Coffee by Jahnjeer

One of my favorite parts of my day is when Jahnjeer brings me coffee and water in the morning.

Jahnjeer is from Bangladesh, he speaks four languages (including english), is smart as a whip and is such a wonderful human being with a kind heart. When he brings my coffee into my office in the morning, he teaches me something new every day. A greeting or word of the day a custom I don't quite grasp, really helpful.

As the day continues on he knows exactly when my coffee cup is empty and that I have two cups (I prefer Turkish but nescafe does quite nicely) I drink 4-6 cans of Canadian club soda, I love pumpkin seeds and pistachios and a wonderful cup of herbal tea in the afternoon around 1430.

He takes care of me...he reminds me when it is closing time (as the absent minded geek I am I always lose track of time and would most likely forget that the world exists outside of my office). He used to wait until I left for the day, however, he figured out that I really had no sense of time or when the work day was over when I kept going until 2000hrs.

He then realized that I was a "geek" and had absolutely no sense of time and he began to make a habit of coming in to remind me that the work day was over, I should go out and get a bit of sun and run my errands so that I could start the day fresh again tomorrow.

This man who is the "office boy" is a talented, multilingual, genuine gem who upon my arrival back from NYC along with the other special people in my world, will get a present of hugs and possibly other things from the opposite side of the globe...

From Dubai with love to all,

Susan

In my passport case....

In my passport case is the following:

My Passport (obviously)

International Drivers Liscence

Pictures of my family

Various denominations of money (including a 500,000 dollar bill from Zimbabwe given to me from a friend for the kids)

and the most important through all of the moves:

Four cards given to me by my favorite sister in law (hidden in various places in my Chicago Apt at the time so that I would turn a corner or open a drawer and smile). Whenever I doubt myself I pull them out and look at them.

1. Dare to be remarkable

2. Never, never, never ever give up.

3. Yesterday is history tomorrow is a mystery TODAY is a gift.

and 4: Live with intention. walk to the edge. listen hard. play with abandon. laugh. choose with no regret. continue to learn. appreciate your friends. do what you love. live as if this is all there is....~Mary anne radmacher.

Thank you Darlene for the constant reminder that I am here for today...and I will live for it...

Much love,

Susan

The Model UN: The UAE

Living in the UAE is absolutely fascinating. Especially from a cultural perspective.

My office for instance: We have representations from all around the world: Syria, UAE, Egyptian, USA, Pakistan, Bangledesh, India, Oman, Sudan, etc.... We all work side by side.

It reminds me of NYC in a way.

I have had no problems with anyone since my arrival. I have been in the middle of the desert, the middle of industrial areas, work camps, regions, and I have always felt warmly welcomed even as the only blonde female (or just female for that matter) for a couple of km.

I think the most fun that I have had was on the Prophet Mohammeds birthday. I saw a group of workers (all different nationalities) playing soccer in the dust (by where the camels live). I stopped got out of my car and in my broken, Arabic, Hindi and Urdu mix asked if I could play with them. Although I wasnt able to "high five" any of them because they were all men, I had a blast, laughed, smiled and got dusty with all of them.

The other fun place I have gone is the Intercontinental in Al Ain. There is always a traditional wedding festivity, a bunch of expats and a broad mix of locals. I go to the horse and jockey (british pub) and sit out on the veranda and get on the internet and watch people. The crowd is fabulous. I quickly made friends with the team from Canada who are there for the next month and have developed quite a fondness of my colorful neighbors to the north! Whenever I am there now, there is always someone who comes to my table...Austrian, Canadian, German etc.

Last night was Bingo night at the H&J as everyone calls it... What a blast! You could win a steak dinner at the hotel for a full card or a drink for a line :-) One of my favorite Canadians "George" is now the "caller" and he is great.

Lots of fun as always, I am still alive and breathing.

Photo of the day

Photo of the day: Why, YES, that is a Momma and Baby Camel in the back of a truck!

IDC ME- Burj Al Arab

Burj Al Arab

The pretty sail boat shaped building in the photos from 360 last time.

I was invited to my first Middle East forum, sponsored by IDC and McAfee Security.

The Burj is absolutely amazing. It was on the 27th floor (the top of the sail, and in the rotunda...) Quite the first conference.

Out of 100 or so CIO/ senior IT attendees there were 5 females and I was positioned in the 3rd row next to 2 of them in full abaya. Kind of like salt and pepper :-)

So I was the the "curiosity" of all. LOL....

During the coffee/breakfast break, I just stood to the side alone and watched in total immersion soaking it all in and quite happy to listen and watch.

Of course I had to raise my hand and ask the question to the panel:

"Everyone talks about cloud computing, what happens when there is no cloud"?

