spirited*s p a c e

OK, this time it's for real...

2008-04-21T05:56:00.000-07:00

Long story short, Dubai had put a block on Blogger blogs due a few pupils that had decided to write blogs about Dubai and about things that were basically not approved by the government here...and those that administer and govern the internet use and users. Silly people!

Anyway, so I am back, hopefully writing as often as I used to...hopefully being the key word there. I have an interview tomorrow and hopefully a few more lined up, and am starting my on-line class on Wednesday, and have been working hard on Pulp (more on that later), soooo....

Yeah hopefully I write often! You know, with all my free time.

So, basically I just found this really great organization on-line today, called Freecycle, please check it out and join your local group (they're everywhere!) and see what you can do, find, and how to be part of the earthy goodness that is Freecycle.

Enjoy...

As my lovely sister likes to say, Peace from the Middle East...

xoxox d:)

Test Post

2008-03-21T02:39:00.001-07:00

I am having trouble with blogger for weeks now, I can't access my spiritedspace.com blogspot...i may have to switch to another blog server, so please comment if you can read this, it would help me a lot, i am going to contact google now!!

d:)

It's been too long...

2008-03-05T07:20:00.000-08:00

Ok, first of all, sorry for the much to long of a break...I guess other things had my attention. I suppose I will just look at that as a good thing, considering there was a time when I had enough time doing not much else to write many posts a day....so yay for being busy!!!

Let's see if I can sum up what has been going on in a shorter version than what I would usually write...so much.

So yes, we shopped at DSF. A lot. More on that later.

Florence, Venice, Rome and Calabria were all wonderful places to be, a bit on the cool side, but it was refreshing, come to think of it, to be in scarves, coats, Uggs, etc. rather than flip-flops and tanks...although, don't get me wrong, I am overjoyed to once again simply be in cotton tanks with my little toes free from shoes!

Our hotel on Ponte Vecchio couldn't have been in a better location, simply wonderful and not too touristy and just lovely morning, day and night. We found our own little favorite stomping ground at Golden View and O Bar, and were sad to say goodbye our final night after dinner. We will return, for sure. We saw all the essentials - Il Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Santa Croce, Ufizzi, Piazza della Repubblica, etc... - and some non-essentials, which we luckily just stumbled across. Those are the best. We took tons of pictures and videos and can't wait to share our journey with our families and friends in April back home in Boston.

Calabria was surreal, for me at least. Being able to experience in some small way, the way Giuseppe and his family lived before moving to the States, their friends, family, experiences, surroundings, etc. It is an imperative piece of knowledge for anyone to know their loved ones history and upbringing, and this brought much to light and also just reassured me of the many things I love to much about Giuseppe and his (now my) family. His town is in the mountains, way up in a little place, seemingly cut off from the world, and yet, so beautiful and simple and organic, what an awesome place. I am sure I will have to more to say on our experiences at a later time...

Venice and Rome were some quick pit-stops for us, and for al intents and purposes, were lovely small mini-journeys to have as well. We got to family in Rome, which was so great, and some historical sites, like the Colisseum, which was awesome. Old Rome is lovely, New Rome, not so much, but still an experience. Venice was foggy and cold, but such a cool experience and had lovely pizza and went to San Marco, etc.

All in all, I am in love with Italy, and will go back, and also, I am soooo happy to be home in Dubai, warm, warm Dubai.

Back to the DSF, we won. We won 10,000 dhs. which is so great, considering how much we spent trying to win!!! Yay! We received raffle tickets for every 300 +/- dhs. we spent and one of our tickets was the winning ticket! We were so excited, neither of us has ever won anything, so that was all worth the pain-staking stress of buying things! Oh darn it, I LOVE SHOPPING!!!!

That is all for now, I will be sure to be back soon, like tonite or tomorrow, right now I am painting, and not feeling 100%, so just taking it easy. Hope everyone is still checking back....please do!!!

xoxox d:)

Check out some new Italy pics on flickr!

Shop around the world...

2008-02-11T00:44:00.000-08:00

I just can't seem to stop...it is awful.

If anyone is still wondering where I have been for the last few weeks, well, here it is:

shopping.

Not all the time really, I have also been at the gym, eating, walking, just out, painting, exploring and investigating Italy, Munich, etc. But all in all, I have to say that I have spent about 50% of my/our time shopping. In fact, I am tired. I AM TIRED OF SHOPPING. At least for now.

Now, arriving in Italy, that is a totally different story.

There are outlets, like lots of them, and not GAP or J.Crew outlets, but rather Gucci, Fendi, YSL, Balenciaga, Marni, oh my, oh my!!!! This trip I have a feeling is going to leave our bags a bit heavier on the way back to Dubai then on our way out...not to mention all the paintings of Giuseppe that we have to pick up! Wow! Italy, here I come!

Write more later, off to pack and work out!

xoxo d:)

trouble...

2008-02-01T23:38:00.001-08:00

i can't seem to post all my posts to blogger right now, i have contacted them, so...

i am keeping my fingers crossed.

keep checking back...who knows if this will even post.

d:)

Santa Ana's in Dubai...??

2008-02-01T10:21:00.000-08:00

We are having the most insane winds here in Dubai...I think even the workers were sent home...some of them at least.

Banners are blowing, temporary barrier walls fell down completely and I think the trees are just about uprooting outside our balcony! We heard it last night and it hasn't stopped all day/night and now we are reading that the wind should stop by Monday, bringing on temperatures around 13 degrees! (celcius, not fahrenheit). Giuseppe has just informed me that yet another barrier outside the wall of our building has fallen completely (being that our area is under 24/7 construction, we have tons of these temporary barrier walls, basically to block off the construction work areas from the finished areas)!

Anyway, that is what is going on here...things are slow moving on the creativity front, I have been working mostly on my sister, Melanie's, yoga brochures and marketing materials. I have also been drawing and shopping...ah, shopping. How I love this Dubai Shopping Festival! They should really have this in every country...brilliant!

I will post the stuff I do for Melly when I am done, before we head off to Italy in 12 days...yipee!

Oh yeah, and SKYPE rules! Finally, got to see my mom and dad today, and Luna too...she thought I was there b/c she could hear my voice! Cutie!

Ciao Italia!

2008-01-25T11:00:00.001-08:00

It is official - Giuseppe and I are heading out to Florence on the 13th of February (Valentine's Day a'la Italy!) for 17 days, with a few quick stints in Munich (yay for Bavarian chocolate!).

This is very exciting for us for a number of reasons:

1. This is my first time to Italy.

2. This is Giuseppe's first time home in almost exactly 11 years from moving to the states (March 3 will be 11 years).

3. This will be the first time I get to meet Giuseppe's other family members that don't live in the states.

4. This will be the first time that Giuseppe not only goes home to Italy but more special, and the most special of all the exciting reasons, Giuseppe gets to go home, like his house home in 11 years. The house where he grew up, the town he lived in for almost 21 years, the place where his paintings have been, where his entire family history resides, perfectly in place and preserved since the day they left. The hair on my arms is standing on end...

5. Oh yeah, this is our honeymoon. Not bad, eh?

This will be a very special trip for us...we will be staying in Ponte Vecchio, Florence the entire time, with trips to Calabria, San Marino, Pisa and Sienna, but we are just excited to be together, experiencing such a lovely place, Giuseppe's home, and just traveling together. The weather is to be cool, but hopefully sunny. I hate the rain, so I am hoping for not too much of that, but who cares....really, we'll be Italy!!!!!!! Yipee!

PS. G got new glasses, fancy and fashionable glasses-I'll post pictures on Sunday when they come in! So H-O-T!!!!!

Love d:)

NYE 2008 & Amsterdam, Part 1

2008-01-22T08:47:00.000-08:00

Well, I am more than happy to let you all know that the pictures of NYE 2008 (mostly Zareena, Zareena, and more Zareena!) and our first of 2 trips to Amsterdam (we hit the city again in April on our way home) are up on flickr! (Giuseppe finally found a card USB to transfer the pics...good hubby!) I will be posting some Christmas pictures too of Carmela & Jason's in Wisconsin, and although I unfortunately didn't take any in RI (bummer), please know that we had the most wonderful time in RI this year and my family was really understanding about having a December 29th Christmas morning this year...now be prepared for our 2009 Christmas plans - we are hopefully heading off somewhere like Paris for the holidays! F*#k the gifts, we want to go and have fun!!!

NYE 2008: We went to Zarak & Fatima's in Salem this year, they just moved into a new townhouse in a nice area, and we were thrilled to be there with them, and other friends, including Mr. Wayde! It was a rather low key night (although I hate to say, we are not NYE party-goers, so you will most likely not glimpse too many of those occasions!), with good food, music, dessert, wine and champagne and Zareena, who partied on with us until the wee hours of the morning...with a quick nap in there for about 20 minutes. Oh, and many, many cell phone calls. She is one popular - and chatty - little girl! We left at around 2:30 am and headed back to Billerica, and then chilled the next day and headed back to RI the 2nd, due to some snow! It was nice, next year, maybe we will try and live it up!!!

Amsterdam: This is a great city. We didn't have even good weather to view it, but even in the wet and cold, it has this chic Euro-punk feel to it, the most pedestrian friendly city I have ever been to...really neat to see all the bikes...I mean, ALL the bikes. I think I saw 1 car for every 100 bikes. That is one moving city. It has a feeling of carnival with all the lights, signs and people, and yet feels really old and historical like London does. We walked around all morning, and got to experience the city as 2 people and then as part of a crowd of thousands of strangers, as the city awoke.

We took the tram a few times, viewing the city, and also headed to the Reijk Museum and to wander around the park, eat some dutch waffles, drink tea...it was a nice time. Unfortunately, we were beyond tired (to the point where my bones hurt) and so we headed back to Schipol and slept for a few hours, before heading on the last leg of the journey to Dubai. Home, sweet home. And our plants were still alive, to boot! Yay!

Check out the pics at flickr!!!!

Bye..d:)

Shop 'til you drop...

2008-01-22T01:42:00.000-08:00

Dubai Shopping Festival is upon us (that is right, we actually have a 32 day stint where shopping is even more publicized than usual to, you know, get people to shop more than normal-is that possible???).

The entire city turns into one big festivity of shopping, entertainment, raffles, games, etc. It is crazy, I think...I haven't taken part. Yet.

Giuseppe and I were at the mall the other night and I noticed that there were tons of sales (not something you see often here at all), like 60-75% off at Topshop, ALDO, etc. I just passed it by. I was not there to shop (I know, shocking!), but now I know...it's DSF time!

The festival is actually a time that the government started as a way to bring up the economy some 10 years ago, to bring tourism and trade into the Emirates. I am thinking they have been successful. I can't imagine they are still doing it for the "economic boost." We need no more boost here.

So, I am off this week to take part in, well, the festivity of SHOPPING! I think every country should have this...it makes you feel better about shopping a lot but saving, and here we really save because we are a tax-free nation, so....

Hopefully we will check out some of he other things too, like the games, rug festival with all handmade rugs from Kashmir, Iran, Turkey and Afghanistan. I bet they are just beautiful...and we may try and make our way back over to the souks for this thrilling time...it is sure to be crazy.

Love d:)

***Note: There is still no images up yet. We can't use our secret weapon for downloading, we will have to go and buy a USB card holder, so we can just remove the card from the camera and insert it into the computer that way...sorry for the wishful thinking on my part yesterday. Perhaps none of you even care, but I really look forward to sharing with you all our Amsterdam trip and Christmas and New Years festivities.***

Back to my old self...

2008-01-21T00:24:00.000-08:00

(Note to self: be prepared next time.)

I am here! I am back! I finally have the gusto and peace to write again, regularly.

I guess I needed more time to readjust than I thought...

The jet lag has been terrible and Giuseppe and I have found ourselves getting up anywhere from 7 am to noon, with naps in between at times. Crazy. But little by little, I feel whole again.

So, hello! And hello 2008!

Dubai has welcomed us back with big, open (at times, wet) arms - the weather is cool, well, 60's and 70's (sometimes, even high 50's - gasp!), but when you get used to 80's at night, you can see my point.

The city is still booming, never stopped despite our venture back home...I guess it lived on without us. The sky has been more cloudy than usual, but I suppose it is refreshing - and a nice touch of reality - that this place is not always fun and sun in the sky, no clouds, just perfection. If this is winter, I can handle it. At times, it even feels good to have to put on a hoodie to go outside, just a little nip in the air that runs through you enough to give a chill. Feels, well, good.

Other than that, lets see if I can catch you up with everything that is going on.

First things first, before I forget, I will be uploading images to flickr today (yay!) - although we haven't found our USB, we have found an alternate route, so stay tuned for that. In addition, I will posting another post here on Blogger, with images, for those of you who are fans of reading my babble, and seeing pics too. They will include a recap of our last weeks in 2007, and our trip to Amsterdam, in some fashion...maybe a few posts will handle all this excitement.

Second, Giuseppe and Wayde have been hard at work on their brochure mailer, and updating the site, some renewed design ideas for both, etc. Their building was accepted - with a respectable and firm handshake - by the first committee and it is now moving forward until it reaches D.M. (Dubai Municipality). We have no doubt about this process going very well - perhaps with a few changes here and there. I am just really, really proud of them. Not bad for their first BIG commission. Not bad at all...

In lieu of not having major work during this period, the three of us have decided that this is a grande time for some traveling. Giuseppe and I will be taking an overdue honeymoon to, well, somewhere. There are a number of places we have researched, including going to Italy and visiting Giuseppe's hometown, Spain, South of France, and some islands as well...we have also looked into going nowhere at this time. The latter not being my favored option, but...

I will keep you posted! Any trip is a great experience, so I am up for some travel right now!

So, today, we are headed over to hunker down in the Tardif flat for an afternoon of computer-geek business - website, brochure, iTunes, syncing, etc. We are a bunch of plain ol' tech geeks. Sometimes, we all sit together, on 2 laptops and our iPod Touches, man, we are consumed by technology. Oh well, sue us!

I will be back in a bit with some more images for your viewing pleasure - yay photos!

Bye for now...

d:)

Happy 2008 all!

2008-01-15T21:31:00.000-08:00

I am deeply sorry for neglecting my blog for the last few weeks, but I have to be frank: I needed my time with family and friends and away from the computer screen. Honestly, that is all. It wasn't because I had nothing to say (as if THAT would ever happen), I really was just enjoying being home, eating, celebrating, gifting, etc. All the good stuff, that unfortunately, had little to do with sitting down and writing.

But needless to say, HAPPY 2008!!! I hope that you all had such a great time for the holidays as well, and rang in the New Year in your own special way...

Giuseppe and I had quite the whirlwind trip, from sitting on runways for hours, to delayed flights and lost baggage, to lots of time with new babies, friends and mom's and dad's and sisters and brothers...and in the end, here I sit again, back in Dubai, welcomed by tons and tons of rain, ready for another really exciting year!

First things first: I got a new MacBook PRO! Finally. It is just lovely, I still have to get a few accessories, etc. but it is just so awesome to know that I can get back into web designing with iWeb (I know, it is no really designing the whole thing, but I really love using it!) and playing around with photos, music, etc. and I don't have to worry about using someone else's computer all the time.

We also are thrilled for the trip we are about to take. We spent a day in Amsterdam on the way back here, and that is a pretty neat and amazing city, and now we are looking into planning a few weeks away for our delayed honeymoon...so far, we are thinking: Florence/Milan, Barcelona, Paris, India, and also some islands, Wayde wants us to meet him in the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean, so we are really having some fun looking into things!

If anyone has any ideas or places they think might be worth looking into, let us know!

I will post all the images in flickr soon, and also on here too, but unfortunately, we lost the USB cord...so we have to get one. I will keep you updated!

Miss you all already, but are looking forward to a great year of visits from everyone - hint hint:)

Love d:)

Home for the holidays...

2007-12-15T09:12:00.000-08:00

L to R: Ski Dubai: London, UK: Boston, MA: Providence, RI: Madison, WI

Well, the time has come and Giuseppe and I will be boarding a flight from Dubai to London to Boston at 2:55am Monday morning...not a great time but cheap tickets! Gotta save, save, save!

We are beyond excited to go home, to see family and friend, and although this years celebrations will be different in the sense of a typical Christmas morning with my family and then day with Giuseppe's family, or vice versa....the traditions and excitement that lurk behind just being together and seeing each other laughing and take pictures and eating and drinking....well, that will never change, no matter where we are or when it happens. The holidays should really be about being together, with everyone, with new little ones (Ally G.) and grandparents (Mem-er) alike...uniting.

