Covid19 has been around since quite some time now, and while things are gradually getting back to normal (one step at a time), people are also trying their best to adjust the ‘new normal’. It is now clear that normal life activities would not fully resume anytime soon, and we need to adjust routines accordingly.

One of the most challenging tasks, indeed, is to stay active indoors. Somehow, the idea of physical activities is linked to gym and outdoor activities- thus making it tough to come up with indoor activities. Below are a few tips to make sure you remain physically active while staying safe indoors:

Start with small active breaks

While it might sound too easy, it is indeed the ideal way to kick-start your active routine. These breaks could include house chores, dancing, playing with kids or just walking around the house- to make sure that you stay active.

Take online workout class

Make use of the hundreds of online workout classes offered online, and start your workout routine. Select the time and exercise that suits you best, and you are good to go.

Interrupt your sedentary time with standing-up and walking 

Make sure not the prolong your sedentary time for more than 30 minutes. Take a break, stand-up and take a little walk around the house. If you are on call, try talking as you walk, instead of just sitting and speaking.

Relax

Look for meditation activities and start practicing them. Some simple breathing exercise go a long way in keeping you calm and relax.

Eat healthy and stay hydrated

Go for the healthier options and increase your water intake for a better and healthier lifestyle. WHO recommends drinking water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages- hence limit the alcoholic beverages and frizzy drinks. In addition, take plenty of fruits and vegetables, and limit the intake of salt, sugar and fat

Golden sand, clear water, breath taking view- simply one of its kinds! That is how I would describe Jarada island, and I am sure everyone who has been there, would agree.

The disappearing island is specifically known for its small size, its location (in the middle of Gulf) and the fact that it is completely submerged in water during night, surfacing the other day.

Before my visit to Jarada Island last month, I had several doubts about the island- there are no activities, what’s the point in going there? It is pretty far, the boat ride would be too long and I might get sea sickness. It might be very expensive, certainly not for everyone. Only people with their personal yacht / speed boat can visit- there are no options otherwise.

However, we decided to head to the island the tour was booked - to see for ourselves what all the hype is about (the tour operator was offering special discount in August, and that was a plus indeed).

The tour included drinks and snorkeling kits, and we were allowed to take our own food (whatever we want to take. There were no extra charges and no questions were asked). The booking process was pretty simple; we just made advance booking over the phone and paid at the office on the same day, after showing our original CPR.

The tour began from Amwaj Island Yacht club, in a speed boat, carrying 4 passengers.

The boat ride was said to be 30 minutes long, but in fact it took 40-45 minutes to be there. The sea was quiet and the ride was really fun- the longest one I ever had in Bahrain and enjoyed it to the core.

 

Upon reaching the island, while the boat was being anchored, I was truly mesmerized by the beauty of this disappearing island. All the questions I had previously, were substituted by one- why did I never visit before?

The water was crystal clear, golden sand was soft (unlike most other beaches in Bahrain) and the beauty was simply beyond words. Since we opted for afternoon tour, a part of the island was already partly submerged- providing a remarkable view.

The tour lasted for 4 hours- leaving Amwaj Yacht Club at 2:00 PM and had to return by 6:00 PM. While ours was half day tour, the operators are offering full day tours as well. Luckily, we were also able to witness sunset in the middle of the ocean, on our way back.

Overall, it was a day engraved in our memories forever- totally worth a visit if you are in Bahrain. If you haven’t been there yet, make a plan, and you will not regret anything, at all.

Travelling, the term itself sounds so captivating and fascinating, doesn’t it? It implies that you get to explore new parts of the world, meet new people, and get a taste of cultures that you never knew existed. However, that is only one part of the story- the second is the one you rarely get to hear, the one with not-so-glamorous impression.

While it is all about fancy pictures, cute poses and amazing backgrounds, it is also about being tired to death and still having some distance to cover, before you can finally get some sleep. It is about counting all the possible ways to save some money, and add some extra activities to your planned tour. It is about stepping way out of your comfort zone, and managing with the limited resources available, because every experience comes with a price tag.

The delayed flights, last minute visa issues, language barriers and the cultural differences are ironically annoying and entertaining at the same time. These times test your tolerance and intelligence, and you get to learn the limits of your own abilities. Your patience is taken to next level, and you actually find joy, combined with a deep sense of achievement, one you are through.

