PLAYTIME IN DUBAI

“Bizarre travel plans are dancing lessons from God.”  - Kurt Vonnegut Jr

Sunglazed & Sailing towards the Burj Al Arab

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#Vadersfabulous40 #VaderstakesDubai



I have played lip service to being that person that works hard and plays harder. So when the opportunity to go to Dubai for a two day nonstop luxury party came by, I said yes to the life I have always wanted to live, and joined my friend Evhade  who we fondly call Vaders  for her Dubai takeover to celebrate her 40th Birthday.

2017 will have to go down as the year I worked the hardest.  I mean college was kinda hard, you know getting an engineering degree, while being a student leader for multiple organizations and a single mom was definitely no walk in the park but being a single mom of three kids including two teenager; and having a demanding job that involves about two flights a week and 60 hour work-weeks have this body beat.   Most of the year, I chose hanging out with the kids and resting, over playing. Yeah I know, I am getting old!

To my credit I play a little harder than most of my friends here in the States, but in my heart of hearts, I know I am more boring than I‘d like to be, and many a Fridays, I tell myself I must go out tonight only to end up cuddling up with the boys after movie night, then staying-in Saturday and Sundays as well. So by October, I had written off 2017 as a year of Hard Work and no Play, and was already planning to start with Play in 2018. I had signed up two friends to accompany me on a Dubai trip in January of 2018 for my 39th Birthday and I was recruiting others.



Vaders aboard Majesty 101

This was how things were when my friend in Lagos whom I hadn’t seen since 2013 invited me to her 40th Birthday weekend celebration in Dubai taking place November 16th to 19th.  I took one look at the Party itinerary and without even consulting my bank account and budget, I booked my hotel and started looking at tickets.  I mean this had to be God telling me that I deserved to PLAY in 2017.  

Leaving for the airport that morning like :)

Fast-forward to three weeks later, after a hectic work week that started on a Sunday, I flew the 12 + hours from New York to Dubai, as my second flight for the day, arriving Dubai and heading straight for the Gold Souq, thanks to my dearest friend, Emi who picked me up from the airport. Tired and jetlagged, I hunted for the perfect pair of gold earrings to no avail, and ended up leaving the gold souq after searching for 2 hours with only a plain gold chain; though I did see very beautiful gold pieces that were way above my budget and thankfully too rich for my current lifestyle.  I had fun taking a picture with a dress made of gold and having a total stranger ask to take a picture with me!  Celebrity status☺.

God dress, Dubai Gold Souk



Henna Tatto by Sona Salon Al Ain

My friend and I drove to Al Ain, in Abu Dhabi Emirate to see his family and I got a little bit of Cultural immersion. We had luquaimat (the jury is still out on the name) Luqaimat vs Loukoumades Arabic flatbread with hummus, Fatoush, roasted chicken and some fruits for dinner and went to watch the Emiratis (as the locals are called) typical weekend night entertainment which included the Yowla traditional dance performance by the men wielding dummy guns, swords and sticks.  [Insert Dance Pictures] Our next stop was to get Henna tattoos and then on to the local Gold Souq, again in search of that perfect gold earrings.  By 10 pm, I had spent so much time with Gold, I looked like gold, and thankfully was the proud owner of not only a pair of perfect gold earrings, but bracelets to go with it.



Gold earrings and bracelet

Looking into Oman

My cultural immersion that night concluded with a ride to Jebel Hafeet, which translates as Empty Mountain.  At 1, 249 m (4, 098 ft.) it is the second tallest Mountain in the UAE, but with a Castle, and a hotel perched at the tip of the mountain, a radar station, and a three lane road driving up, it is the most popular and hosts the finishing line of the annual Abudhabi Tour cycling competition. The tallest mountain in the UAE though is Jabel Jais at 1, 925 m (6,315ft) in the northern Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.

Up at the summit of Jebel Hafeet, is a picturesque view of the entire city of Al Ain, and an overlook into the deserts of Oman.

The Emiratis came out to play with the Ferraris and power bikes which they sped up and down the mountain road like little children with beloved toys.  I immensely enjoyed my cultural immersion and did not mind that I missed an unplanned pre-party that included a limo ride to the One Africa Music Fest. in Dubai.

Emiratis at PLAY

After a few hours of shut-eye, I was up and ready the following morning, to get with my PLAY.

