Our 411

1.  Where are you staying?
We are waiting for our furniture to arrive sometime in February so we can move into our Villa (house).  Until then we are living in a 44 story apartment building that really functions more like a hotel.  We are perched upon the 35th floor in a fully furnished 2 bedroom apartment complete with kitchen and laundry room.  We love that it provides us with AMAZING views of the Burj Khalifa~ the World's tallest building as seen in the latest Mission Impossible movie 

and the Burj Al Arab~ World's tallest and only 7 star hotel. 

 
2.  Why aren't you going to home school while you are there?
We have prayed about this a lot.  We felt led to put both children into an American School here in Dubai for a couple reason.  The first being that by doing this they will be given an incredible opportunity to meet and interact with children from all over the world.  It was not by chance that when touring the various schools Chris and i found one school that we both were really impressed with and it happened to be the ONLY school that would have openings for both our kids.  (This is considered a miracle around here.)  i have always felt that our homeschooling adventure should be on a year by year basis based on the kids and where we feel the Lord is leading us.  

3.  Do you feel safe there?
i wondered the same thing before i visited in October.  And after being here for the short time we have i give you the same answer i received from all the other expats i questioned.  "We feel safer here than we do in most cities in the States."  i don't have to watch my kids like a hawk and clutch my purse close to me when i walk down the street.  In fact while staying in SF a few weeks ago, Kyle wanted to go up to the room by himself while we were in the lobby having dinner.  That didn't set quite right with me but here i would have no problem sending them down to breakfast or to the pool on their own.  i felt completely at ease the other day when i had to search out an entirely new and unfamiliar part of the city with just myself and the kiddos.  

3. How's Mama really doing?
i am pleased to say that i am doing great.  The hardest thing is missing family and friends and not being able to reach them anytime of the day.  My free time is when the rest of the USA is sound asleep in bed which obviously is not ideal for chatting.  i continue to feel a complete peace and God's hand upon us as we navigate through our new surroundings.  Life right now seems to be a strange concoction of mental exhaustion from trying to figure out life while feeling completely pampered and cared for by people around me.    Simple things like laundry, school admissions and making a local phone call is exhausting because it's not our typical protocol. 

(Welcome to my "laundry room."  This is my washer AND dryer. 

Two different cycles ~ one machine. 

Yes, i have used something similar in other countries, it isn't uncommon.  However, instinctively i still have a problem with it because isn't it theoretically the same thing as dropping a running hair dyer in a bathtub filled with water?  Then again i guess i should have no need to worry because even after 2 hours on dry cycle our clothes are still not dry.)

Even navigating around the mall is an exercise in patience and physical stamina.  Today it took us 35  minutes to walk from the food court to the cell phone station.  (That doesn't include the 3 stops @ the information booth.)  

  

When the mall directory is 22 pages long and there are 1200 stores it is best to ask directions.

Needless to say after a few hours of trying to figure things out with two sweet children in tow i am pretty tired.  But the yin to this exhaustion yang is the over the top service.  Everyone is so incredibly friendly and willing to go out of their way to help you.  (More to come on this later.)  

Perfect morning example;  After being warmly greeted, we are seated to a table of our choice.  Before we can fill our breakfast plates with morning treats,

two hot chocolates and a latte with the exact number of sugar i take is waiting for us at our table.  After our second day here, they knew our favorites and provide it without us asking. 

 

4. What is the food like?

Much like the country itself there is anything and everything and it has all been delicious.  We could choose to eat typical favorites from local food chains from the states.  Starbucks, Pizza Hut, Johnny Rockets, Papa Murphy's, PF Chang's and there are many European food chains available also.  Since i happen to be married to a Foodie, we tend to branch out and try all sorts of different cuisine.  Thankfully, the kids are up for sampling any plate from anywhere in the world with Kyle being the most adventurous.  Lebanese, Indian, Iranian, Japanese and everything in between.  Mexican food is the most difficult ethnic food to find while pork and alcohol can only be found in 5 star restaurants which are everywhere.   The other night we enjoyed a fabulous Moroccan dinner in a picturesque booth.

