Desert Safari

December is a slow month in Dubai, cos most of the holidays in the year are 'concentrated' in that month. In fact, I am blogging this on a holiday! During a previous 3-day holiday period, hubby and I went on a Desert Safari tour. It's a must-do for anyone who have stayed in a desert area (or so-called... for Dubai, i guess).

Earlier, all I know about Desert Safari is that you get to experience driving around and being out in the real desert. Instead, it exceeded my expectations! I must say it felt different being surrounded by just sand, minus the real roads in far sight. Wasn't quite prepared for the rollercoaster like jerks as our guide drove his 4x4 wheeler skillfully up and down each sand slopes... We actually went on this tour with another family. The little girl was initially scared and kept quiet most of the time, whereas her older brother was enjoying himself, evidently :)

For me, it was quite fun. However, I started to feel a bit nauseous after a while. Somehow, after coming to Dubai, I realised my body can't take well to the repeated jerks whilst in car and being stuck long in traffic jams. After 15 minutes of solid safari, the driver drove onto the main road and headed toward the camp where we had dinner and night entertainment. He told us that it would be only 2 last minutes of safari. Within a minute of safari driving, the little girl threw up! Believe me, at that moment, I was trying hard to hold back too! The driver pulled over and allowed the little girl to alight with her parents and recovered. Thank God that I was able to hold on well... :p

The evening was an overall pleasant experience. Though sitting on a camel was scary at times (when it suddenly got up or kneel down to let me 'alight'), I am glad that I had done it! Ha! ;) There were the traditional dances performances as well. There was one where the male dancer had this flying saucer like skirt that lighted up when he danced with it... There were some good sports who volunteered to take that to dance with it. I must say that the turning around over and over again is not easy... Don't they get dizzy? And of course, how could I not mention the sensual belly dancing by the female dancer? The MC had to repeatedly urged the guys to sit down and not block the people behind (who are cosily seated at their tables) from viewing the entertainment. Even hubby and I had to step up to tap the shoulders of those guys to be more considerate.

It was indeed very cold out at the desert at night, especially now the winter season has just set in. Our guess was that it was 16 degrees celsius or below?! I thank God that I brought my gloves along, and of course, my jacket.

Alright, previous attempts to post pictures at this site had been a problem. Here's yet another of my attempt, though not sure how successful it will be!

Rain indeed.......

A few days ago, i witnessed rain while travelling in my company transport. It wasn't just rain but downpour. Somehow, my workplace area tends to be more prone to rain... I attribute it to the more plentiful water supply there. It's a man-made marina place... and close to the beach... well, whatever.......

Today, I became a victim of the rain. They say it tends to rain in Dubai for not more than a week in a year. Well, I have heard that flooding can be a problem. I have seen for myself the great jam the poor drainage system had caused. 2 out of 7 lanes being unusable is quite a big deal, not to mention the frequency of road accidents here given the higher speed limit and the way of driving here.

Just to clarify, I wasn't referring to being stuck in the jam in being victimised. It was kind of worse than that. This morning, I entered my office to find that my department area is flooded. The carpet is wet. Not a big deal for me. The documents being wet was some of a deal for me. Perhaps I should give thanks that my workstation is largely intact i.e. PCs still usable, whereas another department was virtually drenched by water......

Something that amazed me was the work culture here. I have heard of such stories but today, I am a real witness to testify. Instead of going to where the action is i.e. pumping out the source of water leakage, a total of 10 over workers assembled at the worst hit area in the office, awaiting confirmation to move the office stuff so that they could change the carpet.

Goodness. Didn't they see that the water was still dripping down?!? I find the question quite incredulous as I told the foreman to coordinate with the party responsible to fix the leaking roof first, before thinking of moving any stuff. He then proceeded to call some other parties.

What a Saturday. Thought I could at last start doing some non-urgent work for today's half day of work. Blame it on the rain.

Rain in Desert Land

Weather is changing... Gone are the gruelling days of summer when temperature could hit a merciless 48 degree celsius :( Now, winter is coming!

Yes! Winter! I never knew that in such a desert land, there is such a thing called "winter"! Not to mention about rain :) Have heard that it rain here once a year! This morning, I stepped out, expecting the usual cool wind. I got more than that... I realised that the ground are wet. It seemed more than dew.

Some colleagues said it is dew... Some said it is rain. My guess is it must be rain.... if not, how to explain the puddle of water at the side of the road? Whatever it is, I am looking forward to the rain! =D

Taxi Adventures

Somehow, my previous posting did not get published. Hope this won't turn out to be a double-post! This is not a grumpy post. Rather, it's quite funny, though it is potentially worrying at the same time.

A kind colleague who drives alighted me near my place after work today. Thank God that I am spared the enduring wait of public (and crowded) buses. I proceeded to take a taxi from my alighting point but no taxis stopped. I “detoured” for 20 minutes to buy some essentials at the mall. Still, when I returned to the mall taxi stand, the queue was still equally long. I decided to wait, since my earlier wait elsewhere was fruitless.

When my turn finally came, I was thankfully pleased that this driver was very polite, friendly and spoke good English (easier to communicate). Again, I was mistaken as a Korean, if not, Japanese. Hmm… that means I am still pretty fair in complexion after almost 6 months in Dubai…

5 minutes into the journey, the first adventure occurred. A sudden hit! I thought the taxi was hit at the side by oncoming vehicles (the driver was turning out from a small road). Or did it hit the curb? The driver excused himself and exited the vehicle to inspect his damage. It was only when I turned around then I realised we were hit at the back by another car.

Oh… Why am I so “lucky”? I thought my journey would be even further delayed.

It was not so, thank God. Though the taxi driver did not manage to get any compensation (the other party refused to pay, he said), he proudly declared that his taxi was still in good condition, unlike the other driver’s car.

So, the journey continued. Only a few minutes of interruption.

I am thankful that this driver has a good temperament. I told him that it would be wonderful if most taxi drivers here are like him, since I had encountered quite a number of rude drivers. He agreed and added that he had learnt about customer service back in his country of origin.

Good – I thought.

In Dubai, it is common that taxi drivers asked questions, like where you come from, etc. I do likewise, in order to be build rapport and communication, so that I can give directions easier.

Towards the end of the journey, this driver asked me a common question: Is my family also here? I replied yes. I can’t believe what he said next! He actually said that if I were single, he “would not let me go”. Good grief!! My heart almost stopped. Was I hearing things???

The last gesture confirmed that I was not hallucinating. (No, I wasn’t molested – just in case your mind drifted). When I arrived at the villa and was due to pay the fare, I deliberately asked the driver to turn on the lights so that I can see my notes clearly. How else can I stop him from asking or saying crazy stuff?!

