Foldie Fun

I've had a packed 2-day weekend, with weaving in 60km in all, on 2 new foldies. :) This is so much a recent want. Our Terns are in Singapore, but.. somehow, in the last 1 week, we managed to get a Camp from Lawrence, and then a Dahon, and then the necessary helmets. 

And so, this marks the start of some cycling expeditions here in the UAE. :-D

On Sat - with Lawrence and his road bike, and the Camp bike we bought from him. 

And on Sun - with @Steveywonder - who always knows what I want, and would research, find, check, advises on the best decision to be made. And so, besides Camp, we got a Dahon. :) Mine is the Silver-Red Dahon, and his is the Black-Gold Camp.

While it was a weekend that left me with a sore back, tired arms, and a painful butt, it was well well worth it, especially since we have limited days till the scorching heat. 

And when the body is on fire, the best ever is to just rest, have a good meal... and end it with a great massage. 💓

Earliest Saturday Morning ever

My earliest wedding ever, and I am so happy for Trinette. Known her for the last couple of months at work, and today is her big day. Tech bridges... this is not my first youtube wedding, but definitely, the earliest. It's so beautiful to watch her walk down the aisle with her dad, and then, for the groom to take over her hand. And to witness this matrimony together. 

This last week was a good one. I felt  more rested, and I keep thinking about how I can develop the people in my team, how I can help them grow. And - with a number of such conversations in this week and the last, it just cements so much what I believe in - to do my best to love people. 

I caught a very amazing picture of Kenji on Wed. I was walking him in the early morning, and as I was just breathing and taking in the beauty of the day, Kenji sat down... He. just. sat. down. And it was as if he were also just wanting to be a part of the amazing dawn and daybreak. He does not sit outside (he is a pretty clean dog), but on Wed morning... he just did. :)

I am so happy to spend time in the early mornings walking him, and spending time with him

And - as I enter this weekend, I can just saw I am thankful again. 心の中での一つの願いは神様に信じます。

And the skies behind me are slowing changing its hues, from black, to blue-ish grey, and now, more blue. The cold season is over. The weather is breezy and cool now, and I have officially spent 1 full year in Abu Dhabi, enjoying its full season. My right foot is recovered... and I will start my weekend routine with my earliest Sat run. :)

Earliest wedding... earliest blog writing... earliest Saturday awake... earliest run. 💗

Entering my 41st

I can only say I feel thankful today, and for the past 1.5 week gone by. He somehow read my mind, and this morning, for a change, we went out for coffee and breakfast after my run. I cannot express enough gratitude for little actions of love. And especially after the very draining Thurs evening episode. 

This Drvn cafe is really quite nice and popular - the coffee was good! But... price is too ex, imo. It's the kind of places you hang out with in the weekend, to chill, eat eggs benedict and drink atas coffee. 

So... the week really just passed me by so quickly, in a whirl, with the birthday greetings, and with me feeling roller-coaster emotions, and having to wake up super early 4 out of 5 days. I was particularly roused on Monday - and to some super great extent, felt all the d-words. And yet, somehow, through the midst, I really felt I had a very purposeful and meaningful transition into my 41st. 感謝です。

In the cray cray 1.5 week past, I've had 4 really wonderful conversations and gatherings :)) 应该如何形容呢？ 有些感触，那刹那的感动，就只能好好珍惜。Super thankful to the friends and loved ones here, whom I believe God has brought into my life for a reason, and are meant to be cherished.  

Chronologically - I had a most wonderful catch up with Commander Ong last night. :) Never knew we could talk so long, and we were the last ones to leave the place. He also give me 正骨水 for my leg. This morning, I think about the stuff we talked about... it's really about life, time, meaning, and injuries. I only know that conversations like this means we 老一些了。

And the weather is now not as cold. :) It was nice to sit outside and have a beer. The 正骨水 looks like some sauce for the food. Haha.

And - then, last Sunday! Ildico and the kids gave me such a sweet sweet surprise. Tada!! They packed a love box filled with things they think I would enjoy, and then Ildico walked Kenji with me. :)) K really was so happy, and so am I. And - I really love the cute drawing of K, and the beautiful letter. 💓

And last Saturday!! Steve and I met up with a wonderful couple from church who just moved to AD for work. First time we met them, but there's that 熟悉的感觉。Really felt so good to hear their story and journey here, and we certainly hope to meet up again soon. 

And finally, a really great catch up with Robert. 点点滴滴。有说有笑。好不同的友谊。创业人的心声。

March 5th came, and went. And when friends asked me how I celebrated my birthday, I said I really didn't do anything special. It's the normal and the little things that I am already grateful for. The cakes, flowers, the champagnes and beers I received are wonderful surprises - but 最重要的 would be because I know the folks that I love and care for are doing life together with me. 

And as I think about the year ahead, I think I have only 1 wish for now. @Steveywonder, I want a bicycle. :-D 

My first biking exploration!

Today, I woke up feeling that my right foot didn't ache as much as the past week. :) That was such a good feeling, and I'd attribute it to the light exercise Ildico had recommended me to do. So, it was off to some mini cycling adventure this morning. 

It's my first time riding here, and the PCN really is not bad! The weather was super nice - breezy, with that tinge of warm sunshine. We rode and talked - and as I don't have a bike here, I used her daughter's bike and we just pedalled and pedalled. 

Ildico is my new German friend. :) We've met each other a couple of times - the hi-bye neighbour type until pretty recently, when she struck up a conversation with me at Costa. And then, the texts came, the "shall we do sports together came". And yesterday, I brought Kenji up to her place whilst she examined my right foot, and Kenji had so much fun with her kids. :))

So, back to this morn. 

Truth be told, I woke up feeling some levels of ストレス, and I know it's inevitable. もうじゅうぶんかなと思います。こんらんな気持ちずっと、特に最近。And so, I muttered a little prayer as I walked K in the morning dawn. And it was so good to be out exploring Abu Dhabi on the bike. :)

We passed by the Defence exhibition area, and the whole conference had completed. We continued cycling and soon, passed by Mushriff, was headed towards Corniche and we made a left turn to cross a bridge to one of the recently-opened islands. 

The whole ride certainly made me feel more thankful. Talking to her husband at the breakfast ending point was also good - he is a neurosurgeon and shared some thoughts about his practice here. I remember too that focusing on others, and giving my time and love to others makes me forget about me, and that is such a powerful thing. 

Crossing the underground tunnel - and stealing a shot. 

Pedaling away, the whole PCN path. The highway is just to our right. 

Crossed the bridge and at the highest point. This reminded me a little of my Japan cycling trip, where I did a cycling trip across 7 islands, and ended the trip with a well-deserved onsen. See the nostalgic post: http://olenju.blogspot.com/2007/04/lets-enjoy-bike-riding-i-have-just.html, and boy, that was such an adventure. 

And then, we finally reached the destination - Hudayriyat Island. It opened last year. The feel is similar to the ECP feel, a little, with restaurants lined up. 

My first time here, and besides restaurants, there are lots of food trucks. Was told that this place gets really crowded in the evening. 

Ildico's husband had arrived earlier, and met us ladies for breakkie, and to send us back too. :-)

Haha, first time meeting the man for a meal, and it was a nice chat and get-to-know. The conversations on Europe, brain science, exercise, etc. Just nice to get to know different ways of living and culture.

And finally, breakfast time. :)

I thank God as always, for times of refreshing like these. 

For the sure healing on my right foot. 

For some concentration and focus today as a little prayer was heard, and answered.