#100, MHA, Running in the Heat in Dubai (during Ramadan)

#100!!!
Oct 26, 2011 - my first blog. Here we are over 3 1/2 years later, and I am writing my 100th! Da da dum, thanks to the blogger notification, this is #100!!!! I saw this and was a good opp to reflect and review some of my blogs. Especially the earlier ones! Awwwww, I've grown up so much! Dubai, well, expat life, really changes a person. I actually came across this really well written article about this in particular:

http://elitedaily.com/life/culture/what-to-know-moving-abroad/1075004/

All us expats can relate to this!

Blog writing is quite something. It's almost like an online journal, and sometimes I forget that this is in the public eye and on the worldwide web, until I see # of views an/or random comments from strangers. Well, this is the information age and if my blabbing can provide info or insight to someone's life, than it's all worth it. Of course I do in all honestly do this for me (a bit selfish) for times like this, reflecting on my life here. Just by reviewing some random blogs here and there, seen how I've matured, become more independent, confident, and less naive about the world. And also so much more aware of culture surroundings and people! I always thought because of my fortunate upbringing when I've had a lot of opportunities to travel that I was "well-rounded." Well, yes, in some ways, but after LIVING in a foreign country, a Middle Eastern country at that, phew, definitely have an awareness and understanding that will be with me for the rest of my life.

I like blog writing. I know I am not consistent, some do daily updates and mine are fairly random, but it is whatever you want it to be. For me it's an opportunity to document what's going on in my life, those little details you may forget and will bring back memories. It's an opportunity to share pics (also can be a backup!), and a time to reflect! Life passes us by so quickly, we just go, go, go, and these blogs are reminders of that moment in time and a time to be... you! No one is dictating what I write and what I don't write. One can be as creative or boring as they want, but this is ALL about YOU! So hopefully for myself and maybe others, there will be some entertainment in at least a couple of those #100 blogs!!

MHA:
Hmm... how do I make a long story short? This is waaay out of topic and might seem fairly random, buuuuuuuuut, I'm embarking on a new educational adventure!!! To back track a little, years ago, my parents kept mentioning to me to do an MBA because I "like to organize" and am organized. Really? My reaction: "meh." I even tried to take a brief "intro" course in macroeconomics on this great website that has online classes (www.coursera.org) to see if there was any remote interest, and there was not. I hardly kept awake for these classes and ... really was just NOT interested. So the topic would come up every now and then, and my response was always, "meh, umm.... meh!"

Then when I was home in April, met up with a couple of friends that were going back to school for one thing or another and maybe subconsciously the seed was planted. One fine day met up with my old clinical education instructor who then became a colleague when we worked in the same clinic. An amazing woman, wife, mother of 2, clinician and friend, she is SUPER ambitious and ALWAYS doing a million things for professional growth. She's older so had a Masters, now just got her doctorate. Passed her OCS (Orthopedic Clinical Specialist), got certified in Parkinson's BIG program, is a teacher, works in a clinic, now going to edit a book...  I don't even know what else she does! I always love talking to her because she is an inspiration and motivation. Around her I always feel like such a bum (in a good way), like "I should be doing more." Anyhoo, somehow we got to talking, I was telling her about being slightly nervous about coming back to the States (whenever that is) and being totally out of the loop with what's going on in the US as far as healthcare as well as being almost 40 (eek! Cats out of the bag on that) at that point and wanting to take more leadership positions but would feel too out of the loop. Then she said, "what about an MBA?" And I did my usual, "Meh, I don't think it's for me." And instead of leaving it like that (like my parents, ha ha), she said "what about a MHA?" To which I replied "Eh?" Which is better than a "Meh" huh? She said, "MHA - Masters in HeathCare Adminstration, like a MBA but for healthcare professionals." And then I had one of those "A-ha" moments in life, just like I had one my parents stepped in the doors in our Belgrade apartment and said, "Lenooo (My Serbian name)! You are going to Dubai!" The decision happened then and there. It was perfect! Just fit everything that was floating in my head!

1. A chance to really know what is going on with the US Healthcare (I had always been confused by it).
2. To not be behind when I do get back. Meaning I know if I was hiring an Expat, I would probably be hesitant to put them in a leadership role as they are unfamiliar with what's going on in our current HealthCare system. It would be good to get back and be right on top of what's going on in US HealthCare.
3. My job is tiring. Physically (mentally). I really am beat and exhausted some days, especially since I do like manual treatments. It is physically draining. I too bad have back problems, sore shoulder, etc. Long-term, I don't know if I can do this job forever, my body might not let me! So I think a next good growth step would be a manager or again, leader position. ideally, both! 
4. It was my parents reasoning, "you like to organize" for me getting a MBA. Well, I actually really do love to organize and coordinate, and also delegate, hehe :-)
5. MAYBE one day I would like to open my own practice, or manage a practice.  It would be a must to have a degree like this to run my own biz.
6. It's actually super interesting if it's in a field you are in - HealthCare!! Learning about marketing, human resources, budgeting, managing! Actually legitimately learning about it and not like most people in Dubai who just get put in these roles and know nothing about it (that's a whole another story!).  
7. I loooooooooooooooooove loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove the work that I do. Just recently someone asked if I were to do life all over again, would I chose a different field. And the answer was No! Yes, work has it's stresses, but it is so interesting to me and I really love it! I DO love the clinical work, BUT now I am ready for something different, a change, and I think the next professional step and growth for me is to get into a more leadership permission. I am 1/2 joking (but serious) about the age thing, but I do admit that... it's time! 

