Settling in

This is the first weekend I had off since I've been in Dubai. I was invited to TWO Thanksgiving dinners and as you can imagine, I ate a lot of food that was really, really bad for me. But the Americans really do know how to do Thanksgiving, let me tell you.


I also had the opportunity to unpack my suitcases this weekend. I found some coat hangers that aren't offensively ugly so I put all my clothes away. Now I feel more like I can settle into my new home. I've started to use the facilities in my apartment building. I worked out for the first time since leaving Edmonton. I am going to buy some goggles. Then I am going to start swimming. I am going to look super hot by the time I am done here. :)

A friend of mine took me to the Mall of Emirates today. It was ridiculous. Yes, they actually had a indoor ski hill inside the mall. I wish I had taken a picture of it, but I was lazy and didn't. Maybe next time.

Oh yeah, I went out for the first time this weekend too. After the second Thanksgiving dinner, I went out with a couple of my new friends. One it a Brit and the other a Canadian, but both are Arabs. They were very nice boys who looked out for me and make sure I got my drunk ass home. I was told before coming here to befriend Arabic speaking males as soon as possible and travel with them. I believe I have accomplished my mission, after only being here for two weeks. I was at a bar in a beautiful hotel, and I got a little too drunk for my own good. I am not going to do that again. It's not safe for people to be obviously drunk in Dubai. I mean, it is technically ILLEGAL to drink here, although they have bars in hotels to cater to tourists. Some cab driver can potentially not like the fact that you've been drinking and drive your ass to a cop shop. That will be a huge hassle. You may get thrown in jail, be deported or both. Ugh. But this is probably good for me anyway. I've been drinking too much back home. My liver can definitely use the break.

I've been so homesick. People ask me if I like Dubai, and I always tell people that it's 'interesting' or 'fascinating'. I am going to try to stay positive, even though things are so different here than back home. I am going to stop looking back, and not spend half of my waking moments living in Vancouver time. I miss all of you. I miss my home. But I am here now and I am going to make the best of it. I will keep you updated on my progress... and thank you for all of your kind words. I really really appreciate it.