Vision

It's been a very nice last afternoon of 2020. I did my last run of the year, and basked in the sun for a bit. :) Listened to a beautiful 听海 re-composition, just at the beach. And was talking to various good friends. 

Came back, finished some work, and continued with a chat with Zeal, just sharing about life and how we would enter 2021. As I sat there, Starbucks coffee delivery came, the whole afternoon felt so precious - me alone in the house warmly decked in the cold, coffee nourishing my soul, moments of flashbacks of 2020, heartfelt thanks for all my hits and misses and the learning, sharing about life and what 2021 would bring... and at that moment, I just felt very contented, and just thankful. 

It must have been a very unusual 2020 for the whole world, and as I contemplate in Dec about what would gird me for 2021, I already knew in my heart that I would need to be able to see. It's special because it's not anything so out of the blue, but because 2020 passed me by where I was just busy, but I had not paused really, to think about where I was headed towards. 

That busy feeling yielded more than just - feelings of negativity, and nothingness, some days. So, on 8 Dec, I woke up strangely to - "For without a vision, the people perish". This is found in Proverbs 29:18, and on 25 Dec, while at Al Ain, I woke up at 5.30am, this was ringing in my mind as I journaled, and then, the Christmas sermon was... about vision. 

Perhaps, this, or the lack of this, was what made it tough and challenging. Most times, and for many facets of my life, I do not know where I am heading. 

So this would lead me into 2021. I am just very thankful for moments like this afternoon, like 8 Dec and 25 Dec early mornings. This is where I know that God is real, is reaching out to me, is speaking to me. :)

Vision. 

The Queen's Gambit

Such an enjoyable series to watch, and exciting at times. After MJ's - The Last Dance, this is the next series I enjoy very much on Netflix, and I finished the last episode "The End Game" tonight. 

Maybe it's that slightly rebellious and competitive streak in me, and in competitions - the tensions, that excitement and the anxiety. 

I really enjoyed the acting and the story, and the going back in time too. At one point, I googled and wondered if the character Beth Harmon was real. There was a 1983 novel of the same name, and the series was based on this. I was quite captivated by her piercing eyes, and the portrayal of emotions, the intensity, the focus - and her story of being an orphan and learning to play chess thru' a janitor, to being adopted by an alcoholic mum, to holding her own in the numerous competitions and life, while struggling with her own demons, the alcohol and pill addiction. And in the ending episode, the overcoming and the cheers of her friends who stood by her. This whole series is rich and complex, and explores the mind of a genius interwoven with insecurities and life's pains at different points. 

I just so enjoyed the series, and it was even more powerful, because I don't play chess. I imagined that if I knew the game, I would be even more hooked. 

Watched too the whole netflix production synopsis too - https://youtu.be/LzDhpEInMIg.                          And learnt about cinematography and set designs, and the possibly a little more about the film industry. It is just amazing to me.

This is really such a great end to an on-leave Monday. :)

My kind of chill :)

随心所欲

It was a very happy and easy Christmas break. Happy because we just followed our hearts; easy because there's not much frill and planning involved. 

We drove to Al Ain on Christmas eve, and even the ride out to the outskirts was chill and nice. Road trip feel. Truth be told, there's nothing much to see, except for the safari, and Jebel Hafeet - where we've gone before. But that feeling of - We are going on to a trip - feels very very familiar. It is that feeling when you know that for the next couple of days, you can put away some mental strain, leave behind the work and other thoughts, and just relax and enjoy, even if it meant just a short 2-day getaway. 

