Welcome to the Ultimate Blog Party!
Posted in blog carnivals and tagged with blogging, ultimate blog party on 03/07/2008 05:01 am by Grace** This is a featured post and will remain on top until 14th March. Please scroll down for newer entries.**
Oh, hi there! I’m sure you are still jet-lagged from the long haul (bloggy) travel. In case you don’t want to enlarge the image below, it says, Welcome to Dubai!
If you came from the Northern Hemisphere and had to bout some cold winter spells until now, don’t hate me if I tell you that at this time of the year, Dubai has the best weather in the mid 70’s F- - blue skies, no rain and not cold or hot!
~ the sky looks like this 330 days of the year on the average! ~
So, before I turn into the tourism bureau, I’ll introduce myself, especially to those who are new to this blog:
My name is Grace. I lived in Japan, not in the chaotic city of Tokyo but in the countryside for more than 10 years before relocating to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (yes, the Middle East but this city is unique) with my family last year. We’ve been to Dubai for a little bit over a year now and has discovered so much of this wonderful, sometimes strange, at times peculiar sometimes fantastic city. Like every relocation, after the honeymoon stage and people asking me why Dubai, I had second thoughts about staying here longer but made some paradigm shifts and now happy that we have stayed. It is so worth it, we are much happier and we have a glorious beach within our reach!
I’ve been keeping this blog to update friends and family of our desert life. I started out at wordpress.com and decided to be a big girl and got my own domain last September 2007. So far, I’m happy with my own little place in the blogosphere. I’ve met many wonderful people through blogging and I’m sure I will meet more interesting people and blogs through this party that’s why I joined. I’d love to visit blogs and won’t tire of blog hopping!
When I’m not blogging, I am working full-time for six days a week for the construction industry, in the elevator field. No,I don’t install them, I just coordinate with the office in Japan using the language I learned and love when I was there. There’s no need to speak Arabic here in the UAE because English is widely spoken. That’s really good news to me because I don’t know if I can accommodate another foreign language in my head!
When I am away from work and the computer, I am a mom to a 4 year old girl. However, I think you can’t call this blog a mommy blog as I rarely write about being a mom here. I keep a separate blog for that. You can go check out my parenting diary, I have hosted a party there as well!
~ My daughter P. This was taken March 9, 2007- which means we are beach ready this weekend! ~
Thanks for dropping by and if you are intrigued by this place called Dubai, desert life and life as an expat mom in the Middle East, I hope I will see you again here in Sandier Pastures. Oh and while you’re here, feel free to look around and try the Arabic coffee and some dates!
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March 7th, 2008 at 11:27 am
welcome to the party!!
March 7th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Hi! Lovely party! What an exciting life…Japan and now Dubai!
I’m participating in The Ultimate Blog Party, too!
Please join me here:http://thechocolistas.blogspot.com/2008/03/ultimate-blog-party-2008.html
and here:
http://comfortjoydesigns.blogspot.com/2008/03/ultimate-blog-party-2008.html
Deborah’s last blog post..The Ultimate Blog Party 2008!
March 7th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
I’d love to come visit (actually I’d love to go anywhere warm right about now). Feel free to stop by my party if you are in the mood for some snow.
March 7th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Hey, I have the same template but mine’s all tweaked:) Great party….have fun at the other blogs!!
Lori’s last blog post..It’s My Party and I’ll Dance if I Want To
March 7th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
I’m thinking jet lag be hanged, I’m ready for something above - 40 degrees (yes fahrenheit!) Great party, feel free to come say hi at my place. Have a happy time partying : )
Erin’s last blog post..By: Lori
March 7th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
This visit was fun and I didn’t have to get on a plane with my 4 year old! She loved looking at some of your pictures…. we will stop by again soon to learn more!
Natalie’s last blog post..Welcome to My Party!
March 7th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
WOW! You live in an interesting place, have an interesting job, and a darling little girl!
Many blessings to you and hope you can stop by my party.
March 7th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Woohoo! So happy to see you in the mix…always nice when there’s a familiar face in the crowd at a party
Party on!
bleeding espresso’s last blog post..welcome to the ultimate blog party!
