Even in Abu Dhabi...

... I can manage to get a parking ticket.


Yea, I can't read it either.

Needless to say, parking tickets in Abu Dhabi are almost unheard of. When I told people I got a parking ticket their first reaction was, "HU?" The city is known for it's "park-anywhere" attitude. Towing generally doesn't exist either. People park on sidewalks, next to fire hydrants, in the middle of lanes... pretty anywhere their car will fit. Oh, and boy do they double park (even I won't do that). Only recently has the mention of parking meters popped up.


Typical view of cramped parking conditions.


What I got fined for: Parking in the middle... a common Abu Dhabi practice.

After some translation I've discovered the fine is at least sort of low. About 200 AED or $55 and can be paid whenever (including next year when I renew my insurance).

Happy birthday, Cassie dog!

Today is Cassie's 6th birthday. Sadly I cannot give her birthday pats — only virtual ones on Facebook. ::sigh::

If you're in the Canton, MI area today you can stop by my mother's house where Cassie is having a dog birthday party. Balloons, carob dog cake from Three Dog Bakery and party hats... yes, I am for real.

Happy birthday Snassy!

Next May

May 22, 2009, less than a year from now, is the planned wedding date/party for Wes and I in Michigan.

This is as promised for those who couldn't make our small ceremony in Washington on December 22, 2007.

I don't know exactly what we're gonna do (if anything for a ceremony) but their will be a dinner/reception and an after party.

Details to come. Wes and I will sort it all out when we get back to Michigan in two weeks.

The label Ade likes to use: Hippiecrit

Editor's note: Today Elysia embarks on a new series labeled ,"Is this the man you and I remember?" In it we'll take a look at Wes and the changes he's made since landing in the great big A.D.

The man who once said "TV is stupid" and "I don't want the television to be the focal point of the living room" has done the unthinkable. Yes, Wes has purchased a 50" Plasma screen TV.

Talk amongst yourselves.

"Don't you dare call it soccer"

Football here (that's soccer to most of you Americans) is HUGE. And while that's not a surprise to the rest of the world it is for America (still). Well, at least most Americans (minus my old boss David).

Anyway, tonight we headed off to the pub to watch the big championship game of Manchester United vs. Chelsea with our neighbors and good friends Angela and Alex (Alex is from Manchester). Needless to say, the bar was packed. I wasn't too concerned with the game as Wes and I use the occasion to drink. But, as he says, "Do we really need an excuse to drink?"

But, really, a packed bar with a lot of chanting drunk crazy football fans is the tops. Totally exciting. Especially that part where Manchester won during the shootout. The celebration for that was a lot of hugging, screaming and kissing. Good times.

(Oh, and my apologies to anyone I (happily) drunk dialed last night! I totally blacked out on free champagne and Wes said I was a giggly mess with an itchy dialing finger.)

"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.

Already piling up

Things are firming up for our trip home. Tada...the list! (Subject to change, of course)

June 12th
AM: Landing in Detroit around 10:30am (followed by some sleeping and eating)
PM: Picking Erik and Sarah up from the airport

June 13th
AM: Drive to E.L. for the wedding, brunch, check in to hotel, romp around the town
PM: Wedding

June 14th-15th
Canada

June 15th
PM: Father's Day dinner in Detroit

June 16th-18th
Chicago

June 18th-23rd
NO PLANS! Hooray!

June 23rd
Back to the other side of the world

Dubai drive-by

Driving through Dubai with a friend recently, I snapped these pictures through the passenger side window. It was a good excuse to play with the b&w setting on my semi-new camera.

How many of you would come visit if this happens?

The UAE is putting a bid in today to host the World Cup. Read about it HERE.

Thank Goodness it's almost Friday (again)

FYI: We've uploaded a ton of photos again so be prepared for a number of photo-filled posts in the next week.

