Baku

Rainy Baku

I started walking / running exercise routine in October when the weather just started getting colder. On some days the weather was still so nice that I walked in a T-shirt. Then gradually the temperature decreased. Baku is a windy city and our winds can make it unbearable to be outside. Even when the temperature doesn’t drop below zero, it feels like -10. I needed to adjust to these conditions somehow, so I started walking in the Old City. Inner part of Baku is protected by thick walls that date back to 12th century and they hid me from the wind. I loved walking there and exploring it’s labyrinths and I loved that no walk was as the one before. Each time I was changed a route and I always came across something interesting and beautiful, like suddenly noticing a beautiful ornament on the wall or a door made to look like a giant backgammon set, or meeting an old lady that was so loving and kind that she invited me, a stranger, to her house for a tea.

When the winter kicked in, I thought to myself, so how am I going to do this now? I have to admit that getting out of the house wasn’t easy on some of the days. But I was pleasantly surprised to discover the willpower and determination in me that I haven’t noticed before. When I set a goal and I have a plan, I will go out and do it no matter what. And I’m proud of myself for doing this. Another thing that I came to discover is that it’s only the first few minutes when you leave the comfort and warmth of the house or a car that are difficult. After 10-15 minutes body seems to adjust to the temperature outside and it’s not so cold anymore. And the more I build running / walking into a habit, the easier it became.

Isn’t the same process valid for everything else in life? When we have to do something new, something we haven’t done before, it seems scary. In our day-to-day life we often try to run away from problems and challenges. But what if we saw them not as threats, but as opportunities to become wiser and stronger? I saw somewhere that fear was described as False Evidence Appearing Real. So, what if all the things we fear in life, are nothing but illusions that our brain created to keep us ‘safe’ in the comfort zone? But is my purpose here on Earth to be safe? I’m not saying that constantly putting your life at risk is what we all should do, however I want to live and experience this life to the fullest and I don’t want to be captivated by my own fears and limits I put on myself. What about you? Are fears holding you down from doing something you really want in life? Would you like to join me on my endeavor to become fearless, bold, unapologetic me?

January 27, 2015January 27, 2015 by natella111 Categories: iPhoneography, Photography, ThoughtsTags: Baku, bold, exericise, fearless, IPhoneography, one happy blog, photography, rain, rainy Baku, rainy day, running, thoughts, walking 5 Comments

App of the day – Kinotap

Here is one app that might interest cinema lovers in Baku – Kinotap. It gathers information from all the movie theaters around Baku, thus instead of checking separate apps like Park Cinema or 28 Cinema and comparing the viewing times, you can check this information in one app. One thing that is lacking in Kinotap is online purchase, so after you found out the time and movie theater it’s playing in, you then still have to go to separate app, if you’d like to buy tickets online.

Here’s a quick walk-through the app:

Here is the main view of the app with information on all movies going in the theaters right now.

When you select one of the movies, you will be able to view information on plot, actors and view the trailers (you will be automatically transferred to YouTube app if you have it on your phone).

Below the description, you will find out the next available showtimes and you can scroll to the right to see the next days’ timings too.

You can also filter the movies as you may wish.

The app also allows you to review the upcoming movies.

Cinemas screen shows all the movie theaters in Baku and their addresses.

And the Settings screen allows you to select from 3 languages.

July 7, 2014July 10, 2014 by natella111 Categories: Apps ReviewTags: app of the day, application of the day, arts, Baku, Film, IPhone, Kinotap, movie, Movie theater, movie theaters, one happy blog, Park Cinema, technology, Theaters, upcoming movies Leave a comment

App of the day: Baku Airport

Baku Airport is a good app to get the information about arrivals, departures, delays and cancellations, terminal and other useful things.

It comes in very handy if you’re planning to pick someone up from GYD airport.

You can also subscribe to notifications and then you’ll get the info right on your phone once the selected flight has landed, entered the baggage claim, etc., but I wouldn’t solely rely on this info as they tend to come a bit later than in reality. Hopefully, app developers will fix it soon.

May 12, 2014 by natella111 Categories: Apps Review, TechnologyTags: app, app of the day, app review, apple, Application, Aviation, Azerbaijan, Baku, Baku Airport, Heydar Aliyev International Airport, IPhone, technology Leave a comment

Lady in the hat by Natella Mammadova – Art Print

If you want to get a print of this beautiful lady, you can do it on Society6 website! 🙂

Order now and get free shipping – offer is valid till May 11, 2014 at Midnight Pacific Time.

Have a beautiful day!

Love,

Natella

May 10, 2014May 10, 2014 by natella111 Categories: My Art, My ShopTags: art, Art print, art shop, Azerbaijan, Baku, beautiful lady, lady in the hat, Natella, Natella Mammadova, Society6 Leave a comment

Thought of the day: Miracles are just around the corner

Some time ago I saw a beautiful blooming purple tree while driving in the neighborhood. I really wanted to take a picture for use in one of my future drawings and few days ago we decided to walk there with my Dad. How much was I surprised to find not just one, but so many other purple blooming trees and flowers and even a waterfall built-in the wall of the park.

