The Adjustment Phase
I am slowly emerging from my autopilot phase. I was in this space where too much was going on at once, and not enough information was provided. Knowing my personality--having to be in control, and just KNOWING-- I was well on my way to a serious meltdown (I did have two mini meltdowns) since there were so many things out of my control, and the things I could, I just couldn't get a handle on.
I just want to say that the utensils were rarely used. We were tasting our wine, and mine tasted like a red wine (which I'm not too fond of), I had my friends try it (imagine trying to pass a glass in pitch-black darkness), and they thought the same, so now we're trading glasses around the table (in the dark of course) tasting one another's wine and all agreeing that mine tasted different. At the end of the night we find out we were all drinking white wine! The SAME white wine!
Of course I shopped a bit. I found this awesome popcorn store in called POParazzi's in Ibn Battuta Mall (which is an amazing mall/museum). If you know me, back in Alabama, I went to Popcorn Pizzazz every week for kettle corn! Since I am in a new country, I did something new: kettle corn (of course) mixed with red velvet...DELICIOUSNESS in a bag!
While in Dubai, I was able to spend some time with a friend from middle school, who was there on vacation! We attempted to go to the Burj Khalifa (which was unsuccessful), and ended up catching two water shows at the Mall of Emirates.
More food! We dined at this restaurant called Cravin Cajun... The chicken and waffles came highly recommended, and it was good!
PayDay!! What a beautiful moment to be on break, and hear that text message sound. To open the message and see 6.5 weeks of pay waiting for you...Mashallah (God has willed it)! I immediately transferred the bulk of it stateside, paid bills, then I began my shopping! At the time I still hadn't received my furnishing allowance, but since a really reputable furniture store was having a sale, I couldn't miss it. I went online and ordered my furniture.
I've been spending the last three weekends in AD City...I'm almost tired of going (almost). I'm just excited to see my place finally coming together. Some of us have moved out of the hotel voluntarily and some involuntarily (check out date has come around). Even though my place is livable, I will continue to enjoy these three free square meals, until they tell me I must depart the place I have affectionately called home for the last 8 weeks.
Two weeks ago, while in the city, we patronized Asia de Cuba for drinks and a light meal before we went to a cute little travelling house party. The party started in one person's apartment on a higher floor, and made its way down through the building to another's place. It was cool to meet other people that are not from your realm (education) and have regular discussions...in complete sentences! The next morning we hit Yas Mall and Ikea HARD! We shopped from 10a-10p with an hour break in between for lunch at Texas Roadhouse. We ended the trip with a stop for spirits!
We decided to split a taxi back instead of the bus...yea the family taxi was on overload. We would definitely not have made the bus back to the West! This is the family taxi that seats like seven people...there were three of us and just household stuff! The next weekend looked just like this!
Last weekend, we did an eight hour shift in Dalma Mall. No trip goes without a story! Our taxi driver was a woman (very rare to see). She is new to the country (like 5 months here, new). She didn't know where she was going, we did (as we've made this trek a bajillion times already). To ensure we navigated our way onto the highway correctly, I turned on my Google Maps. GM said, hey, there's congestion the normal way, so I will take you the back way to avoid, which is faster. But GM didn't know the back way had closed roads! LOL It took an extra 10 minutes to get onto the expressway! Now we're riding all good, no problem. The taxi driver then says, "Is there a gas station coming up?" Excuse me miss, what?! I peer over and she's at an eighth tank of gas! The next gas station is like forever away! We're riding on a hope and a prayer! We come up on the bridge and get excited because we know just on the other side is a gas station! Ha! There's much construction going on and now the entrance to the gas station is blocked off, we were supposed to get off at the last exit and take this new road they put there (it wasn't like this last week!).
The next gas station is right outside of town....65km away! We're ON E. Ok, I won't kill you with the theatrics, but know we almost didn't make it!
This weekend is a three-day weekend for Al Hijra (Islamic New Year). I am trying my hardest not to go to the city...I'm waiting on my last few deliveries and my apartment will be complete! But of course there are little things I still need/want like wall art, and trinkets to place around for décor. Khalas! I'm ready to just...do nothing!
