Awkward

So I have this problem with middle eastern men's names. The problem is that many men share the same name. Often when I get a call it will come up showing a man's name, of which I may have four or five listed, or, if the number shows up unlisted, after the man says his name it may take several minutes for me to figure out which person of that first name is talking. There is no voicemail service on the cell phones so one tends to answer when the phone rings.

I just got a call that said it was coming from someone with our project director's name. So I answered but by the time I could find my phone in my purse and push the answer button it was a hang up. So I called back. I thought his voice sounded different. Then there was this very awkward pause and attempts at a conversation. It took me a while to realize that the call was from this guy I met in a Dubai bar last fall. That night last fall he was all keen to swap numbers and get together but later in the night as we had had more drinks and he found out how old my son was he lost interest. I had been flattered by the attention but not all that interested in the guy so was good to let it just fade away.

I realized that the call to me this afternoon was probably a misdial. I was awkward. He was more so. I need to revise my phone listings. I need to give this guy a last name like "Dubainewsproducer" and my Director the last name "Boss" or something. It was so awkward: like being in Jr. High and calling a boy on a dare and then trying to make an interesting conversation if heavenforbid he answers the phone. A-W-K-W-A-R-D!

More of My World

A few scenes from my world...and some fun with the camera...

Taking Melissa to the airport tonight (happy for her...boo hoo for me) there were some lights from housing at the edge of the desert. So I took some shots. It was dark out there with just the lights on the edge. So the lense stayed open a long time.


The effect was king of cool.

The Grand Mosque was on the way. I am going to have to make a special trip some evening to try to get some pictures of it at night. It is so much grander than this picture. I had to do this from the moving car. The composition sucks but one can get the idea of what a great photo opportunity this is for the future.

Red light. Green light.

Fruit salad at breakfast.

The rest of breakfast.

Almost looks like home, doesn't it? PQ's near my building sometimes feels like home. And there is a Starbucks right next door. But the cafe au lait is better here.

I skipped the brunch and went right to dinner. Rosemary Garlic Chicken. And then I missed Melinda's cooking back home.

Armadillo roof at Masdar City. This is the library on campus.

Another trip to Masdar City to share with visitors.

This is what happens when someone gets hold of my camera.

The gals I work with. Really lovely ladies.

The team minus four. Will grow by three this week.

These two are going to pull off miracles for me in the next few weeks. Five deliverables due all at once. May the force be with us.

Revolving Door

Tonight after work we send off a team member who is returning home to England. He won't be back. At least that's the current plan. Tomorrow morning another team member leaves for England for ten days and then returns. The next morning my flatmate takes off for a two week visit to the states. Later that same day three new folks arrive to join the team, two from the UK, one from elsewhere in the UAE. Our company President returned to the states yesterday after a one week stay. Another co-worker is finishing up week two of a four week assignment and then returns to the home office in the States.

This is normal.
This is exhausting.

I am going home for a visit in June. Woohooo!!