A Guy

Ok.. i know i promised u different posts, and i'm working on that.. but i have to share this with u!!

A guy called me last week on my mobile claiming to "not know me" and that he wants to get to know me, and to make a long story short, after a couple of days, a few un-answered phone calls, and a few messages, i concluded that he's a well-mannered boy, yet ther'es something fishy.. he said that he got my number from "the internet", but i was convinced that he was a hiding something, an alterior motive probably..

He called me again this morning at 3:20 am, so i decided to answer to put an end to it.. being the "nice" person that i am, i think i scared him into talking.. he said that he got my name and number from Ringo.. ofcourse, i didn't believe him coz i don't use Ringo, Hi5, or any of the other similar stuff.. anyhow, i decided to give him the benefit of a doubt, and while talking to him, i decided to search Ringo for my name.. I had to get a new password and stuff, and finally.. i was in.. i looked up my name, and to my absolute horror, i found out that i had an account with my full name, phone number and address!!

SHIT!

i remembered that i created this account a few years ago, and that the idea pissed me off, so i blocked their mail and that was the end of it.. i had no idea that all my info was posted for all to see, and apparently for some to assume that it is there for the purpose of "forming friends" or whatever the hell they want to call it..

Now the q, what do i do with the guy??!

The Deal

Last monday, OT and I were chatting, and i happened to mention something about my "exam's-weight" and how I was trying to get rid of it, and he told me that he too still has some kgs that he'd like to get rid of.. So I came up with an idea: Him and i would make a deal!

The deal is the following: "In 4 weeks we have to reach our goal, and he who loses should invite she who wins to a fancy retsaurant where she can eat all the yummy stuff she wants, whereas the one who loses should continue till he reaches his goal" <-- I added the last part without OT knowing.. hehehehe

time frame: starting Wednesday (Aug 16) and ending Wednesday (Sep 13, My Birthday!), ofcourse I offered that we start on Tuesday and gain more time, but OT refused, so i started on my own and gained a whole day for meee! :D

goal: OT's: to lose 5 kgs
mine: 1. to lose an inch (literally) from my thighs and from my tummy
2. to get my old pretty tummy back
3. my weight does NOT matter! :)

Plan: OT's: let him tell you, I have no idea.. though i think he wants to starve himself :P
mine: are you ready for this? It's long!! (OT: feel free to steal my plan :P )

part 1: exercise:
1. cardio: for the first week, i'll jog for 30 minutes 6 days a week, challenging myself to cross more distance each time. After that, I'll travel, so i'll have to figure out what i could do.
2. toning exrcises: concentrating on my problem areas.. this link is great (although i do other stuff too!)
http://health.msn.com/dietfitness/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100142035&GT1=8404
3. stretching: a major fault in my regular work out plan. I hope i'll do more of it now, especially after i took a great book from my brother; "Stretching by Bob Anderson"

part 2: "diet":
1. increase my protein intake
2. eat less fat and sugar (key word: less not no)
3. no eating after 9.30 pm unless there really is no other choice.

progress: OT: he decided to start on Saturday Aug 19, no updates form him yet
mine: i'm roughly sticking to the plan, jogging around 3.3 - 3.6 km every day (I'm so proud of me!!)

Wish us luck :)

Update on My Summer Plans

Well.. Summer is more than half over, so i decided to go over my plans and see what i haven't done yet to "catch up"..
here' what i accomplished..

1. I know how to link to stuff, e.g. my original post :P

2. I lost most of my "Exams-weight".. but the last tiny bit just won't go away!! That's where "The Deal" comes in.. (suspense..) I'll post about it later :)

3. I started reading the books.. a must read is "why men lie and women cry".. if i had to choose only one relationship book to recommend it would be this, it's even man-friendly! (as opposed to all oterh relationship books!)

4. i finally have another closet.. and much more closet space!! (i can see my clothes now!)

5. I trained for a month only here in Jeddah, coz the other month was supposed to be in Beirut.. soon inshallah "سنرجع يوما"

6. I'm traveling to Dubai and Prague with Sunshine and Clareeish inshallah within a week.. more details on that later!

7. I didn't go to all the weddings.. thus i didn't have to buy new dresses (except a gorgeous Karen Millen one).. give me a month or two and i'll have to start worrying about dresses for the winter weddings that await me..

8. cleaning the room is half done.. i still have a lot to go.. i'll probably get uo now and tidy up more..

9. computer is still as messy as hell.. aaaaaaagh

10. i took my wisdom tooth out.. i still have one more to go... or was it 3?.. loool

11. Still don't know how to get closer to God.. :(

12. i don't use actually so much anymore.. is there any other word that i use repetitively??

13. I'm officially black now.. yaay :)

14. I'm planning to turn blond-ish.. Jennifer Aniston style.. what do u think?

19. No Beirut, No driver's license.. inshallah soon :)

20. Got new passport pics taken.. finally!

21. massage in Karlovy vary, Czech republic.. The town of pampering.. :)
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So i guess most is done, except the cleaning up.. and i owe u guys 2 posts now; the deal, and the trip.. :)

Saudi Society

My sister-in-law and i were talking the other day about the Saudi society, and how she was having trouble adjusting (she's European, and she's been here for only a year or so).. and i was trying as much as i can to explain to her a few things..

