tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15709690363889028152024-02-07T07:44:28.847+04:00Texan in DubaiA simple blog that describes the experiences of an American studying abroad in Dubai.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570969036388902815.post-77771973376801795452013-04-21T14:19:00.003+04:002013-04-21T14:23:34.684+04:00Mini-VacationSorry 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 :-|.<br />
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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...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First meal in Dubai!<br />
Shawerma and Salad</td></tr>
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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.</div>
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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. </div>
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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.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheeshaing at Reem al Bawadi</td></tr>
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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.<br />
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I am trying to stick to my timeline as much as possible, but if there are errors, forgive me.<br />
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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!<br />
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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."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wrap I bought to gain admission into global village</td></tr>
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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).<br />
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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!<br />
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Later on, we went to Global Village and I almost couldn't get in because my dress was too short. I had fun <br />
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.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My only meal from Burger Fuel</td></tr>
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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!<br />
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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.<br />
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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!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570969036388902815.post-28775494837198275702013-03-13T15:12:00.001+04:002013-03-13T15:12:26.559+04:00I'm going back!<p>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!</p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570969036388902815.post-26068991427278167452013-01-06T02:38:00.000+04:002013-01-06T02:38:04.110+04:00Texan in CincinnatiCheck out my new <a href="http://texainincincinnati.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a>!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570969036388902815.post-43667790431781144402012-05-26T14:52:00.001+04:002012-05-26T14:55:56.642+04:00Post-graduation. I’m happy……sort of.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Toni (Cincinnati girl) and & I at Club Lunar in January</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">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.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kapppa boat party in May-my last outing until Halloween</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It’s really hard to say no to people when they ask me to do fun things </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">. 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).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">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. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">I’ve decided to attend my graduation. I will be attending the Tyehimba graduation on June 8<sup>th</sup>. I cannot wait! Maybe I’ll post some pictures later.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">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 me</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">? 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!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">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….</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Obviously, if <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">you</span> think <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">you</span> can do it, who’s to <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">tell you</span>, <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">you can't<b>. – </b>Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">P.S. My short-term goals are learning how to play a second instrument (piano or harp) & learning a second language (Arabic, duh!).</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570969036388902815.post-14864034082729655392011-12-23T23:31:00.004+04:002012-01-10T19:32:15.871+04:00Dubai, The Place Where People Always Say Goodbye<script type="text/javascript"> id=78944; t=2; </script><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">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! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">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<sup>th</sup>. Then I went to the visa officer and he told me I had to leave the country by the 21<sup>st</sup> 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<sup>th</sup>.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I got back to the dorm around 7:30am, and had to wake up at 10:30 to go to Abu Dhabi. My 1<sup>st</sup> 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. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">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!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The exam takes five hours, so we spent the day in Abu Dhabi while we waited for her. We even visited <a href="http://www.kempinski.com/en/abudhabi/Pages/Welcome.aspx" target="_blank">The Palace</a>. 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….<o:p></o:p><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fTsBPoZFg_E/TvmmBuOJTfI/AAAAAAAAAVc/99ELnRZ3vno/s1600/2011-12-20_14-15-47_348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fTsBPoZFg_E/TvmmBuOJTfI/AAAAAAAAAVc/99ELnRZ3vno/s320/2011-12-20_14-15-47_348.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bQfo-u_Xiv4/TvmmPNrJMWI/AAAAAAAAAVk/pT1c9bZIpXY/s1600/2011-12-20_14-40-28_547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bQfo-u_Xiv4/TvmmPNrJMWI/AAAAAAAAAVk/pT1c9bZIpXY/s320/2011-12-20_14-40-28_547.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">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. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I love you Cali girls! <o:p></o:p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1Dubai International Airport (DXB) - Dubai - United Arab Emirates25.252778 55.36444400000004925.2309215 55.331358000000051 25.274634499999998 55.397530000000046tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570969036388902815.post-20104834175360226892011-12-21T13:00:00.003+04:002011-12-21T13:01:30.054+04:00I’m Still in Dubai!<div class="MsoNormal">I was hoping to put the picture taken of us with President Clinton up on this post, but I still haven’t received it <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">L</span>. Since I was leaving on the 19<sup>th</sup>, 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<sup>th</sup>, and will instead be leaving on the 24<sup>th</sup>.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">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?! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">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 <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">L</span>. My flight was at 12:50 am and by the time I got to the front of THE WRONG LINE the gate was closed. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">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….<o:p></o:p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570969036388902815.post-26826302954501208922011-12-15T01:34:00.004+04:002012-02-03T23:16:54.051+04:00He Shook My Hand!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZdWYnhVE93s?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">As I’ve told you previously, I have received the Clinton Scholarship to study at AUD. Clinton Scholars receive:<br />
