Laugh die me. هههههه

Laugh die me. هههههه 

Alex and Farah paid a short surprise visit, and in these short moments, Kenji stole their avocado. Unbelievable. So sly, this dog. And before we realised the avocado was messy, K was happily tearing it apart, and I had to buy another avocado from the supermarket. 

The afternoon was pretty eventful. Before that, I tried to do good with some Chai Tao Kueh, and it turned out that in my excitement, I poured all the chai pok and garlic (that was likely supposed to be for the full tub CTK goodness), into a pittance of the white mesh (probably just 10 spoonfuls). 

And as the oil was heated up, and the frying came, I eagerly chopped all the kuey up, and with much zest and oomph, and the kueh disappeared from sight, engulfed by the eggs. Steve asked how it is CTK. He said is is just salty 炒蛋。I think I need more garlic and chai pok now since I have almost the full tub of radish goodness intact. Hahaha. 

My failed attempt, but a pretty gallant effort in my opinion, not withstanding some levels of creativity, with olive oil and a dash of maggi flavouring. And it tasted quite nice - basically caipok chaodan. 

Suddenly, feel so tired - with the avocado furore and CTK attempt. More tiring than cycle 30km. 

不知不觉

I've had a really great week, and 不知不觉，it's Day 5 out of 6 already, and I remember last week, I was so thrilled to think about a 6-day break in the middle of July. It's the Eid celebrations, and it's also my first time following the local work calendar here. :) So, I was pretty determined to make it count, and yesterday, I was even thinking I am ready to get back to the work grind. 

And it's been a pretty amazing 5 days thus far, with lots of explorations, me-time, good food, conversations, new experiences. And enjoying being around Abu Dhabi with different ones, whether on bike or in the car, and also with new colleagues. 

Such a contrasting view. Beautiful skyline, vs a pretty derelict building - both in town area. :) And the older building strangely reminds me a little of NK.

Too often, there are just too many memories to be captured, and too often, they become a part of the life for that season. Last week this time, I was just thankful for DYL - the book and the program I took in March this year, that made it clearer to me that I could try and prototype a little, and do something different, and especially when it beckons. 

And then, I am also thankful for the many little explorations here, including going to a new Japanese restaurant, doing shisha (first time trying) at M's house and having a lovely meal together with him and N, and then doing Korean, and then, getting a taste of Indian chai. Food wise - I have so much to be thankful for. But to me, the best is the Singapore chai png still - I miss that, and the local coffeeshop feeling v much, and look forward to the day when I could be back. I figure, probably max 2 - 3 more years here, but then again, who would really know?

There's some hype around the newly-opened Kinsu, and so we visited. It was good and fresh, but more than that, it's the fellowship with Lily and Herman.

And my new colleagues, Mahendra and Neha, and we were all spending Eid here while many others travelled out. So, it was a super cosy afternoon at a Thai-Jap restaurant, and then over to his house for more chats, and a first shisha try for me. Grape-flavoured, and I think this first experience is enough. :)

And some Indian chai at Neha's place. :) Great way to kickstart the long break. And it's boiled, together with Indian basil and ginger. 

And of course, there's the bike experience continuation. Came across a few articles that said - cycling makes you happy. I think the 2-wheeler has some magic in it, and it's not as tiring as running. I am really enjoying it. The exploration and its nimbleness is the appeal for me. I don't think I am at that stage where I can go very fast yet, and the road bike was a new try for me. But, I just enjoy being out exploring, and discovering. It was so possible to go explore Abu Dhabi city - and I actually cycled from my place all the way to Khaladiya, and so many places in between. So fun, and such morning sunshine doses really do wonders to the soul. 

Hehe, and becoming more and more pro looking? Still some way to go, but hehe, at least got some sei. 

And the deeper conversations continued too, and some good me-time reflections throughout the week. And in thinking about the work culture, the people, life choices. This hot summer afternoon, at a sweltering 48 deg, one day, I would look back, probably in 10 years time, and wonder where life has brought me to. :) 

So, 今天，我感觉非常感恩，满足。Quick short one, as I gear back into work mode mind. (And making some CKT). Totally a week well-spent. 

Summer Rain

I saw the pitter patters

Fall on the windshield

I saw the wiper move

These transient cools

That moment was really but for that moment only, and this morning and yesterday, I was wondering if it might rain. And it did, for that brief moment. The summer respite was a nice change, though I wished there could be a larger storm, just to feel rain and smell it more. 

