The New Presidential Palace

Beautiful even in the construction phase, can't imagine what it will be like when it's done.

I wonder if they had to pay extra for the sun feature.....

My Grandfather

Granddad and I on our last road trip to NC.

I've come to my blog several times over the past month knowing what I must write about next, but I just haven't been able to do it. You see what I need to write about makes me think about a huge loss I suffered last month that I've been trying to go about life here in Abu Dhabi pretending it isn't real. Kind of like remembering the event as only a bad dream. That is until I get the urge to pick up the phone and talk to one of my biggest fans, and realize I can't.

On October 16, my son's 17th birthday, my Granddad Eubanks went Home to be with God. Home to be with his wife of 58 years and my Dad who he lost over 26 years ago. Home to be with countless friends and family members he's had to say goodbye to over the years.  Home to be free from pain and free from cancer.

I've said it several times over the course of this past month, I'm happy for my Grandfather. I know he was so ready to go, and I know how very happy he must have been to finally be with my Grandmother again. We've all had to watch as he's longed for her company the past 3 years. 

Then there's the selfish side of me that wants to pretend he's still here. It's not just because he was my last living grandparent either. It's because he was a huge cheerleader and supporter of me and my family in everything we did. He was also my buddy, someone I could always count on to say yes to a lunch or dinner date.

I remember when we decided to make the move to Abu Dhabi I was so afraid to tell my Grandfather, because I knew it would upset him. He always spent a lot of time with my family, and I just didn't know how he would react to the news that we were moving to the other side of the world.

Well, he reacted just like he had all of my life. He told me how proud he was of my husband and I, and he supported our decision. That doesn't mean he liked the idea of being far from his great grandbabies, but he told me he knew how great this opportunity was for us and that we needed to take it.

Perhaps, he knew I needed his blessing. Leaving him with his age and declining health was the one thing that bothered me most about moving to Abu Dhabi. Thanks to modern technology, we were able to get past the many miles that separated us.

I'm pretty sure my Grandfather had my Google Voice phone number( a free US number I have) on his speed dial. Several times over the past couple of years my heart dropped when that line would ring and display my Grandfather's number at what I knew to be the wee hours of the morning in the states. Usually, when someone is calling you at 3am their time it's never for good news.

Not the case with Granddad, it would always be him on the other end sounding wide awake and ready to chat with me. My initial question was always "Are you ok?", followed by "What are you doing up at this hour?". He would usually say the cat or dog woke him up, and when he saw the time he knew I would be awake so he called to chat.

Oh, how I loved those chats about anything and everything. He always wanted to know every detail about what was going on in my life as well as my husband and kids' lives. We could spend an hour just going over the kids' sports. I used to joke that he was like their agent, always trying to broker deals with me to pay them if they scored or better yet if they stopped the other team from scoring.

Even better, were the chats that I got to share with him in person on my summer visits. Granddad was always willing and ready to go with me anywhere, and we normally ran our mouths the entire time we were together. He didn't mind doing simple things like going to Walmart or the hardware store with me. He would always follow me around a store in a motorized cart like a speed demon helping me search for the best deals on whatever I needed. Shopping usually ended with food, and that was almost always Carolina style BBQ, a meal we both loved. We even did a couple road trips to NC this summer with him riding shotgun. Those are trips I will cherish forever.

I am blessed to have had him in my life for so many years. He was always the supporter and fan that I know my Dad would have been if he could have. So, for me to have to write this and really acknowledge he's gone is tough, and it's taken over a month. I'm going to miss our 3am talks and BBQ dinners, but most of all I'm going to miss having someone that made me feel as though they were incredibly proud of me.

I love you Granddad.

A Laugh from Bawabat Al Sharq Mall

Straight from the mall directory at Bawabat Al Sharq Mall in Baniyas......Are stores number 45 and 46 new?

Faces of 9/11

I took this pic at the World Trade Center site last summer. These were just the firefighters lost on 9/11. Seeing all these faces, and knowing there were so many more that lost their lives that day, really puts in perspective the enormous loss our country suffered.

May we never forget the lives lost that September morning, and may those left to cherish their memories find that peace that "surpasses all understanding".

God bless America.

Me vs The Small Smalls

Here in Abu Dhabi we have very small almost microscopic ants that try to raid our kitchen from time to time. It's all part of living on a big ant hill, but I absolutely positively HATE bugs of any kind ESPECIALLY in my kitchen. I blame my Mom for this. As a child, I remember if my Mom saw a bug she had my Uncle Ray, the exterminator, at our house that day or the next spraying nasty smelling poison to kill it and any friends it might have.

Well, since we've been away it looks like my microscopic enemies I refer to as the "small smalls" have decided to try to take some of my territory. Instead of calling my Uncle Ray all the way back in America, I've learned to mix up my own little deadly concoction of cherry jelly and boric acid powder I spent a whopping 4 dirhams on.

Tonight as I was setting out my "death traps", my son decided to assist me with what he said was a fail proof way of leading the small smalls to their demise. Here is a picture of his ploy to coax them to the poison.

The Beginning of the End

Our Virginia House

The hubby arrives in Virginia tonight, and for me that marks the start of the end of our vacation here in the states. As our time draws to a close here, I find myself having the same conflicted feelings I had before I left Abu Dhabi at the beginning of the summer. There are people, places, and things that I can't wait to get back to in the UAE. Then of course, there are people, places, and things in the US that I dread having to say goodbye to for another 10 months.

In Abu Dhabi, I look forward to catching up with my friends and trading stories about our summer. We've made some wonderful friends since moving there, and I've missed them the past couple of months. I'm also excited about some new friends that have made the leap to living abroad, and I can't wait to show them around when I get back. I'm looking forward to a reunion night with all of our expat friends old and new at Stills, one of our favorite places on Yas Island, when I return.

An upcoming reunion in Abu Dhabi, means that there first has to be yet another farewell here in the United States. We've had to do this a few times, but they don't get any easier. I think it goes without saying that reunions are a lot more fun than goodbyes. I'm dreading the big hugs and inevitable tears that I know come with having to say goodbye to my friends and family. Hopefully, I've put a spark in few more of them to make the trip over to see us in the next year. Mom is already dusting off her passport for a visit this fall.

My husband and I have already discussed hitting a Le Boulanger on the way home from the airport for REAL Lebanese food. It seems while I was gone a new Le Boulanger opened in Khalifa A which is even closer to my house than the other ones. Hummus with meat, saj, mixed grill, lamb chops, and REAL Arabic bread......YUM!

The Corniche

I'm also looking forward to a ride on scenic Route 12 that island hops over Yas and Saadiyat instead of the more direct route downtown. Route 12 has amazing views of the Arabian Gulf and it's untouched smaller islands and beaches. It's the road that makes you forget you're in a busy place like Abu Dhabi. That trip of course will end down at the Corniche, and I can't wait to see what sights it has to offer.

Dubai will be another must for us when we get back too. I think we'll need to drop into a few of the glamorous mega malls there. While the idea of Dubai shopping sounds fun, the idea of having to go into a Lulu's or Carrefour to grocery shop does not. Sorry guys, I'm a spoiled American. I must admit though, I have been a bit overwhelmed by American grocery stores since coming back. I'm not used to having so many choices, except of course for things like rice, fruit, vegetables, cheese, and tea. Tea and rice have just about a whole aisle to themselves in the UAE.

Burj Khalifa at the Dubai Mall

Here in the states I'm going to miss the peaceful serenity of the lake our house sits on and it's ever changing show. The lake is home to numerous waterbirds including mallards, geese, cranes, and the  most awesome creature of them all - the blue heron. We've been fortunate this summer to have a nest of baby blue herons in our backyard. They've provided the morning entertainment as I drink my coffee on my screened in porch. There are 3 of them, and I always get a chuckle when I see them all together. I can't help but think of Bob Marley singing "Three Little Birds".

I do look forward to the pampering I get in the UAE. I've found I'm not a fan of pumping my own gas or bagging my own groceries. Oh, and I most definitely see a spa date in my future. Can't wait to experience the whole extreme customer service, but I'm not looking forward to being called Madame and M'am constantly. For some reason, it just makes me feel old and like the people saying it somehow think that I think I'm better than them or at a higher social level.

So, I guess that leads to one of the things I'll miss about America. I'll miss fitting in, and just being a face in the crowd. I can drive past a bus in America, and not have everyone on it stare at me. I can run to the store in bummy workout clothes with no makeup and not care. I don't have to think about my wardrobe and who it might offend. Or my favorite worry, "How much will I sweat in this?".

