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….

I'm Just Trying to Graduate

Tomorrow I get to see Bill Clinton. What a great week this will be. The weekend was enchanting. Thursday, I went to Cirque de Soir and loved it.  It was very exotic. There were acrobats, dwarfs, fire-breathers, and etc. They performed not only on stage, but all over the club. There was an act at each table.  It was more like a lounge though. There were so many things going on that it was hard to dance in that environment, so we went to People, our favorite club!

Friday we went to Sahn Eddar at Burj al Arab, and had the Violin Classic. While we ate the delectable international cuisine, a string triplet complimented our dinner with extraordinary music. They even played Anastasia. Afterwards, I got a picture with the violinist. Oh, how I love vibrato!

When we got back, we were invited to go to the dessert. Now, this is what I came to Dubai for! We camped out with experienced campers, and had a wonderful experience. We ate burgers, smoked sheesha, and talked about religion and culture. Since our friends our Arabs, our ideas often clash, especially when it comes to our ideas about marriage and independence. It was a good discussion, and I often learn a lot when we talk about such things.

Saturday we got home in the evening. That dessert heat kicked my butt! I was too tired to go to Burj Khalifa (building Tom Cruise climbed in new MI), but I couldn’t cancel. We had booked tickets online to visit Burj Khalifa earlier that week, and they do not allow cancellations. The place is called At the Top. Interesting title for a place that isn’t at the top.

It was nice though. I tried to take photos of my friend with her fancy camera, but they came out like crap. I felt so bad because she’s taken so many good pictures of me, and I cant take one decent one of her. I love you Cali girl!

Today I had a quiz in Islamic Art and Architecture, and I did quite well. I told you I failed the first exam, so this is the class that may hold me back from graduation. The exam is on Thursday. I will study my arse off.

Bill Clinton is Coming!!!

Congratulations to me for finishing my LAST COLLEGE ESSAY! It was on Jumeirah Mosque and it was for my Islamic Architecture class. I hope I got an A on it, because I sure need it! I also Aced my Arabic quiz, after missing a week of class. Booyaa!

This week is pretty busy. Monday, we went to the Marina Walk to eat and smoke sheesha. We were going to go out last night, but my 1^st Cali friend had an assignment due at 12am.

Today I found out that Bill Clinton is coming next week to meet us!!!! So now, not only do I have to prepare for my interview tomorrow, but I really need to start studying for two of my exams that will have to be moved because of his visit.

AUD Fall 2011 Visiting Students

We’re trying to squeeze in as many things as possible since we’re leaving, but it’s kind of hard because of exams. We’ve booked our tickets for the top of Burj Khalifa on Saturday, so that’s definite, and we’ll visit Armani(in Burj Khalifa) after that. We also plan on visiting Burj al Arab, Cirque de Soir, and Global Village (again).

I just hope I find a job here. There’s so many things I didn’t get to do. I want to go to Ferrari World!

National Day! HOORAA!!

Since I missed so many days of school, my homework is really starting to pile up. I now have a makeup quiz and an essay due on Sunday. AHHHH!! I stayed home Friday night to make sure I could work all day today.

Tuesday, I had an interview at DIFC at 10 am. I went to sleep at 1am, and woke up at 7. I planned on going to my classes, but since I was still sick, I just went back to sleep. I did end of playing football by the end of the day, so obviously I was feeling much better (Im still sore!).

Wednesday, my 1^st Cali friend and I had lunch with an alumnus from her school. He works/lives in Media City and he has travelled to multiple countries in the Middle East to learn about the culture and the language. His work will be featured on Nat Geo.

His office had a celebration on Thursday, which was National Day (it’s like The Fourth of July), and they went to places such as The Atlantis and Cavalli. Since we still haven’t been to Cavalli, we said we might swing through.

After lunch, I went to the mall with Jamaila(sumo-wrestler) and then to class. I haven’t been to that class in so long. When I arrived the teacher cancelled it because he figured students weren’t going to come due to National Day.  YAY!! So me and Jamaila sat and chilled and caught up with each other since I haven’t been to any of my classes in a week.

Cirque de Soir

Afterwards, my 1^st Cali friend and I went to JBR for dinner. We met some cool people at  a Café next to Burger Fuel (our usual joint).  Our plan was to check out the new club, Cirque de Soir, but it was closed. Cavalli is located in the same hotel, but it wasn’t free that night so we left and went to Elegante. I loved it there. I was fond of the music, the dancing and the people. I will definitely become a regular (if I stay).

Thursday we were off school for National Day. Traffic was horrible! We met with a UC Almunus at a restaurant called Caramel in DIFC. The food was good, but it was so dark in there I could barely see my menu!

Afterwards, we went to Barasti, a beach club near Dubai Marina. Barasti was nice as well. We ended up staying there and not visiting the other alumni at Cavalli, because we just figured our visit to Cavalli is not meant to be.

Friday, we went to Global Village. I loved it! It was like a cross between King’s Island,  a carnival, and “It’s a Small World” at Disney World. I got some Belgian waffles, and got on the crazy sling-shot ride. All in all, it was a great week, and I can’t wait to go to Cirque de Soir!