As I walk along familiar streets that have transformed in 12 years, the once busy Sheikh Zayed Road that is even much busier now and more filled with skyscrapers, Deira,  Jumeirah and the beach, I felt nostalgic and slightly emotional. I could hardly believe that this was my last weekend in Dubai, in the city that I have called home for a significant period of time.

Remember when I mentioned last year how sad it felt watching friends turned families go and being left behind? I daresay it also feels as much being on the other side. Here are snapshots of how our last weekend was like.

Flowers in the desert? Who would have thought such blooms exist in the Middle East? Well, when Dubai does it, expect it big! Always in a grand scale. More than 45 million flowers with 45 different varieties of blooms.

Dubai Miracle Garden has been there for a few years and we even lived very close to it, but never even once visited until recently. What I saw blew me away and my 10 month old daughter enjoyed the bursts of color.

You'll be noticing an avalanche of places in Dubai this week in the hopes of seeing as much as we can before we leave. Plane tickets have been booked today. We are ready to depart on Sunday evening. Let the countdown begin.  

When driving along Al Wasl Road right after Safa Park, you will notice cargo containers that are artistically positioned and used to create an urban retail district that is called "BOXPARK"  Recently opened as one of the latest projects of Meraas Holdings.  

You might have already seen this Friday's posts on Instagram. Oh, to those who hasn't, please feel free to click on the icon above this page. I have noticed that despite not having internet connection anymore unless I'm at my friend's apartment, reminds me to disconnect a bit and enjoy the moment, especially when we have limited time left in the beautiful city of Dubai.

I am extremely excited to share this beautiful home here. Owned by a dear friend, Monique whom you might have met and read here.  She's an expat who has been living in Dubai for more than ten years, working as a Design Manager for a prestigious mall in this energetic city. I am truly inspired by what she has accomplished as she completed one of her goals, construction of her family home in the Philippines.

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Today, I'm choosing a touchy topic. Some may not agree with me but I'm putting myself out there.  If I were to go back to architecture and design school, if there was one thing I wish was part of our curriculum, it would be : to learn how to sell.  Yes, sales.  Why?

Today, I'll try to hit two birds with one croissant.  I'll share a story about what I really do and why I do it. After that, I will show a fun apartment we did.

Imagine for a minute we are in an island hut and I'd offer you either a cup of coffee from a french press or a fresh-from-the-tree coconut. For first time visitors of the blog, this is the sort of feeling you might expect around here. 

Throwback Thursday. I won't say much today. Here's a collection of images from a summer road trip in  Belgium with a stop over in Brussels.  The sky was a bit grey during our visit, but it didn't stop the large groups of tourists from exploring the beautiful square.

Angkor Wat deserves a feature on its own. I used to draw it a lot during architectural classes at the university. Its magnificence captivated me long before I visited Tour d'Eiffel  Memories of Angkor Wat are kept deep in my subconscious in the company of Machu Picchu and Jordan's Petra. I remember feeling excited in the tuk-tuk that morning on our way there.  

The Pub Street greets us in the afternoon after a long slumber recuperating from a feverish ride at the night bus. I was struck with a bad case of flu and the constant dust in the air resembling that of a mini sandstorm every time a vehicle passes made it worse.  Siem Reap is lovely. I felt a lot better during our stay there.  A promise of a fresh pint ran along the alleys and streets, with tourists treating themselves to a 4pm happy hour. USD $ 1.00 per 1 hour foot massage couches lined up the streets and carts of various offerings from books to exotic food.