Our week in review

This week has been crammed full with BIG firsts for us.  Ok yes, the last 19 days have been filled with nothing but inaugural events.  Simply walking out the door can be an adventure for us; Ry encounters her first Arabic bathroom, i fumble around 10 minutes to dial a phone number, and STILL trying to learn what price tags really are charging me.  (The US dollar is equal to 3.67 dirhams and THAT is not an easy estimate to do in your  my head)

This week was big though because the Littles went from getting away with studying in pajamas to sporting new school uniforms.

It was their first week in school in Dubai.  They were welcomed like celebrities.  The school staff insisted the student body will just swallow our kids up and make them feel at home and it was so true.  The first day of school before Kyle and Riley even made it into their designated classroom, kids were waving to them in the hall saying hi to them by name.  Kyle was working on scheduling a play date with his new friend from Denmark the afternoon i picked him up.  By Wednesday (which is really our Thursday) the kids were worn out from such long days at school.  8-3 school day is a big change from our home school routine.  A few tears were shed towards the end of the week by Miss Riley Roo but she pulled it together and did great.  Their schedule includes art, PE, Music and Arabic in addition to all the regular curriculum.  Kyle can already write his name in Arabic and has been teaching us some of the letters he has learned as he sees on the signs around town.

The biggest complaint about school is our ride home.  Taxi is our current mode of transportation most of the time.  After hanging out on the playground with new friends we have found that 3:45 can be a VERY bad time to catch a cab.  Cab drivers are just ending their 12 hours shift and many of them are trying to make prayer time.  Being "the glass is always half full" sort of mom, i decide to make a game of it.  "Let's count and see how many full cabs drive by before we catch an empty one."  After 2 phone calls to the cab company and 112 full cabs later the kids decide it's a stupid game.  Our best time is snagging the second cab that drives by.  WHOO HOO!  We all do a victory taxi dance when we keep it under 10. 

 Now my cell phone is filled men's first names i can't pronounce with last name "taxi."  When i ring one of those wonderful magic numbers, a man on the other end insists he knows who i am and makes every effort to come get me within the next 30 minutes.  

As you can see we needed something a little stronger than just Digestives and milk to celebrate our first full week of school.  (Digestives are a super yummy treat.  Especially the chocolate ones!!) 

We were greeted by our friends downstairs with a "Congratulations" and chocolate ice cream cones!

Kyle has suddenly become Mr. Social.  He now calls soccer football and will play with any child he find regardless of what language they speak.  Football is after all an international language all its own.   

Lest any of you feel sorry for this poor Mama who is left all alone at home while her kids are at school.  Don't worry, Mama knows how to venture out into new places!

i know, sort of like a where's Waldo?

The second day of school, i joined in with a group of moms from our school to travel an hour from Dubai to Abu Dhabi (the capital of UAE) to visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque.  (See it here.)  It is the largest mosque in the UAE and one of the few open to tourists.

  In order to enter the mosque area all women are required to wear an abaya and a head scarf.  There is a separate room with freshly washed articles should you not have any with you.  (For those of you curious, this is the only time i am required to wear an abaya and head scarf in the UAE.)  Woman are not allowed within the mosque area without the appropriate dress.  You are also NOT allowed to have your photo taken in front of the mosque if you are without an abaya and head covering.  Should you be spotted doing so a security person will kindly assist you in locating the picture on your camera and helping you delete it. 

The tour is very informative regarding the ornate details of the mosque, Islam and the culture of the people of UAE.   It was a rare opportunity to ask any question you may have.

  

Women's foot washing area.

World's second largest chandelier.  Egypt just past this up 3 months ago.

Prayer times

 Only men are required to come to the mosque to pray while women are allowed to pray at home.  This mosque is ornately decorated with flowers running throughout. 

Can you find the line used to line up for prayer?

This really was an amazing opportunity to get a better understanding of the culture i am living in.

Plus, the bonus of meeting new friends. 

(Side note... it is REALLY hard to make new friends on the ride over and then try to find them again in the sea of black abayas.)

