Out and About

    Two weekends ago I went to an all white party at a club called Etoiles in the Emirates Palace, it was fabulous. Everyone looked like a million dollars.

Here is a little collage of my friends and I. 

After that we went to a birthday reggae party on Yas Island.

There are always photographers at these parties taking photos for the parties Facebook page, sometimes I end up in them and they always look fabulous. 

Here I am with some of my crew. As you can see some people had so much fun at the white party they came here right after. 

    This past weekend, I went to brunch at the Fairmount to celebrate my friend's 40th birthday. 

I met a lovely young lady who followed the blog before she came out here and told me that she loved seeing all my pictures and hearing all my stories because she knew when she got out here she would be doing all those things too. Well, her wish came true! 

From Abu Dhabi, I took myself to Dubai on Saturday for the Reggae Beachfest with a performance by Elephant Man. I don't know if I have told you. It I absolutely love reggae and soca ( comes from having Trini parents). 

The venue was stunning, XL BEACH CLUB at the Habtoor Grand resort and spa. 

I was lucky enough to meet the Energy God.

 I would post a video of his performance but this app won't let me post videos only photos. Boo. 

  As you can see I have had a fun filled two weeks. I start back my grad school classss on May 11 for the summer session, so the partying will be cut down significantly. Nevertheless, all work and no play make Haneefa a dull girl, so I will still go out once in awhile.

Also one of my best friend's from home is suppose to come visit at the beginning of June so I am super excited about that. 

Thank you for reading and as per usually, I love  comments and emails!

Just Had To Share

Hello beautiful people,

    I get a few emails asking me various questions and complimenting my blog (thank you and keep them coming) but today I got an email that just touched my heart, I had to share it. All the emails I get are from individuals who are looking to move out here, I have never received an email from an Emirati. This is the email I received this morning. I was so touched I had to share:

Good morning!

First of all I wanted to tell you that you are indeed wonderful ^^

I am an emirati who is studying abroad, so I do understand the struggle to an extent. I know that the fact that I'm only a student gives me a sort of an advantage, but still living abroad is anything BUT easy!

You might wonder why I'd be reading your blog instead of someone else's who moved to the same country as I (south korea), but I guess it just makes me feel better to know that I'm not the only one struggling. There's also the added bonus of hearing about the UAE rather than Korea! I really do miss my country and, in a sense, strangely, reading your blog has alleviated my homesickness somewhat. Also the fact that you are a foreigner in the country helps me sympathize with you in all sorts of things that you are facing.

I hope this helps me be more culturally aware and sensitive when i do go back home to work ^^

I guess the thing I wanted to say the most is "Thank you!" 

You are wonderful, so have yourself a wonderful day~

To the individual that sent this, thank you so much, I am so touched that my blog could settle your homesickness. I wish you all the best in South Korea. Thank you for reading! 

Sushi Central: A Taste of Japan in Abu Dhabi

   Last Thursday, I went to eat at Sushi Central's newest location on Al Mina Street in Abu Dhabi. 

The restaurant has a really cute setup, very roomy and the decor was modern with an Asian flare. I also loved that they were playing old school Justin Timberlake and Marvin Gaye (I love singing while I eat).

    I had a watermelon lychee juice to start which was tasty and refreshing. Many of you may know that I lived in Japan for two years and I am big fan of Japanese cuisine. One of my favorite appetizers is Agedashi tofu; a fried tofu served with a soy/teriyaki sauce.

  

   The tofu was well prepared and the serving size was extremely generous, I actually took most of this home because I wanted to have room for the sushi.

I asked the waitress what I should order if I wanted to sample various things on the menu. She recommend Fujiyama's Chef Special. 

I had spicy salmon rolls, salmon with cream cheese and various sushis, my favorite is unagi, which is BBQ'd eel, soooo good. 

They also deliver, so if you are located in Abu Dhabi give hem a call next time you are in the mood for some delicious, fresh sushi. 

All in all a great place to eat, I will definitely be back. 

A Day In The Life of An ADEC Teacher

    I often get asked what it is like to work for ADEC. Obviously, everyone's experience is completely different. I can only speak of what I am living, here is an example of what my day looks like.  Just to remind you that I teach grade 7 Science in a Cyle 2-3 school.  Cycle 2 is grade 6-9 and Cycle 3 is grade 10-12.

5:30 am-- alarm #1 goes off, I usually hit snooze.

5:45-- alarm #2 goes off, check Facebook, Instagram, email, whatsapp. 

6:00 am-- alarm #3 goes off (don't judge) I finally get out of bed. 

6:30 am--I leave my home. My school is an hour away, about 100 km. be prepared for this, not every school will be close by. Because my school is far I get a stipend. I get picked up in a mini van everyday, we are 6 in our van. The first pick up is at 6:15, I am at 6:30 and the next one is 6:40. We then head to school. 

7:40 am--get to school. Fingerprint in. 

7:45 am-- morning assembly.  Usually at morning assembly the students sing the national anthem, pray and then there are various announcements, this is all done in Arabic.

8 am--Period 1 begins

Periods are 45 minutes long and depending on the day I teach 3 or 4 periods.

There are 5 periods before the students have break which is essentially lunch, this is only 25 minutes.  In the afternoon there are another 2 classes.

Three out of five days we can leave at 2 pm.  On the other days we have to stay until 3 pm.

 

You Can't Get Rid Of Me That Easily

     I have decided to stay another year. So that means another year of fantastic blog posts, another year of travel, another year of adventure.

