Yesterday, I hopped into a cab to return to the villa. Usually, I would inwardly declare 'Hallelujah' if the driver did not blast the taxi with Arabian music or similar-like music. Couldn't remember if this driver played the music that set my head spinning, but one thing I could not shake it out of my head up to now, is that the driver was selecting the different ring tones from his mobile phone to listen at random - and yes! - whilst driving at the same time!!! Playing with your mobile phone while driving??? This is so unthinkable and intolerable back in Singapore!
Thankfully, I managed to reach my destination in one piece. That was truly the grace of God, for on the 2-lane road while my taxi driver was driving at about 60 km/hr, another car dashed out to the road into the very same lane! It was probably an angel of God, not my taxi driver, who swayed the car sideways to the other lane. :s My taxi driver appeared pretty upset by the road unworthiness of the offending driver, for he wound down his window and looked towards that driver.
Guess what? The other driver also wound down his car window... he waved and smiled, somewhat apologetically, I guessed. That saved the day. No road rage... for my taxi driver smiled and waved in acknowledgement.
Whew!
I've been taking taxis more often than buses, as the bus system here has still quite a way towards establishment! During peak hours, I was denied the right to board the bus as the ladies section was full (only the seats, not standing space!). I waited for the next bus, but again it was again! I recalled feeling frustrated almost to the point of tears when I kept waving for taxis and they simply were occupied or chose to go other preferred locations or got 'stolen' by others who 'jump the queue' by waiting further in front but started waiting for a taxi around the same area later than me.
Another thing I discovered about the bus system here, is that not all bus stops have a bus sign there! How on earth would a person know that a bus would stop there, not to mention the bus numbers?! The buses do not arrive on schedule, so whatever is stated on the bus stop signage does not count. I have tried waiting for more than half an hour and subsequently gave up, for I did not want to feel silly being denied to board the bus because the bus was full. Sometimes, while waiting, I feel as if I was part of the Snoppy gang, forever waiting for the school bus that never came......
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Hair Cut for Health Card ?
Recently, I was at a hospital for a medical checkup. That was part of the requirement for me to apply for residency visa. When i went to the counter to collect my medical report, the counter staff pointed a certain direction and minced some words, which include "hair cut". I was baffled and asked hubby why they would need me to cut my hair??! Silly me actually even expressed fearful hope that they would not cut my hair too short... I must be crazy.......
Upon going to the next counter, I realised what the staff had said was actually "health card". Aiyooo.... gave me a scare! Pronunciation problem!
Since I am on the topic of hair cut, I might as well share my hair cut experience. Having been here for 3 months, I have to go for at least a hair trim. My hair is dry in nature and tends to split if left uncut for too long. The worst split was 5 ends. Horrible.
As recommended by hubby and my sister-in-law who have been living here longer, I went to Satwa (the Fillippino area in Dubai) for a hair cut. I checked out a few saloons before settling down in one. Here, the saloons are strictly separated for males and females. The local females here are not supposed to let their hair be visible, thus even the windows and doors are covered and the interior not visible from the outside.
I entered the saloon. Many ladies were having their hand done (heena as they called it). It was somewhat a strange sight beholding so many women of a different culture in one room, most of them seated in a relaxed posture. I went to the upper floor where a Fillippina cut my hair. Job well done. Fast job. Good price.
Upon going to the next counter, I realised what the staff had said was actually "health card". Aiyooo.... gave me a scare! Pronunciation problem!
Since I am on the topic of hair cut, I might as well share my hair cut experience. Having been here for 3 months, I have to go for at least a hair trim. My hair is dry in nature and tends to split if left uncut for too long. The worst split was 5 ends. Horrible.
As recommended by hubby and my sister-in-law who have been living here longer, I went to Satwa (the Fillippino area in Dubai) for a hair cut. I checked out a few saloons before settling down in one. Here, the saloons are strictly separated for males and females. The local females here are not supposed to let their hair be visible, thus even the windows and doors are covered and the interior not visible from the outside.
I entered the saloon. Many ladies were having their hand done (heena as they called it). It was somewhat a strange sight beholding so many women of a different culture in one room, most of them seated in a relaxed posture. I went to the upper floor where a Fillippina cut my hair. Job well done. Fast job. Good price.
