New living quarters

Well, the time has come!! My stay in the Intercontinental, 5 star treatment, buffet style breakfast, valet parking, and service at any time has finally come to an end!!

Barbara and I picked up our keys to the new apartment on Thursday.....we spent all day Friday cleaning, and will start moving things in this week and next weekend.


More pictures to come, as soon as we move in and have furniture!!

Catch(her) in the Rye

One of the main reasons for pursuing this job opportunity was the EXPERIENCE this trip would allow for me. And guess what, there hasn't been a day since setting foot on UAE soil that I haven't experienced something new, outrageous, complicated, exciting, different, strange, and just plain abnormal.

Barbara and I went to the mall the other day, to get a bite to eat. Nothing out of the ordinary....a trip to the food court or one of the MANY cafes around the mall. As I am sitting there, enjoying my chicken pasta, a good conversation, and company of a good friend, there is a sudden burst of anger from behind me. There, in the middle of the mall, were two groups of guys....yelling at each other (in Arabic) and beginning the start of a fight. After a short acceleration and choice words, the groups went their separate ways. What just happened???

With a look of confusion, as it is normally plastered to my face, Barbara said, "There goes the Emirati style of dating for you....watch...."

So, being the people watcher that I am, the next 10 minutes of my life was spent observing....the life of an Emirati and dating.

Mind you, I said I was here for the experience. The experiences here are like no other, and very different to what I am accustomed to, but that is why I am here. So, here goes, "Emirati Dating:101"


Around 3:30 in the afternoon, this marks the prime time for the Emirati girls to visit the malls, to walk, shop, etc. Dressed in the typical worn abaya, sheila around the head/hair, and high heels (some so high, I think I would kill myself trying to walk in them)....these girls cruise up and down the mall; in and out of shops, up the escalator stairs, and to the food court they go. You would expect nothing less of a female, right?

The Emirati boys, dressed in their typical worn white kandora and saturated with some of the best smelling colognes, in the words of Jersey Shore, they start their "creeping." They follow the Emirati girls, in and out of shops, up the escalator stairs, and to the food court. They will follow behind them, just enough distance between them, but will follow. Some will actually approach one of the ladies, chat a bit, but mostly just follow.

Now, one of the really cool things about this process is the visual aspect. Based on the females choice, some ladies cover more than others. So, there are ladies that just cover their hair or there are ladies that cover their entire face. So, this Emirati dating game is quite interesting, because the guys don't always know what the girls look like. In fact, the more covered the female is, the more guys follow her.

The other side to this, are the girls that cover just their hair. Some ladies go the natural look and are quite beautiful, but then, there are those that dress like the Emirati version of Barbie...they have so much makeup plastered to their faces, you just don't know what to think.

In the eyes of the viewer, none of this would really look abnormal. It simply looks like a cluster of girlfriends going to the mall together, for fun. Then, of course, you have a group of guys, with their buddies, going to the mall. It is all about first, who you know that can tell you this stuff. But also, watching each of the guys and their "stroll" (walk), the distance they leave behind the group of girls, and finally- the funniest part of this process, how the guys hang around the group of girls when they enter a store. The boys will linger, pace back and forth, waiting for the girls to exit the store, in order to continue following.

Best part for the females...if the girl isn't interested, they simply call their driver or someone to come get them.....they will sit and wait, until they are fetched. Like a dog, tail tucked and dragging to the floor, the boys walk on and find another group.

So, who will eventually catch her?

Airing Out My Dirty Laundry

I have now been in Abu Dhabi for a month now....hard to believe! I have experienced and seen so much, in so little time, I almost don't know what to do with myself.

Peering out of my 15th floor hotel window (STILL!), straight shot to the Arabian Gulf, you wouldn't dream of hearing a complaint from me....or would you?

Thinking back to my arrival, I couldn't wait to live the "high" life, and boy have we ever! FIVE star hotel, service, food, bedding, etc. and being water front, you couldn't think of a better vacation, (clear throat) I mean, job location. I can't remember the last time I carried anything (laundry, groceries, anything heavy) to my own room...that is right, it is done for me. My car, it is parked for me. Oh, did I mention, my breakfast is a gourmet BUFFET, with more food than even the starving children in Ethiopia could eat, but nonetheless- absolutely WONDERFUL! Who wouldn't want this life!?!?

Well, it is trips to the local grocery stores (Spinneys) or a drive around town in hunt of a laundry place. Isn't it funny, sad really, how much we take the small things in life for granted. Something as simple as a washing machine. I <3 my washing machine, and have never missed something so MUCH! Especially when it comes down to really, literally, "airing out your dirty laundry." So, you walk into the laundry place, where you hand them your bags. Atop the counter, your goods are dumped out, and counted. Not secretly counted, but underwear is thrown in different directions, tops, bottoms, etc....nothing secret about your laundry...in fact, "Victoria's secret" is out of the bag!

Oh, don't let me forget, those small washings we do in the bathtub, with liquid detergent. You walk in to everyone's hotel bathroom, clothes are hung from top to bottom...drying.

Need I not forget, good ol' home cooking! You might think all those delicious dishes I keep posting look good, well, try eating them for a month! The value I would put on my own kitchen, stove, refrigerator, etc. = PRICELESS!! The night we get those keys to this new apartment we have been "approved" for, I vouch to sleep on top of the kitchen counters- granite and all.

