One step at a time, wherever these adventures lead.: What a Difference a Year Makes

Living in this moment
I am beginning to realize a pattern. Lately there are fewer hours in my day. A year ago I felt that I had more downtime and spent most of my time wondering what experiences I would encounter in this home away from home. I also spent several moments trying to understand how my role would fit into this new and developing university environment.

Fortunately, this time I am feeling more confident. Best analogy, I have left the shoulder on the highway and crossed over a few lanes. I sort of know the pace of the city and I can anticipate my own personal and work schedule with a greater conviction.

Speaking of feeling comfortable, I started brainstorming ideas before I finally moved in at the beginning of August.

My living room with a nice view of the city

One of my favorites sites, London Eye

Kitchen and dining room table

Hallway which connects to master bedroom, and second bedroom; family pictures as accents

The second/guest bedroom

A few of my favorite cities

Master bedroom

A close friend and coworker sent me this image on a card. Very meaningful.

The theme continues through my shower curtain

Intersecting Circles

While I envisioned an enclosed community when I first arrived, I have started to view this adventure as something much more. Fast forward a year and now I feel more connected with facets of my job, relationships with colleagues and friendships with other expats. These individuals are making the most out of their experience and we share a mutual understanding of exploring the culture and city, while finding ways to add our own signature to our short/long term stay in the UAE.

If someone would have asked me whether I would get an opportunity to share this unbelievable experience with others, I would have laughed at the idea. To my surprise I have been able to generate some of my most memorable moments from this types of interactions. Several wonderful friends and colleagues over time have decided to spend some time visiting my new home. This has had a significant impact on my experience here. No matter who I am hosting, I gain a new level of appreciation for being where I am.

Speaking of which, I had to college friends from North Texas who decided to take a vacation to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Given the timing, it was best to host a housewarming party and show them around the town.

The Grand Mosque is a MUST see in Abu Dhabi

Next highlight was housewarming party.

Disclaimer: while I had purchased necessary groceries, I had some wonderful assistants, Lily and Jennifer who helped with the implementation.

Myself, Lily and Jennifer. Mini North Texas reunion in Abu Dhabi.

Group Picture. Some of the ladies who were in attendance that evening.

Seeing the city: Emirates Palace as the sun begins to set

A large carpet of the palace hanging inside the main lobby area.

Welcoming my birthday/celebrating the rest of 2012
When 2012 arrived, it brought along bursts of empowerment and excitement for the entire year. I attribute it to my upcoming birthday. I have always set goals, and have worked diligently to achieve them; however, life takes over and by March everything is back to normal. This year I wanted to see my goals come to fruition, so I started taking action. For example, taking opportunities to travel around the globe.

Traveling is a big part of why I wanted to live abroad. I just assumed that once I had a chance to step outside the US border, it would me much easier to see multiple countries at once especially given the accessibility. Also in an ideal world my travel would have happened via job obligations, nonetheless I am still determined. So I created a travel tier list. Tier 1 are the absolute places I would love to see while Tier 4 has potential but not immediate. One thing to note, I have been flexible with my tiers. If an opportunity arises to go to a place which I had not considered, I will take it. I have checked off several countries on my wish list and plan to add some more especially while I am in the UAE.

Another goal, running my first 10K race. I started getting into a running “routine” on the treadmill last August. I slowly realized I actually enjoyed running on my own time. I also sought it as a therapeutic and freeing experience to test my limits; one of the best ways to have down time and to get in shape. Since then, I have increased my distance over time and would like to make it through a 10k, and have made it a priority to build up to the upcoming race in early November. Another way to prepare (in my mind) was participating in my first mountain hike in Al Ain at Jebel Hafeet.

Jebel Hafeet is Abu Dhabi’s highest peak at 1240 metres, and 2^nd highest in the UAE. It borders Oman. We took approximately 40 students on this adventure on an early Saturday morning. Due to some delays, we did not start the hike until 8am, which meant higher temperatures and sweaty climb on a paved shoulder of the road. For me it resulted in a couple of pauses on the bus before making it to the top. A few of us have vowed to try it again but in the winter season when the sun is more forgiving. In the meantime, a check is listed for hiking.

With Khulood, my hiking buddy

Bus followed at a distance

Al Ain Royal Palace in the background

And we finally made it “officially” to the top

Atelier Festival

Now this next experience had nothing to do with goals. I just like music. I have attended more concerts in the UAE than any I had in the States. When I hear of major artists visiting the region, I have to take advantage of the opportunity. Chances are I will not get the same in the States due to high sell out rates.

Clare and I had purchased VIP passes, and somehow this friendly gentleman invited us to join him in the platinum section with the rest of the Londoners. The group of male and female attendees was so friendly and welcoming to us. Their section was the ultimate view for this concert; literally we were at the front row of the entire music venue. When we passed through the security, I was still in a state of disbelief thinking the Londoners would only allow us to stay for a couple acts. However as the time went by, I knew we were there to stay. I think being a woman definitely played a pivotal role in gaining us access; the unexpected perks.

Craig David

Ciara

Nelly, Murphy Lee and the crew

Skyblu of LMFAO

50 Cent for the encore

While I am achieving some goals and taking on the miscellaneous events, every moment has not always been seamless. I do miss the States and the many people family and friends, close connections I had, and the shortened distance between visits versus 7000 miles.
However given my philosophy that everything happens for a reason, I am absolutely embracing where I am now.

BONUS:

Emele (Food) is Served

With the EID holiday, which resulted in a 4 day weekend I am excited to test out my cooking skills. I felt inspired to find necessary ingredients and spend time making some Ugandan dishes. Now finding these types of recipes is not as easy as one would think. First I am using my memories from the times which I have eaten Ugandan food as a child or an adult and trying to figure out if I can capture those flavors in the same way. Other challenge is finding these ingredients which translate as closely as possible to what you can find in Uganda. I am given some hope because most of our produce in the UAE is reflective of the expats in the region which includes a great influence from India. In fact some of our dishes share similar ingredients which help. Surprisingly there are several blogs or message boards of people looking to cook and enjoy this food outside of Uganda. So provided helpful tips:)

Ideally Matooke is prepared similar to this-over an open fire and charcoal: