I felt inspired to write the song
That sings in so many souls
The song of youth and passion
The song that blossoms in the spring
The song of Romeo and Juliet
The song of longing and gazes
The song of jealousy and envy
The song of stolen kisses
The song of late night wishes
Alas to my dismay
There is no muse for the song’s dedications.
Thank you for reading.
This is my 8th week at the gym and I have to say it’s going really well. I went yesterday and had one of the best workouts ever, not because I like the gym or had a great personal trainer. But because I found the perfect song to workout to and played that on repeat and had a blast.
Here are some of the things I’ve noticed from my 8 weeks of going to the gym three times a week:
Thank you for reading.
I’ve been thinking a lot about 14 years old me. I knew exactly who I was, what I wanted from life, and who I wanted to be (at least that’s how I remember it). I read all night long and listened to pop music and the occasional country music and watched Disney Channel all day everyday. 14 year old me wrote witty diary entries about celebrity breakups and tv dramas. She wore blue eye shadow and lived fearlessly. She was unapologetically Khadija.
I’m definitely not the same person I was 10 years ago. I’ve grown up a lot (thank God), I’ve learnt things the hard and easy way, I’ve laughed and cried and somehow lost a little bit of myself to everyone’s expectations (including myself). I forgot how to live fearlessly and be unapologetically me.
So this month I’ve been going back to basics. Going back to all the things I used to love, listening to the High School Musical soundtracks (minus the 3rd one because that movie sucked), going for long walks, sketching, getting lost in a book, going to the park, putting pen to paper, spending hours chatting with my neighbours and just letting go of all expectations. To be as free and fearless as a 14 year old with nothing to loose and everything to gain.
Thank you for reading.
So last week my mum went on her first ever holiday without the family. All of her holidays have been with dad, or me, or my brother, or all 4 of us, or with another member of our extended family, but never ever with someone outside of the family.
So last week she went on a girls trip with her friends for the first time ever! She definitely deserves a holiday, to get away from her annoying husband and kids. So I just wanted to write a post about how much I missed and adore the woman I call mamma.
Mamma you’re my smile in the morning
You wipe the tears that fall
You cover me with kisses
Your lift me up with encouragement
You fill me up with amazing food
You shower me with compliments
You raised me with respect
Mamma I love you to the moon and back!
Thank you for reading.
I spent this weekend in Dublin, making the Republic of Ireland the 25th country that I’ve visited. Although Ireland is in the EU and not in the UK, it reminded me a lot of England. The plug sockets were the same, the buses looked the same, they drove on the same side of the road as the UK, the only difference was that they used euros. It felt like I never left England, and that was both good and bad.
It was good because I was comfortable and felt familiar to everything there was. I felt like I knew where I was going, and how to get to where I needed to get. It was bad because I had left the UK and I wanted it to feel different. I wanted to explore and get excited about new foods and a different experience. I’m told by my Irish friends that Dublin isn’t “real Ireland” and that I should visit the Irish countryside to get a true feel of Ireland.
One thing that I did enjoy a lot about Dublin is all the Irish history, culture and folklore. As a fan of James Joyce, I was excited to see that they had a Dubliners walking tour. I was also able to visit Kilmainham Goal, and learnt all about the Irish revolutionaries that where imprisoned there.
I don’t think I’ll be visiting Dublin again, but I do plan on seeing some Irish countryside in the near future.
Thank you for reading.
So one of my goals this year was to travel to 25 countries before turning 25 (next Feb), and I am happy to say that I have achieved this goal. I have seen 10% of the world! It’s not a lot but it’s a start and a very good start.
From the 25 counties, I’ve visited:
– 19 European countries
– 1 North American country ( including 7 states)
– 1 Asian country
– 4 African countries
Of the 25 countries I’ve visited, my top 3 are:
1) Sierra Leone
2) Belgium
3) Morocco
These were the countries were I felt at home, where I was in the sun, laughing and living my best life.
The top 3 most important things that I’ve learnt through travelling are:
1) I love comfort and luxury. I would rather be in a fancy expensive hotel than a cheap hostel any day.
2) I am braver than I think. I love being a badass and trying new things, even on my own!
3) The world is filled with amazing people and shitty people wherever you go!
Although 10% of the world is not a lot compared to the 90% that I’m yet to see, I am so excited to see the rest of the world. My new goal is to visit 40 countries before turning 30. This means I have just over 5 years to visit 15 more countries.
Thank you for reading.
Oh how I love thee buffet breakfast
Thou makes one’s morning filled
With joy and steady expectation
With all thy variations of teas
With trays overflowed of pancakes
With eggs cooked in different forms
With fruits from all across the globe
With French pastries and gluten free bread
With fried potatoes and Sausages
Oh buffet breakfast, how I love thee.
Thank you for reading.
Oh what a day it’s been
So many victoires achieved
So many mountains overcome
Performing at my best
Reaching goals that I’ve set
Catching trains I ought to miss
Leading tours with a bunch of kids
Oh what a day it’s been
One for the good books
Nov 7th will forever be my day
Thank you for reading.
She folded it all up, placed it in a neat pile, ready to be put away. She knew it was time, there was no space for all her stuff in this season. She couldn’t use them to cover up because there as no cold to be covered from. Summer was here for her, and she was ready to enjoy it. She knew she loved the things she was putting away, coats that had protected her in the deadliest of storms, boots that had walked with her through the snow, and gloves that stayed hand in hand through the chilly winds. These were items she was grateful for, but it was time to put them away, time for summer dresses and sun glasses.
Thank you for reading.