As I was short of smaller change, I told him to return me just 10 dirhams and keep the balance 4 dirhams. It is not uncommon here to leave the change for taxi drivers. My reason to let this driver keep the change was not just to quickly “get away” but I genuinely felt he deserved the “tips” since the journey was overall pleasant (minus the car bump and his unexpected expressions towards the end). The driver expressed his thanks for the tips. However, I tried really hard to suppress my laughter when he kissed the 10 dirhams note and gave me a big grin as he returned me the note.

What am I to make sense of that? Tell me! Hubby said I should sue him.

Traffic Woes

If I had the time to update this last night, it would be a super grumpy email ;{ Perhaps it would still be but it is definitely with less "steam" than last night... However, God's hands have moved and things may come to a better - in fact, much much better outcome :) Thus, I am in a more lighthearted mood as I write about yet another hair-tearing experience of my commuting in Dubai.

Each time the off-work hour is nearing, I would experience a mixture of feelings. The upside is that I could go back to unwind from work. However, the downside is the uncertainty of what kind of traffic madness I would be facing for the day......

I often hear people here say that without a car, it's very inconvenient. Having taken buses and taxis, I thought their words were just unjustifiable expressions from being too pampered by private transportation. I was proven wrong, as I began to take public transport on a daily basis - during peak hours. That made all the difference :s

So far, I had 2 very extreme experiences of feeling angry and upset to the point of almost tears!! The first time was when I could not board the bus, even after I had waited for the second bus to arrive (both the first bus and second bus were full). Attempts to hail a taxi were almost fruitless, as taxis stopped for others who suddenly appeared out of nowhere ahead of me. Otherwise, the numerous taxis that passed me by were occupied, if not, the driver chose not to stop. It was after more than half an hour before I managed to get into a taxi. By then, I had became so tired that I cancelled going to my original destination and headed back instead.

The other experience was even worse! It was 2 persons' anguish this time. Hubby and I called for a taxi to go the airport. We had called for the taxi in advance but waited in vain for more than 1 hour. Repeated calls were equally helpless. Hubby even walked out 20 minutes to the main road to hail for a taxi but to no avail. We were super worried that we might miss our fight! Thank God that a taxi responded to our call after more than an hour. His question of whether we could pay the road toil for him to quickly come over to us, was no longer worth asking. That tiny amount is nothing compared to missing a flight! For 2 persons!! I recalled that even after reaching the airport and knowing that we had ample time, hubby and I were still anxious. That was so stressful! It was after we had sat down and finished our meal then we started to "recover". What a less-than-desired "adventure"!

Apart from unreliable taxi reservation service, the taxi drivers here is another challenge. I thank God that not all are bad but just a few is enough to make your day bad. Had enough of taxi drivers being rude so I had learnt to behave beyond assertive to aggressive towards rude drivers. This is also another uncertainty: whether you end up returning in a pleasant or stress-filled journey.

For my journey from work back to my place, I usually take a taxi after my company bus alight me at a busy bus stop. Public buses are usually a disappointment so I had kind of given up. Taking a taxi saves me much more time; the extra spent on the fare is definitely worthwhile. It's not just time but physical energy spent walking back half an hour from the bus stop nearest to my place if I were to take the public bus, after its long winding road journey (and transfer of bus).

In returning back, though I needed to walk a bit to get to the spot where taxis are more likely to stop, it was not an issue. The road crossings were however not pedestrians-friendly and in fact are quite dangerous for those who were not as cautious or slow. The spot I eventually reached to wait for taxis is a hotspot. "Competitors" rally around the taxi whenever one care to stop. The driver thus has the advantage to choose his passenger...... I had ever taken one taxi when 2 other men desperately requested for car pooling. The driver was nice enough to ask if I am ok with the arrangement. Seeing that the 2 men were dressed in suits and seemed decent, I agreed. After all, their destination was along my way (they were even willing to accomodate with my preference, if any!). Later, I learnt that these 2 men had actually taken a bus from another more "remote" bus stop to that particular hotspot to take a taxi! I am not the only helpless victim of the transport system here after all.

A few days ago, I experienced another blow which finally pushed me to the edge. Enough. I shall for sure take up driving lessons, regardless of how much stricter the passing standards may have risen. That day, my company transport was late in picking the staff off work. 2 colleagues told me that I could board the other bus, since it would be passing by my dropoff spot. I checked with the driver and he readily agreed. So did one more staff who usually takes that bus back. Later, I realised that 3 extra staff (including me) boarded the bus. It was ample for all to sit but certainly not as cosy as before. All of us joked along the way and had fun. However, towards the end of my journey, a colleague whom I deem close told me that I should "stick to my (designated) bus"; she was of the view that all who are designated to whichever bus should follow the bus "in good times or bad times" i.e. even if the bus is late, you should jolly wait. I was very taken aback by her remarks but held my cool. If I had known that my boarding of that bus would cause such great inconvenience, I certainly would not have board it. That kind of in-your-face feedback that you are an unwelcome extra is really yucky. It wasn't bad to the extent that all of us were sitting shoulder to shoulder. I find it hard to understand the rationale, since such occasions are only exceptional. Why the need to be so "possessive" and so unwilling to share?

With that, I pray that my days of facing such stress on returning from work during peak hours could end soon. Hubby and I initially decided to rent a car (buying one is a problem currently due to some administrative issues). However, it seems that God has open up a better option...... We have committed that to Him and anticipate to see how things develop.

Stay tuned :)

Another Taxi Journey

This posting is a mixture of whiny and perhaps puzzling one... cos it started off bad but ended off well, I guess.

For the background, I ended up taking a taxi back today because of the maddening traffic condition here during peak hours. The day before, I had my first experience taking the company bus during peak hours. Aarrghh... the 45 minute turtle-style jam along Sheikh Zayed Road (notwithstanding its 7 lanes!) was so frustrating! Plus the fact that my body was on "low cell", I almost throw up! Thank God for the sweets I had. After alighting, it took me another 15 minutes for a cab to stop (some cabs 'consider' passengers on destination basis). By the time I reached home, I was truly peng-shan.

Thus, today I decided against taking the company bus and instead try out an alternate way. My original plan was to take a public bus (gotta walk out for about 20 minutes) then transfer to a cab (no buses come into the 'deep' end where I stay). *Sigh* I saw my bus passed me by again (it had happened for the previous 2 times). This time round as I walked on, I realised the bus stop seemed to have moved! Funny thing is that here, not every bus stop has a distinctive bus stop sign. I recalled previously, I realised that a particular spot was the bus stop only after I stopped to ask a person (who was at that spot waiting for the bus).

