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.

:)