January 26, 2018

Well I’ve gone around the sun 1 more time and I feel very blessed about that. I think I may have said this before but if anyone would have told me that I’d be in the United Arab Emirates at this stage in my life I would not have believed them…AT ALL!

The week of my birthday last year I had my own fashion show/week at work. Everything I wore each day to school was something that I made and that made my week so awesome. 

This week I decided to wear new abayas to work. There is something about wearing nice new clothes that make you feel so great! I went to work feeling great. I saved my new favorite abaya for Thursday. See the pictures below.

Well January 25, 2018 Mike picked me up from work and we were off to Dubai. I was very excited because it was my birthday weekend and growing up my Mom made birthdays a big deal. Mike told me that we would be staying at the tallest hotel in the world. Did you catch that? The tallest hotel in the world!!! I had to look that up to verify and sure enough that’s where we were staying, the JW Marriott Marquis. Color me excited! We pulled up and as soon as we stepped out of the car we received the best customer service! The bellman welcomed us and walked us to the check in counter. 

He introduced us to the lady who would be assisting us and she welcomed us and thanked us for staying with them. She thanked us for being Marriott Rewards members, thanked us for checking in via the mobile app and then she wished me a happy birthday! She explained the amenities that we would be receiving and she told us about the hotel and it’s 13 in house restaurants. WOW! We went to our room and our bags followed us. The bellman explained the room and thanked us for staying. This customer service Is top notch! We oohed and ahhed about the view from our room and then we got dressed for our first event – La Perle!

From the bathtub we could see the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa.

La Perle is a show that combines a distinct artistry with acrobatics. It was an amazing show!

We had VIP tickets which afforded us complimentary valet, complimentary all you can enjoy food and drinks, and we would be escorted to our seats. We pulled up at the theater which was only about 10 minutes from our hotel. The valet told us that they had paid parking and I told him that we had VIP tickets. He told us the price of the VIP ticket and I let him know that I knew the price and had already purchased the tickets. He looked a little surprised and asked to see the ticket. I showed him our tickets and he told us where to enter and welcomed us to the theater. Once inside the theater we went to a standard ticket taker thinking that’s where we were to enter. She said, “Oh ma’am, you have VIP tickets and your entrance is to your right.” I have to admit that I felt good at that instant! #NoJudgement

The VIP area had a blue carpet leading to a “semi secret” area. We were greeted again and had our tickets scanned. We were escorted into the VIP area and at that moment the person inside my mind and stomach who loves to eat began to jump up and down. All of the food was looking at me and calling me! I had to answer! And believe me that I did! I walked by all of the displays to see what my options were. I started with vegetable rolls and from there it went downhill. Nachos, popcorn, candy, juice! I was just so happy. #NoJudgement

About 5 minutes before the show was to begin we went to our seats. We were on the very front row in the VIP section. As we walked I felt people looking at us. Was it because I had on bright red shoes? 

Was it because we were carrying so much food? Was it because we were displaying our black girl magic and black boy joy? Or was it because we were 2 brown people heading to the very front row? I really didn’t care. I just knew where our seats were and that I was excited to see the joy from THE VERY FRONT ROW! 

Mike told me he thought people were a bit surprised to see us and see where we were seating. Once the show was over we only saw 1 other black couple so that explained the looks. As soon as we sat down Mike said, “Yep, we is a cultured couple.” He and I laughed and at that moment the lights went down and the show began. I can’t even begin to explain how good the show was to me. It was action packed! I would definitely go see it again and I’d buy VIP tickets. My friends said they were going to come to the UAE for my birthday in 2019 and if they do and if that show is still going on I’m going to buy us VIP tickets. I wonder what kind of looks we’d get. LOL!

Enjoy some picture and videos from the show. But if you only watch one video please watch the one to the left. This guy was going ALL THE WAY IN and I had to hype him up! Ayyyeeeeee!!!!

After the show, we went to Zoco which is a restaurant in the same place as the theater. They serve Tex Mex cuisine. I had tacos and Mike had quaesadillas. 

We laughed and talked and then I saw a cake with a lit sparkler going to another table and turned to Mike and said it’s my birthday too. Mike let me know my birthday was actually the next day so to relax. Well I turned my head and saw another cake with a lit sparkler but it was coming my way. #SuperExcited 

My smile was so big! We talked a little more and then headed back to our hotel but we had to stop and take pictures in front of the La Perle backdrop first!

Now I’m going to pause talking about my weekend and tell you what I had been doing this week because it is going to make one of my revelations make much more sense.

