It Wasn't a Mirage

Seth and Robert prepared for rafting.

Sallie relaxing in the family pool area. 

                                                                                                                                                     

The rafting river. 

The Ropes Course.

 So to get out of Abu Dhabi, and celebrate the end of school,  we went to Al Ain to the new waterpark. Wadi Adventure. It has white water rafting, kayakiing, a ropes course and even a big pool for surfing. Pretty extraordinary to go white water rafting in the desert, although perhaps not quite as surreal as snow skiing in a mall..still it felt pretty strange. Memories of Colorado summers were revisited.  Our friends the Eichorsts joined us.  Other than the extreme temperatures it was a great day!

Some of the rapids were pretty challenging. It was great.

The Eyes of Texas

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No matter how far from Texas we go it is always right here with us. My friend Pattie, who subbed for the art teacher at the American Community School these last several weeks, made sure I saw one of the projects the kids worked on.  Chess pieces.  

Summer is upon us and although we won't be in Texas this summer, and will miss it, we will still be busy! Sallie is in the middle of exams. Soon she will be off to Nepal with her friends for a week of serving with Youth for Christ.  Robert wrapped up school and has been hanging with his friends. Ryan just moved into another restaurant for his internship. Now he is working in Marco Pierre White. Mike and I will be visiting either this week or next. :)  We get a 50 percent discount but it will still be a stretch! 

And we are getting ready to move.  Mike has taken a job in Doha, Qatar.  We didn't see this coming but are trusting that good things are coming. :)  After Ryan finishes his internship we will fly to Doha and start life there. Mike goes ahead of us in July. So, stay tuned for interesting stories on how to leave one country with lots of red tape and move to another with more red tape! Oh boy!!

 I have heard though that there are lots of Texans from both camps living there... Like I said, no matter how far we go..   

Hook 'em.  

 

Celebrating with Sallie

Mike and Ryan hug Sallie after her 11th grade production.

Sallie and her friend Emilia after the play!

One of the bad auditions. 

             Bad Actors and Bad Auditions! Produced and directed by Sallie and Emilia. The cast and crew worked hard on this student production and it was well done! Mike and Ryan both got to come see it which made it special, too. It's been a busy week wrapping up school and celebrating the end of the year! So glad Sallie got to attend AISA this year. It's been great.

Another celebration was graduation at Emirates Palace. Sallie and her friend Nadia attended  It was at Emirates Palace and under high security as several of the royal family were attending.  We thought the girls looked beautiful. Both agreed it was a fun evening with lots of good food after the ceremony. :)

My favorite celebration was my birthday brunch at St. Regis Hotel on Saadyat Island.