Well it has been an interesting last few months. I ended the Summer semester at school and have now started the Fall semester.

I am taking a break from math classes this semester. I have an Art History class, Public Speaking class and a World History (up to the 1500's) class. I am enjoying them all. I actually created my schedule around the Art class because I wanted this specific Professor and class. That accounts for the 8:00 am class. This is a struggle for me since you all know I am NOT a morning person. I took the public speaking class just because it looked fun. I was correct... My Professor is hilarious. I nailed my first speech with an A+ and my next speech is due Tuesday. I am nervous about that one. She said to think outside the box and well.... I am lol. The world history class is interesting and I am learning a lot from it. I am already thinking about my final paper.

I started a new job a little over a month ago.  I am a Personal Concierge at the Marriott out at DIA. I am loving it. I get to meet new people and the team of people I work with is incredible. Sadly we lost a supervisor to the JW down-town. I will miss him. I was going to apply for that position but I have not been with Marriott for 90 days and I got to thinking about school scheduling and health issues and decided I really didn't want to add to the stress in my life right now. I will just sit back and learn for now.

I am thinking of taking several trips this fall... One to Atlanta to visit a good friend and one to visit my sister and nieces in Houston. I am working on saving some money up for a big trip next summer.

Well I am off to do some research for speech and history...

Finals Week... finally

Well, this starts the beginning of "Finals Week" for me. As usual I am stressed about them. My GPA has slipped a bit this semester but I am still at about a 3.6 which is ok I guess. I will pull it up over the summer if I can.

My final Drawing project is done and signed... we critique them on Tuesday and Thursday. I like the way mine turned out. It is a conte crayon, charcoal, and graphite composite drawing of a vent in an old fort in Fujairah UAE. On the left side of the drawing I "wrote" in Arabic part of my favorite poem, The Road Less Traveled and on the right I wrote the last line in English. I just need to mount it for class and it is totally finished. My English paper is almost done. I think I just need to write the conclusion and it will be done. Then all I have is my Math final. That I am nervous about. Math has been a huge learning curve for me.

I need to take at least 1 class this summer... Math again... ugh! This should be the last Algebra class I need though. I should be able at the end of summer semester to retest and avoid the rest of the Algebra. Then I can take the accounting class I need in the fall and work on a few more requirements.

I am still seeing the guy I wrote about before. Not much has changed there. I am still trying to keep it casual and no commitments. At least for the next 3 years. I don't need a distraction. I have enough trouble with "squirrel" syndrome as it is. I need to "laser focus" as my friend Joy says...

Well it is time to hit the books again. 28 out of 42 homework problems are done... Then I need to get on and do some online math homework... 70 problems of that... well at least I should know the material.

The story...

Hi and welcome... I am Lori. For the past 25 years I was a wife and mother, then all of that changed when one day my (ex) husband decided he wasn't happy. He wanted a divorce. We actually differ on how this all worked out initially, but the end result is the divorce was finalized on February 7th.

Before we got married, I essentially lived with my parents. There were times when I lived on my own, but never for more than 6 months at a time... I was not successful at it. After we were married for 7 years I divorced my husband and moves away for 6 months. I saw what it was doing to our son and asked if we could get back together and we did. The following years, I devoted myself to being the best mom I could be and the best wife I could be.

Now I am on my own for the first time in my life at the wonderful age of 48. I have a fantastic, cozy little apartment that I just love. The friends that have come over say it suits me and that it reflects my personality of being eclectic, and that it is cozy.

Some people might think it kind of fast to start dating this early in my single life, but I really like companionship. Thanks to my sister I found a good online dating site and signed up. Honestly I never thought anything would come of it. One day I had an email from another member and we have seemed to hit it off. He is fun to be with, adventurous (which is a good thing), a great cook (he cleans up after himself), can carry on a conversation with me about other things than how my day was and school. He supports my goals and helps me stay focused. I really like this guy. We are going to "let nature take it's course" and see where our relationship goes. So far it has been a lot of fun.

One thing I did at the suggestion of my good friend Joy, is to write a list of 15 things I wanted in my next relationship... "D" has seen this list and wasn't thrown off by it at all... He said he was impressed that I took the time to think things out. I figure if you are reading this you might just be interested in seeing what this list is like so here goes...

Lori's 15 list

1. Romantic Someone who will " court" me... I know that is an old-fashioned term but I think it fits. I can't help it... I am a romantic at heart.

2. Kind

3. Generous

4. Stable (financially and emotionally) (I plan on being out of debt this year, other than my student loans.)

5. Understanding

6. Have friends of his own (golf buddies, fishing buddies, ...) someone who can make friends and not rely on me to make friends for us...

7. Not someone who would worry if I had male friends. I have several.

8. Compassionate - Let me cry on their shoulder when I need to

9. Not the kind of person who gets in trouble ( with people or the law) I have never been in trouble a day in my life with the law. Well, I have had a ticket, which I deserved (California stop) but other than that nothing...

