Sunshine and Rain

Sometimes I write poetry. I'm not very good at it but I need words; words are all I've got. Here's a little poem about sunshine and rain; or more like two people who are like sunshine and rain.

Maybe I'll post some more poetry but I don't think I'm ready to let the world see my words. Posting this took a lot of courage. 

How to get more productive this new year

I am always on the lookout to increase my productivity and get more things done (which is what I tell myself when I eat dinner while catching up with TV shows, haha). The last couple of years I've sort of come to terms with a system that works really well for me (and I am constantly tweaking it to fit the ever changing tasks I do). 

1. Having a planner

This is a no-brainer for me because I love writing things down and I forget things plus if I note them down in my phone its unlikley for me to check it again. My planner set-up for this year is a week on 2 pages (so you see the entire week) and every weekend, I fill the next week with what I have to do (appointments, meetings, classes, to-do lists etc) so I know to never double-book myself. It also helps to keep a track of what I've been doing which is great for reflection and cutting things off to do list is motivational. 

2. Plan out your day the night before

I have a list app in my phone which is like a to-do list so I plan my day (pretty much every half-an hour) so I can fit the maximum amount of things in a day and also can feel pretty organized throughout. I find it easy to fit in time with friends and family int his format and planning the night before means by the morning my day is already planned and I feel super productive the whole day. 

3. Divide big tasks into bite-sized tasks

This is such a big help at work. I feel that I keep pushing the bigger things for later and always procrastinate on them so I started listing down all the small things I need to do in order to finish a huge task and it helps! That way I can finish some of it one day, another couple on the next day and so it doesn't feel too heavy and it helps in minimizing my procrastination. It works really well for assignments too (just start with things like finding reading materials, reading them, taking notes, drafting, writing chapter by chapter, reviewing, etc and in no time you'd have finished about 80% of it and wont have to do everything the last minute. 

4. Keep a track of the work you do at work/college

This is so helpful to me, seriously. I have an excel sheet where I keep tabs of every task I did that day just a list of everything so I can always check back and remember what day I did what. It also helps if you deal with customers so you can give them exact day that you attended to their call, etc. Just use Ctrl+F to find whatever and bam, you have it. I love it so so much and will continue doing it this year too. 

5. Take mini-breaks 

This is again something so important because the more you keep doing the same thing, the more exhausting it will get, so after every 45 minutes, I'll take a 10-15 min break and just read or make tea and drink it, anything but the work and by the time I finish and go back to finishing the work I would feel more energized. It's such a great tip if you're at a desk job sitting down all the time. 

I hope this year you become more productive and keep striking through your to-do list! How do you keep organized?

2015 in a Nutshell

I do posts like these pretty much every year and its a great look back on all the great memories. You can check by 2014 posts HERE. 

Last year was a year of so many adventures. Honestly, I had a brilliant year. 

Keeping with my tradition of giving new year gifts to the 10 people who made my last year, I made personalized notebooks for friends and it was such a fun experience.

   

Then a bunch of my friends threw me a surprise party! (my first surprise party not by parents hahaha) It was such a blast with the fake snow and rounds of two truths and a lie. 

Then there were trips to islands on workshops. I always love outreach programs and forever grateful when I get to volunteer or take sessions. Travelling is one of my favourite things ever. 

How can I forget about Twitsal? It was this futsal competition and it was my first time actually playing in it. It was a blast. 

I was featured in a magazine! AHH good times. Thanks so much to the team at Veekly. It was nice hanging out with them and answering questions. 

I started making book reviews on YouTube which was fun. I'm hoping to continue this year too. My love for books just got ten times more intense, hahaha

MMKF was another fun trip that I'm so glad for. 

The highlight of my year was Eid trip because it was so much fun and I had a great time with my friends celebrating Eid.

So, here's to more fun stuff this year. I hope your year was filled with love, friendship, family and adventure. 

Here's to a fantastic year! 

What 2015 Taught Me

If I had to sum of the last 4 years in what it taught, here's how it would go

2011 - Not being selfish

2012 - Giving back to society

2013 - Going after my passion

2014 - Being kind to strangers

and this year; oh what a roller coaster it has been.

2015 you've broken my heart. You've shown me how vulnerable I really am, that how much I still cannot control things that happen to me. You made me fall in love with someone and then shown me how heartbreak is not as romantic as they show in Hallmark movies, that there is no happy ending to it, that it happens to even the best of us. You showed me that it hurts and the funny thing is in 2013  I had asked god to let me experience any kind of heartbreak because I thought I was dead inside, and little did I know 3 years later, you'd do exactly that. It was messy and terrible and it took me most of the year to try to come to terms with it. 

