Bonjour! Hallo! Hola! Hey Y'all!

It's been a month so I owe you!  And it's been an eventful month since I've updated you on the haps.  It has been 10 months since I arrived in the Sandbox and I must say this has been an experience quite like no other.  I am grateful, I mean truly grateful for everything, the good, the bad, and the ugly.  It has been an adventure of a lifetime and I wouldn't trade it in for anything in the world.  I would have never been able to travel, learn another language (kind of), meet the people I've met or reignite my gift of singing had it not been for the decision to move myself half way around the world to the UAE.  Don't get me wrong, it hasn't been a walk in the park or a stroll in a wild tulip field just skipping and frolicking, but it's all worth it and I'm looking forward to the end of my first year here as well as the beginning of the next!!   

So what's next...well vacation for me starts in 11 days!  Wooo Whooo?!  I am headed to Paris to arrive on my birthday.  What a nice birthday gift to myself to make up for nearly 5 years of NO vacations at all? Then my next stop is Amsterdam, then Madrid, then the good ole USA to see family and friends that I love and have missed sooooo much!  It's sure to be a great time. ! I would have NEVER done this even a year ago because I was scared out of my mind.  Oh and I didn't have enough money to even travel to the next state!! lol!  But this life God has blessed me with has so far allowed me to travel to Italy, Greece, and Croatia, along with trips to Dubai!  It's true...you only live once!  I've decided that I must enjoy life to the fullest and take advantage of what the world has to offer.  So I'm going to see the world!!  I'm excited!  Pictures and videos are sure to come in the next 19 days upon my arrival in France.  WOW!  At times I can hardly believe it myself!

Life in Abu Dhabi is good indeed.  I have soooo many stories to tell!  So much funny stuff happens here it's too hilarious for me to even write about...like the argument with the security guard and the delivery guy delivering my Lebanese food to me.  Ooo Chile!  The language barriers!  All of us were looking confused!  I just heard some loud talking outside the door when my doorbell rang.  The delivery guy didn't understand he was supposed to sign in (probably because he'd never been to the building before) so the security guard followed him up to my apartment, mad that he didn't sign in.  The lil delivery man was looking crazy like he didn't know jack.  Then the security guard tells me don't order from that restaurant and 'madam don't eat this' because the food wasn't good, making 'yuck' faces and all.  I almost busted out laughing (he was hatin)...I was looking like what the hades is going on.  Finally, I just told him I ordered the food so I will pay for it.  I apologized to the delivery guy because he was really taken aback by our diligent, protective front desk security...poor thing.  I'm sure that particular delivery guy will not be back to deliver at my building.  Why did my face have to be all up in that?  Ooo Chile! I need to just write a book!!  

I recently won a singing contest at an event hosted by Virgin Radio Dubai at the Hyatt Capital Gate Hotel.  It's the leaning Hyatt here in Abu Dhabi.  I sang 60 seconds of 'Sweet Thing' by Chaka Khan and it was a hit!  One of these days, you will see my name in lights and think to yourself...that's the crazy lady who sold everything she had and moved to the other side of the world to teach in the beautiful city of Abu Dhabi, and wrote that blog that had me laughing out loud! ;)

Next week is my week to drive to work out in the desert...'Timbuktu'...almost to Dubai...LOL!  I'm sure to encounter drivers ready to run me and my lil Hyundai off the road as I drive the maximum speed limit of 140km/hr, get blown by the super strong gulf winds, maneuver across 100 speed bumps, and slam on brakes for the wild driving by others around here.  My poor lil rental car won't have any shocks, brakes, or tire treads by the time I turn it in back to them in July. :/  Bomp Bomp!

Pictures are coming soon of Paris, Amsterdam, and Madrid!  Oh the fun I plan to have...the time of my life!  I can't wait to say Bonjour! Hallo! Hola! and of course, Hey y'all! 

Much love!

Ooo Chile...

It has been over three months since I've updated this blog.  I decided that since I skipped out on my gym workout today, I needed to do something constructive, like update what has been happening with me in my travels abroad.

So much has been going on!!  Where do I start?  Well, I am most excited about my progress as a singer here.  Last month I sang at an Open Mic here in Abu Dhabi and that was fantastic!  It just reignited my love flame for music and singing all over again.  Be sure to check me out at www.reverbnation.com/satirah for a sneak peak at what my singing is like.  I am currently the #1 Jazz Singer on the ReverbNation charts here Abu Dhabi and I am so grateful to all of the people that have supported me with visiting the site and listening to my music for the past month.  Plus a short video clip of me performing 'Bella Vista' with music composed by Jazz Musician Monzell Dunlap  is on YouTube!  There is sooo much more to come! Ooo chile!  I'm excited!

My video --->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUz4c1RO5xc

Let me know what you think!

I  have also been travelling! I went on a seven day cruise through Italy, Greece, and Croatia and oh the marvelous places I saw with my very own eyes.  Places I have read about, taught about I have seen for myself and I call it a blessing!  Amazing!  Oh, and I also sang in a Talent Show on the Costa Magica cruise ship to top it all off!  Ooo Chile!  Ain't God good?

Click Here to see my Cruise Ship Performance!

Venice, Italy!  Liquid streets...travel by boat only!

Olympia, Greece...where the Olympics was born!

Athens, Greece

Athens, Greece...the Acropolis...standing in front of the Parthenon...temple of Athena!  Bow down peasants...LOL!

Chillin in Santorini!

All smiles on the gondola ride in Venice!

