Settling in...

It's much cooler now in the desert, as temperatures are only in the 80's during the day and 70's at night...it doesn't feel much like Thanksgiving time, even if we are going to celebrate with other expats this weekend. Many people are leaving town, and though David wanted to try to travel elsewhere, Mallori convinced him that having no money was a good reason not to leave the country. So we'll spend our 10 days without work doing local things or something less expensive than traveling to Egypt, Europe, or India...even it those places are relatively much cheaper than going their from the states.

David Celebrated National Day with his school the other day, and for the first time, he dressed in the local attire. Many people think he's Arab already, but this just made it more interesting. His Arabic is getting better, however, when more than small talk is required, people begin getting curious to where David is 'really' from.

This place is not quite feeling like 'home' yet, but we are doing what we can to make it feel so. We aren't deciding on the length of our stay until after one year of living here, but financially this place is a blessing and answer to several prayers. A recession is very evident back home, but here, more jobs open daily, buildings keep getting built, and people continue to spend money as if tomorrow isn't going to come. People don't worry about 'gas guzzlers' or leaving the A/C on when you leave. They don't even recycle here apart from grass roots initiatives to do so; People have, and very few lack. The poorest people here are here by choice...they are here because they make more money here than they do back home. That's one of the reasons why we're here...America can't afford to hire the teachers they need. People here view America as huge, rich, and powerful...but to whom much is given, much is required...Makes me wonder if we Americans have been good stewards of all we've been blessed with, or if we're beginning to see that fade away. That thought is what makes us even consider staying longer...to ensure that we don't find ourselves in a recession. However, as children of the most high God, we believe that we are provided for...moreso than the birds of the air.

Hopefully we'll be decorating our place a little more, making it as beautiful as our last place in Ohio. We've splurged for a TV, so Mal can enjoy some shows, and David can keep up with the news around the world, and our next purchase may either be a treadmill or workout machine, since our gym membership was declined...another example of discrimination here...not sure whether it's racial or class...but either way, we won't be joining the country club anytime soon. Perhaps a few photos or pieces of art will be our final touches, not to mention the much needed curtains for the living room. Eventually it'll feel more like home, so if or when we decide to stay longer, we will enjoy the place more. On that note, it would be terrific if any of you loved ones would come visit...we're 5 minutes from the AUH airport, and 1 hr. 15 min. from DXB in Dubai...holidays are a hard time for us to be away, but we miss all of you deeply and ask that you would consider it. Anywho, here's a photo of Mr. Dawood (David) with the School Counselor and another shot of he and some students.

A week ago, we went east to the Emirate of Fujeirah, located on the Gulf of Oman It was nice, quiet, and much smaller than the other cities we've been to here in UAE. The sand of the beach is a darker brown, and it's situated between the coast and a rugged range of Mountains, which we drove through to get there. Here are a few photos of the place.

We'll write more later, perhaps when our internet at home is fully functional...we love you and look forward to posts on our blogs from you!