Dubai 7s 2009

What an excellent weekend and way to finish off a holiday! The Dubai 7s are always good entertainment and NZ starting off ths year's campaign by winning was just awesome! NZ and Samoa in the final - woud have been happy either way but was cool that NZ won! Even better was laughing at Tui who was torn on who to cheer for and kept putting on and taking off his blue top over his black one!
Caught up with DJ - my fav 7s player- he just looks better every year on (and off!) the field.
Great company, great weather and great results - makes for a pretty amazing time!

The Maldives!

Amazing amazing place - had a week there and it was incredible! Quick flight from here and only 20 mins in speedboat to resort. Had a lovely beach bungalow which stepped out onto white sand and then our lagoon complete with amazing reef for snorkelling.
Hard to describe in lots of words because all I did was eat, sleep, swim, sunbathe and snorkel! So relaxing though and just what I needed. Sheryl was great to travel with too!
Def recommd a week away there to anyone! :)

My birthday

Well turned 34 on the 16th Nov and hd a lovely day - thanks to all for the messages - felt very loved and special. Had a dinner on the 19th and three of us there were birthday people! Wore a lovely dress that the Raelis gave me and had fun! Pics included of course!

What a month!

Apologies for not having written sooner – it’s been one heck of a month!
I went to Doha couple of weekends ago and caught up with Nat from NZ – had a blast with her even though Doha’s not the greatest place! Interesting to look around and quite a novelty having a 20 min plane ride to be in a new country!
Work is full, full on but loving it. It’s great to have two roles because when you’re over one, the other one is there which means a variety.
Brent and I have split up – started off with some small issues that had been niggling and got a little too in our face to ignore! Was quite hard to actually make that final decision but we’re working on being good friends and getting on with it – especially as we work together! Thanks to those who sent me lovely messages. x
A friend from LML in Wellington died of cancer a couple of weeks ago – far too young and left behind a sweet six mnth old son – sometimes you have to wonder why but she def lived her life to the fullest – so I need to remember that!
Am off to Maldives in a few weeks – just looking forward to soft sand, sun and blue water – pure relaxation. Going with a good kiwi friend from here - Sheryl – so bound to have some laughs.
My boss Andrew is moving on to Saudi to work – so we’ve had a few farewells for him. Trying to be happy for him as he’s excited but gutted about not working for him anymore – quite an inspirational leader.
Have booked my tickets home for two weeks at end of Jan – not looking forward to the flight but so excited about seeing everybody! Will keep you posted of my plans. xxx

SOS - Samoa on Saturday

So as I'm sure you all know, Samoa is in a pretty bad way at the mo after the tsunami and even though we're half a world away we wanted to do something. John, an amazing Samoan guy living in Dubai - organised SOS - Samoa on Saturday - a touch tourney to fundraise.
It was held at the 7s rugby ground and was well attended. Even made today's National newspaper! I didn't play - sold raffle tickets, cheered teams on (we had two teams from SIP) picked up rubbish! We did well money and donations wise - huge thanks to all!
Chris Cairns was there playing which sent our girls into a tiz! He's still in primo shape and still a nice guy!
Pics atached for your benefit!

Back to normal...

Well London was great! We did a few touristy things but mosty shopping and relaxing! The weather was nice - we didn't get any rain and while there were a few cloudy spots, it was mostly about 22 degrees during the day which was a welcome relief from the heat here. We just enjoyed being together and eating what we wanted when we wanted (simple but true!)
The weather here has cooled a little which is nice - it's about 35-37 degrees during the day which is much more bearable. School was supposed to have started for the students on Wed but after 3.5 months of being off most of them decided to take two more days! So most schools had between 2-40 students turn up so I'm guessing Sunday will be the day most of them return.
Am enjoying the new role so far - school hours have been extended to about 7.30am-3.30pm s it's nice that I have a bit more flexibility than that.

Outta here!

Finally all the sleeps have been slept, the bag is packed (although it's only half full to leave room for shopping so doesn't really count) and the 5 day weather forecast has been checked!
Really looking forward to going but doesn't seem real - this week has been so hectic! Am loving the new job though - so interesting going into other schools and seeing what they do - some much good stuff happening.
Ramadan finishes this weekend - and while I respect this tradtion - it will be sooooooooo nice to have everything back to as nomal as it gets in this part of the world!
Not much else to say really - kind of been in limbo waiting for the school year to start and for Ramadan to finsih - and for the weather to get just a little cooler! Actually it is down to about 37 at 7pm now - much better for netbll!

