American Summer

by Cindy

Jeff and I have the pleasure of spending the summer in America while my brother and his wife are generous enough to allow us to stay in an apartment in their back yard.  I've been in America for about 10 days now and it is interesting to me the things I'm noticing.  Mostly, I'm overwhelmed by the choices.  We were trying to find a chest of drawers for our apartment so my brother suggested a few stores to try.  My sister in law suggested a few more and before I knew it, the list was to 13 stores.  Really?  "Can't I just go find something at Ikea?"  I laughed out loud when I said that because that's the "Dubai default."  We get everything at Ikea - it's convenient, it's cheap and it's easy.

I've also become used to everything in one place.  In Dubai, everything is at the mall.  In Texas, I get out of the car at the grocery store, get out of the car at Ikea, I get out of the car at Michael's, I get out of the car the next store and on and on.  I  missed this when I arrived in Dubai but I now realize that I've changed my way of thinking.

There are other subtle differences that I have noticed in the grocery store, on the roads, and talking with people.  But it's really the bigger picture that I have been most acutely aware - my perspective has changed.  Or said differently, I see life through a different lens now.  I'm so thankful for the opportunities that I have been given and the life I live.  My perspective is larger and my life is changed.  I am a truly blessed woman!

This is who I have been spending my days with in America.

Coming Home

We are about to come back to America for our summer vacation - and before you ask us, "When are you planning to move back to the US?" you should look at these two links.  

First, we have an article about the quality of life that we have here in the UAE.  There are things we miss about the US, but there are a lot of things we like about being here, too.  And as long as we can get back to see family (nearly 3 months this summer!), we feel like we've got the best of both worlds.


Second, here is the data that the article I mentioned above is based on.  It's from a study called "Expat Explorer" that was conducted by HSBC, the (UK-based) multinational bank.  You can look at how the various countries around the world compare to one another in terms of how good of an environment they have for life and work.  You can even put in your preferences and see what countries might be a good fit for you!  Enjoy.