I had two very different encounters with men this month.
During the first week of May, a man stopped as I walked past him when I was making my way through the pedestrian to get to my street. He approached me at two stops (two traffic lights), and started speaking to me. I had my trusty wired headset on, so it was easy to play dumb and act as if I couldn’t hear him — he did this twice (at both stops) At this point I was already being followed, so I decided to hang back and let him walk ahead of me, then proceeded to change direction. Nothing like needing to look back every 2 minutes to see if I’m being followed, oh what joy! I’m not exaggerating when I tell you this has happened to me several times over the past n years. Once, I even had to camp in one of the closest shops for ten minutes. On another occasion, someone followed me all the way to my building, looked at which floor I pressed in the lift, and then left (I actually thought he lived there which is why I didn’t think it meant anything, him getting in my building and whatnot).
On the second week, during one of the Sundays we had to head into the office to work, a youngin stopped just a little bit past me as I was standing waiting for a cabbie, then stops, then walks back towards me. He asks, “do you speak English?”, “Why?“, I very standoffishly respond, and he puts his hand to his chest and says, “take it as a compliment … ” and then bestows me with one of the sincerest compliments I’ve ever received in my life, wished me a good day, and then went on his way. It reminded me of those “compliment drive-by” videos on TikTok that make my heart happy.
Now that encounter meant a lot to me, because it’s something I’d do myself, specifically towards Women. It doesn’t take a lot to spread some good good juju in this world, you know?
k.
I’ve taken myself out on several dates this month, specifically to late lunch and the movies. It’s pretty great when you get days to remind yourself that you’re actually living where you’re living, and that many moons ago, you had dreamt of moving here … and now you’re here.
A very fun-filled day with Carlo and Thomy, all over Dubai. The IMG bit was probably the best because it was Carlo’s treat (thank you Habeabs), and I wasn’t pressured to go on rides I didn’t want to go on (I do not like rollercoasters. I LOVE MY FRIENDS SO MUCH BECAUSE THEY NEVER PUT ME INTO GUILT-TRIPPY-PEER-PRESSURE SITUATIONS), so I would go on the mild rides, play LoL in between, it was PERFECT.
I’m such an advocate of being a tourist in your own country.
Spent a weekend at Abu Dhabi, just chillin’, killin’ … time lol
I had Lily for about a month and it made me so happy. So grateful that Vince trusts me to look after Lily for this long — she’s seriously one of the loves of my life and I will always be ready to co-parent for her.
Physical Touch is definitely her top love language, luckily, it is mine too — so whenever she sleeps on my chest, on my legs, on my shoulder, IT IS EVERYTHING. My most favourite thing she does is when I sleep on my side and she jumps on top of me and rests her head on my shoulder, it’s the best thing ever. What a gift, this little girl.
Since seeing them live last year, I made a vow to get tickets whenever they have a UAE stop. Worth the money, worth all the effort to go to Abu Dhabi to (as in, I left Dubai at 5.00pm, and made my way back at midnight, getting home at 2.35am).
The acoustics at the Etihad Arena was better, too (sorry) — everything was crisp.
I know we talk a lot about the Interstellar score particularly, but it’s such a wise choice to make “Time” part of the encore because … I mean, listen to it. It’s such a transcendent theme. When Nile hits that sweeeeeeeeet sweeeeeet spot when he comes on, you can’t not close your eyes and absorb every note.
I kid you not, it’s the song that got me rewatching Inception for n times this year. You also can’t say it isn’t a crowd favourite, listen to them :
To be honest — the crowd this time seemed a wee bit inconsiderate. The couple to my right were talking to each other nearly the entire show, even during the bits that Hans was playing really slow pieces, and when he was talking on stage. I was thisclose to telling them off, and it made me so happy when they left during The Lion King medley because we don’t need people like this ruining our concert-going experience. Like, they saw “Paul’s Dream” flash on the screen next to the musicians (a guide to what piece they’re performing next), and the girl was like “What is “Paul’s Dream”?” and the guy says he doesn’t know either. I rolled my eyes so far back, I saw my brain.
WHAT IS PAUL’S DREAM????? GTFO.
Other May tings (with photos) :
Other May tings (without photos) :
Thunderbolts**The New Avengers film, erm — what do you mean we’ve got a band of misfits that include Bucky from the MCU tackling mental health issues and the value of friendship and showing up for each other??? And it includes Bucky? Played by Sebastian Stan? Who plays Bucky? Played by Sebastian Stan?- On the second day of the Conclave, my true love gave to me — lol. I was actually out with colleagues at Goose Island on day, and we were cheering on for Cardinal Tagle (as we do — mind you, my colleagues and I hail from different countries, lololol made my heart happy to have a Filipino Cardinal who is beloved by many).
- Mission : Impossible – The Final Reckoning is everything you wish the final (? … are we sure it’s the final installment, Tom? McQ? Are we sure?) M:I installment could be and more. I saw it on IMAX as Tom and McQ intended, lol — and whoever thinks the pacing is too slow needs to go to Tirrk Torrk rehab, that forking platform has broken your attention span, like THIS IS FORKING CINEMA
- TAYTAY FINALLY OWNS HER MASTERS, we are free from the shackles of the ‘stolen versions’ OMG YAY I CAN LISTEN TO REPUTATION BEARING NO GUILT OMG THE DAY HATH COMETH THAT I NESTLE MY HEAD IN THE SWEET SWEET BOSSOM OF NEW YEARS DAY WITHOUT THINKING THAT I HAVE BETRAYED HER
- Please tell me you guys are watching / have seen ‘The Studio’ on AppleTV? Because it’s one of the best shows out there. I don’t think there’s an episode where I couldn’t keep myself together.
My song of the month, undoubtedly :
I find it difficult to move on from this trailer. The teaser alone played in an IMAX theatre made me so emotional, I can’t imagine watching the whole film in one.
And … is it just me or the Superman theme song could easily be mixed with the Star Wars theme song lololol — I would be humming the Superman theme (ten ten teeeeeeen ten ten ten teeeeeeen teeeeeeeeen – tetete-teeeeeeen teeeeeen tetete-teeeeeeen teeeeeen teteteteteeeeeeen teteteteeeeeeeen) and then the next note would be Star Wars (ten-ten-ten-teeeeeeeeen teeeeeeen-ten-ten-ten-teeeeeeeeen teeeeeeen-ten-ten-teeeeeeen teeeeeen-tetetetennnnnnnn) — YOU KNOW???? It can’t just be me!
ALSO —
I DON’T CARE IF THESE AREN’T SONGS, I SAID WHAT I SAID (lol). Fantastic Four / Marvel aside, these are DC babies I am looking forward to. The Superman trailer has been on constant repeat.
And since we’re on the topic of James Gunn’s genius, this is an intro I never ever skip. I’ll watch it like I’m seeing it for the first time, every time :
I WILL NOT TOLERATE JAMES GUNN SLANDER IN THIS HOUSEHOLD. THAT MAN MAKES MAGICAL THINGS.
Okay, in all seriousness — my song of the month :
My top 4 favourite (first-watch) films of May :
Speaking of which — if you fancy giving me a follow on Letterboxd : Abbie’s Letterboxd account.
Things I reflected on this month :
1.) I learned the difference between being reactive and standing up for myself, and that there is a very thin line, but also, that it’s important to do the latter when you know you have to — with grace, and vigor.
2.) Being emotionally angry over something doesn’t make me weak. It’s how I handle those feelings that dictate things. I could cry over being upset because of something so small and frustrating, but how I choose to carry myself as I feel those feelings is what matters.
3.) It is not up to one person to keep a relationship harmonious (friendships, romantic partnerships, or between colleagues). The moment you know you are being disrespected, and you’ve done your part (and your best) to be as patient and understanding as you can, this is not something you continously allow. It’s a two-way street. Being nice and kind doesn’t equal to being a doormat.
4.) People reap what they sow. Always.
5.) Peace of mind is priceless, and people who toy with it on purpose are worthless pieces of shit.
Anyway.
thatgirlabbie.com 
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