What's God got to do, got to do with it?

I am a Scorpio. Born right smack dab in the middle of the Scorpio time period Oct. 23-Nov. 20th, on Nov. 5th. There really isn't any denying the fact that I am a Scorpio but sometimes I just don't feel it. Scorpio's can be described as...complex, cleaver, passionate, investigative, magnetic, social, good memory, deep, sensual, self-reliant, determined, loyal, brave, protective, resourceful, dynamic, and intuitive.

I have been feeling a bit awkward lately because I am in quite a religious country, despite being relatively liberal, and I am not religious. I'd like to think that I am spiritual but I don't even know if I would describe myself this way.

This is what my google homepage horoscope said for Scorpios today: "You have a strange relationship with your spirituality that is difficult to explain to anyone else. Fortunately, you are not required to put words to that which cannot be communicated, even if others inquire. For now, just revel in your inner experience, for that's where you can draw the most strength."

I guess my spirituality does lye in my experiences. I have traveled quite a lot and have gone down different roads in finding myself. And the further along I go, I realize that there really is never going to be a moment where you reach a finish line or you just feel utterly and completely happy. That hollywood scene of happiness is just not going to arrive ever but I must say I have been experiencing moment of happiness that I have never felt before. I am enjoying my new job, my work is fulfilling, I am learning a tremendous amount from reading, colleagues, and students, I have a wonderful family, some great friends near and far and even better I am utterly and completely in love! I don't think that I could ask for anything more!

Ramadan Kareem/Eid Mubarak

Since the purpose of this blog is to give you a feeling for what life is like in Dubai and the various places that I visit throughout the Middle East, I thought that it would not be right to go any further without describing the holy month of Ramadan.

A week after I arrived in Dubai, the month of Ramadan arrived. I was sort of deeply dreading this month for I knew things sort of slowed down and the loud music was turned off after I had been moving at a high speed pulsating dance music party mix type pace all summer.

The dates of the month of Ramadan change every year. The month begins about 10 days earlier each year due to the fact that our calendar is based on a solar calendar while the Muslim calendar is lunar. I have had my few stints with Ramadan throughout my time at the Univ. of Wa. I had several Muslim friends who were fasting and one day, I tried fasting but did not make it so far as Solstice cafe without giving in to my morning latte. I realized at that time that fasting and Ramadan is a spiritual matter with meaning behind it that I did not quite yet understand.

During the thirty days of Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise (dawn) to sunset (dusk). This does not only mean food but also water, beverages, smoking, displays of affection towards the opposite sex and cursing. The month of fasting is important to Muslims for a few reasons: to bring them closer to G_d and their belief, and to humble them and make them remember those who are starving and in need. It was during the month of Ramadan that the Qu'ran or the messages were revealed to their Prophet which I truly find remarkable.

I learned a lot throughout the month of Ramadan and wish that I spent a month out of every year partaking in these types of spiritual, and cultural activities which bring families and friends together, make people behave in a humble and nice way and sort of re-charge the battery if you will. After all of the books I read, and people that have taught me about Ramadan, I learned the most from my students and co-workers. They enjoy Ramadan. It is not a burden to them. And they explained to me that Ramadan is not about trying to fast but it is a simple act that only requires you to relax and give up your daily habits of consumption. Muslims usually read from the Qu'ran every evening or go to the mosques. Families get together and eat and gather together every evening for a festivity which is called Iftar.

At the end of Ramadan, the Eid holiday is announced which is equivalent in importance to the West's Christmas. Adults give children money in small increments (like 10 5dirham bills for example), people buy each other new clothes, people wear new clothes and of course, people get together and eat. Like I mentioned the re-charging your battery, Eid marks the beginning of a new year for Muslims hence the new clothes. Raheela, my colleague and now good friend, even fed me the traditional sweet noodles that Pakistanis eat on Eid.

In the U.A.E., drinking, smoking, eating, chewing gum, and playing loud music is all prohibited during the month of Ramadan. At first I thought it would be such a burden and I will admit that I came home from shopping outings or from school quite dehydrated. However, when Eid arrived, I realized that I had learned from my colleagues, and students how meaningful and beautiful this time of year really is and in the end enjoyed partaking in the rituals and experiencing this holiday in a Muslim country. Eid Mubarak to all of my beloved friends and family! Have a wonderful year!

A Historic Day for a History Teacher

On Wednesday, the 9th of September 2009 (09/09/09) at 9:09:09 the VP of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and his fellow dignitaries, rode the first metro in Dubai, this marked the opening of the Dubai Metro. The Dubai metro, according to several expats I have met, has been "a big deal". Not only has the construction disrupted most car traveling fellows (which is everyone in Dubai) when all is said and done, the city will spend around 7.6 billion US dollars on this system. The metro is a raised rail car or subway that runs through the city to various stations. I could not figure what all the fuss was about. A new metro, so what? Houston has a metro that barely anyone rides, and Seattle also just opened one so we'll see.

