At the Fairmont

Ryan is about 4 weeks into his internship at the Fairmont.  Already he has met some great people and he is learning a lot everyday.   In fact, an added bonus has been his new Indian coworkers who want to teach him Hindi.   It is fun having him back home with us.  I keep trying to figure out a way to get Russell here, too.  A bonus for us is that I think we get a discount for the restaurants out there.  And they are great restaurants.    

Ryan heading in to the employee entrance.

Rainy Days and Mondays

 Monday was a big day for those of us from our homeschooling crowd who hit the park every Monday. It RAINED!  I think I can remember only 2 other times when we have had rain on a  Monday. Actually, I am pretty sure I can count on my two hands how many times it has rained since we moved here nearly 5 years ago! At least when it has rained in the day time. Some of us dashed to the lighthouse observation tower for cover. Some of us, like Krista and Pattie,  just used a picnic matt to cover up. As it only rained for about 5 minutes they stayed quite dry. Others of us, like the kids, rain around laughiing and playing.  Rain is a big deal. :) Rebecca just covered up with a chair cover.  Melissa had an umbrella...hmmm..how did she manage that??

It only took about 5 minutes for the ground to dry and everything was back to normal.  But it was fun while it lasted.

FYI.  Yes. The car had been washed that day.  

The Forecast

The cloud cover was unusual for us on Saturday morning.  Just plain cloud cover. A bit gray, no sand. A light breeze. We decided to go to Cafe Arabia and have coffee outside. It was  relaxing. Unlike the weather for the last few weeks which has been sandstorm after sandstorm. Ok, not quite as bad as the sandstorm from the newest Mission Impossible movie but still very annoying.  In fact a windstorm blew in last Thursday that nearly knocked me off my feet.  My friend actually saw a Filipina gal hanging onto a stop sign..and her feet were being lifted off the ground. NOT KIDDING. It really felt like a hurricane was blowing in. I looked up as I was fighting to get out of my car and saw a small flying carpet. Really wish I had my camera handy for that one. :) Yesterday I was captivated by the weather again..but this time the weather in Kansas. Tornadoes all over the place. Many of them sighted near our family members who live in Kansas.  Not fun to be watching from clear over here. Really not fun for them!  Thankful that everyone is ok.

Ryan tells me I need to write more often. I had to smile. Sometimes there just isn't anything to say!  He has settled in at the Fairmount for his internship. We all had a laugh last night.  An Arab guest complained about his pancakes being too fluffy.  The Canadian chef questioned how much he could know about pancakes....  It made us smile. Kind of like us complaining about hummous or something. :)  In just a few days he has learned a lot and has met many great coworkers.  I'm sure he will have amazing stories to tell by the end of the summer.

I just saw that most of the storms in the midwest are abating. That's good news for everyone. Guess I can turn off the weather channel now.
Oh, by the way, our forecast is 90s all week.

 Summer's comin'.
   

An Abu Dhabi Spring

 

Sallie and I visited Mary, Kyra and Jeff in Oman.  They moved there in they January. We miss them. 

  

  Along with the arrival of Spring in Abu Dhabi came sandstorms,  a trip to Oman, an almost trip to Oman, visitors, and an internship for Ryan.  Sallie and I went to see the Kenneys in Oman a couple of weeks ago.  Mary and Kyra were invited to an Omani wedding and we tagged along.  It was Sallie's first Arab wedding. The glamour, loud music, and festive dancing had all of us smiling and commenting on how different weddings are in this part of the world. Not to mention the absence of any men. At all.
Our "almost trip to Oman" didn't happen two days after Ryan got here. He arrived on Monday, as did our dear friend Lolo(Sallie's very close friend from forever). Mike took a few days off so we could all relax at the Kenneys, and Ryan and Lolo could see Oman. However, at the border we were stopped. Ryan and Mike spent an hour discussing the problem with the border agents.  Apparently, on Ryan's last exit they did not enter it in the computer, eventhough the passport had the stamp in it. And on his reentry the same thing happened.  So, they told Mike we owed 6000 dirhams because Ryan had not left the country and stayed too long." Umm, nope. There is the stamp. He left. Not our problem." That however, did not mean they would let us go to Oman. So, after being in the car about 3 hours, we ended up back in Al Ain and went to the zoo. :) Lolo didn't get to see Oman but she did get to visit an Emirati zoo.    
Laurel's visit was too fast but so fun. She got to meet all of Sallie's good friends, visit her youth group, and do life with her. It is special when lifelong friends come here and share our lives with us. Helps make connections in our hearts with both of our worlds.   Our very good friends, Gary, Candice and Joel arrived from the States Thurs.
just before Laurel flew home on Sunday.  Again, reconnecting and being with them is a blessing. They lived in Abu Dhabi a year ago, but only for 5 months. In a short time they left deep impressions. Great to have them here for a few days.   They are trying to squeeze in all their favorite haunts and restaurants as well as time with friends.
And today, Ryan started at the Fairmount Bab al Bahr.  We are excited to hear how the first day goes. Thankful he had a few days to recover from jet lag.
 So, spring has spring here in the Arab world.  This weekend we will have our Good Friday/ Easter Sunday church service.
Thankful for His Resurrection and forgiveness. Thankful for His many blessings in our lives, this Springtime and always.

At the Al Ain Zoo 

  

  

Sallie and Lolo at Ski Dubai