The biggest thing I'm looking forward to? MY BED! "Home" for me is where my bed is, and where my family(the 4 of us) lives. Plus, I've got a puppy....and a cat...waiting for me there. Vacations are nice, but I'm looking forward to going home and jumping back into my daily life. It's getting about time to go "home".

In the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave

Me and Granddad

I'm backkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk! Actually, I am back, back in the good ol' US of A. No, not for good, but for a little American vacation. Truth be told, expat vacations to their home countries aren't typical family vacations.

For our family, these summer vacations mean we are separated for months. The kids and I head back to the states after school is out, and my husband doesn't join us till the end of the summer for a couple of weeks. It isn't exactly an ideal way for a family to live, but sticking around for the crazy hot weather isn't fun either. Not to mention, despite living in another country we still have property and things we left behind to attend to in Virginia.

So, what does one do on a crazy long vacation in a place they once called home? Well, I think it goes without saying that FAMILY has been a big focus for me on this trip. I can't get enough hugs from my Mom. I've lucked out, and she has spent most of the summer with me and the kids. We've had a few large family sleepovers with my sister's family, and I've enjoyed every minute, every laugh, every smile, every hug....

I've also spent hours chatting and catching up with my Grandfather. He's always happy to hit the road, so we've made a couple road trips to North Carolina in the past few weeks. No trip to NC with Granddad is complete without stopping for one of mine and his favorites, Carolina barbecue. I try to make it in the UAE, but nothing compares to the real stuff. If only I could figure a way to smuggle some back with me.

As much as I would like for this vacation to be all about fun, it's also been full of work. It seems our last tenants that rented our US home were deadbeats. So after an eviction, I'm left with lots of things to fix and a husband on the other side of the world. I'm finding I can be quite the handy woman. Perhaps my proudest accomplishment thus far, is turning our pool water from a dark greenish brown to crystal clear.

On that note, I have several potential expats ask me advice and questions all the time. Here's a free piece of advice, be VERY careful in selecting renters and if possible don't let them know you're in another country.

Well, that's all for now folks. I promise there will be more to come................

Mr. and Mrs. Weems

Katie and Mason

Today is the day my Dad died 26 years ago at the age of 33. It's usually a day that saddens me, as I think of all the "what ifs". It certainly has never been a day that I have looked forward to on the calendar.....until this year.

You see for months now, I've had April 28th prominently posted on my fridge as a reminder for a happier event. Today is the day my not so little anymore cousin, Mason, is getting married. It's a day we've joked would never come, but unless he sneaks out of the church, today is the day my fun loving cousin settles down. Not to be cliche, but I'm sure there will be hearts breaking in Virginia today.

Mason proposed to his beautiful bride, Katie, right before we moved from the US, and I've never been so proud of him. Katie is a beautiful person, and the perfect match for Mason's fun and outgoing personality. It just confirms my believe that there is the perfect someone out there for everybody.

The only thing that saddens me is that, because I live so far away I can't be with all of my family today to be part of an event I've been looking forward to since they first stopped by to show us "the ring". This is one of the many sacrifices I have to make living on the other side of the world from those I love. As happy as I am that today is finally here, part of me still wants to sob over what I'm missing out on.

So Mason, since I can't be there in person, and sending a card from here takes forever I want you to know my heart is with you today. I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. You were the coolest live baby doll a 6 year old could ever have. Wendy, Joy, and I thought you were the greatest thing ever, the very first Eubanks boy! We all wanted to be little mamas to you. You have always been a source of joy and laughter for me from your days of peeing off the back of Granddad's truck trying to spray poor Rufus, to your days of conning the ice cream lady into running a tab for you. Oh, and who can ever forget how hard poor Grandma tried to keep you off of that ditch bank when you were little. You were absolutely adorable then, and you have grown to be a handsome man with an amazing personality. I would say young man, but you're 30 now :)  Seriously though, I'm very proud of you. Enjoy today, and the rest of your days with Katie.