It's also the feeling of chilling in the night, sleeping in, and then waking up to a hearty buffet breakfast. Everything about the 2-night stay at the hotel reminded me of the various holiday trips done before. :)

The highlight was of course - the safari. Haha, that's the reason why we went to Al Ain anyway. I must say the safari and the zoo were pretty impressive. Clean, spacious, and the local Safari guide was pretty good. I enjoyed the walk around the whole zoo; safari was on the truck and we were pretty close to some animals - though not the ones I ideally would have liked to be closer to - the lions, cheetahs. :-D

I think I relish my "once-upon-a-time" dream that I might have been a vet, and that's why I really like to visit zoos and get a little up close and personal with the animals, or observe them. We were also fascinated by a family of mongooses. I basically just watch in amazement how they dig holes and kick dirt and sand. Ah - and mongooses are a community breed - they chatter to each other all throughout the day. I don't think however, that I'd fancy coming up close with a mongoose though. :-}

I think another great highlight was finding a really unassuming tucked-away Korean restaurant (Sonaji) at a corner of the Al Ain mall. It is newly opened by a Korean couple prob in their 60s? And... the food was really good. According to the Korean ajuma, she told us that everything is home-made - and TripAdvisor, Google, FB - all had raving reviews. So good that we did both our dinners there, and I wrote them reviews, and hope that they also open one restaurant in the heart of Abu Dhabi. The Soontofu, Kalguksu and Korean Fried chicken - really very tasty and yummy, and the soontofu had that crabby seafood freshness too. Maybe cos the weather is also considerably colder in Al Ain - the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, and that's why the steaming hot tofu stew was extremely comforting and nice. 

Our trip was really 随心所欲。 We had a walk at the oasis too - and this is a Unesco cultural site. While this place is a desert, amazingly, the people who lived in the land were able to draw water from deep below ground, irrigate the land, and there is agriculture in the palm and date trees. We went to this whole oasis area and marveled. It was a nice walk - midday sun warms the skin, and with a cool breeze. And - there are quite a few mosques even within the oasis itself. 

And so - the short staycay passed us by this 24 - 26 Dec 2020.

I am thankful for this Christmas season break. The joys and hopes and beauty of this season - where we start to plan and look forward to 2021, will mark the next chapter and year of our lives. :)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

圣诞节的小小创作

It's been so much fun. :) The different attempts, synching, laughing and trying out different songs. 

Christmas is really a beautiful and wonderful season, and I am so glad and so determined to enjoy, and make the best of the last 2 weeks of this year. 

So, this weekend, it was off to a great start and countdown. Both Steve and I are on leave, and we made elaborate plans on Friday to do this and that... and haha, none really materialized because we kinda slept in late, did house work, took K for long walks, but that's also a nice way to spend the weekend. Just 随心所欲。Perhaps, the most exciting discovery this weekend was that we found a super yummy laksa. We saw it on Jeremy's fb, then Sean and HN said the same, and then we just decided to go try it. 

And, the crazy me had laksa last night, and tonight, and we travelled 30 mins to reach the laksa. :-D 

The SGD$16 vegetable laksa. Basically, you can add other ingredients (kind create your own laksa), but I was just happy with an assortment of veges. 

And so, maybe our grand plans will happen tomorrow and the remaining 2 weeks. Yay - on leave for quite a couple of days!! So, we will go shooting (rifle and pistol - haha, so look forward, haha haha), and then do a Christmas weekend staycation at Al Ain (so super look forward too). 

And in the midst of the day, finally, the 圣诞的小小作品 was done! I had played my part first, and ensured both the saxo and guitar tunes matched. And then Alice stitched it together. Ahha, and last night she demanded that I added in the last segment of the video with a hi-fi. Laugh Die Me. I so enjoyed the mini project, and the fun we had. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiMa3kjKLVk&feature=youtu.be  

Laugh Die Me. The hi-fi in the last part. :) 

So look forward to Christmas!

Towards the most wonderful season of the year

Friday, was about dusk and its rays. 

Saturday was a whirlwind of sorts. 

Sunday, saw some misty morn and a relieved end. 

The first week of Dec was one

With some emotions - 

Work and a small scare. 

Thankfully, the week has ended. 

Dec week 2 will mean,

It's a step closer, 

to the most special day of the year. 