Yes I'm Going Back To...London!

In 17 days (just a wee bit excited!) it will be our first Eid break - to celerbate the end of Ramadan and it's a different story this year from last. Last year I didn't have my passport due to residency pending but this year we're ging to London for the five days!
As you all know, I love London and had a magical time there last December. Brent has been once for a work conference, had an afternoon off and it was raining the whole time and he saw nothing! Well what do you expect for January? So it only takes 7 hours to fly there (through the night) and will be nice and "normal" after some of the exotic places we've been lately.
I'll get to be tour guide and we all know how much I love that! We've got a few things planned including a solid shopping day. I thank my stars that Brent loves shopping too! Have printed off street maps of all the good shopping areas - that have the shops on them in order and started highlighting places I want to go! Yay!
My dear Lisa, who I had so much fun with last time, won't be there - she's leaving London and tripping around for a bit before heading home to NZ. I miss her by 4 days but she showed me some great places (and shops!) last time so I can enjoy those again. (Safe travels hon!)
Work is going fine - school hasn't started yet - such a l-o-n-g break! Am liking my new position and enjoying setting up systems - will be interesting to see how it goes when we actually start going into schools.
We're halfway through Ramadan at the mo - I notice quite a few things that last year I was just too new and overwhelmed to. The shops shut halfway through the day for a while and the hours are all out of kilter! Makes it hard to plan to do jobs etc. Also people who are fasting are hot and tired and irritable - I don't blame them but last year just thought it was par for the course! This year I really empathise with them - especially in this heat.
We may be getting a break in Dec which would be great - we'll go to Japan. My beautiful cousin Liz has just had a baby boy so it will be great to meet him and see the rest of the gang. Plus we can go to Tokyo Disneyland and a bit of shopping! Inshallah that all happens!
Not much else to report - hope you're all well. x

Back into it...

Well it's been full on ever since we got back and the holiday is a very distant memory now! We had a week in the office getting ready for induction, then a week oreintating the new people - which included an old friend of mine Dave, and Kalala's sister in law Beks! So great to have them here and they are part of a very cool group.
This week has been mixing last year's and this year's group together and getting used to working in my new role! I miss the girls I worked with last year - feels very weird not to be sitting with them - but am excited about the new challenges. One so far is that we don't know how my new role is really going to work - so need to all sit down and nut it out.
It's still quite warm here - all the people who have come over from NZ are loving it of course!
Not much else to report - still here, just ticking along... :0)

Back to "normal"

So I'm home - in Al Ain - unpacked (that took a few hours!) and have set up my new office. Why? My job has changed this year and I'm now doing cross-cluster advisory work in ICT and SEN so I need a base - the spare room has been tranformed. It was good to have that to carry on with when we got home so I wasn't flat after the holiday.
The holiday was amazing - I don't remember being away for so long like that before. If you've read the blog you've probably guessed that I really liked Santorini and Istanbul, Turkey was great as well. Greece (apart from the islands) and Egypt - I wouldn't be in a rush to do them again. At least now I know and can say I have been there, done that.
Another lesson I learnt is to pack, divide by half, repack and divide by half again! I took FAR too much stuff - when will I get it right?
Have some friends arriving here this week to work for us - quite exciting to get to see them again and help them settle in. Have been trying to get others to come (you know who you are!) but they have prior commitments - which makes me realise how lucky I am to be doing this and how it was obviously meant to be.
It's quite warm here - feel sorry for the people retruning from NZ - taking me a while to adjust - be harder for them!

Cairo

Well after two nights of middle of the night at the airport, we were shattered when we landed in Cairo Sunday morning at 3am. However to come to our lovely 5 star hotel and be staying in an amazing executive suite is making up for it a little bit :0)
We slept most of yesterday and lazed around - unpacked and repacked our bags (due to having room to do it), got laundry done and had an amazing meal in one of the 8 hotel restaurants.
Today we had a personal tour of the Pyramids etc. Much nice to get in a car with a driver and your own guide than a bus load and plan out your day based on what you want to see. We started at the Giza Pyramids which were cool but my highlight was the Sphinx. We then moved on to some earlier pyramids a bit further out, had a nice lunch and visited a papryus place where we learnt how ti's made and brought some.
Our tour guide wanted to show us so much more - such a cool guy - but we were so tired and came back to the hotel early. However we'd seen enough for this trip and we can return anytime.
Tomorrow we're going to catch the hotel shuttle to the centre of the city and check out the bazaars.
Impressions of Cairo? Hot (I'm so gonna die back in UAE), brown (EVERYTHING is) and dirty - rubbish everywhere. Shame really coz it could be so much better. Who knows, I might change my tune tomorrow :0)

Never ever, I repeat, NEVER EVER fly Olympic!