 

5. How are the kids adjusting?

They are on cloud nine right now as it truly is vacation for them.  They sleep in, see new sights, swim and play in the hotel.  Reality will hit them in a few days when they start school.  They are missing their friends and emotions run the highest right after Skyping with those we love.  However, when i ask them if they are ready to go home they both answer "no" because there is still so much to see here.  They have been to visit their school campus and the more they see it the more excited they are to start.  They have amazed me throughout this process.  They rarely complain and are up for anything.  Jet lag was fairly painless and we we think we are over the worst of it.

6.  How are you getting around? 

Once all of our paper work is finalized we will buy a car here.  We currently take taxi's everywhere which is a great way to learn the city.  i personally am hoping that my Visa will take a long time to process because i do not look forward to driving my little self around.  i have been told it is not the worst place in the world to drive but also not the best. 

7.  Do you really take your camera EVERYWHERE?!

Uh, yes.  i am shameless when it comes to taking pictures.  My family used to be so annoyed with me when i was taking a photography class this time last year and was constantly whipping out the camera for random shots.  That was the day where i would get nothing but eye rolls from my clan.  Now, if it isn't handy and ready to snap in a seconds notice i am busted by all three of them.

8.  Blogging thoughts?

i typically am more of a private person.  i originally started this blog as a virtual scrapbook for ourselves along with close family and friends.  However, i quickly learned that once i hit publish people from all over the world have access to our lives.  It is really intimidating and humbling to discover how many people are taking the time to read our blog.  Your comments have meant so much to us as it helps us feel connected to those we love and maybe meet new some friends along the way.  So, if we haven't already met i'd love to hear from you because your comments help drown out the crickets i often hear shortly after i hit the "publish post" button.

Sitting On the Corner of World and Dubai

i unexpectedly came across this 1857 quote from Mark Twain a few days prior to arriving in Dubai.  It literally fell into my lap but has been swirling around in my mind ever since. 

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.  Broad, wholesome charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.

As a homeschooling mama, i always strive to teach my kids to have a heart and compassion for all people.  i've exposed them to books, current events and experiences hoping to foster within them a love for God's creation.  But nothing thus far has opened their eyes and hearts the way Dubai has done in less than a week. 

Breakfast is one of our favorite times of the day.  Not just because the Littles get to pick out whatever they want to eat...

but because we get to chat with our new friends from all over the world.

Umesh from Nepal tells us about Mt. Everest. 

Manloj from Mumbai shows us pictures of his two adorable daughters back home.

Miss Rhea from the Philippines teaches us that we already know how to count in to 10 in Tagalog because it is the same as counting to 10 in Spanish.

Shyqirat gives us our daily Arabic lesson and spoon feeds Ry honey to help her feel better.

Today though was different, because today my girl got invited to her first play date.

As we sat poolside, we saw a British dad and his two boys, a young couple from France with their baby and a gentleman from Germany whom Kyle had already met in the elevator.  The real treat this sunny morning was the 2 little girls from Saudi Arabia in the kiddie pool.  The girls' mother and father were in traditional Muslim dress and sat close by watching them. 

 (Lucky for Ry her Mama learned a lesson from the last poolside incident and brought along a modest cover up!) 

How providential was it that today's Arabic lesson was this....? 

 

Within minutes of Riley getting in the pool, i heard thickly accented voices call for "Riley."  The little girls knew English and before long the 3 were holding hands, racing across the pool and making up new games.

 

When their mother gathered her girls to leave, i saw her motion to Riley.  After bending down to speak to Ry through a veiled face,  Ry nodded and quickly ran over to me and said, "Mom, she wants to have a play date with me tomorrow."  i walked over to her and thanked her in Arabic for letting her girls play.  i looked into her eyes as she spoke to me in clear precise English, "I don't speak English well but we would like to have her come back and play tomorrow at the pool around 10:00 if you would like."  (Uh, i think your English will work just fine...)  She also told me one of her daughters is studying English but the other one is not.  Funny because the one "that is not" was the little voice that kept calling to Riley, "Race Riley. Jump up!  Hold my hand!" 

Yep, tomorrow @ 10:00 you will find us poolside for Ry's first play date.

i can't help but be amazed right now at our view of the world from our corner in Dubai!

