tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51991800014138839502024-02-02T14:37:19.280+04:00A Hollywood EndingA look into my life as I make a major life transition to the Middle East. The challenges I will undoubtedly face, the victories to come, and the memories to be made, all strung together in the hopes to make up my hollywood ending...Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240688181263567134noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199180001413883950.post-28368957145267539452013-04-13T15:15:00.003+04:002013-04-13T15:16:48.527+04:00Looking to the Future<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Family!</td></tr>
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Where to start... I have started a new career. Number three since I have graduated college. I think this one my just stick though! I have found an industry I am passionate about, food! Selling local and organic veggie, I get see a lot of unique places in Dubai and meet some really talented chefs. And the biggest news we have gotten our precious new puppy, Brussels Sprout. Such a good girl.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brussels "Sprout"</td></tr>
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Life in Dubai has become somewhat normal. Well I guess normal is all relative. We are still managing traveling, headed to the Philippines next month. We haven't been away since my absolute bestie came out to Bali and surprised me! I was in complete shock and so grateful for that trip. E and our other friend D were amazing orchestrating it all and it was a pure birthday surprise. I wonder what he will do for my 30th?! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surprise Besties in Bali!</td></tr>
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It has been interesting emotional transition for the first year and a half I really dreamed about our time to come home, but those feelings have been gradually slipping away. I am not sure if it is the job, or the dog, or our great group of friends but I do not think about home as much, in the terms of going back. Of course I always miss and think about our family and friends, but day to day life we have it really good. Do not get me wrong there are many conveniences that I miss about the states, but when we come back I wonder what all I will miss about Dubai? <br />
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I plan to check into the space a little more often than I have in the past, its so fun to look back and see where we have come. And it's fun to look to the future and all of the incredible places we have to go.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the coolest places we went this year, <br />
safari in the Serengeti!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All dressed up celebrating Molly & David!</td></tr>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240688181263567134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199180001413883950.post-19869207966501956912012-08-14T14:58:00.000+04:002012-08-14T14:58:10.704+04:00No One Likes Grumpy <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Girls down South, reuniting is fun!<br />Go Buffs!!<br />(Special thanks to Pam in helping name this Blog Post)</td></tr>
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Hi y'all! I have just come back from 10 days back in the good ole 'US of A,' spending time down South, so I am feeling the y'all is just the greeting I need. So...I have been a way for sometime, but with some prompting hoping to find my way back to A Hollywood Ending. Not that I have not been living one, but back to writing about it. <br />
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My mom once told me that life is like a circle and during your life you might be on top, maybe on the side, or possibly on the bottom but it will always swing back around. Now do not go and get your smallest violin out, I certainly have not, but I have just been waiting for things to swing just a tich back up and they have in a really good way. So sorry for not posting, but no one likes grumpy. <br />
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So what's new? Well, I have left the world of recruitment. I tip my hats to those that recruit, especially in an agency setting. It was a tough day-in and day-out for little old me. And when I told my boss it was time for me to go my simple explanation was, "I just do not feel needed." I did not feel like I was accomplishing anything or truly helping anyone, and besides that my ass began to double from sitting so much! So, I have gone out and got myself a brand new j-o-b. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just another lil snapshot, unrelated to the post but<br />everyone likes pictures!</td></tr>
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My future mother-in-law always says, "Do what you love and money will follow." I know I have rambled on several times about looking for my passion and I always go back to cooking and most of all EATING (and that does not help my rear end either :) and so I have found a job in food. I saw a positions posted looking for a Sales Manager for a company that runs farmers markets out here in the Middle East, providing patrons with organic and local veggies. I was shocked that they had a position open as I had randomly sent my CV months before on a speculative basis to get no response, but all be darned I sent it again and got a response. I went through several interviews and Viola...A job I am so excited about a company I am so proud to be apart of. I really could see myself in this industry, we all know how trendy "Local & Organic" is at the moment and I am banking that it lasts. <br />
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Before this brilliant job starts I get to go see Lions, and Tigers, and Bears, oh my!! Maybe not Bear or Tigers, but Zebras and Giraffes! Maybe Elephants too? We were going over some trip details last night and there are some very specific wardrobe requirements for this lil safari. Apparently white or bright colors are not allowed, also it suggests not to wear camouflage as you might get shot at? By hunters? HUH, so confused? I am thinking the boys were teasing but you can trust I will not be wearing any of that. Actually I never thought I would say this but I am actually going shopping tonight for those pants that zip off into shorts. Yep, I am totally going to rock that look with a wide brimmed hat and maybe some zinc on my nose (not the white color though). Sexy! <br />
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So trip details to follow! I am back, be excited :) I am.</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240688181263567134noreply@blogger.com027th St - Dubai - United Arab Emirates25.271139 55.30748523.4137245 52.7806295 27.128553500000002 57.834340499999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199180001413883950.post-5566651908341093392012-06-04T08:48:00.001+04:002012-06-04T08:51:09.424+04:00One Year Later<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elephant!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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Since I have been away I have celebrated a milestone. One year in Dubai! Six new countries, a magnitude of new food encounters, 2 10ks & 1 half marathon, great new friends, one phenomenal fiance, and I think it is safe to say it has been a very full and rich year. <br />
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It is hard to say what will happen next? Much to my mother's dismay at a wine tasting, we had this Scottish Gypsy (equivalent to physic in "American") tell us that in 1 year and 9 months, not to be specific or anything, we would be moving to Hong Kong and then finally settle down some where in Germany. Now I have an open mind and I am okay with living the expat life, but I think that is taking it a little bit to the extreme. I do still get very much homesick. We have a fab life over here but I miss my family, friends, and their many milestones. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family in Dubai!</td></tr>
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My latest endeavor is trying to discover my passion. It sounds cheesy, but this is something I think I have always struggled with. I have tried running, which has been fun, but let's get real, I can definitely take it or leave it. Lately, I have been cooking a lot more and going to the farmers market, and reading blogs on whole foods and cooking. We have mad some pretty great dinners! Maybe I am onto something. The gypsy did mention to me that I will go back to school at sometime? It is a little far fetched, but maybe culinary school? Or maybe just a cooking class, either will suffice. <br />
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This past year has been full of changes, almost all of them for the good, let's see what this next year brings. My Hollywood Ending will undoubtedly continue, "A true love story never ends..."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Bring it on year two! I am ready.</span></span></span></td></tr>
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</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240688181263567134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199180001413883950.post-51493970847336299022012-03-18T20:58:00.000+04:002012-03-18T20:58:50.418+04:00A Hollywood Ending<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paradise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So with a little prompting I am back in the blogosphere. What happened while I was away? A lot. Number One and really the only thing that matters is that E created the most perfect Hollywood Ending on our holiday in the Maldives. I mean with a setting like that how can it not be romantic? So let's start from the beginning....<br />
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On our third day in the Maldives E did a great job getting me, a classically trained pool girl, into the big bad ocean. He knew he would have to ease me into it as I am a wader, I have never fully believed in jumping straight off of the edge into the water. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdqDkFIvJoZpgY0FiKg3DzPxGPYi3DBC4gjtBX8DC2JcwqKuINxPtSvzZQ8_oKk5L1g23c4NbscS46JXy2mu46r2S2fsGHbRGKmN_Jds0HLK-uc5CU1_o8gdjPIHQ_hVRZ0-4KCptGoE2/s1600/maldives+feet+sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdqDkFIvJoZpgY0FiKg3DzPxGPYi3DBC4gjtBX8DC2JcwqKuINxPtSvzZQ8_oKk5L1g23c4NbscS46JXy2mu46r2S2fsGHbRGKmN_Jds0HLK-uc5CU1_o8gdjPIHQ_hVRZ0-4KCptGoE2/s200/maldives+feet+sunset.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>We started out the morning on an incredibly rocky boat. There were about 10 other people suiting up and eagerly awaiting their impending dive. Once everyone suited up, shipped off, and properly submerged, I found myself on the boat reading and answering to the boat hands why I am not diving. I have found myself in this position several times and without fail I always get grilled on why I am not diving. Yes I realize it is very safe (until you get trapped 90 feet under water or eaten by a shark). Yes, I realize it is not scary, but really very peaceful (maybe to you but I freak out when a ladybug lands on me). I am not a priss, I really am not but I just really do not want to dive...Okay? So I happily bobbed along on the boat...for an hour...until complete sea sickness set it. The boat was going from side to side and I honestly thought we were going to flip over at one point and when you are on a boat in the middle of the ocean, there is no place to go, so you just have to grin and bare it. <br />
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After about an hour, or is it 50 bar? The divers started to surface. E happily hopped on the boat, saw my green face and just told me we would be home soon. Thank goodness it was only about a 15 minute ride back to shore, I was more than ready to get back pool side. <br />
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Earlier in the week we had checked out some snorkel gear. We attempted to go the day before but my nerves just were not up to it, the entry point was far too intense and I saw way too many fish from the surface, which I realize for most of you, that is the point but for me, that is my fear! So we decided that we would wade out into the crystal blue water and there were little pockets of the sea that were deeper and we could safely snorkel and I could easily swim back to safety in the shallow water if I felt a meltdown coming on. <br />
<br />
It was beautiful, I must admit. We saw all sorts of neon fish and later in the day even came across three massive sting rays. E did a good job protecting me and not rushing me into it. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KpWjU9lWCTYGJ13jpoetDy4ZZYb6IgSmPuVv_hfXL5CCRbwqlP7I0QC3UvFOvN9Duh6wZvORIATzrKBVb0QQLSXzO0Q-74C317eS5bdULt6ARQfFDzm1i2YidScZUqUj0jaBS9HdTmfx/s1600/maldives+couple+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KpWjU9lWCTYGJ13jpoetDy4ZZYb6IgSmPuVv_hfXL5CCRbwqlP7I0QC3UvFOvN9Duh6wZvORIATzrKBVb0QQLSXzO0Q-74C317eS5bdULt6ARQfFDzm1i2YidScZUqUj0jaBS9HdTmfx/s200/maldives+couple+water.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
It was always planned that we would have a quiet night in. Maybe order some room service and watch a movie, but E had mentioned that he wanted to go across the way for Sun downers, on this island that he had gone off to explore the day before. E is so good about planning around the sunset, and to be truthful by that point in the day I was so burnt from having my backside up in the water I just wanted to soothe my sunburn, but I said to myself, "no, E wants to watch the sunset, get it together and let's go." He suggested that I wear something nice because the bar on the private island was a bit more upscale. I threw on a maxi dress and away we went.<br />
<br />
We took the boat to the island across the way and then walked across this open wooden bridge until we came to two massive double doors that read, "Residents Only." I looked at him, back at the door and tried to turn the handle. "Babe, it's locked, I guess we cannot go in? We aren't residents."<br />
<br />
"It's fine," he said as he hopped down to the beach 4 feet below. This seemed like a lot of effort for sundowners, but whateves. So he lifted me down to the beach and we walked hand in hand. The whole time I am looking out for staff, and residents to spot us and tell us that we are not allowed in here. I tell E again, "babe, we are breaking and entering...breaking the rules, I think we should leave!" He squeezed my hand tighter as we passed the bar. "Come on there is a coconut grove back here I want to show you." Staff came out from the coconut groves and gave us the weirdest look, and again I thought, we are caught, they know we are imposters! I followed E closer for protection and he began squeezing my hand harder and harder.<br />
<br />
We are now mid grove when E randomly says, "There is a pot up here with crabs in it."<br />
<br />
"Why would I want to see crabs?"<br />
<br />
We approached the said pot and E immediately points out again, "yeah there are crabs in here let me show you." <br />
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Now I do not know why but I really did believe him that there were crabs in there and that he wanted to show them to me and that I for some reason wanted to see him. For the next 90 seconds E faked like he was wrestling crabs in the bottom of this pot and I was sitting back jumping and yelling, "watch out babe, don't let them bite you!" <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdA08FGf1gEtrkLJV7HkXmfhLB283SUY4r6gRdV1sg-qaYQB2xe2QhVMQ679Zwdzgpr3l7RU5YE8JBbezTCTAZWrr9Hq_zXohCQzoZ0F2deBdTONruAAxZqymaI-LrQJGIMaI7WBboYVBt/s1600/maldives+pot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdA08FGf1gEtrkLJV7HkXmfhLB283SUY4r6gRdV1sg-qaYQB2xe2QhVMQ679Zwdzgpr3l7RU5YE8JBbezTCTAZWrr9Hq_zXohCQzoZ0F2deBdTONruAAxZqymaI-LrQJGIMaI7WBboYVBt/s320/maldives+pot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Then after her proclaimed that he had caught the illusive crab he turned. Got down on one knee. And I gulped thinking to myself. Oh yes! This is happening! Pay attention Laura. This will only happened once. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg728BH2DMyNibCYBs8D4EOmzblDDFJjAqgq3CohT3US-MfxpQQ8lgy8gctf8DFwlT88h-lBgiUj5tCxBi98NvktXO1W8YvDfv51DtL18MWHLgA6H-6I85IAQVctxeOLHGmDf-CmxMl2D3R/s1600/maldives+drummere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg728BH2DMyNibCYBs8D4EOmzblDDFJjAqgq3CohT3US-MfxpQQ8lgy8gctf8DFwlT88h-lBgiUj5tCxBi98NvktXO1W8YvDfv51DtL18MWHLgA6H-6I85IAQVctxeOLHGmDf-CmxMl2D3R/s320/maldives+drummere.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Tears welled a diamond, a gorgeous beautiful diamond, was presented and I of course said yes!! From behind me traditional Maldivian drummers came out of the bushes rogue style, and a man approached with champagne. We did our celebration dance (and if you have seen E dance you know that it is fingers pointed and very bouncy dance). We kissed (thankfully he didn't propose in Dubai!) and took pictures and drank our champagne by sunset. E revealed that champagne was all set to be had on a boat but after that morning dive he called the front desk and said, "Sara, call off the boat! She got sea sick this morning! Call off the boat!"<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRe40karW6AaPDP1BESmYxk5_qvxwF9lwz64uGFyYG8DxEKGuH_8RCTJjHYIrU24R5iBuE2ViEbsZb6F88ntLYFDw9kGOf2nryDuW9XyNT6rps-suzMQYiaf6eiGsGsX3wc4CoZQG1-589/s1600/maldives+sunset+sparkler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRe40karW6AaPDP1BESmYxk5_qvxwF9lwz64uGFyYG8DxEKGuH_8RCTJjHYIrU24R5iBuE2ViEbsZb6F88ntLYFDw9kGOf2nryDuW9XyNT6rps-suzMQYiaf6eiGsGsX3wc4CoZQG1-589/s320/maldives+sunset+sparkler.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After about 15 minutes a man appeared and asked if we were ready. Ready? For what? We are done. We are perfect! But my amazing E had the night all planned. We took a boat to our own private island were we toasted some more, feasted on an amazing dinner under a beautiful white tent, gorgeous flowers, with our own chef and waiter. And we just loved each other and celebrated. The boy didgood. My phenomenal fiance...He did amazing! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPha6YjZDaEc1BErNqQCQJluJOb7NRhAeD6vT-p-pzHBEORJ40fYTg8Y22vjFpslU6c0fwcgdHxrURpktJEMVfjr3myqZaZvGNOobNK0TS8-ReMbGe7GzjEce2vkggTcrysSnR-Q0ymcvo/s1600/maldives+dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPha6YjZDaEc1BErNqQCQJluJOb7NRhAeD6vT-p-pzHBEORJ40fYTg8Y22vjFpslU6c0fwcgdHxrURpktJEMVfjr3myqZaZvGNOobNK0TS8-ReMbGe7GzjEce2vkggTcrysSnR-Q0ymcvo/s320/maldives+dinner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I can truly say I am the luckiest. And I really did get A Hollywood Ending.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FG80uWOhvDqhI0u00zsJ1ogsWljOY_hapI1lUdwr9rKVji34Qc8Dv64MWEZ0C5r51V2zAzOpiEpMZw2Qqdbi3ejdj-Ktogrdo-YcRmQ0MCvYUcgzaOKVGeKpdAHGbZ2dZPbQYxsvR6Ws/s1600/maldives+jumping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FG80uWOhvDqhI0u00zsJ1ogsWljOY_hapI1lUdwr9rKVji34Qc8Dv64MWEZ0C5r51V2zAzOpiEpMZw2Qqdbi3ejdj-Ktogrdo-YcRmQ0MCvYUcgzaOKVGeKpdAHGbZ2dZPbQYxsvR6Ws/s320/maldives+jumping.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jumping up and down with excitement!<br />
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</tbody></table><br />
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</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240688181263567134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199180001413883950.post-20616548611698590012012-01-22T22:00:00.000+04:002012-01-22T22:00:33.751+04:00'Round Here<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuKjJi3xvnzFRWitNbbyCnZvkPAM_4AE1g9QfQ9WNARMIpX9paH66Mr4RrvNqBBW7q_Cj-9CaYSsfqKu3UES10ap5BGt6XlhjfUwrOH8MuaDCuGyDJxqtkZCzvESHrCu3eSF5vrWuKooJ/s1600/IMG_0543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuKjJi3xvnzFRWitNbbyCnZvkPAM_4AE1g9QfQ9WNARMIpX9paH66Mr4RrvNqBBW7q_Cj-9CaYSsfqKu3UES10ap5BGt6XlhjfUwrOH8MuaDCuGyDJxqtkZCzvESHrCu3eSF5vrWuKooJ/s200/IMG_0543.JPG" width="148" /></a></div>I guess it is pretty obvious by now my New Years Resolution was not to write more blog posts, or if it was I get an epic fail. I have been floundering around for sometime trying to really define what this blog is about. To be fair Dubai and I do not always love each other, we have our ups and downs like any normal person/new city relationship, but I do not want this to turn into a "a woe is I and Dubai," montage. So I have kept my silence but with some persistence things are getting slightly more exciting in our world.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdx22sTeKYnwCQNOa7y0ovIMTrEVRH50I8vkWPZBbibVGXPUJin2fju7lYyog-xp8HXL5QKQH3aaD82wdn-ZgmykOUvAjURxnU54pGOXLMbiIWdOQxMz_711JvhpM_zoftRfvHcrrdOxjE/s1600/IMG_0544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdx22sTeKYnwCQNOa7y0ovIMTrEVRH50I8vkWPZBbibVGXPUJin2fju7lYyog-xp8HXL5QKQH3aaD82wdn-ZgmykOUvAjURxnU54pGOXLMbiIWdOQxMz_711JvhpM_zoftRfvHcrrdOxjE/s200/IMG_0544.JPG" width="148" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">We move into a new apartment next week. We do not have the epic views but it is a fabulously spacious place and I get to organize it just so, I am sure the other two will not mind a bit. E and I jet set off to the Maldives in a few weeks, which is bound to be awesome. If you do not believe me, just google it, check out the images section...I will wait... While E is on the island my friends and I have been working as a collective team to get out of the house and do more adventurous activities. Two weeks ago we went rock climbing. I was literally shaking up there ready to hyperventilate but I made it to the top. Last week we went to a Dubai Meet-Up, a group of random people who happen to have common interests. Naturally, we went to the wine tasting group, made some new friends and had a good night on the town. We have also implemented Yoga Mondays, enough said. And next up I am planning to dig very deep into my past, buy a new pair of cleats and hit the soccer field, ahem football (to be UK/Dubai/the rest of the world appropriate) and join a women's league. It has been at least five years since I have touched a ball, but it used to be something that I love and I am coming back to my roots. And hopefully making a few friends in the mean time. </div><br />
