Simplicity

I slept very well last night, and Oura registered a score of 91. :)) It's been a tiring two weeks, but still, it's been fulfilling and fruitful. 

Just 3 weeks back, I was telling Zealyn, that this is the beginning of a season of a quiet life and simplicity, and I really thought this is what I look forward to. I think, it allows me to focus on what is really important and matters, and to cut away all the clutter, and to know, especially in the busyness of life, what I really want. :)) and lo and behold, the weekend sermon was just about that. Every time I think and feel a certain way, and every time God confirms it with His word, I always feel so touched and blessed. Because, it means, He is with me, and He is affirming me with His love. 

This is the sermon link. https://www.youtube.com/live/uQglMPi7KlY?si=CZlgdYXaVcvd8GKT

In fact, when I was listening to it this morning, I also choked up at the letters by Sun to PK. They are so heartfelt, so real. 

Today, I did my usuals. I went for a run, and the weather was getting warmer. Finally. :)) Finally, I felt the sun rays and it was a very comfortable temperature, with that little bit of a breeze. Nowadays, I enjoy the Nescafe with fresh milk combination, and would stop at the bakala near the mosque to buy the coffee. Simple joys. 

It is so nice to finish the run, know that I will shower and be clean, and then drink a coffee. So I did that this morning, and then decided to sort out my phone with a protective cover. Decided that with the federal emplacement now, that I will reward myself with another pendant. Decided that since I figured out the car bluetooth connection and the phone and SIM card issues, that I should have some popcorn. It was really nice for a change, to drive to YAS, and to have a nice jalan jalan. I didn't spend a long time, but got myself some nice rewards. The pendants, remind me of God's goodness. I remember, that when I first started at DED, I bought one small necklace. When I first started at MOHRE, I got another one too. :)) And now, with the contractual change, I got 2 more. I don't like chunky fancy stuff. Simple designs, subtle ones - work for me. 

And I decided that later, I will bring Kenji for a nice long walk. 

Documenting too - how relationships are amazing. I had a really genuinely great time with a lady I met. Her name is Jane, and she is from Huawei. And we have known each other since DED days, for work. Somehow, work collaborations never materialised, but I always enjoyed the occasional catch ups, and yesterday, we caught up again. This time, at my place. She was in Abu Dhabi for work, and dropped by. Me in my au natural look after shower. :-D And we chatted, and talked. I felt happy to fellowship with her. And we talked about many things - not just work, but life, likes and dislikes, and even about sand and the wilderness. :-D I hope we do get a chance to get to know each other better. 

Maybe it is the weekend vibes. And in knowing that next week is the last week before Ramadan. Which means, I am going to be back home in Singapore soon, post Ramadan. :))

愛と希望

愛と希望

It is Chinese New Year's eve, and after a very long day, I made it to the louhei dinner. It is Tuesday, and it means - mid-week, end-week is nearing. Thankfully, tomorrow is another Abu Dhabi day. 

I came back to Kenji on the couch, and he is just staring at me right now. I have already given him 2 treats. I wonder what this animal wants further. 

I don't think I can fall asleep any time soon. Suddenly, thinking about time and space, and what a parallel universe in Singapore would be doing now. Probably, sleeping after a heavy 团年饭。 Prob wondering how Day 1 and Day 2 visitations are going to be like, probably thinking about donning new clothes, and taking lotsa pictures, and maybe, for those who are going back to work, probably hoping that Day 2 will be rest and respite. It was a similar feeling that I have every year, during this season. 

CNY eve, and Day 1 - seems to be in a bubble of its own, and then tiredness at the end of the day. But still, a good getaway from the rushed pace of life. 

I decided to watch Tokyo Love Story - saw it on Netflix and was surprised. It is such an old show, and it is one of the very first Japanese shows that I watched, that touched me. And that's how I named Kenji Kenji too. It was at that particular point when Kanji asked Akana what was in her big bag, and she replied - 愛と希望。And I decided that I wanted to pause for a bit. And ponder what it means. In her context, she has unconsciously fallen for Kanji on the onset, and was carrying her love and hope with her, while Kanji was thinking about another. This drama and story unfolded in a very "love story" manner, and where in the end, Akana, the quirky, spontaneous, lively one, had to confront her own feelings, and so did Kanji, the silent, 木那, silly one. I don't remember the details anymore, but I recall I enjoyed the drama many many years back, and now, maybe I can understand what the director is saying, in a deeper manner. 