Here's a little story:

Elysia gets invited to a party. She invited a few friends (and her husband) and they set out on a strange and mysterious journey to catch a boat that will take them to the middle of the Persian Gulf to some island. Why? Well, apparently there's a party on said island with booze and food. So each one of them shell out 250 AED (which is about $60) and meet at the dock at 10 a.m. Surrounded by a lot of 20/30 somethings and some thumping electronic music they set out on a 45 minute journey on a large yacht. Suddenly, in the middle of open waters the boat slows down and approaches an "island" that is more like a sandbar, a sandbar with no shade. Next to the island resides a heavily armed police boat. Elysia's accomplices eye her as to say, "What the hell did you get us into?"
Thankfully the yacht soon speeds up again. Eventually another island appears... and the boat slow. As it comes into better view they spot GRASS?!?!!!! Yup. An island covered in green grass, gazelle, A HUGE mansion, the biggest and most luxurious swimming pool, a London DJ spinning bumping tunes, a private beach, waiters, lots of catering and 7 stands serving an open bars (including one large one in the pool).
"Oh yea, this is my cousin's island," a girl de-boarding the boat proudly boasts. With puzzled looks she continues. "Sheik Huzzah, this is his island." (Later in the day, after many drinks in the sun Elysia dubs him Sheik Huzzah, the patron sheik of partying.) With all you can eat and drink until sundown.. well, the rest is history. This Friday, history repeats. Lucky us : )

So, to keep with our current events here's a preview of what we're in for (again) this Friday.


Looking at the island (and the mega mansion)


Neil in front of the yacht


Off the boat and over the bridge



Lots of relaxing


"Can I get you some drinks?"


DJ



Pool


Token couple picture



Wes in the gulf playing with the creatures

What i've been up to at work

For those curious why I've been spending long hours at work click here and see some of the pages I've designed/illustrated.

Tickets

Flight details

Departure

From	Abu Dhabi	to	Amsterdam (Schiphol)
Flight number	KL0455
Departure time	12:45 AM Thu 12 Jun 2008
Arrival time	5:55 AM Thu 12 Jun 2008
Class	Economy Class

From	Amsterdam (Schiphol)	to	Detroit (Wayne County Airport)
Flight number	KL6039
Departure time	8:00 AM Thu 12 Jun 2008
Arrival time	10:35 AM Thu 12 Jun 2008
Flight duration	17:50 h
Class	Economy
Remarks	Total journey time: 17 hours 50 minutes
	Operated by Northwest Airlines

Return

From	Detroit (Wayne County Airport)	to	Amsterdam (Schiphol)
Flight number	KL6048
Departure time	9:20 PM Sun 22 Jun 2008
Arrival time	11:15 AM Mon 23 Jun 2008
Class	Economy
Remarks	Operated by Northwest Airlines

From	Amsterdam	to	Abu Dhabi
Flight number	KL0451
Departure time	1:30 PM Mon 23 Jun 2008
Arrival time	10:00 PM Mon 23 Jun 2008
Flight duration	16:40 h
Class	Economy Class
Remarks	Total journey time: 16 hours 40 minutes

Next up on the Vegas concert train...

OH, did I say Vegas? Should have said Dubai. Basically the same thing.

Click here to read about the next TWO divas hitting the U.A.E. this month. Oh yea, Preze Hilton reports.

"Hello, yes, your wasting my time..."

Passed out and under the influence of five different prescriptions (and a nice pain killer injection) Elysia answers her ringing phone. (No worries only a bad ear infection).

She does not recognize the number.

E: (A groggy) Hello?
Voice: Hello.
E: (Annoyed) Yes? Can I help you?
Voice: How are you?
E: (Very annoyed) Sick. What can I help you with? What is this in regard to?
Voice: You are sick? Do you have a fever?
E: WHO ARE YOU?
Voice: This is Aybes. Who is this?
E: ELYSIA SMITH. WHY ARE YOU CALLING ME?!!!
Voice: (As if he just remembered he made a phone call) OH! I was dialing my friend and I think I may have misdialed. Elysia do you live in Abu Dhabi? In the U.A.E.?
E: ::::::CLICK:::::::

In the Gray Lady

An article about our paper in the New York Times.
Read it HERE.