So as I talked about in my last blog I’ve decided to be serious about my weight loss and getting healthy. I am at my heaviest EVER and it’s not cute! So, I planned to do the green smoothie detox and I was going to start after my birthday. I’m somewhat of a picky eater and I was nervous about how the smoothies were going to taste so I decided to do the modified smoothie cleanse Jan 21-25. The modified smoothie cleans is when you drink a smoothie for breakfast and lunch and then eat a clean meal for dinner. A clean dinner is grilled chicken and vegetable or salmon and vegetable. Every day I drank detox tea first thing and for breakfast and lunch I drank a green smoothie. The smoothies were actually not bad. I also worked out every day for about 45 min-1 hour each day. For dinner I had either grilled chicken or grilled salmon and a vegetable. I drank 2 liters of water each day which is like 66 ounces. I was so proud that I stuck to this regimen. I felt better about me and felt like I was making a change to better me.

Ok resume my birthday weekend….

When we got in on Friday night after the La Perle show Mike told me that we would have to wake up early because we needed to eat breakfast and be downstairs by 6:00am. I told him no problem and set my alarm.

We got up on Friday, January 26 ate breakfast and went downstairs. We waited. Mike talked to the concierge and waited. He told me that we were going to ride ATVs in the desert but the tourist company wasn’t answering his call. He was trying to call and find out if we were going to be picked up or where we were to meet them but no answer. I asked the name and looked them on online and found a number. I called and received no answer. I decided to send them a message via Whatsapp and I got a response. Come to find out they were not coming and our tour had already left. Mike looked defeated. I let him know it was ok and that I was still enjoying myself. We went back upstairs to our room and I decided to go to the fitness area since I only did a small workout the night before. Before going to the gym I saw a scale in our bathroom and decided to get on and see what numbers would be looking back at me. I got on and the numbers looking back at me were not the numbers that were looking back at me just a few weeks ago. I was 2 KG lighter. 2 KG! That’s equivalent to almost 5 pounds. I was super excited about this progress that I hurried off to the gym. While on the treadmill I began to think about our blotched ATV ride and began to preach to myself. (Sometimes you have to preach to yourself.) I was already feeling skeptical about my whole weight loss journey because I didn’t see any changes in my body even though I know I was putting in work. Had we gone on the ATV ride I probably would have never got on the scale. That small win made me feel great and it confirmed that what I was doing was in fact working! Sometimes things don’t go the way we want because we don’t need them to. Think about the time you had a flat tire unexpectedly. What did that flat tire keep you from? Think about that time you spilled coffee on your work clothes and you had to change and in turn you were late for work. What if that spill kept you from being in a wreck or getting a speeding ticket? Missing the ATV ride, even though I really wanted to go, helped me encourage myself and confirm my process. It also helped Mike and I bond because he revealed some things to me during our spa treatment….(calm down I’ll talk about the spa shortly) that showed me his vulnerable side and ultimately made me think about the kind of wife I was being. So, yeah we might have missed an adventure to help me kick off my year of me and adventures but it still did just that! Also, I wanted to go to Paris for my birthday but Mike told me about the La Perle show and we decided on that. Saturday morning when we woke up Mike told me that Paris was actually flooded. See what I missed! #ThatWillPreach #IfYouPreachItGiveMeSomeCredit #JustKiddingNoCreditNeeded #WhatDidYouMissThatEndedUpBeingABlessing

So after working out I took a very short nap and I woke up starving! Mike was still sleep so I told him I was going to get something to eat by the poolside grill. I invited him to join me but he said it’s your birthday so go enjoy yourself. I think he felt some kind of way about his plans falling through so I was off. I left our 65th floor and went down to the 3^rd floor and saw that the restaurant was empty which led me to think they were closed. I asked and they were open. So I went inside and I had the entire restaurant to myself. #LovedIt

I ate and went back to the room. By the time I returned it was time for us to go again. We were going to the spa to have body scrubs and a couple’s massage. We checked in and because Dubai is an Islamic country men and women facilities are separate. Mike went one way and I went another. I was escorted to the changing room and from there I was taken to the steam room, sauna, and Jacuzzi area. I got in the sauna for a few minutes. A very few minutes! I then went to the Jacuzzi which was empty. This entire area was actually empty. I sat in the Jacuzzi and thanked God for the means to even be sitting in a Jacuzzi, in a spa, in Dubai.

I was escorted to the massage area and was joined by Mike shortly after. We received our body scrub treatment, and then were told to shower and that was followed by a massage. It was such a relaxing experience. I think we’ll be making spa visits part of our monthly budget. 

