Surreal...

Hi all
Am on holiday this week - a little frustrating as no passport (next week) and no car (next week) so feel a little cooped up - trying to relax and enjoy the quietness and the chance to catch up on sleep and work but would love to be out doing more! Guess that'll all happen next week! :0)
This whole adventure feels a littel surreal at times - even though I knew some things wouldn't change or be different just because I'd moved countries, and that there's the same problems no matter where in the world you are, I think the newness of everything is getting to me a bit. I can't just go back to the comfortable I know - such as the dear friends I have back home who know everything about me and who I know I can trust and talk to. It's so new here and getting to know and udnerstand people, the work team and systems is really hard at times. Not complaining - love a challenge but can be hard to be steady and level when there's so much going on. People do say I seem calm and supportive and even - that's nice as I'm trying to be.
There's things I'm considering that I never have before and that's scary - have I really changed so much in 7 weeks or are my eyes just open more?
Wow re-reading this I sound a little homesick and I guess in a way I am - not for NZ as such - just for the familiar and dare I say it - safe. But you know this is temporary - I am loving it here, just working out what's changed and how I deal with it all.
Have found the best coffee shop ever - oh if I go there for hot chocolates too often, I'll be in trouble! So good! Also went to Duabi the other night - a friend had an appointment so I went for a ride to keep her company - driving through that city at night was amazing - I can't even start to describe the largeness of it all and the lights - hey I like lights! Am hoping to get back there this week for a day or two.
Spending my days hanging out with friends, swimming, shopping -you know the holiday type things - prob adds to the surreal feeling!

Today's Successes

Sometimes you just have to count the successes no matter how small they may seem. I had a full on day busy day trying to please people and thankfully my two successes today came later in the day.
Success number 1 - I found a great cheap hairdresser who is at the hotel where my gym etc is - so handy as! Hair style attached in picture to your right.
Success number 2 - a group of us went to the very popular (as in jam packed) quiz night at the rugby club tonight - and we came third out of 14! Won 6 free drinks and have decided the only way is up!
So will focus on these for now - am so tried but last day of the working week tomorrow and then a holiday for a week! Roll on 2pm tomorrow.... (only coz I'm tried - sfill love my job!)

Hospital Part 2

Hi all - thanks for the feedback about this site - glad you're enjoying it and smiling.

I know I've written about hospital visits before but have experienced a different scenario I want to share with you. One of my apartment-mates fell up (yes up!) our stairs last night. She really hurt her wrist and smashed her shin/knee on the cocnrete step. So she did what all sensible people do - went in, iced it and waited for me to get home and give her an opinion about what she should do! So I took a look, smiled sweetly, rang Geradline to come get us and took her to hospital.

Frist dilemma - which hospital? There are quite a few here in Al Ain - one even has a roundabout named after it. So I chose the one I thought I knew how to get to - Emirates International - and after a few wrong turns (seems my map reading's not as flash as I thought) we got there, got a park outside and thought we were sweet.

Dilemma number 2 - Leeana couldn't walk and I haven't been to the gym enough to carry her so went inside for a wheelchair. Well couldn't just walk in and walk out with one so found an orderly/cleaner (not sure which one he was) who then got a very narrow wheelchair. How to explain I needed a bigger one? All the universal signs weren't working so there I was in the main foyer of a busy hospital trying to explain - I even pretended to sit in it to show my hips wouldn't fit (so then he thought I was the paitent!) - and finally managed to make him aware that a child sized wheelchair wasn't going to cut it for my friend. Quite embarassing really but hey it's gonna get me closer to heaven! However by the time he came with something more reasonable, Geradline had gotten sick of waiting and had dragged Leeana in. Shway shway people!

Third "dilemma" - after being taken rather promptly to emergency and being seen by a doctor quite promptly (two promptlys in a row - good thing) we were taken to xray. While we waited outside for Leeana, we were seated across from two lovely large stained glass doors. What could they be? A chapel? No hang on we're in a muslim part of the world - no chapels. Our guesses got wilder and wilder (and probably louder and louder) so imagine our surpise when the doors finally opened...to reveal a file room! Stained glass for files?

Fourth dilemma - no broken bones but we'll soft plaster her anyway! They put Leeana on the bed and soft plastered her from mid thigh to ankle. All good - when does it need to come off? Well a day later we still don't know the answer to that question - no idea when to get it off or who will do it. I think the doctor was saying she'd need to go to an orthopedic specialist and they didn't have one in that hospital. I think...oh well, Leeana will work it out eventually!

Dilemma number 5 - I had come home from the pool and then we left for the hospital quite quickly. I wasn't thinking about what I was wearing (naturally all my concern was for my injured friend!) so I turned up at the hospital in a tight-ish black tshirt and jean shorts - not good at Ramadam but ok at the hotel! Whoops! What was a girl to do? So I put a big smile on my face and just counted down until we could leave - although surely people were too busy being sick or looking after someone sick to notice? Yeah right...

