Every end is a new beginning

Well, well, well...it's been one heck of a ride, but my 5-year stint in Dubai is finally coming to an end.

These last few weeks have been filled with many exciting events, yet accompanied by some very sad farewells.

From a surprise trip to the 7 star Burj Al Arab with some of my closest friends, to dinner at the bottom of the tallest building Burj Khalifa with one of my oldest friends, to yummy food at the well-renown Cheesecake factory with my footie crew and late-night Iftars during the Holy month of Ramadan with my amazing colleagues; I've been treated to some of the best experiences around town. I couldn't think of a better way to finish up my time here in Dubai.

I've had the opportunity to spend some quality time with some very special people who have come into my life, just at the right time, and have left footprints on my heart, changing me forever.

I really could not be more grateful!

I've been overwhelmed with the love that these individuals have shown me in these last few weeks and I have been gifted with friendships and memories that will certainly last me a lifetime.

I really can't THANK YOU all enough.

I am still in disbelief that the time has come to close this chapter of my life-long journey and I am sad to be leaving so many wonderful people behind. With that said, I am truly excited to find out what lays ahead as I begin a new chapter in Vietnam; living new experiences, making new friends and creating new memories.

"Every story has an end, but in life, every end is a new beginning."

Stay tuned...

Comments

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 ...

The runner in me

“Mind over miles.” A few years back, I was all in. I was that person signing up for every race that came across my radar—10K’s, half-marathons, marathons—you name it. The thrill of crossing the finish line, the camaraderie at the starting line, the way the crowds cheered you on, it was all so energizing. I didn’t even need music to get through a run, even a whole 42km marathon, which, I know, sounds crazy to most people. But there I was, in my zone, taking it all in and doing something I enjoyed. I collected lots of medals and racked up plenty of podium finishes, but most importantly I had some memorable international races, and met tons of amazing people along the way. I discovered that running was a really accessible sport; all you needed was a pair of shoes and the will to go. I could literally show up to a race, put one foot in front of the other, and—boom—be part of a community of people all working toward the same goal. So, what happened? Why did I stop running? For me, it came d...

One Rising Star

Search This Blog