Day 2

Its day 2 in Dubai. Dubai shopping is AWESOME! That is to say the least. they are having summer sale now in most if not all shops. shopping malls are really huge. think vivo size for most malls and 2 vivos for some bigger malls like the Mall of Emirates (MOE). there is indoor ski mountain there. when i say mountain, im not actually exaggerating. the place is really suitable for skiing be it that you are an expert or novice. pictures of it should be up soon if you are keen to see.

Since shopping is so truly mind blogging experience, it is especially cruel to me. so many items are on red hot bargain. a mexx berms is maybe 30 sgd, a hnm tee is maybe 25 sgd, pure silk ties from woolworths (like mark and spencer) is only 15sgd! the list goes on and on..

Food is not as expensive as feared. trick is to go to smaller alleys and eat at places most tourists wont think of going. carrie and i went to deira today and we were famished! we walk and walk but there are no restaurants. suddenly i spotted some gas tanks, those huge ones you use for cooking. we made our way inside the alley and came across a small little eatery.

A briyani like dish with maybe 2.5 bowls of rice serving of basmati briyani rice, half a chicken, salad, some curry like thingy, soup and ice water cost the equivalent of 6sgd. needless to say both carrie and i couldn't finish our meal.

We cooked dinner at home. cabbage, eggs, meat and bought a roasted chicken from carrefour. total damage? about 30AED meaning about 13sgd.. not bad for 3 person huh? there was this crazy cab driver who was arguing with another driver for the right to get in (1 wanted to get in, 1 wanted to get out). they both refused to go away and were really about to come to blows. finally our cab driver gave way and they gesticulate and swear abit BUT our hero driver refused to let go. he might had suddenly felt ashamed that he backed down and gave way so he drove round and round looking for that driver.

I was getting annoyed and boosted by my gym training, i asked if you dont want to drive us, let us down. he didnt answer us but he drove us to our destination. think carrie was quite spooked by it..

So the 3 of us (with francis- a sporean chap posted here to be a restaurant's manager) continue our adventure in the middle east. tomorrow is first day of work. first day work and its sunday. need some getting use to but im so excited about work. towards a better future! ganbatte!

Away from Singapore for a long time

Maybe you can call it jitters, maybe even fear. The fact is despite the gungho attitude i'm trying to impress on others, i am scared. I be leaving for Dubai tonight. The unknown is indeed scary yet pulsating.

Years ago, i set up this blog to tell about my feelings when i go over for my exchange in Poland. the mish mash of emotions that were going through inside me at that time. My experiences, my friendships, my adventure and my life were all noted down for remembrance. Time truly flies as the generation old adage will attest to it. I am now a graduate and is embarking on my first job. My first proper job.

Just like i had never thought my exchange will be in Poland, little did i expect my first job posting to be in Dubai. I was thinking more along the line of China, Hong Kong but Dubai? Never cross my mind. Reality can be quite funny isnt it?

I hate sending off. Inside me, i'm proud of the fact that i got well meaning friends eager to send me off. However i am too emotionally weak for it. The departure with the hugs, byes and tears really shaken me. My friends will know me as a very emotional person contrary to what my persona will suggest. Yes indeed by now, those who known me by now knows im emotionally fragile.

It is going to be weird that the next day i'm typing will be in a complete foreign land. I'll be leaving behind my parents, family, niece, nephew, gf, urine, froggy, beng, students and many many other buddies to embark on a new chapter in my life. This chapter i suspect will define the next part of my life. Just as i known the other time round when i go over to Warsaw, i know it now too. The good byes and adieu we are going to bid tonight will be temporary. I'll be back.

"I'm leaving on a jet plane. Dont know when i'll be back again"

musings

It seems that some of my students been reading my blog and keep commenting im too emotional behind the strong and positive facade i tried to put on in front of them. so are they right in thinking that the strong front i put on is merely that.. a front? actually thats quite far from the truth.

I guess everyone has a needy time, a side of him feeling more vulnerable, weaker and negative. it does not necessarily translate in that guy in that guy taking on a new persona.. i guess that all humans or at least most got 2 sides to them. it is just a matter of displaying which side at what time.

Furthermore everyone has to understand that in this meritocratic society, in this even mercenary world, there is really no place for sentiments, for nostalgic and for the weak. if you lack behind, you are eliminated thats it..

Time of teaching has ended.. I'm basically just willing my time away till dubai. I went out on this date yesterday. to quote a line from the movie "the last samurai", it was perfect.. it could be her level of thinking, or her maturity or even her looks, we had an enjoyable evening together. do hope she can go dubai to work alongside with me. that would make it so much more interesting to say the least.

Just to conclude.. i was looking through my msn contacts and as usual, were deleting those that i have lost touch with. i came across her's.. she wont ever be online again or reply to my messages. she will be permanently appearing as offline in my contact list. i did not delete the name.. i typed a message to her even though i knew that there is no way she will ever read it.. however i just want her to know, she may be gone but never forgotten. she will always be in my heart, in my memories. i miss her so much. ms emily gan, if there is an afterlife, i will still be your best student cliche this may sound. go in peace and i hope you finally found the peace you so richly deserve.. RIP.