There are instances when you want to run towards home, and still others when you want to stay forever. Instances when you miss your homemade food more than anything, and other when you don’t even care what you are eating, as far as your hunger is being satisfied. The local habits and stuff that you want to carry forever, and the experiences that you wish you can share with the world.

You get to deal with some people that are mean, taking full advantage of your cluelessness, and then there come others, who go out of their way to help you, without expecting or getting anything in return.

You discover the hidden pleasure in finally reaching your destination, after taking several wrong turns and asking for instructions from a dozen random strangers.

Good and bad, exciting and irritating, adventurous and sometimes even dangerous- every travel experience adds to a new page in your lifetime experiences, influencing at least a little part of your being. While exploring the world, you also get to explore your own self, and learn about the little joys that are never appreciated in routine. The bittersweet memories that you get at the end, totally make it worth it- urging you to look forward towards the next one.

Relocation is just a piece of cake- said no one ever. It is not only a shift in your place of living, but your overall lifestyle. With thousands in questions in minds, hundreds of concerns and confusions, you start packing, again landing on a pile of queries! What should I take along? What must be left behind? Will I find the substitutes of what I like? Etcetera.

Here, I would share my experience as a recent expat- not the legal proceedings and the paperwork, but the actual, real life issues that we all face, once we are ready to move.

Let’s start with the basics- the houses/ apartments in Bahrain are mostly furnished- provided with all the furniture, ACs, TV and also cable, refrigerator and sometimes some extra machinery as well, like water dispenser, electric kettle and toasters. Most of the owners also provide crockery and cutlery, but can buy your own (especially if you have hygiene issues).

Apart from the furniture, the kitchen accessories and machines can be bought, new or used, in reasonable prices (mainly including the food processor, sandwich maker, etc). It is thus better to buy all these from Bahrain, keeping in view your needs and requirements, instead of carrying all the stuff from your hometown.  Also, you can re-sell them, whenever it suits you.

Moving on, before arriving in Bahrain, I was really concerned about the food- will I get all the spices that I need? Will they be super expensive? Will they taste the same? Would the restaurants serve good food?

If you have the same concerns in mind, take them off instantly. Two years in Bahrain, I have never ever faced any issue, with respect to food. For once, all the spices, pulses, vegetables and whatever you might want to eat, would be available here- you would just have to look for the right place. For instance, the sub-continental items are usually available at Lulu Hypermarkets, while Alosra has stocks of the European goods. Moreover, the restaurants have amazing options- you just have to land at the right options. There is a vast variety, when it comes to the eating-out options- from continental to Arabic and what not?! In my opinion, Arabic food is the ultimate winner, and is liked by all, irrespective of your nationality and taste.

Next, comes clothing. You can imagine my level of concern from that fact that soon after my visa confirmation I went out to shop, with the aim of getting as many clothes as possible. Only after settling down in Bahrain, I realized that this was a bad decision- really bad one.

I was told, and rightly so, that there is plenty of western clothing available in the stores, but there is serious dearth of desi clothes. True, the Pakistani/ Indian clothes are not available in the stores, but there are several online businesses selling them in reasonable prices. Secondly, you do not need as many formal clothes as you do in your hometown- there are substitutes for whatever you wear present in the stores, everybody is sure to find something suitable to match their needs.

Moving on, there is no need to bring in all your bags, shoes, cosmetics and accessories- you will find really good quality in the markets. So, better not to overload yourself with all the stuff that would not even be required immediately.

As far as the culture of Bahrain is concerned, it is a moderately open society, with not many restrictions- nothing like the neighboring Saudi Arabia. There are no such restrictions regarding clothing, with only a few exceptions, that are applicable in most of the Muslim countries. For instance, bikini is not allowed at any public place, however there are no issues with shorts, sleeveless, tank tops and mini-skirts.

Overall, living experience on the island is amazing. It offers a number of activities, tourist destinations, heritage sites and numerous entertainment options. There are various clubs, online as well as otherwise, providing socializing options to the expats. The law and order situation is perfect- there are the street crimes and other criminal activities are almost non-existent. Thus, put your fears aside, and gear up for one of the most amazing experiences of your life. Wish you an awesome stay in Bahrain.   

Planning to organize a small event anytime soon? It might be your kid’s birthday party, a farewell or welcome party for a friend or simple a theme party for the acquaintances- something new and different? While the idea might sound really hectic and time consuming, it is, indeed worth a try. There are efforts, and there is a lot of research required, but the outcome is totally worth it!

