Random Thoughts in Dubai

It is a festival in Festival City mall.

1. On my day off I was able to visit most of my old stomping grounds and see how the city has changed and/or stayed the same. Downtown Mirdiff (a 'suburb' of Dubai) was where we spent most of our time. The entire complex was barely built when we arrived. It had a Spinneys (local grocery store) that was so new you had to drive over the curb and through sand to get to the parking lot. Since that time, the entire shopping complex surrounding Spinneys has grown exponentially. When I lived there it housed several retail shops, a large play area where my kids would ride bikes, and many different restaurants. I was surprise to see that several of my favorite shops have gone out of business and/or have been replaced by a larger chain. This is all within 3 years, beginning to end.

I found this to be a theme throughout Dubai. Several projects are still under way. I mean MASSIVE projects (like Mirdif City Center). Enormous villas now stand where winds would only blow sand. The signs of progress are still here, but this is the tail end. As much as you see construction, there is an equal amount of large villas that are vacant and adorn large signs begging for renters. And even though the new City Center boasts tons of new and exciting features, the 'other new mall' less than a mile down the road is quiet, and partially vacant. It is an interesting time to be in Dubai. I felt like I was here at the height. Dubai was considered a large playground. Everyone was begging to get here. Now, there are fewer people wandering the malls and residents are wondering if they will be here by the end of the summer.

2. Even though signs of the Dubai's crisis are evident, you never hear about it in any of the local media. Everyone here must search the international news to find out the reality of Dubai. I have heard (yet not confirmed) that it is illegal to discuss Dubai's woes within Dubai. I wouldn't doubt it. Even though everyone is talking about it, you will only hear positivity from the Emirati News. Is it the power of suggestion or complete denial?

3. As a result of Dubai's dependancy on Abu Dhabi as of late, I have heard that stricter laws have been enforced. Dubai's ability to 'turn a blind eye' at times made living in the Middle East more comfortable for expats. However, I recently read about a woman who was playfully dancing with her 4 year old daughter at Global Village (a large carnival/fair-like setting). She was told by a local police officer that she must stop her behavior immediately. Dancing is considered inappropriate in public areas. Apparently such cases are happening more often, and Dubai is tightening the straps in response to outside pressures.

4. Oddly, Qatar has become the new focus of the Middle East. The economy is healthy and it is oil rich. It's dependancy on other local economies is minimal and it has weathered this messy economic storm quite well. As a result, people are turning their focus away from Dubai and looking for a more stable environment. I have had some UAE residents ask about the climate in Doha, and furthermore, ask about job opportunities.

5. That being said, Doha cannot even come close to Dubai when it comes to lifestyle and comfort. Doha is small and, comparatively speaking, underdeveloped. Its progress has been slow and less ostentatious. As a result, Doha is dull. Dubai is full of energy and bustle. As one can imagine, it has calmed down quite a bit, but the allure of Dubai is still there. I feel somewhat gypped. I invested 2 years of my life in Dubai during most of the 'waiting' stage. Now, thanks to borrowed money, Dubai is far more developed and has a lot more to offer. The metro is also a cool feature. It has made it easy for people to maneuver throughout the city. The city planning is not quite as horrific as it is in Doha, and the drivers try a little harder to be safe and less obnoxious.

Park your yacht, or helicopter and shop

The standard of living is high in Dubai and it has a ton of amenities that cater to expats. I didn't realize how much I missed Dubai until I came back. I would still take Nepal over any country in the Middle East, but if I had to choose this region, Dubai is where it is at.

Spinneys in Dubai even offers Pork products. We could only dream of this in Qatar.

5. The ghosts of my family have been everywhere I have visited. Wandering in Festival City isn't right unless I have a child on my hip or in my womb. I had my last two babies in Dubai and therefore, it holds many precious memories for me. I became teary-eyed as I drove by my old home in Mirdif. I felt like I could simply leave the taxi, walk through the door, smell Haleni's food and hug baby Sedona. It was so tangible I could taste it. Dubai has given me a lot and I have experienced so many amazing memories here. It has been fantastic to revisit my old life, even if it was just a day.

A hamster ball on the water? Who wouldn't love this?

Signage Part 1

Today I had the day off so I explored some of my old haunts. I was lucky enough to find this exhibit at the Festival City marina. Enjoy...

This sign can be found in the Nepal chapel bathroom--no joke

More to come...

A Sign of Aging

The wise, old woman at the podium

Trying to fit everything in within two weeks has been no small task. My days are long and exhausting. But the biggest perk of my job is interacting with the students. It reminds me of my days in graduate school--young, impressionable, and eager. What happened? Wasn't that just yesterday? Now, I am considered the older woman who has 4 kids and full of advice. I am hoping their youthfulness and enthusiasm is rubbing off on me. It is my alternative to botox.

