Currency Exchange Rate in Our Favor

One of the aspects of living in the UAE that we have had to adjust to is the different currency. The local currency in the UAE is called the Dirham and one dollar is equal to 3.66 Dirhams.

Shelley and I find ourselves trying to convince or dissuade each other of purchases by rounding up to 4 or down to 3 - whatever supports our case. Lucky, our tech-savvy daughter is usually standing by with her calculator app ready to give us the exact conversion.

Good parents would probably use the opportunity of living in a country with a different currency to teach their children some hands-on math skills. However, Shelley and I have intentionally not explained the differences in exchange rates to Colin.

It has been to our advantage when we go into a store and he sees something that he wants. He will pick up the item, look at the sticker and realize that it is at least 3.66 times more expensive than in the U.S. He will turn to us with a look of disgust and complain that everything in Dubai is expensive. Shamefully, we agree with him as he sets the item back on the shelf.

Another way that the currency exchange rate has played in our favor is with the allowance that the kids get for doing their chores. Shelley and I are still using the same chore chart and with the same numbers on it that we used in the U.S. The only difference is that we are now paying them in Dirhams. So far, only Gaby has realized that they are getting short changed and that the numbers on the chart need to be updated. 

Challenges of Relocating

I’ve concluded that arriving to a new overseas assignment with the State Department is much like going through the Army’s boot camp.  You are initially stripped of all your belongings (except two suitcases and a carry one).  You are only given the bare minimum needed to survive (a welcome kit).  You get the run around by all sorts of installers, repairmen, and GSO service providers who are apathetic to the struggles you are facing.  It sometimes appears that they have colluded and are enjoying putting you through the painful initiation process as they say things such as, “we need you to fill out all eight forms again,” or “the previous tenants did just fine without a door handle on their front door.”  For the first few days, adjusting is difficult and you continually ask yourself, “is this job worth all this trouble.”

Within a few days, you begin to experience small victories.  You venture outside the empty, echoing house to visit the nearby grocery store.  It takes a while to figure out the labels on the strange products, understand people’s accents, and make sense of the funny-looking money in your pocket, but in the end, your fridge is stocked.  Then, you get a cell phone that makes you feel less vulnerable and more in control.  Afterwards, you find a Wi-Fi hot spot and e-mail your family to let them know you are alive and arrived at your destination. Each day that follows brings a few more minor accomplishments such as getting a log-on at work, making a friend, and learning who is helpful and who is unhelpful at work. 

After a couple more days, you start to see more signs of normalcy.  The kids have their first play date.  Everyone’s comfort items arrive; for me, it was my guitar. The first sign that you have passed through the worst is when your son goes a day without saying, “I want to go back home.”  

Before hanging up the “Mission Accomplished” banner across your new home, you wait for the kids to get in school and for your shipment of belongings to arrive.  However, you feel a sense of progress and competence when a new arrival walks into work and asks, “How do I turn on the water heater at home?"   

10 Reasons I Love Being an American

I am grateful that my job allows me to travel to different countries and be in contact with people from other cultures.  While I am overseas, I am often placed in situations where I have to explain U.S. culture, traditions, or politics to foreigners.  Oftentimes, these people point out our shortcomings - which, granted, there are many.  However, I believe that the U.S. is a blessed country and has a bright future.  Below are a few reasons (in no particular order) that I am proud to be an American.

1 - Our presidents and representatives have given up power peacefully after loosing elections.  

2 - Americans are not guaranteed or confined to the social or economic class they are born into.    

3 - Our ancestors fought wars, made sacrifices, and built a well-organized infrastructure that we benefit from.  

4 - Americans can travel and live in any of the 50 states they choose.  

5 - When stopped by a police officer, Americans are not afraid of being robbed or extorted.

6 - The media we consume, our clothing, and our religion are not determined by our government.  

7 -  Education, talent, and hard work are rewarded.  

8 -  Americans can request a government or company service without having to pay a bribe.

9 -  Americans can question authority or express their opinions without going to jail or disappearing. 

10 - The brightest and most entrepreneurial foreigners are eager to come to America.

"The Show" by Gaby

Gaby auditioned for a solo in the middle school choir performance.  She and one other 6th grader were selected.  For her musical number, she chose to sing "The Show" by Lenka.  Despite the nerves, she did an outstanding job - we are very proud of her.

Coming Up For Air

I have not updated this blog in several weeks since I have been deep into my language training.  Every spare second I have I am flipping through flash cards, reading the news & blogs in Persian, or preparing for class.  I am feeling a lot of pressure to get the score I need for my job (before mid July).  

Several times a week and every Saturday, Shelley and I spend a good part of our day taxiing kids back and forth to practices and games.  Gaby is playing softball.  Andrew is playing baseball.  And Colin is playing soccer.  They are each making visible progress on a weekly basis.

I still bring my flash cards to practices and games, but I have to ensure I am looking up when our kids are up to bat or making a play.

Spring Cleaning

This weekend we did a lot of spring cleaning. I dusted off the yard equipment, mowed the lawn, weeded, and laid down mulch. Shelley led the charge in deep cleaning the house. Afterwards, I gave the boys haircuts.

Colin's hair has been Shelley's pride and joy for the last six months. Admittedly, Colin gets many compliments for his long, naturally-curly hair when he's in public. However, to get his hair to cooperate, it take a lot of water and gel. I might not have been totally honest with Shelley when I told her I would only give Colin a little trim around the ears.

"It's a Hard Knock Life"

This weekend Gaby participated in her middle school's performance of Annie. She played one of the orphans. She did a great job and thoroughly enjoyed being on stage.