 

An Apple A Day...

The flu has been circulating around our little apartment.  Right now we are at a 50 percent sick rate.  We are hoping and praying it stays that way and doesn't spread.  'Cuz planting is really hard to do when you can't get out of bed.


Ry seems to have it the worst.  Wednesday night she felt really hot.  We needed a thermometer and ibuprofen!  This demand led us to a FABULOUS discovery!  Pharmacies deliver here for about $1.00!  Do you know how much i LOVE that!?  The lobby made a call for us and i kid you not, less than 10 minutes later everything i needed was delivered to my door!  i almost kissed the man holding that little bag!  (However, since i am not even supposed to kiss my husband in public you will be glad to know i restrained myself.)

In the morning Chris was feeling better and had to catch up on some required planting.  He left first thing in the morning to resolve cell phones, visas and various other UAE requirements.  An hour later, Ry's fever was high again, so i did what any Mama in Dubai does, head to the mall. 


Who knew our first trip to the world's biggest mall would be to see the DOCTOR?!?  We have quickly come to learn that if you need ANYTHING you simply go straight to the mall, do not pass go. 

Public library?  Aquarium?  Groceries?  Hotel?  Doctor?.... Mall.

Since my purse was filled with  paperwork, passports, & dirhams and my arms were full of a sick little girl, there was no room for my camera so you are going to have to use your imagination here.

We called a cab and asked him to take us to the Dubai Mall and drop us off on the Fashion Level, (i know, makes perfect sense right?!)  i asked him if he knew about the medical clinic in the mall (cabi's know where everything is!) he said he didn't.  (Gulp)  i started sweating right there in the cab but decided to follow the address info given to me.

 The Dubai Mall

Medical Centre

 Fashion Parking level 7

We entered through the door that said Channel and Bloomingdale's and my heart started pounding.  Ry's temp was over 103 and our appointment was in 5 minutes!  This entrance made no sense.  What would they do with my appointment time if i got lost in the world's biggest mall and was late?!  "Please Lord, let this turn out better than figuring out how to run a clothes dryer!" 

Once we entered we saw clearly the signs marking the way to the Medical Centre.  Whoo Hoo!  We walked in and in and in.  It is HUGE!  (Insert your imagination here because it was unlike anything i have ever seen.)  Think of it as a pristine clean and trendy night club where the interior decorator went with the "white" theme.  White wavy walls with blue accent lights, modern white and grey couches.  Long gray curtains adorned the walls and in one area created a separate woman's waiting area if you are looking for some privacy.  The white flowers gave it the feel of a spa but the Purell dispensers reminded us otherwise.  Kyle tried out the PlayStation gaming area while we waited.  i eyed the little barista with drinks and pastries should we have to wait long time and need some food. 

After checking, we waited maybe 10 minutes before a nurse approached us and ushered us back.  She took Ry's vitals and walked us directly into the doctor's office.  As in, he was sitting at his desk working on the computer.  He had us sit down and thoroughly questioned us for at least 15 minutes.  i was fearful after awhile he wasn't going to examine Ry.  Turns out he does and then discusses options of what he suggests we do.  He gave her a dose of Tylenol right then and there and then prescribed other meds for her influenza like symptoms.  (At which point i begin mentally calculating how to get the pharmacy to deliver those when i have the prescription.)  i quickly learn i needn't worry because the pharmacy counter is just past the barista.  SWEET! 

As i sat waiting to finish up billing (which is covered by insurance) i was flooded with thankfulness.  Neither of my kids have ever been this sick and to have it happen in a foreign country could have been a complete nightmare.  Although it was still nerve racking and we continue to pray Ry will be up and playing again soon, i am so thankful for the Lord's tender mercies.  i am reminded that when i am sheltered in my little comfort zone it's easy to take things for granted and miss the gentle way He cares about every detail of our lives.   

As it turns out the most difficult part of this appointment was finding the cab line on our way out.  We walked out the wrong door and ended up in front of this hotel which only allows Lexus taxis to make pick ups rather than lowly regular ones.  Not wanting to pay triple the fee, we walked around the corner to the cab line.  Even that turned out to be an adventure because we happen to catch a glimpse of members of the royal family which Kyle thought was cool and Riley could care less.  