<br />
So we are keeping busy round these parts. I do need to give a very special shout out to my love who turned 28 last weekend, we even squeezed in a little beer pong, to take us back to our glory days. We had an amazing time and we were surrounded by some fab people. Happy Birthday E!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXX0dkJNA3jvgCY4PTe_irt5XwhHQrHz0ZJny7rCFiBlc5tN553gvh508tvoEiZx-e-YtrsrTqgRHGdwtLG1dVretsVcQUKIbHrhMkfXX0D9GUyx9I7vxqY69_RKSlpNY6KByTTdH5dCc/s1600/E+%2526+L+his+bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXX0dkJNA3jvgCY4PTe_irt5XwhHQrHz0ZJny7rCFiBlc5tN553gvh508tvoEiZx-e-YtrsrTqgRHGdwtLG1dVretsVcQUKIbHrhMkfXX0D9GUyx9I7vxqY69_RKSlpNY6KByTTdH5dCc/s320/E+%2526+L+his+bday.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240688181263567134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199180001413883950.post-67886801551762982192011-12-26T14:40:00.000+04:002011-12-26T14:40:29.681+04:00Christmas Cheer and The New Year<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Well we made it through our first Dubai Christmas. When you are an expat and so far away from home what do you do on Christmas Day? Brunch! E and I hightailed it to the Atlantis to drink bubbly and feast of the magnificent spread. We donned Santa hats and dined by the gorgeous Atlantis pool. There was even a cotton candy machine, which was my go to for dessert. It really was lovely and we had lots of fun. BUT I missed the cold, grey skies of the midwest, the fire crackling, and the family all together. As much as we tried to mask the day in opulent fun it just was not the same as home. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5DD_-Jm1Hix_2P2Jz1zIPfRnbXp-EOPCd_FeUPpaZG4Oh233ilaVvTS1nqIx8BI_RcL2MVUj6hwCtFxmtcRVB6US3Flz-xH4pkBfIrJQ72n2riFbN_dnWlIAEpJXLsW6GIWVCtuQeUJr/s1600/Marathon+E%2526+L+smile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5DD_-Jm1Hix_2P2Jz1zIPfRnbXp-EOPCd_FeUPpaZG4Oh233ilaVvTS1nqIx8BI_RcL2MVUj6hwCtFxmtcRVB6US3Flz-xH4pkBfIrJQ72n2riFbN_dnWlIAEpJXLsW6GIWVCtuQeUJr/s320/Marathon+E%2526+L+smile.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Hollywood finish, my prince<br />
found me to cross the finish<br />
line with me!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Now we are looking towards the New Year. Currently we are planning to stay in Abu Dhabi and attend the Coldplay concert after a few days down on the island that E works on. But we all know what comes with the new year...resolutions. I know everyone says that they do not believe in them but we all still make them so often just to be broken. In past blogs I have discussed E's health kick and it has jump started my running, most recently completing a half marathon. So I thought that I am going to make a resolution that I can work towards everyday. A mileage goal. E brought up the thought of running 1000k in the year, which would be about 621 miles, which is only 1.7 miles per day. That's less than 20 minutes of running. Completely doable, so I am going to do it. So from here and there you may be reading about some milage updates. Here's to keep resolutions!!<br />
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What's your New Years Resolution?<br />
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Cheers! </div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240688181263567134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199180001413883950.post-24666550246514648112011-12-10T19:47:00.000+04:002011-12-10T19:47:46.651+04:00To Home and Back...Home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-fBNCwba7BXNgrlJQLkF9kMQIlInS0irdOzFLgIusUCk-wYGa9cnihOVB4iKh5fRsptrpgk_rBtoiPUVGT9PQD2rkLALIrNIRxo1pJWhSPoPWX8B13TT1z0nq-R0RwnY-_xNxJ_VdlrQ/s1600/home+and+back+home+again.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-fBNCwba7BXNgrlJQLkF9kMQIlInS0irdOzFLgIusUCk-wYGa9cnihOVB4iKh5fRsptrpgk_rBtoiPUVGT9PQD2rkLALIrNIRxo1pJWhSPoPWX8B13TT1z0nq-R0RwnY-_xNxJ_VdlrQ/s320/home+and+back+home+again.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back home in Iowa with my brother and his lovely lady!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And we are back in action. E and I made our way to the states for Turkey day and got some much needed family time along with my two most important creature comforts: chipotle and target. Yepp, those are the two things that I miss the most (barring family and friends obvi!). My biggest fear at the end of the trip was that I would not want to return back to the concrete jungle of Dubai. But after staying with two lovely ladies and enjoying their homes I was anxious to get back and attempt to "homify" our apartment.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvf6ytEPt4hUIHyG9tplIh4PoQPZKcrg9u4aVXxweKS5MKCDU3RqVXzCOrR9GZ7-cnvVwARuRivQRI1lnqSAN6pBFuSqo8iAFUhmnHVVt_Om2IBskdsqdQGpB9c4C4Fe7dyGEuziQC3eh/s1600/home+and+back+home+again.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvf6ytEPt4hUIHyG9tplIh4PoQPZKcrg9u4aVXxweKS5MKCDU3RqVXzCOrR9GZ7-cnvVwARuRivQRI1lnqSAN6pBFuSqo8iAFUhmnHVVt_Om2IBskdsqdQGpB9c4C4Fe7dyGEuziQC3eh/s320/home+and+back+home+again.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Electrifying!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
First order of business was to assemble Christmas in our Middle East apartment. I must admit though, and my last roomie will attest, I tend to be a bit of a grinch when it comes to decorating. I think that is because I logged so many hours at my last job that I really never even got to properly celebrate Christmas or even be home, but not this year. We went to the local grocery store/Walmart type outlet and scooped up a 4 foot fakie and some plastic ornaments. The biggest obstacle was to find lights, a tree skirt, and a topper. I can tell you a week later we now have outdoor icle lights draping our tree (and E negotiated 60% off of those bad boys so we made them work!), a tree skirt that was meant for a table cloth but some scissors and I got to work and viola, and still no topper but two little love birds are perched up there. It is a bit eclectic and the lights are practically electric that I do believe planes have been distracted by them flying over, but we are celebrating darn it. Today I scooped up some yummy candles and E bought pine scented air freshener, which we dowsed our tree in to make it a bit more authentic. We are two crafty kids.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAUX9GAKE_sx_CnFa8WpGYJQ59Wv5UTNllBCA0-UukSwtQv0R2e48rBaSRP6CJE0oeFJn2jdWmeyFKQk7FEgYrxLH8ttSsIOynv95O9ais2rl9X6m43lC-CalTDM4m4hBI9BmyFpXVG5y/s1600/home+and+back+home+dubai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAUX9GAKE_sx_CnFa8WpGYJQ59Wv5UTNllBCA0-UukSwtQv0R2e48rBaSRP6CJE0oeFJn2jdWmeyFKQk7FEgYrxLH8ttSsIOynv95O9ais2rl9X6m43lC-CalTDM4m4hBI9BmyFpXVG5y/s320/home+and+back+home+dubai.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from JBR beach, it looks like a postcard!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I have hit my 6 month anniversary and Dubai is starting to be more like a home to me. I cannot really claim myself as a newbie any longer. Dubai has some absolutely amazing things to offer, but one thing it is truly lacking is a sense of community. Yesterday E and I participated in the Dubai Creek Striders Half Marathon and I felt that community a bit more. Races always seem like a place were there is a kinship and bond amongst strangers. It was a huge feat for me and it was nice to run along 1500 people, watch the sun rise of the Burj Dubai, and run through the souks of old town Dubai. I never, ever thought, I would run a half marathon, but not only did I complete it but ran the entire way! That was really my goal. I am fighting some soreness today, definitely proud of us, but not running (ha!) out to do another one any time soon. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So we have gone home and come back home in the last few weeks. How nice it is to have two homes and appreciate living life in such opposite spectrums. </div><br />
<br />
</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240688181263567134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199180001413883950.post-73098491784411166772011-12-01T16:29:00.001+04:002011-12-03T16:07:15.269+04:00Woah<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Something bizarre just happened. I am sitting at the beach reading, "Is everyone Hanging Out Without Me?" By Mindy Kaling and I stopped on the word "favorite," and I paused. I thought to myself, "that's not spelled right?!" I have become so Britishly acclimated that I was thinking it should be"favourite." It's happening! It's official the Brits have invaded my vernacular!<br />
<br />
