9/30/10

As time would have it, things have started to look up and I’m not as unbearably uncomfortable as I was to begin with. My response to those wanting to know how Dubai is going so far… I don’t love it, but I don’t hate it either. It has its ups and downs and I’m just trying to keep myself occupied with spontaneous outings and homework.

I went on a dhow cruise last week. It’s basically a double-decker ferry ride that goes up and down the Dubai Creek accompanied by plenty of food, drinks, and music. On the bus ride over, I became acquainted with a great group of people and we have since seen each other around and make continuous plans to hang out. It feels a lot like freshman year all over again, but I’m so grateful for the company.

It was about 8 or so by the time the cruise started moving, so the only image I got of Dubai was lost in a hazy mix of humidity and twinkling lights. The party was going on in the bottom deck of the boat anyways. I’m so glad that dancing isn’t illegal everywhere. I had an amazing time talking and laughing with people, learning traditional dances (and some not so…) and snacking on the tasty food choices. I’m still so determined to try shawarma (a Middle Eastern sandwich wrap)!

As far as my academic load goes, I just finished my second week of classes and the first batch of quizzes. I didn’t do horrible, but I still have so much to learn. This is basically the first time I have been introduced to a majority of the information and my brain has been found to get rather overwhelmed with this wealth of knowledge! If I stay up to date with my assignments and studies, I’m hoping that it won’t be too much to handle.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has been praying for me back home. I have found so more peace in being here these past few days and I pray that time continues to fly by.

P.S. I’m getting a little more camera brave and actually going places worth photographing (which is basically anywhere outside my dorm) so keep an eye out for more colorful updates.

9/24/10

There is still so much I want to get out of Dubai. So many places to see, foods to try, culture to experience. I’ve only been here what, ten days? But a majority of this time has been spent hiding out. My confession is that I’m slightly paralyzed.

Simple tasks of finding food or new locations leave me panicked and wanting to retreat. I find strange solitude in the familiar routines of getting ready for bed or studying for an assignment. This is such a frustrating thing for me to experience! This cowardly, uncomfortable, slightly meek looking character is nothing like the outgoing, adventurous Chelci I left back home. It’s understandable to feel this way at first I suppose, so I’m trying not to be too hard on myself. At this same time though, I didn’t come here to hide in my dorm room for three months. With that thought in mind, I bought a dhow cruise ticket for Monday night.

I’m so used to jumping from place to place, tasting a bit of something here, snapping a photo of something there. I have trouble staying in one place for too long -as most people who know me well already realize. I think that might be where the trouble of my current situation comes into play. Just the mental state of knowing I’m here for another 12 and a half weeks brings forth a whole range of emotion I didn’t know I had. I don’t think ‘trapped’ is the word I’m looking for to describe it, but something in the likeness of that direction.

I will tough this out and come out stronger because of it. I’m sure there are many hurdles and obstacles still to be conquered, but I’m here for a reason! Sometimes I will be scared, uncomfortable, overwhelmed (or all of the above in this past week’s case…), but I’ll get over it.

This week has been a real reality check, to say the least. I’m looking forward to coming home for Christmas SO, SO MUCH –but I’m not going to keep it from letting me enjoy my time and the adventures awaiting me here. Classes will probably get crazy, situations will still get uncomfortable, but I’ll be okay. This experience is what I make of it and if I can turn it around and maintain a positive perspective, I’m sure I will begin to enjoy my stay.

So please continue to keep me in your prayers! It’s been a pretty difficult adjustment for me so far. Hopefully some exciting updates to come!

9/22/10

I've started and deleted I don't know how many posts these past few days. I can't really seem to find the words to describe what I'm going through without sounding dreadfully more pathetic than I am (or am I...). So I'm going to post this video instead and let it speak for me a little bit:

9/19/10

First day of school! First day of school!

Okay, so I really wasn’t that excited, but I was happy to finally get to do what I came here for! I had three fifty-minute classes today and they were all relatively to the point. This semester is most definitely going to be a lot of work and there is so, so much to learn.