Ry is still sleeping but her fever is down and we are praying she is on the mend! 

 

Uprooting & Planting

A sweet friend of mine encouraged me a few weeks ago when i shared with her my raw emotions of packing up boxes, saying goodbye to friends & family and leaving a home we thought we would be in for many years.

"Don't you think the uprooting is the most difficult part?  The planting that occurs once you get there will be much easier."

It's true, the uprooting and pulling has been by far the most difficult part of this process.  We ache as roots snap and feel the sadness in the tearing, yet there is a very present peace that we are exactly where we should be.

 Already missing my Runner Girls!

We retreated to SF since our house was packed up and empty.  It was therapeutic to take a little reprieve from the uprooting.  Just the 4 of us with nothing but time to take walks, snuggle, watch airplanes take off and process together before the start of our journey.

And now after surviving a 15 and a half hour plane ride with kids...

the PLANTING begins.

Things started off great as we were welcomed to Dubai with fireworks.  (No,we are not that fabulous we just had impeccable timing.)  Our arrival happened to fall on the same day as the kick off for the month long Shopping Festival. Yeah, who knew?!!  Needless to say as a result the kids think Dubai is fabulous. 

For now we are in a temporary apartment until all of our furniture arrives by boat.


For purely selfish motives we are hoping the Strait of Hormuz stays open (that is once it gets past Occupy Oakland).

So here we are with our 6 suitcases of clothes attempting to adjust and plant ourselves into a new normal, which for the moment looks like this. 

Weather & pools warm enough to swim in.

Malls that are over the top because it includes valet parking, 520 shops, 80 restaurants, male & female mosques, babysitting, is open till midnight and has guidelines like "no kissing."

Visit it here

We find ourselves running errands to the mall for things like phone set up, eye exams for driver's licenses and the odds & ends that didn't make it into the suitcase.

Normally a trip to the mall would elicit groans from our peanut gallery.

Not in Dubai.  Lots to see to keep these Littles entertained.

Watching kids ski down slops in the mall isn't something we are used to seeing everyday.

Even ordering ice cream is different here.  After they add your "mix in" they don't just put it in a cup.  Your scoop gets flung into the air and is caught in a cup 10 feet away.  Yep, pretty much vacation mode for the kids. 

For some i can't get over the whole "mall shopping carts".  It's brilliant really.  You stop at the Carrefour, which carries everything from toilet paper to electronics to all your groceries, pick up a cart for 1 dirham and it's yours to navigate throughout the mall.  You literally can fill up your cart with groceries, H&M, Gymboree or Louis Vuitton.  When you are done shopping simply take your cart out the front door of the mall.  Attendants will jump to your aid to load your car and before you can buckle yourself in the car the shopping cart is whisked away. 

Our cart wasn't filled with flash, just necessities.

  

(For fear of misleading you into thinking we have learned Arabic, the back of each item is in English.)

i have NO idea what those Digestive things are but Chris put them in the cart because he said they are "really good."  (Honestly, not sure how any cookie called Digestive can be very tasty.)

Planting for me right now involves learning the basics; how much is the 14 dirham ice cream really costing me, how do i turn on the dryer to dry our clothes, and does it truly have to be that difficult to connect to WiFi? 

Planting in baby steps.  

T- Minus 4

Count down has begun.  The next time i log on to blog we will be residents of Dubai.  

My kids are becoming pensive.

The movers will be here tomorrow and expect my "things" to be categorized into 4 separate shipments

Airplane, Air Cargo, Boat, Storage... simple

Riley keeps praying the boat won't sink.


She's is great at keeping us laughing amidst stress.

i went out to dinner tonight in sweats, baseball hat and SLIPPERS.  Yes,  i knew it and could care less.


Depending on when you stop by my house, i WILL send you home with something: food, cleaning supplies, clothes or some other random item banned in Dubai.


Goodbyes are really lame.... even if they are disguised as fabulous parties.


i am actually looking forward to a 15 1/2 hour flight so i can relax.


Doling out lots of snuggles around here lately.

Until Dubai...