I know I have been on hiatus but vow to be back soon, with some colourful tales.</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240688181263567134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199180001413883950.post-4020312771069651102011-11-05T11:30:00.000+04:002011-11-05T11:30:05.665+04:00Our Weekend Playground<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Just about two and a half hours outside of the concrete jungle of Dubai lies Sir Bani Yas Island, E’s second home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He works on this island four days a week on different development projects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a long weekend and he had to log some OT so we hopped in the car, took a 30 minute boat and Viola we are in a whole new world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the way down I was getting a bit snarky and after a quick stop for sustenance I was feeling much better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>E told me that I was “emotionally diabetic, when my blood sugar runs low, my emotions run high!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite a clever boy that one, but goodness me I do get in a mood when I am hungry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I might not even know that I am hungry but E will just start throwing granola bars all me when I get cranky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I digress…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to E this island belongs to one of the Sheikhs and he decided to make it his personal playground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is mountain biking, kayaking, game drives (cheetahs, giraffes, and other wild animals included!), and archery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I put it like that it sounds like summer camp for adults, but heck I loved camp so sign me up, but there better be smores!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><!--StartFragment--> </div><div class="MsoNormal">E took us to his digs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They call it The Hilton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me tell you Paris would not be claiming this one, but it has charm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it is made out of plywood. He lives in a one room apartment with a futon, desk, and table. There is a small bathroom as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the shower is miniscule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean have you ever shaved your legs in a phone booth?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>E’s shower might be just slightly smaller than that and it is not an easy feat.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This weekend is shaping up to be a perfect Hollywood Ending. We have a game drive scheduled on Monday morning to go see the lions, tigers, and bears...oh my! Just kidding but hoping to see the cheetahs and giraffes, they are my favorite. Planning to get some mountain biking in too, but I have not been on a bike since freshman year when I feel off in the middle of the quad and everyone laughed at me. Suppressed memories. Well I will let you know if is the saying "just like riding a bike" really is true. </div><!--EndFragment--> <br />
<!--EndFragment--> </div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240688181263567134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199180001413883950.post-13799747550488054052011-11-01T21:41:00.000+04:002011-11-01T21:41:10.117+04:00These Are The Days Of Our Lives<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Today E dropped financial papers on my lap and requested that I mail them for him tomorrow. I took a glance at them and noticed that my name was written on them. On closer inspection I found that he had named me beneficiary.<br />
<br />
"Babe, you made me your beneficiary? That's nice."<br />
<br />
"Yeah babe...it is just like getting engaged."<br />
<br />
"No babe, no its not."<br />
<br />
Another Men are From Mars moment? Yes, I think that's what I will chalk this one up to.</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240688181263567134noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199180001413883950.post-69583716528920383512011-10-31T22:23:00.001+04:002011-10-31T22:25:17.086+04:00Deep Thoughts by Laura Nash<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">So I have a lot of aspirations and sad to say my hopes were dashed the other day with this "Ah-Ha" moment:<br />
<br />
<i>(me out loud...read shouting...completely at random to my roommate</i>):<br />
<br />
"D! Do you know why I can never be a professional blogger?"<br />
<br />
He startled by my obscenely loud volume looks up from his iPad....<br />
<br />
"Because all these girls take pictures of themselves in these amazing outfits and then post them and that's all they have to do that day. So what do they do with the rest of their time? If that's all I had on my plate I would eat copious amounts of junk food, shop till I run out of money, and then I will be broke! Which means I would no longer have the ability to purchase said outfits and not be able to fit in the clothes to take pictures in...and my blogging career would be over before it started."<br />
<br />
He then went back to his iPad...<br />
<br />
Therefore I salute you <a href="mailto:Kendieveryday@blogspot.com">Kendi</a>, <a href="http://theconcretecatwalk.com/">Jessie</a>, <a href="http://www.atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com/">Blaire</a> and all of you lovely ladies out there who have conquered this vicious cycle, because I am just sitting here scratching my head. <br />
<br />
*editors note: I know these brilliant ladies all have thriving careers and their blogs are just a part of them, but I thought my little outburst was rather comical, here's to my blogging career!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240688181263567134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199180001413883950.post-74829191136928618832011-10-30T20:18:00.000+04:002011-10-30T20:18:09.321+04:00A Very Dubai Birthday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqnDsqRpEurpFP7H2Ot96CjHlKLtNTcNaGMpBkLkE7WfzeT0eg_J2WSDs9543_h_y6npwOtDbFBiDor-o8w6vw8GDEdQNASlkvW4KSYtNiyns_bZL__KEY0hfVjyfvoP81Vb2mNO53VOp/s1600/Birthday+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqnDsqRpEurpFP7H2Ot96CjHlKLtNTcNaGMpBkLkE7WfzeT0eg_J2WSDs9543_h_y6npwOtDbFBiDor-o8w6vw8GDEdQNASlkvW4KSYtNiyns_bZL__KEY0hfVjyfvoP81Vb2mNO53VOp/s320/Birthday+blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see how much fun we are all having....<br />
yes those are birds on my dress.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>One of the things that I have noticed amongst fellow expats is that it is a very open community. To some degree it is a all for one mentality and people are more open than you would find back in the states or the UK. I recently celebrated my birthday and I must say I really felt like I had a little family out here in Dubai. We did a classic Dubai ritual and hightailed out to a brunch. Now, I have not been exposed to the world of brunching before but out here every friday, in every hotel, it is an all you can eat, all you can drink frenzy, dressed up in your finest duds and with 100 of your closest friends. Well you are not all friends at the start but by the end every one is pretty much your bestie. We had a group of 15 and I must say it was an absolute blast. <div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41PxtbeKf3iWXUFCw5XJDjhPl46tG-b28y2-evX7qz1LFTq5-3p72Lh-_0hgnWV1YJicRdqHDkbtD2EzDuFmNcrQbxPYVVDJkKOdbn6m904jBtiawIY-6iyPMCWMD1FwkAZjmz-0-sw2c/s1600/Birthday+dessert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41PxtbeKf3iWXUFCw5XJDjhPl46tG-b28y2-evX7qz1LFTq5-3p72Lh-_0hgnWV1YJicRdqHDkbtD2EzDuFmNcrQbxPYVVDJkKOdbn6m904jBtiawIY-6iyPMCWMD1FwkAZjmz-0-sw2c/s320/Birthday+dessert.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div>As for the day of my Birthday my precious E out did himself. He made dinner reservations and picked me up at 8:00, as he was coming back from the island a day early than usual to celebrate (he better have!). We hailed a cab and I rode in suspense as he was completely mum on our final destination. About 20 minutes later we pulled up to The Fairmont Hotel and had an amazing dinner at Spectrum on One, fit with a Happy Birthday serenade by a very off key Philipino and Indian wait staff. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Then we hit up ye ole Cavalli Club, which is touted as the place to go in Dubai. The stairway to the club was covered in enough purple velvet and rhinestones to make one vomit, but hey that's the Arab way. Walking into the main room the place was decked out with crystal chandleries amongst the purple back drop and it was quite the people watching scene. I think I saw Marilyn Monroe! We ordered the most expensive martinis of our lives, enjoyed the the good company and called it a night. It was absolutely perfect mix of the Dubai scene and spending time with my amazing boy. I woke up the next morning wishing to relive it all.</div><div><br />
</div><div>It truly was a great Birthday and I am so grateful for this experience, the opportunities to come, and all the people I have met.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjHU6u7VeYZVI_mg4NuWc_AabtEFaHNU57fw6ViZ-idIfjgQ545MRpv2CtKUXtrENU5enJHkRdm6jTh4V4yxYZ9RMattqkqaUC7GUwasTT_tcseoO3MlLjbgFFS2l-LE5LuexDleq6OXv/s1600/Birthday+E+%2526+L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjHU6u7VeYZVI_mg4NuWc_AabtEFaHNU57fw6ViZ-idIfjgQ545MRpv2CtKUXtrENU5enJHkRdm6jTh4V4yxYZ9RMattqkqaUC7GUwasTT_tcseoO3MlLjbgFFS2l-LE5LuexDleq6OXv/s320/Birthday+E+%2526+L.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just this this is a keeper, I have my<br />
birthday girl badge on!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div> </div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240688181263567134noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199180001413883950.post-59342629357900151212011-10-23T21:52:00.000+04:002011-10-23T21:52:24.223+04:00My First Haircut<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xnioqT537NQq8dz1pk-BVCpu0fBPpXO0wPSJhe5iaVGB64DH6jmQKZDguLEgaePNdOZpi_hal8qZuK_jlPmZmPKXxcyz0zBOcZ09n19pcantJQbpcDn6xPj_WfyKsi70j0ZUfeZNljLL/s1600/Hair+cut+Pink+scissors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xnioqT537NQq8dz1pk-BVCpu0fBPpXO0wPSJhe5iaVGB64DH6jmQKZDguLEgaePNdOZpi_hal8qZuK_jlPmZmPKXxcyz0zBOcZ09n19pcantJQbpcDn6xPj_WfyKsi70j0ZUfeZNljLL/s200/Hair+cut+Pink+scissors.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>Dubai is a land of delivery. Any food under the sun will be brought to your door in 45 minutes or less. Maids can be hired and will show up knocking on your door step to deliver you a clean house. You need a cup of sugar, we do not knock on the our neighbor's door, no we call the local grocery store to run us up sack of sugar. Last week I had my most favorite delivery yet...a haircut. I have been putting it off for a good six months, scared to try anyone new. The stigma over here is that where ever you show up they will give you the same cookie cutter haircut the last five girls had. I was passed a number with good recommendations made the call or text rather (Everything over here is also often done by text) and the response was would you like to come to the salon or me come to your house? I was a bit puzzled, do I want her to come to my house? That seems a bit of a project, the house is not visitor ready as the maid is not scheduled till the next weekend (gosh could I be anymore spoiled) but I thought why not come on over. <br />
