tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665384069328703592.comments2023-10-08T01:36:04.565-07:00Adventures in Abu DhabiLeah Oberjuergehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072574259345137041noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665384069328703592.post-50422708187423587592014-07-16T08:45:14.154-07:002014-07-16T08:45:14.154-07:00I just found your blog and it's great. I appre...I just found your blog and it's great. I appreciate the length of your posts, however daunting they may be when the time comes to write them. I, too, have switched my story telling mostly over to facebook...but sometimes I'm bit by the blogging bug. I'm probably moving over to Abu Dhabi this fall to take an amazing job opportunity and I'm so glad I found your blog.Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16778933079327913291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665384069328703592.post-20866186811722888932011-12-13T01:35:26.907-08:002011-12-13T01:35:26.907-08:00Hi -- I don't know how to respond to you priva...Hi -- I don't know how to respond to you privately, but I would say you have little to worry about. It is generally very safe here, and medical treatment ordinarily is not a problem. Most of the women I work with are single and have few, if any, problems living here. Good luck!Leah Oberjuergehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10072574259345137041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665384069328703592.post-40704047092196248382011-12-09T13:20:53.269-08:002011-12-09T13:20:53.269-08:00I am considering a move to Abu Dhabi as a single a...I am considering a move to Abu Dhabi as a single american woman. This post makes me very nervous, can you please give me some advice on your view of how single women are treated in the culture there? I am very glad that you were able to find assistance especially in the medical field. This has been one of my main concerns.Single and Smilinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07916040612634975064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665384069328703592.post-24986876944659501622011-11-21T05:23:24.062-08:002011-11-21T05:23:24.062-08:00Events in Dubai
I recently came across your blog ...<a href="http://www.321-events.com" rel="nofollow">Events in Dubai</a><br /><br />I recently came across your blog and found it quite informative for myself. Although i am not a good surfer, i am sure looking forward towards being a regular visitor of your blog. Keep up the good work.Duventhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08601191708372856605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665384069328703592.post-51890541825667614202011-09-17T05:15:22.581-07:002011-09-17T05:15:22.581-07:00I certainly don't blog as often as I did since...I certainly don't blog as often as I did since joining Facebook. But, like you, I write my blog for myself and family and anyone else who wants to read it! But keep blogging - I enjoy your posts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665384069328703592.post-69974143595088524972011-06-18T01:45:56.477-07:002011-06-18T01:45:56.477-07:00so glad you enjoyed it! i've read paul's u...so glad you enjoyed it! i've read paul's updates and sadly have had similar "adventures" there. (tho no one threatened to chop off my head so there's that.)<br /><br />i was traveling alone and the harassment was much worse. it just made me stay away from the areas near the mosque and the bazaar, which was fine. i ended up exploring some local neighborhoods and finding place i probably wouldn't have found otherwise.Angela Shahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01406488373096688243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665384069328703592.post-91376489616710768142011-06-16T12:18:17.160-07:002011-06-16T12:18:17.160-07:00Glad you loved Istanbul - it's one of my favor...Glad you loved Istanbul - it's one of my favorites, too. Great place - did you get to a hammam? (Although considering where you live, steam heat is probably not high on your list of things to do...)G. Rarickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07796528877225352947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665384069328703592.post-20174944339394275392011-06-02T08:13:34.783-07:002011-06-02T08:13:34.783-07:00be glad you won't be there long enough to figu...be glad you won't be there long enough to figure it out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665384069328703592.post-49191556348840382462011-05-05T04:45:28.914-07:002011-05-05T04:45:28.914-07:00And may I also point out that growing up where I d...And may I also point out that growing up where I did was hardly a multi-cultural community, in terms of religionLeah Oberjuergehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10072574259345137041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665384069328703592.post-10290217698213041652011-05-05T04:16:27.511-07:002011-05-05T04:16:27.511-07:00John, thank