Dubai Update 03/11

The Week in Review:

WORK - This week was a struggle...I felt that my patience was being tested to the max. I have never expected this transition to be easy, but this week was tough. Im not sure why but on Sunday at the start of the work week, many things seemed to be going badly, and I had a minor anxiety attack - and subsequently, my first cry. It wasnt any one thing in particular, but I had my first doubts about the move and my new life in Dubai.  This feeling didnt last too long, but the rest of the week was not great great. I was making good efforts but nothing was clicking...as you can imagine, it is tough to work in an industry that depends 100% on someone else's decision - no matter how well you do your job, how much they like you, or how much they know they need something in place - its a matter of yes or no. Additionally, savings plans and investments are not an easy sell either : unlike going shopping at the mall where you immediately get the pleasure of the purchase, this is getting people to put aside money for a future date that is intangible w no immediate reward...it is a tougher concept for people to grasp, especially after the economic crisis. But, looking back on my week though - it wasnt as bad as it seemed ... but isnt that always the case. On a plus side, Jason & I signed up another client, this week was a pay day week, and our team of coordinators won the week's incentive so we have won an amount of money to all go out & have a good time :)

NETWORKING: Sunday evening Jason and I were invited to a networking event out at the Jebel Ali Resort and Spa. There were not too many people in attendance; however, we both won fabulous prizes for just dropping our business cards. I got a lovely brunch for 2 on a boat cruise & Jason got a family beach pass. The resort was beautiful, even had peacocks roaming around the grounds, so it was nice to explore a new area, and have a mini getaway. Wednesday evening, we went to the Canadian Business Council newcomers to Dubai event at the Wafi complex, which has an Egyptian theme. It was a great opportunity to meet other Canadians here in Dubai - and to branch out. Apparently there are about 25,000 Canadians in the UAE, and slowly but surely I am starting to meet more - or I am meeting people with ties in Canada.

GOLF: On Thursday evening, I played 9 holes of night golf on the Faldo course at the Emirates Golf Club with a work colleague Bradley. Considering I hadnt played since September, and I didnt have my own clubs, I was very pleased with the outcome - I shot a 50. I even pared the first hole which was a Par 5 :) This was the same place where just a few weeks ago the pros were playing for the Omega Dessert Golf Classic - so it was a great way to finish the week. Night golf is quite interesting - its easy to lose the ball in the flood lights, but its awesome to be playing under the stars, with a fresh breeze. We even saw a little fox!

BRUNCH: On a Monday Night Quiz at the Yacht Club, Jason, Jef, Mike and I participated as CANLAND (Canada & England seeing as Mike & I are Canadian and Jason and Jef are British). Our team came in third place so we got 2 free passes for the Yacht Clubs Friday afternoon brunch.  However, the table next to us also won 2 free passes and well, they kindly gave me theirs.  So CANLAND had a free brunch for all 4 members - now, we normally consider Brunch to be a Sunday morning/lunch event, but here a brunch is a Friday afternoon/evening event whereby there is a buffet and drinks, and as you can imagine, excess is necessary.  So this Friday we met at 1 pm and ate & drank until 3:30 pm and continued the party well into the evening...We ended up at an outside club called 360 which is surrounded by the ocean, and has great music. The food & drinks were delicious, the company was fantastic, and it was a great way to spend the day (even though I am slightly hung over today Saturday hahaha)

APARTMENT: I am now on an apartment hunt! I have found a nice studio for about the price I am paying now - so I think living on my own will be best...The apartment in debate is in a nice building, just a few buildings away from mine now. It has a great pool, bright gym, new furniture, a view of the ocean and the dessert, close to the metro, groceries just around the corner and a 5 minute walk to the beach. While my apartment now is nice & spacious, and Im not at home too often, there are some disadvantages that are simply annoying - random people just walk in without knocking, the front door doesnt have a lock, the landlord is unreliable, some of the other roomates are just plain weird, the pool is drained, and so forth. More on this to follow...

xox <3 xox