<br />
The next day at 7:00 pm on the dot there she was, my pink haired, UK sprite of a hair dresser knocking on my door to trim my tresses. It was a no frills process as I washed my own hair, she snipped away and viola, 45 minutes later I had a much shorter, new do! It is a great deal for these girls or guys, because think how low their overheads are and she just got to walk away from the hairy mess. I hoovered up a good 4-5 inches of my red locks and admired the ease of and the convenience my new haircut and thought how great is life in Dubai!</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240688181263567134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199180001413883950.post-90500711269104156932011-10-16T22:09:00.000+04:002011-10-16T22:09:02.713+04:00Drinking in Caves<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtvyIHcP1zIdO98OQzxEus-UWeIFt-Dwj3r2gnG5EviGhNV8xmaipe7HJcN9WAGwE10VCF8PH35IEL6grlvPw9NhBQm6PeiHP3HB6sX2VsisWxQCyWX_WCl8_kQ3q56uCjQOj_YqjSiiT/s1600/Montreux+LG.Vineyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtvyIHcP1zIdO98OQzxEus-UWeIFt-Dwj3r2gnG5EviGhNV8xmaipe7HJcN9WAGwE10VCF8PH35IEL6grlvPw9NhBQm6PeiHP3HB6sX2VsisWxQCyWX_WCl8_kQ3q56uCjQOj_YqjSiiT/s320/Montreux+LG.Vineyard.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Through the Vineyards we go!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Switzerland Part II…Montreux is an amazing, beautiful place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot really even do it justice with many words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I will say is that there are vineyards all along the coast, (is it still a coast if it is a lake, i.e. Lake Geneva?), and we hiked from small village to village literally trolling through vineyards visiting Caveuxs a long the way. What is a Caveux you ask? They are these amazing little jems. And inside these little dungeons<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> t</span>hey store and serve all of the local wines that the vineyards surrounding them produce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What an excellent idea, smart little Swiss!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We enjoyed our fair share of reds…and whites…and everything in between.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there was a castle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A fairytale princess castle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just look at the pictures and promise you will go someday?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibo8Js62i4tsseaQk39po66fhb9qqCUmCziH46VS_qAVjYxQzwhm1smnCleFfhRoLmbVYurRcdCeFttedJzIyDFwMEhFhp66GDyhtStbvcSkSXAbWsyFRXMA0kgFPGWNL4u6kqAibP-HCZ/s1600/Montreux+Castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibo8Js62i4tsseaQk39po66fhb9qqCUmCziH46VS_qAVjYxQzwhm1smnCleFfhRoLmbVYurRcdCeFttedJzIyDFwMEhFhp66GDyhtStbvcSkSXAbWsyFRXMA0kgFPGWNL4u6kqAibP-HCZ/s320/Montreux+Castle.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just pretty</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<!--EndFragment--> </div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240688181263567134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199180001413883950.post-53207616355699817912011-10-08T11:46:00.000+04:002011-10-08T11:46:03.144+04:00Grüezi from the Alps<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCE-2rBq6oaveeqwvB5XUMnKgzfc3SQCnbol37E4ghY5tj1gKIelju6YJ4DPHjelCN5YtddXVsmhl2uGid3lcHlA6ALN3qLw6l9VGPNnHZ_3R6Q9nmqYLgo_mSFsjRvyYL2Ul5IjY5cep/s1600/STZ-Back+drop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCE-2rBq6oaveeqwvB5XUMnKgzfc3SQCnbol37E4ghY5tj1gKIelju6YJ4DPHjelCN5YtddXVsmhl2uGid3lcHlA6ALN3qLw6l9VGPNnHZ_3R6Q9nmqYLgo_mSFsjRvyYL2Ul5IjY5cep/s320/STZ-Back+drop.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the cows in the background!?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Water. Bread. Apricots. Cheese. Orange. Banana. Gummy Bears. Wine. Those were the lucky items that were selected to be in our hiking bag, which I must mention in our packing haste we forgot to pack a backpack and so I was lucky enough to have a reason to buy a new bag! E and I were bound and determined to get a solid day of hiking the Swiss Alps in on our four day journey. Typically we are not the most blessed when it comes to good weather, so much so that on everyone of our holidays we have purchase umbrellas: Harry, Lloyd, and Elvira (R.I.P everyone of them, their dollar values didn't give them much more than a 1 trip shelf life). But in Interlaken we could not have asked for any better weather, a few clouds spotted the clear brilliant blue sky, the grass was greener than I have ever seen and the cow bells were the perfect cacophony of background noise.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQjPavCRqCnNx7wCLlFDYTMwvWgU79libgbRCQChOQhZChtATu4PA9NPR6DH0a5-hYczuDvK_ZKPaNmn043E7CltpeyAL8VjSnwP7qomxs7ffj0ySQmArHcgg6dMUiLmvo3wfvBf3R2Iy/s1600/SZT-wonder+laura.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQjPavCRqCnNx7wCLlFDYTMwvWgU79libgbRCQChOQhZChtATu4PA9NPR6DH0a5-hYczuDvK_ZKPaNmn043E7CltpeyAL8VjSnwP7qomxs7ffj0ySQmArHcgg6dMUiLmvo3wfvBf3R2Iy/s320/SZT-wonder+laura.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quarter of the way, feeling confident, notice the outfit<br />
change? We had lots of layers on, the key to hiking<br />
success, oh and always bring a scarf :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We started off in very high spirits in Grindlewald, the map said that it would take us 4 hours and 40 minutes to reach our destination, Mannlichen, at the tippy top of the mountain we were on with the Eiger, Monck, and Jungfrau just in the distance. We hiked along and chatted at the cows and the goats and even the butterflies too! About half an hour into the hike I was puzzled that we had not seen any other hikers on the trail, but we pressed on. An hour into it I realized why we were the only ones on the trail, I am in pretty good shape, ran a 10k about three weeks before, but by this point I was about ready to get on all fours and climb up this beastly mountain. It was like going on the stair master at level 37 for 2.5 hours. I looked up at the cable cars running above us with envy. But there was no other decision but up and we pressed on. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizT7dstIqDteQQdfhT8Cfzp6jLcgwmyHcPPmrWk6OtCldJA81_9fA0tECcY6-doWdgYxCuFiuzRoulC-zRCHV56wofxCUmza4bBMWV_w8shdcnm7JgFnb2Qx_MacuMWyQjCuMLeXijbUuo/s1600/SZT-half+way.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizT7dstIqDteQQdfhT8Cfzp6jLcgwmyHcPPmrWk6OtCldJA81_9fA0tECcY6-doWdgYxCuFiuzRoulC-zRCHV56wofxCUmza4bBMWV_w8shdcnm7JgFnb2Qx_MacuMWyQjCuMLeXijbUuo/s320/SZT-half+way.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half way point!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Finally we reached....the half way point. I think my heavy breathing, lack of conversation, and my obvious fatigue convinced E that we could ride the cable car up the rest of the way. I was incredibly grateful, but we paid for it! Switzerland is such a gorgeous place but oh so expensive, it was $33 for the two of us to rest our tired selves in the cute cable car for our 20 minute ride to the top. It was absolutely stunning and of course the sore calves and shaking quads were well worth it. We had a celebratory beer, some fruit, bread, and gummies and appreciated the breathtaking<br />
(literally!) back drop.<br />
<br />
This was just one day of our amazing journey, check back in for Switzerland Part 2. On a side note, I miss all my family and friends back home and love you all so much!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bkCai7kPz_MxvimRS6MTAFEXxcfcdRfyxSdVD0OLyLy2xrpgVAhIgzLlwPhVStyvltHJZ_t2rnDCTjKzoHSD_pL2c_E5MtZvH0zqz3mUTRr83L4MAGuyNPExuVJq8LaowLidG75uozZ5/s1600/STZ-ELstump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bkCai7kPz_MxvimRS6MTAFEXxcfcdRfyxSdVD0OLyLy2xrpgVAhIgzLlwPhVStyvltHJZ_t2rnDCTjKzoHSD_pL2c_E5MtZvH0zqz3mUTRr83L4MAGuyNPExuVJq8LaowLidG75uozZ5/s400/STZ-ELstump.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our at the top celebration!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240688181263567134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199180001413883950.post-69188570792896336592011-09-18T19:34:00.000+04:002011-09-18T19:34:18.024+04:00Going once, Going twice, SOLD!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So one of the many quirks of the UAE is not just that there is a maserati, porsche, or ferrari around every corner but what is on the car that is unique. In the UAE the locals do not only show their status with the car they drive but rather the number on their license plates. The elite have the lowest of low numbers on their exotic sports cars and yesterday the license plate auction took place. The exciting auction all went down at the illustrious Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi where locals spent hundreds, thousands, of dirhams on sentimental license plate numbers.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In </span><a href="http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/licence-plate-auction-provides-a-thrill-for-fans"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The National</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> this morning there was an article that discussed this thrilling event. One gentleman spent 120,000 AED to get the same number he has had since he was 17. That is a little less than $33,000. This is an imperative event in the Emirati world, one gentleman in the article said, "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With a unique three-digit number, everything changes. You get special treatment, people look at you differently. You are treated like you are something big." Back in 2008 a man spent $14.3 million for Abu Dhabi's plate number "1." I must mention that the proceeds do go to a local charity here in the UAE to benefit car accident victims.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This got me thinking, do we have practices like this back in the states? Or is this just something unique to the Middle East. I know people are into comic books, art collections, stamps, spoons, elephants, scarves! But license plates? What sort of expendable status symbols do we spend exorbidant amounts of money on? I am scratching my head on this one, but I must admit when we are out tooling around I am always checking out the plates just to see how low our highway neighbors will go. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span><div><br />