Love is the greatest of all. Faith, Hope, Love - these 3 abide, but Love is the greatest of all. 

The best way to start this CNY - is to focus on the greatest of all - Love. For without that, everything becomes meaningless. I will ponder about Love a bit more these next few days. Agape Love, and what that means to me.  

First time Lou Hei on CNY eve in 8 years, I believe. :))

Beautiful weekend mornings

Decided to do a tennis session today with Bakary instead of the usual run, so that I will not kena the heavy traffic jam later at ZSC. Seems like Coldplay disrupted the whole flow of normalcy for the ZSC vicinity. Even all the restaurants here are closed for that. But, it's also nice for a change. Means I stay home and enjoy some good time in the rihan cocoon. 

Been housekeeping. :-D It's good to declutter, and just, just, just, at this present moment, I am feeling the sunrays come into my desk, and it's such a nice feeling, because I am showered; it's been a great tennis session of learning and realizations this morning; and I have the yummy local nescafe with fresh milk. :))

So I told myself, I will be intentional today. After this journaling, I will go read the proposed strengthening of domestic workers law piece, and then Future of Jobs report methodology.  Inshahallah. 

I find that while I endeavour to do many fruitful things, sometimes I fall into this "nebulous state", and then somehow everything becomes hazy, and I get so distracted, and then I never did what I intended to do. I guess that's where discipline and focus comes in. But, still, I am human, I guess. 

This morning's tennis was so much learning. Somehow, I am much more calm with Bakary. Maybe cos he is also very chill and very relaxed when playing. So it rubs off me. So good!! I took some notes from the learning, and shared with the coach. I think... I am happy this morning.

Yesterday, was also an amazing morning. Maybe it was due to the yummy hotpot the night before. But when I started running, I somehow felt I could run more. So I decided to listen to my body. :)) And then, I did a second round round the mosque, and I thought I could do a 3rd (but didn't), and ran back and continued some rounds round the track. Maybe it was also the beautiful morning weather. 

Yesterday, I watched some different episodes of how this billionaire is trying to promote "Don't Die", and prolong life longevity. All interesting concepts and ways of living. This morning, Bakary asked me the same - how to live well and healthy. For me - I think, simply - Exercise and stretch, Drink lots of water, sleep well, eat when hungry,  laugh a lot, Journal-meditate-pray, Learn-think. Hahha, somehow, the list gets longer even as I type.

What a beautiful 2-day weekend mornings. :) Thankful. 

Day 1 Little Joys

Ate, drank, fellowshipped, watched fireworks and somehow, walked my way into 2025. :)) Slept soundly, and woke up to a chilly sunny Wednesday morning. 

Nothing much per se in my mind for now, just glad and thankful I can still run. Did my usual round round the mosque, and decided to clean up my place a little. Gosh. Time just flew by. I dunno how much I did for the house, but it's now 2hrs later. 

I picked up the book that I'm halfway thru, made a nice coffee, and now, decided to read - read a running book. :)) 

So quiet, peaceful and nice. 

Just thankful for a wonderful 2024 and its mountain highs and valley lows. 2025 will be no different, it will be the same with its peaks and bottoms. But I will just continue to be myself, XC. Maybe a little wiser, a little kinder. 

2024 Moments

I gaze out of my Rihan window
I couldn’t move an inch
In the distance, some birds were chirping
I see children and different ones, walking

Going about their lives this quiet, sunny afternoon.

In my mind, gentle and peaceful.
2024 is the most intense year I’ve ever had.
It speaks to me of great hopes, and crushed promises.
How both can happen at the same time.
And how life and its strength will carry on nonetheless
Gratitude, Compassion, Courage
The core of this morning’s sermon and message.

I have had a blast this year.
I know 2025 will be a good one too.
Because God is love, 

and God is good.
So, I stand upon the shoulders of my Giant.
Step by step, with courage, keep on.
With thanksgiving and kindness, move on.

Ibtismee - smile on.

I am thankful for all that 2024 has brought me.
The lessons untold.
The very precious moments, their beauty.
The strength and the love.
The travels, the health, the career.
The peace in my mind.
This beautiful Sunday…
Soon 2025.

TYJ

This Sunday evening, as the weekend draws to a close, I decided to do a stock take of these last few weeks. :)

My thoughts will be random, all over, because honestly, everything is connected to everything else, and as I think about one thing, I am also thinking about many multiple things. 

