka where you realize your self worth, but also how much of you is worth the appreciation by others.
In a country where we care more about our social acceptance and other's opinion about ourselves, we tend to forget who we are and we develop upon what other's say we are capable of being.
If only we could step out of that shell and realize how far we can go beyond the social paradigms, relationships would be more functional and therefore, both men and woman would demand from each other self-appreciation instead of degradation for each other's differences.

Think about it, if only we could focus on each other's good and positive characteristics, would we constantly pick up on each other's behaviors and differences? Would you actually care when someone tries to bring you down because you know who you are and this is simply YOU?
In a world ruled by social status and man stated social-structures those who are different, will never fit in, but those who think differently will always make a difference. Therefore, if you where not born to fit in do me a favor and stand out!
Be different, be yourself, wear your skin proud and standing ovation.  
Make every minute worth it, say what you need to say, learn from your experiences, learn your lessons, share your wisdom and thank all those who did good and wrong and realize that everything in this journey will always happen for a reason.
Dedicated to all my friends and family, saying two words 'thank you' is not enough.
To each one of you because you have taught me, loved me and understood me.

'A quarter of a life'

A quarter of a life, as the days pass by, flashbacks cross my mind like small fragments of a puzzle piece; pieces that perfectly match together creating this one prefect moment. Looking back, I cannot help but be grateful for every moment, every person and every circumstance that lead to who I am and where I am today.

Growing, learning and emancipating with determination and hunger for more to be and to become. These are the moments when I look back and say everything has a reason; a purpose of existence suddenly has a sweet taste in my mouth, every experience, every mistake, every lesson learned becomes a whole on itself.

A new era, a time of change, a year that marks a life transformation, the emancipation from girl to woman, the official recognition of independence, feminism and freedom. This is the time where every decision defines who I will be and become. Therefore, I seek opportunity with hunger for the future to foresee. 'Determination becomes my daily motivation'.
I want to thank every friend, every lover, every person who taught me a lesson, who was there when needed; for the love, the support and the shoulders to cry and party on. Each one of you has made a significant difference and without you nothing would be the same, as it is now in this perfect moment.
Thank you for 25 years of unforgettable memories, laughter, tears of joy and happiness, each and everyone of you has fed my hunger for life and excitement for more.

'Gracias por todo' with all my ❤️, xoxo
Maria

'Dreaming of a Sweet Serendipity'

• When you get the luck of finding valuable or pleasant things that are not looked for, that is what I like to call the beauty of expecting the unexpected in Dubai. 
• In a city filled with daily expectations, on a daily basis we dream and search for what we want, what satisfies us and gives us that momentary happiness. From your morning coffee, to the outfit you will take to work, what you will have for breakfast, lunch and where you will head for dinner and some after drinks. Unlike many cosmopolitan cities Dubai has its unique piece of mind, if you get to go with a smile on your face every day and wake up the same way; you know and appreciate every part of what many can't have. The daily desperation for more and better suddenly fades away.   Appreciation becomes the key to satisfaction. Sometimes you just need to unveil the beauty of the reality that lies in front of your eyes.
• 
  
• 'Morning Summer Fog'
  
  

'El Universo Conspira a Mi Favor'

I once met someone special, who taught me the meaning of this words.
When the universe brings you unexpected surprises we are bow to bend our head gracefully and inevitably accept what is given; specially when is something you have not asked for, opportunity suddenly becomes an unexpected gift of change.

I met this special someone at a moment in my life where I had it all, all in control, all on my favor. I was not looking for more and was not dissatisfied with less. I was simply balanced and centered with my self-fulfillment; but when he suddenly burst into my life, I could not deny a new opportunity.
I did not know how well he would float my boat, but in a quick lapse of time one thing lead to the other and days felt like weeks, and weeks felt like months. I somehow felt like I knew him for a lifetime, he became part of me, I became part of him.
He taught me to appreciate life in ways I took for granted and take chances as if there was no tomorrow, no regrets, no taking back steps. He somehow reminded me of my old self.
We knew our time was limited but with him opportunity was limitless. He truly made me believe, that everything happens for a reason and to you I owe waking me up from my routinely boredom.

When I look back I can only smile with joy, all the moments that we shared carelessly, as if there was no one around. You always made me feel like it was only you and me.
I cannot help but be grateful and happy that someone like you has stumble into my life, there is no better feeling than knowing there are others like me out there, who think as crazy, act as different and live each day as if there was no tomorrow.
You and I we where simply not born to fit in, but to stand out. You are and have been wonderful and I hope you live long to share your awesomeness with the rest of us and leave your print on many more, just like you did with me.

