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

Build Again

Over the course of the DED journey, I've felt so much support and love and it's going to come to a close very soon. I am somehow prepared for the new journey. Yet, with everything new, comes some kinds of fears and unknowns. 

This weekend, the word that keeps popping up is "abandonment", and I have to tell myself many many times over that I have to fight such a fear. If I let go of my own fears and my attachments to current needs and comfort, a new door will open, a new thing will come my way, and I'll be able to embrace another journey and learn, grow, develop. I keep having to tell myself that the next year will be ok, refusing to let negativity sink in, because they are going to be so real the next month, the next quarter. 

This morning, the devotion was about Timothy, how he just kept being brave. To know that if I am feeling unsure, uncertain, or even afraid today, Paul's encouragement to Timothy is for me too - Stir up my faith and trust in God, never forget that He is with me. With Him at my side, no matter how difficult things look, I can do whatever I need to do through Him. (https://joycemeyer.org/DailyDevo)

I think I am scared, because decisions have been made, and they are big ones. I will have to learn how to be brave, in Him. And all will be well. 

All these shadows in my mind - I can let light, the peace of God, the love of God, illuminate them. 

The last trip back to Singapore - is a reminder that God has been so close to me all throughout my life. While man may fail, He will never.

And Shan just had a long chat with me. We talked about how the weekend has been, how the next phases of our lives will look. She is such a blessing to me. Such a huge blessing. Good things come to those who wait. What we have built - we can build again. :)

Singapore 💓

https://youtu.be/6d1EL4qu3zs

Angel

God sent an angel into my life this week. 

Her name is Ghaya, and it's been a budding friendship. Every morning, we greet each other. :) The hugs, the kisses - and yesterday, it's become a deeper sharing. I wore an angel pendant to work this morning, and was thinking about how God knows all things, my innermost, and when I need an angel, He sent one to me. 

This pendant was given to me by Pricilla, a long time ago, when I moved divisions in SSG / WDA. And I've kept it and brought it to Abu Dhabi. Somehow, I decided to put it on this morning, as I was touched by Ghaya's sharing yesterday. And I seldom wear necklaces. 

This morning, Ghaya came into my office again, and we spoke about the Quran and Bible, and the different verses. It was so good to see her so excited, and to share her belief with me. There are so many similarities, and I learnt too, about Mariam (Mary), Lut (Lot), Yousef (Joseph), and also, Jesus. And... about Angels. 💓

Yesterday and today, she shared many Quran verses with me. And today, I learnt a new word - Zakah, which means "to purify, to cleanse", in Arabic. 

God is amazing. Experiences like that, always speaks of how real He is - His love for me.