A lot of catching up to do

That's exactly what I have in store for me.

This is the latest start to a St. Patrick's Day my liver has ever seen.
Very sad.

Since March 17th has been crowned my favorite holiday (ever) and since the age of 21 I've always hit the bars at 6am (or open). And now, 7 p.m.? Very sad.

Next year I'll be making up for it though. That's where my plans to actually drink in Dublin come in...

A little word to T-town

Yo!

Tacoma peeps.

You'll be happy to know that my desk in Abu Dhabi is officially as messy as you remember it being in Tacoma... if not more.

My keyboard has acquired tomato soup stains. My desk is covered in proofs, books and magazines. My headphones and iPod cords are tangled into a million knots.

AHHHHHHH. The sweet sights of home.

Yet, there are no random crayons... (those haven't been purchased yet). Worry not, paints and ink pads have made their way out of the boxes.

Laughed so hard I cried

I can never complain about my job choice in life. Not many people can come to work and discover that their sole job that day is to compile Chuck Norrisism and create a poster like design with them. There is that and laughing so hard that you start crying. That's the mark of a great day.

A&L Editor: Elysia, this looks great but we have to change this one. We can't say that.
Me: Which one? The Def Leppard one? But it's true, he does only have one arm!
A&L Editor: Yes, but the drummer lost it in a car accident. We shouldn't say that Chuck Norris ripped it off to use as a back scratcher.

Then we just looked at each other and laughed until I cried.

What am I talking about? This statement:
"The Drummer for Def Leppard's only got one arm. Chuck Norris needed a back scratcher."

Still don't know what I'm talking about? Go here and see for yourself.
Happy birthday, Chuck.

Things to do this weekend

Who knows what will actually get done but here's my weekend wish list:

Drink, a lot: It's been a hard week with long long long work hours everyday. I deserve a drink (or two or three). Preferably one with an umbrella in it.

Get Sean his secret birthday gift: I've found it, I just need to pick it up now...

Go to Dubai and it's HUGE amazing mall: Maybe Wes and I will go to H&M and go skiing — I need pants and snow. I bet that thought has never been combined in one sentence.

Get Wes more Visafied: He got some paperwork yesterday... now the fun begins. Fingerprints, blood tests and a banking letter. Oh my.

Eat something tasty: Like I don't usually do that already. But I'm craving Al Fanar again for some reason. OK, not for "some reason" ... more like for the salmon appetizer. Totally amazing.

Get relaxed: I WILL go to yoga this weekend. I WILL use my gift certificate for a free hour massage. I would like to go to the beach.... sadly there are only so many hours in a day and days in a weekend.

Tisk, tisk

Sorry for the lack of updates.

Wes and I have been working like crazy. Things are really picking up and we spend about 10-12 hours per day at the office. Wes even worked the weekend. Everything is really challenging because, well, we are both learning a ton of new stuff everyday. But it's great and there's never a dull moment.

While we were away...
Birthday plans got made: I've booked the best room dirhams can buy for my birthday. We'll be staying at the Le Royal Meridien on March 21st in a Royal Suite. Including in the price is a breakfast buffet in the morning, all we can drink/eat in the lounge from 7pm-9pm, full access to the hotel's pool facilities, a fruit basket and well... a giant room. I'll invite a few people as well to enjoy the party with us.

We bought a new camera: FINALLY! Photos from my trip to Duabi TK.

I started working out again, sort of: I started yoga sessions at a studio not far from work. It's totally kicking my ass.

A return to a concert-going life, sort of.

In about 10 minutes Elysia will head out to Dubai! FINALLY, right? I'm going there with a few guys from work to day two of the Desert Rock Festival. Wes is sad because he's working today. Sucks to be him.

Anyway, the big highlights of my day include Marky Ramone, Muse, a day in the sun, cold (legal) alcoholic beverages and not working.

Caffeine isn't helping at all today.

Maybe the spinning class tonight will.