OMG - I have had the worst customer service experience ever - with Olympic Airways (Greece). The first flight from Istanbult to Athens was ok. The second flight from Athens to Satnorini was 3 hours late - with no explanations, with one hour of sitting on the place waiting to take off and with a crew changeover once we were all on the plane! Thought that was a once off.
We then waited six hours at Santorini Airport (with NO explnations) to return to Athens, which meant we missed our connection flight to Cairo - they couldn't get us on another one for 24 hours so we had an awful day (after checking in at 4am) in a crap hotel in Athens (not a place we wanted to spend more time in!) and if you wnated to eat coz the airline was paying for your meals - you had to be in the dining room at 8am til 8.30 am, 12.30-1pm and 8-8.30 pm. Otherwise too bad. Felt so sorry for a couple who were with us and were finshing their honeymoon - due to flights to Beiruit timings, they had two nights.
When we got back to the airport we complained (along with another couple) about the bad service but no one listened or cared. Then we finally got on the plane to Cairo and it was 40 mins late! Our baggage wasn't nicely treated then but we were so over it all.
So word of warning to the wise, the fact that 75% of our flights were bad is a sign - do NOT fly olympic airlines.

Santorini...where I will leave my heart

Love this place - have never been anywhere as nice or relaxing. We just looked through our photos and laughed - we have so mnay the same but things look different every day.
We have an amazing apartment with verandah overlooking several islands and the Aegean sea - several cruise ships every day,
We have a rental car and have been to the top and the bottom of the island, plus a few stops along the way like Kamari Beach - so relaxing.
Rode a donkey up 566 steps today - an experience all of it's own - I had no control of it - it's only mission was to get to the top and get me off!
Thoroughly recommend this place to all -we will be back and for longer!

Moving On

So we're now halfway through the holiday and ready to move on. Athens was nice but a place we could have done in a few days. Anyway we've seen things we didn't think we would - such as the Acropolis, tasted new flavours such as Frappes and tried to read signs in a language that doens't use all the same symbols as English - the reasons we travel - to open our minds!
The cruise was ok - lot of time on the boat and not enough on the islands. We went swimming at Aegina and it was amazing - we are so looking forward to swimming in the sea every day while in Santorini.
So we fly to Santorini tomorrow lunchtime for three complusory days of rest and relaxation - we will do a bit of exploring as we have a rental car but mostly want to swim in the sea, photograph the white and blue around us and watch beautiful sunsets.
We fly out Friday night to Egypt so wil update the blog then probably.

Delphi

Have been away in Delphi for a night - was nice to see a bit more of Greece and some more of the history. Not really into musuems etc but was amazing to walk among the ruins and think of the many, many, many people who had been there before. And seeing artefacts from 7th century BC was just incredible.
Dephi is a very slow relaxing place so we did a lot of sleeping and relaing - nice to have those little pit stops along the way!
Tomorrow we're doing a day's sailing - going to three islands - Hydros, Poros and Agina - swimming and wandering the towns - should be good!

Hot Hot Hot

Ok so we thought we were leaving the heat - damn fools we are! It was 36 degrees today - prob too hot for what we did but when in Athens, gotta see it!
We did a hop on, hop off bus tour today - enjoyed the one in Istanbul lots and it was by the same compnay - really well done. We saw all the important sites including Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where the first modern Olympics were held, Hadrian's Arch and of course the Acropolis. So after riding around once we went back to the Acropolis. The people! There were so many but we still got to be close to the attractions and have a good look - the view was amazing too. Where we are you woulnd't know the sea was that close but when up high, you can see it wonderfully.
It is soooo illegal to take anything from the sites - even a little rock - pretty obvious why. At all the historic attractions we went to today there were watch people everywhere to make sure you don't try. They sit or stand all day and watch all the tourists - not a job I envy.
We walked down from the Acropolis past other attractions and through Plaka - I was so hot and seemed to put sunblock on every hour or so but am still a little red on the shoulders tonight. Trying not to look like a typical tourist - you can spot them a mile off with their red arms and faces!
When we finally got back we just relaxed. Exploring in the heat really takes it out of you!

