Flight EK 009

Whew, where to begin…..

I’m on the airplane heading back from Dubai to London, comfortably aboard Emirates Airlines. The flight takes about 7 hours or so, and so far, I think we’re making fairly good time, we’ll be at Gatwick in an hour or so. My voice is still messed up from all the AC but I’m sure I’ll kick it in a few days. I’m so happy for the week to end. The week in Dubai was absolutely knackering. However, it was very positive and I do feel that part of my confidence was restored, mainly because of our VP Subbu, who spent a lot of quality time consulting and reassuring me. To hear that he believes in me and extended my stay in Dubai to attend the pre-lauch gala was an honour, and I’m thankful to finally have met Mr. Billionaire and Chairman, Hussain Sajwani. The company has great vision, but it also is what it is, and I have to think of what is best for me, not what is best for them. There are people in the middle who cause problems but it will be fine tuned in time. I will still look at other possibilities out there because I do feel that there is something more matched for me. But wow do I love Arabia. There is something about the Middle East that has its allure. I love Asia too. I think the whole culture fascinates me when it’s different than where you’re from. My next curiosity is to check out Lebanon. Meeting the team from Beirut was excellent.

The time away has been a good break for me. I realise that I need to have more solo space or I feel like I whither away, I don’t like to feel like I’m not growing, and I still need to make time to analyse how I am living and for reflection. The past few months I have just not done that enough, and I have felt so negative pining in the grief of work stress. I do not know how to introduce this into my relationship because I have limited time as it is with Carlo, and I really enjoy his company more than anything. I will need to find the balance so that we don’t’ get sick of each other. I totally adore being by myself. After Steve, I swore I would never need a man again. And I still know I can get on alone no problem.

The Muslim culture is quite civilized. They are very kind and mild mannered. They pray almost 5 times a day and seem to be very in tuned with their spirituality. It’s admirable that they are so diligent and faithful. The city doesn’t seem to have any tones of danger, everywhere I walked I never felt threatened. A lot of men stare at women there, only to watch and perhaps greet, but they are not rude like the men in the western world. Carlo asked me when I was packing last week why I don’t dress up so much anymore, and there are two main reasons. The first is that I don’t like to walk in heels in the busted up uneven streets of London. And two is that I don’t want to draw attention to myself in fear that men will approach me. The vain side of me admits that it’s always nice to be acknowledged as being attractive, but in England, I try to avoid it. Dubai was pretty tame, although men did greet me, it boosted my confidence and made my day.

The food is growing on me. I have never really been a fan of the Eastern food of India or around the Med, but Tabouleh is growing on me, and I really enjoy some of the humous and fresh veg. The fish they prepare is really good too and it reminds me of the times when Jesus lived and ate. I wonder if he had similar cuisine and what may have been his favourite. I bought a really cool silver pendant at the markets. It has the main prayer from the heart of the Qu’ran on it. I’ve been looking for something like this for ages. Arabic writing is beautiful and I feel like it has been blessed with all good thoughts and energy.

I found myself on this trip. Sometimes you just need to meet people and you realise they bring it out of you. I miss my Hong Kong friends, and also my friends back home., especially Leonard, Nick, Senka, and Joe Dawson, the real people who always bring out the best in me. I met some lovely people on the trip, and I think when you first meet someone, you radiate your best, and I didn’t recognize myself for a while. It was good to smile and laugh and feel the possibilities in the world. I think that it’s common to experience that kind of energy around expats. They are people who look at life without limitations, aren’t afraid to start new and fresh. People like that are quite inspiring to me, I’m completely drawn to them.

I wish I could find those kinds of people in London, and maybe it’s a matter of time. I think I can only handle a little while longer there, and then we must move. I will need to discuss with Carlo when I get back and give him my feedback.

I haven’t written in ages and I don’t know where to begin, but when I looked at my last entry it sounded so sad. I fell into the arduous life of London, the hustle and bustle of everyday living is grinding here. It’s nothing like home or HK, or even LA. Everything is out of the way, everything is a mission, and to top it all off, everything costs a fortune. There are no bargains to be found in London, and what is considered a bargain is regular price compared to home. Asia was the cheapest, then Dubai, then LA, then home. But nothing is cheap in London, not even the chips. Things like this have made me cranky, and I’m not keen on going out to the pubs or clubs. The smoke really bothers me, and I don’t like the atmosphere of most pubs, so dark and old. The city isn’t a place that embraces a personality like mine, instead it is a city where it’s culture constantly discriminates and criticizes even the littlest thing. It’s culture is moved by the latest weekly tabloids and there are hundreds of them. Fashion drives the women like most cities, but what I’ve found is that it dictates what EVERYONE wears. I don’t find a lot of personal style here. I think Vancouver has more personal style than London. And although the English have more access to labels and collections, the majority cannot afford it. I cannot believe how much I miss a place like old navy or even Value Village!

The last week I have done quite a bit of shopping. I’ve gone off on a tangent even though I cannot afford it, but I think I just needed to indulge and renew myself. With a new suit, new trousers and some shoes, I’m set for spring, and although it’s cost me, I feel confident that there are good things ahead. This is going to sound so cheesy, but there is a little pep in my step.

I haven’t been missing home much, although I miss my folks and my brother. But I feel like there isn’t much to catch up on yet, I have much to do before they arrive. I would love to have more things in place so that they are as comfortable as possible. I am totally looking forward to introducing them to my life in Europe, and just to see me existing so far away and doing okay.

I still feel that there are a lot of cool things ahead and that I have been limiting myself. I need to take the bull by the horns and go with it. This has been truly a motivating week and a good week of reflection and rejuvenation. Although I must say I’m totally exhausted from the work. But it was so worth it. Life unfolds in brilliance, and often out of the worst experiences blossom beautiful opportunities, on the road to our destiny. So the journey continues, and I go forth in faith, one footstep at a time.