10. Honest ( I will not tolerate dishonesty, there is no room in a relationship for dishonesty)

11. Hard working

12. Able to have a conversation with me... I want someone to talk to at night

13. Passionate (about life and us)

14. Grounded – their life is balanced and they would balance me out and help me be grounded also. Spiritually grounded also.

15. Someone who will support me in my goals and dreams for my future... most other things I can give and take on...

It took me a lot of reflection to decide that these were the qualities I want in my next serious relationship. I have been surprised that as I get to know "D' more and understand who he is, he fits all of these except for one of them all the way. 14out of 15 is not bad... :)

I have been on a rocky road the past 9 years spiritually and am finally starting to find my footing again. I was in a Bible study at the time and it was focused on the first 4 chapters of Romans... you know, how bad we are... Well after 6 weeks of it, I was convinced I was bad and that there was no hope. I picked up my Bible and put it on the shelf and walked away. I didn't open it for 9 years... I just recently opened it and started reading some of my favorite verses and have found so much comfort i n them. I feel like I have been on a long journey in the wilderness... Sometimes God lets us go wandering. For me it was an exploration as to who I really am spiritually. For a period of time I returned to paganism and wicca, but upon exploring that path, I have determined it really is not who I am. There are things from that path I do believe in still, but who I really am is one of God's children. One of my friend who is pagan said it so well... She said that "I can choose what I believe in and what my values are but what it comes down to is where my heart is. " I truly believe in that. The emptiness I felt when I didn't have contact with God is gone and it feels like there is a hole that has been patched up. I still waver and waffle a bit, but I can almost see where I am supposed to be and it feels right. I know I am good and that God loves me for who I am. It doesn't matter to him what I was or am like, He just loves me.

So join me on this journey in figuring out who I am.

I did it again lol...

Wow... I did it again. I started to blog and then promptly forgot about it. I think I actually got busy, but I am not sure doing what... Life has gone by so fast since I last wrote something. Many Many updates...

I finally started college. It has been a dream of mine for a long time. I didn't know what I really wanted to do until we lived overseas for that wonderful but short period of time. I realized that I have always loved to travel so it finally became clear to me that I want a career in the Hospitality and Travel Management field. With much credit due to my son Jeiel and his encouragement I enrolled at Community College of Denver and am moving forward. I will be at CCD for at least 1 more semester, probably two, then I will transfer to Metro State and enter my field of study. I am excited to be moving forward.

Doug and I went to San Francisco in September. It was cool and windy there, but we had fun.

The first week in October we went out to dinner and after dinner while talking Doug said he didn't think we were "ok". So I said the obvious... "you want a divorce?" After talking a few times I decided that there was no way we could fix things so we moved forward with getting the divorce.

At first I was absolutely devastated. How could this be happening to me? For about a month and a half my life was turned upside down. Then I started to look back and now realize I just didn't see the signs for a long long time. If truth be known, the blame (if there is any) lies with both of us. Having had a lot of time for reflection I am now glad we moved forward. I realize now that I have been unhappy for a long time. I just didn't want to give up.

I have a cute cozy little apartment closer to school and I love it here. It is quiet and the neighbors are friendly. The neighborhood is not the best... It is decent but it is still close to some problem areas. I haven't had any problems and don't plan to have any.

I am in my second semester of school now and absolutely loving it. I had great professors last semester and one of them is the same this semester. I managed, despite all of the stress going on I managed to get a 4.0. So I have a "reward class" Drawing 1, an English Comp class and another Math class. The drawing is fairly easy and so is the English class. I am struggling a bit with my Pre Algebra class though. I am slowly getting it, and am determined to succeed in it. I had two other classes that I dropped. One was a business class that pushed me up to 18 credits. I decided that I couldn't do that so I kept my Spanish class. I should have dropped that one and kept the business class but oh well. I found out after the fact that my Spanish class was a Honor's Spanish. Why did my advisor do that to me? I have no idea. I will take it again, but in a simpler form another time lol.

The divorce was finalized on the 7th of February, but I celebrated (yes celebrated) on the 3rd which was the date I had filed the papers since Doug was out of the country. I called it "Freedom Day" It truly was a relief to have it done.

Doug has moved on with his life... in my opinion a little bit to quickly, but it is his life. His girlfriend has moved in and having known him for most of my life I know where that is going... I hope he is careful and thinks things through... like doing a pre-nup... Things like that are important.

I am moving on with my life now too... I have a friend who I have started to go out with every so often. We have a lot in common and really enjoy each others company. He makes me laugh and smile. He is considerate, kind, supportive of my goals, interested in what is going on in my life, interested in how school is going, etc. I am not sure where the relationship will go, but the ride will be fun and I will let nature take it's course.

Well, I have homework to do in Math and I want to work on my drawing for Art class tomorrow. I am not happy with a section of what I have drawn, but then anatomy is not a strong subject of mine. I think I may redraw it and start from scratch. Fortunately I took some pictures of the cast we were drawing and should be able to work things out.

I will try to be better at posting... I promise.

Oh My Gosh and other things...

OMG... Has it really been this long since I last wrote anything here? We have had so many changes happen since we moved State side.