Being not much of a fan myself of the Saudi culture, mentality, society and traditions, conversations like this tend to show me how much i like/hate certain things.. here are a few things that i truly do appreciate about certain saudi traditions..

- segragation of sexes: I know this sounds weird coming from me, but there are certain places where men and women should NOT be allowed to mingle.. e.g. GYMS. I'm sorry, but it feels really weird when ur trying to work out ur gluteal muscles (a.k.a. ass!) and u basically look like something out of a black rap video, and there's a GUY next to u.. umm.. thanks, but no thanks.. i'll pass

- the norm is having groups of just girls hanging out in public places: this way, you get to hang out more often and therefore be closer to your "girlfriends".. i mean, no matter how "cool" and "laidback" you are, there are certain things that can NOT be discussed in front of guys.. and let's be real, 20 years from now, how likely is it that you'll still be friends with those guys? on the other hands, girlfriends last a lifetime.. :) all i'm trying to say is, this "style" of socializing offers a better bonding between girlfriends.. something i found missing in many other cultures..

- wearing an Abaya and Tarha: yes, again, coming from me, this is odd. It does have an advantage though... you get to wear what you want to wear under it, not what your girlfriends think is cool, what guys think is hot, bla bla bla.. so basically, if you're a person who likes to take care of herself and dress nicely and fix her hair even under the Abaya and Tarha, congratulations! you will never run into a rut where you'll stop dressing nicely and hang out in a bathrobe all day long at home.. this might have the opposite effect though.. that since no one sees what you're wearing, you'll dress like crap all the time.. :/ depends on your personality i guess.. And just to clarify one thing, i do NOT agree on the concept of the Abaya, i think it's a horrible idea that makes what Mao did to the Chinese sound "nice" and "logical".. but this is called looking at the silver lining i guess..

Places to Hang Out in Jeddah

Everytime my friends and I want to go out, we have to spend ages deciding where to go.. Last time, I actually gave them an "off-the-top-of-my-head" list of places organized by location, and still it was difficult!

Solution:
Post an updatable list of all the places in Jeddah that human ladies like us can hang out in.. with your help ofcourse!

I'm organizing them this time by location, maybe coffee/dinner would be better?

P.S.
* Bassem told me about these places, but I've never been there! :) His comments will be in this color :)
I'd also like to thank OT, who was also kind enough to offer a quick "Review" of the some of these places. All his comments will be in this color :)

Tahliya:
- Barnie's Restuarant/Cafe: I just plain don't like it.. I don't know why!
- The place in Promenade II: Their food is not that good, and neither is the place, the stairs are creepy!
- Benihana:(Japanese) Good food, but you end up smelling like, well, food! Oh yeah, and it's not that light on the wallet, but it's worth it
- Lallo:(Italian) Finally went there! quiet atmosphere.. quite small actually, with a home-y feel to it.. their food is good, and you can actually buy their uncooked pastas and raviolis to cook them at home for very reasonable prices.. (I'll do that next time I go!). My complaint? not enough ravioli choices.. :/
- Fuddruckers: Yummy food.. place full of memories.. and the brownies.. and the fries.. and the cheese.. yummm!
- Blasamico: (Italian/European): Has shisha, food and atmosphere are average.. (OT) I like the couches outside, but now in the summer time, there's a minimum charge apparently! (I HATE the minimum charge idea!!!)
-La Villa: (1/2 Italian, 1/2 Indian) both cuisines are very good... (OT)
-Goodies: (Lebanese) has quick mazzeh food.. (OT)
-Baguette: Sandwiches and other fatty foods... Not bad... (OT)
- Second Cup: (Coffee) you must try the vanilla bean hot chocolate.. yummm! and the setting is very relaxed.. It's like an up-graded Starbucks :)
- Tea Amo: (Tea) Nice selection of different teas.. relaxed atmosphere.
- Harley: i haven't gone there in a couple of years. According to Bassem, it's a basically a place for Shoshos with an infamous reputation
- Piano Cafe: according to what I've heard, it's not a place for ladies to hang out.. Bassem agrees.
- Gilateria: (Icecream) I never set a foot in that place; It's more for the "younger/dating" crowd.. Used to be a favorite place of Bassem. They changed the manager and stopped serving m3assel so he stopped going there.