How I coped:
A weekend in Dubai! So I took the five (yes, five) hour trip to Dubai for a three day weekend. The city almost made me feel at home with the Metro transit system (except much cleaner and easier to navigate than NYC Transit Authority). The main reason for the trip was to go to Noire at the Fairmont Dubai for Dinner in the Dark. It was an AWE-some experience I'd recommend for everyone. It starts with drinks poolside on a terrace. Then they herd you all together by the bar and explain how the night will continue. Your party is led into this dark room, one hand on the other's shoulder, by your server who is wearing night vision goggles. He takes you one at a time to the table lets you feel around, and explains where all your silverware (no knives of course), and glassware are located. It was uncomfortable at first, at least for me, to know my eyes are wide open (well as wide as they ever go), and I could not see anything. My other senses were in overdrive!
I just want to say that the utensils were rarely used. We were tasting our wine, and mine tasted like a red wine (which I'm not too fond of), I had my friends try it (imagine trying to pass a glass in pitch-black darkness), and they thought the same, so now we're trading glasses around the table (in the dark of course) tasting one another's wine and all agreeing that mine tasted different. At the end of the night we find out we were all drinking white wine! The SAME white wine!
Of course I shopped a bit. I found this awesome popcorn store in called POParazzi's in Ibn Battuta Mall (which is an amazing mall/museum). If you know me, back in Alabama, I went to Popcorn Pizzazz every week for kettle corn! Since I am in a new country, I did something new: kettle corn (of course) mixed with red velvet...DELICIOUSNESS in a bag!
While in Dubai, I was able to spend some time with a friend from middle school, who was there on vacation! We attempted to go to the Burj Khalifa (which was unsuccessful), and ended up catching two water shows at the Mall of Emirates.
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| Captured this pic while waiting for the second water show at Mall of Emirates |
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| Of Course there was some shisha while there! |
PayDay!! What a beautiful moment to be on break, and hear that text message sound. To open the message and see 6.5 weeks of pay waiting for you...Mashallah (God has willed it)! I immediately transferred the bulk of it stateside, paid bills, then I began my shopping! At the time I still hadn't received my furnishing allowance, but since a really reputable furniture store was having a sale, I couldn't miss it. I went online and ordered my furniture.
I've been spending the last three weekends in AD City...I'm almost tired of going (almost). I'm just excited to see my place finally coming together. Some of us have moved out of the hotel voluntarily and some involuntarily (check out date has come around). Even though my place is livable, I will continue to enjoy these three free square meals, until they tell me I must depart the place I have affectionately called home for the last 8 weeks.
Two weeks ago, while in the city, we patronized Asia de Cuba for drinks and a light meal before we went to a cute little travelling house party. The party started in one person's apartment on a higher floor, and made its way down through the building to another's place. It was cool to meet other people that are not from your realm (education) and have regular discussions...in complete sentences! The next morning we hit Yas Mall and Ikea HARD! We shopped from 10a-10p with an hour break in between for lunch at Texas Roadhouse. We ended the trip with a stop for spirits!
We decided to split a taxi back instead of the bus...yea the family taxi was on overload. We would definitely not have made the bus back to the West! This is the family taxi that seats like seven people...there were three of us and just household stuff! The next weekend looked just like this!
Last weekend, we did an eight hour shift in Dalma Mall. No trip goes without a story! Our taxi driver was a woman (very rare to see). She is new to the country (like 5 months here, new). She didn't know where she was going, we did (as we've made this trek a bajillion times already). To ensure we navigated our way onto the highway correctly, I turned on my Google Maps. GM said, hey, there's congestion the normal way, so I will take you the back way to avoid, which is faster. But GM didn't know the back way had closed roads! LOL It took an extra 10 minutes to get onto the expressway! Now we're riding all good, no problem. The taxi driver then says, "Is there a gas station coming up?" Excuse me miss, what?! I peer over and she's at an eighth tank of gas! The next gas station is like forever away! We're riding on a hope and a prayer! We come up on the bridge and get excited because we know just on the other side is a gas station! Ha! There's much construction going on and now the entrance to the gas station is blocked off, we were supposed to get off at the last exit and take this new road they put there (it wasn't like this last week!).
The next gas station is right outside of town....65km away! We're ON E. Ok, I won't kill you with the theatrics, but know we almost didn't make it!
This weekend is a three-day weekend for Al Hijra (Islamic New Year). I am trying my hardest not to go to the city...I'm waiting on my last few deliveries and my apartment will be complete! But of course there are little things I still need/want like wall art, and trinkets to place around for décor. Khalas! I'm ready to just...do nothing!
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