Thanksgiving week

On the topic of "nice", "singlehood", and this discussion went on from last night till now, and I even joined in a panel sharing on singlehood experiences - such raw and good sharings from 1 dear friend, and also, much about this word - nice. 

Do you describe someone as "nice", when you want to introduce a person to a friend? And what does "nice" conjure? I am actually not sure too - maybe it's different when it's used by a man, vs a woman. But perhaps for me, it comes across as too vague, and this adjective could also mean that there's really nothing too good to say, or nothing much to comment about the person, and hence, "nice". 

Definitely a good discussion topic and much learnings and understanding. 

That aside, Sunday again... I had a very sleepy weekend... felt sleep-starved, and just zzz-ed. 

My oura ring stats should be quite good for the last 2 days. :)

It is the Thanksgiving week. And I am thankful for Thanksgiving Thursday - had a really great fellowship, and traditional American dinner with Robert, Monique and their 3 lovely gals and friends. It's officially my first time joining an American family for Thanksgiving dinner, and it's a huge celebration for them. :) So much food, so much good conversations, and I am really thankful. 

First time to their new place, maybe first time in last 1 year since we met. Same lovely family :)

And Friday was good too. There are so many sales advertisements all over - every merchant and online stall trying to capitalize on this Black Friday tradition, and even Cyber Monday - to rake in the sales. And, I didn't really have anything I wanted to buy though I checked out Zoom Fly 3. Unfortunately, the discounted price is not really anything great too, and even more expensive than normal sales in the past. There's really nothing very much I want materially, at this point in time. 

But Friday was good. :) We had a good brunch and stroll along the coast. It would have been holiday season in the days of old, but I suppose we could just still pretend it's a holiday walk, stroll. :)

I am just thankful for a nice walk and a good conversation. :) Nothing fanciful, but just enjoying the moment. And because it's Black Friday, dress in black. :-)

On Thanksgiving, of this week itself, one of the small moments I was very glad for was that it rained a little, even for a short 15 minutes. It was nothing to really rave about, but it was just a strange feeling - something like a refreshing moment, thankful moment, breathing moment early in the morning. Maybe it made me feel that I was closer to home, having heard that it's been pretty rainy in Singapore. Or it's just the early morning moment of experiencing the start of a new day. It's a fleeting moment and a feeling that I wanted to capture... a newness, hope, life, and that the day had begun. The clouds came on in the early morning, and it drizzled, even as the sun starts to rise. I managed to catch the whole sunrise as I was up early for a meeting. :)) 

Earlier today, I was also thankful that I've had a good week and weekend. I also felt some tinges of nostalgia too as I went about my cleaning and laundry routine. I looked at the closet, and thought about the clothes, the make-up, the shoes, the bags. When was the last time I really decked myself in proper office wear and bought nice girlish things? I think it was quite some time ago. Maybe, this would happen in 2021. :) A little wistful feel washed over me. 

Finally, I am thankful that Christmas is coming again. :) This year will be quieter... but in it, there's surely that sense of awe, and then, the start of a new beginning, new hopes too. I am looking forward to this beautiful December season. 

我的一个小小作品

很感动。有几个好友说好听，有feel. :)

But fingers are feeling the sting now. Nonetheless, it's very enjoyable to just make music, and I'm looking forward to another WIP one with Alice. 

For now - it is just this part of 雪落下的声音。 

Of shoes, and meat

Saturdays and Sundays feel so very different. Yesterday, I was more relaxed, had guitared, and was listening to the sermon on Honour, and felt so ready to enjoy the Sabbath rest - which is a very conscious and deliberate effort, to choose not to think about areas of concerns, but to trust Him. 

Today's feeling was more - let me just check my emails first, and see if there's anything I should attend to, and then at least, I can have peace of mind to read, write, and enjoy the rest of my Sunday. 

