It was just like any other church dinner...

Last night, Cindy and I attended a special dinner at the Atlantis hotel (on the Palm Islands) here in Dubai.  The dinner was hosted by the Jebel Ali Churches Council, and the purpose of the event was to honor and give thanks for the rulers of Dubai who allow Christians to worship here.  Sheikh Mohammed, the current ruler of Dubai, graciously granted land in 2000 (in a part of town called Jebel Ali) where churches could be built.  His predecessor, Sheikh Rashid, made a similar grant years earlier in another part of town, and actually laid the cornerstone of one of the buildings there.  I'm not sure exactly how many churches exist in these two church complexes (20+), but I do know that there are a variety of churches represented, including evangelical, Anglican, Orthodox, and Catholic churches [There are other churches that are part of the church council that meet outside the church complexes as well - including the one that Cindy and I attend, Redeemer Church of Dubai - which is presently meeting in a ballroom at the JW Marriott - http://www.redeemerdubai.com/].  You can find services held in a host of languages as well - English, Arabic, Tagalog, Spanish, Hindi,...and others.

Last night, there were about 200 people in attendance at the dinner, which included a handful of members of the Dubai royal family, members of the UAE National government, and members of the Dubai Ruler's Court.  Most of the attendees were pastors, church leaders, and other church members.  The Emirati dignitaries were presented gifts of appreciation, a few people made brief speeches, and then we had dinner.  The program for the evening, and a couple of pictures appear below. 

Let us know if you have questions or comments.

Golf in Dubai

I've started playing more golf since we arrived in Dubai.  There are several guys at the business school who play, and so it's a nice way to be social.  The golf courses in the country are - for the most part - outstanding.  Green fees range from about US$50 up to about $200.  [Don't worry, I have a discounted membership at one of the golf clubs that brings down the cost considerably for me :) ].

The courses are worth the high green fees, though.  The layouts are challenging, the courses are well-maintained, and the service is outstanding.

Now the fact that golf can be played at all is almost a miracle.  The environment is pretty inhospitable, as you can see from the picture below.  This is the Emirates Golf Course, the oldest in Dubai.  This picture was taken the year the course opened, in 1987.  The city has since grown up around the course.  The course is still there and hosts the Dubai Desert Classic each year - a European PGA Tour tournament, and also one that consistently attracts the top Americans.  A more recent picture of the course (with the cityscape) appears below.

And in case you're wondering just how much water it takes to turn the desert green like this, a recent article in The National, an Abu Dhabi newspaper, revealed that one of the courses there uses about 1.8 million gallons per day during the summer (and "only" 1.3 million per day during the winter).

Family Time - Part III

by Cindy

We have spent that last two weeks of our "American Tour" in Lubbock, Texas.  It has been a great time to catch up friends and for Jeff to continue in his research.  We have been blessed by a dear couple who has allowed us to stay with them the entire time.  Their hospitality has no limits and we couldn't be more thankful for them.  They are a blessing to us and Jeff and I always say 'we want to be just like them when we grow up.'

Jeff has been able to work on research, start some new projects and continue to maintain relationships with other faculty at Texas Tech.  Since Jeff is technically still on the faculty at Tech, we have been able to enjoy the Recreation Center and the pool while in town so that's been a bonus for me while he works each day.

I was blessed to have a friend come to town and visit me while in Lubbock.  She's a friend I know from my time in Lubbock so it was a blessing for us to walk down memory lane and also consider the ways we have been blessed and grown since leaving Lubbock.  We are looking forward to her visit to the UAE later this fall and her upcoming wedding in January.  (Jeff and I are especially excited about the wedding - Yosemite Park in January.  We will get a real winter!!)  We have had more coffee, lunches and dinners than we ever expected.  From friends who happen to be in town for the weekend, to friends who moved back to town the weekend we arrived, we have been blessed with catching up with so many people.

While neither one of us have any biological family in Lubbock, we have realized what a wonderful church we had and still have in Lubbock.  The people of Westminster have loved on us even after being gone for two years.  We have certainly felt as though we are among family while in Lubbock.