Birthday boy

Everyone say hello to Wes today. The man is one year older.

the small details

There is something both annoying and funny about clicking some link and finding the page displayed in Arabic. Even tho I have set all the preferences on my Mac, in the browser, and on many websites, I still get the occasional mistake. Even google, where I am always signed ino my gmail account sometimes randomly goes to Google.ae instead of google.com. At least I can just look at the bottom where this line shows up and click English.

البحث: في الويب صفحات باللغة العربية صفحات من ‏الامارات العربية المتحد
النطاق Google.ae متوفر باللغات: پارسی English हिन्दी اردو

Interestingly enough, right in the middle of typing this, someone came up to me and asked if I know why sometimes Google does the exact thing I am writing about.

Maybe Google does it for fun. Now if I could just get blogger.com to show up right. I still am not sure what 'create new post' looks like in Arabic. I have to go login on the dashboard page first.

Pardon our dust

Wes and I are moving into our flat beginning tonight.

Stories about us

CNN
Click HERE for the video.

Bloomberg
Click HERE for the story.

Globe & Mail
Click HERE for the story.

From one extreme to another

Scouting the wires for fun today I stumbled across THIS.

The best line (from someone who has probably never been to the UAE) is the opening quote:

"On the one hand, they hate America. On the other hand they love America to the bone," said Michael Izady, an expert on Middle East culture.

What an overgeneralization of the Middle East.

On the opposite side on the same topic is THIS.
Only if Preze knew Elton was just here...

Flatted

The keys to the flat are FINALLY ours!
Just in time for the duck-green couch to be delivered on Sunday.

Now it's time to buy a SHITLOAD of other stuff (bedroom set, stove, fridge, dishes, wardrobe....).
Happy shopping for us.

All the glory (shock and awe) that is Volume 1, Issue 1

Well, the paper is out. I woke up this morning and went downstairs to find a stack in my hotel lobby. While the registration is a bit off, it's pretty fab.

Everyone at the office is really proud of it. I feel like I've just given birth.

Last night I wound up at our new production shed to see it motoring off the presses and into the hands of hundreds of little Pakistani men. That was, by far, the most incredible and shocking sight I've seen here (so far, anyway). Watch the video I shot of it. Total human assembly line.

I kept saying under my breath, "There's a machine that does all of that!"

Here's a few photos of the presses. (Someone forgot to take her camera to the launch party at Emirates Palace which was just before.)

Sitting on a stack of my section: arts&life


Page editor Tracey Lazos, myself and arts&life writer Peter Baker


Lots and lots of towers


Lots of ink-stained hands

While I'm planning on sending out "hard copies" of the paper to a few of you (Mom, Dad, TNT peeps).. the rest of you should get hi-tech and see it online. That's right, you can READ the paper as it appears printed. Pretty freaking cool. Make sure to check out Friday's edition of The Review (this being the intellectual "think" piece section). The cover illustration/design is mine.

Some exciting and true facts:
-The entire paper is full color.
-The sections I'm in charge of designing (Arts & Life and The Review) are a minimum of 16 pages.
-Our pages are a HUGE 12 X 21" and are more of a white (less newspaper) paper. The Review is printed on GLOSSY WHITE PAPER!
-My section runs a feature called Oasis which publishes Sunday-Thursday. The feature is the double truck of arts&life and can be anything from Taxi Cab interiors to... well, you'll see : )
-Our paper was designed by Lucie Lacava.
-We have around 40 foreign correspondents, 20 people or so on the photo team, 80-plus reporters and tons of editors. You may notice how most of our content is not wire. This is why.

I'm very curious to hear what people think about it...so please feel free to chime in! Does it feel/look different than what you'd expect? What do you think of the content? Design? Photography? Reviews on it have already been popping up around the Web. You can read one HERE.

Why haven't we blogged in a bit?

Probably because tomorrow is the official launch of the newspaper.
More details tomorrow. Promise.
Until then, beginning at midnight our time you can read it online.

www.thenational.ae

Awesome day and money well spent

The Red Bull Air Race yesterday was fantastic. Wes and I took plenty of photos and even a video. I'll post those tomorrow. Until then, check out a glimpse of what we saw.
(Both of these shots are from yesterday via the Red Bull Web site).

