Serendipity

I meant to write in this blog about leaving the United Arab Emirates for almost a year now, I left in December 2021, after nearly 8 years. I plan to return one day, the people and the culture really suit me. It's very international, more so than NYC. There are drawbacks, but in general I felt the work I did there had a lot of value and I connected with a lot of people I never would have met in the US. Erik wanted me to join him in the United States, so I stayed in Florida for about 8 months. We travelled and I was a substitute teacher. I feel lucky on the timing that I was offered a few really good jobs, but the best offer was again abroad, in Guangzhou China. I have a new blog about my experiences in China, you can follow here: https://gzjournal.blogspot.com/ The hyperlink isn't working, but find me @GZjournal on Blogspot, or https://www.instagram.com/gz_melanie Other than connecting with some of my family during this time, a good thing about being in the US was that Erik and I finally hiked the Grand Canyon. He ended up on crutches on our previous attempt in 2013. This time we did a down and back in one day, which was very difficult, but it was an amazing adventure. The desert landscapes of the United Arab Emirates are similar to the cosmic feeling of the biggest wadi in the world. Also going in April with the flowers blooming gave that fresh feeling of hiking in the UAE mountains after a rain. I feel that I am always very lucky, because the week after we did our hike there was a very bad Noro virus outbreak and many people who were in the Grand Canyon became very ill.

I will probably blog here again because I have so many wonderful memories from the Arab Gulf region. Snorkeling in Oman, dancing all night at clubs in Dubai, eating at posh restaurants that are unlike any other in the world. I will share my old memories and update when I go for a visit in the future. For now, check me out in Guangzhou!

Pronto Italia

Next week my mom and I will meet up in Rome for a tour around the country, up to Venice and Florence, then down to Naples. A driving tour, where we plan to eat and shop our way around the country. Mom has never been, although this trip was first planned in 2019, for spring 2020. The hotels in Florence and Naples were rebooked, using vouchers. I just checked the weather and it looks great! Temperatures around 50-60 F / 10-15 C. Mom and I have our PCR swab tests scheduled. She is paying $175 for her quick test, whereas mine in the UAE costs only 150 AED/ $40. People in Dubai complain that ours is too expensive. I hope we will be able to eat, drink, and stay sante. (Healthy) Stay tuned for updates next week!

Shown in the picture is Erik and me having drinks in Venice. I am having an affagado espresso and he is having an Aperol Spritz. A Spritz is an Italian wine-based cocktail, commonly served as an aperitif in Northeast Italy. It consists of prosecco, digestive bitters and soda water.

Map of Visited Countries

 I have recently distributed a couple of my coveted maps, the world surf map, to a Humanities professor who has surfed all over the world, and I gave my world map to a favorite student who has always enjoyed chatting about travel and world events. Intersting, the map has Israel censored with white out, that country is now welcome to the UAE. It made me realized I would like to update my travel map, presented below is one of the tools that shows visited countries. Amcharts.com is pretty cool. Nice way to reflect on experiences, and dream of new places to go.

The format is a little wonky, but you get the picture.

Create your own visited countries map or check out the JavaScript Charts.

Post Trump Stress Disorder the new PTSD

I would tweet this, ironically, but I left all social media as a resolution for the new year. Only my blog left to share my voice with the world, these important and very deep thoughts... 

Image from the Guardian newspaper

I am lucky enough to have a handful of friends and family in their 60's and 70's who have progressive liberal ways of thinking, so I tend to become a liberal granny by osmosis... TWICE in the past week my mom, and then my friend Vicky, told me they are still recovering for what Trump did. I feel like they are discussing a personal attack, but they are referring to the reign of his presidency and the aftermath the world is dealing with. I will call this PTSD, referring to the T word, Trump. I was listening to each of these ladies on a phone call and I realized the venom that was being espoused was not for a property vandal or a current politician, but the legacy of Trump which lives on. Perhaps they need to "live in the now" or maybe I don't read enough news to be angry, but I'm concerned for the health of well-informed older people. I would like to find a solution to help my people overcome the trauma of the Trump era.

