Dubai Driving

I actually started writing this blog several days ago. Then I hit delete. You see, the message was a little bit negative, and I don't want to write negative things. I want to have fun, be happy, and only see the positive in every experience. That is really hard when you are driving in Dubai!

While I don't like to generalize, it really safe to do so when it comes to driving here. Dubai drivers are pretty horrible. The UAE has one of the highest motor vehicle fatality rates in the world. As a rule, the Emiratis do not wear seat belts nor do they put their children in car seats. Combine this with the fact that they drive incredibly fast, well that spells disaster.

I have seen more crazy things on the roads in Dubai than anywhere else.  I am becoming a bit more obsessed with the driving habits here as Kevin will be starting drivers education by the end of the month.   I now give Kevin commentary as I drive him to and from school daily.  I point out the people that cut me off in traffic.  I am sure to add that I have to know what vehicles are around me at all times in order to know whether to brake, to swerve, or to just pray!    

You probably think this is just a nervous mom talking.  Well, I know that is part of it, but it is also a mom who has seen people back up on the highway whenever they miss their exits; people just stop on the side - even if there is no shoulder - to let workers out or pick people up.  I have seen men run across the highway trying to get across even though the cars are speeding by at 120 kph! And I won't even get started on the "optional" turn signals!

I have seen two major safe driving campaigns here in Dubai over the past year.  The one last spring on posters read "Speeding is a Sin.  Speeders are Sinners."   So, I didn't notice any difference in driving during that campaign.  This fall the campaign is "Save our Sons".  They want people to slow down when going past the all-male schools I guess!  Poor girls!

So, Kevin driving?  I know he'll go through the 5 week training.  I am certain he'll pass the test.  I know Jim and I will take him on early Friday morning driving sessions.  (The roads are completely empty on Friday mornings).   But the real dilemma will be on where I can buy enough bubble wrap to surround him and my vehicle when he actually hits the road.
  

The Storage Locker

Our home in Texas is big, just like every other Texas home. We have lots of storage space, like every other Texas home. Our house has attic space above the 2nd floor, a walk-in attic just off of one of the bedrooms, and several walk-in closets. Along with that, we have a three car garage which allowed for, you guessed it, more storage.

When we moved to Holland we didn't bring any Christmas decorations, Halloween decorations, Easter; well, you get the point. I had so many boxes of holiday decorations in the attic spaces, I decided to not go through them and just put them all in the Nalco provided storage facility. By the way, I have no idea where they are physically being stored, but I am assured it is a nice, temperature controlled space.

In addition to our huge Nalco storage locker, we also rented a space of our own. This space was used for our photo albums, important paperwork, and anything we just might need access to while we were on our adventure abroad. We have visited our 'stuff' each year when we go home. This year we all sat on the very clean floor of our storage locker and looked through photo albums. We need pictures for Kevin's year book.

Our house in Holland had lots of storage too. There was a basement, a walk-in attic space, a garage, and a storage shed. Lots of space to stash all of the new holiday decorations we purchased along with the many items we brought overseas which we did not need.

So, let's jump into the desert. Our house here is a very nice size. While my housekeeper says it is small, it is approximately 4,200 square foot. Just a shack! The problem with the homes here are their lack of storage space. There are no basements, no attics, no linen closets, no under the stair storage, no place to hide our treasures. When we finished unpacking last year we set out to find a nice climate controlled storage locker. Well, we found it! If you have been to a storage locker in Texas, picture it now. OK, now picture the 100% complete opposite! That is my Dubai storage locker.

Our locker is in an industrial area that is just on the edge of nowhere. To access the building you have to go down a narrow sand alleyway. The buildings on either side of the alley appear to be occupied by workers that probably have no where else to go. On Friday, the day off here for all workers, there is laundry hanging in the alley and men just sitting around on overturned paint buckets. It actually looks pretty scary, but that is true of lots of places here.

The locker itself is nothing more than an area that is fenced off from the locker next door. There are no solid walls, not private metal doors, and actually, no real floor! The floor is a metal grate. If you happened to drop something through the floor, it would land in the storage locker below yours! There are big black rat traps all over the place and an elevator that is designed for moving person belongings only - NO PEOPLE. This weekend when we went to the locker, the elevator was hanging by its cable with an "out of order" sign. No kidding!!

So after paying $200 a month for this lovely facility, we decided to bring our stuff home. It took four car loads and lots of sweat, but we now have all of our stuff here. Jim is now parking his car outside and we have some very happy geckos as they now have new places to explore!

I described the locker to Kevin and when he came with me to clean out the unit, he commented that is was much worse than he had imagined. It really isn't that bad....it is just Dubai.

Best First Week of School....EVER!!

Last week the kids started school here. They had a shortened week, but we'll still count it! On Thursday night (our week is Sunday-Thursday) Kevin said that this was the best first week of school ever! Coming from someone who has had first weeks at 6 different schools, that is pretty high praise!

