My life is brilliant, my love is pure:

 

Shanghai

Wonder-wheel: kiss at the top

Wujiang Road: try all typical dimsum

Circus World: watch exciting performance

Musuem of Contemporay Art: Fantastic illusions

Xintiandi: Have lunch and afternoon tea

Quan Jude: Try Beijing baked duck

Raffles City: Yunnan rice noodle

Supermarkets: Grocery shopping

Zoo: Feed animals and play with them

Yu Garden: Walk on Zigzag bridge

The bund: Walk along the river under the sun

This is the third Ramadan since I have been in Dubai. Ramadan, holy month, religious people will not eat , drink, smoke or sex between sunrise and sunset. They will have a heavey meal, called 'Sahour' around 4:30a.m. to support them for the whole day. Around 6:00p.m. 'Iftar', eating with family members or friends or colleagues if you are at work. On Emirates flights, pilote has to inform passengers about the sunrise and sunset time so that muslim passengers can prepare fasting or breaking fasting. Special meals are prepared for muslim passengers too. Some people will choose to go 'Haj' ( go to Saudi to pray so that all the sins will be forgiven by God. After haj, you will be new-born. ) during Ramadan.  God encourage people to do charity, to help, to live in peace and get close to family and friends. The purpose for this month is to let people who can support their normal daily life feel those who cannot eat,  understand we need to help each other. 

 

Ramadan in Dubai, all restaurants will close till 6:30p.m., no live music in bars or clubs, difficult to find a taxi around Iftar time, grocery on sale. 5 times a day pray in Mosques are more important in this month. There is no laws to restrict Muslim to do so, but most of the muslims are following this.

 

Forget about if these behaviours are only for pretending. Maybe some people will say this is silly, real Islam is to practise good behaviour for their whole life,  not only one month in Ramadan. Somehow, if we can still give ourselves one-month time to give up luxury life and live in peace, it will still be a good beginning.

 

Ramadan Kareem.

Eventually, it is true: If you love somebody, you will take his dream as your dream; compromise yourself and feel happy. If you love somebody, everything goes back to origin, all is for getting closer.

16Jun night, flight landed in Dubai. My 6-day-long holiday is finished. Turkey trip is as excited as the other trips, but the special part is that this time, my honey was with me so the whole jouney was full of laughter and sweetness.

 

Istanbul is the only city located in both Europe and Asia continents, somehow the special location becomes the interesting part for tourists. The transportation in Istanbul is very convenient and cheap, from bus, tranway, metro to boat. The weather there is pleasant, sunny in the day time, cool at night. The food is delicious and the people are hospitable. The traditional sophe dance can make you peaceful from your heart.

 

We booked our hotel in Sultanahmet in Istanbul which is near the Blue mosqu and the other sight seeings. It is an active area, every day full of tourists.  Beyoglu is the famous shopping area with a lot of European style restarants and clubs. There are a lot of lovely restaurants in the open air. Some big sofa and small tables under the tree can become an interesting place to rest yourself. Istanbul trip can not be satisfied without going to different islands nearby. We went to Princes' island by taking sea bus from Kabatas. Only one hour time, we reached this relaxing place. We rent a bike to ride around the island, along the sea shore and up to the hill. It was a nice day. We played like kids. Kilyos is another ideal place if you like sandy beach, but taking more time to reach. Sea bus, of course, to get off at Seriyer and change bus 151.

 

This is the first time for me to travel with a guy like a couple. There were fighting and arguements, but the important thing is how to compromise to avoid it and learn to take care of each other. Both of us were doing our best to make the journey smoother and more cheerful.

Recently my life is occupied with work, training and rest, very busy schedule but quite cheerful. These training days bring me back to the student life I used to enjoy. Continously last last night and last night, I had different beautiful dreams.

 

Last last night: I went to Germany to visit my friend Ariel. She took me to a very nice and peaceful place. I was amazed by the sight seeings. It was a piece of land surrounded by a lake. A lot of different style Gothic architectures, connected to the land with small bridge. It seems very old and depressed inside the castle. Ariel introduced me some of her friends. I saw some people enjoyed sitting under the sunshine drinking coffee and chatting, some were drawing portrait, some were just looking into the distance.

