I had one of most wonderful nights ever last Thursday night. I went out to dinner with all of my favorite people in Dubai. We amazing burgers in jbr, which is the local expat beach. I even got a gluten free burger! There is nothing quite like being surrounded by good food and great company. I would not trade the friends I've made in Dubai for anything.
After dinner, we went to our favorite hangout destination across the street from the university. We then proceeded back to the beach, where we danced to live music for the rest of the night. Dancing on the beach has easily become one of my favorite things to do. I think we stayed until the place shut down. It was great.
Then we went to subway, which is open 24/7. I felt like such an American for getting fast food in the middle of the night. Haha. I'm sure we were all judged, but enough people must stop in during those hours or they wouldn't keep it open.
Anyway, after an amazing night out, I ran into even more incredible people back on campus before I got to my room. We all chatted about life plans and goals. I know that no matter what happens I'm always going to have the friends that I made in dubai to count on. I am so lucky and blessed. :)
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Holly the Homemaker
As I'm sure most of you know, I pretty much don't eat here. My diet consists of eggs, dates, french fries, and hummus. It's very hard for me to find gluten-free foods. Ursinus kids, get this: AUD has Sandella's. No lie. I can't get away from our cafeteria food even halfway around the world! ha. Great news though, I found some gluten-free food!!! While I was at a new grocery store, I wishfully decided to check out the cake mixes. I know... Some of you are probably shocked that Holly, the super feminist, was looking to bake. All I have to say is that you've got to do what you've got do to when it comes to eating on a gluten free diet. haha. A girl needs her baked goods! Let's be real: in the States I could easily find a guy who would bake me a GF cake in a day or two, but here, sadly, it's just not happening. ha.
Now to continue with my story, guess what?! I found a brand called Melinda's that offers GF mixes for Chocolate Fudge Brownies and Apple & Rhubarb Crumbles. You might be asking yourself "What the heck is Apple & Rhubarb Crumble?" To you I answer, I have no idea, but I bought it. hahaha. I bought both of them. Any option is better than the zero options I had previously. Now I need a pan so I can start baking. I'll have to stop at Carrefour in the mall tomorrow. :)
On to another happy food story-- My Aunt Kelly and Rose sent me a package, which I am sure will be filled with more delicious treats. I have to go pick it up at the post office, which should be an adventure. I have never been to that part of the city yet. More on that in a few days. Thank you both for being amazing!
Now I guess to balance out my homemaker side, I have to tell you more about my feminist actions over here. I started a Women's Intercultural Dialogue group over here at my university with another study abroad student, Iberia. We held our first discussion last night. I did not have high expectations, so I was pleasantly surprised when 26 ladies showed up. We talked about issues arranging from abayas to abortions.
I honestly learned so much from listening to these women from all around the world discuss intense topics. One of the most interesting things that I learned last night was that in some religio-political groups in Islam, a baby isn't considered a "baby" until 40 days after conception. To them, it takes 40 days for the soul to reach earth and 40 days for it to leave. According to those groups, abortions are okay if they happen within the first 40 days. Who knew? I certainly did not expect anyone in the Middle East to condone abortions. I still have so much to learn. I'm hoping for great things out of these dialogues. We're going to meet once every other week. I'm pumped for our next gathering!
Since this post was all about women, I figured I'd add some pictures of English/Arabic signs around the Mall of the Emirates. Let's stereotype and say that "all women like shopping". Just kidding. :)
Now to continue with my story, guess what?! I found a brand called Melinda's that offers GF mixes for Chocolate Fudge Brownies and Apple & Rhubarb Crumbles. You might be asking yourself "What the heck is Apple & Rhubarb Crumble?" To you I answer, I have no idea, but I bought it. hahaha. I bought both of them. Any option is better than the zero options I had previously. Now I need a pan so I can start baking. I'll have to stop at Carrefour in the mall tomorrow. :)
Carrefour: The Walmart of the Middle East
On to another happy food story-- My Aunt Kelly and Rose sent me a package, which I am sure will be filled with more delicious treats. I have to go pick it up at the post office, which should be an adventure. I have never been to that part of the city yet. More on that in a few days. Thank you both for being amazing!
Now I guess to balance out my homemaker side, I have to tell you more about my feminist actions over here. I started a Women's Intercultural Dialogue group over here at my university with another study abroad student, Iberia. We held our first discussion last night. I did not have high expectations, so I was pleasantly surprised when 26 ladies showed up. We talked about issues arranging from abayas to abortions.
I honestly learned so much from listening to these women from all around the world discuss intense topics. One of the most interesting things that I learned last night was that in some religio-political groups in Islam, a baby isn't considered a "baby" until 40 days after conception. To them, it takes 40 days for the soul to reach earth and 40 days for it to leave. According to those groups, abortions are okay if they happen within the first 40 days. Who knew? I certainly did not expect anyone in the Middle East to condone abortions. I still have so much to learn. I'm hoping for great things out of these dialogues. We're going to meet once every other week. I'm pumped for our next gathering!
Since this post was all about women, I figured I'd add some pictures of English/Arabic signs around the Mall of the Emirates. Let's stereotype and say that "all women like shopping". Just kidding. :)
Monday, October 3, 2011
Shopping Day
As per my mother's suggestion, I went to the mall to shop around for jewelry to see if I could find something that I really liked before I made my final decision: skydiving or gold. Last night, my watch broke, so today was the perfect day to go shopping. At first, I was hesitant to look at name brand items, but then I found a pretty nice Coach watch that was only $400. I seriously considered buying it. I still might.
After that, I got a little cocky. I started to try watches on without even looking at the price. I went to the Dubai Fashion Dome, which was a horrible idea. At one point, I looked done and realized I was wearing a $5000 watch. It was too much to take in. haha.
To go back to my comfort zone, I put watches aside and started to look for jewelry. Oh, that was even a worse plan. If you've ever gone jewelry shopping with me, you'll know that I am extremely particular and have an expensive taste. I just thought "Eh, what the heck?!" and went into ridiculously glamorous stores. I'm talking about the kind of stores where there is a worker whose sole job is to open the door for you.
I started off looking at the modest pieces, but then I couldn't take it anymore. I tried on anything and everything that caught my eye. I tried on pearls the size of marbles, diamond rings that cost twice as much as my car, designer topaz sets--everything. It got so bad that at one point I found out I was wearing a 115,000 dirham ring (or about $32,000). I had to stop. I came home. Crazy day. :P
After that, I got a little cocky. I started to try watches on without even looking at the price. I went to the Dubai Fashion Dome, which was a horrible idea. At one point, I looked done and realized I was wearing a $5000 watch. It was too much to take in. haha.
To go back to my comfort zone, I put watches aside and started to look for jewelry. Oh, that was even a worse plan. If you've ever gone jewelry shopping with me, you'll know that I am extremely particular and have an expensive taste. I just thought "Eh, what the heck?!" and went into ridiculously glamorous stores. I'm talking about the kind of stores where there is a worker whose sole job is to open the door for you.
I started off looking at the modest pieces, but then I couldn't take it anymore. I tried on anything and everything that caught my eye. I tried on pearls the size of marbles, diamond rings that cost twice as much as my car, designer topaz sets--everything. It got so bad that at one point I found out I was wearing a 115,000 dirham ring (or about $32,000). I had to stop. I came home. Crazy day. :P
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