As Obama had to answer for the Bush legacy, Biden is dealing with disasters started by Trump, such as the plan for an abrupt withdrawal from Afghanistan. Who stands to benefit from this disaster? 

Wellness at Yoga House

 I love the recent music video for Solar Power where Lorde takes a satirical jab at wellness gurus, it's a groovy song and I love this mellow album. That said, I am a bit embarrassed that I regularly read Goop and have been participating in yoga for exercise, nearly religiously lately. I figure this blog post is to inform my readers and passers-by that Yoga House in Dubai is open for business and it's a fantastic experience. I was hesitant, but since myself and most people in Dubai now are vaccinated and boosted, we can probably exercise safely again. Masks are required everywhere, but you can take them off once safely distanced on the mats.

in the posh locker room

Business Bay area, Hilton is neighbors
with the iconic JW Marriott Marquis

Lobby of Hilton al Habtoor,
host of Yoga House in Business Bay

Let me tell you about this good intro deal, at the time of writing, for 550 AED you can get a 10 class package good at any of the three locations, or you can participate online. I prefer the Hilton Al Habtoor location, it has a luxurious ambiance. Full access to the hot tub, sauna, and jacuzzi. Let's get back to ommmmmmmm!

Link to Yoga House

SNL first global Live Stream on YouTube

Last month I visited my parents in Virginia when St. Vincent was the musical guest of Saturday Night Live, unfortunately we were all asleep before 11:00p.m. and this show starts at 11:30p.m. This live sketch comedy show has been a family favorite for my entire life, mom watched it live before we were born. It was sad to miss an opportunity to watch a full show as it was being performed. 

I was just speaking on the phone to my mom and bro, complaining that I wanted to watch Elon Musk host, but as usual, was going to miss it. We talked about VPN's and such, but I figured I would not be able to see it, so oh well, I'll catch the skits on YouTube later.

Behold! This morning I got a notification that the *first* global livestream was starting on YouTube so I managed to watch as I was getting ready for work! Even better is when SNL was having a commercial break, I heard some nice jazz music instead of commercials. My brother in the US said he didn't want to sit through commercials so he will watch it later too. For the first time, I got the benefit of SNL --LIVE! 

Now, let's hope that we can someday score audience tickets... We've stood in live enough over the years.. Let's see!

Stock up your blessings with Sadqa

Ramadan is here and for non-Muslims in the Muslim world we delicately walk through the holy month. I will occasionally fast for a whole day, or usually a partial day, and join friends for the sunset Iftar meal. Eating a date and sipping water with people feels very refreshing, especially in the warm month of May. This year I was introduced to the giving event of Sadqa. 

Although it's better to give anonymously, posting on a blog which no one reads feels pretty safe! I knew about the Muslim charitable giving called Zakat:

"Zakat is the compulsory giving of a set proportion of one's wealth to charity. It is regarded as a type of worship and of self-purification. Zakat is the third Pillar of Islam."

"Sadaqah or Sadqah (Arabic: صدقة‎, Urdu: صدقہ‎, "charity", "benevolence", plural ṣadaqāt صدقات) in the modern context has come to signify "voluntary charity". According to the Quran, the word means voluntary offering, whose amount is at the will of the "benefactor".

This year I did Sadqa during Ramadan, and although I won't say what my giving was, I feel good about having finally made a contribution after living here so long. I am fairly superstitious and am happy to have been able to participate in something that brings good to the world. I had the encouragement and support of some friends, and am thankful for everything this Ramadan has brought me. I'm especially thankful for the good friends who break the fast with me and invite me into the homes of their families. Because of the kindness I have always experienced from my Muslim friends, I will always look for ways to help people in small or large ways. It is a blessing to feed someone who is hungry, and it makes you feel good. I hope to give Sadqa every Ramadan. 

Eid is near and I wish the very best to the good people who deserve this holiday.