Tonight, I am just in the "neither-here-nor-there" mood; I can't really describe how I am feeling now, as it's a mixture of "coming back and yet gonna leave for China tomorrow" feeling. In the quiet of the night tonight, I thought perhaps the weather sums up how I feel pretty nicely. Today, it is cloudy and windy, with a light drizzle throughout. The skies were pretty grey, and it signals the turn of the season. Summer has whizzed by and I do not know if there's autumn here in the UAE (at least I didn't feel it), and the temperature has dropped to about 22 deg now. The cooler months are being ushered in. It's a kind of nostalgic feeling, a little quieter, a little more sombre, and yet a cooler relief.
The looming clouds at 2pm today, as we drove out for lunch. This stretch is the Anantara stretch and packs some nice hotels and restaurants.
Super glad that despite being back for just 2 days, I managed to have dinner with Robert and JC. It's timely as JC came into AD from the States for this period. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to join in the event in the next few days, but still, catching up was so good. We have been brewing a little idea. Let's see how and where this adventure will lead us.
I just had to chuckle. Hahaha. They are so so tall and so so gigantic. I look like a midget. Robert made a promise to me - that one day, I will meet Michael Jordan in person.
So thankful for a great check-in with them both last night.
The season is changing indeed.
Last season in Singapore was too much filled with love and buzz, with quality time spent with my mum, with good friends galore and working with a group of newer colleagues.
Some parts of SG memories really will remain etched in my heart - of knowing how God has brought much kindness, love and clarity into my life, and brought times of refreshing as I journey through my challenges and struggles.
This season in Abu Dhabi shall be one of the calm, peace, hope, love and joy of God. :)
So, the last season in Singapore is one that I shall remember so fondly.
My mum and me - really happy. Same dress and just hanging out together. I asked her what she wanted to do and eat. And she said she has no preference. So off we go, mini mum-and-me adventure to East Coast Park. :)) So happy, to just talk, fellowship, eat, laugh, encourage each other in God's Word
And as Daphne said - this trip just seems a tad a tad more special. It remains a mystery how I can ever know friends like them. We spent so many nights talking and hearing each other out. We sparred, we discussed, we encouraged. And to Daph - the DDDs in my room (I mean your room), and in the living room that long night, is testament to God's love in my life. A good friendship certainly refreshes the soul.
And perhaps, also special was the SSG DnD. I haven't joined in the DnD since I moved to Abu Dhabi. This time, it was just timely. Together with the larger SDG, we had a blast. This DnD is also CE's last DnD with us as he will move on to a new portfolio. So fun to just laugh and enjoy the night with colleagues and friends.
Hahaha. Decked in Safrah's daughter's secondary school uniform, our division was about returning back to school. And with Gillian - when we so fondly remembered how we helmed the DnD together a few years back.
In any case, students nowadays seem to love a drink.
I also ran a fair bit more in the last 2-3 weeks, clocking 5 consecutive runs early Nov. I needed those runs, and it was record-breaking for me to manage to steal time to run consecutive days. I ran with colleagues, with close friends, and I ran alone - at MR and at the Marina Bay Area. So beautiful! Running is always the antidote to negative emotions for me.
How how beautiful. This was a run I did alone just before DnD, 8 Nov 2019. Beautiful beautiful evening at the Marina Barrage. My Huawei is really cool.
As I tap away, it's also almost 930pm already. Safe from the actual luggage packing, I am almost ready for China. I look forward to the next 1 plus week of learning about the AI and EdTech Learning ecosystem in China, as well as the short Beijing exploration holiday thereafter.
It's gonna be a really good December season 2020. :)
