Hi Penella,
So nice to hear from you. Hope your move went well and you're adjusting to the new climate. Minka is doing just great. Actually surprisingly well! We were so concerned that the transition would be difficult for her - new owners, home and a cat with an attitude as a roommate. I think the biggest adjustment was for our cat. There were a few mexican stand-offs for the 1st couple of days, but now they're buddies. There has been no problem what-so-ever with the transition. I think she feels very comfortable here. We are still getting to know each other, likes and dislikes. Since we live very close to Southland dog park, she's there on a daily basis. We have even run into a few people that knew her. We thought we'd try putting her on a raw food diet since our last boxer did so well on it. Happy to say that she loves it. I've never seen a dog get so excited at meal time. She's so full of life, it's nice to see. You also weren't kidding about the snoring. Wow! The first couple of nights we put her blanket at the foot of the bed and let her sleep there. But, between her and Al, the snoring was so loud that, both nights, I had to move to another bedroom on a different level of the house. I think her and Al will have to sleep in a room of their own. So now, at bedtime, we've moved her just outside our bedroom door to a nook in the hallway. It's warm and cozy so I think she likes it. I think the real test will be when I go back to work next week and she'll be alone when Al's at work. I'll let you know how that goes. We planned to take her to the Canmore dog park last weekend (best dog park in the world, I'm sure), but unfortunately we woke up to 4" of snow Sat. morning, so we'll have to put it off for awhile. She's going to love it there. Can't wait to take her.
Anyway, all is good in Minka's little world. I'll send you some pics from Canmore when we go.
Take care
Al and Jeanette
Monday, March 31, 2008
Never a dull moment
I was dead tired last night so after a really nice chat with my Sweetie, I managed a good night's sleep and this morning I got up feeling great.
On the way to the office, the taxi I was in was rear ended. Luckily just a little "nudge", no damage. After a short exchange of words between the drivers, we were on our way.
The office I now work in is one of the big triangular skyscrapers called Emirates Towers. There are 4 sets of elevators that service different floors. Three sets of elevators are accessed through a common lobby which is accessed through security gates controlled by a swipe card. The other set of elevators have their own lobby and security gates.
I arrived at the building in one piece, got my latte and proceeded through the security gates and to my good fortune, the elevator came right away and I hopped on. Unfortunately, it was going to the 10th through 20th floors and I am on the third floor. I immediately hopped off. In looking around, no elevators in the vicinity were going to the 3rd floor ... huh?! My only option was to go to reception and ask what gives.
I approached the security gate to leave the lobby area but when I swiped my card to get out, it opened the wrong gates. No problem I think to myself, I'll just go around and out that gate. Wrong! Gates close. No problem, I think to myself, I'll just swipe again. Wrong!! When the system thinks that you have already left the area, it will not open the gates a second time. Basically I was trapped!
Lucky for me, there was another lady who was having the same problem but her friend had managed to get out. The friend went to security who then opened another gate and freed us poor captives. I was then directed to the correct elevator that goes to my floor and all was well.
I get to my desk, log onto my computer, read a couple of emails and then *** POOF! *** the power goes out to the whole office! I really try not to be an alarmist but in the back of my mind, I'm thinkin' terrorist attacks! But it was nothing of the sort. Merely a powersurge from DEWA (the government owned/operated utility company) and apparently this happens several times a year. Eventually it came back on and the day continued.
The rest of the day was uneventful.
And just so no one gets worried, this is one of the safest places to be with respect to terrorism. Muslim extremist organizations are not inclined to target Muslim countries.
On the way to the office, the taxi I was in was rear ended. Luckily just a little "nudge", no damage. After a short exchange of words between the drivers, we were on our way.
The office I now work in is one of the big triangular skyscrapers called Emirates Towers. There are 4 sets of elevators that service different floors. Three sets of elevators are accessed through a common lobby which is accessed through security gates controlled by a swipe card. The other set of elevators have their own lobby and security gates.
I arrived at the building in one piece, got my latte and proceeded through the security gates and to my good fortune, the elevator came right away and I hopped on. Unfortunately, it was going to the 10th through 20th floors and I am on the third floor. I immediately hopped off. In looking around, no elevators in the vicinity were going to the 3rd floor ... huh?! My only option was to go to reception and ask what gives.
I approached the security gate to leave the lobby area but when I swiped my card to get out, it opened the wrong gates. No problem I think to myself, I'll just go around and out that gate. Wrong! Gates close. No problem, I think to myself, I'll just swipe again. Wrong!! When the system thinks that you have already left the area, it will not open the gates a second time. Basically I was trapped!
Lucky for me, there was another lady who was having the same problem but her friend had managed to get out. The friend went to security who then opened another gate and freed us poor captives. I was then directed to the correct elevator that goes to my floor and all was well.
I get to my desk, log onto my computer, read a couple of emails and then *** POOF! *** the power goes out to the whole office! I really try not to be an alarmist but in the back of my mind, I'm thinkin' terrorist attacks! But it was nothing of the sort. Merely a powersurge from DEWA (the government owned/operated utility company) and apparently this happens several times a year. Eventually it came back on and the day continued.
The rest of the day was uneventful.
And just so no one gets worried, this is one of the safest places to be with respect to terrorism. Muslim extremist organizations are not inclined to target Muslim countries.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
First impressions:
I've been in Dubai for 3 whole days now:
- Traffic is scary! Aggressive. Fast. Dodgy. If ya got a few inches to wedge your way into a space between yourself and the next guy, that’s plenty of room!
