Currently: June 2015

This month has been really low on most entertainment, except for series. I basically watched way too much Downton Abbey and Gossip Girl last couple of days. Here's what's keeping me entertained.

Gossip Girl S5 | I am dragging this because I want to make it last longer since there's only one more season. I really love Blair and the fashion in it, it's sort of like a modern day Downton Abbey. This season is both weird and completely fun, with princesses and way too much drama, but then what else can you expect from it eh?

Full House S3 | Both my sisters are hooked on to this and we kinda resemble the family because I'm sort of like DJ and while Hipster Sis is nothing like Steph, Mick is a total Michelle. Ah, 90's shows, how we miss them. I've still got a long way to go. This season Michelle is just so cute I keep aww-ing every time she has a scene. 

Clueless | One day I had this brilliant idea to watch the top 20 teen movies ever so I got a list and downloaded them all but my PC broke so this and two more other movies were the only things I could watch. This was such a cult movie and I enjoyed it a lot. Cher is so fab and completely adorbs. You definitely need to watch this. It's way cool. 

A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra | One of the books in my reading challenge and it also won a Pulitzer prize so I had really high hopes for it. It's set in Chechnya and is absolutely heart breaking so far. It's also very hard to read because there's a lot of emotional and sad things happening and lots of history about Chechnya and the war but I think it's going to be a worthwhile read. 

Selection by Kiera Cass | The first book in the Selection series, and next on my TBR pile. This series has been raved about by every booktuber ever so I've got really high expectations and looks at that gorgeous cover! So beautiful. 

Fight Song by Rachel Platten | This song has been my savior for the past two weeks and Tay and Rach sang it together on her 1989 tour and I was just beyond happy to see them collaborating on this. This song I want to dedicate to everyone, because y'all need a fight song. 

So, what's keeping you entertained this month? 

Perks of Dating Matthew Crawley

Thank to my friend Shums, I got obsessed about period drama Donwton Abbey (I used to think it was called Downtown Abbey hahaha) and my favourite characters are Matthew Crawley and Lady Sybil Crawley. I finished watching four seasons of it in the span of a month and I absolutely adore the dresses, the manners, the language, everything about it. 

So, naturally I had to write about Matthew Crawley. He's so lovable and humble and here's why he would make for a perfect SO. 

1. He says the most cheesy things that make you want to hold him a little too tight. 

Seriously, Matthew is not one for keeping things to himself, he would tell you how much you mean to him, even if you are engaged to someone else because he is a new age romantic. 

2. He is always up for a dance

and take you to the dancing floor and serenade you with his carefully maneuvered and graceful dance moves. He will make your everyday memorable, whether it's cheeky dancing in a servants hall or a waltz at a ball. 

3. He looks at you like you're the only girl in the world

and you don't need Lady Mary to tell you this. His one look can make your heart do things you didn't know it was capable of. 

4. He's rich but so down to earth

You know he's not one of those snobby rich guys. He's the exception to the rule. He's so down to earth and can fare well for himself which makes him a lovable rebel. 

5. His Smile

Need I say more? His smile makes you weak in the knees. It makes you want to run away from the aristocratic and misogynistic values of 1920's and live with him on the countryside. 

6. He's smug and you can't help but roll your eyes at him

I mean seriously. He knows he's got you and he still can't believe it. He thinks of himself lucky when you know you're the lucky one. 

7. He's a fighter and looks damn fine in a uniform. 

The war only made him way hotter and men in uniforms are just to die for; especially with that sleek hairstyle. 

8. His Smirk

Oh Matthew Crawley, killing hearts with his boyish charms before it was cool. He's the 1910's heartthrob. 

and lastly, 

9. When he's got you, you know you've got a chance at something real

because Matthew Crawley knows the value of things and he understands people. He's the best of both worlds, a mother's boy and a people's heir. 

If you love historic fiction or 1920's, you're gonna love Downton Abbey. 

5 Things Every Girl Has to Deal With Living in Male'

Male' is most definitely not the easiest place to live in. In fact, being a woman in Male' is extremely hard but it has it's perks. Here are some things to consider about Male'. 

