What I learned about Christmas this year...

First off I love Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.  So after hosting a Christmas Eve get together with friends B and I headed over - I even figured we'd get there early like 11 instead of 12.  OMG BIG MISTAKE!  There was standing room only in the courtyard of the church where mass was being held (come to find out) as well as standing room only in the church itself.  Fortunately the balcony has a children's room where we were able to sit and wait the hour until mass started.  At 1:30 we left church as they were just getting to the communion aspect and B had been asleep on and off since we left the house.  If that was an indication of what Easter mass will be like I may need to do some serious planning if I want to go to Easter Vigil!

The other important part I learned about Christmas in Al Ain this year was that it is impossible to find Peppermint flavoring as well as Chex cereal.  To me these two things are staples for Christmas but now that I am aware I will plan ahead for next year.  Not a big deal overall.

The biggest thing I learned was how wonderful it is to not be in a hurry.  In the US it's gotten to the point that there are a million holiday parties and shopping and cookie exchanges and people are working right up to the last minute.  Here that's not the case. The malls aren't any busier than normal - we've been out of school over a week so there was no rush.  There were a couple holiday parties but they organized themselves in a way that they didn't overlap so it wasn't a big deal.  To me this has been a great Christmas because it wasn't busy, we've been able to enjoy the time we have with everyone and not worry about the chaos that usually surrounds the holidays.

Oh the first experience in mailing a package...

It's a week before Christmas and of course some of the things I ordered here took 9 days instead of 3-4.  Which put me a bit behind in shipping my box.  Last night I wrapped as much as I could (take that as in what I should do but was also able to convince my sister to do for me LOL).  I then proceed to pack the box and wrap it in brown paper.  So it's all set to run to the post office in the morning - a week before Christmas.  I live in a Muslim country so this should be pretty simple from shipping here to the US...oh poor mistaken American that I am.

Come to find out you can only ship 2 kg to the US from the UAE.  So after repacking (aka having to buy their boxes and separate my stuff into 2 boxes to get it within weight).  And spending way more money than I was hoping it would be the packages are in the mail - with a 1-2 week time that they should be there....but we shall see.  So for my family reading this...it may or may not be there in time - sorry!

The good news is that B and I have been meeting new friends and enjoying the lovely weather here in the UAE (daily highs in high 70s and low 80s with nightly lows to 50s or 60s).  It has been amazing to see the Christmas spirit here as well.  Most of the hotels have tree lightings and caroling as well as finding Christmas stuff in all of the stores - there are 2 things I can't find when it comes to the Christmas season though - that would be peppermint flavoring and chocolate covered cherries.   Oh well, now I know what to add to my list this summer of things to bring back!

But speaking of Christmas Brennan was able to see Santa...after 2.5 hours.  I will honestly say that it was well worth the wait.  Santa Claus at the Wafi Mall in Dubai is amazing!  He's in a separate room from the line of children waiting and spends quality time with each child.  He got down on the floor with Brennan and talked to her and it was just an amazing experience.  Plus he gave her a doll and named her Jill so that she could take it with her!

Quick one

Ok so yesterday probably started out as my worst day here in the UAE.  I hadn't slept well and it was just a rough day at work - I think my co-teacher realized it as her husband brought us chocolate cake.  We were able to sit down and just talk - well as best as we are able to with the language barrier.  What an amazing experience.  I have found now that I am such an incredibly lucky individual to have this experience and to be able to share it with those around me.  Not only were we able to celebrate Thanksgiving with new friends and old but we continue to see the good around us and how fortunate we are to have the time and energy to stop, look and see what an amazing gift we're given by the people around us everyday.

Failing to Update

Let's see between moving to Al Ain, starting my new job and trying to get moved into an apartment things have been hectic.  So here's some pics until I can get some more time ;-)

Up at 3 am...

