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Published: October 3rd 2010
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Ok before we get into the camels: Let me clarify something especially since there are many posts that advise to say Al humdullilah, appreciate what you have, blah, blah blah, blah blah. How the blog works for me is I usually start my blog days before you see it. everyday I try to type something so I dont forget the important things and so that when I do write I am in the moment and you are feeling my emotion when you read. So when I was upset about my apartment, you were reading what I was experiencing in the moment and how I genuinely felt at that time. You were there with me while I worked through my stuff. I tried to emphasize that it was not only the apartment that had me down but the fact that I was trying to figure out why we had come to Emirates. Our reasons were to get closer to Islam and to have a better life spiritually and financially for our family. At the very least be able to pay off our home in the US, but our intention was to make a life here.
So when I saw the apartment,
It just reinforced some doubts I had in my mind. 1. The teachers are treated like one body whether you are muslim or not. I felt that we were basically kept away from the muslims, Starting with the hotel when we first arrived, which was the day after Eid Ul Fitr, and I noticed some days later that the muslims were having Eid parties at the hotel, but where we were we didnt have contact with them they had their own section. They were celebrating Eid and we were alone and I was missing celebrating with my friends.
2. I wanted to learn Arabic by coming here but everyone speaks English or Urdu for the most part.
3. Learning that I would be living in such closed quarters with so many teachers on the edge of town just made me question my purpose of traveling to this land. Also realize that I have been and still am while writing this, living out of a suitcase since June, Its been an emotional upheival. We have uprooted our family, given up our jobs, I am away from my older children. For what? A life that I could be living in
the states?
4. I lived for years in the city of Providence which I absolutely hated! I lived with the worse of creation and finally Allah helped me to get my own home and I felt here I am right back to a situation I hate. I love my space. I was fortunate enough to grow up in some pretty nice areas. and I love fresh air, privacy, and Love having a yard that I can sit in with my children, plant a garden, have a cookout. I love these things and felt I had lost that moving here.I just needed to work through it all and this blog helps me do that. So just to be clear it was more than I dont like my apartment view, it was just the the "last nail in the coffin". It took me some time to work through it and be grateful, thats me. Good or bad thats me! I dont automatically embrace difficulties in life and say Alhumdullilah with a great big smile. I usually have to work through it and become grateful, but when I get there it is genuine and it is for the sake of Allah!
I
Oman Border
what your seeing is the fence & oman dont know if you all can understand what I am saying and if you can understand what I am experiencing. All I can do is just try to be honest and with that comes someone who sometimes is unsure, has doubts, whines, cries, has insecurities, experiences culture shock, and Yes is also not grateful sometimes. Some of you will understand, especially those of you who have spent significant time in a foreign country, and some of you won't. I can only write about MY feelings & experiences. And Please you all continue to be honest with your comments because it does help me see myself faster & clearer.
I am going to post some pictures at the place where we will live and hopefully you all can get more of a feel for it.
By-the-way, Everything is better I am liking the apartment and looking forward to moving!
THE CAMEL SOUK!!!!!!
We found the camel souk today. It is pretty far out in the desert. One of the families who is here with us, the Husband works out there and he was telling us that he sees camel crossings every morning on his way to work. He
also sees camel races. He said its interesting to see the little square robot (camel Jockey) they put on the camel and they work it by remote control. He said they used to use children but too many of them died or got hurt so now they use the robot.
The place we went is the only camel souk left in the Emirates and they have all kinds of livestock there. I can only imgaine this place on Eid Ul Adha....
When we pulled in we saw two large camels laying on the ground near a dumpster and Abdullah said "Look at those dead camels" Najd replied "There not dead, they are just getting some sun" (he really thought they were). Then Abdullah says " Nosa! That ones head is over there! I found that kind of funny. My husband was a little shocked and he said OMG they are dead! We assume they may have been sick or suffering because camels are very expensive, They wouldnt just kill them for the heck of it.
Enjoy the pics
Random weird Fact:
1. Emirate men greet each other by bumping noses. kind of like an eskimo kiss, but
with bumping not smushing.
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Jennifer
non-member comment
Assalamu Alakum, May Allah (swt) give you peace and happiness.... I feel for you and your family...I really do...I know that I would not be able to do what you are doing. Please keep blogging I want to know what you are doing, how you are feeling... Inshallah things will turn around... Salam my sister Jennifer