Home Sweet Home

I have been in Abu Dhabi almost a month. I am getting my apartment put together slowly but surely. The curtain guys and internet man came yesterday, so I am very happy. I feel connected to the world again. I can't wait for my shipment. Who knows when that will get here. Now it is Ramadan, so I don't expect it to come until after Ramadan is over.

I am loving my new job and my students. I visit a lot of classrooms throughout the day, so I am still putting names with faces, but that will come. We started swim team practice today. It is torture to stand on the side of the pool, drenched in sweat. One day I might "accidently" fall in.

It is an understatement to say it's hot here. The heat and humidity are a physical presence. I think it's supposed to be 111 F tomorrow. You know it's hot when people don't even go to the beach. The mall is definitely the place to be in this weather.

Yesterday we took a tour around Abu Dhabi. It was fun to see where all the Sheiks live although it is hard to see their palaces because they are behind high walls. We stopped by the Grand Mosque, but didn't go on a tour. It's quite impressive.

Red Couch, Orange Egg, and Green Bus

I finally made a decision and bought some furniture. My sofa and two chairs are almost identical to the ones I had in Beaverton except they are all three red, and slightly larger. I also bought a dining set that is rectangular and seats six. It all looks nice, but reminds me of how much I still need. When my shipment comes, I will have my paintings and carpets to add warmth too. The echo in my living room has been drastically reduced!

Shopping is a breeze here with lots of super markets and shops. I love having a smaller market just a block from my house. I am so impressed by all the products I can get. Sara Lee is a well traveled lady! The other morning I made myself an egg, and discovered that the yolks are orange. Not a little orangish, but Crayola marker orange. I am sure they are just as delicious as yellow-yolked eggs, but I just couldn't eat them!

I have decided, at least for now, to not buy a car. I am on a convenient bus route, so I am going to go hop on the green bus and head home for the weekend! It's my first run, so I hope it goes well! Wish me luck!

Abu Dhabi

My first days in the United Arab Emirates are a bit blurry, but otherwise fine. I have managed to fall asleep, and stay asleep,  at reasonable times. I have yet to locate the mosque that has a lovely 4:30 call to prayer, but it must be close because it's my early morning alarm. I am having a harder time with my eating schedule more than sleep. I am starving at 9:00 p.m., midnight, and 5:00 a.m-breakfast, lunch, and dinner time in Oregon!

My apartment is massive, pretty, and very empty! I am not in the apartment I thought I'd be in, but this one is much closer to school, and one block from a super market and bus route. I am excited about all three of those aspect because it means I don't have to have a car! I guess parking in my neighborhood is a nightmare, so I am willing to brave the heat for the next month or so. 

We did a lot of shopping yesterday and this morning. Yesterday I couldn't make any decisions, so I left the mall with mostly cleaning supplies, bathroom accessories, and bedding. Today I jumped right in an bought a beautiful, painted, India cabinet, a flat screen TV (my first REAL TV), DVD, and a microwave. I still don't have any furniture to sit on, and my living room is the size of a small gym, but I'm sure I won't be sitting on the floor forever. IKEA calls me back. Hopefully the echoing with subside with some curtains and sofas! For now though, we're off to do official stuff, so it's goodbye, goodbye, goodbye...