I especially feel that my age is catching up to me when I look down at my feet and see this:

It doesn't help that the shoes are granny-style as well. I was under a time crunch and had to purchase the best Carrefour could offer. Another sign of aging: willing to compromise my style...

Yes, I wore two different shoes to work today. In my defense, it was early, dark, and the shoes are both black. What I can't defend is I have lost interest in petty details over the years. And when I say 'petty details' I mean how to dress myself...

Absent-minded professor, indeed.

Solo in Dubai

I arrived in Dubai last night and I will be here for two weeks. Two weeks-without the kids-without my husband-alone. I am teaching Business Communications to MBA students in Academic City. I used to teach here in '07 and shortly after Asa's birth in '08. Ever since I left, I have been given opportunities for contractual work through the school. I love to keep my wheels turning. It isn't work to me, it is what I love.

What I don't love is being away from these guys:

And these girls:

But most importantly, I don't love being away from the man hugging my girls. He is my strength, he is my rock, and I am blessed that he gives me wings to do what I enjoy doing. I am a more confident and successful woman because of him.

Stay tuned for some more sappiness, cause nothing makes you love your family more than the absence of crying and poop....

Driving Advice From a 3 year old

Sedona, the practical driver

Driving in Doha takes extreme concentration and I find myself arriving at my destination frustrated and annoyed. Overall, Doha drivers are reckless and obnoxious. It is common practice for drivers to drive two inches from your bumper and flash high beams in the fast lane. This is in the city, with congestion, speeding to get to a stop light. Grrr....

Yesterday I was driving with Sedona in the car. I must have been conveying my frustrations to a car as I was approaching a roundabout. That is when Sedona made this observation:

Sedona: 'Mom, are you talking to cars?"

Me: "Um, yes, I suppose I am."

Sedona: "Mom, that is so silly. Why would you talk to a car? Cars don't talk back."

Me: "I am just telling that car I am frustrated."

Sedona: "Mom, if cars don't have mouths, cars can't talk. If cars don't have ears, they can't hear you."

Well, shut. me. up.

A Mother's Reassurance

I walked into the living room and saw this:

It tells me of all the million things I do wrong as a mother, I must be doing something right.

Art Starved

Dying to get over this creativity funk

We are desperate for good art here. Even though we have one of the most renowned Islamic Art Museums here, outside of that beautiful building, it is slim pick'ns. Axel and I feel like our creativity notch has been turned way down since we left Nepal. I think the atmosphere of Nepal--the colors, the smells, the people--inspired us to create.

Apparently, for our neighbor (who also happens to be a member of our church) doesn't feel that same way. He is an architect by profession, but he decided to go into teaching at a university in Education City. Unlike his rigorous work schedule back in the states, he had extra time in Doha so he did what he loved--painting.

As a result, his art was on display at the university exhibit. Axel and I couldn't resist the opportunity to go check it out:

One of his beautiful paintings.
I had the honor of watching him work on the painting of the woman in the abaya at his home. I love the intimacy of these paintings. As an expat, you never experience such intimacy with a local Qatari. I feel like I am experiencing something so exceptional when I look at these paintings. I LOVE them.

What to do with the ropes? I was slightly relieved the kids didn't join. This corner would have inspired some crazy climbing. Or maybe that was the point...

The majlis (Arabic traditional seating) was in all sorts of unconventional shapes. Axel wasn't sure how to sit on the cushions, but I totally figured it out. You, too, could look this hot.

Box Full of Love

Nothing says love more to an expat family than a package; and Grandma Moore has loved us a whole lot since we moved overseas. I remember during my mission I decided who really loved me by the size of his/her box. It didn't really matter what the box contained, it just mattered that they loved me enough to go to the post office, stand in line, and pay more for the postage than the contents inside. I have done it enough to know that is true love.
Grandma Moore also has a special ability to know exactly what we need. She has sufficiently stocked our 'church bag' full of all sorts of goodies. My kids are so immersed in books and quiet activities on Fridays they aren't the naughtiest kids in the congregation. What a blessing! Where would I ever find 'I Spy a Nephite' in Qatar?

Grandma Moore also sent me a stack of Better Home and Garden Magazines and Pottery Barn Catalogues. Imported magazines at the newsstand in Qatar cost about 15 bucks a pop or more, so for me, it was Christmas all over again. I now have bathroom materials that will last for months. See, true love I tell ya.

Thanks Grandma Moore for everything! We felt your love and deeply miss you!

Extraordinary Ordinary

What I remember about Sri Lanka

I have been in a blogging funk lately. It seems I have no words. By the end of the day, I have none left. Instead, I have been reading a lot. I like other people's words. It takes less work.

As the New Year has started I have become more reflective than usual. I find myself looking backwards, which is rare for me. I am amazed at how quickly time passes. This has been especially true over the past 4 years as we have lived in 3 different countries. Where did the time go? Didn't I just leave Delaware with my two small babies to start my overseas life? It all just melts together: sand dunes, sacred cows, and indoor ski slopes. Where did I see that?

