we survived!

Dexter's home!  In fact, he came home early -- on Wednesday afternoon because things went reasonably well for him in the UAE. It wasn't as bad or as hard as I thought to be alone, but I was glad to have him return early. The hardest day was Monday when Kyalo got shots in both legs and had a slight fever and probably some pain. So, he spent the day and well into the night screaming. Oh, the screaming.  It is heartbreaking because there was nothing I could do for him, but hold him. He did seem to be satisfied with that.

While I was holding the fort down at home, Dexter was running around Al Ain and Abu Dhabi where the temps were soaring well over 100*F.  Of course, the police station in Al Ain doesn't do the report he needed so he hopped a bus for two hours to Abu Dhabi, ran around there til he found a helpful station, and did his business.  The document should be mailed to us next week, and we're one step closer to gathering everything for the US Green Card application.

I was sad not to be able to go, because I knew he'd get some good time with good friends.  I had a list of places (restaurants, mostly) he should go on my behalf, and sent him with our small camera with instructions to take a lot of photos.

 Dr. Koshy, Dexter's work mate.

Jomy. He's the marketing director at Oasis. We did a lot of projects together.

Hi Jomy!

Aside from all the quality time with friends I knew he would have, I was most sad that I wouldn't be able to join him for a venture to one of my favorite restaurants, Al Sahari.  I'd never had most of the food before, and loved it all, especially the hummus that came with roasted pine nuts in some sizzling butter or ghee.  To.Die.For. I was sad to say good bye to it when we moved.  I could almost taste it again when talking about his trip back there.  He was kind enough to take pictures.  I've taught him well!

 there it is! the hummus with pine nuts.  A little taste of heaven. Surely, this is what angels eat.

the spread: fatoush, mixed grill, and the hummus

This is Shiny.  Shiny was the first person I met when I moved to the UAE in 2008. She took me to KFC and we talked, and soon became fast friends.  She made the days at the hospital and in Al Ain bearable and enjoyable.  We started walking together (yes, even in that heat!) after work, and making meals together. She taught me a lot about her culture which baffled me, and introduced me to a lot of new foods.  I can't imagine how I would have survived without her for the two and a half years I lived in the desert.  Her friendship, laughter, kindness and company were the true oasis for me. 

Since he came home early, Dexter's visits were cut short. And since it is JUNE in the desert, a lot of the people he'd hoped to see had wisely escaped the heat.  He was eager to return to cool Kijabe, and we were eager to have him home.

Of course, I was hoping for a little token of love from his trip.  Kyalo got a lot of new clothes from Shiny and our friend Rita, as well as from Dexter.  But what could he bring me?

Hummus with pine nuts!!

 {happy}

{heaven}

I couldn't believe it when I saw the packaging!  In an effort to recreate the authentic experience, I scraped the nuts off the hummus and microwaved them for a bit.  It was almost as good as being there.  I then proceeded to eat it.

All by myself.

It was a happy reunion.

And it was good to see Dexter, too.