Unknowingly, it has been 2 years since I moved to Dubai. When I first moved here, there was so much uncertainty, whether I would be able to secure a full-time job eventually, what the future entails for me, etc. 2 years on, I have learnt so much from my time here and now that I am going to leave, I am going to miss this place dearly. If you never have to get involved with the authorities here, be it for utilities, telecommunications, driving license, housing, etc., there is really no reason for you to not like this place. Only occasionally do bureaucracy hits you and when things do not get going. There is so much freedom and liberty here; in the middle of the world in a sense - get to anywhere in the world in 15 hours or less. It is safe and there are tons of things that you can do here. Some people told me that everything here is fake - mould of something else in the world but this is really one thing that does not bother me at all. It is a desert to begin with so the nation was built from scratch. The friends that I have made here, especially the friends at badminton, are truly amazing and I will miss everyone when I pack my bags and leave in 1.5 months time.
At work, I want to make my departure as seamless as possible - I felt that I did everything that I could to leave the team in the most amicable way but I feel that people do not think likewise for me. A mentor at work - once a mentor, always a mentor to me. No matter how frustrated I get at him at times, I will never forget the kindness that he has shown me and that gratitude constantly reminds me to give and take and go the extra mile for every piece of work that he assigns for me. However, I could sense the hostility these days and I had not spoken a word to him outside of work ever since the day I broke the news of my desire to rotate. Nevertheless, I kept telling myself - whatever happens here stays here. I am not going to bring my prejudices here to the future but I cannot say so about the people here. I can almost sense who are the people who will hold grudges and continue to make my life difficult even after I move on. For that, I take my hat off to my ex-colleague who had the courage to stand up to "bullying" and provided the feedback. Some said he's stupid, some said he made the wrong move but what I saw was him preserving his last bit of dignity to do something for himself.
Also, as I count down towards the last days of my time here, I felt upset about the kind of trust that I can have in someone only to feel betrayal when I least expected it. There should be no friendships in an office; I hold to that and shall remember it by heart. When there is a conflict of interest, any friend would not hesitate to sacrifice this so-called "friendship" to preserve his livelihood or to ensure his or her own promotion / survival. I do not know how to deal with this mess that I have right in front of me; silence is my only weapon to deal with adversities. At times, I let my emotions get the better of me and perhaps said things that I should not have to so I shall be mindful to always keep my cool and keep quiet when I am angry / unhappy / upset / disappointed except only to confide in my sister who will never betray me at least.
I am going to miss this place so so much but it is time for new adventures. After London, I really do not know where else I could possibly go......