I wonder how our brains and emotions are wired to think, feel and see. Am reading this book called Incognito by David Eagleman, and it's re-reading some parts to further understand. Some days, I feel super genki, some days, I feel a bit down in the dumps, but technically, nothing has changed on the outward. Also, I was thinking that in such a vast and majestic world and universe, my thoughts are so so so, so so so insignificant and inconsequential, in comparison, to the vastness - and yet, and yet, that God knows me by name and He is the one who is my friend, mindful and in control of all that goes thru' my life, my mind. It was a pretty much mind-blowing thought - because last week, with a sermon I heard, and with this thinking - I did wonder again, why people would want to take their lives. And - also, set against the backdrop of world events, like the recent US elections, like the pandemic - these too, are as huge as it can get for 2020, but in eternity and in God's mind, probably, just one speck (important or otherwise), in His vastness. 

I have come to this part of the year again, where I know that time will still a little as I prepare for 2021. 

So, my yesterday was a really happy and chillax one. I was told that the shoes I bought for my mum was delivered. :) She was so happy. And I asked her how she wore her shoes. I bought her a first pair 3 years ago, and I think I've brought her, like 3 pairs, and she's worn all of them out. Haha. And I am still wearing the same pair I bought for myself 4 years ago?! 

My mummy swears by these Clarks cloudsteppers ever since her doctor told her that these will help lessen her feet pain. There are no more such designs here in UAE, and I had to ship it from Amazon US. Amazon is really amazing. And finally, it was Ernest who brought the shoes back to SG for my mum. :)

And then, my sis keeps asking me to buy Alphafly. She says it is so good and helps shave her timing off her runs... and better than zoom fly 3. haha. Oh dear... alphaflys are not available in UAE, and then they are like 3 times the price of zoom fly.... haha.

And, my life's been about big eats recently. I shall talk about the Fri night big eat. 

We chanced upon this Brazilian Ola restaurant that serves 15 different types of barbequed meat, with salad, cooked food, soups, sushi, desert - buffet style. Oh my goodness. I never had so much meat ever before in my life. Seriously, my first time, and I think I cannot eat meat any more for a while. 

But, it was really quite a nice place, and not so ex, at AED 129 per person, which is about SGD$47.

And, I really liked the wagyu, beef brisket, and this other slightly crispier cut - all medium rare. 

My favourite, was the salad and salmon though. Haha, and.... the Brazilian black bean stew soup called Feijoada! Super super super delicious, and it reminded me of my mum's 黑豆汤。 

虽然看起来不起眼，有什么都看不到， 但真的很好喝。哈哈。

Maybe cos it was a Friday evening, I felt that it was such a well-deserved meal. :)) We stayed from light till dark, and the whole place was filled with merry-making. It's nice. I took some photos of the area and night sky, and also... it was all the more enjoyable as the manager gave me free Cab Sav Merlot blend. So enjoyable and thankful - last Friday evening. 

The Getting-Ready-for-New-Week Feeling

This coming week, I will be doing 3 sharings, and then 1 of our collaborators, will be doing a sharing on our work too. 

Usually, when I agree to share, I always tell myself - Just do it. And when the day draws near, I will be like... I have to think about it seriously and spend some effort on it now. It's  challenging myself to speak, to take on the QnA, to learn and improve, and understand my chain of thinking better. Sometimes, this is the JBE feeling. But yet, it is necessary, to step out of comfort zone. 

And last 2 weeks, we operated too like events company - webinar event company (as Fiona jokingly said). 

And it was also some levels of preparation, especially on an AI talent and skills topic that we had with OECD, and on a collaboration with LinkedIn. 

This part of the year, technically should be about winding down, some travels, some taking stock, some gatherings with loved ones, some reminiscing.  
However, this pandemic has really turned everything topsy-turvy, and on this Sunday evening, I am feeling a little wistful. I had completed the first presentation deck for next week, and now, cannot help but think about the "good old days" and the travelling episodes. If 2020 had been normal, maybe I would be glamping in Japan with Maki. 