Point and case: In the MENA at the end of December all four undersea cables (which are the internet back bone)and the entire region had no internet access. I have encountered this once before and it took down my entire system, the symantec antivirus is cloud based and could not update and shut my OS completely down. I actually had to go in and boot through DOS and remove symantec from my boot file. Then I was able to boot into windows. I wanted to make sure that they understood the constraints of working in a country without enormous bandwidth. I think my point was well received. This is not America or Europe.

It has been a busy few weeks. A good busy. I am back in Al Ain and going to go for a massage tonight, to work out all the mach momentum brainstorming I have been doing in the last 30 days.

I can and do perform as a "social" person when at the circus (I.E. IDC conferences such as the one yesterday held at the top of the Burj Al Arab or 3 black tie dinners in a week) But 2 days of performing at the circus is socially exhausting for me. It drains my social bank. At that point all I want is to not talk out loud and listen....Does that make sense or am I just a crazy woman in the desert?

Whatever it is, I am happily winding my way through another adventure.But it is all just a journey and a wonderful one at that...I am happy I am alive and breathing another day to experience it all.

Mars and Venus

 

A visit from the frenchman, the greek and the american

 

Lunches with Barria

Of the 250 workers here at Al Nasr International there are 2 women in the company.

My self and Ms. Barria an accountant. She is so very happy to have a woman in the office. She brings me lunch everyday. Sometimes it is just an apple, orange or crackers...One day we had a traditional Syrian lunch of tomatoes, chili peppers, and potatoes and then an apple and orange to finish it off...The only problem is that she wont eat around men :-)

At least we have my office :-)

NoSuits4Me

This one is for you Roemer :-) Even the French are addicted to it :-)

A visit to the Buraimi Oman Office

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More later!

~ Susan

Friday: Driving To Dubai

It is Friday. Our one full day off in the UAE. Dr. Sowell says I should see Dubai... I would rather stay in bed and collapse from exhaustion. However, I rally and decide, yes, it would be a good thing to go and meet new people and see what everyone is talking about...The wonderful world of Dubai.

The drive to Dubai is uneventful and gives me time to think about where I am from and how I arrived here in the quietness of the car ride.

The drive is almost exactly the same in time (without traffic) from Al Ain to Dubai as the drive from South Bend to Chicago.

When we were kids in South Bend it was a HUGE deal to be able to go to "the big city" and see all of the tall buildings, people, just notice that everything is well...Different.

I felt like a kid again going from Al Ain (which is not small by any means, it has 3 universities, a museum, 2 five star hotels and lots of other incredible things but it is not Dubai) to Dubai. Wide eyed and breathing it all in...

Had I been in NYC I would have labeled myself as a gawky tourist...looking up at buildings and such. When I first arrive in an environment I am always afraid I will miss something...Sort of like I am in a "hyper awareness mode” I’m not very good at having conversations when I am in this mode because I am too busy looking at everything to read your lips AND comprehend what you are saying all while processing the minute details of everything in my visual spectrum. I most likely do NOT make a good travel partner on the first day if you are the sort that likes to chat it up. It is amazing I have had people tell me that when they first met me they thought I was "stuck up" or "aloof.” Just because I am, quiet...LOL

As we drive towards Dubai, it appears as an oasis...just popping out of the desert. Amazing architecture and beautiful glass everywhere. Spotlessly clean.

We arrive by the Jumeirah beach to meet some people. They are in a house FULL of expats...It really is like a mini United Nations, absolutely fabulous. Tanzania, Sweden, Brazil, Brits, U.S.... Etc. Completely fascinating and they all live together AND get along. Definitely a model for the world to follow.

We all walk out to the street as no one wants to drive if they have anything to drink (I am not quite comfortable enough to race around Dubai quite yet) and hop in a taxi. We pass Media City..., which I can tell I will be spending quite a bit of time meeting people there. Cisco, HP, Dell, Microsoft... all the major manufacturers have offices there. WOOHOOOO a Geeks dream all in one place! Once you park, you don't have to drive and perhaps get it all done in one day!

We arrive at the hotel where the brunch is and walk into the door...It is almost like Alice in Wonderland. A British Pub/Restaurant in the middle of the desert! I was quite surprised. Once again, it was the mini United Nations. Everyone has Friday off...They all come out for brunch, no matter where you are from. The food was amazing, So many fresh vegetables, pasta, and eggs, (if you eat it, fish, chicken, shepherds pie etc) I ate more than my share!

After stuffing our faces, we head out to The Palm Jumeirah Dubai, United Arab Emirates on "the trunk of the palm tree" which you can see from satellite:


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To meet up with a couple from SA (I think LOL). Another couple shows up and we decide to head back so that they can play 5-card stud and relax! I am most likely the only American over the age of 21 that does NOT know how to play 5-card stud poker..., which is ok with me. I take over the kitchen and cook for everyone...Rice, fabulous curry with chicken. I eat rice and sauce so good...It made me miss Emily's cooking and Bicol! YUMMMMY.

