Dev's Big-Ass Car

This "big-ass" Land Rover Discovery 3 is Dev's baby, next to his wife, of course. A couple of weeks ago, this LR3 met with an accident due to carelessness while parking in the basement of our apartment building. Well, it wasn't carelessness-Dev said he didn't know about the air-condition duct hanging low with jutting screws at that particular spot just next to the entrance to the building from the basement. As he was reversing into the parking spot, we heard a thud, and immediately we knew the car was damaged to a certain extend.

Dev climbed up and saw the damage which one of the screws had caused-a deep scratch on the body and a shattered sunroof! And you guessed it right, Dev's heart had shattered, too. It took us several days running between the police station and the insurance company, and finally the sunroof is fixed and the car polished.

Somewhere beyond the sea

Our Canadian friends Judy and Glen who live in the same building as we do recently invited us for a BBQ dinner on their boat. It was an awesome evening as we cruised at the Abu Dhabi Corniche at sunset. We would have gone out further into the sea if not for the rough waters. Nonetheless, the good company, excellent view and great BBQ food made the evening wonderful.

Our new home

Our shipment from Malaysia arrived in Abu Dhabi after almost a month, but it was worth the wait. Here are some images of the apartment:

The entrance and our cozy little kitchen ...


The living room with a great view!






The master bedroom




Dev's study


The entrance to the living & dining room


Our guest bedroom is yet to be decorated. I will update with more images soon.

What it is like living in Abu Dhabi

When the idea of living in the Middle East presented itself, my first impression was it would be a great opportunity for both Dev and me in terms of career planning. I, or shall I say we, did not regret the decision to move to the Middle East, though I must say many friends and relatives were very skeptical about the environment and lifestyle in Abu Dhabi. Many don't even know that Abu Dhabi exists on the world map, but strangely everyone knows Dubai.

This blog isn't going to make you want to move to Abu Dhabi, nor will it show how much we appreciate living abroad-Dev and I still love Malaysia-there's no other place like Malaysia. This blog is merely to share information and experience living in Abu Dhabi.

Moving to the area did not sit well with worried loved ones in Malaysia, as they only had information from the area focused on terrorism and war, and certainly nothing positive. When I remarked how safe I would be with near-zero crime rates, there were surprised faces. Many still think that every woman, whether a Muslim or a non-Muslim, is required to cover herself from head to toe. Sometimes, I wonder whether it is just sheer ignorance or am I being teased with the question of our decision to move to the Middle East where women are required to cover up themselves. A real life experience in Abu Dhabi would change a whole lot of perception. To a certain extend, and in many ways, the quality of life and environment is what I cherish, not forgetting how far more modern the lifestyle in Abu Dhabi is, compared to many parts of the world.

Arabia is the area made up of the Arab in Peninsula, located in the southwestern region of the Asian continent. Politically, the Arabian Peninsula consists of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Oman, and Yemen. Excluding Yemen, these countries constitute the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Founded in 1981, the aim of the GCC is to promote coordination between member states and for the most part, their economies are flourishing. They even have plans for a common monetary currency within five years. The UAE is geared towards building seven star hotels and man-made islands shaped like palm trees and the globe. Business is booming. By offering tax-free zones, they attract major international corporations. The UAE has no sales tax or income tax, which makes it an attractive working environment for citizens from countries not obliged to pay taxes on foreign income.

The UAE is one of the most tolerant countries in the Muslim world. Foreign workers make up 90% of the population and somewhere down the line, it was decided to take a moderated ‘live and let live’ attitude. For instance, Muslims don’t eat pork but some grocery stores have a separate section where every imaginable pork item is available. Muslims don’t drink alcohol either, but non-Muslims can get a license to purchase alcohol.

Coffee outlets are everywhere. We get Coffee Bean, Starbucks, and "Mugg & Bean", the favourite hangout of Malaysians! We have two main malls, Abu Dhabi Mall and Marina Mall. Marina Mall is where Dev and I hang out frequently. It is only 5 minutes' drive from our apartment, and the drive by the corniche's blue waters is pleasant. Marina Mall offers shoppers a wide variety of shopping experience, and many who are brand conscious are spoilt by choices of famous brands ranging from Timberland and Levi's to Louis Vuitton, Bvlgari and every available label there is.

