Journeys Far and Wide: Eid Mubarak

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Eid Mubarak

Eid Mubarak, or may you have a blessed Eid holiday. Friday, 10 Sep, is Eid al Fitr, the Festival of Fast-Breaking. No, not basketball related, but the end of Ramadan. Here in UAE, for this year the government has mandated a five day holiday for all UAE federal workers -- from Wednesday until this coming Sunday. As far as the private sector, since Eid falls on a Friday, which is a normal day off anyway, most will only have Saturday off additionally. Most private sector workers will back to work on Sunday.

As for me, I will be working throughout, even on Friday. I have been going to work the previous two Fridays even though no construction contractors work that day, and I will be at work this Friday. Lately I have been using Fridays to catch up on my work. A lot of my time is taken overseeing several construction projects, meeting with customers and contractors, providing reports to the customers, and coordination with US Air Force and Emirati military for all the ongoing projects during the normal Saturday through Thursday workweek.

I am not really complaining. My current position is a lot more laid back than my previous position. Summer time has been fairly slow as far the amount of work being done. The UAE government had directed this year that from 15 June thru 15 September, a worker must take a break from 1230 until 3PM if his work takes place outside. In the past, the summer work hours were for shorter duration, not the 3 months mandated this year. In addition, during the Ramadan period, from 10 Aug thru 10 Sep, by decree the UAE government only 6 hours maximum of work is allowed per day. So pretty much, my progress on my projects slowed considerably during the summer months. It is not just my projects; everything here pretty much slows down during the summer, and if Ramadan happens to fall within that period, it slows down even more.

The summer and Ramadan work hours, unfortunately, do not apply to the Americans working in the base.

2 comments:

Anonymous10 September, 2010 08:59
your gears are always spinning uncle alban. =)
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Elvin13 September, 2010 08:46
Ron, I am restless when I am at rest. I usually thrive and do well in a multi-tasking environment. But I really need to slow down and relax. Early in my working years, I thought the ideal vacation would be to go alone to a secluded cabin in the middle of nowhere for an extended period of time and just bring a set of books that I have always wanted to read - just pretty much decompress from the hustle and bustle without any care of what is happening outside in the real world. I need to get back into that mode of thinking again, or at least try to get a better semblance of balance between work and relaxation.
Uncle Elvin
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WELCOME

"A man travels the world in search of what he needs and returns home to find it." -- George Moore.

I have always enjoyed traveling – seeing new places and meeting new people. Some have said that travel broadens the mind. I sometime think that during my journeys, I will uncover something deep and profound. I am again back overseas, in Germany, after 14 months in Seattle from March 2011 thru May 2012. I had been away from Seattle from February 2005 to March 2011 – in Iraq for one year, in Bosnia for 18 months, in Germany for 2 1/2+ years, and one year in Abu Dhabi, UAE. I was born in the Philippines, and have lived in Seattle, WA; Washington DC; Southern California; and Portland, Oregon. I have traveled in the US, Canada, Europe, and the Philippines. I have spent most of my life in Seattle.

Seattle is my home. It is where most of my family and friends live. My visits back home,when I am overseas, always invigorate me. I have discovered that it is in Seattle, my home, where I will find what I need. I don’t know how much longer this journey will continue; I do know that it will finish in Seattle.

Places Where I Have Lived

*** I decided to list all the places that I have lived at. I can't believe the number of times I have moved. My true nomadic spirit becomes especially apparent by the number of times I have changed residence. ***
Tagtagumbao, Cuyapo, Philippines - My place of birth; located in the province of Nueva Ecija. Tagtagumbao, a small rural village, will always hold a special place in my heart. It's the type of place where everyone knows each other. The are not many places like that anymore.
Bainbridge Island, WA - The first place I lived at after moving to the US. I lived there for two years, plus the countless summers spent there helping out at my sister's strawberry and raspberry farm.
Seattle, WA - I have lived there for almost twenty years total. I call this town my home.
Chevy Chase, MD - Just outside Washington, D.C. I spent six months there late 1984 thru early 1985 while I interned at US Nuclear Regulatory Agency.
Seattle, WA - Moved back to Seattle in 1985. Finished school at UW.
Pomona, California - After college, I moved there for work in 1988. It was close to my workplace, but I did not realize it was in the middle of gang country. The apartment was nice and new, but...
Rancho Cucamonga, CA - After six months in Pomona, this is where I moved to. Formerly, the town consisted mostly of vineyards. It was a growing community when I moved there. It's located in the foothills of San Gabriel mountains. I lived there for more than 6 years (1988 thru 1995).
Gresham, OR - A suburb of Portland. I lived there for about 5 years (1995 thru 1999). Portland is similar to Seattle, but without the congestion. It still has the small town feel. I enjoyed my time in the Portland area.
Seattle, WA - Moved back to Seattle in 1999 to live with my father after my mother passed away.
Green Zone, Baghdad, Iraq - I lived in the confines of the Green Zone my first two months in Iraq (Feb-Mar 2005). It was located in the heart of the city, where most of the former Iraqi regime's palaces and government buildings were located.
Camp Taji, Iraq - Located northwest of Baghdad, just outside the city. My Resident Office was located inside the base. The Resident Office served as the work area for 7-9 people. It also served as our living quarters. I was there for 9 months. (Apr 2005 - Dec 2005)
Eagle Base, Tuzla, Bosnia - Spent 18 memorable months in Bosnia (Jan 2006 - Jun 2007). I enjoyed my work and stay over there.
Wiesbaden, Germany - I was in Germany from Jul 2007 thru Feb 2010. I had a ball here. I took advantage of my stay here by exploring other parts of Germany and the rest of Europe every chance I got.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Moved here for a new job in mid-March 2010. I moved back to the US in March 2011.
Seattle, WA - Moved back to Seattle in March 2011.
Wiesbaden, Germany - Back again in Deutschland, in early May 2012