Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving with 2 American families, 3 Australian families and 1 Canadian family. It was great! The American's set the menu and we divided up the food. Lisa organized the event and Philipa and Joe hosted. They live on Palm Jumeriah on frond B. I thought that I had a group shot, but I guess I didn't get one... bummer. What a great crew. It's nice to have a family in Dubai. At dinner we went around the table and said what we were thankful for. The boys got a little silly and said they were thankful for their butts. I said I was thankful for my art show and new boobs. Of course there were serious ones too. It was a great time!

Sophie, Elle, Dani, Tyler, Georgia, Megan, and Lillian. Sophie, Elle, Lillian, Megan and Dani.

Charlie, Owen, Banjo (Ben), Ethan and Dillon. Daren, Larry, Matt and Joe.

Jenny, Lisa and Lara (not to be confused with Laura!)

Dubai Fountains

We had dinner at an italian restaurant over looking the fountains at the Dubai Mall and the Burj Dubai.

FIFA World Cup Beach Soccer

FIFA World Cup Beach Soccer was on Umm Suqeim beach very near our house. It lasted for a week. We went to a few of the qualifying matches which were free. We also went over on the night of the finals assuming that we would have to pay to get in, but it was free! Beach soccer is action packed because the field is small. The final 2 games were Uruguay and Portugal and Switzerland and Brazil. There was face painting and we randomly decided to root for Brazil who ended up winning. The fireworks at the end were truly amazing. We were glad that we stayed. It was a school night and the kids got to bed at midnight... but hey, you only live in Dubai once, right?

Art Show

My first art show!!! About 50 people came to see the show and I sold 7 paintings. I had around 20 paintings on display. Thanks so much to all of my Dubai friends for coming and supporting my art! I would like to do another 2 shows before leaving here.

Another Funny Dubai Story

Friends from Geneva came to visit for the day (a long layover in Dubai). I decided to pick them up from the airport via our new metro train. The first train out of the Mall of the Emirates leaves 6:07am. So I head to the mall about 10 til 6. Get there about 4 minutes til 6. Stop at the ATM and then head for the train. I only have to wait a couple of minutes. All goes well to the airport. I pick up Beth and Mandy, then we head back to the mall. I show them Ski Dubai (which is at the mall), then we head out to the car. I stop to validate my parking ticket. The machine says that I owe 350Dhs (about $100US). I call the little man over, show him the price and say "That isn't right because I have been here less than 4 hours so it should be free." He then calls over another little man. I'm asked what time did I get here (even though it's clearly marked on my ticket). I tell them a few minutes before 6am. Well then, you have to pay 350. "Wwhhhyyy?" I ask. "Well you were here between 4 and 6 am, you must pay over night." I ask if this is marked anywhere on the parking signs, well, no ma'am, it's not, but from 4-6 you must pay overnight charges. I say, sternly I might add, "I am not paying 350Dhs to park here for less than 3 hours." Well you must. I am not paying... this goes on for several minutes. So together these 2 little men press the help button on the ticket machine. I explain my situation to the man in the box. Well ma'am, it's the rule, it will cost 350. I repeat several times, this is ridiculous and I am not paying. Finally I am told that I can go, but don't do this again! I then ask if I am going to have to do this whole thing again with the little man at the gate. No, no ma'am, the gate will open. I get to the gate, insert my ticket which I know will not open the gate. I call over another little man, briefly explain and ask him to call the man in the box. Before I can even say hi the gate opens because I am sure the man in the box no longer wants to deal with the crazy lady.

This story is so typical of Dubai. The rule makes no sense... if you want to catch the 6:07 train, it would be best to get there before then - right? But if you get there before 6, then you will have to pay a ridiculous amount to park. To top off the crazy rule, the men working there aren't really allowed to break it. If workers break the rules they can be fired, which means they have to leave the country. It's a vicious crazy cycle.

Yet another good example of why life in Dubai is more difficult that it looks. We do like it, but could really do without this crap.

Elle and her little guys

Elle likes to set up house with her "little guys," aka Littlest Pet Shop. Here are a few photos of her handy work. She will play with them for hours and take pictures. We need to get her into a photography class.

Dani's U14 Swim Meet

DAA swam against ASD (American School of Dubai), ACS (American Community School of Abu Dhabi) and one other that we can't remember. Dani swam the 100m back stroke, 100 and 200 free style relay, 100 and 200 medley relay, 50 free style and she won 3 first place ribbons and 2 third places. We are so proud of her!