2015 you've given me lifelong friends and I can't be thankful enough. I already had such amazing friends and I thought that was the best I could get and you've proven me wrong by adding some beautiful people into my life. How amazing is it to be surprised with new people with diverse interests and their own little victories and life stories.

2015 you've made my faith in people stronger. I've seen friends do great things, go after their dreams, fall in love, fall out of love, get heartbroken, get depressed. You've shown me just how human we are and I love it. Thank you for letting me become a part of people's happiness and sorrows. You have no idea how much it means to get to be a part of someone else's life. You've showed me people can be so so much better and that they actually are. You always surprise me that despite how many people break my trust, how many more gain it every year.

2015 you've been both so kind and so terrible at the same time it's not even funny. I have lost count of all the time you've made me laugh and cry, how much you've broken me and yet healed me. The thing is, you learn from so many things and a year later you find that it has shaped you; for the better or worse and you can only hope it's not the latter. I'm so ready for this year to end because I can't wait for 2016! I have so many plans and so much lessons to learn. 

Overall, despite everything terrible, I'm also glad for so so much great things that happened in 2015 (and is to happen in the next few days!). Thank you for adding another 12 months life into my days! Let's hope 2016 is a year of bravery; of letting my walls down and trusting people more; of rebuilding my faith and giving back; of new adventures and climbing higher.

Favourite Books I Read in 2015

Ah year end, what better time than now to talk about some of my favourites I read the last 12 months.

In no particular order here goes. 

Wonder by RJ Palacio

Definitely one of the best books I've ever read. So heartwarming and it makes you rethink everything about little boys who look different than other little boys.

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

Two timelines, two stories, two women, one painting. LOVED this book, the writing style and how the stories intertwined. I did enjoy the part set in first world war a lot more.

And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

Would I ever be bale to read a Khaled Hosseini book and not love it? Probably not. I did have minor problems with too much characters in this book but overall just loved it so much.

Mr.Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

Ah books, adventure, secret missions? YES, YES and YEAHHH. This book was such a thrilling ride and I was hoping for so much more. In fact, I'm sad that this is a stand-alone book. 

A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anothony Marra

This book was closely in line with Khaled Hosseini's work but it has a much bigger impact on me. I love that it took place in just five days but it managed to teach the history of Chechnya and the book was heartbreaking but also hopeful. It's not really an easy read but you'll be a better person for having read it. 

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

I knew I was going to love this book but I just didn't know how much (very much!) and I was so right. Brilliant coming of age story and the background into religion, zoo keeping and philosophy was an added bonus. Thrilling page turner. LOVED the movie too.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

I found this book in the library and have seen so many good reviews about it and I was a bit shocked with the language but once I got over it, it was such a good read. Tear jerking, emotional and sometimes just downright cruel, the story was compelling and I was hooked.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Ah, my very first ever Paulo book and I loved it to pieces. The story was beautiful and the writing was what kept me going. It was both sweet and happy the feeling this book gave me.

Digital Fortress by Dan Brown

Also my very first Dan brown book ever (also his first book) and it was fast paced and I lvoed the coding and the action. These kind of books are some of my favourites. Enjoyed it very much. 

and since we are on the topic here are 3 books I didn't particularly like. 

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

This book was getting so raved about I went in and got it but it was such a bore and the wrost hting is that it would pick up and pace and I would get into it but then it would disappoint. I did enjoy the parts about the painting and the theory about art but overall, I just found it very boring, especially for a Pulitzer Prize winner

A Grown Up Kind of Pretty by Joshilyn Jackson

This book's premise was just so interesting and the cover was so pretty but boy did this book just make me sad. It was pretty lame. I don't even want to talk about this book. NO.

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

How did a Rainbow Rowell book end up of my least favourites? I KNOW. I'M SO SAD cos I had such high expectations for this book and I love yellow rotary phones but I definitely did not like this book no matter how much I wanted to! UGH. 

What books did you love in 2015? What didn't you like?

#HaveeruMovieTitles

Every now and then the Maldivian twitter scene breaks into something fun like battle of the avah, Spread wars and Yaamyn's profile picture decree. Yesterday, a new hashtag was born #HaveeruMovieTitles thanks to Haveeru and their clickbait article where they literally translated a movie title. Clearly, this is something Haveeru often does as the #TranslateLikeHaveeru suggests.

Here are some of my favourites. 