I just did some pieces of work; many times, I still marvel at this opportunity given to me, and the last 3 weeks have been good. I will continue to learn fast, and be myself and do my best. 

I was wondering how I can cope with the long travel. I think I am still trying, but it has gotten better. The concept of a "protected time", just like when I am in the airplane - I can use the time productively too - to rest if I need to, and to read and catch up on news. And then, to tell myself to look forward to the days in AD office, almost like how we look forward to weekend coming concept. The mind is marvelous, because once it changes perspectives, we feel better and can cope with anything. 

And today, this morning, I ran too. They were playing badminton, but I have not yet found the motivation to play badminton on a Sunday morning with the big group. Maybe one day, I will. Just not now yet. I thought I could get a tennis slot this morning, but again, alas, it was not to be. But, I tell myself, Ok, breathe. If it's not meant to be, then just find another way. 

These last few weeks, I have been pleasantly surprised and touched. They come in the form of many different ways. I received little gifts. I am not really a "gift" person. But still, I know, I always know that God encourages me in even these littlest things. 

Blessed - by a beautiful bouquet. So so so surprised. And, many paths will cross. One lady I met recently mentioned that she thinks I will be here, for a while. Who knows. :)

Blessed - with a painting and a handwritten note by Ghaya. I was really happy. I look forward to the day I will do bbq at her house. "Even in the belly of the whale, there would be hope". It is the story of Jonas. 

Blessed too - by this delivery - What I talk about when I talk about running. I consciously asked myself this during this weekend's run. I was thinking so many so many random things, even wondering what songs will appear on my YTM - fast one, slow one, or what. But primarily, I think I think about people I care for. I pray for them. I also focus on the sermon I listen to. But, I am enjoying the book so far. 

And, blessed - that I can run. So since, I am talking about running, so many running episodes these last 3 weeks. Here goes.

Blessed too - by a friendship that spanned many decades, for the time and effort to come by to AD to just have a meal. 

Blessed too - by good meals, by good friendships, by Zann and Jerry who love Noodle Bowl - and for taking time to come down all the way today to just eat lunch, by funny dinners in a box,  :-D

TYJ. Capturing all that I feel, at this moment. TYJ. 

And my favourite song at this moment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO0JybyaG_0

Everything has its time

This beautiful Sunday, I am settled in at home, thinking about the past few months, or past few quarters, to be exact, and how time was really fast at times, and also, very very slow too at other times. I was reminded of Ecclesiastes 3 several times in some poignant moments the last few weeks, and it is such a beautiful chapter. 

As I breathe a little, I choose to remain in the present, and to practice mindfulness, me and my thoughts, me and Kenji, me and the worship music in the background, me and the quietness in the house. 

Tomorrow, a new chapter begins for me. This is also a season of new chapters for so many different ones I know. 

I remember so many things the last couple of weeks. In Italy, I remember my mum, dreamt about my dad. Just moments ago, I remember the story of the black and white dog - whatever you feed grows bigger in your mind. I randomly remember I must book Zuma again - it was a wonderful brunch yesterday. I remember that night when I went to a run, and after that, drenched in sweat, just laid at LD and felt glad I did the run and felt the night breeze and humidity on me. I remember the sunsets, doing my best for my parents-in-law, thinking about otousan, how the past 3+ weeks flashed by. I remember Naples and the sleepless night. I remember the various emotions parsing my very being through, intense at times. 

Italy was beautiful. It was a time of rest, and lots of reflections. It is possibly the most extreme trip for me, in the sense that I experienced so many different emotions. :)

I pray I will continue to be salt and light wherever I go, that I bring out the fragrance of my name. I pray that I will walk in wisdom in this next chapter, and that I will always choose kindness and gratitude. 

Eccle 3:1 - 11 - Everything Has Its Time

To everything there is a season, 

A time for every purpose under heaven;

A time to be born, and a time to die;

A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal;

A time to break down, and a time to build up; 

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones;

A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to gain, and a time to lose;

A time to keep, and a time to throw away;

A time to tear, and a time to sew;

A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate;

A time of war, and a time of peace. 

What profit has the worker from that in which he labours? I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. 

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. 

I am still in the AD journey. It will come and go too. 

HK came, and went. So did Japan. So did Germany. Then Singapore, then Italy. Then UAE again. There is such beauty and growth in this season. The next one, will be equally amazing, because God will make everything beautiful in its time. 

Beautiful Italy