Athens Part One

Wow - this city is hot and busy! But amazing even though it's so different from Istanbul
We had a quick one hour flight from Turkey this morning and arrived in quite a different culture. This place is much more western and more what we're used to.
In saying that the history that is evident is amazing. For example we can see the Acropolis quite close up out of our hotel window - after all these years of seeing or reading about it - and it's right there. Just incredible.
We did a wander this afternoon and found the markets - hmmm what a shopping nose I have! However due to bringing too many clothes that I won't wear I have no room for new stuff and it's all in Euro which is not cheap. Some things are ok but other things are over priced - so will be aiming for many photos and amazing memories, not tacky souviners...ok well maybe one or two ;0)
Going to eat on the hotel rootop tonight and enjoy the sunset over the Acropolis - having a relaxing night as tomorrow (and from there on) will be busy!

Istanbul Part Two

Yesterday we enjoyed the new Istanbul - especially the view from the Galata tower which will post on here when have downloaded Brent's pics. The ones on here so far are from my camera.
There's so much going on everywhere you look in this place - and last night we enjoyed a walk along the waterfront before heading up to a place we had found behind the Blue Mosque which had a beautiful rooftop to have dinner - watched the sun set there - amazing.
Today has been a quieter day - but I went and had an authentic Turkish bath! Was unsure what to do- but so were all the tourists! We stripped off to undies, wrapped a cloth around and went into a huge central room where we steamed and were then scrubbed and soaped by middle aged half naked Turkish women. After that a swim in a very warm pool followed by a half hour oil massage. They gave me a wee present when I left - of my own wrap - because I was a Kiwi (big thing here) and was so friendly. So nice! I also got all sorts of free advice - like listening to aunties!
Been out for another yummy dinner - had thought I might lose some weight with all the walking we do but am eating to make up for it. Just LOVE apple tea and Turkish delight (the real stuff!)
Our last full day here tomorrow - not quite sure what we'll do as we've done everything we really want to - so may just ride the tram all the way from one end to the other and get out anywhere that looks interesting for a look around!
Would love to come back with an empty suitcase -could spend hours (and money!) in the shops here - good fun!

Istanbul Rocks!

I am absolutely in love with Istanbul! It is green, sort of clean and the people are very friendly. We flew in Wednesday afternoon, checked in - our hotel is in a great location - and started exploring. We found the Grand Bazaar and just had an amazing time looking around that. There is everything you can imagine for sale and haggling is part of the fun.
Yesterday we did a hop on, hop off bus tour which was great! So much to see and do. We did a circut and then went back to places that were high on our to do list. We saw the Aya Sofiya which is quite cool along with the Blue Mosque but prob would have had more impact if we'd come straight from NZ and not seen so mnay in UAE. However the historical side is great - things are sooooooooooooo old!
Today we did a cruise down the Bosphorus and stopped at the last place you can before you're in the Black Sea. We had lunch and checked out amazing views there before returning and seeing so much more of Istanbul al the way down the river.
15 million people live here and we can see why. There is so much happening - and it's all so much better than we ever imagined. They have a great tram system which costs about $1.50NZ to enter but once in, you can ride as far down the line as you wnat without paying more. We've got this sussed and use it every day.
The only down side is the food- we haven't quite found what we like eating yet but have a few more days to try the places out.
Am loving being on holiday - we're relaing and enjoying exploring. Brent is great to travel with - he's relaxed and thoughtful where as I'm planned and learning to be flexible.
Tomorrow we're off to eh "New" Istanbul and Taskim Square - should be great!
We do have lots of photos but as we haven't downloaded them I can't post them here yet but will when I can! x

Nearly away...