</div><div> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240688181263567134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199180001413883950.post-53943691862217462722011-09-06T21:56:00.000+04:002011-09-06T21:56:48.973+04:00Piece of Paradise<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnCZETONP1rt3mJULl_mk4LXpo5TVlIEK7Ye_nnYkk6KAZqgRbdsmJUDTsGPW1vT8e5yILOGVeEwYsCDNmDHfOX2-JK-n2tGuq_R8dWbwwn4AOZomZRF1vj3bQfugrBYUs2JCaOTbeoiy/s1600/Sri+EL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnCZETONP1rt3mJULl_mk4LXpo5TVlIEK7Ye_nnYkk6KAZqgRbdsmJUDTsGPW1vT8e5yILOGVeEwYsCDNmDHfOX2-JK-n2tGuq_R8dWbwwn4AOZomZRF1vj3bQfugrBYUs2JCaOTbeoiy/s200/Sri+EL.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unawatuna Beach, Slice of Heaven</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So, I do not know if you were aware of this BUT did you know that you can get sunburned in, yes <i>in</i>, your belly button?! Because my friends that was a little present that Sri Lanka sent me home with, along with about 35 bug bites, yes I counted. I told my mom about that tonight and she is now convinced that I have Malaria and after my latest google search I just found out that Sri Lanka is a "Malaria Hot Spot." Let's all go! But really we all should it is an absolutely amazing place.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRz4Dh_7t5Kq3xNtmRmdp4yHSx5axW5FWGPd0YiOGHIe3oRd7Ba5BaQQ-qrMYz0DITg-9F_aFGCCwmyB_AFmEiKyI7_a8pcZJoD_Tpwo5XDaQnZC7WX6oT0UyVZI823mvYfYP7PwIAWBny/s1600/Sri+Tuk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRz4Dh_7t5Kq3xNtmRmdp4yHSx5axW5FWGPd0YiOGHIe3oRd7Ba5BaQQ-qrMYz0DITg-9F_aFGCCwmyB_AFmEiKyI7_a8pcZJoD_Tpwo5XDaQnZC7WX6oT0UyVZI823mvYfYP7PwIAWBny/s200/Sri+Tuk.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The race was afoot and of course<br />
E & I won!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The beaches where smooth and the sand felt nice on our feet as we ran like Pamela Anderson and the Hoff down the beach. Well, actually we did not run at all, but E did make me perform his <a href="http://thehealthypress.blogspot.com/">8 minute workout </a>on the beach, in the sand, and oh yes the sand was everywhere, but at least some fitness was had, even if it was done begrudgingly. We rode around in Tuk Tuks, ate amazing sea food, and even took in a Cricket Match of two of the best teams in the world, Sri Lanka and Australia. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCq8FoZUZGRRxRO9Ls-g3467mnwgV1ftn8BY26p7SqzIQo18X-44-HaIGemU1k81bpnc1EoYPtzkO97TtrAQLEmgxwbeceeWH1ursBkeU6Vd8fSma21D2z8svle0mGA7nzRyAzCMgxnacC/s1600/Sri+team+spirit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCq8FoZUZGRRxRO9Ls-g3467mnwgV1ftn8BY26p7SqzIQo18X-44-HaIGemU1k81bpnc1EoYPtzkO97TtrAQLEmgxwbeceeWH1ursBkeU6Vd8fSma21D2z8svle0mGA7nzRyAzCMgxnacC/s200/Sri+team+spirit.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go Sri Lanka! Smells like Team<br />
Spirit!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It was a quick weekend, we flew in spent three days in this beautiful open air hotel called, Tharpobon. The staff was welcoming and smiling, by the end we had all made friends. It was so relaxing, we talked about returning some day very soon. But I will be sure to throw some zinc in my delicate little belly button next time. </div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240688181263567134noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199180001413883950.post-42534080034368583232011-08-27T19:18:00.001+04:002011-08-27T19:18:59.252+04:00New Town, New Hobby<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Alright, clearly I have fallen off the blogging bandwagon since I have become gainfully employed, but I will not let that detour me. As I have mentioned I have been working to find a balance here in my new dubai life. A big part of my focus has been directed to and focused on healthy living. I tend to lack major will power when it comes to the food part. I do a stand up job about going to the gym but when I get home at night often times my thoughts go to yummy, delicious forbidden foods! I have to say since being in Dubai I have yet to really have a good hamburger and oh my goodness how I miss Chipotle, it was the last meal I had before I got on the plane courtesy of my thoughtful mother! And needless to say In & Out has yet to expand to the far East. So I have resorted to something I really did back in Phoenix, I cook!<br />
<br />
It is so nice to have someone to share a meal with every night. E and I go through different blogs collecting recipes each week, then we drag our feet to the grocery store, something neither of us like to do, but once the shopping is complete I feel so productive. I have made beef and black bean tacos, gasztpacho, varieties of stir fry, and countless different versions of quinoa. And do you know what, I actually like to cook and I am not too bad at it either. You can check with E and J, they are my references. <br />
<br />
So my goal is to continue gymming it up, continue grocery shopping, and whipping up healthiness and hoping that I will see the results and feel better. Do you have any healthy recipes to share? I would love to hear all about them. <br />
<br />
On a side note Ramadan is coming to a close, which means it is Eid, which means we get two days off (E gets the whole week, but who is comparing?!), which means we are going on a trip. We are headed to Sri Lanka to enjoy the beach and hopefully see some elephants. Sand and Elephants, perfect combination. </div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240688181263567134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199180001413883950.post-28742705431978608502011-08-13T18:14:00.000+04:002011-08-13T18:14:56.069+04:00Just like home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It has taken me a few weeks to settle into the old routine. You know what I mean, starting a new job, one must find the delicate balance of working out, grocery shopping, cooking, quality time with your loved one and over all when am I going to squeeze in the latest episode of the bachelor pad? Lucky for me I have found a way to watch all my deliciously juicy reality TV and I do not have to suffer just because I live in Dubai, yes my friends I can even keep up with Teen Mom.<br />
<br />
As I have mentioned before I am the only American in the office, the rest are from the UK. We have constant battles on how to pronounces words like "oregano," "aluminum," and "Tunisia." And mostly it is 8-1 but it is all in good fun. I do miss the old days at ERAC with the inappropriate humor, the innuendoes, and the crazy customers that always brought on the laughs. But the other day my office mate reminded me that most offices filled with 20 and 30 somethings all think alike, which ever side of the pond you come from. <br />
<br />
In our office we only have one bathroom and it is reserved for the ladies of the group. The men must use the public one in the tower, apparently where there is "wee" (their word not mine) all over the floor. So I was getting ready to set out and wanted to make a quick pit stop before my meeting and out of the corner of my eye I saw my office mate moving towards the door. So in the thought of not wanting to wait in line I simply asked, "Hey are you going to the bathroom?" She tentatively answered, "yes....." And the girl across from me shouted (in a precious English accent), "You just caught her trying to have a sneaky poo!" I busted out in laughter, tears rolling down my eyes, and belly laughed until my stomach hurt. It reminded me of the old ERAC days when we used to crack up hourly. And in that moment I felt less homesick and more grounded. The little things like that make this place start to feel more like home. </div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240688181263567134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199180001413883950.post-49948595424656764972011-08-05T13:50:00.001+04:002011-08-05T13:51:52.451+04:00Help Save a Heart<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">In the spirit of Ramadan Eric and I went on a little trip this morning down to Wafi to meet up with Kim and her husband before they went to church. Earlier in the week on his commute in to Abu Dhabi Eric heard Kim's story: Her mother is living in the Philippines and does not have any insurance or money to afford the necessary doctors and treatment. She has severe heart problems and desperately in need to medical attention. She has lost her left leg due to blood clots and they are working quickly to raise enough funds to save her right leg which is now in danger. Kim is raising money to help her mother by selling cupcakes. <br />
<br />
The meeting spot was arranged last night over the phone and while working out the details Kim slipped in that she had seen Eric's blog <a href="http://thehealthypress.blogspot.com/">http://thehealthypress.blogspot.com/ </a> and that she would even make gluten free cupcakes if he preferred it. I thought that was so thoughtful, this is a girl who really has heart. Meeting her today I was further impressed by her positivity that she exudes and her strength. I cannot imagine watching any loved one be in such pain. They have raised 8,000 AED so far for her mother's treatment. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDR674tLYgKBo3DtUBTuJWIBhHMdRlcVSvMLVuRZDDrs-bquDbf0aQEdBxfhI1eWHIPSohEd-E_68w08aRQaRpcQTLgFs69KVvW_GgzGxmw5LJXAsVNifUDfTy_pdmckxbsZ7Q17pEv3u/s1600/IMG_0265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDR674tLYgKBo3DtUBTuJWIBhHMdRlcVSvMLVuRZDDrs-bquDbf0aQEdBxfhI1eWHIPSohEd-E_68w08aRQaRpcQTLgFs69KVvW_GgzGxmw5LJXAsVNifUDfTy_pdmckxbsZ7Q17pEv3u/s320/IMG_0265.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't they look delicious?! She even personalized them :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>On the way back home I was so excited that I had a dozen cupcakes on my lap and could not wait to dig in. I had no idea what to expect when we cut the ribbon off and lifted the lid, but they were a perfect representation of Kim. You could tell they were made with love. <br />
<br />