 

Last night: One beautiful girl, wearing a silk maroon dress, swum with a big turtle. Turtle crawled on to the sea bank and found herself a quiet place to deliver babies. The girl was sitting outside waiting. She peeked inside, a lot of tutle eggs around the big turtle. For a while, there are a lot of small turtle crawling out, and swim towards the sea. She was very happy and excited to see this and calling her friends to celebrate.

 

P.S. Training pic

 

There is no rules in Cairo, everything is possible.

24 hours active city, Cafetia, cinema, restaurant...

'Money works', golden rule for this city. by giving tips, no need to Q, party your car at non parking area...

Remember these 3 tips, my journey started.

 

4 days, not long, but I almost visted everything in Cairo, Cairo Tower, Nile river dinner, Pyrimad, Horse riding, Egypt museum, Pharaonic village, Citadel ( castle ). Barely slept during the trip due to 24hours open city, plus my out-going personality, plus cannot sleep. It is a nice city if you know somebody local who can guide you or by travel group. It is not good at all if you go alone, you will get lost, cheated and tired.

 

Right after my night duty, Reema picked me up from my working place and went to the airport. Since job convenience, we used first class lounge, ate our breakfast and had some rest. After flying 3 hours and 40 minutes, we landed in Cairo safely. Her uncle picked us at the airport. I was still in half sleep mode, he greeted me with a big smile " How are you, do you like Cairo?". I immediately woke up. On the way home, he put loud music both English and Arabic, and drove crazily. I guessed he was excited too. Day by day, Reema's uncle arranged full schedule for us from 8a.m. to next morning 3a.m. Every time when he hurried us' yela yela yela... let's go to cinema; yela yela yela let's go...'

 

Egyptian is very passionate and friendly. I am impressed by their hospitality. Even the first time they met you, they would sincerely invite you to join them. The day when we came back from Pyrimad, all of us were tired, still Reema's uncle asked his 7-year-old son ( Marwan ) gave me massage.  

 

Still there is big culture difference. Since I am living in an Arabic country and Reema told me a lot of things about Islam, I can understand, but still sometimes, when I cannot agree on, I will give them lesson. When we were in Pharaonic village, Marwan was not feeling well, vomited due he continously ate rice, french fries, kebab, ice cream, cola, popcorn... We were sitting outside of the restaurant, suddenly her uncle asked his son to go and sit far away. I asked Reema why, she told me cause he wanted to smoke cigarette. Immediately I asked him' Why not you go and sit far away, but asked Marwan, he was sick and you are an adult.' Everyone was laughing including him, and he said' walalasin ( thank God ),'

 

There are a lot of funny stories in those 4 days. More and more I am convinced regardless others' nationalities, people all over the world are the same. We get close to each other cause we love each other. Because of the culture, tradition and religion, we have different reaction. If we learn how to respect and not be judgeful, we would enjoy more.

Right after my night duty, I changed clothes, went to Egypt Consulate for visa.

 

8:30a.m. I arrived that villa, the police asked 'what do you want to do?' I replied ' apply visa.'He said, 'visa after 9a.m. you can wait outside.' I waited for 10 mins, but I saw all the people who came to the consulate, just went inside the villa without asking. Ok, I went inside as well, no body asked me anything. I was shocked, the visa waiting room inside is like a market. All the kids runing here and there, all the counters closed with the curtain down, all the appliers waiting in front of the counter and peeping inside. I was sitting there, and thinking, this is the consulate? No Q? No body in charge? Will they lose my passports? 9a.m. nothing happened, I guess they were having Arabic coffee and chatting inside. Actually, some counters opened, but at that side of the counter, kids were sitting there and smiling at you. My God. 9:15a.m. nothing happened. I called my friend Reema told her the situation, she said, 'do not worry, they will open, wait for a while, I can chat with you if you want. They are Egyptian, what do you expect?' Ok, right, I am still waiting. 9:35a.m miracle happened, the counters opened, in fact, all the other counter written in Arabic opened, but the only Visa counter, counter no.3 was still with curtain down. Now people are Q up, and luckily I am lady, automatically I was the first 2. 5 mins later, it opened. Very efficient, only 2 mins for each applier, the consulate almost just took your passport and the other documents without checking, asked for the money, and told you get visa the same day, 13:30. I submited my passport and Reema's passport, and I got the receipt. It was only 3 mins for all the procedure, but I waited almost one hour for the counter open. Nice Egyptian.