Three more sleeps to go until we get on that plane and head for Istanbul! Suitcase is fairly packed (few bulges to re-place) and passports ready! What else do we need?
So the plan is Istanbul for a week - exploring and sight seeing. Then to Athens for a week, with an overnight trip to Delphi and a day sailing. After this we head to Santorini for three nights - have organised a wee rental car and hope to see some beautiful sunsets! After this we head to Cairo for six days - a pyramid trip is essential and hopefully some Nile cruising.
Will be working hard to relax - it's just been announced here that school will now not start back until Ramadan - nearly 4 weeks after it originally was meant to! However we don't get longer holidays - so will have induction and lots of work meetings. Then we have to try and fit into 9 weeks what we had planned for 12 - not as easy as it sounds when there's end of semester exams! Anyway these things happen and there's nothing we can do about it. However we are hoping to get a week in Nov - when we'll head to Japan to see Liz and the crew, then 2-3 weeks in late Dec - and yes we'll come home to NZ!
So most of the crew here have left! Kalala and family have gone to France and then UK. Most kiwis have gone home. I'm glad I didn't go earlier - I spent all Friday sleeping and then a very lazy day yesterday. today we've been at the National Identitiy office - getting ID cards. I was the first woman (we lined up at 7am) but Brent was the 21st man. So I finished at 8.30 am and he's still in there - 10.14 am! Hopefully he's not far away now. The rest of today and tomorrow will do some work and then relax on Tuesday and make sure we really DO have everything.
The hardest part about this time of the year is saying goodbye to people who are not coming back this year. Kate, an Irish friend, is going home - this has been a hard year for her with a family bereavement - so she's going to spend time with her family and look at options closer to home. Will miss her bubbliness but a good taster of what may happen next year in larger numbers. At this stage will stay for a few more years but some people just want to save a bit of money and head off on their next adventure - which I totally get.
Will try and blog while away - if not will make up for it when we get back in early August.
Take care everyone. :0)

Emirati Weddings

The other night we got to go to an Emirati wedding - our principal's brother was getting married.
Weddings are a huge deal here and can be held on any night of the week - this was a Wednesday. They tend to start at 8pm so we got there at 9pm, dressed up as you can see from the pic. But nothing compared to the Emirati women - they were amazing - tight dresses with clevage, hair and make up extreme - amazing!
Now we only celebrated with the women - women and men have seperate venues - although close. However we could see the men through video on data shows - their event looked boring compared to ours.
There was a live singer with four exotic (as in exotic, nudge nudge) dancers who gyrated around the stage - even Kalala and I blushed and weren't sure where to look.
The food flowed enbdlessly - no alcohol of course! Main course was served at 11pm - how I wasn't snoring in my plate of rice I'll never know! the bride arrived about 11.15pm - it took her 20 mins to walk in and up onto stage where she proceeded to walk across - like a Miss Universe pagent before sitting down. There were professional videos and cameras everywhere. She was very very slim, very young looking and very nervous. Her dress was beautiful - little diamonds sewn in and the train was long of course.
About midnight, her groom and his male escorts (family) came to 'collect' her. She was so happy to see him. They cut the cake and he sang a poem he had written for her. Even though they couldn't hold hands when sitting for their formal portraits, you could tell they were so happy to be marrying each other.
Amazing experience - food, decorations, mucis - the work and cost that went in was incredible. Very honoured to have been invited.

Reflecting on my time here

Wow so a year of the reform contract is nearly over - before I head off for my exciting holiday, thought I'd reflect a little and share what looking back on this year has shown me.

The not so great aspects:
I have missed my family and my friends more than I thought possible. I love hearing from them and know that they think of me regularly. I am extremely lucky to have Kalala and family here and now Brent, and my mum was here for 3 months…but still I miss the ups and downs of the lives of the people I love at home.
The frustrations that come from language or cultural barriers – while these experiences have made me stronger, the stress I went through with my lost passport was more than I could believe was possible. I would love to just say “Look there’s an easier way to do this” but who says my way is right? (Apart from years of it working with no stress!)
Finding a balance – I know you get this anywhere – but I find it hard at times to do work, keep life ticking over, go to the gym, see friends, travel….despite having good funds to do this – time is of the essence. And I’m an organized person! The heat and processes here do slow things down a bit.
We are all sure the worst drivers in the world are here in the UAE. Large 4x4s travelling at nearly (and sometimes more than) 200km/hr on the highways freak me out but happen on every trip. My Mum can attest to this for the NZ crew!

But the upsides are:
My adventures – every day brings new learning or experiences. I visit places I didn’t think I ever would and have more of that to look forward to.
The people I work with – both expats and locals – I have made many wonderful friends and am learning more about their lives. As a friend said: “The UAE is a truly multicultural, though intensely culturally and economically stratified, country.”
The cultural aspects and beliefs of this place are solid - the call to prayer happens five times a day and it is so routine now we don't even notice it really. Measina still joins in the call occasionally!
Experiencing some of the different things - the sand, the sand, the sand, the heat, the lack of rain and subsequent dryness, the date palms and camels, dunes, forts and palaces, shaylas and abaya, dish dashs…all part of the scene here.
And of course the work – I do believe in the reform – sometimes I despair about whether the change will ever happen but then I see little glimpses of movement or what is possible and it keeps me going.

So there you have it - the experience so far.

Peg's Gone

So dropped Mum off at the airport this am - so weird to know she's still flying and isn't home yet! NZ is such a loooooooooong way away! Has been wonderful to have her here, helping me out and doing things. She really enjoyed her Europe trip and has lots of stories for everyone back home.
Four weeks to go of work - things have really slowed down and it's warming up - averaging about 47-48 degrees daily.
Not much else to report - final oragnisation of holiday being done now - very cool.
Have a few people thinking of coming over to work here - fingers crossed that I can create my own little NZ away from NZ!

Also...

...realised I'd blogged about my passport and then not said anything else.
I have a new passport thankfully - finally got through the process and survived! Have offered my help to the NZ Embassy for anyone else living in Al Ain who goes through that as it's pretty time consuming and difficult unless you know the drill.
Learning curve I guess...

HUGE apologies!

Hi all
Sorry I haven't blogged for ages but have been having trouble with my "cookies" and then finding time. But here I am.
Life is still going well - school is winding down to working about 3-4 hours a day and the tenperature is heating up - averaging about 44 degress at the mo - poor Peg's going to die when she gets back!
Speaking of Mum she is having a blast on her trip around Europe. Loved London - and was there for the marathon weekend - ie people everywhere! She has been through Amsterdam, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy. She's now in Spain with France to go. Looking forward to hearing her stories and seeing her pics - so great for her.
Ou trip in July is all booked, paid for and quite well planned (no surprise for most of you I guess!) I'm most excited about Santorini but know the whole thing will be a blast! So we're away from 8th July to 5th August and then some relaxing time here before helping the newbies be inducted.
Brent's good - busy as and hanging out for our holiday too. He and Mum have gotten to know each other well during her time here which has been really nice.
Kalala and co are going well - Measina's walking now - still getting used to being upright but I tell you when she does it'll be like a tornado in that house!
Anyway will sign off but hope all is well with each of you. xxx

Time flies...

...when you're having fun! It's been all go here and I was so surprised when I saw someone write first of April on a form today - already?!?!
Mum's having a fab time - Measina loves having her to play with and is always so happy to see her. Kalala's settled into school and all seems to be going well.
I have had some hiccups recently as I lost my passport and getting a police report let alone a new one here is a very difficut task. I have been to Immigration a few times, been around six different courts getting stamps to say they haven't confiscated off me for some reason, advertising it in the newspaper AND now tomorrow I'm going to Dubai to the embassy. So it's been frustrating - thank goodness I have Brent and Mum who have been so good - my boss has been really understanding too bless her.
Last weekend Mum and I took Kiana to the Cirque du Soliel - Alegria in Dubai - absolutely amazing and well worth the money. Didn't think iI'd enjoy it so much but brought the CD and DVD so must have!
Quiet weekend planned in AD for me this weekend - have hurt my back a bit so a weekend of doing nothing and being waited on is in order. Mum's prob going to Duabi Aquarium with the Raelis on Friday which will be good for all of them.
Also planning a trip to Europe for Mum - figured while she's here might as well make the most of it so she's doing a 24 day bus tour around Europe - Amsterdam, Germany, Austria, Rome, France and Spain to name a few places. So jealous she gets to do it before me but prob deserves it more! She'll also do a few days in London which I can help her with at least.
Am thinking of you all in NZ and hoping all is as well as can be for you - I'm only an email away if you ever need me ok?xxx

Quick Update

Hi - sorry for the lack of blogging but you know how having someone else around makes life busy! Mum is here, quite settled, getting used to the heat and sand and almost over the time difference! Measina is loving having her as she plays with her lots and Mum is getting a buzz out of bubby too.
We spent this weekend in Abu Dhabi and took Mum to the Grand Mosque (only mosque for non-westerners) - she was blown away! She know understands what I mean when I say it's undescribable and really enjoyed her time there. I think she looked cute in her abiya but she thought she looked old and will prob kill for me posting the pics!
We then headed to the Emirates Palace Hotel which was great too - had coffee and cake (worth about $135NZ) because it was arabic mothers day! We also saw part of a royal wedding with singing and dancing - Mum's getting the full cultural experience here!
Next weekend we're heading toCirque du Soliel in Dubai - that'll be fun and Peg's eyes will pop when she sees Dubai - ie Las Vegas on steriods!

The Secret's Out...

No I'm not getting married, and no I'm not pregnant! Kalala has got a job over here - secret number one - very excited for her though. Secret number two (and directly relates to number one) is that my Mum is here - she flew in last night. Poor thing was holidaying in the sunny north when she got a call to say go hoem and pack your bags - you're coming here - a weeks' notice - not bad...
Why is she here? Well Kalala needed someone to look after Measina until their maid arrives from the Phillipines and Mum is a logical choice. It'll keep her busy, gives Kalala and Tui peace of mind, free trip for Mum and best of all I get to see her and show her around.
So for a woamn's who never been further than Australia, she did very well - had a long stopover in Sydney which she didn't like but the flight was good. She looked great when she got off the plane and is in AD recovering today and tonight before coming to Al Ain tomorrow to get reaquainted with the Raelis before Kalala starts on Sunday.
So sorry it's not as exciting as some of you were hoping but it's pretty exciting for me to have my Mum here for a month!

Long Weekend

So this weekend was a three day one due to the Prophet's Birthday - the one extra day we get off until July! Spent most of it relaxing, catching up onb a few jobs and of course, went to the World Cup 7s.
Such a topsy turvey tournament! NZ knocked out in quarter finals by Wales, so then we were cheering for Kenya or Samoa who made it to semis. However Wales won the whole thing, beating Argentina (so lots of big nations out early - Fiji, Austrailia, SA....) We did have a good time but were a little flat after everyone we were supporting was knocked out - so didn't stay for the final. Doesn't sound like many people did though! Did catch up with DJ though - as the photo shows - still in fine form!
Have a seccret too to be excited about but can't share for a few more days - so promise I'll reveal in the next blog!

Babysitting

In the weekend we had Kalala's two wee ones - Kiana (7) and Measina (10 months) for the night to let mum and Dad have some quality time. They were both SO good and slept all through the night but I was still knackered after they went home!
It's nice and warm here agin - winter's def over! As you can see it was warm enough for all of us to go swimming!
This weekend we've got a 3 day weekend - off to the World Cup 7s in Duabi Saturday but relaxing the other two - can't wait!

James Blunt

Now I know some of you aren't James Blunt fans but I tell you being able to sit outside in an amazing ampitheatre (in winter) and it's warm at 10pm and you're up for a good show - is fab! Regardless of what you think of his music - he himself is a great performer and looks like he's having a great time.
The concert was in Dubai as part of the Duabi Jazz Festival they've got going on for 10 days. It's not far from The Palms and it was an amazingly clear night. Kalala, Brent and I were pleased we paid for good seats - we were nice and close - and of course Kalala went and danced up the front. (groupie!)
Little bit tired today as got home at 2am and had to get up at 6am - but it's the weekend after work today so yay!

Halfway through Feb already?!?!

Ok so time does fly when you're having fun - or just incredibly busy doing not much it seems! I've had two weeks of work now and am back into routine there - great to be over the initial getting to know how everything works stage and to be actually making changes. We have 23 weeks of work without a break this semester - last semster was def the holiday one! However we can do little weekend breaks to keep us going until July when we'll head to London and Greece.
Other things to do in weekends? Well this weekend we painted! Paint's reasoanably priced here and when you move out, they replaster and paint anyway so made sense to try and make it a little more like home. So picked a lovely burgundy colour and did a lounge wall and my little hallway. Next time we have that much energy again we'll do a wall in my bedroom but this was enough for this weekend as poor Brent had to also put up new pictures and towel rails. Makes the house more functional and relaxing.
This morning Brent, Kalala, Measina and I did a walk for cancer fundraiser. We started at 10am and oh my gosh it was warm already! It's also been getting a lot warmer at night (and it's only Feb)- we'll be turning our air con back on very soon I think. It's been ok in the 25 daily but don't think that'll last.
Not much else to report - off to James Blunt next week in Dubai - which will be fun! May have a couple of days off the week after that (how desperate do I sound?!?!?) due to the prophet's birthday - will have to wait and see.
Happy Valentine's Day all! (Although I don't believe in it, it's still nice to share the love)

"Home" from NZ!

