The first two months of 2013 unfolded like a roller coaster ride.
I am just too pleased that I ventured/ re-engaged with some activities wherein I am time and courage-incapacitated. Who knew I would ever do the following in this lifetime:
Formula Rossa in Ferrari World. I finally tried the fastest roller coaster ride in the world. It was a heart and mind twisting event and fat-shaking moment hahaha. I still remember how just the thought of queueing for it in 2011 made me want to collapse.
It is interesting that there are several Tagalog words which have the (almost the) same meaning with Arabic, e.g. baqaraah (or baka) for cow.
Learning Arabic. I re-joined my Arabic class (held thrice a week at early morning) and although I need to improve a lot I am happy that I can now read, write and speak decently to a certain extent. I also appreciate that my classmates-officemates are humbly competitive that whenever we cross paths outside the ‘classroom’ we try to chat with each other in Arabic with our funny accents/ pronounciation.
Here is where I swim twice a week; attending the ladies session in one of the sports club in Abu Dhabi.
Yasbah! (That’s an Arabic word for ‘swimming’). It has been a long overdue plan to learn to swim properly. I am one of those who prefer a coach-based approach when it comes to swimming. In my over 30 years of existence I have been bravely doing the banana boat ride, snorkeling and other aqua activities although what I only know is to float when my head’s down the water. My goal is to learn the proper breast and dolphin strokes by end of March. Goal this weekend is to do the 50-metre backstroke non-stop. I am also pleased how my twice a week of swimming lesson/ practice has improved my health.
And more.
Some people (and even myself) at times asked where I find the time and drive to try new things. I think that there should not be a justification for everything. But nothing is impossible and never too late if you really want it… and of course, there is the ‘out of nothing’ moment that happens in between.
I want to learn how to swim too, I know it’s not too late and I know it will improve my health, the question is, do I have time?
where is this roller coaster ? Looks very long !
Congratulations Jo!
)
When I saw the swimming pool, my boss came to mind (shhh, I am talking about her!)
Amidst our hectic days, she makes it a point to train. And she swims everyday before work. She is also engaging a trainer’s help, and I look forward to her winning more international races (The other year she won one in China). Recently, she broke the record at the Yas Island race (she’s been in the news, so i think she wont mind me speaking about her here
She does inspire, and while I cant do a tiny bit of her trainings, I had been inspired to have my physical activity of taking the stairs up and down to work everyday (that 12 floors now).
Thanks for the post, I look forward of you inspiring others to try things too
amazing! so many accomplishments at the first few months of the year! ang galing mo, jo! (so how do you translate that to arabic?)
Wow! That roller coaster looks really terrifying. Congratulations for mustering the courage to go on that ride. I don’t think I have the heart to try that.
Learning another language is a rewarding experience. Keep it up.
Good luck on your swimming classes. I confess I don’t know how to swim properly. I lack the grace that swimmers have. Hubby is trying to teach me proper freestyle. I hope to practice more this summer.