Some of you asked about this picture.  It was a really just a serendipitous shot.  It's a bunch of women in awe of their reflection in a glass elevator.  It's the first and only time we get to see ourselves in our newly donned abayas.  The flowers on the ceiling make it look surreal.  

 
End of the tour ~ abaya drop off.


Between lunches with other women new to Dubai, waiting for taxi cabs and mommy field trips we also got the keys to our VILLA a.k.a. our real home while here in Dubai.

The bonus was that our air shipment showed up too!  That means more clothes and toys for us but still no furniture.  For now we are working on getting the villa move in ready. 

Dude managed to score the best balcony!

Delicious dates, our first house warming gift.

Appliance shopping

The first golf ball in our pool. 

Contemplating making a counting game out of this...

First Hopscotch game at our house villa. 

 i'm thinking this may be the longest one EVER!

And finally, the biggest first of the week.... this mama drove!!  TWICE!  It may not have been very far but it is my greatest accomplishment this journey to date.  If my hands weren't white knuckling the steering wheel, i might have pictures for you.  But no such luck.  The only one allowed to talk in the car while either of us is behind the wheel is our British GPS chap.  He ever so kindly and calmly tells you when to enter and exit the roundabouts.  i guess his voice is suppose to soothe your nerves from the blaring horns around you.  Now, if only he could tell me where the exit is really heading before i take it.

Just to assure you i am not exaggerating here are random quotes from the kids.

 "Mom, i know why we couldn't bring our Tahoe to Dubai... the horn isn't loud enough."  ~ Riley

"Dad, let's just take a cab, i don't feel like hearing you yell at the roads tonight."  ~ Kyle  

Happy Weekend!   

NIGHT & DAY

TODAY our family dined at one of Dubai's many famous Saturday Buffets. 

For. three. hours.

How is this possible you ask?

With video games, art tables filled with supplies, Tom & Jerry cartoons

and bouncy houses

time disappeared before our very eyes.

Completely carefree

and indulgent.

But now the frivolity has dissipated as my heart feels heavy and my eyes are brimming with tears.

Because TONIGHT i spoke with Fersa the young dark haired chef that greets us every morning with a smile.  In the morning while he checks on the buffet food, he always seems so cheerful and genuinely happy to see us as he inquires how we are.  Breakfast time is busy and there is little opportunity to get to know the man under the towering chef hat.  But tonight the restaurant is quiet and empty.   Two indulgent waiters slip my Littles hot chocolate and candy which busies them while i listen to Fersa.  He tells me about chef training in Syria, working with a famous American chef and his dream of opening his own restaurant someday.  i notice for the first time the silver ring on his left hand and i ask if he is married.  He has a wife in Syria and a daughter that will be one in 5 days.  When i ask for a picture he waists no time pulling out his phone to shows me Bana, a beautiful baby with large brown eyes and the most kissable chubby cheeks. "You must Skype them often?" i ask.

"Oh everyday, for i am scared for them.  All of Syria is very dangerous right now.  They have little electricity and they cannot leave the house at night it is too dangerous.  They stay with my parents."  It is the first time i see his face darken as his eyes become rimmed with red.  i ask him when he gets to see them again, as all staff are provided trips home.  He says he is afraid to go home for fear they will accuse him at the airport for being on the wrong of the political argument and become jailed.  

NIGHT & DAY

Political turmoil has been around since the beginning of time.  Daily news testifies to this.  i confess that while living in the states i glossed over the token half page that spoke of war in far away places.  Today i read the headlines intently and pray for real people who are striving to simply survive. 

A lesson in gratitude was granted to us today.

  

As citizens of the United States, can we truly appreciate our freedoms when we have never been robbed of them?   

I have no pictures to post of Fersa and his family but the cell phone screen of his daughter is the one picture from today that has etched itself in my mind.  Tonight as i tucked my kids in bed we prayed for the safety of little Bana & her mommy, for Fersa working to provide for his family from so far away and for the many reasons we have to be thankful. 

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.