Playground #1

Day Party at Nikki Beach Resort & Spa 

Nikki beach is a private beach located on the waterfront of Pearl Jumeirah. The beauty of the blue waters of the Arabian Sea, and the stunning views from every corner of the property was quickly lost to me as I immersed myself in fine liquor and dancing to world tunes at the pool side party that had people from five different continents.  I think the fact that I met and quickly fell in love with the only eligible bachelor at the party is to blame for my lack of awesome pictures of the amazing storybook view of playground #1.  Unfortunately, I got to this playground late, partied way too hard, and in a blur, the limo was back to take us to the hotel to get ready for Party #2.

Girls just wanna have fun!!!

Play Ground #2

The restaurant at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa

Bab Al Shams is a luxury retreat situated in the heart of the desert and nestled in the Dunes of Dubai.  After keeping the limo waiting for almost two hours we took the one hour ride from the heart of Dubai in style.  Dressed in local garb of Konduras and Abayas, we arrived at the AL Hadheerah restaurant for a timeless Arabian Experience under the stars, and enjoyed extensive and colorful live entertainment

that was sometimes brought to the tables, and authentic Middle Eastern dishes of roasted lamb, chicken, beef, prawns, rice cooked in the open at fourteen live cooking stations.  Dinner was topped off with chocolate cake and fresh fruit desserts.  I have a thing for birthday songs in restaurants when I visit other countries and the Arabian birthday song did not disappoint.

Playground #3

Super Yacht Majesty 101. Dubai Marina

For Party #3 we headed to the Dubai Marina to board the biggest yacht docked at the very end of the strip.  Stretched out at 101ft, Majesty 101 has three decks, a hot tub, a living  

area, a dining area, three fully furnished bedrooms and a full kitchen.  This was a big ass luxury three bedroom hotel suite on water, or better yet a party duplex on water.  This all white party was my favorite play of all and I will let the pictures and videos tell the story.  One story you won’t get from the pictures is that I was sleeping peacefully atop a couch in the living room when the boat docked☺.  Yeah!  It’s been ages this mama partied hard!

All white party aboard Majesty 101

Playground #4

 Cavalli Club Dubai 



Crystal Chandelier at the Cavalli club

Cavalli Club Dubai is a multiple award winning luxury venue located in the Fairmont Hotel Dubai.  Inspired by and launched in collaboration with the celebrated designer Roberto Cavalli, the lavish space beneath a wealth of Swarovski crystals is the distillation of all things fabulous.  Dinner was exquisite Italian and world fusion cuisine that was as beautiful as it was yummy.

 

At midnight the real party started with a birthday song that involved fireworks Davido’s “FIA” blasting through the club speakers.  Vaders truly took over Dubai that night as we danced away the night amidst awe inspiring beauty everywhere.  Listen! when I tell you, you haven’t been to a luxury club until you go to the Cavalli Club Dubai, please believe me!  Best Bathroom Selfie I ever took with all gold “erything.  Tired and Sleepy we toasted my Shero and received mighty thanks for being part of her fairytale fabulous 40th Birthday celebration.

All in all, I am thankful I got this opportunity to really PLAY and although I was a part of the medical emergency on my 14 + hour return flight, coupled with my pocketbook still in recovery, I definitely added a few things to my PLAY book on how to turn 40 and would totally do it again!

Cheers

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Happy Ending

"It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting." - Paulo Coelho - The Alchemist

 Someone I met recently have worked his way into becoming one of my favorite people in the whole wide world. You know how sometimes you meet someone and you just fall completely and hopelessly in love with their entire being.  Their smile is special, their gist is perfectly seasoned, but most importantly is the way they make you feel...  In our hearts no matter how irrelevant the world thinks we are, we sometimes know how special we are and if we are extra lucky, we meet someone at least once in our lifetime that makes us feel truly special like my Ed.  Before I ramble on and on about my love for one of my guardian Angels and make his wife jealous, let me get back to Happy ending.

So I recently splurged on ordering a masseuse to my hotel room on a business trip to California thanks to Ed.  I was feeling special enough to think my tired ‘n aching body could use some TLC so I went to brother google and found the highest rated masseuse in the area by name Jay.  The thought of having a strange man in my hotel room rubbing my almost naked body scared me some so I asked Ed to stay on the phone with me for safety.  Yea, I watch way too much crime TV to be a victim.  Anyways in his crazy way he started talking about how I should ask Jay for a happy ending.  Shocked? Yea, me too, I thought that was just for guys.  Thankfully Jay send me a female masseuse, so I didn't have to ask or even think of that kind of happy ending.

