It is Monday again which means back to work. As for us here in Dubai, we have already started our week yesterday. Ever since the outbreak of COVID-19, most companies have been working remotely to observe social distancing. To be honest, it is not an easy transition. If you have been working from home even before the pandemic, you might find this mundane. However, for those used to attending to their offices, sitting in front of their monitors from 9-5, it can be quite challenging and indeed affects productivity. Personally and not trying to sound like "the best employee" or a workaholic, I still prefer working in the office. Why? The work environment motivates me more to work and focus on my tasks as compared to working in the comfort of my home, where I usually find other things to fritter away time that results to divided attention.

In order to work effectively, I am sharing 7 tips to boost productivity while working at home.

1. Ensure that you got everything you need. Laptop, stable internet connection, mobile phone/telephone with plan, and all the files you will be working on. Without these, you will be surely be lost.

2. Find a peaceful and organized workstation. It is proven that a clutter-free workspace helps in completing tasks. It is also important to find a workspace where you can work comfortable and far from distractions.

3. Wake up early as if you're coming to the office. Let's be honest here. Working at home has a space for flexibility, including being flexible with time. I have awoken a little later on the first day of WFH (working from home) and I totally crammed mid-afternoon due to my workload and ended up extending a few minutes past my end shift. Moreover, it is better to wake up early so you can prepare yourself- have a nice bath and a good breakfast, and to fix your desk tasks for the day.

4. Create a to-do list. I have always kept a list of my tasks even back in college. It really helps me to keep track and brief myself of what I should do throughout the whole day. Also, it helps with prioritizing work- what should be done first and what can wait. After each task, I crossed it out so I won't  be confused if I have already done it and it serves also as a log of my weekly work accomplishments.

5. Take little breaks. Frustration and tiredness can be experienced whether at home or in the office. I usually stand up from my desk, take a little walk around the office, have a little chat with my colleagues, or go to the washroom to freshen up. Here at home, I also take a break by playing with my baby niece, grabbing some snacks, or watching some fun videos online. Once my spirit has been uplifted, I go back to work and try to finish any pending tasks.

6. Stay connected. It is crucial not to put your phone on silent. Whether you colleague contacts you to ask a question or your boss gives you something to do, having your phone beside you and all your messaging apps running is very important.

7. Listen to music. Almost all of my daily activities, I always listen to music. It increases my energy and makes me want not to leave my desk especially if I'm playing music on my laptop. Furthermore, it lessens the possibility of me getting all sleepy and feeling worn out.

Pin for later :)

Don't let the beach photo fool you. I am currently staying at home keeping myself safe from this pandemic. As the new cases of Covid-19 increases rapidly everyday, it is best to stay indoors and keeping yourself clean and healthy. Aside from working at home during weekdays, you'll probably find yourself wondering how you will spend your time during quarantine. Hence, I compiled a few at home activities ( to keep you entertained and, hopefully, help us all get through this pandemic.

In an alley filled with seafood restaurants, get ready to get your hands dirty and feast with a happy tummy!

We went on a spontaneous foodventure over the weekend and our gang decided to go to Deira, a district full of retail shops and a plethora of restaurants- perfect place for the "where to eat?" dilemma.

We went to Off the Hook restaurant, our go-to seafood restaurant in the area. We were welcomed by the friendly staff and the satisfying aroma of fresh buttered shrimp. It was 5:30 pm when we have arrived and we were lucky enough to get a table because the restaurant was already filled with seafood lovers.

Ambience- 4/5

The place is not spacious enough to welcome more guests despite having a second floor. Talking about the interiors, I like the combination of faux brick walls and plants and the hanging yellow light bulbs- setting the stage for a casual and fun dining experience.

Food- 4/5

The restaurant offers set meals and per kilo order. We ordered the Trio Set which is good for 3-4 pax, based on their menu. Personally, I think the Trio set can feed more than 3-4 person since we were 8 and the set was already enough for us. The set includes crabs, shrimps, mussels, crab balls (Believe me when I say, you will order more of these!), corn (can be on cob or you can request if you want it grated), unlimited rice and drinks (either citrus soda or red iced tea). For the sauces, we ordered the OTH special which was their specialty sauce and garlic butter. Then you can choose the level of spiciness. 

Before digging in, we wore our plastic aprons and gloves. Then, we laid the rice and put the seafood and sauce on top and saved some for dipping- typical Filipino boodle fight. We ordered extra crab balls and a half kilo of squid. The spicy house sauce has a tangy, sweet, and hot flavour that compliments the natural saltiness of the shellfishes. The squid, on the other hand, tasted bland as if the sauce and the spices were not absorbed. 

Price- 5/5

The reason I gave the restaurant a perfect score is that you basically get what you paid for, which is very appropriate for what we were served. The food was nice as well as their service. The staffs were very accommodating and friendly. Our orders didn't take long to arrive and were delivered to our table clean, fresh, and delish. 

Final thoughts

The restaurant offers a variety of tasty seafood that makes their customers, including us, keep on coming back. I just hope that they can stretch their space to welcome more people. Also, in order to be eco-friendly, I suggest ditching the plastic aprons and gloves and provide biodegradable products instead. In addition, upon leaving the place, I can still taste the seafood and the strong smell clung to our clothes and hair. Lastly, after binging, expect that you will fall into food coma. We literally felt sleepy and super full after dinner.

Don't miss trying out this restaurant and include this in your list of must-tries! For more food and travel adventures, don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest updates on the blog. 'Till next time :)

Whenever I say "I'm back after how many months" as an introduction to my posts, believe me, I also tell myself "What's new with that?". I've been MIA (again) for the past months since 1.) I am now a working girl and 2.) I find it difficult to figure out what I should post on my blog and once I got an idea, I do not know how to start the write-ups. Struggling, but still, here is an outfit post, clearly outdated, which I hope will serve the months I missed.