• November 09 - Our son moved down to Denver to be with us. He hit a real rough patch when we moved to Abu Dhabi and he just needed to get away from Idaho. He is doing so much better now and is enrolled at CCD (Community College of Denver) in the Criminal Justice program.
• We bought a house and moved in 9 months ago
• I started working part time. This was 3-4 days a week and has declined to 1-2 days a week and there have been budget cuts an all... Marketing is a tough business right now.
• Doug's company he is working for, (CRITIGEN) was spun off from CHMHILL, which I say was a very good thing.
• We just adopted an adorable dog from a No Kill shelter. Ziggy is a 2 year old ... We are not sure yet dog. He was billed as a Chihuahua,but both Doug and I say he looks more like a Min. Pin.

Settling in... I think. :(

Well, it has been a month since we landed here in Denver.

I guess we are settling in. We are mostly moved into the apartment (which I love). However, I still have lots of sorting and purging to do.

We have been trying to get out on the weekends and explore a bit also. those ties are fun. I don't have to think about things that depress me.

In all of the literature and forums, they said you go through the same emotions when you move back to the States, as when you relocated to being an expat. I would beg to differ! It is worse!!! So much worse.

I think the hard part for me is that we not only relocated back State side, but we also relocated State wise.

So, I not only left all of my friends that I had in Abu Dhabi, but I left my friends that I had in Idaho. I know 2 people here in Denver.

Making friends has never been easy for me. I am a fairly private person ( yeah right... I blog... but seriously I am.) I tend to be quiet and shy. I guess that is why I have been accused of being stuck up and aloof.

Well, I am off to do more unpacking.

Catching up...

Wow time has flown since we landed in Denver. There has been a lot of things that have taken place.

The first thing that we had to get settled was housing arrangements. Both Doug and I knew for certain we did not want a house with yard responsibilities, so we were thinking that an apartment or condo would be the best way to go.

After looking at over 20 apartments, I had things narrowed down to 4. All 4 had things about them that were just perfect.

The first one was close to work... Doug could have walked there easily in maybe 10 minutes. However the fact that it was a gated community was a joke, since the gates were left open all day and only closed at night. They also had 1 gate code for everyone to share. Ack, what if your friend is not my friend??? They also did not have any garages available.

The second apartment was in a high rise building. The view was hmmm... I could look out and see the next building from the small patio. On the other hand, it was a 3bedroom. Love the space that it had. The lay out was good also, but the security was a joke also. You could enter the complex through the front of the office building and easily have access to any area of the complex. No separate garage either... but they did have storage units on premises.

Number 3 had incredible closets! There were 2 master suites, and each had 2 "normal sixe" walk in closets. Absolutely fantastic! there was also a den area that would have been great for the computer stuff. The big draw back there was the rent. It was about 350$ more than the 2 previous apartments. Garage was a parking garage also.

Number 4 was fantastic. The kitchen is the biggest of all of them. It also has a window seat and large pantry. I have more counter space than I did in Abu Dhabi, which is fantastic! I think I would also have room for a small island unit in the middle if I wanted one. The dining roomis adequate size for my round table. and I think the big green sectional will actually fit in the living room. Each of the bedrooms has a large walk in closet. the master has an extra closet just for shirts and pants (that double rod thing). Along with the closets, each bedroom has it's own patio space. The living room also had a gas fireplace (bonus). I think the best part of this apartment is the location of it. It is on ground floor, and has one whole end of the building. The patio's off the bedrooms face a little wetlands pond, so they are quiet and peaceful. Now here is the best part. It is a true gated community. You sign in with security if you are not a resident. You have to have a reason to be there. Security is maned 24 hrs a day. There is also complex security. There are also some Denver city police officers who live in the complex who volunteer their time for the security detail. (Fantastic!!!) The complex is on 26 acres, has it's own lake with marina, 7 pools, coffee shop, actual gym (looks like a real gym rather than a hotel type gym room), and activity coordinator for the complex. they do cooking classes once a month, as well as community activities. I guess it is obvious now which one we picked. Yep, this one. there are garages to rent, and we have a parking space right in front of out place. It is about 15 - 20 minutes for Doug's commute and about 15 minutes to downtown. Not bad at all.... Oh, I forgot.. it is the least expensive of all of the apartments I looked at. funny how that happened.

We have purchased most of the stuff we will need for the apartment... boring stuff like the bed, mattress, washer and dryer, etc. Now we just need a few other little things like coffee maker, coffee grinder, sheets and some other stuff. I think I can get all of those done this weekend and during the beginning of the week.

Our moving date is this next Friday. WOOT WOOT!!! I am so excited. We have the air shipment coming and the storage shipment. Our surface shipment from Abu Dhabi will be here sometime around the 15thof October. After all of that is settled, I will finally be able to entertain again.

Well, I am off to do something today. Not sure what... Dang, I miss the coffee's in Abu Dhabi! I really miss all of my friends there too!

Egypt... Amazing, wonderful and full of history.