We all need a little Angelina Jolie to spice up our life

Lonu. #HaveeruMovieTitles pic.twitter.com/KO7Z9bs5jJ

— Musal (@FoniLunbo) December 16, 2015

Here's a superhero who's obsessed with sugar

Hini-meehaar #HaveeruMovieTitles

— Yameen Rasheed (@yaamyn) December 16, 2015

Baa Baa Black Sheep?

lha kanbalhee ge hamahimeynkan #haveerumovietitles

— Isha Ali (@ish_aa) December 16, 2015

This title cannot be any clearer

Gengosfi #HaveeruMovieTitles pic.twitter.com/6qpeq1M8s5

— Musal (@FoniLunbo) December 16, 2015

When your obsession with jewelry is too high

Angotithakuge verin #HaveeruMovieTitles

— ibrahim (@usefulOidiot) December 16, 2015

Keynu you not?

Raiyyithu meehaar Keynu #haveerumovietitles

— madman (@juxyn) December 16, 2015

When you get your shrinking spells wrong

Maamui, aharen aharunge kudhinkolhu kurukollaifin #HaveeruMovieTitles @haveeru

— NibiHoor (@PutschMV) December 16, 2015

All these paper people with their paper lives, ugh

Karudhaas saharu. #haveerumovietitles

— Munshi Ibrahim (@munshhi) December 16, 2015

Ofcourse nothing would ever be complete without Harry Freaking Potter making a scene

Harry Jaadihadhaameehaa aai sihuruveriyaage hila #haveerumovietitles

— Bombitty Blob (@BlobbityyBlob) December 16, 2015

When you have to write party invitations and you only remember the guy's name

Sumithuge dhekanbalun #haveerumovietitles

— ishan (@ischern) December 16, 2015

When you're so bad at dancing, it should be illegal

Mududhaaru neshun. #haveerumovietitles

— Munshi Ibrahim (@munshhi) December 16, 2015

Now I know why I'm afraid of hiking

Burakashi bindhaa farubadha #haveerumovietitles

— Bombitty Blob (@BlobbityyBlob) December 16, 2015

This is gonna be us when we're old and grumpy

Muskulhi meehuna gaumei novey #haveerumovietitles

— Ae (@Eliminare) December 16, 2015

When your sister is mad at you and won't stop hitting ugh

Jahaa meeha #haveerumovietitles

— Ae (@Eliminare) December 16, 2015

When you're really mad at someone but they're already dead

Ma kae mahaana ah kulhu jehin #HaveeruMovieTitles

— Sola ☆ (@Sola_maryy) December 16, 2015

Is this a trick question?

Gilbert meybiskadhuru kanee koacheh? #haveerumovietitles

— madman (@juxyn) December 16, 2015

Some heroes live in the dark ages

Fehi fulhibahthi #haveerumovietitles

— Bombitty Blob (@BlobbityyBlob) December 16, 2015

Don't you just wanna do this to people all the time?

Kolhu fain jahaa bureega #HaveeruMovieTitles pic.twitter.com/t2jEW64k26

— Naaif Rasheed (@Naaiyef) December 16, 2015

When you break your fast and the only food there is dates, ugh

Fansaas furathama kadhuruthah #haveerumovietitles

— Bombitty Blob (@BlobbityyBlob) December 16, 2015

I can't even

Dhaarul-aasaaru ga Raykurun #haveerumovietitles pic.twitter.com/At0xfXCbZY

— fasy (@fasyibrahim) December 16, 2015

This is when you're just so done you don't feel a thing

Harukoh Maruvelan Rangalhu Dhuvahe #haveerumovietitles pic.twitter.com/Npph9pxxlB

— George ge Ahammadhu (@AhmedMarzooq) December 16, 2015

You mean another name for Maldives according to old people?

Jinsee gulhun hingumaai rashuthere' #haveerumovietitles pic.twitter.com/J3Qp42IvzU

— Ahmed Shadheen (@shadyfish) December 16, 2015

Pinterest crazies always need some dhalhu in their life

Dhalhu dhalhu #haveerumovietitles #translatelikehaveeru pic.twitter.com/wPlnog3OLu

— PonderingCupOfSoup (@bandey) December 16, 2015

and here's three in a list, woohoo

#TranslateLikeHaveeru -Thari Hanguraama -Mashah ingea kaley midhiya hoonu moosumuga kuri kanthah -Kaley mammaya mashaa dhimaavi goi

— ishan (@ischern) December 16, 2015

Your parents probably said this at some point in your childhood.

