Feels like another summer holiday!

So here we are once again. Having a peaceful and relaxing break in Minnesota before heading off on yet another overly ambitious US road trip... I'm sure I said something at the end of the summer last year that I didn't want to try to fit so much into such a short space of time but looks like I've gone back on my word - 16 states & over 5000 miles. Still got to love this expat escape!

'tis a wee bit warm!

So we are kind of used to it by now, but it has been getting hot for this early in the year. The Gulf News says it is a record, but I am thinking it's all ok... hasn't even reached 50 yet!!!

Another day... another conference/forum/meeting/discussion...

Today it was off to ADMC for the Mobile Learning Forum 2009. I really don't have much to say about it at all apart from I am sure it will lead someone in some direction in some timeframe. I just have horrible visions of us as educators trying to cut through the clutter to engage students via their phones!

The Hottest Place on Earth?

Crazy weather in Australia at the moment! But why does there need to be a "my heat is better than your heat" thing going on? Hottest place on Earth? Maybe, but helps a little when most of the world's land mass is in winter!

Try 40+ for months on end... not days!

Bawadi Mall - Al Ain

Quite some time ago I posted about some of the ongoing developments in Al Ain. This is one that didn’t make the list then as I didn't know about it at that stage; and, until Sunday I still didn’t know existed. Admittedly this is down one of the roads in Al Ain they you don’t go down unless there is a specific reason, but at the same time is only a couple of minutes from home.

So with little to no fanfare, Bawadi Mall opened to the public last week. Only Carrefour is opened thus far, but this place is going to be rather large in comparison with what we have currently here. Could have sworn last time we were down this road there was nothing there at all; but maybe we didn't go down this far or something (or, maybe it did really go up overnight). Seems with the list of stores there will be less need for trips to Dubai for those things that you can’t get here soon.

Time for a Change!

Templates, Templates, Templates.
Is it time to change?
Yes, it is time to change.

[and I know what looks like a New England harbour background has nothing to do with the UAE but it will do for a little while]

Fish Balls To You Too!

Here is another story that caught my attention on news.com.au this morning. Sometimes you just have to say:

Serves yourself right then don't it!

"SEVEN Japanese have fallen ill with one in a critical condition ...
[t]he group ate raw meat and baked testes of blowfish..."

I mean seriously...

Does not knowing make an answer no longer incorrect?

According to a survey about Australia Day on news.com.au "less than half those surveyed could correctly name January 26 as the day the First Fleet landed".

Ok fair enough I say considering how few Australians are actually what Australians would consider Australian. It is sort of a weird date to celebrate since really it is just a bunch of people turning up to a piece of land that was already discovered and inhabited. It would be over 100 years until it would become a country as such anyway, but it is the National Day and everyone needs one of those.

The bit about the report that made me think was this:
"In all, more than 40 per cent of those surveyed got the answer wrong.
A more honest response came from the 16 per cent of respondents who admitted they did not know what the date represented."

Does not knowing something mean you didn't get an answer incorrect? Technically this is true, but is written rather poorly as it is claiming 40% were not being 100% honest somehow. Does giving the wrong answer make one less than honest? Obviously nothing much is said about the survey itself, but if you have 16% admitting "they did not know what the date represented" makes it sound as if they were the ones who were not even willing to take a guess. This sounds a little unAustralian to me; they weren't even willing to 'av-ago (ya mug)!

The most relevant part of the story is in the first sentence which states: "CONTROVERSY may be raging over whether Australia Day should be moved to a new date, but a poll shows most people don't know what it commemorates anyway." I don't think 56 % qualifies as "most".

Journalism is not what it used to be; I believe it has been said ignorance is not an excuse!

... and on the subject of ignorance, have a look at this story I'm not racist, says 'f*** off' teen... "16-year-old Sharon from Cherrybrook said she was not being racist or aiming at "anyone especially in Australia"". Um, ok then... this time it is our own human ignorance that makes us interpret this phrase as being racist and closed/simple minded... and BTW Australia is far from full!

Happy Australia Day!

(photo courtesy of http://picasaweb.google.com/annettepeterli/AbuDhabiCamelRacesAtSweihanAbuDhabi#5126037862441535954)

(photo courtesy of http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1467957930079296632HlzjZd)

(photo courtesy of http://www.news.com.au/gallery/0,23607,5037131-5007150-9,00.html)

You have to be sh@#ting me!

Good story for the Australia Day weekend!

A man fired for 'un-Australian toilet habits'

Although this is disturbing, I don't have the same level of reaction I should as this happened near to where I spent my teenage years. Doesn't surprise me; some places never change.

Snow in Ras Al Khaimah

Although I know this isn't the first time, it is the first time since we moved to the UAE. Unfortunately it is in the northern part of the country otherwise would have been nice to go and stand on some Emirati snow! It was pretty cold over the weekend but obviously not as cold as up in RAK. Before we know it winter and the rains will be all over and done with and the hot days will return.