![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WWOC57GHTJ5TKKUSJ4RKZE364E.jpg?smart=true&auth=fcf37af13474aa704ee40137502a48e4251c8c2df40964ddb5536b5dae23f7f9&width=400&height=225)
Georgie and Zabeeb enjoying the catio that was built at the new house in 2020.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BE7SPOFOFZAYRGVYP2EYYJ7Z3Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=e17ccfba04a858a9d05942a7b349c2957fd3f5148c59b17d62dab00caa8b16e2&width=400&height=225)
One of writer Evelyn Lau's best memories after moving to Abu Dhabi was a desert safari in 2015. Photo: Evelyn Lau
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Evelyn Lau at the top of Burj Khalifa in 2015.
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Race day at the Formula One track at Yas Marina on Yas Island in 2016. Photo: Evelyn Lau
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CJWIHJPQIWXTKEWZJJLTZOONCY.jpg?smart=true&auth=b52d20840d8db4a6dd4d4ae3bb900d30e377de34d5f90b8cb633c7ed0ee90dfc&width=400&height=225)
Evelyn Lau tried go-karting at Al Forsan International Sports Resort in Abu Dhabi in 2017. Satish Kumar / The National
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The view of the city from an apartment in the Khalidiya neighbourhood where Evelyn Lau lived from 2018 to 2020.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3AAE6M5LGUXE4WDBWBBW2M5CQM.jpg?smart=true&auth=e101d7014d2d675006ddda3009181f41a886a1cfdade853fa90d88aeb2e3a136&width=400&height=225)
Evelyn Lau joined the K-pop Academy run by the Korean Cultural Centre in Abu Dhabi in 2018. Karma Gurung / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z7UDY3YCZVJ6W6K6OLX74KR5Z4.jpg?smart=true&auth=8fc2617880c9e7652bffceae481a2f4da6df9c23067d35459d32f6f1a08a97f9&width=400&height=225)
At Dubai's Smash Room when it first opened in 2018. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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Evelyn Lau's four cats during a house move in 2020. Photo: Evelyn Lau
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WWOC57GHTJ5TKKUSJ4RKZE364E.jpg?smart=true&auth=fcf37af13474aa704ee40137502a48e4251c8c2df40964ddb5536b5dae23f7f9&width=400&height=225)
Georgie and Zabeeb enjoying the catio that was built at the new house in 2020.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BE7SPOFOFZAYRGVYP2EYYJ7Z3Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=e17ccfba04a858a9d05942a7b349c2957fd3f5148c59b17d62dab00caa8b16e2&width=400&height=225)
One of writer Evelyn Lau's best memories after moving to Abu Dhabi was a desert safari in 2015. Photo: Evelyn Lau
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UXTGUSTYT5CB7HXZCNG33T6TY4.jpg?smart=true&auth=d1dabaaae1b58bee3f497ef9144b9e369c649372d3d7d1bab1176b7d11babd0a&width=400&height=225)
Evelyn Lau at the top of Burj Khalifa in 2015.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZAF5DFMMM5DDRA4JOFZNKJJRIU.jpg?smart=true&auth=a0d7b66ab9a119cf7aa428e166ae26dcfc2136b70d7c2465f94e3695af8e4cb3&width=400&height=225)
Race day at the Formula One track at Yas Marina on Yas Island in 2016. Photo: Evelyn Lau
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CJWIHJPQIWXTKEWZJJLTZOONCY.jpg?smart=true&auth=b52d20840d8db4a6dd4d4ae3bb900d30e377de34d5f90b8cb633c7ed0ee90dfc&width=400&height=225)
Evelyn Lau tried go-karting at Al Forsan International Sports Resort in Abu Dhabi in 2017. Satish Kumar / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TW4SAD352ZA3NMETHXP5DMKQL4.jpg?smart=true&auth=918f2777024af41059dce34145af762a2caba7d50841fc2745ba176f8633c921&width=400&height=225)
The view of the city from an apartment in the Khalidiya neighbourhood where Evelyn Lau lived from 2018 to 2020.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3AAE6M5LGUXE4WDBWBBW2M5CQM.jpg?smart=true&auth=e101d7014d2d675006ddda3009181f41a886a1cfdade853fa90d88aeb2e3a136&width=400&height=225)
Evelyn Lau joined the K-pop Academy run by the Korean Cultural Centre in Abu Dhabi in 2018. Karma Gurung / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z7UDY3YCZVJ6W6K6OLX74KR5Z4.jpg?smart=true&auth=8fc2617880c9e7652bffceae481a2f4da6df9c23067d35459d32f6f1a08a97f9&width=400&height=225)
At Dubai's Smash Room when it first opened in 2018. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QCVQZ7O6TNBQ3AMDVAVJ4527XE.jpg?smart=true&auth=94d7fab9d5918ff776cbc925c50d5862dcf1c9fe6dfc7962d4b0820dd28e4382&width=400&height=225)
Evelyn Lau's four cats during a house move in 2020. Photo: Evelyn Lau
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WWOC57GHTJ5TKKUSJ4RKZE364E.jpg?smart=true&auth=fcf37af13474aa704ee40137502a48e4251c8c2df40964ddb5536b5dae23f7f9&width=400&height=225)
Georgie and Zabeeb enjoying the catio that was built at the new house in 2020.
How a two-year adventure in the UAE became eight years (and counting)
This week, Evelyn Lau celebrates a milestone she never thought she’d reach
![Evelyn Lau](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F326930c8-426e-4292-8915-488062faf4ec.png?smart=true&auth=bf65363a4ec5524d4fde02fe884073b2948f09e3aaac804a1077fa41b77f1ecb&width=70&height=70)
Evelyn Lau
11 February, 2022
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic