Are you looking for obstacles... Instead of magic?

What a glorious weekend it has been.

It began with a dinner party at home on Friday. I have learnt to invite guests, more than the capacity of my living room allows as a quarter to half the people cancel last minute. That's fine.  We always have a good time with the ones who do turn up and miss the ones who don't... Well, kind of.

Let me talk to you about family.
Talking to many people over the years with an open heart, it has come to my attention how difficult it is to adjust to the behaviour of family members. Do you realise that the most difficult obstacles put our way through our dearest and the closest people to us? How many of you can honestly say that you never had a problem with your mother? Your sister or brother? Or your kids? Never mind, your partner!

I have been quite lucky as it has been an easy ride to have an understanding mother and great siblings who I have adored and loved dearly. A father who through time and my endless letters to him, came to understand and loved me with all my tantrums; the ones I could only throw at him and be forgiven for them. My father had reminded me many times how his father (my grandfather who had passed away years before I was born) had never kissed him. When I finally visited home years ago, after not seeing him for 8 years due to the political situation in our country, he was standing at the airport, crying. I would never forget his loving tears and the look in his eyes that could only express how much he loved and missed me.  This man had more love, understanding and feelings in him than life and family had allowed him to express. Could I forgive myself now, for the six months that I did not speak to him because he had made me mad with his 'what seemed at the time' non-understanding ways? Yes, I can. What has passed is past, guilt is the worst feeling to put on oneself. It does not serve any purpose. But our loving relationship continued on till I last saw him, a year ago.

Families are not easy to deal with. Just imagine we are born, even as twins, with different characters, different goals, and different feelings. Siblings don't have it easy. There is always a feeling of why did my parent do this for her/him and not me? Why do parents make differences between their children? Why is every member of your close family questioning your way and telling you what you should be doing as opposed to what you like to be doing? Can you see yourself acting in a way that you would not have normally done, despite what your mum or dad told you? Just imagine all the sagas of family life.
Then think of how to make that difference in your family.
'How much love and understanding can one have?' As much as one wishes. Are YOU ready to make those changes? Keep questioning your ways. You may surprise even yourself at the outcome of how changing your patterns to ones of more loving and caring can affect the whole picture.

Stop judging and making every decision members of your family make, wrong. Try and look at their views with more understanding of where they are coming from. Try to help each other through the obstacles and instead... Turn your relationship into magic with a loving heart.
Have I always had an easy ride with my family? No. But we have all been willing to learn from our mistakes and make more of an effort in having respect for our individuality and the paths we choose. It takes two to tango. So... sure, it is not just up to us, the other person has to be willing to make the necessary changes too. But we can begin by having more understanding and love.  The key word here is... Forgiveness.

Now to go back to the weekend.
Saturday was spent clearing up after the party with Hala and getting ready for the night out at Supper Club. It was Troy, our dear friend's farewell party which he had organised for a bed of twenty of his close friends, turning up for a fun evening. I say bed as there are no tables and chairs in Supper Club, but beds. To give you an idea, I took some photos of the acts performed while being served a four-course meal, almost lying on the beds.

Now this act... The actor removed his sleeves, stapling his arm which is bleeding in this photo.  Partially watching this act in disbelief, I had to hide behind Robby not to be further disturbed. Why? But why is it necessary to shock in this manner? I wonder how many people enjoyed watching this while chewing on the steak served for dinner?
'What is the world coming to?' Would be my mum asking.
In the above photo, he 'drank' or what other word could I use for someone taking a glass of liquid through a straw from his nose?!

Then came the next act. What Troy's brother, Tris called 'the biscuit'. Have a look. What would you call this?
Loved the shoes!

After dinner, in the tiny cage-like smoking area, I met the three boys dressed up for Halloween who kindly allowed me to take photos. I love the no-smoking ban. In fact, started smoking again since!  It is the best place to meet people. At least there is interaction amongst like-minded people.

Another impressive act was to follow.

The club got filled with new arrivals dancing to the great tunes of the fabulous DJ playing great dance music.  House, of course, is my favourite.  As Hala and I walked past the DJ who I had heard and seen there many times before, grabbed us each by our waist, in a friendly manner.  

He then took my hand to kiss and said: "It always makes me happy to see you here, you always smile."

Aaaahhh... How cute is that?  And this is not the first time I've been remembered for my smile.

When you smile... The world smiles back at you.

We all had to leave the club at 2 am as opposed to 3, as the clocks had changed every year at the last weekend of October. The energy around with the great vibe we were feeling was too high to end the night.  So... What next? The 'criminal sisters' with Troy and two other couples wanted more. The night was young... We continued on to our very favourite rave club till God's early morning light began to appear before we headed home for some sleep  A friend once said: "Sleep is overrated!"  

You will only get bored now if I told you we were invited out on Sunday night for a 10 pm dinner at Roko by a couple friends; Essy and his partner. Only to bump into Troy and Tris outside the restaurant and all came back to us for a nightcap.

"Where do you get your energy?" Charlotte asked as she called to get an update on the weekend.

"I get it from all the love I give and more so... All the love I get back." That was my straight answer.