Nothing but NET

Have you ever seen the cartoon where some poor character is dramatically crying while trapped in a burning building?  Meanwhile, stories below the firemen are racing back and forth all willy-nilly with the rescue net attempting to catch him as he is about to fling himself to the ground.  Something like this... only more slapstick.  Yeah, we all know one of the possible endings;  a) the jumper has horrible aim and misses the net completely  b.) the net breaks and they end up in the basement of the street or  c) they bounce completely off the net into some other horrible demise.  Hilarious right?!? (Ahem)  As a kid i was always amused by these antics.  

Lately however, i have come to appreciate a good quality NET.

With all the busyness of the holidays, the details of an international move,  Chris half way across the world, and trying to be a patient mommy while dealing with every one's emotions, sometimes i feel like i'm free falling.  Lucky for me my net is WAY bigger and more secure than that cartoon!  See, i'm swinging on a trapeze and down below me my NET is long and wide.  No matter where i find myself falling there is an amazing net of friends & family to catch me.  

i've got my girls that are willing to leave their warm beds ridiculously EARLY in the morning to help me set up for a yard sale.

 Girlfriends that drive way out of their way for a cup of coffee with me.

i get phone calls of encouraging words, gifts left on my doorstep that warm my heart, & texts reminding me to hang in there.

New tutors that become friends and help us survive homeschooling!


i have a family that bends over backward to lend a hand.


Families that drive hours out of their way to give us their blessings.

Our co-op group that wanted us to give them a presentation on Dubai. 

Sarah, half way across the world is willing to wait in line for Chris' Visa so he can make it home for Christmas!

An amazing teacher asking if she can bring gingerbread crafting to my kids!? (Uh, YES please!)   

Spending Christmas Eve morning with good friends all clad in pajamas.  (You know how heart warming it is to see a bunch of our Littles dressed in footed PJ's jumping like a bunch of wild monkeys on a trampoline first thing Christmas Eve?!  SWEET!)

There are so many more acts of random goodness that has been poured over our family lately that i couldn't even begin to relay them all. 

  i have always know that i have fabulous friends from all over but as i teeter high above on the tight rope of this move, i have a new perspective of my security net down below and it is GOOD!

Thank you NET!  i love you!

   

Downsizing Stress....

If you ever get an inkling to move during the holidays, i highly recommend rethinking it if at all possible!  Seriously, things are getting crazy over here between the sorting, the packing, the paperwork, get togethers with friends and still trying to maintain some sort of normalcy of life.  Whatever THAT is!


This year we are downsizing our Christmas stress to compensate for moving stress.  Our home isn't our typical picture of a winter wonderland.  Tonight a string of lights went out on our ONE little imitation tree. (WHY is it ALWAYS the middle section!?!)  It's ok though, we can still read stories and camp out under it even if it is not "all aglow."  i am pretty sure the kids won't remember the year half of the tree was unlit....

Our Christmas village has felt the effects of tough economic times.  Half of the shops have gone out of business but thankfully the ones we like to frequent are still thriving!

Riley keeps asking me to find the box with the pretty mistletoe decoration.  i am pretty sure at this point it would be easier to scale a nearby tree and cut a fresh clump than to plow through additional boxes. 

Our home was filled with company this weekend and our house wasn't spotless.  i don't think it would even pass for clean.  There was not the slightest attempt to disguise the mounds of laundry or straighten the growing piles of "storage" items accumulating on the dinning room table.  In fact some of our company had to sleep outside.

But it's ok because we did a lot of other things that count for a whole lot of Christmas goodness.

Watching My Little Ballerina TipToe to Angel Music.

My Little Ballerina Captivated by the other Graceful Ballerinas

Baking our traditional Peppernuts in Grandpa's trailer.  

(Passed down to a 5th generation this year!)

Tickling the ivories Burnett Style!

Constructing gingerbread yummies with friends.

When we can't find our favorite Christmas CD we don't stress, we just start belting out our own little renditions.  

i wouldn't dream of opening Pinterest or a Christmas magazine to look for fabulous recipes, decorations, parties and gift ideas.   

Downsizing our expectations is a very good thing!

Simply enjoying the little things right now!