Can't wait to see everyone and post new pictures and stories when I return...I may be posting when I am at home, but with all the traveling and much-needed family time, I may have better things to do....

Love d:) Happy Holidays! See you again around New Years...make your 2008 wish!

Designer for the design-er

2007-12-12T09:14:00.000-08:00

I am always on the look out for cute and chic sketchbooks and notebooks to doodle ideas and illustrations into-and I got a few recently, and I realized, this is ironic: I am buying designer sketchbooks for my own designs. But I suppose nothing better than designer for the design-er.
Check out some of these colorful & creative covers for your own creations:
(you can find most of these on Jenni Bick Bookbinding)

Bridging Cultures, Meeting Minds: DIFF is here!

2007-12-10T03:29:00.000-08:00

The Dubai International Film Festival has arrived with a bang, and there are stars from Hollywood, Bollywood and the Arab world at large. George Clooney and Sharon Stone were on the red carpet last night outside Madinat Jumeirah for the 4th Annual DIFF, and here are some pictures of the area and the carpet....yay! I guess my personal invite got lost in the mail..yeah, that's it ;)

2modern:Danielle Colosimo, Middle East Correspodent

2007-12-08T04:40:00.000-08:00

Just wanted everyone to know that 2modern Design Talk has posted my official bio:
Read it here. I am at the bottom. Hey, not bad for a few months in the blogging business!
I am so cool, so cool, cool, cool. OK. That is a subjective point of view, but really c'mon, I am pretty cool. giggle-giggle.
Love d:)

Spirited Souk

2007-12-08T02:56:00.000-08:00

Giuseppe and I headed over to Bur Dubai and Deira this weekend for a little taste of the Dubai trading lifestyle. One word: amazing. One bit of advice: bargain.

This place was a mecca of smells, colors and sounds that you just don't really experience (at all) in the more up-scale shopping districts of Dubai, ie. malls, boulevards, boutiques, high-end dukkans, etc. Even if you wander into Al Jaber Trading Company or the Camel Company in the malls, seeking out hand-carved wooden camels or silk & cotton Pakistani & Indian rugs, you don't experience the life behind these items. In the souks, it is a totally different story.

People are moving fast, rummaging through shoes, t-shirts and pashminas, tossing aside each handful as though they know there is a better treasure lurking below. They are seasoned veterans at this, clearly. There is an overall smell of must and body oder mixed with strong Arabian perfumes, and the colors could blind you, they are so bright. And the shop workers (not sure I can call them owners, since I am not sure who owns what around here) can sniff out a prime shopping suspect like no other: Giuseppe and I apparently had "Come and get me" written across our foreheads. We had men walking blocks to try and lure us into their shops, selling the "best fake bags and watches you have ever seen," as if they had a tracking device watching our every step. And who can blame a man who sells the best fake anything...you gotta give him credit for taking pride in what he sells, fake or not.

Let me first say that our overall experience was one that will have me going back for more. I will take a day at the textile souk any day over a day at Harvey Nichols or H&M - well almost. But this time, I am bringing my own calculator. Bargain is the name of the game in these souks. They got the goods for nil and they want dollars - in fact, when you say 200 to their 240, they say "dollars?" knowing straight-away that you mean dirhams. Can't blame a man for trying.

This is how Giuseppe fairly summed up our shopping extravaganza: we got screwed at our first stop, bargained down the price at our second and were near pros by our last. Our last stop was the most fun: we promised to purchase 5-6 items (Christmas gifts, so I can't say) for AED 200 ($54) and when they wanted more, we walked, saying we didn't want any of it then. And you know we got that last hand-carved multi-compartment wooden jewelry box (that was for moi) thrown in our bag quicker than you can say 'cha-ching.'

Here are some images of our trip on the dhow through Dubai Creek (on either side lives Bur Dubai & Deira, where we explored)the souk, the goods and our favorite finds:

Check out all our pictures of Bur Dubai and Deira on flickr.

Love d:)

OiOi

2007-12-08T02:42:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of our new niece arriving 2 weeks ago, OiOi has some new baby bags out:
Here are some of my faves:

Spirited Season

2007-12-08T00:33:00.000-08:00

Giuseppe and I are heading home for the holidays in 2 weeks, and I have been feeling so sentimental lately: wanting to have been there with my parents to get the tree this past weekend, eating Panatone with Lucia over espresso while the boys laugh and argue lovingly, getting all excited to see my sister at the airport, since I am usually home before she gets in from California, going to see my Memere in the afternoon to see how she is, and chat, eyes roaming around the room looking at memories of my Pepere. I miss all that right now.

It is true what they say: you don't know what you have until it is gone. And I don't say that in the traditional sense: it is not gone from my life, or myself. However, I just feel far from it now, and I realize more and more, as I get older and live into life, what memories and family and uniting is all about. I always say that I feel blessed that both Giuseppe and I come from close families, and we, as a huge extended family, are equally as close. I feel fortunate. So blissful.

In the spirit of the season, I thought I would share this poem by Maya Angelou with everyone - she is a favorite of mine - to just remind us all to be at peace with family and friends, to cultivate peace and recognize how truly blessed with are for the little things that at times, we take for granted: like snow, gladness, peace in all of our souls.

Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem

Thunder rumbles in the mountain passes
And lightning rattles the eaves of our houses.
Flood waters await us in our avenues.

Snow falls upon snow, falls upon snow to avalanche
Over unprotected villages.
The sky slips low and grey and threatening.

We question ourselves.
What have we done to so affront nature?
We worry God.
Are you there? Are you there really?
Does the covenant you made with us still hold?

Into this climate of fear and apprehension, Christmas enters,
Streaming lights of joy, ringing bells of hope
And singing carols of forgiveness high up in the bright air.
The world is encouraged to come away from rancor,
Come the way of friendship.

It is the Glad Season.
Thunder ebbs to silence and lightning sleeps quietly in the corner.
Flood waters recede into memory.
Snow becomes a yielding cushion to aid us
As we make our way to higher ground.

Hope is born again in the faces of children
It rides on the shoulders of our aged as they walk into their sunsets.
Hope spreads around the earth. Brightening all things,
Even hate which crouches breeding in dark corridors.

In our joy, we think we hear a whisper.
At first it is too soft. Then only half heard.
We listen carefully as it gathers strength.
We hear a sweetness.
The word is Peace.
It is loud now. It is louder.
Louder than the explosion of bombs.

We tremble at the sound. We are thrilled by its presence.
It is what we have hungered for.
Not just the absence of war. But, true Peace.
A harmony of spirit, a comfort of courtesies.
Security for our beloveds and their beloveds.

We clap hands and welcome the Peace of Christmas.
We beckon this good season to wait a while with us.
We, Baptist and Buddhist, Methodist and Muslim, say come.
Peace.
Come and fill us and our world with your majesty.
We, the Jew and the Jainist, the Catholic and the Confucian,
Implore you, to stay a while with us.
So we may learn by your shimmering light
How to look beyond complexion and see community.

It is Christmas time, a halting of hate time.

On this platform of peace, we can create a language
To translate ourselves to ourselves and to each other.

At this Holy Instant, we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ
Into the great religions of the world.
We jubilate the precious advent of trust.
We shout with glorious tongues at the coming of hope.
All the earth's tribes loosen their voices
To celebrate the promise of Peace.

We, Angels and Mortal's, Believers and Non-Believers,
Look heavenward and speak the word aloud.
Peace. We look at our world and speak the word aloud.
Peace. We look at each other, then into ourselves
And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation.

Peace, My Brother.
Peace, My Sister.
Peace, My Soul.

Love d:)

I am 2modern!

2007-12-05T07:52:00.000-08:00

Hey....
My first post is up on 2modern!
It is titled: Modern Middle East: Part i, The Louvre Abu Dhabi by Jean Nouvel.
Check it out! It is dated the 29th of November, so you have to scroll down a few...
I am feeling really excited and although this is not the best post, I only have confidence that they will get better...I'm still learning!!!
There will be a 4 part series, called Modern Middle East...so keep reading!
Next up: Part ii, Abu Dhabi Guggenheim by Frank Gehry
Love d:)

Food for Thought?

2007-12-04T11:21:00.001-08:00

I didn't know what else to do after reading this paper. I had to post it for the simple reason of hoping that others will read it: that it will reach a larger audience than the 5 people she sent it to. My cousin, and anthropological passion-ista, Renee, has written this intriguing, intricate perspective on anthropological environmentalism, looking primarily at human ecology, green primitivism and studies of the New Age movement, ultimately suggesting her thoughts on the interrelationships on myth, humanity, religion, ecology and society economics and ethics.

I received my BA in Anthropology and so perhaps this has a deeper impact on me because it sort of turned on a switch for me, getting that academia wheel churning once again...but I hope that anyone who is looking for something to read other than Us Magazine, Yahoo! News, CNN or even NPR, you too can enjoy this real-life account of a studious girl in DeKalb, Illinois. Working for her dreams of becoming a primatologist.

Here it is: It's long. But enjoy, read it entirely and feel free to comment. I know this is out of the realm of my typical posts, but what is better than dispelling typical?

Green Primitivism and the New Age Movement:

An Anthropological Perspective on Environmentalism

Renée M. LaRocque

Introduction

Environmentalism has gained prominence in the political, social, intellectual, and religious domains of contemporary American society. Of long-standing interest to anthropologists (Little, 1999), it has more recently become popularized in modern American culture (Milton, 1996). A major shift to a greener sustainable life-style is on the rise in the developing world. From a worldwide concern with the effects of global warming to the everyday responsibilities of recycling, we are constantly reminded of our human impact and ecological footprint on the earth. What is man’s place in nature and what is our ecological responsibility as a species?

The notion of ‘primitive ecological wisdom’ has played a fundamental role in both the development of the Green Movement and the New Age religion in America. This paper critically examines this philosophy from an anthropological perspective by integrating research findings in the subfields of archaeology and cultural, linguistic, and physical anthropology. My research methods involved conducting a literature based review of green primitivism, ethnographic studies of the New Age religion in America, and human ecology. More precisely, this paper addresses the following: (1) environmentalism in anthropological thought, (2) the myth of primitive ecological wisdom, (3) the New Age and Neopagan movement, (4) spiritual ecology, and (5) man’s place in nature: the future of humanity. The results of this study suggest that (1) anthropologists are required to dispel the myth of primitive ecological wisdom; a return to a balanced ecological state is a fantasy (Milton, 1996), (2) it is unknown to what extent the New Age movement will create an ecologically sound society, (3) the New Age agenda is suspect, and (4) humanity’s interaction with nature is not ecological but economic (Rappaport, 1984).

The term environmentalism refers to an “explicit, active concern with the relationship between human groups and their respective environments” (Little, 1999:254). The interface between human culture, biology, and the environment has played a dominant role in scientific discourse and anthropology in particular. This paper is primarily concerned with that aspect of human behavior that goes beyond the physical environment and human activity – the cultural pattern of human behavior, the collection of specific objectives and values which shape knowledge and belief (Steward, 1955).

Environmentalism in Anthropological Thought

The concern to protect the environment is undoubtedly a reflection of us as human beings, as individual organisms living in an environment and subsequently learning about that environment through our interaction with it (Milton, 2002). A human being’s environment is social; each individual is a product of their own social experience. This is not to say that as social beings humans can only gather information from other like-beings. We are also capable of retrieving information from non-human beings in the environment (Milton, 2002), such as non-human primates. Our views of nature are nevertheless rooted in our personal experiences. While some view non-human animals as sole objects of human use, others focus on their conservation. As conscious beings – a feature which presumably distinguishes us from other animals – we experience feelings which in turn guide our actions (Milton, 2002).

Science has in a sense replaced religion in determining what constitutes ‘truth’ (Milton, 2002; Rappaport, 1984). The strength of science lies in its fundamental principle of systematically questioning its findings (Milton, 2002). This differs from myth-making in the realm of religion (Milton, 2002). What unites anthropology and Neopaganism is their inception. As anthropology turned to the ‘primitive’ and the Other as an inspiration for “how to right the wrongs of Western society,” contemporary New Age religion represents “a continuation of this critical impulse in Western culture” (Magliocco, 2004:203). Anthropology is primarily responsible for the public’s awareness that undisturbed indigenous peoples have long-term sustainable ecological practices (Kempton, 2001). Responsible for creating this myth in the first place, anthropologists are required to dispel the notion that human beings have a natural capacity to live sustainably. This popular fantasy persists in the 21^st century to give environmentalists hope that there is an easy solution to environmental problems. Unfortunately there isn’t one (Milton, 1996).

Myth of Primitive Ecological Wisdom

The myth is that primitive societies, shorn of the artifice of civilization, are in harmony with

their environment through the wisdom of their folkways and that it is only the foolishness and wickedness of modern society that has rejected this. (Ellen, 1986:8)

Do indigenous peoples know how to conserve resources in ways which we have lost? Although hunter-gatherers are intimately connected to their environment (Kenrick, 2000), not all indigenous peoples interact with their environment in an eco-friendly manner (Little, 1999). To the contrary, people are prone to act in destructive ways (Milton, 1996). Although many tribal societies have achieved a state of ecological equilibrium, there are many examples of non-industrial societies destroying their forests. Interestingly, this myth is not only imposed by romantic environmentalists but is capitalized by indigenous peoples in attempts to promote themselves (Milton, 1996)!

Simpler cultures are indeed more conditioned by the environment than advanced ones (Steward, 1955), but only because their populations are small and therefore they have little impact on the environment anyway (Ellen, 1986). As Rappaport (1984) illustrates in his study of the ritual ecology of Papua New Guinea peoples, the Maring were not conscious ‘actors’ who intentionally minimized their impact on the environment. Minimal environmental damage is not the result of concerted population planning (Ellen, 1986). The idea that primitive human societies have a privileged access to “knowledge” of how best to manage environmental relations is a fantasy (Ellen, 1986; Milton, 1993).

The accumulation of anthropological research on hunter-gatherers have revealed that no human population has ever been completed isolated, and many of these “primitive” societies have been part of wider – often global – systems of exchange for many millennia (Barut-Kusimba, 2003; Ellen, 1986; Kenrick, 2000; Woodburn, 2000). It is not the conscious decision-making abilities of “tribal” actors so much as the consequence of a particular demographic, social structural, subsistence and ecological complex that is responsible for the development of a state we consider ecologically ‘balanced’ (Ellen, 1986). More importantly, once indigenous societies come in contact with the Western world they “reveal the same capacities, desires, and perhaps needs to overexploit their environment as did our European ancestors” (Redford, 1990:27; reviewed in Little, 1999).

The New Age is Upon Us

New Age and Neopagan beliefs and practices signify a trend in American religion at the end of the 20^th and beginning of the 21^st century that resists institutionalization and values personal experience rather than empiricism. Their ultimate goal is “planetary consciousness” whereby the human species will live in global ecological harmony with the natural world (Pike, 2004).

Most religions have myths and Neopaganism is no exception. A myth refers to “sacred narratives believed to contain hallowed truths about the origins of things as they are today” (Magliocco, 2004:188). One such myth concerns the Age of Aquarius. The return of Quetzalcoatl, the Mayan god of peace is expected in the year 2012, and is based on the Mayan calendar’s 5,200-year Great Cycle (Pike, 2004). New Agers believe that 2012 is the coming of a New World Order, where those with primitive ecological wisdom will survive and the rest of us will perish:

If an evolved group will lead the way into a utopian future, everyone else will be left to a different fate. In a version of apocalyptic thinking that bears a striking resemblance to that of conservative Christians who believe the Rapture will remove true Christian believers from the tribulations of earth, leaving everyone else behind to suffer. In this way some New Agers affirm their unique role in history and their place in the future. They are the enlightened ones who will advance the course of evolution. (Pike, 2004:150)

They believe that an ecologically sustainable relationship to the natural world will characterize the future age when humans will live harmoniously on earth (Pike, 2004). They consider themselves as “part of an advanced group whose consciousness has evolved beyond the rest of humanity” (Pike, 2004:149).

Another myth involves the origin of humanity. Primitive man “stumbled upon mushrooms” which they subsequently consumed; consequently, man had an “ah-ha! moment” which resulted in our current cognitive capacity and ability to reason (i.e., knowledge/awareness ensued). This is simply a reflection of the New Age belief in personal transformation which often occurs through the use of hallucinogenic drugs. They believe these substances allow them to perceive the ‘true’ order of things. They believe they must align themselves with the expected global shift (coming of the Age of Aquarius), which is only possible if they undergo a personal initiation that may be difficult and painful (Pike, 2004). This conjures up images of stories of all-night drinks (a special brew of a medicinal plant from South America) where an individual expels the demons from their body and soul to cleanse the mind and spirit. They see this as part of their personal responsibility for not only their own health but the health of the planet (James, 1993).