March 7th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Nice to meet you. Love the pictures. Stop by for a visit!
March 7th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Hi Just popping in from the blog party! Wow I hadn’t even had my red ruby slippers on for this trip! Nice to see someone from so far away joining us! Great blog, I’ll have to brouse around.
Debz’s last blog post..Welcome! Come on in and pull up a seat!
March 7th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Love the weather here, I think I might stay at your party all day!
It is 5 degrees today where I come from!
Crazy Daisy’s last blog post..It’s party time!
March 7th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Oh hey, we’ve met before! I’d forgotten, until I saw the ‘Welcome to Dubai’ pix. I’m still so sorry I couldn’t include you in my prize giveaway.
It was good to read a little bit more about you. I love ‘meeting’ people from far away lands that I will likely only ever dream of visiting. Great party!!
ValleyGirl’s last blog post..have disco ball, will party!
March 8th, 2008 at 12:46 am
hi Grace,
Yep we have bumped in to each other. Hard to forget someone from Dubai! Thanks for your party and thank you I will have a date or two. I love to eat them with a walnut stuffed inside! Enjoy the partying…
ellen b’s last blog post..The Ultimate Blog Party ~ March 7th - 14th
March 8th, 2008 at 2:24 am
Hi Grace
Thanks for visiting us over in the Dubai of the Western World
I loved your post on “Shifting Paradigms” as it reminded me of trying to learn to live here. I have added you to my reader so I will be back. I wonder what took you to Dubai?
Bahama Mama’s last blog post..Uncase the colours, unfurl the flag…..
March 8th, 2008 at 2:56 am
I could use some sunshine and beach!!!! I’m from Sunny So Cal and miss it terribly!!!! So nice to meet you at both of your blogs :0)
Beloved Mama’s last blog post..The Ultimate Blog Party, Easter Traditions!
March 8th, 2008 at 3:01 am
I would love to visit Dubai!
March 8th, 2008 at 3:35 am
Oh, what I wouldn’t give to see that glorious blue sky! We’re getting snow . . . again. Sounds like you lead an exciting life! Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope to have you again!
Lis Garrett’s last blog post..Welcome to Woolgatherings
March 8th, 2008 at 7:43 am
What an interesting place to live!
Hope you’re enjoying the party as much as I am. Looking forward to reading more of your blog.
kristen’s last blog post..It’s A Party!!
March 8th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Hi Bahama Mama,
To answer your question what took me to Dubai - - I got a job offer while I was working in Japan. Before that, I never knew about Dubai except that it’s in the Middle East and the words “Middle East” don’t sound too enticing. So, the company offered me tickets and hotel accommodation for my interview - I thought, what the heck, if it’s free, I’m all for it!
When I came to Dubai on 2006, I realized that people had too much misconceptions about this unique city and when I got accepted for the job (totally unexpected - as I never aimed to nail the interview), my husband was so excited. He said I got a chance to live in a different country when I came to Japan as a student when I was 19 so he wants to experience living outside his comfort zone too. This was the perfect chance…and also, we wanted our daughter to learn and speak English while she is young and you can’t do that in Japan.
Thanks for visiting!
March 8th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Your “baby girl” is beautiful! Ciao from one expat to another. Come vist me in Italy this week (although our weather isn’t nearly as nice as yours)!
Cherrye’s last blog post..My Blog Wants to
March 8th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Hi from N Ireland, and lovely to “meet” you.
Enjoy the party
I plan to come back and check out your blog another day.
JanMary, N Ireland’s last blog post..The Ultimate Blog Party - and what is all this about Digital Scrapbooking?
March 8th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Hi Grace! It was great to read more about you! Your work sounds interesting, no really! *grin* And your little girl, my goodness, what a sweetheart. Love those curls!!
I don’t think I knew about your parenting diary blog so I’m off to check it out.
Hope you’re having fun at the party and it was good to see you again! *wave*
March 9th, 2008 at 12:01 am
Hi,
What a lovely intro. I used to live in California, but recently moved to New Mexico. Lately, I’ve been missing the beach.
