transit in Abu Dhabi

I must admit, I was not the happiest camper when I got my flight itinerary on Wednesday. Thats right, I fly off on Friday, but got it only on Wednesday. I was to fly from Melbourne to Sydney - Abu Dhabi - Dublin. On Etihad airlines. First thing I did was message my mother, "MUM! Where the hell is Abu Dhabi? And what the hell is Etihad airlines?!"

I googled Abu Dhabi, googled Etihad airlines... and the worst part, transit in Abu Dhabi for 14 hours. No hotel to put up in, only lounge facilities. 

Anyways, as the world has much more important things to worry about such as poverty, war, world economy and politics, I decided that I was just going to stop being a drama queen and be thankful of this opportunity.

Packed all my stuff... the dog has not been too happy looking at the suitcases, etc. 

Thursday was my last day at the circus. I was hoping to leave early, to resume to packing, but did you think they'd let me leave early? NO! Got an outlook appointment for my farewell presentation, 4.30pm! What the?! Whatever. Despite all that, I was very overwhelmed and touched by the well wishes I got from lots of friends.. friends from the company I used to work in, and friends from the circus, etc. I will miss them all. Someone wrote on my farewell card 'have fun in iraq'! (because I could not shut up about my transit in the Middle East)

Friday, on the way to the airport, mobile wouldn't stop ringing... hehe more of my lovely friends called to say goodbye. They are so sweet. 

I check in with Virginblue. I'm flew domestic to Sydney first. Good thing is that I can spend more time with Grumpy, as he can sit next to me til the minute I actually board the plane. Told my friends it felt very weird sitting in the Virginblue waiting area. Only because the whole 'going overseas' thing didn't quite sink in yet, and I felt more like I was going to Sydney for the weekend. I was quite emotional, but it wasn't as bad as what I was expecting. Grumpy was perfectly fine. He was looking forward to Europe!

Got to Sydney OK. Waited in the Qantas lounge, free food, free Internet. It was OK.

Took the next flight to Abu Dhabi. It was a 15 hour flight. I slept more than 12 hours straight through.... I guess I must've been very tired. Etihad's business class seats are quite impressive. There are little walls next to our seats, so it gives us all our privacy we need. And the seats recline to a bed. There I was sleeping like a princess, with my legs stretched out. Didn't even eat much, no appetite. Did not even finish the movie I started watching, Fools Gold, or something that like. Matthew McConaughey, hot hot hot. 

And now I'm at Abu Dhabi airport. Read a bit about Abu Dhabi on the plane. Its not THAT bad, close to Dubai, and of course, a lot of rich arabs, expensive cars, fancy buildings, etc. I've got another 8-9 hours before my next flight to Dublin. The Etihad premium lounge is good. There is free wireless internet, so I can go online on my new Mac book pro. Didn't get that at the Qantas lounge in Sydney. Food is OK, had 2 bowls of spaghetti, and saffron rice. There are also spa facilities here. I was very quick to book in for a neck and shoulder massage. Very very nice. Relaxing. 

Then after that, I took a nice and warm shower.

I also went out for a walk around Abu Dhabi airport. Its not a big airport. Some people are sleeping on the floor. I wanted to take more pictures, pictures of the people, etc. But I am very conscious of the arab culture, and worried some people make find it offensive. Esp the men in white gowns with white fabrics around their heads. I went looking for a fridge magnet. An Abu Dhabi fridge magnet. Couldn't find a nice one. I collect fridge magnets. I hope to collect lots more once I get to Europe. 

Work has not found the right accommodation for me yet. Therefore I'll be staying for 2 nights at a hotel in Dublin. Damn, was hoping to settle in to my place.. but again, I remind myself that the world has much more important things to deal with.

Will write more once I get to Dublin. 

big sook

As time draws closer to my departure date, I have mixed emotions about leaving.
I am so excited yet the whole thing terrifies me at the same time.

One minute, I just can't wait to touch down in Dublin. Exploring Europe... going to London... going to Paris!! PARIS OH MI GAWD.... going to Rome, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Venice, Prague, Nice, whatever... endless. If I do get bored in Dublin town, I plan to go for French classes. Its about time I stopped saying 'Voulez vous coucher avec moi ce soir'!

The other minute, I just want to stay here, at my very safe home, with my very lovely Grumpy and my very loyal precious dog. Watching reruns of SATC and Girls of the Playboy mansion all day on Foxtel. Seriously, this is really what I have been doing all day. And it feels good.. to just laze around in my trackie-daks in front the TV.

I have been counting down the days. Today marks the end of my last weekend here. I am lucky it happened to be the long weekend. Last week I booked in for chiro, optometrist, manicure, pedicure, hair perm (which didn't turn out all that good, see pics below. Bugger!). I have also been catching up with friends, and Grumpy has been repeatedly asking me "What do YOU want to eat?"

On Saturday night, we all got quite happy and high. Haha it worries me sometimes when Grumpy keeps encouraging me.

Last night, we had Korean bbq with our close friends, Mr Happy and Little Miss Happy. They are such a lovely couple.


Then, we headed to Lygon's for coffee. Look at my hair, disaster.


Last day at the circus is Thursday. I fly off on Friday.

I will miss my two darlings...

Grumpy, I will reunite with him in about 7 weeks time. He will stopover in KL first, to get pissed and drunk, then continue his journey to meet his lovely better half, ME!

I will miss him the MOST!

Mummy, are you leaving me?

My little puppy..

You can bet that I'll be the biggest sook on Friday.

you gotta have talent

Its one thing to have friends...
You could have friends with money.
Friends with good looks.
Friends with brains.
Friends who have it all...
But nothing beats MY friends.
My friends with talent!
Thats right, I am so blessed to have friends just bursting with talent!