And the only thing I can think about is how I'm going to manage to get B to school next week.  I was able to find a school that didn't have a waiting list but it looks like it's a long ways out from my work.  So I'm waiting until we get there and then I'll try to find answers.  How did this all come up?  Well we went to KidsFest 2013 at Zayed City Sports Complex and there was a variety of activities there.  B played and played and had a blast.  I was able to find the tent with the school and was excited but then B found some new friends.  When they went to leave she started to cry - I realized it had been a long time since she had played with anyone her age and it was time to change that!

So goal number 1 when we get to Al Ain is to get her into school - any school at this point would be helpful but one that she can grow with would be even better.  She also is hoping to start ballet classes, swim lessons and equestrian lessons (I told her one set at a time was all that was going to happen!)  So we shall see...still waiting to head to Al Ain but it should be soon and then we will begin the next chapter of our lives.

And now we can add!

At this point we are celebrating Eid and not in our own house so B and I do things to keep ourselves occupied. Yesterday this included pool time - until it got WAY too busy and mommy almost lost it! Followed by lunch - cheese and crackers - I honestly don't know if I can eat them for another 2.5 weeks - just sayin it's gotten a little old ;-)  Then B and I laid down for a nap - I managed a 45 minute nap and she managed a 3 hour nap!  Obviously she was a bit tired but it was good for her!  Since it was Sunday we skyped with the fam - all the while B asking if she could have spaghetti and meatballs for dinner.  Which leads us to dinner - since B wanted spaghetti and meatballs that's what we did.  She even managed to order 5 meatballs!

During dinner B decided to start adding and did it all herself - see video ;-)

Waking Up to the Tigers

There are some things that I am working on getting used to, the first is that the Tigers are playing the Red Sox in playoffs and here I am at 7 am watching the end of the game.  But the beauty of it is at  least I get to see part of the game!  But now its the bottom of the 7th and the Tigers are in Boston and up 1-0....but I digress.

This week B and I, as well as all of Group 5 were moved from the Fairmont (our hotel with the large pool, beach and wonderful staff) to the Grand Millenium (downtown Abu Dhabi and literally next door to the Al Whahda Mall).  Now location wise this hotel cannot be beat but there is something about being spoiled and still waiting to move on to our next location that makes this a bit difficult.  We have been able to walk and shop which has been helpful but since I am part of the group headed to Al Ain there is no working going on until we get moved there.  In addition this week is Eid - it is a holiday in the UAE and therefore school is out for the week.

Although we are waiting to move to the next hotel B and I have been busy shopping!  Yesterday we went to Ikea and picked up some stuff for our new house as well as got some ideas on what we want to put into it.  Although it's out on Yas Island it was well worth the trip as we spent a good 4 hours including lunch enjoying the thoughts and shopping experience!

I never realized everything one needed to fully furnish a home when you start with nothing.  It can be a bit overwhelming but at the same time exciting!  Yet there are the little things - towels, spoons, peelers, can openers that you may not normally think about until you make a list of everyday needs in a normal efficient household...but it will come together just as B's schooling will and each and every aspect of life here!  In this thought though I must share the friends I have been fortunate enough to gather and will be able to call my UAE family in the time we are here.

There is nothing more difficult in life than death and the death of a child is incredibly difficult for all involved.  On Friday a family that I have grown to care for remembered their son who had died 1 year previously.  In that memory our Group 5 family came together to help them remember the good of this young man.  Although the rest of us had never met him, we shared this loss with them.  We met on the 31st floor of the hotel - the pool area so we could release balloons and hold a memorial for this young man and his family.  It was an amazing experience and one that B was a part of.  I can say that I was incredibly proud of this child as she was greatly concerned for her friend, an 11 year old who was working through her own feelings of having lost a brother.  Even the next morning B woke up asking if she was ok and what we should do for her.  And didn't feel any better until she saw her at breakfast and asked how she was.  This is the family we have now adopted and will continue to look for for guidance and help throughout our time here and I feel incredibly lucky to be able to do that.

The game is over - Tigers have taken game 1 and now B is up...time to start another day ;-)

The first week of work...

