December 2011
12 posts
2 tags
Gubbi's Guide to Surviving Long-Haul Flights
Me ’n’ my baggages, triumphantly arriving back home after our 30-hour flight odyssey from South Carolina to Dubai last summer.
Since the holiday travel season is upon us and I am now in my fifth straight year of traveling 24 hours each way to get home for Christmas - and also since I am currently scheduled to be on no less than eight 15-hour flights in the next four months - I feel...
3 tags
A Haiku about Winter Running Clothes in Dubai
Tonight’s running wear:
Short shorts and a teeny tank.
I ALMOST shivered.
***
Pay no attention to the zen masters of traditional Japanese poetry rolling in their graves thanks to my use of CAPS LOCK in a haiku, and instead distract yourself with my moonrise view from the track at Safa Park…
(Yes, this will continue to be a weather-gloating blog until sometime around April.)
1 tag
Depressing Realization of the Week
Tuesday Morning, 8 AM (Dubai): wake up, think about upcoming travel plans, and excitedly realize, “Ooh, we’ll be leaving for the airport to fly home to the US at EXACTLY THIS TIME NEXT WEEK!”
Wednesday Morning, 8 AM (Dubai): wake up, calculate current time in the US, and not-so-excitedly realize, “Oh… we’ll be landing in Nashville at EXACTLY THIS TIME NEXT...
Love Letters from My Building Security Staff
It’s the personal touch that I find so beguiling…
“SIR, THIS IS NOT YOUR PARKING SLOT PLEASE CAN YOU PARK TO YOUR SLOT PROPALY THANKD YOU FAROOK.”
Love you too, Farook. <3
3 tags
A Haiku about Winter Wardrobe Selection in Dubai
Mid-December morn
Skimpy satin dress - too cold?
Nah, it’s 80 F
(And yes, you have to pronounce “farenheit” as “eff” to get the syllables to add up right… deal with it.)
2 tags
The Monkey Guide
Oh, how I love sitting down at my computer, locating this trusty old Microsoft Word document, and updating it for soon-to-arrive visitors:
(In fairness, not all my visitors to Dubai are monkeys, nor do they need a guide on how to fly into what is ultimately a modern and tourist-friendly airport. However, I originally compiled this guide for my mother - who onced missed a transatlantic flight by...
2 tags
Fridays Are For Running
30.5 kilometers / 19 miles: Trade Centre to Burj Khalifa, quick loop around Old Town, back through Za’abeel to Trade Centre, down Dhiyafah to Al Wasl Road, and then cruuuuuuuise the length of Wasl to Jumeirah Beach Hotel, where Alex will be waiting with Gatorade and sympathy and, most importantly, the car.
Podcasts are downloaded, water bottle is full, and it’s a beautiful day in...
All The Caffeine
This rambling post, in bullet-point form, brought to you by CAFFEINE! I didn’t drink much coffee when I was chillaxing during the Month of Gubbi, so this morning after a cup at home, a travel mug in the car, and a large “Reindeer Brew” at Caribou with a colleague, I’m buzzing with excitement about the following things:
It’s nice to wear work outfits again, especially...
2 tags
No, But Seriously This Time
Aaaaaaand… registered!
After skipping the Dubai Marathon last year and failing to get my act together to run Beirut this fall, I am doing this race come hell, high water, or 6-hour finish, mark my word.
And now that I’ve put my $120 registration fee where my mouth is… well, consider my word marked.
As of last week I’m up to 17 miles for my long run and 5 x Yasso 800s...
Nerd Patrol
Just clicking through Alex’s Christmas wish list on Amazon is enough to lull me into a peaceful sleep right here at my desk…
… have your eyes glazed over yet? No?
Theeeeeeeere you go… [zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz]
Who needs Ambien when you have my boyfriend’s literary tastes?
1 tag
Scenes From A New Job
I started my new job in Dubai this week, and in grand back-to-school fashion there is much to be excited about, including…
… a stack of required reading to be perused in my first month:
(Complete with quizzes and all!)
… a travel schedule packed with business trips back to the US:
(Um, does anyone want to hang out with me in Nebraska?!)
… and perhaps MOST...
4 tags
Spirit of the Union
It’s been quiet around these parts as I’ve wrapped up the Month of Gubbi and prepared to start my new job, but I couldn’t let UAE National Day - my favorite local holiday in Dubai - come and go without a mention.
National Day is always a hoot, but given that this December 2nd was the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the United Arab Emirates, the powers that be pulled out...