Then, while asking my colleague Patricia, it hit me, it is the very first subway/metro EVER in the Middle East. That's a big deal!

At first, I'd read someplace that the metro would be a wonderful catalyst to bring multiple cultures and various socio-economic groups together. Then, I learned a day before the metro opened that there will eventually be different types of metro tickets for purchase similar to trains in Europe and planes in the US. So the poorer folk will purchase Class C or Class 3 tickets for example while the richer folks Class A or Class 1 if you will and the rich and the poor folk will ride in seperate cars never having to interact. I will be interested to discover the outcome of this idea or decision.

My girls (students) were really excited and I can definitely see why! In a city where expats come into and out of their lives, my students or the locals will most likely live here throughout their lifetimes. Considering there is no tax here, the money for the subway did not come from the workers, teachers, corporate business or out of my pocket. All of the investments being made in Dubai are being done by the Sheikh and the royal family. Many Emiraties are proud when their city makes a long term investment on its infrastructure because they know it will only put there city on the map and make it more desirable of a location to either spend your vacation here or move to.

Needless to say, I witnessed the first metro in the Middle East. Last night, as I was out on Sheikh Zayed Road, I saw the metro go by. I sort of smiled knowing that I did not have to endure as much of the inconvenience it has caused for others while still smiling because I know, at the end of the day, it will make some people's lives much easier.

First Impressions-Dubai

No matter the amount of preparation, Lonely Planet guidebook reading, or talking to others who have been to Dubai, I tried my best to come with an open mind and have really been enjoying my life here in Dubai so far. I arrived in Dubai on August 15th. That was three weeks ago! I cannot even begin to tell you all of my impressions, and observations that I have witnessed thus far of Dubai, United Arab Emirates in this one blog entry but I will try.

The flight to Dubai was nice! I flew Delta from Seattle to Atlanta and after Atlanta to Dubai. I thought the long flight would be much worse than it really was in the end. I watched three movies, slept for about three hours total, and arrived living off pure adrenaline. Five other teachers on my flight and I were greeted by a service called Marhaba. These ladies greet us in gold jackets and whizzed us through lines: baggage check, visa, passport, you name it. The arrival went quite well and it was really quick. The weirdest experience of all was having my eye scanned. Yikes! Still have not figured that one out?

My apartment is quite nice and spacious. The floors are marble, the ceilings are high and I had a few things all ready for me that I had ordered through the school: a shower curtain, a bed, matress, sheets, toaster, etc. Needless to say, I unwrapped the sheets and enjoyed a nice evening of sleep in my comfortable bed. I was one of the lucky few who only had jet lag the first few evenings. I woke up at 5am wide awake the first morning and 7am the second morning. Like usual, slept right through the night from there on out. The accommodations are nice, our building is safe and the neighborhood is interesting. Let's just say, several of the returning teachers call it "little India".

The welcome committee of about five teachers drove us to Festival City the first few days. Festival City is one of several Dubai malls. Festival City had a mega WalMart type grocery store called HyperPanda (my colleagues call the Energetic Bear), an Ikea, a nice coffee shop and several clothing stores. I just remember being overwhelmed but after a few trips I managed to furnish the apartment with the basics.

One of the things that I am trying to get used to is the fact that there is a service for everything. Furniture delivery, water can be delivered to your doorstep, taxi drivers load your car, pretty much all of the things I am used to doing myself are not considered normal here and there is someone who will do this for you. The facilities manager of our school's company saw my Ikea furniture in boxes on the floor. I had begun putting some of the furniture together and he said, "why do you do this? You can have someone do this for you." This will definitely take some getting used to. Most people order take out and it is delivered to their door. Phone cards? 24 pack of Diet Coke? Why walk the two blocks to the grocery store in humidity when you can have someone do this for you? I have still not adjusted to this mentality but I can see why expats get so spoiled that they stay here for years.

My co-workers, and department head are so incredibly wonderful! Everyone is so helpful here! I really lucked out by getting a really cool department head. She is so nice, willing to help. She even took us out our first weekend to a gorgeous hotel at the foot of the Palm (island shaped like a Palm tree). It has been a pleasant experience and it has made going to work everyday something to look forward to.

I apologize for the length of this blog entry. From here forward, I will just try to post shorter blogs with brief descriptions of interesting observations! I am really enjoying Dubai. It is difficult to be a tourist and go do some of the tourist outdoor activities this time of year because of the heat. I am patiently awaiting the late fall and winter when everyone enjoys the beaches, outdoor patios and lovely parks that the city has to offer.

For now, I just want to let anyone who is reading this know that life here has been very good to me so far, inshallah! I am so busy preparing for lessons for my classes and trying to soak up as much of the culture as I can! The adjustment period is still going on but I am definitely loving every minute of it!