Why have neo-pagan philosophies been resurrected in contemporary society? Luhrmann (1993) believes this is because people seek a powerful emotional (Milton, 2002) and imaginative religious experience. It was also ignited by the growing political power of environmentalism in Europe (Luhrmann, 1993). Seventy-five percent of adult Americans identify themselves as “environmentalists,” which illustrates how this category has become intimately linked to personal identity (Kempton, 2001). Luhrmann (1993:232) offers the following to explain the current rise in New Age beliefs and practices:

And perhaps neo-paganism suggests that imagination not only articulates life experience but ultimately is what is most real about that experience and also most human, that imagining the unimaginable, giving meaning to the meaningless, even transforming violence into creativity, are what being religious, and being human, are about.

Religion functions to create order in a chaotic and random universe, and ultimately succeeds in bringing

the population “under control” in state societies. Feelings of powerlessness among the general population

is why people turn to religion in the first place.

Contemporary American New Age culture has been difficult to label, categorize, and even locate

(Brown, 2004), since New Agers do not have a centralized place of worship. There are a number of

nature sanctuaries in Northern Calfornia, for example, such as Gaia’s Oasis or Harbin Hot Springs “New

Age Growth and Spiritual Center,” which provide a means of inscribing beliefs onto the land and

interacting with the spirit entities that live there. The New Age is a religious movement in the sense of

this spiritual component, but differs from religions of the past in lacking a centralized meeting place.

I believe this religious movement is nothing more than an historical artifact, a culmination of all beliefs

which have come before – a collection of Taoist, Buddhist, Hindu, and Christian philosophies. The

radical nature of New Age philosophy – with its command for how we “ought to live” – is often viewed

as threatening and dangerous (Magliocco, 2004; Pike, 2004). Consequently, New Agers are low caste

in society – that “primitive” Other – reminiscent of contemporary hunter-gatherers:

One obvious response to low status and negative stereotypes is to be elusive – to avoid not just control and authority but also commitment, controversy, and confrontation, especially in dealings with people outside one’s own community. Facts about the people and their life become elusive like the people themselves. (Woodburn, 2000:78)

New Agers are often committed into permanent communal situations, which provide a means to avoid the control and authority of the state (Pike, 2004). Low status is what enables their very existence as living in the “interstices between and among established societies” (Barut-Kusimba, 2003:227). The shifting identities of these peoples make it exceedingly difficult to study them on the one hand, yet illustrates just how stable this way of life may be. They are “gypsy-like,” living a life that their neighbors despise while at the same time enjoying their independence (Barut-Kusimba, 2003:231). This characteristic of New Age culture is what enabled the creation of a new religion in the first place. By resurrecting Neopagan terminology (previously devalued by the dominant culture), they created an identity in opposition to aspects of mainstream society (Magliocco, 2004). This explains their focus on “power from within” as a means of resisting power and domination by the state with all its discourses and institutions, its negative impacts on the environment, society, and the individual (Magliocco, 2004:202). In order to make their theories seem more plausible to a secular world, New Agers often borrow from scientific discourse. This also functions to demonstrate their place among the elite who will be responsible for leading society into the new era (Pike, 2004). They knowingly and consciously construct themselves as the opposite of right society. However, from their viewpoint, “there is nothing ‘right’ about right society when its institutions are responsible for environmental degradation, human exploitation, violence, alienation, and nothing short of ‘the destruction of the world’” (Magliocco, 2004:202). This intentional marginalization on the part of most American Neopagans is essential to their ability to critique the dominant paradigm.

Spiritual Ecology

Indigenous peoples do possess environmental knowledge unknown to Westerners (Kempton, 2001). The new and expanding field of spiritual ecology offers an understanding of how themes of sacredness are crucial to ecological knowledge (Little, 1999). In some “primitive” societies, certain plant species are prioritized with a higher degree of protection if related to religious beliefs (Bandyopadhyay, 2001). Similarly, Rappaport (1984) argues that environmental relations understood in supernatural terms are governing while ecological formulations in modern societies are powerless. In this sense, spiritual ecology offers an alternative to the empirically grounded but ineffective environmentalism of the modern world (Rappaport, 1984). Minimizing environmental damage is possible in “primitive” societies since human interaction with nature is reduced to a single ecosystem. In nation-states, there is an expansion of land, resources, and human-environment relations. It is inevitable that a portion of such a territory will be degraded to the status of commodity, a “natural resource” to be exploited by the elite (Rappaport, 1984). Finally, higher biodiversity and linguistic diversity among traditional cultures compared to the “developed” world (Maffi, 2001) illustrates the need to preserve the indigenous life-way. If the entire planet spoke one language, ecological knowledge would diminish and our essential humanity would be lost (Kempton, 2001). Western medicine and human health depend upon this biodiversity. It is essential to our survival as a species.

Critique

Environmentalism offers an alternative to capitalist industrialism (Little, 1999). Although well intentioned, the extent to which such an optimistic and relativist approach will be successful in creating an ecologically sound society still remains to be seen (Radcliffe, 2000; Sponsel, 2001). It is unclear “whether the green movement is committed to democracy or is liable to fall for more dictatorial means to achieve its ends” (Radcliffe, 2000:205). More importantly, Radcliffe (2000:206) illustrates how such a radical world view is suspect:

Deep ecology, with the sense of moral superiority implicit in the name, lifestyle approaches and anti-rational affinity approaches with their New Age spirituality contain within them a sense of intolerance to alternative positions so that their claim to democratic sensibility is suspect.

Although Sponsel (2001) argues spiritual ecology is an “ecocentric environmental ethic” rather than an anthropocentric or egocentric one, I believe New Age spirituality is largely egocentric. The dominating paradigm of humanity in complex state societies is one of self-interest and increased specialization. The specialization of knowledge which characterizes modern New Age traditions (holistic health, etc.) differs little from specialized modern scholarship in advanced societies (Rappaport, 1984). As Rappaport (1984:327) illustrates:

In such societies highly ramified divisions of labor free the productive activities of most people from direct engagement with the natural environment and even those who are directly engaged are likely to be highly specialized.

In both cases (New Age and Academia), knowledge is held by a specialist. Indeed, even indigenous medical knowledge parallels that of modern medicine in state societies, with the exception that the former is called a shaman and the ladder a medical doctor (Kempton, 2001). Every human being is concerned with “make a living,” learning the necessities involved in “putting food on the table (Terrell et al., 2003).” From this perspective, the mode of production involved in “making a living” is the same whether one subsists sustainably or not, hunts and gathers rather than cultivates, or tends an organic farm instead of going to the local grocery store.

Our survival depends upon knowing what to do and how to do. Domestication of the ecological landscape is simply the ability of an organism in their respective environment to “know how to make a living there” (Terrell et al., 2003). In this light, man is neither above nature nor in control of it in any way distinct from that of other animals. The inherent notion in anthropology – that humans are superior to nature – constantly needs to be reaffirmed, suggesting that this notion may be a belief rather than a fact of life (Kenrick, 2002). The New Age notion that man will evolve a collective consciousness (as if at the end of a progressive evolutionary ladder) argues for man’s supremacy over nature and confirms the idea that man and nature are in opposition to one another (Bird-David, 1993). The fact that this belief persists in 21^st century thought indicates we have a long way to go before this is to be rejected.

Our Place in Nature and the Future of Humanity

Evolutionary biologist Niles Eldredge (1999) argues that humans have redefined their role in the natural economy of this planet by becoming an economic entity (similar to Rappaport, 1984) in a network of global exchange. We have violated the natural laws which govern other species. No longer bound by the limitations of local community living, our settled existence coupled with global exchange has enabled the human species to mushroom to some 6 billion people. It is this aspect of humanity’s ecological footprint on this planet that is responsible for the demise of the natural world (some 30,000 species go extinct every year). Homo sapiens are the cause of the current “sixth extinction” crisis. Our ecological responsibility as a species is to reverse the current trend in human population growth.

As socio-cultural evolution proceeds, the rate of growth of social and technological complexity accelerates so rapidly that we are not even aware of the processes that are taking place (Rappaport, 1984; White, 1949). It is therefore difficult for us to grasp the nature of social, political, and technological revolutions for which we are a part (White, 1949). Consider the changes which have taken place in transportation, medicine, and communication in the 20^th century alone! Social evolution is proceeding towards even higher levels of intergration with “greater concentrations of political power and control” (White, 1949:388). We are moving towards a single political organization which will unite the whole human race into a single social system (White, 1949). Culture is a mechanism of harnessing energy and putting it to the service of man (White, 1949). If cultural systems are capable of multiplying and extending themselves in much the same way that biological organisms reproduce themselves (White, 1949), returning to a primitive ecological state with simpler technologies is incomprehensible.

With regard to our over-concern with the fate of the planet, let’s not forget that from the perspective of billions of years of evolution of life on earth, human impact may very well be insignificant (Little, 1999). As White (1949:) reminds us,

The cosmos does little know nor will it long remember what man has done here on this tiny planet. The eventual extinction of the human race – for come it will sometime – will not be the first time that a species has died out. Nor will it be an event of very great terrestrial significance.

(White, 1949:391)

Conclusion

Typically white middle-class Americans, New Agers are of privileged economic status. They are also that privileged “advanced group who has evolved beyond the rest of humanity” (Pike, 2004:149). From hunter-gatherers to New Agers and back, a myth that certain human groups have a privileged access to “knowledge” is exactly that, a myth. Why do mysticism and religion prosper in America compared to the rest of the developing world? Some have argued that “the single-minded pursuit of material wealth in the U.S. creates an emotional emptiness that draws people to religious faith” (Brown, 2004).

Although the New Age movement is optimistic, its foundation still lies in the realm of

religion – and horrible evils have been committed in the name of religion throughout human

history (Sponsel, 2001). A major downside of religion – whether it be fundamental Islam,

Christianity, or Neopaganism – is its emphasis on the preservation of the self. Implicit in this belief is the superiority of man as immortal beings. Alas, what could be more hopeful, more beautiful than life after death? This saddens me, for are we not setting ourselves up for disappointment? Is this not a denial of death itself? Religion frees man from his responsibility on earth. Isn’t it time that humanity unite for the sake of our survival as a species, if nothing else?

Behind Palace Walls

2007-12-04T05:50:00.000-08:00

The Palace Hotel. It is just that. A palace. It is hotel, but really, the name Palace really suits this place. It is refined, grande, luxurious, impeccably designed interior details. Gorgeous fountains. Venice-esque canals of azure water, snaking through the outside boulevard.
And now: a new souk, Souk Al Bahar.

It is fitting for the Palace, for it is not only grande and luxurious, but it is also like a mall. There are other souks & dukkans in the area, small but good for convenience - grocery stores, sunglass boutiques, a couple restaurants, a tea lounge - but this place could take the place of a mall. No, there is no Chanel, Ferragamo, Vuitton or even a hyper-market like Carrefour as most of the malls in Dubai house. But there is a a good sized Spinneys Market, a henna heritage boutique, art galleries, pharmacy, cafes and restaurants galore, as well as many men's and women's apparel boutiques. And when you are done wandering around, you can sit outside at Starbucks or Carribou along the courtyard pools, people watching and just: relax.

Check out some new pictures that I took today on my walk around:

Qamardeen Hotel: Modern Class

2007-12-04T04:58:00.000-08:00

(Custom Chandelier in Entry)

Welcome to the Qamardeen Hotel, where the custom chandeliers are as classy - and magnificent - as the staff. Seriously. Nice people. Beautiful modern interiors. Traditional Arabian exterior. Bamboo theme. Clean crisp table settings. Empty white spaces. Just lovely.

We have 3 prestigious hotels in Old Town, Downtown Burj Dubai, where we live. I feel pretty lucky, on a scale of 1-10, I feel like a 20! There is always something new to explore as well (like Cheese & Wine Night at Qamardeen Hotel), since our development - actually, more like a micro-city within Dubai - is always growing. There is a lot of newness still to come, and in Dubai, that is essential. The newness thing, that is. In fact, I think if the stores could, they would leave all the goods - and shelving - in the original plastic and boxes.
Sure to preserve the new.

I asked the receptionist if I could take some images for a blog, and he seemed not to mind, although I didn't really have to ask permission, we are allowed to take pictures of anything and everything in Dubai (it is a tourist world out here, of course), unless if inflicts upon someone's privacy, hence why I asked. There were a few people in the lounge areas, and I didn't want to seem rude.

Check it out:

I Spy Dubai: 84 or bust?

2007-12-04T01:32:00.000-08:00

Well, so far, we have spied 84 fancy, high-profile cars out here, with a few doubles, which leads to a few possibilities, and sort of tiring conclusions:

Either the owners of said fancy cars use the same license plate for a few cars, depending on which one they choose to use: possible, yes; probable, not really.

Or perhaps the little letter in front of all the license plates really does make a difference. Giuseppe and I were driving the other day and talking about how I noticed that we saw some of the same numbers, but it seemed like different cars, as far as I could remember...and then we both sort of went "ahhhh" and the puzzle came together:

There are letters that begin each license plate, so far I have seen A-I, like A 55555 or H 74586, so that could hypothetically mean that for each letter, there is 99,999 plates/numbers. Which also means that there could be 9 5's, 9 25's, 9 100's, and so on - you get my drift.
Well, no telling yet because I have only noted a few doubles, and that is rare considering how many of the cars we have seen - like 8 1/2% or so - and that is just imagining that there is only 1 of each low number. If we were to think that there is 9 of each low number so far, that means that there are 9000 low numbers, 1000 for each letter so far (A-I = 9) and that would mean that we have seen like .9% of all the fancy, high-profile cars out here!

Possible, definitely; probable, more likely than the previous possibility.

Ugh...still posting them anyway.

So far, the run down looks something like this (and keep this in mind: a BMW and Mercedes are like a Camry and Accord in the states: even the high, yucky numbers like G 76890 have Mercedes G Class and BMW X5 and Porsche and Ferrari, so...):

There have been about 25 Range Rovers (both sport & regular), 2 Rolls Royce, 7 Mercedes G Class, 5 BMW X5, 2 Ferrari, 2 Bentley, and a plethora of Porsche's, BMW's and Mercedes galore. Now this is just a guess, but I would say that 1 in every 2-3 cars we see would be a high-end automobile. Just a guess. Welcome to Dubai.

Introducing: Allyson Lucia Gee (aka Ally G.)

2007-12-04T00:37:00.000-08:00

Everyone, meet our new little niece. This is her first worldwide web appearance, so give a big hello to her:

Allyson Lucia Gee, born November 17th at 11:29pm, 9lbs. 6oz., 22" long! She is absolutely adorable, and here a little picture of her big brother, Jay-Jay, who turns 4 in June 2008 and is Giuseppe's godson. Seems like he is holding up pretty well being the new big brother! Love that smile!

Enjoy....pink, pink,pink everywhere!!!!
xoxo d:)

PS. Let's all hope that this lovely little Ally G. (as I like to refer to her as!) turns out NOTHING like this Ali G. ;)hahahaha (that is actually a character created by genius Sacha Baron Cohen from the world-renowned Borat).

Pre-posts

2007-12-03T21:17:00.000-08:00

Just to let you all know, I had written and then saved-as-draft a few posts back...and have now finished them.
The way that Blogger works is that they keep the posts in order of when you write them, drafted or posted, it doesn't matter. So, for those of you who read my recent posts and don't tend to look back a few, please check back at:

Re:rooting : Looking back on Boston & Warm Dubai Hug!

You can either scroll down a few posts or go to older posts on the side bar and click on November & December and find the post titles there.

Re:rooting looks at a few things going on in the Boston art/design scene, namely some cool things going on at MIT.

Warm Dubai Hug looks at the holidays celebrations in Dubai, from UAE National Day to the Narnia Exhibits at Wafi City Mall. And when I say warm hug, I mean 75 deg. hug!

Bye...d:)

It's soooo on!