A new work vocab

It's funny how newsrooms vary from one another. While they almost always have a bit of "sameness" like the people in them, similar annoying problems... they are different in the smallest ways.

Vocabulary is the biggest (and the smallest).
Hermes (my old computer system) has been replaced with Saxo.
An exploded type intro has become a stand first.
The slot is the production editor.
A CLO has become a stand alone.
A copy editor has morphed into a page editor (and some have become rewrite).

The list of new terms goes on and on...

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.

Q&A: Part 1

Lots of people have questions about what's going on with us, what we do here, what we see, etc. Here's a little Q&A to answer some of those.

Where do you live? I'm confused.
Wes and I are still living in a hotel called the Rammee Residence Hotel. We've been living there since Wes got here. Before that I was at the nice 5 start hotel called Le Meridien. Our apartment is STILL not ready (just to give you an idea, it was supposed to be ready in January). The nice thing about still living in the hotel? We aren't paying rent (yet). We have our fingers double crossed that we can move in within the next week or so.

Why does your address keep changing?!
Since we don't have an actual mailbox in the UAE, we use our work's P.O. Box. First we worked for Emirates Media, then with the impending new newspaper venter they became Abu Dhabi Media Company (which is why it went from PO Box 63 to 791). THEN we announced the paper's name and we got another P.O. Box number (that really long one). I think it will be the last.

Is it really hot there? What's the weather like?
Right now it's kinda hot, but it's going to get MUCH MUCH hotter in the coming months. Our hottest temperature so far has been just under 40 degrees Celsius (meaning around 100F). This summer it should climb to around 46-50 degrees Celsius (meaning around 110-120F). Needless to say, summer isn't the best time to come visit if you don't like the heat. Prime visit times are September-November and March-May.

Where do you guys plan on traveling?
Wes and I have a big list of where we want to go. Each of our lists, of course, are different. Eventually we will have to compromise. Wes is dead set on going to Africa, somewhere in Asia and New Zealand. I want to go to Malta to visit my family, Ireland for St. Patty's Day next year and Bangkok. We've both actually want to go to Egypt to see the pyramids. Our first trip out of the country will most likely be a road trip to Oman (maybe next weekend if we aren't working).

Wes is official

Today Wes was issued his residence visa. Now we can come and go as we please (which includes our flight back into the U.S. in June).

Another address change

Perhaps the third time will be the charm?
Please note that our work mailing address (our only mailing address) has changed yet AGAIN.

Please send all mail to:

Elysia Smith &/or Wes Mininger
c/o The National
Abu Dhabi Media Company
P.O. Box 111434
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

If you've sent us something recently (bless your little heart) it will still get here via the old address.

And, if your saying to yourself, "The National"? Yep, that's the name of the newspaper. It's (finally) been publicly announced!

Mini love

Got my Mini Cooper S last night!

It was love at first drive.

First apartment buy

Since we're STILL living in a hotel (and out of suitcases) we haven't really bought a whole lot of stuff. The boxes we shipped are still sitting in the corner at the office. But, with word of "getting the keys" to our flat soon (we stopped by and it's still two weeks away from completion) we couldn't resist to start planning for the future.

Plus, we couldn't pass up the duck-green couch set.

Ta-da! Our first purchase:

She likes eating random weeds and ::spit:: ...

Miss America ain't got nothing on this contest.

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

Al Fanar, revisited (for reals).

Since we now have a proper working camera.... look! You can now see what I've been talking about regarding Al Fanar — Abu Dhabi's only revolving restaurant. The place is quickly becoming my favorite place to dine (especially when it comes to appetizers). The view is also yummy too. I promise I'll stop talking about it after this. But while I'm at it, have a look.

Let the drooling begin. First the view:




Around and around we go.


And now for the important stuff:

Wes' appetizer. I can't remember what it was exactly... but I know goat cheese was a main ingredient.


A close-up of the super de-lish salmon dish.


Me looking goofy.


Dessert in the desert.


Elysia's old standby: Crème brûlée


Wes' new favorite: Ice melon soup. Yum.