Look what arrived in the post today.

My scarf... knitted by my friend Mich. Isn't it lovely? Isn't she lovely?
She is sooooo talented, its not funny. She can knit anything, for her hubby, for her mum, sister, two puppies... and of course, me! You name it, she knits it!

I love it!

By the way, the curtains at the back, Grumpy's mum made it for our home.

Yes, I get everyone to make me things. I call it pro bono work. LOL.

Another talented friend which I have to mention is Little Miss Somersault.

She made this piece of art for Miss Drink-A-Lot's birthday, which definitely put a smile (and more smiles) on all of our faces.

I am bad with pictures. I wish I could make it a little bigger. But there I am as Laa-Laa, the yellow teletubby. Something that goes way back more than 10 years ago. Still not forgettable for some :)

Facebook Status Updates

Jules Ng :Oooooh, I love a bit of cake. Oooooh, cake. Oooooh, cake. Cake. Cake. Cake. Cake. I'm just one of these people. I come home and I need a piece of cake!

Updated on Monday 9.11pm

email received from Sydney boy. Monday 9.36pm

You are an idiot!

freaking contract

I have been rather occupied lately.

Grumpy's mum & dad are here for holidays. Yes, the out-laws.

So far so good. I have been on my best behaviour, lol.

This is us at the Belgian beer cafe.

On Friday, I worked in the morning, but had the rest of the afternoon off. We headed out to the crazy beautiful Yarra Valley. It was Grumpy's birthday too. I have not had the time to get him a present. I am such a bad girlfriend.

Grumpy's mum & I.

Us again. Note: shadows - Grumpy snapping our picture against the setting sun.

Now on to something else. My work visa to Dublin has been approved. Which is fantastic, yet scary at the same time. On Friday, they advertised my current job in the Melbourne office. The thing that shits me the most is the freaking contract. Where is this contract? I have not seen my contract yet or signed anything. But I should prepare myself. I would probably be leaving in about 4-5 weeks. OMG. Can't believe its all happening.

I have been going to the Buddhist centre recently - Ajahn Brahm is here in Melbourne. I love listening to him speak. His Dhamma talks does not put you to sleep. And - he loves a stir. Don't we all? His topics are quite controversial at times.

Had a meditation session this morning. First timer. Ouch my legs.

happy when I don't go to work

I pulled a sickie today. It wasn't planned. I woke up, fed the dog, ate my breakfast, I even packed some cake I baked for Miss Whats-for-Lunch. The next thing I know, I'm in the toilet suffering from a crazy tummy ache.

Rang my team leader - I'm not coming in today. "Hope you get better, Jules" Yea sure whatever you wanker.

I lie in bed, crouched with my little puppy beside me. Then the sms-es start coming in.

"Are you OK Jules?" Miss Whats-for-Lunch asks.
Then she goes on about how she feels she is such a loner, buying toast downstairs at the cafe by herself just because I'm not in today. I assure her I'll be back to do my normal duties again tomorrow.

And then I get kicked out of my room, because Grumpy is trying to sleep, and all he can hear is my mobile phone going off and a lot of texting. But I thought I was the one that was sick?

I email Mum, to tell her I'm not at work today. This is what she emailed me back "Yes, go see a doctor and get an MC. I feel happy when u don't go to work and face the shit in the office."
Mum, I am so glad we are all on the same page.

I made an appointment with the doctor. And Grumpy... my Grumpy, has volunteered to take me to the doctors.... only because he is feeling lazy and is taking this as a 'sleeping in' opportunity. He calls his work to inform them that his girlfriend is 'really sick' today and needs to care for me. Lies lies lies.

After I collected my medical certificate, we head off for a nice lunch. Its one of our few days left of 'being alone' before the out-laws arrive this weekend. We wanted to try this Shanghai food place, however, it is very close to his head office. Grumpy tells me to look 'really sick' just in case his boss is also out grabbing lunch. I try my best.

And when I get the chance, I am the dancing queen....

I am really emo today. Seriously! I'm listening to Abba's Dancing Queen continuously, as I type.

Had a rough day at work. The Absolute Retard I Report To is making my life a living hell. Bad enough Grumpy was not there when I needed him. I had to speak to BFF Miss Drink-A-Lot during my lunch break, just to vent it all out. I also spoke to Mum about it and Mum reckons that I seem to be a threat to The Absolute Retard and that's why she is making it SO damn difficult. If it weren't for a special bone my boss threw at me - only redeemable end of May, I would've been LONG gone.. Mum said to just hang in there and not to do anything silly (like quit now) as it will be a sign of defeat. Yes, don't we all want to be winners?

Ugh, it is so painful... yes I am the dancing queen.. young and sweet... not seventeen though.. approaching twenty f-ing six..

I want to go back to looking at fishes.

Just like Julia Roberts in the movie Closer... looking at fishes in an underwater aquarium... it is very therapeutic...

I can dance, I can jive, having the time of my life...ooh see that girl, watch that scene, dig in the dancing queen...

No, I am not crazy. I was just at Seaworld last week looking at fishes.


I want to go back to waking up at 8.30am, bright, happy, strolling down the beach...

And when I get the chance, I am the dancing queen....

No, still not crazy. I was just at Broad Beach last week enjoying the sun and sound of the waves.


I want to go back to waters, sitting in the rock pools.. and not worry about anything but my dinner reservations!

Dancing queen, feel the beat from the tambourine......

No, not crazy at all. I was at the Gold Coast recently and I loved it!

Thank god its Friday tomorrow.