Emirati Youth Feel the Pressure

by Cindy

Even tough we live 8,000 miles away, we still follow the US news.  In addition, because the UAE is tied so closely with Europe, we follow their news as well.  Many of the social and government issues in America are similar to those in Europe and even those in the UAE.  There was a great article in our UAE paper that touches on many of the social issues that are making headlines in America and Europe:

• Retirement age for women and men
• Women in the work force
• Working for the government vs private sector
• Working hours for the government vs private sector
• The pressure to marry and arranged marriages
• How the government is going to pay pensions

While the article is long, it does a great job of hitting numerous topics.  We think you will enjoy it - Emirati Youth Feel the Pressure.

A Little Bit of Texas

by Cindy

Today a dear friend bought me a gift to take back to the Emirates with me. A key chain with a pair of boots and spurs.  She even bought it from Cavender's!  If I ever lose my keys at school, I think they will find me.  After all, there are not many people in the UAE who know about cowboy boots.

Wings

by Cindy

We can't get two things in the UAE - BBQ and wings.  We've had BBQ twice now and today Jeff and I got our wings.  We don't even have to look at the menu - Potato wedges with cheese, a dozen boneless with mango-habanero sauce and eight boneless with asian zing.  We even got a bonus - the potato wedges now have bacon on them!  We'll take all the pork we can get while in the USA!

Rudy's BBQ

Buffalo Wild Wings

Oklahoma?

by Cindy

We have a rental car for our time in Lubbock.  We were disappointed when we noticed the license plate. Really? Oklahoma? Ugh.

The upside is that the car smells like blueberry muffins.

Hummus

by Cindy

Hummus is apparently a big deal in America.  When we left two years ago you would see if around some but I've seen it more in the few days that we've been back that I ever had before we left.  It really hit me when we got served Forty Spices hummus on an American Airlines flight from Boston to DFW.

We eat hummus all of the time.  Jeff and I have a joke that there is a 100% probability that hummus will be served at every meal we attend on campus (he does teach business statistics after all).  However, our hummus is the plain kind - no red pepper, no garden herb, no forty spices or sun dried tomatoes or what ever else you guys have in it.  We might, very rarely, have garlic in it. And we eat it with bread and only bread, what American's would call "pita" bread. No veggies and not smeared on a sandwich like mayo or mustard.  I guess in our own snobbish way, we are hummus purists.  After all, it originates from the Levant and hummus is a transliteration of حمّص‎.

Family Time - Part II

by Cindy

We are in Midland visiting with Jeff's parents.  There isn't much to do in Midland but Jeff was able to get the BBQ he's been missing.  This place was legit - you pick your meat out of the smoker and pay by the weight.  Jeff picked 1.5 lbs of meat!

Family Time - Part I

by Cindy

We have been fortunate to catch up with Jeff's brother and his family over the past few days.  We have enjoyed the cooler weather in Boston, rain and a day to the beach.  Fortunately the jet lag hasn't been too bad and we have enjoyed hanging out with the kids in the early mornings when we are all awake.

Next stop - Midland, TX to see Jeff's parents.

Mine and Jeff's handiwork

Haddon, 6 yrs

Jeff and I joined the kids at swim lessons

Haley, 10 yrs

Haley, 10 and her brother Hudson, 3 months

Haley decorated Jeff's birthday cake

Living in Dubai is Like Living Without a Past

by Cindy

Here is a fun and short article about Dubai that a friend shared with me.  She was intersted in my comments (along with others) so I've added my brief comments, too.

Article

I like the article. I think it's accurate and for me, I know this is weird, but there is something attractive about "escaping from their culture, who long to forget their history, and who are content to live without the past." I am sure at some point I will again long for those things and desire to return to America. But for now, for me, I really like it here. I like the idea that the city/UAE is re-inventing itself, as are all of the people here, and I enjoy being a part of it.

