I feel living here that I am always balancing on a painted line. If I stray from the line, I might find adventure or I might find trouble. It can be hard to tell how to go. Thank goodness for 'higher' guidance.
First, yes a bit on rheumatoid arthritis. Yesterday, Munchkin #2 achieved a massive sports victory. She was competing with other girls from this country and one of our neighboring countries. It was a big competition. She came home with three medals. The last part of the competition, she had to wear wrist braces to physically hold her wrists up to what they needed to do. I know it hurt. But, she did it anyway. I'm not proud of her for the medals, but I am proud of her for sticking with something she loves when others have told her she'd probably have to give it up some day. Well, it isn't some day yet. You go, Girlfriend!
I found this news item that speaks to this:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/californian-jeffrey-gottfurcht-person-rheumatoid-arthritis-conquer-everest/story?id=13948597 Great story. I also liked the videos along the left side on RA. Very few people in this region know and understand this disease - especially in kids.
Part of walking the line here is trying to figure out how to dress - especially if you are a woman. Now, coming from 'the West' I do have times I am frustrated by this. There is this idea that if a woman doesn't cover up than a man might think or do something bad and/or do something bad to that woman and thus it's the woman's fault. A very foreign concept to me.
So, when we moved out here I was very worried about how I dressed. What was appropriate? How much should I cover? (Obviously, I don't live in Saudi). I must admit, I still travel with a scarf in my car when I leave my usual city. Not as a religious statement, but I have that scarf handy to cover my hair just so I don't look so unlike everyone else in case I have car trouble or something.
I found this article on CNN:
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/24/world/meast/uae-dress-code/index.html?hpt=hp_mid
I think this issue of women's dress is particularly acute in the UAE. How does a modern country balance the influx of expat workers (particularly the plane-loads of suddenly unemployed women/spouses with loads of money to spend in fancy shops), and European tourists with a conservative culture? It must be intensely tricky. Having spent time in Dubai, I'd also like to throw in that pic #6 was taken at Dubai Mall.
As just an extra bit, I loved the following post. The pictures are amazing. No other commentary other than a great little read:
http://susiesbigadventure.blogspot.com/2012/05/old-church-in-jeddah.html
Living in any country that is not 'your own' is always going to be an adventure in how to behave, how not to behave and knowing how to just walk the line.
Peace.
First, yes a bit on rheumatoid arthritis. Yesterday, Munchkin #2 achieved a massive sports victory. She was competing with other girls from this country and one of our neighboring countries. It was a big competition. She came home with three medals. The last part of the competition, she had to wear wrist braces to physically hold her wrists up to what they needed to do. I know it hurt. But, she did it anyway. I'm not proud of her for the medals, but I am proud of her for sticking with something she loves when others have told her she'd probably have to give it up some day. Well, it isn't some day yet. You go, Girlfriend!
I found this news item that speaks to this:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/californian-jeffrey-gottfurcht-person-rheumatoid-arthritis-conquer-everest/story?id=13948597 Great story. I also liked the videos along the left side on RA. Very few people in this region know and understand this disease - especially in kids.
Part of walking the line here is trying to figure out how to dress - especially if you are a woman. Now, coming from 'the West' I do have times I am frustrated by this. There is this idea that if a woman doesn't cover up than a man might think or do something bad and/or do something bad to that woman and thus it's the woman's fault. A very foreign concept to me.
So, when we moved out here I was very worried about how I dressed. What was appropriate? How much should I cover? (Obviously, I don't live in Saudi). I must admit, I still travel with a scarf in my car when I leave my usual city. Not as a religious statement, but I have that scarf handy to cover my hair just so I don't look so unlike everyone else in case I have car trouble or something.
I found this article on CNN:
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/24/world/meast/uae-dress-code/index.html?hpt=hp_mid
I think this issue of women's dress is particularly acute in the UAE. How does a modern country balance the influx of expat workers (particularly the plane-loads of suddenly unemployed women/spouses with loads of money to spend in fancy shops), and European tourists with a conservative culture? It must be intensely tricky. Having spent time in Dubai, I'd also like to throw in that pic #6 was taken at Dubai Mall.
As just an extra bit, I loved the following post. The pictures are amazing. No other commentary other than a great little read:
http://susiesbigadventure.blogspot.com/2012/05/old-church-in-jeddah.html
Living in any country that is not 'your own' is always going to be an adventure in how to behave, how not to behave and knowing how to just walk the line.
Peace.