- Head’s up as a pedestrian! That stop sign on that street corner is merely a suggestion.
- For all the traffic day and night, the air is clean and fresh! When ya look out over the horizon there is a bit of a sandy haze but it doesn’t seem to be smog as you would see in other big cities.
- People are very friendly and helpful and accommodating. It is safe to walk around at all hours. Some men may stare but so far all have been respectful.
- Some people (women and men) are dressed surprisingly skimpy! Then you have the Muslim women in the long black covers head to toe. And there's everything in between. I'm not worried I will offend by the way I dress.
- Hot! And humid. And it’s not even the hot season yet!
- The Muslim call to prayer is broadcast via loudspeaker 5 times a day starting at 5 in the morning - a most reliable alarm clock! I think there’s a rooster somewhere in the neighbourhood too.
- Language does not seem to be a problem. Everything is translated into English and most everyone speaks it although some accents are a bit questionable.
- The Architecture and the building industry is every bit as crazy as I expected.
- Traffic is scary! Aggressive. Fast. Dodgy. If ya got a few inches to wedge your way into a space between yourself and the next guy, that’s plenty of room!
- Head’s up as a pedestrian! That stop sign on that street corner is merely a suggestion.
- For all the traffic day and night, the air is clean and fresh! When ya look out over the horizon there is a bit of a sandy haze but it doesn’t seem to be smog as you would see in other big cities.
- People are very friendly and helpful and accommodating. It is safe to walk around at all hours. Some men may stare but so far all have been respectful.
- Some people (women and men) are dressed surprisingly skimpy! Then you have the Muslim women in the long black covers head to toe. And there's everything in between. I'm not worried I will offend by the way I dress.
- Hot! And humid. And it’s not even the hot season yet!
- The Muslim call to prayer is broadcast via loudspeaker 5 times a day starting at 5 in the morning - a most reliable alarm clock! I think there’s a rooster somewhere in the neighbourhood too.
- Language does not seem to be a problem. Everything is translated into English and most everyone speaks it although some accents are a bit questionable.
- The Architecture and the building industry is every bit as crazy as I expected.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Touchdown in Dubai
Well, I'm here! Arrived in Dubai at 5:30 this morning (about 7:30p.m. Thursday evening for all you Albertans - about 10 hours ahead.) I was upgraded to quasi-first-class for the flight from Calgary to London which was pretty sweet! British Airways was fantastic!
I have another day off tomorrow (Saturday) and then I start my new job on Sunday -- work week here is Sunday to Thursday since Friday is the Muslim holy day.
I just have to post a BIG thank-you to everybody who helped me over the last few weeks. Reg did a TON of work at my house to help me get my renos finished. My Mom worked tirelessly helping me pack and load (or perhaps shove and cram is a better description!) all my worldly possessions into my little trailer and drove it back to Medicine Hat. Petula: Thanks again for saving my bacon from my big brain-fart (more on that another time). And to everyone who made my last days in Canada so special, it really meant a lot to me. Miss you all already!
I will write more again and add some pictures when I get my laptop charged and connected.
Later,
Pen
I have another day off tomorrow (Saturday) and then I start my new job on Sunday -- work week here is Sunday to Thursday since Friday is the Muslim holy day.
I just have to post a BIG thank-you to everybody who helped me over the last few weeks. Reg did a TON of work at my house to help me get my renos finished. My Mom worked tirelessly helping me pack and load (or perhaps shove and cram is a better description!) all my worldly possessions into my little trailer and drove it back to Medicine Hat. Petula: Thanks again for saving my bacon from my big brain-fart (more on that another time). And to everyone who made my last days in Canada so special, it really meant a lot to me. Miss you all already!
I will write more again and add some pictures when I get my laptop charged and connected.
Later,
Pen
Saturday, March 08, 2008
How sweet (and sad) it is
Great news ... Minka has a new home!
A couple called me last week after reading her bio on the Boxer Rescue Canada website. They had a boxer several years ago that died and decided that it is time to get another one.
Tonight they came by to meet her. Minka is a very loving dog and of course, she adored all the attention and then curled up on her blanket for a snooze! They are very nice people and had lots of questions and told a few stories about their beloved Jasper whom they obviously miss. They left saying they would think about it and would call back tonight one way or the other. I was afraid to even hope - it seemed too good to be true; to hope for a "yes" might jinx the whole thing! But alas, they called back to say that they will take her and that there really wasn't much to think about.
This is the best possible outcome! I am thrilled that such lovely people have come along at the best possible time. The day that I hand her over into their care will be thoroughly bitter-sweet.
A couple called me last week after reading her bio on the Boxer Rescue Canada website. They had a boxer several years ago that died and decided that it is time to get another one.
Tonight they came by to meet her. Minka is a very loving dog and of course, she adored all the attention and then curled up on her blanket for a snooze! They are very nice people and had lots of questions and told a few stories about their beloved Jasper whom they obviously miss. They left saying they would think about it and would call back tonight one way or the other. I was afraid to even hope - it seemed too good to be true; to hope for a "yes" might jinx the whole thing! But alas, they called back to say that they will take her and that there really wasn't much to think about.
This is the best possible outcome! I am thrilled that such lovely people have come along at the best possible time. The day that I hand her over into their care will be thoroughly bitter-sweet.
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