The trick to all of this of course, is figuring out how to explain this to people who are still in America. They definitely don't get what's attractive about all of this.  

Ramadan

by Cindy

Ramadan has started. We've posted a couple of times about it before so I won't go into the details.  The biggest difference for those of us who don't celebrate is that we can't eat or drink in public between sunrise and sunset.  So, many businesses adjust their hours during Ramadan.  I saw this sign at the mall today:

I'm glad I don't work in a restaurant or cafe!

KFC - UAE Style

by Cindy

Thankfully, we can get fried chicken here.  It's just a good and just as greasy and satisfies the urge when the urge hits.  However, there are so notable, okay major, differences between KFC in America and KFC in the UAE.  Take a look at the photo, can you figure them out?  HINT: You are looking for two things:

Were you able to figure it out?  We get hamburger buns (!) instead of the awesome biscuits you get in America. AND, they don't have mashed potatoes and gravy here, we get rice instead.  At least the chicken tastes good!

Bible Study - Filipino Style

by Cindy

We have a very large group of Filipinos at our church and they have a large weekly Bible study gathering at the hotel where many of them work.  Jeff was blessed to have the opportunity to teach at one of their gatherings a few weeks back.  Jeff and I are fortunate they all speak and read English because neither one of us speak or read a word of Tagalog!

Year Two in Review

by Cindy

I've been thinking about this post for a few days now and I have to admit, even just thinking about it has lifted my spirit and put me a very thankful mood. When I think about the past year, I am nothing but thankful and appreciative for all that is "our life."

Everyone always wants to know how long we are staying and we always reply that we love it and don't see ourselves leaving in the foreseeable future.  People often respond with a one syllable response of "oh" or a simple response of "that's good" or "that's nice" but I can tell they are thinking something different in their heads.  I do wish that I could more clearly communicate how much we love it; enough so that people would lay down their preconceived perception of this land and really listen to what we love so much about this place.  I guess it is a "you have to see it to believe it" kind of life and kind of place.  So, even though you may not believe me, I wanted to give you 'Year Two In Review" (in no particular order):

• We were thankful to have our friend Katie, whom we know from Lubbock, come visit us for a long weekend.
• We are looking forward to my brother and Eddie coming to visit us in September.
• We enjoyed an amazing trip to Prague with our friends Chris and Sal.  They are great travel partners and we look forward to many more adventures with them.
• We summited Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa.  Who would have thought!?!?!  In 2009 we visited Kenya, Africa and everywhere we went we could see Kilimanjaro in the distance.  It is a beautiful mountain and quite inviting.  As I read and researched the mountain, I realized that climbing it really was something within my reach.  I knew it was a life long dream of Jeff's so it was really a joy for us to be able to do that together and for him to achieve something he's dreamed of doing.  (My toenails are still recovering.)
• We had an amazing trip to the Andalusia region of Spain with the Angell family.  Again, great travel partners and I am sure we will travel with them again.  Sadly, Mintaka leaves for college this year so future trips might be without her.  [Although, you can't help but excited for her to leave because she's so excited about it all - she beams from ear to ear any time you ask her about it. Her mother, on the other hand, wells up with tears any time we talk about it.]
• We have enjoyed a year of our book club, reading books about Dubai, books from authors here at our University and currently reading through some American classics. I am so thankful for the stimulating conversation and the ability to have civil and intellectual conversations with people who often have very different views than I hold.
• We got to spend Christmas evening with the Angells, too, watching A Christmas Story.  
• I attended my first local wedding, it was amazing.  After the wedding, the bride moved to Boston and I hope to catch up with her in early August when we visit Boston.
• Jeff and I attended a cooking class in Spain.  Bring on the paella and gazpacho!
• At work, I have the opportunity to develop a new class using a great software.  This is a great opportunity for me to learn and help bridge my career between academia and ERP software.
• I received a full, three year contract to work. 
• We've had a great small group in our home which has allowed us to meet many new people and grow closer to like minded people on campus.
• We had an amazing Easter sunrise service on the shore of the Persian Gulf!
• We've been able to invite friends to church with us and have them attend church as well as Jeff's 'Sunday school' class he taught (we actually go to church on Friday so it's called Friday school).
• I'm looking forward to Jeff preaching at "big" church this week.  It is unfortunate that so many of our friends have already left for the summer.
• Jeff and I celebrated an early 11 year wedding anniversary trip to Ireland.  It is a beautiful country and has everything we don't have - cold weather, hills, grass and rain.
• We have shared numerous amazing dinners with so many of our friends.  We are fortunate to have so many great restaurants and world renowned chefs in Dubai.  Along these same lines, we have had more 3-4 hour dinners in the past two years than our whole life combined.
• We've been able to celebrate all of the great American holidays on patios and in back yard gardens - Thanksgiving, Christmas, 4th of July, Mardi Gras, Easter, etc. with our American friends. 
• We've been able to travel to out of town conferences with students.
• I baked endless amounts of cookies, fudge and other sweet treats to share with our friends at Christmas - even though many of our friends don't celebrate Christmas.
• Jeff and I were able to travel to Oman and hike through "The Grand Canyon of the Middle East"
• I have enjoyed monthly dinners with 'the ladies' which are always a good time.
• Jeff and I are fortunate to be able to spend so much time together - we walk to and from work together each day, we eat lunch together most days and we spend evenings and weekends together.  We do not have work schedules that require time from us outside of 8-5, M-F.  We have an amazing marriage; one for which I am more and more thankful for each passing day.