We took so many beautiful pictures, that now there is enough material for many more paintings and just had a lot of fun.

Spring is so beautiful and I’m living such a happy life and it all starts with gratitude. When you look on the bright side, when you find things to appreciate and be grateful for (and there are plenty in any situation!) and the more you love God and the Universe, the more it loves you back and shows you miracles all around you, that you didn’t see before! 🙂

Have a fantastic awesome super happy day! I know I’m having one!

Love and light,

Natella

One of "Flame Towers" — One of “Flame Towers”

May 4, 2014May 4, 2014 by natella111 Categories: I love ..., Inspiration, Mindfulness, Photography, Positive thinking, ThoughtsTags: Azerbaijan, Baku, beatiful pictures, beautiful scenery, blooming flowers, blooming trees, Flame Towers, God, gratitude, inspiration, IPhoneography, love, mindfulness, Miracle, miracles are around the corner, my photography, my thoughts, photography, positive state of mind, positivity, purple tree, Religion and Spirituality, spirituality, Spring, thought of the day 2 Comments

Bird’s-eye view Azerbaijan

Few days ago I stumbled upon gorgeous bird’s-eye view photos of my homeland, Azerbaijan. It’s truly amazing how familiar places can look so different when you change the angle and your perspective!

Images are courtesy of Gapp.az and Bakcell.

I go to sleep and then I wake up in a strange and beautiful dream. I open my eyes and I see that the sun has lit my room and painted all things in bright colors. There’s so much light everywhere around me! It must be a warm and sunny day. I get up and I walk to the living room. It’s is also illuminated by the light. I open the door and now I’m standing on the porch smelling the flowers and filling the lungs with fresh air.

To this day I never felt this way before! I feel life running through my veins! I see myself as strong and gentle being, passionate and calm at the same time. I’m going with the flow of the Universe, trusting the Divine. I feel lightweight. In fact, I feel so light that I can easily take off the ground and touch the sky, fill the sky and be one with it. In a flash of light, I remember my childhood dreams. I was sitting on the balcony watching birds. How they slowly flap their wings to gain height and then glide so gracefully, so effortlessly, like they are one with the sky.

Is it possible? Can my childhood dream come true? Cautiously I climb on the balcony railing and I feel wings on my back. I spread the wings and I push off the ground. Flying seems so natural! As if I was meant to! As if I always knew how to fly, just haven’t used this gift for a while! Gliding and rising above the trees and roads I watch people, cars and buildings become smaller and smaller.

I head towards the sea. Then I fly above the city. Everything seems so different from above! Then I head even further toward the mountain tops. I watch the rivers and roads framing the beautiful green land. Such a masterpiece! Creator is the greatest artist! Earth as a canvas, I imagine him mixing colors, letting them flow one onto another, creating steady strokes, carrying over passion and love upon the painting and smiling at the beauty of his creations.

Like an eagle, I swirl effortlessly, one with the wind, I pause only to notice how all the problems, concerns, everything that seemed so large and important is nothing more than a dot in the vast Universe. I remember that infinite happiness I felt when I was a child. I remember my true self, my infinite nature and limitless capabilities. I will wake up from this dream, but I will always remember.

For more beautiful pictures, please visit azerbaijan.gapp.az

January 27, 2014January 27, 2014 by natella111 Categories: Inspiration, Photography, Thoughts, TravelTags: aerophotography, Azerbaijan, Bakcell, Baku, beautiful, bird's eye view, essay, from above, gapp.az, Ismailli, Kurkosa island, Mingachevir, nature, Neftchala, photography, photos, pictures, short story, thoughts, travel, writing 4 Comments

“The rule of thirds” is one of the basic rules of composition. The main object of your photo shoot will look more interesting if it is not centered, but closer to one of the corners. iPhone camera has the built-in grid feature which will make your life easier. Prior to ios 7 you could turn on the grid right in the Camera app. Now in ios 7 the grid is hidden in the General Settings.

Slide the finger to turn the Grid on

How to turn on the grid - 3 — Now you can see the grid lines when you take a photo!

If you want to learn more about ‘the rule of thirds’, visit iMore’s How to make your iPhone photography more striking with the “rule of thirds” or look at Business Insider’s Rule of Thirds and lots of other tips on how to make iPhone photography better.

Natella’s view: “The rule of thirds’ was very useful. I went out and tried to compose my pictures using the rule and was pleased with the result most of the times. But, as they say, rules are meant to be broken, and some objects looked better when centered like the big flowerpot in one of my pictures below. “

So. here are the pictures using and breaking ‘the rule of thirds’. All of them are black and white, because it suited my mood, but I will add more color photos later. All photos have been done in Baku, Azerbaijan.