(Sorry about the late posting of this... This part of the journey was taken on August 16th Sunday)

As we are cruising up the river, I am sitting here reflecting on the history of this area.

You read about the history in childhood Bible stories and such and file facts away. Then a lot of the time, you never have reason to retrieve them. I am finding it very interesting the religious significance that this area has had.

Moses was found in the rushes in the upper Nile delta. Several of the Pharaohs have the name Moses in their names... Ra Moses. There was a famous battle fought in Kadesh (of Kadesh Barnea fame in the Bible). I need to look that one up.

My thought are feeling really random right now. There is so much to absorb and process.

I know for certain that the pictures that I have seen do not do this are a justice. This is one of those things you need to experience with an open mind.

This morning we toured the Valley of the Kings, and the Valley of the Queens with our guide for the week Wayed (why ed) He is a trained Egyptologist and a fountain of information.

Both Doug and I were amazed by the color on the walls that have stood the test of time. It is particularly noticeable in the inner portions of the tombs and temples. Colors that are so intense and rich that there really is nothing comparable in the western world. Rich indigo and red ocher that pop with intensity. The indigo reminds me of the first blue, night sky that I saw in 7 months, sitting on the patio of the Nile Palace Hotel in Luxor. It was absolutely incredible.

I think of all of the sights I saw today the one that impacted me the most was the Tomb of Ramses VI (KV 9). Not only are the color vibrant, but the way down into it is very steep. This tomb is unique in that there are two Ramses buried there. The tomb was started by Ramses V and continued y Ramses VI. From what we were told and is known, the tomb was first ransacked only 20 years after it was built. Because of this both mummies were moved to the tomb of Amenhotep II tomb, and now reside in Cairo. The plastering on the tomb walls was never finished.

Let me digress in saying the plaster in nothing like what we think of plaster as. Even the plaster that they use on historical restorations is not the same. This is a limestone based plaster that almost reminds me of a thin-set mortar. It is not flaky and to the touch it is very “concreety” in texture.

Even though the plastering was not finished, the pictures on it are very impressive. There is a an impressive painting on the ceiling that represents the book of gates, book of caverns, and the book of heavens. (You will have to google them if interested in finding more out.) There is a painting further in of the goddess Nut framing he books of the day and the night on the ceiling. I think I spent half my time looking up and trying to absorb all of the images. Alas, people have always been the same and there is lots of Greek graffiti that dates back to around 150 AD or so.

About two hours ago we set sail for Aswan. Right now we are going up the Nile River. I am sitting in our room watching the countryside pass by and snapping pictures from our balcony. It is absolutely fascinating to see just how much things are the same through out the farming world. The crops here are planted in nice even rows, the irrigation trenches are neatly laid out and the farmers are out checking on their cops. It reminds me a lot of the area along the Mississippi River in Missouri and down to Louisiana. If it were not for the palm trees and the dunes in the distance, I would be able to close my eyes and imagine the sounds of the Louisiana Delta.

The Nile valley is a fascinating place to be. There are so much contrasts. There are areas here that date back to the earliest of Egyptian history periods. Yet so much of the history here relates to the last period of Egyptian history with Alexander the Great's, Macedonian General Ptolemy and it being ruled by his descendants. It is fascinating to me that people of a different religion could rule and work in a foreign country so long ago and yet respect the religion and traditions of the people for around 300 years. They not only set an example for the Romans, but also for us in modern times. A lesson that is so often lost on us.

Well, I must close this update for now as tea will shortly be served by the pool and I have a date with a cappuccino.

Fast Forward 3 days...

We have toured the tombs and temples of the great rulers of the Egyptian empire and have been dually impressed. The technique and the skill that was needed to create these fantastic masterpieces is amazing. The mathematical skill as well as the technology and the labor was beyond anything undertaken today I believe.

We have met some wonderful people while on this trip. Two couples from Melbourne Australia. We have been inspired by their travels and entertained by their stories and photos. They are on the last part of 5 week holiday. They went on an African Safari, and now I have been bitten by that bug. The stories they told about sitting in a jeep and seeing the animals up close were so incredible. They were with us from Luxor to Aswan and we parted company last night. They are continuing on to Jordan, which should be fascinating during Ramadan, and then home.

Again fast forward another day...

Today we got into Cairo after riding the train from Aswan to Cairo over night... Sleeper trains are cool, but I prefer a real bed in a real hotel. It was bumpy most of the time but it was fun.

When we got in, we were met by a tour guide representative who informed us we were 2 hours late... like we had a choice in the matter? Anyway, he delivered us to the hotel and our tour guide for the 2 days we have schedules things for.

When we got to Cairo, we switched guides. We had a wonderful young lady from Alexandria named Engy showing us her Cairo these past two days. She is absolutely amazing with her knowledge and passion for her country. Both Doug and I really enjoyed being with her. It was like touring with a good friend. (If anyone is interested in doing a trip to Egypt, let me know. I have her contact information and she does whole country tours as well.

We met Engy at the Ramses Hilton. she was so gracious. Our train ws 2 hours late getting in and she still had a smile on her face. We had time to clean up and then we were off to the Pyramids.

