Good news/Bad news

May is flying by!!! Russell buzzed through on his way to Austin for his second time as best man.  He and Ryan are grabbing every minute they can while he is there. He will return through Abu Dhabi on May 29 and stay a couple of days. We like living here for many reasons, not the least is the chance to see Russell as often as we do!!

May also is Sallie's last month of school. She is working hard to wrap it up. We are looking into enrolling her in one of the schools here for next year. They have the paperwork. We are just waiting to hear. Apparently people are still moving here in large numbers.  There are waiting lists at many of the schools.

Although people are apparently moving here, we are also saying goodbye to a bunch.  In our homeschooling group alone 5 families are leaving.  Included in this group are two of Robert's best buddies. It was a tough day when we learned they were leaving. Not to mention their moms are very good friends of mine. Yuck.  In fact, we are friends with all of these families and this is not fun.

We have been watching the weather news on TV.  It is heartbreaking to see all the devastation.  Missouri, Oklahoma, and all over the Mississippi River Valley...  so hard to see all of this.  Lots to pray for. All over the place.

On Saturday, Mike and I celebrate 28 years together. Now that is some good news! Cannot believe it. And then on June 1 I turn 50. Hmmm.....well, ok, not great news but still...Mike and my friend Pattie have planned a fun party for me. That will make it better. Will post pictures.

 Have a great Memorial Day. We tend to forget about those holidays over here. Until everyone goes on and on about not being at work. :)
 

Malls and Milk Shakes

Eventhough we have lived here nearly 4 years now, we still find things to laugh about. Or things that seem surreal to us. :)  Like yesterday, when I parked on the street, in front of the dumpsters and beside a toilet someone was throwing away.  And my thoughts?? Woo hoo. A+ parking place.   And the other day, driving to the mall, we were all wondering why I didn't get a ticket while parked on the street and other people did. Robert said maybe it was because I have a parking permit, and Sallie said that made sense. Then we all looked at each other and said..If it makes sense we are probably wrong. Wow. How sad is that?? We are still laughing about that one.

Robert had a busy birthday on the 5th-My cinco de Mayo boy.  He spent the morning with his buddies at the Dubai Mall in a place called Kidzania. The evening was a Youth group pool party where they sang Happy Birthday, ate Krispy Kreme Donuts and threw Robert in the pool. So our youngest is 13.

A couple of days ago, Robert made an announcement in the car.  At first I stared at him blankly. What? What are you talking about?  "Hey Mom..They just put a Shake Shack in Mall of the Emirates. "  For several seconds I was thinking Sheikh Shack.  What in the heck is a Sheikh doing with a shack in the mall or anywhere? Just so you know..that was what Mike and Sallie pictured first as well. (Yep. 4 years.)  I am looking forward to trying it out though. :) Hope the shakes are good.





 

A Multi-Cultural Mix

It is Tuesday morning here.  I am having the hardest time with this blog. The last two weeks were great. Russell's visit, Easter, the Royal Wedding(fun because I got to watch it with some British friends), a Japanese fund raiser for the Tsunami victims sponsored by the Japanese school here, and even alittle bit of Sweden at the new largest Ikea in the Middle East.
 And then the news yesterday, which is why it is awkward writing this blog.  We woke up to the breaking headlines...Osama bin Laden is dead. Wow. After all these years. I know how we process all of this, as Americans, is personal.  For me, it brought back memories of that day.  Watching the TV, buildings collapsing, people running, falling, crying.  And nightmares.  Even writing this I feel the tears behind my eyes..the lump in my throat. So much sadness. Pain. Grief. Fear.  BUT I must be honest. I'm not jumping up and down over this man's death.  Maybe it is where I live. Surrounded by the lost EVERYWHERE.   There is just too much to do to sit and celebrate death. Too many dying. Too many  without hope.  Sure, I am relieved. And yes, justice has been served. I'm glad. BUT all the partying just feels weird to me.  So that's just me. We all have a hundred reasons for our responses.  And naturally, with Russell living in Kabul and us living here, well, it does make for some interesting days.

Sunrise Service

Russell sharing with friends about his job in Kabul. He did a great job. We are so proud of him. 

Tea and Tiaras- watching the Royal wedding. My friend Pat, from Northern Ireland and London had a poster that said, Love is in the Heir.  

Enjoying a snack at the swedish cafeteria in the new Ikea. 

People wrote their wishes and prayers for tsunami victims and hung them on the bamboo tree .  My friend said they raised  about 20,000 dirhams for the Japanese Red Cross and Red Crescent. (about 5500 dollars) She was so happy. She is from Japan and said "We are way over here. We need to help anyway we can. "