A mirror’s reflection

Today, we had our FINAL primary school assembly before the summer holidays and in the very beginning of the gathering, our school principal spoke about reflection.

He mentioned something about looking in the mirror, reflecting on the school year that is coming to an end and seeing how much everyone has changed and grown over the past 10 months.
Of course this message was geared mostly towards our young students, however it really got me thinking about what I would see if I looked in the mirror...

There was a time during this academic year

When I thought the conclusion to my UAE experience was near

My 3-year contract was coming to an end

And I really wasn’t convinced I wanted to extend

But things have changed

A new contract has been arranged

I’m staying on for yet another year

I’m making a commitment to persevere

I’m not ready to say goodbye

To this very special place called Dubai

My time here has allowed me to grow

While facing many highs and lows

I know that life’s a journey

Nothing is supposed to be easy

And being far away from my family

Doesn’t always make me happy

Luckily I have made some friends

A few of them, really good gems

They pick me up when things are tough

And stick by my side interestingly enough

Over here, I’ve been able to take action

With regards to exploring some of my true passions

I exercise quite regularly

Football, running and strength training particularly

Balance in my life is something I’ve learned to seek

It’s the best way to live every single week

“Work hard, play hard”

Is truthfully a thought not to discard

I’ve come to realize that I’m capable of much more than I ever thought

As long as I’m willing to give it everything I got

Risk taking goes a long way

When motivation and determination are on display

So, with all that said

What do I see today in the mirror ahead?

An honest, compassionate and respectful individual

Whose courage and confidence are becoming more and more visible

SEE YOU ALL AGAIN IN AUGUST!

Comments

Living Outside The Box

"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I believe I’m on the path I’m meant to be." As we get older, it’s easy to get trapped in society’s idea of what life "should" look like. By the time we hit 40, there’s a well-defined picture of success: owning a home, starting a family, climbing the career ladder. But as I approach this milestone, I’m choosing to remind myself that true happiness isn’t found in checking off someone else’s list. It’s found in stepping outside the box, embracing the unexpected, and allowing life to unfold in its own unique way. Sure, my path hasn’t always been conventional, and I’ve often found myself comparing my journey to others, wondering why I’m not where they are. But when I take a step back and reflect, I see how much I’ve gained by stepping off the well-worn road. Life may not have gone according to plan, but I’m proud of the unexpected milestones I’ve reached along the way. I’ve traveled to over 40 countries, lived in three (ye...

Mirror, Mirror

“I could try to be just like you, but I wanna be like me - the girl in the mirror.” Have you ever looked at a picture of yourself and thought “YIKES!”? Of course you have! We all have! We can all get a little self-critical from time to time, can’t we? I’ll be honest, I don’t often love seeing pictures of myself, especially those really close up, like selfies. Every image seems to amplify my insecurities and highlight “ flaws ” that I wish would disappear. I’m a pretty simple girl—no make-up, no heels, just me as I am, and I find that the world often holds up a different standard of beauty for females, one that's heavily curated and polished. My negative thoughts can weigh heavily at times, and social media ( with all its’ filters ) only magnifies those feelings of self-doubt. Over the last year, I’ve taken a number of selfies or mirror pictures. Some were taken to capture moments during my solo trips, some were taken to track physical changes influenced by diet, training and r...

Fly Away

“Until you spread your wings, you’ll never know how far you can fly.” For as long as I can remember, there has been a relentless pull within me; a desire to fly away, to explore beyond the boundaries of familiarity, and to immerse myself in the cultural richness of our world. It all started over 15 years ago with a pivotal moment: my first international trip to the Dominican Republic for humanitarian purposes. Little did I know then that this remarkable trip ( *along with teaching in a challenging multicultural school ) would set the stage for a life defined by adventure, discovery, and personal growth. Since that transformative experience, my life has been a whirlwind of movement and exploration. I've been blessed with the opportunity to experience living and working abroad, both in the UAE and in Vietnam, and along the way, I've had the privilege to traverse more than 40 countries, each offering its own unique blend of culture, history, landscape and perspective. Looking ...

One Rising Star

Search This Blog