My Last Day at DT office

We ordered fast food on my account and Raquel accompanied me to buy ice cream from the Jebel Ali foodcourt as well.

I said goodbye to all my colleagues with the knowledge that it might be the last time I’ll ever see them. I’m not leaving Dubai, but for one reason or another, I know that circumstances might not permit me to see their smiles again.

They surprised me with an iPod nano as a farewell present!! But what hit me hard and made me cry was the goodbye card with the signatures and goodbye messages from all of my colleagues!!!

It was so difficult to say goodbye to colleagues who have become friends and it’s even more difficult when you’re the one who’s leaving everyone behind… because the choice is in your hands. If things are beyond your control, it’s easy to take an attitude of resignation and say to yourself that you cannot do anything about it—“it’s God’s will”. But when the goodbye is by choice, that’s when it’s heavier to bear.

It was my turn to drive that day and Raquel had to wait for me to finish up--clearing my desk and sending goodbye emails to everybody, including my superiors at the head office in Germany. We left the office two hours later than the usual and I logged out for the last time from my DT user ID.

Raquel has been my best friend in the office since I joined the DT family in March 2005 and the farewell present and card was her idea. I dropped her at her home and hugged her goodbye… and as it was too much to bear, I had to burst in tears after driving a block away. Whew!… tears come easy these days for reasons that my rational mind keeps on rejecting!!

Leaving DT

I know I have countless reasons to be grateful because I have been a part of the DT family.
And when I leave, among numerous things:

I’ll miss the occasional treats of:
Indian and Arabic sweets
chocolates
birthday cakes
Lebanese bread
Pizza Hut pizzas
KFC fried chicken
Dunkin donuts from the ENOC station nearby
Starbucks tea/coffee from the Jebel Ali foodcourt

I’ll also miss:
the daily Bible quotes from Santhosh
the alternate drive to Jebel Ali with Raquel
the fingerprint login every morning
the fingerprint logout every afternoon
the boisterous voice and jokes of Dax
my favorite colleagues: Raquel, Valentina and Rinkle
the forwarded funny emails of my colleagues
the Thursday lunch at the Jebel Ali foodcourt with Raquel
my bulletin board, my computer, my chair, my desk and everything on it

I’ll never forget:
the memories of my trip to Germany
the fun during the company’s Desert Safari
the interesting physical inventory count at the warehouse
the memories of the Christmas Party at the head office
the fun and laughter during the company’s Christmas Party


I’ll be leaving with much sadness,
but hopefully I’ll also be happy with my new colleagues in another company.
Hopefully.

Grateful and Blessed

This is a very heart-warming announcement from the General Manager of the company where I'm currently working.
I was blessed when I was given the opportunity to work here and now I'm blessed again as I am allowed to leave with "goodwill" and good wishes from my colleagues and superiors.


Dear All,

With regret I have to inform you that Miss Rose is leaving our company for better prospects.
She has been an excellent colleague and we will miss her in her absence here but we wish her all the best for the future.

Dirk H.
General Manager
DT

Happy Birthday to Nong Al!!!

...my one and only brother...

. . .

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.

I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final goodbye.


(copied from a forwarded email)

Happy Birthday to Manang Sen!!!

...my eldest sister...

Happy Birthday to Manang An!!!

...my elder sister...

Furrow (No.963)

"If time were mere gold you could perhaps afford to squander it.
But time is life, and you don't know how much you have left."

(Number 963 of "Furrow" by Escriva)

...

"Strange how people can be so preoccupied with a life we can not hold on to,
and neglect an eternity we can't run away from."


(copied from somewhere... sorry I forgot where)

...

"When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need."



--- (copied from a forwarded email) ---

Ash Wednesday

May you have a blessed Lent...

...

GREAT WAYS TO FAST DURING LENT

1. Fast from anger and hatred. Give your family that extra dose of love.
2. Fast from division. Strive to be in unity with everyone.
3. Fast from judging others. Before making any judgements, remember how Jesus overlooks our faults.
4. Fast from low self-esteem, pessimism, and negativity. Be positive in your outlook on life.
5. Fast from discouragement.
6. Fast from personal anxiety, fear, and worry. Jesus is watching over our lives. Put your trust in Him.
7. Fast from lethargy. Have enthusiasm for life.
8. Fast from the problems that overwhelm your life and wear you down. Pray and ask Jesus for help.
9. Fast from complaining. When you're about to complain, try to appreciate all the moments of joy.
10. Fast from too much self-concern. Put yourself in the shoes of other people.
11. Fast from any resentments or bitterness.Forgive those who have hurt you.
12. Fast from conversations that are negative or filled with gossip. Encourage one another.
13. Fast from spending too much money. Reduce your spending by 10 percent and have your family give the savings to the poor.
14. Fast from too much of the world. In Lent, try togive extra time to Jesus.


(from a Friendster bulletin of a friend)

Thought for 22-Feb-2006

Thought for My Day:

When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!



(My colleague, Santhosh, distributes “Thought for the Day” to everybody in the office EVERY working day.
May the Lord continue to bless him.)

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

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Wishing you a Blessed New Year!!!

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