Dubai: One wanted to be recognised by celebrities for her drawings; the other wanted to be a host of his own talk show, the third wanted to skydive and the fourth saw himself falling in love at first sight.
2014 saw all their dreams come true.
And now every time they look back at the ups and downs of this year, all they will remember are the good moments the year had brought to them.
The feeling of accomplishing something or experiencing something for the first time is usually the first thing a person thinks about when the year is about to end.
New anticipations for the coming year and new goals are also considered.
Residents have so much to share about their good and bad experiences of this year, but their best, first experiences in 2014 are considered life-changing for some of them.
Amal Kiyami, from Syria, started drawing portraits of celebrities as a form of meditation for the first time in 2014. But is was not just of any celebrities. She chose singers who wanted to guide younger generations with their lyrics, or actresses who wanted to tell the story of others.
“In 2014, I began drawing portraits of people who I wanted to understand better, and I focused on those who were concerned more with the needs and wishes of others than their own,” she said.
Through her drawings, Amal said she was recognised by some of them through social media and was able to meet her idol because of her drawings.
“I was able to meet Jessie J for the first time in person after participating in a radio competition. They were looking for the biggest Jessie J fan and I kept forwarding my drawings of her to them until they finally picked me and told me I was going to meet her. It was the best feeling I ever had and was able to experience this year,” she said.
Emirati Hussain Al Atoli said it was his first time to have his own TV show where he got to interview 60 influential figures from the UAE, who had made huge contributions in the country, about their personal life and journey to success.
“It was my first time in 2014 to be the host, the producer and the planner of a national talk show where I got the chance to listen and learn from the 60 inspiring stories they shared with me on the show. It was definitely a unique experience and a turning point in my life, and now I’m planning to write a book based on the interviews I had in that show,” he said.
Another resident said his first skydiving experience in 2014 will carry with it plenty of memories.
“Jumping of that plane was one of the best things I did all year,” said Mohit Raichandani, from India, who also said that he took the adventure with his girlfriend, which was what made it such a special experience.
“That feeling I got for the first time after falling from the sky and looking down at the view where I was able to see the entire skyline of Dubai, was mind-blowing. It made me forget all my worries, and it felt like I was alive for the very first time,” he said.
With bravery also comes romance for others like said Seyed Hussain, from Pakistan, who fell in love at first sight this year.
“It was unexpected because I was actually planning to move back to Pakistan after all the problems and the rough times I faced this year. I met her at a coffee shop and after getting to know he better, I immediately felt like she was the right person for me,” he said.
Seyed said it was his first time he felt like he could secure his future and have long-term plans.
“It made me look at the bright side of life when I thought there was no bright side,” he said.
