Happy Birthday, UAE!

After a long break from blogging, I'm back at it again!  I spent the summer visiting with friends and family back in the States, and have spent the last few months working on (yet another!) revision of my newest work-in-progress.  My agent sent me some super helpful notes and words of encouragement and I promised myself I'd have some new material to her before the holiday season.  Crossing my fingers that is going to happen!

Speaking of holidays...today is a big one here in my host country. The United Arab Emirates is turning 46 today!  Here are some photos from the airshow that kicked off the celebrations:
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It's really amazing to think that an entire country is only 46 years old.  I mean, that may sound old to some of you, but that's four year younger than I am!  Up until the point that the UAE was formed, there were seven separate emirates, called Trucial States, which were each ruled by a different family and had all signed different agreements with Britain. Britain was in charge of their land, and in return would protect them from outside aggressors. But in 1966, Britain announced they would no longer be able to provide the protection the emirates needed. Shaikh Zayed, who was the well-respected and beloved ruler of Abu Dhabi, knew it was time for all the emirates to come together and the UAE was born.
Pretty cool, huh?
​This is my 6th National Day in Abu Dhabi and everyone of them is better than the last.  It is so amazing to see the pride the Emiratis have for their country and how quickly the rest of us embrace the holiday as well.  And it makes sense why.  This country has afforded alot of people some awesome opportunities: to work, learn, travel and make friends from all over the world. It's also given many expats the chance to be able to support family members back in their own countries. The growth of the UAE has happened in large part because of the talents of the outside world coming in, but has given us all something enormous in return.
It's been a beautiful partnership, at least for my family.  I am excited to be celebrating another birthday with this amazing country!

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