We relaxed for a nice while and then started the drive back to Al Ain. I am very glad I rallied instead of being a recluse. The culture is amazing in Dubai. More later...

I hope all are well...out for now.

Dubai Brunching with the new haircut :-)

My Haircut.....

It is Wednesday night...I have an important meeting in Medinat Zayad, the FAR western region of Abu Dhabi


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With the Western Region Municipality. A very important first meeting....So I haven’t had a haircut since I was last in Oregon with Matt in May 2008. I have been swimming and beaching it for the last 8 months in Guam. I decide that perhaps it is time for a little tune up. My theory is that a 5 star hotel is very safe bet considering that ALL the “Salons” I have seen thus far are for MEN ONLY.

Fortunately, for me they are open VERY late. I leave work around 1830 and walk in..I had gone in 2 days before to scope out the "health club" and noticed a nice salon that was open late. The supremely nice woman that had greeted me is from the Philippines..Comforting, I am missing my friends on Guam.

I walk in and the same woman is there to greet me. I say hello and she disappears to the back. A gentleman comes out and asks if I have an appointment. I respond, "No I do not have an appointment but had inquired 2 days prior and had been advised that it wouldn’t be an issue"

There is now a girl (with braces and short hair) waiting. He responds that I will have to wait until he is finished with her.... I tell him that is fine (thinking she has short hair, not knowing the high maintenance involved with straightening and washing and girl things). I proceed to have the wonderfully kind woman "thread” my eyebrows. If I am going to sit here, I might as well look good for the time! She proceeds to "thread" my eyebrows with complete and exquisite attention to detail. I have never been more happy with a "threading" job outside of NYC!

I am feeling quite comfortable with the whole UAE salon experience. I finally get to see the "hairdresser" a nice Egyptian who after about 5 minutes I realize does not speak very good English. I think to myself, he will understand "only a trim” HA

Picture Edward Scissor hands with my back to the mirror!



Just so you can visualize! OMG!

Hair flying everywhere! Just like when he is trimming the bushes! Goodness, I had heart palpitations. All I could use as a mantra was: "it will grow back, it will grow back.”

Lesson learned: make sure you use Google translate or something similar before getting your hair cut! Print it out and hand it to the hairdresser.... I like it long does or just a trim does not necessarily have the same connotation in multiple cultures....

I will live...argh!

Pictures to follow!

Day 1: My first day of work....

0530am is the first call for prayer and the time I roll out of bed to begin to get ready for work. The call of the Mosque is my alarm clock now :-)

My first day of work.

We leave for work at 0730. I arrive at the office with Dr. Sowell. I have been instructed on the car ride that not to shake hands with a man unless they offer their hand first. This will be very difficult for me for the following reasons:

1. I am a very affectionate person and have the tendency to hug people.

2. I have always shaken hands regardless of age, race, sex, religion, etc. I thought perhaps that in the this day and age of the world that business custom would transcend social custom. It is strange their are some men that will offer their hand. (Men are not permitted to touch women unless they are married) That said every male in my office shook my hand in a welcoming greeting. (I am actually more comfortable with complete strangers NOT shaking hands and nodding now that I have gotten over the initial shock of it all).

My new office is not quite yet finished. It is still under construction. They put me in The Chairmans office because he is in Germany for meetings. He has a beautiful office. Not bad for the first day however, I don't have the opportunity to enjoy it as I have to jump in with both feet..three executive meetings...and a visit to the 3 offices in Al Ain, plus picking up my car then driving to LuLu Hypermarket (hypermarket is the name here for somthing that makes the WalMart Super Stores look small) the laundry, and finally past the camel farm and back to the camp. I am ready for bed and have hit the wall.....

Day 0: The Flight

Day 0

As I stand in line and board the A380 Emirates flight, the only blonde American on the flight, I can say for the first time, I had second thoughts about this new adventure. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stick out like a sore thumb given the current political climate. However, I made a promise to Dr. Sowell and Al Nasr to come to the UAE to start the build and I refuse to go back on my word. So off I went blonde hair and all.

The Emirates Flight

Any concern that I had when sitting down on the plane quickly resolved itself. I sat next to a mother and her son on their way to Hyderabad, India for a family gathering. They were wonderful companions for the flight. The son was studying biogenetic engineering and the mother had run a private hospital prior to NYC for her husband who is now a Dr in NYC. They had lived in Ohio; we had a great time discussing the common misconceptions people have about India and Indian people. She told me that a woman had once asked if Indians have any cars in India. How most people think that anyone with a turban (Sikhs) or covers their hair is Muslim and not Indian. We laughed together. We shared stories of our journeys through India and through the world. And of course we speculated and pontificated about how to save the children of the world from certain destruction from different ailments and issues.