The massage was a few weeks ago, but lately, I have been thinking of happy endings and the realization of my dreams.  Not sure why, but I will give some of the credit to my Ed.  And do get your head out of the gutter, I am not talking about that happy ending, just the ones that fairy tales are made of, you know, happily ever after and the realization of dreams.  If you are a girl who believe in fairy tales and you some how get to almost 40 without the big party with you in a prettiest dress being the center of every attention including that of the charming prince who is supposed make all your dreams come true, you often encounter cimmerian days when even your first class academic accomplishments and career triumphs pale in comparison to this failure.

Lately my dreich days are few and far between.  I am more confident in my belief that I will get my happy ending.  I am self aware enough to know that my cimmerian days are more than for most people, because I want more than most people, so much more.  I mean, my happy ending involves a Prince Charming, who is not only handsome and rich, but he has the ability to make me smile with a few inane words and has all the time in the world to talk to me when all I want to do is smile.   My happy ending also include a private jet, or at least access to one, a home that has enough grounds to house a vineyard, a golf course, a restaurant, and a retreat boutique hotel.  I can totally see myself now in my humble seven bedroom cottage that constantly smells like a porcucopia of fragrant roses.

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Oh, what is life without dreams?  While I await my happy ending, I will take time to be happy now, to rejoice in friendships, experiences, career successes, yacht parties, business and fun travel with extra leg room in commercial airplanes, luxury golf trips, yummy Foods, heavenly scents, gold shopping, comfy beds, fine wines, fancy teas, purse shopping, uninterrupted sleep, shoe shopping, and everything else that makes life beautiful.  Until I get my happy ending and the forever smile giving Prince Charming, I will take the smiles that guardian Angels like my Ed gives me....

International Women’s Day 08 Mar 2017

Today is designated International Women’s day in 2017, another day when women try to collectively fight for the right to be appreciated for bearing the weight of the world on our crumbling shoulders, for doing the most work for the littlest pay, and for being the forbearer of the human race.  Today happens to be the 18^th Birthday of my big baby sister, shout out to Ugochi Eunice Egole, Happy 18^th Birthday sweetie!!!  Consider this your best birthday gift J.

Like a lot of women, I had to grow up and make several of the mistakes other women made, because their mothers and big sisters never shared their pains and offered advice to help them avoid these pains.  God blessed me with sons, but if he gave me daughters, just like my sons, I would not shield them from any of my pain.  I will cry in their presence as willing as I laugh in it.  I will share my mistakes with them and proffer advice on how they can avoid my mistakes.  So here goes…

To my un-adopted daughter, my sisters, and all the women of the world.  Today, I say as we collectively fight for equal pay for equal work, more paid maternity leave, our God given authorities over our bodies, punishment for our rapists, molesters, and abusers, the right to own property, the right to not be property, the right to keep and raise children that we bear, and the many other human rights that some of our mothers fought for all the way to their graves, we should also fight individual fights.

Let us fight the urge to procreate without first creating wealth for ourselves.   When we are young and are virgins, let us say no to having sex to make our boyfriends happy, because we have learned from our big sisters that they don’t marry us or stay loyal to us, because we made them happy.  Let us instead demand to be made happy first and save our virginity for the one, who first makes us happy.  If we ourselves want to have sex, let us request birth control pills or insist that our partners use condoms.  When we get older and see our friends putting up cute baby pictures, let us look beyond the smile to crying babies in poop diapers who will disturb our sleep, and jeopardize our social life.  Let us remember how much day care cost, and how this cost has prevented other women from working and creating wealth.  Let us imagine the fact that babies outgrow clothes every couple of months and how expensive this could get, then they grow and take up even more of our time and money in raising them right, clothing, and feeding them.  Let us fight the urge to pro-create without first creating wealth because diapers are not as expensive as the rent or home ownership premium that goes with living next to the best schools, motherhood is years and years of sacrifice, and the hope of reaping the fruit of your labor, is hope that could go unfulfilled.    

While we are refusing to procreate without first building wealth, let us also fight individually to enjoy our own company rather than start and stay in relationships that do not benefit us.  In my first year in college, my sociology teacher was fixated on relationships, he made us write an essay about our ideal partner, and then from this essay we created a list of ten traits that we wanted in our ideal partner.  He stressed that people who were currently in relationships (dating or married) should not write about their relationship partner but instead look only to themselves to find the qualities they would have put on their partner, if they had the ability to create the ideal partner.  This exercise brought to light the fact that most women do not fully explore what they want in a partner, but rather date or / and marry someone, then try to accept whatever traits or lack of which they posses.  Therefore I say to you dear women of the world, write an essay about your ideal partner and from that essay create a list of 10 qualities that you want them to possess.  Hold this list dear so that when you find yourself single and all your friends are married and dating and putting up cute couple pictures on Instagram, think about how they stay up at night because their partners snores too loud or wants sex all the time. Fight hard to replace the image of their smiling face with an image of your own smiling face as you smile for the yeast infections that you are not getting all the time.  Then think about the fact that they are probably using their money to pay rent, mortgage, utility, buy food, and clothes for two and smile even more, for you only have to do this for one so you can continue to build wealth for yourself.

