So much for getting better about posting

Well... a lot has happened since the last post.  I finally graduated (WHOOP!)

I'm all moved to Dallas and working now.  I thought that I'd have more time to do the things I wanted now that I'm done with school... FALSE

Between working and trying to sleep, I have less time to do anything that I want to do.

HOWEVER, I really need to start working out again.  I've had a lot of people tell me "oh, you're tiny you don't need to work out" which is insane. Just because I'm not huge yet (yet being the operative word) does not mean that I'm healthy.

In order to get healthier and in the hopes of losing some weight/toning up.  I'm going to try and start blogging daily about 1)what i'm eating and 2) working out.  

Tomorrow I will start Jillian Michaels 30 day shred (again, I only made it through 2 days last time).

I'm hoping that blogging about it will help keep me more accountable (and motivate me a little more)

Nick and I have also decided that we will make 2-3 of our meals per week follow the "Paleo" diet.  As we adapt to it a little more, we will increase the number of meals that are Paleo per week. 

Anyway that's my random, absolutely makes no sense, update... hopefully I will keep up with the posts and with the dieting and exercising.

New Year, New Adventures

I've been wanting to write/update for forever, but have not been able to find the time.  Luckily for me today, I have a bit of time and a lot I hope to be able to write about.  I have no idea who/if anyone reads this, and since it's been so long since the last post I'll be surprised if anyone does still read. haha.

1) I have a lot of people ask me what it's like to be married, as in what has changed, etc.  The reality is that very little has changed. We now can live together with no stigma attached to it, our level of commitment has not changed. Maybe it's because we have both been ready to just be married that nothing feels like it really changed.  Sorry to burst your bubble if you think that marriage suddenly changes everything, it really doesn't as long as you are prepared! :D

2) I'm asked at least once a week either a) am I pregnant (the answer is NO!) or b) when do we plan on having kids.  Some people are just joking about it, but most don't get being married and not immediately having children.  Nick and I don't know when, or if, we will even decide to have kids.  It will most definitely be a while.

3) While we have agreed no kids for a while, we did recently get another puppy!  Her name is Dakota and she is a sweet little doll. Bet you can't guess what breed she is!

4) I am SO NOT READY for school this next semester.  9 hours of classes, paired with work, and traveling between Dallas and CS on the weekends. I am just ready for it to be May already. I am really excited about this semester too though, I will finally be graduating (WHOOP!) and hopefully finding a job that will allow me to travel (I'd LOVE to be able to travel back and forth between the Middle East). If not, I may look into going for a Masters degree in Middle Eastern Studies or in History (probably Military History specifically).



5) I have seriously been missing the UAE lately. I REALLY want to go back (even if it's just for a vacation!)

6) It's taken me forever (ok, maybe not forever, but I'm definitely a few days late) to decide on a new years resolution.  This year I'm making one and sticking to it.  I'm going to start eating healthier and working out again.  I had lost so much weight over the summer because I was eating less/better and working out, I need that routine again.

7)Another goal is to get back into dance. I miss it, and it's awesome exercise and fun at the same time.  But this will probably have to wait until I graduate (unfortunately)

Anyway.... this was a random and longwinded update.

Oh crap... I forgot the holidays and moving.

Well, first off, moving in the month of December was a very stupid idea on our part. We are STILL not unpacked and we've been in the apartment for a month. Ugh.  However, it has been really nice to have a place of our own and not to have to travel all the time.  Christmas was insane, but great. and we kept new years simple by just chilling at the house.

annnd that's all. for now.

30 days...

Until the wedding.

In that time i have two showers to attend, a marriage license to get, and help get everything finalized & paid.

On top of my stuff I have to do for Arabic Club. On top of the things I have to do for class.... see 20 page research paper from hell. haha

wish me luck!  It's getting insane.

In my Senior Seminar class....

We've been discussing education. Absolutely not related to what our class IS about, but still an interesting topic that I care about.

Class today really got me thinking. WTF is wrong with us (Americans) that we put so LITTLE value on education? I mean really... teachers teach for a test ( the majority, there are some who do care). That is all they do. So long as the students pass the test, they don't give two sh*ts about what else the student gets from the class.

People always ask what I plan on doing with my History degree... let's get this straight... I have 0 plans of going into education below the college level. Why you ask? Because I refuse to teach for a test. REFUSE. I think we are dumbing ourselves down. It's pathetic. I'll never, ever, ever teach in a public school... it would be a waste of my time and the students.