• A full waiver of tuition for one term;<br />
• Dormitory housing at the American University in Dubai on a shared-room basis.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">If it wasn’t for this scholarship, I would not be here right now.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">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 <a href="http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/education/clinton-lauds-varkey-gems-foundation">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">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….<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5GZQp2BkcNBSLztTWolLVykHZ_xYXwsOXmWtUtwvwuSz2HFgaM93urnXyYWrYhP21rgnH3itiFQ5S3bEZt1noRTO7YJONfOkioeMXBgQLsahz3Qg1x3jsbSjUU_YDWFRirr5Ykye_fs/s1600/VGF1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5GZQp2BkcNBSLztTWolLVykHZ_xYXwsOXmWtUtwvwuSz2HFgaM93urnXyYWrYhP21rgnH3itiFQ5S3bEZt1noRTO7YJONfOkioeMXBgQLsahz3Qg1x3jsbSjUU_YDWFRirr5Ykye_fs/s320/VGF1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><o:p></o:p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570969036388902815.post-33297545217055297262011-12-13T01:18:00.002+04:002011-12-13T01:20:58.806+04:00I'm Just Trying to Graduate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/n-BHgpwQ-yg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">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!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIgQ8WNF2lSr1oRDIYcEaufhBM-GLP0fghHRkBfqpw1FNyl_wjhbSYUsN2OEXsh8uKX8o6Rmk80rOgAyfJ0XaceImdm-Aqn4MKwAxUuTkDzFyF8igqfTl5AjSoKjzRoJDaYnzCOVBal8/s1600/2011-12-09_22-45-06_758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIgQ8WNF2lSr1oRDIYcEaufhBM-GLP0fghHRkBfqpw1FNyl_wjhbSYUsN2OEXsh8uKX8o6Rmk80rOgAyfJ0XaceImdm-Aqn4MKwAxUuTkDzFyF8igqfTl5AjSoKjzRoJDaYnzCOVBal8/s320/2011-12-09_22-45-06_758.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Friday we went to <a href="http://www.jumeirah.com/en/Hotels-and-Resorts/Destinations/Dubai/Burj-Al-Arab/Restaurants-And-Nightlife/Sahn-Eddar/">Sahn Eddar</a> 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!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQVjJ-AYg_a163BD2JgLlEDi4KjUv-f-U0nDxH5zc1gqqBu98Nx-jcE-fv4Jgl4jBcytqNcPMwx7zffo8CHXMpH_rHmVkauqZSFubFcYo166iyaKGhFAgg48sBZV7sHxyOhIMG7uMbSo/s1600/2011-12-10_22-54-23_656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQVjJ-AYg_a163BD2JgLlEDi4KjUv-f-U0nDxH5zc1gqqBu98Nx-jcE-fv4Jgl4jBcytqNcPMwx7zffo8CHXMpH_rHmVkauqZSFubFcYo166iyaKGhFAgg48sBZV7sHxyOhIMG7uMbSo/s320/2011-12-10_22-54-23_656.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">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!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570969036388902815.post-61288946583978856562011-12-07T19:47:00.001+04:002011-12-13T00:16:02.120+04:00Bill Clinton is Coming!!!<div class="MsoNormal">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!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">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<sup>st</sup> Cali friend had an assignment due at 12am. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06Q1b6B1pnjP8XznxyYTheWq2KYmmHFl2vHBsTHvugzSbngfRnL58k-iI-xqXqmwLRxcjgfERhKSbmyLSrOva2Vist1zG-FfJ4YXTMcoZMUInyed0IA2kDyPpVvmx_VQm4YB3ZAESoUE/s1600/AUD.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06Q1b6B1pnjP8XznxyYTheWq2KYmmHFl2vHBsTHvugzSbngfRnL58k-iI-xqXqmwLRxcjgfERhKSbmyLSrOva2Vist1zG-FfJ4YXTMcoZMUInyed0IA2kDyPpVvmx_VQm4YB3ZAESoUE/s400/AUD.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AUD Fall 2011 Visiting Students</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">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).<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">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!<o:p></o:p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570969036388902815.post-90155003688320887922011-12-03T07:44:00.002+04:002011-12-07T17:57:56.087+04:00National Day! HOORAA!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL947RreqYO8Ow_SPBsYT7CKnAm8otZUYJ8tk7VLQHWSWwZREv_vAnu3y2ucliWGxM22i7fjarB77W6hRR0wcdtpp2PsEfjELKDUfeT9IsNvInQgah0gMsRnEDnhftBF7G9lVM58H6xIA/s1600/nationalday.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL947RreqYO8Ow_SPBsYT7CKnAm8otZUYJ8tk7VLQHWSWwZREv_vAnu3y2ucliWGxM22i7fjarB77W6hRR0wcdtpp2PsEfjELKDUfeT9IsNvInQgah0gMsRnEDnhftBF7G9lVM58H6xIA/s1600/nationalday.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">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!).<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Wednesday, my 1<sup>st</sup> 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.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCiJ7B5jEL_6OUaw7WSHe1RlrR0N9HANGU5Seg6bS30XWeC-BjoqH5cP117q-JBRTCQRNiAxvqSjkA9OsYAFLArBNaRCD7IiFqfKAIXz16eOLbjuwbzo466IWimzCWm5eioxc-2NzlAQs/s1600/IMG_6665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCiJ7B5jEL_6OUaw7WSHe1RlrR0N9HANGU5Seg6bS30XWeC-BjoqH5cP117q-JBRTCQRNiAxvqSjkA9OsYAFLArBNaRCD7IiFqfKAIXz16eOLbjuwbzo466IWimzCWm5eioxc-2NzlAQs/s320/IMG_6665.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHHWVGAadgSRuFrRRWX4Bfz9xMG6IZ_3Zmi8m02yErWS4SYspjkOFNUtWwrDw9qInl_okfmhgLGsbTDCig2UpuSaaYUPlgqpxy5EEbSxtrxboQ4AipRySfJeh2ZGbp7ZBRM29zgq0Q28/s1600/cirque.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHHWVGAadgSRuFrRRWX4Bfz9xMG6IZ_3Zmi8m02yErWS4SYspjkOFNUtWwrDw9qInl_okfmhgLGsbTDCig2UpuSaaYUPlgqpxy5EEbSxtrxboQ4AipRySfJeh2ZGbp7ZBRM29zgq0Q28/s320/cirque.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cirque de Soir</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Afterwards, my 1<sup>st</sup> 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, <a href="http://www.ahlanlive.com/cirque-du-soir-opens-in-dubai-148478.html">Cirque de Soir</a>, 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).<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Thursday we were off school for National Day. Traffic was horrible! We met with a UC Almunus at a restaurant called <a href="http://www.timeoutdubai.com/restaurants/reviews/14959">Caramel</a> in DIFC. The food was good, but it was so dark in there I could barely see my menu!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Afterwards, we went to <a href="http://www.lemeridien-minaseyahi.com/en/Barasti">Barasti</a>, 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.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">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!<o:p></o:p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570969036388902815.post-47425962666463460942011-11-28T14:38:00.000+04:002011-11-28T14:38:50.472+04:001+1=3<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">I’m better now, but I’m still angry because the sickness I had messed up my entire weekend. I really wanted to go to my friend’s house for Thanksgiving. I told her I was going to make some mac n cheese, and I didn’t even show up! We were supposed to go to Cavalli afterwards. We even got our dresses express dry-cleaned! Oh well…<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Friday, my first Cali friend and I went to breakfast at Organic Whole Foods, located in The Greens. We left around 1, and it took us twenty minutes to catch a cab. When we got to The Greens, there was horrible traffic, double-parking, etc. I said something like ”What the hell is going on here?!” Come to find out, people were coming from a mosque. Oops!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Saturday, I met for the Gradberry, and I met some cool people. There were students from AUS, and it was interesting to see their perspective on education in the UAE. I met a recent grad from AUS, and she was telling me about the difficulty of finding a job. It was scary. She told me about Wasta (who you know), which I lack in Dubai, and the fact that many students here already have a job lined up when they graduate because they have a family business, or Wasta.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Sunday, I had another interview at 10 a.m. and I overslept. I woke up at 9, and I was over my second Cali friend’s house. Luckily, the interview was right down the street, and I made it on time. The company really liked me, except they didn’t have a residency visa for me. Sheesh!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Companies are only allowed a certain amount of visas for each office. So some of the companies I’ve interviewed with are assuming that I am on a student visa since the jobs are internships or part-time. Companies are supposed to provide employees with a visa, but if the employee is still a student, they are not required to provide one.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br />
