I have mentioned in a couple of posts about my battle with PCOS, and if you follow me on Instagram, it was just recently that I have somehow opened up about it and how I had been working on eating and living healthy.

I have been struggling with PCOS for more than four years now. I used to have regular periods and not a single issue during that time of the month, until stress took its toll on me. And then, poof! My ovaries went crazy.

I haven't been that open about my condition as I've always thought it's a personal matter which shouldn't be divulged online for everybody to feast in. But along with a number of questions brought about by my subtle revelation in my online posts, when I look back and think about how some people have been rude to me (intentionally or not) over the past years, it suddenly got into my senses that still a lot of people are unaware of how big of a battle PCOS really is.

And since September is PCOS awareness month, it's but fitting to let you know my thoughts. I will not go into the scientific and medical explanations about what PCOS is, as I am no expert and Google would be very handy for that, but I'd like to share my own experiences. Yes, I am a PCOS fighter, and here's what I (and I'm sure all women battling with PCOS), would like you to know.

I usually cook on weekends, Fridays specifically, if we got no plans of going out. But last weekend, our flat was scheduled for pest control and we were not allowed to use the kitchen, so I was already prepared to eat out or order food online.

It's as if the universe knew of our struggle and sent Debonairs Pizza to the rescue! :p It's a lucky coincidence that I received a mail and call from Debonairs Pizza that same day. And in no time, two boxes of large piping hot pizzas were delivered right at our doorsteps.

Mark and I were invited to grace the launch of Olive Oil, Jumeira Rotana’s new all day dining restaurant, a couple of weeks back. While the hotel was unfamiliar to us and was a bit of a struggle to get to (it's tucked in 2nd December Street in Satwa, with all the traffic especially since it's rush hour), the restaurant was easy to find as it's located on the ground floor of the hotel.

Most of you may have already known that I'm no longer based in Abu Dhabi. Yes, I just recently transferred to Dubai and as mandated by the UAE government, a change of visa entails an exit from the country. And so there, just a couple of weeks ago, I just came back from an unexpected week-long trip to Thailand, and that's what I'll try to share with you. Please don't get bored.

I was notified that I had to exit the country just a day before my visa expiration, so I had to book my flight and hotel in no time. Since it's an unexpected trip which is definitely not part of our budget, I rummaged the internet for the lowest fares and a number of low-cost carriers like Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, and EasyJet, or a travel through American Airlines, to name a few, came into the picture.

Also, since I was pressed for time, and it was my first time to visit Thailand, Kriska suggested that staying in a hotel close to Bangkok airport, with airport transfer service if possible, is the most convenient option. Keeping that in mind was what made us decide to book a room at The Great Residence Hotel.

If you are planning a UK break with your family for half-term this October, there are many great reasons to choose Cornwall. Although Cornwall is a UK seaside destination which is usually associated with the summer holidays, there are plenty of great reasons why you should wrap up a little bit warmer and visit Cornwall during the colder winter months. For those planning to visit Cornwall during the October half-term, you’ll definitely be met with a great range of things to see, do and experience during your holiday. We’ve listed some of the best things for families to do in Cornwall this half-term.

Heartlands
Kids will love Heartlands, the biggest free adventure playground in Cornwall which offers a range of state-of- the-art exhibitions, a giant adventure play area for kids, climb-on sculptures and epically diverse gardens. Along with this, families can also take part in the range of art and craft studios available, and have lunch in the funky café located in an old carpenter’s workshop. If you’re looking for family-friendly accommodation in Cornwall that’s close by to Heartlands, visit Away with the Kids.

Halloween Events
Visiting Cornwall during the month of October means that you and your family will be able to attend some of the many National Trust events held for Halloween. This half-term, Godolphin is hosting ‘Halloween Happenings’, where kids can join the wicked witches and creepy crawlies in a whole range of different activities throughout the garden. Or, there’s a spooky Halloween trail to be joined at Lanhydrock. If you have older kids, a visit to the haunted house and paranormal activity is in order at Cothele.

Go to the Beach
Who says that you can only visit the beach during the summer time? Cornwall is home to a large number of great beaches, many of which are open to the public all year round. During your October half-term stay in Cornwall, you might want to visit one of the beaches which are great for playing with kites, footballs and other games even if it’s too cold to sunbathe. Many beaches in Cornwall are the perfect destinations for family walking adventures, games and picnics.

Eden Project
Visiting the Eden Project in Cornwall is a great idea for families who are staying over the half-term. This October, Halloween is definitely the theme of the Eden Project, and kids can participate in a whole range of different spooky activities such as making protection charms and potions, learning about creatures of the night and pumpkin carving. The Eden Project is also hosting a Halloween themed event for kids, the Little Monsters’ Ball, the day before Halloween, which will have a disco and ice rink.

If you’re planning to go on a family holiday during this October half-term but travelling abroad simply isn’t in your budget, there are many reasons to choose a UK destination. Cornwall is traditionally a UK destination visited by families during the warmer summer months, but there are many great reasons to visit during the autumn as well.