Here’s some disappointing news: The required textbooks for my classes –still just as expensive as back in the states. Ugh. Like I can even read the Arabic 101 book. I don’t know which way it’s supposed to open, let alone how to make sense of anything in it. But that’s what the class is for, right?

The class sizes themselves are extremely small, so far no more than 20 students. Most of my classes are in the same building, conveniently located right across from my dorm. If I can keep up on the assignments and teachings, I shouldn’t have a problem with the academic portion of this trip.

My professors were friendly enough (some were slightly intimidating, some hard to understand) and moved through the material quickly. The variety of students is what amazed me the most. In my first class, for instance, I was sitting across from a guy from South Korea, next to a Hungarian, and diagonal from a Japanese girl. I met a really sweet girl from Germany in another one of my courses and have met several people from the States (mostly New Yorkers).

I was introduced to a modern twist on a pasta restaurant earlier this afternoon (finally, some carbs) and I’m slowly starting to feel somewhat relaxed. I’ve been so stressed these past few days trying to get my sleeping on track and all of my necessities together that it has almost been nonstop tension. Meeting people from the same home country has helped to put me at ease as well. I’m just going to try and take it easy and establish some sort of routine within the next couple of weeks. The control freak in me needs to stop freaking out.

In other news, I found the indoor skiing area that everyone back home likes to talk about while I was on a grocery jaunt yesterday. It was pretty interesting watching kids sled and have snowball fights. Since there isn’t a whole lot to do outdoors because of the weather, it isn’t such a bad idea.

Ski lift

Kids having a snowball fight

Sledding area (with a snowman!)

Honestly, I have found Dubai to be pretty overrated so far, but I have three months to become convinced otherwise. I’m ready to buckle down and drown myself in my studies and I will be sure to check out all the must-see spots along the way. The country itself is so culturally confused and the struggle to become more modern while maintaining traditional culture is a battle that I'm not sure will be able to last much longer before one side or the other prevails. If anything, it makes me even more grateful for the home, family, and friends I have waiting for me back in the States (and that hugs and public dancing isn't illegal. Hug-dance party when I get back, mmk?). 

Seven-star hotel, Burj Al Arab, as seen through my bus seat window

I’m in dire need of sleep, but will force myself to stay up a few more hours.

I had a really encouraging quiet time this morning and I really feel that God is going to teach me so many things through this experience -if nothing more than perseverance.

Trying to stay positive!

Chelci

P.S. It's time for "Name That Logo!" C'mon all you American addicts, I know you know this one (plus, the other sign kind of gives it away).

9/18/10

Please, don’t ever put sugar in the espresso again.

I didn’t get much sleep last night. Between a night owl roommate and my irregular sleeping habits in general, it was mostly tossing and turning, waiting for morning, blah blah blah. I forced myself to stay in bed until 6:30 and then indulged in some overly sweetened espresso. While sweetened coffee isn’t usually to my tastes, I will gladly welcome as many energy boosts as I can today. But after today, please no more sugar.

I am feeling very challenged this week in the area of contentment and am having trouble reclaiming my joy. I’m sure that the lack of sleep has something to do with it, but the overall everyday discomfort starts to take its toll after a few days as well. God is calling me near and I know that I am safe in His embrace. If I continue to focus on the stumbling blocks, I fear that I might miss the stairs and I know I have so, so much to learn from this experience.

I need to divert my focus and energy towards something constructive and uplifting. I need to reflect on the positive and all that I have to be thankful for. I need to find joy within my circumstances and seek to serve beyond myself.

With that said, I apparently have a lot to do today.

This is all only temporary and, in time, too shall pass.

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, 

   "He who is coming will come and will not delay. 

    But my righteous one will live by faith. 

    And if he shrinks back, 

    I will not be pleased with him."

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

-Hebrews 10:35-39

9/17/10

Today’s entry is accompanied by some curry flavored Ramen –like a true Middle Eastern college student, eh? Probably not.

I know that you are all probably wondering where my katrillion photos are by now, but just bear with me. The last few days have literally had my world flipped upside down. I need some more time before I can be adjusted enough to start thinking about visual documentation.

I ended up taking that trip to the mall last night, not today. The last bus left an hour after my previous post so I figured, why not just go now. So go I did. I have determined that the only way my fears and intimidations will disperse is if kick them in the butt right off that bat. 

I, of course, was the only person that requested to be dropped off at the first mall. I researched a little bit beforehand and noted that the Ibn Battuta Mall had a grocery store in it and I was after fresh produce. I got dropped off in some sketchy, dark parking lot, about two parking lots worth away from a mall entrance. Upon walking in, the first stores I ran into were H&M and Forever21. Halleluiah. I knew better than to stop by Forever21 first if I wanted any chance of leaving the mall with the items on my grocery list. A quick stop to H&M and I was off following signs around for who knows how far until finding the grocery store.

It literally was like a Walmart in the middle of the mall. I was able to pick up some bananas, apples, carrots, cucumbers, nectarines, grapes (hard to find some that people weren't eating out of...), pb&j and bread, and a few other items –including a new pillow (!). The food I picked up is rather bland in comparison to the exotic choices available, but it’s my kind of comfort food. Give me a break.

Check out the script on that raspberry jam!

A few of my purchases: necklaces, mugs, cutlery, produce

Forever21 eventually got its visit after some food court Margarita style pizza (again, with so many burkas and palace-style pillars around, comfort) and I purchased six necklaces to replace the bag of accessories I realized I left back down (darn).

The mall itself was similar to the airport that I arrived here at. Many pillars and tiling. Rounded, vaulted ceilings with intricate tiled artwork. The call for prayer rang out some time during my visit, followed by a song by Lady Gaga. I watched as a woman clothed in her burka struggled to maneuver her layers of fabric in between sips of her Starbucks. My mind is so numb right now that I'm not even sure what to make of this culture so far.

Forever21

The ceiling above where I ate

The view from one of the restaurants

Needless to say however, I felt pretty accomplished that I had conquered both the bus transportation system and a mall in one night. I got back to the dorms without an issue, talked with Brandon for about an hour, and then called it a night. Jump to this afternoon and I was just barely waking up. That’s right, still no sleeping schedule, still frustrated like no other.

Today was a pretty emotional day for me in general. I have a half-hour dorm orientation tomorrow morning and I’m going to start setting my alarm (should have just done that to begin with). Classes start day after tomorrow and I need to shake this jet lag off quickly! Hopefully friends will be made and some kind of normal routine established soon. I’m not here long enough to be sad and upset and I need to make the most of every opportunity.

I know God has the big picture in all of this and I’m trying so, so hard to trust in Him. I still find myself wondering how I get myself into these situations haha. Typical.

I hope you all have a wonderful day! I’ll be ready to call it a night here in a few hours.

Dubai! ;)

9/16/10

I MUST STOP TAKING SIX-HOUR NAPS!!!! That’s all my sleeping schedule consists of as of now. I woke up around 3 AM and after tossing and turning for two hours, explored the rest of my dorm building and hit the gym. A half hour, two miles on the treadmill and some artificially biked hills later, I came back up to my room, showered, and Skyped home.

I was still a bit restless at this point and figured my roommate was probably tired of me clanking around the room… so I decided to try and find the beach. I heard it was nearby and after a few minutes of Google mapping, I discovered that it was very close indeed. I ventured off in my bohemian skirt and mirrored aviators, looking an odd combination of Jane-Goodall-meets-sand-safari.

Everything seemed to be going well. I was pretty intimidated at crossing some of the streets (since every other one has two roundabouts leading into it), but after watching some locals j-walk them like a pro, I figured I could do it too. Within no time, I was cutting through traffic like a local. When in Dubai, do as the Dubians?

My little outing came to an end when I was stopped by a heavy interstate and closed off resort. I attempted in walking further down the road to try and find a way around it, but the heat got the best of me. I also attempted in taking some photos, but it turns out that this high humidity not only likes to fog my sunglass lens, but my camera lens as well. I’m going to have to figure out some way to overcome this. If anyone has any tips, let me know!

Anyways, I gave up my little adventure and retreated back to my air-conditioned room. I was feeling a little tired at this point and lied down around 10 for a quick powernap. I really should have known better. Quick powernap? Over six hours later, I woke up to find myself in an empty room and almost at the end of the day. The room, as usual, was freeeeeezing so I wandered downstairs and outside again. I took a full walk around the campus and discovered that it isn’t too difficult to find my way around. I can get from one end to the other in five to seven minutes no problem.

I’m tired of living off of trail mix and poptarts and when the school market store opens up, I intend on trying to find some sort of fresh produce. I might try for the beach again in a few days, this time taking a different route, and I discovered the bus schedule to and from the malls on an announcement board. Tomorrow is Friday, mostly a holy day for everyone but Chelci, so I figured it could be a good day to try and pick up some things (mostly a new pillow).

I’m pretty frustrated at this point, both with my lack of sleeping schedule and the constant feeling of being overwhelmed. I have no one to lean on but God, but I figure He has the best shoulder anyways. I’m hoping things will work themselves out here in the next few days. I’m sure I’ll have more of a structure once school starts and will be able to write less sappy posts about how many irregular hours I slept.

Hope you are all doing well back home!

Chelci

A less jet lagged post...

Jet lag is kicking my butt. After making that previous sleepy post, I went back to bed and slept like a rock until 2:30 in the afternoon. I figured since my roommate was still asleep, I was aloud to sleep too. Apparently maintenance came this morning to switch our locks and were drilling and hammering the door quite loudly. I, of course, slept through it all.

A few of my roommate’s friends invited her out to lunch and she, in turn, invited me. We went to the Emirates Mall and ate at one of their newest restaurants, ‘Tribes’ located near PF Changs (!). I ate a chicken burger with an eggplant spiced pesto, which was a refreshing change in pallet after struggling through numerous airplane meals.

Afterwards, the small group of us went to a Shisha (Hookah) lounge and played cards for a while and met up with a few more people. On our way back, I also got to see the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, conveniently located next to the biggest shopping mall in the world, the Dubai Mall.

From the similar music tastes we soon discovered on our iPods to faking birthdays at restaurants and trying to outsmart each other in a game of Go Fish, Dubai is such a unique mix of completely foreign and all too familiar culture. I should probably start taking my camera around with me. I just don’t want to look like that lame American tourist –even though I pretty much am. (:

In other news, I found out that to make up for the break time due to Ramadan, students will be attending school 6 days a week this semester. I need to get this double-checked, but if it’s true, I will only have one day off a week from my classes. Not the most exhilarating news I’ve ever heard…

Right now I do not really want to go too far from campus, or my dorm room for that matter. I figure I’ll get caught up on my sleep within the next few days and as more time goes on, the less stressed and overwhelmed I’ll hopefully start to feel.

Please keep my spiritual well being in your prayers. It’s difficult being physically away from the church and its people and just that whole support group in general. Especially with so much time already being committed to my studies, I just want to make sure I stay balanced and healthy.

Miss and love you all,

Chelci

9/15/10

Let’s see… Well, I’m in Dubai safe and sound! I’ve been here for about 12 hours or so now and have successfully found my dorm room and attempted in making it a little more “homey.” I quickly discovered that I have no control over the thermostat and this freezing room is reminding me of those first few weeks in Flagstaff before they turn on the heaters.

The travel over here was executed pretty smoothly and the 17-hour flight from LA to Dubai was tolerable (although there were a few close calls with the wine drunk lady sitting next to me…). All of my stuff got here okay, minus my pillow (sob). The office doesn’t have my key ready yet, so I’m basically confined to the dorm room until they give it to me later.