 

Another question, it was 9:40a.m. and I can get my passport 1:30p.m. should I go home or should I wait here? Another miracle happened. I saw one Chinese girl there, it seemed she has some problem with the document, so I accommapnied her to go through all the procedure, but failed. She said ' let me talk to the general consulate, cause I need the emergency visa.' I followed her to the back office, which is on the top floor of the villa. When I went across the garden, entered the other side of the villa, I saw all the Egyptian kids were sitting together, reading, It seemed like a class. But the moment I entered the room, they stopped all the reading, and chatting, stared at me, smiling, maybe they were thinking, how come this girl's face is different from us but the hair is so curly. I smiled back and went upstairs. The lady asked both of us wait in her office, and she was busy with her phone and walking around. 15mins later, that Chinese girl got visa and, it is for free, and I got my passport back. Arab Arab, sometimes, I do not know what to say.

 

I called Reema immediately, told her what happened, she was so happy and said ' Egyptian, Egyptian, nice people. We will have fun there." Mashala...

 

Came back home, fell a sound sleep.

He cannot.

I cannot.

We cannot.

That's it.

 

Book list: The Dog of Babel, The Kite Runner, Hawthorn Tree Forever

27Jan---30Jan, three-day-event in Dubai.

 

Early morning on 27Jan, the familiar voice as expected from the other side of the phone

'we are here, prepare yourself to welcome us."

As usual, I said, ' I know, I know, what's the time now?'

' 6a.m.'

'My God' I hanged up the phone and my precious sleep time was disturbed. 5 mins later, LH army with supplies, standing and smiling in front of my place.

 

27Jan, Gold Souk is our first target, on the way, we visited Dubai Museum, which canot compare with Shanghai museum, but still it is a nice place, comfortable and interesting. We tasted Arabic tea and ARabic desert, free of charge. In the afternoon, City Center shopping, but they were not interested at all, which I can understand, cause of the first day and time difference. At night, Dubai Creek Dhow Cruise. Full Day.

 

28Jan, I was on duty, I let them go to Al Mumzar park in the morning, and came to my working hotel around 13:00 so that we can have lunch together and my colleague would come to take them to Safari, first time for them to see dessert and experience exotic Arabic environment.

 

29Jan, my second duty. The travel route I arranged in advance is from Burj Arab---Madinat Jumeirah---Mall of Emirates by walking :) to have a touch of the luxurous life in Dubai. At night, I took them to Festival city. Due to Dubai Shopping Festival, Festival city is so crowded and bustle. Lights and music is everywhere even fireworks.

 

I hope we could have more time to enjoy the relaxing life in Dubai, but three days go fast. Second year for me in Dubai, I already can open a travel agency, great progress. Look forward to the next launch. :)

On New Year's Eve, all the outdoor partiies has been cancelled in Dubai because off the battle in Palestine. Hundreds of  people, women, kids are dying. According to the news, everyone is hiding under the ground, a small room, no food, no water, no clean clothes. I cannot imagine, in 21century, still have people suffering from war, but we are complaining about suffering from our work or money.

 

Last night, I went to my Paletinian girl friend, Reema's house. With her parents , 5 sisters and 5 brothers, we had BBQ dinner together, smoked shisha whiling sitting outside on the Arabic carpet and drunk Arabic tea. It was a nice evening, full of harmony and laughters. When we turned on the TV, every channel is showing the war situation in Palestine. I saw they were listening to the news and kept quiet, randomly said: walalasim, quole quole... ( my god, everyone everyong ) while also explained to me. It seems the moment we were having is so treasure to those people.

