Greetings from Abu Dhabi! It's Easter today, so I'm feeling a bit homesick...wishing I were home and going to Easter services with my sweet family. More than homesick though, I am feeling truly blessed. We awoke at 5:15 and attended an Easter sunrise service at ECC. We are indeed blessed to have the freedom to go to church. It was a nice start to the day.
Our Spring Break started on Thursday...so far it's been a good one. We started it off with a trip to Saadiyat Beach on Friday, then Yas Waterworld (brand new water park in Abu Dhabi) yesterday. Jonathan's baseball team is sponsored by Yas Waterworld, so they were our gracious hosts for the end of season party. And what a season it was...Champions of Dubai Little League! Great fun was had by all! Today, Easter, we are taking it easy and sticking around the house. Joe had to work all weekend, as he had the big task of coordinating an office move. I think the move was a success and they'll be able to enjoy their new digs today. We will be heading to Cyprus on Friday to pump some money into the Cypriot economy! We will stay for a week and enjoy some RandR...looks like a beautiful country with lots to enjoy. We're especially looking forward to visiting ancient ruins, hiking Aphrodite's trail, and generally enjoying the local culture. Again, truly blessed to have so many wonderful travel opportunities and learning moments with our kids!
Recently, my friend Mary Elizabeth warned me about not running red lights in Abu Dhabi...that there was absolutely no tolerance for it...well Joe learned the hard way this week how true that is! He went to renew our auto registration...long story short, he had run a red light recently to avoid being rear ended by a rather large truck. Upon paying our traffic fines, he was told that he needed to turn the car over to be impounded for two weeks! Well, thankfully he pleaded and pleaded and pleaded some more, paid a rather large fine, made three return trips to the same office, and eventually left, three hours later with a renewed auto registration and a great deal of frustration! RED LIGHTS! Don't run them!
Mom was just here for two months and we had a fantastic time with her! My Aunt Carol also visited during the same time for a couple of weeks. We shopped, explored, ate, shop, explored, coughed (all were sick) and had an all around good time. Having visitors here is always great! It makes the year away from family go much more quickly! Mom is now getting settled in her new casita and we can't wait to see it. Summer will be here before we know it and we'll be headed WEST! Yippeeeee! Sadly, we will miss my nephew Tanner's high school graduation...the kids don't get out of school until mid June. Maybe if we take him lots of camel milk chocolate (DELICIOUS) he'll forgive us!
Anyway, guess that's all for now. Happy Easter to all! Love and hugs from AD! Bloom where you're planted!!!
Our Spring Break started on Thursday...so far it's been a good one. We started it off with a trip to Saadiyat Beach on Friday, then Yas Waterworld (brand new water park in Abu Dhabi) yesterday. Jonathan's baseball team is sponsored by Yas Waterworld, so they were our gracious hosts for the end of season party. And what a season it was...Champions of Dubai Little League! Great fun was had by all! Today, Easter, we are taking it easy and sticking around the house. Joe had to work all weekend, as he had the big task of coordinating an office move. I think the move was a success and they'll be able to enjoy their new digs today. We will be heading to Cyprus on Friday to pump some money into the Cypriot economy! We will stay for a week and enjoy some RandR...looks like a beautiful country with lots to enjoy. We're especially looking forward to visiting ancient ruins, hiking Aphrodite's trail, and generally enjoying the local culture. Again, truly blessed to have so many wonderful travel opportunities and learning moments with our kids!
Recently, my friend Mary Elizabeth warned me about not running red lights in Abu Dhabi...that there was absolutely no tolerance for it...well Joe learned the hard way this week how true that is! He went to renew our auto registration...long story short, he had run a red light recently to avoid being rear ended by a rather large truck. Upon paying our traffic fines, he was told that he needed to turn the car over to be impounded for two weeks! Well, thankfully he pleaded and pleaded and pleaded some more, paid a rather large fine, made three return trips to the same office, and eventually left, three hours later with a renewed auto registration and a great deal of frustration! RED LIGHTS! Don't run them!
Mom was just here for two months and we had a fantastic time with her! My Aunt Carol also visited during the same time for a couple of weeks. We shopped, explored, ate, shop, explored, coughed (all were sick) and had an all around good time. Having visitors here is always great! It makes the year away from family go much more quickly! Mom is now getting settled in her new casita and we can't wait to see it. Summer will be here before we know it and we'll be headed WEST! Yippeeeee! Sadly, we will miss my nephew Tanner's high school graduation...the kids don't get out of school until mid June. Maybe if we take him lots of camel milk chocolate (DELICIOUS) he'll forgive us!
Anyway, guess that's all for now. Happy Easter to all! Love and hugs from AD! Bloom where you're planted!!!