2007-12-03T21:10:00.000-08:00

2modern is back in effect, and I am officially part of it!
It seems that I was not, in fact, computer illiterate (I had full faith in that, however) or just blinded by the bright white light of the screen...it seems that Greg/2modern team had not allowed me enough permissions, thus I was not allowed all the options to post.
So, my post will be up, albeit, not quite yet, as I just woke up and will be drafting and editing and then posting, live, as in I will be up on 2modern today! Can anyone sense my permeating excitement about this? I feel like the thrill is spilling right through my soon-to-be henna-printed fingers!
Ok, so I will write a quick update note, to let you all know that I have posted LIVE!
Love d:)

Warm Dubai Hug

2007-12-02T23:15:00.001-08:00

The average temperature here is about high 70's in the day and high 60's at night, so with a big warm hug, I am welcomed into the Holiday Season in Dubai!
So far December has been exciting here in Dubai:

First up was UAE National Day Weekend Celebrations, which take place all over the city...but our small community here at Downtown Burj Dubai had a little celebration all our own, with falcons, dancers, traditional Arabic music & singing and good eats! I really enjoyed hearing the music and watching the men, in their crisp white dish-dash, spinning slowly back and forth, with the little boys and gorgeous little girls flitting about, tossing batons and handing out Arabic writings. The women, dressed and content, sat together in the tents on cushions, weaving basket threads, making traditional breads and sweet balls, doing henna and gossiping quietly all day long.

There was an older woman making the khobiz mohala (almost like sweet dough balls in hot honey, and there is another even elder women making khubz adi, flat bread like pita or naan), and I was totally taken with her. At first I felt like a rude tourist taking her picture, but my intentions were not that: here she was, sitting on the paved sidewalk in the middle of this concrete & steel jungle of buildings, in a lovely traditional tent & cushions, almost squatting, with a metal face-mask covering most of the middle of her face, and she has wrinkles. She has history. She is like a story waiting to be written, and she is one of many that have most likely pinched themselves a good thousand times a day in the last decade, watching their desert get swept away in the daily cleaning. Neat. Strange. Enlightening. She never seemed to stop making the bread.

It was a really nice celebration and it lasted 2 days, with fireworks closing the weekend on December 1st (for the record, UAE National Day is actually on December 2nd). For us, the Old Town crowd, we are being treated to 4 weekends of Downtown Burj Dubai Boulevard events: next weekend, we are being treated to Meet & Greet your Neighbors. A BBQ will ensue, and there will be landscape & interior decorating workshops, traditional goods and community canvases, where we all get to paint! FUN!!! I will post pictures next weekend on that!

On a more American traditional note, I went to Wafi City Mall yesterday to continue on my Christmas shopping journey and low & behold my eyes caught a glimpse a great big, GINORMOUS glistening Christmas Tree. Right there. Right in the middle. Towering up to the glass ceiling, with stars and blues and silvers. And then, I noticed it: the Narnia theme.
Apparently, Wafi is celebrating the holiday with the traditional story of Narnia of the Lion, The Witch & the Wardrobe. It is actually really cute and I went around taking pictures of all the displays, with the talking beavers telling the story at each scene. Apparently over the course of December, Wafi will be transformed into a Narnia Winter Wonderland, but for now, I have only photographed the beginnings of what's to come.

And so, with a big warm hug to all of you, I am happily enjoying and cuddling into my big warm Dubai holiday hug.

d:)

I'm feeling blue...

2007-11-30T08:21:00.000-08:00

My 2modern post is on hold, so don't go lookin' for it.
Unfortunately, whether it be on their end or mine, I am unable at this time to post images to the blog, and thus, will not be posting the blog until the issue can be resolved. I have notified Greg and hopefully he is helping out in any way he can, as I am too.
I thought it might be the fact that the MAC that I am currently using is old, but I also used Giuseppe's new laptop and I also am not getting the image icon. Could be a server issue, a search engine issue, who knows. I am bummed though.
Bummer, real bummer.
So, I will notify everyone with yet another exciting post saying that it has, in fact, been posted and then, well, you better go look for it!
Love d:)

2modern Post: Here it is!

2007-11-29T03:12:00.000-08:00

Oky-dokey.
For those of you who read my blog regularly, this will be somewhat of a repeat, however, 2modern has heard nothing of this amazing modern architectural place called Saadiyat Island, the Cultural District in Abu Dhabi, the exhibit that Giuseppe and I went to when in Abu Dhabi a few weeks back. So, I talked to Greg and let him know that I would be posting on this topic, and got the go-ahead, so...I am so happy to be sharing what is going on in this booming area with all those interested in architecture and the millions (thousand?) of people who read 2modern.
I will be posting pictures on the 2modern post, but to save some time, and repetitiveness of images here, this is just the text-version (with some possibility of editing before I post live, so, it may not be exactly like this, but, oh whatever....enjoy and wish me luck!)

(I don't know when they will post live, so keep checking the 2modern site.) Yay!

Architecture of a New World: Modern Middle East

This is my first time posting for 2modern, so Hi! My name is Danielle and I writing from my flat in Dubai, and I am so appreciative of Greg and the 2modern team for giving me a place to spill my creative energy - other than onto the consciences of my architect husband and our families...

Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island (“Island of Happiness”) is soon to be home to four of the world’s most famous and prominent architectural accomplishments, including 3 museums and 1 performing arts center by 4 of the world’s most renowned architects: Zaha Hadid, Jean Nouvel, Frank Gehry and Tadao Ando. In addition to being an uninhibited, ambitious, pedestrian-friendly developing island, Abu Dhabi is about to add to it’s roster of accomplishments: one of the world’s culture capitals of the world. If Dubai is like L.A., glitz and glamour galore, then Abu Dhabi is like San Francisco. It’s got roots. It has history. It has culture that is inherent and not manufactured. And it is about to have a whole lot more culture to speak of.

Over the course of 15 years, this 'happy little island' will phase into an art-meets-architecture wonder, quenching the hunger for a large portion of eye – and brain – candy. That is sure to make many people very happy.

Slated to open in 2012 is the Louvre Abu Dhabi, a sister satellite to the Louvre Paris, designed by Jean Nouvel. What can I say, this museum is like art come to life. A canopy of different patterns interlaced into a translucent ceiling allow for dispersed web-like shapes to bounce around every space like a million Tinkerbells. Magical, light-infused and organic all come to mind when trying to describe what Nouvel himself refers to as "an archaeological field revived as a small city, a cluster of nearly one-room buildings places along a leisurely promenade...covered with a large dome, a form common to all civilizations." It is a whimsical micro-world beautifully reflected in the surrounding water oasis; the conceptual renderings are so dreamlike, one experiences them as though it is photography of an already-realized museum. I can only imagine what the reality will be. On a more factual-basis, the museum, 24,000 sq. meters in size, will rotate between 200-300 pieces of the most influential and priceless works of art over 10 years and 4 temporary exhibits per year for 15 years. With the full support of France, French President Jacques Chirac says the agreement allows for the bridging of what the "world considers a clash of civilizations" between Islam and the West." If the universal language of art can't bring the globe together, what can?

Also set to open in 2012 is the 29,700 sq. meter Abu Dhabi Guggenheim Museum by Frank Gehry, a deconstructivist architectural amalgamation which will feature permanent collections, galleries, a center for art and technology, archives, a state of the art conservation laboratory and much more. At first glance, one might think, much like I did, having once been an architecture student: it resembles the thesis-floor leftovers after a mass model-making convention. But in fact, the museum incorporates into its many 'pieces' climate engineering practices, which, in my opinion, is a mandatory consideration living in the desert. Dispersed throughout the program, near the galleries, are a number of conical-shaped tubes that ultimately will create outdoor spaces, but provide a deeper function: "cooling outdoor spaces based on the very old idea of the open top teepee that draws the hot air out of the space." Although still in conceptual phase, the Guggenheim is sure to bring in a tourist - or millions - to navigate this four-floor multi-gallery art jungle-gym.

When one thinks of Zaha Hadid, the sometimes in-famous architect who is best know for questioning and redefining traditional architecture, one word comes - or should come - to mind: sculptural. The Glasgow Museum in the UK, The Contemporary Arts Center in Rome, The Vitra Fire Station in Germany. Her buildings (although some not realized) deal with form, abstraction, line, light, function, texture and architectonics in the most unconventional of ways. Happy to say, the Performing Arts Center in Abu Dhabi is no exception to this rule. I think of it as a smooth, simple organic arm growing and reaching out into the Gulf, almost swimming or gliding, as though ready to slide right off the island edge. It is so integral with the landscape, and yet somehow, stands alone. The overall form, cellular of sorts, is reflected throughout the entire building (considering that the concept for the building came from examining basic geometries of biological plants life, this comes as no surprise): "a sculptural form that emerges from a linear intersection of pedestrian paths within the cultural district, gradually developing into a growing organism that sprouts a network of successive branches. As it winds through the site, the architecture increases in complexity, building up height and depth and achieving multiple summits in the bodies housing the performance spaces, which spring from the structure like fruits on a vine and face westward, toward the water."
OH-MY-GOSH. I feel like I am experiencing poetry-in-motion when I read those words from Hadid herself. Set to house 5 theaters in total, I am eagerly awaiting to feed off of this architectural branch.

Water. Light. Simple. Modern. Serene. Tadao Ando. His architecture speaks volumes so quietly. I am a huge fan of Ando, I happen to be a huge fan of Japan and Japanese architecture and design as well, so it helps that he is, well, Japanese. There is something about the way he achieves 'modern' seamlessly and effortlessly. Tadao Ando is designing the Maritime Museum on Saadiyat Island, where Ando takes into consideration the nature, landscape and the maritime traditions of Abu Dhabi in developing this fluid, architectural volume. "With it's reflective surface, the water court visually merges site and sea...the volume shaped by the force and fluidity of Abu Dhabi's winds." Housing an interior like that of a boat, with floating decks and ramps, visitors will be guided "through the exhibition space, echoing the theme of the museum and creating a dynamic gallery experience. Dhows float over the voids of the interior space and help create an intense visual experience by relating objects to one another and to the museum architecture as a whole." The museum almost resembles a gate into the water from the island, an intentional move Ando was attempting to achieve by "defining a space of encounter between two important landscape elements of Abu Dhabi's culture."

Since none of these buildings will be completed anytime soon, I apologize that my experiences and explanations of them are merely skimming the surface, having only seen the huge exhibit at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi and having read many, many articles discussing this future endeavor. But I hope that anyone interested in art and/or architecture in the slightest will at sometime, come for a visit in my new world of the UAE and take a little taste of what I hope becomes a huge success, tucking the world of art, architecture, travel and global communication onto a neat little "Island of Happiness."

Re:rooting: Looking back on Boston

2007-11-28T09:14:00.000-08:00

Ok, I am totally enthralled with doing a little check-up on my old stomping ground, Beantown, USA, and I have started with checking out what all those little creative lab-rats have been up to late at night at MIT, producing nano-stuff and digital-whachmacallits while we all sleep...

Oh, how pleased my green-eyes are so far...

I am hoping that you all checked out the scooter post, but if not, scroll down a post and READ IT!
And if you are too lazy just click here...

I can't paste any images of this next fantastical architecture innovation, because it is a Flash
image reel, so you will have to click here to see this new liquid feature...MIT architects and engineers have designed: a building made of water. Yes, you read right, water. Just read the article. TIME Magazine named it one of the best inventions of the year. BOSTONRULES!

Here is some more amazing MITempting creative genius to satisfy your cerebral hunger:

Intelligent Infrastructure for Energy Efficiency

Printing out Rx eyeglasses

In addition, my old school, The Boston Architectural College, has some pretty exciting news on their site, about students taking part in the 2007 Solar Decathalon.

Check it out here.

Boston, we'll be seeing you again soon!
xoxo

Scoot!

2007-11-28T08:43:00.000-08:00

This post in honor of my friend & obsessive (Vespa) scooter-lover Heather Parker:

The genius that is MIT, in Cambridge, MA has done it again: electric scooters.

The low cost and foldable design of these electric scooters, as shown in this rendering outside the Duomo in Milan,
could provide a convenient and efficient mode of transportation in urban environments.

Scooters & Vespa's alike are a live and well in each and every thriving urban-community across the globe, and it doesn't seem like they will be going away anytime soon...and thank goodness for that. It is energy efficient, clean, compact (it folds!) and simple and apparently, I am not the only one who thinks they are incredibly: cool.

A few facts about this new scooter from the horses' mouth, Professor of Architecture and Media Arts & Sciences, William Mitchell:

The new design "was all about providing a clean, green, silent electric scooter that would provide, even better, the same kind of urban mobility..."
As an added bonus, the simplicity of the electric design, which eliminates the powertrain by putting motors directly inside each of the two wheels, made it possible to design the scooter so that it could be folded up to about half its size, making it even easier to store in crowded urban environments.
"A typical gas scooter has about 1,000 parts, but ours only has 150."

Now go and read this full article on these amazing street-chic creatures:

Enjoy! (And go get one, damnit!)

Anywhere, Dubai, UAE: World

2007-11-24T23:14:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, do you ever think, as you are going about your day, seeing all walks of life, doing the same things you do, shop, eat, do laundry, that you really could be anywhere in the world?

Giuseppe and I spent a wonderful day yesterday out and about - only after sleeping and snuggling in for a few extra hours. We need that sometimes, well, I am sure he needs it more that I do.

So, we got up, and before I knew it, the clock said 12:00pm...to which I responded, "Oh my gosh, I have to get in the shower if we plan on getting to church at 5:00pm." That is typical for me, and anyone that may know of my grooming habits and the lengthy process it is for me to even get my feet in the shower (around 30 minutes usually, don't judge) - well, I knew that I had to get going, so I did.

So we headed out around 3pm (following a shower, waxing my lip, Giuseppe showering, blow drying my hair, putting on some eye make-up, changing clothes a few times, Giuseppe ironing a shirt, etc.), decided we would go to the earlier mass, at 4:15 (or 16:15 as they use Military Time here) and then to the movie. We haven't been to the movie theater here yet, and we thought it may be nice to go and experience the movie-going world in Dubai (more on this later). We picked The Heartbreak Kid with Ben Stiller. We had to drive about 15 minutes to another part of the city called Jebel Ali, in the direction of Abu Dhabi, and we figured that we would check out the Ibn Battuta Mall again while we are there, that is where the theater is, so...

We arrived at Church Complex (a little dirt road comprised of about 5 different parishes) about 20 minutes before the mass was (supposedly) starting and we wandered in, our first time at mass (our second time at the church, we went a few weeks ago to check it out, and to make sure we don't get lost), until we realized that early mass was in fact, very early at 6:15 AM! Oh well...we decide we will come back for the 17:15 mass, and that one we are sure is really in the evening.

So, we took off to check out yet another Hyper Market, Geant, next to the mall to kill some time....we end up liking it a lot, not as hyper as Carrefour, and equally clean and easy to navigate. We bought a nice blender and a juicer, to make nice fresh juices, wheat grass, etc. Excited about that purchase! It seems at times redundant to be purchasing yet another blender and juicer (not even close to as nice as the ones we got for the wedding...) but we want to have certain things sometimes and so we just took the plunge. Anyway, in addition to a muffin pan, some raw cashews, prunes and an apple turnover for Giuseppe, we headed back out to the church for mass.

What came next was such a welcome and in some way, highly deserved, surprise for Giuseppe. We walked in, there were a few others at this time, and of different countries - Indians, Asians, us, the Italian and American. It was cool. We talked about that for a minute in addition to the meaning of the cross. However, we noticed while we were kneeling there that people were going into another room, which I thought maybe was for the children or for the washrooms. So Giuseppe got up and checked it out....and guess what?!?! It was another mass, being held in Italian!

Well, needless to say, I have now added another new thing to my list of 2007 experiences: an Italian Mass. It was really, really nice. The priest was soft spoken, closing his eyes often as he preached. And there was a hand-out with all the prayers written in Italian, so that was helpful. Giuseppe said later that he felt "weird at first, but then it felt normal." (And for me, being not the most religious person, all I can say is that I enjoy being in that place together as a couple. Yoga, church, walking, whatever. I know, I am a cheese-ball, but I love our time.) And the people in the room, about 35-40 total, were such lovely people. Those Italians - really good looking peeps!

And I just love to be there with Giuseppe, I hold his hand and can just feel him being so peaceful and excited to be there, and to be able to tell his family after that, 10 years after leaving Italy, he has been brought back to his roots. What a great Italian week - we even met 2 Italian architects the other night, one of which lives right here near us! Neat!

Well, enough of that, we headed back over to the mall, and got a nice quick bite before seeing the movie (I had a healthy tuna-avocado wrap and lemon-mint fresh tea & Giuseppe had some Iranian food) and headed through the many countries of the mall...
Let me explain. Ibn Battuta was a world-traveler in the 14th century...read about him here.
So, basically, the mall is broken up into countries - you can eat in Egypt and then hop over to China for a bit of treasure hunting for Christmas, and then make your way through India for some incense sticks and traditional attire. Of course, strewn in there is H&M, Topshop and Aldo shoes...but the architecture and spaces are all in theme-by-country. You can see some images below and the rest on Flickr.