</o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p>There was a study abroad brainstorming session yesterday, and it occurred to me that I should make a list of need-to-knows before arriving to Dubai. The university is very helpful with the transition of the study abroad students. They have a new mentorship program that started every quarter. There are many suggestions that I have for improvement, and I look forward to helping the future study abroads, just as my 2nd Cali friend helped me.</o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br />
</o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I have two more interviews this week, and I still haven’t found out about the one from last Tuesday. They said they’ll let me know tomorrow. Pray for me.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570969036388902815.post-79138935772039804362011-11-24T21:42:00.002+04:002011-11-24T21:42:49.452+04:00Don’t Get the Flu in Dubai!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">I am dying. I had an interview on Tuesday, and it went well. I thought I was getting better, so I went to all of my classes. Then I stayed up until 5 a.m. BIG MISTAKE. On Wednesday, I felt the effects of not getting enough rest while sick. I asked my friend if they sold DayQuil here, and she said no because it’s HARAM. The one time I need alcohol in Dubai, and it’s too HARAM to sale. Maybe they can sell DayQuil at the bar?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This morning I felt horrible. I couldn’t even keep tea down. I went to get a relaxer at a saloon in Al Barsha (yea I know, I had the flu, yet I went to get my hair done). They did a really good job. The place will be my permanent salon if I stay. Good location, prices, timing, and results.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I had an interview today, but when I told them I was sick, they tried to reschedule it for Sunday morning, and I have another interview at that time, so I said “What the hay,” and went to the interview today. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I planned on taking a nap when I got back, but some times I’m in a chatty mood. I am especially talkative now since I’m pretty certain that I’ll be able to stay. I need to go back to sleep now. I’ll have some good news Sunday, inshAllah.<o:p></o:p></div><!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570969036388902815.post-66758706661893480962011-11-21T17:55:00.000+04:002011-11-21T17:55:16.858+04:00Sick Day<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">I’m sick today so I figured I’d get some things done, such as mailing postcards, applying to jobs, and <i>maybe</i> some homework. I woke up 7 a.m in the morning. so I could complete my Internet City rounds. At that time, I had a sore throat, so I drank some tea. Around 8 a.m., I started having some digestive problems, so I decided to stay home today.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I sent my teacher an email saying that I wouldn’t be coming. This is what he said: “Thanks,<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">FYI, you are the only student to write me and tell me you can't come. Very refreshing. Appreciate it.” This gives you a fresh look at the culture of AUD, which I have not talked about in depth because I am afraid of getting deported. Haha.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I know I never write two blog-posts this close together, but I have so many exciting things to tell you. Thursday night, we went to Cavalli, but were underdressed, so instead of waiting for hours and not getting in, we just left. I had on flats instead of heels, because I had a Charlie Horse in my leg, and couldn’t wear heels. To top it off, I also had on a casual dress. We went to People AGAIN. Yea, I know, we need a new spot.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Friday, we went over a friend’s house for lunch. He is a friend of my 1<sup>st</sup> Cali friend, and lives/works in Dubai. We had a good time, and he recommended clubs to visit. Afterwards, we went to the beach at JBR. We stayed there like five hours. The water is not as warm as it was when I arrived. It used to feel like bath water, now it feels like pool water. I hadn’t been to the beach in like three weeks, so it was nice.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Friday night, we did not club. I went home to do some job applications, and my 1<sup>st</sup> Cali friend went to Global Village. I still need to visit Global Village. Check out the <a href="http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/holyrockthrower/dubai-2007/1170419700/tpod.html">Global Village blog post</a>, written by a UC alumnus. What holyrockthrower did not mention, is that every country has its own building, yet Africa also has a building, as if it was a country, not a continent. Isn’t that interesting, Sarah Palin?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Saturday, I went to see Immortals. I’ve been slacking. The last movie I saw was Three Musketeers, and I still need to see Twilight and In Time. When I got back to the dorm, I went to my 1<sup>st</sup> Cali friend’s room. We ate dinner, and I Skyped my dad for an hour. He begged me to stay in the U.S. I felt so bad. He said if not the U.S., stay in North America. Sorry, Dad!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Yesterday there was a presentation held in the MALE DORMS. OMG! You might remember me talking about the dorm situation in one of my I Hate Dubai <a href="http://texanindubai.blogspot.com/2011/09/cultural-electrocution.html">posts</a>. You know the one where I said this is not my country, and I can go back home if I want to. Anyway, there is no co-ed dorm. There is a separate dorm for the males and one for females. Students of the opposite sex cannot enter the dorm. And this is the “liberal” university….<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So I used the STD presentation as an excuse to skip one of my classes (shhh!). It was a good presentation, except for the part when people were talking while the doctor spoke, which was basically the whole time. I swear I feel like I’m in high school. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Anyway, there was pizza served after the presentation. I hadn’t eaten in awhile and could have eaten a whole cow at this time. There were like 10 <i>medium</i> boxes of pizza for like 100 people. There were no plates, napkins, or cups. Here’s the kicker: NO CHEESE PIZZA!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Since this is Dubai, and AUD, I was not surprised. I just went to the mall and got some Papa John’s. I also went to Carrefour to grocery shop, and dropped my mother’s birthday card in the mail.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Today I applied to about fifteen jobs. I’m having a Lion King marathon now (don’t judge me!), between applying to more jobs. I haven’t been getting enough rest. Even during Eid, I didn’t rest. So I decided not to go ANYWHERE today. I’m staying in my pajamas. I really want some shwarma (Arabic taco), but I don’t know what it’ll do to my stomach.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-c60AshJE3aMQmjeQRfaFBsJHhqtYTrVQR8US5IIqRgWUM4_p5GJ-zfW-yWL9cpbPOJ40pYmAphIZ6RbMJznJyE7MsYTX8smx20kwswzA2FCqYMoFjd_vlI6jKR6EC0Pytv_fdemfyi8/s1600/Jumeirah+Mosque+-+27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-c60AshJE3aMQmjeQRfaFBsJHhqtYTrVQR8US5IIqRgWUM4_p5GJ-zfW-yWL9cpbPOJ40pYmAphIZ6RbMJznJyE7MsYTX8smx20kwswzA2FCqYMoFjd_vlI6jKR6EC0Pytv_fdemfyi8/s200/Jumeirah+Mosque+-+27.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jumeirah Mosque visit during Eid</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br />
