Toddler in the Terminal

Elizabeth 14 months, Chicago airport

This is what we came up with to save my back from the hours and hours walking through airports. Cute right? Easy, fast, made strangers stop and smile, and E loved it.

After 8 wonderful weeks in SLC, coming back to the UAE was difficult. Even with the comforts of my own bed and space, it felt strange. I had become so comfortable being with family every day, popping over to see a friend, eating American food, and enjoying the beautiful weather.

Elizabeth didn't remember our apartment at first (except for her crib which she got very excited about). The kitchen and bathrooms have a small step in the doorway that she kept tripping over. For two days we kept hearing the SMACK onto the tile floor, ouch.  We showed her to be careful of them and she's starting to remember.

The flight is the first thing people ask about. It went as well as can be expected. Keeping in mind that I have traveled across the world with her 4 times now, my perspective may be a little... different. So, it was hard, very hard. But it always is and she did well. She slept off and on for about 6 hours on the long flight, and never had any meltdowns. Honestly, I think the journey was harder on me. Within 24 hours we went through 3 airports, 3 times through security, with 8 bags and a stroller, a 5 hour layover, 21 hours of flight time, a toddler, and I'm 4 months pregnant! After lifting bags and a baby, and walking, standing, sitting for that long, my body was shutting down. That night I was blissfully giggling to myself when I got to lay down in my bed that night. Thank goodness Richard was with us, it would have been impossible without that stud of a man.

So, did you catch that little news drop? I am 17 weeks pregnant, we are expecting baby # 2 in February! 

Darling Elizabeth is very vocal these days. She is trying to talk and often screams too. She also tries to repeat things we say, even if it's a funny sound like a yelp. She is communicating a lot more.

She says: no, yes, up, down, please, uh oh, book, shoe, nose, baby, cheese, chicken, Mama, Dada, Papa, Gma, help, toes, ni ni (night), eh hoo (thank you).

She loves: babies, baby dolls, olives, turkey, Starburst candy, animals, and Dada.

She eats: Her new love is tomatoes, but eggs, oatmeal, cheese, broccoli, peas, beans, crackers, and raisins are all still favorites. She loves using a fork to eat and it still surprises me she does with it, and she prefers an adult size fork, if you please.

Music is a big deal for her. It calms her or makes her happy and she sings along. She especially loves it when we sing to her. She is so cute whenever any kind of music comes on because she stops whatever she's doing and starts dancing, which looks like bouncing from the knees, fast feet, and twirling.

It's still quite hot here, so we like to go on walks through the cool halls of the huge malls. For Elizabeth, it's more like sprinting the entire time. She laughs and laughs as she cruises farther ahead, she's getting fast too!

She is good at folding her arms as soon as we say, "Let's say a prayer." She keeps them folded to the end, and then sometimes wispers, "Ahmeh," for Amen. I usually start laughing from the cuteness.

The UAE keeps me busy in different ways than America. I am falling back into my roles here, getting back to church callings, getting in touch with friends, and making doctor appointments. Fighting for a parking spot, and feeling at home. 

beach day

Road Trip

Elizabeth and I usually accompany Richard when he goes to Dubai or Al Ain on business. We tag along for the 90 minute drive to visit friends, stores, favorite restaurants, and my tailor. :) I have yet to find a Tailor in Abu Dhabi that does the same quality work at the same price point. But I will keep looking. 

Elizabeth loves it when I sit in the back with her. I entertain her with stories and snackes for a while, and then she entertains me with her latest tricks, like sucking on her big toe. yum. :)

Nice to meet you too

Last week while at the mall, I sat down on a bench next to a nice lady and her baby. She looked at me and went back to what she was doing. But I smiled at her and struck up conversation, asking her about her baby and mentioning how darling he is. She warmed up to me and although she barely spoke any English, we were able to engage each other and get our babies to mingle too. Her little cutie is Rahi and he's 9 months old, just like Elizabeth.

Next thing I know I meet her sister, and Auntie, and Mother. Soon their is a crowd all around us, and it consists of her entire extended family, visiting from Iran. They were all so excited to see Elizabeth, I think it was the novelty of her fair skin. I felt the pressure to get Elizabeth to smile at them, luckily she was as charming as ever. :)

They were so sweet and this became one of those moments that makes me love living here, being around people from such different places. 

DeAnn & Harold Visit UAE!

Photos from Al Ain

Al Ain Palace Museum (Home to Sheikh Zayed, Father of UAE)

Al Ain Oasis

DeAnn and Harold, Richard's mom and her husband, came to visit us for two weeks and we loved every second of it! We were so happy to share this amazing place with them and Elizabeth enjoyed playing with Grandma and Grandpa.


January 28, 2011
They flew in late the night before, so we hugged, chatted for a bit, and then went to bed. Friday is the sabbath over here so we piled into our Rav4 and drove the 8 minuets to church. The vacation timing worked out well as Richard and I were asked to sing a duet this day and they got be hear it. For dinner we had my parents over (they also live in Abu Dhabi) and then went for a walk on the Corniche (road along the beach). We picked up materials about Jerusalem from ward friends and worked on our upcoming tour of the Holy Land into the night.