This week has been about work and trying to figure out the balance between food and hotel life!  We've moved through the orientation parts of work and are now waiting on assignments.  I will say that the orientations we have sat through have been to the point.  No one is reading things to us nor is anyone belittling our intelligence.  This is definitely a plus in the world!

Throughout the week we've done medical checks, gotten our applications in for the UAE ID Cards (WORST picture EVER!) and even been able to get some shopping in!  I did get a chance to purchase my first Abaya yesterday at the Gold Souk (think mall with multiple buildings - each building holds a different set of shops such as fabric stores, clothing or gold - hence the gold souk!)

B has done an AMAZING job entertaining people along the way - from talking to telling those of us trying on Abayas that we are cute, beautiful and just being a wonderful kid!  I am the luckiest mom in the world as she has taken all of this in stride and it hasn't phased her as much as I thought it might.  Instead she has found the ability to enjoy the pool, shopping, food and getting to know as many people as she can!  Of course she still wants to go to school but hopefully we'll be able to take care of that soon!

3 am...

Since we landed on Thursday evening I have seen 3 am every night!  It's gotten to the point that I don't even really look forward to 3 am...I know it's coming but I don't actually want to admit it is.  I would love to wake up just once and find out that I slept past 3 am and better than that that B slept past 3 am but no such luck.  On the bright side it's only Sunday so maybe our luck will change this week.  But I digress...

We landed in Abu Dhabi on Thursday night after a very uneventul flight - thankfully B slept a majority of the flight and then continually followed the flight path on the monitor throughout the flight.  She thought it was awesome to see where the plane was in relation to the world.  We were able to make it through customs with no issues and were dropped off at the hotel.  The best part of the whole thing - besides the room which B described the tub as "Holy Moley it's huge" was that there is ALWAYS someone willing to help. I had a porter at the airport for my luggage as well as the hotel who brought it up.  The man was willing to help me unpack!  (No I did not let him but I did think about it LOL).
 The view from our room is wonderful - although the view from the other side of the building is a bit better due to the fact it over looks the water and the Grand Mosque.  But we're still thrilled with the hotel!  B wants to live here - well she would if it was pink ;-)  The room is huge with 2 double beds and a tub that she canNOT get in and out of herself!  It's way too deep for that!  We're totally enjoying the beach and the pool areas - who knows maybe B will have a tan by the time we leave here!

On Friday we were fortunate enough to have pool and beach time before getting picked up by my friend Katie and her husband - Katie's from Michigan and this is her 4th year.  I was able to get some food and a phone in order to conduct the business that I need to get done here.  Everything is done via text - banking, bills, etc.  My goal is to get an unlocked smartphone eventually but I'm holding out until I'm getting paid on a regular basis ;-)  It was nice to have people who knew the area - malls, stores, etc and how to get around!

 Plus on Friday night we were able to spend dinner with Andrea and I may have fell in love with Lebanese food ;-)  Sooo yummy!  And food is fairly inexpenisve - even going out isn't bad.  Ok once you get over the dhuram vs. dollar.  The first time you read a bill and it says 60 for dinner it's kind of freaky but then you translate it to dollars and it's only 16 it makes the whole world a bit different!

 Saturday was spent at the beach and pool - it's a tough life for this little girl but she's adapting well LOL.  She thought the robe thing was awesome and HAD to wear one like Mommy.  She really is being a champ about the whole thing - the worst part of the adjustment is that she wakes up at 3 am STARVING and doesn't want to go back to sleep.  Of course now I'm up and starving but she's sleeping like a rock ;-)  I'm not planning on waking her up until 8 or so since I know she needs the sleep!  She's been so good that I'm fine with letting her play in the water all day.  Of course I'm also grateful for sunscreen as the sun here is great for me but not so good for her!
Today is the first day of "work" - we have a 3 hour orientation meeting which should let me know where I'm placed.  Once that occurs it'll be time to either move from this hotel to another one this week or this will become our semi permanent home until we get our housing which could be 2-4 weeks.  I love this hotel and so does B so I would NOT be upset with staying here but who knows!  At this point she just wants to go to school so that will be the next priority for her.  Poor kid can only handle so much adult time before she is over it ;-)  Oh well - more pictures and info to come but for now it's time to get the day started!  Happy Sunday!!