How do I know for sure that the bus stop has moved? Cos' I recalled taking photos at the bus stop, where I would not have gone past the twin towers! Where is the familar make-shift seats and site office? Would I be waiting at the correct place if I just anyhow 'park' myself there?

When a cab was passing by, I swiftly waved my hand for it. Rather not risk walking to nowhere and having to wait in vain for more than half an hour, especially when it's turning dark.

Into the cab I went... I had learnt to talk to taxi drivers here more assertively, even aggressively when necessary... I recalled scolding a downright rude taxi driver (one of the 2 drivers whom I had scolded). I cannot take it when his misunderstanding of my words and his own impatience gave way to rudeness and repeated scolding. Hello?! I don't owe you any favors because I sit in a car driven by you! I pay for your service and I am your boss! Which employee scold the boss and get away with it? Of course those were not my exact words to the driver. I told that rude driver off repeatedly that he was rude and questioned why he was treating customers in that manner. At the end of that journey after I had paid the fare, he returned me the change with a more respectful "Thank You".

For this driver, I thought the manner he replied "Ok" was unyielding, after I told him my destination and the directions i.e. which (jam) road to avoid. Inside me, I was thinking this better not be another egoistic driver who cannot receive instructions. I was not rude or commanding in my tone.

Later, this driver put on earphones. I wondered how he would be able to listen to my instructions when I needed to tell him where to turn. The music that blasted out from his earphones are typical Indian or local music, or maybe Pakistan. Maybe I should be thankful that this driver did not blast the entire taxi with such music but exercised some consideration...

As the driver drove past the narrow and construction-ladden road, we witnessed some labourers arguing loudly - in the middle of the narrow roads near traffic barricades. The driver actually laughed and commented "Fighting!" God knows what he was thinking!

I asked the driver if Jumeirah roads would be jam at this hour. He replied "Everywhere jam" (at this hour). How I wish he could be more encouraging. Later, he said "too many Chinese" which I interpretated as his stated reason for the heavy traffic (hope I was wrong). I wondered what the driver really meant! I told him I had seen more Fillipinos and Indians here than Chinese. I added that the traffic was bad here probably due to the high number of cars.

I took the opportunity to ask him if he could hear me if I were to give him road directions, since he was listening to his earphones. He replied affirmatively "No problem" and added that I could tap his shoulder, as he demostrated to me by tapping his own rather forcifully.

At the end of the journey, he actually thanked me and wished me good night. Am glad that the journey back today was a pleasant one and the driver was not annoying. Ha!

Gone Too Soon......

I know the title might remind you of a song sung by MJ but it echoes how yours truly feel about the 2 weeks away from Dubai and back home.

Time flies when you're having fun, I guess. It was almost plain crazy in terms of busyness back to Singapore. Catching up with friends, running errands, busy with sis-in-law's wedding, sorting and packing stuff to be brought to Dubai. Am glad that hubby and I had less madness and more time to ourselves when we dropped by KL Midvalley for 2 days before returning to Dubai.

Some friends, regrettably, I do have the luxury of time to catch up with. Thankfully, I have been blessed to bump into some friends along the streets! 3 to be specific! Haha! Praise God!

A friend was amazed (or should I say shocked?) to see my list of to-dos. Hubby mentioned about me who had everything planned out during our return trip. Well, this may sounds a bit exaggerating; the list run into 3 pages. Most of it was what to take to bring to Dubai...

That's the difference between me and hubby. He is a "free-spirit" kinda personality while I am a planner and pragmatic person.

We gotta makan the familiar fabulous food of Singapore! Soya bean curb, fish soup mee suan, cha siew, dim sum, hokkien mee, indian food, buffalo wings, chu qian yi ding nissin instant noodles, and of course, mom's homemade soup! :p Pity that I did not get to eat the famous fish soup bee hoon at Holland V. Hubby did not get to eat the ayam penyat at Changi V but he was not as die-hard for it though... strangely... Very regrettably, I missed eating the tau sa pia which I had specifically asked hubby to get it when he passed by Balestier. By the time I was ready to eat it i.e. the evening of the 2nd day the pia was bought back home (hubby bought 20, i tink), none was left!!!

Mom complained that I didn't spent much time at home. Well, guess it's typical of me (she used to say of me "roaming the streets constantly" in Cantonese; guessed I can't fully explain the essence unless you understand what "lan gai" means in Cantonese!). Earlier, hubby and i have thought of staying in a chalet when back, since it might be quite packed staying in either parents' places. However, we eventually decided to stay with parents, since it makes more sense (after all, we are back to spend more time together), besides the economical reasons. Looking back, if we had stayed in chalets, that meant we would have spent even lesser time with our families!

Prior to coming back, I have made brief mention to siblings of having a family dinner together (we had it during parents' birthdays or CNY). However, it slipped through the cracks and no mention or follow up was brought up. After I left, mom told me that she had bought more food for the dinner gatherings. Huh? Ok, next round of return, I must be more thick-skinned in getting everyone back for dinner!

Nevertheless, I think when it comes to moms, it is never enough time. To think that I actually spent 2/3 of my return staying with my parents (versus staying with my in-law)! Well, what to do? Now, I can only hope time will pass abundantly and quickly, for my next return back to Singapore. God only knows when it would be for next year!

Transportion

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......

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.

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......

It Went To The Press!

In my life thus far, there are few occasions where I have been 'honored' in public platforms. Ha... I guess the first memorable one occured when I went on stage to receive a basketball shooting competition medal during my secondary school years. The second one was quite unexpected. I took part in a somewhat small scale 'beauty' contest and actually won first prize (there were only 3 other contestants, fyi.) To this date, hubby remembered the way I looked that day. I remember winning some cosmetics and a pretty Charles & Keith red heels. I shared the shopping voucher prize with mom.

