United Arab Ermagerd: The other side of the world

So here I am, in the Middle East, with a nine hour time difference. Life feels pretty normal. If anything, I have less stress. Less last minute schedule changes and unplanned meals. I'm a person who thrives with schedules, so this is nice. Everyday I wake up at 6 in the morning and go make breakfast and pack lunches then I go and make a checklist of everything I need to accomplish by the end of the day. When I'm finished, then I read books until it's time to start making dinner. It's very relaxing.

I've gotten a few chances to see the culture so far. People here are crazy. Overall, it's really not that much different than the states. Everything is much more expensive, but everyone is loaded so they don't tend to mind. An interesting thing I've noticed is that everyone has nice cars. Nobody has a junker. Even the school busses are Mercedes. That's not a joke.

It's weird talking to people and noticing that the way they phrase things is so opposite of how I would view it. They don't wish they could get something, they want to come back with their mom to buy it. They don't worry about whether their option at a resteraunt would be too costly or not. They take taxis all the time and don't think twice about the 60 AED they just spent.

Life feels the same, but I can't help noticing differences. Every few hours some neighbor plays Arabic music that I'm pretty sure is related to prayer rituals. There are mosques all over, but no churches. The fields are of sand, not wild flowers. The signs are posted in both Arabic and English. At church, I can see the full meaning of a melting pot society and a united faith. I think that's my favorite part.

I love being like a big sister to Kennedy and Siera. I braid their hair, play them songs, cook for them and listen to them talk about things that are on their minds. Siera draws me pictures and shows me all her art. She's crazy talented for a 7 year old. I'm so glad that I like the family and vice versa. They always compliment me which makes me feel sort of uncomfortable, but also appreciated. Sometimes, it's nice to hear people brag about you.

I've met a couple girls my age. One girl Daisy, that I went bowling with is pretty cool. She's super sweet and we get along well. I also met some other girls who I went to an American Football game with but they mostly ignored me and most sentences they said either contained or provoked profanity.

So far I like it here, but I'm excited to get back and see all my family and friends. I miss them. It's difficult not being able to talk often because the time difference is so huge. It's always late for one of us and early for the other.

Pictures!

This beach is about a five minute walk from where I'm living.