While there are thousands of tutorials and several articles available online, I believe that the best learning comes from the experience! While not all of us would be ready to take the risk of organizing the events by ourselves, a little motivation and instructions from the ones who do, might make things better.  

To highlight the essentials of event planning and management, this blog would focus on ‘Arhaam’s First Birthday Party’, organized single handedly by his talented and young mommy, Ifrah Naeem. 

The party was perfectly organized, the décor was flawless and the food was scrumptious. The creativity in theme and presentation left all the guests in an awe, providing an experience that will not be forgotten easily.

Here are a few essentials for organizing a small event at your home, as highlighted by Ifrah:

Start with theme selection- I was interested in Whale theme party, but then came up with Beluga (baby whale) theme, as it was more suitable for my toddler’s first one. Also, focus on the number of guests, and estimate the amount of food/ seating arrangement required for them. This is the foremost and highly essential step, and would prevent the hassle later on.

Second, move on to research. Use the internet, and you will get many ideas, that can be modified according to you own requirements. Apart from Google, also use YouTube, to watch birthday organization videos, and the same would really assist you in getting easy yet innovative ideas.

Download the theme song- combined with a couple of logos that would be used in decoration, and move on to the practical side. While the song and the logos would add colors and music to the party, they would also make the theme more prominent.

Try to keep things simple, and also keep looking for the substitutes- if you cannot find something that you believe is ‘required’ for the décor/ presentation, look for replacements. The ideas are unlimited, and so are the options available for the organizer.

So, the next time you are about to drop the idea of small event, thinking about the lack of event manages in the area, learn from Ifrah’s experience, and Get set, Go!

Just keep the essentials in mind, and make sure you have significant time at hand, to complete all the preparations and amaze your guests with your ingenuity and creativity. 

Moving abroad is exciting- isn’t it? All you can think about is a new life, and a new beginning. The delight is beyond words- each and every little thing about relocation tends to excite you at that time. However, once you have moved actually, reality strikes in. After all, the process of being an ‘expat’ from being a ‘national’ somewhere is not as easy as it seems.

You realize that this movement actually means leaving behind all you precious ones- your family, friends, acquaintances, every person on planet earth you knew, is now nowhere to be seen. Instead of the people you grew up with, all of a sudden, you find yourself surrounded by new ones, with whom you might have nothing in common. Shifting to a multi-cultural society, like Bahrain, one is expected to some across people belonging to different cultures and backgrounds, and no clue how to get along.

While getting acquainted with new individuals might be a piece of cake for some, it is a process straight out of hell for others. I’ll present my own example- married for one year, I moved to Bahrain two years back. Although I had a degree in Mass Communication from a reputable institution in Pakistan, combined with significant working experience, I decided not to work.

No, my husband is not to be blamed here, he never asked me to stay at home- it a totally independent decision. After the relocation, a few days, almost a month, went by in a jiffy, trying to unpack loads of stuff I brought from my home country, and setting up the new ones bought from here. However, after that there seemed to be a blind end- what do I do now?

I noticed, all my neighbors are from different cultures- rarely did I see someone in my building, and even if I did, no one really preferred talking to each other. The conversations- if any- were just limited to the usual greeting, and then you go your way, they go theirs. Most of the ladies, I observed, were either working, or were busy with their kids, so concluded that they were too busy to get indulged in the ‘neighborhood friendships’.

Now what? Whom should I talk to? The household work is not much, it certainly won’t occupy the whole day (provided it is only me and my husband living here). What after I am done with everything? Should I just sit there and ponder over my life (and of course all the bad things I have done so far :D )?

Well, I must confess that a few months really went by in this situation- just either chatting over phone with my sisters (thank God I have them), or lingering over the tasks that actually require a few minutes only.

I like reading, but I brought no books with me, and did not know where to get them. I love writing, but had no laptop, writing on paper seemed kindof out-dated, and besides, what was there to write about? I was never into TV, dramas and movies, so that option of pastime was ruled out already.

I am sure you can see how dull my life turned out to be, at least I assumed that for a few months after my shifting, thankfully realizing soon that it wasn’t life- it was me actually! The society and the circumstances are not going to alter themselves for me- I would have to make adjustments!

