New Adventures in New Places

Well it's the start of a new school year and we find ourselves no longer in Abu Dhabi, but in Dubai. I have been reassigned to two schools in an rural community in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and so my company found the best and closest accomodations in Dubai.

So far we have been wandering the neighborhood and other areas around us to find our bearings. There is so much more to do in Dubai and we are looking forward to the new adventure.

We went with some friends to a restaurant called YO! Sushi. It's one of the few places I have remembered to take pictures of so far and it's by far one of the coolest restaurants I've ever been to. The food is placed in little bowls and set to rotate around the establishment on a little conveyer belt. As the food comes by you can have your choice. I felt that it was very futuristic.

As the year progresses and the pictures are compiled we will be sure to keep you updated on our new place!!!

Worldwide Job Insecurity

I find myself again wondering if I will have a job next year. It seems that I have spent the last 3 and a half years of my life wondering what's going to happen to my job and where will I be for the next school year.

My last job had constant struggles with their contract. Would it be renewed? Maybe not... That's why I left - who can deal with that type of insecurity? And in "good economic times" too.

Anyway, the media keeps it hush hush that the UAE is having a hard time during this so-called worldwide "crisis" of the economy, but they are hurting too. Levi and I thought that at least my job would be here next year and so we decided to stay, now we are not so sure. Budgets are being cut by the government for these school improvement projects, so that means people have to go. The only saving grace is that possibly we will still obtain new schools and I will be able to stay. They have been dangling new high schools in front of our faces for a few months now, but we will not know anything until after July 5th. By then I will be camping in the Colorado mountains with friends and family.

I am trying not to worry too much because I do feel that we will be awarded a new high school, but there is still the nagging doubt in the back of mind. How will I survive the next three weeks at a school that I know I will NOT be at next year? And, then, how do I survive the remaining three weeks in limbo? I guess I've done it before and I will do it again...

Random Monkey Acts

Yesterday we went on a brunch cruise along the Abu Dhabi corniche. I didn't get sea sick and I had a lot of fun!

They served us champagne the whole time we were cruising and I drank a little too much - I had to come home and take a nap. Good thing Sassafrass was driving!

I decided to try some shrimp from the buffet. It tasted good, but I had a hard time peeling back the feelers and eyes, maybe next time I will ask them to do that for me - ewww!

Sassafrass bought a new ring the day before and she wore it on the cruise. This is my favorite one - I wanted to steal it for myself!

This morning we went for breakfast at Mugg & Bean. Coffee was great for my hangover, but I couldn't decide on the sugar - white? brown? or Sweet N Low?

Dubai for Pepe

Pepe's recent adventures in Dubai. He's one crazy monkey!

Checking out the hotel rooms - these beds are nice. What should I write home about?

Hanging out by the pool, even though the sun had set it was still relaxing.

Now it's time to hit the sauna - why are we in here when it's 105 degrees outside with 75% humidity? I just don't know.

At the Dubai Museum learning about the history of the United Arab Emirates. Where's the monkeys?

Their doorways are so small for Sassafrass, but I'm good!

Dubai creek - filled with Abras (water taxis).

Riding the Big Bus to see the city sites, it's cool in here, but hot outside!

Wafi Mall - everyone will think I've gone to Egypt!

Brunch at Planet Hollywood. I saw Lawrence of Arabia's dishdasha! Sweet! [Oh, and there he is behind me!]

Single and Dancing

Okay the title is a little misleading... yes, I am currently without my husband AND on Thursday night I saw some great flamenco dancing!

I realized today that being without my husband has been a little weird and a little nice too. I have never lived on my own, so the two and a half weeks without him was quite the experience. Even though my mom is here I still feel the difference of being temporarily single.

I looked at my bed today. I don't make my bed in the morning (I know - shame for shame) but it's funny because half the bed is still made. I have tugged a little bit on the top blanket but for the most part it is laid out and smooth! Also, I did some laundry and I placed it on the bed to be put away, but I never did get back to it and there it lies still! If Levi had been here I would have put the laundry away, but it's in nobody's way and it's so convenient for me. Oh dear! What have I started?!

For two weeks I also did not have to worry about: what's for dinner? what's for lunch? what do you want to do today? It was all about me: I'm hungry now and I don't feel like cooking much so I will have popcorn for dinner or just a small sandwich. I think I will just lounge on the couch today or I will have lunch with a friend impromptu.

Even though I have enjoyed my time alone and do not want to give up what I do have with Levi. I am starting to miss him terribly and I still have 7 weeks until we see each other again... I hope I can survive!

On a lighter note, my mother and I went to see the "Paco Pena Flamenco Dance Company" at Abu Dhabi Culture and Heritage. I was very entranced by the dancing - it's so amazing! There were 2 male dancers and 1 female along with 3 guitarists, 1 percussionist, 1 female singer and 1 male singer. There were so many ways to rearrange this amount of people that it made it fun. Even though the male dancers were performing most of the time it was still fun for all of us. The female dancer did accompany one guitarist on castenets, but not while she was dancing (what a beautiful sound though).

In the end we all felt how amazing the whole performance was and we were glad that we could participate in such a great, FREE event!!!

Teachings of the Quran

Today I was talking with a co-worker. The discussion started because she wants to put Red Crescent (yep, just like Red Cross) collection banks in each classroom so the boys will learn to give what they can to the poor and others in need. She started to tell me about what the Quran says about giving to the poor and then the conversation went on from there. I learned quite a bit and I thought that I would share a few things:

1. The Quran states that after you have paid your bills you should give 2.5% of the leftover amount to the poor.

2. It contains detailed information on how a fetus grows from conception to birth.

3. It gives detailed instructions on how inheritance money should be split among a person's relatives/survivors/community in the case of their death (no will needed!)

4. It states that a man must give his wife an allowance even if she has plenty of her own money to spend.

5. It states that a man can take many wives only in dire circumstances (i.e. the other wife can no longer have children (or never could); the other wife does not desire other children and the husband does; the first wife agrees to another marriage).

6.The Quran also states that anal sex is a no-no because of the health risks.

7. It says that married women are allowed to go and visit her parents without her husband's permission.

8. It also says that married women should have their independence to run businesses or seek other endeavors without their husbands looking over their shoulder all the time.

9. Lastly, (of the things we talked about and that I remember) people should not eat any type of meat from pigs because they are dirty, foul animals.

Remember the Quran was written over 2000 years ago. I was amazed at the detail that it entails and the strict guidance that it gives. As in any religion there are those people that use the words to their own interpretation and give everyone else a bad name (uh like the Taliban). I respect those Muslims that follow the Quran with all their heart, but I still am fully convinced that the Bible is the book to help guide my life.

Men and Women

Today I did something that I usually never hesitate to do at home - I passed on an elevator because only 2 men where getting in with me. Both men entered and one waved me on but I just shook my head and waited for the door to close. At home it seems that this would never be a problem, although we women should be cautious there too, but today I was very conscious of it.