Ugh...

The only reason I am on right now is because my work computer crashed.   Right now, I feel about as big as an ant.  I have programs on my computer that only I have access to and I may have just lost ALL recorded data for the project since day one.  Funny thing is - I was going to back it up today because I was afraid this might happen.  Just one day too late.  And wouldn't you know it - all the "big wigs" just came in today to be here for a few weeks.  They want to view our operations and see why we are asking for more help.  Ugh...  Lucky for me though I pulled all of the numbers together last night on my job to show that my position has grown ...ready... 680% since I took it over.  Um, yeah, I think I need help.

Since I have no access to anything, and we have no IT person here, I have to wait and wait and wait.  We are hoping to get someone in here within about three days - a person who is passing through on his way to R&R.  I am starting to wonder why on earth we would be here without an IT person.  We have about one computer crash a week.  My understanding is the computers are good, but with all of the encryption, anti-virus etc they add to them overloads and corrupts the systems.  Since I receive and respond to about 150 emails a day I can just imagine what I will see when I can get back on.  I am already having anxiety over it.

One of my coworkers is trying to take apart my computer now to see if he can extract and recover all of my data.  I am praying and trying to stay positive.

In the meantime... I am now a Visa Dubai Resident!  I also have my drivers license!  I don't have a car yet since I was waiting to get used to this place.  I am finally figuring out my way around here - at least the area I live and work in.  I discovered a Gloria Jean coffee house in my neighborhood!  Wooohoooo! I don't know if it is open yet, but hopefully it soon will be.

I walked to work a few days ago and it was actually a very nice walk.  But today it was so hot that I just about melted when I stepped outside.  It has to be over 120 degrees today.  I have never felt heat like this ever in my life.  And we have not even hit the hottest time of year.

Since I had some free time on my hands I decided to take a trip over to the hospital so that I can see where the tail end of my work ends up.  It is such a beautiful hospital.  I got the full tour, including the laboratory where all of our blood work is done.  It is the second most advanced facility on this side of the world and it was amazing.  They have machines in there that can read 10,000 samples an hour with over  20 different tests on each.

My coworker/contractor took me to the female ward (they separate woman and men here).  It was so quiet and there were beautifully decorated doorways where woman had just given birth.  I will add the picture on here later.

My work schedule will be changing a bit and as of this coming tuesday I will only have to work out of one office.  I am happy with the change and think it will work out just fine.  It will also give me about 30 minutes to an hour more time (cutting out travel time) to do my work.  My only concern about moving to this new facility and not working at the office is that I won't be able to take care of Sissy and Jersey anymore.  Oh!  Did I tell you?  Sissy is pregnant!  Her belly is huge!  I am sure she is going to have those little ones any day now!  With it being so hot, she is miserable.  She lays on the cement with her belly in the air and her paws on the side of the building.  She looks like she is playing dead.  I feel so bad for them.  I asked if I could have pets and was given a big fat NO!  Yes sir, understood.

As far as getting out and seeing the sites - fat chance.  I work and sleep.  Then start the process over again the next day.  I am stressed to the max and can't seem to find time to get anything more done than my daily routine.  I have added reports, processes, and projects everyday and I can't even touch them.  I had to write a simple outline of my job function - bullet points - one liners - leave out the simple details...it was three pages long.

So, long story short - I wish I could share with you my great adventures but I just have none to share with you at this time.  I wish I did, but I don't.

Kirk is coming along with the wedding plans nicely.  I put in my 2 cents every now and then but he is mostly planning it along with the travel agent.  In all my life I have never met a man who enjoyed planning the wedding - or let alone plan a wedding!  The major part I am contributing to it is my dress (I actually bought two) and I have to write my vows.  I have not started on the vows yet, but need to get going on those.  Kirk is already done writing his!

Here is the scoop on the wedding... We will be leaving on July 20 to head to Santorini, Greece.  The Santorini will be preformed on a yacht by the captain on the afternoon of July 22.  After the Santorini, we will enjoy a fun day of sailing, swimming and snorkeling around the islands.  The rest of the trip will be enjoyed on one of the other islands and then in Athens to see the ruins.  We will return to Dubai and have a few extra days off to explore the UAE and possibly Oman - returning to work on August 8th.