Thursday Thirteen #24
By Grace on Dec 27, 2007 in Thursday Thirteen
Thanks to Samulli for the T13 banner
13 EVENTS THAT HAPPENED IN 2007 (Part One)
1. I bade goodbye to my life in Japan. After more than 10 years there, half to study and half spent working, getting married and having kid, I said sayonara to my second home.
2. My family and I relocated in Dubai. I accepted the job offer and got on the plane with my trailing spouse and daughter who will be fully dependent on me. That was probably the bravest thing I did.
3. I started to work for the new company right only a couple of hours after we landed!
4. I started to blog about our desert life, all because I had nothing else to do in my first few weeks at work. I did not even have a PC for three weeks! I had to write posts with pen and paper and later transfer them.
5. We transferred to our own flat after spending two months in the company guesthouse where we are not allowed to cook (we ate out) and there was no washing machine (we washed by hand). Most of our things are left in Japan so we had a very barren home.
6. Our daughter is enrolled in school here (British curriculum) when she was not equipped with the English language. I worried much but that did not last long, now she is fully conversant with the language, even adding Arabic to her conversations! She is in KG1 class since September (was just a listener at the same class last March-June).
7. My mother came to Dubai to stay with us. She had some terrible experiences with the immigration section at the home country. She is still here now taking care of P after school.
8. Dubai’s skyscraper, Burj Dubai becomes the world’s tallest building.
9. The first palm island is completed and residents move to their homes in Palm Jumeirah.
10. Justin Timberlake performed in the UAE for the first time; not that I was there, just sayin’. (and on a different date, Shakira did some hip shaking performance, too)
11. Cyclone Gonu visits the UAE and the neighboring gulf countries.
12. The construction of the Dubai Metro is in full swing. They are giving a really optimistic completion date on March 2008 so everywhere you could see diversion roads, closed roads and a helluva traffic.
13. It rained again in November. The first was in March.
Wow, your life sounds soooo interesting! So different from my life in Indiana, USA. Cool!
Miss Sniz | Dec 26, 2007 | Reply
Your year sounds like the sort of chaos I’m expecting in 2008 although we won’t be moving countries. Happy TT.
pussreboots | Dec 27, 2007 | Reply
Thanks for the congrats! I am really, SUPER excited to have won the Wii!
Sarah’s last blog post..Little Laureate: A review and GIVEAWAY
Sarah | Dec 27, 2007 | Reply
as you know, I admire how brave you are. I am really impressed by how you’ve taken on this challenge and thrived. Hurray!!
Happy TT!
On a Limb with Claudia’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen - People who inspired in 2007
On a Limb with Claudia | Dec 27, 2007 | Reply
What a scary but, in the end, a great year for you. To an even better one in 2008!
Candy’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen # 10
Candy | Dec 27, 2007 | Reply
Happy TT!
Come see me, too!
Sassyfrazz
You have gone through many changes! You have been busy! God’s blessings to you and your family~
Sarah’s last blog post..Little Laureate: A review and GIVEAWAY
Sarah | Dec 27, 2007 | Reply
What a year of changes. Someday I really want to see Palm Jumeirah.
Robin’s last blog post..TT - Crazy January Holidays
Robin | Dec 27, 2007 | Reply
Japan to Dubai, what a change that must have been, but you seem to be handling it in stride. I’m so glad the kidling is doing well. You are ALL so brave.
Happy TT
http://moondancerdrake.livejournal.com
Moondancer Drake | Dec 27, 2007 | Reply
Your 2007 is eventful!
Finish everything by March 2008? Can’t wait for your pictures of Dubai!
shiera’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen #7
shiera | Dec 27, 2007 | Reply
Good luck to you! I can’t wait to see pics!
~Maria
http://www.jubileeonearth.com
Maria | Dec 27, 2007 | Reply
Great list… sounds like you have experienced quite the year! Hope 2008 is as eventful!!!
Em’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen edition 4
Em | Dec 27, 2007 | Reply
Wow! That’s an amazing year! I’m not sure whether to wish you an equally eventful 2008 or a calmer one…
cjmr | Dec 27, 2007 | Reply
Lots of things going on for u in 2007..
Have a great year in 2008..
Wolfie’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen #10
Wolfie | Dec 27, 2007 | Reply
I can’t even begin to imagine going on such an adventure! I’ve read so many amazing things about Dubai, it must really be something.
funkeys’s last blog post..Video Demonstration of U.B. Funkeys
funkeys | Dec 27, 2007 | Reply
Wow, talk about brave! What an incredible year you’ve had! Here’s to 2008…
Joely’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen (TT#50)
Joely | Dec 27, 2007 | Reply
You ARE brave to have done that so easily! Wow! I’m freaking out about this trip (we leave in a few hours) and about The Tour Manager’s imminent business trips to Israel.
I’ll talk to you when I get back; have a great week!!!
Susan Helene Gottfried’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen #60 — Blackout!
Susan Helene Gottfried | Dec 27, 2007 | Reply
How much do you miss Japan?
Thanks for visiting
Janet’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen #100!!!
Janet | Dec 28, 2007 | Reply
you are brave and adventurous. i am jealous that you lived in japan for ten years.
jehara’s last blog post..#14
jehara | Dec 28, 2007 | Reply
Wow, those are some pretty major life changes. Glad you are happy with them.
Michelle O.’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen # 2
Michelle O. | Dec 28, 2007 | Reply
Sorry I’m late stopping by this week.
What an eventful year! I’m hoping 2008 will be even better for you!
Darla’s last blog post..TT #80
Darla | Dec 30, 2007 | Reply
Wow, what a year! I admire you…
Thanks for visiting my resolutions TT!
Tink’s last blog post..2007: a year in review
Tink | Dec 31, 2007 | Reply