Fort Worth Japanese Garden

Hubby and I visited the Fort Worth Japanese Garden a few weeks ago (where I massively bruised my ankle on a very rough piece of rock). The garden was a little heaven of emerald goodness with ample koi fish ponds thrown in there.

Like Wars, Unfriending and Drama on Facebook!

I've been on Facebook since 2004...pretty much since it was invented and boy has it evolved! For those of us who use it, I think Facebook controls us in more ways than one. For instance, when we upload pictures and update statuses, we expect some kind of response from our friends, either in the form of 'likes' or comments. No likes or comments means you are a nobody. To make matters more intense, we start getting worried when our close friends don't like our posts. Is she mad at me? Is she better friends with that other person whose posts she keeps liking? All kinds of thoughts run amok through our minds. Initially, liking wasn't much of a big deal. But now...now liking means the world in the Facebook community. A lack of likes from an active Facebook friend is guaranteed to mean some kind of beef. I say active friend because if you were to compare all Facebook friends, you'd be in a fix as inactive friends rarely show any activity on Facebook. A like can mean so many things...from a pat on your back to 'yeah I still like you'. I am not stingy with likes for the most part but when I see friends and acquaintances (active ones) being thrifty with likes, I close my 'likes' shop too!

Moving on to unfriending. I probably unfriended a few people here and there a long, long time ago. However, in recent times, I have started to think about unfriending much more seriously. The social networking landscape has changed immensely over the years. Even compared to 5 years ago, statistics indicate socializing is much more prevalent online than anywhere else and I predict the numbers to only go higher. For instance, when someone unfriends me now, I feel much more affected than I would have 5 years ago. Now, if I am not feeling so groovy about someone, I will simple Unfollow them. Its a simple function that keeps that person out of your news feed. No fuss no muss. I feel especially sad when I see someone unfriend me who I haven't met in a long time. There have been instances where someone will send a friend request a few months after unfriending and usually this is someone I am not to close to...make absolutely no sense. I say, if you have a problem, just unfollow and if they are a real threat or cause for concern, thats when you can hit that unfriend button.

Overall, Facebook has changed the mechanics of our relationships with our friends, family and acquaintances. I don't know how much more it could change our relationships, but something tells me its going to be downhill from here as too much of a good thing, can be bad.

This is so beautiful...

Pixi Perfection Palette: Swatches & Review

 First and second row of eyeshadows

 Third and fourth rows of eyeshadows

Fifth row:  Three blushes

Sixth row: Highlighter and bronzer


I bought this palette a while ago...probably late last year. I got this in a clearance bin for $15 at Target. Considering that its retail price is $30, I thought I got a pretty good deal. I saw a few youtubers talk about this palette and how the eyeshadows are highly pigmented and buttery.  I love the eyeshadows as they are beautiful bronze and rose tones, suitable for everyday wear as well as for dramatic looks. The blushes are great too however they work as a highlighter on my skin as opposed to a blush. The highlighter and bronze I am not crazy about, but the bronzer works well as a crease/transition color. Overall, a nifty little palette that is compact and great for travel. A winner!

Bath and Body Works: Lemon Pomegranate Cream

Just bought these travel size body lotion and body mist for $10 at Bath and Body Works. I love tangy scents for travelling purposes as it helps to relieve nausea and any gross feelings you might have on a plane. 

Some chit chat

-I started PhD in Instructional Technology/ Learning Technologies in Summer 2014. This week was first week of Fall semester. Ugh.
-I haven't been to Oman in over 8 months now and that is a really long time gone without having seen my parents.
-I love watching random suspense movies on Netflix. Just watched Compliance and The Iceman. Pretty good.
-I am absolutely obsessed with Dr. Teal's Epsom Salt Soaking Solution . This thing is absolute magic. Your body will thank you once you've sat in a tub of warm water mixed with 1 cup of this salt.
-I love, love, love ribeye steaks. We have a new huge Brinkmann gas grill in our apartment complex and its a legit grill. We just grilled a few yesterday and  all I sprinkled was some salt, pepper and some seasoned salt. It was so moist and juicy. 6 minutes on each side. So good!
-I cut my hair. Short hair don't care :) But seriously, short hair is easier to manage and I haven't had short hair in like 5 years.
-My hubby and I like to rap when we are home. Like we improv rap about daily things in our lives...its so much fun. Like he's gonna go: 'What what...there's no chicken in the house, hungry me, hungry who, let's get some takeout'. 

French sponge cake with strawberries and whipped cream

French Sponge Cake recipe here
Whipped cream recipe here