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Hello All,
Wow…well I know I say it every month that the time has been flying, but this month it has really flown!! I think it is going even quicker now that I’m working! We are both quite swamped at work, especially Mark, yet still enjoying what we are doing.
We have kept ourself busy outside of work as well. At the beginning of the month we attended Cirque du Soleil – Alegria, which was in a massive temporary tent at our local mall. It was a very impressive show and tantalizing act that has been travelling around the world! (http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/CirqueDuSoleil/en/showstickets/alegria/Tickets/dubai.htm see this site).
A few of mark’s friends from work have either been made redundant or are moving to other countries, so we have partaken in a few leaving-do’s….one involved an all you can eat and drink champagne brunch at the Shangri La hotel. We had a fab time, so decided to head out with the group of 25 to another brunch, drinks only, directly after the first one. This was a bad decision, we were in a taxi on our way home within 25 minutes of the second brunch. This was also the day mark’s phone ended up in the wash – so if you haven’t sent through your phone/mobile numbers to us, please do, for all mark’s digits were lost! Another couple, with whom we were friends with, are moving back to the states. L We were introduced by them to this lovely very Authentic Mexican Restaurant – so we had a nice leaving do meal with them there.
Neither of us have had a bank account here in Dubai for the 6 months that we’ve been here, but we have finally been able to obtain all the documents necessary. Mark no longer gets paid in cash, and I have had my first pay check into our account, which was very exciting!!!
Another very important thing we’ve been waiting for, for ages, is our Alcohol License!!! We finally were issued the card. It allows us to spend up to 1000 dirhams a month on booze – which is about $275 or 185 pounds. We haven’t had to use it yet, for upon receiving the license they gave us a free crate of beer. Plus we have drove to the next emirate over Umm Al Quwain, to buy booze at a place that doesn’t require a license – and it is much cheaper! So we stocked up and have a full bar of drinks – take your pick.
Since we have been here 6 months now, Mark is now off probation at his work. This means, if they do decide to lay him off (make him redundant), then he will get at least 2 months notice. So this allows us to be a bit more relaxed about the situation, for before his probation was up, he could have been laid off one day and that’s that.
We have been doing quite a bit of car research over the past month, and finally found one we loved! We purchased a used Land Rover-Range Rover from a fellow expat who is leaving dubai. I’m sure some of you have seen some pics on facebook, and we’ll put some more on soon! It is called “The Beast” – and as for now we are rotating weekly who gets to drive it to work! We’ll see how long that rota lasts. Hehe
Pepsi, sponsored this Autism awareness campaign in Dubai and a go-karting event was held for all the sponsors. Because the event was very last minute no one from my office was able to partake in the go-karting, so both mark and I did. I was a bit hesitant at first, but once I got driving I loved it! Of course mark loved it as well (for it’s one of his favorite sports) and it is defo something we will be continuing to partake in the future.
Later this week we have visitors, Mum & Sarah are coming for a week! So we have been making plans for their holiday in the heat!! Which we are very eager for!! Speaking of the heat – it is pretty much here! It’s been about 100 or hotter for just about a week now – so the summer heat is coming!!! Kind of scares me!
Marky and I have booked our flights to Cali – we will be flying direct to SFO on July 17-August 5 – so very excited about that as well! J
I think that is it in regards to our life to date….now we wanna hear about yours…..send us what you have been up to, we’d love to hear it!
All our love,
Mark & Erin
Xxxx