</o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">My computer crashed twice today, and it’s hanging on by a thread. I use an external drive to complete my Arabic homework; I’m just hoping that it lasts until I can buy a new one. Please pray for my computer!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I have earned a job as a freelance blogger for <a href="http://gradberry.com/">Gradberry</a>. It’s part-time, but it’s a start. I can even write for them if I move back to the states. 29 more days to find a job!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Sorry for the extremely long blog post, but I have nothing better to do today. My dad said I should just write a book. Thanks for the advice, Dad!<o:p></o:p></div><!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570969036388902815.post-75989273771581348042011-11-20T23:44:00.000+04:002011-11-20T23:44:23.154+04:00Black Hair<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">For those of you who know nothing about Afro-American hair, it’s time for me to educate you. I highly recommend seeing the movie <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1213585/" target="_blank">Good Hair</a> if you haven’t already done so. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Taking care of my hair is one of the biggest worries I had about studying in the Middle East. A lot of people recommended I wear braids but I knew I couldn’t keep braids or micros up for 16 weeks, given the amount I sweat. I also wanted to wear my hair down so it could breathe.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My hair is not its natural texture. I get relaxers. In the movie <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1213585/" target="_blank">Good Hair</a>, a relaxer is referred to as “creamy crack”. This is because the relaxer makes your hair straight, but every 6-8 weeks, you have to get a retouch at your scalp. This means you are a slave to the relaxer because you have to keep coming back.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">When you are ready to go back to wearing a natural hairstyle, you have two choices: cut your hair off or let it grow out. Many choose to cut their hair off, because once the hair is relaxed, it never comes out. If you choose to grow your hair all the way out, it will look silly, because the bottom part of your hair will be straight.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Anyway, one of my friends who grew up here (Hey Kanika!) told me that they had black hair salons so I figured I had nothing to worry about. When I get here I realized that they didn't sell Afro-hair products at Carrefour there were no outlets in the bathroom, so I decided to buy a hooded dryer. I went to Deira (30 minutes away) the second week to buy a dryer and hair supplies (i.e. a relaxer). When I got to Deira, the only hooded dryer they had was $100. Since I was only going to be here three months, I decided not to get one.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I also have to go to Deira to get the relaxer put in my hair. I went once already, and it was an interesting experience. All the other salons only do Brasilian and Keratin relaxers. They cost about $120, but they last up to for months, instead of up to 2 months. I’m afraid to get one because I haven’t done enough research into it. I don’t know who to go to do mine, etc.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So here’s the process I go through for my relaxer. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">1.Trip to Deira to get relaxer. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">2. AUD salon for a trim and style. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The relaxers are done by Africans who are not licensed beauticians, so I go to AUD to get my hair trimmed. It is time for a relaxer again. My hair is getting to the point where I can’t comb it, yet I don’t feel like going all the way to Deira. I’ve asked around and there is a placed called Afro-Salon in Bursha. It’s about ten minutes away.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Looks like I'm starting my own business in Dubai: a hair salon.</div><div class="MsoNormal">This post is getting a little long so I'll write you soon. More on my Dubai relaxer journey coming soon!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570969036388902815.post-48185447884078207282011-11-16T14:40:00.003+04:002011-11-17T11:13:11.642+04:00If I Only Knew…<div class="MsoNormal">Today was an eventful day. I met with the CEO of Bayt, and received great career advice and insight into entrepreneurial ventures. Later on I found out that I’m not eligible for any positions at AUD, because I lack experience. My drive counts for nothing these days.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I had to tell my professor never mind about the recommendation that I asked for, and he told me I did well on the exam I took yesterday (Yes!). I like it when I get good news on the same day I get bad news.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Tomorrow I’m going to visit Internet City. There are about 15 major technology firms there, such as Miscrosoft, HP, and Siemens. I am also in the works of joining the American Business Council, which two people have recommended. It costs about $300 for the whole year, so I’m trying to find out if it will be prorated. We’ll see.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I have 34 days and I’m really starting to get worried. Going out does give me less time to look for jobs, but it’s a great stress reliever, and I don’t want to ruin my trip by doing all work and no play.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U7s_Is5IEL0/TsSyjQtBsVI/AAAAAAAAAT4/whG7PNZRws8/s1600/2011-11-12_01-08-58_862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U7s_Is5IEL0/TsSyjQtBsVI/AAAAAAAAAT4/whG7PNZRws8/s320/2011-11-12_01-08-58_862.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>Speaking of going out, on Thursday my friend and I thought we were going to go to a J Cole concert Abu Dhabi with friends, but it was an epic fail. The people we were going with were friends of a friend, and the details were kind of shady. We ended up going to Abu Dhabi, grabbing coffee, and coming back to Dubai. “If you want something done right, do it yourself” –Zorg, Fifth Element.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Friday, I went back to Crystalle aka People. I told my first Cali friend how great it was the last time I went and she was down. It sucked. The atmosphere was the opposite of what it was the first time I went, and I felt like a loser for telling her how great the club was, and showing up and being disappointed. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We left there around 1:30, and went to Armani, which is one of the hottest clubs in Dubai. Everyone loves Armani. Armani was the same as Crystalle, bad music, barely any people, etc. I don’t know, maybe the Friday after Eid just isn’t a good clubbing day. Don’t worry, we’ll make up for it this weekend!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570969036388902815.post-72819759060106959552011-11-10T07:43:00.003+04:002011-11-11T10:08:57.204+04:00I'm 22!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjTZky0z9Wb9LznrUmqu2RMElpDrWioR59QB5bd57L_aorOU06UUxM_GlZSCKl-bB3oKEEPu5iIoYqB3okNQ_l_4yZyTkKlKILgop85lhircH9DzPh6aPWVT6Oqttek_oDB_cJrhvTHk/s1600/Omolara%2527s+Bday+-+24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjTZky0z9Wb9LznrUmqu2RMElpDrWioR59QB5bd57L_aorOU06UUxM_GlZSCKl-bB3oKEEPu5iIoYqB3okNQ_l_4yZyTkKlKILgop85lhircH9DzPh6aPWVT6Oqttek_oDB_cJrhvTHk/s320/Omolara%2527s+Bday+-+24.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14LkHDV6UEsX2Qxi2vH9hDwMr2faioU7Icst9SIHmw0nCxyd-JmVwzHxunzRYuNJbxvUcsMTzPbsAR-v3dCLUEd6HJWakzvAOZQE83EiuJJr3zwQpapOyGV7aVokyC2SCJcp05U4D9bM/s1600/Omolara%2527s+Bday+-+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14LkHDV6UEsX2Qxi2vH9hDwMr2faioU7Icst9SIHmw0nCxyd-JmVwzHxunzRYuNJbxvUcsMTzPbsAR-v3dCLUEd6HJWakzvAOZQE83EiuJJr3zwQpapOyGV7aVokyC2SCJcp05U4D9bM/s320/Omolara%2527s+Bday+-+16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;">This was the most enjoyable birthday I've had in awhile. I had a whole bunch of love and support and I'd like to thank everyone for coming. The company and the food at Red Lobster was awesome. I had two people offer to give rides, so no one had to ride the metro or take a taxi to the mall.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;">Although Boudoir was SUPER crowded because of Eid, I still had fun. I still have so many clubs to visit. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;">On my actually birthday, the 8th, I went to dinner at Organic Foods & Cafe, with my first Cali friend. I had pancakes and apple oatmeal (too much carbs I Know). I was tasty. She enjoyed it as well. She's into organic food, which is hard to find here.