1. Q: Does Aaron have to grow a beard since we now live in the middle east?
A: No! We don't know why people are asking that! Not many men have beards over here because it is so hot. It made us laugh though how many people actually asked him that!!
2. Q: Do I have to cover my hair or wear an abaya?
A: Nope...I can dress the way I usually do as long as I'm not wearing anything that could be considered offensive to the more conservative culture out here. Basically, I make sure my shoulders are covered and I don't wear any short skirts or short shorts. I can wear a bikini by the pool at our apartment or at the beach.
3. Q: Do we have to convert to Islam?
A: Nope
4. Q: Are we scared to live in Dubai?
A: Of course not! If we were scared to live here, we wouldn't have moved here! Dubai is very westernized and we feel very safe here. That being said, we take the same precautions we took living in Chicago to make sure we don't put ourselves in potentially dangerous situations (being alone outside late at night, etc.).
5. Q: I know Aaron loves his beer. Can he drink in Dubai?
A: If Aaron couldn't get his hands on alcohol, I think that would have been a deal breaker in deciding whether or not to make the big move! ;) Aaron just applied for a liquor license, and he is allowed to buy up to $400 worth of alcohol per month! There are a few discreet places in Dubai where he will be able to buy his adult beverages. Dubai does allow the sale of alcohol in restaurants/bars within hotels, however, if the restaurant is not within a hotel they serve mocktails, not cocktails. When we first arrived in Dubai, Aaron stocked up on alcohol at the duty-free store. He was happy that he was allowed double the amount per person because the lady ringing him up let him buy the amount that I was allocated as well. His friend and co-worker, Jon, recently came back from a stateside trip and bought Aaron enough alcohol to sustain him until his liquor license kicks in!
(Aaron, with my brothers, enjoying a pina colada in Walt Disney World).
6. Q: Lauren, are you working right now?
A: Nope. We actually moved before I was able to take my nursing exam to become a registered nurse. I had sent in my application to take the exam at the end of November but was never approved to take the test. When I called to find out why, the registration center told me they had never received my official transcript from DePaul. I then called DePaul who claimed they sent it. Well, by that time we were just about to get ready to move so I wouldn't have been able to take the test.
On top of all this, I had a somewhat rough first trimester and when I wasn't extremely nauseous, I was comatose so I'm not sure if I would have even made it through the test! Aaron and I are hoping to travel back to the states in April and if we do, I am going to try to take the test then.
I was hoping to work as a nurse part-time before the baby is born but I was told I will not get hired in Dubai right now since I am pregnant. After the baby is born, I plan to start working hopefully as a labor and delivery nurse!
7. Q: Is your baby going to have dual-citizenship?
A: Unfortunately, no. The baby could only be considered an Emirati if the father of the baby is an Emirati (in the UAE, if the mother is an Emirati and the father is of a different nationality, the baby is not given Emirati citizenship). Our baby will be considered an "American born abroad".
8. Q: What is your due date?
A: As of right now, the baby's due date is August 10th.
9. Q: Are you coming home for Thanksgiving or Christmas?
A: Thanksgiving is not going to happen but we are thinking about trying to come home for Christmas. It will depend on how we feel and also what type of baby we have. We are not going to get our hopes up, but if it works out that would be great! A bunch of my pregnant expat friends here in Dubai have mentioned flying when the baby is 6 weeks old but I just don't think Aaron and I would be able to handle that! If we do make it home around Christmastime, we will make sure to visit our family in both CT and MN/WI.
10. Q: Lauren- what do you do during the day?
A: I do lots of things!! Everyday changes a bit for me. Somedays I'll study for 5-6 hours for my boards and then maybe go out to one of the malls or just sit back and surf the web. I usually have about 5-15 emails a day from friends and family so sometimes before I know it I'll have spent a few hours just catching up with everyone! Since we've been here for about 5 weeks I have finally met some people and now my social life is starting to pick up!
For a while I was searching for jobs but I haven't heard much back yet. When we first moved out here, I had a nursing job lined up but in November I was contacted by the company who told me they were currently having a hiring freeze due to the state of the international economy. Even Dubai is feeling the pinch! As of right now, I can't really apply for much since I'm not licensed.
I am part of a group called "Mums and Bumps" that meets once a week at coffee shop. The group is all pregnant Aussies and Brits (I'm the only American that I know of!) who are living as expats in Dubai. The group also has some new moms. We sit and chat for a few hours over tea and I have learned so much great information about giving birth in Dubai. It's also a lot of fun to just hang out with other pregnant women because they know exactly what I am going through! I am the least furthest along...most of the women are either in the high 20 week to 30 week range. I'm glad I joined. I also joined a book club and my first meeting is on March 10th.
I have made a few friends here in Dubai as well! My friend Suzanne (whose husband is Jon, Aaron's coworkers) just came back from Dubai after going home to Chicago for a month to visit family. Aaron and I also have signed up on an online Dubai expat forum where events are organized for people who are just looking to make some friends! I've met one girl from the UK from that site, and it's been a lot of fun!
I've been to the beach a few times and sometimes I just do a lot of shopping!!! I love sitting out by the pool and just relaxing. I've felt my energy level pick up a bit in the past few weeks which has been nice and made me feel like getting out and about more often.
Overall, life out here has been great. Aaron and I feel very lucky that he got this opportunity through his company. Although I was a little bummed that I wasn't able to start working as soon as I got out here, I figure that everything happens for a reason and when I'm meant to find a job I will! I workout anywhere between 4-6 days per week. I email my mom a ton, I read a lot and of course I blog! :)
11. Q: Can I/we come visit you?
A: Of course!! Anyone is welcomed to visit us. When else are you going to have an excuse to go to Dubai? ;)
12. Q: What happened to your kitties, Mia and Clara? Are you going to get any pets in Dubai?
A: My mom has adopted them for the next few years. (Thanks Mom!) She loves Mia so much though that she said she will only give me Clara back! I don't want to break her heart, so it looks like we are only taking back Clara when we move back to the US. We are not going to get any pets while we are here although I do miss having cats!
13. Q: Was your mom thrilled to find out you were pregnant?
A: Yes she is estatic and can't wait to be a grandma!! She's coming out to visit me in June and then coming out right after I have the baby to help out me and Aaron!
14. Q: What does UAE stand for?
A: The UAE is the United Arab Emirates. Dubai is an emirate within the UAE. An emirate is a lot like a state within the USA. There are seven emirates within the UAE. They are Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al- Quwain.
Q: Where exactly is Dubai located in the world?
A: Dubai is located in the middle east next to Saudi Arabia and Oman. In the picture below, Saudi Arabia is the big pale yellow country towards the left. The little orange one on the right of it is the UAE. Oman is the green one. If this picture is too small and you still want to know where Dubai is, then google it! :)
That's all the questions I can think of for now but I'm sure I will add more later! ;)
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