I like odd numbers, so I will leave it at that! So all those things popped into my mind just having that simple conversation. I came home EXCITED and immediately told my parents, who of course thought it was a great idea and were supportive. I think they, like me, just didn't know about it, or kind of did?, so they too thought it was a great fit. Anyway, back in Dubai I did full fledged research, took HOURS! Here's my decision making:

1. 1st criteria was that it obviously had to be from the States AND 100% online. That ruled out a lot. 
2. Accredited! Obvious and important! 
3. I wanted it to be an actual University and not just an online University (this was just a personal thing, just felt it was more legitimate to go through an actual recognized University than a strictly online one that the name is not familiar). 
4. Cost. This was a toughie. Some Ivy leagues and very well recognized Universities have online programs, but boy is it expensivo!!! Being that I am paying out of pocket for this, I needed a nice reputable middle-ground cost. And when trying to make myself feel better for NOT going to a super dooper mega grad school, in the end it is the degree and what you've learned. Do people really look at where you got it from? :-)
5. FLEXIBLITY! Most Masters programs have classes in 8-week periods. So if it happens that you have something come up in life where you had to skip a class, you are set behind 2 months and then that delays you finishing. So having some flexibility where you could say miss one month but then start the next month was important to me. 
6. Extra points on the methods of learning, especially if there was no need for exams (I hate tests). Although am rusty with paper writing, prefer that over tests any day!

So lo and behold, after LOTS and LOTS of research, including contacting through LinkedIn current students and getting seal of approval, was the one and only Colorado State University - "Global Campus" (meaning online campus). It just fit all the above AND, as anyone that knows me, knows that I just looooooooooooooove Colorado! Not to say I would be there at any point, but just was the icing on the cake.

To be honest, am nervous yet excited. Am starting the first week in August and already have my first course, "US  HealthCare System" (haha) and saw the reading and papers required, eek! Will be tough, but am motivated and interested and know it will be worth it!!

Running in the Heat in Dubai (during Ramadan):

Quite a change of topic, but hey, it is what it is! Last year I didn't run during the summer because had that back flare-up early in the year and wanted to give my body a rest. But then got a SUPER slow start to the next season and took me foooorrrrreeeeeeeevvvvvvveeeeeeeerrrrrrrr to get in shape. The year before that I ran most of the summer and had this FAB season. So THIS year it was a no brainer that my back was feeling good to try and keep up with summer running as much as I could. Needless to say, am doing it, buuuuuuut a few changes have been made. One is that Ramadan this year falls in summertime! Ramadan is the holy month with NO drinking or eating from sunrise to sunset. Up to literally the start of Ramadan, it was getting fairly hot out, but was managing. But then it got to a point when I felt I was hardly moving but working so hard and... that's not that much fun. So with Ramadan started good 'ol treadmill running where I can get a good 'ol workout, doing tempo runs like I did during "in season." BUT, I am not a total cop out, I am still running outside with my fave group, Dubai Creek Striders. So it's not just me that is crazy and running in 100+ F (40+ C) and 30-50% humidity. We all suffer together! So yes, we are still running during Ramadan, BUT when we stop to get water at gas stations (as we usually do) we have to go and hide. Literally. Kinda funny, especially when we have to squat down behind a wall and have trouble getting back up again, lol. 

So keys to successful Running in Heat:

• Acclimatize! It so happened I haven't traveled in a couple of months, BUT being here while it has been gradually increasing in temps and humidity has lead to fairly good acclimatization. Meaning, I really felt it was tolerable and doable! Maybe I just handle heat really well? I dunno. Tough, yes, but manageable!
• Hydration! Defo have salt tablets and electrolyte capsules before and during (and even after) a run. And... lots and lots of water (coconut water!). 
• Groups! If you think you are suffering look at those around you! Running in the heat is HARD! Really. As mentioned before, you feel like you are really exerting yourself to the max, and really are running quite slow. I stopped running with my Garmin after Boston just because ... just because! This is off season for you, I really don't care how fast I am running! But the other day when we decided to "pick it up" the last 2 km, we finished and I asked a friend of mine what we were going and it was 5:50's! Ha! And the regular pace was really around 6:15-6:30's when during "in" season, I'm probably running a full minute faster than that. Again, am not bothered as am not training for anything!! Anyway, running with others is always fun and we all suffer together! 
• Be SMART! We don't realize the dangers of heat. Although we seemingly feel we are doing the right things and say are hydrated, the body is sneaky and doesn't get fooled easily. A few weeks ago I did the HOT and steamy run. Then I did bikram yoga for a stretch (like I always do). I then rested, drank tons of water, ate, you name it. That evening was in the shade but outside helping a friend with a garage sale type thing. I was tired, actually, exhausted at the end of the day, but other than that, felt okay. The next day had a headache ALL day, just felt really out of it. Then I came home after a full day of work (mind you with the headache), and then got this piercing migraine headache (I RARELY get headaches). Then felt REALLY nauseous (I HATE feeling nauseous), which even more RARELY happens, to the point where I was holding a garbage bin just in case. Then... it did happen! I vomited! Holy moly! I hadn't eaten anything out of the ordinary and still didn't put it together what would have caused this. Then talked to my nurse friend, who was with me when we had the evening outside, who almost passed out when we were there and almost felt sick too, and she bluntly said, "helloo? Heat stroke!" I forgot my body's delayed reaction to things, but wow! And here I thought I "felt fine," but oh no! Soo.... heat is VERY dangerous and fortunately, this experience was fairly minor considering it could have been a lot worse, so lesson learned. Stopped doing bikram yoga all together and literally just am doing the run outside and super hydrated and re-fueling after that. 

There you have it! Quite the random blog with different things going on.

For those those that have followed me for #100 blogs, THANK YOU!

Next stop is a last hurrah (okay, not really) before grad school - 1 week in S. Korea and then a 2-week trekking trip to Mongolia!!!! 

Stay tuned...