The recent incident, I should say, is the third occasion when I feel truly proud of myself. Haha! I wrote an commentary article and it got published. Actually, hee... it was more of a complaint letter :p I recalled I had previously written a complaint letter to a telco company. My brother came across the soft copy in the PC and after reading it, commented that the writer is such a bitch!! ;(

Well, the recent letter was only my second 'complaint' letter. It was written more out of indignation and a call for corrective action. I was not at the scene when the arguement took place but I felt anger on behalf of my brother-in-law and hubby, as I witnessed them taking the nonsense from the lazy cleaners. Thought I might as well put my literacy skills to good use, since I can afford the time. I emailed my thoughts to the local press on 20 August 2008. It was published on the next day and was the first article among the letters. To know more what I am talking about, read what I have extracted from "7 Days" (Dubai's free newspaper) dated 21 August 2008:

(Title) Lazy staff need some green education
It is clear that the message to go green, recycle and to save our planet has gone out to the world. Major companies and developed countries have joined in to cut down on wastage and to encourage recycling. Dubai, as I read in the local papers, is also involved. However few they may be, I was encouraged to see recycling bins in public areas.
Last Friday, my family and I took pains to tie up old newspapers and transport them to the recycling bins at the bus stop outside Union supermarket (Al Wasl road). As the opening was too small to insert the newspapers into the bin, we left it neatly stacked beside the bins. Never did we expect to be rudely confronted by uniformed contractors (whom we assumed are either the cleaners or staff responsible for cleaning the bus stop or recycling bins). We were told that we cannot leave the newspapers there. We clarified that the newspapers were placed there for the very purpose the recycling bins were there. However, we were told off and repeatedly urged to remove the newspapers. Honestly, it was more convenient for us to dump the newspapers into the big trash bin outside our villa. Why would we spend time and money to buy raffia strings to tie up the papers and carry the newspapers and transport them to the recycle bins, if not for the part in just doing our bit for the environment? And why should some lazy staff who would rather spare themselves the trouble to carry the heavy load of newspapers get in the way of going green? I would like to suggest that recycle bins that have bigger openings be used, and relevant staff be educated on the need to recycle and not take the easy way out.

The title was renamed by the publisher. It was a better title, since it better reinforced the thrust of my letter, though the new title sounds less diplomatic. Ha!

Being a Woman in Dubai

Prior to coming here, I have heard much about how women are not meant to be seen and are lower in social status or even oppressed in middle eastern countries. Having been here for 2 months plus, I must say that Dubai is somewhat different.

Perhaps it's due to the opening up of Dubai to the world, women here are more 'free'. Women are allowed to drive here (there are even female taxi drivers!). Nevertheless, I do see the local women here dressed in black from head to toe, well, most of them. Have heard that how conservative they are dressed actually depends on their husbands! My housemate once told me that she had seen a local man, after talking to his wife, lifted up her veil. That left her face exposed (not just her eyes). And it seemed alright. No big racket about the more liberal difference in exposure. According to my housemate, it seemed that the husband was asking if the wife was feeling too hot, to which she replied yes... How sweet... Thus far, I have only seen for once, a local man holding the hand of his woman. That was in a shopping mall. Apart from that, it is usually a local man shopping with a few veiled women, usually his wives. Yes, all his wives. Up to 4, I was told...

Some local women here do not have their full faces covered, especially the younger ones. I supposed they are too young to be married, thus such laws do not apply to them? Not sure... I was kind of fascinated that some women, especially older ones, wear some sort of metal frame on their faces, then have the veil covered over it (I knew it cos' sometimes, they left their faces exposed while wearing the metal frame). Some women actually had their entire head covered. It's really quite a challenge to walk but I guess they have got used to it.

It's not uncommon to see local women shopping, even for clothing! I do wonder what the point was, to buy clothing from stores, when they seem to be wearing their traditional black dresses all the time! I was told that they wear the nicer clothing inside...... Well, perhaps it does matter to them... with the limited freedom they have, I guess even being able to wear it gives a good degree of personal satisfaction. Being a woman, I can empathise. Perhaps the local women do not need to cover themselves in black attire when they are indoors at home? That way, they can wear the nicer clothing? Hmm...... I really wonder......

Though I am not a local woman here, I was on the receiving end of privileged treatment today :) Yea, women here are quite 'protected' and priviliged. Buses have assigned seats for ladies. 2 incidents happened today to reinforce the privilege of being a woman here.

On my journey back to the villa, when the bus I have been waiting arrived, it did not stop as it was full. *Sigh* Peak hour traffic! I thought I would be stranded, cos the road I was waiting hardly have any taxis ride by. Even if so, it would be likely occupied due to the peak hours. When the next bus arrived, many swarmed to the door entrance. Here, the ratio of man to woman outdoors is almost like 15 to 1! As I was in a hurry to get back, I too hurried to the door entrance (remember: I have received pretty 'good grounding' as a Singaporean!). Then, I heard the driver shouted something which I could not make out of. Later, I heard a woman saying loudly "Excuse me!" as she wriggled herself through the sea of men towards the door exit. Aaahh!! The driver is going to take women only! Haha! That meant that there are still seats or standing space available for women! Up the bus I go! ;)

The bus was pretty packed. Though there are standard markings for seats assigned for women, it is not a rare sight to see men seated on them. What more it being a packed bus! I was a bit surprised though, that 2 men got up and gestured for me to sit. They were actually sitting on seats reseved for female passengers. Not knowing how to express my thanks verbally, I merely gave them a smile and nod. I got to sit! and have my shoulder rested from my bag! and have my arms rested from carrying my shopping bags! Yeah! =)

As the bus continued its journey, up some female passengers came. The driver actually told the men (who were seated at a view visible to the driver) in quite a rude manner to get up. I saw the men reluctantly got up and the women took the seats. Rightfully.

I recalled a past incident when a bus driver had threatened to report a male passenger to police, as that passenger had hurriedly board the bus, without letting the female passenger alight first. Not sure if there were any physical contact (be it accidental or intentional) but it was sure a big fuss that the driver kicked!

Well, whether it is the culture or religion warrants for it, I guess it's just a gentleman's way to give up his seat for a lady, regardless of whether the lady is well groomed or not as attractive-looking. I acknowledge that upbringing, education and culture all play a part in how a man will response. For me, perhaps I am just blessed that I am at the right place for now... Back in Singapore, whether you are woman or not, when you are at the MRT train entrance/exit doors, you squeeze in like every other tuna fish do! Where got privilege for women to board first? Body contact or not, everyone squeeze in! Everyone just can't afford to lose out to others who could board the train! Even if you are carrying heavy stuff or even pregnant, there is no guarantee that others will give up their seat for you...

Alright, I am not badmouthing my homeland. Am just not very proud of the kia-su and I-Me-Myself attitude of my own people. Guess at the end of the day, there are good things to learn from other cultures.

Traffic

It's 3 am here. The rooster is having one of its jet-lag fits again... crooning away... as hubby continued to snore in his dreamland. The next day is a non-working day. No worries about sleeping late.

Some days ago, I got to experience first hand for myself the infamous traffic jam situation here. Prior to coming here, I heard about Dubai traffic jam reputation. Thought it would not be worse than Singapore but my recent experience proved me so very wrong! For a distance that could have taken 15 minutes at most, it took 1 hour! It was a normal work day evening when people finished work to return home. I felt nauseous as the taxi I was in, inched forward bit by bit, as I saw light from outside turned to darkness in that endless journey. Being stuck in that jam for 1 hour had led me to decide that hubby and I will get only auto cars in future... Spare our feet the suffering to control the 3 panels below!