If you want to help Kim she has a website you can visit to find out more information: <a href="http://helpsaveaheart.wordpress.com/">helpsaveaheart.wordpress.com</a></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240688181263567134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199180001413883950.post-81334678626570721982011-08-01T19:26:00.000+04:002011-08-01T19:26:40.826+04:00Ramadan Kareem!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2UZHzCn-hBOsyHbPEEPE1lbQQ07WgMCx7hAhryv77zIaJj0bmn2d7MXofEVZGv15OTEjJCLcwDTMoIE_UqkX8gFbZ7ph1qAL8_e2j47k95Zkwz6Eab_9RaVWiZU18rZ7zL240MBFcHzx/s1600/Ramadan+Moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2UZHzCn-hBOsyHbPEEPE1lbQQ07WgMCx7hAhryv77zIaJj0bmn2d7MXofEVZGv15OTEjJCLcwDTMoIE_UqkX8gFbZ7ph1qAL8_e2j47k95Zkwz6Eab_9RaVWiZU18rZ7zL240MBFcHzx/s320/Ramadan+Moon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Today is the day that all UAE residents hold near and dear to their heart. The start of Ramadan. Here is my very novice approach to the subject, glistened from those around me. There is a moon committee that is some where down in the deserts of Saudi Arabia, in my mind it is a group of men who rotate shifts, taking turns, standing the in middle of the desert at all hours gazing into the sky, waiting for the new moon. I am sure it is much more scientific (or maybe not?) than that but I think it makes it all the more magical. Once they glimpse the new moon Ramadan is "called," which means fasting when from just after sunrise to sunset. Then If-tar occurs every night which is breaking of the fast, and those who are participating eat an absolutely splendid spread, celebrate into the wee hours of the night, go to bed and do it all over again, for thirty days. The fasting bans any and all food and drink substances, including water, or chewing gum. If you are a non muslim and you are not participating you cannot be caught eating or drinking in public, you must partake of this behind a black curtain so not to be seen. This is serious stuff too! If you are caught sneaking even a drink of water or chewing gum in the public eye, you can be fined and possibly jailed.<div><br />
</div><div>Can you imagine the dedication this all takes? It is so those who partake remember the poor and give more back. I learned in my office the other day that if you give to the poor during Ramadan it is looked at giving 700 times greater than any other time of the year. As I said this is my take on the whole subject, I did not do any research, but we are just on the first day and I am sure I have much to learn over the next 29 days. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I know this is a bit more of a serious blog, but really I think it is interesting to learn about the culture over here. This is way I have stepped out of my comfort zone to experience and see another view point, to take part to have a greater understanding. One another note I am just about a week away from getting my official visa. My medical records have gone through and that is yet another interesting experience that we will get into next time. But the sun has gone down now and boy am I thirsty... </div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240688181263567134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199180001413883950.post-67582665750942222022011-07-19T20:33:00.000+04:002011-07-19T20:33:25.502+04:00Embracing It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlyemQPbAlwdqvOO0u0u6ZV44Dzyv8oTzLEapd35ebq7-wN6aP4kamUrwNZuopJeHMuvj-CDrwna_4VSVvXLD5-Owsi8R64KN4H2MYjvuRz9s6x5Ba4M4UIyb20qJyhMY1MmfSZSKdoSL/s1600/happy+b+biltmore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlyemQPbAlwdqvOO0u0u6ZV44Dzyv8oTzLEapd35ebq7-wN6aP4kamUrwNZuopJeHMuvj-CDrwna_4VSVvXLD5-Owsi8R64KN4H2MYjvuRz9s6x5Ba4M4UIyb20qJyhMY1MmfSZSKdoSL/s320/happy+b+biltmore.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> A very Happy Birthday to my Amazing and Beautiful Mother, wish I could be there to celebrate with you! It is such a special day for such an incredible woman. She is embracing her 60th year with grace, poise, and a lot of class. Thank you for being such an incredible role model and mother and for always being so supportive. I love you. ~LB<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyg6XrsSZkB8YJJjHSCbSnv9M_3cTCTn8UTpXQh2Wzcub1MakO4cNRWZmnQDsV3Ci2jJXR8mN4XNabwoWkfjRidcDKlH7bTd8ppOgcFE-7WCobs6JGWeRNAby85dGLWikb8nuYJe5PXGU/s1600/Happy+B+day+cheers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyg6XrsSZkB8YJJjHSCbSnv9M_3cTCTn8UTpXQh2Wzcub1MakO4cNRWZmnQDsV3Ci2jJXR8mN4XNabwoWkfjRidcDKlH7bTd8ppOgcFE-7WCobs6JGWeRNAby85dGLWikb8nuYJe5PXGU/s320/Happy+B+day+cheers.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers to many more happy years....</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzU4hxUyG00NCtOK_hiYN966UtrdrwP9ehxqBRUvF5-RSn4MQcR7UOfAhoCuq9T_S31_EjOCk7ZrZ6nEz3pWY4MTadDdCGduuXEAv_SDItUxlb37aQUnbtNs4l7Gq3k3UtScuZhwXSg9TJ/s1600/Happy+B+day+mom2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzU4hxUyG00NCtOK_hiYN966UtrdrwP9ehxqBRUvF5-RSn4MQcR7UOfAhoCuq9T_S31_EjOCk7ZrZ6nEz3pWY4MTadDdCGduuXEAv_SDItUxlb37aQUnbtNs4l7Gq3k3UtScuZhwXSg9TJ/s320/Happy+B+day+mom2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpktyLSp3Ct4C7M_HFaTii0KHt-TQJ3DemeuEHpaCi_oHeruMXmDRL5P3V_OyjwRKixrq7XU2PvzXCjBD4GDrU_V416h5nP1vB1-1F-pDD8XJ7RFZFMFMlNCVRVnV0GWA1Syr7Lc3GD4Aw/s1600/Happy+B+Day+Mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpktyLSp3Ct4C7M_HFaTii0KHt-TQJ3DemeuEHpaCi_oHeruMXmDRL5P3V_OyjwRKixrq7XU2PvzXCjBD4GDrU_V416h5nP1vB1-1F-pDD8XJ7RFZFMFMlNCVRVnV0GWA1Syr7Lc3GD4Aw/s320/Happy+B+Day+Mom.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking amazing all dressed up<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5zPlctbZM2jHJ7aXPJa3hRthxEYKUtmbirBmSvEaE2Z0KGTtwgnfTDNlClR5yTkHx4GAJn_m1UN9XywAF5WE9Gg5ukumr6VVZ427wyF_jL_MeRU-tWUzypGMhIldEzAX_20RaJ2fyjbD/s1600/Happyb+hike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5zPlctbZM2jHJ7aXPJa3hRthxEYKUtmbirBmSvEaE2Z0KGTtwgnfTDNlClR5yTkHx4GAJn_m1UN9XywAF5WE9Gg5ukumr6VVZ427wyF_jL_MeRU-tWUzypGMhIldEzAX_20RaJ2fyjbD/s320/Happyb+hike.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love you and miss you so much!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240688181263567134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199180001413883950.post-90787869735314258832011-07-15T14:31:00.001+04:002011-07-19T20:42:48.800+04:00Sorry about the SariSo I think this falls under the "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus," chapter. I have known that we are going to a birthday party this weekend for about 6 weeks. E did his due diligence on that one and let me know and I put it in my calendar, thus making it an official event. He rsvp for us both and it sounds to be a grand soiree. So you can imagine my surprise this morning as I try to blink the sleep from my eyes when has casually drops this minute detail, "Oh yeah I ran into N yesterday and he told me that the party has an Indian theme."<br />
<br />
Me: "what....?"<br />
E: "Yeah, Indian theme."<br />
Me: "So what would have happened if you did not run into Nick yesterday?"<br />
E: "I guess we would have shown up in normal clothes..."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8x5BgToL_pJOgsUOmgbpJMMtpYbESzXUGAbdl-ta2n2jf9OtN8wV9CuRuRkkvmsYF5WdYF3Vps_8NIx06KAXUYJezIQmE79sGJ9xxLtOVWrgdj8W9bDh5AQlRiJsYx__IXEaF53SQ6Ecg/s1600/Sorry+Sari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8x5BgToL_pJOgsUOmgbpJMMtpYbESzXUGAbdl-ta2n2jf9OtN8wV9CuRuRkkvmsYF5WdYF3Vps_8NIx06KAXUYJezIQmE79sGJ9xxLtOVWrgdj8W9bDh5AQlRiJsYx__IXEaF53SQ6Ecg/s320/Sorry+Sari.jpg" width="165" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what I came up<br />
with, long skirt, and one of<br />
my infamous scarves comes<br />
to the rescue.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I groaned an rolled over. I know this is not a huge deal but I am new here, trying to make friends, and this is a 30th birthday party filled with E's co-workers so I need to look nice. <br />
<br />
I padded out to the living room where E was pulling up the invitation, that he rsvp to just weeks before, and there are three lovely paragraphs setting the tone for the night, describing candle lit setting, delectable indian food, and that girls should wear light and colorful clothing fitting with India influences. <br />
<br />
Oh boys, they just do not understand the need fro the right outfit. I am sure it will be a beautiful night and I will try to snap some pictures of what I come up with. How has a similar situation played out in your relationship? I would love to hear your little men are from Mars anecdotes! But for now I am sorry I have to run, time to scrape together a Sari.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240688181263567134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199180001413883950.post-72187106847983702152011-07-10T21:35:00.000+04:002011-07-10T21:35:16.430+04:00Nepal is Cool. Where is that Again?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRqUroZNETA-8beeHGXxb7pwFz-rBAghmXlEgYKGlEOf3KzjjtLVUfH1A1KfsPdDtMnBvxkmSl-WVTZGp-WBeW5e9NVEwKIscjml1HVvgSPAmseBWxTv595RlYOZAusFotPX6sbpjAwSa/s1600/Kat-man+pushing+cart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRqUroZNETA-8beeHGXxb7pwFz-rBAghmXlEgYKGlEOf3KzjjtLVUfH1A1KfsPdDtMnBvxkmSl-WVTZGp-WBeW5e9NVEwKIscjml1HVvgSPAmseBWxTv595RlYOZAusFotPX6sbpjAwSa/s320/Kat-man+pushing+cart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>So it is pretty easy to distinguish that I am not a world traveler, I did not ever do well in geography, and I do not speak in any other language but good old <i>American</i>. I do realize that I have been doing a lot more traveling as of recent <i>but</i> before I met E, I had literally only been out of the country once (not counting weekend trips to Rocky Point, Me-he-co). So when Nepal was brought up I acted like, "oh yeah Nepal, I have been wanting to go there forever, so cool," but what I was really thinking is really "where in the world<i> Carmen San Diego</i> is Nepal?" So I googled, did some research, packed up my Vera Bradley tote and we hit the road.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNdMP7G1wjg3ByUo_E8xMGmqwsoj6uHeWwKG3OBfQQR-dGTZR20Y6-6wGstg9vt0zgD6DhcRW98DiosmxhMn1EEjA3cmfTjwvlmui8_6FFtX7j-bCGnK_PVuvrPU1OwBffDj1894KJ8hy/s1600/Kat-Lady+blanket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNdMP7G1wjg3ByUo_E8xMGmqwsoj6uHeWwKG3OBfQQR-dGTZR20Y6-6wGstg9vt0zgD6DhcRW98DiosmxhMn1EEjA3cmfTjwvlmui8_6FFtX7j-bCGnK_PVuvrPU1OwBffDj1894KJ8hy/s320/Kat-Lady+blanket.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a cool picture right?<br />
E took that one...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>When we landed I knew it was going to be poor, because TOMs shoes have been there to launch their new eyeware campaign, but I was not expecting people living in huts on the side of the road, garbage piled up, and cows sleeping in the streets poor. It was definitely an eye opener. Lucky for me, we stayed in some really nice accommodations up in the base of the mountains at Gokarna Resort. <br />
<br />
