Thursday, November 29, 2012

RAIN in the Dhabi!


Today it rained in Abu Dhabi, which is a rare occurence.  I was excited to see the rain.  It's funny how the simplest things can mean so much when you are living in a foreign land, far away from the place you call home.  Really, I don't know where I call home anymore.  I guess home is at my Mama and Daddy's house now.  After living in Atlanta, for nearly 13 years, I get confused.  Somebody asked me where I was from last night and I immediately said Georgia.  Lawd!  I guess that's right in a way.  I will be heading "home for the holidays" in 16 days and I am starting to get super excited about that and all the that is in store for that 19 days of vacationing on U.S. soil.  I'm tempted to kiss the freakin ground when I get outside.  Okay, maybe not.  But that sounded like a good plan.  I don't know if I miss home really.  I believe I would be correct to say that I miss my family and friends, since like I said I have no "home" of my own anymore in the States.  I've never been in this situation so that's the best I can do to describe that.  I won't be visiting Georgia while I'm in the U.S., and not sure why I would...unless I want to go get my hair done, which I thought about booking a flight, just for that! LOL!  But I have other wonderful plans with family and friends in the Carolinas.  

Every time I think about going "home" I can't help but smile.  This place called Abu Dhabi is absolutely stunning, beautiful, and still the best move I've ever made in my entire life.  Though, there are some crazy cultural adjustments, I must say, I have adjusted well and I'm happy!  But I am happy to be going "home" to see the people who have to love me no  matter what...LOL!

Yesterday, I was at the mall when I got a call that my laundry was ready and at my door, but I wasn't there to pay.  Side Note: Yall know I refuse to wash clothes ever again in life.  So Laundry Boo (as I affectionately call him) left my fresh clothes at my apartment door and told me he would come back today to get the money!  Uhm...whey they do that at? Only here in Abu Dhabi!!  If I was in the States, I promise you I would not have any clean drawz today!  Believe that!  No money...you ain't gettin jack!! LOL!  Anyway, Laundry Boo came back today and I had to give him a tip for just, I guess, trusting that I would actually pay him.  He wasn't worried about it anyway.  No one really worries about anything around here anyhow.  It's all good.  I like that.

National Day is on December 2, so I have another long weekend.  Thank God!  Four days of relaxation.  I'm going to the nail shop tomorrow to get pampered and just chillin for the rest of the time off.  Then I will be heading to the spa sometime next week for facials, waxes, and the "saloon" as they call hair salons here, to get my locs washed and twisted.  I also have plans to visit the Gold Souk to bring back some of that Middle Eastern gold that I know my Mama is going to like.  There is also a "bootleg" mall I will hit up before I fly the friendly skies.  Yes, again, I have found a Bootleg Boo and he has all the purses, sunglasses, wallets, etc. that you are looking for but don't want to go broke buying full price.  It's so hilarious to me.  I think my Christmas gift theme this year will be "Bootleg"  LOL!!  I'm just kidding...okay maybe not!

16 days and I'm out!  See you soon!

Oh, here are some pictures from the Thanksgiving Dinner I had at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club with some awesome friends here in the U.A.E!  I really enjoyed myself and it took the sting away from not being with my family at home in the USA!  Even though I called them and they didn't answer their phones because their fat tails were eating dinner and I stayed up all night just to call them!! They get on my nerves...but I love them anyway! 










Saturday, November 24, 2012

We Did That!

Okay, I'm a little late on this, but I did run...ha ha...jogged and walked (I'll be honest) in the Dubai Women's 5K.  There was also a 10K and no ma'am, no sir, I did not go that far.  But I am proud of my accomplishment with the 5K.  The run was in the morning, so the weather was perfect and the view of the Arabian Gulf (aka...Persian Gulf) was absolutely stunning as we ran along the waterfront.  We ran on the Palm Jumeirah, one of Dubai's famous landmarks, a part of that man made archipelago.  This is also where the Atlantis Hotel is located so I got to the see the outside of that luxurious palace like building.  Maybe one day I will go and stay a night there, depending on how many dirhams I have to part with cause that ain't cheap.  We will see.  

Anyway, I was happy to do this with my Abu Dhabi friends/family!! Love those ladies!  We even got a really nice shirt and a medal!!  You can see mine in the pictures around my neck. I will cherish it forever! LOL!  We rock!  Here are a few pictures from the race.


  










Friday, November 9, 2012

Miss me?

36 days left -- I'm returning to visit in the USA!! Holla at your girl!!


Friday, November 2, 2012

Sand Dune Driving, the Desert and Camels...Oh My!

Okay...This Desert Safari occurred in September.  I thought I posted this!!  LOL!  Sorry...I've been busy loving the "Good Life" around here. But check it out!

I went on a Desert Safari with a few Abu Dhabi friends and it was awesome!  I can now say I have walked on the sands of a desert.  I rode a camel, drank Arabic tea, and ate dates.  I also got a henna tattoo and ate an authentic Arabic BBQ dinner.  This consisted of hummus, lamb, veal, cucumber and tomato salad, rice, and some sweets that I did not eat since I already know how sweet they like their sweets in Abu Dhabi.  The sweet desserts around here will make you go into a diabetic coma, so I don't fool with them.  I tried it once and I'm done with that.  The sand dune driving was exciting and we had fun on the sandy roller coaster ride.  Driving up and down HUGE mountains of sand was unexpectedly thrilling and by the end, I had tears in the corners of my eyes asking God not to let me die!  Yes, it got downright scary at the end.  Our 8 passenger truck got stuck in the sand in the middle of the desert.  Luckily, our driver, Abdul, has 20 years of experiences as a sand dune driver.  He called for help and we were out in a jiffy.  But it was fun!  Everyone should try it! LOL!  Here are some pictures of our safari.



Camel Farm!!

Desert pose! Wow!  I'm in the REAL DESERT!!

Nice camel...Don't act crazy while I'm up here!  (Camels have attitudes yall!) Hey didn't I promise you I would take a picture with a real camel.  Boom!  Delivered!  

sipping that good, authentic Arabian coffee...Yum!

Camel...be nice please! 
Camel is the new horse....Giddyup!!  LOL! (I don't know why my hand is in the air like that...smh!)

Hello Desert! 
The smell of the camels will make you look like this...