Tag Archives: life

Resolutions, and some more!

Posted in Live Out Loud by

Oh-Em-Freaking-Geeeeeeeeee!
It is mid-February already and I’m officially starting the brand new year (January was just a trial month 😀 ).

I finally got a chance to jot down a list of resolutions that I’m planning to accomplish in 2018 (better late than never right?!?).

Resolutions_rima_hassan_photography_2018

Resolutions & some more for 2018:

  1. have a personal photoshoot done.
  2. don’t be afraid to stay real.
  3. explore two destinations & four new places within Dubai this year.
  4. write more of personal blogs.
  5. pay extra attention to details (both personal & professional).
  6. do more styled photoshoots.
  7. work on passion projects.
  8. go to the gym more.
  9. catch up with family & friends regularly.
  10. get back to reading books.
  11. take time out when needed.
  12. lower expectations.
  13. accept changes.
  14. be more grateful…
  15. accomplish at least 11 resolutions from this list!

I know its a lo0o0ong way to go but wanting more of goodness isn’t harmful. Hopefully I’ll be able to look at this post at the end of 2018 and check-off most (if not all) resolutions 🙂

Happy New Year – 2018

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Happy New Year!!! ❤Happy-New-Year-2018

As we start a near year, may it be turn out to be great, and all your dreams come true inshaAllah. I wish you success, happiness, prosperity, a lot of health, and love.

Happy 2018!

Bangkok, Phuket, Phi Phi Islands, Thailand

Posted in Around the World by

I know it has been long since I posted my last travel blog to Salalah, Oman.

I made a total of six trips (Oman, USA, Pakistan, USA & then Pakistan twice again) within this year and I am so grateful for all the friends & followers who followed along the journey via my Instgram stories. I generally don’t share blog posts from USA and Pakistan as they are mostly family trips but this year, #RimaTravels to experience a new country, Thailand, and its three destinations – Bangkok, Phuket, & PhiPhi Islands.

Since this was a last minute trip and I wasn’t carrying my professional camera, here are glimpses of Bangkok through my iPhone.

Bangkok_Travels_Female_Photographer_Dubai_Rima_Hassan_0001First stop was Bangkok & it was alright. I only stayed there for a day, felt awfully sick and was very tired from a long plane ride so didn’t enjoy the hustle bustle of the city as I usually do. Plus, the street-food stands were making the atmosphere stink.
Bangkok_Travels_Female_Photographer_Dubai_Rima_Hassan_0003
Bangkok_Travels_Female_Photographer_Dubai_Rima_Hassan_0005Bangkok_Travels_Female_Photographer_Dubai_Rima_Hassan_0002Bangkok_Travels_Female_Photographer_Dubai_Rima_Hassan_0019Bangkok_Travels_Female_Photographer_Dubai_Rima_Hassan_0004I thoroughly enjoyed Phuket’s laid back atmosphere, late-night open markets & of course shopping. The serene sunsets and rides around the city on a cute rental Vespa Scooter were the highlights of my trip. I continuously sung ‘rotay howe, atay hain sab….’ from the movie Muqaddar ka Sikandar while speeding up on the scooter. Fearlessly 😉

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From Phuket, I took a boat-ride to Phi Phi Islands. The water & sky were terrific. The beaches in-between islands looked like paradise. Traveling from Dubai & Pakistan, I was thrilled to see that the sky & waters looked beautiful shades of blue, the enormous islands and palm trees green, and colorful boats decorated the port of Phi Phi Islands.Bangkok_Travels_Female_Photographer_Dubai_Rima_Hassan_0009Bangkok_Travels_Female_Photographer_Dubai_Rima_Hassan_0010Bangkok_Travels_Female_Photographer_Dubai_Rima_Hassan_0006Bangkok_Travels_Female_Photographer_Dubai_Rima_Hassan_0011Bangkok_Travels_Female_Photographer_Dubai_Rima_Hassan_0012Bangkok_Travels_Female_Photographer_Dubai_Rima_Hassan_0016Bangkok_Travels_Female_Photographer_Dubai_Rima_Hassan_0013Bangkok_Travels_Female_Photographer_Dubai_Rima_Hassan_0014Bangkok_Travels_Female_Photographer_Dubai_Rima_Hassan_0017

Thank YOU for following along the journey and I hope you enjoyed Bangkok through my iPhone photos. To follow along my future travels, you may watch my stories on Instagram and/or on SnapChat { RimaHassanPhoto }.

Here is to future adventures,
~ Rima (The Explorer)

Eid Al Azha Mubarak – 2017

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Eid Al Azha Mubarak ❤
May this Eid be the brightest and best you’ve ever had.
I pray that the Almighty helps all amongst us who are helpless,
worried, heartbroken, and waiting for His rehmat, ameen.

Eid al Azha Mubarak 2017

Please don’t forget the less fortunate ones in your prayers & celebrations.

My Thankful List – Continuing to Learn

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Today I celebrate the fourth birthday of my blog (and my own as well – don’t ask how old I am now). Honestly, I didn’t think I’ll make it this far in life but I did. Just like the past three years, I wanted to jot down my Thankful list for this year to look back next year and be even more grateful.