When you attend school in the States, there is nothing really special about the first week. You pretty much see all the same faces, know all the teachers, and really know your way around the place. When you attend a school Internationally, your week is very different. You will see many new faces and many new teachers. The turnover of the student body is typically 10-20% per year.

When we first moved abroad, the kids went to The American School of the Hague (ASH). It was a wonderful school. The week before they started school, ASH had 3 days of orientations, testing, and ice breakers for the new students. They had a wonderful Student Ambassador program that would match a new student up with a returning student. Your first day of classes, you were guaranteed to see a familiar face.

Last year we moved to the American School of Dubai (ASD). This was a very different year for ASD as they moved to a new campus. This move created many challenges for the school. First, the move enabled the school to expand its student population by 400 kids. The returning students felt like their little school had now gotten SO BIG. It was hard to get acquainted with people, spirits were down, and the entire experience just was not very positive.

There also was the challenge of the new campus itself. If this building was in the US, it would never have been opened. Not only were the walls bare, but there were areas of the school blocked off by plywood doors because of the construction and there were construction workers everywhere. It was a mess.

This year we have had a completely different experience. The construction is almost done; yes, we are still waiting on a middle school playground, more artwork, signs that identify where to go, and the completion of a new parking lot and entry gate. BUT...a man named Daniel Mendes decided to make a change. Daniel is the Middle School IT teacher. Last year he and his wife (who just happens to be the Vice Principal of the HS) joined ASD from a school in Moscow.
Daniel witnessed and experienced the frustration of the students and new faculty last year. He decided to try and organize an Orientation Program for ASD. What a difference he has made.

First, on the Sunday before school started all of the new families were invited to the school. They received a wonderful, informative Welcome Packet (put together by the Welcome Committee which I co-chair). They received a tour of the school and an opportunity to buy school supplies and uniforms. It was a great day, but just the tip of the iceberg.

On Monday the school had an all-school assembly. Everyone from our 4 year old K1's to the graduating class of 2012 were there. The assembly began with the Seniors walking the 1st graders into the Field House. Then began the flag procession. ASD has over 60 nationalities represented. The flag from each country was paraded into the building. It was really moving.

The rest of the week was filled with ice breakers and get-to-know-you activities. The grande finale of the week though was the Field Day event on Thursday. In the morning the field house was filled with the High School kids. They had grade level cheer competitions, spirit competitions, and team building (read fun) games. The afternoon was the Field Day event for the Middle School.
Just before the end of the day, but still during the Middle School Field Day, the High School kids walked into the Field House (gym). They appeared to just be wandering around, but suddenly the music changed. Some girls started dancing... then...the entire High School began their Flash Mob! It was awesome! The Middle School kids quickly gathered around them and watched and cheered. They played the music a second time and the High School kids were pulling the Middle School kids into the routine. It was fun, it was crazy, and it was 700 kids dancing and laughing. It just doesn't get any better than this!

I can honestly say that I have never witnessed such a fun event. The kids all left the field house laughing and even dancing. So thank you to ASD...thank you to Daniel Mendes. This was a wonderful way to end our week and start our year. Best first week of school...EVER!

Last First or First Last?

Yesterday the kids started school. After a long summer of travel, which included visits with family, friends, colleges, Spain, and a total of 11 airports, they were ready to be back into their routine.

It was a first last for me, or wait...was it a last first? I have heard the phrase "last first" for a few years now. I remember a soccer player at ASH being emotionally moved over her last first game of the season. Later she was again emotional about her last - last game! Now that I was faced with a last first, I'm a little confused! Yesterday was the last time I would drop the kids off for their first day of school together. With Kevin being a Senior, next year Brian and Sarah will head off to their first day of school without big brother in tow.

I really thought I would feel some wave of emotion as I saw them walk off together. I had mentally prepared myself for this overwhelming sadness that would occur. Kevin asked if I was going to cry. At the end of the day all three quizzed me on what I did during the day. I think there was an expectation of my coming home, sitting on the floor and weeping over baby pictures. Instead I had a nice workout and lunch with my wonderful friends.

So my first last first was very pleasant! I will admit that my mind did flash back to several other firsts. Like a snapshot in my mind I can see Kevin standing at the bottom of the steps of that great big yellow school bus getting ready for his first day of school. I have a wonderful vision of Kevin and Sarah walking into their new Oswego school together for their first day. We were new to the school. As they got out of the car they took a few steps, stopped and looked at each other, grabbed hands and walked in. They never looked back. The Chew crew had arrived!

My mind gives me snapshots of so many events in my childrens' lives. They all bring me happiness. Ok, I will admit some do bring me tears, but they are all wonderful memories.

So I survived my last- first. I know there are many, many more to come this year. I hope that each and every one of them are met with happiness, smiles, and warm memories of my first-first with Kevin.

Good luck Seniors. Class of 2012. And good luck to all the moms who are having their last firsts. May they only bring you wonderful memories and smiles.

Happy Feet - Honking Horns....we're home!

We are "home". I have had to put that word in quotations because our definition of home is different. Brian says that his home is in Texas, that we live in a house in Dubai. Sarah says this is home, but Texas is too. I always say home is where the heart is. OK, not original and you've heard that before, but it raises a question. Does that mean it is physically where your heart is? Of course our hearts are physically here, but my heart aches for Texas and all people and the life there. But sometimes calling this place "home", just doesn't have the right ring.

While on vacation in Barcelona last week, several people asked where we were from. I thought it was so interesting to hear the answer. Sometimes the kids would say "Texas". Sometimes they would answer "Dubai". Jim, in his politically correct way, would answer "we're Americans, but we live in Dubai".

I knew I was back to my Dubai home yesterday when I drove up to the school. I was out of the driveway about 3 minutes...not even on the expressway and I was almost in an accident. I had to honk my horn and hit the brakes. Yep...I'm back "home". After I mumbled a few choice words to myself, I had to laugh. In June, before we headed back to the States for our two month visit, Jim told me I'd have a hard time driving in the US again. He said I had become a very aggressive driver. I completely disagreed and said I drive just fine and am very safety conscious. The first full day in Texas, we all had dentist appointments. I was driving through our little Friendswood and Pearland on the way to the dentist and I started to feel my chest tighten, my breath quicken, and my foot tapping. It was almost like an anxiety attack. The cause for this reaction? Well, people were going 35 mph, the posted speed limit and there were frequent stop lights. No 12 lane highway with people passing in their Ferrari's and Maserati's. A road of law abiding citizens driving Fords, Chevy's, and just taking their time. Took me almost a week to adapt to the new normal!

Today Sarah and I visited our favorite nail salon - Tips and Toes. We had our pedicures and manicures and are now ready for school. The lady who did my toes was from the Philippines. As we tried to have a conversation (language challenge), she told me of her four children. She had one son and three daughters. The oldest son is 20, the youngest girl is 10. She saw them for a month in June and will see them again in two years. While this is common here, it always makes my heart ache. As I watched and listened to her, I wonder if there was any doubt in her mind where "home" was.

Well, for now, this is "home". Still using those quotation marks I see! Oh well.....

Adios Barcelona...

Today was our last day in Barcelona. After a long, lazy morning in the apartment, we took a ride to the Telefericos de Barcelona. This is the gondola ride that goes over the waterway. It was kind of scary, but a truly beautiful view. Brian and I are a bit afraid of heights, but I wanted to ride this gondola as there are very few left in Europe. When we reached the end of the ride, we had lunch at the top of the hill overlooking Barcelona. There was a cool breeze and it was a wonderful way to end our time here.

Tonight Jim and Kevin attended a bullfight. Sarah, Brian, and I decided to skip this event and headed back to the apartment to pack and just relax. Effective January 1, 2012, bullfighting will no longer be allowed in Barcelona. They still allow it in other areas of Spain, but no longer here. As Jim and Kevin described the fight to Brian and I (Sarah left the room), I am SO glad we did not attend. It sounds so cruel. I will not share any description of this event and must say I am glad that Barcelona will no longer support this - although their reasons for not supporting bullfighting has nothing to do with cruelty to animals.

We are all ready to be home. It has been a wonderful summer. We've spent time with family, friends, and each other. My reasons for coming to Barcelona were not only to see Spain, but give my family time to reunite and have some fun together. Mission accomplished.

Beach & Burn

Today we decided to spend another day at the beach. Kind of odd that we are enjoying it so much since we live 10 minutes from a really nice warm beach at home and NEVER go! Guess that is why this is called a vacation. We vacation from our real life and do different, fun things.

The waves were really high today and the boys and I had such fun diving in them, body surfing (kind of), and just splashing around. Since I never burn, I am the only one who didn't apply suntan lotion. I didn't apply any the other day either, and was just fine. Guess something was different today and I have obtained a little burn. Not bad, but just enough to make me hot and really feeling tired. It is Saturday night at 10:00 and Sarah, Brian, and I are all tucked into the hide-a-bed ready to watch some 1970's detective show....that is all they show here. Jim and Kevin headed out to a local theater to see what movies are around. Jim said that 10PM on a Saturday night is just to early to call it a night. Hmm..this is obviously vacation Jim!

I also have to add a note about how much I am enjoying watching Jim and Kevin together. I mean, Jim and all the kids are great, but seeing my almost 18 year old boy having such a good time with his dad is awesome. My brother is 10 years older than me, so I don't remember seeing he and my dad having such silly times. Jim and Kevin laugh together, share stories, wrestle in the water and just really enjoy each others' company. I am so blessed. I don't know how or why I was given such great kids, but I do know it is a blessing from above.

Tomorrow is our last day here. Not sure what we'll do. We've seen all the sights of Barcelona. The boys want another beach day, but not sure I'm up to that again. Maybe Sarah and I will hit the shops. We would like to ride the gondola, but the winds have been so strong, it is just too scary for a few of us (no names mentioned).

So, off to bed. Still just loving my vacation and the time with the kids and my sweetie. Such a rare gift.