Mini-Vacation

Sorry for taking so long to post this! I haven't been in the writing mood lately, unless it's in the form of Facebook statuses :-|.

Ah, where to begin. Things were so different this time. Everyone is now a grown-up. Which means they can't go clubbing every night.  In the olden days this was acceptable because they had a late class the next day (or they don't plan on going). Adult life. Sigh...

First meal in Dubai!
Shawerma and Salad

I was so excited when I got there. It felt surreal. I had been waiting to come back for so long, that I felt like I was dreaming, even after I got off the plane. It didn't feel real until I got to my Cali girl's place in the marina. She had dinner ready for me and it was so very tasty! After coming home to a meal like that, I didn't want to come back to the States.

My second day was odd. I went to AUD to use the internet because I blew my friend's fuse. I have a business now and I really had to access my email. Anywho, I went to AUD, went to the library and the I went to the career fair. My friend had a booth there so I stopped by to say Hi. 

After that, I went to dinner Zatar Wa Zeit at Jumeriah Beach Residence with my Emirati friend. I had this chicken dish that I always get. We had a really good conversation. I love talking to people. I like hearing their perspectives on certain issues. I think this should be my career: talking to people.

Sheeshaing at Reem al Bawadi

After dinner I went back home, I think.Then I went to Radison Blu right across from AUD to meet with a Clinton Scholar that I had met over Facebook. She asked me about applying to AUD in September and ended up getting the scholarship! I met her at Raddy, along with all the other study abroads. It was nice to see what a family the current study abroads had become.

I am trying to stick to my timeline as much as possible, but if there are errors, forgive me.

I went to a fashion show at Armani one night, and I had fun (my first fashion show), but all the clothes looked  like pajamas. We were going to go to a club afterwards, but I wasn't dressed slutty enough and I had on flats so I couldn't get into the club that my friend wanted to go to. We ended up going Barasti were I finally tried sheesha! Yes, that's right. I am officially a sheesha-head. I smoked everyday for the rest of my trip. I tried as many flavors as I could, but still have about a half a dozen left. My favorite flavor is orange!

I went to a villa party at Palm Jumeirah one night and it was live! We had sheesha, drinks and music. I actually had more fun there than I had at XL Club's two-year anniversary later on that night. I wasn't feeling the music so I ended up going home "early."

The wrap I bought to gain admission into global  village

The next night, I tried to go out, but it didn't happen. The night after that, I went to People, my favorite club in Dubai, but I ended up not being able to get in because I didn't have a table (ugh).

The next day, I went to the beach. I love the beach! If they had a real beach in Cincinnati, I could just stay here. Anyway, I was there for a couple of hours, and had some snacks. It was great. The only problem was getting a cab back home. I waited about 30 minutes, and then I still had to take a private cab to get home. It was soooo hot! My delicate Northern skin couldn't take it. Thank god for air conditioning!

Later on, we went to Global Village and I almost couldn't get in because my dress was too short. I had fun
though. I went the last time I was there, but this time I was with a local and I ended up trying more new things.

My only meal from Burger Fuel

After that, we did sheesha at Iran Zamin for a couple of hours. Then I set out to a club called Zinc. It was amazing!!! It was a hole in the wall club (haha) with the type of music I like listening to and the people there were actually dancing/had dancing abilities. I loved it!

I think the biggest difference with my trip is that my other Cali girl wasn't there. I had no one to car watch at JBR with me. No one to make me go to Burger Fuel. It was very different without her. All in all, I had a good trip, tried a lot of new things and am very grateful to have been to Dubai twice, when many Americans never leave the country.

Right now, I am back to work and adjusting to "normal life" has been difficult, but those in Cincinnati that I love have made my transition easier. I like my life right now and I know my future is bright!

I'm going back!

I'm writing this from my cell phone. See how technology savvy I am? I'm going back to Dubai SOON and I can't wait! I'll have more pics this time!

Texan in Cincinnati

Check out my new blog!