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;">Today we are going to Jumeirah Mosque for a class project. For my Islamic Art and Architecture class, we have to visit a mosque, and compare the architectural details to mosques we've studied in class. It's due December 1st, but since I failed the first exam (don’t judge me!), I'm trying to make sure I get an A on this paper by not procrastinating. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;">We were going to go to Burj al Arab, but they're a bit pricey. We'll go later if we can get someone else to treat us (I love Dubai). I hope this mosque is interesting. It's so hard for me to write about a topic that I'm not passionate about.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;">I was supposed to go to Internet City today to handout my CV, but I haven't finished the necessary research to prepare, so I’ll go Sunday morning. It’s hard to go to sleep early. When I go out at night, even if it’s just to JBR, I’ll get in at 1 or 2 am.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;">My goal is to have an interview by the end of next week. I will be visiting a lot of places, and my 1<sup>st</sup> Cali friend has arranged for us to have a meeting with the CEO of Bayt, so I feel like my chances are high. 39 days to find a job (I counted wrong earlier)! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570969036388902815.post-5889002535307168892011-11-07T18:17:00.000+04:002011-11-07T18:17:00.223+04:00Dubai is a Very Traumatic Place<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJGNmTH7kB07qVRsxdo_MNNQCBui8PaB6XXH2rVykrXjT5k80Ysm35F5TRHrKKZ-7KHKw5UqNeUrk5mjeTOMS4-Eg05Hy7u9LKc2C9aAZJq3ZUubC-LStvD0yp9bs0GsAxfnUxU3l0h0/s1600/taxi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJGNmTH7kB07qVRsxdo_MNNQCBui8PaB6XXH2rVykrXjT5k80Ysm35F5TRHrKKZ-7KHKw5UqNeUrk5mjeTOMS4-Eg05Hy7u9LKc2C9aAZJq3ZUubC-LStvD0yp9bs0GsAxfnUxU3l0h0/s200/taxi.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Very bad things have happened to my friends, and many of them want to leave. The latest incident was a car crash. A group of study abroad students were heading to Oman for Eid. They had been planning the trip since the beginning of the semester. Low and behold, some idiot rammed into the back of their taxi. They ended up going to the hospital and cancelling their trip. Luckily, everyone’s fine (physically at least).<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Dubai Driving is a topic that I’ve wanted to discuss for some time now, but I need a video to show you exactly what I’m talking about. I plan on making a video while in a cab, sometime during the break. I really think that if I die in Dubai, it will be from a car crash, but we’ll talk about that later.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Weekend recap<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Thursday: <a href="http://www.timeoutdubai.com/nightlife/events/9216-people-by-crystal">Crystale</a> Club<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Friday: Dry Night, clubs closed- went to <a href="http://www.dubaifaqs.com/the-walk-jumeirah-beach-residence-dubai.php">JBR</a><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Saturday: Motorcycle Ride, dinner at Dubai Marina<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Sunday: Drove friend’s car<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Right now, I have a ten day break for Eid al Adha. As you can see, I did not go to Egypt as I planned, but I’m still having the time of my life. I had so much fun at Crystale, and am meeting new people just about everyday. Tomorrow’s my birthday, but I’m celebrating tonight. I’m going to Red Lobster at Dubai Mall, then to Boudoir again. I’m blow-drying my hair as we speak.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Gotta get ready now…I love this place! Eid Mubarak!<o:p></o:p></div><!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570969036388902815.post-4272974348803180282011-11-03T19:20:00.003+04:002011-11-03T19:32:25.838+04:00Gilligan’s Isle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CqVlq8hzWVg/TrKx4pDBR4I/AAAAAAAAAPY/X4wUGr4n0ps/s1600/2011-10-31_22-53-09_298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CqVlq8hzWVg/TrKx4pDBR4I/AAAAAAAAAPY/X4wUGr4n0ps/s320/2011-10-31_22-53-09_298.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boudoir Interior</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Monday, I went to the Boudoir club for Halloween. I was dressed as a sailor. To find a Halloween costume, I went to the Mall of Emirates (on Friday), and the first store I went to was Carrefour. They had one women’s costume. I am not exaggerating. ONE WOMEN’S COSTUME! I was sad because I needed a costume in the Carrefour price range.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Every clothing store we went to, we asked where we could find costumes. We ended up going to a toy store. The only presentable costume they had that was in a large was cat woman costume for $100. I tried it on in the employee lounge (a closet with a child’s chair to sit on). <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a9v8Qn4Z_KE/TrKxpsDzdlI/AAAAAAAAAPA/kJll_Up849E/s1600/2011-10-31_22-52-47_989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a9v8Qn4Z_KE/TrKxpsDzdlI/AAAAAAAAAPA/kJll_Up849E/s320/2011-10-31_22-52-47_989.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The costume was crap. It looked like a $20 costume. It was poorly made and falling apart. The “crystal” fingernails looked like I sewed them on. It was horrible. Needless to say, I wasn’t going to by that janky costume for $100.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So I called my study abroad mentor (SAM), Seham, and asked here where to go to get a costume. We ended up going to a Halloween store at Jumierah Beach Centre. It was a crazy experience. I wish I had taken pictures. They had a very wide selection, I’ll give them that, but the aisles were too skinny, and they had make-shift fitting rooms. It was so busy. It reminded me of Christmas Eve. This is why I like shopping online…<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I tried on a Marilyn Monroe costume, a diner waitress costume, Egyptian, Bettie <span class="MsoPageNumber"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Page Devil, a sexy mechanic but the one I really liked was the sailor costume. Every time I look for Halloween costumes online, it’s the sailor costumes that catch my eye. Not only that, but they had it in large, and it fit perfectly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoPageNumber"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">I felt sorry for my friend. She wears a small, and all of the costumes were too big on her, even the extra small. </span></span>We ended up shopping from 10am-5pm, but at least I found something I really wanted.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kc73xbx4rqE/TrKyLgq_54I/AAAAAAAAAPw/tBu5eJhqhoE/s1600/2011-11-01_01-46-07_383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kc73xbx4rqE/TrKyLgq_54I/AAAAAAAAAPw/tBu5eJhqhoE/s320/2011-11-01_01-46-07_383.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">At Boudoir, I had loads of fun. It was my first time dancing in public! We made some new friends that had a table. We partied with them all night. We went out with them again yesterday at a private party. It was so fun! The food was good, the music was good, everything was good. I’m starting to really like it here….<o:p></o:p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570969036388902815.post-50337823335028534322011-10-31T13:12:00.002+04:002011-10-31T13:42:10.027+04:00The Life of a Sailor<div class="MsoNormal">Halloween aka party time! Where to go? Armani, Sensations, Boudoir? I don’t know! I didn’t have fun at Nassimi on Friday, so I have to get my money’s worth out of my costume tonight. There’s a party at school at 7:30. I ‘ll stop by there first. Then I’ll head out to the real parties.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I have a video interview today that has to be completed by November 1<sup>st</sup>, and I am so unprepared. I was going to go job-hunting today. I guess not. I wish they hadn’t of waited until a day before to tell me. What kind of stuff is that (and this is an American company, by the way)?!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-40VlaQZgopg/Tq5hJydORjI/AAAAAAAAAOU/WtTxuhbSDa4/s1600/2011-10-29_17-44-31_151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-40VlaQZgopg/Tq5hJydORjI/AAAAAAAAAOU/WtTxuhbSDa4/s320/2011-10-29_17-44-31_151.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheikh Omar and I</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Saturday was the desert safari. It was very interesting. I want a Hummer now. Haha. I wore a hijab, because I bought one before I came here and never got a chance to use it, plus I didn’t feel like doing my hair. Luckily, three other study abroad students wore kanduras, so I didn’t feel alone. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The field trip lasted from 4-10, we did the safari, camel riding, sand surfing, sheesha, and watched a belly dancer perform. Not bad. I am looking forward to more study abroad events planned by AUD.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br />
