Wow..

I can't believe I've only updated this thing twice. Well, what can I say? I've been busy.

There is no doubt that in 6 weeks I will shed a tear when I board an airplane bound for Atlanta. Thus far, I have learned so much about Arab people in general; their political views, their devotion to religion, and their cultural lifestyles. However, I shouldn't limit this to just Arabs. I have also met Basques, Iranians, Japanese, and Italians - so I should probably say that I have learned a lot about people of all backgrounds. Of course, this has been extremely enlightening for me and has given me a chance to consider all arguments when discussing any given topic. But more than anything, it has made me realize that people from Asia to England are similar and not much different than myself. We are all human beings with our own problems, passions, and fears and it has made me realize that stereotyping others is probably the worse thing one can do. Just because some guy lives in China doesn't mean that he is a Communist that worships no God and just because I'm from America doesn't mean I hate all Arabs. It sounds simple enough but people spout the dumbest shit.

I leave for Berlin this weekend! I'm so excited to go see my good friend Theodora and to experience the city of Berlin. We have quite a few things planned, including the Jewish War Museum and visiting the Fuhrers Bunker (where Hitler killed himself), among other things such as much needed beer drinking. There is so much history in this city and even though I'm only going to be there 5 days, I think that I will be able to possibly see more historical sites than I've seen in Dubai, considering the city has only been built up in the last decade. Also, Al Fahidi Fort (the first building ever built in Dubai) wasn't built unti the latter part of the 18th century. Needless to say, I'm excited to go to Berlin, but I really have come to like Dubai despite it not having much of a history and being such a modern city, literally.

I think I have a new found obsession with international foods. I also think Dubai is the best place for me to act on my new found interest. One can get any kind of food imaginable here. I've tasted the cuisine of Iran, The Emirates, Lebanon, India, Mexico, America, France, Spain, and Yemen here- and everything is so convenient. What is especially hilarious is that you can get practically anything delivered - even from the Uni Mart (which is the on campus store - for SVSU folk - the equivalent to the C-Store). For clarification, the Uni Mart is a 2 minute walk from the dorms. I don't know if this is a good or bad things, but it is convenient when I am in my disheveled state with toothpaste all over my black sweatpants for some reason and after a long night on the town with Yasmine and Shadi.

Speaking of Yasmine and Shadi, I am so lucky to have met the people I have here. I swear there is a God because whenever I am in some random position, it seems he is looking after me and is making sure that the people meet are drama free and caring individuals. Anyway, I have made 4 really good friends here, and they are all different. Let me tell you about them. First, my roommate Mira is the best possible person I could have roomed with here in Dubai. She is Egyptian, but has lives in Abu Dhabi. I knew since my first day in Dubai when she took me out to coffee to a place down the street from here that we would be great friends -especially because she's a chain smoker and didn't mind talking politics over coffee. My ideal kind of person. Yasmine was the second person I met here and she is Mira's best friend. Yasmine grew up in Mississippi, but is of Palestinian ancestry. She is a southern belle and I was confused by her accent the first time I met her, but eventually learned where she grew up. It was so cute. Anyway, she moved to Dubai two years ago. Her parents also live here. Yasmine has a carefree, non-worrisome personality, which I adore. An example of her personality is when she actually trusted me to drive her Lexus on the way home from the mall one day. She learned that I wasn't exactly the best driver in Dubai, but nonetheless, let me drive her car twice more. I think she eventually learned her lesson when I went over a speed bump and almost bottomed out her car because she hasn't offered the keys since. She's great. The third girl I met was Chelci. Chelci is from Arizona and attends Northern Arizona University and is also a fellow Clinton scholar. Chelci's personality can be summed up as being happy-go-lucky girl and sort of hippyish' (in a good way). Chelci also has a commendable humanitarian side to her that I adore and am envious of. Chelci and I went to a karaoke bar with Yasmine and I during the beginning of the semester. I honestly thought I may have scared her away - drank one too many beers while karaoking Barbie Girl. Apparently she had a good time and still wants to hang out with me. I hope to see her as much as possible in the states upon return. Finally, I met Shadi. Shadi came to Dubai from Canada and is of Iranian origin. She is the closest to my age and I find that I enjoy this about her - along with her down to earth personality. When I first met Shadi it was in an elevator and I was confused about her accent. She started talking to me out of nowhere and she was so friendly. She had a 'sort of' American accent but I couldn't figure it out. Turns out it was Canadian, who knew? Anyway, we started talking more and eventually went out a couple times. The most memorable moment was when we went out to 360 (a bar in the middle of the water with a great view of the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, and Jumeriah Beach Resort) and we both needed to be carried in by Yasmine and Mira. Good times.

Okay, hopefully I can update once more before I leave. Wow 4 times, woo.