I've traveled some of the world and I can't wait to do it again and hit up Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, and Hong Kong just to name a few.  I will keep you posted!!

  

I still have lots more to share!  I have truly been living a life I never dreamed!!!

I can't even begin to tell you about my first experience at an Emirati wedding last weekend in Abu Dhabi...Ooo chile!

Let's just say it was something to see and extremely interesting!  I enjoyed myself, ate, danced and happy to have gotten that cultural experience under my belt.  When is the next wedding?  I'm there!

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @satirahmusic

It's on like popcorn now!  I'm singing again on Friday, April 26 here in Abu Dhabi!  If you're on this side of the world...be sure to drop in and give me a HOLLA!!

Check it where I'm performing next --->  Rooftop Rhythms - Abu Dhabi's 1st Ever Poetry Open Mic

There is so much going on in my world...I can hardly keep up!  But tomorrow I am going to the gym!  I'm not playing!  I gotta be bikini ready for Summer cause...Ooo chile!

Field Trip

I will be updating the blog soon with photos from Christmas vacation in the States and some other things I wanted to share.  But check this out for now.

Today I had the pleasure of going on my first field trip here across the big pond.  It was at a place for kids that's more like Chuck E. Cheese's rich distant cousin's spot. There are amusement park like rides in the place, bumper cars, flying ship, etc. Fun was had by all!  I even rode the bumper cars myself!

So we made it back to school in one piece and I'm getting off the bus.  My foot gets stuck on my abaya and badaboom badabing...bamalama...I hit the ground.  I can't believe I fell! Parents, bus drivers, and a few kids were out there to witness the little entertaining event.  I played hurt for about 5 seconds then got up. All smiles! "I'm okay!" Two of my girls helped me up.  They waited to smirk after they realized I wasn't seriously hurt. Ha! And yes, of course, the Louis Vuitton sunglasses were still on my face, didn't move. LMAO! Now my arm has a bruise on it and some skin got scraped too. Lawd help! That's going to hurt later.  I am too old for this s**t!

Merry New Year!

It's been a month and I haven't been able to...okay I just didn't feel like posting anything. LOL!  I have been busy earlier in December getting ready to visit family and friends in the United States.  And now that I am here in the USA, I have just decided to lay low and chill (and be bored out of my mind).  I will certainly be rethinking my travel plans when I visit my family next year in 2013.  Maybe I have adult ADD.  I don't seem to want to stay in the same place for more than a week.  I probably should have gone to my sister's and stayed for a week.  I have thoroughly enjoyed my family and friends so very much, but uhm...it's time to go, well at least leave my parents' house.  Anywho, moving on.

I have had a great time in the U.S. during holiday break, and as this year closes, I can truly say that I feel and definitely am extremely blessed, lucky, fortunate...happy.  I have met some wonderful people in the UAE and I am living a dream there!! It shows in the glow people tell me I have.  That's called happiness and joy!  I've also been fortunate to have met someone very special and he has been wonderful contributing to my happiness and joy! LOL!

In December of 2011, I never imagined I would be living over 7,000 miles away from the United States, in another country, learning to speak a different language, working, and just having the time of my life.  Wow!  So there is no telling what 2013 has in store for me.  I know whatever happens from here on out, will be good...very good!  I'm looking forward to the wonderful things that are yet to come. 

Merry New Year!!!

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! 

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.

  

Miss me?

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

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...

Dubai Baby!!

I went to Dubai a few days ago and it was a great day trip!  It is Eid and I have been off from work for the past 4 days! We visited the Mall of the Emirates first and them the Dubai Mall, which is the largest mall in the world.  All I know is, we were only able to see the first freakin floor of this mall because it is sooo huge.  You cannot do it all in one day and call yourself shopping too.  This mall has every high end store you can name.  This mall requires 3 maybe 4 trips to actually see it all.  It has three levels.  I nearly lost my mind as I am a self diagnosed shopaholic (yall pray for me).  There was Gucci, Prada, Tiffany, BCBG, Rolex, Christian Louboutin, Louis Vouiton, Chanel, Armani, Burberry, Ralph Lauren, Hermes, Marc Jacobs, Coach, Baby Phat, Nine West, Juicy Couture, and the whole shabang of all the other designers you can think of.  Talk about restraint.  Lawd!  I had to reason with myself several times.  No, you may not spend your whole check on a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes no matter how fabulous they are!!  No, you may not buy a $900 purse at this time.  No, you may not buy the smoking hot Gucci boots you have been dying to buy since Day One that cost $1,620 USD!  God help me!  

I'm glad I got out of there with my bank account still in tact.  Of course, I bought a few things from normal stores like Gap and H&M. I know my limits.  I'm not ready.  LOL!

The architecture of Dubai is even more stunning than Abu Dhabi and the skyline is fascinating.  I will be back in Dubai on November 9 to run the Dubai Women's 5K so I will take more pictures...with a real camera.  You know, the kind grown folk use.  I have been the phone photographer so far.  Don't judge me. 

Here are a few pictures!!  

New Shoes...Wooo Whooo! (No they are not Gucci! LOL!)

First stop...The Mall of the Emirates...Dubai

Here it is...The Dubai Mall!! This is so NOT the place for a recovering Shopaholic...

Aquarium inside Dubai Mall

The Burj Khalifa...tallest building in the world...is the tallest man made structure in the world, at 829.8 meters (2,717 feet)!! 

Dubai!!

That brown says The Dubai Mall...Don't ask me what the rest of that Arabic print says...LOL!

Maybe one day I'll go in and actually buy something...hmm

Burj Khalifa...see you soon!!