</o:p></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTu9xhPR4D9momPp1HNHndD4v8BQ6YF-IqfuMQcmMyxHQZW1iUWz31eNY9f3Jl6O1yu4g_FsaxltSJtxPMzudjtfgLJ3mDyYZUe-jqwl8ACj-LL51N_GPBpY_bX1U8Qls59Wt4EDG8WsQ/s1600/kev.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTu9xhPR4D9momPp1HNHndD4v8BQ6YF-IqfuMQcmMyxHQZW1iUWz31eNY9f3Jl6O1yu4g_FsaxltSJtxPMzudjtfgLJ3mDyYZUe-jqwl8ACj-LL51N_GPBpY_bX1U8Qls59Wt4EDG8WsQ/s320/kev.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin and I</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br />
</o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Afterwards, I came home and tried to get some work done, but that didn’t happen. I failed my Islamic Art and Architecture exam, but I can still get a B. I am very disappointed in myself. Now I know that it’s not possible to cram 21 lectures in your head during the course of three days, especially when essays and short answer questions are involved. Why did I take this class?!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Tomorrow I have ANOTHER exam in International Accounting. I started studying last night in case I stay up real late tonight. 51 days until I graduate, and 59 days to find a job! By the way, the part-time job my professor told me about, is actually a full time job! Wahoo!<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/rDFceuyalpI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570969036388902815.post-56635455201131588562011-10-28T18:46:00.003+04:002011-10-29T13:12:39.386+04:00Drinking Is So Funny<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I am writing this post in haste, so I apologize if there are any grammatical errors. I’m going to a friend’s house for dinner before I go to a Halloween party. It’s at Nassimi beach. I told her I was coming before I found out that the party is free before 8 (it’s 6:29). Oops! I cancelled on her yesterday, so I don’t want to cancel two times in a row. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I haven’t had much sleep this week because of three exams. So last night, I just went to sleep and got some laundry done. Tomorrow is the desert safari, and Sunday back to school, ugh.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was an interesting experience shopping for a costume. Ill tell you about it later. Right now, I’d like to talk about something that I’ve been thinking about since my last post.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My father reads my blog, and he was worried about me when I talked about going to Buddha Bar. He forgot one very important detail: I DON’T DRINK. I never have. I don’t smoke either. It’s rare for American college students to not drink, so here when I say I don’t drink, they assume I’m a Muslim.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I am not a Muslim, and I don’t think there’s anything morally wrong with drinking. I just think it distorts your behavior, and I’d like to live a long, healthy life. Same reason why I don’t smoke. It’s extremely unhealthy. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">People smoke so much here that my lungs are getting enough. They smoke at school. They smoke in clubs and bars. It’s horrible! My German friend told me they smoke even more in Germany than they do here. For some reason, I thought Americans smoked the most. Boy, was I wrong!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Anyway, up until now, I’ve been really skeptical about going to bars and clubs. I have a fear of vomit. I know that sounds silly, but every time I see a movie where there’s drinking, someone vomits (yes, I know you shouldn’t judge things by what you see in the movies). Nevertheless, drunk people are soooo funny. It’s fun to watch how people are before they start drinking, and how they gradually, and gradually, get crazier.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Bars and clubs are also a good place to meet people. There’s a culture here at school that I’m not really into. More on that later. It’s more likely for someone to approach me at a bar, than at the mall or the movies, and I am looking for a job...<o:p></o:p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570969036388902815.post-63921122126447342012011-10-24T20:47:00.006+04:002011-11-17T18:35:41.111+04:00Dreams Are Real, All You Have to Do Is Just Believe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ylnPr6FYLBE/TqWWQpq4K-I/AAAAAAAAANY/MoKxux0wVm4/s1600/2011-10-21_09-10-00_106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ylnPr6FYLBE/TqWWQpq4K-I/AAAAAAAAANY/MoKxux0wVm4/s320/2011-10-21_09-10-00_106.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">I finally went to the Burj al Arab Friday! I went at 9am, before it got too hot. It’s been so long since I had to wake up that early. I’m so spoiled now. Working full time is going to be such a challenge when the time comes.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I stayed at the beach until about 12pm, and went to the Dome Restaurant for pancakes. Not every restaurant has pancakes, so I had been craving theirs for a while. Afterwards, I went to Deira to get some leave-in conditioner for my hair. It was really close to Dome, so I figured I’d save some time and money by going then. WRONG! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was about 1:30, when I arrived, and it was FRIDAY. I forgot that places don’t open until the evening on Friday. The whole neighborhood was closed. They didn’t open until 4:00. I just went home. I was so angry with myself.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">When I start living here, I’m going to buy my hair products in bulk. I get tired of going so far away to get hair products. Even when I’m driving, I won’t want to do it. Boy do I miss the black hair stores in America.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I was supposed to go jet skiing Friday evening, but it didn’t work out, so my first Cali friend and I went to Buddha bar. It’s an upscale lounge at JBR. I enjoyed it. I especially liked the fact that I could sit down all night.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">They had a fire show at 2:00 a.m. I felt the heat every time they blew fire, and they kept dropping the bottles. It was scary!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/wYjrwwzQWWc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
We met some cool people, which included some Brits. We went to “dinner” with them when the club closed and ate some Arabic food. We ended up staying out until 6am. I’ve never done that before. We may go out with them again. Who knows?<o:p></o:p></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_kzCCZmVavw/TqWVUOOqlHI/AAAAAAAAAMw/nQm_B0Lw6Fs/s1600/2011-10-22_04-48-53_344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_kzCCZmVavw/TqWVUOOqlHI/AAAAAAAAAMw/nQm_B0Lw6Fs/s320/2011-10-22_04-48-53_344.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend and I forgot to take a pic before we left :-(</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">One thing I do know is that it’s time to explore Dubai night-life. This is the new Lara. The outgoing Lara. I will no longer be a “grandma” or a couch potato. I will not let going to the movies be my favorite thing to do. It’s time to go out and have fun.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I had and exam on Sunday in Arabic, and two exams in Islamic Art and Architecture on Tuesday and Thursday. I’m swamped! My job search is on halt and I cant wait to get some sleep. I miss my 2<sup>nd</sup> Cali friend. I hope to see her this weekend!