Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

On Monday night we took the 5:00pm tour of The Grand Mosque. This building is to Abu Dhabi what the Taj Mahal is to India. It was commissioned to be built by the late Sheikh Zayed, the father and founder of the UAE. Imagine total splendor - marble imported from Greece, Persian carpets, Austrian crystals, absolutely beautiful. The grand Mosque's design has inlaid flowers on the architecture everywhere - roses, lilies, morning glory and more. One my favorite buildings. The colors and design are very elaborate and tasteful.


Tower where the call to prayer is broadcast from. It is sung live here by an Iman - his prayer is fed electronically to all the local mosques in Abu Dhabi at the same time.

This mosque boasts the largest hand woven carpet in the world. It was made by approx. 200 women from Iran. It is 50 percent cotton and 50 percent silk, weighs over 12 tons, has a floral pattern of greens and pinks in the main hall and red in the women's prayer room. I wish we had a better picture of it.

This is the world's largest chandelier. It is German designed with Swarvoski Crystals from Austria. The cost is over 20 million UAE = aprox. 5.5 million dollars. There are two other slightly smaller matching chandeliers in this hall, too. All the carvings and white columns are made from white marble imported from Greece. This is also the largest mosque dome in the World.

Little better view of the carpet...

Upon entering, all women and girls about Grace's age and up need to cover their hair. There was a dressing room for visitors to borrow a robe and headress. Visitors must remove their shoes when entering the inside prayer rooms.

Peace out, y'all...

This wall faces in the direction Muslims face when praying, towards the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. You can see on the wall 100 carved flowers; one of the 99 names for God mentioned in the Koran are engraved in the middle of each flower. Some of the names are "The Merciful", "The Giver", "The Great". There is one flower left blank that you can see situated just to the top of the large sun in the middle; the word 'Allah' is in the sun. The blank flower is the secret name for God Muslims believe will be revealed at judgement day. All the arabic script is covered in gold leaf.

The gold enclave with the lines running down is symbolic of Paradise. A land flowing with milk and honey. The leader for the call to prayer stands here. The wooden staircase is for the Iman to preach his Friday sermon.

Clock that keeps time for all the prayers of the day. It also displays the Islamic calendar and Christian calendar. At 12 years of age Muslim children are expected to participate in daily prayers.

The grand hall -breathtaking!

A view of the outside at dusk. The courtyard floors are all inlaid with colored, polished stone and mother of pearl.

This was the coolest room. The wall is smooth marble with bulging popouts of carved stone in a garden scene. Hazel loved to run along the walls touching the stems of the flowers.

Grace in the courtyard. There must have been hundreds of pillars.

A picture of our guide, Ameena, a local Emirati. Spoke good English and answered a lot of questions for us about Islam and the 'abaya', the local name for the headress Muslim women wear. The Koran states you should cover your hair and body in front of 'strange' men. Women who are made to wear full face coverings do so to honor a family or tribal tradition, it is not required by Islam.

An example of some of the mosaic and tilework in the courtyard.

Audrey outside - and some beautiful Islamic caligraphy in the background. This is the most common artwork of the Middle East.

My favorite picture of the night in the walkways surrounding the Mosque. The artwork on these pillars are incredible to see.

Me and my inmodest clothing :) Kidding. After the tour.

Kid stuff.

I have to admit my kids are borderline crazy, and they tend to drive me crazy on many days. But I love them. And yes, sometimes I want to just go to bed and they want to stay up and finish their Christmas cards I told them to start hours ago. As I am walking to my room I hear Grace say "I want to give one to everyone in my class so nobody feels left out..." It is 11 pm...but she is right. *Sigh* - so I go help her, tired but proud of her thoughtfulness.

Today I had a moment of wanting to listen to my music in the car - just sing out loud to something blaring on the radio instead of singing another bumble bee song. Then Sully asks me to sing "I know that my Savior loves me." After Sully asks "What does it mean to give your heart to him?" I explain that you devote yourself to Christ, you show your love him by everything you do. And then Sully asks sweetly, "Like you giving your heart to Daddy?" It was so cute. Glad I was singing with him after all.

As you can see from the above pictures, Sully would rather be playing at a park than doing anything else. He physically tries to block me from entering the supermarket with him. "No! Not in there! Please Mommy not in THERE!"

Enjoy the moments :)

Warm Wishes

I just finished a steaming bowlful of Cheesy Broccoli soup. Nothing seems more fitting for the holidays than homemade soup and crusty bread. I will post the recipe for the soup if anyone is interested.