So I do not know if <i>you</i> have to google Nepal, but it is really know for its outdoor extreme activities, like trekking, bungee jumping, and white water rafting. Since there were no extra strength, extra long rubber bands or rapids at Gokarna, we settled on a nice little trek, that I think most would really call a hike, or it was rather slow, so maybe it could even be defined as a stroll in the woods. We walked up to the front desk to book our hike and they handed E this little teeny tiny bottle and called it "medicine." Eric pointed at me and said, "just don't tell her that." At which point I immediately began to pay attention and started to ask questions. <br />
<br />
"Medicine for what?"<br />
"For the leeches Mam, it is rainy season."<br />
"Are we going in water?"<br />
"No Mam, they are in the mud."<br />
"Huh?"<br />
"Namaste Mam."<br />
<i>(Namaste my ass I am not going where any leeches are...</i>)<br />
<br />
E got the death stare and then I remembered, I am in Nepal, it is cool, I can handle any of this let's hit the trails and if there are any issues we have our trusty guide, Amit. So I rubbed the medicine onto my legs, shoes, ankles, and then I double dipped for more, there will not be any little blood suckers on my precious limbs. (If you have read past posts you will remember that I have had encounters with these little buggers before) So we set out of our rainy hike.<br />
<br />
We walked out on the slippery golf course and up into the lower trails of the hills. It was a misty morning and I was feeling quite sprite and happy after my yoga session so we walked and chatted with Amit, as he practiced his English. About 10 minutes into the hike he stopped us and did a leech check. Everyone came out with a clean bill of health and we continued on in hopes of spotting deer and monkeys. Well I was hoping, E has a phobia with monkeys, but then again I have one with leeches so I told him to suck it up. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object id="BLOG_video-FAILED-0" class="BLOG_video_class" contentid="FAILED" width="320" height="266" ></object></div>We saw this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LMKrQGRXyJ3yW2ZNmMolSisdFfZCwF2BfRAhXbUOIyH6OkYh3BZOdH2hyphenhyphenSuk_lrLJHZoWpZbXolEyWLiV1AsFE2eqJu3VyAOkEASZ1qbRxBAFCCO6Jl9WuZK3upJW2FM3FfKKqYilER8/s1600/deer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LMKrQGRXyJ3yW2ZNmMolSisdFfZCwF2BfRAhXbUOIyH6OkYh3BZOdH2hyphenhyphenSuk_lrLJHZoWpZbXolEyWLiV1AsFE2eqJu3VyAOkEASZ1qbRxBAFCCO6Jl9WuZK3upJW2FM3FfKKqYilER8/s320/deer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
And this:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7Qd82vlqBy4e6WNJ4O1I-dYoMzo3r8cXh54ssomoILCR3oG2NyrH1FMPxdYoLU8qdqQCAosKVX58WXdqnmQXn81hl3ckKfPjQCaAlnO5wf1iedC6f8aLcIu0JWT-c7djv5IofJXj6pbO/s1600/IMG_2275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7Qd82vlqBy4e6WNJ4O1I-dYoMzo3r8cXh54ssomoILCR3oG2NyrH1FMPxdYoLU8qdqQCAosKVX58WXdqnmQXn81hl3ckKfPjQCaAlnO5wf1iedC6f8aLcIu0JWT-c7djv5IofJXj6pbO/s320/IMG_2275.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">So we did not actually get any pics of monkeys<br />
on the hike but this is from our room.</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
And here we are scared of the monkeys (I was just pretending but I think E was definitely ready to get out of there):<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLG6n-XA8Xyurq9DM7PuWSU6c0iYI0sKfer38cXVTooA060zSudEtMfbTOH-B71ggY9xwUBkn2N654UPW74rDka8FD3WRC03hpzzh1QEbJ0wvep9cjJz169s2gME5i-q3BbFPSMYTkBa3/s1600/Kat-Scared+of+monkeys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLG6n-XA8Xyurq9DM7PuWSU6c0iYI0sKfer38cXVTooA060zSudEtMfbTOH-B71ggY9xwUBkn2N654UPW74rDka8FD3WRC03hpzzh1QEbJ0wvep9cjJz169s2gME5i-q3BbFPSMYTkBa3/s320/Kat-Scared+of+monkeys.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBU6x4Ryt7OeR5WWuZt2_NpTr-BQGTWEZQYzbbZtosu7dvQ0R-cMIG1Vbqd_6k33q_b7Q5qFK0tEy7By_9aa6X-ShxtSN7Jn4HcRL7qDewVpW1M80F4LgvcglXpbnoTN4iW57OtLX2dgsa/s1600/Kat-EL+hiding+trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBU6x4Ryt7OeR5WWuZt2_NpTr-BQGTWEZQYzbbZtosu7dvQ0R-cMIG1Vbqd_6k33q_b7Q5qFK0tEy7By_9aa6X-ShxtSN7Jn4HcRL7qDewVpW1M80F4LgvcglXpbnoTN4iW57OtLX2dgsa/s320/Kat-EL+hiding+trees.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hide and seek from the Monkeys and Leeches</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After about an hour and a half we came back out onto the golf course. It was time for the final test, we had been watching our feet closely and discarding leeches as they tried to attack, so last check was inside our shoes. E took his shoes off left then right, no problems, clean bill of health. Then Amit inspected his. Then me, who had probably watched my feet the most diligently of the rest of the trekking team, removed my shoes...And I am sure you have already guessed it but I had one little creature on each little foot, having a nice big lunch. Dis-gust-ing. Really? Only me...Namaste, you gross little leeches, namaste.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240688181263567134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199180001413883950.post-44930941372778216572011-07-08T14:57:00.000+04:002011-07-08T14:57:51.091+04:00Snot rockets and Nepalese InnuendoesI know I have been on a bit of a hiatus, but I really forgot how time consuming work is. This past week I have found myself not able to fit the rest of my life in with work, but who wants to hear about that...The weekend before I joined the blessed working world E and I decided to fly off to Katmandu to find our inner chi. I do not know if total enlightenment took place but something close to that.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Y52y9R1SGxsFDk-6slcbgmdkV1AWRBdgIMkqia9h8ZzyhMRCGlUVUt-oH0DAqdFWd4kWsYFme_mtZg_wfc08DdpJnH5edocOZZhRPn9ke_NM8V8ZFsACu5a6urqEMR3WShDcGJanXI08/s1600/Monkey+and+Mountains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Y52y9R1SGxsFDk-6slcbgmdkV1AWRBdgIMkqia9h8ZzyhMRCGlUVUt-oH0DAqdFWd4kWsYFme_mtZg_wfc08DdpJnH5edocOZZhRPn9ke_NM8V8ZFsACu5a6urqEMR3WShDcGJanXI08/s320/Monkey+and+Mountains.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waking up to the Mountains and Monkeys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Flying into Nepal there was only one thing on E's mind, not what you are thinking, it was to detox and jump start his newest infatuation, a health kick. He is working on the artful balance of eating well, working out, and drinking in moderation. Being the ever supportive side kick, that means I get to suffer along side of him. It is not that I am against the idea of health, but rather just find it, I do not know what, but just not always my focus. So the first morning when the alarm clock went off at 0700 and he was up and at em I knew I was in a bit of trouble. "Babe, get up, we have to get to yoga!" I peered out of the covers, moaned, and shook my head no. But by 7:30 I found myself in a hodgepodge gym sitting a top of an old yoga mat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAwRQuM7Q4LEyTAqfBu9f1r4IHp6GyWLtT9dwtZDWe-xcdJzmIzbyI2esSO0QJlGuyE9-gwoXksfZXr5tsnQd27orJCQyu7jv56e_kDrYQobx7ipywCZFPjAC1gfep-P3c_2XRYrsVTOc/s1600/cabin+in+leech+woods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAwRQuM7Q4LEyTAqfBu9f1r4IHp6GyWLtT9dwtZDWe-xcdJzmIzbyI2esSO0QJlGuyE9-gwoXksfZXr5tsnQd27orJCQyu7jv56e_kDrYQobx7ipywCZFPjAC1gfep-P3c_2XRYrsVTOc/s320/cabin+in+leech+woods.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gokarna National Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Now, I am no yogi. I have done my fair share of downward dogs and sun salutations but really I am just not bendy. Lucky for me all that was really required of me to succeed in this class was to have lungs. We breathed in and out so many times that I became light headed and it definitely was not for over exertion as we literally sat there cross legged taking deep breaths in and out. I think our Nepalese instructor was just practicing her English. Counting in particular. She randomly would do counts of 10, 16, and 20 but she was pretty emphatic about the counting process. After I was completely seeing stars and happy to be in a seated position she really brought out the big guns. Kleenex. I thought maybe I was sniffling just a bit too loud but nope, she instructed all of us (and by all I mean the entire class of three, I guess no one else's boyfriend's found it necessary to get up at dawn with the monkeys) to blow our noses. Odd? Then she instructed us to place our index and middle fingers to our right nostril alternating with pushing our thumb to our left. What was the result? Morning snot rockets! Bats were released from the cave left and right and the chi in my nose was happy, if there even is chi in my nose, (I am guessing not.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fsMvVzgRkybCLNbO5bN-lVAkinJJkoNiMhNqoj9SjxsewgXfhoP37dFJyqmkiIhclHnIRgL4Ed7zKp12lStWEy1046XgOGpAhPZUlOOv7ANT63hDdzTiIL-20XOkLy_m6olTFj9LbnfP/s1600/Katmandu+golf+course.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fsMvVzgRkybCLNbO5bN-lVAkinJJkoNiMhNqoj9SjxsewgXfhoP37dFJyqmkiIhclHnIRgL4Ed7zKp12lStWEy1046XgOGpAhPZUlOOv7ANT63hDdzTiIL-20XOkLy_m6olTFj9LbnfP/s320/Katmandu+golf+course.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Hike Post Work out...more on that next time!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After my nasal cavity was successfully detoxed and our instructor thought was had really pushed our bodies into a heap of rigor she requested that we lay down on the mats and I knew right away it was time for my favorite form of exercise: Vinyasa. For those of you out there that have not been to an Ashram, this is the part of yoga were you lie on a mat, doing absolutely nothing in a meditative state. In the past when I have partaken in this ancient practice the room is usually dark and silent, but not so in Nepal my friends. The fluorescent lights were a blaze and our teacher instructed us which body parts to relax all the way from the tips of our toes to the tops of our heads. She then moved down to the eyebrows, eyelids, chin, and even teeth. In her best english she would repeat the phrase three times: "Re-wax yo tweeeff...Re-wax yo tweeeff... Re-wax yo tweeeff..." She continued chanting us down the front of our bodies. After we relaxed our hips and earlier we had relaxed our upper thighs, there was only one place to go. And she went there! "Re-wax yo gen-i-tals...Re-wax yo gen-i-tals... Re-wax yo gen-i-tals!" I look over to let out a girlish giggle to E and what is he doing? Sleeping mouth wide, snores escaping, looking very relaxed...Oh Nepal!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09240688181263567134noreply@blogger.com1