So we headed to get our movie tickets - which ended up being equal to $7.10 USD - and got some water and popcorn and headed into the theater. The movie was great. We had assigned seating, you have to pick your seats before you go in and then an usher seats you and makes sure that you didn't steal someone else's seat. Strange, but organized.

It wasn't until the movie was over, and Giuseppe and I just sat there as the others worked their way down and out of the theater, that I thought to myself, and proceeded to say out loud - "we could be anywhere." Here are all these people, watching the same funny movie as us, but some are British, some French, some Arab, Lebanese, Turkish....and as they all ushered out, some wearing their dish-dash and beautiful & ornate abaya, some really fat & unhealthy British women wearing their high school sizes, and we were all just there. All different walks of life, and although we don't see dish-dash and abaya all that often in America, honestly, I just thought we could be ANYWHERE.

It is really neat as we become part of this new home of ours, this whole new culture, whole new country and world, that you can honestly go about your day - laundry, eat, shop, groceries, church, movies, and everyone is doing the same thing. We all look different, we all speak different languages, and if you listen close enough, you can hear the occasional gossip in Italian, Arabic, French, Chinese, Spanish and even less often, American - or English, like mum-English.
But here we are, in Dubai, this international hub of business, architecture, design, fashion, and everyday life.

That's it for my thoughts. Check out the pics. Check out Flickr too...
Love d:)

Giving Thanks

2007-11-22T03:02:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving 2007 all!

(or tofu)

Although we don't celebrate the traditional holiday here in Dubai, we, Giuseppe and I, will be having a favorite meal of ours, something that we have been looking foward to: sushi! mmm, sushi!
In addition, I know that I have been a bit slow lately at getting some posts up, but I have a few things going on: namely, my first official post for 2modern, for next Monday. So, I have been focusing on doing something good and intriguing for them...
Also - brace yourself - I have started yet another blog, on another blog hosting site. I know, I know, I have already come to terms with (and blogged about) the fact that I am clearly a Serial Blogger now. But it is one that I am excited about and will focus more on my art, my own inspirations and drawings, designs, photography, etc. It will be where I live for a bit until my website gets up as of the new year. With my NEW APPLE!!!! Yipee!
So, in conclusion, I hope that you are all with the ones that you love, enjoying some tryptophan, and laughing and having a great time and most of all, giving thanks for the great things that have happened in your lives, and for the great people you are about to enjoy your day/night with!!
Although it will only be the two of us this year, which makes us quite sad and reminiscent, we too will be laughing and enjoying ourselves, with the help of a little sake!
Salute'!
Love d

Good Read

2007-11-20T05:04:00.000-08:00

I don't know what has been going on lately, but Blogger has been blocking me out of my sign-in page...I got in just now, so I thought that I would take full advantage of what may be just a few minutes on here.

I was watching this wonderful episode of Oprah 2 days ago, and, although I never really follow an author, I think after hearing this woman speak, I just may start to.

Elizabeth Gilbert is her name, check her out here...

She was on the Oprah Show to talk about her new book called "eat pray love" and her journey through a year that allowed her to have experiences to create this book.
Her voice was so tantalizing and her eyes were so sincere, I felt like I was in a trance watching her, and she is genuine. I don't know her by any means, but I can tell. She is real.

Anyway, I fell in love immediately, with her, with her journey, with her sense of life and spiritual balance you could tell she had achieved. She really made a big impact on me. So, I went to buy her book today. The cover is clever: spaghetti strands to create the word "eat" to replicate her time in Italy, mala beads strung to spell the word "pray," indicative of her time in India and finally, beautiful orchid-patterns spelling "love" to imitate that feeling and her time in Indonesia. It is such a lovely cover and actually says a lot before you delve in.

Needless to say, I have begun the book and didn't want to put it down...as I suspected. I had to do some things around the house an wanted to clue you all in as well, but now, I am off to continue on her journey with her, eating our way through Italy (and gaining a few pounds while we're there!!!!!!)

Anyone who is looking for a new, funny, brilliant and warm book to read, get it! And then, think about these things that she has decided to take with her in each day of her life:
1. Enjoy the pleasures of life. Eat, play, talk, laugh. Enjoy.
2. Keep a happiness journal to remind you of the small and big things that bring you happiness, be it the sun or your husband and children.
3. Change your mantra. We all have one, and you don't need to go find a new one. Just change the one you have, it is what we all say in our heads. We repeat, "I am stupid," "I can't do this," "I don't have any friends," etc. If your mantra doesn't work for you, change it! If you have a good one and are working it, keep it.

She is someone that I will read again, and I hope you may feel the same...now go create your own journey!

Love d:)

POSIT studio/dubai:Update

2007-11-18T07:03:00.000-08:00

Hey all....The boys had a great meeting last week, and the design for the Seddiqi Tower has been "selected," now the real work begins;)
They produced this incredible work, and all the designs were really innovative and provided a great solution, but the selected design is really crisp, clean and architecturally profound in its' simplicity.
Check out the images below and also the website for a more complete update on their work so far!
Go POSIT!!!!!!

(The first two were loved (i heart the first!!!) but not chosen, the last is the winner!!!!)

2modern:Blog Correspodent

2007-11-18T05:28:00.001-08:00

Hi.
I have been in talks lately with a website/blog that I really, really admire and love, 2modern, and they are looking for people to contribute to their design blog...and I am hoping to get started soon, blogging on their highly-popular site about modern Dubai, interiors, architecture and neat modern finds across the city!
I am really looking forward to it, I am still just in talks right now, trying to figure out when I could begin, topics, etc., but keep checking back for when it all goes down!
I feel pretty lucky to have this opportunity, so....
d:)

Busy Busy Bee

2007-11-18T05:17:00.000-08:00

Just wanted everyone to know that I haven't forgotten about my blog, I just have been a bit busy lately...getting out health coverage claims together, ironing out our Christmas gift list, etc. My Uncle Mark flew into Dubai this weekend as well, so we were his tour guides...it was a great time and I will be posting soon about our journeys!!! Also, check out flickr in the next few days for new pics....

I'll be back soon, and in the mean time, check out this cool website, 19.20.21, I just found last night...pretty innovative and worth keeping up with!

Quick briefing:
the rise of supercities is the defining megatrend of the 21st century...19 cities, 20 million people, 21st century...check it out!

Enjoy...
19.20.21

If your going to build, build GREEN

2007-11-14T01:53:00.000-08:00

This especially goes for Dubai. This place is a crane-filled, sand covered, ever-expanding construction site, and it is nice to hear/see that Dubai and UAE are looking to green standards to protect and further enhance their environment.

In fact, there is even a new development in conceptual phase, surprisingly called EcoPark, the UAE's first attempt at a fully sustainable residential and mixed-use community. Sounds like a doozy!

But really, Dubai has such an ambitious attitude towards developing and creating a world-known future for itself, that it comes as little surprise that they also want to be a front runner in setting a standard of clean, healthy and eco-friendly living.

One example: a proposed tower by an experimental Italian architecture firm, Dynamic Architecture.

What they are proposing is a revolving sustainable skyscraper powered by wind turbines in between each floor. Each floor would rotate separately, so the profile of the building is different at any time. With 59 storeys and 58 turbines, they propose that the tower would generate enough surplus energy to power 5 more skyscrapers of its' size.

Pretty amazing. Read the full article here. It is quite extraordinary and seemingly possible!
Neat!

Enjoy!

d:)

Just Found: IF Boutique

2007-11-07T04:48:00.000-08:00

I was researching some new boutiques in Dubai, and although I had passed this boutique many times, I always thought they sold art, not fashion. Silly me, never stopped in to confirm, but I wanted to share with you this cool family-owned and run boutique of international designers, many unheard of. With designers from Japan to Belgium, this boutique will surely be one of my next stepping-out stops!

IF Boutique, situated on Umm Al Sheif Street in Umm Suqeim, brings to Dubai the latest collections from renowned designers including, Comme Des Garcons, Yohji Yamamoto, Martin Margiela, Junya Watanabe, Ann Demeulemeester, TAO, Johnny Farah, Ivan Grundahl and Marc Le Bihan to name but a few.

Maya Shehadeh has worked in the fashion industry for 22 years and is the lady responsible for bringing these amazing collections to Dubai, many for the very first time; 'Dubai is not short of designer labels but I saw the opportunity to bring something different to this exciting city - a refreshing location and mix of collections that truly put style on a different level'.

The discerning customer with an eye for classic, elegant and sophisticated designs will find the latest collections from 54 different brands, mixing avant garde haute couture, classic lines and fantastic accessories that look set to raise the bar for the style conscious women of Dubai.

Shehadeh added; 'Before opening the boutique I thought long and hard and researched the market to ensure there was room for another boutique. My objective was to set completely different standards in fashion retailing by finding a niche and need which I believe has not been catered for in Dubai until now. IF is a family business, my aunts and uncle opened the first IF Boutique in Hamra, Beirut in 1972, then in 1979 opened the boutique in New York. Their's was the first store in the Soho area. My family have since opened another two IF Boutiques in Beirut. Ours is truly a family of fashion pioneers.'

Stepping into the boutique is aking to entering a style oasis, cool and calm, with a richness that exudes from each design. IF Boutique and it's dedicated and knowledgeable staff cater to the shopper seeking to express their individuality and unique sense of style.

IF Boutique is dedicated to being at the cutting edge of fashion and style - Shehadeh herself dresses in the designers she carries, concluding, 'I have one basic philosophy in life when it comes to dressing - be comfortable and true to yourself.'

Art & Architecture Collide in A.D.

2007-11-07T03:52:00.000-08:00

Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, just ended a wonderful exhibition on the Saadiyat Cultural District Projects, an exhibit opened up by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahayn, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, for Saadiyat Island. What we saw is a far cry from the traditional Arab architecture you see both outside and within the cities in the UAE, but certainly more in line with the modern, tall high-rises and shiny envelopes you see developing minute by minute in Dubai, and certainly in some form in City Centre, Abu Dhabi.

It was really exciting that we got to see this exhibit. I think in some way, we were both really craving some thought-provoking, art-inspired educational experience (like we had when we were immersed in school at the BAC perhaps), and this was the perfect remedy. We had no idea that it was even on exhibit, so it was the surprise factor that was cool as well...for me at least.

Familiar names like Zaha Hadid, Tadao Ando, Jean Nouvel and Frank Gehry were the main attractions with other small exhibits for a dozen or so of the other buildings within the Cultural District, which will include the Sheikh Zayed National Museum for which 13 of the world's top architectural practices were invited to enter the design competition.

The master planning for the Cultural District on the "Island of Happiness" (direct translation of Saadiyat Island) is being prepared by SOM and will include: the world's largest Guggenheim Museum by Gehry, The Louvre Abu Dhabi by Nouvel, the Maritime Museum by Ando and a Performing Arts Center by Hadid. In addition, the island is said to be the largest single mixed-use development in the Arabian Gulf, planned by Gensler Associates, and upon completion, will house over 29 hotels, a 7-star property, 3 marinas housing up to 1,000 boats, 2 golf courses, elite villas, and a partridge in a pear tree! Kidding, about the last part, at least I think...;)

So, on with the show!

First up is my least-fave building by my least-fave architect: The Guggenheim by Gehry.

At first glance, I remember my exact words to be: "....it looks like they picked up the scraps off the floor of a thesis studio workshop and threw them on a base and called it architecture." Yup, that was it. I said that. I really meant it too.

In fact, this is the only image that we took of his exhibit, and we took it as a gag shot for Wayde, knowing that he would just about puke over it! I am not sure what the concept was or why there are translucent funnels and blocks tipping over onto one another...but I do know that it will house 130,000 s.f. of exhibition space to feature permanent collections, special exhibit space, centre for art and technology, a children's art education facility, archives, library and research centre and a conservation lab...and what do you think this monstrosity costs? Over $200 million. I need not say anything more. I have better things to get to...

(P.S. Anyone hear about MIT suing the pants off Gehry for the Stata Center and it's leaky issues? He better not pull that shit here in the UAE, they don't put up with that - they may not build things to last, but they certainly want the best to be the best while it's still standing!)

Second would be one of my faves, and since the remaining 3 are all noteworthy and beautiful for their own reasons, and my faves, these are in no particular order...

The Martime Museum by Tadao Ando

Tadao Ando is known for his exceptional and creative use of light as well as creating structures that work with the landscape, rather than against it. With it's reflective surface and ship-like interior, this building is quite striking in form and it's simplicity and use of water are a clear reference to Ando. The site is clean and gridded with trees creating an "oasis-like border" to ensure a smooth transition from Abu Dhabi City Centre to the more "serene and contemplative space of the museum."

As stated by Ando himself regarding the museum,

"Our elegant architecture begins with a unique space carved out from a simple volume shaped by the force of Abu Dhabi's wind. The solitary form stands like a gate over a vast water court, defining a space of encounter between two important landscape elements of Abu Dhabi's culture."

In addition,

"With this concept of a simple volume with a unique carved-out space, we intend to create in a single gesture a museum that is itself an architectural adventure - a building whose space and abstract forms symbolise the new relationship betweenAbu Dhabi's maritime tradition and its future as a centre of the Arabic world."

I really love this project and can't wait to see where it goes from the design phase...it promises to be quite captivating and I can't wait to visit.

Third is the Performing Arts Centre by Zaha Hadid.

It resembles a tadpole swimming, reaching out to sea.

The presentation boards for Zaha were incredible...in fact Giuseppe made it a point to take a few extra images of them for reference when doing the POSIT boards. I personally loved her concept, taken from veins of the leaf, fruits, branches and stems and sort-of superimposed onto one another to create a design sketch, inevitably incorporating the programme requirements, circulation, etc. I can't quite describe it, but when you look at her Formal Development board and her other images and Programme Boards, and then you see the final design, you can see the original concept just breathing through. It is a clear abstraction, and yet the basic biological geometries are totally prevalent.

Hadid says of this project,

"A sculptural form that emerges from a linear intersection of pedestrian paths within the cultural district, gradually developing into a growing organism that sprouts a network of successive branches. As it winds through the site, the architecture increases in complexity, building up height and depth and achieving multiple summits in the bodies housing the performance spaces, which spring from the structure like fruits on a vine and face westward, toward the water."

One element of this particular building that I find facinating is the creation of a central axis that is a pedestrian corridor that stretches from the Sheikh Zayed National Museum right through and out of the Performing Arts Center, interacting with the seafront promenade. It is a sweeping, stem-like gesture that creates a direct tie from the waterfront, where the 4 major museums sit, through to the arch of the Cultural District, incorporating the various other elements of this area, including parks, boutique hotels, retail and commercial environments and luxury town homes and apartment developments. Check out the images and decide for yourself...

Last, but certainly not least...

The Louvre Abu Dhabi by Jean Nouvel

I think from the immense number of pictures that Giuseppe took of this project, this was by far his fave. It is actually really cool-chic and stunningly beautiful at the same time. Some of his presentation boards of interior perspectives actually look photographs or paintings. Amazing. In one of the images, you actually can imagine yourself inside, seemingly strolling under a canopy of trees and light, with the reflections on the floor creating lovely organic forms.

It is said that this museum will boast itself as the most lavish cultural museum centre in the Arab world...pretty impressive.

Nouvel says,

"We could not help but let our imagination drift into flights of fancy, forgotten chimeras of unknown cities buried deep into the sands or sunk under water through immemorial floods and earthquakes. These dreamy thoughts have merged into a simple plan of an archaeological field revived as a small city, a cluster of nearly one-room buildings placed along a leisurely promenade."

Sounds dreamy just reading that, huh?

The Louvre will carry some thousands of works from some of France's best museums, including the Georges Pompidou Center, Musee d'Orsay and the Palace of Versailles. The Louvre Abu Dhabi will become part of a new relationship with the International Agency for French Museums, with members including Musee d'Orsay, Pompidou, Musee Guimet, the Chateau de Versailles, Musee Rodin, Musee du Quai Branly and the Louvre.

Regarding the micro-environment that one experiences upon entering the museum, Nouvel says,

"This micro-city requires a micro-climate that would give the visitor a feeling of entering

into a different world. The building is covered with a large dome, a form common to all civilisations. This one is made of different patterns interlaced into a translucent ceiling

which lets light diffuse, magical light come through in the best tradition of great Arabian architecture. Water is given a crucial role, both in reflecting every part of the

building and acting as a psyche, and in creating, with a little help from the wind,

a comfortable micro-climate."