Ready, Set....GO!

The big day has finally arrived!  B and I are headed to Abu Dhabi today!  It seems unreal as this process has gone on for over 2 months but today we'll board the plane and be off.  B is having her good moments and her rough moments with the change.  It is going to be rough on her and I realize that but overall I think this is good for both of us. It's that time when we get to spread our wings and find out if we can fly or not.

There are still many things to do such as make a couple of last minute phone calls and finalize packing of B's suitcase and my carrry-ons.  Not a huge deal but I also wanted to put some stuff away that hadn't been done yet so we'll see how far I get.  The nicest thing is that B slept at Grandma's last night so I was able to stay up and work on getting everything done that needed to be ;-)

There are still more questions than answers on how the process will work for us once we arrive but it's time for a Great Big Adventure and I think this will be one that B and I remember for years to come - whether it be bad or good we shall find out!

Tickets - FINALLY and Half Marathon Weekend!

What a weekend!  The weekend started and ended somewhat the same way - with high stress!  Friday morning my sister had her person for foster care come in the house in order to get it licensed so that once she moves in she can continue to do foster care!  This stuff always worries me mainly because I worry and that's just who I am.  Some day I may change it but probably not!  Towards the end of that process I FINALLY got it - I got our tickets!

OMG it's real!  It's serious!  We are moving overseas and will be leaving the USA for Abu Dhabi on Wednesday September 25th!  I still can't believe it!  It seems amazing that all this time that we've been waiting finally has a date on it and we will be heading out to start a different kind of life.  I used to think of every move as a new life and starting over but I'm finding that you never really leave the old life you only add to it.  And in this case B and I will be adding to our experiences.  I'm excited - she's nervous but I know it'll work out - one way or another!

And now on to Half Marathon weekend - which by the way I had no business running!  I was not trained, I had given up due to the job stuff and now I can say I completed it in 2:22 - not my best time but it's done and I ran it.  I completed it...and now I need to get my act together as I feel better when I run and can continue to grow my goals and determination.  Detroit did a GREAT job for their first Women's Half and 5k!  It was incredibly impressive and well organized.  That cannot be said for other races but this one it definitely can be.  I did get my first flower (B bought it - no seriously - she paid for it!)  And I bought her her first flower - of course now I need to get her a flower in training/blossom shirt.  But all in good time!  I  do need to thank my daughter and my friends - Juls and Katie who got up EARLY to come cheer me on during my run!  They were amazing and I am so grateful!  I really can't believe I finished it but now I have a new goal as there is a half marathon in Februaryish in Abu Dhabi that I plan on running and I WILL break my 2 hour mark!  That is after my blisters and toenails heal from this weekend!

Talk Like a Pirate Day & Random Thoughts on School

B LOVES most anything about pirates!  So on that note we plan on celebrating Talk Like a Pirate Day!  Last night we looked up different foods to make - Fish & Chips (Goldfish and potato chips) and tried to figure out what a pirate would love to eat.  Of course she gave a HUGE list of the parts she agreed on and the ones she wasn't a fan of...so we'll see how it works!  Plus she asked me to make a map for buried treasure - planning on working on that this morning but it's currently pouring outside so I'm guessing that may have to wait!