Thankfully, the taxi driver was a patient guy. Yes, he had bits of frustration with the traffic but he was definitely a lot more patient than most male drivers whom I know would be cursing and swearing by then! The driver's gentle temperament certainly lessened the frustration in me. I also appreciated that the driver switched from Arabic music to English pop music in the early part of the journey. Thank God that this driver was also willing to heed my suggestions to try other routes. I've seen drivers who ignored passengers' instructions to go by a certain way. One driver even told the passenger to exchange seats with him to drive, since he wanted to go a particular route! That passenger (whom I know) subsequently handled the driver in a tougher way (no fists fights, just to clarify). I thought that was justified.

Road accidents had been occuring more frequently here. I was shocked to read about the statistics: 150 road accident deaths in the past 6 months!!! That's pretty crazy! Hopefully when the train system is set up in a couple of years, such deaths could be avoided. Meantime, the speed limit of 120km/hr (or more) had been reduced to about 100km/hr... on the 7-lane long stretch of Sheik Zayed Road, infamous for traffic jams and road accidents.

Finally obtained my Residence Visa!

At long last! After 4 visits to the local immigration centre and a medical check up, I finally got my residence visa!

It's hard to forget the frustrations of going from one department to another department, receiving half-told or inaccurate instructions, being told to pay repeatedly and wondering if things are proper, being told to return on another day as some documents are lacking, etc. I would definitely remember a customer service staff who looked at her mirror more than she made eye contact with me while serving me!

Still, there are some staff who are more professional and helpful. Now, I'm just happy that I have finally got my visa! It's valid for 3 years. Think the repeated payment totalled to about S$1000. Not sure will fully maximise it though.

With the visa, one of the things that I would start doing is to register for driving lessons ;) Driving lessons here are slightly cheaper than in Singapore. Had 2 failed attempts back home. Was close to getting a license but chose not to retake cos needed to set aside money for my wedding then. Plus, I have a 'driver' who faithfully send me and fetch me around. After knowing my boyfriend (now hubby), I realised I have saved a lot on public transport!

Well, hope this time round, I could make it! And hope the instructor would treat woman students with respect! Don't anyhow scold, hor! Would need to be on wait list for 3 months but it beats not being able to "start my engine"!

Stuff

Wasn't sure what to name the title of this entry cos it's a mixture of stuff i wish to write about... so, there you go.

One interesting thing to comment about is the speed of blog publishing here at Dubai. I'm not talking about a few minutes but days! My last entry took a week! (Thank God that i have not been so silly to re-submit my entry!)

Another funny (actually more irrirating) stuff is that my neighbour had a hen... or do u call that a rooster? whatever... it's those chicken-like animals that wake you up in the wee hours of dawn. Here, the rooster works really hard... It not only 'serenade' you in the expected hours but also in the morning and afternoon, as well at 12.30 am! And even at the midnight hours, it 'serenaded' for as many as 10 times in a row! Goodness!? Had that rooster got jet-lag or what?!

A housemate will be packing up and returning to her country tomorrow. No idea if she will return. Sad :( 1 less companion. Left me and another housemate. Will miss her jokes and cooking. She has always been the "main cook" for the lunch among 3 of us. After her departure, my housemate and i got more reasons to beef up our cooking skills. In a way, i have more opportunities to cook and learn cooking since coming here. It's a good thing. Never thought that i could cook curry chicken (for someone who doesn't take spicy stuff)! Ha! Even my mom find it incredible!

My laptop died in its sleep some days ago. It just could not be switched on no matter what kind of rescue techniques or CPR I tried on it. Here, there is hardly any repair services for IT stuff (heard that they would buy it, repair it and sell it to poorer states). Thank God that hubby promptly got a new laptop :]

A major thanksgiving: My flat has been officially rented out and at a price that surpassed expectations! God has truly exceeded what we have asked of and imagined. The flat matter being settled is certainly a huge relief. My thanks to my brother, who has been a great help in this matter.

In response to John's comment (and maybe some who had not expressed his comments but had similar thoughts), I apologize for not posting photographs or having any tag board. Truth is, I am rather hopeless when it comes to such stuff... The last time I tried to post a photograph, it ended up as a mess (and a mess that i have no idea how to clean up). Those who know me, you sure have assess to my Facebook, right? There, you can view photographs of me in Dubai ;) And those who don't mind giving me private tuition on how to set up and manage a tag board, do drop me an email, yea?

The Difference in Dubai

Weather
Needless to say, most people know that Dubai is hot place to live in. When I first arrived, I found the weather quite similiar to sunny Singapore and tolerable. However, since last week, it got noticably hotter. I was out with my companions waiting for a cab. I felt as if my skin and feet were burning! Am I glad that we managed to hop into an aircon cab after a long wait! Unlike before when I would readily go out for groceries or shopping in the afternoon, now I think twice before venturing out. I have already tanned! With just twenty minutes of sun exposure out of 4 days in a week! The sun and UV here are indeed merciless! Have started applying sunblock on my arms, neck and even feet whenever I go out. Now, the next item I am gonna get is an umbrella. The last I checked at Carrefore, it was out of stock :( My housemates joked that perhaps we need to get a veil like the local ladies here...

Nowadays, even shower water gets close to boiling-point hot! And I have not even switched on the heater at all! *Sigh* The thought of going for showers feels punishing! Will need to prepare shower waters in advance to prevent my skin from getting cooked!

Don't believe the cold water indicator in washing machines here. Thanks to the weather, you get hot water when you opt for cold water to wash your clothing.

Despite my complaints, there are also good points about the weather. If I hang my wet jeans out in the sun, it dries completely within an hour. And this afternoon, I have just thawed my frozen chicken out in the sun :> I took it back after 20 minutes, just in case it gets cooked! :p

Taxi
For getting around, taxi is a more common mode of transport than buses. Some bus stops are actually airconditioned! Dubai is building the train line (they call it 'Metro') but it won't be ready until a few years more :( There are no sight of motorcycles here, probably due to the excruciating hot weather.

Here, it is a common thing that taxi drivers are new to Dubai. Thus, my hubby ended up guiding taxi drivers to our destinations most of the time. In terms of getting around, I have to say hubby is good ;) However, if you do not know how to get to your destination or have no idea of any nearby landmarks, all the best to you...

Another difference here is that the taxis driven by women serves primarily women passengers only. They will drive male passengers on condition that there are female companions.

Mosque Speakers
In neighbourhood and shopping malls, from time to time, you get to hear Muslim prayers or chanting. Though Singapore includes Muslim as one of its religions, I have not seen such an intensity in the Malay Kampong Glam area in Singapore.

