BELLION TRAVELS MONTHLY RECAP: FEBRUARY & MARCH 2021

This blog is going to be different. Its been 5 months since I wrote my last blog and it wasn’t an interesting one, it was about January recap and here I’m writing about my Feb and March recap combined. Many things happened and we got so busy and didn’t have time to sit in front of the computer and type. Although I’m always using a computer, I actually don’t have time to work on personal stuff.

16th of February 2021 was my last working day with the previous company and on the 18th of Feb, I had a farewell drinks with few of my colleagues who I got along with. My new job started on 25th Feb 2021. I managed to have few days off to pack and move to Dubai. Since our place was not yet ready to be occupied, I stayed at my best friends place and I had to study and catch up with my assignments. In March Tim moved our stuff from Abu Dhabi to Dubai but since our electricity and water were not connected, we booked 4 – 5 nights at the hotel right near our new home.

We didn’t watch a lot of series and movies since all we did was pack and unpack and met with my family. We also bought new sofa and a dining table and few bits and pieces from the furniture store. 

BELLION TRAVELS MONTHLY RECAP: JANUARY 2021

AHHH! I wish we could go back to our “normal” life. I miss travelling and exploring new places but being stuck in Abu Dhabi during the pandemic, allowed us to discover the capital. However, now it is time to leave the big city and move back to Dubai. The city where I was born and the city of life.

Everyone is moving to new countries and new places but I keep going back to Dubai. I guess it is not yet our time to relocate to another country but we never know what tomorrow brings. Many things are happening now and I cannot wait to settle in our new home and start over.

So, let me share what has happened in the first month of 2021.

Destinations I have visited:

  • Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: I visited many new places and explored the city during 2020 and I will definitely write about it on a separate blog post.
  • Dubai, United Arab Emirates: I had to visit the city for an interview. Tim and I spent 24 hours in Dubai. We ate at Vietnamese Foodies and stayed at ROVE Downtown.

Highlights of the month:

  • I would say the biggest highlight is that I resigned from my job and will start a new career soon.
  • I enrolled for a Master’s Degree in Real Estate.
  • We finalised a new place in Dubai.
  • Packed 90% of our stuff in Abu Dhabi.
  • I was indirectly required to be vaccinated because I work for a semi-government company. Tim and I took the first dose of Sinopharm in January 2021.

Series I watched:

  • Wanda Vision: HBO is releasing an episode every week so we haven’t finished the series but so far I’m loving how weird it is. 
  • Ramy (Season 1 & 2): As a Muslim half Arab, I can relate to some of the issues in the show. I personally prefer the other characters stories, they are a lot more interesting and I’m not fond of Ramy himself. I love that Mahershala Ali plays the Sheikh. He is one of my favourite actors. I cannot wait for Season 3. 

Movies I watched:

We did not watch any move this month since we were super busy packing and watching series. Also, I have been super busy catching up with uni. but we made plan that once we move to Dubai and settle, we will have movie night.  

Music:

A Mix of EVERYTHING.

Follow me on Deezer

Books I read:

I decided not to read anything but my studies. I also packed all my books and are waiting to be moved to Dubai.

Blogs: 

2021 Update 

2021 Update

Hi readers,

I couldn’t blog for weeks because I had a lot going on and I’m still busy but I’m glad I found the time to write. To write about how my 2021 started.

It started with a lot of sleep as we spent New Years at our friends place and my usual bed time is 10PM. The next day, Tim and I went to IKEA to buy cardboard boxes and other packing items to gradually start packing our place. Tim signed a lease contract in Dubai which starts on 1 March 2021. It is funny how people are leaving Dubai and moving back to their home countries but after Covid hit, we decided we won’t be leaving U.A.E anytime soon. Work wise, Dubai still looks promising.

Why we decided to move back to Dubai? The decision was initially made when Tim was informed that he had to work permanently from home due to Covid. Also, we haven’t seen my family for months because of the border restriction between Abu Dhabi and Dubai so it is bazaar that it is difficult to meet my dad and brothers who live in the same country. So, Tim and I agreed it would make more sense if we live in Dubai since he is working from home and my family and friends live there.

My concern was my job. I ruined my career by moving to Abu Dhabi and I took a massive step backwards with a very low salary and position which made me realise my capabilities because unfortunately, I was not able to see that before. I was so stressed about moving back to Dubai due to the commute and border control. If you do not know the reasons, it is because you need to take a covid test to enter Abu Dhabi. Anyway, I was fortunate enough to find a job in Dubai and I’m currently serving my one-month notice.

Another reason why moving to Dubai makes sense is my University is located in Dubai. I enrolled in a Masters Degree at Heriot Watt, I’m studying Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying. After having doubts about my career and what I want to do next, I concluded that my work passion is real estate. My mind is not as creative as it used to be and I think I’ve become more logical. Either it’s Tim’s influence on me or just as life goes on, we realise things and our passion in life. Definitely travel is my passion but I realised I do not want to be a travel vlogger but rather I want it to be my hobby and real estate to be my job.

One of the biggest things that happened this month is that I was indirectly forced to take the Covid vaccine. Since I had to take it, Tim said he might as well take it. It is a live together, die together decision. I took Sinopharm and I didn’t find any major side effects other than speaking fluent mandarin. Just kidding. With all seriousness I do not feel anything. My second dose will be on 2 Feb 2021 so lets see how that goes.

So, so far this is our update and we are just busy working, studying, packing and exploring Abu Dhabi on weekends before we officially move.

I will post a separate blog about places we have visited in Abu Dhabi in the past 4 months and show you another side of Abu Dhabi. Catch you later.