The big 2-6

My birthday is quickly approaching. T-minus 20 days and counting (21 if you count the actual day).

So, what's a girl in the desert to do for her birthday?

Let's see what our options are:
a.) Go to Dubai and go out to dinner/club.
b.) Do what most people here have been doing and do a big birthday dinner/drinks.
c.) Go to the bar and/or have a party.
d.) Something else.

While all sounds kinda appealing... I think I'm gonna do something else.

I'd love to take a flight somewhere and have a long weekend in another country but Wes doesn't have his residence visa yet and that makes it near impossible to leave (and come back). My other idea is to get a VERY nice hotel room in either the Royal Meridien or the Hilton. But I don't just want to stay at a hotel for a night. I want to stay on the highest/executive floor. You know, the floor that is all you can eat and drink. That totally makes it worth while.

Sadly the Emirates Palace is booked. But I don't really have $15,000 for a room anyway. We'll see what the Royal Meridien has today.

A Lebanese night out

The Lebanese Flower is located just around the corner from our hotel. Thanks to James and his nifty new Nikon camera, we have some photos of our evening.


The bright outside sign and garden/outdoor seating.


Shwarma, anyone? A sandwich costs about 3 Dirham (less than $1).



A man making some tasty falafel.


On the phone with my Mom. Also note the food spread.


The aftermath of our meal.




Wes and James smoke shisha (or as known in the West, hooka).


Wes and I.


Elysia gets her after dinner treat.... Mmmmm.... chocolate milkshake.

A visual for all curious parties

Until I get home for a photo...

It's a bit like this:


Yesterday I was also informed that he was going to buy mustache wax so he could have add a "more pronounced curl" to the ends.

Some couples fight due to jealousy or money ... we fight over facial hair.

Safe and sound and hairy

Wes made it to Abu Dhabi very very early this morning. Although it took him forever to go through customs (I was actually starting to worry because he was the last one to come out), he's here and in one piece.

And yes, I had good reason for my previous post on not remembering what he looks like. He arrived with the most ridiculous (but hilarious) sheriff-inspired mustache. Yes, it even curls at the ends. He's been told (by me) that he has to shave before his job interview on Thursday. He was not happy and informed me, "I've been growing this for three months!" To which I replied, "I don't care."

I will let nothing stand in our way of FINALLY become financially stable. Not even a mustache. And everyone knows how much I enjoy a good mustache.

About a month and a half

It's been that long since I've seen Wes. It's true.

But the wait is almost over. In a few hours I'll hire a cab and retrieve my husband from the airport.

Although we've gone longer without seeing each other (remember when Wes and I lived apart for eight months when I first got to Washington?), it's always seems hard to be separated for longer than a week's time. It's strange because it seems that whenever we are apart for longer than a month we both forget the little things about the other. Like, right now, I'm having the hardest time remember what he looks like. OK, I know what he looks like, but I've forgotten smaller details that you take for granted when you're around a person a lot.

But most of all I'm excited and curious for him to see things in Abu Dhabi... like the shops and buildings.. not to mention our downgraded hotel. Ha. I'm even more excited to go pick out our "new life" together.

Things are really getting good now.

Loving it!

Totally pointless update, but I just wanted to express how much fun I'm having at work today!

Seriously.

I'm learning some great stuff.

One month anniversary

Today marks 30 days of being in Abu Dhabi. I survived. I'm still here.

Today also marks the saddest day of my journey, yet. I had to move out of my five star residence at the Le Meridian Hotel. The company said that 2,000 Dirhams a day was too pricey (that's about $700 a day). So, since my apartment is still not ready they've moved me into the Rammy Residence Hotel.

And with that, I have to say boo because, well, it ain't the Meridian.

Well, it was fun while it lasted.

Dog fever

The hardest part about taking this new job is definitely being so far from my dog. Sorry, family and friends, I miss you but I REALLY miss my Cassie.

