Kenji was quiet all throughout the morning, because the fog blurred his vision. He is an early riser and would get upset with the buzzing life of vehicles and other pooches (seen through his doggy lens from our 1st-floor apartment) window. But today... he was all quiet. :-D
Weather is definitely now cooler, between 15 deg - 26 deg.
One of the things that irks me is the pool... aiyoh... not heated. Recently, I went for a swim, and it was... 22 deg. I came out freezing and had to quickly blow myself with... the hairdryer? To get instant heat. I thought maybe I should swim faster and more ferociously. Still, it didn't help.
So I have been kinda hibernating in the gym if I want to run. I prefer the outdoors though and I finally managed to run 2 evenings ago outside. It would be probably my last run here this year, and this year, I rekindled the joy of running, thanks to Kenneth. Started running more seriously maybe Sep this year, clocking about 8 - 10km per run, twice a week, then a hiatus in Nov, and I ran again 2 evenings ago here. It was good to feel the wind in my face, and I saw this super-fit young girl training with her coach. I did several rounds round the stadium track here, and man, when she ran passed me, I could see her finesse as well as her muscular thighs and calves. The body of an athlete is beautiful to me, and speaks of the dedication, committment, perseverance and hard work.
I saw this very inspirational running quote on Pinterest. Love it. :) 
So since I am writing about sports, well, I got to know this non-ATC Singaporean friend here through tennis. I thought Ernest has a very very good countenance. Cheerful, generous, funny, got "seng-mok"... and oh, very fit. He cracks us up with his way of saying thank you - thanks to Allah and Sheik Zayed. We play tennis together with a few others. So last night, we tennised, and then makaned together.
Well, wages here are generally a few times higher than in Singapore, and Ernest has been here for the past 6 years, leading and conducting training at the Civil Defence Academy. Singapore lends her expertise in this area and helped to establish the Civil Defence Acacdemy here. Recently DPM came to visit this training facility and one day, I want to visit too.
So anyway, Ernest's accommodation is also paid for, and he has been living in a hotel for... 6 years. At first, I couldn't imagine how this is even possible. We stayed at Aloft for 3 months, and while it was do-able, it didn't feel like home. And then, I saw his room and.... and understood why he could stay for 6 years. This is not a serviced apartment but a hotel room, but it was tastefully and beautifully done up, and he was able to "customise" and "decorate" it according to his preference. Here, employers typically give you a housing allowance (either in cash, or specifically for just housing). For Steve's case, it was cash and we could decide how much we wanted to spend on the accommodation. For Ernest, it has to be only for accommodation, and hence, he utilised it really well. And daily free housekeeping too. The hotel is also very beautiful - Khalidiya Tower - and it is near the Emirates Palace and Corniche.
Well, so when I get back to SG the next month and Feb, I will contact Coach Mah again and arrange some lessons. :) It certainly feels good to smash some balls.
And, my boss here. Super love Kenji. Incredible. He gives me the look - "so what if you are looking at me?"
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