Come Waste Your Time With Me

I met two lovely strangers over the weekend…

I decided to do a bit of exploring Abu Dhabi yesterday. I went to the famous Corniche beach and run for an hour. Well, I took a 10 minute break in between. 🙂 I was brisk walking to catch my breath when a woman approached me and said Hi. She’s a lovely woman named Jackie from London, almost the age of my grandmother. For some reason, she looked like Meryl Streep to me. She laughed so hard when I told her that and said it might be her hair.  She walked with me and told me her own expat life story. She shared that her daughter just gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and she proudly showed me her photo.  She asked me if I run in the area often and I told her yesterday was my first time.  I told her I used to live in Dubai and have only been in Abu Dhabi for a few weeks. It’s funny when she said, “you look more of an Abu Dhabi kind of girl.” Hahaha 🙂 (I’m not sure what she meant by that but she said to take it as a compliment so I will) I was enjoying our conversation when she apologized for interrupting my afternoon run and said “sorry to waste your time”. I dismissed her immediately and told her that she wasn’t wasting my time at all! I’d like to hear more actually. But she had to go since it’s getting late and it’s playtime with her granddaughter. She bid goodbye but asked if I could meet her again next weekend. I guess, I’ve found a regular weekend date in Corniche. 🙂

On a different note, it’s a working Saturday for me today. I left home early planning to take the bus instead. (Still a part of my explore the city agenda) Besides, I have been spending a lot of money in cabs! I was waiting at the bus stop when a woman asked me if I was waiting for bus #32. She introduced herself as Nitin. She’s from Sri Lanka and has been in Abu Dhabi for 10 years now! Her original plan was to work here for 2 years but every time she goes home and see how much more money she can earn here, she’s always tempted to go back. She’s got twins who will turn 12 years old next month. She couldn’t believe how time flew by so fast and even gave me a piece of advice! Haha 🙂 According to Nitin, “Time is like your most favorite food, you only share it with people who are special to you.” I haven’t heard this one before but it made sense. Right? The bus arrived and I had to say goodbye to Nitin. I told her it was good talking to her and that it’s really nice of her to approach me. She smiled and said “you look kind, sorry to waste your time.” Just like Jackie from London yesterday, I immediately dismissed her and told her it was not a waste of time at all.

Sometimes, life has a funny way of sending you a message. It has its own way of sneaking up on you. Good things happen when you least expect them. Meeting nice people doesn’t happen everyday but I’m kind of lucky when it comes to this.  A stranger can inspire you at the most unexpected place and time. Meaningful conversations always draw me closer to a person. When I was a little girl, I used to dream of becoming a field reporter – interview people about their lives, listen to their stories and write about them. I guess, it ain’t too late.  It would be great to meet more lovely strangers like Jackie and Nitin in the future. If that’s what you call “wasting of time” then come waste your time with me.

For some reason, I’m lost for words…

“I have nothing to say…” was the only thing that came to mind.

I looked outside my office window and that’s when I knew I had to pause and take a break.

I closed my laptop and let out a big heavy sigh.

I have been writing all day. I’ve always wanted to do this. I’ve always wanted to create contents and write for a living. I’ve always wanted to inspire through writing. But for the past 48 hours, it had been a roller coaster ride of thoughts and feelings.

I’ve got so many ideas in my head. Yet for some reason, I’m lost for words…

I can’t seem to get them out of my head. Suddenly, I find it hard to express them. I know the words to say, I just don’t know how to.

For the past few days, I was on fast track. I was unstoppable. Things seem to be taking their place right in front of my eyes. I became too excited with the unexpected and special opportunities happening around me. I got caught up with the magic of being in the moment.

This afternoon got me thinking… I have to refocus. Lucky for me, I could watch the beautiful sunset every day from my office window. It was remarkably beautiful. Gorgeous. I watched it unfold right before me as the color of the sky slowly changed and transitioned from one dramatic hue to another.

I pressed the power on button and started typing the words again. Slowly and carefully this time – just letting them out. Writing, deleting, writing and deleting again.

No rush.

Just when I thought inspiration was nowhere in sight, I realized it was right in front of me.

All I need is to slow down….

Thursday Night Thoughts…

Thursday, 8:27 PM – I’m writing this post while traveling from Abu Dhabi to Dubai tonight. I’m writing it as a note in my Iphone. More than an hour ago, I was in Abu Dhabi and 30 minutes from now I’ll be in Dubai. I had to travel tonight and spend the night over there to attend an early morning commitment tomorrow. 

I’ve always had the impression that Abu Dhabi is soooo far from Dubai. It even sounded like it’s located in a different country to me. Before I moved here a week ago, I know nothing much about it. Living in Abu Dhabi had never been on the plan – not a single thought about it. It had always been Dubai and I got caught up in trying to make it work over there. I didn’t really consider that maybe, just maybe greater things are awaiting for me outside of it. Don’t get me wrong, I miss my friends from Dubai and it would always have a significant part in this whole journey of mine.

However, I’ve only been in Abu Dhabi for a week but it feels like I’ve been here for a while. Despite my 90% excitement, I have no expectations whatsoever. I went here with nothing but courage and faith. To my surprise, I find myself really liking it. A lot.

Abu Dhabi just feels right to me. We just clicked. With each passing day, its simplicity draw me closer to it. 

No doubt, Dubai is definitely much modern with all its glitz and glamour. It’s the kind of place anyone would choose to go to. It’s beautiful in the outside. People are clamoring about it. But I want depth..that feeling of genuinity. I guess, I’m no longer blindsided with superficiality. There’s more to life than material things, fame and being “in”. What makes you different, makes you special. 

I think we all want to be with someone or to be in a place where we can be ourselves and feel good about it – one that brings out the best in you. Sometimes, it makes you feel vulnerable and different but in a good kind of way. Despite its flaws and imperfections, it’s worth the shot. It’s a bit too early to tell, but that’s how I feel about Abu Dhabi. It’s not the most glamorous or coolest place on earth, not really my dream place to be but there’s something special about it. In my opinion, it’s simple yet special. 

It’s funny because as I read the road sign that says Dubai 500 km ahead, I suddenly had a thought…

“I miss Abu Dhabi already.”