Bye 2017, Welcome 2018

It is almost 2018 where I am. 30 more minutes to the end of 2017, and 2017 has been a blast. I just felt so extremely thankful to God. 2017 started with a “step-by-step” word for me, where this time last year, I began my 3-month NPL, as Steve and I were starting a new journey of our life here in the Middle East. 

And, one year has passed. It has flown by. Each month, each step-by-step faith promise that I stood upon came to pass. By faith, I declared that by Jan, we would settle official documents. That happened. By Feb, I would pass my final theory test – that happened. By March, we would move into our new apartment; by May, I would pass my driving test first time. By June, I would get my Emirates ID. By July, Steve would pass his assessment, and Kenji would move over. By August, our house would be rented out. By Sep, Maki would complete her SOT and the new tenants would move in. By Oct, WorldSkills event would be successfully completed and by Dec 2017, I would enter into a new professional journey…. And, all came to pass. These were the planning I committed to God this time last year, and amazingly, each month, when I look back, all had come to pass. And no amount of words would be able to describe or explain how I am grateful to God.

This year, I went through many un-explainable emotions as well. Well, usually when we talk about emotions, we remember the really bad pain more, and I am no different. This year, I have not felt such a certain type of roller coaster emotion / pain before in my life and I know that with the good, there surely will also be the down times. The winter seasons, the dry seasons, the times where I felt faith and fear collide, the times where I could no longer think straight, the times where I felt I could but yet couldn’t, times of frustration and disappointment… these times are those that I could only confide in Him alone. Such moments were spent in deep reflection and prayers, calling out to Him for strength and grace, many times on my knee. I know that such times are precious too. Because it only means to me that I cannot live life based on my own strength, and everything comes from above.

The cg friends came and left. 7 days just passed by like this. It is still pretty amazing to me. They spoke about coming this time last year, and it actually materialised. The church cg folks are special because by choice, we decided we would commit to each other and live life together, week in week out, in fellowship with one another, and in loving and serving God together. I am so grateful that several of them visited and I learnt... really, that distance does not separate. It is the effort, commitment and love. So this Dec, while tired at times, the joy that flows from within is priceless. It was so good to see Kelvin, Karen, Keziah, Koen, Lauren, Alicia, Zealyn, Joshua. So good so good. I am so blessed and touched that they came to spend Christmas together. Maybe I am melancholic, but I know, this would never happen again, in such an a manner. We spent moments just enjoying Abu Dhabi and Dubai, eating together, laughing together… I really felt very touched and blessed.

Christmas Dinner – the one time in 2017 that I felt so stressed by cooking and preparing food, and Kenji was so happy to see everyone. But everyone was so wonderful. They came early to help prepare ingredients. :D haha, I hope Steve and I did not disappoint. 

Ferrari World – The brave attempted the fastest roller coaster in the world but most times, we were just happy to spend time together with the kids. And Lauren was so brave - she dared to go on this scary ride. The only gal who went up among us all ladies.

 

Louvre Abu Dhabi – oh, this place was so so very crowded. It opened to such big hype in November, and the architectural art was very beautiful. I think it is the holiday season and that's why the big crowd. Another day would be much better. 

Grand Mosque – I think I went to the mosque more times this month than to the church. Again, this place is beautiful, with its marble and grandeur.

Burj Khalifa – We scaled the world’s tallest building together in the lift…. The human being is so creative with a can-do spirit. While I cannot imagine how this feat could be accomplished, gazing at the world around us leaves me with such a sense of wonder.

Desert Safari – The desert and its sunset; the camels and the sand. The dune rides and the belly dancers; the performers and the fire. Unfortunately, I think the place was not as clean as the one Steve and I went to in Abu Dhabi. The sand dune bashing ride also paled in comparison and it was just crazy crowded. :-0 Still, how can you say you have gone to Middle East without a trip to the desert?

Boat Cruise – We saw the Atlantis, Burj Al Arab, Jemeirah Beach, and it was a nice change to just cruise around Dubai. Our captain did his best for us too. J I am sure everyone was like me. At some point in time, we would have been thinking about life while in the ocean.

Koen’s Birthday – this sweet little boy celebrated his 5^th bday. He must be so overjoyed, and his parents too… knowing that both their children are growing up well in the Lord.

Global Village – The biggest carnival I have ever been to and my second time here. The strolling, snacking, seeing the different pavilions representing the various countries, playing old-school games, enjoying the cool weather. And when the sparkles began at 9pm, the whole village literally just froze in their tracks to gaze at the fireworks display…. So happy. All these culminated into a huge yellow banana for me! Haha…. The kids love it too, and, Kenji was just so angry with the banana and the balloon.
 

YOU CAN SEE THAT I AM CRAZY OVER THIS BANANA.

Dubai Mall - Shops galore, human beings even more. It was just way too crowded. Zealyn, Lauren and I spent time just talking and well, we only shopped for 1.5 hours. Still, we managed to get 3 pairs of shoes, some running gear. Dubai Mall is just HUGE, and its fountain display was beautiful. 

Daily Breakfast with Chef Lee - or almost daily. So this trip, it was my first experience staying together with so many different ones and we booked the hotel apartment suite. It came with a kitchenette and Chef Lee would take our breakfast order and cook for us. So 幸福！

Mall of the Emirates - yet another very big mall and this would be the last stop. It was just a good lunch as we wrapped up this trip, and as Steve braved the crazy jam as well as the crowded carpark to join us. Actually, time really flies.... before I know it, I will see them again, this Saturday. Ha ha ha.

So, 2017 has really been a very good year for me.

I spent today getting back into the "gearing" mode. I checked my emails, think about work, did laundry, went running, went to the Honda service centre to get our car, and spent the last few hours with Steve just eating at the foodcourt and having ice-cream. :-D 

And, we did supermarket shopping and ended up buying a bigger fridge. Haha... means I will cook more?! 

This is also the day before VAT kicked in, so this was just a mad day. People were all over making last minute purchases before the 5% tax. I think we kinda got into this frenzy too with the fridge and car servicing. Haha. Finally, we are home to spend the rest of the last minutes of 2017 with Kenji. :))

My serious husband thinking about this Samusng fridge. It is SGD $400!! :-D

In a sense, this year has come to a closure. It has reached a peak these last few days in December, and as I spend time journaling the AD moments, I know I must embrace 2018 and look forward to what it has in store for me. I am a new creation in Christ Jesus. 2018… while I am not entirely sure how it will pan out, some days back, I felt that it would be about how old things have passed away, behold – all things have become new. For now, as I pray about my year ahead, I will always remember 2017 as a step-by-step year where as I plan my steps, God directs my path. This year is seeing His faithfulness unfold in a most amazing monthly manner.

IT IS 2 MORE MINUTES TO 2018. HAPPY NEW YEAR!