On an exciting note, I am going to be doing my first ever restaurant review! A restaurant in Abu Dhabi contacted me and would like me to come and review their food. So exciting!

If anyone is reading this and would like me to come and review their establishment (hello spas), I would love  to.

Now back to me staying here another year...

I still have one more year of my Master's of Educational Technology program, so I figured I might as well stay put and teach and finish that. Also, the teaching situation at home is terrible. 

    I have also been asked if I will be changing school's, the answer to that is no. I am team 'the devil you know', sure I could change and be placed at a better school, but I could also be placed at a worse one. I know the ins and outs of my school and who knows what it will be like at a new school, so I am staying put. 

    This weekend I have a few parties to look forward too and my house needs a serious cleaning. I think I am the only person that doesn't pay to have their place cleaned (it is only 10$ An hour) but there is something therapeutic about cleaning. 

   Since moving out here I have had a few eye infections, the doctor thinks it is because of my contacts and all the sand and dust in the air. For this reason, I have had to get a new pair of glasses that I will be wearing more often.

They were an arm and a leg cause I am blind but I really didn't have a choice. I am actually contemplating laser eye surgery, so I am going to get my eyes evaluated to see if I qualify for the surgery, if I do I may get it next year.

I Heart Jordan

     Hello! Welcome fellow readers new and not so new. Thank you for commenting and as always I welcome emails and questions. 

Last week we had our Spring Break here in the UAE sadly this year we only had one week as opposed to the two weeks we had last year.  Since it was also my last week of grad school this term I only went away for a few days.

I decided to go to Jordan because it is only a three hour flight from Dubai and I have heard wonderful things, I also just wanted to float in the Dead Sea. I stayed at the Movenpick Dead Sea Resort and Spa and it was absolutely amazing. The resort is located on the Dead Sea and had numerous outdoor pools and restaurant. For those that do not know, the Dead Sea is 10 times saltier than any ocean, because of this you can can float it the water soon as you lie in it. 

Here is the view from the balcony.

I enjoyed some classic Middle Eastern food here we have: fattoush salad, tabbouleh (parsley salad), baba ganoush (puréed eggplant) and hummus (puréed chick peas) in the middle are some little fried balls with meat inside, I am not sure what they are called.

I went by myself and it was lovely, it I wanted to take a nap in the middle of the day, I did. At night there was singing and belly dancing at one of the restaurants. The service was impeccable and everyone treated me so well, I am not sure if this is because I was alone or because I was female but I was constantly asked if my food/drinks were ok and if the service was up to par. At breakfast in the morning, I was given special coffees, I loved it. 

Stunning.

The mud from the Dead Sea is said to have properties that is good for your skin. 

Just floating in the Dead Sea. As you can see the water is crystal clear. Nevertheless, the water isn't very deep, many to my knees. 

The Earth is a beautiful place. #nofilter

This is the life.

The spa at the resort was also fabulous. I got a massage and had access to these pools, you can sit in the little semi circle seats and jets come out and massage your back. Heaven. 

I did not have a chance to visit Petra which is three hours away from the Dead Sea and I know that it is a must so I will be back next year to do that. 

Yikes!

    I haven't written a post in over a month! Yikes! I am so sorry. Welcome to all the new readers from near and far, thank you for taking a moment to read my little piece of the internet. I love when you comment and for those of you that have emailed me, I am thankful that I can help. 

   So what has been happening over here? 

    A few weeks ago I went to a lovely lounge in Dubai called Caramel. It was a little bit expensive, but it was for my good friend's birthday. The music was AMAZING! 90s and 00 hip-hop and r and b; Usher, Dru Hill, Justin Timeberlake, SWV. I was in heaven, I was singing the whole time. I even went and asked the dj what club he dj's at in Dubai because I need to be there, he told me that he plays at Caramel four times a week. There is also one in Abu Dhabi. 

Because it was Dubai, it is 'normal' to see cars like this:

Boom! 

The following night, I got to check out this fellow Canadian in concert.

My boy Drizzy Drake. The concert was good, but I was a little annoyed that he came on really late and on performed for 45 minutes. But at least I can say I saw Drake in concert in Dubai.

Saw this at the gas station and I had to try it: camel milk ice cream in cardamom flavour with chocolate chips, you cannot get more Middle Eastern than this! As for the taste it was good! Very creamy.

My fellow Canadian L and I decided to have a date night filled with sushi and a movie. Fun times ensued.

Sushi was from Toki restaurant in the Hilton hotel in Al Ain. Sushi was good but the prices were a little high for my liking.

Movie was good! Only thing I not a fan of is some men smoking in the theatre. 

End of term was last week and we were invited to a student's house. We had a great time. She invited about a dozen of the other girls and we taught them the Cupid shuffle! 

Yummers! 

Funny, the kids ask me if I eat with my hands or use a fork at home.

'Miss, my father and grandmother use hands, I don't like. I like to use fork'"

They also ask me if I sit on the floor or table when I eat at home.

I tell them that we usually seat at a table when we eat.  Most of them would rather sit on the floor.

Fish Briyani (seasoned rice with fish steaks)

Genie in a bottle.

Got some free passes so I went back to the Al Ain zoo (funny I am going again later in April, I went from never have been there to going three times in as many months). 

Had to take another giraffe selfie. I love them! 

My friend was djing at a reggae party in Abu Dhabi so I went to check it out. 

Dress from Splash, it isn't plus size but it has stretch so it is tight but looks good. 

Heading to Jordan for two nights this weekend. Going to chill in the Dead Sea! I even bought a selfie stick!

Have a great weekend!