I cannot be more thankful though - that today, at least I got 1 sharing done. Tmr, I will have to wreck my brains a little for a guest lecture at NYU-Abu Dhabi on Thurs. :)

Thankful to the ongoing collaboration with LinkedIn, and this year, we investigated the factors that enable success for mid-career workers' pivot into new jobs, and the employability of fresh grads.

And our first collaboration with OECD Science, Tech and Innovation Directorate touching on AI Talent and Skills. 

Work - is truly about partnerships. :)

夜深人静时刻的美

We took 2 night walks in the last couple of days with K. Tonight, I thought how beautiful the quiet night scene was yesterday. We just walked quietly, stopping for K, each of us deep in our thoughts, and occasionally stopping and sharing some reflections. 

When it comes to writing, it is really about the mood, the flow, the emotions. Maybe tonight got a slight feel. Just finished a conversation with Sabie, and I am glad Monday is over. It doesn't take very long for me to write if I feel it just coming together. And it has to be that kind of moment for me to write. Then, the words are formed - the letters becoming words, words becoming meaning, and the whole diary entry becoming an etched part of my life that I want to remember. 

And so last night I brought along my phone to capture some of the shots. I want them to be etched in memory, because it speaks of a certain feeling this Nov season. 

好美，对吧。

And the light hues, and the mosque being lit - they are really beautiful. I wondered if there were any activities going inside this grand building, and at such a late time in the night. This 80km sign is also where I usually start my run round the mosque too, on weekend mornings. I'd have run maybe about 10 minutes from Rihan Heights to reach the mosque, and then I'll decide if I should do it clockwise or anti-clockwise, again, depending on my mood that morning. 

And you can spot big S and little K - enjoying the night walk yesterday. 

And the last pic of the mosque from the back, just alongside the highway. :) There is no night walk tonight. Both K and S are sound asleep. I will have to turn in soon too. Tonight, am thankful that Monday is over. 

3 Wishes and happy little lucas

The birthday week for Steve has passed. Throw back to Oct, I thought hard and fast about what I might get for him, and it was really quite hard to get a nice surprise. I'd get him a laptop he wants, but it's out of stock for now. So on Nov 1, I really wondered what I should give him. I thought very hard and a moment of brilliance flashed by. I decided to grant him 3 wishes. 

Laugh Die Me. 

I told him I would do anything on 1 Nov for him. He has 3 wishes, and they will be valid only on 1 Nov 2020. These wishes cannot be granted after 1 Nov. Ha ha ha. 

And, he thought very hard, and he couldn't think of any possible wish except for me to mop the floor (I gave an incredulous look) and to give him a full hour massage (I gave a woeful look - 1hr? I think I will die of tiredness). Ha ha ha. To which, I asked him - are you sure? It will be such a waste of wishes since both can be fulfilled by professionals. He pondered over them for a while longer, and went back to the drawing board. 

The clock struck 12mn, and maybe 1 Nov 2021,  I will grant him another 3 wishes. This moment of brilliance brought so much laughter. I thought I was pretty clever. Hahaha. I never thought it'll be so hard to ask for 3 wishes.  

Of course we had a nice cosy dinner together at our favourite hotpot place. :)

And today, we had a simple dinner and celebration with the Rihan ATC alumni. We had a most sumptuous homecooked Mui Fan dinner (so yummy - thank you HN!), with potluck additions. 

I have never really eaten Mui Fun before. Think this could be the 2nd time only. :-D The zhap was gao and nice - the vegetables and ingredients were very good too! Felt so blessed. 

And Little Lucas was very chatty today, and was happy to hold my hands, showed me his squirrel, fire engine, played ball with me, drew bus and pictures, jumped up and down the sofa, and auntie here and auntie there. Haha, I felt wow - the boundless energy is unparalleled, and running 10km seems easier. And yet, I am just very happy to see him warm up to us. 