We went to Memphis, Sakara, the Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, papyrus museum (sales store), perfume factory (fascinating), and an Egyptian cotton store.

It was fascinating to put the history from the tombs and temples of the Nile Valley together with the Pyramids and their history and actually see the tombs of some of the Pharaohs. Engy was so patient with us and our questions, I am sure many of them seemed silly.

I am discovering that when you have a tour guide it is important to have one who loves the country that they live in. If they are a native it is even better because they have a true passion for the history and the people.

Today we went to the Coptic church, Hanging church, several other churches and then to the Egyptian Museum. All were absolutely fascinating. (More posts will follow on this.) I believe that it is important to have a tour guide through the Egyptian Museum. This way you have someone to tie things together for you. I saw many people there who had mystified looks on their faces and it was apparent that they were totally confused by things.

We were sad to see Engy go when it was time to part. We feel we have truly made a friend in this short time we had.

So anyway, on the 22 we head for Abu Dhabi and then gather stuff up and head for home.

Home... that seems kind of like a foreign word right now... During the time I have been over here, I have thought of the States, but did not anticipate returning home so soon. I am pleased that I did accomplish so much in so little time. I hope that all of our friends stay in touch through out the years. All of our friends we have made will always have a special place in our hearts.


For more photos of this trip see either my facebook page or my picasa site...

I love maps!!!

As the navigator of the family when we have traveled, I have to say I love maps.

I remember driving as a kid and reading the names of the places and the counties of where they towns were. It was interesting to read the town names.

That love continued as an adult. I now however have competition! There are maps on the blackberry and maps on gps dohickey majobbers the talk to you with a funky British accent. I have a tendency to argue with them which can be interesting in its own right.

However may favorite is maps that are on the internet... especially ones like this. We are headed to Fujariah UAE, which is on the Indian Ocean... So now we have fantastic directions as to how to get to the hotel. Should be a cinch right???
NOT!!! Click the picture to check this out.... ???

Curve Balls or Serendipity?

I have to admit, I did know that this was going to be an unexpected adventure from the time Doug came home and told me we were moving to the Middle East...

So today when I got home from a coffee and he said he had gotten his 30 day letter, I guess I was not surprised. I am thankful that it is due to him working himself out of a job (7 months and under budget for a 2 year project), but it still hit home. There are so many people out of work that are leaving to go to their home countries. Not because they worked themselves out of a job, but because the project they are working on is closing down.

Even though I knew this day was coming, I was still hit by the reality of it all and how fortunate we really are.

There are still so many things I want to do and see while we are still here, and I do hope that Doug will find another job here. I really do not want to leave.

We have been so many places and done so many things that we would never have had the opportunity to do back in the states. I have become so much more aware of how fortunate I have really been, in life. I have met people who make 1000 AED per month (~350usd) who send most of that back to their families in India. People who support extended families on less than a single person spend on their monthly food budget in the States. Women who are willing to risk everything (including being beatten and raped) to come here. So that they can send almost everything back to their families so they can have a decent standard in life. These people are happy to make these sacrifices. I wonder how many of us westerners would be willing to undergo such hardships to give that kind of hope to our families?

Being here has certainly changed my outlook on life. I believe it is for the better. I hope I am a better person because of the people I have met and the things I have done and the experiences that I have had.

If we continue to be fortunate enough to continue living here in the UAE, I hope that I will continue to be able to make a difference and that I will be able to make more of an impact on people lives by helping them.

What ever happens, I am so fortunate to have been here these 6+ months. If we are able to stay, and serindipity intervenes, I know that I will continue to try to make a difference for people.

4th of July

I have to admit that it really doesn't seem like the 4th of July. The year has gone by so fast that it hardly seems like it should even be summer. Yet here we are.

This 4th is very different from the past 21 years in Idaho. There was always a huge parade with great floats. Celebrations in neighborhoods and by the river. Then there were the fireworks. WOW every year Melaluca (sp) would sponsor a huge fireworks display.

I can forgo the parade, but it is the fireworks that I am going to miss. It was always fun going down to the river and watching them.

This year there is a celebration of sorts at one of the "American" bars, but we are choosing to be with good friends and celebrate with them. Jerry and Janet are from Florida and absolutely the best you can find in friends. We always have such a great time with them, weather it be going out to dinner or just goofing off for the day. (I have mentioned Janet before as my walking buddy... )

We are taking the potato salad and the desert (cherry cheese pie).

In the past we have had burgers or steak with fresh corn on the cob, chips, salads and watermelons.

Happy 4th to all of my American friends reading this...

Time goes by so fast...

I can't believe how time goes by so fast. I remember when I was a kid, time seemed to stretch on forever. Holidays took forever to get here, sumer never lasted long enough though. It seemed like I would never grow up (maybe I haven't) and then all of a sudden it changed.

When our children are young, we hear words that tell us to enjoy them because they grow up so fast... It sounds silly at first, but then they are all of a sudden 5 years old and starting school.

