10/7/10

I know my blog updates have been lacking recently, but at least I warned you that I’d have a difficult time keeping up with them! I’m busier than ever and these six courses have really kept me on my toes. I’m thankful that they all relatively overlap, however. It makes it easier when I don’t understand a certain topic (which is quite often…) because another class surely covers it from another perspective by the end of the week.

I preformed miserably on my first round of quizzes and I’ve had my nose buried in textbooks for hours trying to catch up and fill the knowledge gaps ever since. I’m still managing to go out on the town every once in awhile, but until I can improve my grades, I’m trying not to plan too much. This is okay though! The great thing about Dubai is that it’s pretty consistent as far as entertainment and trademark locations go. The tallest building in the world isn’t going anywhere, the malls will still be full, and the sand for a safari won’t disappear. I came here to get my certification, so everything else has just been an additional bonus!

Speaking of bonuses… Last weekend I was invited out for a ladies night with some of the girls on campus. There was a snug little sushi bar on the other side of town in the Emirates Towers that was hosting a karaoke night. A few songs and our featured hit single “Barbie Girl” later and we were all laughing and having a blast. I even managed to get a snapshot with a fake, light-up camel in before the night was through.

Other than the occasional outing, my academic career has seemed to, once again, trump my lifestyle. I have found a better gym on campus than the one offered in our dorm building and my former ‘gym-rat’ mentality has definitely kicked into high gear. I’m experimenting with more recipes that satisfy my pallet and that don’t require a refrigerator (seeing as how I don’t have one) and learning to cook around this handicap has actually been more enjoyable than I first envisioned. Cooking and the gym are basically the only reliefs I have from my six-day school week, but this all is survivable. I’m surviving and thriving.

Another pleasant surprise and probably the biggest blessing so far is the Christian Bible study group I stumbled upon on campus. A girl I met on the Dhow cruise from a few weeks back just happened to post something about it online and before I knew it, I was in the middle of a group of like-minded believers! I have a ride to a local church tomorrow morning and I’m excited to see what they’re all about. If anything, it puts me at ease to know that I’m not alone here and while we are without a doubt a minority, we still have each other and God to depend on.

I’m learning so, so much, meeting new, wonderful people on a daily basis and I’ve almost hit my one-month mark. One down, two to go! I officially have a plane ticket purchased (no stand-by traveling for me this time!) that will get me home in time for Christmas and I’ve already begun scouting for souvenirs and trinkets to share when I return.

I miss you all very much. But I’m going to try and not dwell on it too extensively… Your prayers are most surely working, so please keep them coming! Skype me sometime and say hi!


P.S. This is the easiest logo ever, but I just thought it was kinda cute.

<3