I’ve owned six vacuum cleaners in the eight years I have been in Abu Dhabi.
I know this seems excessive, but it now strikes me that my history of buying these household appliances reflects my living situation at the time.
My first vacuum was a small handheld one that I felt was perfectly adequate for my studio apartment in Al Nahyan after I'd made the move from the US. After all, it was just me, living by myself.
However, as I adopted my first two cats over the next couple of years while still living in the space, it began to feel as though I needed something stronger just to keep on top of all the fur. I bought a bright green bagless cannister that took up more space than I would have liked but did the job I needed it to do.
Much like with the upgrade in vacuum cleaner, it wasn't long before I moved into a bigger space. While there was a natural sadness leaving behind the place where I began my Abu Dhabi adventure, a one-bedroom was better fit for my needs, especially after I'd rescued a third cat.
This space was in an older building in Khalidiya but overlooked one of the roads that leads to the Corniche. The bright lights and bustling streets had a new energy for me, in a city I was still becoming familiar with. It was a sad day when the cannister vacuum stopped working suddenly. Especially since my new place had low-pile carpeting throughout that I put in myself.
Enter vacuum number three. I lucked out in buying a secondhand bagless cannister from someone leaving the country. For the next couple of years, it did a perfect job doing what I needed it to do most: pick up cat hair and the odd bit of dirt that made its way into my living space.
I took that cleaning device with me from house to house. When I switched to a new building on the other side of Khalidiya, with views overlooking Qasr Al Hosn, I used it to do a quick sweep of the place before moving in. But just like how all good things seemingly come to an end sooner than expected, one day the brush head just stopped working. I tried to get by using only the nozzle, but it was tough.
When I took in a fourth rescue cat, I knew that I once again needed a bigger space. My partner and I settled for a two-bedroom villa in Al Reef — somewhere I desperately hoped would feel like home. We moved into our villa in April 2020, right at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
While I initially loved the extra space, I didn’t love how much more work it took to keep the place tidy and clean. Even though I still tried to use the old vacuum’s nozzle — it just wasn't cutting it. Instead, I took inspiration from a colleague and decided to invest in a robot vacuum. After all, who wouldn’t love a hoover that works on its own?
I've always felt like it was a brilliant choice. I had a remote control that I was able to point in the direction of where I wanted it to go. I used it quite often, sometimes feeling as though if I could just make the villa spotless, I would enjoy living in it more.
Whether it was a bit of cabin fever (having been there for two years and for much of the pandemic) or just having too much space, which could feel at times like isolation, I just never quite felt at home. Even though I spent Dh3,000 getting a custom Catio built in the backyard for the cats to enjoy, I hardly used the small outdoor space myself.
When our lease was up, I knew we had to move. Eventually we found a one-bedroom place in a new building in Al Raha Beach. The natural lighting, the scenic views — I felt like an energy had been missing in my life the past couple of years. While I had to downsize, everything about it felt right to me.
I still use the robot vacuum, hoping for an easier task as I no longer live in a two-storey villa. However, I decided to add a cheap, hand-held vacuum to help get to the corners as well as the smaller spaces such as on the sofa or any other hard-to-reach place, still believing that things could be cleaner but only because I truly love the space I'm in.
During a recent week-long break I took the time to research vacuums, considering whether I wanted to invest in yet another that would potentially let me down in a couple of years. I learnt of the acronym BIFL, which stands for “buy it for life” and the brands that people suggested were actually worth the money because of their durability.
Eventually I purchased a BIFL vacuum that was highly recommended and one that supposedly would last 15-20 years. It's the most I've ever spent on a cleaning appliance. While I’m not entirely sure I ever envisioned myself as someone who would even be looking up BIFL vacuums, much less while living abroad, I also never believed my journey in Abu Dhabi would last as long as it has.
While I may have been disappointed by hoovers in the past, it finally feels as though it's time to invest in the long term.
Scroll through the gallery below to see some of Evelyn Lau's favourite UAE memories
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
As You Were
Liam Gallagher
(Warner Bros)
Series result
1st ODI Zimbabwe won by 6 wickets
2nd ODI Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets
3rd ODI Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets
4th ODI Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets
5th ODI Zimbabwe won by 3 wickets
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Remaining Fixtures
Wednesday: West Indies v Scotland
Thursday: UAE v Zimbabwe
Friday: Afghanistan v Ireland
Sunday: Final
Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Price, base / as tested: Dh101,140 / Dh113,800
Engine: Turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 148hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 250Nm @ 2,000rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed CVT
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3ECompany%20name%3A%20CarbonSifr%3Cbr%3EStarted%3A%202022%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Onur%20Elgun%2C%20Mustafa%20Bosca%20and%20Muhammed%20Yildirim%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Climate%20tech%3Cbr%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%241%20million%20raised%20in%20seed%20funding%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
AIDA%20RETURNS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECarol%20Mansour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAida%20Abboud%2C%20Carol%20Mansour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5.%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
How to keep control of your emotions
If your investment decisions are being dictated by emotions such as fear, greed, hope, frustration and boredom, it is time for a rethink, Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG, says.
Greed
Greedy investors trade beyond their means, open more positions than usual or hold on to positions too long to chase an even greater gain. “All too often, they incur a heavy loss and may even wipe out the profit already made.
Tip: Ignore the short-term hype, noise and froth and invest for the long-term plan, based on sound fundamentals.
Fear
The risk of making a loss can cloud decision-making. “This can cause you to close out a position too early, or miss out on a profit by being too afraid to open a trade,” he says.
Tip: Start with a plan, and stick to it. For added security, consider placing stops to reduce any losses and limits to lock in profits.
Hope
While all traders need hope to start trading, excessive optimism can backfire. Too many traders hold on to a losing trade because they believe that it will reverse its trend and become profitable.
Tip: Set realistic goals. Be happy with what you have earned, rather than frustrated by what you could have earned.
Frustration
Traders can get annoyed when the markets have behaved in unexpected ways and generates losses or fails to deliver anticipated gains.
Tip: Accept in advance that asset price movements are completely unpredictable and you will suffer losses at some point. These can be managed, say, by attaching stops and limits to your trades.
Boredom
Too many investors buy and sell because they want something to do. They are trading as entertainment, rather than in the hope of making money. As well as making bad decisions, the extra dealing charges eat into returns.
Tip: Open an online demo account and get your thrills without risking real money.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