It was nice to hear how you’re enjoying it!
Enjoy the party!!
Sher :)’s last blog post..January Giveaway!!!
March 9th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Wow! How does your girl adapts to the new environment? ’cause I see you’re doing a great job from this relocation! (I would too if I were to live by the beach 24/7
). It must be great to know how it’s like actually living in the four corners of the world!
kpriss’s last blog post..How About Some Vintage?
March 10th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Hi Grace!
Looks like you’re doing well. I’m glad you get to go visit Japan soon, too. Are you nervous? I have to admit that I am a bit nervous about going back to Canada. I’m scared that seeing all the familiar things will make me homesick, even though I love NZ! I guess we’ll wait and see.
Great to hear from you on my blog. Sorry I haven’t been around much….I’ve been busy with work, life, kids, etc….. and facebook!
take care! I’m off to check out your ‘mom’ blog!
Cheryl
March 10th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
I can see that you and your family are really having a great time over there. I particularly love the pictures of your daughter and the clear blue sky, it’s been a while since I saw such last.
March 11th, 2008 at 2:06 am
Thanks for the coffee and dates; just what I needed for my afternoon slump. Enjoy the party. I wonder, does the future hold instant space travel ala Star Trek style?
If so, I’d buzz right over.
Jennifer in OR’s last blog post..Sneaking permission to get on the blanket
March 11th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Wow - the difference a year makes…I remember you from last year’s blog party! Looks like the last year has been a good one for you! Blessings!
Beth/Mom2TwoVikings’s last blog post..Pass The Torch Tuesday
March 12th, 2008 at 1:58 am
I came for the ‘party’ and now that I’m here … methinks I’ve visited before once or twice, but it’s nice to learn a bit more about you and your life. Your little girl is a QT and looks very happy. Feel free to stop by the ‘party’ at Small Reflections after work for some freshly squeezed lemonade and snacks.
Hugs and blessings,
storyteller’s last blog post..The Ultimate Blog Party!
March 12th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Wow! I had so much fun at your party. I love reading your blog and I’m so happy to learn more about your new country. Come on over to my blog party and have a cupcake.
Cathi’s last blog post..It’s The Ultimate Blog Party
March 13th, 2008 at 4:35 am
I can hardly wait to come back to visit and learn more about the culture you’re living in now.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:54 am
I enjoyed meeting you. The sky is gorgeous there! You’re invited to my blog. http://forgetfulone.blogspot.com/2008/03/lets-party.html
forgetfulone’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen-Cartoons
March 13th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
I just loved your first welcome picture. Thanks for having us and I look forward to stopping by more often
Jen @ One Moms World’s last blog post..Jen Is Joining the Ultimate Blog Party
March 13th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Oh sure, you don’t want us goofs here in the Northern Hemishpere jealous over your warm weather.
Have fun in the party!
Terri H’s last blog post..Green Tissue Paper, That’s All I Ask For
March 14th, 2008 at 7:50 am
Nice to meet you! I’m late for your party, but I found my way here via Jennifer at Diary of 1.
Thought I’d say “Hi.”
Drop by my place when you get a chance. There’s lots of leftover cyber fruit for munching.
Blessings, e-Mom @ Chrysalis
e-Mom’s last blog post..Humor: Was Jesus Jewish?
March 15th, 2008 at 1:50 am
Yum, I can just smell the coffee now! What a wonderful site! Come visit if you get a chance!
Butterbean’s last blog post..Baby Mine
March 15th, 2008 at 5:10 am
Wow! Dubai! Can’t wait to come back and read more about your experience. I’m adding you to my blog roll so I can visit after I finally stop Blog Party hopping.
Stop by and say hello!
smtwngrl’s last blog post..Random Thoughts for Friday
March 26th, 2008 at 11:17 am
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March 28th, 2008 at 5:52 am
What a beautiful site… your daughter looks quite ready for the beach! We were just at the beach ourselves in Corolla NC… but it was FREEZING!!!
Katherine’s last blog post..What you DIDN’T know about your baby’s car seat!
March 20th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
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