Dubai Update 04/11

Another week & so another update for the blog:

BIG NEWS: Im extremely happy to report that my Mom will be retiring in August !!! This is HUGE news, and Im sooo very happy for her :)
* My mom is currently in Portland Oregan for the International Ombudsman Annual Conference where on Wedneday April 6th she will be presenting "Adopting Business Excellence and Quality Principles to Create Business Value ...Even in an Ombudsman Office" for 90 minutes. I wish I could be there to see her speak and support her in person!

PARTY:

* The evening started off at La Parrilla restaurant on the 25th floor of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Restaurant link: http://www.jumeirah.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/Destinations/Dubai/Jumeirah-Beach-Hotel/Restaurants--Nightlife/Signature-Dining/La-Parrilla-/ It is a Latin American restaurant, with tango dancers, live music, beautiful atmosphere and great food! The amuse bouche was a mini portion of Cream of Asparagus soup, my appetizer was a Shrimp Ceviche, followed by a Rib Eye steak, and finished off by a mini portion of Berries & Cream dessert sample - with red wine throughout the meal. {And I wonder why Im gaining a bit of weight? haha} Overall the dinner was fabulous- but I will say that compared to Asado at The Palace hotel with a similar menu & style, I preferred Asado for the food, even though La Parrilla had more attention to finer details.
* From La Parrilla, we went to Trader Vics in the Souk Madinat Jumeirah for some of their famous drinks. I had the Ticka Bucka Bucka - not sure about the spelling there - but it consists of 5 different shots of alcohol, but it tastes like juice. By the end of that one drink, I was feeling ready to dance the night away !
* We went to a club called Trilogy to see Sasha!!! While Sasha has been internationally reknowned for decades, I had not yet had the chance to see him live before. The optimal combination would have been to see Sasha & Digweed together - but hey, I wasn't complaining. Sasha came on at about 1 am since his flight was late in landing in Dubai - and he played until close (around 2:45 am). I can understand he must have been exhausted, but he really lacked presence behind the decks - although the beats did make up for it. I was happy to be dancing...
* As a DJ in training & a party lover, I can very much see how Montreal is a DJ's playground simply due to the crowd and energy. The energy and understanding are both lacking here, which is reflective in the sets that DJs play - more mainstream & less imaginative.
* Strangely, I discovered I was dancing next to a Montrealer who used to promote Stereo back in the 1990's. Once he told me about that, I showed him my tattoo - and from there, and instant friendship was made. It is an incredible feeling to be dancing in a club in the Middle East to find a fellow Stereo lover...quite simply, the Stereo family is global & Im proud to be part of it !!! And speaking of the Stereo family, David Morales will be spinning at Sanctuary in Dubai at the end of April :) the countdown is on...24 days!

* Sasha & I - didnt realize it was a video until it was too late...oh well :P

OTHER: I am still enjoying the city ~ I feel great about the new apartment ~ I have driven for the first time this past weekend, safe & accident free. For all the times I complained about driving too much in Ottawa, it was great to be behind the wheel ~ I have just recently purchased a great anti-ageing skin care set from Arbonne. I had considered working for the company a few years back, and fell in love with the products. With the sun, stress & being closer to 30, I thought it was a great time to indulge. If you have not sampled the products yet, I strongly recommend you do so & experience quality skin care products http://www.arbonne.ca/

Recipe Recommendation: I cooked some delicious chili !!! If you would like to try out the simple yet tasty meal, check out the recipe at the following link http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/debdoozies-blue-ribbon-chili/Detail.aspx

xox <3 xox