 

Red Crescent in Dubai is collecting 1st Aid kits, clean clothes, food (canned, not meat) as donation to Palestine. Collection point Diera city center, Sharjah city center and Ajman city center till 11Jan.

 

Natural disaster cannot be avoid, but the others can be. Why we have to choose the worst method to fulfill our desire, for money, for religion, for power? All bullshit compared with people's lives.

31Dec2008 will be my second new year eve in Dubai. I am glad that at the end of this year, I decided to change my life style. Since I just moved to a new area, which is very quiet and peaceful. I asked myself why I do not take advantage of this area to live a peaceful life by myself? Action is always better than words. I bought running shoes; interesting books including cooking books; all the grocery shopping is about fresh vegetables and fruit, sometimes chicken which is only for soup; Chinese herbal for tea...

 

During my days off, I started waking up a little bit early in the morning and go out for 20mins running. I think the time might get increased step by step. Once one or two weeks, I will go to beach to swim. Make salad for myself after running. Drink at least 3 bottles of water each day. In the afternoon, read some books, different types; Once a week, yoga practice...

 

This change makes me feel happy and fresh. I will smile whenever I see the colourful fresh vegetables and fruit. I feel excited when I sweat, running under the sunshine. I feel peaceful when I sit on my pinkish carpet to read books... Above 25 years old, I need to take care of my body and mind. Make note of every change, heart beating, blood pressure, energy level... also clean mind. Quit from the bad habbit is not so easy, but not difficult if I want to.  

 

This is my new year revolution.

 

BTW, tonight, my good Arabic girl friend's wedding party. I am looking forward to it.  

Every December, I swift to a new place. Lucky enough, this year, everything has been done before Christmas. Thank God, I will spend Christmas in Shanghai, with my habibi and friends.

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Recently, we are quite busy because of the transfering time from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3. A lot of extra work has to be taken care of.

 

Several days ago, one lady with visial impairment arrived in Dubai. Once she approached STPC Emirates arrival counter, our staff tried to convince her to stay in the hotel inside the airport. She refused, arguing'I am quite independent. I can take care of myself. I want to go to the normal hotel for transit passengers.' Since we were not busy at that day and she is physically health except the visial impairment, we accepted her requirement. However I, the only female staff in the hotel, was assigned to take care of her during the time she stayed with us, also, I would take her from the hotel to the airport, hand over to special service.

 

As soon as I picked up her from the shuttle bus, I introduced myself, giving her my name and a little explanation about the environment. I asked her if she wanted us to deliver the breakfast to her room, but to my surprise she was very excited to go to the restaurant by herself so that I accompanied her. She said:" Lily, if you can sit with me have a cup of coffee, I would be very pleased." I agreed. She was talking to me all the time from her trip to Africa, to her daughter in U.S.A. I remembered she said:" Lily, you really have to go to Africa, it is so beautiful. You can feel the wind, weather is nice, birds are singing, food is very delicious. esp. the watermelon, so red." I laughed. I asked if she always traveled by herself. She said:" yes, but I always meet good people on my trip, like you." At this moment, there was an indian guy coming, calling her name. She immediately recognized him by his voice, also greeted him by his name. To my surprise again, in fact, they just met on the flight, accidentally, they would take the same flight in the afternoon. After breakfast, I took her to her room, reminded her of the flight time and check-out time of the hotel. Several hours later,when I just wanted to pick her up from her room, she was at hotel reception desk already, looking for me. She changed clothes, wearing sunglasses, looks cheerful. I took her to the airport. After I handed her over to special service, we bid farewell. She said thanks many times, her new-met friend was with her.

 

She is middle-aged, medium-height Indian lady, with short hair, normal appearance. She is talktive and energetic. I realize, beautiful lady is independent, with a graceful heart, who knows how to appreciate life. Those kind of ladies have the power to make people around feel delightful and cheerful. 