"Some people bring out the worst in you, others bring out the best. But there are those remarkably rare addictive ones who just bring out the most of everything."

I would like to dedicate this blog post to you, you know who you are.
I am glad our universe collide.

'It's Complicated'

In a country where opportunities to find love are limitless, where you can meet and date anybody from any corner of the world, Dubai is Pandora's box of dangerous love affairs.

Last night I had a epiphany of the meaning of two words: 'it's complicated'.

I met a special someone who's first perception seemed to be beyond perfection, but to my surprise those two words change my whole idea about him. I never thought in a 1000 years how complicated a situation could be until he said: I am 30 single ready to mingle, but I am a widower.

A shocking statement to my surprise. Not only I did not know how to behave after that, but everything I said or did made me think it may remind him of his current situation.

Therefore, I caught myself thinking how long are we willing to wait, until love eventually dies and stops knocking on our door? Between life and death, we will look back one day and hopefully we wont regret, the things we didn't say and the actions we didn't take. 

But are we waiting too long until love eventually dies on us?

Someone once wisely said "There are 5 simple rules to happiness: free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more and expect less".
Nevertheless, why should we give up on love? when one door closes another one always opens.
So why should we hopelessly shut our doors down and think there is simply nothing good out there? 

We have all been hurt, our hearts have all been broken and we all have something to leave behind and look forward to. So we may act defensibly to avoid getting hurt, but the key lies on your own priorities.
Being in love or infatuated, does not mean one's priorities should go down the hill. You should always be the first, your happiness should be your daily euphoria and whoever is lucky enough to share it with you, should always embrace it and appreciate it.

Therefore, 'If you cannot change the situation, learn to see it differently. If you can't change people, learn to understand them better'.

'Those Wicked Games We Play'

Those wicked games we play. Wicked games we play for love.
Such fools we are for what we wish for, when anything can be and anything can happen.
Life is a path of unpredictability and love will always be something no one can ever explain, but rather feel and live for. But when do you draw the line between love and infatuation?

I caught myself thinking about the sacrifices we frequently make for 'love' to have and keep what is unattainable. The hunger for what one can't have 'the fobbiden fruit of desire'.
Those unfufilled desires that drive us nuts and passionate for life, where we risk it all, with no regrets at all. And the fear and risk of loss, the passion and desire, all for a ceaseless love.

And from time to time, we are drawned into the past, hunted by our memories wishing for those that we once hold on to, to come back and those memories once more to become a present reality.
Why do we often desire for the past to be our present as the future passes right infront of us?

When it comes to love, how often do we tend to think and retrace the course of our relationships, always over analyzing  what could have been said and done?

We need to learn to swim out of the dark whole of the what if's, before we miss out on the opportunities of the present. I belive in love, as a state of mind where you draw your ideas outside the line. 

Don't play it safe, play it kind be yourself and you shall find.

'An Owe To Myself'

'I still got sand in my shoes, and I can't seem to shake the thought of you'
Infatuated, hunted by the moments we once shared, I can't seem to remember to forget you.
As the days pass by, your face slowly fades away, but your presence somehow still remains.

I found myself caught up in the thought of 'what if', wondering what went wrong why you went away. The fear of facing a warm embrace, reflected on your words in denial, your long overdue distance and empty space. You hold on to your pain, in your walls it still remains; reminding yourself not to go through that again; it blinds you from those who may have still remained.

Letting go of your past, is the hardest part in this case. But though distance in time you will find what others couldn't give you and appreciate what you couldn't see and embrace.
In your eyes I could see the doubt the fear of getting hurt again.
Self defensive, regretful and overly careful.
Boy oh boy, if only if only we could have known, how to get lost in each other's warm embrace.

No attachment, that is what we misplaced as our emotions took over and the inevitable made us this way. The thoughts of what ifs will forever remain.
It was a pleasure to have met you, your memory never in disgrace and the lessons your tough me this way, I can never repay.
Thank you for making my skin a little bit thicker, myself a little but wiser. You made me stronger.
Therefore, I owe to myself to never regret, to not take back steps and to always look back at you as as a lesson I'll never forget.

'The Awfully Familiar Truth'

I found myself thinking the other day, why is it that we always want is unattainable?We seem to love being challenged to what is hard to reach out for. Our sourroundings tell us no, while our mind is yelling yes.
We feel determined and highly motivated to achive what we cant have; to swim against the current until we hit bottom ground and sometimes that is when our expectations are no longer what we where looking for. And at that point, that is what I call 'the ugly truth'.

