witsandnuts

Tag: Architecture

• Ripe Market at Umm Al Emarat Park

  Posted at 5:45 pm by witsandnuts, on October 24, 2016

  

  Summer in the UAE officially said “Adios!” and that means things are livelier again at parks. Ripe Market is back in Abu Dhabi and it is happening in  Umm Al Emarat Park (which means ‘Mother of The Nation Park’; the Arabic terminologies translated as ‘Umm’ = mother, ‘Al Emarat’ = the nation). However, some find it quite a handful to pronounce and/or remember, so do not be surprised if it is still fondly called ‘Mushrif Park’.

  

  While the park is open from 8:00 AM to midnight everyday, Ripe Market is happening from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM every Saturday only. As you enter the park, you would see from your left the stalls where organic products (locally produced in UAE) are being sold. Continue reading →

  Posted in Food, UAE | 4 Comments | Tagged Abu Dhabi, Architecture, Free yoga, Ripe Market, Shade House, Umm Al Emarat Park

• The Outlet Village, Dubai

  Posted at 1:41 pm by witsandnuts, on October 2, 2016

  

  After visiting the Last Exit, we decided to check a recently opened shopping destination since it is few kilometers drive away then. While shopping was not on the agenda, it would be clever to burn some calories injected by the paella and burger while taking a peek at this newest ‘village’ in the UAE.  The architecture did not disappoint; it is not hyped because it is indeed stunning particularly if you are seeing it in person. While I am yet to set foot in Italy next year, the plenty of movie orientation and social media spreads made it easily identifiable as Tuscan-inspired.

  

  Shop no. 82 is yet to open; however, it has been photographed more than a hundred times already. Continue reading →

  Posted in UAE | 2 Comments | Tagged Architecture, Dubai, Shopping Destination, The Outlet Village

• 2015 Cityscape Abu Dhabi

  Posted at 3:57 am by witsandnuts, on April 24, 2015

  

  To those who have missed the 3-day exhibit in Cityscape Abu Dhabi, this one’s for you.
  It is no surprise that Aldar’s (a lead developer in Abu Dhabi) main office is of course oddly shaped. I liked how the scale model has accurately captured the intersections and other details. It has became iconic that if you are coming from Dubai, you would know that you are soon approaching downtown Abu Dhabi when you see the coin-shaped building to your right. Continue reading →

  Posted in UAE | 7 Comments | Tagged Abu Dhabi, Architecture, Cityscape

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• About witsandnuts

  Marhaba! That's "hello" in Arabic. I am an expatriate based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). I started writing about my adventures and misadventures few months before arriving here at winter of 2008. I have 2 cats and a dog who live harmoniously together. I am also surrounded by kindhearted, crazy, funny and indescribable humans! I was a dormant blogger for almost 3 years because of countless reasonable justifications like watching football, postgraduate studies, sleeping, traveling, caring for the world, and more! :) I am just so happy that I am back! It is never too late to catch up with the people and things we really care about. Feel free to look around.

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  • 2017 Reflections and being back to basics in 2018
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• Random snaps

  13 January 2020 Timelapse shot with an iPhone 7+ (pre-sunset, actual sunset, post-sunset). 🌅 . . . I have started practising a bit of Stoicism (branch of philosophy) since August of 2019. I liked its effect on my well being. Therefore, while I am quite far to being a real Stoic and I do not intend to perfect it, I joined the 21-Day New Year, New You Challenge. It is the 13th day... Well, I am proud to say that I have failed in majority of the challenges, so far. 😅 I like that some of those challenges seem easy, unreasonable and may trigger a “what the F”🙈... but whenever I fail, I do not feel upset but more encouraged to try again. In the process, I happily learn, know myself more, become better in many aspects, and more at peace. One of the challenges is to constantly watch the sunrise and sunset. I thought it is plain and straightforward, particularly that I like watching the sunrise (more than) and sunset. Hence, my IG bio says ‘Waiting for the sunrise’. Watching the sunrise is also more accessible to me because I usually do it at the parking area near the office or when I walk Clover (our furmily member) on weekends. So, I thought I would challenge myself more in finding quality time to watch the sunset. I tried something new. Without proper planning (out of character), I drove somewhere wherein there is a reflection pool to ‘experience’ today’s sunset. I was there 40 minutes before sunset. I was truly present and witnessed all of it — the ripples, changing colors, until the bottom of the sun reached the horizon. Wow, it felt symbolic and cosmical at the same time. I realized that this challenge taught a great practice — of renewal and rejuvenation. One day has finished and I look forward to witnessing the sun’s reappearance tomorrow, with gratitude and hope.

  “It feels like Christmas everyday because you are here.” #blessed #grateful #Jsjourney #abudhabi #christmasbreak2019

  Exactly a month ago, as we were sitting on this bench. 🕰 . . J: Mama, is there any shop you want to check or would you like to buy something from here? . . Me: No. I don’t feel the need to buy anything. I am quite happy about what I have... . . J: Is there anything specific you want to do while we are here? . . Me: Hhhm... I just want to sit and enjoy the moment. . . J: Wow. . . Me: Wait, I just want to take *this photo*, so I’ll have comparative photos in the same spot, of the times we visited Covent Garden together. #Jsjourney #conversationswithJ #lateupload

  The day we said “see you again”, “don’t cry too much”, and many other things, culminated with the warmest embrace of the century. #Jsjourney #blessed #graceatwork

  J: Mama, it’s amazing! Well, this and that (blah, blah)... What kind of magic did you do? Me: I prayed. I ALWAYS pray for you. Remember the book, ‘The Power of A Praying Parent’? #Jsjourney #thedaybeforemyreturnflight #blessed #grateful #graceatwork

  She’s a wild grass, she’ll survive anywhere. Very proud, I am. #Jsjourney #blessed #graceatwork

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