Meltdowns Happen…

Don’t get me wrong, I love living here, but there are just some moments when I want to throw the whole thing in the can, get on a plane, and take myself back to America where people think like, I dunno, Americans.  Culture shock and the cultural differences are perhaps one of the hardest things about living here.  Also, one of the most rewarding.

So this past weekend I proceeded to cry.  In public.  A lot.  Not a usual MO for me (at least I don’t think it is).  Typically, my tears are reserved for my bedroom late at night or at the very least when I am alone.  Well, apparently not now that I live in the UAE.  It seems my favorite place to cry is at work and I seem to end up in the big boss’s office every time.  Mostly because she is an American with lots of wisdom to share on how to handle all this new and frustrating stuff.

I will also admit that I am homesick.  There you go.  It is out in the open now.  I miss all of my crazy, opinionated, and loud American buddies who I just get along with.  No wondering if I am about to step on a cultural toe without even realizing it.  The people in America just get me (most of the time).

So I have finished my crying for this round.  Night shifts are over again for another few weeks so sleep will be back in the mix soon.  Also, I have decided to give up perfectionism again and focus on living rather than trying to make things a certain way.  Just focus on places where my focus is needed…you know, places like just learning how to take care of sick babies.  Or how to become a good little Anglican.  Also, where does on buy the good kitchenware…because they just don’t have Pierre One and William Sonoma here….though there is a rumor of a Crate and Barrel in Dubai (oh glorious Dubai).

There will be more meltdowns coming but I am pretty sure I will live through them.  For the most part everyone here is wonderful and so sweet.  Whenever I feel like I am self-destructing they have this (slightly annoying) way of reminding me that everyone goes through this, I am doing well, and that I am going to hate the summer here (do we really have to bring it up in every conversation?).

Day by day through God’s grace.

Arrived!!!

I promise I will take pictures very soon!  The camera is just still buried in the bottom of my purse…:-)

After the longest flight of my life, I arrived in Dubai yesterday, made it through customs without a hitch, and was met at the airport by the Brummetts.  So wonderful to see them again after so long and to have familiar faces waiting for me in a place where absolutely everything is new to me.  We loaded up all my suitcases and drove down to Al Ain where we got me settled into my new living quarters which I find to be very cozy and nice.:-)

After meeting a few people at the hospital and having dinner at the Brummett’s I committed my exhausted self to sleep, which only lasted 6 hours but I woke up feeling much better at 3:30am this morning.  I’ve spent the morning unpacking and I am happy to announce that for the first time in about 6 years I think I may have put away all suitcases and overnight bags for an extended period of time.

I’m now all dressed up and waiting to go meet my new work and church family.

Like I said, you will get pictures as soon as I take them.:-)

Oh, and btw, so much sand!

Departing…

Today is the day.

The plane is at the gate.

Let’s do this thing!

Love you all! Let’s go have an adventure!