Butr we were in and out in 2.5 hours, and it cost 650 dhs (about $270 NZ) for an exam, xrays, plaster and prescriptions - not bad. Liked that - you pay all at once and then pick up the drugs from the counter next door.

Think it'll be fine there if I ever have to go (touch wood) - but I'd want friends with me - think it made it easier for Leeana having Geradline and I there who laughed loudly at everything - probably no one appreciated it...oh well!

The Waiting Game...

Ok so I'm a go-get person who makes thinsg happen when she wants or needs them - well I'm having to learn to be a little more relaxed here and understand how shway shway (slow, slow) things can be here. It's a good test of my paitence and I've started saying In'Shallahlah (God willing)!
I'm waiting for the end of Ramadan so things go back to normal and you can shop or eat as you need. I'm waiting for my residency so I can come and go and sort out other things. I'm waiting for my drivers licence ( which I need residency for) so I can buy my car. I'm waiting for my car (which I need residencey and DL for) so i can be independant. And the list goes on...
BUT in saying that this is a good place to be waiting - everyone is in the same boat so you have support. All the people who serve you know and understand - my car dealer is so paitent. It'll happen. :0) (Watch out when it does!)

Oh what a night!

Wow - just had such an awesome experience - I have to write about it before I go to sleep - although I've had a week of late nights and am so tired!
Tonight 5 friends and myself went on a desert trip - 4 wheel driving (scary and amazing!), camel riding and eating, drinking and shisha.
The 4 wheel driving was awesome - the guy was a great driver and we bumped our way over the most amazing terrain - up and down and around - we five girls screamed while the guys just grinned (think they were in 4WD heaven!). We stopped at the top of one high level and saw the sun descnding - very pretty before heading off to a fort area for tea.
Now some of you know there's been a long standing joke about me and camels - as in riding one and this was one experience I wanted to do and get done! Our camels were lovely - well behaved, didn't smell and didn't spit. But getting up and going down was a mission in itself - and even watching others nearly eat sand first didn't help! Anyway I did it and have photos to prove it. The thing that amazed me and will stay with me for a long time was how quiet it all was - when we went off on the camels and were away from the group, it was very quiet, tranquil and relaxing - peaceful.
We had a lovely simple meal with lots of cold drink, had a bit of shsiha - magical under the stars. no lights - just the moon and stars. If you had told me 3 months ago I'd be here doing this, I would have thought you were mad but what an experience to have had.
As you can prob tell - I thoroughly enjoyed it and now we're planning an overnight stay - sleeping out in the desert.
To my desert buddies - Dave, Jay, Wilco, Jo and Nic (and Mohammed too I suppose) - thanks for an awesome night!

The Big Smoke!

Had a weekend of exploring and finding new things. Started with the Al Ain Rugby Club which I have taken a pic of the sign so I have proof such a place exists! It's good - nice food and drink - cheap and lots of expats. Didn't see any rugby - was pure socialising :0) However am very pleased with the AB's efforst a couple of hours ago! Yay NZ again!
Had a ball in Abu Dhabi - went to Trader Vic's at Rotana for lunch - bit of a legendary place here - nice atmosphere - Kalala and Tui - I'm so taking you there when you're here! Celebrated Simon's 40th at Bam Bu last night - all you can eat and drink for 150 dhs - about $60 NZ - so of course the boys (and some of the girls) made the most of that! We had a few very merry people by the time we decided to leave.
Rereading this it sounds like all we do is eat and drink - and at Ramadan too! :0)
Got an email tonight to say that a Wellington friend passed away - she's had cancer for a while but has such a big, unbeatable personality that it's hard to believe. To my NZ friends dealing with this loss - lots of aroha - wish I was there to hug and help. At times like this I am reminded of how we all need to do as much as we can in our lives and live it to the fullest. I know Sue would have approved of this sentiment - RIP doll. xxx

Expats galore

Yay I can finally share my exciting news - one of my dear best friends Kalala, her hubby Tui and their beautiful girls are moving here to live! Our company had a position going that I thought he'd be perfect for and they agreed! So they're going to be living here in Al Ain in a family villa - there's other families here so there's lots of kiwi kids and great friends for them - as well as me of course! So I can't wait to get to go to the airport and pick them up. Love that I'll be able to show them around and that they'll be here for two years (at least) with me! So that's been exciting getting that sorted.
Am off to Abu Dhabi this weekend - have a party up there to go to - no doubt there'll be some more pics on here soon of that. Al Ain (where we are) is nice but it's also nice to go and do different things at times.
Egypt's not looking promising at the end of the month due to flights being very unavailable but London's all go - can't wait to see everyone over there! Will keep trying the Egypt thing though.
Not much else to report - last day of the week and looking forward to the weekend!