Post-graduation. I’m happy……sort of.

 Toni (Cincinnati girl) and & I at Club Lunar in January

So what have I been up to? Let’s see…. I shaved more than half my hair off, I’ve been spending time with family and friends, and…..I FOUND A JOB!!!! I started working for the State of Ohio mid-February, as an auditor. I had my first interview in Columbus in August before I left. I called them when I returned, and they interviewed me again in January.

I really like it here. Working for the government has its perks (no, not $800,000 parties in Vegas). Unlike some of my fellow alumni who are killing themselves working 55-70 hours a week during busy season, I am restricted to working 40 hours a week, with flex-time. It’s a nice work-life balance. Yes, I do make less than corporate or public accountants, but I think it’s worth it.

I also get to explore the surrounding areas. I audit local government agencies in Butler and Hamilton Counties. I’ve been going to places I’ve never even heard of. So far, my clients have been nice. I really can’t complain.

Due to studying for the CPA Exam, I do not have a life. I am even more restricted than I was before I graduated. From work, I go straight to the gym and straight to the library (or home; I hate the library). I am studying with Becker’s review course. Becker recommends studying 26-30 hours a week. This requires staying home on the weekends. I have so much more energy then, which makes it easier to study.



Kapppa boat party in May-my last outing until Halloween



It’s really hard to say no to people when they ask me to do fun things L. I am so stressed because the pass rate for all four parts of the exam is less than 50%. I cannot afford to fail. Failing would mean that I not only wasted my time, but also my money (on exam fees). So I am forced to stay in seclusion until the end of October (hopefully I’ll pass them all by then).

Enough boring accounting talk! I’m moving out in 35 days! YAY!!!!!!! OMG, I’m so HAPPY! I’m moving to a city called Springdale, Ohio. It’s about 15 minutes from where I live now. I’ve been looking for an apartment since March. I feel a lot better now that I’ve signed my lease. It’s like a weight was lifted off my shoulders.

I’ve decided to attend my graduation. I will be attending the Tyehimba graduation on June 8^th. I cannot wait! Maybe I’ll post some pictures later.

I still talk to my Cali girls. One is in Paris, studying abroad. The other is back in LA(Congratulations and happy b-day!). Could they be any further from meL? We communicate sporadically. Every time I get a message or email from them, it brightens up my day. I remember the times that we once shared, the adventures, and the dreams. The Parisian (haha) made a video of our Dubai adventures. It is a keepsake that I will cherish forever. Thanks Miss Butterfly!

I’m at the beginning of my career and the beginning of my life. The possibilities are endless. After meeting Former President Clinton, I really feel like I can do anything. Certain issues have come to light, thanks to the Parisian, and I will work hard to not only better myself, but to also make a positive change in my community, wherever that may be (hopefully Miami). One of my biggest goals right now is to meet President Obama. I do not have any idea how I’m going to do this, but I have a dream….

Obviously, if you think you can do it, who’s to tell you, you can't. – Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr.

P.S. My short-term goals are learning how to play a second instrument (piano or harp) & learning a second language (Arabic, duh!).

Dubai, The Place Where People Always Say Goodbye

I’ve been a very busy-body. Since missing my flight Sunday night I have went to Oman, spent the day in Abu Dhabi, and went out on Tuesday (ladies night) for the first time ever!

My parents were very worried when I missed my flight and wanted me to book my flight for the next day. To save money, I just booked it on the 24^th. Then I went to the visa officer and he told me I had to leave the country by the 21^st or I’d have to pay a 7000AED fine (about $2000). So I decided to take a quick trip to Muscat, Oman at 3 a.m. on the 20^th.

I got back to the dorm around 7:30am, and had to wake up at 10:30 to go to Abu Dhabi. My 1^st Cali friend was taking the GRE at 1p.m. (1.5 hour drive) so we planned on leaving at 11. Our ride didn’t show up until 12:00!!! This is the only time in Dubai that I condoned speeding.

