XYZ is for...X-ceptional, Yas Island, and Zip

X-ceptional


I must say, overall, I'm impressed with Abu Dhabi...the whole country of UAE, actually. They're dreaming big with how they see their country in the future. I say there's nothing wrong with dreaming big. I know the country has issues, but what country doesn't? And it's a fairly new country - they just had their 40th birthday in December - so they're going to make mistakes. Lots of them. I'm willing to bet the US made lots of mistakes in its infancy (slavery being one of them). Heck, the US is still making mistakes and it's over 200 years old! I'm not excusing some of the behavior (like the sense of entitlement that so many people have here), I'm just saying I'm not surprised. 


I like Abu Dhabi. I like living here. I like the things I've been able to do. I like my journey. In case you hadn't noticed, this journey is so much more than just my working here. It's about growth and boy have I grown. I'm still growing. I've experienced a few challenges here and there, but overall, I'd say Abu Dhabi is an x-ceptional place to live!


Yas Island


Speaking of x-ceptional places, I can't talk about Abu Dhabi without mentioning Yas Island, a man-made island in Abu Dhabi. It's not totally developed yet, but what they have so far is amazing. Yas Island is home to several hotels, including the gorgeous 5-star Yas Hotel. It's also home to the Yas Island Circuit, where the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is held, and Yas Arena, where many of the concerts are held. I had the privilege of seeing both Janet Jackson and Sade perform last fall at the Yas Arena. Both ladies were not only gorgeous, but their concerts were awesome. Guess what else is on Yas Island? FERRARI WORLD! Ferrari World is a theme park where the world's fastest roller coaster is at. I haven't been to Ferrari World, yet, but I do plan on going. Especially since I love roller coasters. I mean come on. The world's fastest roller coaster practically in my backyard? Too cool to pass up! Eventually, they plan to add more to Yas Island, including a Warner Bros Theme Park.

Photo courtesy of YasIsland.eu

This is a computerized image from thecoolist.com, but it really does look like this.

Formula Rossa, the world's fastest roller coaster. Photo courtesy of travel-loc.com

Zip


A word of caution. If you ever plan to visit or live in Abu Dhabi, make sure you are careful not to say "zip". This seemingly harmless English word means "penis" or a more crude word for the male anatomy, if you know what I mean. Thankfully, someone told me this before I used this word at school, but other teachers have had to learn the hard way. Telling the children to "zip your lips" will certainly cause a round of giggles.


And now for some Arabic vocabulary...


yellow - asfar
you - inta (male); inti (female)

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W is for...Where Has The Time Gone?

I can't believe I've been here almost nine months already! Time sure does fly. The question that has been going around is: "If you knew then what you know now, would you have signed the contract?" My answer? Probably not. My first thought was I wish I'd known the whole truth about the struggles we'd face here. But then, I think, nah. I'm glad I wasn't told. Where I was mentally and spiritually a year ago, I wouldn't have signed up for more struggles. I was already struggling. God knew what He was doing. He knew I'd chicken out and not go.

I do not regret my move. I'm taking it all in, the good with the bad. I'm at a wonderful place in my life. Everything that has happened while here in Abu Dhabi is contributing to God's molding and transforming me. I'm not the same person I was a year ago. I'm better. Stronger. I've stepped out of my comfort zone and survived! Being outside of my zone isn't as bad as I thought. It's actually exhilarating. 


Nine months. Wow. I'm so looking forward to whatever these next 15 months will hold for me.

And now for some Arabic vocabulary...

wahed - one

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U/V is for...Ultimate Vacation

Yes, I'm cheating. This week has been draining, I had no energy to blog, and now I'm behind. To catch up, I'm putting a few letters together. Mafi mushkila, right? BTW, "mafi mushkila" means "no problem" in Arabic.


On to my post...


This past spring break, I was blessed to be able to visit one of the top countries on my "must visit" list: Morocco. As you can tell from my M post that I LOVED Morocco. But, as much as I loved it, Morocco is not my top place. No, my loves. That honor is held by Puerto Rico. I've never been, so I can't explain why it has such a hold on me. I just know I've always wanted to go since high school. 


My original introduction to Puerto Rico happened during my Senior year of high school. Was it through pictures? No. Was it through history? No. It was through a gorgeous Puerto Rican boy. I can't remember where I met him. I don't even remember his name. All I remember is that fact that he was FINE. Man, that boy was gorgeous! Then along came celebrities like Jon Seda, Ricky Martin (as an adult), and eventually, my crush, Adam Rodriguez, and like that, I knew I had to go to Puerto Rico. So yes. I admit it. I originally wanted to go cos of the gorgeous Puerto Rican men. But eventually, I looked up pics of PR and became even more determined. I mean, come on. You can't tell me this is not beautiful.

Photo courtesy Puerto Rico Vacation Rentals

Or this...

Photo courtesy San Juan Vacations

Paradise, no?


So, you're probably wondering what does this have to do with Abu Dhabi? Well, it's cos of my job here in Abu Dhabi and the good money it pays, that I can finally say after 18 years (Eep! I've been out of high school that long?) I AM GOING TO PUERTO RICO! Yep. That's right. This August, I will spend a blessed week - or week and a half - on the beautiful beaches of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Resting, relaxing, flirting, dancing, enjoying the wonderful view of gorgeous Puerto Rican men beaches, surrounded by beautiful cabana boys water, listening to the soothing sounds of sexy men telling me how beautiful I am and how much they love me the waves crashing. Heehee. This, my friends, is my ultimate vacation!