All of a sudden they are graduating and going on with their lives. We hope that we have instilled in them the right and wrong ways of things, moral values and have earned their trust and friendship.

I feel that Doug and I are privileged to have a rare relationship with Jeiel and that in all of the struggles through school, and such, we have forged a bond of trust, friendship and mutual respect.

I don't know why I am blathering on about this... I was intending to post the highlights of his visit which was way to short.

The morning he arrived in Dubai, we started his adventure. We gave himm a wild and crazy tour of Dubai that only parents, frustrated by a faulty GPS system could provide. In otherwords, Doug and I had some rather heated discussions about where we were going and why we were lost. At the end of the day, Jeiel had seen more of Dubai then many people do... including back alley ways and parking lots and construction sights. We wore him out and he slept all the way back to Abu Dhabi.

The next day we gave him a tour of Abu Dhabi. I got to take both doug and Jeiel to some of the places that I have discovered with my friends and show them the Abu Dhabi I have grown to love.

Thursday we went to the Grand Moaque. We had a fantastic tour guide named Hammed. We learned so much. The mosque is absolutely amazing in the construction and the details. Bioth Doug and Jeiel got some incredible pictures of it.

We went on a Desert Safari that night and really enjoyed it. If you are looking to go, book with Emirates Adventures. Hands down they are the best so far. If you can request to drive the dune bashing with Esau... He was great and really enjoyed his job as driver.

The next day we went to Al Ain and had lunch at Mercure resort. The resort is located half way up the Jebbel Haeef Mountain which is the tallest mountain in the UAE. The views were incredible. The food was ok. Nothing spectacular... That afternoon we went to the Al Ain zoo. We got there to late to see the cats... they clost the cat exhibit at 6:30... bummer. We will have to go back. The big purple slushies were awesome and everyone had purple lips and teeth and blue lips and teeth.

That night I came down with (what I thought was.... but sins I am still feeling kind of green around the gills, am not so sure) food poisening... ugh! Enough said there. I do not know where I got it from. I was the only one in the bunch that got it.

Saturday I moped around the house and Doug and Jeiel went to The National Car Museum out toward Liwa. They said it was cool to see the car collection. We had a bit of a sand storm that day so that was snother adventure Jeiel go to have.

Sunday we headded to Dubai after some souvenier shopping here in town. Jeiel got some cool things to give to friends andhe took some cool things back to friends for us.

It was hard to see him leave on the plane. Sigh... In the mean time I am planning where we can take him next time he comes to visit.

It is almost time...

Well, the day is fast arriving... Jeiel arrives on Tuesday. I have so much to do before he gets here.

I desperately need to clean my apartment. I may "cheat" and hire someone in to help. I need to get the spare room / office under control. I still need to finalize several trip items we have planned and I probably should buy some groceries and snack type things to have around the house.

We will have so much to say and so much to do while he is here, I am sure the time will go by quite fast.

Pictures will be posted and his progress on his diet will finally be seen in person. I am excited to see that.

Seriously, If you want to come help... call me! I am sure I will be going crazy by tomorrow afternoon.

XOXO Lori

Just updates...

So, I am almost back to normal. I had another follow up with the Dr. I really like her, she is very knowledgeable about things. I still have some cough, and a bit of a sniffle, but other than that... things are good.

People here are very concerned with the Swine Flue. I think part of it is in the name.

Culturally and religiously, swine are bad... unclean, forbidden etc. That is not just in the Islamic religion, but also in the Hindu and Jewish religion in this area. So I can understand why people are so totally freaked out about it.

The name of something that is so bad and so forbidden in your religion and culture is the name of an illness. What could be worse than to get sick with it? I guess, that once you get sick with something with that kind of name... would you ever be considered clean again?

It is interesting the different peoples reactions to this outbreak. Here in Abu Dhabi they have closed all pork shops. (Most stores do NOT sell pork. However some do, but they are all in separate rooms and only non Muslims can enter the rooms. this is also the place where they put any grocery product that had any pork product in it... like POPTARTS!) From my experience, the pork is not all that great. Bacon, leave it, sausages, leave them, however the pork loin is good and the Parma hams are fantastic.

Perhaps the most bizarre reaction I have heard of so far is one that someone I know from an online forum had. She said the was talking to a very learned man. His comment blew her away. He stated that all Muslims would be ok since they do not eat pork. This comment came several days AFTER the announcement that there was no connection to the animals.

As I have stated... life is interesting ad definately an education over here. And I am having a fabulous time learning about it.

Being sick is an adjustment in it's self...

Thursday last, I came down with a sinus infection... or so I thought. It didn't go away and I kept feeling worse. Finally Doug said I needed to go to the doctor.

Having been with him to the Dr. when he had an ear infection, I knew this was going to be a different experience. The first thing we have to do is call our international insurance company facilitator. They have nurses on staff that evaluate what is going on and make referrals based on that, to the proper facility here.

After Doug had talked with the nurse, she felt I needed to see an ENT. She needed to make the apt and then call us back. She said it might be the next day as she was in London and she needed to get in touch with the nurse from the Dubai office. One way or another, someone would call us in the morning. OK no problem I can hang in until morning.

