Winter 2012/2013

Hellooooo!

What I call "winter 2012/2013" is probably one of the best winters I've had in a looong looong time, "winter" being pretty much the xmas/New Year season. Last year I had practically just arrived in Dubai, not knowing anyone and being completely new to Life in Dubai, and needless to say, when the holidays rolled around, pretty much came and went, I vowed then and there that next year I was going to be home. I actually MISSED Christmas music... and even more so, the Christmas spirit, the hustle and bustle of the season, and just how most people seem energized and happy. Here it was just like any other day and most westerners went back home.

So off I went the very end of November first to Chicago then to Argentina then to Antarctica (which still sounds crazy to say) and then directly to Colorado for skiing and fun and then quickly through Chicago again, and then back to Dubai - pretty much 4 continents in just over a month. Phew! Needless to say it was spaced out enough that I didn't feel stressed out. Chicago was a bit hectic running around trying to see as many people as I could, tying in shopping, and of course going to my favorite places (I did a lot of eating!). There was plenty of down time in Antarctica, and in Colorado it was good quality family time (my sister came in all the way from Spain to all be together! Awwww). All and all, a good mix of winter wonderland. Funny thing is, I found Antarctica warmer than both Chicago and Colorado, ha ha. There it was a nice warm whereas the other places had that bitter cold. But it was a nice change from Dubai... and I actually realized I have not had a winter in 3 years! Last year I was in Dubai and the year before I was in Sri Lanka and all tropical places for the winter. I have to admit, as much as I love summer and warm weather, there is nothing like bundling up to a brisk winter day :-)

The trip was nostalgic for many reasons, of course being home, but also being on the same boat (then GAP Adventures, now G Adventures) I was 3 years ago when I did the Arctic Circle trip (Norway, Greenland and Iceland) and then definitely Colorado as my family has been going there for almost 30 years and there are sooooooooooooooooo many memories from there.

Alas, the best way to talk about my trip is .... PICTURES! Here are some of my faves:

Our close family friend Angie wanted to meet up and just mentioned she liked this tapas place by my parents apartment.... in  honor of my sister. Well, she turns up with this picture of her and so Natasha "sat" with us throughout the meal AND we ordered this flight of sangria, which happened to be 3 drinks, so we even had a drink for her. I guess you just had to be there, but it was soo soo funny. So this is Angie, her daughter Claudia, and Natasha, "in spirit." :-) 

Surprise, surprise! My dad surprised ME by showing up with this brand new special Tesla Model S car! It is fully electric and basically he has been waiting 2 years for it! It was soo nice to ride in it and literally, one of those cars that people were looking at us while we were driving around the city (and take note of the big o Xmas tree and Chicago Tribune tower in the background. Awwwwww). 

Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia, Argentina... a ski lift for hiking, not skiing.

I had done this exact same route 3 years ago when I was here in Ushuaia, Argentina. Brought back some nice memories of my Patagonia trip :-) 

Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia, Argentina

Beautiful view! Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia, Argentina

Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia, Argentina

Fox! Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Woodpecker! Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Love the colors!

My goofy sister, Natasha :-) New Years Eve in Vail, Colorado

Sniff sniff... my sister and I NYE in Vail, CO

The family! (minus my brother, booo that he couldn't make it)

Hmm.... I wonder where my sister gets it from! :-) 

Our New Years group in Vail, CO

Nice family shot in Vail, CO

Hehehe.... I think I do this every year I've come :-) 

We HAD to do a glamour shot together! Natasha and I in Vail, CO

Awesome to reconnect with Natasha :-) 

More Vail, CO

Natasha looooooving the "freshies" snow :-) 

Awww! How lucky am I that my parents are in such good shape to STILL be skiing! 

Vail, CO

Aaaaaaaaand... back to Chicago. Fortunately had just over a day to re-acquaint myself with the Chicago! 

My parents downtown apartment is like a luxury hotel to me.... this is the evening I was leaving, sniff sniff.

Okay, I will (hopefully) soon do another post with Antarctica pictures. There are just sooo many fabulous ones, I'm having difficulty even finding pictures to represent what a magical and epic place it is! Stay tuned :-) 

Happy New Year! 2013!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Wow, I was just thinking how much has happened this last year. I have a LOT to catch up on, and sorry that I've been MIA lately. I just arrived back from my 5-week vacation, and before and during were totally crazy.

I'm now sitting in my apt... and it's quiet. Very quiet (and barren. Note to self - improve on my decorations!). These last few weeks I have spent minimal time by myself and it's been fun and busy, and now.... well, my post-travel blues are already here! Usually it takes a day or two to settle in, but sigh, it's here now and I just got home today. I will soon be writing more blogs about more details of these last couple of months, but for now, being that I am reminded that the title of this entire blog is "My Life as an Expat," I will write about that. 1st thing is.... Home. Is my home Dubai? Is it Chicago? Many people I met, especially the ones that I have been here awhile, understandably call their expat home their 'real' home. They have established lives here and being further and further away for longer and longer periods of time does make it seem distant.

BUT, I will vouch now that Chicago is my HOME and always will be by HOME. During this trip, which by the way, I traveled 4 different continents in 5 weeks (Asia (Middle East), North America, South America, and Antarctica), I had some downtime to digest all of these things, and I realize how much I love Chicago. This past year in Dubai has flown by and I'm glad I did have this time to reflect. Yes, I have gotten used to life here and definitely am content and comfortable. However, what stimulates me are family and friends that provide me love and support, and it was just soo sooo great to be with them. But also, diversity, culture, nature, equality, and freedom. Chicago has all those things, Dubai does not. Don't get me wrong, Dubai has great characteristics and I do feel very fortunate for being here, but it's no HOME! And I NEED those things.

So basically, I came to some executive decisions. Before I came here I was definitely leaving things open, "whatever happens, happens." For example, to move someplace else internationally or just decide to stay here longer. Well, of course those things can happen, life is unpredictable, BUT as of now my work visa ends Dec 2014.... this will be 3 years total in Dubai, which I think is a fair amount of time, it may be my time to leave. I really REALLY REALLY love Chicago. When I was in Colorado, which is TOTALLY laid back and very very VERY casual, I kept thinking, almost shockingly because I had forgotten, "wow, Colorado is just sooo soo casual! Almost too much. This is pretty much the exact opposite as Dubai. Exact opposite. I need to find a happy medium." And then my sister blankly said, "Chicago! Chicago is that place." And it was too too true, and that is what I need.

So here it is! 2012, which 1/2 the year took a lot of personal adjustments and ups and downs, to the 2nd half being steady "ups." In 2013 I just want to make the most of my life here, if I just have 2 years to go. I want to travel more, I want to have fun, hopefully make and find opportunities at work, and do unique things I won't be able to do at home.

Let's see what happens!

Happy New Year!!! And as always, Health and Happiness! :-)