And now for some Arabic vocabulary...
up: foak (fōk)
vegetables: khudra (khoodra...kh sound from the throat, as if you were about to spit)

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T is for...Traditional Wear

Men: The men's traditional clothing is known as the kandora, which looks kind of like a robe...or a man-dress. I've seen white, dark blue, tan, and black kandoras, but most of the men wear white. Now, I must say, I've never thought I'd find any man in a "dress" attractive, but I've seen some attractive men in kandoras here. Along with the kandora is the traditional headdress, keffiyeh. I've seen red/white as well as white with a black chord around it.

Yes, my dears. This is Snoop Dogg in a kandora. He came here to perform last May.

Women: Women wear abayas. Abaya means "black dress" which is exactly what it is. Sure, the abayas would have fancy decorations on it, but the dress itself is black. The headdress for women is called a shayla. Some women cover only their hair, while others cover all their face except the eyes. Still, others cover the entire face. I own three abayas: two that open in the front and one that I'd have to put on over my head. I only wear them to work. I love wearing the one I'd have to put over my head because it doesn't require me to dress up under it. I only wear yoga pants and a tank top with flip flops under it. Thanks to my being vertically challenged (aka, short), my abayas are so long, you wouldn't be able to see what kind of shoes I'd wear. We don't wear the shayla, because, from what I'm told, you only wear it if you're Muslim.

These women only leave their eyes uncovered.

And now for some Arabic vocabulary...


Ta'ala (male); Ta'alay (female) - Come with me.
thalatha - three
thamania - eight
tis'a - nine

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S is for...Skype and Salsa

Thank God for Skype! I don't think I would've been able to live so far away from my family without being able to see them. It's so awesome how I can talk to my family and friends on the computer, while being on opposite sides of the world. I won't be surprised if, sometime in the future, we'll be skyping with holographic images of our loved ones. It will be them, but...not.

I've been taking Salsa classes since November. Yes, I know. Salsa dancing in a Middle Eastern country? But they do have Salsa nights. I've always loved to dance and was excited when I found out that a fellow teacher offered classes. The moves are getting more difficult now that I'm in the advanced class. I'm still not quite confident in my abilities, but I'll get there. I'd promised my little sister that I'd work on my salsa so, when I go back to the States, I'd go with her to Salsa clubs. My sister? Oh, she's a Salsa queen. I want to be like her when I grow up. Heehee.


And now for some Arabic vocabulary...


shokran (shoo - krahn) - thank you
sitta - six
sab'aa - seven

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R is for...Religion

Religion is a big thing here. The official religion practiced in the UAE is Islam, but thankfully, they practice freedom of religion. That was one of the first things I checked on when the opportunity to teach in Abu Dhabi came up. I wanted to be able to practice my faith freely, without having to look over my back. Abu Dhabi is full of churches, mosques, cathedrals, synagogues, etc. The thing the country asks of non-Muslim expats is for us not to proselytize, or try to convert others to their religion.


Emiratis themselves are very spiritual. I may not practice their religion, but I do admire their faithfulness. Five times a day, a call to prayer is heard throughout the city. They have prayer rooms in the schools, malls, and even some restaurants. In school, students are taught about Islam and the Qur'an. I'm always hearing them say Insha'Allah (Allah willing), or Alhamdulillah (Praise to God). Here is a picture of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the largest mosque in the UAE and the 3rd largest in the world.

It's a gorgeous building, inside and out!

My coworkers do not practice my religion (Christianity) but they admire me for believing in a higher being. They respect me and love that I'm faithful to God. I do not plan on converting to Islam. Ever. But the faithfulness of the Emiratis to Allah inspire me to be just as faithful, if not more, to God and Jesus Christ.


And now for some Arabic vocabulary...


Ramadan Mobarak - Happy Ramadan (Islamic month of fasting)

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Q is for...Quite An Experience

Despite the challenges I've faced while here in Abu Dhabi, I must admit: I'm totally enjoying myself. I've been doing things I haven't been able to do back home. I'm living out of my comfort zone and I'm loving it. For me, the good outweighs the bad. I would've have never dreamed I'd be here, thousands of miles away from my family, enjoying myself, living life to the fullest.


So far I've...

• Met some awesome people
• Attended a Janet Jackson concert...stood right by the stage!
• Attended a SADE concert...all who knows me know I love me some Sade
• Gone on a desert safari
• Ridden on a camel
• Camped out in the desert
• Visited Morocco, one of the top countries on my "Most Visit" list
• Moved into a high-rise apartment
• Stayed several 5-star hotels
• Visited the tallest building in the world
• Held a snake without passing out
• Ate at restaurants located in 5 (or more) star hotels
• Swam in the beautiful waters of the Persian Gulf 
• Learned more about myself
• Learned more about God

And this is all in eight months. I so can't wait to see what God's got in store for me in the next 15 months. I don't know just yet if I'm going to renew my contract after my two years is over July 2013. Whether I do or not, when I go back home to the States, I'd be able to honestly say I've had quite an experience in Abu Dhabi!


And now for some Arabic vocabulary...


Qur'an - religious text of Islam

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