I love taking taxis here in Dubai, because it's always a quick ride to wherever I'm going, and it's a chance to have a quick glimpse into the lives of others. Like, this morning, I got into the taxi and saw the immaculate upholstery and smelled that new car fragrance, and said, "Wow, new car!" The driver was very happy that I noticed, "Yes ma'am!"
The new year has started nicely here, with a one highlight per weekend mode. Either hosting NYC friends on their way home from Kenya, or catching a movie at the deluxe Platinum Suites (pricier ticket, reclining lazy-boy seat, and popcorn brought to us by a waiter). One weekend we had tickets to see England vs Pakistan cricket, except that the test match unexpectedly ended the day before, so no cricket for us. One weekend I didn't do much at all, thanks to the Hackathon CoughFest. And then this past weekend, we did the 10k run, had a nice cassoulet for dinner (thanks pork section of Waitrose!) and then planted a garden the next day.
I've gotten into a morning routine that is quite relaxed. I get up around 7:30 and get my iPod set up with a podcast while also inspecting the garden (all done with a good amount of still-waking-up grogginess). I have a good run for about 45 minutes or so, and then have a big mug of hot tea with my cereal. It's been cool outside this month, cooler than normal, though still well above freezing. But hot water bottles and wooly socks at night, that type of cool. So the mug of morning tea is new, and as I sip it slowly, I catch up on work stuff at the home laptop before rallying to shower and get into the office by abour 9:45 or so. A nice routine, a nice luxury to have my morning run and then ease into the day.
Cold weather skies
Digging up the old tulip bulbs to make room for the herbs.
Look who has plastered an entire skyscraper with their ad.
A tray of herbs and one hyacinth, ready to be planted.
Ninja runner in his head-to-toe black for the 10k, including a new kneebrace that made his run much more comfortable.
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