And as the cake was brought out, the little boy thought it was his birthday celebration. So so so so cute. He was happy and expressive, breaking out into bouts of laughter, and sang and clapped happily. So sweet and so cute. 

And the boys - a coming to 4-year anniversary for them here, and the friendship continues to grow. I know these 3 support each other at work, and cover each other's backs. I sometimes say they bromance. :-D 

And - Lucas's eyes sparkle! So bright and curious! 

The heart is full. 💓

BIG eat at Boa

We recently really liked this place. 

Basically, can BIG eat, and no need to own-self walk around to take food like any other normal buffet. Haha. Basically, just eat and eat, and drink and drink. SOUNDS TERRIBLE. 

But, this place is pretty nice. It's at Anatara, and there's a marina just outside the restaurant. 

It's fully packed for their Friday Brunches, so reservations have to be made about 3 weeks before minimally. And... it starts at 12pm onwards, till 4pm. There is this culture here where the Ang Mohs like to just chill and have free flow drinks, and so Friday brunches are pretty popular. 

Having discovered this place, recommended by Steve's colleague, we decided to try it in Aug. And... then it became a staple in our Friday brunch makans. And... it's so lovely!! Haha, big eat to end the work week is a happy feeling. 

So, I love the seafood platter with the tuna, lobster, crab, oysters, etc. And the starters (erm, the ceasar salad, the smoked salmon), the Boa creations like the Duck tart, the goat cheese baklava, the crab koroke, which are all refillable. And then the main dish - ribeye and salmon fillet for us respectively, and then the free flow drinks (wine and sparklings for me. :-D) 

And the best part is, there's Entertainer voucher, and if you consider 3 meals in 1, very worth it. :-D

So we've been there about 4 - 5 times since discovery, and yesterday, I had to take a work call at 5pm UAE time, with colleagues from SG, and collaborators from UK and US. It was my first time doing a work call outside by the marina - but, this is really the new norm already. :)

十月份的友谊点滴

October 就这样悄悄地插肩而过。

I've had some really nice gatherings and makans, and very good conversations with Herman too. :) Friendships are at different levels and the really close friends type are the most precious; and then there are the colleagues-turned-friends; and then there are those you can engage in good conversations with, and you might not really meet them often, but when we meet, we talk more about life, Singapore, opinions, perspectives. Herman is possibly one of such. And of course, there are the bigger groups of close friends gatherings - like with the ATC gang, or the groups where you gather to get to know new folks. :)

Haha - so basically, I had some good makans and conversations at different levels. 

The one-to-one, heartfelt ones - like with my mum, with Shui Yen, with Zeal - done over zoom. Can any-oh-how talk, can HTHT, share deeper things, pray for each other. 💗

The getting to know colleagues type - and I now have a new team mate, this gal called Jacinta. I've known her for a while as fellow colleagues, but now that she's joined us proper, we have been discussing work, getting to know each other better. 

And - she has a shiba inu too. 💗

And then another type - the growing of friendship over time, brought together by the fact that we are fellow Singaporeans type. And that would be that night out Steve and I had with Herman and Lily - celebrating the 3 of their birthdays together, drinking sparkling prosecco, and needing to wake up at 5am the next day. (How did I do it?). 

So enjoyable. The place was just quiet and, conversations went here and there - Abu Dhabi, Singapore, National Service, Cybersecurity, Jamus Lim, Politics, Malta, Birthdays, Halloween, Italian food, becoming an MP... haha... so many different topics in that one night. 

And then we had the Rihan Alumni type. We grew closer together because we lived in the same compound, and shared life together somewhat. It's alumni because Sean and Viven and their families have moved to another part of Abu Dhabi. The last time we met as a whole group was end of last year during Christmas. This time, we gathered and just talked, chilled, played with the dog and cat, took a walk around their new compound. I was happy to listen to the ATC chat, happy to listen to Hui Ning, and... happy to drink beer. :-D

Later - we have 1 more gathering. And this time with Viven's wife too. :-D More beer and drinks. 

