Sandstorms.. and ice cream

So as I was on my way out of the store, i hear the checkers start running to shut the doors saying something, no idea what, as usual :) Then i see trash go blowing by. It was my first real sandstorm! Of course as I try to call hubby and let him know, he doesn't answer. According to him this wasn't a real one, but everyone else seems to think so. There were little guys trying to put the flags at etihad plaza back up as they kept blowing over. Kind of silly, but i guess it's a job. The sand was blowing in my eyes, and at one time in one place it was hard to see. But by the time i got home it was just windy. The house is blocked by other houses, and the store is in an open field where the sand can blow more. But, it was still interesting to see.

Plus here's a little surprise we found out here too, and boy were the kids happy!

Po#$ Room

Okay, so when people think of a muslim country the most i hear about is the lack of alcohol, and the lack of pork. Neither of these have had a huge impact in our lives:). I must say i hear more about drinking out here than back home! I guess some people respond to the lack of something, by indulging more in it? So, let me explain these things, and how they work here, to the best of my ability.. You can drink out here, there are liquor stores. Haven't seen one myself, but we don't have a need. You can get alcohol at the hotels, and at some of the hotel bars/clubs. Some would be shocked at how good the night scene is here, so i hear :) To get a drink at the hotels, you can just buy it. To get bottles of liquor at the stores where they are sold, you need the license. And if the police come into your home, which they can and you posses the alcohol you best have your license!
Now onto the subject i do know, pork...ssshhh. Kidding, it isn't a big deal really. There is a pork room at some of the stores. Spinney's which has lots of american stuff. We got our A&W Root Beer there :) Also Abella's, which i think seems to have more british stuff. But they each have a pork room, at Abella's you can even get fresh pork, as they have a butcher at the counter in there. We get our sliced lunch meat there. What is odd, is the things in there. Makes me wonder! Pop Tarts? Marshmellows? Kind of scary, and makes you go hmmmmm.....

Pork Room at Abella's

My Root Beer :)

Sports Day...

Midget had sports day at her school. For those of you back home, it's field day :) She had a fabulous time, and it was a sunny beautiful day for it. They had running races, an obstacle course, long jump and a few other games. They wore ribbons so they can earn points for their different houses. I hope hers wins!
Monkey's part of the upper school, and he hasn't had his sports day yet :(

This is her class.

She looks ready to go, doesn't she?

Blah..

We had some more blah weather, but i think the sun is out today. Finally!! The dad's took the kids out to dinner and to Sparky's. The kids are getting so spoiled with every mall having these funzones. Ice cream cone's were one dirham, which is about 27 cents! Needless to say the dads kept giving the kids the coins, and each had 2. So we had some tummy aches :)
While they were there, my new neighbor and I indulged in some girl time, and it was much needed! We went to the nail spa around the corner. So nice! It had been a while, so you know it's bad when you sign up for a treatment called "Bye, Bye, Callus". But it was heaven, and so relaxing! She's been here just over a week, so she needed some relaxation! We went and had a nice dinner and brought the kids and dad's home some little pastries from Ms. J's cafe. This was before we knew of the ice cream incident :)
Monkey took his psp to the hamed centre and got it hacked, and then hacked it some more. Now he can play halo on his psp. Apparently this is big in the gaming world :)

On the hob...

So, i have looked this term up, and this is what it says..
1. (Cookery) the flat top part of a cooking stove, or a separate flat surface, containing hotplates or burners
I learned that from my British version of our families favorite butter and herb noodles. We found them in British form, and therefore costing half of the American version. Score one for mom!
So here are some pics of the FABULOUS spice section at our local Carrefour store. Its somewhere between a wal-mart and target, but not quite either. But the spice section is just amazing. I got some fresh cinnamon, lemon salt (not sure what to do with it, but it sounds promising!), and basil. And i have to say, the car smelled so good on the way home!

Then i made it to the other side to the olives. There is a restaurant back home that has these fabulous greek salad's. They have these kalamata olives in them. I didn't know that was the name, until the lovely man behind the counter told me. we used to fight for the olives, my mom and I. They never had enough, so i bought some, and they were 6 dirhams! That's about $1.50. I get the feeling i am going to get a stomach ache eating these....

And this is midget and monkey's new favorite snack. Something I don't think they ever would have picked back home. Our polish neighbor gave it to them once, and they loved it. Pepperoni/salami on a dinner roll. Go figure? But they love it:)

And lastly, my one tearful moment in the store. I couldn't believe it when i saw it.... Blue Bell!!!

Blah weather..

So we had a couple sprinkles. This by no means is crazy weather as was predicted. Maybe since it isn't sunny, that makes it crazy?
It is very blah and cloudy though. So my new neighbor and I were both feeling a bit blah and funky. So we decided to head out and go get some coffee. We went down the road to Mugg and Bean. I had heard they had the biggest meringue in the whole UAE. That alone was reason to get out of a blah mood! So here it is, and I have to say my grandma would be envious of this meringue!

And oh my gosh, it was as good as it looks :)

Groundhog day...

So since we have been here, since the 30th of august, the weather has been the same. You wake up, and guess what... it's sunny. Next day the same... I told the hubby it's like groundhog day here. Everyday, sunny.

I kind of would like some change every now and again, a little rain? I'm not asking for hurricanes again, not by any means. But who doesn't like to sit and read a good book with the rain outside?
So last week we had some fog... and i have to say, i'm a little concerned now. I may not want groundhog day to end... but today in the headlines, and i do mean headlines... watch out people! It may rain!!!! Now one would think this would be like crazy downpours. No, slight to moderate rain makes the headlines. Mostly because these people can't drive in anything but groundhog day weather. It's frightening! So when the rain comes, which i guess i might have to go buy an umbrella? I shall be white-knucling the steering wheel in the slow lane with all the other frightened expats. Cross your fingers!

Unstable weather expected in UAE from Sunday evening


Dubai: Unstable weather conditions and rough sea has been forecasted by the officials, from Sunday evening until end of the week.

The National Center of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) issued a warning to motorists to be extra cautious while on the road since low visibility is expected in addition to slippery roads due to rain.

After UAE was swept through by the southern and south-eastern winds on Saturday, forecasters expect the north-western winds to bring in more instability on Sunday evening.

Southern and South-eastern winds blew across the country on Saturday kicking up dust especially in open areas in the western region, leading to low visibility in many areas. The visibility in Jebel Ali, for instance, came down to 3000 metres. The temperature increased from 2 to 6 degree Celsius. The wind speed led to waves at seas going up to 5 feet high.

Forecasters expect the winds to recede by Sunday, however on Sunday evening the north-western winds will bring in a cold spell.

“The weather will be unstable in the country until end of the week”, NCMS said in a statement.

It will be cloudy and showers are expected in the northern areas. Slight to moderate rain is forecasted with highest amount of rain in coastal areas and islands. The clouds will continue to increase.

The highest amount of rain is expected on Tuesday.

There will be a gradual decrease in temperature across the country. Nights will be colder comparatively.