Moving to Dubai Part 2

Well, I wrote the blog entry a couple of months ago about moving to Dubai, but just got around to posting it.  Knowing it wasn't perfect I hesitated. So yes, I am still moving and I will start my new job on August 14th.

Today I am torn up about all the violence going on in the US and around the world and my powerlessness to do much about it. I can spout my opinions on Facebook, although seriously, I know it doesn't do much good.

Anyway, there was a local incident last week that hit close to home for me. An Emirati man was arrested and held by the police in Avon, Ohio:

Ohio Incident is a Moment for Reflection

Avon is where my father spent the last few years of his life in the home of Carmen and Daniel Ivan, loving caregivers who immigrated from Romania to Northern Ohio where both my brothers live, not more than 15 minutes from the Fairfield Inn where this incident took place.

Dad watching TV at Carmen and Daniel Ivan's 

Yes, it was all a terrible misunderstanding and the police offered an apology. Because of the hotel clerk's unfamiliarity with the traditional dress of the UAE, she flipped out and assumed he must be involved with ISIS and called the police. They rushed in and threw him to the ground, even though he didn't pose any immediate threat. It was a huge mistake and thank God, it got sorted out. But it could have gone another way. 

On all sides, after it was over, people called for moderation, understanding, tolerance and even forgiveness, which did some good in restoring the dignity of the Emirati who was in the Cleveland area for treatment of a heart condition. The police in Avon had the decency to be embarrassed and to recognize their mistake right away, offering a formal apology.

Violence did not break out.

Living in Abu Dhabi as I have been for the last several years, I have come to be very familiar with the local dress and comfortable with the peaceful and overwhelmingly gracious Muslim neighbors I have gotten to know. The only time I feel in danger here is when I get behind the wheel of my car and venture out, as the driving is notoriously treacherous, although the government is making efforts to crack down on reckless drivers who exceed the speed limit.

My point in writing all this is to marvel a little bit at the way my worlds are colliding right now. I might be just as frightened by a man in a white kandura as the clerk at the Fairfield Inn, if I had never left northern Ohio, and if all I knew of the Middle East was the media representation of ISIS and footage of bombings and war in other parts of this region. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to get to know this part of the world, as the UAE truly is a safe and tolerant place to live.  

The fear of otherness is real and natural, and maybe more at cause in violence than fundamental racism. It's all in our perception of who and what is a threat. 

Unfortunately the terrorists use this to their advantage. And also unfortunately,  there are some police who don't seem to know restraint in a situation they mistakenly perceive to be dangerous.   And of course, most unfortunately, there is a politician in the US right now who incites fear of otherness for his own selfish ends, to garner support for his particular brand of xenophobia and egotistical need for power and applause. I find that most dangerous because we are so in need of peacemakers right now, but peace doesn't necessarily have the same toxic appeal as the contact high that comes from completely undisciplined expressions of  aggression. And then there is the aftermath of grief and shock when violence explodes and nobody knows quite how to stop it from happening again... ad infinitum.

So this so called politician, this poser who says he wants to be president, is coming to my hometown in a couple of weeks. Cleveland is ready, but I wish the Republicans could have found a more worthy candidate to present. I'll be watching the trainwreck from afar! The truth is I can't tear myself away.

My hometown

At any rate, I hate offending people with my opinions, so if I have offended anyone who took the trouble to read this, please know that it is all just my opinion, and truly my fervent wish is that we all grow in understanding, love and tolerance for one another.  America is already great, but that would make it even greater! 

In the meantime, wish me well in this upcoming move, which I think is going to be quite a new chapter to my adventure over here in the UAE, my home away from home that I have come to love in spite of myself.

My friend, Ami and I checking out the Souq at Dubai Creek

  

Moving to Dubai Inshallah

Burj Khalifa, Dubai

In August I'll be moving to Dubai to take a new job at an International School there. Both sad to be leaving Abu Dhabi, and excited by this new opportunity. Even though it is only about an hour and a half up the road, I know my life is going to change a lot.

Why do I say, "Inshallah?" Because I have learned never to count on anything definitively over here, and that if it is "God's Will" it will happen, and if it doesn't happen, it wasn't God's Will.

Most likely, it is going to happen, although sometimes I still get the urge to run from the UAE. Sometimes I just want to go home! For good. But then the opportunities open up over here, and I can't resist seeing where it will lead. If I had known how difficult it would be at times, living here, would I have come over in the first place?

I'll never know the answer to that question, as I got the initial teaching job in May 2011, and haven't looked back. Abu Dhabi has been so good to me, in so many ways, and I finally know my way around pretty well. Mostly I am going to miss seeing my friends on a weekly basis and our Saturday night meditation. I won't be that far away so hopefully I can come back and forth some weekends. And I hope I have a bit of space in my new apartment for visitors!

Abu Dhabi Party People

A special note to any of my friends/family in the USA who may read this post... please know that your support is more appreciated and needed than ever. It is my connection to you that makes me strong enough to make this change and to continue this journey. If I don't always know how to express this, I am saying it now! I love you all!

So anyway, change, bring it on!







Not Knowing

"If I keep a green bough in my heart the singing bird will come."
- Chinese proverb

Yellow bird that lives on the patio of my apartment building. 

Not Knowing

Sometimes you have to leave

what you think you know

behind.

No one ever really wants to do this.

Knowing things

thinking we know things

can be very comforting.

All day, soul whispers

what I need to know.

I don't hear her

until I lay aside

cherished beliefs and assumptions

until I dare to be with the not-knowing.

And then. . . .

Well, that's the risky part, isn't it?

There is no telling

what living an ensouled life

might ask of us.

