It has been almost 3 months of my tai-tai days. I do enjoy this break. Have been able to catch up on my reading and take my time to surf the net. Still have not get around to viewing all the movies and HK drama serials videos but am starting to. I always thank God for the luxury of being able to wake up in the morning whenever I like, without having to go through the morning rush of going to work, and certainly the unhurried time I have in reading His word each morning.
I have been more active in church as well. Been attending the Ladies Groups weekly Meetings. Basically, there are 2 groups - Asian (mostly Chinese) and Ang Mos. These ladies are all wives of working husbands, and they themselves either have children to look after or are not working. I continued to attend the Healing & Restoration Room, as well as the Life Group every week with hubby.
Sometimes while walking around in malls (especially when wondering if I was wasting my time away or starting to feel bored), I suddenly realised how blessed I am - to be able to not work and be financially stable, to be able to shop during those hours and not having to shover with the weekend crowds. I thank God for blessing hubby in his job. Though Dubai is debt ridden, yet God kept hubby in his job.
As a matter of fact, I almost return to my ex-company to work. They wanted me back after learning that I will be staying in Dubai for still some time. However in the midst of it, they faced financial challenges from the developer (which is typical in Dubai nowadays) and decided to cut back on manpower costs. Well, maybe it's God's will for me not to return.
So, is that good news or what? The good news is not about job, though I did manage to attend more interviews than previously in Dubai. The good news which I discovered days ago, is that I am now pregnant! Earlier on, I was musing with a friend about whether I might be pregnant. She said that if I am expecting, this would be the best Christmas gift! Another friend even calculated the dates and said on the day I celebrated my birthday in December, I was already pregnant! Never quite thought of that...
God is so good. Hubby and I just started family planning a few months ago. Though God has given us a name for our child a year or so ago, He has been gracious to wait for us to be ready and can't wait to pour forth His blessings, long prepared for His beloved children.
Now, perhaps God did have a plan for me not to work during this period after all! :D
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
An Overdue Entry
I am amazed that people actually still visit this blog! Yes, Mary, as you have said, I am more into FB than blogging these days.
Indeed, there had been some updates in the past recent months. The biggest update is that I have quit my job. I wanted to join hubby as he prepared to relocate to another state for work. I was also tired of being asked to take on work that primarily should be undertaken by colleagues. When a colleague told me that he kept coming to me (for work stuff) because he had been told by 2 senior staff to approach me, if he wants to get things done right and fast, I was not sure to be flattered or upset about it! Even on my last day at work, my big boss said he would have asked me to follow up on a task (which is another colleague's primary work), if not for me leaving (and not being available to follow up after that). Surely there should be some fairness to me? I can only conclude that it is difficult to work happily in a team where your colleagues are either lazy or keep making mistakes at work, plus bosses do not step in to correct the unfairness.
After my decision to quit, hubby's office informed that he would not be relocated to the other state after all. However, there are a few options for him in consideration. There had been talks of him going to that state after all, or to remain in Dubai, or to relocating to another country. Am still awaiting confirmed news on that.
In the meantime, I am enjoying my time catching up on my reading, watching TV and movies, surfing and going out with friends. What was more enjoyable was the Paris holidays I have gone on with hubby right after I left my job.
Well, hopefully good news will come soon from hubby's office. Then, you will see me on blog again!
Indeed, there had been some updates in the past recent months. The biggest update is that I have quit my job. I wanted to join hubby as he prepared to relocate to another state for work. I was also tired of being asked to take on work that primarily should be undertaken by colleagues. When a colleague told me that he kept coming to me (for work stuff) because he had been told by 2 senior staff to approach me, if he wants to get things done right and fast, I was not sure to be flattered or upset about it! Even on my last day at work, my big boss said he would have asked me to follow up on a task (which is another colleague's primary work), if not for me leaving (and not being available to follow up after that). Surely there should be some fairness to me? I can only conclude that it is difficult to work happily in a team where your colleagues are either lazy or keep making mistakes at work, plus bosses do not step in to correct the unfairness.
After my decision to quit, hubby's office informed that he would not be relocated to the other state after all. However, there are a few options for him in consideration. There had been talks of him going to that state after all, or to remain in Dubai, or to relocating to another country. Am still awaiting confirmed news on that.
