Hi lads and lasses

Another week has flown by - I really dont know where the time goes here - it just flies by so quickly.

Work was relatively busy. My new boss Brian, however, was only in for one day and then went off to Houston and is due back tomorrow. My week consisited of the usual classes - pilates Sat and Mon and Sunday night, boot camp on Monday - which was a killer as we had not been for a while. I also found a new sofa - I have been after one for a while. It certainly was a challenge for Darron and Herb to get it up 2 flights of stairs and goodness knows how it went through my door - it only just! We had to drive it from Mango (which is a street on camp) back to my apartment - with half of it sticking out the back of Bob's truck - which fortunately I am borrowing at the moment! Good job no security were around!!! I also had Wednesday off to get my floor fitted. It looks wonderful and with the new sofa I think my apartment is just about complete now. I was told my floor would take more than a day, but they guys managed to get it all done in one day - to say how long some things take to do over here, if you really push them, then the work does get done!

Wednesday night, myself, Lou T, Lou H and Cheryl flew from Dammam airport to Sharjah to celebrate Lou T's birthday. Got in around 8.30pm only to be met with a huge taxi queue, but it wasn't much of a wait - maybe around 20 mins. Got to the hotel - the apartment was gorgeous - really new - 2 beds, kitchen, lounge and 3 toilets! We dumped our stuff and then headed out for food. We were all pretty gagging for a drink by this time but unfortunately Nando's didnt have a licence so we had to make do with water and softies!! Fortunately, we had picked up some booze from duty free, so had a few drinks when we got back to the apartment...

Thursday, we were up pretty early - went for breakfast at Starbucks, then myself and Lou T went to get a manicure and pedicure at the Monarch Hotel just up the road. Then I decided it didnt look far to our hotel so walked it! Silly idea as it was over 40 degrees and a good 30 mins walk!!!

Spent the afternoon at the pool and then at the gym also - did a short session, then drinks and ready to go out.

We went to a bar in Jumairah which was on the beach and was a lovely spot. Sat outside, drank and had a nice meal and just watched the world go by. There were lots of expats there - seems the place to go really... Stayed til around midnight and then headed home. Left Cheryl with her friend who is in Dubai - Wael - and went off clubbing with him, leaving us "oldies" to go home. Well she is only 28!

Friday we were up at a reasonable time. Went for some breakfast at TGIs which was only ok. Its so difficult in Dubai to find a decent place to eat as there are so many places to choose from! We were going to go to the Atlantis Resort and should have done really - we went to Sharjah to the Souk, but unfortunately it was closed and didnt open until 4pm when we had to leave for our flight. So, we ended up in a shopping mall instead for a few hours!

Got the airport - met up with Cheryl (who had been feeling ropey all day!!?) and flew home.

This week work has been pretty quiet to be honest, but boss is back tomorrow so maybe it will pick up.

I am teaching tonight, but don't seem to have many takers so far - seems everyone is busy today! Oh well. They are filming my class apparently for a new hire DVD! That will be a laugh!

Boot camp tomorrow, then flying off to Jeddah Tuesday night for my 3 day dive trip. We are on a liveaboard boat so that will be pretty interesting. Apparently whale sharks have been spotted where we are diving too - they are pretty rare and huge creatures. I am looking forward to actually seeing things when I am diving rather than just salt and yuk as we do in half moon bay in Saudi!!!

Anyway, thats all from me. I am home again in August by the way - for a flying visit again for a week... 6th - 14th...

Here's the link to the rest of my photos too...

http://picasaweb.google.com/Jillbarrows69/LouSBirthdayMay2009?feat=directlink

Jill

xxx