~Oriah"Mountain Dreamer" House (c) 2016

10 Great Things About My Mother

Captain Brian's Seafood, Sarasota, Florida

10 Great Things about my Mother:

Steadfastly refuses to use Social Media, I can respect that!

Always willing to talk, whenever I call.

Shares her practical wisdom which is correct most every time!

Has always supported me in all my wild adventures.

Everybody who knows my mom tells me how much they love my Mom!

She spent her life for her children and

Then she took pains to make a life of her own when we were all grown up.

She shows me how to share unconditional love in her relationship with Bobby.

She never forgets any of our goofy family inside jokes and traditions.

She can be really tough if she needs to be!

But she is quick to forgive.

She lives near the beach now and is fun to go to the movies with!

She brought me to my first 12 step meeting when I was 16; even though I wasn’t ready
at the time, it planted the seed.

She took really good care of Trixie for me this fall and winter, which wasn’t easy for her…

And she gathers up all my mail in the US and saves it for when I come home!

(Okay, that was 15, but of course I could go on and on…)

Love you Mom!

Mom, Mandy, Me, Lisa

With Aunt Tina, Summer 2014

Bobby and Mom at Bradenton Beach

Oh Christmas!

Christmas Tree at the Emirates Palace

This is not the Christmas of my dreams,

but if I don't try to make it that,
I have so much to be grateful for...
my friends in Abu Dhabi who are present...
my faithful and funny dog,
Rose's homemade pumpkin pie today
and Karen's hospitality...
moving in with Liz tomorrow, for a little while.

Yet, leaving my apartment makes me
tired as hell and
not being settled gets me down.
Can't decide if this timing is a classic case of self-sabotage
or "life on life's terms."
Not a good time to try to figure it out.

Taking Anne Lamott's sage advice this year!
Not making any major decisions until Christmas
is over...
and I am going to drag it out as long as I can!

Since I worked today
it didn't feel much like Christmas,
although people here are kind and
make a point of acknowledging the day
even if they don't celebrate themselves.

I love Christmas
but I never seem to handle it very well.

Not wanting material things
but can't seem to let go of what I have
very easily.
Clinging causes suffering, I know.
Gave a few things away to my neighbors tonight
and hopefully will give away some more...

forgiving myself for my tight grip
and sending out as much love as I can.

Merry Christmas!

 



A Rumi Poem

 

It’s rigged — everything, in your favor.
So there is nothing to worry about.

Is there some position you want,
some office, some acclaim, some award, some con, some lover,
maybe two, maybe three, maybe four — all at once,

maybe a relationship
with
God?

I know there is a gold mine in you, when you find it
the wonderment of the earth’s gifts
you will lay aside
as naturally as does
a child a
doll.

But, dear, how sweet you look to me kissing the unreal:
comfort, fulfill yourself,
in any way possible — do that until
you ache, until you ache,

then come to me
again.

Dancing in Dubai

Gabrielle Roth

 

 

Flowing, staccato, chaos, lyrical, stillness.  These are the 5rhythms of life according to the movement meditation developed by Gabrielle Roth.  She died two years ago today, just a few days before my father died. 

 

One of the best things that has happened to me since moving to the Middle East has been being reintroduced to this dance practice, which I totally took for granted when I was living in the U.S.A. (as I took so many things for granted!)  I feel a deep sense of regret that I never danced with Gabrielle in person, although it would not have been that difficult for me to do if I had realized the preciousness.  I used to drive up to Bethesda on Friday nights to dance with the tribe there, when I wasn't too tired from being with elementary students all week.  I wasn't that committed to it, although I loved it when I went. It was just one of the many things that I did. But once I moved to Abu Dhabi, I felt the urgency of finding a way to connect with people who had an instinct and interest for exploring their "inner landscape." Hence, it was quite a revelation to me when I found out they were dancing 5rhythms in Dubai.  Going there to dance with and get to know a group of dancers from far and wide has been a great healing balm for my tendency to live in my head over here and not move my body enough.  It has helped me process so many conflicting feelings that get stuck and don't want to move.  In some ways, I would say it has literally saved my life!

 

The rhythm is gonna get you!

 

So, not only did Gabrielle develop this amazing, life giving practice, she was an amazing writer too.  The quote that keeps sticking in my brain right now is a question she asked,  "Do you have the discipline to be a free spirit?" 

 

Confronted by my own lethargy and apparent lack of self-discipline lately, I am trying to remember the sense of freedom and possibility that accompanied my initial decision to move to Abu Dhabi and take a teaching position here.  In my own defense, I have had strange physical ailments that prevent me from feeling energized.  And the temperature has just started to go into the bearable range in the evenings with an almost imperceptible hint of coolness to it. But still, at least some of it is "in my head."

 

How fortunate I am to actually have the luxury of trying to create the rest of my life from here.  But so often if feels completely overwhelming to me! 

                  Chaos!   (Keith Harding)                      

 

I think I could just lighten up about the whole thing. The future is going to take care of itself, no matter how much I worry or don't worry about it.  And the whole point of this practice is to help us stay grounded in the present.  When I can do that I have a real sense that all is well and I don't have to keep telling myself that.

 

Besides, did I mention that the dancing is fun?  It's really fun as well as being a great work out!

 

There is another workshop coming up in December with Silvija Tomcyk and her husband, Thierry Francois.  They are an unstoppable team so it should be beyond compare.

 

In the meantime, I am immensely grateful to Lina Nahas and all the teachers I have met so far in Dubai.  It has made my time here in the UAE so much more pleassurable and has given me the connection and sense of belonging to something greater that I was craving.

 

Thank you!                                             



 

 

 Dubai is lyrical and dreamlike!