Sounds like a project too big for just Nouvel to handle, and it is said that the appointment of a local architecture office to work alongside Nouvel is imminent. POSIT, anyone???

I hope that we get to see many more exhibits as marvelous as this one, and I don't doubt that we will, being that we are living within an architectural BOOM!!!!

Check out all the pics we took at flickr!

Bye, d:)

Your home: style or just things?

2007-11-06T23:34:00.000-08:00

Picking up and moving to Dubai was overwhelming to say the least. We had just gotten married on 7.7.07 in RI (a lovely and simple wedding, I must say) and we were living in one of our favorites apartments in Boston to date. Beacon Street. Washington Square. Brookline. I love Brookline.

I had lived in one apartment before Giuseppe and I moved in together, in Washington Square as well, and I wouldn't say that was a great apartment - nor was it terrible. As many people who have lived in Boston before know, character is something you can come by quite often, as many of the residential buildings and homes are old...thus have history, and charm. And character. This had character. Peeling fabric wallpaper. Smelly stairwell with old sea foam green walls. Worn out wood floors (but wood, nonetheless). Decorative mouldings around just about everything. A balcony railing that you dare not lean on - or even sneeze near. And a thick-pile floral rug in the dining room that was most likely there for the life of the 3-family home owned by the lovely Polish landlords, Hymen & Faya.

Giuseppe was not crazy about the place when we first started dating (I had lived there for 1.5 years already), but I found many aspects about it very charming. The walk-through pantry with shelves up to the 10' ceilings. The bowed wall in the living room. The pink and green floral stencil on my bedroom walls (well, not really). And most of all, the "things" that I had. I can say in all honesty, that, at that time, at the ripe old age of 24, I had things. No style. No rhyme or reason, just things. I tried to have style - organizing things in a certain way, hanging family pictures with Buddha postcards from the San Francisco Asian Art Museum, always purposefully not matching things. Fresh flowers in weird vases. And IKEA, oh yes, IKEA. Having a desk and some tables from IKEA to provide the base for it all. They sell style, right?
Now that I think about it, maybe that, those things, were my style.

Then we moved to Chestnut Hill. Not far from the city, quiet, and did I mention new? Ah, new. The kitchen, new. Bathroom, new. Hardwood floors? Yup, new. Charm. None. Character. None. It was like a blank white (pale yellow) canvas. Just a simple crown moulding to add a touch of sophistication. At the time I craved this. Clean. New. Simple. Charmless. Devoid of character and smell. I felt like I could create "interior art" in a sense, in this space. I didn't have to compete or work with the colors that already existed...or the textures, or fabric walls. This was the first time I think that I actually felt that I was creating some kind of style in our home. We still had some things we had to work with: the old couch my parents gave us (we were students, so money wasn't flying from the sky, if you know what I mean, but we bought a new caramel-colored cover which gave it new life), my grandparents finished oak round coffee table (oak is not my thing, but this is actually all hard-wood and good quality), an orange chair from Urban Outfitters, and my old bed on just a metal frame, among ther various small items, adornments, quirky collectibles, etc. We once again attacked IKEA for their LACK tables, EXPEDIT bookcase, paper lanterns and various other house items, as well as The Container Store for some stainless steel pieces and cutting board/wine stand. But we splurged on one thing that really made a statement, and moreover began to describe who we were and what our taste was...what our style was. We bought a large 6-8 person bamboo & espresso stained hard wood dining table. It is beautiful, still, as it sits in the basement at my folks house (we coudn't exactly pack it for Dubai), with square bamboo insets. It actually has character, and not the kind that felt old. It is modern and clean and simple, but us.

Although we couldn't paint anything in Chestnut Hill, since it was all new, I still felt as though I had actually created a sense of style, not just things lying around in arrangements, things that had little meaning, things I may have been holding on to because I was afraid of the blank space it would leave. But, upon leaving for Arlington, we ended up renting an apartment that we could paint, which was really nice for us. Now, given that the style of the house, again, old and with character, was not exactly in line with our mnimalist-simple-clean-modern ideals, we did choose paint colors that complimented what we had and the house...reds, greens, yellows, capuccino, white. Clean, a little traditional, but worked very well for us. And again, moving in there allowed for my style to progress, beginning to compliment furniture with vintage glass jars filled with single blooms, refreshing and chic candles, bamboo stalks just about everywhere in different-sized rectangular glass vases, bedding in aqua & green, or purple & red, the living room in pinks, oranges and reds, with accents of just about every other color from the incense holders, to glass pieces to book bindings (we have an incredible collection of art, architecture, design, etc. books and magazines), the dining room in white, browns and greens, the kitchen in greens and white. It was developing. For me, it was becoming a home with some style. Our style. Our choices, although still not all perfect and ideal, within boundaries that still worked for us...until....

Finally, we moved back to Brookline. Ahhh, Brookline. I just love Brookline. Did I mention that already? The environment there lends itself to an extension of the city-life. It is never too quiet, but never so loud you can't hear yourself think. It is filled with green spaces, but urban in context, filled with bistros, cafes and cool boutiques all along Beacon & Harvard Streets. The people are softer, there are apparent family-filled neighborhoods and on the Green Line C-train, you get picked up before everyone else in the city, ensuring a seat 99.9% of the time. Score!
Our apartment was right on Beacon Street, facing rear though. Quiet. Sunny. Great for our (many, many) plants. Not too big, and when we first saw it, it was a complete disaster - a college-girls-gone-wild disaster. 10' ceilings with hardwood in the rooms, white VCT lining the hall, and pink, black and white tiles in the bath. A small balcony in the rear. Bowed walls in the living room. Lots of closets. New kitchen. And after the maintenance crew came to paint everything from floor to ceiling in pure white, it truly was the blank white canvas on which we could create our design.

I have a facination with the returned paint in paint stores, it always seems to offer something, something that works. Typically neutrals, but I guess I got lucky this time around. The entry was decorated in purples. Our bedroom turned into a turquiose oasis, with one bright wall and white surrounding walls, black and white leaf-graphic bedding, bamboo area rug, and wall shelving. Our kitchen became sunshine yellow with IKEA downlights under the cabinets, a self-built dark-stained wooden breakfast bar on stainless brackets, stainless cutting board stand from The Container store and accent colors in orange. The living room became an espresso-orange-bright pink combo with stainless and dark-wood track shelving, still incorporating the old oak coffee table. Somehow it worked, vintage and modern, old and new. It looked perfect and even chic in that room. Out bath stayed pink, black and white - obviously - with only white accents and a black & white figure-ground shower curtain. The office was green and white, with only dark work desks and track shelving. And some red accents crept in that space - a'la Arlington.

We were married on 7.7.07, so this was our apartment into which we moved all of our wedding gifts - gorgeous plates, vases, bowls, decorative items, etc. But even without it all, just with our green plants accenting each and every room, with our mis-matched yet strategically placed items, our family photos and art work, even with just those things that we had - our extremely impressive and constantly growing magazine and book collection, etc. That was enough. That allowed us to stand there and say this was our style. Eclectic and clean. Simple and modern. Comfortable and youthful. You could really feel us and see us in this place. The colors, the patterns, the items, the smells. Giuseppe always says this was his favorite apartment we lived in.

Now we live here in Dubai. A brand new aparment with granite and stainless fit-outs just about everywhere, mahogany wood, crisp, white 12x12 floor tiles, 1x1 mosaic tiles in all the baths...and once again, we are here creating an interior style that works for this place. It feels very 'West Elm-esque'. It is clean. Modern. Crisp. Elegant and chic. It has the feeling of a lounge with tall ceilings and crisp, white tree-printed curtains hanging from ceiling to floor on black rods, chocolate brown chaise sofa, white and neutral area rugs, and expresso stained hard wood tables and cube-shelving from Marina. The overall feeling is fresh. White is the primary color with accents of burnt orange, celedon green, fuschia, aqua, red. Yet you cannot escape the Arabian feeling that envelops it. The railings on our huge balcony looking out to the Burj Dubai, the detail above the sliding glass doors, the view out our windows to the neighboring Arabian-style buildings, and the attention to detail. This is a thing of Dubai, of the UAE.

At this point in my designing life, I feel that I can say two things: first is that style is what you make it. Just because it hasn't been published in a magazine doesn't mean it is not style. And second is that style grows just as we grow. We change and progress and morph, and so do our choices and likes and dislikes. And in the end, that is how we express ourselves. At any given moment, at any age, in any place, our style - be it fashion, interiors, furniture, hair - is how we express who we are now. It is an expression of where we have been. What we have learned. Our mistakes. And we take with us everything that remains a part of us, and we use it to help us leap and grow into the next phase.

I can confidently say that I am thrilled for our next phase of style. As architects and designers, and now, world travellers (wishful thinking), I can only see our style, as well as ourselves, progressing into better and more sure expressions of where we are right now. Modern and eclectic collections from our travels mixed with vintage pieces from our grandparents. I hope one day to be able to see a style story like that evolve in our home...

d:)

Eye Candy (& Candy)

2007-11-06T09:14:00.001-08:00

Giuseppe just brought home the new (well, October's bi-monthly) issue of Jumeriah Magazine, which is complimentary at the Emirates Towers, where he went for lunch today, and there was this incredible - and surreal - article about the high profile real estate developers & interior designers from London, Candy & Candy, who are brothers and very, very wealthy brothers at that.

Needless to say, I wanted to just see if your jaws drop as far down as mine did when I read the following excerpt from the article: (just a glimpse of how far some people take - and can afford to take - interior design)

"...We've installed chandeliers made up of jewelry you can take down and wear; installed moving projection wallpaper, infinity pools on yachts; a multifunction piece of furniture that converts into a pool, billiards or tappanyaki table; sculptures made from dollar bills; intelligent wardrobes and rails that automatically colour coordinate your outfit or match this week's trends; baths that automatically fill with your favorite temperature water before you get home..."

Now, their style is NOT my taste, at all, to say the least, but the fact that these guys have done or will do this type of interior design blows my mind - I like to call it "interior branding & blinging" rather than design...that small word just doesn't seem to fit this level of exclusivity. Agreed?

Just Found: Inhabitat

2007-11-06T06:46:00.000-08:00

I just stumbled across this incredible website, Inhabitat and their post on the Indoor Eco Fabric Garden...just beautiful and innovative!!! This post if for my mom...the Green Thumb :)

Part hanging plant, part green art installation, the Indoor Fabric Garden from the recent 100% Design in London is a green and eye-catching collaborative project from fashion house Ted Baker and UK branding agency JAM. The installation merges tasteful fabrics and beautiful flora, giving modern dwellers a great way to integrate greenery into their interiors seamlessly and stylishly. Plus, the hanging vessels are made use from reused lampshades and their fabrics to reinforce the environmental focus of the project.

Enjoy!

What's it all about?

2007-11-06T04:50:00.000-08:00

I have been spending my last week or so learning about blogging, and in turn, it has inspired my mind, and fed my spirit with the things that I get really excited about. Design. Fashion. Graphics. Green design & architecture. Interiors & furniture design. Holistic living. The list goes on and on, but through this blog, I have reinvented my passions, given birth to new interests and experienced insight into where I hope to be and what I hope to be doing in the future.

When I left Boston in September, I had been previously accepted back into school to finish my Masters in Interior Design, and I had to pass on my admission for the move to Dubai. I don't regret moving, but I certainly miss the opportunity to be back in school, and more importantly, be able to finish my degree (I completed 2.5 years of my M.Arch at the BAC in Boston, have many I.D. classes from RISD, etc.). So I have begun researching on-line classes again...the school here in Dubai, American University Dubai, has I.D. classes, but it is too expensive and they don't offer loan options, so that is out. So I am back looking at SFIA in San Francisco, a school that I seem to go back to a few times each year, and I am beginning to think it may be a sign...so stay tuned! I am applying for on-line classes starting in Spring, and will be posting my work, etc. which I hope will shed some inspirational light on architecture, design and sustainable & ecological design for all of you creative minds!

Besides that part of life come the New Year, I have also decided to get back to work on my website. I had started a site about 1.5 years ago, and slowly removed myself from it with our wedding, and work and basic life tid-bits that seem to take me off-track sometimes. I already own the domain and am thinking about purchasing another just in case I decide to change the name...as I mentioned in an older post. The website was for me to publish my illustration work that I have been doing for almost 10 years now. I do ink-line drawings, enhanced by water color, guasche as well as use my graphic design experience, editing in Photoshop, etc. I have done a few more since being in Dubai, but my goal is to do 4-5 each week. I will be sure to update you all when the site is up and running come 2008.

Finally, I will also begin using this blog to post more than just our experiences here and our travels...my original intention was to have a blog to keep our families abreast of our life here in Dubai, as none of us enjoy being so far away from each other. However, it is more my character to be inspired by all things around me, be it travel, buildings, flowers, birds, fabric, the lily pond spa girls, Arab men, children, paintings or local handmade crafts...and of course, all things camel! So, as of tonight, I will be giving spirited*s p a c e some much needed SPIRIT!

thanks for enjoying it all so far....d

The San Francisco of the UAE

2007-11-04T09:54:00.000-08:00

Giuseppe and I decided to head to Abu Dhabi this weekend, craving to see the city that is talked about as much as Dubai around here - it is only about a 90 minute drive from where we live, so we packed up for the day and some extra things in case we decided to stay the night...
We were initially going to get up early and head out for the morning and afternoon and head back for the night...but that didn't happen.

We had never even driven too far past the Mall of the Emirates, in the direction of Abu Dhabi/Jebel Ali on E11 so that in and of itself was quite exciting for us, for there is another small city of buildings and mini-skyscrapers and new developments, so it was nice to see what was going on on the other side. It didn't actually take long before we stopped seeing buildings of any kind and began to see a lot of flat desert land...quite beautiful actually. The desert just popped out of nowhere again, just like driving out to Bab al Shams, where you actually realize that these buildings seem to be sprouting out of the sand like palms, something out of nothing. Literally. My favorite is when we see just a single structure, be it a villa or palace or just a huge, 3-D overly-graphic banner advertising some new development or shopping mall, sitting in the middle of nowhere. I always think, well who put that there?

A few things made us realize that we had finally crossed over to the emirate of Abu Dhabi - a huge sign of their beloved (and now passed) Sheikh, Sheikh Zayed (as in Sheikh Zayed Road, the main route here, or E11 and the man who is recognized as the Father of the UAE)), the towering electric tower wires slicing through the desert and finally, the greenery. There is so much green, plants and trees along the roadside, that you don't see in Dubai just yet. Dubai is still "rooting" itself, both literally and figuratively. But Abu Dhabi is more grounded and established, and it shows. There were rows and rows of palms and other beautiful, green wispy trees our entire drive there....in addition to these funny signs that were promoting roadside adviertising...I took pictures of them as part of my new obsession out here - signs. We found them to be quite amusing...see below:

Traveling to Abu Dhabi is quite simple...take E11 all the way there. Then follow the signs that say to Abu Dhabi (there is another main city, Al Ain, so you just don't go that way, but rather the other way ;D) and you are basically there...traveling down the main street, which is 2nd Street. Just amazing. Actual street numbers and names. Who'd a thunk?? The city is built on a grid system, based on a "T", with 2nd Street (Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum St.) running perpendicular to Corniche East/West, which is the street that runs parallel to the water, along the Arabian Gulf. It makes the city so easy to navigate just like New York or San Francisco. It is the one thing that I truly look forward to in Dubai, some sort of organization to the master road plan, where you can tell someone you live on a street, rather than "next to the Dubai Mall, to the left, look for the signs for Al Manzil Hotel, but actually go the other way toward Yansoon, and take your 3rd left at the stop-n-go guy."

Abu Dhabi is an island, so it is filled with views of the water, and lush green grass land and parks, trees and beautiful flowers. It is also highly pedestrian. I mean, more so than Boston. People are everywhere, out at the parks making fires and eating, lying under trees and walking and jogging at just about every turn. I don't know what I was expecting, but for some reason, it wasn't what we saw.