I'm glad that my mom is doing such a great job with her. Basically to the point of spoiling her by feeding her chicken and steak. But I'm really going through dog withdrawal.

Coming home from work without a wagging greeting is hard. Not being able to cuddle is the hardest.

It sounds pathetic but my dog is really like my child and I miss her. An Irish copy editor here is going through the same pains I am. Actually, he's worse believe it or not. He couldn't even talk about his dog with me without getting choked up. But I understood what he was trying to say.

Really though, I'm glad I didn't bring Cassie along. It's not a good place for dogs. There isn't a lot of grass (which should be obvious since I'm in a desert) and there certainly aren't quality pet stores. There's only one animal hospital. And, well, most people consider dogs "unclean" (although cats are A-OK).

But I don't think I can wait until June to have dog interaction. Really, that's far too long. I'm not saying I'm getting a dog. There's no way I'll do that because I don't want the pains of having to make another decision on what to do when I leave. But I have scouted K-9 Friends, a local rescue group, and have volunteered to do kennel work. Depending on how the next few weeks pan out, I am also considering fostering a dog.

Oh, and I signed Wes up as well.. and he didn't know that. But now he does.

Lots of poking

In the past few days I've had my fingerprints taken, blood drawn, urine tested, chest x-rayed and, in between, lots of poking. Tomorrow is my final health test to prove that I am 1.)Free of disease (especially HIV/AIDS) and that I am 2.)Fit for work.

Anything less of 100% is grounds for deportation. I kid. Grounds for deportation are positive test results for infectious diseases.

My work/residence visa should be in my hot little hands by Wednesday. Then I'll be able to come and go out of the country as I please. (I've been looking at spending a long weekend in Bangkok since airfare and hotel are so cheap.)

Oh, and FYI, I'll be back in the U.S. in June for Mike and Kim's wedding.

New do

Since some of you asked to see my haircut, vola! It feels nice to have a lot of the weight off.
(My apologies that some of the pictures look "emo" but I wanted to show the different angles. Just keep telling yourselves that "emo" girls do not wear bright yellow.)

Fun on a Wednesday night

Sean scored some "questionable" booze from a store, which sprouted an impromptu party in my room tonight. I even went out a bought some chips for the occasion. With a total of about eight of us, we listened to a "fine" selection of rap and watched my new favorite show "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." (Anyone who has not seen that show and who is a big fan of "Seinfeld," "The Office" or "Curb" needs to run out and get it. Totally amazing.)

After that we went to the sports bar downstairs and Matt told AMAZING Abu Dhabi stories. AMAZING. I've went the extra mile with my blog audience in mind and wrote them down. I'll transcribe them tomorrow when I get some energy.

Anyway, we had a great time.

OH, how could I forget?! I got my first ever Abu Dhabi haircut tonigh! Needless to say, I LOVE IT! (A girlfriend of someone at the paper did it.) Picture to come (when my camera isn't dead).

Odd, but true!

Weirdness is abound in A.D.
Everyday something happens. Everyday is an adventure.

This weekend was no different.

A seemingly normal invite (a joint birthday party for two adult males) surprised me.

I mean, look...


I would have never guessed Barney would show. I mean, an abundance of booze usually doesn't lead to a purple dinosaur. It may lead to other things... but never to THAT. At first I thought my lychee martinis must have some other "ingredient."

It was a great party though. And, in my opinion, got even better when I taught people the art of Flippy Cup (the Brits that played LOVED the game). I couldn't resist with a ping pong table right there.

Free things RULE (part 2)

Crazy. 

Right after I posted about how free things kick ass... my whole day, was then, full of freebies. Creepy, right?

Right after that post I got:

1. FREE fancy breakfast

2. FREE dinner

3. FREE booze at a party

4. FREE cab ride home

5. FREE drinks at the bar after

Didn't pay for a damn thing yesterday. Today was a different story. Today cheap things RULED (a manicure, pedicure and an eyebrow wax cost me a grand total of $30).