And the get to know people type - with some new Korean friends. The common thread is that we are all here because of the husband's work, and all of us have tried to find meaning and lived well nonetheless. I probably wouldn't interact very much again as the paths do not really cross - but still, there is such types of group gatherings where we are mostly just happy to say hello and hi, and engage in general conversations. 

Hahahah... the ladies love to take photos. So funny. They took so so so many. The men are in another group, and they took NONE. 

好舒服的星期六早晨 💗

Weekends are a welcoming end to the week, and I've mused recently that even though weekends fly by, weekdays zoom by even at a faster rate. I am happy and thankful this Saturday morn, perhaps because I know I have been nourished this morning - body, soul, spirit. 

Last Sat and this, I end my run at the small beachfront opposite Rihan. Sat down, prayed, looked at the families and people gathered (just like me, to take a break from work, to slow down), and it was me time. And with the weather cooling down rather considerably, the sun rays providing some levels of warmth still, I just feel happy and contented. 

Today, I listened to the Kingdom of God preached from Luke by Pst Tan, and last week it was Time, Change and Transformation - what passes and what abides, from Pst Ravi Z, and Revelation Predestination by Pst Kong. Saturdays are just beautiful, bringing me back to Sabbath rest - trusting God that He works on my behalf. Trusting Him that I do not know and may not understand, but He always works on my behalf.  

I felt a little sad this week too - when Ranie shared with me a beautiful clip of a dog passing on. And I just wanted to love Kenji more. He's grown so much whiter, and the shiba in the video was even whiter. Time passes, what will abide is the love and knowing that He is in control. In any case, I cried (and I am sure all dog lovers will), and I thought it's a beautiful video - quiet, gentle, beautiful, thankfulness, love. See: https://en.goodtimes.my/2018/06/26/mama-dont-cry-15-year-old-shiba-inu-dog-put-on-the-warmest-smile-for-his-owner-before-he-left-the-world/?fbclid=IwAR09dTqA8Zr4re6oRc8oYaUAHUlhD_u5VL12kLf-qh49mPa22gH7BzFIELU 

So these last few days, I talked to K more (it's true, we talk to him and tell him we love him), hugged him more, massaged him more, kissed him more. Walked him more. Did a random night walk on Thursday night at 10.30pm round the mosque. He was so so so happy and excited to have a late night thrill, and to go to a new place. His nose twitches, he went about exploring the shrubs. He struts upright and continues on at a tip-tap-tip-tap steady pace. So beautiful, though it was almost 12mn when we returned. :))

城里的月光

Fridays are always just such a welcoming end to the week, just that little bit more chill, that bit more enjoyable. This week has been a most unusual one in my whole Abu Dhabi work life, because I woke up early every single morning. At about 445am most days. :-S. It is a little cray cray, but thankfully, I am still quite sane and feeling good, because I also try to hit the sack by latest 11pm nightly. So... you can also imagine the restful feeling I have right now, tapping away. 

It's unbelievable that we are in Q4 2020 now. Simply just unbelievable. And how it was pretty cold when I returned to Abu Dhabi in March, and now, summer is passing. Autumn and the cooler weather has set in, and this week, the pool actually felt cold... I have spent the longest time in Abu Dhabi since we moved here. It's about 6 months now, and it looks like I will still be here at least until year end? And I actually enjoy the fact that I do not have to be constantly travelling, and living a nomadic type of SG-AD life. Yet, I also think if I am travelling, I will still enjoy all the time in SG, plus all the various work trips. :)

Tonight's rambling is about 中秋。 

There is just something amazing about the mid-autumn season and the moon. Much has been written, and sung, about the moon and its mystic, slightly melancholic, nostalgic, 思念 feel. It's this season where everyone posts about the moon, friends check in and ask how each one is doing, the feeling of longing and missing is also a bit more real. 