Upon entering into the City Centre, you see the same things you see in any city...retail, tall financial buildings, large residential towers, restaurants, busy streets with busy bodies, etc. But the one things that got our attention was that the skyline is not even 1/2 as high as Dubai, which gives it a much more human scale. And it feels older. It feels like it has roots. Like it has been here, creating for itself a history, getting its' feet on the ground, developing over time. Dubai still feels like the "1 minute city" to me. As in you could blink, and one minute it is not there, and the next it was all built, and built big and shiny and tall. Everything in Dubai still looks new, even the old looks fairly new, compared to Abu Dhabi. Driving into the city, the retail levels of buildings look as though they have been through a rough life, and there are residential buildings that look as though they may crumble in a brisk breeze, with clothes hung against the dirty exterior walls by a piece of string. (Dubai has that too, in Deira and various other small areas around the city, but it is not apparent to the naked eye simply looking down Sheikh Zayed Road at all the bling.)

Our day in Abu Dhabi was really great, we stopped to take pictures of everything, parking in Taxi Only Stops to jump out and get a shot of the azure water or city skyline from the other side of the water, and the theme park that runs each night next to Marina Mall at the Breakwater. One stop we made was to view this incredible palace-looking building, with the greenest grass and whitest sand private beach - the enormity of the place was overwhelming, and when we saw a sign that said "Presidential Palace This Way," we were sure that is what we were photographing. Wrong we were.

Since our day started later than expected, we decided to check out our Abu Dhabi city book and see where we could stay the night, and be able to tour around a little more the next day. One place that we noticed was the Emirates Palace, which of course, sounds totally expensive and exclusive, but Giuseppe insisted that we check it out, just to see what it looks like. Well, seems we had already seen it. It was that enormous and palatial place we thought was the Presidential Palace. That was the Emirates Palace Hotel.

Well, we went in. We drove up to the valet parking and walked in like it was nobody's business...including ours ;) It was beautiful and palatial, alright. Gold adornments everywhere (that is a color you get very used to being in the UAE, everyone loves GOLD!!!!!!) and glamourous outfitted women and men to open the door for you, offer to hold your bag, get you a date, have some water, try some tea, I am surprised they didn't take me to the little girl's room. Anyway, we went to the concierge and checked out the room availability, as Giuseppe and I often like to pretend that we are interested in something that we know we can't have or shouldn't have. It is fun and you get to see things and try things you may never get to. Tempts the senses a bit!

Needless to say, we.....well, ok, we stayed. It wasn't outrageous and we got a free upgrade from what we paid for b/c that room was all that was available - in addition to the lovely bouquet of orange roses I received and the dates Giuseppe was offered....he can never pass up a date! We had a view of both the private white sand beach and the green inland, the pool and park area. It was totally and utterly beautiful and majestic and just lovely. By far, the most fantastic hotel I have ever stayed in. That is not to say it was my taste or style, but the service was exemplary, the people were overly nice (what they get paid for) and we got free fresh-squeezed orange juice on a white cloth Italian napkin with rose petals upon entering into our room. #3414. On the 4th floor. A balcony that puts our Yansoon balcony to shame. Remote control lights. A 61" flat panel TV on the wall. Etched-glass shower enclosure with 2 shower heads. A toilet and a bidet, of course.

So we enjoyed it. We enjoyed every last bit of it - and took some of it to enjoy at home too!!! We talked, and bounced on the squishy bed, asked for extra Lady Primrose bath gels and shampoos (some to take home, they are complimentary), played with the remote, walked around the hotel holding hands, got tea, walked outside on the white sand beach and put our feet in the warm water at 10pm, all alone, read the newspapers, ate the free buffet breakfast worth every penny we would have paid. It was great! We were majesties for the night!

(And to our lucky surprise, we were blessed with an architecture exhibit, of all things! I have posted the images in a set called "Emirates Palace Exhibit" and you can see them in the general picture postings...just awesome! Total refreshed our excitement to see all the lovely models and boards - albeit the ugly-ass Gehry mess he calls a building and people pay him millions for! Yuck!!)

On our way out of Abu Dhabi, we stopped by to take some images of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the largest in the world and the largest in the UAE. Just unbelieveable. It was extraordinary and we were, of course, approached by a militia in uniform with a machine gun strapped to his side (2 in 3 weeks, go figure!) inquiring our intentions, but we made sure to let him know we were just interested in taking pictures, nothing else. He seemed to be ok with that. Hey, I am here writing this, no? Kidding.

When I left Dubai, I didn't know what to expect. And upon leaving Abi Dhabi, all I have to say is that it is a lovely city, a place that exudes a calm and makes me feel good, like San Francisco. There is a history that you can taste, and see and hear, and gives way to being able to actually imagine the past of the city. Of the people. It makes me feel like when I fly to California from Boston, and I get out of the plane and am, for some reason, each time able to breathe deeply, inhale and exhale. My blood pressure drops. I feel relaxed. Such is Abi Dhabi...the Bay Area of the Middle East. I really, really enjoyed it and will look forward to going back..hopefully to the area of the Arts where we can see all the new buildings from the architecture exhibit.

Miss you all...love d:)

2007-11-01T07:28:00.000-07:00

(Note: this post was written with the intention of immediate posting, however, I became sidetracked and then took off to Abu Dhabi this weekend with Giuseppe, so the "real-time" of it is not exact, but the story and my day remains true, and so ultimately, post-worthy :D)

I usually don't blog about my day-to-day activities, but I figure I had a rather nice and productive day today...so I shall share.

Got up this morning to yet another sunny, warm and lovely day in Dubai, just in time to say goodbye to Giuseppe, on his way out the door to work. I picked up the flat a little, and checked some on-line goodies, got dressed and headed to the gym for an hour. I try to go to the gym every day or every other day, depending on my schedule, but both Giuseppe and I have been feeling a little under the weather lately, so today was the first day in 3-4 days...it felt good.

So, I walked back home, hopped in the shower and chilled for a bit, ate some breakfast and played with Blogger, researched some schools, design sites, the usual...

Around 2:30, I got ready and headed over to mOre, a cool little cafe/restaurant at the Al Marooj Rotana Hotel, that is fast becoming one of my favorite - if not my favorite - place to get an espresso and chat, or grab a nice meal or just a fresh home-made lemon & mint soda. It is the best...

As soon as I got there, I parked and drove myself in the golf-cart around the hotel to the front door of mOre, where I was greeted by the manager, who by now knows us pretty well...I headed out the back door to the outdoor terrace, and sat at my favorite table under the trees. It felt so relaxing today to just get out and sit and sketch and design, and brainstorm ideas for my blog, illustrations for think*ink (which I may change, tbd). And I also wrote Giuseppe's bio for the POSIT site...I think it came out pretty good, I have to confirm with him first though...I want to make sure I do him justice! :)

I ordered a tuna sashimi salad, which I love, and slowly but surely, accrued some curious friends throughout my time there...little birds who seemed curious in me...or my food...or something around me. Either way, I enjoyed watching them try and work up the courage to get closer to me, chirping frantically at their friends and scooting away swiftly at one little move of my foot on the gravel. So cute...and willing to keep me company through the last 45 minutes or so of my outing to mOre.

I allowed myself to become inspired by everything that I saw outside today, and so my sketches of plants and grasses and leaves, and my photos of birds, sugar & salt-n-pepper shakers and the chairs, ground and hotel buildings all reflect that...I even took pictures of silly street and building signs, like "grand lube."

(hey, it was funny when I was sitting in my car, alone, in traffic, taking 30 minutes to drive less than a mile....funny!!!)

So, I am home now, going over my sketches and brainstorming some more on my new blog, my new website, where I want to take it all next...and also researching schools, to finish my degree. I am pondering back on the SFIA...I keep going back to it, so there must be something......

Bye for now...love d:)

Check out the pictures below of my day...

Blogger: 101

2007-10-31T10:09:00.000-07:00

I have been playing around quite a bit today with Blogger and what you can do with customizing your site, etc.

I am not going to go into anything too much right now, but I wanted everyone to know that my site is Currently Under Construction. I have learned things over the day that I can't even get to in just one evening...making changes to my template, layout, colors, fonts, etc. I am learning CSS and HTML as I go and it is really interesting to me....difficult, but interesting.
Well, anyway, sorry that my sidebar is all in disarray....I am working on some new lists and as with most things, it will take some time.

Thanks for checking out the blog so far and keep checking back for new stuff and updates!!!

I am really excited about my new format of breaking links down into types of "spaces"...I like, I like!!!!! My mind is spinning with creative ideas and Giuseppe is getting aggravated that I am not snuggling, so gotta go....

As my sister says..."peace from the middle east!"

Love, d:)

An Audi and the Road to Dib(b)a

2007-10-28T00:49:00.000-07:00

We took our first road trip since being in Dubai...out to Oman this past weekend. For those of you who don't know where or what Oman is, it is one of the neighboring countries, a Sultanate (thus it is ruled by the Sultan of Oman, Sultan Qaboos), to the East of the UAE, along the Gulf of Oman. Geographically, Oman is separated into 3 parts: Muscat, Madha and Musandam...there is the main region which houses Muscat, the capital city, which lies strictly along the Gulf of Oman, there is a very small speck where the city of Madha lies, which is actually within the UAE, and finally there is the northern tip, Musandam and the capital, Al Khasab.
This is where we traveled to.

Musandam lies at the furthest east point of the Arabian Peninsula and is completely separate from the rest of Oman by the UAE. It lies directly south of Iran and controls the main navigable stretch of the Strait of Hormuz, through which the largest percentage of the world's crude oil passes (articles range from 40-90%, so we will just say "largest"). It is simply amazing, with breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf to the West and the Gulf of Oman to the East, straddling the Hajar Mountain range in the middle. The highest point of the Hajar Mountains lie in the Musandam Peninsula, where they reach over 2000 meters. They are referred to by the locals as 'Ru'us al-Jibal' which literally means "heads of the mountains." As you will see later, we actually drove through the Ru'us al-Jibal, and hit 2087 meters, in Wayde's Audi!
Warning: Don't try this at home! ;)

So our trip began leaving Dubai City and then the Emirate of Dubai all together, traveling through the Emirates of Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al Quwain and Ra's al Khaimah - seeing some beautiful mosques, cows walking in the middle of the roads in R'as al Khaimah and a family of camels to boot - finally arriving in Oman.

Upon entering Musandam (Oman), you immediately take notice of how unchanged and unspoiled the landscape is...this area is known for being largely untouched by the modern world, and it shows and feels it. There are small quaint fishing port towns all along the coast, literally with 2-5 homes, some with villas that sit with the mountain range behind and a crystal clear view of the bluest waters of the Arabian Gulf out their front door. Just incredible! And there are these little fishing ports along the coast, tucked into the beaches of the Gulf, with small wooden boats and colorful torn pieces of fabric and blankets in them, just banked up on the shore waiting for their owners...so neat. Even the boats seem to have a story!

Our first stop in Oman was about 30 minutes in, stopping at a beach, all of us running to the waters edge to feel the warm clean water! Unexpectedly, we spent over an hour there, picking up shells, just walking in the water, taking photos of this serene beautiful jewel with towering mountains and turquoise water, chasing the little silver fish in and out of the water, and bothering a few crabs along the way! It was awesome and playful and childish, such a welcoming experience!

Back in the car, we headed back on the road to our final destination, Khasab. We took lots of photos out of the sunroof of the beautiful mountain forms, sometimes feeling like the rock was just slithering or marshmallow-ing off the mountain, ultimately, causing us to name each type of rock-form we saw - slithering rock, marshmallow rock, slipping rock, demon rock, deck of cards, etc. I felt like I was in a movie, finally realizing that there is no movie ever made that is this good! There were mountain goats everywhere, and the sky was this 'crazy' shade of blue...

We arrived in Khasab, passing the Golden Tulip Resort and Spa along the way...we tried to get some rooms there, but they were all booked up (although we ended up eating dinner and breakfast there), so the nice concierge called and booked us rooms at the Khasab Hotel...and on our way we went for another 2.5 km, right to the center of the little town of Al Khasab. We meandered our way around a few rotaries, and pulled up to the luxurious Khasab Hotel, Christmas lights strung around the sign and trunks of the palms. We parked and walked in and the good thing was, it cost 1/3 the price of the Golden Tulip, so....we took two rooms (only after seeing them, not loving them and quickly realizing this was no Ritz, to say the least), asked where we could get some food and, around 10pm, settled in for the night.

(PS...Apparently the best food was at the hotel restaurant, highly recommended by all of the hotel staff - where you can order chicken fingers and veggie spring rolls and wait 1 hour to get them. Needless to say, we took our chance, and regretted it for the next 2 days. So we headed to the Golden Tulip for their buffet, which we also regretted for the next 2 days. Overall, I don't recommend stopping off in Khasab for good eatin' unless you want American Fried Chicken...they honestly have that.)

The night broke into another beautiful 'crazy blue' and sunny morning in Oman, and we headed back to the Golden Tulip for some espresso and free breakfast (don't ask) before hitting the road....the road to Dib(b)a that is. I spell it with "b(b)" because depending on what part of Musandam you are in, or even more specific, what part of Al Khasab and surrounding areas you may be in, the spelling changes from 1 "b" to 2 "b's" and even with an "e" at times, like Deba. So we ate and took some photos off the terrace, and headed out, back past the Khasab Hotel toward the sign that said Dibba with an arrow pointing left. We took a left and about 30 feet to the left, the road changed from paved to dirt. I made a bet with Wayde for 1 dh that the road would be paved again, for sure. Needless to say, I lost BIG TIME.

So we drove. At one point, Giuseppe called out that we should turn around, that the Audi was not going to make it around this one turn, where the dirt was soft. I said no way. Let's go. And so we went. 2 to 1. And not only did the Audi make it around that turn, but it made it 53.3 kms into the Hajar Mountain Range, reaching points of over 2000m, with nothing but towering mountain side and steep, dropping cliffs keeping us on the 1 lane dirt road. A few pee stops along the way, and we made our way to the old river basin in a valley between the towering mountains. That is where we stopped for a snack, comprised of an green apple for me, and sausage and crackers for the boys. At this point, we figured we were almost 1/2 way to Dib(b)a, and we would be good until we got there. So we ate, pee'd and hopped back in the car.

Unfortunately, this is where our journey on the road to Dib(b)a sort of ends. About 15 kms ahead of us was a military check point. We should have known something was going on when another car that was also making the trek flashed their lights at us...as if to signal some trouble or something. However, we took the chance, and like those before us, were stopped by a young Omani man with a machine gun strapped to his side, asking us where we were going. We told him we came from Khasab and were headed to Dib(b)a. He said "No road to Dib(b)a." But we were sure HE was wrong (ha!), and proceeded to tell him that we had just come from Khasab and he pleasantly asked for our passports....a glimmer of hope. He spent about 2 minutes staring at Giuseppe's passport and again, said "No road to Dib(b)a. Go back to Khasab."

For a little while, as we made our way back up the steep and curving dirt road, we chatted about all the possible reasons he would not let us go. "It must have been because we didn't have an SUV, maybe the road is really bad." But the travelers before us were turned away, and they were in a small SUV. "Maybe because we are not locals, not Arab, just tourists." But the car before us had 4 locals/Arabs. That can't be it.

So we blamed Giuseppe. Clearly, it must be the Italian. I mean, he looked at his passport the longest!!! I'm kidding. (Note: when we arrived home that night, we checked on-line and realized that there was a military check point and NO ONE was allowed through. We figure this might have something to do with the whole lots-of-oil-passing-through thing...;) )

As we headed back to the border, we stopped off again at the beach so that the boys could take a swim in the Arabian Gulf (the salt content is so high, Wayde actually became a buoy!) and I walked, collecting shells, spotting a dead ram along the way. How it got there gave us something to ponder on our 2 hour journey back home to Dubai. (Our best guess - and clearly the most obvious answer - is that it clearly jumped from the mountain, bounced off the jersery barrier, slid through the water culvert and landed on the shore...or maybe it fell off a boat!)

In the end, our journey was without regret, 100% - even though we never made it to our final destination. We went off-road in an Audi (like real off-road - none of this riding through the dunes or driving on the hardcore rock-hill at the Range Rover dealership...), climbed to the highest points of this incredible mountain range, touching the sky with our fingertips and ultimately, and most fulfilling, being able to tell this story and create memories for ourselves to be able to tell our kids one day.

Can't wait to share with you all our next exciting journey...and all the stories we will have and the memories we will create!!!!

Byeeeeee....love d :)

PS: check out our Flickr account for all the pics...it is taking a lot of time to put in a picture for each event, so I will get to it over the next few days...but until then, go to:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bellablu2007

There's life in the water...

2007-10-23T04:50:00.000-07:00

We went out to Al Muna Restaurant in Mina al Salam Hotel at the Madinat Jumeirah last night for a drink...after a verrrrrry long and tiring day.