Couldn't pass it up

Well, I lied. I couldn't wait until July for a car.
Today I signed the loan papers for a red 2006 Mini Cooper S!


This isn't the actual car but it looks just like it.

The deal we got on this car is insane. And my bargaining skills (thanks mom) seem to fit in perfectly in the Middle East. As does my car knowledge.

Today it gets inspected (I already know it needs new tires and breaks which is why I got a few thousand knocked off the price). It shouldn't need too much of anything else since it's a 2006 with low mileage.

What's even better? I'll have the car paid off in two years (or less).

Hooray!

26

Me being born. Jesus rising from the dead.
Coincidence? I think not.

Thanks UAE peoples

Thanks to the UAE friends who came to my birthday party. I had a blast and I don't think I could of asked for a better time. Lots of people came up to Wes and I to tell us what a great party it was. Bet it was the free booze ; )

Anyway, it was a great party to discover a lot about the people I work with. See who shows up. See who stays after the free booze is gone. See who is who really. If that makes sense to people in sober land.

All in all, had a great time.

Tomorrow Wes and I are hitting Dubai with Laura, Craig Neil and maybe some others. Art show, shopping... what a great birthday weekend.

xoxo

Pearl Jam and the East Coast

Just got a Pearl Jam Fan Club email about the boys touring the East Coast while I'm home.

DATE CITY/STATE VENUE       PRE-SALE DATE/TIME
Jun 16 Columbia, SC Colonial Ctr. March 24, 1pm PDT
Jun 17 Virginia Bch,VA Verizon Amp. March 25, 9am PDT
Jun 19 Camden, NJ Susquehanna March 25, 11am PDT
Jun 22 Washington, DC Verizon Center March 25, 1pm PDT

** June 12-15 Pearl Jam will perform at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in
Manchester, TN. Tickets are currently on sale through
http://www.bonnaroo.com

ONLY if there was a Michigan date! That would make life so much easier!
But if I went to Virginia, NJ or DC I could stay with people I know....

I have a few days to decide to secure my Ten Club tickets.

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.

Joining the rest of the crazies

It happened. I finally found 30 minutes to step out of the office and go over to the licensing department.

Tada! A new license with big Texas-like hair. That's what I get for going to bed with a wet head.

Next up: Buy a car. Well, that or lease one. Wes wants to buy a motorcycle. And I want a Mini Cooper. We'll see who wins (bet on me). I even went to the BMW dealership and got prices and drooled on the cars.

After some more bills are paid off we'll get transportation. My guess is July.

Homeward Bound

Wes and I will be in the US of A June 12-23rd. Our vacation request has been approved!

The only things planned (besides cuddling with my Cassie) are Mike and Kim's wedding June 13th (we'll be in East Lansing for the day/night), my mom has talked about taking a day trip to Cedar Point and I know my Dad wants to go to the MGM in Detroit for dinner. Oh, and I have to work on planning our wedding.

Other than that... we're open to whatever.

Sadly though, I don't think we'll have time for a Washington visit. Sorry West Coasters! We miss you.

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 ; )

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...

I'm not ignoring you

Just a reminder...
I cannot check MySpace and Facebook at work. Nor can Wes.
It's blocked here.

And we do not have Internet at the hotel.

That being said, I cannot read any messages related to it. Not unless I go to some damn Internet cafe and we haven't had time.

So... if you wanna get in contact with me: elysia.a.smith@gmail.com or this blog.

Sorry.

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?

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.

If...

...this is true, I'll be in the Midwest at the beginning of August.

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.

not quite bootleggers...