Shopping Malls
Am sure that most have heard about the great shopping in Dubai :) Among the bigger malls, I've been to 2 thus far. 1 had been upstaged by the other. The other has less than a year to enjoy the honour of being the biggest shopping mall in Dubai, before it get upstaged by another bigger mall next year. The current biggest mall, Mall of Emirates, is so big that I can imagine it 4 times bigger than VivoCity... and I have not covered the entire place despite having been there for more than 3 times, thus it could be more than 4 times bigger than Singapore's VivoCity.

There is a strange mall here that really surprised me. This huge mall is situated in the midst of desert roads! You can be driving for an hour on roads where you see only sands and dried up shrubs and then suddenly, you see this shopping mall. Despite its obscure location, its huge carpark is almost full on off work days. Even on week nights, there are a good number of shoppers.

I have been on roads where the surroundings are true blue deserts. It reminded me so much of the scenes in the movie, No Country For Old Man. I have seen camels wondering in the desert too! :) Wonder who feeds them and how they survive. They looked so thin :s

That's about all for now. Very soon, there may be more developments and I will post again!

Life in Dubai

Today is the 6th day of my stay at Dubai. The weather has been kinder than I thought. It's very sunny here. Was amused when I saw the sunburnt index in the local papers weather forecast session ;) Except for my face, I have not thought of applying sunblock on my hands and legs. However, if I am gonna walk out consecutively, I will start applying sunblock, for I have seen someone who have tanned considerably after walking out in the sun for a hour on a 3 days-a-week frequency!

Most may ask what I have been doing since arriving. Well, been very relaxed. Except for doing some laundry and minor chores, I have been either surfing the net, reading, watching TV or ha... spending time with the lady housemates (partners of 2 other staff here).

Here, I stay at a villa with hubby's colleagues. There are about 13 bedrooms here! Though the name 'villa' sounds luxurious, the accommodation here had been compared to a labour or even concentration camp by some! Why? Because apart from the individuals' bedrooms and toilets (am thankful our room has one and we don't have to share with others!), no one cleans the common area. The space outside the villa is also wasted, as greenery or at least cactus, could be planted outside... Well, I am not complaining, since there are endless supply of food here. I can help myself with bread and spread, milk, fruit juice and fruits anytime. All meals are taken care of my the inhouse chef. Am glad that I have Asian fare for meals and don't have to eat any spicy local stuff! Although the kitchen is not tidy up to my personal standards, ingredients and most food are available for personal cooking. Have brought a Singapore Heritage Food book. Will try out the recipes out this week with my 2 lady housemates :)

Have been blessed to have 2 friendly lady housemates. We have gone out for marketing and shopping on some days, well, maybe 3 out of 5 days since my arrival? :p In case you are thinking that I am turning into a tai-tai (aka. Lady of Leisure), throw that thought out, cos' I don't buy dresses or diamonds when I go shopping with them. Have in fact bought the least items, if I made any purchases at all. Bought mainly food items and domestic essentials. Not used to spending hubby's money lavishingly cos' have been quite independent. Well, perhaps things are indeed turning out as I have earlier wanted: to spend 1 or 2 months getting to know Dubai before I start work. Hmm.... hubby is not stingy for me to spend on myself anyway; he knows that I am discreet, especially if spending his money ;p Just last night during a group shopping trip, he bought 2 blouses for me :) Well, he has been good to himself too: the 1 item (shoes)he had bought for himself - the value had exceeded my 2 items!

Anyway, in time to come, I hope to do that gives better 'yield'. After trying out more cooking recipes and shopping (and even playing mahjong with my housemates!), it can get quite boring if this carry on too long, isn't it? Am contemplating whether to take up driving lessons here. Either that or find a job within the next month.

As for now, time will be spent being around to provide moral support for hubby, reading the books I have brought, watching movies and E! Entertainment TV, surfing for suitable jobs, etc.

Leaving for Dubai at last

Am blogging this while waiting to board the plane. At last, I can finally leave for Dubai to join hubby. Friends were surprised that I was still in Singapore when they received sms or calls from me. It came to a point that I even feel embarrassed each time they asked when I was leaving! For I have delayed my flight for 3 times. I have stayed on to attend to lend support to hubby's family. The outcome of my mom-in-law's operation turned out to be worse than earlier thought. After 2 weeks, the situation is still not perfect. Nevertheless, more support has came in. Hope things will turn out fine eventually.

Mom and my younger brother sent me to the airport. Really appreciate my younger brother (hey lad! i'm appreciating you in public domain!), who has been a faithful 'Ahmad' who transported my stuff from my home to store it temporarily at my mom's place. There were also those evenings when he drove me back home after I had dinner at my mom's place. And, well, my parents and I stay in the same town...

Didn't want to hug mom goodbye, for I know that would prompt tears. My mom surprised me by hugging me. (It is never our family tradition to hug). As I saw her crying, I can't help myself too...

Nevertheless, i thank God that my mom is in good health, and is enjoying her grandchildren. Just today, my niece whom mom was carrying, stretched out for me to hug her (which was unusual). After carrying my niece for less than 1 minute, mom wanted to take her back into her arms!

Guess that's a mother's heart? :)

My Arm

Today, i made a purchase decision that feels like it had costed me my arm... :\ For a personal item to be worn by me, i guess this is probably the most expensive one i have ever paid for. I did debate internally and had thought of getting it after several months have passed. However, i had a good amount of experiences that by the time i returned, the item was no longer around (i think a lot of ladies out there can empathise with what i am saying). The other part of my mind however told me that such an item is not like the typical clothing and shoes you see at shopping centres, thus the fad will not go off so soon; you will still be able to get it; just hold your horses!

$750 for a pair of spectacles. Now, for a heartlander like me, it does cost an arm! Not sure about you?!

The maroon-coloured thin titanic frame Silhouette caught my eye when i first laid my eyes on the specs in the first spectacles shop i checked out. (I actually had finally gotten to actively look for a pair of transition lenses - with less than 10 days to flying off to the land where the sun is merciless! :p )

I used to own a pair of maroon Espirit eyewear which was thin frame, superlight and comfortable to wear. However, the shape of the lense is no longer in trend and i think i will look oddball if i were to wear it now... Thus, I have been keeping a lookout for thin frames eyewear. Have seen Silhouette and thought it was too expensive for consideration then.

Then.......

You probably are asking what make me change my position? It was not a swift change though. I went to a few other shops and saw another maroon-coloured thin frame lense. It was a few hundreds less. However, the size of the lense is not as idea for sun shade. The Silhouette lense is bigger yet not obiang; the design is nicer too. I thought since i would probably be wearing specs at the new land i am going to, why not wear something i really like?? So much for rationalising... I told myself that it's time that i stop stinging and scraping and saving... Time to pamper myself a bit, without burning up my bank though...

