Abu Dhabi/Dubai Trip Part Dieux

Spent Wednesday night at Il's house in Khalifa city (yayyy for electricity and airconditioning :D). I know I sound like a fob but really, after 10 months in Karachi with frequent power breakdowns and water issues, the developed world is like... wow! LOL.

We ate Il's delicious date, banana and walnut cake and watched How I Met Your Mother. Then, we headed to Festival City. I think we were going at 130 miles/hour when there was a hissing noise and the car wobbled... headed to the side of the road and 5 minutes later, a shurta showed up with a big grin on his face. We followed him to a gas station, got the tire fixed and headed towards Mall of the Emirates instead of going all the way to Festival City.

We had lunch at Al-Hallab... great food and pretty reasonable (the fettoush is good). Then, started hard-core pre-wedding shopping (except I ended up mostly buying gifts for my family :)). It amazes me how comfortable I am with a Moroccan, a Palestinian, an Egyptian and a Lebanese girl but I can barely relate to most Pakistan females :O.

We bought lingerie and sleep wear except, I know I'm going to feel super, super awkward wearing it :P (any tips for getting rid of stretch marks and cellulite in 3 weeks?).

Bachelorette Trip to Abu Dhabi/Dubai

It was absolutely FABULOUS!!! And I love my mommy and daddy to bits (best gift EVER) :)

I'd been fantasizing about it for a while but I never thought I'd actually be able to go... My awesome dad had already applied for a visa and booked my ticket. On Wednesday, I got a call telling me to be at the airport for the 10:00pm flight. I went home from work at 6:30pm, showered and started packing with baby sister to help me... (she remembered my toothbrush and dollars for the trip... what will I do without her :S ?)

Mr. F came to say goodbye and then I was off... Independent Gaia on her way to the airport after 10 months... hurrah!

An hour and 45 minutes later, I was in Dubai. Went through the iris scan, bought an Etisalat Ahlan package and walked out to find Il, May and Ra waiting for me... *tears of joy* kodak moment...

So there we were, the four of us cruising down Sheikh Zayed Road at 1:30am, listening to George Michael on the way to Abu Dhabi...

Musings

It's becoming increasingly warm in sunny Karachi. But Alhamdulilah, can't complain... at least I have ac at work :).

I was thinking back to a few (several?) years ago when I'd be taking my O'Level and A'Level exams in the scorching heat. Somehow, the heat didn't bother me much at the time, or maybe I was too focused on exams to bother about mundane matters like bijli. We didn't have a generator, so I'd wake up extra early (around 7 am) to study during daylight hours and my mom would make me brownies to keep my energy levels up (yes, I was a pampered kid!).

Sometimes, it scares me when I realize what a comfortable and secure life I've lead so far... I'm the favorite grandchild (*smug grin* lol) and my dad's princess... I don't think Mr. F or the in-laws are going to be as indulgent... Time to grow up :'(

Work is at an interesting stage... the deadlines have been pushed back a couple of months but it looks like I'll be honeymooning alone since Mr. F has to travel for work... I'm not sure how I feel about that :-S

Prenuptial Thoughts

I've been weeping my eyes out in the office bathroom... Mr. F thinks these are "prenuptial jitters" I think I'm just sad :,(

So girls and guys, here's a new situation:

My parents want to fill out the Nikahnama early to avoid last minute drama scenes... Mr. F's family thinks that's just weird and they'd rather do it on D-day. Also, my "uber-progressive" parents are on my case to thoroughly read through the document and be aware of my rights. I personally don't think putting down clauses in my Nikahnama (right to work, right to further education etc.) will protect my rights :P

Also, what's your take on family planning/contraceptives? UnIslamic? Interfering with nature? Horrible side-effects?

*Sniff*

I can't believe I'm inshalah getting married in less than 2 months... yeah :O.

As D-Day gets closer, I feel more and more unprepared for this. Is that normal? (FYI Mr. F thinks time's going by too slowly... :P)

Mommy and grandma dearest have been doling out advice at random times:
- Be wary of people, but have a positive attitude
- Be friendly, but not too friendly (how much is too much?)
- Don't go anywhere alone without your husband (because apparently, men from Punjab have roving eyes :P)
- If the in-laws ask you to make something, make kheer... wait, no, that takes too long, make sheer korma, actually, that's our secret family recipe, just make custard trifle :P (Actually mom, I'll just order in Haagen Daaz :D)

I hope I survive the next few weeks without losing it completely...