24 hours earlier…

26 Dec 08

Poor Abby arrived with a bad cold and stomach ache. Sick puppy but what a trooper, she hung in there. Our first trip out was to Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain. Absolutely beautiful day. Nice temps and all sunshine. A mountain in the desert with great views. We took along a plastic puke bag and off we went.

My poor baby girl enjoying the outlook

This is a neat spot in the UAE. There is a hotel and a palace on the mountain plus the parking viewing area.

The Palace next door. What a great spot for a get away. Just a chop away.

Ugh. It’s all she can do

John was the man

Whilst there some of the guys broke out in song and dance. John was impressed with their beat.

John jumping for joy and happy to be here

Not to be out done and despite being down Abby can still kick it

Whose your momma

Kind of a lovers leap spot. None of us would venture out.

ta da dad comes through with the awesome spot and the beautiful day

My buds

And the top of the mount complete with cafe

So we enjoyed our trip that day and the views were stunning. Not a bad way to spend the day and a nice 2 hour drive from Abu Dhabi.

Thanks and more to come… oh and by the way these pics were taken with our “good” camera. They were too big to download and apparently show up small when compressed. Oh well I’ll get it figured out.

pictures worth…..(an arabian adventure)

a sample of the family Christmas experience… no words required

EEE-OOOO OOO

So where did the time go ooo. It’s been 2 months. Well let’s see, Tracie was here and then shortly after I was back in the States for R&R and a work seminar. Was home for 2 weeks then back again. Went to the Chicken Man Halloween fest and hung out about the house. First time in the area at that time of year in 3 years. The smell of autumn was awesome.

Then it was Thanksgiving already. I had the feast with a neighbor and coworker Maximus. He is from the Boston area where coincidentally Boston was where my family met and where we were going to go. The feast was good though and had a great time. We actually had dinner on Friday, our day off. Oh and my chore was to make pumpkin pie. Of course I couldn’t find the pie crust. You know the pre-made one you can pick up in a mini-market. Nada. I found all of the other ingredients. And then the week after every store had pie crusts. This is a normal thing.

So just before I left in October and when I got back work just erupted in madness and it hasn’t stopped. I wish I could explain it all but it would take too long. Several factors one of which is the economy. The global one. Lot’s of work going on in Abu Dhabi but belts are tightening. So part of the reason I have been absent is the patience that has run out of me by the end of the day and days off are precious. I have managed a few round of golf though.

Next thing you know next week is Christmas. Tracie , Abby and John are zipping over on Delta to visit and are we looking forward to that! I have been getting the apartment ready. See!

Looks better in person.

So I pick them up in Dubai on Christmas Eve and bring them to AB. We have activities planned including a dinner in the desert. No doubt there will be shopping involved too. The Christmas season is all about here in the UAE. There are displays and the usual canned xmas music in the stores and malls. Even saw Santa in one mall but in local robes. Cool. In fact the whole month is quite festive here. The UAE celebrates it’s independence day on December 2nd and Hajj and Eid al-Adha mixed in adds up to quite the party and days off. This year was the UAEs 37th. Youngster.

So glad to be back on. Taking some time today to re-charge.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Be back soon! Oh and by the way John turned 20 on the 8th of December. Amazing…