Managed to bargain $80 off. You must have imagined that i am either a market aunty or just plan desperate.... but do throw in persuasiveness and talent to do well in a sales job too... :p Yea! If not, can you imagine paying $830 for just a pair of specs?!? Still quite unthinkable for me... not that $700 is a small amount nevertheless. The optician told me that Silhouette is an excellent quality brand, thus the steep price. He assured me that the frame would not rust or go off color (it would only turn rainbow even if there were any change from the original color - like real? Time will tell.). He added that a customer had been using the same brand for 8 years and returned only to change the lenses.

At the end of the day, i must say that the optician did a fairly good job in making me feel better about my purchase decision. Hope it's money well invested! Know what? Now, I actually feel happy just thinking about the specs! Look forward to my optician's call to receive it! Ha! ;)

Unwelcome Guests

Last night in my shower, i spotted this unwelcome guest again... Usually, hubby would come to my rescue when i called. However, not that he is not with me physically, i have only myself to fend for!

I do not have this problem in all the previous places I have stayed in but somehow in this area, spiders just seem to bloom like nobody business. A neighbour shared my experience. I guess the season also matters... For a month, I have not encountered much problems with this irritating eight-legged creature. Even if they showed up, they are smaller and not as menacing-looking. So, it usually ended up being vacuumed as i clean my room... (ok, i know that may not be the best way to get rid of them, but that's my most convenient way!)

So, that spider was lurking at one corner of my shower room. Can't help looking at it from time to time. That idiot just lurked back and forth. Such a distraction!!!

After i got out of shower, i gathered my 'tools' i.e. a net, a badminton-like electronic bat (hubby loves using that to kill off other insect intruders), and an umbrella (to reach the ceiling where the spider was). Funny thing was after i returned to the shower room, i can't find the spider at that same spot. It couldn't know that i was coming for it?!? Then, i saw it lurking at the other corner, near the window. How i wish it would automatically run for life but it didn't. It insisted on running all over the place and even hung on to my umbrella, then spinned somewhere towards the floor behind the WC. I tried to look for it but i couldn't as the toilet light was not bright enough. How i wish the threat "you can run but you cannot hide!" could apply to the spider then! Earlier when i first saw the spider on the ceiling, i even wished that i could just momentarily possessed Peter Petrelli's power (those who follow Heroes, season 2 would know what i am saying) and could just need to raise my palm and electroculate the intruder into nothingness (without breaking my shower room mirror, of course).

I actually had the thought of flooding the toilet floor to kill off the spider but later thought it too much of a hassle, since the spider might just spin another web and came off ground level. Thought that the spider would make its escape eventually or showed up another time to be killed..... so decided to abort the plan.

Am not sure if it's the same fellow but it really boils me when just minutes ago, i spotted a similar-looking spider on my study room table! It was just half a metre from where I am typing now! Is it back for revenge or just from the same clan??! I decided to use the net to trap it, then electroculate it or beat it flat.

Wrong move. These creatures just moved too fast! And disappeared equally fast as well!!! After being alerted that it was in danger, the spider just quickly moved and somehow disappeared!! Do they really have the ability to turn transparent to protect themselves? I can't find it!! And even now, i wonder if it is hiding somewhere very nearby or nesting eggs somewhere!

I HATE SPIDERS!!! Why did God create spiders?

Packing up... Nostalgic arise from photos packing

With 10 more days to flying off, I know I have to start packing away the heavyduty stuff at home. Had done so for the stationery. Not yet for bedroom stuff (that would be a 'major project')... some loose ends in the middle room and the least challenging - kitchen.

Today, I started packing away the photos in a box. Actually started with the magazines but simply too much to finish at one go... So decided to do the more realistic task first... Of course, those who know me would have guessed that I would flip through the photos before I pack them away...

Well, I can't say totally that I long to go back to the past, although there had been some pretty good memories (as well as bad ones). Nevertheless, I just can't help feeling nostalgic as I looked at those photos :]

My first compilation of photos was my secondary school years. Had cut out pictures from school magazines, on top of using my own developed photos. Am glad that I had actually written down the names of the schoolmates and some teachers! Thanks to email and FaceBook (and of course the good intention of friends who initiated contact!), I had met up with some old schoolmates recently! Imagine more 14 years of not seeing one another! Most of them (except one whom I used to termed as my 'godbrother' back then), had changed a lot... Of course, people tends to change for the better and modern :) It was great catching up. Had learnt that some of us had also changed quite drastically in terms of personality and outlook in life, perhaps, which I guess is just part of life.

Then, I flipped through the seemingly endless albums of my 3 years in Ngee Ann Poly. Except for some pictures taken with the Harmonica Troupe, my tutorial mates and for my graduation, the bulk of it were memories of my good times with Campus Crusade for Christ. That was certainly a period in my life I would not forget, for the Lord has used that period to establish my knowledge in Him as well as my relationship with Him. I have met many good people who have helped me in my growth. Looking at the photos of the LTI camps, mission trips and Stop-Out-Staff just brought back so much warmth. Again, thanks to God, I am still maintaing touch with some brothers and sisters of my batch :)

When I looked through all the photos, I thought about how some of us (friends and people in my life) had gotten on in life now. Some made good; some not as good; some still pretty much status quo; some totally lost contact; some still in contact. I started to think if life is what happens to us... you know the quote that "Life happens to you"? Then, I realised that it's really what we do with life that happens to us, isn't it? The choices we made, the respones we made, the outlook we want to own in life, etc, - those are the things that really shape our lives, isn't it? It certainly matters who we have in our lives, and at which junction in our lives... for those are the people who support us and influence our thinking. I recalled a young friend who did not quite take to what I have shared with her, that people come in and out of our lives at different seasons, for a purpose. Looking back, I am thankful for the people I have encountered thus far - be it in a positive way or negative way, for they have helped shaped me into who I am today. Well, I have to quantify that I definitely am not totally there yet. But one Person I truly am thankful to is my Abba Father, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever! Ever faithful and unchanging.

Another thing struck me when I looked through my bookmark collections... Wow... most of them are still in good condition! My God... having been with me since I was a primary school student?? I think I stopped collecting bookmarks after I reached poly level. Now, I know why I have a tendency to be reflective and even melanchoic! Still, I love the poems and reflections of the bookmarks. Have no intentions to discard them. They will stay with me for... God knows how long more?! Perhaps I am seeing them as part of my childhood? You know, it's kinda strange that when you grow older, you sometimes go around collecting the stuff you have during your childhood? I kept my Strawberry Shortcake figuries (mind you, it's the original version which now fetch a good price in the toy market!). My sister who recently came to my place exclaimed when she saw that . She immediately said she wanted them, since I would be clearing my stuff... Hello, who say that I am clearing them? Call me hoarder but I don't care! (Think hubby will be shaking his head if he read this portion... but anyway, he is as guilty lar i.e. keeping his toys. At least for me, I handle them with more TLC...)

