Moving houses can often evoke interesting feelings especially when it comes items dear and near to the heart. Reem Mohammed / The National
Moving houses can often evoke interesting feelings especially when it comes items dear and near to the heart. Reem Mohammed / The National

When it comes to the big moves, it’s the little things that matter the most



Suresh has seen enough. After babbling instructions, my arm waving has caused a plate to shatter on the kitchen floor and he pulls me aside discreetly. “Sir, I think it is time for you to go.” The man is kicking me out of my own house. To be honest, I would have done the same just without his calm bedside manner.

The reason for my neurotic behaviour? I'm "advising" Suresh's stoic crew, who are helping me move, to treat every item – from a chipped cup to a thank you card – with the care befitting a painting by Picasso.

I'm not the best when it comes to interior design. I've been living in this flat for seven years and on a good day it can resemble a neat hospital waiting room. However, all the items in my home, from the books to the craggy couch, are priceless to me.

And that’s because over the years I learned that I value things less for their beauty and more for sentimental reasons. This has made for some strange shopping experiences with friends and family.

Two months ago, I decided that it was time to buy a new bed. The decision was forced upon me after my battered mattress took on a strangely confining shape that would have challenged Harry Houdini.

You would think for such an important item – it is estimated we spend up to one third of our lives in bed – that I might have taken an active role in the search and purchase.

Nope. With the exception of requiring the bed to be “high and soft”, I left the decision to my family.

Maybe they thought I was lazy, but I knew that if it was their choice the bed would serve me for life.

I am the same when it comes to my oud collection. I always ask my mum to purchase whatever scent she likes for my flat. She would explain the decision should be ultimately down to my nose, but I would tell her that it’s more a heart thing. If I purchase it, it’s just a soapy scent from the market. If she does, it would remind me of her and my family home in Australia, and I would immediately feel better.

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Read more from Saeed:

Spring in the UAE: A time filled with regret and guilt

Abu Dhabi street cricket evokes a deluge of memories

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This explains why I have never been unhappy with my flat's lack of styling: it serves a higher purpose. Whenever I would get struck down with the expat blues – that gnawing feeling that life is passing me by – I would look at the jagged cup my former colleague Sara gave me before returning to New York, or I would touch that thank you card my friend Kerri made me before heading off on her next adventure and the books signed by all the authors that I have interviewed over the years.

These objects tell me that I am loved, my work is appreciated and that this whole Abu Dhabi experiment has been a success.

“You are not the only one,” Suresh told me outside the front door. “I have been doing this for nearly 18 years and I do see people acting very sad, like someone has died, or acting very nervous.

“We have moved pianos, big chandeliers and living rooms and we never had problems, but we know the small items cause the most tension. It is always the little things that people care about the most.”

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

'My Son'

Director: Christian Carion

Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis

Rating: 2/5

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In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter

Price: From Dh2,099

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Joker: Folie a Deux

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson

Director: Todd Phillips 

Rating: 2/5

England Test squad

Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Sam Curran, Keaton Jennings, Dawid Malan, Jamie Porter, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes.

Isle of Dogs

Director: Wes Anderson

Starring: Bryan Cranston, Liev Schreiber, Ed Norton, Greta Gerwig, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Scarlett Johansson

Three stars

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher:  Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5

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Abu Dhabi GP Saturday schedule

12.30pm GP3 race (18 laps)

2pm Formula One final practice 

5pm Formula One qualifying

6.40pm Formula 2 race (31 laps)

England v South Africa schedule:

  • First Test: At Lord's, England won by 219 runs
  • Second Test: July 14-18, Trent Bridge, Nottingham, 2pm
  • Third Test: The Oval, London, July 27-31, 2pm
  • Fourth Test: Old Trafford, Manchester, August 4-8
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Director: Laila Abbas

Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum

Rating: 4/5

Klopp at the Kop

Matches 68; Wins 35; Draws 19; Losses 14; Goals For 133; Goals Against 82

  • Eighth place in Premier League in 2015/16
  • Runners-up in Europa League in 2016
  • Runners-up in League Cup in 2016
  • Fourth place in Premier League in 2016/17
The specs
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Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla

Director: Raed Zeno

Rating: 4/5

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Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
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