The ward Christmas Party turned out to be a real success. We had lots of singing, stories and a visit from Santa Clause. When I say a lot of singing I mean that - a lot of singing. The party started at 6pm and finished at 10:30pm. Longest Ward Party ever- but we stayed and had a fabulous time. The food was great - catered ethnic food - spring rolls, curries, noodles, sauces, etc. Not your typical Christmas fare but way yummy. Tons of fruit, desserts, and chocolates. And we have great chocolates here. Quin and I have discovered Galaxy chocolates. Too good to be true - really creamy and smooth - like Cadbury, but better. Santa gave us a stash of Galaxy fruit and Nut bars - they are quickly depleting...

So that is how our holidays began, putting up the Christmas tree with the kids, a great ward party, my one and only Christmas song on the radio - Bruce Springstein "Santa Clause is coming to Town", and two great talks at church on Friday. The Christmas season is here.

It seems like such a simple Christmas this year - we have limited decorations and really no Christmas music that we brought. However Grace is drawing a lot of Christmas pictures and cards to decorate our home. BYU radio is always tuned into our computers and I have listened to more conference talks than I think I have ever watched before. Quin and I have been assigned to talk in sacrament on Friday and so we have been researching talks with Christmas themes. I am so thankful for the piano we finally bought - we have been singing more and Audrey is practicing some Christmas Primary songs. I spent last Saturday shopping in Dubai down at The Dragon Mart and pretty much have a handle on the gifts the kids are getting. It seems like a very simple Christmas this year and I am so thankful. No stress. I think I am able to concentrate on the real meaning of Christmas and spend the time reading and going to the park with the family. Oh yeah - and still swimming in the pool :) It's all good.

December

December is here and I am pleasantly surprised at the holiday music being broadcast in the grocery store. It is only coming from a CD player in the midst of a few decorated trees, but I am happy to listen. At least there are trees for sale. My friend Tawna said two years ago there wasn't a trace of Christmas here in Abu Dhabi. Last year there were a few items and this year much more. I feel grateful looking at the Christmas selection - of gold, silver, blue and red. these are the colors to choose from. Not much, but more than I thought.

I bought this artificial tree from Carrefour- about 210 AED. That equals about 50-ish bucks... Funny thing, it has the same instructions, box, tree stand, and labeling on the limbs as my tree I bought from Target a few years back in the USA. I am sure they are all made at the same plant somewhere in China.

We also lucked out and found some Christmas stockings at a Japanese durham/dollar store. The kids and I tied them with red ribbons to the the stair railing. Grace and Sullivan are very distressed that we do not have a chimney. Audrey has assured them Santa does not expect us to have a fireplace in Abu Dhabi. How practical of St. Nick.:) Audrey also told them he just comes in through the Air Conditioning. I guess if a little chubby man can get down a chimney he can squeeze through the AC vents too.

Quin has been trying his best to keep us in the spirit of Christmas by playing BYU radio through our computers. I have been baking more breads, cinnamon rolls and such. It does help that the evenings are cooler- I think we are down now to about 70 F during the night.

Audrey had her 4th grade assembly today- nothing like the holiday flare in the USA. It centered around The South Pacific, with island dancing, tribal art and songs about the Earth. Very cute though.

Tonight we have our ward Christmas Party - maybe I will feel a rush of the festive spirit. Here's to hoping.

UAE National Day

Oops...I meant to post the pictures in order of the day...I think they are totally backwards, starting from the night. Oh well - you get the point.

We had ANOTHER holiday! I am perplexed by the kids' school tuition - are they ever in school? Well let's just say we had a great long weekend.

Abu Dhabi and rest of UAE celebrated its 39th National Day to mark the unification of the 7 Emirates. A very fun celebration. We took the kids to Emirates Palace downtown where we could all swim, ride camels, play at the beach and then walk downtown into the heart of the celebration. Apparently the Emiratis enjoy decking out their vehicles in UAE paraphernalia. No cost spared! They drag the corniche and honk and spray pedestrians with shaving cream and silly string. Our kids loved it! I didn't know about the shaving cream otherwise we would have stocked up. However some local kids gave us our share of cans to spray, too. Our drive home normally takes about 20 minutes from downtown, this night it was just over 2 hours.

With Quin at the wheel, Audrey and Sully were the designated "silly string shooters" at neighboring cars. I was in the front seat and would be looking at a map pretending to be lost. I would motion to the car beside us to roll down his window then Audrey and Sully would pop-up and spray. That lasted a few cars until someone walked up and totally smeared Sul with shaving cream through the back window. We thought it was funny, Sullivan didn't :). There were cars reving and trucks backfiring, loads of people, even horses with riders galloping on the grass waving their flags. Lots of lights and fireworks too. I think this was one of our top days here so far.

Enjoy the pics!

School for Sul?

