1. No, I'm not as tan as you expected. That's because it's too hot in Dubai to be in the sun. In February, I'm slathering on SPF 70 because I can feel my skin sizzling. When you have sunshine every day of the week - you're more concerned with protecting yourself.
2. Yes, Dubai is as amazing as those powerpoint slides you've seen going around. Most of those buildings are already being built. The pace of construction is as crazy as it seems.
3. Yes, we're glad we have made the move. It has been a great experience for us as a family. We've seen and experienced more than we ever could have if we hadn't done this. But we'll be glad to be home when our time is up.
4. No, we don't have to speak in Arabic. We've only learned a few words. Everyone knows English and all business is conducted in English. If we wanted to learn a foreign language, it would probably have been better to learn Hindi - given the large population of Indian and Pakistanis in Dubai.
5. Yes, Dubai is a very livable place. The houses are spacious, roads are big and wide, cars are big, shops carry products we're familiar with - all very similar to the US.
6. No, I don't have any issues being a woman in the workplace there. The offices are very much like any office in the US or Europe. There are many women, there are people from all over the world - and very few Emiratis working in our office. That's because 85% of the population in Dubai are not Emiratis - they are from somewhere else.
7. Yes, we have women in the office who wear a black abaya and shayla. However, no one in our office in Dubai covers her face - but there is one woman in the Saudi office who does cover her face in the presence of men (only her eyes show). But people here do not treat women differently just because they are covered.
8. Yes, I enjoy my work there. I like the team I'm working with, the office environment is pretty much the same as any office in Europe or the US. I am a bit more unique as a woman in management - but I don't feel that it changes the way I'm treated.
9. Yes, Lyra likes her school. We were very lucky to find a great Montessori school for her. She made good friends and adored her teacher, Miss Sita. She will be starting a new school in September, the Universal American School. They follow the IB system and she'll be in their 5-year old kindergarten program.
10. No, Russell has not been working. Up until now, he's been home full-time with Lyra. When she starts full-time school in the fall, he is thinking that he'd like to find something to help keep him busy. In the meantime, he's certified as a scuba diver and has taken up working out at our health club.
If you have any other questions, please send them to me in the comments.
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