Since I was up this morning and listening to the storm - and really wishing I was on the beach watching it roll in, I decided to look into schools I can place B in when we get to the UAE.  She DESPERATELY wants to go to school and who am I to stop her?  As I'm doing my research I realize that there area  variety of British and US schools to choose from...the question is what do I do?  I'm tempted to put her in a British Curriculum school due to the abundance of them but I know she really wants her Spanish Immersion program still.  I'm tempted to do some more research on the differences but I'd also like to find an Arabic Immersion program for her as well.  This child LOVES her languages and who am I to stop her from learning?  As always I have more questions than answers and since I'm not sure of which city I'll be in it makes it a bit tougher to find out where I will be able to place her.  But the biggest question is which curriculum?  I have a feeling this will be a topic that plagues me for the next few months as I learn the differences and decide what I really think is the most important thing for her....

With all the changes in life I thought this was appropriate ;-)

This is known as KinderBells and the kids LOVED it!

In the Dog House - need I say more?

On top of a hill - spent lots of time running, rolling and crawling up and down!

Artprize has become a standard in Grand Rapids, MI.  ( http://www.artprize.org/ )  This is an amazing event where artists come from around the world to compete for cash prizes as well as get their work seen by over 400,000 people.  Each year we go and enjoy the art as well as the time of just being in the city.  Yesterday was opening day so B and I headed over to Frederick Meijer Gardens to get started...she was not that excited but the glass was amazing and I could not help but be proud to be from this area which hosts this event.  The next stop was the Gerald R. Ford Museum - we didn't make it in but as you can tell from the pictures we had a good time ;-)

What's cookin'!

In honor of fall - as our temps have dropped dramatically this week! I have crockpot oatmeal going for when the household wakes up!  Here's one recipe to try: http://www.theyummylife.com/Slow_Cooker_Apple_Cinnamon_Oatmeal but I'll be honest because I was up at 5:30 am I just put the oatmeal in the crockpot with water, spices and let it set.  By the time people are up and moving it'll be all set and I'll be able to add homemade applesauce to make it super yummy!

And to help kick of Apple Dumpling Day - I have all the stuff I need for Apple Pie Bites!  Again super easy recipe: http://quick-dish.tablespoon.com/2013/04/11/apple-pie-crescent-bites/ and will make today go by with lots of things to do!

The waiting continues....

I am ever so grateful for this website: https://www.facebook.com/kplayak they have every day of the week put out on Monday so you can help celebrate!  Yesterday my daughter and I made play dough in honor of play dough day!  It's been fun to keep track of and help keep our minds off the waiting!

The waiting goes on...and on...I originally had my face to face interview in New York City on July 17th from there I waited for the offer letter which arrived on August 18th and currently I'm waiting on the visa and tickets which will take my daughter and I on to our new "Great Big Adventure".  The waiting is hard, the funds are getting low and my daughter just wants friends to play with and I'm just ready to begin working (weird I never thought I'd say that!)  Yesterday she made a birthday cake with play dough and her wish was to get on an airplane...I think the waiting has gotten to her as well.  But what is a Mom to do?  There are times like this that I wish I could fast forward to a different month and things would be done and ready to go but it is what it is.

Life has not been without joy though!  This past weekend I enjoyed time at the Neon Vibe 5k with some great friends!  It was worth the drive and better yet it kept my mind on other things - wondering if I'll be in town this weekend to do the Detroit Women's Half Marathon but that's not in my hands...

Time to start again...

So the point of blogging is to get thoughts out and share them with those that you love and care about...right?  And here I was consistently slacking as I let life take control of me and not the other way around.  Although I'm no longer in Alaska that's when this blog was started so I figured I'd just keep going as another adventure is awaiting me!

I'm currently waiting on my visa and ticket information so that my now 3 year old and I can head off to the UAE in the Middle East.  I am currently in limbo and not liking it a whole lot...as patient as I am I am ready for the adventure to start and start it will...the problem is finding out when.

Yet I digress the other issue is that my running has not been great and in that I've lost my stamina and desire to run, although not that great to begin with (I did finish a half marathon and a 25k this past spring) I was hoping to be further ahead and yet I let life get the best of me.  Therefore I am now taking it upon myself to take control of life!

This new blog will be dedicated to life as a single parent, living overseas, budgeting and getting healthy...again.  Here's to hoping it all works out!