January 29, Saturday
Day trip to Al Ain! We drove the 90 minuets each way so that we could show them where we called home for 2 years. I took Mom to the fabric shop and then to the tailor I have worked with a lot. Next we grabbed a bite at Subway (Harold's favorite) and stopped by Carrefour for an umbrella stroller. This proved to be the best investment for our trip!  We checked out the Palace Museum and explored the Al Ain Oasis for the afternoon. When dinner rolled around, we took them to our favorite place to eat, Nadeem. A total dive. . . but serves the most amazing Pakistani food! Mom and Harold thought it was scary and wouldn't eat at first, but then tasted it and got over the foreign ambiance. :) Once we got back to Abu Dhabi, we finalized plans for hotels and cars in Jordan and Israel while grazing habanero almonds and dark chocolate. Good times!

For your enjoyment

"Hey, thanks guys!"

Well, I was entertained.

And so were they when I took this picture.

Iftar

Men sitting in front of my favorite Al Ain Mosque, waiting to pray just before sunset.

During the Islamic month of Ramadan, Iftar is the evening meal when Muslims break their fast, just after sunset. This is one of their religious observances and is often done with family and friends gathering to break their fast together.


We were lucky enough to be invited over for an Iftar or two this year. First was with a Jordanian family. They were so kind to host us in their home, and true to the local hospitality, prepared a huge feast with way too much food. The lamb biryani was so good. We discussed how our religions were similar and different, the quality of education available in the UAE, and American football a little.

At one point, Nibal and I went back to her bedroom so that we could each breastfeed our babies. At first I was a bit shy to just start nursing in from of her, but then I realized that in most cultures it is completely normal to do this around women you don't know. Here I was in her home, on her bed, both of us feeding our babies. I felt a bond. A connection with this woman that I could only slightly communicate with, that I had little else in common with. It was amazing.

Mohammad, Eyad, and Richard

Catherine, Maryam holding Elizabeth, and Nibal

We also planned an Iftar with the Coordinating Council employees. We had juice, nuts, fruit, dates, beef, and Nasim brought samosas, picaora, and kharis (prounounced har-eese).

Nasim Bad Shah and Elizabeth

McSean Thompson and Elizabeth

Grandpa and Elizabeth

Ramadan Kareem

The Islamic holy month is in full swing over here.
Ramadan began on August 11th, determined by the sighting of the new moon in is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
This is observed by Muslims throughout the world.


It is a time of daytime fasting, sacrifice, and sprituality.

Usually the roads are packed with cars in the evening. But not right now. Just before the sun goes down, around 6:45 pm, everyone is rushing to get home to have Iftar, if they're not already there. (More on Iftar later).

I enjoy witnessing this celebration that has such religious significance for the people here. Although my beliefs are different, I can appreciate such devotion. I respect this culture and the people in it for their dedication to self-improvement, to service, to humility, to God.

He's a keeper

Richard is a stud.

I am constantly amazed by who he is and what he does, especially for me.

He has been so involved in this entire pregnancy, coming to doctor appointments, shopping for baby stuff, reading up on everything, and even willing to give me back rubs at night.

Case in point, he offers to hold my purse when we're out and about.

Like many of you, I am typically prepared with and carrying around wallet, ipod, camera, water, etc. and sometimes it does get heavy and start to hurt my back, so when he insists, I let him. When I look over and see this big tough guy with my bright yellow bag over his shoulder I feel a little guilty because I don't want him to feel embarrassed. But he doesn't. He's never been one to act based on what others may think.

Thanks love, you are a champion of a man.

(Helen and Richard, she is tiny in size but such a spiritual giant, we adore her.)

Mr. Camel

We love it when we see the live stock chillin' in the flat bed's over here, especially as they fly around the roundabouts.

This is what we tailed on our way to church.

This camel was especially cute and fun to see because it's rare to see one so dark. Hey buddy!

Out for a walk

I thought I'd post more about the everyday life, so that you can have a taste and so that I will be able to remember all of the little things some day. While walking the two blocks from my door to the park, I snapped a few shots of Al Ain.


This is one of the land marks used to describe where we live, it's a working clock fountain but known as the clock tower roundabout.


This is the view just to the left of the clock of the intersection. It used to have a roundabout until a few months ago, but now has traffic lights. This is right in center city and developed enough congestion to change over to lights.

Notice the nice flowers?


Here's a close up of similar marigold gardens on the other side of the street. The government employs workers to constantly maintain the gardens all over the city, and they are changed with the seasons. It really is lovely this time of year in the UAE. It's no longer cold at night and the days are always sunny at a comfortable of 29 degree Celsius (84.2 degree Fahrenheit) at the high.

So, throw your swim trunks in a suitcase and come on over for a visit!

Honk Honk!