Faseyha Alifu #haveerumovietitles pic.twitter.com/wAglI0ttAn

— Maahil (@MaahilMohamed) December 16, 2015

and ofcourse I can't end this post without adding some of mine

Malaamaiy Kuraa Dhoonyeh Maraalun #HaveeruMovieTitles

— Shaha (@heyshaha) December 16, 2015

Jehigen Hurigey Firihen Kujjaa Nunimihuri Viyafaari Mr Tumor Dhurah Dheybala! Banduhaihoonukamuge Kulhivaru #HaveeruMovieTitles

— Shaha (@heyshaha) December 16, 2015

How did twitter react to this? Some were so glad this happened

Fun day on Twitter today😂Am I glad I was there for #HaveeruMovieTitles😂That was awesome guys!😅

— iaN.. (@iiyanx7) December 16, 2015

#haveerumovietitles made my night. Pffft 😹😹

— Kudabe (@ifraxali) December 16, 2015

Reading and trying not to die laughing #haveerumovietitles

— Aman Sameer (@ahmedamansameer) December 16, 2015

and others were sad they missed it which was surprising considering it went on for more than 10+ hours

Nooooo! Too late for #HaveeruMovieTitles!! 😥

— Emaz (@emaaaz) December 16, 2015

Overall, it was such a happening day, all thanks to Haveeru. I'm glas it inspired me to get out of my blogging hiatus to bring you this. 

Currently: September 2015

Ahh, what a busy month this has been so far. The good thing is I started keeping up to date with series. I used to be the kind of person who watched stuff only once the season is over. Now I'm the kind who keeps up with the shows as soon as they come out. I'm still settling to this new way and it's hard. This is what has been keeping me busy this month.

The Astronaut Wives Club S1 | Ever since I heard of the book and that it was made into a TV show, I had to watch it. I love everything vintage and 1950's and this is just perfect. I also have a new found appreciation for astronomy and space related things so this was just calling my name. 

Full House S6 | I do love shows with kids in them and who can ever forget this classic show? I feel like Myra, Mick and I are Stephanie, Michelle and DJ. It's such a blast to watch together and I adore all the clothes, hair and the PG rated jokes. 

Into the Woods | I am a sucker for fairy tales, Disney, Meryl, Anna Kendrick and Jhonny Depp so obviously I enjoyed this movie. It was so jolly and amazing with so many cool twists and basically such a wonderful time. 

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee | This is my favourite fiction of all time, and for this month's Page Turners Book Club, we are reading it. I'm so excited to get back into adventures with Scout, Jem and Dill. 

The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel | The book that the TV show is based upon. I'm reading along (but watching the show before) so I get to see the characters as the actresses in my head while I read and it's written very beautifully. 

WILD by Troye Sivan | Troye has such a hauntingly beautiful voice it would be injustice not to hear it over and over again. I just got this from my friend Abo and have been listening non-stop. 

What's keeping you entertained this month?

Perks of Dating Mal Reynolds

Thanks to my friend Jooz & Hishko, I got hooked on to Firefly. It's such an amazing show and definitely did not deserve to get cancelled (I'm very mad that it didn't get renewed) and I would always enjoy anything that Nathan Fillion is in. He's a bad-ass captain and definitely a complex character who always looks out for his crew and ship. Here is why he would make for a wonderful significant other. 

1. Once he commits, he's in forever. 

Just like him and Serenity, you'll know that he believes in your ship and won't let you explode into nothing-ness. 

2. He always gives the best advice

He will make you completely independent and teach you great life lessons so you won't have to depend on him or anyone else.

3. He's not the kind to give you up. 

You can go around the galaxies in Serenity and spend forever in adventures and you'll know he'll have your back because he's a forever kinda guy; and honestly every girl deserves a forever kinda guy. He'll fight the reavers for you!

4. He's a total bad boy

and I know you can't resist a bad-ass guy who isn't afraid to be devilishly up to no good. You need some darkness in your life for balance and Mal will bring it. Also your relationship will never lack spice. 

5. He can rock a floral bonnet

How many men can you honestly name that can rock a floral bonnet and skill kick-ass? If this isnt reason to date someone, then I don't know what is. 

6. He will always look after you even if you don't want him to. 

He cares and despite all that hard outer shell, you know he's a soft sentimental guy and honestly isn't that just the best kind. He's the best of both worlds and makes Hannah Montana jealous. 

7. He's got style

and groove. Suspenders and brown coats are so space-chic and Mal Reynolds can pull off a mean fashion statement that makes all other galaxies look like peasants in comparison. 

Watch Firefly and Serenity to catch Mal in action and get ready to fall in love again with a character only to have your heartbroken because you can't get enough of him!

Baskin-Robbins always find out.

Last month, my friend Niu and I went to see Ant-Man. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not a fan of action movies but I was looking forward to this movie for the longest time because of Paul Rudd. I've been a fan of him since Mike Hannigan and will always watch anything he's in. 

