Sometimes...

A girl just needs some maintenance.


Happy Sunday everyone!


It's been a beautiful one in Dubai...


Another week has passed and life continues to go well. I hope the same it true for you. The days are full and ever-changing...much like the stocks of Apple Inc.

My tastebuds are experiencing home as well as...uhh...not home.

Home.
NOT home.



BREAKING NEWS!! It's raining in the desert!

You don't understand. Puddles here are like cowboys at a Beyonce concert. You rarely, if ever, see it.

But look-cha hur folks...



AND LOOKIE HERE TOO WHAT I FOUND!
My momma :) She is traveling on business (layover this time and will be staying in Dubai for 5 days in two weeks after going to other ME countries) and I couldn't wait to hug her. I kept taking pictures of her as opposed to pinching myself.
We went to Dubai Mall and watched the dancing fountains at the base of Burj Khalifa. The area around the mall and Burj is west meets east. People from everywhere watching water boogy to Michael Jackson's "Thriller." Cool, huh?



The same guy who did the fountains in Las Vegas (I've never seen them, but those who have know) coordinated these as well. They play every thirty minutes to a variety of songs. Arabic pop hits to Whitney's "I Will Always Love You."

After waking up the next day and feeling like seeing mom was all a dream, I ventured out of Dubai for the first time. Those who know me know I'm always on the go (God didn't name me Byrd for nothin') so going on a roadtrip was candy to this kid.

Al Ain. Much smaller town and felt like Arabia 40 years ago. Palm trees. Old forts. Three story building (as opposed to 103 story buildings). Arabic. Nice :)

Miss you all and wish you were here. Sending my love from Dubai xoxoxox

Sunday Edition: Dubai Beginnings

This is my new home. I still can't believe it. New, yes. Nerve-racking, yes. Missing family and friends, yes. But home? Yes. My luggage and I made it all intact and well rested...bringing some Texas with us of course.
My first few days were settling in to my new, beautiful home. I am living with a family that I knew from my internship in Doha two years ago. It is so nice to be apart of a family here! First day, we go shopping for all the hairspray I couldn't pack in my suitcases. Dubai and I are on the same page when it comes to hair care (picture below).
The following pictures are where I am living.

The green yard is fabuloso (name that movie...)
My summer time survival kit...

My room...
The "Welcome Amy" poster greeted me at the airport along with a dozen orange and yellow roses, and about 15 youth and parents. It was so nice and welcoming! :)
Vonderful cloo-sets...


This is me walking down the street where I live...


I forgot my camera for the following:

A trip to IKEA and Crate & Barrel (yes my friends, you read correctly). Saturday afternoon little league. Two Friday services. Dinners with new friends and families. Laughs. Prayers. Cries. But mostly laughs.

Disclaimer: All the photos capture the 80 degree, breezy weather. It gets down right chilly at night. Winters in Dubai = Early Spring weather feel...ya know, like when the bluebonnets start debuting.

Sunday Edition: Dubai Beginnings (Section B)

Burj Khalifa (the clouds here are so rare!!)
This is my dear Brigitte. She has been a mother, a sister, and a sweet friend. She's also teaching me everything she learned at finishing school :) I'm gunna be re-fined, ya'll!

I'm the one in black by the tree. *Squint*
Made it to the desert and went on a safari with a family that was visiting from Houston...I love
the desert. I love the desert. Did I mention I love the desert? I love the desert.





"You're new around here, aren't ya?"


And it all began like any normal Friday...

Latest News

It's here. May the packing shenanigans commence.

Officially departing Friday, January 7th.

May everyone have a very merry Christmas and New Years!

**A message to Chipotle: See you daily.

Destination: Dubai

Not to the next chapter yet, but the Lord has let me see the title - Dubai, Departing Late December. Please join the story with me, won't you? :)

Pictures

Hey all!  For those of you with Facebook, I put up pictures of Kayla's visit to Doha and then my trip to Jordan.  Check em' out!

Final Plans

Well!  One of my close friends who lives in China will be visiting me this week for 4 days, and then after that I am headed to Jordan to do a 4 day tour, and then after that I am headed to Dubai for 2 days for a water park/visit, and then I'm back in Dallas folks!!  I return on Tuesday, the 28th.  Wow.  Time flies when you're having fun.  Looking forward to these next few weeks and then seeing all you :)