Time just flew by for a month though I was home doing next to nothing while patiently awaiting the shipment of our furniture to arrive. From curry powder and all kinds of spices to branded items and the latest gadgets in stores, Abu Dhabi is not as bad as it seems. Now that I’m living there, I am taking the opportunity to learn Arabic, start either an exercise regime of belly dancing or yoga.

When people from outside the region first arrive, the first thing they notice, other than the heat and humidity, is the country appears to be sprouting cranes. Particularly in Dubai, building is underway around the clock. They already have two opulent, seven star hotels. Recently, they’ve reclaimed land from the Gulf, patterned it into huge islands shaped like palm trees and topped them with luxury homes, shopping malls, convention centers and hotels. Another island underway is fantastically shaped like the globe with land forming continents. Accommodations and facilities on these islands sell out faster than they can build them. The growth is simply phenomenal and returns on investment are staggering. And it’s all happening in a place many people don’t even know exists. But they will, soon. This is too big a secret to keep.

Twelve Days To Go

Twelve days to go before I bid farewell to family members and friends, and I can already imagine the tears at the airport. I am praying hard that Dev and I get to go on the same flight. I would need him with me when my eyes are swollen and teary. I must not forget my sunglasses!

Three days ago, Dev told me that he had gotten my flight ticket confirmed. I will be flying on 17 July in the afternoon via Bangkok, and a couple hours later from Bangkok I will depart on Etihad Airways directly to Abu Dhabi, arriving there slightly past midnight.

Let's not mention the emotional state I am in right now thinking about how close the date of departure is and that I have twelve days to make the best of my stay here before I move on to the next stage of my life. It may sound as though it isn't such a great deal, but it is a great deal to me. Leaving my family is never an easy task, and to my parents and perhaps my siblings too, this separation is the similar event which took place about twelve years ago when they had to leave me to travel alone to New York for two years of college.

On the bright side, Dev had just received the keys to a new three-bedroom apartment unit. Finally, no more hotels and service apartments - we are having our own place! If I am not mistaken, it is the second-highest or the highest floor on the apartment building, and it faces the sea. The unit comes with three bathrooms, each attached to a bedroom. According to Dev, the kitchen is small, but it sure is fine for me - less space to clean up after cooking! Both or us are excited to start decorating the place. Dev will be getting his furniture allowance soon, and by the time we both are there after the 17th, we will be busy planning ways to decorate our new pad. Dev is already getting the basic electrical items - a convection microwave oven, toaster, electric kettle and vacuum cleaner. The rest, he says, he'll wait for me to be there. After all, he will be coming home to Malaysia next week for five days.

I guess this weekend it's time for me to start packing. No more delays ...

Balik Kampung

In Malay, balik kampung means going home to our hometown. Last Friday after dinner, my brother, sister and her family, her new Indonesian maid, Mom and I drove up north for three hours to our hometown in Sitiawan. We arrived slightly before one on Saturday morning, just the right timing to surprise Dad on his 66th birthday. Thankfully, Dad was home watching football in his favourite Ikea chair, and with my honking to the tune of "A Shave & A Hair Cut, Ten Cents", he knew instantly that the 'troop' had arrived. See, we have always surprised our parents by travelling after work on Fridays and arriving past midnight. To Dad, he said he sort of expected it. Plus, my sister's new maid arrived several days before earlier, and that meant Mom was 'free' to go home after being in KL for a month to help out with the babysitting (my sister has three little girls, and they can be a handful).

After unpacking our cars, my sister and her husband went hunting for food. We were a little hungry, and the first thing my sister and I wanted was asam laksa. About 45 minutes later, they came home with bags of food. Then, it was time to bring out the Secret Recipe chocolate banana cake from the car, and with six large and six small candles, my sister and I surprised my Dad with a birthday song, choired by the rest -- err, come to think of it, it was only the two older kids singing the Birthday song!

asam laksa

Dad is never a cake-lover, except for fruit cakes. This time, we could see he truly enjoyed and commented on the lovely chocolate banana cake. And since he knew it had travelled all the way from KL back home, he enjoyed it even more.