When I think of different perspectives and misconceptions of Americans, it reminds me of a few things…I once had an Au pair that came to America thinking that every American (not family but individual) ate 3 WHOLE chickens per day and that is why we are all overweight. I reminded her that she was living with a vegetarian family, so we weren’t a part of the 3 chicken a day American public. I remember asking her where she obtained this information…. The scary part is that it was information from her English teacher in Germany. The other time I was asked why all the houses where we live fly the American flag. If you were to fly a German flag on your house all the time people would think you were a Nazi. I always grew up just thinking that everyone was patriotic and just flew them out of patriotism. However, I was corrected by Craig who explained that: During the Revolution households flew the flag of the country of allegiance. So I might have flown a U.K. flag and my neighbor might have flown a U.S. Flag… From that point on every piece of apparel, (underwear, bra’s t-shirts) pillow cases and towel I bought for her was an American flag. I am not sure what I will send her this birthday since I am in the UAE. Her birthday is in 2 days. I guess I had better hop on it.

So back to the flight: Wow they had amazing food, I had some of the best Indian vegetarian meals (of which I also ate Chola Indian food on my way to JFK which is my favorite) on that plane ride. (Side note: I am thrilled to be where I can actually get a veggie burger almost anywhere including McDonalds) It was a special meal but there were about 25 different kinds of special meals. Asian, Asian Vegetarian, Hindu, Halal, Kosher, Kosher Low Sodium, Diabetic, High Fiber just to name a few. Very kind and nice air hostesses who were fun to talk too. Not your usual British Airlines (not to single them out as there are many but they are certainly my least favorite for international travel)Steward who thinks you are as important as a speck of dust and will leave you with your light on for a good hour before coming to see what is needed.

I arrive at DXB relieved to see that signs are both in Arabic AND English, whew...I just figured out the alphabet and numbers on the plane… (the one good part about the A380-800 was the programming was amazing…342 or so movies, a gazillion TV episodes and News shows in 6 different languages (I of course didn’t watch really anything except an Arabic movie that was on. In the games section was chess, mahjong, all sorts of stuff I had never heard of AND (most importantly) a Berlitz world traveler edition game so I was able to practice my Arabic on the flight. The A380 has cameras on its nose tail and belly; you can look at your screen and see everything on your screen! Amazing! I flew over Baghdad at 41k feet and watched the sunrise and set all on a screen from my seat. The landing into DXB was the most spectacular…All of the lights and ocean. The runway has beautiful multicolored blinking lights for landing; it was like having my own personal light show to watch while landing 

DXB looks like Las Vegas without the gambling and crowds, very efficient and clean. It was a far cry from 20 degrees at JFK. Only 56 ish but still a huge change, my down coat was no longer needed. The remarkable thing that was most different and interesting about my arrival was: that the immigration officers were so friendly, I’ve only had extremely stiff non smiling officers before. I think perhaps maybe I had one smile at me in Guam out of pity with me schlepping all my stuff. The luggage carousel was slow to spit out luggage (I was very concerned that my business attire disappeared, knowing that I was to be at the office by 0730 the next day) that by the time I received my luggage (which was the only slow part) I had to go to the bathroom desperately.

Bathrooms are always an interesting indicator about the culture you are going to be surrounded with. So off I go to the bathroom thinking how in the heck am I going to get into the bathroom with all of this luggage! I get outside the bathroom and notice that not only had all of the other women left their luggage outside the bathroom unattended but their coats and purses too… This is definitely not NYC, but then again the US doesn’t take stealing quite as seriously. In the U.A.E. if you bounce a check you go to jail. I wonder what the penalty would be for stealing someone’s purse or luggage! Not like they wouldn’t know. Security is very visible. But Yikes to think! So I did like the roman's do and left everything outside and went to the bathroom. I returned to find everything just as I had left it nothing had moved a cm.

I walked through customs and saw a fully veiled police woman! I then realized if she said anything to me I most likely would not hear her because I couldn’t read her lips! Poor prior planning on my part!

At the meeting point my new CEO waited for me (patiently), upon arrival. We got the luggage to the car and begun the 1 ½ hour drive to Al Ain, my new main residence and the company headquarters. It was a beautiful drive through Dubai. When I first lived in NYC I swore I would never drive into the city but take the train that lasted 4 days. I thought the same thing when I was driving through Dubai. This time that irrational thought lasted less than 12 hours after my arrival.

I’ll save that one for the next update. My day off is Friday…. Look for updates then.