Let us fight individually to enjoy our own company so much that we only date men who checks off a few boxes on our list.  When we get into relationships, let us fight to be respected and appreciated in our relationship and our homes.  Let us also fight to protect the wealth we created for ourselves because gold diggers do not apply to women only, and pre-nups can protect us just like it protects men.  Let us demand equal pay for equal work in our homes, let us fight for pregnancy support and maternity leave from our partners and spouses, let us demand that they change more diapers than we do since we have done the most work to bring forth the baby.  If they are gracious enough to let us stay home with our babies for as long as we want, let us fight to ensure that our work hours are logged, and our measurable tasks are tracked, so that our share of the family’s income is appropriate for the work we have put in.  Let us fight individually to own property, which we worked for with our spouses.  Let us also fight to ensure that if one day we have to parent our children alone due to death or divorce, that we do not end up poorer.

Recently my aunt told me that women are born poor, and we have to work harder than men to create and keep wealth for ourselves.  Today, I urge all the women of the world to individually work hard to create and keep wealth for themselves so that collectively we can fight against the poverty that keep women abused and unappreciated.

Happy International Women’s Day to all my mothers, sisters, and friends!  Cheers J.

Copyright Judith Adaobiihuoma Udeke

The Last Day of 2016

Today is the last day of 2016; it is 3:51 am on a Saturday morning yet I am still up, not because I partied last night, but what else is new.  Everyone has something that plagues him or her, for me my major plagues are insomnia and migraines. Sitting up on my bed with a big smile on my face, I am joyful, for I know how far I have come, especially with my plagues.  Last night, my lil guy wanted to stay up and watch YouTube videos, but I convinced him to watch a movie with mommy instead.  After scrolling and scrolling down the list of movies available on our fire stick.  We settled for  ‘Miracles from heaven’.  “We have wanted to see that one for a while”, the lil guy proclaimed when I suggested it and we snuggled in to watch.  Not too long after the movie started, he fell asleep as I expected he would.  It was past midnight after all.  I suggested we watch a movie because I knew he would fall asleep cuddling with mommy on the couch. 

As the movie progressed, I was glad he was sleeping because my emotions got the best of me as I cried through the pain and joy of the Beam family pains and subsequent miracle, I saw in my mind’s eye the months I spent in bed in my parent’s home with unending pain in my head.  Even as the tears poured out, a smile spread across my face as I promised myself afresh to live everyday like a miracle.  As I write now, I feel a subtle headache that will probably pass once I get over my efforts at loosing weight and getting back in my old clothes and give myself permission to head to the kitchen to eat the cold cereal my body is craving right now. 

At the time, I was watching the movie, I marveled that my head was completely pain free.  To look back and see a time when I prayed to have even a few minutes of no pain in my head is to smile, even through the increasing pain of this current migraine episode, as I live a miracle of knowing that this pain will go away.  Tonight, I couldn’t help counting myself as one of the people on this earth who have been fortunate enough to receive miracles from heaven.  In 2016, I have had many reasons to smile, my children, my parents, my siblings, my friends, my work, my home, even my problems many a time engendered the contraction of smiling muscles.   In the middle of seething about getting a traffic ticket, I smiled because my auto insurance, which, went up due to a crash I had last year, was already coming back down.  My smile amplified when I remembered how that encounter with an 18-wheeler only resulted in minor damages to the car and increased auto insurance.  I even got a miraculous release from the big ticket I got for being responsible for the accident.

Tonight just like most nights these days, I knelt down and I prayed for everyone I know that needs miracles from heaven.  I prayed for myself too because I could use a miracle or two from our good God, but my smile is immense today, and I promise to keep a smile on my face even more in 2017, because I truly believe that my life is a beautiful miracle already.

Thank you God for 2016 and all the years, I have lived through on this earth.  Bless my 2017 and fill it with every miracle that I need to keep this smile on my face.

Happy New Year Family and Friends!  Cheers J.

Copyright Judith Adaobiihuoma Udeke