The kids had a whale of a time back home -- they walked the back lanes looking for and chasing cats, being pampered by their Grandparents and had a great time at the playground by the beach. The kids joined the other children there on the swing, slide and see-saw. It was dawning on us and just before we left the playground, my sister and I, each with a kid, went on the see-saw, and seeing how fun it was, the Grandparents and my brother went on it, too -- each with the same reason that the kids needed someone to hold them. There were laughter all around, but after a few ups and downs, we adults got a little dizzy, and that was when we decided it was time to go. Dinner in a chinese restaurant was great. Dad gave us a treat :)

popiah

Once back in our hometown, my siblings and I go along with the motto "Late to bed, late to rise". Breakfast would be nasi lemak from the wet market, and Mom would have finished with the preparation for lunch before all of us wake up. Mom even woke me up just to say she was going to get me some durians from the market, and by the time I woke up with my oldest niece, there were three large durians ready to be eaten! That's not it; after lunch, we all had the bottle of champagne I brought home and soon after my cousin brought cendol, and not wanting to give it a miss, I had some.

cendol

With a combination of all these local food and desserts, no wonder I am down with the cold, cough and a bad sore throat. My nieces were having a bad cough and cold, and I blame them! Hehehe! Mom and Dad just wanted me to have as much local delicacies as I could possibly eat or crave before I move over to the Middle East.

durian

Mommy & Daddy -- thank you very much!

Dinner with Aida & Elaine

With a date set about two weeks ago, I finally met up with my former colleagues Aida and Elaine for a japanese dinner in Hartamas. Both ladies brought their masterpiece albums to share -- Aida and her wedding photos and Elaine and her photos taken on her recent trip to Japan. Thanks girls, for a wonderful dinner and chat -- if we had stayed on longer in Rakuzen, we would have frozen to death, thanks to their extra cold air-conditioning!

My New Hair

I have just straightened my hair, and here's how it looks. And oooh, I just realized the date has not been reprogrammed. It should be 29/06/2006.

Good Fengshui?

The mystical knot sign is said to bring good luck.

What's Next?

After two weeks and a half of renovation work, the house is finally 'restored' with a fresh new look. Dev and I just hope that our home remains the same for many years to come. The part-time helper I got did a brilliant job! She thoroughly cleaned the entire house from top to bottom, and I was so thankful for her excellent job that I ended up giving her a small tip. I have never hired a domestic helper, and for the first time, it felt great getting our home back to normal again, which means no more cement dust covering out feet, no more inappropriate positions of furniture and no more covered sofas!

As soon as the contractor and his workers cleaned out the mess in the lawn this morning (by the way the lawn is in a mess with a mixture of spilt concrete powder, rain water soaked in the ground and yellow patches -- not a pretty sight), I got ready and picked up my visiting mom from my sister's place and went shopping. It was a great afternoon -- the mall was empty because we were there on a weekday afternoon. No problem finding a parking spot, and no long queues at the cashier counters. However, it poured heavily when we were about to exit the mall.

Tomorrow is HAIR DAY for me. After lunch, I am getting my hair rebonded (straightened) at a nearby salon. I would want to get my hair coloured as well (red, I hope!) but because rebonded hair is brittle and dry, it is not recommended to do colouring so soon. I was told to wait for 2-3 weeks after rebonding my hair. I was also told red doesn't last for a very long time, so it's back to copper for me. Hopefully my hair looks great before I leave for Abu Dhabi. The harsh water in the Middle East makes hair dry, so I may have a problem trying to tame my hair! Must remember to stock up on loads of hair conditioner!

Dev's 3-week leave in July was not approved due to the shortage of pilots (sob, sob sob ... because he won't be home in July for long). He's been given only four off days -- just to be able to attend our friend's wedding, and if we are not too bogged down with running errands at the very end hour, we may have a special celebration of our first wedding anniversary.

Soon, it will be time for me to start packing (no more procratination, Jac!). Until then, I shall enjoy every moment and every day here with my family and friends.