So I have to take a picture of the moon here too. I saw so many different moons from different friends. Here's my version, moon against the mosque. :-D

城里的月光@阿布扎比

Thankful that tonight marks the end of the week. 

Beautiful First Night Race @ZSC

And, I completed my first night race here. :)

It has really been a long time since I joined such running events, and I was... a little excited and nervous. 

The race was originally postponed due to the rising covid cases, and I was kinda surprised that it was postponed to just... 1 week after. (I wonder if there has been a decline of cases and that's why, or?)

But, still, it was good to join in this event. 

Fiona said that she missed all the pre-race jitters, and that's possibly how I felt too. And given that I've been running every weekend, and now tracking my runs on runkeeper, I was curious to know if I would be able to under 6, for each km. My target was 6.10, and my dear husband said it was not a target and I should aim for under. Haha. But this is the race jitter la. 

I had no expectations about the organisation of the event, because I have no prior race experience here, and I just thought to follow the flow. I reached to find a whole masked crowd gathered for the 8km run already lined up in the stadium, and with social distancing. It was quite an interesting different experience, because there was no starting off at the same time, no shoving and pushing to the front. Groups of 8 set off 30 seconds apart, and everyone obeyed the rules. 

 

The run started and I just set off with my new sound-liberty wireless buds planted firmly in my ear. I must have been too excited, because at the 5th-mark, I was clocking 5:19. Haha. And then, I realised it must have been the adrenalin in me. So I slowed down a little and just ran. The route was familiar to me, given that I live just here in the sports city, but it was also unfamiliar with the night and the various cones and twists and turns here and there. And with the numbers of people and 2 different races going on at the same time. There were road marshalls and that was helpful, but some parts were really just dark. Still, I just ran and slowed down a little. 

At the 6km mark, I felt I still have quite some energy left, and decided to put in more power in each stride, and to go a little faster. The problem was.... when I was nearly almost 8km, the end was no where in sight. My runkeeper buzzed, and now I had gone on beyond the 8km mark and I thought perhaps, I should recalibrate again to make sure I can continue to finish the race. This was a little unexpected, but the extra exercise would not kill, so then, it's back to the psyche to say - recalibrate, and run on. 

Finally, I thought I saw the end-in-sight, with another 1/2 loop round the stadium exteriors. I ran through the alleyway leading into the stadium, happy to have completed my first run. Really happy. 

And I clocked 5.55 on my runkeeper, for 9.62km. 

Night Race 5/5

I am looking forward to my first night run here. :) I signed up for one race end 2018, but was unable to go for it as had a work trip. But this coming Thurs, I shall do my first night run / race here. 

It's been so long since I last joined such corporate running events. I think my last one was Standard Chartered 21km before I got married!! That's like almost a decade ago? 

And then, after that, I asked myself why I would pay money to run. And so, it's been a hiatus from such running events. 

Until last week - when this popped up on my FB, and the run would be around the Zayed Sports City, which is where I live now. So I thought - haha, shall I just go for it?

Running is supposed to be enjoyable for me, and running a corporate kind of race always just feels a little more competitive than normal. So I pondered about whether I should join in, and if I do, shall I just do 5km, or 5 miles? 

So yesterday, I decided to run a 5-mile run. 5 miles is about 8km, so I did an 8.4km, and it was kind of like an assurance that I surely can complete the race. Though it's also a little strange why I would think this way, because my usual weekend workouts are about 6+ to 10+ km each time. Haha, that's why I say - a race always brings about something different in me. 

And I did my 8.4km yesterday. :) Timing really goes down with Zoom Fly. 

So, I am happy and looking forward to this Thurs's night run. I hope it won't be that humid, and it will be an enjoyable one before the end of the work week. 

Haha, and with the registration, I have become the latest challenger. So funny.