About a month ago, my mom, dad, and I jumped on a bus at 7:30am and arrived in Dubai about two hours later. My dad had a meeting, so my mom and I decided to go to the Mall of the Emirates, the largest mall. The day prior to the trip, we planned to go to Ski Dubai and try snowboarding.  The one and only other time I was on a ski slope was when I was three-years old and I don’t remember it. *Fast forward back to the mall.* At the mall, my mom and I walked straight to Ski Dubai to sign up for a snowboarding lesson with the Ski School. The only time available was 1:30pm. (Meanwhile, it was only about 10am when we signed up.) After we signed up, we walked around the mall until it was time to get on the slopes. We went back a little earlier to get suited up and get our snowboards. It was freezing in the lobby area and even more freezing once we walked through the doors to the slopes. Suited up in our stylish pant/jacket suits, boots,  gloves, and beanies, we were ready to begin. My mom and I waited for the instructor and when he arrived, he told us how to stand, and how to tell which foot is the strongest. Knowing how to surf and skateboard, my mom and I knew which foot would be in front; however, the instructor still had us practice the skill to make sure. After some practice, my mom and I both told the man we were “regular” meaning our left foot was in front. (Being “goofy-footed” means the right foot would be in front.) Once we were ready, we stayed on the bottom of the slope to get our balance and practice moving the board. At last it was time to go up the slope. We were in the beginners area, so the slope was not too high. Since we were not “skilled snowboarders” we were not allowed to ride the chair lift and go to the main slope. Instead, we got to ride a mini moving sidewalk in order to get to where we were supposed to be. I figured that since I knew how to skateboard it was easier for me to learn to snowboard. I needed to use my feet to turn and keep my arms at my sides. Our lesson was one hour long and after that hour, my mom and I were exhausted. It was very fun and we are both so glad we tried it.

Toujours,

Tara

Being underwater is the second best place to be, after Disneyland, and adding some little ones makes it more fun. Yesterday, my mom texted me from the pool saying there were three little girls (ages 4, 3, and 1) and invited me to join her. After quickly replying , I was ready and in the elevator. When I got to the 1st floor, I looked through the window and saw my mom in the pool, holding the one-year old. As I smiled, I walked through the door to the humid outdoors. I was seen and greeted with smiles from my mom and her new friend, the mother of the kids. I took off my cover-up and was in the pool within seconds. These; however, were not American kids, they were Jordanian. Meaning, not much English was spoken. Their mother was nice and friendly and happily allowed me to play with her kids in the pool. It was their first time in the pool so they all had floaties and were a little hesitant to swim. My mom was helping the eldest and I had the three-year old. My mom and I would hold the girls and say, “kick, kick, kick,” knowing they probably did not understand us. So, with one hand supporting their bodies and one hand guiding their feet, we practiced the motion of “kicking.” Many minuted passed by and the four-year old was able to swim/float on her own. My mom had told them my name and they were calling me frequently. Maybe to get my attention or maybe to see if I would respond. Either way, it worked.

We played with them for a while, then got out to relax. A few minutes later, I was back in the water. I found a ball in the “deep end” and swam over to give it to the girls. As I held out my hand with the ball they smiled. I tossed it towards them and turned to swim back to the other side of the pool. As I was turning I heard, “Tara.” They remembered my name 🙂

While my mom and I were getting ready to leave the pool, the eldest walked over to us and waved good-bye.

On our way back inside, my mom waited for me as I handed my business card to the lady who was still by the pool. She gave me her name and number and told me she would love for me to babysit her kids. YAY!

Toujours,

Tara

There are many good words in the English language and I decided to use some of them in my Wreck This Journal. Instead of glueing one page and circling words, like the directions say, I rebelled a little and cut out individual words that I like and glued them on. There are many more words I could have or would have liked to add; however there was not enough space and I was unable to find some words in the magazines I have. Personally, I think it looks good. And if you can’t read the tiny words, the red one on the left side is “Dance”, the white one on the left is “life,” and the little white one on the right page above “California” is “WILD.”

I am really into this book!

Toujours,

Tara

Summer is a time to relax, hang with friends and family, tan a little, sleep in and whatever else people like to do in the Summer. I love all these things and more. This Summer has been interesting. My parents and I have been in Abu Dhabi the whole time and usually stay in the apt due to the blazing sun. (Low 90˚ F) Plus it is Ramadan, so no eating/drinking in public. I have found many ways to keep myself busy. I have watched lots of movies and TV shows, including 22 Jump Street, Avatar the Last Airbender, Once Upon A Time, and Teen Wolf. I have also painted my nails multiple times. This week my mom decided on many colors. (Below is a picture.) I love having my nails done because it kills time and it’s fun.

What have you done this Summer?

Toujours,

Tara

Flipping though the pages of my journal is a lot of fun; however, creating the pictures is more fun. This picture was fun to make because of the “rule.” Connect the dots with your eyes CLOSED. I started with one line in pencil, then I decided to make it prettier. Looking at it again, there are many other way I could have connected the dots. What would you have done?

Toujours,

Tara

Looking at other journals online and going though pictures I already have, I decided to re-do my Wreck This Journal cover. I also decorated the back cover and the inside covers. My first cover was good and it had many my favorite things, but I like this one better. I have saved these pictures for a while and I am very happy to use them on this journal. It is something I will have for a while and I can look at it everyday.

I will do another page today and post the picture along with the story either later today or tomorrow.

Toujours,

Tara

Front and back covers:

Inside covers:

This morning I felt a little creative. I have seen many pictures online and this idea came up a few times. Copying other people’s ideas is not what I plan on doing for all these tasks; however, this idea was good and fun. I used the hair that was in my brush from the shower. I’ve often said, “I can make a sweater out of all the hair I lose in the shower.” Now I can actually say, “I’ve made something out of the hair I’ve lost in the shower.”

The final product = Mini Me!

Toujours,

Tara

As far as noting the pages I want to work first with colorful post-its, I worked on another one today. The colors have no other meaning than I ran out of one color so had to use another. Tumblr game me an idea and really liked it, so I gave it a try. I used random coins from three different countries and created the indented look on the page. I have done this type of art before with leaves and like that one, I think most of the coins turned out pretty clear, in real life that is. I am really excited to continue this journal and let my imagination roam free!

I think I have an idea for my  next page. Details on that tomorrow.

Toujours,

Tara

Starting work on my “Wreck This Journal” this morning, I completed a few pages. Decorations are complete on the Cover, Title page, Instructions page, Copyright page, and Name page. The “Cover this page with White Things” page is also complete. After several focused hours, the work began, because I was busy taking the tasks literally. I researched ideas on Pinterest, Tumblr, and Instagram; and gleaned ideas from others who have taken on this project. Finding the other people’s work artistic, I feel I can create my own wonderful, artistic, magical works of art.

Below are my pages. Any thoughts?

Toujours,

Tara

A few days ago I created a Bucket List. On that list were many things I have and have not done. One of the things was to own a Wreck This Journal.

It is July 19, 2014 and I bought my very own Wreck This Journal today at the Virgin Megastore in Abu Dhabi Mall. I plan to record all the tasks, from the journal, that I accomplish and post them here. I will take the journal everywhere I go and post pictures of pages that take time to finish.

I am so excited to get started!

Toujours,

Tara