So yesterday, I am waiting and nothing... so I sms Doug... have you heard anything? no, will call them... A few minutes later I am talking to the nurse from the Dubai office and she is getting me a referral to Gulf Diagnostic Center to see a GP. She felt that is where we needed to start, as far as doctors.

While I am waiting, I am thinking... I wonder what nationality will this doctor be? I should probably write down all the questions I can think of that he might have and put my answers on the page also... so I type it up and print it out.

So anyway, I call Doug at work and he comes home. We go get a taxi and head to Gulf. We get there, and (not knowing that there is a back entrance) wind our way around the compound to the back entrance... which is actually the main entrance.

The doctor is Indian I think, no worries. Some of the best in this area are from India. So he takes a look at my list of questions and seems impressed that I had it all written down for him. This helps me, since I have practically no voice. Let's take a look he says. I move over to the table, and he looks in my throat, listens to lungs and all that good stuff. No fever, lungs are clear, but Oh my he says... your vocal chords are inflamed.

So the diagnosis is viral laryngitis and bronchitis. Here is the interesting part... In the states, most doctors would put you on antibiotics. Dr Al Anad says, I don't want to put you on antibiotics since they mess with the rest of your system. Lets try some herbal remidies. O.K. Why not... sounds good to me. He gives me a prescription for a cough supressant (thyme and primula root) and an antihistamine as well as some herbal throat losenges with ginger in them. I have to say, that cough supressant stuff works.

I get some pretty nasty coughs at times so I have tried some pretty powerful cough medicines. This stuff works better than anything I have tried so far. I actually slept through the night. Well, at leat till 4 a.m. which is a lot better than I normally do.

I still feel like a truck has run over me, and still don't have a voice. However, I am feeling better since I got a good nights sleep.

Well, I think I am going to head up to the pool and sit in the sun for a while. I have a feeling that might feel kind of good.

Maybe I will take some crocheting up with me ad work on that.

It's the little things.....

For the most part, I think I have made the adjustment of living in the Middle East quite well.

To be honest, I have always wished that I could study the culture and history of this area. I have a decent knowledge of Europe and most of the history there, but when it comes to this area of the world... there is very little available. When you do find information, it is always from a western point of view.

That is fine, if you are looking for an overview. However, I am one of those who wants to know what makes people tick. I wan to know what happened in their history that has made them this way. What is it in their religion that makes them think this way...

Since being here, I have found several venues that have allowed me to learn some. There are some wonderful expat forums that I have joined as well as lectures I am attending. I am also reading books like crazy. That there can be a hazard to my budget since books are expensive here.

In the states, I took for granted that you could go to a bookstore and just get a book... here there are lots of book stores, but I find myself choosing the books much more carefully. I find myself asking if I would read the book more than once, would I loan it out, most importantly, is it worth the price, or could I wait till I go back to the states and get it then.

As I stated, the cost is much more expensive here... for instance...

The book - Princess cost me 45 dh = 12.25 10.15 usd new or 1.37 usd used (amazon)

Magazines are worse... the average price of a women's magazine (like Good Housekeeping) is 60 dh = 16$ usd... That is expensive... I don't think in the states magzines are more than 6 or 7 usd for the more expensive foodie magazines...

However that has not stopped me from purchasing books. I have always had a love affair for books, and I just can't give them up.

If anybody decides to come visit... I have a list of books I am looking for...

Speaking of visiting... If you want to come visit... we would love to have you stay with us.

OOps!

Yes it has been a long time since I last posted. Things have been busy and sort of hectic. It is funny how life gets that way when you really have no intention of letting that happen.

When we moved here, I had every intention of being a bored housewife. Little did I know that my schedule would be filled to overflowing and I would be struggling to make sense of it all and keep things straight and sane. I mean how many coffees can a person go to?

This last week was the culmination of a hectic couple of weeks. I had been helping coordinate the passing out of tickets to a gala event and a week ago Monday was the event. It went great and everything went smoothly. So on that hand it was a great success. On the other hand I was burned out.

I needed time to do absolutely nothing and recouperate. Last week I kind of felt like an ostrich sticking their head in the sand and going "nana I can't hear you". I hate to admit it, but I did dodge several phone calls and events that I ususally attend. I needed peace and quite.

However I am back and running in the fast lane agaion. I am determined not to get back to the overwhealmed schedule of the past though. I have decided to adopt a most Arabic attitude about it... "InShallah" meaning "God willing".

If you are a reader on Facebook, you know I am thingking I am going nuts. I have consulted with the personal trainer at the gym and am going to meet with him tomorrow afternoon. I know I need to do this, I just am sooooo allergic to exercise.

I know what is going to happen... I am going to start working out and feeling better and then end up giving up all the bad foods I like to eat (coffee, chocolate, chips...) and I am going to eat only fruits and vegies and maybe some chicken and some fish... I am going to get healthy.