Our friend is an experienced driver via driving in the desert. He weaved in and out of lanes, like we were in a movie. Other times he just made people in front of us move by blinking his lights. It was crazy! She got there at 1:15, but they still let her in. Hallelujah!

The exam takes five hours, so we spent the day in Abu Dhabi while we waited for her. We even visited The Palace. There’s a museum there that talked about Sheik Khalid, and I learned a lot. There are a lot of interesting new things planned for Dubai and Abu Dhabi….

Last night, we finally got to visit Cavalli! It was overrated. It was so crowded and I wasn’t feeling the music. Afterwards, there was an interesting after party. I didn’t go to sleep until 6:30.

I am at the airport now and am so tired. I have a 14.5-hour flight, and a 6-hour layover in DC. Although my parents are super worried, and I feel bad for not coming home earlier, I am glad I got to properly say goodbye to my friends.

As you know, Dubai is a place filled with expats. They do not offer retirement packages, and you have to live here 25 years to apply for citizenship, and it is not guaranteed. For this reason, people come and go frequently. If you stay in Dubai, you have to get used to saying goodbye to good friends.

The day I was supposed to leave, my two Cali friends cried when I left and asked me to stay. I didn't want to go and I felt like I was leaving too early. When I missed my flight, I felt sooooo bad. I knew my parents were going to kill me. But on the bright side, I got to spend so much more time with them and create even more memories. These two women have touched my life in more ways than they could ever know. It was these two that made Dubai so exciting.

I love you Cali girls! 

I’m Still in Dubai!

I was hoping to put the picture taken of us with President Clinton up on this post, but I still haven’t received it L. Since I was leaving on the 19^th, this post was supposed to be about how Dubai is a place where you will always say goodbye to good friends. Instead, this post will be about how I missed my flight on the 19^th, and will instead be leaving on the 24^th.

First of all, let me start off by saying that I had a blast last weekend! Thursday I took my last two exams, and I was ready to celebrate. We went to Barasti, and decided to visit Sublime for the first time. Sublime was awesome. Why didn’t we go there before?!

The next two days, I took it easy. I chilled with some friends before leaving, and made sure I didn’t go out Saturday night since I had an interview on Sunday. Did it occur to me that I shouldn’t have made that interview on the same day that I was leaving? Yes it did, but I had an exam every day that week, spent one night visiting President Clinton, and also had another interview that I had squeeze in on Thursday evening. So basically, the only day that was feasible for me to interview was Sunday.

On the bright side, the interview went well. I just didn’t prepare for my departure like I should have. This is my first time flying out of the country, and flying can be confusing. When I left Cincinnati for Dubai, I had maps printed out of Dulles airport and Dubai airport. I checked my ticket and the maps a thousand times, to make sure that I’d be at the right place at the right time.

This time was a different story. I was running around all day interviewing, getting souvenirs, and etc. I didn’t finish packing until around 9pm, and I didn’t look at my ticket until I got into the taxi. Then I left for the airport at 10:30, because my farewell took longer than expected. It’s so hard to say goodbye L. My flight was at 12:50 am and by the time I got to the front of THE WRONG LINE the gate was closed.

Needless to say, I have learned my lesson, and I will never ever ever miss a plane again. I’m glad I got to stay though….

He Shook My Hand!!

As I’ve told you previously, I have received the Clinton Scholarship to study at AUD. Clinton Scholars receive:
• A full waiver of tuition for one term;
• Dormitory housing at the American University in Dubai on a shared-room basis.

If it wasn’t for this scholarship, I would not be here right now.

President Clinton makes sure that he sees his Scholars whenever he visits Dubai. During this visit, he made a speech at the Varkey Gems Foundation Fundraiser. An article about the fundraiser can be found here.

It was so cool to meet him! Even being in the same room as a Former President is cool. He shook my hand, and asked us how we liked Dubai. Then he took a picture with us (to be uploaded soon). I love Dubai. Dubai is the place where all my dreams come true….