My Big 3-0 Celebration

At Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant


KC, Li Yen, Chris, Han



Ivan, Hong Tee, May, KC, Chris



Audra, Reez & baby Noelle






Quick before the sauce leaks out!



Joon & Ivan

Hong Tee & girlfriend

Little Women

My little nieces ...

Dev's New Toy

Dev has nothing else on his mind except to get his dream car as soon as he set foot in the UAE. Once the car was in his name, there was no turning back for him.

The Land Rover Discovery 3 is an all-new, premium SUV that offers class-leading breadth of capability, innovative user-friendly technology, distinctive design and a spacious interior that can comfortably accommodate up to seven adults. So, if you are planning to visit us in Abu Dhabi with your brood, don't worry -- we've got lots of room in the car for all.

I am impressed!

Front and rear cupholders

Door-mounted bottle holders in front and rear doors and third-row seat

Optional center console cooler chills up to six cans

Seats up to seven adults comfortably

Configurable seats offer over 100 combinations

Allows you to park with confidence, thanks to a clear view of your surroundings

Features reclining, ergonomically designed eight-way power-adjustable driver seat on HSE (six-way on SE and V6)

Five-seat model features a 65/35 split on the second row seat

Seven-seat model features a 35/30/35 split flat-folding second row seat

Outer second row seats can be folded away and the center seat can be turned into a table—providing rear passengers an enormous amount of room and table surface

Stadium seats in the second and third rows offer spacious views and ample leg room—even for adults

Second and third row seats can fold away for a flat loading area for extra luggage

Convenient loadspace cover conceals valuable items in your cargo area and provides an uncluttered look

Memory system for driver seat and exterior mirrors on HSE

Harman Kardon Logic 7 Systems
Harman Kardon Logic 7 sound systems offer excellent sound quality with technology from the best home cinema systems

V6 comes standard with AM/FM-stereo single-disc CD player with 6 speakers

SE comes standard with a 9-speaker, 240-watt Harman Kardon Logic 7 sound system with in-dash six-disc changer

HSE comes standard with a 13-speaker, 550-watt Harman Kardon Logic 7 sound system with in-dash six-disc changer

MP3 disc compatibility

HSE has remote audio controls in rear for back seat passengers to listen to music different from the music in front

Auxiliary input for iPod® or other MP3 player

LR3´s Personal Telephone Integration System gives you the flexibility to use your mobile phone through your car via an integrated cradle or with the wireless convenience of Bluetooth® technology. When connected, your phone can be controlled via:

·Vehicle Keypad ·Voice Recognition System ·Steering wheel controls

One thing's for sure: this baby of his won't be caught travelling in sand dunes! It's too precious to be 'taken for a ride!'

Abu Dhabi Red Bull Air Race

Several days after my arrival in the UAE, I managed to witness the first Red Bull Air Race in the series which was scheduled to take place on 17 March in Abu Dhabi. The crowd was just unbelievably huge, all gathered at the Corniche, but it was postponed to the following day due to strong, treacherous winds, triggering a sand storm that filled the air with dust and sand. The weather worsened throughout the day, making it increasingly menacing for the pilots and dampening hopes of simply delaying the race until later in the day. Powerful gusts battered the five-story air tower on the harbour and controllers were forced to fasten down the awnings at the top of the swaying structure while workmen had to reinforce the canopy covered VIP lounge stands.

It was a spectacular show the next day at the Abu Dhabi Corniche. The race was flown over the city's harbour basin and pilots usually hope for a light breeze when flying over water because the calm surface makes it difficult for them to estimate the exact altitude. Set up on barges, the air-filled pylons sway and move under windy conditions, as do the fairly light-weight planes.

"Imagine being a Formula One driver coming up to a corner at high speed and suddenly the corner moves in front of you. That's what it's like trying to fly the course in strong winds," explained race commentator Joe McGrath.

Safety remains a topmost concern at the event, which is taking place under the patronage of Sheik Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan and with the support of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. Several hundred invited guests attended the event, and that included me and Dev and a couple of his buddies.