Thank Happiness Website for bringing me back many friends with whom I lost contact for ages, such as primary school mates, chorus memebers...

 

To those whom I like before, I feel very sweet to talk again, to those whom I do not like before, still the feeling not change. 'Time can cure everything' mightnot work on me. If I do not like somebody from first sight, Probably, I 'd better not talk to her/him for my whole life.

 

P.S. In Dubai for one year already. Not bad. I got promoted. Good luck for me. Ramadan finished, Eid in Dubai for this week. Eid Mubarak. Peack with you all. Everything will back to normal afterwards. Life is on again. :)

It has been long time since I got multi-entry Italian visa, but I did not travel yet. Finally, I decided to go this morning, only two days, easy trip by myself. But till the time I got the boarding pass, I wondered why I should go there, no hotel booking, no travel plan, no enough time... Subconsciously I thought about the words he told me ' I do not like you to travel alone.' I do not feel good  if i am still travelling.

 

I cancelled the trip, which turned out to be an international breakfast with my international colleagues at the airport. After talking for long time, I felt happy and satisfied and came back home. I did not travel to Milan, instead, I am still in Dubai, writing my blog. I noticed something new going on to me:

I start to compromise, give up something which is only for me. I am looking forward to seeing the beautiful thing and treasure moment with the other half.  Forturnately, he understands me quite well too, ' I felt sad to stop you doing the things you like.' With this honest and neutral communication, we have our own space and intimacy. This is the new adult world, with laughters and tears, excitement and new advanture. Welcome to the world!

 

P.S. two days terminal 3 training is really exhausting, too big, too much walking, working there will be a challenge, till now, i cannot make clear where is where. 1,Arrival 2,Business class lounge 3,Concourse 4, Lounge and airport hotel 5, Business class lounge 6, concourse again.

25Aug again, 25th birthday.

Still have to work today, after morning shift, I went out with my friend, Gianina, simple dinner and a movie afterwards. There are some ironically undescribtible questions asked to me:

My supervisor asked me:" Lily, there are many people who can speak Arabic, why you can not?"

My duty officer asked me:" Lily, sometimes, I say hi to you but you do not reply to me."

My colleague asked me:" Lily, this is Indian food, why you are eating it?"

...

The STPC hotel staff sung the new version 'happy birthday song' for me. I do not know if I should be happy or what, anyhow:

" Happy birthday to you, you belong to the zoo, in the monkeys, in the donkeys, and the gorilla is you."

 

I watched the movie "the mummy" recommended by Gianina, I thought it is the Mummy 3 which is after mummy 1 and mummy 2, but actually, not, totally different, acted by Jet Li, about a Chinese story and the movie is half in Chinese, and Gianina understands much better than me. Yeah, again, I was questioned who's the real Chinese. But the ancient Chinese in this movie sounds like Korean or Japanese to me, but Gianina insisted it is an ancient Chinese language. Anyway, not a big deal.

 

25th birthday, I learn how to ignore.

Olympics 2008, I am proud of China.

The only chinese character here i can see is in Mcdonald ' Olympics 2008 Beijing'

At the airport, Olympics is also broadcasted, but in Arabic.

We, Chinese stuff will invite our colleagues if we win the most gold medal.

 

P.S. I also feel happy when United Arab of Emirates appear in the Olympics openning ceremony.

I have been working in Emirates STPC hotel for 2 months. More or less, get familiar with the work here. Mostly, hotel is offered to transfer passengers in economy class, transit time more than 8 hours and less than 24 hours. Also, hotel is offered to misconnected and security offloaded passengers. Almost everything in the hotel is free of charge including airport transportation, breakfast, lunch, dinner and light refreshment. The hotel is also 3 star standard. But still, some passengers will complain about it although it is totally free. No matter what kind of good idea, still not all the people will be satisfied.

 

 

1. Passengers' honey moon flower

2. With hotel staff. ( all Phillipino, I wonder if this hotel is in Dubai or in Phillipine. )

 

P.S. 1Aug, Emirates A380 from/to JFK launched, delayed 1 hour. What a shame!