This will be my last blog post for the foreseeable future. 

It is a sad moment for me, as I'm attached to this blog for all it has brought to me; mostly friendships with wonderful people i.e. you, the readers - who shared with me this beautiful blogging experience. 

Thank you; for your thoughts, emotions, experiences, comments, emails, views, and conversations.
I shall never forget you.

Goodbye - for now. 
& thank you, truly
- from the heart -
for reading my posts.

[There's no comfort
to be found.
Just an emptiness -
that seems to
prevail.]

Lately I've been feeling a little blue...bunch of things happening.  I've started writing about them - will post when completed.

Here's a short piece of writing I'd jotted down a long while ago.  Thought of sharing it with you now - due to changes soon to happen.  Actually, within the next two weeks.

[Typed: December 17, 2007 11.10 am]

European folk music is playing during the conference call's dial-in wait {for leader to join in}.  The country CFO is typing away noisily, he's agitated that the wait is long.

Ok.
Bahrain's CFO has just joined in.  I love her! & of course, as with every call she's a part of - knowing that I'm one of the participants - a 'I miss & I have to share with you whatever it is that is going on in Bahrain' takes place before getting down to business *lol*

She informs me that it's their national day today.  Celebrations are happening all over.  She also added that the crowds who had filled one of their football stadiums were so disappointed that the UAE singer: Hussein Al-Jasmi, didn't make an appearance - & so Rashid Al-Majed had the stage to himself until the wee hours of the morning.

Time to stop writing.  All required attendees have joined in, but before I shift my focus, I have to mention that I really, reeeally want to go to Bahrain.  I've actually been wanting to for a long time.  I've got so many friends [all are colleagues] there that I would like to meet in person.  {included in 2008's wish list =)}

*Toodles*

So what does the above have to do with the changes?  Well, there's a v strong rumor that yours truly will be reporting to her - directly! =}  Apparently, she's been offered a cluster position which I doubt - v much- that she'll turn down.  & most probably, she'll be shuttling back and forth between Bahrain & UAE. 

Bahrain in 2008?  Yesss! (=

[Big changes may be headed my way; 
part of me is excited,
part of me is terrified,
& part of me is going:
"...but what will I wear?"]

I apologize for my absence lately.  So much has happened and is going on.  I'll share with you what I've been up to in points:-

- Hurt my back - actually a girl @ work thought it was a good idea to 'touch' my back while I wasn't facing her [knowing my medical condition] & while I was fully engrossed discussing tax issues with a colleague.  She completely startled me, my arm basically 'died' & it was a good half-hour later that I was able to feel/use it again.  Of course, the next few days were spent in pain and feeling 'locked'.  My doctor was pretty upset {angry?} about the whole thing.  I have to mention though that, the next day, she did leave flowers for me on my desk.  It was sweet of her; she didn't have to.

- Was assigned additional responsibilities at work.  Equity compensation, tax, audits, compliance - I simply don't have time to do anything but work during my days.  It's pure insanity.  I know it is.  I hope all goes well this week.  It's a v important week for me.  +sigh+  I am so craving May.  Pray for me. 

- I'm home alone with my youngest brother.  My parents are away; dad's undergoing surgery.  I pray all goes well.  It's the first time I'm not by his side during a medical procedure.  I talk to him daily though - & mum too.  Lots of talking with mum <3  I can't even begin to express how much I miss her.

- I've gone back to swimming regularly.  I realized, that I truly missed it.

- Reading; mostly during the weekends.

- Visiting my grandma more often <3  She loves my old-styled cloaks, the fact that I'm slender {her actual words were: "what do you need the weight for?!" *lol* - bless her +hug+} & I helped her memorize the #s of the tv channels she likes!  Aha, she reaaally did =)  I love her!  Oh & yes, she's been filling me in on all the family gossip ;} *lol* 

- Started collecting artistic mixed-media prints.  & I think it's turning into a 'hobby'.  I love looking at beautiful artwork.  I hope someday my own photography can be sold.  Long way to go for that to happen, no?

- Attended Careers 2008.  The first two days were ok, but the third day was fun - mostly because I wasn't where I should've been *lol*  {actually, there is no 'should' involved - HR invites me every year; you see, apart from myself - there's no other senior female UAE national! +another subject for another day+}  I got to meet ex-colleagues [I most especially missed TuTu! +hugsss+] and was introduced to many new individuals.  I really enjoyed my time at Dubai World, Meydan, & Tamweel.  There was lots of eating involved too - most esp. @ Dubai World: Vegetable spring rolls & Meydan: popcorn & brownies - deeelicious! =)

I can't type any more =/; will have to end this update here. 
Hope all of you have a great weekend.

Before I go to bed, I'll leave you with lots of snapshots [mostly so you can side-look my lack of updates :}]; can't comment on each =/ too tired & sleepy.  G'night. 

I just realized that MOST of the snaps I upload {this update & the ones below} are wrongly dated!!  2007?! *lol*  Mental note: It's 2008! >.<;

[Yesterday,
I was asked a surprising question:
Are you 20?! o.O]

"Have you ever touched your dreams,
and felt the simplistic joy,
of feeling them become reality,
only to abandon them,
for reasons you cannot explain?"

[Today,
I question
everything.]

[Written: Thursday 27th March]

You know, ever since I was awarded the JOTW, the amount of email & comment spam has increased drastically.  The number of emails I receive when 'someone has commented' is insane.  I think I should just disable the email alert function for sometime.

+sigh+

+++

Blurred vision.  I don't know what's wrong with my eyes today.  'Fog' separates me and anything/anyone in my line of vision.  I wasn't aware of it while driving - probably due to the sunlight, but once I entered the shaded parking lot, I actually thought I was surrounded with smoke.  I switched off the a/c; as I was so sure that something was wrong with my car.  I parked & started walking towards the building.

That's when the realization hit me.

Fog.  I could see people standing by the building's entrance & everything else, but everywhere I turned - fog was there.  It's 1.33 pm & I still see the 'fog'.  My colleagues are worried, and don't want me to drive to the ER by myself.  I have a conference call @ 2 pm, once that ends I'll leave.

I don't have a good feeling about this. =/

+++

The external auditors are extremely ticking me off this year.  They keep changing the group from year to year - which is frustrating, cuz it means that again, I'll have to sit with them {& other staff} to describe the processes, products & financial way of treatment.  A complete waste of time, for us & them!  Don't they revisit their old files?!  IMO, v unprofessional.

+++

It's 2.31 pm - everything is very foggy.  I think something is terribly wrong.  The call has ended, but I can't leave as I'm waiting for a confirmation from London regarding a certain project.  I'll leave once that is received.

Mmmh.

+++

 [Typed: Saturday 29th March @ 10.32 am]

I lost my vision on Thursday for sometime, & when I was able to see again, everything was so blurry.  All the private clinics were closed then & ERs only had general doctors.  I was able to see a specialist doctor only on Friday - who confirmed it was a virus. 

The fog had 'gone' by then, but I couldn't open my eyes - sunlight was very painful.  Rooms' lights were very painful.  I was asleep for most of yesterday; Thursday night was exhausting - emotionally.   When awake I would wear my shades;  even to watch tv or use my cell phone.

I'm much better today.  My eyelids are a dark pink & a bit puffy, but apart from that - I can see, thank God.  I'm also thankful to God for such loving parents.  They were so worried about me; my mum didn't leave my side - stroking my hand/hair and reading prayers, & my dad - with his continuous low-voiced questions to my mum & watching an episode of Scrubs with me so that I don't have to go back to the room...I love them.

[Thursday's darkest thought:
Not being able to see
my mum's face again.]