**Illness**

As a general rule, one can get all western items here in Dubai. The UAE is very liberal in its Muslim rules and has made many efforts to accommodate tourists. However, when you get sick here, it is a different story.

I have not gone to the hospital for any ailments yet. I am not sure how sick I would have to be to do that but everyone I know who has gone has had no problems. And, the pharmacy does not have the same regulation as they would in the US so they will sell things like antibiotics over the counter. Being a firm believer in drugs, I support this in some cases.... like if you call a doctor and they tell you what to get. I, personally, have no idea what to ask for so this perk is not so helpful to me.

For all of you who are immediately planning your trips to Dubai to stock up on restricted drugs, stop. They do not have pain killers available anywhere but in the hospital. No one holds up the pharmacy for Oxycontin here. However, that is not what I have an issue with
.... there is no NyQuil here. None. It has alcohol in it so they do not sell it. And they do not sell it in the liquor stores either! This is unacceptable. That is my one tool to fight colds and continue my normal life.

I did get a cold here initially and this is what one of my coworkers gave me for it:
I was too scared to open it (hence the glare from the herbs still inside), let alone take it. The label reads, "CENTURIES OLD HERBAL TEA FOR FLU, COUGH, COLD, CATTARH, IRRITATION OF THROAT AND FEVER IN INSTANT FORM. USAGE: DISSOLVE ONE PACK IN A CUP OF HOT WATER OR TEA AND SIP SLOWLY USE THRICE A DAY"

Umm, no thanks! I am not taking this "thrice a day" for something that cures everything!! Let's all pray that I never get a real cold here.

**Desert Madness!**

"So, no postings for a month, right?

I know, I know. I have been busy and a little homesick.

That is no excuse. People want to know what is going on with you. You could be dead and no one would know. Tell us what is going on!"

Above is a summary of all the emails and voice mails I have received over the past couple of weeks. I have cleaned up the language for the younger audience but message received. Here we go:

1) Quick update:
- New Camera has been ALL OVER THE WORLD. Expected delivery date will be Monday. Pictures will be loaded to Webshots for your viewing pleasure (as soon as I work out the kinks & actually take pictures.)

- The Promotion is finalized and official. I have successfully negotiated and received approximately half of what I asked for (not to be confused with "what I am worth" but all in time, grasshopper)

- They leased me a car. Heh. This will be the topic of many posts in the near future. Currently, I am driving a beater Civic while I wait for the new Focus to arrive. Expected Sunday but we will see.

- It is currently the Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan. Ramadan Kareem for all Muslims who may read my page. (It could happen - some people think I am interesting).

-Mad props out to my niece who just joined the Brownies (so I have the cookie hook up for those of you in need of a fix) and my nephew who just moved up 13 places in his National BMX ranking. They are perfect and obviously take after their aunt!


Now, the postings will come more often. Sometimes it is hard to type out stories so I will try to keep it up with it. I miss you all!

**TV Shows & Talking Smack**

I know that I blog about the lamest things but this strikes me as hilarious (and seriously, you don't have to read this- you could work instead!!)

The TV programming here has allowed me to catch up on a range of shows. I can watch Veronica Mars and The O.C. from the beginning. I can ruin the end of the Sopranos by accidentally watching an episode I haven't seen yet. I can also watch Out of This World from 1987!!! I couldn't believe this was on and was so excited since this was one of my most favorite shows when I was 9 years old.

I miss MTV, VH1, and my soap a lot more than I thought I would. I also miss having movies that are not edited or that have DVD Menus in Russian. I will survive, of course, but I still crave mindless American TV.

I have also become sensitive to how the US is perceived here. I think that CNN and the latest movies are the only peephole most Arabs will ever have into our country. There is no concept of normal life and culture. Some would argue that we do not have culture but I would have to disagree. We take for granted that we grow up in a country that demands (and receives) a transparent view of our leaders; feel entitled to freedom of speech; and have the ability and expectation to see 2 sides to every argument/ issue. Maybe Sean Penn does not speak for all of us.

I also have the sibling dilemma here. If you have siblings, you will understand that you can be mean and insult your brothers and sisters. You can even hate them until someone else acts the same way to them. Then, its on. You will defend them to the end. I have the same feelings about my country as I live over here. I can be mad about foreign policy or government spending but let someone talk smack about the US and I am the first one pointing out that they have no idea what they are talking about.

My roommate's brother and friends were visiting us for a week from Ireland and we expressing their opinions about President Bush and the war in Iraq. Normally, I avoid these conversations to keep the peace. However, in this case, how dare they? I would never assume to understand what it is like to live in Ireland and why y'all keep blowing each other up over religion. How could I possibly understand those issues since it isn't my country? So, step off with your critiques and when Ireland is a major world power, come back and talk some smack.

That is my rant for today!!

**More Office Antics**

So, last Thursday (which is our Friday) was my manager's last day. Management left early, as management universally is prone to doing, so we were left to our own devices. Here is what happened:

He agrees to the pitch.....
Batter up....Strike! (Or homerun... who knows)This went on forever! I would say that it prevented me from working but I was enjoying the show WAY TOO MUCH! (Post Script: That large bubble-wrapped object is one of my display screens- that is right folks, when you want to find out which gate your flight is departing from.... I make sure there is a screen there to tell you! My job the most boring thing I have ever heard of)

**My little life: update**

So, first, I ordered my fabulous, FIRST real camera since I was 10 years old. I know... I am mildly behind the times! Since this color is sold out all over the UAE (I am serious- I have been to nearly 50 electronics stores), I have just ordered it at home and am relying on my mommy to send it to me. Yeah, I am such a grown up!!

Second, I got a snazzy new work phone. See the fun Arabic letters on the keys! (The language will always be a novelty to me- I can't help it!!)Lastly, I have officially been offered a promotion at work! I will need to work nearly a million hours a week to do the job well but hopefully I will be well compensated. Actually, let me rephrase: I will not accept the position without lots of money. I am tired of being treated like a child because I am not 45 and a man. Wish me luck. I may get deported tonight!! ;-)

Talk to the Hat

I was just on the normal ride home from work when in the far lane of the road, two laborers broke into a FIGHT!! I, personally, would never pick a 44C day with 80% humidity to exert myself. However, after a long day on the construction site, the "yo momma" jokes must have been too much for someone and it was on!! In the 3 real seconds of this fight (before it turned into wrestling), there was some shoving which turned into the throw down: a hard hat punch to the side of the face.

Let me repeat that: This guy hit another guy with his hard hat.

This is brilliant. I have never laughed so hard. How can you trash talk that? He is the man! Shut the hell up or I will sucker punch you with my safety gear. My roommates and I have decided that this tactic should be applied in our office. Everyone has their own hard hats so the element of surprise will be crucial.

I feel that this knowledge is power.

*Camelicious*

I have put off trying the camel milk to date. Then, in the grocery store last weekend, I tried to pump myself up to try some Camelicious Milk. However, I talked myself into it by picking:
Strawberry milk!! Sadly, I can't remember the last time I had strawberry milk so I don't believe it was a good comparison. I will try the normal milk and get back to everyone. (From what I remember of strawberry milk, this isn't too different!)