Extra time off? Thank the barnyard

I just found out I have some extra time off that is in lieu for Ramadan. Some days off here and there for general Ramadan. And another day off for the goat slaughtering I missed.

Serious.

"I've never been able to properly express myself in this climate"

I have a feeling I'll be uttering a lot of Hunter S. Thompson quotes this summer. Dear god man, it's already tipping past 100 degrees!



Notice how it's constantly "sunny"... never a cloud in the sky (sadly). July, August and September are supposed to be worse. I hear it's impossible to stand outside for longer than 5 minutes.

Before you know it I'll be saying to Wes: "What the hell are we doing in the middle of the desert..."

Somebody get me another green sun visor! STAT.

Red Bull Air Race 2008!!!

We are going to the Red Bull Air Race 2008! The first leg of the tournament is being held in Abu Dhabi along the Corniche. The Corniche, for those not familiar with Abu Dhabi, is the long beachfront lined with parks, gardens, mazes, childrens playgrounds, and a walkway. We have tickets for the special area were we can watch the action on giant screens, eat from the buffet, drink the drinks, and be protected from the sun whilst sitting and relaxing. We will be away from the hordes of people watching it from the public areas, and right in front of the action!

Check out their site if you want to learn a little more about it. We are going Friday, since that is the final day of two day race. Besides it is the only day I have off. After that, Indian food at a posh restaurant that has been called Abu Dhabi's best Indian food by people in the know.

Edit by Elysia: Since this outing to the air races and posh restaurant is a pricey one we're calling this Wes' early birthday weekend (for those that don't know it, Wes' real birthday is in about two weeks). Wes also forgot to mention that we're going with Alex and Angela (a British married couple we met through the paper). Good times.

T-shirts in other languages - a warning!

Next time you see someone with a tattoo or t-shirt with a foreign language on it, imagine the possibilities of what it might really mean. I have seen so many funny t-shirts here that are written in English and it is clear that the wearer has no idea what it really says or means.

The girl with the giant block letters 'HUMAN' across the front.
Yes, that is what you are, good job for that, but minus points for not knowing what it means.

The mannequin in the store front 'Let's party to 100%.'
Not too bad, but it looked straight out of the 80s.

The best - A man, in a tight pink shirt. Why was it tight? Because it was a womans shirt. How do I know this? Because it said 'No Money, No Honey!' He was there with his girlfriend who also must not have understood it because she was letting him wear a shirt meant for women while out shopping at the grocery store.

another funny sign

So I thought that the Golden Shower sign was the holy grail of funny signs. and then, there it was, right outside the taxi window.... I was in such surprise that I didnt even get my camera out. So instead I dragged Elysia kicking and screaming half a block to take a photo of it. here you go

Commence party weekend

Wes and I are packing our bags for a long weekend away in one of the nicest hotels in Abu Dhabi. Staying at the Le Royal Meridien was my birthday request. As was the fancy full service suite (free booze/food, fruit basket, breakfast buffet and full access to the pool/spa area). Oh! And free Internet access!

Tomorrow night friends/co-workers are meeting up with us at Illusions night club for an exclusive party (tables reserved, of course).

Have I mentioned how much I'm loving the lifestyle here?

Sadly I'll be working my actual birthday but this weekend should make up for that.

A day in Dubai

Two weeks ago I went to Dubai with some co-workers for the Desert Rock Festival. Heading to the concert with me was my new sparkling camera.

Here's a few "test" shots:


Tallest building in the world... and they are still building. How tall will it get? Time will only tell. They haven't decided yet.


(Part of the) Dubai city skyline.


Not the best photo of it.. but across this body of water is the Burj Al Arab. What's that? The world's only 7 star hotel.


Indoor skiing... in the mall. And yes, that's real snow.


Onto the show! Here Marky Ramone gathers a crowd.


The kids in the mosh pit.


Craig and Lee love the show (and the beer).

Dirty or Clean? You decide.

What's that sign? What does it say? Golden.. golden what?


Oooohhhhh.....*

*And, no I did not Photoshop any of that. I ain't that good ; )

Pukefest

If I see one more cockroach today I think I will throw up.

I am now unable to finish the lunch I was eating. Seeing a dead cockroach the size of a Post-It Note next to my chair is the most unappetizing thing EVER.

Funny thing is... my co-worker who just scooped it up and carried it out of the room has just come back with lunch. How does he do it?

How am I going to survive the summer?

Today it's 33 degrees Celsius. In America terms... that's 91.4 Fahrenheit. By 2p.m. it will be even hotter. There's not a cloud in the sky.


The Abu Dhabi 10-day forecast. Note the repeating "sunny" icon.

And again, just as a reminder, it's only March 4th.


Edit by Wes:
inside it is a cold 20 C. going from inside to outside back inside again is a shock, not so much the temp, but the blinding sun. It is enough to make anyone feel like a vampire. Some people have taken to wearing sunglasses constantly, not for a fashion statement, but just to keep our eyes from burning.

at least I am done moving equipment around for now, and only have to sit in training classes for some really obscure industry specific software package so I can help some of the few users who will be needing to deal with it.

