Day 178: So Much Joy

Saturday was filled with such joy. 

We celebrated as two of my dear friends committed to spend the rest of their lives together. The church ceremony was heart warming, the couple were radiant and pastor encouraged the couple as well as everyone gathered at church to "take time". Beautiful. 

The bridal shower for the best friend was brimming with joy as well. It was a gathering of her close friends through various phases of her life. 

I had requested that everyone bring something that reminded them of the best friend, their favourite memory of her, as well as their wishes for the couple. It was such a joy to see and hear of how this person I have known since we were 9 has touched the lives of so many of us.  She is truly one of the most thoughtful people I know. I'm so glad our lives' paths have crossed.

The dress code for the day was floral. So we were all in our dainty dresses. 

Seeing all the amazingly sweet, thoughtful and creative plans they have for the wedding, I really can't wait! It is just 5 days away! 

I love such days filled with so much joy. The joys of friendship and love.  :)

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at 10:18 PM

Day 176: Happy Birthday Mr Kwek!

It is Mr Kwek's birthday today!!!! 

I love how simple and down to earth Mr Kwek is. He does not need big celebrations, expensive dinners or gifts. He was happy with just a simple meal cooked by yours truly. One of the many reasons why I love this man :)

I've been blessed with a wonderful husband :) Sending lots of love.

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at 11:00 PM

Days 173-175: Different Outfit Everyday is Back!

Since it has been a week since I got back from climate change land, it's time to continue my DOED posts.

Monday's outfit was a hand me down from my colleague. I'm thinking of shortening it but feeling lazy...

On Tues, my never ending saga of the doors for my new place got me all riled up again :( dressed in one of my $2 dresses from Bangkok and pink cropped blazer from a flea market.

But by wed I was looking up again. I really like this outfit. If not for my DOED challenge, I probably would never have put this together. White tank top, vest from London and hand me down lace trimmed pencil skirt.

I've still been wearing different outfits everyday in the time I was in the abyss but I've been too tired to document them. So the daily count just starts from where I left off. 

Here's a selection outfits I managed to capture while in Warsaw. 

I think the DOED outfit was so much easier in a winter country. When wearing 5 layers of clothes, mixing and matching is easy. There is always at least 1 piece that is different. That said, I'm glad to be back to my warm little island. I am totally made for the tropics.

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at 9:30 AM

Falling Off the Blogosphere

Since the climate change negotiations started, I had kinda fallen off the face of the blogosphere.

The pace of the negotiations was exhausting, with back to back meetings from 8am till the early mornings of the next day. Weekends or rest days were as real as fairies. Sleep was a precious commodity. Proper meals were a privilege few of us knew. In their place were apples, biscuits, chocolates, and other snacks that we manage to pack in our heavy overflowing bags.

It was my first time chairing some of the negotiations and that took everything a further notch up the crazy scale.

It has been almost a week since I got back from climate change land. I have spent that time trying to recover from the madness, getting back into the rhythms of work back in Singapore and trying to settle my new home stuff which took a back seat while I was in climate change land.

Yes, these trips are disruptive to my life, they are both physically and mentally draining, and they take up way too many weekends. But I recognise that to be able to do what I do is also a privilege. Despite my frequent whingeings, I believe that in the long run, what we are able to negotiate will make a difference to the world we leave behind. I thank God for these opportunities.

I also thank God for the people He has surrounded me with at the negotiations.

Fellow co-workers who are sounding boards, sources of help and the occasional food deliveries.

Fellow co-Chairs and the secretariat who guided and supported me through my first co-Chairing stint.

Negotiators from other countries that I have worked closely with in the course of negotiations, who I can now call friends :)

Above all, I thank God for His grace and strength that sustains me through every rough time.

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at 11:19 PM

Welcome to the Circus

This place is a circus. 

The stage is set.

The juggler of multiple agenda items.

The man with the shrinking stomach. 

The lion roaring from its pedestal.

The group of clowns up to various antics.

The ring master that holds the whip and keeps everyone else in order.

And the whole arena filled with the audience. 

And here, here you see the reluctant soul. 

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at 1:16 AM

Day 172: The Stadium

This is my first time attending a conference at a sports stadium. 

Looks like there's gonna be lots of climbing up and down stairs and getting lost in the large venue. Because it's not a purpose built conference center, temperature control is not great either with some areas freezing and others stuffy. Let's hope we don't fall I'll.

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at 4:14 PM

Day 171: Warsaw

I arrived in Warsaw yesterday and I'm all bundled up for the cold, wet and dreary winter.

On arrival, I took the opportunity before the madness begins to take a look around. 1st stop was a bazaar 2 blocks from my hotel.

I was hoping to see those big Russian flea market, unfortunatly it was just a fresh produce and clothing market. It was still lovely seeing all the fresh produce. That's the most colour I've seen in this town so far. 

Next stop was the old town which is supposed to be the main touristy area. There weren't many people around though. 

The buildings here were all rebuilt after it was flattened in the war. What I loved was how the facades of each unit was decorated so uniquely and ornately. 

While I was wandering around the old town, I was summoned to attend a meeting, so I had to rush back and I had to figure out the public transport system. Thank God for helpful people around. 

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at 7:48 PM