In the meantime, I am enjoying my time catching up on my reading, watching TV and movies, surfing and going out with friends. What was more enjoyable was the Paris holidays I have gone on with hubby right after I left my job.
Well, hopefully good news will come soon from hubby's office. Then, you will see me on blog again!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
1 Year Anniversary
It's been a year since I relocated to Dubai. Yes, my 1 year anniversary in Dubai - if I can call it that way.
Recently I was at the airport to fetch someone. The heat and humility reminded me of the first time I arrived in Dubai, when I stepped out from the airport into the open. This is my 2nd summer here. Time flies.
It's been a while since since I blog! Wonder anyone would still come to this page these days after not seeing any new updates repeatedly. Ha!
The biggest change during the last 6 months is that I am driving on the roads now :) That I would say is probably my biggest achievement in Dubai, considering that even friends with driving licenses in their own countries could not pass the local tests at their first attempt (and some requiring more than 3 tries) while I was able to, by the grace of God, cleared my test at my first try. Thank God too for saving money for me! The day I got my license, it was also my last day of the gek-sim (aka. frustrating) administrative system at the driving school. I can still recall being angry at the verge of tears at the way they do things there.
Dubai is infamous for their accident rate, largely attributed to the high speed and roundabouts. Cross junction traffic lights are rare here. My take is that due to the constant construction, roads get changed quickly and some were managed quite badly, that it appeared designed to create accidents! With the recent implementation of speed cameras, I believe the number of accidents had been reduced. However, today's papers revealed that the count of speed fines in the last 6 months was a 6 digit figure. Still, it beats the 3 digit death statistic caused by traffic accidents within a 6-month period last year.
I thank God for His protection on the roads. Have lost count of how many times He has watched over me! Hubby and I agreed that my driving style has been 'dubaified'. Can't beat them, join them... but safety is still number 1 priority. Losing some face and suffering some indignity is still better than losing your life or money over car repairs. In Dubai, once your car is hit, you have to file a police report by law. Quite troublesome so can pass it.
So, for the last quarter,
No more queue for taxi and enduring of the heat or cold out in the open :)
No more endurance of bad attitude or weird taxi drivers under bo-bian circumstances :)
No more harrassment from bo-liao men while waiting for public transporation :)
Able to listen to my type of music and messages in the car, versus listening to Indian or Pakistani loud music
Able to arrive home earlier! As early as 6.30pm, compared to as late as 9pm previously :)
Hallelujah!!!!!!
Recently I was at the airport to fetch someone. The heat and humility reminded me of the first time I arrived in Dubai, when I stepped out from the airport into the open. This is my 2nd summer here. Time flies.
It's been a while since since I blog! Wonder anyone would still come to this page these days after not seeing any new updates repeatedly. Ha!
The biggest change during the last 6 months is that I am driving on the roads now :) That I would say is probably my biggest achievement in Dubai, considering that even friends with driving licenses in their own countries could not pass the local tests at their first attempt (and some requiring more than 3 tries) while I was able to, by the grace of God, cleared my test at my first try. Thank God too for saving money for me! The day I got my license, it was also my last day of the gek-sim (aka. frustrating) administrative system at the driving school. I can still recall being angry at the verge of tears at the way they do things there.
Dubai is infamous for their accident rate, largely attributed to the high speed and roundabouts. Cross junction traffic lights are rare here. My take is that due to the constant construction, roads get changed quickly and some were managed quite badly, that it appeared designed to create accidents! With the recent implementation of speed cameras, I believe the number of accidents had been reduced. However, today's papers revealed that the count of speed fines in the last 6 months was a 6 digit figure. Still, it beats the 3 digit death statistic caused by traffic accidents within a 6-month period last year.
I thank God for His protection on the roads. Have lost count of how many times He has watched over me! Hubby and I agreed that my driving style has been 'dubaified'. Can't beat them, join them... but safety is still number 1 priority. Losing some face and suffering some indignity is still better than losing your life or money over car repairs. In Dubai, once your car is hit, you have to file a police report by law. Quite troublesome so can pass it.