Internet at Home

Yay - I finally have internet at home - it's great - I can use it anywhere in the UAE - the SIM card is inside the modem which is like an USB key - so easy and so cheap! So I can't download Skype but if I did have it, I could use it - so when I'm in NZ next Jan I'll download it then.
We had our medicals for our residency this morning - I know we complain about the NZ system but I never will again. We all went together but the females had to go and sit in a seperate waiting room from the males. Then we were told to get a number, then told not to. Then shifted rooms, and so on. Finally we got a number and things got a little more efficient from there. Has bloods - to check for HIV/AIDS - you have to leave the country if you have that - and a chest xray - to check for TB. So should get my passport back next week (fingers crossed) - then I can book for Egypt. Because we were at the hospital at 8am but got out about 11 - so didn't have to go to school today - wouldn't have been worth it by the time we got there.
I keep seeing things and thinking I must put that in my blog - then forget! So will write things down. But if you have any questions, just email me. I'll answer a couple now:

• What's the local talent like? Well there are some nice looking men here - but most tend to get married young - the govt gives them a house when they get married and money when they have children. However I do like tall, dark and handsome and there's a few bits of eye candy that fit that bill. :0) Have met one (not so local) guy that's nice but nothing happening so don't get excited!
• What's the food like? You can have anything - normal food like steak, chicken etc - the supermarket even has NZ brands like Watties, traditional food like curries, rice, etc, fast food like Pizza Hutt, McD's, KFC - pretty much anything.
• Still enjoying it? Yes I really am - am amazed at how quickly things feel right - gotta be a good sign. My boxes arrived from NZ yesterday which was fun - and nice to get my pics etc - and NZ will always be home - but this is a pretty awesome adventure!

Iftad and Shisha

Last night I broke my fast (not that I was really fasting!) in the traditional way of Iftad. Went to the hotel restaurant with some of the crew and after the prayers has shown on the tv, we could start. It's traditional to start with dates, nuts, other dried fruit and milk - so will attach a photo of the start. After that you could have soup (skipped that) and then salads (skipped those too) and then into the good stuff. Photo of my main meal plate attached. It was beautiful! I just could not eat it all (photo attached) but so badly wanted to! And then pudding! Contrary to popular belief I did not eat everything in my pudding bowl - merely loaded it up for you guys - good photo opportunity! Sat there feeling a little ill for a while.
After that we headed to the Ramadan tent - to give you an idea of size, it's been set up on the hotel's rugby field! It was amazing - chandeliers inside and tvs everywhere - nice dining tables and then comfty lounge areas. We paid 60 dhs to get in - which was for food - sooooo did not want any more so they offered us shisha instead. Now before you freak, when in Rome, do as the Romans do - so we tried it. Shisha is basically a packet of flavoured tobacco which goes through water and you smoke it. Not being a smoker made it challenging and didn't try to inhale too hard out. We had apple which was a bad move - Hoda had grape which was nice and light - if I ever was expected to do it again, that's the flavour I'd go for. So there'll be a pic or two of this experience - which was an experience and something I had to try.(Just thought it would take me a bit longer to do so!)
Am having a nice relaxing weekend - wnet to Al Ain mall this am which was deserted as everyone was at mosque - so I managed to get a pic of the inside ice skating rink without being too obvious. And even though I love you guys, I was not about to go on the ice for the photo!
Also spent the am cleaning - now those of you who know me well know I love cleaning - well not so much so here - am kinda over it! There is sand and dust everywhere and keeping my feet clean is a challenge! So I sweep or vacumn most days and wipe a fair bit too - over it! Can't wait til our cleaner starts!
Anyway have managed to sneak into an internet cafe before it really opens - the fast breaks in 10 mins and I can't wait - have my order ready! Hope all is good with you wherever you are - Ramadan Kareem to you - which is happy Ramadan - a time to be nice and giving to each other!

Being sick :0(

Well I finally did it - finally gave into the bug going around. Well it was either that or the turkey in my salad, but after a night of vomiting, my bathroom seems very small and I'm over that! I have two toilets and the guest one is much bigger - just could not crawl that far. Thankfully I have a free standing water cooler with lovely filtered water now - so am living off that. One way to start Ramadan!
So missed a day of school - quite gutted as do like it here and want to make a good impression with the teachers. Met with the Sport teachers today - both lovely. However the girls don't do sport during Ramadan due to fasting so next week the lessons will be about nutirition and light activties. This week is chat time for the students - catch up on the holidays. And do the girls travel! They went to some amazing places - definately a bit of money around here. So nice they can have these experiences when young.
Have a dinner party tonight - should be nice - hopefully I keep it all down! :0) Ramadan is a very social month where people go and see each other and eat together.
Have been keeping up with NZ news thanks to www.stuff.co.nz and see that you're hvaing soem sunshine - yay! Also saw that Becks is coming again - girls trip ladies? he he