After our treatments, we went back to the room and I was hungry...again. We ordered Tony Roma’s because Mike wanted a steak and I just wanted to eat so I didn’t care where we ate. We ate and talked about the spa. After eating I took a shower. When I came out I was met with this...#HowSweet #YouDoNotNeedToKnowMyAge

We watched a little television until the sleep monster jumped on us.

Saturday, I woke up and went to the fitness area. Once I got back we went to breakfast and enjoyed the view. We checked out of the hotel and stopped by the Dubai Mall to visit the Souq. The Souq is an area of the mall where you can haggle and bargain for the items that you want. I wanted to get my Dad some cologne because over Christmas he was in love with Mike’s cologne and every day that I’ve talked to him he has asked if I have gotten him his cologne yet so that was a must!

This weekend was such a great weekend It was just what I wanted and needed. I am so thankful that I get to have all of these experiences. I do not take any of these experiences for granted.

I encourage all of you to travel and see the world! If Abu Dhabi or Dubai is on your travel itinerary let me know so we can hang out!

Starting tomorrow, Sunday January 28 and the following 13 days I’ll be doing the Green Smoothie cleanse. I will have a green smoothie every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I’ll only be eating approved snacks and it is my hope that it helps me jump start my weight loss and ultimately my lifestyle change. I’m going to do a blog that encompasses all 14 days and each day I’m going to detail how I’m feeling and if I’m noticing any change. I’m super excited about losing weight and being a healthier me. I invite you to keep reading my blog so you not only see the changes my body goes through as I embark on this lifestyle change but to also see what adventures I take on during this next year of my life!

Before I sign off, on Sunday, January 28 I'm having an incentive party for all of my boys who have earned enough Class Dojo points. A parent had a cake and cookies delivered to me on my birthday and since I'm not eating sweets I figured I'd share it with my boys. Well, the day of the party another parent sent in a cake so the boys had a lot of cake to enjoy. One of my boys gave me a gift too! Super Sweet!

Thanks for reading! Remember to Be Uniquely You and Be Kind to One Another!

New Year, New Me, Same Abu Dhabi that I love

This is for all of my Martin fans...

Well did ya....


I'm back. I took a break from blogging because I was on break and wanted to thoroughly enjoy it.

So in December we had exams. Exam week is much like it is back home. Students come, take their tests, and leave and go home not long after the exams are finished. One difference is exams are only 2 hours. Another difference is back home tests would be taken to a warehouse to be scored by computers. Here all exams are scored by teachers. That's right, we graded the tests. The entire department sat in a room together and we graded the tests. You did not only grade your grade level which I thought was very team oriented and made the grading less daunting and overwhelming.

After exams were over there were a few days before school was offiically closed for the Winter Break which for students was December 14-January 14 however our school was closed for students a few days before that. Yep, no students leading up to the break!

Once the break officially started we began packing for our trip home. On this trip we had planned to see as many of our friends and family as we could. My side of the family had planned a trip to Florida where we would spend a week together and go to Disney World on Christmas Eve.

Packing was relatively easy as we didn't have winter clothes so we packed for the Florida weather and hoped that the North Carolina weather would be kind to us while we were there.

Our day of departure arrived and we made sure to get to the airport with enough time to enjoy the Mastercard Lounge. We took a taxi, went through the screening, and much to our delight the lounge was rather empty. We found an area and decided to eat and enjoy all of the amenities. When it was time for our plane to begin boarding we were taken to our gate and at that moment we were so glad that we arrived at the airport as early as we did. We had to walk quite far to our gate only to realize we had to go through customs and security again and that's where the lines began. We finally got through and in front of us was another line where we had to go to a machine and answer some questions to then be given a ticket to talk to a person who would stamp our passports and look at us and ask us why we were going to the US. Once we finished that process we had to walk to our actual gate where we saw all of the people who would be on our flight with us. There were so many people and many children too. I prayed at that moment that there would be no babies around us. (Judge all you want to but 14 hours with a crying baby in your vicinity is torture.) We decided to pay for the extra leg room seats because sitting in such a confined space cramps my knees. That is one upgrade that I will always pay for. It was so worth it! I was able to stretch out my legs and when I had to go to the restroom I didn't have to slide by Mike or anyone else. The flight was uneventful. I slept a lot and watched quite a few movies. The food this time was ok. Eggs were served for the breakfast meal and I do not like eggs. So, needless to say as soon as we landed I wanted to stop and eat. We had a layover in Chicago and just like we had to go outside and catch a train and go through security...AGAIN, on our initial trip to Abu Dhabi we had to do the same thing. The lines though were very long and I love that there is so much security but I wonder if there's a way to expedite the process. Nevertheless we got through and Mike had to have his bag checked and they checked him. They always check my hair so I'm used to it.

