Is it just me or the days seem to be running like enthusiastic athletes in a triathlon?  We're in the second quarter of 2015 already.  This brings me to evaluate where I am in my goals for this year. 

"Purge the unncessary and decrease clutter."

Yes and yes to that! Evaluating and letting go of things we have to part ways with before leaving Dubai was such a therapeutic experience. It feels so light! So many things can be accumulated without us realising it. We are presently in Manila for a temporary stay at my Mom's while we wait for the shipment of our stuff to be cleared and stored.  The sorted items have been painstakingly thought through which we will need, once we find a permanent base.

As we prepare and brace ourselves for an upcoming typhoon to hit the Philippines this weekend, I'd like to share images of the eerie sandstorm in Dubai today.  Strong winds in a brown cloud of sand.

Access to the House from the Bridge

If I had the means, I would love to get my hands busy with planning and restoring this old abandoned house. I think the dormant architect within me just woke up from a deep slumber when I saw this property nestled next to a tranquil marsh deep in the countryside.  It would be a perfect summer retreat for writers and artists who would like to spend some time harnessing their ideas and toying with their inspirations.

As I walk along familiar streets that have transformed in 12 years, the once busy Sheikh Zayed Road that is even much busier now and more filled with skyscrapers, Deira,  Jumeirah and the beach, I felt nostalgic and slightly emotional. I could hardly believe that this was my last weekend in Dubai, in the city that I have called home for a significant period of time.

Remember when I mentioned last year how sad it felt watching friends turned families go and being left behind? I daresay it also feels as much being on the other side. Here are snapshots of how our last weekend was like.