Two Years, A Whole New World: My Life Update + my new favourite podcasts

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It's been a minute, hasn't it? Almost two years since I last tapped away here, and honestly, I've missed this space. Life, in its chaotic way, has been keeping me incredibly busy – a guilt-inducing kind of busy where "I should blog about this" flits through my mind almost weekly, only to be swallowed by the demands of the day. But no more! It's time for a change.

So much has happened since my last post. I graduated from law school, snagged a Masters, surviving my training contract, a job switch-up, and a whole new country to call home! The only thing that remained unchanged is that I am still married (thankfully, he didn't give up on me when my career took off. I know, rare gem)! I promise to fill you in on all the juicy details in the posts to come, but for now, let's catch up with the present.

Here I am, typing away from my little haven in Downtown Dubai. My doggy, Maui, is curled up beside my laptop (probably dreaming of chasing pigeons), and I'm gazing out at the glittering expanse of the Dubai International Financial Centre, the eternal question of "what on earth am I going to wear to work tomorrow?" lingering in the air.

The last month was intense. It was my first end-of-financial-year period as an associate at a law firm. Juggling billing, deadlines, new cases, client work, and big assignments to bill before the year ended was tougher than I expected. What got me through it? Basically, eat, sleep, and podcasts! I've been listening to some great ones lately and would like to tip toe in this space again by sharing a few, which I found much in tune with where I am in life right now.

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1. Aspire by emma grede

Get ready to be inspired by Emma Grede, the incredibly stylish and savvy Brit who's making the fashion world a more wonderful place. She's the heart and soul (and CEO!). She's all about empowerment, inclusivity, and making everyone feel confident and beautiful.Emma's new podcast, "Aspire," features candid conversations with successful figures like Gwyneth Paltrow and Mellody Hobson. Her episode with Mellody touched me the most. I just love an inspiring woman in finance, and I listened to her episode twice in two weeks.

2. Deary of a ceo

Okay, let's take a step back. I actually discovered the first podcast by listening to "Diary of a CEO" by Steven Bartlett featuring Emma. It is brilliant, thought-provoking, and provided me with a few life hacks, along with a reminder that a humble beginning does not define who you are.

3. Call her daddy Episode with Sophia and phobie from the burnouts

   A bit of a change in tone, but slightly in the same direction, check out the "Call Her Daddy" episode featuring best friends and business partners Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni. They share their journey from meeting at Stanford and becoming roommates to launching their podcast "The Burnouts" and sustainable fashion company FIA. Sophia reveals some incredibly unconventional yet effective tips she used in college, which made laugh out loud like a crazy person while having my lunch salad.