Axel and I were walking through the mall yesterday thinking of our next post. I haven't a clue when that will happen or where we will be going, but it then dawned on me that Qatar will, at some point, become a distant memory. Sadly, it won't be a detailed memory. Instead, it will be simply a flash of eating breakfast in my kitchen, watching my kids play outside on the street, or eating at a Thai restaurant with Axel for date night. The specifics will be blurry even though right now they are vivid and mundane.

The mundane moments are always what parents seem to talk about when their children grow old. It is the scraped knees, the kisses on the forehead, and the laughter outside that parents seem miss. I am trying to relish in those moments and hold them in my heart. (The only memories I am ready to give up are throw up and poopy diapers. Those you can keep.)

The truth is we have lived in this house for only a few short months, and life has become quite ordinary. It doesn't take long for the ordinary to set in, and when it does, it is welcomed. I like the ordinary because I know it is those days that I will reflect upon with fondness. It is watching Sedona run on the trampoline with her little boyfriend Zachie; it is Asa chasing the neighborhood cat across the road; and it is Xavier and Heavah racing to the bathroom right after the bus drops them off from school. Those are the pictures I will take with me to Timbuktu, even if it is just a flash.

Missing Mom and Dad

Mom and Dad at the Pearl (manmade island)

My parents left a few days ago and Axel just boarded a plane for Dubai. The house is silent. Why is it when the house is so noisy with movement and conversation I beg for a chance to hear my own thoughts; then when it finally comes, I am anxious for the bedlam to happen all over again? Being a young mom is full of dissatisfaction.

My mom and dad are truly the best guests in the world. It is always such a pleasure and honor to have them want to come visit a house full of rambunctious kids for an entire month. My house is completely spotless when my dad comes into town. His distain for garbage and misplaced items keeps my house organized and spotless. I don't think a dirty shirt hit the floor before my dad had it washed, dried, and placed back in the closet. I love it that he continually sings around the house. No voice is more soothing to listen to than my father's. He is always playing with the kids and he is never above wrestling or throwing pillows. There are many times when I have to remind the kids that he is their grandfather and not just one big kid.

My mom is always wonderful to have around. She often takes the kids to go for a walk, reads them books, and has an ample supply of kisses and hugs to go around. Even when she was deathly ill during her visit, she loved being around the family. It was a downer to have her be so sick because no one has more life or drive than my mom. She is always game for anything presented before her. The day before my parent's left my mom and I went shopping. It was the first time we explored the shopping scene of Doha. It was like my mom was unleashed into the real world. My mom is an amazing shopper and quite the fashionista. Truth be told, she is more current in her style than I am. I love that we can wear the same clothing and have the same tastes. Who can do that with their mother?

We had grand plans to go to Jordan after Christmas, but the sickness got in the way. When my parents left, it felt like we had unfinished business. Playing is what we do best and once everyone felt like they wanted to throw up, there wasn't much playing going on. Instead, we watched a dumb movie or stared at the World Atlas together. No matter what we did, it was fun because it was with them.

I am thankful for my parent's vitality and ambition. I know it is rare for most people to take their parents (who are in their late 60's I might add) to a restaurant with a bucket of kids, let alone Sri Lanka for 10 days! I am thankful for their love for me and the way they can always go with the flow. It doesn't matter where in the world I live, I know my parents will always come and play. They are the most down-to-earth people and a joy to have around. I know I discuss my appreciation for my parents often, but I never want them to forget how lucky I know I am.

So, for now, I will sit and organize all of my holiday photos. I will try to enjoy the silence, but only if I have a promise that it will return.

Abaya Shopping

My mom has been seeking out some belly dancing scarves ever since she got here. She is dabbling in belly dancing and where else to find some props than in the Middle East? So far, no luck. But we did find a great assortment of abayas. Taking photos in stores in the ME is a big no-no, but I risked it all for these shots. You can thank me later...

Many women in the ME don't wear abayas just for religious reasons. For some, it has become more of a symbol of culture than anything. I have discussed the abaya with many local UAE women and several of them say it is not something their husbands want them to wear. Instead, they admit, it is more of an opportunity to hide the fact that they didn't change out of their pajamas before they came to pick up their daughter from school. I am ready to convert.

Another interesting thing is most women are not nearly as modestly dressed underneath as one would expect. When I attended an 'All Women' fashion show at my daughter's school a few years back, once the men left the room, the attendees were dressed in these dresses:

I was amazed at how 'covered up' I seemed. It was their opportunity to shine, and boy did they shine.

No abayas were purchased today. If you want a nice one expect to pay around $200 bucks. Seems like a lot for a black sheet. But to tactfully get away with wearing PJs all day, is any price too high?