I took a taxi from the airport and was blown away by the numerous skyscrapers and creative architecture. I was also blown away by the intense heat and humidity. Bleh, it’s going to take some getting used to for sure. I thought Arizona was bad, but it has nothing on this climate. By far the hottest temps I’ve ever experienced.

My roommate was in the room when I got here. She’s from Pakistan and is really sweet. I’ve definitely gotten the feeling that I’ll be one of the youngest on campus and was informed that there aren’t usually more than 20 U.S. students studying here at a time. Wait, wait, wait… Isn’t this place called The AMERICAN University in Dubai?

I was able to Skype back home already and it appears that it will be the most efficient form of communication. I don’t have much else to update on yet. I have a lot of questions and really hate not knowing what to do next, but I’m sure, like everything else so far, that it will all work out. I think I might go back to sleep for another hour or so. I’ll update with some of my daylight adventures later!

Good morning, Dubai!

Good night, back home.

Day of Departure

So this is it! My first flight leaves in about three hours. I’ll arrive in Los Angeles around noon and then depart for my lengthy nonstop flight to Dubai. Thank you to everyone who came out yesterday to see me off. I truly appreciate all the prayers, love and support! I have complete peace of mind and know that God has me. If He continues to open the doors, I will continue to walk through them. I’ll update again when I can.

Let the adventures commence! 

Ticket bliss

One-way ticket, Los Angeles to Dubai

9/8/10

Days before departure:            5

Things to do before departure: 

                                        Pack

                                         Finish applying for Social Work program

                                         Get the most wear out of my ripped jeans as possible

                                         Find a hotel if needed

                                         Sleep

Plane tickets are in alignment and the final emails have been sent out. I have a bit of house cleaning tasks to take care of, but other than that, it should be smooth sailing (well, flying technically) from here on out -for the next few days anyways.

I will be flying from Phoenix to Los Angeles, Los Angeles to Dubai. We are talking more than 18 hours of flight time. If only I could rack up frequent flyer miles…

I just recently calculated that my flight gets in around 7:30PM Dubai time. The check-in for the dorms ends at 6PM. Anyone else seeing a slight complication with these numbers? Exactly. So I’ve been emailing my face off these last couple of hours to see if a check-in extension might be possible. If not, I need to find a hotel room to crash at for the night and I need to find it quickly.

Seven star hotel, yes?

The Burj Al Arab

(Also, the weirdy music that is now blessing your desktop, it's to the right of the blog. Feel free to shut it up or shuffle through it at your leisure. Cheers.)

8/31/10

I am off to a bittersweet start and something tells me that this will not be the last time I find myself using that statement.

The upside: I was able to check a few things off my list today, the two biggest being my luggage and Dubai-appropriate clothes shopping. I was able to find long leggings and skirts and wide v-necks in autumn flavored hues. While the weather may suggest otherwise, I still feel the need to incorporate the season –whether I’m on this side of the world or not. I also finally buckled down and purchased a pair of unripped jeans (sigh).

I also found a Dubai travel guide at Barnes and Noble! This is quite an accomplishment, since I rarely walk out of that wonderful place with any of the original items I had intended on purchasing. A girl can never have too many cupcake cookbooks! Okay, maybe she can… but that’s beside the point. Back to the business.

The downside: I’m having to say farewells to friends and others already. As most have probably already discovered about me, I am horrible at goodbyes and often avoid them like the plague. If I run off without saying anything to you, it’s nothing personal. It just must mean I like you a whole lot. ;)  Besides, it’s not goodbye. It’s “see yah later,” right?

I feel like everyone disappears right before my trips. I think this could be God’s way of insuring that I rely on Him and cut any human dependencies before I leave. It sure gets my focus back to where it should be, to say the least.

In other news: Good luck to all my NAU babies who started classes this week! You all better keep causing trouble on my behalf while I’m away.

There’s not much else to update on. I’m slightly stressed, slightly excited, slightly a million other things.

P.S. I thought you might all enjoy a few photos of some Dubai surf action. How sick is this?!