I have a lot more to say on that topic... but most of it isn't probably fit for the internet, and most won't find it interesting anyway.

All I can say is that I am seriously worried about the future of America. We have essentially doomed ourselves to be a nation of uneducated and lazy individuals.

Anyway... enough of a rant for today... back to working on my Senior paper :D

**OK... so I need to make an addition to what I said earlier.

It is not just some teachers that are the problem. the root of the problem stems from the government mandating tests, and equating doing well with money. Which means all school districts force teachers to teach to the tests.

The next problem is that there has been little public outcry about this issue. So essentially, parents lack of interest in DOING something about the education system going to sh*t is a big problem.  Until we, as a nation, decide that we are doing our future a disservice by allowing this to continue there will be 0 chance of improvement.

Our public education system is in desperate need of some help...

47 days left....

Until the wedding. Holy shiiiiit. Sorry. Just had to get that out there. It's insane that it is this close.

No, I'm not crazy stressed out about the wedding (whatever is going to happen, will be)... however if I get another "you're getting married BEFORE you graduate college?!?!" paired with a weird/dirty look, I'm going to scream. No, I didn't plan on getting married 6 months before I graduate. I planned on getting married a month before. Unfortunately not everything works out the way we plan it... So I will be graduating in May, and YES I am still getting married in November.

No, I haven't lost my mind. Yes, Nick and I do know what we are doing. We know that it's just how things are going to be for a little while. I know people who have dealt with much more adverse conditions than we will be, so I don't see it as that big of a deal. We'll adjust.

I am crazy-jam-packed with school, Arabic Club, and just trying to have some semblance of a life. But I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Speaking of school. time for me to get back to studying!

~Brittany

Finally... An Update

I can't even remember the last time I logged into this.

Life has been crazy busy since I've gotten back to the states, and it's only getting crazier.

The Wedding is less than 2 months away, I am in my next to last semester at A&M, Arabic Club is up and running (full tilt I might add).

Life is hectic, and I've been meaning to update, but I've got to run.

I'll try to post more later!
Brittany

4 hours until my flight takes off

It is unreal how fast the past 3 months have gone.  I can't believe that my time here in Abu Dhabi is up. I feel like there is so much more I could & should have done.

I'm really going to miss it here, and going back to school is really going to suck after this. I have met some really awesome people, and some really crappy people. I have experienced a whole new way of life. I am going to miss a lot of things about being over here.

Don't get me wrong, I am really excited to get home and see everyone! I just am having mixed feelings about leaving and not knowing if I am ever coming back...

I'm also really nervous about these flights, which is unusual, because I usually don't have a problem flying. 

Anyway. Time to stop moping around and double check to make sure i don't leave anything behind!  I am so looking forward to seeing everyone! :D


Love y'all! And I will post/email/text/FB when I make it home!

9 Days and 13 1/2 hours Left!

(If you're in the US It's 10 days and 11 hours until I'm home!)

So the more I see pictures from this summer, the more I am ready to be home.  I feel like I've missed SO much, and been so out of touch with everyone.  Which I have. And I feel really, really bad about that.

But being 9 hours ahead of Texas makes it really hard to talk to anyone who isn't a night owl, or making myself into a night owl to get a chance to chat.  I'm usually saying Goodnight as everyone is getting up and around, and saying Good morning as everyone is going to bed.

I've really enjoyed my time in the UAE, but I am ready to be home and be with everyone again. for 3 weeks that is, until school re-takes over my life!

Countdowns to important things coming up:
10 days until I fly out
10 days until I'm home
11 days until I see Harry Potter!
16 days until Bridal Portraits with the amazing Matt Hogan
17 days until Nick graduates
22 days until Vegas
and 27/28 days until I am back at CCS!

12 Days Left!!!

I only have 12 days left here in the UAE, I cannot believe how fast the time has gone. Unfortunately I've been pretty sick for the last few days :(

This weekend was started off by a trip to Dubai (I was feeling ok at this point) and ended with me spending all of Friday & Saturday in bed.

I am really starting to look forward to being at home.