Katie, I want to welcome you to our family officially, although to me you have already been a part of it for a few years now.  I so wish I could be there to stand and watch you walk down the aisle. I have no doubt that you will be absolutely stunning. Mason is a very lucky man! I know you have put a lot of time and effort into the wedding, and I pray it is a day full of awesome memories that you will cherish forever.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Weems!

HUH??????

Can someone please explain this to me?

Only in the UAE

Ok, so we have grown quite accustomed to seeing and hearing things that are odd here. I really need to start making a list, because the minute I think we've seen it all something else funny or odd tops it. It's almost daily that we have these "Only in the UAE" moments. So to give you an idea, here are a few odd moments from this past week in no particular order.

Tea Time in a Box

My son and I were riding our bikes around the other night when we came up on the roadblock at the end of our street. I've mentioned how everything is guarded here including roadwork in the past. Well, it seems the guard at the end of the road has built himself a "house" out of scrap plywood. He isn't the only one, my son's Pakistani friend across the street has done the same, along with another man down the street guarding a new house that is being built. 

Anyways, even odder than men living in boxes on my street is the way they act like it's really a house. As my son and I rode by the make shift house down the road, two men were sitting in it having evening tea. They were quite cheerful to be sitting in a box, and they both greeted us with an "Assalamu alaikum"  as we rode past. Talk about a lesson for kids on being grateful for what they have. 

Applebees in the Sand

We live in an area called Khalifa that is broken into 3 distinct parts A, C, and B. Yes, I know it's out of order, but that's how they run from the coast inland. Khalifa A was developed first, but like Khalifa B it is still under construction. Actually, the whole country is "Under Construction", but that's another story. Khalifa C currently consists of nothing but Zayed University, 3 round abouts, and lots of sand. It's a desert that will one day be the new government center of Abu Dhabi. You might remember this as the place I got busted speeding.

It isn't uncommon to see large groups parked at the round abouts in Khalifa C, and hanging out in the desert. Usually, they will hang out there late at night around a fire. During the day, you may see them dune bashing or having fun on their ATVs. Today, we saw one the of the delivery drivers for Applebees making a delivery to a group of kids hanging out at a round about in Khalifa C. Forget home delivery, you can get it delivered straight to your 4x4 while you're off roading here.

@$#*** in Subway

I have said over and over that I don't think people here understand English curse words, or at least how offensive they are to parents with young children. We were in a Subway restaurant in Dubai this weekend that had a playlist that had every curse or foul word I know of blasting from it's speakers. 

It isn't just Subway. We've been in a place called Magic Planet(imagine Chuck E. Cheese on steroids) in Dubai when the uncensored version of Cee Lo Green's "Forget You" came on. Not to be a goody two shoes, but I didn't even realize there was another version of that song with repeated F-bombs in it. Imagine my shock as it started playing in a place filled with little kids. 

These are just a few moments from this week. I'm sure I'm probably missing some I should share, but sadly this stuff has become the norm here and we just shrug it off  when the next odd thing occurs. 

A Laugh for the Arabia Expat

My World Traveler

Last night, our 13 year old daughter flew to Thailand for 9 days with a group of classmates from her school for Spring Break. This is the first time she has ever flown without her father or I, and the first time she has ever been to another country without us. I confess to being slightly stressed about it yesterday, but one couldn't help but get caught up in her excitement about the trip.

My world traveler before heading to the airport.

Seeing her prepare and pack this week, I realize that my baby girl isn't a baby anymore. She's becoming quite a remarkable self sufficient young lady. Beyond that though, I see how being an expat teen is shaping the adult she will be one day. The experiences and opportunities she has now are far different than anything we would have been able to provide for her if we had stayed in the US.

In the next week my little international traveler will not only be a tourist, but also a humanitarian. As part of her school's International Baccalaureate curriculum, she has to perform community and service work each year. While she's in Thailand, she will be helping construct a water tower and a greenhouse for a village school along with pitching in on some other improvement projects. She'll also assist with teaching and playing with the children at the school.

Some last minute instructions from her guide aka her humanities teacher.

The trip isn't all about work though. She's looking forward to riding an elephant and holding a baby tiger cub, which for my animal lover will be an amazing experience I'm sure. She'll also be doing some kayaking, ziplining, and a host of other fun physical activities.

So, for the next week or so I'll be anxiously awaiting her return. I can't wait to hear the stories and see the pictures from her first of many adventures.