I really could go on and on and on.  We are blessed beyond our wildest dreams.  When we considered this job 2.5 years ago, I could not have predicted that life would be so good.  'Year Two' has been amazing and I'm looking forward to more years to come.

Who's Heard of Tennessee?

by Cindy

I was a bit surprised to see this sign at a restaurant: 
 

Tennessee?  Really?  Do you seriously think people who live in Arabia and people who are from Asia can find Tennessee on a map? And since when is Tennessee known for its beef?



But this sign, it says it all.  Texas. Legendary.

Texas, Our Texas

by Cindy

I have a couple of friends here that always as me, "what's up with you Texans?  What's so great about the state of Texas?"  One of those friends has never even been to Texas so I tell her she can't knock it until she tries it.  The other friend, however, recently visited Austin.  She brought me back two pictures:

A postcard from Texas.  Needless to say, she had a good time. We'll be having her going away party soon.  :)

And a photo from Amy's Ice Cream. I couldn't put the above postcard on my desk so the photo of Amy's got added to the other photos in my office, thus the shout out to Andrew and Rayla and Haley and Haddon.

Texas, Our Texas! all hail the mighty State!
Texas, Our Texas! so wonderful so great!

PF Changs

by Cindy

For whatever reason, PF Changs is a big hit over here.  We have two, both located in malls, although everything here is in a mall because of the heat in the summer.  Recently the ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, was spotted with his buddies at PF Changs.

He's the one on the right.

It is not at all uncommon to see our various rulers out and about.  As part of the culture here, leadership is very accessible.

What Things Cost - Part 1 - Dry Cleaning

One of the things people ask us about from time to time is how much things cost over here.  Here's one example.  Last night we got some clothes back from the cleaners.  Here's what we had done and how much it cost.

6 Shirts -                   24 dirhams
2 pair of slacks -       12 dirhams
2 pair of golf shorts - 8 dirhams
                                ------------
Total                         44 dirhams  ($11.98)


And it's just like in the US - everything comes back on hangers, in the plastic bag/covering/whatever it is.  So this is cheaper than what cleaning costs back in the US.  The other nice thing about here is that the cleaners will pick up at our apartment and deliver.  No extra charge.

Marriage is in cleaner hands

by Cindy

People always ask us about moving back to America. We love it here and can't imagine ever leaving. I admit that it is often hard to explain to people why we like it so much here but this article is a humorous perspective on one of the reasons people love it here - domestic help.  This easily could have been me writing...