Things I am looking forward to (In no particular order):
1. a real shower
2. bathtubs
3. the ability to straighten my hair again (I don't even remember what my hair looks like straight anymore!)
4. Seeing my family
5. Seeing Nick
6. Seeing my friends!
7. Seeing my AWESOME bosses/coworkers at CCS
8. Swimming with the girls
9. Getting to drink without spending 20 bucks a drink (It ain't cheap here in the UAE! ;) lol)
10. Finishing up wedding plans
11. Sleeping in my own bed
12. seeing my animals
13. being able to actually TALK to people!
14. starting my last semester of undergrad (Hopefully!)

Random list, I know. But hey, what's a girl to do when she's finished all her work but has to sit in the office anyway? haha

If you're bored check out notalwaysright.com for funny customer service related stories.

Love!
Brittany

Pictures from Fujairah

Update:

I can't believe my time here in the UAE is almost up! I fly out August 5th at 1 am, so I have a little over 2 weeks left! I love it here, but I am ready to go home and eat real food! haha

My job is great, but I do miss CCS a lot, and I'm ready to get back there too!

Fujairah/Oman

Well I finally have something to update about!

I went to Fujairah (the emirate, not the town) this weekend with my friend Julie.  It was nice to be off base and to relax (and to use a shower that doesn't feel like a coffin!)

Here is a map of the UAE (I live north of Abu Dhabi and south of Dubai)

We ended up staying in Dibba (which is in the Fujairah Emirate) at the Hotel Jal (Now Radisson Blue, story to follow) which was great the first night and a nightmare the second night.

Just getting to the hotel was an adventure in and of itself. The hotel had changed names the DAY we were arriving, and they had blacked out all the signs that point you to it. We drove for an hour and a half to find the place, and finally had to call.  Only to find out they had no signs/name change and we had passed the place no less than 4 times.

The upside is that the hotel was awesome, and right on the beach with 3-4 pools you could swim in.

Thursday night was mostly just hanging out and taking pictures of the place and eating dinner. We were exhausted from the 4 1/2 hour drive.

Friday we intended to go into Fujairah (the City) to hang out/shop/sight see.  We ended up going to Julie's friend Sara's (pronounced Saarra) house.  Which was really nice, and a lot of fun.  Sara is a local, and her home was beautiful.

After visiting Sara we went back to the hotel and had a few drinks while sitting out near the water. Ultimate relaxation for me!

Then it was swim time and we met some Syrian ex-pats that were really curious about us. lol

When they tried to guess my age they said 14/15, and kept asking if I was lying about my age. haha.  Then they proceeded to tell me how lucky I am and Masha Allah (God has willed it) This man obviously does NOT know my luck! lol

After dinner we realized our AC wasn't working (about 10:30 pm) by 11:30 we had to go to the front to ask to be moved to a different room, because it was WAY too hot to stay in that one. After a ton of trouble and finally getting moved, they comped us a meal and helped us get moved.

Sunday morning was more beach/tanning for me, and we left the hotel to go cross the border into Oman to renew my UAE visa.  That was scarrrrry. UAE is much more welcoming to Americans, the Omani's were not really having it. But, 200 dirham and an hour later we were back in the UAE and on our way back to base!

More pictures will be on my Facebook page! Blogger isn't digging uploading pics right now :(

Love!
Brittany

I know I know...

It's been almost 2 weeks since my last post.

But things have really calmed down since getting on base, and the most exciting thing that has happened at work lately is the A/C going out. Which is just about the worse thing that can happen in the office. LOL.

That means that the last 2 days at work have been pretty much nonexistant. Go in at 8 am, get sent home by 9 because it's already 90 degrees in the office.  So we've been working from our rooms.

I've made several trips into Abu Dhabi lately, and tomorrow I am going to get up early (6) to go fishing with Julie and Kenny.  Then I am going to Dubai with some of the other people to go to Johnny Carinos and visit another mall. There are malls EVERYWHERE here. It's crazy.

I've been trying to workout. but I'm not a big fan. haha

Also, the wedding stuff is coming along. Mainly due to the fact that Mom, Nick, Katie and Tatum have been on top of things for me lately. Which I super appreciate!
*Side note* never plan a wedding from 10,000 miles away. it sucks. and is pretty difficult.

Anyway, I will try to be better about posting!

Love,
Brittany

6/12/11

Long time, no blog!

Life on base is pretty, normal, I guess you'd say.  I've already got a routine going and that is really helping me to finally adjust to the time difference.

I'm really looking forward to this next week, because I will be helping to train/show my boss what it is I do with the system we work with and I get to make a tutorial video/flow chart/manual for them!

