Honestly, since Russell left, I don't know where the time has gone! On the Friday after he left the youth group at church did the service. Ushering, Music, Dance, and Sermon. I knew Sallie was in it but she never really told me what her part was. Mike and I were both surprised when she and her two friends did an interpretive dance with music and sign language. They all looked graceful and it was very good. :)
Other than that, my friend Pattie's mom, Barbara, was here so we did several things with her. One day we had lunch at the Sorbonne...Abu Dhabi. 'This is quite unique. We had to have special permission to go on the campus. Pattie's husband, who was project manager, got us the permission and we had a nice time eating in France. :)
We also squeezed in a trip to another educational location just before Barbara left. We went out to Masdar Institute. A couple of years ago Abu Dhabi was in the news with this Green City, zero carbon footprint, and so on..that they were building. The project is pretty much dead in the water, but they did finish the institute. At one time the city would be totally connected by these magnetic cars. A very futuristic concept. No cars at all in the whole city. Ok, so they have one building. And the cool cars run you to a parking garage and back. Not exactly the vision but fun for a morning outing. We had dear friends who lived here before that worked on that project. It was fun to see it and retell his "funny" stories about trying to get it built. Our favorite was about the Mayor of the city, when he was looking at the plans..with no parking places for cars cuz there were no cars allowed in....Yes Yes , all very good. But where do I park my Hummer??? Well, sir, the PRT(magnetic cars) will take you from the garages outside the city to your home, office..whereever. Yes, I know this, but where do I park MY hummer?? I am the Mayor. Just not getting it, I'm thinking. But we did have an enjoyable morning.
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| Inside the PRT...magnetic car |
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| At Masdar they have and Organic food store. |
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| the PRT |
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| the road for the PRTon the way to and from the parking garage |
yesterday... we took a trip to EMEG. This place is fighting tooth and nail to save the oceans and water wildlife around the UAE. And obviously, as you can see from the above statement, it is one heck of a fight. They are doing great things though. They have fish hatcheries to breed Hammour(Grouper) which is an endangered fish from being a favorite fish dinner here. They plant Mangrove trees..also in trouble from all the construction along the shoreline, and educate people on what we can do to help. The kids love it every time we go. It is one of the prettiest places around here. (This trip made me homesick. Last time we went our family was here...made me think of Don, Laurie, and Josh.)
Yes, we've been busy. Trying to store up the wonderful cool weather before the heat hits. Last week we had a few days in the 90s. I almost hyperventilated thinking the cool weather was gone. Just couldn't catch my breath...:) but it cooled back down. So, I am good for a while longer.