So, for the last quarter,
No more queue for taxi and enduring of the heat or cold out in the open :)
No more endurance of bad attitude or weird taxi drivers under bo-bian circumstances :)
No more harrassment from bo-liao men while waiting for public transporation :)
Able to listen to my type of music and messages in the car, versus listening to Indian or Pakistani loud music
Able to arrive home earlier! As early as 6.30pm, compared to as late as 9pm previously :)
Hallelujah!!!!!!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Exodus
December had been a slow month. Most of the holidays of the year are 'concentrated' in that month. Being year end, it is also a month when people travel out of the country for holidays. For me, I enjoyed not having to wait long at taxi queues. Nevertheless, I have wondered if the turnaround was solely because of the holiday period or is it due to people leaving the country brought about by poor economy...
Recent local news reported that about 3000 people left Dubai after losing their jobs. Some had abandoned their vehicles at the airport, leaving behind months of unpaid installments. Personally, I have also witnessed more than a few cases of people caught in awkard positions while changing jobs, or being given the termination. Most took it badly. Some portrayed a strong front. Whatever it is, I think it is not easy to face such situations and hope all things turn out well for each of them eventually.
January came. The taxi queue grew longer at times. However, the wait was not that long these days. I was able to arrive back from work for as much as an hour earlier! :D
Traffic at the infamous Sheikh Zayed Road has also been more of a breeze. Not that there is no jam anymore. Jams still happened whenever there road accidents occured. However, it was not like standstill like before.
Guess that's good news for public commuters like me! Taking driving lessons currently. Pray that I can obtain my license in good time!!
Recent local news reported that about 3000 people left Dubai after losing their jobs. Some had abandoned their vehicles at the airport, leaving behind months of unpaid installments. Personally, I have also witnessed more than a few cases of people caught in awkard positions while changing jobs, or being given the termination. Most took it badly. Some portrayed a strong front. Whatever it is, I think it is not easy to face such situations and hope all things turn out well for each of them eventually.
January came. The taxi queue grew longer at times. However, the wait was not that long these days. I was able to arrive back from work for as much as an hour earlier! :D
Traffic at the infamous Sheikh Zayed Road has also been more of a breeze. Not that there is no jam anymore. Jams still happened whenever there road accidents occured. However, it was not like standstill like before.
Guess that's good news for public commuters like me! Taking driving lessons currently. Pray that I can obtain my license in good time!!
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Year End Thoughts
Today is the last day of 2008. Yours truly is blogging in the last 2 hours towards 2008.
This year has been a year of huge changes for me. It was also special. In terms of career, I had my sense of fulfillment as I was recognised for my work, which I had been preparing to do in a deeper context for years. Being involved in the transformation of the lives of people was beyond monetary satisfaction. It was also in some ways personal discovery and also appreciation for different aspects which my mind had not conceived of previously.
It was unfortunate that I had only a year to enjoy it. Despite being given the "privileged" green light to continue, I had to make the difficult choice to leave my work behind. It was certainly not easy but yet I know, the right thing to do.
Thus, I uprooted from Singapore and left for Dubai to join hubby, who came earlier to work since April. 6 months had passed and I am still around. Yes, I had my complaints of the maddening traffic and the summer heat. Sometimes, I had came to the stage to laugh about it, even the bad customer service standards here. However, I always thank God and even gave affirmations to those service providers who provided good services. Hopefully, positive strokes will encourage them to keep up the good service and cause a rippling effect?!
It was not easy to find a similar job here at Dubai. After some vain attempts, I had to adjust my expectations to take on jobs that are not as appealing. Did not quite think that I would be working in a construction sector! Nevertheless, it feels good to know that I am part of the booming construction sector in Dubai... In future, I will be able to tell my children and grandchildren that their mother/grandmother had been a part of Dubai's countless and interesting structure buildings :)
Having said that, I do miss my work prior to coming to Dubai. A lot... :I Well, guess there are seasons in life. I will be back, I know for sure. Someday......
Have taken up driving classes. After some ding-dong-ing due to the frequently wrong and inconsisent information system here, I had at last embarked on my journey towards attaining a driving license! Thank God that my instructor is encouraging and of a good temperament. That makes learning easier.
