Family Time!!

We finally got to go to Abu Dhabi this weekend to stay with Heather and Cory.  I can't believe we haven't seen them since we got back from summer vacation!  To live so close and not visit more often is NOT acceptable!!  (Of course, now that they have a bed for us to sleep in.....just might make those visits more frequent--ha-ha!!)

We left straight from school on Thursday (12:30.....ah......love it!), so we got there pretty early.  I had an appointment for a haircut and highlights--no more Al Ain hair misfortunes for me!!  Then we headed to El Sombrero for some delish Mexican food!  As usual with the Hendrens and Peisels, there is no get-together complete without some drama.  We got rear-ended on the way home in a 3-car pile-up.  Some nutcases behind us decided to rush through the red light even though we were stopped on the other side and there was no place to go!  We heard the screeching breaks....and then....crunch!  Fortunately, the Peisel's car was only mildly scratched, so we left the scene of the accident.  The car behind us wasn't as fortunate.  Their rear-end was crunched up!  This just reinforced for Kim and me how much we desperately don't want to drive in Abu Dhabi traffic.  Heather and Cory are much better at it--I guess from the years of living in Richmond and Atlanta.

The next day, Friday, was BEACH day for Heather and me!  I've really missed sitting in a beach chair and just reading.  As much sun as I live in, my skin is white as it can be, or at least it was before Friday.  The water was comfortably chilly and, helped along by some frozen Yogurt and fresh chopped fruit, heat was not a problem.  My chair and umbrella was just what I had looked forward to all week.

Ahhhhh....the life!

Kim and Cory took Blue out to a different beach, where we may plan to do some day-long trips later this year.  They said it was perfect for setting up the chairs and grill for a beach cookout and swim.  They also saw dolphins there, so definitely something else to look forward to!

They checked out a few other sights, including the circular Aldar building we watched being built on a TV special.  Here is a picture of Kim and Blue in front of the building.

We also checked out the Central Market Souk--a place we had seen being built on a TV show before we came over here.  Heather and I had looked for it last fall when we got here, but nobody knew what we were talking about.  It was quite nice and had a lovely roof-top garden that we would like to go back to one night.

Outside of the souk--It's all wood and has gorgeous craftsmanship!

Up on the roof

One of the many skyscrapers being built in Abu Dhabi

Rooftop Gardens

That night we ate at the Meat Company--a steak, baked potato, and salad.  I haven't had that since I was home this summer.  We had a great view looking out at the Grand Mosque over the water, with a beautiful sunset.

Beautiful sunset.....beautiful couple!!

On Saturday, I got to hit a couple of stationery stores for some vital classroom supplies before we had to head home.

When I went back to school today, I told my carpool that I was hoping this would be the week that I would have a co-teacher for all 5 days.  So far this year, that hasn't happened.  Then, at morning assembly, guess what.....no co-teacher.  When I asked if she had called in sick, they said no, she had training and should have told me last week that she would be out.  Ha-ha!!  As if......     So, my record continues.....

Random pic from school:

Acting out the number "40" to celebrate the 40-year anniversary of the UAE