While I was spending long hours at work, some sneaky people, (unnamed to protect their visa status, but probably easy to figure out for readers of this blog) visited a liquor store.
Since both of them lack the needed papers to purchase alcohol, and it is highly illegal to have it anywhere in your possession without a permit, this meant some sneakiness was required. There are some funny idiosyncrasies in the alcohol laws here. As was explained in a post a long time ago, it is legal for non-Muslims to buy and consume alcohol, but some caveats apply. The buyer is must have a permit for all alcohol served outside of hotels, where all the bars are located as there are no neighborhood pubs here. All alcohol purchases are heavily taxed, something like 18%. The stores where you get the alcohol are supposed to write your license information down and subtract the amount you bought from a preset limit for the month. This means that if you try to buy more than the limit, you must wait until the next month, and there is a $ limit for the year. You must also pay the really high tax and that tax applies against your limit. Assuming you make it through all these hurdles, it is illegal to transport it. Pretty much, you can buy it but then once you step out of the door, you are an illegal. It is always and VERY illegal to transport it in an auto, or anything else with wheels. Having any alcohol in a car is the same as drinking and driving, which means going to prison, and once you get out, deported.
Of course, the our heroes are smart, and brought along a wheelie bag to clunk everything around in. But, wait! they are even smarter than that! Why pay all the tax and deal with a limit on what you can buy when you can just go to a store that is ok with selling it illegally? If the legal issues are going to be just as much of a hassle and it cost so much more...
That is what makes this story so great. A heroic amount of alcohol, for a low low price of around 100$USD (thats 367Dhs for non-US readers)

The final tally:
3 bottles of wine
2 bottles of delicious Skyy Vodka (no cheap Royal Czar for us)
a bottle of Rum
and a 6 pack of Guinness!

And all this for the low low price of around 100USD (367Dhs)
Its going to be a great night! Thursday night is the beginning of the weekend for us here in the UAE, too bad for all you suckers who are working on Friday. You may feel free to leave some comments teasing us about having to work on Sunday!

For the copy editors in the house

My desk mate Lee, the business designer, is English. Not that we should hold that against him ;)...

Anyway, Lee has been making an effort to correct my English. Not so much to correct my grammar but more so the words I use for everyday things.

Me: Lee, do you have any more of those Cookies?
Lee: You mean biscuits.
Me: (Laughing) Whatever, give me some.
Lee: (Hands them over) These are biscuits, not cookies.
Me: What do you call chocolate chip cookies? Chocolate chip biscuits?
Lee: No, those are cookies.
Me: OK. So what makes a cookie a cookie?

He explains that a cookie is generally smaller and comprised of extras (chocolate, mint, etc.). Biscuits are Hob-Nobs and Digestives and other similar.... uh... edible objects.

Sure, everyone knows that the loo is bathroom, rubbish is trash and telly is television. But after spending two months with Lee... I've learned a ton of new terms for things I never knew were different in the first place. Words I am learning to replace include:

Nightstick: Long club/stick police use to hit people with or twirl.
The new term? Truncheon.

Thread: That stuff you use to sew on a button.
The new term? Cotton. Although it gets tricky when you cut off the cotton and then it becomes a thread of cotton.

Hood/trunk: That thing on the front/back of your car that covers the engine/storage space.
The new term? Bonnet/Boot.

Lee has also pointed me to this chart so I can brush up on my Cockney Rhyming Slang and to this test to see how many British words I know.

Before you know it I'll be using the term dog and bone... touch wood.

passport photos - a little more detail

E wrote that it was a big mistake not to get the photos before I came here. I disagree. She paid over 50$ for 12 of them in Michigan. I paid 50Dhs, which is about 13$ for 40 of them. Plus I got the awesome heart trading cards. I have noticed a few people around the newsroom who are collecting them. I may never be on a baseball card, but a passport photo card is good enough. Too bad my stats aren't on there!
Once we decide what sort of nice camera we are going to get I can start posting some real photos instead of the 'look angry so that if you ever do anything bad the government can run the photos in the news and make it look like you are deranged' look that they MAKE you do. No smiling in these photos!

Also, on a funnier note, one of the Canadians saw a scan of my passport, which is required to get a visa, and didn't believe it was real at first. his comment was 'That looks like a Colbert spoof!'

As for mustaches, check out this website!

Ill be on there in a few years. or maybe not.

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.

Caffeine isn't helping at all today.

Maybe the spinning class tonight will.

Wes and mail

Since Wes works here now you can send mail directly to him.

That address again is:

Wes Mininger
C/O Abu Dhabi Media Company
English language newspaper
P.O. Box 791
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates

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.

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.