Every part of me wants to resist this. I don't know why. I have always hated to exercise, but I love to walk. Maybe my body just knows that this needs to be done and now is the time to do it. I am also going to start water aerobics and some swim lessons.

The swim lessons will be good since I can't swim. I am terrified of water (bad gym teacher) and anything over my head, I freak out. However I have a friend here who has taught swimming to may people who are afraid of water. My ultimate goal in this is to be able to go snorkeling again.

When we were in Hawaii, we went snorkeling and I had fun. I was terrified of the water, but, I had fun and got bit by the bug. From what I have read, the snorkeling here is absolutely fabulous. I really want to do it again. However I just can't face getting in the gulf and not knowing how to swim. We will see just how patient Lisa is. She may need to have the patience of a saint though.

Well, I am off for more adventures...

New discoveries... and more advantures.

I am really kicking myself now that I have been to Global Village. I had a chance to go and I didn't about a month ago. Well, I did have a slight knee injury and it would have been rough going, but if i would have been a bit more careful, I would have been fine.

We went up on Saturday and wow! I have never seen anything like it. It was absolutely fantastic. I got some fantastic perfumes that I really like and some necklaces and we also got a fabulous rug.

We would have liked to spend more time there and possibly gotten several more rugs.

If anyone knows where the rug vendor is located that was just inside the front gate to the left, please let me know. Or if you know a really good place to pick up rugs, I would love to know that also. I have heard the rug store in Meena shopping center is good.

There was one pavilion that was really intriguing... I think it was the Dubai police department? They had gorgeous trunks and some large gold trays. The work was incredible. Were these just on display, or an auctions or just what? I think that would be something I could convince hubby to buy in the future.

When we were up in Dubai we went to the Dubai Mall... how fun. I could so totally imagine the damage I could inflict on a credit card there lol. I wouldn't so that of course since I would be the one to pay it off lol. There were some fantastic lighting shops I would have loved to explore.

The Burj is absolutely incredible when you get up close and see it. The architects are so creative. Doug has dubbed Dubai as the "Architects Playground". When you see some of the interesting and creative buildings going up you soon realize why.

Well I am off to a morning of fun. I am going to a WIAD coffee and the presentation is on Kazkhstan. Should be very interesting. I will be posting photos

Just stuff...

I am so glad that tomorrow is the weekend. I so desperately need a down day.

My friend Janet and I walked down town on Monday. We were both thinking that our legs hurt more than usual, so I mapped it out and we walked 8 flippin miles. I couldn't believe that so I had to do it over. Sheesh, I didn't think I had it in me to make it that far.

We found a great little restaurant that serves healthy food. Janet thought I was nuts dragging her through a hospital. I was just curious... I know back in the states that some of the best restaurants are in some of the big hospitals. This was a gem.

I found a fabulous little Iranian restaurant with my friend Lisa when I was down there last week. It was just one we saw along the sidewalk and it was cute. The service was awesome and the food was fab. I definately want to take Doug there.

I am really enjoying my culinary adventures here. Some days I do crave a big fat burger (today) and crave American comfort food. Fortunately there are some of the big chains I am familiar with.

Most of the time we try to eat at local places. It has been a lot of fun discovering them. Some have become favorites of ours and we take friends there.

I have also been discovering coffee shops with my friends. There is an awesome one just down the street from us called Vivelle. Fantastic coffee and the sweets are divine! There are these little ones shaped like pumpkins that are made out of chickpea flour and oh they are so good.

I will get some pictures next time I go there. That sounds like a reason to go there tomorrow...

Dust Storms

I remember being somewhere around the age of 8 or 9 and driving through the middle of the US and seeing "dust storms" and "dust devil's". I was always fascinated by them and how the wind controlled them.

Later when I read novels and romance stories under the covers by flashlight (oops... Dad you did not just read that ) hoping I wouldn't get caught. Stories about Adventurous people who lived in the Middle East and rode camels and Arabian horses. There were always places where there was some dramatic dust storm. For some reason, I could never quite get my head around the concept of something that big.

Later after Doug and I were married I remember seeing a car that the pain was almost blistered off of, but it was so smooth it looked like it had been sanded. That is just what had happened to it. I don't remember details other than they had been driving through Nevada and got caught in one of the dust storms.

I didn't give them a thought when we decided to move here. I don't think the thought crossed my mind at all. I guess living on the high desert in Idaho, I know sand but... sand is sand right?

Nope! Not by a long shot. The sand here is very different.

First off, it is very fine. If you take some regular sugar and grind it in a coffee mill (electric) for about 20 seconds, you would end up with about what we have here.

If you go to the beach, it gets in everywhere... if you track it in the house, it goes everywhere. When the wind blows... it really does everywhere.

I decided to go over to the mall today and look around. As I left my apt, I noticed that the sky looked kind of overcast. My mobile buzzed and I had a text from Doug that said the outing we were planning for tomorrow afternoon was being canceled. So I decided to walk up to the Corniche (beach) and take a look. WOW I could barely make out the other side.

I am going to run up to the roof and see if I can get some pictures real quick here. Ok camera worked and cooperated...