Reflections on our first school year in the Al Ain

So, it is the end of the first school year here in the United Arab Emirates. I have learned a lot about myself, our family, and other people.

I am a very touchy person. I like to touch people. When I'm talking to you, I like to put my hand on your arm, smack you if you're being silly, goose you if I'm feeling sassy, or hug you because I want to. I have had to make a conscious effort here to not touch people when I am talking to them. It makes me kinda lonely in a strange way. I miss touching people.

I am a very flexible person. I can roll with the flow, even when it is illogical and a waste of time.

Jason, the girls and I are pretty rad people. We love each other (even when Ava is on my VERY last nerve and Landry is yelling). This adventure is bringing us closer together, and we can depend on each other. We've been able to ride camels, go dune bashing, visit the Grand Mosque and central souk in Abu Dhabi, Dubai Mall, ski Dubai, the Burj Khalifa fountain, Global Village, Gulf of Oman on the beach in Fujairah, watch a meteor shower in the desert, drive up Jebel Hafeet, see remains of a village from the Bronze Age at an official Unesco world Heritage site a few kilometers from our apartment, and go to an Easter sunrise service in many different languages with people from all over the world.

We're seeing new people, new places, new cultures, and some of it is good and some of it makes us appreciate the United States more.  Talking to people from many different countries and hearing their stories and choices in life makes me see how fortunate we are. Watching the cleaners and nannies and service workers deal with disrespect and low wages and realizing that this is better than their situation in their home country is saddening. Almost every service worker or nanny that I have spoken with has a family in the Phillipines or Pakistan.  Their low wages and disrespect here are still better than the money and conditions at home; so much so that they leave their children and send money home to them.  Maybe people look at me that way.

I've met people with so many different accents and dialects of English that I am making a list of new English words that I've learned that are indigenous to other native English speaking countries. My top favorites are: rubbish, dodgy, fek, eejit, and keen.

There are more expats than Emiratis in the UAE, but Al Ain has a higher proportion of locals than other large cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai.  I have weekly conversations with a local mother of 5. We share a commonality in our children, and get along very well. I don't think that many expats make it a point to get to know locals.

We are fortunate and say a prayer of thanks daily for our blessings.  Alhamdulillah!

Ma Salamah!

Wow, I am bad at this blogging thing.

I don't understand how people can blog daily. I don't have enough universally appropriate things to say. That's what makes me wonderful. : ) Daily stuff is boring...as evidenced by the following:

We're officially into the routine of living here instead of just visiting.

Jason is very manly proud of the fact that he can get around Al Ain and Dubai without using the GPS.  He takes it as a personal affront to his manhood when I plug in the GPS when he's driving. An insight into Jason's mind......

                =

We still get looks wherever we go, but they're not bad looks.  It's more what's up with those people? looks.  Let me explain a few things.  Women here speak in undertones. Or I am deaf. It could just be my perspective. I never hear women when I am out in public. I think it's for the same reason they wear the abayas and veils- to not draw attention to themselves.  Just a thought.

Then there's us. I think we didn't get the memo about hushed undertones.  I don't think it's possible for us. Have you heard me laugh? I think the world has heard me laugh. Our kids are the same. They think everyone needs to hear every conversation we have.  When Ava sees people looking at her, she decides to put on a loud, obnoxious show for them.

The countdown is officially on until we go back to Texas for July. 

11 weeks and counting!

I wouldn't exactly say I've been missing it, Bob.

I find it strange that now that we live a bazillion miles away, I want to visit American landmarks. Ooh, maybe we can stop over in New York so the girls can see the Statue of Liberty, or DC so the girls can see where the president lives. OOOhhh, we still haven't visited the Grand Canyon.... We are sorely missing American Social studies and civics here- but thankfully also missing the crazy political crap that has been going on.

I've heard that there is some tax law that we can only be in the US for 30 days in a calendar year without having to pay taxes or some such. So, if we go home for 30 days in the summer, we can't go back again until the following summer? Something like that.  Anywho, we have to make the most of our 30 day limit.  Maybe stop off in another country- because we don't technically have to be back here until the middle of August. 

So, we are looking for suggested itineraries for July into August. WWYD?  What would you do? Please post your suggestions in the comments below- maybe a budget conscious one and an extravagant one??  

And....GO!

Ma Salaamah

Ava's Blog Entry

So, Ava really wanted to post a blog entry- I'm pretty sure because she watches waaaaay too much of the irritating show "Dog With a Blog" on Disney Channel. 

I can tolerate some shows on Disney channel- Jessie- and even like some others- Good Luck Charlie- but I cannot handle Dog with a Blog or ANT Farm. Overacting and laugh tracks never bode well.  But, I digress.  Here is Ava's blog:

u.a.e trip.

I have some relatives coming to visit but not now.

My friends are kind but sometimes mean like Noah, Harrison, Mariam, Alyazia, Hessa ,Lydia, and Khalid.

I normally play with Noah, Khalid, Harrison, and Lydia.

They are some of my best friends.

But in my old school my best friend was Mari she was by best friend in the world and then I had to leave 

her and come to the u.a.e.

Christmas Break

We are fortunate enough to have 3 weeks off for Winter Break!  This is awesome if you are travelling back home for Christmas.  However, we would have to save every single extra dirham in order to fly back home (and as such, receive no presents), so we're staying here.  It is mildly less awesome if you are staying here and have to find things to do for 3 weeks so you don't spend the three weeks crying because you're missing family Christmas.

Hili Archaeological Site Tombs

So, we've compiled a list of things to do over the break to entertain us.

1. Go play in the desert.

2. Go to Hili Archaeological site (it's a UNESCO World Heritage site that dates back to the Bronze Age), and is right next to #3.
3. Hili Fun City- an amusement park that someone gave us buy 1 get 1 coupons for.  Woohoo!

Al Ain Palace Museum

4. Al Ain Palace Museum- the founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed (may he rest in peace), lived in Al Ain, and since his death in 1994, his Palace has become a public museum. It's in the middle of the town center, and has an oasis within the compound.

Global Village

5. Global Village- There is a world's fair- type place in Dubai that is open October through March that has trinkets and handmade items and food from all over the world.  We've heard that India's section is amazing.

Ski Dubai

6. SkiDubai- Indoor Ski slope.  We have no confidence that our children would go down a ski slope, but they do have a Snow park to play in with snow and a toboggan hill. buy 1 get 1 coupon woohoo!









7. Al Ain Oasis- The reason that this city has been inhabited for thousands of years.

8. Watch a list of Christmas movies repeatedly.  We've already watched Home Alone and The Santa Clause 1, 2, and 3 multiple times.  Still to go: Elf, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, White Christmas, Polar Express, and Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer.



9. Maybe drive to Dubai to watch fireworks from the Burj Khalifa on New Years Eve. Maybe. It sounds trafficky.

If you've ever wanted to see what it's like to live here, this magazine that shows a snapshot of life in Al Ain.  Oasis Living has good articles and lets you know about upcoming events.  This link is for the entirety of December's magazine.  Oasis Living Magazine December 2013

Merry Christmas!