Big news

We have big news here in Abu Dhabi. We just found out that we are having a baby and we just shared it with our family and friends. Life is full of surprises, but we are so happy that we get to be parents again. I am 16 weeks right now and I am due January 16, 2011 my mom's birthday. So far the baby is healthy and the doctor seems to think that this pregnancy is going really well this time around. Our life is soon to change, but we are looking forward to the new baby. We are hoping the baby waits until at least New Year's so let the count down to the new year begin.

Bu Tinah Island

Bu Tinah Island is one of the 28 official finalists for the “New7Wonders of Nature”. a campaign which will see people worldwide vote to nominate the seven most remarkable, beautiful or otherwise awe-inspiring natural locations and features on our planet. In 2011, the "New7Wonders of Nature" will be selected and announced to the world. Vote now and bring Bu Tinah Island into the final seven. It’s your opportunity to be part of history. And the future!

Off the western shores of Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, lies a unique natural treasure, wild and undisturbed by human activity: Bu Tinah Island. Bu Tinah’s thriving ecosystem forms a unique living laboratory with key significance for climate change research. An undisturbed paradise, Bu Tinah has much to teach mankind about environmental protection and survival. This distinctive natural habitat has shallow waters, seagrass beds and tall mangroves, set amid extensive coral reefs. It hosts beautiful and endangered marine life. Seabirds, including flamingos and osprey, various species of dolphins and the critically endangered hawksbill turtle live in Bu Tinah. The island’s waters host the world’s second-largest population of dugong, a large marine mammal that is threatened worldwide. Bu Tinah Island, rich in biodiversity, lies within the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve - the region's largest marine reserve. Its protection and survival must be ensured.

There are seven reasons to vote for Bu Tinah Island:

1. Coral Reefs: Their survival, despite the harsh environment, has given researchers insight into coral reef survival elsewhere in the world in the face of global warming.

2. Natural Mangroves: They reach an average height of 5 meters and support wildlife including birds, fish and crustaceans.

3. Hawksbill Turtles: Every year, these critically endangered species arrive to Bu Tinah Island to nest.

4. Dugongs: These threatened species are often spotted swimming among the Island’s extensive seagrass meadows. They have been able to live without disturbance in a clean natural sanctuary, thanks to EAD’s management of the marine biosphere reserve.

5. Dolphins: The Indo-pacific humpback, bottlenose and common dolphins swim around the Island.

6. Ospreys: Bu Tinah Island is a major breeding site for this globally important bird.

7. Socotra Cormorants: Bu Tinah Island is a roost site for about 20,000-25,000 of these birds.

ISLAND CAMPAIGN: Bu Tinah has been shortlist for the Official New7Wonders of Nature title.

Owl

	A bird caretaker feeds an owl at a bird show held at the Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort. - KT Photo by Rahul Gajjar

Su-per Mileage Vehicle

	Five engineering students from the American University of Sharjah (AUS) designed an eco-friendly vehicle, as a part of graduating project last spring 2010, to help save fuel — called the Su-per Mileage Vehicle (SMV), which is a single-seater. And, this vehicle, believe it or not, cuts 643km per gallon (3.7 litres) of fuel. They are also participating in super mileage vehicle contest in the US. - KT Photo

Paul's new ride

2005 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Edition

SpongeBob in Dubai

Stories of SpongeBob

Patchy the Pirate agrees to share his most prized treasure with the audience - his favorite stories under the sea, all about his favorite absorbent friend SpongeBob SquarePants! As Patchy regales the audience with his stories, SpongeBob, Patrick and Squidward appear, reenacting these classic scenes.

SpongeBob Stories is an international cartoon show and an attraction for children and families alike this DSS.

July 22- August 7.

Dora in Dubai

Nickelodeon's Dora The Explorer's Best Friends Day opened to a huge gathering of children at Mirdif City Centre on July 6 as the international character show, part of the Dubai Summer Surprises itinerary, got off to a rousing start.

The official opening was attended by Yousif Mubarak, Chief Operations Officer of Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment (DEPE), Mohammed Al Kamali, Acting Marketing Director of DEPE, and Yousif Al Ali, Vice President of Mirdif City Centre who welcomed the young audience before the first show began. Being held at the central galleria in Mirdif City Centre, the fun filled kids show is free for all and will run till the 21st of July.

Staged in the UAE for the first time, Dora the Explorer and her best friend Boots celebrate Best Friend’s Day by celebrating the day together for a picnic on Rainbow Rock. But first they need to find it! The exciting, educational adventure begins as Dora and Boots set off on a musical adventure with the help of the audience to find their special picnic spot using English and Spanish vocabulary. There will be no shows on Mondays.

Barney in Dubai

InterContinental Dubai Festival city will be opening its doors to Barney the friendly dinosaur in July, with a special performance at a family-themed ‘Purple Brunch’ on July 23.

The brunch, which will cost AED 150 for children and AED 75 for adults, will run from 12.30 – 4pm, and includes prizes such as ‘best dressed Barney’.

Those unfortunate enough to miss the brunch will be able to see Barney perform in a series of free live shows in the hotel lobby from July 20 – 24.

In addition to the live shows, the hotel is also running a raffle which will offer 100 lucky children the opportunity to meet Barney in person.

To enter the raffle, participants must spend AED 100 or more at InterContinental Dubai Festival City, which will earn them a purple ticket from which the winning 100 will be selected to meet Barney after the purple brunch.

For more information or to book tickets for the brunch, call 04 7011128 or email: restaurant.reservation@ichdfc.ae.

One Year in Abu Dhabi

July 6, 2009-July 6, 2010

Well, its a year already that we moved clear across the world and I have to say it has been an adventure here in the sand. How would you sum up a year well lets just say amazing. We have been to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, WV, TX and Athens, Greece. I have to say we have really traveled this year and I never thought I would be in Greece for my 30th birthday, but never the less it was amazing. From tall buildings, to sand, to animals and to the never ending roundabouts on every turn. Life is really interesting here in Abu Dhabi. Here's to another year in the sand.

4th of July

Sydney and I went to one of the malls this morning and meet one of our friends from Butterfly Preschool when she went there. Her mom got in contact with me a few months back and told me they were having twins, wow. She has another little girl Charlotte that will be 4 years old on July 14. I counted today they are 7 months apart in age. They were so cute today. They played in a play area at the mall then we had lunch. We gave a gift for the twins and you couldn't leave Charlotte out. I think she loved her gifts too.

After that we went home so Sydney could take a nap and when we picked up Paul we went to Subway and I had another sandwich from another restaurant. I have to say it was fun to spend the evening together. Then Sydney wanted to ride one of the toys in the play area so she got to ride a boat and a car. I think she had a great day. She looked really cute in her red, white and blue. She was really good today so we got her this zebra for the 4th of July, I love it when things are on sale. :)

Well, we missed spending the day with family, but we hope you had a great 4th of July.

Happy 4th of July everyone!!!

Last day of preschool

June 30, 2010 was Sydney's last day of preschool at Stepping Stones. They had pj day at school along with a birthday party as well as a shared snack. Barney and a clown paid a visit at the school as well. I think it was a big last day for everyone. I have to say we will miss Ms. Carol.

I am looking forward to spending some time with Sydney this summer and she will start back to school on September 1, 2010 at BISAD.

I can't believe our little girl is going to a big school, but I hope she likes it as well as Stepping Stones. I am looking forward to helping out where I can and going on school field trips and even reading to the students. I can't wait to join the parent group there as well.

Can't wait for school to start!!!!