Rawda:
- Osaka:(Japanese) Bennihana's food is better, but the place offers more privacy ;)
- El Forno:
- Pearls: I don't like that place.. dunno why! But they have nice music (Bassem)
- Black Rose: Never been there, but heard it was overpriced, overdimmed, and according to Bassem, lots of Shosho were around. Ahmed says the food is actually good. :)
-Le Chalet Cafe: (Swiss) Lovely place. The food is good. It's usually not crowded and the lighting is dim so it offers some nice privacy. (Bassem)
-Gulf Royal: (Chinese) Above average Chinese food... Large selection (OT) I prefer it for take-out though.. coz the setting isn't that nice, Bassem agrees.
-TOKI: (Gourmet Chinese): The best food in Jeddah, even Saudi I would say... Amazing (OT), as opposed to Over priced and i didn't like the food that much. (Bassem)
- Chai & Ba: (Tea) also a tes lounge, you can go studythere in the morning, more casual than Tea Amo, and they have a big screen tv.. you can also buy the tea you liked. A must try: Orange jasmine tea

Andalus & Falasteen:
- Chili's: (Mexican/American) Very fatty.. everything is fried and oiled.. but i still love it. Major downpoint: on wednesday afternoon, there can be a wait for up to an hour and a half.
-TGI Fridays: (American) Better than Applebee's. Bassem's favortie American food place.
- Applebee's: (Amercian) There's also one located in Prince Sultan street.
(Just to clarify, i have a theory of how things go; people go to Chili's, they don't find a place, so they go back into their cars, and drive to Friday's. Now if Friday's was full too, that's when they go to Applebee's)
- Mon Cafe: It's one of those wanna-be-different-so-all-the-lights-are-out kind of place, which turns freaky when you realize that they have blacklights on (!!) I's hard to concentrate on the quality of the food when the teeth of the person in front of u are glowing white!
- Java Lounge: Used to be very nice.. Their m3assil is quite good, but it's become overpriced for a lounge.. I mean, 45 S.R. for a tiny cup of juice??! That is, excluding the 15% service charge!
- Vertigo: Setting is nice, food selection is rather odd; most of it completely suck, but some are just great, overpriced for the quality of food, and for the quality of people you find (more of a higher-class Shosho place at later hours). It's funny how different the atmosphere is from Java which is literally 10 meters away!
- Cafe Aroma: (Fusion) Great food, horrible service.. (OT) but i think the food has this preservative salt or something in it, coz evey time i come back a gallon of water can't quench my thirst
- Lost City: Aroma wanna-be (Bassem)
- Shahrazad Tandoor: (Indian): It's a wierd indian restaurant that Mytique took us to; great food, hilarious setting!
- La Cuisine:(French) Great food, classic setting.
- Black & White:
- Joffrey's:
- Senses: (Fusion + Sushi) somewhat similar to Java (same owner), more expensive though. I like the tvs with psychedelic stuff on it. The reason why i don't go is.. umm.. the stairs really freak me out; i feel like i'm gonna fall through them.. And since i always wear high heels, someone either has to hold my hand on the way up (i prefer they carry me, but whatever), or it takes me a full 10 minutes to go up.. what's wrong with elevators.. or normal stairs??
- Bubbles: The setting is gorgeous, that food is okay, but it's way overpriced (especially with the DUMB minimum charge rule).. My advice? Go there for american coffee and a vanilla Mille-feuix at 5 pm at the seats near the window.. just great!
- Byblos: same as bubbles, but add to it that i would not go out of my house to a restuarnt and pay all the for lebanese food! I eat yummy lebanese food at home!
- Red: (Japanese) mixed reviews... The sushi is supposedly very fresh... (OT) I also heard there's a karaoke room.. wanna go Mystique?
-Maharaja: (Indian) Good food, run down and old spot... (OT)
-Lenuo Cafe: (Pizzeria) Very good pizza, and the Nutella covered calzone with 7alawa ta7eeniya inside is to die for!! (OT) I hope OT would realize that if he didn't provide me with the exact location of this place i just might hunt him down, find where he lives, and gives him what he deserves for hiding such a wonderful place from the rest of the human race.. :)
- Shezan: (Persian) Dont like it :/ (OT)
- Sanabeek: (Seafood) A la 3anbariya and Shara style...
- Irani (Persian): Heard it was bad...
-Casper & Gambini's: Amazing salads and wonderful interior design.. great to have breakfast at.. anbd the quality of their delivery is even better than their in-house.. i think it's the most popular and healthy delivery place in Jeddah

Tareeg Al-Malik & Corniche:
- Havana: It's really tiny. Hilarious setting. food and drinks are good. and the brownies.. (L)
- Nakheel: Best big out-doors place in Jeddah (for the lack of something better). Service sucks though, and I'm sorry to tell you Ahmed, but kids are finding their way there these days.. just ask Mysitque!
- Steak House*: (American) been to the one in Andalus. Good food, but the setting is not that nice. I'm a sucker for good baked potatoes..
- Zee Noodles*: (Oriental) The place is very nice. The food is good. The service is rather quick. The prices are reasonable. (Bassem)
-Multaqa (Laylaty): Amazing food with fresh pasta and sushi, but very pricey (SR 250-300 per person) (OT)
-Bice (Italian @ Hilton): The best Italian restaurant in Jeddah... Very pricey though (SR 250-300) (OT)
-Il Gabbiano: (Italian) Good pasta, but the interior design is lousy!! (OT)

Sari Street:
- Shisha Cafe*: Right next to Nando's behind Samba bank. They only serve m3assel and juices though. However, their m3assel is great (Bassem)

Other:
-Shurafa (Fusion): I heard the pizza and sushi are great... (OT) The food is soo yummy.. used to go there all the time in the old location, but now, the interior makes me feel like i'm at some old relative's house with the crystal-ly gold-y decor.. a bit too old for me :)