Here starts the process of change- for good. I know many of the expats (especially ladies) find themselves in similar dilemma, after moving abroad (that might be a dream once, but turned into reality, it might not seem as exciting as it was in the imagination). So, below are a few tips, learnt from my personal experience, which might be helpful for you:

You will find a lot of time at your disposal, utilize that time to focus on what your interests are. It might be cooking, handicrafts that you once used to love, writing (like me), applying makeup, painting, yoga, swimming or a thousand other things. Come up with a few that you really enjoy doing- or that you had to stop due to lack of time.

Next, use Google, and find out how you can continue your hobby now. Look for the places that sell relevant stuff, or the institutions that provide classes in reasonable rates. Internet is one-stop-solution to every question; use it constructively, instead of swapping on social media all day long.

Once you have come up with some information, get ready for the action. Make phone calls to ensure that all the information is correct, and start collecting the stuff you need/ begin the admission procedure. You will be surprised to see how easy it actually was, and how nice it is to be active. Continue your interest for the benefit of yourself, as well as others.

The most imperative point is- never consider anything or any profession to be unimportant- there is nothing insignificant in this world. Highlight your skills and start professionally. Trust me; we don’t know our own potential unless we get into something new. Take your interests to another level- utilize your time in utmost manner.

It is said that birds of a feather flock together- and the notion holds really true. While it is amazing knowing people from various cultures, many of us are more comfortable with the people of the same background. Look for the online communities, and start getting along with new individuals. Of course it takes times, but once you are comfortable, these friends would significantly make up for the ‘love deprivation’ you might be feeling.

If initially you are not comfortable inviting someone to your place, or go to their, start with going out. Go for a walk, or shopping/ movie, and gradually you would be comfortable for the small home gatherings as well. It is recommended that you start with your own area- it makes bonding much more easy. The circle would gradually enlarge, as you would get to know their acquaintances as well, thus subsiding the feeling of loneliness that you once had.   

Start looking for the weekend activities (there are plenty), combined with the special cultural celebrations and exhibitions. Visiting them would not only be refreshing, but would also assist you in getting a clear idea about the society and its norms.

The key here is to help yourself- while I have provided certain practical ideas- you will have to push yourself into some effort- and it would be totally worth it. The more time you waste, the more lethargic you get, thus making the adjustment more and more difficult for you. So, pull up your socks, and start getting back your life together. Bahrain is a beautiful place to be- make your stay worthwhile, making the most out of the time and opportunities, that are waiting for you already.

The holy month of Ramadan is almost here- and whole of the Muslim ummah is preparing, one way or the others. While some prefer restocking and organizing the kitchen, other aim for the re-organization and cleansing of the soul, getting all set for the months of blessing.

No matter what your priorities are, it is essential never to overlook the most important one- your health! You have to be healthy in order to work in the kitchen, preparing scrumptious Suhoor and Iftar for the family (it is, no doubt one of the major attractions of Ramadan) and at the same time, you have to look after your health, to be able to pray, and get the most out of this month of blessings.

The foremost issue is: being inactive during fast. Since the days are long during this season (almost 15 hours), the body is soon deprived of all the reservoirs of energy. The result is- you get inactive!

If you are a non-Muslim, being in a Muslim country during the holy month of Ramadan might be one serious affair for you. Hundreds of questions must be popping in your mind, every now and then. Numerous if’s and but’s and what if’s must have flooded your mind, and you might be in a fix weather you should visit or not- even thinking about the alternatives.

However, the good news is- all this is normal and very must expected. After all, we all fear the unknown and the unseen don’t we?

So, in order to bring an end to all your confusions, here is a complete guide for all the non-Muslim fellows regarding your first Ramadan in Bahrain:

To start with, Ramadan is The Holy Month of fasting for Muslims, the 10^th month of Islamic calendar, during which the Muslims fast, pray as much as possible, and the month ends with Eid- the annual religious celebration.

Being a Muslim country, Bahrain has a ban on eating, drinking and smoking in the public places during Ramadan, and the rule is applicable on all the citizens and visitors, irrespective of the religions. Fines are also places on the one’s not abiding by the rule- and thus it is better to beware and be cautious. Since the Muslim majority in the area is fasting, most of the restaurants are closed during the day, but certainly not all of them. There are certain restaurants in every area, open during day time, with some of them offering home delivery, others offering take-away and still some open for dine-in as well. You can find a complete list of all the restaurants operating during the day hours here.

In addition to the restaurants, almost all the expat clubs are offering lunches during the day time (to members only), however alcohol is not served during the month anywhere- only room service is provided. Same goes for brunches- there are no brunches during the month.