Can't sleep :(
Tonight (more accurately speaking, this morning), i can't doze into dreamland like before. It's actually the 2nd night. Last night, i went to bed (after the first 'failed attempt') at 3 am. Hubby was slightly awakened and asked what time it was. I didn't want to specify, for i know he would nag at me. He persisted however. Told him. Strangely, he became more alert and chided me in a lighthearted manner for waking him up. He was not as dreamy as i thought. Hours earlier, he aired his usual complaint of me not going to sleep the same time as he does. I told him that i was too alert for sleep. And I talked to him, whilst watching TV and reading newspapers. He said i was trying to stop him from sleeping and actually wanted him to accompany me in staying awake! I protested in jest that if i could fly all the way from Singapore to Dubai to accompany him full time, he should not even harbour any complaints of me requesting a few minutes of companionship!
Of course, yours truly was not seriously asking him to stay awake with me. To stop his persistent whining, i had to stop. Let him off. And he was fast asleep. Though he had entered dreamland (by the sound of his snoring), i decided to turn off the TV and aborted the movie i had wanted to watch. Thought i would just so some brief reading and then turn in. Reading at night actually led me to sleep easily.
That didn't work as well as thought out. I got up from bed and checked my Facebook and surf. Went back to bed at 3 am.
I thought i would have a better night tonight since i have exerted more energy today. Hubby urged me to sleep early. I joked with him that we have an "appointment" at 3 am. Well, perhaps words really have power... I really couldn't get into sleep! Even though my body feels tired and the need to rest, i just couldn't enter into sleep! How do i 'de-active' my mind and shut it down? Am not worrying or particularly troubled but my mind was perhaps just too active...... or am i just trying too hard to sleep?
Was not as cruel to wake hubby up at 3 am, though i sensed that he perhaps knew that i was not sleeping well, in the midst of his turning and pauses of snoring... Actually, it would help a lot if his snoring is muted or not as loud... He likes to say that i disturb his sleep by sleeping late... he is the one who disturb me from sleeping all night long!!! I had shown him a video clip of his snoring. He actually smiled quietly, then later told me off and repeatedly asked me to delete the clip.
You ever had the feeling that after countless tossing and turning, your head felt heavy or uncomfortable? After almost 2 hours of agony, I decided to pick up a book to read. Have been wanting to go through that book for days but never got down to it... It was my 11-year old bible, where i had highlighted many meaningful verses through the years. I went through all the highlighted verses, including some notes written by myself and given by others. It was a good time of reading and thinking.
After lying down for 3 hours, I know I will not go into sleep easily. Body did not feel as tired now. The rooster did its scheduled duty: crowed at 3 am. Actually, it was 15 minutes earlier i.e. 2.45 am. My housemate ever said that our neighbour's rooster always crow at 3 am, and again at 5 am or so. So, end up my appointment was with the jet-legged rooster......
Of course, yours truly was not seriously asking him to stay awake with me. To stop his persistent whining, i had to stop. Let him off. And he was fast asleep. Though he had entered dreamland (by the sound of his snoring), i decided to turn off the TV and aborted the movie i had wanted to watch. Thought i would just so some brief reading and then turn in. Reading at night actually led me to sleep easily.
That didn't work as well as thought out. I got up from bed and checked my Facebook and surf. Went back to bed at 3 am.
I thought i would have a better night tonight since i have exerted more energy today. Hubby urged me to sleep early. I joked with him that we have an "appointment" at 3 am. Well, perhaps words really have power... I really couldn't get into sleep! Even though my body feels tired and the need to rest, i just couldn't enter into sleep! How do i 'de-active' my mind and shut it down? Am not worrying or particularly troubled but my mind was perhaps just too active...... or am i just trying too hard to sleep?
Was not as cruel to wake hubby up at 3 am, though i sensed that he perhaps knew that i was not sleeping well, in the midst of his turning and pauses of snoring... Actually, it would help a lot if his snoring is muted or not as loud... He likes to say that i disturb his sleep by sleeping late... he is the one who disturb me from sleeping all night long!!! I had shown him a video clip of his snoring. He actually smiled quietly, then later told me off and repeatedly asked me to delete the clip.
You ever had the feeling that after countless tossing and turning, your head felt heavy or uncomfortable? After almost 2 hours of agony, I decided to pick up a book to read. Have been wanting to go through that book for days but never got down to it... It was my 11-year old bible, where i had highlighted many meaningful verses through the years. I went through all the highlighted verses, including some notes written by myself and given by others. It was a good time of reading and thinking.
After lying down for 3 hours, I know I will not go into sleep easily. Body did not feel as tired now. The rooster did its scheduled duty: crowed at 3 am. Actually, it was 15 minutes earlier i.e. 2.45 am. My housemate ever said that our neighbour's rooster always crow at 3 am, and again at 5 am or so. So, end up my appointment was with the jet-legged rooster......
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