1. You will get harassed on the street, probably every single day.

It doesn't matter whether you are 13 or 30, every girl has dealt with this and have to deal with this. Nowhere is safe, not even on your own road. You could either ignore them or say something, but this still continues to happen. To be honest this isn't a women only issue. Even men get harassed on the street, but about 83% of the time, it's women who are victims to eve teasing, grabbing, staring, vulgar words and plain ogling. It's so shameful but once you've lived here long enough, you actually get used to it and accept it as part of life here. 

2. You will probably live with your parents until you get married and even then. 

This comes from a mix of Asian culture and our life-long dependency on parents. In fact, living on your own is considered taboo around here. There are perks to living with parents for most of the time; shared bills and food always on the table. Once you can get over the nagging and complaints, you can possibly enjoy spending time with them and eating together; it's actually pretty nice. This however makes most girls extremely dependent on other people which is a shame. 

3. There's litter everywhere

and spit. The roads are overcrowded and there is no space to walk so you have to carefully maneuver in between parked vehicles and litter on the streets. People actually leave their garbage out for city cleaners to take, which is beyond crazy. Also, you'll probably end up walking into a pile of two day old kitchen waste or someone's spit on the street. If it rains, then better stay inside because roads will get flooded and people will get mad at everyone.

4. Your night life revolves around moving from one coffee to another

Yes, we've heard this a million times but it's still true. There is a lack of things to do around here so you end up going from one restaurant to another and the funny thing? you probably end up ordering anything but a coffee. We drink overpriced fancy drinks and eat overpriced food, talk about how boring it is here, talk about love life and then head to another overpriced coffee house, and most of us don't even know the Dhivehi name for coffee. (It's Gahuva)

5. You'll most probably run into someone you don't want to.

The downside to living in a small country, everyone knows everyone and the guy you are dating is probably related to you, three cousins removed. If you're out on the road, chances are you'll meet at least three people you know, one of them probably an aunt who will go and complain to your parents that you're out with people and five other people will probably recognize you and tell their friends about it. You'll also probably run into the guy you don't want to see but have to say hi or deal with drama if you decide to ignore him. The roads are way too small to hide a face. 

and a bonus

6. People will stare at you, everywhere you go. 

Whether you are sitting down at a restaurant with your family, enjoying a meal or rushing late to work or standing on the road waiting for your friend, people will look you up and down. It will make you feel so insecure you'll double check to see if you forgot to wear your pants or if there's something wrong with your appearance but don't worry, chances are you look amazing and people are who they are. They will stare at you if you wear the niqab, hijab or don't wear veil. They will stare at you if you were 7, 17, 27, or 70. You're alright. 

So yeah, Male' isn't really a girl's place but there are some good things here and you'll come to realize that despite all this it's still the place you found love in. It's dark corners and littered roads hold your memories of walking to school with mom, or your first date in Scoop, or the countless times you spent with your loved ones. Despite all of its sad realities, Male' can be your haven of memories and it's a part of who you are. 

What is your least favourite thing about Male'?

Ramadan Mubarak

Hi Guys. 

I know. I've been so MIA it's not even funny anymore. Lots of things have happened the last few weeks and I find myself at crossroads. But more on that later. 

I am really excited because right now it's Ramadan! Ramadan is one of my favourite months because there's just so much good in it. I love the environment, the fasting, the iftars, the traditions, all of it. Allah has blessed us with yet another chance to repent and to do good and I'm just really in the mood for all of it. 

I hope you've been doing good. I've missed writing. To be honest, the last weeks, I've written a couple poems, most of them sappy ones because I've been going through a cheesy romance period. Maybe I'll post one of those if I feel like it. Mostly I've been lazing around watching about two seasons of Downton Abbey and almost a season of Gossip Girl in a three day period. Yes, I have a problem. 

Bye for now. I'll hopefully write some more posts during this week. I miss you guys and writing terribly and must get back to my old self. I'm not too sure who I am right now. 

Keep Hope Alive.