When it comes to relationships and reality shows its true colors, nothing is as good as it seemed, therefore we realize for what was it all worth? 

So I wondered is it a lack of determination, passion for life or a simple fear of aproaching the unknown? that leads us to become so difficult to be attainable and at the same time too available to those who dont want to be attained. 

Both men and woman have somehow gotten lost in transition and we have lost our determination to find the one. The one true love to spend the rest of your life with. I may sound naiive but I belive there are different kinds of love in this world, and the only way to attain those is to reach out to them.
Therefore we should live fearless, free and willing to have a taste the unknown. Open to new experiences and willing to learn from each other.

Life has its ways of teaching us how to achive what we least expect.

'The Dangerous Love Affair'

In a city of millions, everyone in Dubai has their own love story, from first love to love denied, to everlasting love and everything in between.
In the crib of amusement and success, love can be found but it can also be withheld. Many are willing to open up to the idea of falling in love all over again, betting all cards on their table and sometimes all eggs on one basket; those tend risk it all with no regrets at all, passionetley look forward to what might come next. As others rather take back steps and tend to keep it all safe in their pockets.

So I found myself wondering, just when you have finally picked up the pieces left behind form your last heart break and you hopelessly give love another chance, how many times are we willing to put ourselves out there and open up to someone new?
Do we constantly fall for the same kind or another one who might just bite the dust?

What is it about love that terrifies us to the core, where we get to a point of running a way without further explanation. Is it really that we are so scared to face what may happen if we give in too deep? or is it simply that we prefer standing on the safe side of our comfort zone.
How often do we take a chance to experience something new, someone different?

Change is constantly taught of as a warning, instead of an embrace for something better, something new, an opportunity for a positive outcome.
Someone once said 'at the end you will only regret the chances you didn't take, the things you didn't say and the actions your didn't stand for'.
I believe the past gives us the strength and wisdom to face our present, it builds up who you are today. Therefore, we should be thankful and embrace every experience, learn from it and look forward to what the future might bring.

Imagine what will it be of life, if our path would always be predictable.

Therefore be odd, be weird, be different, be careless and most of all be proud of who you are stand up for yourself with dignity and don't be afraid. At the end only your happiness and satisfaction will matter and those who you share it with, will be the lucky one's who appreciate it enough to be part of it.

Remember this, 'your life is yours, and yours alone' live it, love it and embrace it. 

'2015 New Year's Resolutions'

To be or not to be? that is the question...
A new year, a new beginning, new opportunities, new expectations and new perspectives. As the very first days of 2015 passed me by, I caught myself thinking, how much of a fresh start can we make in our new way to encounter, how far can we leave the trace of our past behind?

The year of 'closing circles' I though to myself, in order to create a clean blank slate, you must fist let go of what is holding you back to your past. Bad and old habits, ex-relationships, bad experiences, unreliable friends, unhealthy lifestyle, etc.
We constantly think of a new year, as a reboot as a new chance to make once more things right.
But how far do we stick to our promises? do we make of our resolutions a proposition or a done deal?
Someone once said to me, 'unless you close one door your won't be able to see another one opening.' So I wondered, do we miss out on opportunities for focusing our energies and efforts on what is not worth our time? When do we draw the line between our standards and what we require?

Throughout my experience on dating in Dubai, I have found so intriguing and amusing how a man's mindset can work. In a city of wonders and high expectations, we all think we can be and have better, satisfaction becomes a momentary matter of seconds, like an ADD where once you may think you are satisfied with something or someone, you turn the other cheek to check out the rest of your options on the table. If your head is nodding right now, you know that is true.
Just like women change their underwear, men change their mind. From relationship views, to short term and long term goals, jobs, girlfriends/boyfriends, friends and even taste of food.
When do men ever know what they want?
I have heard men can be fairly simple, but from my personal experience I have been faced with a couple of drama queens you don't want to mess with, lol. Since when have men become so complicated? When have we desmasculated men to the point of self-obssesion and narcism? has society become too demanding towards our gender differences?

In a country like the UAE and a cosmopolitan city like Dubai, being a single working individual is viewed as more than common and normal, but in terms of self-development it can be either self-fulfilling or a weapon of self-destruction.
As an individual, one has to learn to stand up for yourself in order to survive in a judgmental society, you must know your value, standards and self-respect, in order to demand from other's what you expect. As someone once said 'only those who are stable with themselves, can be well with others', so I encourage all my readers out there, let this be the year to find your self-fulfillment, to find your center and balance and believe in the realization that there is only you but no one else like you.

I wish you all a happy new year, may all the good and bad experiences of this 2015 build you up to become a better person, the person you desire to become.