I've been working out the past week (go me!) and I've lost somewhere around 7-8 pounds since I've been in country! It could be the food though... haha

Hopefully I'll have a better update later this week!

Love!
Brittany

6/6/11

So now is the time for some whining. Planning a wedding from 10,000 miles away is not easy, at all.

My schedule is 9 hours ahead of everyone at home, and making contact with anyone through email is a 24 hour process. I send an email at a decent time here, it gets there at 3 am, by the time someone answers I'm already in bed and asleep.

Thank goodness for Katie, Tatum, and Nick who have been outrageously helpful with everything!

Other than that, my first two days of work have been pretty uneventful, other than the system I'm supposed to be working in is down. 

I have met some really nice people around here though.  Saeed is a friend of one of the ladies I work with here, and he has already offered to take help me with my arabic (which is badly needed!).  Everyone is really friendly, which has made being here easier.

Today starts day 1 of working out, so I'm looking forward to that! (gotta get skinny/fit for the wedding! haha)

Love,
Brittany

Dubai Weekend

This past weekend Debbie and I went to Dubai to see the Burj Khalifa and to sit on the beach for awhile.

The Dubai Mall is connected to the Burj, so we stopped by the aquarium in the Mall before heading over to get our tickets for the Burj.

 

We went up to the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa at around 9:30 pm, so we got a full view of the city at night, which was gorgeous.  

We spent some of Saturday morning on the beach, which was absolutely beautiful and peaceful :D

to see more pictures go to my facebook page and check out my new album "My Summer in the UAE"

Love!
Brittany

6/2/2011

I have officially been in Abu Dhabi for 3 weeks, and we moved on base yesterday. Hallelujah!

So far everything has been great, and I'm glad to finally be able to work, I've been relatively bored lately.

Tomorrow I am going to Dubai, where I will be spending my time on the beach, hopefully going to the Burj Khalifa, shopping, and just having some fun :)

I'll give another update w/ pictures next time!

Love,
Brittany

5/29/2011

Howdy!

The last few days have been relatively uneventful.  I did go to a softball tournament that some of the instructors played in on Friday, and that was a lot of fun.  I've been asked to play several times (they don't know how uncoordinated/dangerous that would be for me, lol).

Saturday we went to Abu Dhabi and the Marina Mall and had lunch, got nails done, and shopped at Carrefour.  Thank god they had some breakfast stuff there, because I've been dying with the breakfast here at the Tulip.

Today was the same-old same-old. No update on when we will be moving on base, which is sad. I'd like to actually get the chance to meet and talk to all of the staff here for more than 5 seconds.

Anyway, I'll update later :)

Brittany

5/26/2011

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days.  We've been to the base several times, and met everyone who we will be working with.

So far, so good with that.

The reason I haven't posted is because I have been sick the past two days, which has been a real adventure.  In 24 hours, I've consumed less than 200 calories. So right now I'm just trying to stay on top of staying hydrated and resting as much as possible.

I know it isn't much of an update, but thats all that has really happened in the last few days.

5/23/2011

I'm starting to lose track of how many days I've been here. Fabulous. lol

Today we FINALLY got to go on base and see Camp Sweihan with our own eyes.  It was much better than I thought it would be.  Our office is small, but at least it's nice and cool inside. I found out what room will be mine, and got to see what I will need for it.  Tomorrow and Wednesday we go again.

We also went back to Ikea again, which was fun. Driving around here has gotten way easier!

I finally had to give in and go across the bridge to Al Rahba again to get food. Dinner at the Tulip was just not cutting it tonight. So a snickers ice cream bar, small bag of lays, and a few skittles later, I'm full enough to be able to sleep tonight!

More tomorrow!

Shukran
Brittany

Days 9 & 10

The last two days have been pretty uneventful, I haven't felt great so I've really just hung around in my room and watched movies.

We did venture towards the base and Shahama today, which was ok. I drove back from Shahama and I think I'm really starting to get the hang of driving here.  Drive too fast, cut people off, take turns too quickly, use your horn too much, and thats just your average driver. lol. There are some that are much more intense than that.

We are currently working on plans of when we want to go to Dubai to see the Burj Khalifa and the Emirates Mall.  I also am in desperate need of finding a cheap digital camera, because I'm a genius and didn't bring mine :/

More to come later!

Thanks!
Brittany