you for your well-thought-out comment....John, thank you for your well-thought-out comment. You make some valid points. But I must say I do have, in my opinion, a good idea what it must be like to be Muslim in America. The anti-Muslim tirades I have heard on political television shows make me very uncomfortable. Too, having spent seven-plus years in France, I witnessed more than a little anti-Muslim sentiment. The lesson, I imagine, is that we cannot generalize about people and perhaps we ought to keep our opinions to ourselves a little more often.Leah Oberjuergehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10072574259345137041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665384069328703592.post-53646650957738971582011-05-05T04:09:08.620-07:002011-05-05T04:09:08.620-07:00I'm sorry you had a boorish experience with yo...I'm sorry you had a boorish experience with your colleagues at admc. the "some jew" comment is particularly offensive<br />You should definitely say something next time it's raised. And I commend you and raising the issue in your blog.<br />I spent nearly two years at The National and although I hardly discussed Palestinian/Israel issue with all my colleagues (your US abortion debate analogy seems particularly apt) and have a notoriously Pollyannaish approach to life, my experience was that everyone I knew was able to separate the actions of the Israeli government and that of Jewish people. (As does the UAE Government, which is happy for Jewish people to work in the emirates and restricts it's dispute to the govt of Israel) I never heard anyone in the newsroom dispute Israel's right to exist but there was almost universal condemnation of what was perceived as Israel's recalcitrance in its approach to peace, happy to let the settlers build on West Bank land and thus make a final peace settlement more problematic<br />Maybe part of your difficulty is having come from the US, which is seen by us outsiders as a system that is overwhelmingly pro-Israel. To those brought up in that environment, no doubt that bias seems simple normal<br />But could I say that my overall impression after reading your well-reasoned post was that you now have, possibly unwittingly, gained an understanding of just what it's been like to be Muslim in the United States since 9/11.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02986710490660620964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665384069328703592.post-37272063740606799352011-04-26T03:01:36.545-07:002011-04-26T03:01:36.545-07:00Quite right.Quite right.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665384069328703592.post-55899511053568825212011-04-23T10:32:09.876-07:002011-04-23T10:32:09.876-07:00Hi Leah,
You don't need to be offended, you j...Hi Leah,<br /><br />You don't need to be offended, you just need to accept it and move on. You will not be able to change the entire mindset of the people you work with, and considering that you spend most of your day with them, it's better to be on neutral terms rather than bad ones.<br /><br />Having said that, I must say one more thing: I am a Palestinian Muslim, and I can guarantee you that the chances of finding a Palestinian Muslim (non-Israeli citizen) working in a professional role in Israel is close to zero. Sure, they may work as labourers, but you will not find a Muslim expatriate working in Israel as a lawyer or a doctor or a journalist or a teacher. You are a Jew working in Abu Dhabi; that tells you a lot about the state's policy compared to your beloved Israel, which will simply not issue work permits for Muslims (I actually tried to inquire about that while I was in Canada by calling the Israeli embassy). <br /><br />People can have their opinions. You may not agree with them, but that is their right and no one should force them to change their minds. I understand your frustration; I experienced it while working side by side with Jews in Canada, but you simply have no right to 'expect' people to accept your (or Israel's) presence in their midst. <br /><br />Pick your battles, you don't need to make a mountain out of a mole. People here are simply talking, and you have the real chance to educate them about your views. Educate them, not shove it down their throats.<br /><br />Finally, believe it or not, the number of people who actually CAN distinguish between being a Jew and being Israeli is quite large and they do exist in Abu Dhabi (I know because I live here, and find it fun to engage in such arguments with acquaintances at work or in cafes). But don't forget that what we see here in the Arab Middle East is the Arab version of the story, the opposite of what people in North America view.<br /><br />Shalom / Salam<br /><br />PS: I heard that there actually is a synagogue in Jumeirah in a private villa, if you are a practicing Jew.