Today, I encountered yet another episode of crazy traffic. Wanted to return at 4.30pm from a mall (it's easiest to get cabs from shopping malls) but the queue today was incredibly long! Was it due to new year's eve? I detoured to wait for cabs out in the road but in vain. Even for the 2 buses that came, I was unable to board. Mentally and physically exhausted, I decided to go for an early dinner to replenish my energy. Thought the queue at the mall taxi stand would be shorter but boy, it was even longer! Never seen so many rounds of snake queue... Still, I thank God that I had my iPod and book for company, and that the queue was half an hour, not longer... if not, I might have killed someone! >:( The time I finally board a cab was 7.05pm.
The purpose of the 'detour' from today's topic was to reinforce my point: I NEED a license! Really don't wish to be victimised by the traffic situation again. I can pass my driving test... I will pass my driving test... I must pass my driving test! Apart from being freed from the traffic burden here (being stuck in Dubai typical traffic jam is the lesser evil of being stuck in a place where you cannot go anywhere), having a license will be handy in the future.
As for family, I realised that my mom missed me a lot. I kinda feel bad of being away...... *sigh* but I have to be with my husband. Prior to leaving, I know I will be missing the growing up years of my nieces. Nevertheless, am glad that at least I see pictures of their development. Siblings, keep those coming in! My sister's girl is looking more and more like her, whereas my brother's girl is getting prettier by the day.
:)
This year has been a year of huge changes for me. It was also special. In terms of career, I had my sense of fulfillment as I was recognised for my work, which I had been preparing to do in a deeper context for years. Being involved in the transformation of the lives of people was beyond monetary satisfaction. It was also in some ways personal discovery and also appreciation for different aspects which my mind had not conceived of previously.
It was unfortunate that I had only a year to enjoy it. Despite being given the "privileged" green light to continue, I had to make the difficult choice to leave my work behind. It was certainly not easy but yet I know, the right thing to do.
Thus, I uprooted from Singapore and left for Dubai to join hubby, who came earlier to work since April. 6 months had passed and I am still around. Yes, I had my complaints of the maddening traffic and the summer heat. Sometimes, I had came to the stage to laugh about it, even the bad customer service standards here. However, I always thank God and even gave affirmations to those service providers who provided good services. Hopefully, positive strokes will encourage them to keep up the good service and cause a rippling effect?!
It was not easy to find a similar job here at Dubai. After some vain attempts, I had to adjust my expectations to take on jobs that are not as appealing. Did not quite think that I would be working in a construction sector! Nevertheless, it feels good to know that I am part of the booming construction sector in Dubai... In future, I will be able to tell my children and grandchildren that their mother/grandmother had been a part of Dubai's countless and interesting structure buildings :)
Having said that, I do miss my work prior to coming to Dubai. A lot... :I Well, guess there are seasons in life. I will be back, I know for sure. Someday......
Have taken up driving classes. After some ding-dong-ing due to the frequently wrong and inconsisent information system here, I had at last embarked on my journey towards attaining a driving license! Thank God that my instructor is encouraging and of a good temperament. That makes learning easier.
Today, I encountered yet another episode of crazy traffic. Wanted to return at 4.30pm from a mall (it's easiest to get cabs from shopping malls) but the queue today was incredibly long! Was it due to new year's eve? I detoured to wait for cabs out in the road but in vain. Even for the 2 buses that came, I was unable to board. Mentally and physically exhausted, I decided to go for an early dinner to replenish my energy. Thought the queue at the mall taxi stand would be shorter but boy, it was even longer! Never seen so many rounds of snake queue... Still, I thank God that I had my iPod and book for company, and that the queue was half an hour, not longer... if not, I might have killed someone! >:( The time I finally board a cab was 7.05pm.
The purpose of the 'detour' from today's topic was to reinforce my point: I NEED a license! Really don't wish to be victimised by the traffic situation again. I can pass my driving test... I will pass my driving test... I must pass my driving test! Apart from being freed from the traffic burden here (being stuck in Dubai typical traffic jam is the lesser evil of being stuck in a place where you cannot go anywhere), having a license will be handy in the future.
As for family, I realised that my mom missed me a lot. I kinda feel bad of being away...... *sigh* but I have to be with my husband. Prior to leaving, I know I will be missing the growing up years of my nieces. Nevertheless, am glad that at least I see pictures of their development. Siblings, keep those coming in! My sister's girl is looking more and more like her, whereas my brother's girl is getting prettier by the day.
:)
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