The clouds were also more gathered, and shielded the sun quite a bit. The ride and run this weekend were both easier, and then the pool, with its throbbing ripples actually felt pretty cool. 

At about 645pm, I breathed, took a look outside, and saw the grey clouds, the wet ground, and thought it was beautiful. :)

The weekend has passed meaningfully, with deeper conversations, reflective thinking, harder questions. As the night comes on, I am reminded of this very beautiful song. 

In the quiet of the night,

Where no one sees,

I come, on bended knees

To say, Jesus, you are my everything

You are so precious to me. 

The "feel like writing" entry

今夜、感謝しているだけです。
今週のいろいろな　同僚とか、仕事とか、仲良くなる友達とか、簡単な料理をたべるとか、運動をすることとか、ギターを引いたとか、。。。本当に全部のことを感謝しています。そんな中で　私も時々自信が足りない感じ、できない感じが溢れる時に、これも神様にもと頼る。これも私の成長できるために感謝します。こんなとき、自分の時間が大切ことを特に感じる。今夜、世界が静かになると、心でもう一回決している。どんな状態があっても、喜び態度を。：）今夜本当に幸せ感じだけです。

And one of the key moments this week was catching up with SJ. It's such a familiar feeling. :) It's been slightly over a month and I was very glad to just catch up. Some people come into your life, and leave a lasting imprint. These indelible footprints become etched and collectively, shape the person I become. 

And, as I was writing in Japanese, I was brought back to Fri night. I really needed a run. I thought maybe I should just walk, as we had a hotpot dinner. But at about 9+pm, where it was warm and humid, my steps became trots, and the trots became a gait. And I did a round round the mosque. So beautiful. While the air was heavy, the mind felt clearer. And then, I rested at the tracks. I laid there, breathed, stretched, felt. Never thought there would be anyone there, but there were 2 other runners, and one of them was really fast - and I learnt he is one of UAE's ultra marathoners. :) What a night. 

So, 今晚，我也收拾了心情。怎么时间，尤其是周末，又那么快得过了呢？在这宁静的夜晚，我就是喜欢感受这世界慢下脚步，静下来。:) 要准备休息的这时刻，也有它的美。

Experiencing some news

The sun is blazing outside, and I just woke up from a short nap. It's a hot, sunny, afternoon feel. And it's a very nice feel to have rested after a great morning ride, and also a good fishy lunch with people I love. 

I always thought that road bikes are cool, but a little too low and back-straining, and so, never thought I would try that one day. But today, the experience was just such a good one. Rented one at H Island - and.... :) The picture shows it all.

The road bike could potentially turn out be a future want, but for now, I am just happy to enjoy the experience, and plus with the runs, swims - they all contribute to my me-time, especially needful as I age a bit more? :)
So sports wise, this year, I still target to try some aerial yoga. It's not-yet, but hopefully, a class will resume soon. 

And another new was my first girly hangout with the newbies this week. Such a familiar feel - to have an after-work evening drink, just that this is with a new bunch now, and multi-national. :) One is 8-week old, I am 2.5 weeks, and another, 2 weeks. Beginning of some teamwork, getting to know each other. This happy hour chill at 4 seasons was nice, as we sat there for 2+hours, through the sunset.

I have honestly been such a hermit in the last 4 years, where my routes are mostly home <--> supermarket, some restaurants round me. But in this last 1 month, possibly, I have travelled into town to and fro, been to other parts of Abu Dhabi for different engagements - more times and miles than I had ever in the last 4 years alone. It's really nice to have these explorations, and experiencing various "news". Amidst all that, however, like now, the familiar feel of being at home and sitting at my own table does feel very special. :)

And this week, we also had a special night out watching England-Germany. Impromptu, unplanned, and we decided to just walk over, grab some burgers and beers. Ildico and family were probably the only Germans there. Cheering Germany on was new in that sense. :)

And finally, last night, while I was super grateful for all the new experiences this week, it was just very very nostalgic to go back to my own fishy dinner for a bit. I sat down at about 8pm, enjoyed the fish and for a moment, it felt like the last one year. As my schedules and journey changed, this fishy staple has taken a back seat. However, last night, it was such a simple and nice moment. And then, the end-of-week feel, with having a really great conversation with Steve after his afternoon shift. 

Time really flies. I am grateful and thankful again for this week. :) Now, it is time for me to revise my Arabic again. The law of last-minute.