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665384069328703592.post-27809151660096833362011-03-23T14:05:38.078-07:002011-03-23T14:05:38.078-07:00I think you can certainly be opposed to Israel'...I think you can certainly be opposed to Israel's politics and not at all be anti-Jew. An easy separation, in my book. Sure different from the IHT, where never was heard an anti-Israel word....G. Rarickhttp://www.gallopfrance.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665384069328703592.post-69221278095686095842011-02-28T20:22:19.497-08:002011-02-28T20:22:19.497-08:00Great post, Leah. I'd been wondering what that...Great post, Leah. I'd been wondering what that view from the ringside was like. Am glad that you're soaking in the history. <br /><br />Thinking of you guys (and tell PaulO there should be an email coming soon)...<br /><br />NateAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04171350535891422585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665384069328703592.post-88326215973659089872011-02-14T16:31:54.050-08:002011-02-14T16:31:54.050-08:00I used to go to Nick as well but he sold his shop ...I used to go to Nick as well but he sold his shop and I couldn't find him again. But I did finally locate him. He owns a new salon called "Nicholas Ross Salon" in Laguna Niguel, CA (949) 770-5011 <br /><br />Cheers!<br /><br />Karinklsauveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01224248985099206001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665384069328703592.post-609068752524418072011-01-25T08:57:13.240-08:002011-01-25T08:57:13.240-08:00On pins and needles waiting for the conclusion. D...On pins and needles waiting for the conclusion. Does Leah get her much needed pedicure? Tune in ????????Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665384069328703592.post-29705764293352391422011-01-08T03:44:58.953-08:002011-01-08T03:44:58.953-08:00Two years here and I *still* haven't found any...Two years here and I *still* haven't found anyone good to do my hair. And all I want is someone who knows how to cut thick/wavy hair properly. Glad you found someone to do yours right. Probably worth the money.Angela Shahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01406488373096688243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665384069328703592.post-11329238962432025532010-10-25T13:26:19.143-07:002010-10-25T13:26:19.143-07:00I'm sorry we share a similar affliction: fleet...I'm sorry we share a similar affliction: fleeting blog topic ideas. It does you no good, but I'm mildly relieved to know I'm not the only one...Sky Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14830562750108357527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665384069328703592.post-35865842012806837102010-09-30T00:44:05.020-07:002010-09-30T00:44:05.020-07:00It is not as hard as you make it out to be. Go to
...It is not as hard as you make it out to be. Go to<br /><br />http://www.emiratespost.com/content/english/index.jsp;jsessionid=434c2926f93741589d6dbda4034ef270<br /><br />Left hand side, click on rate calculator. Select Register then local or international from the right hand side. The rest is self explanatory. <br /><br />There are post boxes all over the city (they are small and yellow so can be hard to spot). You can buy stamps in most supermarkets and corner shops.Handytomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665384069328703592.post-87624387076840895442010-09-01T20:44:34.936-07:002010-09-01T20:44:34.936-07:00"(And an aside: this is why I haven't bee..."(And an aside: this is why I haven't been blogging -- I get ideas and then forget them by the time I'm anywhere near the computer)"<br /><br />I'm so glad I'm not the only one with this problem.Sky Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14830562750108357527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665384069328703592.post-21326182862486452010-07-30T15:00:29.234-07:002010-07-30T15:00:29.234-07:00Often, blue container recycling goes to the landfi...Often, blue container recycling goes to the landfill, either because of mixed waste or other recycling problems. People just feel better here because they've put it in a blue can.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665384069328703592.post-62017027498997866682010-07-11T11:42:20.907-07:002010-07-11T11:42:20.907-07:00What! No Falling Gina?What! No Falling Gina?Dadhttp://marv@reitercpa.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665384069328703592.post-37532032848478139912010-07-11T06:01:17.105-07:002010-07-11T06:01:17.105-07:00hey! i noticed those bottles at another, more rura...hey! i noticed those bottles at another, more rural, establishment just last week .... good to know that they are worth the buy!Angela Shahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01406488373096688243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5665384069328703592.post-92224229147618710482010-06-16T14:53:25.232-07:002010-06-16T14:53:25.232-07:00No Comment. Wine?No Comment. Wine?MMRnoreply@blogger.com