I’m thankful to the Almighty – I continued to fail. He continued to be the most merciful.
I’m thankful for phone calls with mom – they always end with ‘I love you too Rima’.
I’m thankful for family for always standing by my side. Despite my failures.
I’m thankful for friends who pray for me without me knowing.
I’m thankful for my health & being able to eat whatever I desire.
I’m thankful for being able to learn/do things I always dreamt of.
I’m thankful for being able to read & write.
I’m thankful for another successful business year (say mashaAllah).
I’m thankful for having an amazingggggg team. Extremely talented & trustworthy.
I’m thankful for being able to cover destination weddings.
I’m thankful for finally being able to travel in business class.
I’m thankful for my home, great halal food, free home deliveries.
I’m thankful for the sound of Azaan.
I’m thankful for being able to learn from mistakes – mine & others.
I’m thankful for my clients for continuing to shower me with their trust & love.
I’m thankful for everything I have now that I longed & prayed for last year.
I’m thankful for lessons that people/life taught me.
I’m thankful for being able to laugh & cry at the same time.
I’m thankful for another year – and for continuing to learn.

I’m so very thankful for my blog, clients, followers, friends, and family who make me more ME. Who listen to what I have to say and understand without judging. I’m grateful for all that I have and even more grateful for all that I don’t have.

Happy Birthday Learner….

Thankful List – 2014
Thankful List – 2015 – Bring it On
Thankful List – 2016 – Dreaming Big

Eid Mubarak – 2017

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May Allah fills your Life with Happiness,
your Heart with Love,
your Soul with Spirituality,
your Mind with Wisdom,
and give you all the blessings of heaven above.

Be very kind to each other…

Eid Mubarak to all of you!

When Life Gets in the Way

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For the past several days months, I have been working like a machine.
It is funny how I wanted (and waited) for this time for so long yet when it arrived, I feel overwhelmed.

I remember the time I used to refresh my inbox just to see if a client sent me an enquiry. Now is the time that I got overbooked (Alhamdullilah & mashAllah) yet I found myself falling behind. Behind schedule. Behind work. Behind Life.

When I tried to regain my life back, my work started to suffer. It felt like my own personal life was getting in my way…

At times like these, I remind myself why I started this business…

  1. I didn’t want to wake up early in the morning.
  2. I didn’t want to work 9am-6pm & make money for someone else.
  3. I wanted the freedom of working from home, in my PJs.
  4. I wanted to live the life. My life. My Way!

When life seemed to slip out of my hands, I held back. Promising myself to go easy. Cut myself some slack. Take lesser bookings so I can also do other things that I enjoy (like reading books, writing, spending more time with the family, exploring the world, etc).

If life/work is getting in your way, take a step back and take a look at the broader picture. Remind yourself WHY you started this and try to figure out HOW to make it better.

You only have one life.
Live it Right!

Live a Good Story

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Sometimes all you need is time to yourself.
Laughing with friends, eating what you desire, reading a good book, and exploring new cities can have long lasting impact on your life.
Live simple. Dream big. Be extremely grateful for what you have.
You only have one life. Make it worth while by living it right.
More importantly, live a good story.
Santorini_Greece_Wedding_Female_Photographer_Dubai_UAE_Rima_Hassan_live_good_story.jpg

Learn to Let Go…

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If order to solve a problem, we need to identify it first.
If something is bothering you, try to find the root and see how you can fix it. If you can’t fix it, then simply let go. I’m not saying it’ll be easy, but give it your best shot.

Here is a list of 10 things to let go to be happy…

  1. Let go of toxic people in your life.
  2. Let go of regretting past mistakes.
  3. Let go of the need to be right.
  4. Let go of feeling sorry for yourself.
  5. Let go of negative self talk.
  6. Let go of the need to impress others.
  7. Let go of limiting beliefs.
  8. Let go of pleasing everyone.
  9. Let go of gossip and complaining.
  10. Let go of worrying about future.

Madinat_Jumeirah_Wedding_Female_Photographer_Dubai_UAE_Rima_Hassan_lemonade

Learn to let go of the things (& people) that are holding you back.
When life gives you lemons, be ready to clink your lemonade glass. You know where to find me 😉

Life is too short to hold back on happiness.

Cheers!

10 Life Lessons in Quotes

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I read somewhere that just as we feed our bodies with good food, we should feed our minds with good quotes. Following is a list of 10 quotes that I believe can be life lessons and my take on them…

  1. Don’t let your difficulties fill you with anxiety. It is only in the darkest nights, stars shine more brilliantly. – Imam Ali
    • You are stronger than your difficulties
  2. Seek respect, not attention. It lasts longer.
    • Stop pleasing people. Do your thing & you’ll earn the respect
  3. img_7439-1Whatever you are, be a good one. – Abraham Lincoln
    • Be the best version of yourself
  4. Live amongst people in such a manner that if you die they weep over you, and if you are alive they crave your company. –  Imam Ali
    • Be a listening ear, a reason for someone’s smile, a shoulder to cry on…
  5. Be somebody who makes everybody feels like a somebody.
    • People should always come first – regardless of their status, bank balance, and influence.
  6. Money doesn’t make you rich. Attitude does.
    • Nough said!
  7. Be with those who support your being. – Rumi
    • Be around people who lift you up and also be the one lifting others.
  8. A flower doesn’t compete with the flower next to it. It just blooms!
    • Jealousy never does good to people.
  9. Life is fragile. Handle with prayer.
    • Pray regularly. Your faith should overcome the fear…
  10. Take risks. If you win, you will be happy. If you lose, you will be wise.
    • The key is to be brave and do it. Done is better than perfect…

You may follow the hashtag #RimaSays on Instagram to follow up with my collection of quotes.

I would love to know which one of the quotes stuck out to you most and why….and if you have any of your favorite quotes / life lessons, feel free to share in the comments below.

Stay Fabulous,
~ Rima