Name: Dhabia Abdulla
Age: Still 21 in my head..
Profession: Director, Brand Developer
Nationality: British
Motto: Turn your cant’s to can’s and your dreams into plans
Instagram: @deedeeal
“Don’t buy pastries from the gas station – they taste like cardboard”.
What’s in a name like Dhabia?
I have one of the strangest names ever, Dhabia. I’ve ony ever heard of one girl who has the same name as me and never in a song.
Your most valued possession?
My laptop – I go everwhere with it.
Where can we find you hanging out most?
At home or at my friend’s house on the couch or balcony ( not in the summer) just chatting and catching up
Who inspires you the most?
I’m inspired by my son, Zane. Although hes only five. He is a live wire but he always puts a smile on my face every day with his whitty humour and his innocent but brutal honesty reminds me everyday of what is important in my life and not to take adulthood too seriously.
Five things you need for survival?
Manicures (I’m obsessed with clean cuticles and fresh polish); my handbag (has everything I need on the go); coffee; flat shoes (because heels are beautiful punishment) and a scented candle from Bath and Body Works (iit brings me peace at the end of a long day).
What car would like to own?
I love my car, but I have to say I’d love to own a Dodge Hellcat, black on black with ruby red leather interior and rims.
What is your idea of peace?
A fire, shisha, a pot of tea and music on my portable speaker on the beach or in the desert
Your goal in life?
To raise my son to be a happy and confident young man, to be successful in my endeavors and more importantly, stay healthy. To continue helping others less fortunate and to be surrounded by friends and family.
What item do you keep buying even though you have plenty?
Things from Bath and Body Works – I’ve designated an entire cabinet that holds stock of candles, room sprays and soaps… I’m obsessed.
What are three things has today taught you?
One, patience – I get that lesson every day. Two, plans don’t always work out they way you planned, so have a plan B. Three, don’t buy pastries from the gas station – they taste like cardboard.
Who deserves a big old thank you in your life?
My mother and my best friend who carry my burdens at the worst of times and support me in every way. I’m blessed.
Have you found your purpose yet?
I found my purpose in my son, and in my interaction with others.
What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
I’ve done some pretty wild things, enough to lose track of which rank as the craziest, I’m sorry not sorry to say. Others usually consider me crazy or radical and its always unplanned. What’s crazy to one person is entirely normal to another, who is to judge?
What is your earliest memory?
In Iraq, my home country, I was four playing outside in my underwear (because I thought I was a boy) and the chicken from the neighbors yard escaped from the cage and chased me down the street, bit me in the bottom and I cried red murder loud enough for the neighbors to come out in panic. They put that chicken out ‘’just for me ‘’ but I think it was there to be dinner one day anyway.
If your life was a book, what would it be called?
The Perfectly Imperfect Life of a Simple Girl
Are you a social media addict?
I use Facebook. All my family and friends are on there. They were so scattered around the world that I find it’s the best way to keep up with their daily lives. I don’t want any mean people, religious or political radicals, and no fake plastic, superficial people, or racists following me
To look absolutely great, how would you dress?
Jeans and a cashmere top with embellished detail, flat diamonte encrusted sandals and a nice handbag . Or simply, a silk light flowing abaya – it is so elegant and respectable.
What was the most recent movie that made you cry?
I remember when I was 13 I watched Boys in The Hood and the ending had me bawling my eyes out and wondering how I can stop gang wars in South Central.
If you could have personally witnessed one event in history, what would you want to have seen?
Michael Jackson on tour. I had tickets to his last show but he passed shortly before. I’d have loved to be present when King Faisal ruled Iraq – that was when we were a kingdom.
If you were on death row, what would your last meal be?
Nutella and peanut butter and sliced bread! 😀
…and dessert?
Um Ali. So wrong, but so right.
