'When you Act Like a Lady and Think Like a Man'

Like Marilyn Monroe once said 'women who seek to be equal with men, lack ambition'.
Living on the 21st century in a modern world or equality, opportunity and even higher success for women compared to men, we still face the so called 'Gender Inequality'.
From cultures around the world to 1 or 2 generations behind, we still look at women as inferior to men; and when I am referring to this is not only career wise, also intellectual and even sexuality.

In a country like the UAE, where dating is as frequent as your morning cup of tea, I have seen and experience myself, going on a date is as easy as just a swipe right on Tinder or Happn. 
And I am sure most of you reading this, can relate to that, am I right?

When it comes to dating on this virtual world of technology, easy access and instant communication, both men and women have the same opportunity to find that significant other in just a swipe of a finger. But it is the first approach that justifies your intentions and most of the times mixed signals can be miss-read, either for fear of compromise or putting up your shield to avoid getting hurt.

But who am I to judge, we have all been there and done that, from the ladies wearing the pants, to the men taking them off, LOL.
I can't help but wonder, where do we draw the line? Do we all get to a point of being terrified of compromise, because we have still not tried it all? What more is out there? Would we miss out if we get hitched or perhaps miss out if we don't? What if that significant other turns out to be someone else? We all show our true colors eventually and our past defines our present and future.

After asking myself all this questions, it all came to one conclusion: 
We are who we accept others to be, therefore we change according to other's expectations. But there are those who stand out, who grow a back bone and stand up for who they are, regardless of other's opinion. And those who do so, are able to understand and put themselves in someone else's shoes.

Which has lead me, to becoming an independent woman with a voice, a clear opinion and high awareness of my self-worth. I have learned throughout my 6 years in Dubai, who to grow a pair of my own and 'Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man'.
And I have to  thank every ex-boyfriend, ex-hookup, best friends and friend of friends, every experience, every conversation and every lesson learned, has lead me to this one moment of 'Nirvana'.

Thank you, this one is dedicated to all of you, for being part of my wandering 'Odyssey': "A long wandering voyage marked by my many changes of fortune".

'This is a Man's World'

In the words of James Brown:
"This is a man's world, but it would be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl"

After long conversations over coffee, wine and cocktails I can't help but wonder why do we seem to be and feel so lost in a world where we coexist but collide at the same time?

Both men and woman are as puzzle and as lost about what we want out of relationships.
So I bring to the table the question: If in the 21st century, this may be considered a man's world why can't men wear the dresses when woman can wear the pants?
Like it or not, it will never be of who over takes and has the upper hand, at the end of the day it is about meeting each other half way and that ladies and gentleman, is the question to mingle upon.

I constantly face close friends and friends of friends, wonder upon why he says this, when I do that? or why she acts like this, when I thought she wanted that? 
In ONE word EGO.
In a world where overpowering each other over work, intellectual, love, wisdom we have come to a point of misunderstanding, where instead of appreciating each other's differences and mysteries; people tend to close up and defend in battle, instead of opening up to the unknown and exploring each other in all sense of that matter. 

I believe we are and we come as diverse individuals and there is a reason not a single one of us is or will ever be the same. Therefore, embracing our differences, complementing what we have and we can't have, will always make us as one, as a whole on itself.
Relationships are for learning, growing and getting to know that significant other with the end of growing together as one. 

People tend to believe in the intensity of being and living for who they are; as others hide in the shadows afraid to be hurt, to show their true colors, for rejection, for self acceptance and sadly and most important for 'social prejudice'.
Therefore I go back once again, to the authenticity of one's self worth.

'A woman/men who is unapolagetically 'themselves', is a woman/man comfortable in their perfect imperfection, born in their OWN skin'.

BE yourself, BE authentic, FUCK prejudice at the end this IS a man's and woman's world.

'The Ageless Maturity'

They say never kiss and tell. I say put it on paper! Therefore I write as I recall. 

As someone wise once said, age is no garantee of maturity, and as so many assume and so little do they know, 'those who reach a state of self-fufillment are those who live a rejoice in change'. 

In a world of endless possibilities never had I thought I would become one who would dare to date men up to 10 years older. An unexpected experience once knocked at my door and that like many others has self-taught me to embrace who I am; without pretending to be or become someone 'socially acceptable' or up to someone else's expectations.

Because 'Hey! They say our youth will fade away, we're young and wild if only for today!'

Therefore I said to myself c'est la vie, you only live once might as well make it worth it. 

And like a kid on the water, I jumped straight in no doubts, no regrets, no taking back steps. 

From the moment we met to the point that we set, we enjoyed every experience like there was no tomorrow. Carelessly we accepted each others differences and laughed at our similarities as we walked step by step. 

Like a roller coaster ride we had our ups and downs but one thing was sure, I remained to my true self. Regardless of who I am or where I come from or what I believe and stand for; appreciation, the essence of who I am as a person was kept as a depiction of myself; and that ladies and gentleman, should be the base of all relationships. Keeping to one's self authenticity and truth. 

But when that's not the case, thats when you know it's time to leave and fade away.

Someone once told me, 'men are like canvas, so white and clean like a brand new slate, that once a brush caresses its surface they slowly show their true colors.' 

Ever so frequently have I heard from friends and foes and even experienced myself in vain, the so called 'ghosting away', and I can't help but wonder, have we really gone this way?

Do we no longer deserve a verbalized explanation as to why the lack of interest and promises in vain? Sudden change or unpredictable mood swings? 

Relationships this days have for ever changed. Both the male and female roles in a relationship, disregarding equality has made men to no longer wear the pants, but 'pantie hoes' instead; that hold their egos so high up to cloud 9.

Both men and women have gotta turn it down a little and put both feet back on the ground. 

We are trying to live in a world beyond expectations. Where what we expect from that significant other is so Hollywood we would not even achieve it ourselves, so why put this pressure we can't even abstain?

Therefore I say 'change may be inevitable, but growth is optional'.
Embrace the beauty of change and grow as you choose to be who you want to become.

'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.