As I looked through the photos progressively, I can't help smiling when I see the 'transformation' of my look from my schooling to my working phases. Haha... followed by periods of dating and entering into the workforce... Working at different companies... Enjoying the fun and challenges, as well as enduring the hardship and politics at work.

It really has been many years... Am glad that a friend whom I have not seen for years commented that I "still look the same"! Haha... nice words to hear for a lady! Well, I guess at age 30, I still have it going... Being a woman in this generation is not really easy... Everyone around, especially mothers ("yummy mummies" - they termed it!), don't seem to have aged despite the passing of time! Guess I must ensure that I take the proper diet and take good care of myself to resist the aging process! Yea, all you guys out there, I know this is a profound mystery to you. You don't need to understand though... ;) I just thank God that he had given me a young-looking face. Ha... A colleague once commented that I looked like a secondary 2 student after seeming me dressed in sporty attire... Now, maybe that's too young? Well... well... well...

It's been one and a half weeks since I started clearing my leave from work. Yet I feel that as if it has been such a long time! In fact, only 7 working days had passed! I missed my work. Have been working with young offenders for the past year. Missed my "clients", "my boys and girls" - you can say that. From time to time, I do wonder about how they are. Well, I am just a passing cloud in their lives (hopefully a "good cloud"). Having said that, I know that somehow I gotta trust Him to let go and trust Him to put something more and bigger and better into my hands! I trust that He honour obedience.

Now that I am on leave and no longer need to "fight fire" at work (the nature of my job), I have been packing and cleaning up here and there, pacing myself. Going online more often and now have more time to update my blog, FaceBook and Friendster. Still got much to update though... Watching videos which I never have the luxury of time to really watch in the past. Alas, finding that I hardly have time to read the books I have purchased :p Looks like they are going to Dubai with me as well! Am making use of this precious time to catch up with friends too! Am glad to have met some longtime friends. Be meeting up some more next week. Am excited! =D

Ok, gotta start preparing to go out to meet some colleagues. Meeting two other groups on Friday and Sunday. Am truly blessed! :)

Guess at the end of the day, it's people and relationships that truly matter? Any amen to that?

Leaving Singapore......

It's interesting that right after my whiny blog about the growing population in my homeland, is a posting about me leaving Singapore. No, it isn't planned that way - just in case you are wondering......

Hubby has left Singapore weeks ago. Credit and glory to God, he has found a job at Dubai, UAE. In a sense, it is a wish fulfilled for him, since he has always wanted to experience life outside of Singapore.

For me, it was not as straightfoward... though I am also curious to experience living outside of Singapore for a season. Why am I not as dying to go like hubby? Well, reason being I have to give up enjoying something that I have taken 6 years to prepare......

It has been slightly over a year, since I started doing direct work, in terms of working with people in society who needs help. By God's grace, I was given the 'best deal' after 1 year of service. I was blessed! Am still blessed! ;) Have actually decided to tender my resignation. I was not expecting that I could get unpaid leave since I was just recently converted to permanent staff status. However, all the seniors I have spoken with encouraged me to try. Try, I did. And successful indeed! Such don't you count as blessings? There may be naysayers at work but who cares, right? I am just happy to be given the privilege to do the kind of work for the past year, which not many can come into this position to do. And of course reap the harvest of having clients who remembered and took time to call me to say thanks. How heartening... And how can I forget to also appreciate the people and colleagues who have showered me with care, concern, support and love all this while! You know who you are! ;)

Now, I am just looking forward to another week of work, before I start to clear my leave. After that, my no-paid leave will commence. That's when the move begins...... I hope to catch up with some friends before flying off in May.

4 million to 6 million

Met some old friends today and 1 of them commented that i have not been updating my blog... Yea, it's been a while... Blame it on typical too-busy-life of a Singaporean... alright, maybe I'm finding excuses. Anyway, there was an entry i wanted to write abt mths ago...

You might be wondering abt the title... Nay, it's not $, in case any typical Singaproean out there thought so... ;) It's the projected population growth for Singapore that I was writing abt.

I recalled our MM LKY had commented that 6 million may be quite a huge population to count for tiny Singapore ('tiny' being my word). I agreed that 6 million is definitely not for comfort. Already, I am feeling that Singapore is getting pretty (or rather, "unpretty-ly") crowded :(

Let me quote 1 recent incident to illustrate: I'm usually blessed to enjoy free rides from hubby who drives. On rare occasions, I take public transport. There was this Friday evening that I needed to transit at the MRT interchange, City Hall. I expected that it would be crowded as it was peak period i.e. 5.30pm to 6-nish. However, I wasn't prepared for what was to happen......

Ok, it wasn't as dramatic as you might have imagined. I guess i was pretty amazed by how crowded conditions led already kia-su Singaporeans to be more kia-su... and perhaps ugly... While waiting for the arrival of the trian, I saw this Pink-Kong standing beside me. (it's a term i have unfortunately learnt from a prejudiced male colleague, who used it to describe fat ladies). When the train door opened, boy, she was fast to dash in, notwithstanding her size and the crowd inside the train. Naturally, I quickly walked in. However, I was shocked that people (i think, men!) were pushing me forward from behind, as they tried to get into the train without being caught by the closing doors. So, you guess it... My front body was squeezed into the back of that lady - no thanks to the help of the communters from behind! At this point, i just wish to clarify that I am not against fat ladies; it's just that in space-constrained situations like this, i have some impure thoughts wishing that she would not take up too much space...

I am one who detest other bodies touching me in buses or trains, even if it's incidental. Guess I guard my space quite tightly. Nevertheless, during that agonizing journey (thankfully only 2 stops!), there were 4 or 5 other men whose shoulders were almost in contact with my back. I felt like exploding! Anyway, I tried to understand lar... Hmm... should they try to be funny, "there will be blood"! Ok, I'm exaggerating, but point is, I will be ready to make a scene should wolves-like behaviour manifest.

That's for trains ride. Am sure most pple already knew that going to the ladies at shopping malls are equally trying. That trend of long queue had been around for some time, though it seemed longer now... or was it just me? Heard of some pple who said that Singaporeans like to queue? Not me though.

*Sigh* 4 million... counting on to 6 million. I'm just thankful that I live in 1 corner of quiet Singapore for now. Peace. Precious peace and space!