**The Master Bedroom**

So, I have been trying to follow the advice given in the movie, "Under the Tuscan Sun:" "Buyer's remorse is a very common affliction among new homeowners. Just because you have a sudden urge to weep, that doesn't mean you've made a mistake. Everybody knows old houses have their quirks. Especially old houses. I have inherited 800 empty wine bottles, one grape, every issue of "La Nazione" and assorted previous tenants. The trick to overcoming buyer's remorse is to have a plan. Pick one room and make it yours. Go slowly through the house. Be polite, introduce yourself, so it can introduce itself to you."

This has been my inspiration.  However, it must be much easier in a
villa in Tuscany.  An inherited house in Maryland is not as amazing! 
Here is my first attempt with paint to introduce myself!

Before:


After:


As soon as it is furnished, more pictures will come!!

**So, I am a grown up**

As the title implies, there is some question. Having said that, I don't know how to clean an oven. Who has an oven that is not self-cleaning? Answer: me, in my house from hell. Luckily, my mom was visiting and as she cleans, she becomes enraged and cleans faster, while slamming things around and swearing under her breath. I find it to be hilarious! So, here are the pictures!! Brace yourself!!!

Before:
After:Nice job, moms!! Also, if anyone is in a similar situation, Easy-Off has a fume-free oven cleaner that kicks a$$.

**New Adventures**

After a long hiatus, it is official: I am not returning to Dubai and I am now unemployed. Since I fully support the American business culture, I cannot be to upset about being the victim of corporate mindset. I was no longer any use to them so I was let go. However, I have been able to spend the entire summer dealing with my family and the new estate....

NEVER FEAR THOUGH.....

I still have adventures and will be returning to the Middle East at some point. Until that time, you will enjoy stories of my renovations of: my house, my job, my lovelife, and my crazy friends and family. Fun will be had by all. To start us off, here is the beginning of my before/after picture segments:

Here are my flower boxes..........
BEFORE:
AFTER:

Friendster

**Yes, I am in the States but I have so many stories that have been missed... so stay tuned!!**

So, now that facebook is blocked, I have been receiving a million messages on Friendster.

Here are some great ones:
New Messages:
"hi, this is talha 25m abu dhabi.u look really beautiful in ur pic and iam handsome too.would u like to be my friend?"

(He had a picture and was actually very handsome but I declined... despite his amazing description of me!!)

New Comment:
",How are You Doing ? I was very fortunate to come accross such a Lovely Profile Like Yours I'm lauren By Name .Am Honest,Caring,Easy Going,Compassionate, Loving,romantic and God Fearing .I Have a Good sense of Humor and am Down to Earth.. ,Race and Distance Differences are No excuse to Friendship or Relationship because Love and Feeling are measured with Heart and soul..RightNow , I can truely say if I was asked to define beauty i'd say it's you. Your Qualities made you Fascinated to Meet me..The minute I glance at your profile , It is as if God opened my eyes, My soul and my heart to truely comprehend the glory of your Inner beauty.I pray my words have touched the depth of your heart and Life the moment you read my message,i'll only appreciate if you respond.I am for real and Imean the words That I specially wrote.I'll really love to know More about you, Get along & see where It takes Us To.I want to Tell you More about me..Write or IM ME via brownlauren30@yahoo.com . I'd Love to"

(No picture with this profile and I am not sure if it is a girl or guy)

This comment was just a picture, so I had to take a screen shot:

**Air Taxis**

OK- this is hilarious and sadly, something that I think is ABSOLUTELY necessary for Dubai. The traffic here is impressive. I lived in DC for over 2 years and never had to deal with anything close to this. I have already ranted about the inability of people here to drive correctly, in any weather condition. On top of that, there is no plan for infrastructure. They have no consistent signage or road planning. It is like the Thunderdome of driving.

Luckily, they have tons of money so Air Taxis will become a viable option:
"An air taxi service is set to launch in Dubai next year for businessmen who want to avoid the city’s congested roads.

Cars Taxi is to operate a fleet of 10 helicopter taxis. General Manager Abdullah Sultan Al Sabbagh told Gulf News “We are finalising the plan to introduce helicopter taxi service in the UAE by 2009 and anyone who can afford it will be able to use it.”

The company is negotiating with European firms for the lease of the aircraft, AL Sabbagh told the paper, adding the service would be nationwide, not just in the city."

** I Heart Jets**

This is pretty cool.  Imagine how much we could get done
internationally if it only took 2 hours to cross the Atlantic?!!
We will need one of these when we take over the world.  Do you
think they have financing?

I don't think that my credit is good enough to
spend $80,000,000 on anything! I think it may be time for
a new job!!

**On the Camel Walk**

This is the best news I have heard in awhile... they are going to clean the camels:



ABU DHABI - At least 2,000 camels will fill the desert surrounding Zayed City in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi, all washed, brushed and looking their best for the first international camel beauty contest.


Organised by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) under the patronage of General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces, the Mazayin Dhafra Camel Festival 2008 will take place on April 2-10.


Owners of camels from both UAE and other Gulf countries are welcomed to bring their animals to the festival, in which prizes totalling Dh35 million and 100 cars, mostly four-wheels and pick-ups, will be given away.


The camel contest will be split between Asayel (pedigree) camels from this region and Majahim (dark-skinned) camels. Only pure-bred origin camels would be allowed to participate and they must be free of any contagious diseases or serious defects.
Apart from the camel shows, the festival will also showcase Bedouin traditions and folklore. “Every evening there will be poetry recitals and music,” said ADACH Director-General Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, who is also vice-chairman of the organising committee of the festival. “Also, local ladies will set up a souq featuring handicrafts and traditional clothes,” said Al Mazrouei.


“People will come to the festival for two reasons – to enjoy the shows and to enjoy camping in the desert,” Al Mazrouei pointed out.


Indeed, camping will be pretty much the only option for those wanting to enjoy the festival, apart from Liwa Hotel, which is located about 60km from Zayed City. The organisers, though, are offering all necessary facilities for overnight campers.


Hammoud Hamid Al Mansouri, Director-General of Western Region Municipality Council, added that environment protection will not be forgotten during the festival.


“We will provide garbage sacks and encourage everyone not to leave their waste in the sand, while we will also have cleaners who will make sure all rubbish will be collected,” he said.