We got to our next gate with a few minutes to sit down and catch our breath. It felt good to be in the US but Chicago was very cold and all we were armed with were pullovers we ordered when we realized that we had no outerwear. Once we touched down in Charlotte and grabbed our bags we got a rental car and we went straight to Dad's house to drop things off we didn't need and to grab winter wear! We checked in at our hotel for only a few minutes and then we were off. We had to check our PO Box, stop at our Safety Deposit Box, go to Sprint to figure out why Mike's phone wasn't working, a lunch date with some of my old coworkers, dinner with my brother, Mike wanted to hang out with his cousin, visit Mike's Mom and brother's family, visit my cousins and Aunt's family, dinner with my old dancers, the advisor and some parents, repack our bags for the flight to Florida, go to Florida, spend time with family, back to the Sprint store because Mike's phone wasn't working, fly to Greensboro from Florida, see Mike's friends, be driven to Charlotte, repack our bags for Abu Dhabi, dinner and chill with my bestest friends, and then back on a plane to Abu Dhabi! We were so busy I don't think I ever felt my feet hit the ground. Here are pictures from our visit home.

My family!

My brothers and I. I was so happy to see them!

My Dad, my brothers, and I

My brothers family

My Dad, Papa Herd

Me and the twins

We definitely visited restaurants that I had been missing! If you are affiliated with Moe's, feel free to send me Moe's chips and Queso any time! 😀

No....seriously though.

Our time in the US was great but I don't think we'll be visiting again for a while because the flight we choose is brutal! Anywho the time with our friends and family was priceless and I'm praying many of them can come to Abu Dhabi to visit. My friends are supposed to be coming Jan 2019, our families are supposed to be coming Christmas 2019 and we are supposed to have other visitors before then.

Now that I'm back in Abu Dhabi and back to my regularly scheduled program it has hit me that all of the wonderful food and ability to be lazy since EVERYTHING delivers has caused me to gain weight, like a lot of it. So, on January 28 I'm doing a smoothie cleanse for 14 days to jumpstart my weight loss and detox my body. I have already made changes in my diet. I'm trying to stick to a grilled or bake meat, veggies, fruit, and water. I will definitely be documenting my smoothie cleanse which will help me stay accountable. My friends back home are doing it too and a friend here is going to join me as well. I'm doing this for me and I am determined to be disciplined and maintain it. I'm putting it out in the atmosphere that it is my goal to lose 50 pounds by January 2019! I know that is doable and that's my goal. I'll be doing other things along the way as well and there will definitely be blog posts about it.

Now on to school. I started this trimester off reviewing the rules and resetting expectations. So far so good. The way I want my class to function is going to be a mindset change for my boys but if I'm consistent I know it'll happen.

In other news, my birthday is in 9 days which means today is January 17 for those of you who don't know when my birthday is. (#AquariusSeason #AquariansStandUp) I'm having a party at school as an incentive for my boys to work towards. I do not know what is being planned outside of school but if you know my husband tell him I really want to sit in VIP at the La Perle show in Dubai. There is a show on Thursday, January 25 at 7:30pm that he can buy tickets for and then we can spend the weekend in Dubai. (I'm not giving out hints or anything.)

Before I sign off I must talk about our trip to Dubai once we got back to this side of the world.

The Dubai skyline is so breathtaking!

We went to Miracle Gardens, Global Village, and Cirque du Soleil - Toruk, The Last Flight.




Miracle Gardens is a place where flowers are on showcase. Everything is made of flowers. It was beautiful and I'm not even a lover of flowers.

Global Village is an area of Dubai where countries from all over the world are represented and you can buy souvenirs and taste food from the countries as well. Think Epcot but on a larger scale. It was so much culture to see. I absolutely loved it and I will definitely go back - Hands down!

I love stilt walkers! 

This was part of the Americas exhibition.

 This is in the UAE area. These guys are doing a traditional dance.

I have always wanted to go to Cirque Du Soleiel and it was amazing. Mike got us great seats and the entire time my mouth was open in amazement. I love the performing arts. This show was extra cool because it had interactive moments. If you downloaded their app there were times when you had to point your phone at the performers and you "became part of the show".

Night view of the Burj Khalifa, tallest building IN THE WORLD!

Well friends, thanks for reading! Happy New Year and until next time Be Uniquely You and Be Kind to one another!