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I met with an accounting professor today. He's going to recommend me for a part-time job in Dubai. My intention was to not work so I could enjoy and explore, and interview, but if a job falls into my lap, I can't refuse it. I hope I get it! We'll see.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570969036388902815.post-22373507743556396502011-10-22T20:47:00.001+04:002011-10-22T20:48:45.139+04:00What a Long Week!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEK8GXWsQ2mbbt8iX33a8kPQefc8GmUHAJ7DDI7Zu9WtgM2nMAhu7_YY8_pAbdQfICM6zdzbEipI5LlssUFKW1aXhgPRsNBnhTkpJAfunfziX-akT8hNC9-TlIixvfQdHzRFdsHmyiu_o/s1600/omolara+shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEK8GXWsQ2mbbt8iX33a8kPQefc8GmUHAJ7DDI7Zu9WtgM2nMAhu7_YY8_pAbdQfICM6zdzbEipI5LlssUFKW1aXhgPRsNBnhTkpJAfunfziX-akT8hNC9-TlIixvfQdHzRFdsHmyiu_o/s320/omolara+shoes.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday night at Aldo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sorry I took so long to write! As I previously mentioned, I went to a career fair in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Monday night, I went to the Mall of the Emirates to shop for something to wear the next day. I also had other items to purchase. I went to Home Center, Forever 21, and Debenhams. I was supposed to go to Carrefour too, but I was there from 6-10, and by that time, I was beat.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jA9qMpB-k-A/TqKkvNgle-I/AAAAAAAAAMM/9hOviLAb6K8/s1600/2011-10-18_16-34-40_530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jA9qMpB-k-A/TqKkvNgle-I/AAAAAAAAAMM/9hOviLAb6K8/s320/2011-10-18_16-34-40_530.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Career Fair Attire</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">When I got back home, there was a breast cancer awareness event in the new dorm. Somehow I ended up staying up until 2am, and waking up at 6am to prepare for the career fair. I had to print some things at the library, like how to ride the bus from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, my career fair registration number, and a list of companies that were attending. I was also going to finish my Arabic homework before I left, but that didn’t happen.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My ride picked me up at 11am. We had a nice talk in the car about, culture, economy and job searching. I’ve noticed that at AUD, there is not much competition when we you want something. A lot of people expect things to fall in their lap, without them ever having to lift a finger.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Yes, this is bad, but this is an advantage to me. Since most AUD students graduate in the spring, there aren’t many accounting majors, I have a US degree, and a lot of students are lazy and passive, I’d say my chances of finding a job are high. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The career fair was great, although many of the companies were hiring only locals. Out of the companies that were hiring international citizens, not many were hiring accountants, and out of those, not many were in Dubai.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The highlight of the career fair was the career advice I got from a NAJAH psychologist. He basically told me what I needed to do to get a job here. It was very helpful. Even though I walked away with very few prospects, it wasn’t a waste of time. I came back to Dubai, with some very useful knowledge.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I arrived at the fair at 12:00pm, and was done by 5:30pm. My feet were killing me, so I sat down for awhile before catching a cab. The cab ride was about 20 minutes, and cost 20 AED (about $6). The bus ride was 1.5 hours and cost 15 AED (about $5). When I got off the bus, I had to take another cab to get to school, which cost 40 AED (about $10). The first taxi driver asked me why I didn’t take a cab all the way to school and I asked him how much it cost, he said about 270 AED (about $70). I said well the bus is only 15 AED!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Anyway, when I got to the bus station there was only a ten-minute wait. The bus ride felt so long. My phone was dying so I couldn’t talk on the phone. I had to conserve energy in case of an emergency. I was so tired, since I had only four hours of sleep. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">When I woke up we were passing my school. I was so sad. I wish they had created a special bus stop just for me. It took ten minutes to catch a cab, and about 20 minutes to get home from there. I left ADNEC at about 6:30pm, and got home at about 8:30pm.<o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z6c85BQB7tQ/TqKkh-njqdI/AAAAAAAAAME/AHE1foLkp0E/s1600/2011-10-20_00-10-57_962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z6c85BQB7tQ/TqKkh-njqdI/AAAAAAAAAME/AHE1foLkp0E/s320/2011-10-20_00-10-57_962.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Dishes</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Wednesday, I had to go back to Mall of the Emirates to go to Carrefour, my favorite place to go. My 2<sup>nd</sup> Cali friend went with me so it was more bearable. We made fried chicken, Mac N Cheese, and Brownies. It was all so delicious. We watched Changeling (good movie) and Beloved.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Thursday, I had a midterm in Arabic, so I crammed as hard as I could. One of my friends was leaving the next day and I missed her farewell dinner, so after I took a nap I tried to see her. I was worried because I thought I wasn’t going to be able to say goodbye. In the end, I did. I saw her at 3am, and I promised to keep in touch with her.<o:p></o:p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570969036388902815.post-4981210199007442962011-10-17T15:55:00.003+04:002011-10-24T17:41:43.055+04:00So Much for Staying in This Weekend…<div class="MsoNormal">I stayed in all of Friday. I’m proud of myself. I did laundry and finished a moderate amount of homework. Holly’s birthday was Sunday, so we went out Saturday night. She has a gluten allergy, so we went to PF Chang’s (they have a gluten-free menu). <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXrr339piWCXq-NsFOTtQtV7l2U2D_eYrnpCTno7NUiNf293lp_tCE2pmzyoMMdoWFpoF2UdqUAhjVH2pxNkPTswhfqCtzhEfNVTMt8fM1jEN2wiTVacJBwJBGEuN6GlNJJCL4IES6x8/s1600/Omolara+-+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXrr339piWCXq-NsFOTtQtV7l2U2D_eYrnpCTno7NUiNf293lp_tCE2pmzyoMMdoWFpoF2UdqUAhjVH2pxNkPTswhfqCtzhEfNVTMt8fM1jEN2wiTVacJBwJBGEuN6GlNJJCL4IES6x8/s320/Omolara+-+01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This brings me to my #1 rule: Just because they have it in the US, doesn’t mean they’ll have it here. Of course, when we got there we found out that they didn’t have a gluten-free menu. She didn’t want to leave, because she knew she wouldn’t find gluten-free anywhere. On the bright side, she ate a full meal, and she had a delicious mousse cake.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">On Sunday, Holly’s actual birthday, we went to a place that sells organic and gluten-free food. She called ahead this time, and they said they had gluten-free pizza. When we arrived, there was NO GLUTEN FREE PIZZA! So we left, and on the way back, I ordered a lettuce wrap for her from Hardee’s. We specifically told them no bread. Guess what arrived? A tortilla wrap with lettuce and hamburger meat. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Later on, I tried to cheer her up, but my futile attempts made her even sadder. Poor Holly!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZth4TiB0L7RpntB8W0tvyAWnsLCvqHP4chyrwybmpU7StkUckkdl5KIB95CMeMHThcC0fY0Mk3gA0vLA5toqjIvo-Drb8fWWKkcILTZebsS5DRcw-xnB-0Awpm7NDgKeEm2auelFIrI/s1600/Omolara+-+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZth4TiB0L7RpntB8W0tvyAWnsLCvqHP4chyrwybmpU7StkUckkdl5KIB95CMeMHThcC0fY0Mk3gA0vLA5toqjIvo-Drb8fWWKkcILTZebsS5DRcw-xnB-0Awpm7NDgKeEm2auelFIrI/s320/Omolara+-+02.jpg" width="320" /></a>Last Tuesday, I went to bible study at AUD, and enjoyed it. I will definitely be attending from now on. There was a group of 4-5 students, and it was held in the cafeteria. My friend that I sumo-wrestled with invited me. She is the leader. She also invited me to her house for Thanksgiving dinner. Bless her heart!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Oh how I miss my fast internet! I’ll have to go to the library or my friend’s house to renew my license plates. Oh, the simple things I took for granted in the US.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There is a career fair in Abu Dhabi from the 18<sup>th</sup>-20<sup>th</sup>. A career services staff is taking me, but I have to find a ride home. This means taking a bus for a 2-hour ride, then taking a taxi to the train station, then taking the train back to school. I’ll be completely alone. I’m scared, but you gotta do what you gotta do. At least I have a ride there!<o:p></o:p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570969036388902815.post-53241106689109720402011-10-14T20:27:00.002+04:002011-10-14T20:29:08.176+04:00I’ll Never Get Used to the Stares…<div class="MsoNormal">The ratio of men to women here extremely is unbalanced. Taxi drivers are men, construction workers are men…. You get the jist. A lot of the workers here left their wife and kids at home. So when they see a woman, they stare at her like a pack of dogs. I do not understand it. I could understand if they were in jail and it was the first time they’ve seen a woman in ten years, but it’s not. They see women all the time. It’s annoying. When you look back at them, they don’t try to hide it. They continue to stare. How rude!<o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji87Eb3R5eHciNUcEdn8TWKmr29j1gvRm-qlG62df3IyOpXd-3qZfWICQHypzuTl8TEBlRBJRXKZhm2zXkX-K9KiOnokixZjxvhiv3NNuOEJzNZseIAybuBduymbcnkphZuDOzRnVGtPs/s1600/n722325712_6572401_186071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji87Eb3R5eHciNUcEdn8TWKmr29j1gvRm-qlG62df3IyOpXd-3qZfWICQHypzuTl8TEBlRBJRXKZhm2zXkX-K9KiOnokixZjxvhiv3NNuOEJzNZseIAybuBduymbcnkphZuDOzRnVGtPs/s320/n722325712_6572401_186071.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Mom and I</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I miss my parents. This eight-hour time difference is killing me. When I wake up it’s too late at night to call my parents and when it’s late enough to call them, I’m in class. By the time my Mom gets home from work, it’s late here and I’m sleep or my roommate is sleep and either way I cant talk. We have to schedule our phone calls, and sometimes I forget (I feel so bad). Anyway, I miss you Mom and Dad. Love you! Darn this eight-hour time difference!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">AUD has many IT problems. When I first arrived, the internet was down for a couple of days. The past couple of weeks, gmail hasn’t been working, and AUD’s email server uses gmail. Luckily, I can access it on my cell. Otherwise, I would have been screwed. Today, the only sites that were working were Facebook, and gmail. Anything else had an error saying, “ Site blocked. Webfilter is unable to rate the page. Access not allowed.” Ahh, Dubai.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">No desert safari. It has been rescheduled for next week. On a positive note, I have found someone who is willing to go skiing with me. Yay! Today I decided to rest, so I’m not going anywhere. I also spent too much money on food this week, so saying home will ensure that no extra money will be spent. It’s hard to stay home when people keep asking you to go places but, oh well. That’s what I get for over-spending.<o:p></o:p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1American University of Dubai - Dubai - United Arab Emirates25.0921284 55.156366825.0897299 55.153860800000004 25.0945269 55.1588728tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570969036388902815.post-70514506073485489982011-10-10T10:55:00.004+04:002011-11-17T18:38:20.406+04:00The Culture of Dubai<div class="MsoNormal">So I didn’t go to the beach party two weekends ago because my friend and I were sleeping and missed our ride. I was tired so I didn’t mind. I wasn’t in the mood for staying up all night. Have you noticed I haven’t done anything on my “<a href="http://texanindubai.blogspot.com/p/things-to-do.html">things to do</a>” list? Last Thursday we were supposed go to iFly, but it wasn’t properly planned, so we ended up going to Chili’s. This weekend we are supposed to do a desert safari. I hope it works out.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Friday I was supposed to go jet skiing in Sharjah, but my friend’s car broke down when we were almost there so I just said we’ll go another day. They wanted to rent a car, but the rental places are closed on Friday. Sunday I had a paper due and today I have an exam. Even though my earliest class is at 3pm, I’m beginning to feel overwhelmed.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m trying to plan a trip during <a href="http://islam.about.com/od/calendar/f/2011eidaladha.htm">Eid al Adha</a>, with my 1<sup>st</sup> Cali friend. We’re off Nov 3<sup>rd</sup> to the 10<sup>th</sup>, and my birthday is the 8<sup>th</sup>. We are trying to get a hotel deal on Groupon or Cobone. We’ll see. We need to book our flight very soon.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E2lQjoblLrI/TpKPoj-ARdI/AAAAAAAAAL0/nGZleDoTR0k/s1600/2011-09-29_21-48-46_289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E2lQjoblLrI/TpKPoj-ARdI/AAAAAAAAAL0/nGZleDoTR0k/s320/2011-09-29_21-48-46_289.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hosts of the Women's Cultural Exchange</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Last night my 1<sup>st</sup> Cali friend and my <a href="http://hollysmiddleeasternjourney.blogspot.com/">New Jersey friend</a> held a women’s cultural exchange in the girl’s dorm. It was at 6 pm, and I have class at six (boy I hate that class), so I caught the tail end of it. I thought it was going to be about every culture there but it really about Middle East, vs America. Nevertheless, we had a good conversation. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I brought up racism, which is taboo here. I was warned about before I got here by previous study abroad students, so it wasn’t a surprise. The surprising part is that it’s completely out in the open. It’ s not hidden like it is in America. There is a class system here. First they judge you by where you’re from. Then they judge you by skin color. (Check out Holly's <a href="http://hollysmiddleeasternjourney.blogspot.com/2011/09/racism-in-dubai.html">post</a> on racism)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For example, a Filipino or Pakistani person will make less than an American or British person who will make less than a local. If you don’t believe me go to <a href="http://dubizzle.com/">dubizzle.com</a> and look at their job ads. Salaries are posted on the adds, and jobs that are for Filipino are around 3000 AED/month (800USD).<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I think that since I’m light skinned and have an American accent, I will not be as singled out as other blacks here that I know. I am the only African American study abroad student, and there is only one other African American student here. People can tell that I’m American by my accent and, once people see that I’m American, I am automatically in their favor. I do not like this at all. I believe in equality, no matter where you’re from or what you do.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">A lot of people here emulate American styles. It’s as if they wish they were American. After the discussion yesterday, a friend of mine said there is no culture here. I said, how is there no culture here? I am still blinded by the black abayas even though they are worn with Louis Vutton bags and four-inch stilettos. My friend brought up the fact that many people here are just temporary workers, and even the people that are born here, and grew up here, still feel like they don’t belong because they’ll never get citizenship. Also, it seems that many of the people that do have citizenship here wish they had citizenship of another country (America). It now makes sense to me why someone would say Dubai has no culture.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">When I first got here, I noticed that people identify where they are from by their heritage, and not by where they grew up/were born. For example, I know someone that’s from Saudi Arabia, but says he’s from Jordan because that’s where his parents are from. In America, if you ask someone where they're from, they will say where they grew up, unless they’re an immigrant. It’s the total opposite here. So when people ask me where I’m from I say America, then they say where are you from originally, I say Africa somewhere….But that is another discussion that is perhaps not meant for this blog…<o:p></o:p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7