Well we all survived the 2012 mania.
We entered 2013 not quite sure how it was going to work itself out seeing that the 'End of the World' came and went without so much a hullabaloo not even a whimper.
But 2013 on the other hand is turning out to be quite a year.
January 1st French troops in Mali ... what a great start to the year huh? More war and death and general hopelessness in humanity having lost its sensibilities.
February Hillary Clinton steps down as US Secretary of State amid speculations she might be looking at the Presidency down the road.
On February 15th the Chelyabinsk Meteor enter Russia and cause damage to property and life. Suddenly all those sci-fi thrillers that put Earth in the trajectory of Asteroids and Meteors wasn't just on the big silver screen. It was very real for the people in that town.
In February we had closer to home in Malaysia the Lahad Datu standoff with invading little band of Sulu army. The whole shingding looked like a badly written script by an ailing Barisan National government to further delay from dissolving Parliament and paving the way for General Elections 13 - the one that has been long awaited and call-on for. Malaysians are ready for change. Ini Kali Lah is the tagline .... and I hope it will be the elections we've all had a role to play in and make a difference
In April we had the Boston Marathon Bombing by the now infamous Tsarnaev brothers - Tamerlan now deceased and Dzokhar in custody. Again it seemed all too scripted from nobody to tagged terrorists with weapons of mass destruction. I feel troubled with how the news was reported, how the facts are being suddenly rushed to fit the need of a nation so caught up in misaligned paranoia.
In general our Muslim brethren have as usual not been doing their faith any favours. No thanks to the small % of mentals who keep promoting violence and intolerance. Perpetuating their Jihadi fundamentalism to a generally 'illiterate' audience. The liberal and middle way Muslims keep having to bear the brunt of these maniacs. It is not fair to the believers who just go about their lives with no inclination whatsoever to your Jihadi World Domination cry.
All over the world it almost seems to me people are generally losing any marbles they might have possessed at some point in their lives. All in all 4 months of 2013 has been upheavals of all sorts everywhere.
The news is full of tragedy, loss of lives, destruction, devastation. Is there ever any happy news? Good things happening around us?
No??!!
Am not surprised. Good news doesn't sell as much.
In the UAE, we've had some pretty strange weather. It is April and we're still got sporadic rain and drizzle. It hots up on minute and drops the next. Probably as a result of a crazy European weather that's still snowing even though it's well into spring on a technicality.
In April, my friend Suzanne left for Germany to start her next phase of life's adventures. It left a void for us 3, as she'd been there for me since my arrival in Dubai 3 years ago. Giving me a shoulder to cry on on those really down depressing days. Home cooked meals to cheer me up. When she became a part of my home, she took care of the girls for me when I was tied up and drowning with work.
Suddenly it was silent, quiet days ahead. And we're still getting used to it. Thankfully though it is modern days and a myriad of options to stay in touch with.
The good news on my side, my brother has finally decided to settle down. Some major changes took place. He embraced Islam. My sister and I went down to Malaysia to finalise the engagement and both family meeting up. All the stress pre-event and it went pretty well and both of us are happy for him and our future sister inlaw.
I guess we're a multi everything family. And that diversity is what makes us special. We have learnt to accept different faiths and races into our lives and we enjoy being 'rojak' as we are. Its never an easy path being different from everyone else. But there's nothing wrong in being the rainbow stripped zebra when everyone else is Black and White.
My driving in Dubai has been an adventure. 2 fines and 2 Black Points later, am still getting used to finding my way around.
Since I am driving, and it does get boring, I do take photos of my skylines to cheer me up.
And with the longer than usual winter and the late but surely here summer, there's some amazing skyline moments.
Am still waiting on getting myself a nice fancy DSLR but for now my iPhone 4S is serving me well.
Here's to the next 8 months being as memorable as the last 4. We're chugging along. A few theme songs play in the background - each symbolic of the moment we have experienced and are richer from by way of lesson learnt.
In Malaysia it is an exciting time as we get closer to GE13 on 5th May 2013. I am going home to cast my vote. Because I believe it is my right and responsibility to do so. For my country and her people.
So till next time then, ... happy trails everyone
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