While driving to the market today, a white SUV with two Emirate men inside pulled up to me. I only noticed them because the one in passenger seat rolled down his window to yell, "Hey!" at me. I glanced over, saw them both gawking, and then looked forward again as I was pretty sure that they were not trying to warn me of something, like my purse on the roof. Unfortunately, I knew right away that it was a cat call, a hey baby. I slowed down to get out of their eye line, then they slowed down. So I changed into the farthest lane over and passed them. As I did that, they honked and honked honked! I was scared for a second they were going to follow me. They didn't, luckily. Then on the way home, another SUV was passing me head-on and slowed. He full on rolled down his window and blew me a kiss! And he was old! Ahhh!

Now, please keep in mind that I was wearing modest, high neck and loose-fitting clothing. But apparently having make-up on and long hair that is worn down is enough to cause harassment. Ew. I just don't like that kind of attention, it makes me uncomfortable. It was like I was wearing a bikini down the Las Vegas strip! This would never happen while I am with Richard though. I tell him about this kind of stuff but he really doesn't know what I mean. I wish just once that he were with me when it did, just so he'd know what it's like for me.

The moshing Abaya

Recently, Abu Dhabi hosted the 2009 Formula 1 Grand Prix. Until a few months ago I would have had no idea what that meant. But thanks to the money of the host, Abu Dhabi, they made this event a marketing machine. So, it's car racing. A huge deal in the car racing world. AD did what it does best and inflated the event even more by making the FanZone on the Corniche. This was two weeks of activities and events at this site building up to the Grand Prix itself on November 1, all free of charge. Some of the events included a series of car-related films, and lots of live music, with acts such as Myriam Fares, Soul II Soul and Timbaland. We were invited to crash with our awesome friends who live in AD (thanks Kera and McSean!), and check it out.

First our generous friends treated us to amazing authentic Italian food at a restaurant in the Intercontinental Hotel. Richard and I split a pizza and it tasted just like Italy. These floral arrangements were everywhere in the lobby of the Hotel. Yes, check out the tires.

I stayed up way past my bedtime and we walked over to the Corniche at 11:30 pm to see Timbaland. There were thousands of people out and of every nationality and age. We saw so many babies and kids and an elderly woman sitting on a blanket in the middle of a standing/dancing crowd. We saw teens in their concert (slutty) outfits, and Emirati's singing along to every word. My favorite though is captured in the photo below. My gift to you dear reader. This is a shot of a jumping, screaming, hands-in-the-air mosh crowd - and the hand on the far right is attached to a woman in a traditional abaya and head covering. (the bottom photo is with a flash to bring more clarity to what you are seeing.) Wow. Leave it to Hip Hop I guess.

Priceless.

Abu Dhabi Festival of Thinkers

The Festival of Thinkers is a conference to celebrate thinking and learning, and to welcome well-known thinkers from around the world to share ideas and knowledge. This conference brings in many people including 15 Nobel Prize winners and performers to be a part of the Festival.

Richard scored an invitation for us to go and we were excited to be a part of such a fancy evening, especially since it was held at the Emirates Palace which is the super up-scale hotel that cost 3 billion dollars to build. Monday, November 2, 2009 we attended a Gala Dinner at Emirates Palace from 7:30 to 11:30 pm.

The Dinner was outside, in the warm coastal air, with at least a hundred large tables set with crystal, china, and silver. We ate 4 courses, each an hour apart, so that was a little interesting to be eating the main course at 10pm. But, that is normal here - they stay up and eat late. We drank water and watermelon juice out of heavy crystal goblets made in France with gold stamps on the side. Yousef, the Emirati stting at our table said they cost $350 each. The stage hosted singers, an artist, and many kinds of dancers. My favorite was the Bollywood dancing, so lively and colorful. Oh yeah, and there was an acrobat spinning below that hot air balloon/globe as well as fireworks. That's how they roll out here in AD (Abu Dhabi), extravagance.

Yousef (new aquaintance), Rich, Me

Kera and McSean

While I saved our seats, Yousef the UAE native asked if he could sit down at the table. I said yes, motioning to the seat next to the one I was saving for Richard. Then for the next 15 minutes, I had the most surprizingly nice conversation with Yousef. Surprizing only because after living in the country for 11 months, this was my first conversation with an Emirati man. He was so friendly and outgoing, asking me about myself and my feelings about living in Al Ain. I openly told him my shock at his willingness to talk to me and of how it was a first. How I thought the lack of conversation was because I am a western woman and/or perhaps that they (the Emirati men) are all married. I told him that I live in Al Ain and then he explained to me that he is the normal for Abu Dhabi; not overly out going, and that it is not that I am a woman, or American, but rather that the people in Al Ain are so very traditional and often close-minded. He said that may be the case there, but in Abu Dhabi I would be talking to the locals everyday. Interesting... and promising. Now I kind of want to live in AD so that I can talk to and become friends with the local people. I really do want to get to know the people and culture here, but how can I do that if I never talk to them?

Thanks Yousef, you were hope in a condora.

Texture Study - Abu Dhabi Heritage Village

Sidewalk Art Shots