Rainstorm

Rain is pretty rare in the UAE, but it has actually rained for the last couple of days. Usually when it rains you can measure it by how many raindrops per square foot - count the wet spots when it stops. There was thunder, lightening and several downpours. It was quite a sight. It was also a real treat to sleep to the sound of rain! The storm knocked out phones, internet and satellite for a day or so.

Regular Life

Not a lot to blog about. We've just been living a regular life-working, eating, sleeping and trying to have some recreation. We've been trying to swim several evenings a week in the pool (water is wonderful), and find new places to walk.

We would be riding our bikes more but we can't transport two at a time on our vehicle. We ordered a rack, but as yet it has not been delivered in the mail. So for the time being we ride in our small neighborhood, which like most of UAE is flat and dry. Finn Sisu loads his in the trunk sometimes and find other areas to ride.

I do enjoy the parks and the fact that they are lit for nighttime use. But I realize that I have become accustomed to trash and food containers left in the parks. In relation to parks in the U.S. they are not quite as clean, which is great shame because Abu Dhabi has gone to great lengths to build green space here. There are even parks that are dedicated to women and children.

For the most part I find that I am fully adjusted to life here. Everything we do seems very normal, not extra-ordinary. But I do miss my friends, and I know Finn does also. He still has not found the right job for him yet, but he seems to be staying busy and is happy-that's most important. He is actually doing better than I thought-which makes me happy.

We've found several great bookstores, three great supermarkets, a shoe store and a local restaurant that costs about $12 for dinner for two. We spent a few hours washing patios (lots of sandy residue), outdoor furniture and the car; as well as trimming shrubs and greenery around the villa today. So, as I said, life feels pretty normal.

Ibn Battuta & Alegria

We loved the Cirque du Soleil show La Nouba at Disney World last fall so we could not miss the traveling show Alegria, now in Dubai. We decided to make a nice weekend of it and spend the night, also. Our hotel room was unbelievable. We were expecting a room with a bathroom and maybe a view. What we got was a whole full size apartment with 2 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a full kitchen, formal dining and living room. And that doesn't even count the massive foyer and laundry room.

The show was set up at a Dubai mall. Ibn Battuta was a 14th century Moroccan scholar and great explorer (he traveled even farther than Marco Polo). So naturally, Dubai has a theme mall to commemorate this legendary traveler. The mall's six courts reflect the architecture of each region he explored – Andalusia, Tunisia, Egypt, Persia, India and China. It was a real trip!

The show was, as always, unique-if just a bit too long. But I think we should see them all before we pass judgement. Wonder just how many shows there are...

Small Town Abu Dhabi

In our out-and-about this weekend we encountered several people we know, including my boss and his family.

After saying goodbye to colleagues in the restaurant, we met others in the car park (garage). After leaving we stopped at a red light where my boss pulled up along side us with his wife and 3 young kids. My husband was steady trying to get me to turn around and stick out my tongue...but I was adamant-Not to my Boss!!! As if on cue my superior officer is in his car sticking out his tongue, with his fingers in his ears to me!!!!!

How utterly funny! We laughed all the way home. That camaraderie is what I love most about being in the foreign service. And I'm glad that Abu Dhabi is starting to feel like a small town.

My Best Friend

Our family has suffered a major loss. This little guy has been with us for 15 years, pretty much all of his life. He has always been small at 15 lbs, but with big personality. He and Finn Sisu have been so very close.

A couple of weeks ago JJ had a bad episode of fluid in his lungs as a result of heart disease. He spent the night in the animal hospital and was much better when he came home, but not even fully recovered. We did everything we could for him the next few days-helping him rest, getting his medicine in him and trying to feed him every few hours. Unfortunately he would not eat and did not recover. You know the rest of the story.

It has been a week since he has gone and our life is still discombobulated. It is so odd to not have to go outside before bed, always watch where you walk, or worry about every crumb that falls on the floor. Yes, he was old and had heart problems. We knew this day would come, but there is a great disconnect between what the intellect understands and what the heart feels.

I suppose this period of grief is the price we pay for those 15 years of affection and laughter. We have many wonderful memories and stories to tell. We have met many wonderful friends by sharing our love of this breed and by doing rescue for several years. If you have never experienced the unconditional love and faith of a four legged friend you are really missing out.

We will recover, but for the time being we are missing the big personality that was JJ.