I must say that I've felt some slight disorientation the last 2 weeks, and finally, am more at rest and ease back here in Abu Dhabi. I found myself once again, 2 weeks ago, arriving back here, stepping into a hot and humid environment, and in my mind - I was thinking - There are so many ways I can see life. See it as an adventure and be amazed at how rich life can be and where it can take you. Or see it as choices I have made - and so why did I make a certain choice, how did I decide? Or perhaps, see life as one that can be filled with surprises - the whatever-will-be-will-be outlook? Or be unfazed by what life throws at you and always have 平常心。Pastor Tan once preached about 平常心。I am sure there are just so many ways to reflect.
One of the key things that happened recently was that I began to understand myself a bit better. I did the VIP24 profiling tool. And so, for sure, profiling tools are not new, and I've done multiple assessments in the last 10 years (all the MBTIs, DISCs, Gallup, etc etc). But this time round, perhaps I asked myself how I can understand myself better so that in all areas of my life, I can become a better person - a better wife, a better colleague, a better daughter, a better friend. My natural inclinations and preferences, my strengths, my weakness... I found myself asking some deeper questions. I am still in this journey of self-discovery.
My profile. The MBTI bit is pretty consistent. I've done 3 over the last 10 years (all E,N,T/F,J/P).
First time looking at RIASEC.
Pain
Perhaps one of those things that got to me was the hand eczema. It just developed out of the blue in Singapore, and I found that it would flare up, especially after I hug or touch Kenji. So naturally, I wouldn't know when I just came back. I ruffled him, hugged him... and then the itch and pain got real bad. It stung like crazy in the showers. :-(
I am glad though... to say that it has gradually healed. I am much better now and while there is still the slight itch, I know it is healing. I think now, I can say I understand a little bit more when I see my close friends go through their eczema pain and skin problems. Sometimes, even minor things like that prick and affect the whole life.
Sobs for that first week. Now, my skin is really much better.
Liverpool Loss
I was, naturally, very saddened by Liverpool's loss, and it is weird how external circumstances affect, when logically speaking, in all honesty, I watch football and support Liverpool primarily because Steve lives and breathes YNWA. So while I watch with him and enjoy many games, I can't understand why I felt pretty affected this time. The next morning, I woke up wondering if there could be that possibility that fate could be so cruel?
Because none can ever know the future. What happens if Klopp's lot in life is always to bring that underdog team to the final, but never to win the cup? What happens if there were such high hopes to achieve, and in an illustrious career the whole season, an injury would have to cripple a man at the most important and crucial time? What happens if this were to be a person's lot in life?
We have always been taught to achieve, to reach that dream, to be that goal-getter, to give our best. That's why we fight, we believe, we give our 100%, we compete (both within ourselves and w others). But what happens when life becomes hard and cruel? Who can explain why it had to be like that? I suppose recovery will take time, and they are professionals who will move on. Still, the immediate aftermath was very hard. So hard to bear. Acknowledging the pain is part of the recovery process and so I thought long and hard over why I felt that way. Life. Is. Hard.
Ramadan
It's the Ramadan period here and restaurants are not open for lunch here, though there would be some approved places that still open for business. Probably not anything new to the people living here, but the restaurants, cafes would be draped by cloth pieces so that one can't peer into the restaurant. Even the costa cafe just at my place would have its entrance blocked by an ornamental decorative piece though you can still do take-away. The key idea is that the drapes would shield passers-by from the sight of the food and restaurant activity inside. The roads are also pretty empty during the day and work starts later and work hours are also reduced, and this is an official direction from the UAE government! :) Haha, pretty cool. During the evenings though, the whole place comes alive and shops and restaurants open until midnight. Steve told me that last year, during Eid Al Fitr (end of Ramadan), the whole place was just one big celebration, and that Yas Mall was open 24 hours with huge crowds and massive sales. Super super. :) I would love to experience that soon.
And so yesterday, Steve and I attended an Iftar dinner here yesterday. Iftar is the evening meal with which Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset. Here, the canon blast from the nearby Grand mosque would signal the end of the fast for the day, and then the makan times begin.
Honestly a super warm gathering. Mostly Malay friends from SG, and they come from all over UAE to attend this event organised by SG Kampung, SG Embassy and another community group.
Can you see them screening live - the canon blast to signal the end of the fast?
I also picked up a book at the Iftar event; thought it would be interesting to know more about the Muslim faith. I believe that it is compatible.
The S in me
I also got to, in these 2 weeks, deepened some friendships.
As per my profile, I am SEI - Social, Enterprising, Inquisitive. So, it is really quite a part of me to take an interest in others. :) No wonder no matter how tired I am, I always have strength after-work, for friends and family. :) No wonder.
And so, I somehow got to know an "unlikely" friend here better. I first got to know Prashanth last year during WorldSkills, but we never really kept in touch though once in a while, there would be the exchanges at embassy events. And I found myself on the same flight with him back to Abu Dhabi 2 weeks back, and we chatted for some good 2+ hours?! And we chatted about religions, beliefs, work, and... even love. :-D Haha, and it was a very refreshing chat.
Chance meetings like that connect. Getting to know is always a 2-way process. Hence, it was just uncanny that we became friends. I certainly wish him the very very best as he finishes his last 6 months here at the embassy. :)
Lunch at Andiamo - Naise Naise. Got all-day breakfast too. :) If you open the door, you will have to walk through the draped curtains.
I also got to know Lily better, otherwise better known as the Tai Tai friend. :-D
And she is happy to be a Tai Tai. She and Herman are generous people and have many times invited Steve and me over to their place for dinner. And they can cook, and they can drink too. Last night, it was just me and Lily. She shared about her life's experiences in SQ, her son, her life... and she is taking Arabic and French lessons here, volunteering out at events and societies, and organizes lots of parties and events. Pretty cool. Ha.
She is so Mei. She tells me how to take care of skin and hair, and that I ought to put on more make-up and sunscreen. The portrait behind is of herself. Thankful somehow we connect.
And Ernest. To all his good jios, food recommendations, helping all of us get courts all the time, the chats and sharings. Really one of those that make a difference for me here in Abu Dhabi. :)
It is the time of the evening here where they will break fast soon, and the city will come to live again. I shall continue my FinTech learning journey.
No comments:
Post a Comment