So Ramadan ended.
Two days before the anticipated long break, we had trouble with our staffing, because two were on sick leave. One was on annual leave. How we were able to survive the last two days, I don't want to think about it anymore. Just very grateful we were able to endure, and outstandingly accomplish our tasks for the day.
Went home last Friday, heart full of relief. Laughing outside, but crying inside. I was just so glad for the coming holidays... thankful for the most cooperative colleagues. Indeed, it was teamwork at its finest. We managed with just three nurses, but it was such a struggle! The whole situation gave me a sense of foreboding, of what is to come after our given days off.
I found myself in a dilemma of some sort.
My paddle family had scheduled another camping activity. It was to celebrate the birthdays of our April babies, the kick off for Eid Al Fitr, and our winning the championship for the corporate cup in our last two races (Back to back champs for the corpo cup! How's that?☺),
I wanted to bond with them, sure, but that would mean, I would go through the hustle of staying overnight again in the middle of the desert, with only the wide sandpit serving as a natural latrine. It was that time of the month again (it's difficult to be a girl sometimes), and thinking about it, made me feel uneasy. My mood was too unstable.
In the end, my teammates convinced me to go.
Like our last camping, it was nothing short of amazing. You can always count on the team to bring you good vibes. Though a great deal of time was lost, because most of our cars got stuck in the sand. and we had to pull/push them out, we were still able to laugh our hearts off. We sang until all our sound system batteries ran out. We ate and drank (both water and alcohol), and just had a great time. I was hoping there would be no more drama, but I guess it couldn't be helped.
Spent most of my time with Quinncy. She's the most adorable!
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| With Quinn and Ruby at DFC Regatta Feb 2022 |
" Of course I remember you Quinn."
"We had a picture taken together during your race."
"Yes we did! "
Didn't mind her tagging along with me most of the time. Come to think of it, it gave me a sense of purpose. I had to take care of her, and that meant her parents were able to enjoy the event too. It seemed I entertained her, as much as she fascinated me.
* See photo, the one which she spoke about.
"Well yeah, That's because I don't like to pee (in my mind; and poop). "
Trust a child to truly express what she thinks, or sees, for that matter. Haha!
Sharing some crazy antic they suddenly came up with ( I was coerced to join!I was not even done with eating dinner!). Was so funny because all of them were mic happy people.
About the drama that unfolded... it involved one of my closest teammates (Kuya Archie), who is about to leave UAE for good. Almost everybody were drinking, so everyone suddenly had something to say. Haha! I guess, scenarios such as that, are most amusing to the sober ones like me. 😂😂😂 I didn't even notice how the topic suddenly became about me. I just let them finish without interjecting. Was pretty sure they would not remember a thing when the morning comes.
The best part of it all, was the bonding, which was utterly solid. Even some inactive members came. It was such a delight having them around.
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| Captain William (The one in the blue shirt), our former captain/coach from our former team came. |
Kap Will showed up! He was one of the people who made me love dragon boat. I saw how passionate he was about it. His energy was always encouraging and his positivity, contagious.
We have been through so much. After the falling out with our previous team, he made a way for us to paddle again. Through Ate Miles (the one in dark blue long sleeved blouse), a number of us former EDBT paddlers, became happy members of Daman Dragons. ☺
Sitting beside me, Manong Erwin, is also a co-paddler from EDBT. Was waiting for him to update us about the date he brought with him that night, but I felt he was hesitant. 😂 We could read in between the lines though. As long as he's happy, then we are all happy for him too. From EDBT all the way to DD, we got each other's backs for sure. (Missing Ate Che and Joie, both went home in the Philippines and stayed for good).
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| Archie, Erwin, Krish, Joie, Cheryl, Will The Palm Regatta 2019 |
Amidst all the fun going on through the night, something was nagging at me inside. I guess I was feeling a little sentimental. (And yeah, I am blaming it on the hormones! Haha!)
You know how you are certain that some things are just meant for you?
That is how dragon boat is for me.
New Year of 2018, I made a list of what I wanted to do, like a bucket list. I knew getting through 2018 would be the most challenging one for me, because it was the year my ex and I planned to get married. I vowed to do everything I could to keep myself busy, and not dwell on the things that should and could have been. Hence, I officially dubbed it as my YOLO-ing year. One of the item written was, learn a water sport. What I had in mind was learning water polo, or taking formal swimming lessons. Just a month into the new year, I just came back from my vacation in the Philippines and I was recovering from a bout of flu.
One of my pole sisters asked me if I am interested in joining her dragon boat team, as they were open for recruitment that time. A friend of a friend was joining, and she thought it would be a good idea if we join at the same time so she will not feel left out. It was winter time, it was always freezing, my colds refused to go away, and I felt my pole classes were tiring and painful enough. How could I possibly do dragon boat too? I said no a few times, but it turned out that the friend, was a very close friend of mine. Les (my good friend) kept on pressing me to join together with her. Peer pressure it was. It was Valentine's Day the night that I joined. (Pretty symbolic if I may say!😂) I have been paddling ever since.
Learn a water sport. One item off my bucket list.
Dragon boat was something I never had in mind, but it was the opportunity that presented. It was like the universe conspired and the chance came to me. It was not something I sought... but then again, I guess it's true... what is for you will find you and never miss you.
Like how some things, in my life, are the way they are. No words can ever explicate.
No matter how great my love for paddling is, ultimately, I would have to give it up, for something I love even more.
I was content that camping night, but only I can tell how soppy I was feeling inside.
Will have to make the most out of the time I am given then.
*** Eid Mubarak! ( Happy Eid!)
I pray you find reasons to make your life blissful and beautiful.
May you never run out of wonder.
I wish for you, love you deserve, and the peace you long for.
I hope dragon boat makes you happy, the way it made and kept me happy. ☺