Just like trading cards

Wes came to the Middle East without a large supply of passport photos. Needless to say, but, big mistake.

Not only do you need an official letter of approval to do anything here (open a bank account, get a drivers license, get an alcohol license, get your visa, etc.) but you need lots of passport photos accompanying said letters. Who knows what they do with them — they just need them.

Even on his first day at work HR asked him for multiple sets.

So a few days ago I instructed Wes to go across the street and get 40 made. Yes, 40.

This is the end result (now you can see his stash):


And this is the little extra bonus photo they threw in his packet:


Precious.

Out of my ears

Today I got a text message, actually three in a row, at 7 a.m. on my mobile phone. My They Might Be Giants "Telephone" ringtone had Wes and I fumbling for my phone.

HSBC, my bank here, lets me know whenever something happens to my account. This message was letting me know a large deposit was made.

"OH, I got paid today. Cool."

When I got to work it hit me that it was the end of the month, and indeed, it was time for my monthly pay.

Even cooler was the brown little envelope I got today that repaid my expenses from our move and visa processing. Instead of a check it's all cash.

Me: I feel like I just got paid off by the mob.
Co-worker: Everyone should get paid like this! It's amazing. Look at my giant envelope full of cash.

Towel weekend

I'm foreseeing a poolside/beach weekend in our near future. Tomorrow it's supposed to be 86 and sunny. This weekend, a bit cooler at 77 ... but sunny.

Don't worry, I'm sure by April I'm going to grow to hate the sun. Especially when it's muggy and 95 everyday.

I'm WAY official now

Today I got my residences visa! Hooray! I can now travel and leave the country as I please.

I guess a month wasn't too long, although the process was kind of insane. Beyond the fingerprinting, photographs, x-rays and mounds of paperwork I also got tested for HIV/AIDS twice! I am negativeX2. Ha.

Next up, since I now have a residence visa...
-U.A.E. Drivers License
-U.A.E. Drinking License

You're going to be soooo jealous when I show you my drinking license.

It wasn't a trash can after all!

Or should I say a rubbish bin? (Everything here is English-English.)

Anyway, the mail I sent out over a month ago FINALLY arrived at my Mom's house on Saturday. I was really worried that I had dumped the stamped letters into the trash after not being able to get confirmation on if the red box, was indeed, a mailbox. 

No word yet from my Dad if he has received his birthday card. 

Better than any Wal-Mart greeter

Nothing greets customers and small children like this guy.

"Welcome to the Abu Dhabi Co-op. You like balloon? Sledgehammer?"

Everyday he is there. And every time I laugh. Not only is it bizarre and funny but because it's the Purple Teletubbie, Tinky Winky. Only if they knew about the Tinky Winky rumors ...

Pretending is fun, and so is banking?!

I think my personal banker has a "thing" for me.

First of all, I'm not supposed to have a personal banker.

Personal bankers are for those people who are making, oh, millions. But, somehow, I ended up with one. What is a personal banker? Well... a personal banker means never having to wait in line, fill out annoying forms or needing to call a 1-800 number. A personal banker calls you Mrs. Smith and is at your beck-and-call (this means you can call him at home). A personal banker fetches coffee and mixes in your cream and sugar.

Anyway, when I opened my bank account on Sunday I didn't really understand that "if you have any problems or questions come or call me" thing. I mean, I though it was just something nice he was supposed to say. So when I stood in line today (standing in line to get a number so I could wait in another line) I was surprised to see him pop up at my side at escort me to his desk.

I cannot express how much time and frustration this is going to save me.

I guess I should have figured this out. All of my colleagues thought it odd when my checkbook arrived, hand delivered, at work in two-days time (and, for the U.A.E.... two days is RECORD time).

"I've been waiting for over a week for my checkbook! And they aren't delivering it to me. I have to go pick it up!" one exclaimed. "I've also been waiting for over a week to get approval on my form to do balance transfers."

I didn't dare tell him that my balance transfer ability was approved in a matter of minutes. I thought that might crush his spirits.

So yea, back to what I was saying... I think my personal banker has a thing for me. He keeps asking if my husband is coming and when. I don't think he believes that I am married. Maybe its because I laugh and smile every time I say that I am (sorry, but it's kind of funny and I can't help it).

I almost don't want to have a husband if it's going to end my personal banking. Oops. Did I just say that out loud?

If you loved 'Fun on the Beach'...

... you'll love this.



A shot menu from a pub I went to last week features "Blown Away" and "Slippin' Nip". Under "Blown Away" it reads, "It will really blow your mind away!" Just to over clarify... your mind only.

Great success!

I am now in possession of a fancy little bank letter.
Sean and I (Sean is my Texas work buddy who is quickly becoming my BFF) are making a run to the bank soon. Apparently the bank closes at 3p.m. Talk about banker's hours...

Can you tell that I am excited to finally cash this check? Now to wait three day for it to clear.

Oops! Our bad

Oops is right.

The one person who can sign my bank letter went home without doing that. See, in this country you need a letter to do everything... including open a bank account.

DAMN. I really wanted to cash my first check today (it's for 17 days of work). Sadly, now I cannot go to the Dubai Shopping Festival this weekend!

Maybe that's a good thing tho...