Hazel and the rolls



Sullivan enjoying UAE National Day at Raha School



Today has been one of "those" days. First off it started with me not wanting to get out of bed. I just wanted my sleep! But, alas, Quin was up, Grace was crying, Audrey needed to gather her homework still and pack for sailing class, Hazel wanted a bottle... So up we moms get.

Grace did not go to school as she is running a temp. Not high - but enough to keep her home. We got out the left over frozen turkey from thanksgiving and made a crock pot turkey noodle soup with rolls for dinner too. Hazel was a big help.
We also watched one of the new movies Lorri sent from Utah, vacummed the tv room carpet AGAIN, did a few loads of laundry, made the beds- and finally got the kids into a much needed shower. So I had a minute to check my emails without Sully wanting to play Poptropica. AND - there was a message from Raha School Administartion wanting Sullivan to come in on Tuesday for a Kindergarten Assesment!! I am so excited for him. He is so happy!

When we first decided to take this job we opted to keep Sullivan home with me because I thought the move would be a big adjustment. I was thinking I would find a few kids in the neighborhood to come over and play and maybe do a play group. Well, here in The UAE most kids start school at 3 years old. There are two levels for Kindergarten, KG 1 and KG 2. Also the British school system starts students at age 4. Sullivan turned 5 in September. He has zero friends at home during the day. He is so anxious to go to school. Now you can see why I want him to go. It is just half day and he could make friends, play and learn. Then he would be home in the afternoons with Hazel and me. I could get the errands done without him crying in all the shopping carts.

Now the messes in the kitchen and in the front room don't seem so crazy - I am just so glad he is being considered for KG.

Thanksgiving

After searching three grocery stores, I finally found a 6.5 kg turkey (smallest I think that I have ever cooked). I have learned 2 things about turkey buying- #1 only available Thanksgiving and Christmas. #2 only buy an 11 pound turkey or less- there are no rosters or turkey bags big enough to roast them in.
Audrey helped me cook and stuff "the bird". Sullivan pointed to the turkey and said "oh my gosh- what is that?" I almost couldn't tell him as the night before we made a crazy Thanksgiving Jib-Jab and the turkey ends up- well you know, with his head chopped off... Sullivan spent the next 1/2 hour crying for the poor bird.
Sullivan is quite the animal expert/lover - notice all the zoo trips.

Anyhow we cooked the turkey, made an apple crisp and drove to the Crandall's home in Khalifa City. We had a Thanksgiving Feast with about 7 other American families. Good conversations, piano, crafts and games for the kids. We had a great time. When we got home we talked a bit about what we are thankful for as a family. Each child said things like- "family, friends, the USA, god's creations, the beach, their beds, the house, animals, bugs, music etc." It is always good to hear what your kids are greatful for.

This year I would have to say I am thankful for friends and family- old and new. It has been exciting to come here to The UAE and meet new people and go new places, see the world- but it has been dear old friends and family members that have kept me sane and kept me going with emails and phone calls etc. There is not a day that goes by where I don't think of someone back home. And what is home? For me I used to always think of home as Canada. Even last year. But now- I think of all three places, Canada, Utah and now Abu Dhabi. Even Cairo seems like home in some ways:)
I am so greatful for a friend's early diagnosis and rapid treatment for Cancer. Emily has been an inspiration. It has been miraculous to watch her be so positive and greatful as she is battling breast cancer. I am thankful for miracles like this.

I am thankful that for some crazy reason I was born in Canada. That I was given amazing oportunities and education and religion that many in the world never ever know. I am amazed at how my life has been blessed and feel unworthy of a lot of things. There is so much poverty, racisim and hardships in this world that I and my kids will never know of- except to witness it. One thing I hope my kids take home with them from Abu Dhabi is that they have been blessed beyone belief. That a bad day of getting up early to go to school, too much homework, dishes, making beds, taking out the trash, helping with Hazel etc. is really not too bad at all. They will never know what it is like to be a toothless 80 year old woman from Sudan going house to house looking for extra houseleaning work. Or, a 50 year old Bangladeshian man working 13 hour shifts at the car wash. And those are not the bad jobs either. I am just saying...
I vow not to complain about car pool again this year!

I am greatful for Christmas- I walked into the big grocery store downtown and they had a huge "normal" christmas tree display. There was a sign that said "Merry Christmas". I mean that is remarkable! That here in the heart of Abu Dhabi that Christ is being recognized and celebrated. This is a majorly devout muslim country- and although some don't really believe in Christ as the Savior, they still believe in his miracles and healings and that he was a prophet. Just the fact that the "presence" of christmas is here- that is huge! I am excited to get a tree up and celebrate Christ's birth with my family.

I am thankful for amazing parents and siblings. I love them so much! And the list goes on....