Have been "home" from NZ for 2.5 days now and it feels like it was a LONG time ago already! Funny, when I'm here, NZ doesn't seem too far away but that flight is a killer! I know you folks in NZ love visits but so glad I only do it once a year - wears you out. Coming back is actually worse coz you've have a full on time while away. Also I handled the jet lag well there but flying against time is hard and exhausting. Anyway I had a fab time!
Flew into Wellington on the Saturday and was met by Susan (yay!). Crashed early that night after compulsory Japanese Thai. Sunday Mum came down and we all went shopping. There is so much that is hard to get here (believe it or not) and it was great to get out and know the shops and buy what I really want or need.
Spent the week tripping around visiting people - thanks to all who had me to stay and made the effort to catch up - appreciate it all. Brent flew down Friday morning and we had a night at my brother's farm which was great. We did dinner in Palmerston North the Saturday. He went home Sunday and we headed south again. Spent my last two days in Wellington doing last minute jobs and catching up with people.
Cried and cried when I flew out of Wellington - I definately miss family and close friends - and the things that are happening for them right now. The other thing that made me homesick (for NZ) was seeing my beautiful homeland - people say oh so clean and green when I say I'm from NZ - and I so agree - especially the colour of everything - it's amazing!
So am packed and working on sleeping past 3.30am - not easy :0) Ready for work tomorrow - looking forward to being back in routine.

Holidays!

Ok so off on holiday this afternoon - no prizes for knowing where I'm going!
Fly out of AD tonight with Brent on Singapore Air which means a 7 hour stopover at Singapore Airport, then to Christchurch and on to Wellington. Susan's picking me up which will be great! Have incredible Japanese Thai cravings so know where we'll be heading that night...
Mum will be down the next day and I'll go back to Feilding with her on the Monday. Flying to Tauranga for a night on Tuesday. Thursday we'll head to Napier for the night to see Kels. Brent flies in Friday morning and gets to meet Mum and we'll stay at my brother's for a night before heading back to PNth where he'll fly out later that day. Sunday is down to my sister's then Wellington Monday for two days before flying out Tuesday night.
So pretty full on as you can tell! Hence I won't be blogging much but will post some pics etc when I get back. For those of you also on holiday - enjoy and keep safe! xxx

Chairman's Dinner

Last Thursday we went to an amazing dinner at our Chairman's house in Dubai. He owns a whole block in Jumeria Beach by the Burj Al Arab (the one that looks like a sail) and his place is just stunning! There would have been about 130 people there and we sat outside on the "lawn", which was covered in carpet, at amazing tables. Before this however we'd had drinks and nibbles (oh divine nibbles) in the "courtyard" by the pool. Valet parking, someone to serve you every which way you turn...oh how the other half live!
Dinner was incredible - HUGE buffet with differnet sections - you could have fresh bbq, Mongolian, kebabs along with seafood for miles, hot dishes for ages and salads galore! And then there was the pudding table - plus fresh crepes cooked alongisde. WOW!
I had to use the bathroom at some stage of the night (as you do) which was inside. Part of the house is obviously the business end which we used. The long hallway down to the toilets was covered in framed pictures - our Chairman with Bill Clinton, Elton John, Prince Charles...you name the person, they were on the wall! As I was behaving myself, I didn't take my camera although some pics of the photo walls and of the bathroom would have been amazing!
Quiet weekend - trying to get organised for NZ - only 4.5 sleeps tilll I go - I fly out 1am Fri monring so not really a sleep. Looking forward to seeing so many of you. xxx

Happy New Year!

Hope you all had a wonderful New Years and wishing you all the best for a great year to come!
I had a fab break over New Years - I am so lucky to have Kalala and family here - makes me less homesick and much more fun to do things with them! We headed to Abu Dhabi to stay at a friend's apartment in town and basically explored, shopped, ate and drank - as you do. Was really nice and relaxing. Despite it being the middle of winter, the weather was beautiful - tshirts all the way!
One of the things we did was visited the Grand Mosque - one of the few that allows Non-Musilims in. They give the women an abiya and headscarf to wear which is very sensible. Kalala looked great in hers. As soon as I get pics off the camera, I'll post them.
Have two more weeks of work and then off to NZ for 10 days - am looking forward to everything about it except the flight. However I'm seeing a kiwi guy here and he's going home and back at the same time, so at least I'll have company on the long haul!
This Thursday we have a company dinner at our owner's house in Dubai - apparently very magnificent so will be interesting. But I'm really excited about shopping in the new HUGE Dubai mall on the Friday - have my priorities right!