Life, abode a five star hotel in the one and only Abu Dhabi, doesn't carry many complaints....I mean, look at my pictures! Life here is good, great actually. But, lesson learned here, remember all those things we take for granted. You never know when you aren't going to have them, and REALLY REALLY want them.

So, farewell to my last night of vacation...for school starts tomorrow (Tuesday Sept. 14- staff development) and the kiddos come on Wed. Sept. 15th. My list of things to do gets longer, and guess what is on top:

LAUNDRY

The Hustle and Bustle

I sit here, peering out from my 15th floor window of the Intercontinental Hotel in complete awe and disbelief. I haven't quite grasped the fact that I really am here, in a foreign country, to live and work for the next two years of my life. I have this repeating thought that I am simply on vacation. I am living in a 5-star hotel, serviced with daily room cleaning, valet parking, and buffet style breakfast every morning (absolutely to die for). Who wouldn't forget that a job is soon to come? This experience, as I have said before, has been like a dream...nothing but positive things to say.

I started driving this last week...I was scared to death! I must say, I feel like a human again, being able to drive! Driving in the UAE is a rare form; these Emiratis are absolute maniacs when it comes to driving, so every car ride is an experience all in its own. Things are going well, as I have been driving to and from work all week. I wouldn't call myself a pro, yet. Thank goodness for Garmin Nuvi....he is my best friend!

As I have said before, I think this job/move was the best decision I am yet to make in my life. I have a 45 minute commute to and from work, so it gives me time to sit and think, which I have been doing quite a bit of.

I ponder the meaning of lost, as I get lost every afternoon driving in from Al Shahama, and what an excellent learning experience such a negative word creates. Getting lost in the car coming home from work, only barely brushes the story of my life- past, present, and future.

I am lost...

* longing for a new career in the States. As many of you know, and I have said before, I won't be returning to the States for a teaching job. Instead, my plan is to go back to school, and complete my nursing degree and master's in hospital administration; something that should have been done long ago, even from the beginning.

* longing for religion and faith. Being in Abu Dhabi, I am immersed in a Muslim rich environment, no one can escape from because it is in every aspect of your own life. Prayer call is five times a day, called from speaker systems all over the country....you can hear it from anywhere you are. Amazingly, it isn't annoying; it is actually quite serene. I catch myself saying a small prayer of my own, when I hear it. Really, it makes you come to grips with your own religion.

The outfit of a Muslim- Kandora (for men) and the abaya and sheila (for women)are the typical attire here. As many of you have seen, I even wear them for work and when visiting mosques. Up until my trip, and asking a friend of mine 50 million questions, I didn't get it. For women, it is the exact opposite of what people think, especially Americans. Women wear the abaya, sheila, burka, hijab (whatever their choice) as a devotion to Allah (God), their purity for a future husband, and as a personal choice. The thought is, no other man should see another man's wife; contrary, a man, technically, doesn't see his wife until marriage. In turn, this eliminates the straying from a marriage. Is it a little on the extreme side? Sure, maybe to most, but from the words of an Emirati local, marriage is then viewed differently...you are actually working on the marriage together, as you are getting to know each other (many marriages are arranged here). Contrary to the most popular belief, the typical Muslim outfit for women is not about shunning the females, to belittle them, or lack of self confidence. It is actually quite the opposite! Women here are treated quite well...(I know, most of you are gasping at the fact that I have just said that) but you have to experience it to know the real truth.

Fasting- During the holy month of Ramadan, fasting is from sunrise to sunset. As a Muslim, you may not eat or drink anything, including water, gum, candy, etc. This was a struggle when I first arrived. Because of Ramadan, lunch typically isn't in the schedule. If you are lucky, you can pop into a grocery store or grab takeaway and go back to your hotel room, but for the most part, you also end up fasting. Obviously giving something up for a religious reason is something big; it gives you a greater appreciation for things. In simpler terms, I have NEVER loved water as much as I LOVE water now! Definitely gives you a greater appreciation for the smaller things in life.

Patience- I never really stopped to think about how fast paced my life always was. You set your mind to do something, and it usually gets done within the time period that you want. Here, things don't work like that. I swear, it is as if we have our own clock over here. I will simply refer to it as, "Arab time."

Arab time happens when Arab time happens. When in a car, you are in a rush to get to no where. Everything else...."inshallah"- it will happen when it happens. There are no immediate answers, just maybes. "Don't worry, it will be okay" has become a popular one. No one is in a rush, there aren't many deadlines, and you are lucky that people even show up to work. :) Being thrown into this, immediately, has had a huge impact...I almost don't know what to do with myself! I don't have a classroom yet, which means my classroom isn't decorated or ready, I don't know my curriculum or what to do for the first day, but you know, "inshallah"- everything will be okay. Oddly enough, I am not all that worried about it...strange I know, coming from someone that should be medicated for obsessive compulsive disorder! being here has been quite relaxing and has taught a great lesson...ENJOY life while you can!

True Beauty- Having been here for a little over three weeks and during the holy month of Ramadan, I am yet to experience the true beauty of the UAE/Abu Dhabi. Although all that I have seen and done has been great, I believe there to be so much more. I think there are even more treats coming my way, and I can't wait!

So, until then, the hustle and bustle is about to begin. We found out that Eid is starting Wednesday Sept 8th, which means the end to Ramadan (things get crazy for the next 7 days, off from work), school starts on Sept. 15th, I will be moving into my new apartment soon, and my mini-vacation will slow down (note, I didn't say end!!). A lot to come, in so few days!