The sea was calm and the yatchs and small boats near the shore was a sight to behold. I was standing on a sea view deck with some churchmates and relatives enjoying the view when suddenly a big tidal wave (or is it tsunami) swept us. The deck was far from the shore but it still reached us. Luckily, no one got drowned and I rescued one girl from the waters. I don't know how to swim but I survived because I didn't get washed away by the big wave.
And then I found myself in a very idyllic setting. The scenery was like in Bali. Really enchanting! My brother and I and another girl were staying in a big hut perched on a hill overlooking the sea. My brother stayed in the house and I went out to explore the sorroundings with the girl. Suddenly series of big waves came and we were rushing to the upper ground to escape the waters. Again, I was lucky to escape that big waves.
After a few minutes and the raging of the sea sobered up. We saw from the balcony of the rest house the calmness of the sea. The water was so blue and inviting. It was like no calamity happened a few minutes back.
I heard the clicking of glasses and I woke up from the dream. I was reflecting on the meaning of my dream this morning. Is it God telling me that whatever am going through will get over soon? Will He soon grant my prayer requests?
Or is my dream telling me that the time is at hand and God is coming back soon?
Or it may not have meaning at all.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Roadtrip: Al Ain
We left Dubai at 5am in the morning to have a quick trip to Al Ain, known to be the Garden City of UAE. True enough, this emirate is full of green scenery far cry from Dubai landscape of buildings and highways. I see trees lining up the streets of Al Ain. The roundabouts are also covered with grasses and flowering plants.
Our first stop was Jebel Hafeet, second highest peak in UAE. The road going up is a winding highway. People come up to the summit cycling or running. In contrast to what you green scenery in the town proper, Jebel Hafeet is a bare mountain. At the summit, the temperature has no difference in the city proper. But this mountain summit is still worth checking because of the enormous highway leading up. My only frustration in this trip is that I wasn't able to take a snap of the winding roads. Maybe next time. :)
Next stop is Al Ain Zoo. The zoo opens late in the morning (9am). Wanted to see the giraffe and zebra at close range but the viewing deck is too far.
Third stop is the Al Ain Paradise Garden which is unfortunately closed because plants have dried up due to summer heat. After that, we tried to find the Camel Market but unable to locate it so we headed to the nearest mall to grab quick lunch and went back to Dubai.
It is wonderful to take a road trip in UAE because the roads are well maintained. No traffic.
Quick road trip tips: make sure that your car has enough fuel and conditioned to travel, bring lots of drinking water, don't forget to wear sunblock, bring GPS and your camera with enough battery to capture the scenes.
p.s. I thought I was back in Singapore. We passed by Lucky Plaza. :))
Our first stop was Jebel Hafeet, second highest peak in UAE. The road going up is a winding highway. People come up to the summit cycling or running. In contrast to what you green scenery in the town proper, Jebel Hafeet is a bare mountain. At the summit, the temperature has no difference in the city proper. But this mountain summit is still worth checking because of the enormous highway leading up. My only frustration in this trip is that I wasn't able to take a snap of the winding roads. Maybe next time. :)
Next stop is Al Ain Zoo. The zoo opens late in the morning (9am). Wanted to see the giraffe and zebra at close range but the viewing deck is too far.
 |
| flamingos |
Third stop is the Al Ain Paradise Garden which is unfortunately closed because plants have dried up due to summer heat. After that, we tried to find the Camel Market but unable to locate it so we headed to the nearest mall to grab quick lunch and went back to Dubai.
It is wonderful to take a road trip in UAE because the roads are well maintained. No traffic.
Quick road trip tips: make sure that your car has enough fuel and conditioned to travel, bring lots of drinking water, don't forget to wear sunblock, bring GPS and your camera with enough battery to capture the scenes.
p.s. I thought I was back in Singapore. We passed by Lucky Plaza. :))
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Show Love, Find Time
I came across this thought on love in FB. A brother shared it in his wall and I took the liberty of posting it here.
Your best expression of "love" is time. "Time" is your most precious gift to someone because you only have a set amount of it. You can make more money but you can't make more "Time". It is a portion of your life given to someone else and you will never get it back. -DKP
This is so true. Time is priceless and more expensive than gold. I also understand now why sometimes I felt bad in the past is because I was asking for time from some people who matters in my life and it was inconsistently given.
Time should be spent wisely though. You got to find time for yourself and time for family and friends. You got to love yourself more so when you overflow of love you can also give as much to others. I had a not so good experience in the past wherein I always put someone else welfare before mine and I was expecting the same but I don't get the same treatment. When I started putting myself first and then other people second place, people started to pay me more attention or try to please me first. The key is putting balance in loving yourself and others.
Here is another quote I stumbled on this morning.
"When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free. " - Catherine Ponder
I absolutely agree with the author. A good Christian should have a forgiving and loving heart all the time. It is a test of a character for a Christian to love his own enemies.
Your best expression of "love" is time. "Time" is your most precious gift to someone because you only have a set amount of it. You can make more money but you can't make more "Time". It is a portion of your life given to someone else and you will never get it back. -DKP
This is so true. Time is priceless and more expensive than gold. I also understand now why sometimes I felt bad in the past is because I was asking for time from some people who matters in my life and it was inconsistently given.
Time should be spent wisely though. You got to find time for yourself and time for family and friends. You got to love yourself more so when you overflow of love you can also give as much to others. I had a not so good experience in the past wherein I always put someone else welfare before mine and I was expecting the same but I don't get the same treatment. When I started putting myself first and then other people second place, people started to pay me more attention or try to please me first. The key is putting balance in loving yourself and others.
Here is another quote I stumbled on this morning.
"When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free. " - Catherine Ponder
I absolutely agree with the author. A good Christian should have a forgiving and loving heart all the time. It is a test of a character for a Christian to love his own enemies.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Boredom is the beginning of curiosity
This afternoon out of boredom, I changed my walking route and wandered farther from the villa I live in. I have discovered that I have aptitude at remembering landmarks and finding my way back home. I acquired this skill from traveling alone abroad and I relished the joy of stumbling to something unfamiliar and satisfying my curiosity.
Boredom is the beginning of curiosity. It should read "Curiosity is the cure for boredom" but I prefer to put it my way. :)
My boredom has lead me to a more posh streets in Al Quoz 1. The roads are wider and the houses are not the typical box type I see in our street. But I noticed here in Dubai that the government is not good in street naming convention. It's difficult to find a villa or house if the people who live there won't give you detailed directions. The streets are labeled by numbers and the community is by number as well. So the street where I live in is 23a Street 354b Community. This is type of naming the streets is replicated all throughout Dubai. If I go to Al Karama, I will see 354b community and 23 st also. The streets are not uniquely named.
I am hoping that I can get inside one of the villas in the posh street. I am so curious how the houses of Arabs are structured. Architecture or style of houses is influenced by topography, customs, and climate.
Wandering into those streets gave me the idea to shoot. Will go back there this Thursday with a friend to take my snaps. :)
Boredom is the beginning of curiosity. It should read "Curiosity is the cure for boredom" but I prefer to put it my way. :)
My boredom has lead me to a more posh streets in Al Quoz 1. The roads are wider and the houses are not the typical box type I see in our street. But I noticed here in Dubai that the government is not good in street naming convention. It's difficult to find a villa or house if the people who live there won't give you detailed directions. The streets are labeled by numbers and the community is by number as well. So the street where I live in is 23a Street 354b Community. This is type of naming the streets is replicated all throughout Dubai. If I go to Al Karama, I will see 354b community and 23 st also. The streets are not uniquely named.
I am hoping that I can get inside one of the villas in the posh street. I am so curious how the houses of Arabs are structured. Architecture or style of houses is influenced by topography, customs, and climate.
Wandering into those streets gave me the idea to shoot. Will go back there this Thursday with a friend to take my snaps. :)
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