The movie was absolutely amazing. Of course it was filled with action and lots of cool geeky stuff like references to other movies and it was so funny. The Mexican guy stole the show with his storytelling and most of it, I enjoyed the story line. 

The parts where he's tiny and moving across, overcoming obstacles and challenges were both nerve-wrecking and exciting to watch. I definitely loved them the most and I was able to get by the action (still not a fan of the fights, no matter how cool some moves are, I appreciate it but don't enjoy it) with minimal discomfort so that was a plus. 

Do get it on BluRay or DVD because Paul was amazing in it and it's one of the better action movies I've watched this year. Funny despite how much I dislike action movies, I tend to go to them because Schwack brings a lot of action movies and all my friends are a fan of them haha

Rating:4/5

August in a Nutshell

I have been pretty lazy/busy/demotivated the last couple months; honestly I don't even know how fast this year seems to be going. It's crazy. August was a pretty busy month, far more than any other this year.

It started with BOOKUBEATHON which is a week long read-a-thon hosted by a Booktuber named Ariel Bissett (the book part of Youtube) and it was my first time taking part in a reading marathon so I was very excited.

You can check all about my BOOKTUBE experience from the video above. It was quite overwhelming. I also broke my kindle so that's pretty sad. The other exciting thing that happened in August was Moodhu Maakandu Fest 2015 which is a marine festival hosted by IUCN on AA.Ukulhas and it was my first time visiting the island. I was volunteering to help with the festival and the three days went by in a breeze! It was seriously so much fun and hard work and it was right in the last 3 days of BOOKTUBEATHON so I couldn't read that much either.

I also had exams, lots of classes, anxiety over how completely crazy the roads are (I'm still a very amateur bike rider) and lots of general fear of everything. It was not cool. On the bright side, I saw Ant Man (Paul Rudd was amazing) and had a lot of fun with friends, went on picnics, had book club meetings and a very fun-filled month!

I'm going into September with lots of energy and inspiration; hopefully this will be a brilliant month as well. Happy September y'all. 

Bunch'o' Book Reviews

I haven't been reading as much as I hoped I would but here are some book reviews for you, a collection from my Goodreads and Booktube channel.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Literal Synopsis: Random girl goes to school in Paris and falls in love with a guy. Whining about having to go to Paris and niche interest in old movies. Adorable nonetheless. 

Verdict: Great beach read. 

Look for: Details of Parisian places + Realistic portrayal of friendship. 

Rating: 4/5

Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

Literal Synopsis: Nerdy guy finds employment in a weird bookshop where he isn't supposed to ask questions. He finds what the book store is about and more. Lots of mystery.

Verdict: A Page Turner that will have you wanting more. 

Look for: History on books, digital books, typography + Some amazing plot twists. 

Rating: 4/5

The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger

Literal Synopsis: High school girl gets called ugly by a popular guy and deals with general high school problems. Interesting relationships. 

Verdict: Easy to read and the plot keeps getting interesting.

Look for: Very realistic relationships + witty comments

Rating: 4/5

Hope you enjoy these reviews and do let me know how you find the books. 

Monday Playlist : Fight Songs

During the last two to three months I've been feeling extremely blue due to some negative people and going into fight songs to find strength and an escape and honestly it's been a big help. I'm finally on the verge of getting better, Alhamdhu-lillah. 

I hope these songs will help you in your darkest times like it did for me. 

Trouble No More by Mindy Gledhill

Mindy's wonderful, all her songs are magical and whimsical. I prefer fun and adorable songs to most pop music so it's such a refreshing change. This song is about embracing who you are and getting over your fears, trying new things and letting go of all negativity, just what the doctor ordered. No more band-aids on my heartaches either.

Roar by Katy Perry

I don't know why I haven't found this song sooner. I always see it on charts but never thought it was about empowerment and sweet nibblets it was amazing. It really just brought lots of positivism and while I don't particularly love the video, the song is something I'll always remember. 

Fight Song by Rachel Platten


This song has been like a constant best friend giving me hope and I can't play it enough. There were some days before Ramadan when I was only playing this every single day. It tells you to keep on fighting even if you're the only one. 

Shake it Off by Taylor Swift

Ofcourse, the anthem of shaking off all the negativity and embracing all of you cannot simply be off this list eh. So many days, I've basically started the day off with this song, all ready to take whatever the world is going to throw at me. It's seriously a brilliant song. 

Who Said by Miley Cyrus

I really love how this song is challenging everything people say about you and making it positive. You really can become anything you set your mind to. I'm completely in love with this song. 

Also did you notice all of this list was female? I love more women are singing empowering songs. Not to say that there aren't' any by men, my playlist is very female-oriented, haha.

What songs do you listen that makes you feel better?