The original plan was to go this nice little bar/lounge deck area to just relax, however, came to find out that there was a dress code, which none of us were following - no shorts, caps or slippers (aka. flip-flops). So, we happily and quietly left - aside from mentioning to the waitress on our way out that there were a number of other guests that happen to be sitting at the bar in shorts and slippers, just an FYI...ahem...

It ended up being a blessing in disguise as we made our way over to another eatery (Al Muna) along the water-way...where we were seated immediately, outside, along side the water, facing the color-changing Burj Al Arab...all to find out that there was a magnificent buffet going on inside, to which we took full advantage of. There was sushi, Lebanese, Indian, American, dates and sweets and desserts galore, fresh fruit and crackers, and the boys were able to have a cold beer as we sat, relaxing and chatting away for 4 hours.

Part of our discussion was based around the experience of 'water' in Dubai...Dubai locals, as well as tourists, really love water, and since Dubai was built from the desert, all of the water features, besides the Arabian Gulf, are little man-made water-ways, pools and canals that run through many of the developments and hotels around the city...with water taxis (abras) carting people from one cafe to the next.

Ultimately, Wayde was mentioning how disheartening and slightly disturbing it was for him to be surrounded by water, and yet within the water, there was no water-life...fish, seaweeds, nothing. If you look close enough, and simply take it for was it is, you are essentially watching boats in very large in-ground pools. Strange, and surreal, if you ask me.

However, to our pleasant surprise, as we grabbed our bags and walked back around the canal to leave, there in the water we spotted hundreds of small fish, and a dozen sea turtles, with some babies! It was awesome, and reassuring for Wayde, I am sure, that we were not in fact, just sitting by a large in-ground pool, but there was actual life existing in this shallow man-made body of water.

If you are like myself (or Wayde, who also grew up by the ocean (Maine) although I can't speak for him), it does feel slightly fake and disengaging to be part of a city where you are not sure if the salty smell from these canals is real salt water, or just chemicals. And I think last night gave us the glimpse of hope that, although still very surreal and nothing like the Atlantic coastal smells and sounds, Dubai is doing its' best to be as authentic in its' creations as possible.

Bye...d:)

Reminder

2007-10-21T10:53:00.000-07:00

I will be constantly updating the I Spy Dubai blog, so please keep checking back.
We see new numbers all the time, and I thought that I would keep a running log...hoping to get all 1000!!!
(Note: We hear that the first 50 are the real important ones, most likely the Sheikh and his family...)
Love d:)

I Spy Dubai

2007-10-20T08:35:00.000-07:00

Ok, so here is the deal.

In Dubai, there are 2 things to recognize with license plates:
1. If the number is a 5 or has a 5 in it, that is a good thing, since 5 is the lucky number here.
2. If the number is less than 1000, that makes you verrrrrrrry special, or important, or close to the sheikh or just wealthy enough to have possibly bought a number that low...

So, the story is that when Giuseppe and I first arrived here, Wayde informed us that if we see a number less than 1000, and certainly numbers like 5, 55, 555, or perhaps 15...well, then we most likely are passing someone very important, and if we see the number 1, well, that is Sheikh Mo himself. So, we started taking notice of these particular cars when we see them, and as corny as it sounds, we get excited and talk about it and kind of get giddy....well, mostly me, but Giuseppe and Wayde take recognition and think it is cool...

So, in order to share with you our sightings, I decided that I will keep a consecutive updated post (with the possibility of pics along the way, if I can remember...) of all the cars we see with license plates less than 1000 and the type of car, and certainly any that are in the family of 5's...

Soooo, here we go...each time I update, the new ones will be in a different color than existing orange list...

1: White Mercedes Benz G Class
5: Black Rolls Royce
(00)6: Black Range Rover Vogue
15: Porsche (need to check that one again...)
24: Silver Mercedes G Class
27: White BMW X5
32: Silver Range Rover
34: Black Range Rover Sport
41: Gold Chevrolet Tahoe
62: White Mercedes S500
64: White Bentley
72: Silver Range Rover Sport Supercharged
78: White Range Rover
84: White Range Rover Sport Supercharged Vogue
96: Black Range Rover Sport Supercharged
100: White Ferrari 360/Black BMW 750 LI
127: White Mercedes G Class
180: Champagne Hummer H2
188: White Range Rover Sport SuperCharged
214: White Toyota Land Cruiser
215: Black Nissan Armada
223: Champagne Porche Cayenne Turbo
230: White Mercedes G Class
232: White Range Rover Sport Supercharged
243: Green Bentley
345: White Porsche Cayenne
255: Black Jaguar KJ6
256: Mercedes Benz SL500
266: Silver Porche Cayenne Turbo
272: Champagne Range Rover Supercharged
293: White Mercedes SL55
297: Champagne Toledo
361: Gold Ferrari 453
373: Black BMW X5
402: White Mercedes CL500
416: White BMW X5
423: Silver Suburban
431: Black Mercedes E200
433: Black Lexus LX 470
452: White GMC Sierra/White Range Rover Sport
457: White Range Rover
473: White Porsche Cayenne Sport
484: Black Range Rover
485: Black Rolls Royce
488: Champagne Toyota Fortuner
529: Black H2
547: White Mercedes S500
551: White Mercedes G55
552: Champagne Mercedes ES
555: Black Mercedes 6-series Convertible
561: Maroon Chevrolet Corvette Z06
586: White BMW 5 Series
593: Champagne Toyota Land Cruiser
604: Champagne Range Rover
606: White Lexus LX470
680: Black Mercedes S350
697: White Mercedes G Class
742: Black Mercedes Benz G Class AMG
756: White Porsche Cayenne Sport
788: White Toyota Land Cruiser
793: Black Mercedes G Class
802: Black Range Rover
837: White Range Rover Vogue
845: Black BMW 745/White Range Rover Sport Supercharged
858: Champagne Mercedes S500
867: White Mercedes S280
887: White Porsche Cayenne
888: Black Range Rover Sport SuperCharged
894: Black Range Rover Sport Supercharged
899: Black Range Rover Sport Supercharged
911: Black Porsche Carrera
913: Black Range Rover Sport SuperCharged
919: Red Range Rover Sport SuperCharged
926: White Range Rover
928: White Range Rover
942: White BMW X5
948: Silver BMW 545i
949: Silver Range Rover SuperCharged
950: Silver Mercedes S350
978: Yellow GMC Sierra
980: White Audi S8
983: Red Ferrari F430
984: White Mercedes S500
989: White BMW X5

We're gettin' there...I can't wait to see Sheikh Mo's White Mercedes G-class with the #1!!!!
Byeee....d:)

Developing Dubai

2007-10-17T23:32:00.000-07:00

Well, it turned out that CityScape Dubai 2007 was more about developers and the people that have money to invest in what they are developing, than about architecture and the design of the city. It was slightly disappointing, although we did have some great conversation with some good people, handed out business cards and got tons of bags of goodies....and good bags too...these nice thick paper bags with designs and logos and cutouts, filled with brochures and discs - one company even had a book bound of their work!!!!! Crazy, and waste of money since they basically do graphics for other peoples' work...

After being there for about 1.5 hours, we walked outside to get a cab, and this Lexus pulled up and gladly took us back to our apartment...and well, he was the best part of the day! His name is Aamir, and he was so gracious and happy and chatty and has essentially offered us his services anytime we need, and handed us his business card...Dreams Luxury is the name of his service...so tacky and Dubai! But good guy, and told us all about his family, and well, it is was just a nice end to a slightly disappointing adventure!

Ok, that is all...going to do laundry...I hate hate hate hate our laundry machine!

Byeeee...d:)

POSIT heads to CityScape/Dubai 2007

2007-10-16T23:54:00.000-07:00

Well, Giuseppe and I are heading off to the Dubai International Exhibition Centre in a few hours to represent POSIT studio/dubai at CityScape...we have to get all dolled up, and we are essentially going for the day to talk to people and network...as they like to say in the US, networking is everything (in most fields.) Well, to put it bluntly...in Dubai, it is the only thing.

Who you know here and who knows you means the world here, and it can get you everywhere and anywhere you want to be. It seems apparent that Dubai lacks a certain deep history, perhaps like, say, Boston or Chicago, where buildings are old and money is older. Here, everything is new. Money, buildings, people, the city. So, as a new city with new people and new ventures at every turn, it is therefore highly advantageous to every single person to know as many other people as possible, to create lasting relationships, and use money wisely so that one day, there will be old money and established relationships and buildings that have become landmarks...

So, wish us luck in meeting many people and making a great first impression...we look good, we feel good, we got our handouts and business cards....and we're off!

I will write later when we get back to let you know of our great success...(or failure, but I just don't see how that is possible, with Giuseppe's cute face and my new hair cut!!! Ha ;D )

Byeee....d:)

Green for Good

2007-10-14T22:56:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Today is Blog Action Day and unfortunately, my day became very, very busy designing a brochure for CityScape Dubai (http://www.cityscape.ae/) and also getting somethings done for Giuseppe and I, like health insurance! YAY...we are soooo covered!

Needless to say, it is now late and I am beat and have a bit of brain-block, but didn't want to neglect Blog Action Day since I am passionate about the environment and creating a future that we are proud of, both on a global level as well as an individual level, so...

I have decided to, at the very least, post some sites that I would love for you all to check out. They mostly pertain to design - interiors, graphics, furniture, fashion, etc. I have a true and deep passion for creating beauty in everything we do and every place we are (hey, don't fault me because I am a Libra ;D ), so check out these links....

{psssst...I have snuck in a few vegan, yoga and hippie-inspired sites as well, just to keep things fresh and give props to everyone keeping not only a healthy perspective on the environment, but also on their own spiritual selves!}

Stay Green for Good and enjoy!!!!!

http://www.ecomall.com
http://www.massivechange.com
http://cityofsound.com
http://www.worldchanging.com
http://www.treehugger.com
http://www.eco-furniture.com
http://www.yogabasics.com
http://www.theabundancesite.com
http://www.yogaatsantosha.com
http://www.inhabit.com
http://www.moderngreenliving.com
http://www.re-modern.com
http://www.withthecurrent.com
http://www.velocityartanddesign.com
http://www.urbanecoinc.com
http://www.getwithgreen.com

UNITEnvironment

2007-10-13T01:28:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!
I just signed up for BlogAction Day, and this year the theme is the environment...October 15th, 2007 will mark this day on-line, and there are thousands of blogs from all over the world that are participating in some fashion...some donating, some just promoting, and some just writing about something related to the environment that means a lot to that person/blogger/company, etc.
So please check back here on the 15th so you can see what means a lot to me...
My blog title will be "Green for Good..." and you will have to check back to see what good I try to do and will continue to make efforts towards helping keep a safe, clean and healthy environment!
Bye!

It's my party

2007-10-12T01:43:00.000-07:00

Well, yesterday was birthday 28, and it was great!

The weather was beautiful and the heat is really cutting down now, so it is really enjoyable to go out in the day...Giuseppe and I spent our day out and about at the Festival City mall over the Al Garhoud Bridge, getting some little things at Sephora and looking at shoes, and then heading to HyperPanda (they don't have super-markets here, they have hyper-markets!) for some house items....we also drove around a new development near IKEA (not sure we like it...), but we did get some good pics of the new buildings and the golf course, neat stained-glass water feature, and some lady with an umbrella! You need those out here, you know? You can see them all on our flickr account (for those who don't know it, it is: www.flickr.com/photos/bellablu2007 I can invite you to see them all if you haven't been invited already, so let me know!!!)

As for my birthday, breakfast was at mOre, a neat place in the Al Marooj Hotel right around the corner from here...then for dinner, Giuseppe took me out to sushi at this totally amazing place called Tokyo in the Emirates Towers (where Sheikh Mo has his office!). We got a private room where we had to sit on the floor and take our shoes off and just enjoy eachothers' company and have drinks and eat a lot of excellent food. We haven't had the chance of having sushi here yet...actually that is a lie...we did have sushi, just not GOOD sushi, so I don't count it. So, this was our first "good sushi" experience and I had been dying for some really good, fresh unagi and sake (those are eel and salmon), and that is just what I got. Giuseppe, of course, had his signature tako nigiri and tempura prawn maki roll, and although I only have a picture of our EMPTY plate (that is a good sign!), we utterly enjoyed it all.

And the waitstaff was extraordinary, in fact, the first few minutes, I don't think we actually knew who would be waiting on us-there were so many people helping, whether to pour the Italian bottle of water, placing our napkins on our laps, handing us menus, and offering red slippers to Giuseppe for his feet after taking our shoes off. Although we find the service unmatched here in Dubai, Tokyo really set a high standard yet to be experienced...needless to say, we will be certainly go back!

After we ate, Wayde came to join us for more drinks and gossip before he had to leave to go back to Boston this morning (it is 12:50pm here for all of you who are not yet accustomed to our time difference, we are 8 hours ahead of EST)...the chef made a special dessert for me with a little "Happy Birthday Danielle" tag made of chocolate and after a few lime daiquiris and some hot sake, we were ready to call it a night...so I now say goodbye to my birthday and HELLO to a wonderful year of being 28! So far, so good! Talk to you all soon again..check out the pics below of our night...xoxoxox

Caught in the Middle

2007-10-10T10:05:00.000-07:00

The Middle East, that is. 3 weeks ago, this past Sunday, my husband Giuseppe and I moved to Dubai, UAE. This amazing opportunity errupted and we jumped in...both feet, no looking back...and here we sit, in the Middle East! Who would've thought that 3 months ago, at our wedding, on 7/7/07, that this was in the stars for us! It is amazing, surreal and extravagant in all aspects of the word. Let me brief you a bit on my initial reaction to moving here...HUH?

However, that was not my first reaction to arriving here...it was more like WOW!

That is where the 'extravagant' part comes in...the lifestyle, the people, the spaces, the architecture (that is why WE are here), the beauty, it is all extravagant. It is tip-top, over-the-top, glitz and glamour to the uttmost...everything is done and overdone and then overdone some more...just to seemingly make sure that there is nothing that can top what 'it' may be...whether a hotel or development or the new Dubai Mall across the street from where we live. An oasis built from nothing but a lot of golden sand, a place where just years ago, there was nothing but some dreams and visions of the Sheikh at the time, a little treasure box that is now encrusted with precious tourists all looking to make their mark on what is the biggest booming city on Earth.

No kidding, 1/4 of the world's cranes are here in Dubai. There are so many buildings being designed and constructed here that they literally ship in thousands of labor workers from India and Pakistan daily to keep up with the pace, which is still not doing the job, being that some projects are said to be a minimum of 3 years behind schedule. It nearly seems impossible since everywhere you look, every place you go, there are workers. They work day and night, round the clock, on everything from malls to condos, to an island oasis shaped like a palm tree and the world's tallest tower, The Burj Dubai. As I like to describe to my family, it is "one big construction site." Albeit for some camels crossing the street to their training track just 10 minutes outside the city.

Overall, we absolutely have embraced our move to Dubai, and are thoroughly enjoying where we live...the area is called Old Town, Burj Dubai, and it is centrally located to everything! We can get to the camels in about 10 minutes, the beach in 20, the desert in 40, the Mall of the Emirates in 15 (The Dubai Mall, a 12.1 million s.f. space is being built across the street from us!), IKEA in about 15 and we have our own little souk right in our development, with restaurants, grocery stores and designer glasses and clothing boutiques, in addition to traditional tea shops, cafes and local arabic goods...ie. The Camel Company! They sell everything camel! Giuseppe and I have been lucky enough to travel and explore around a bit together, getting used to the 6-lane highways, speeding BMW's and Ferrari's and how nothing is located related to a street, but rather landmarks...the streetscape changes each day, so it is utterly impossible to tell someone to take a certain street/road/boulevard when tomorrow, it may not be there! Crazy, but true!

So we live in Yansoon 3, one of the many buildings in Old Town, on the 3rd floor with this incredible view of the Burj Dubai out of our balcony, and what is soon to be Old Town Island and The Boulevard, which will soon be a water and grass filled oasis where we can walk to open-air cafes and markets, the Dubai Mall and many water features along the boardwalk. I feel very safe and enjoy the gym, pools and relaxing environment that are all part of what we now call "home."

Although our hearts are with our families and friends back home, we are making this an opportunity of a lifetime, and can't wait to see what is to come, so stay tuned...

PS...I turn 28 tomorrow, October 11, so send some good wishes my way as I ring in MY new year in my new found home with a wonderful future and life ahead of me....Buon Compleanno a me!