Yesterday we went to Nando's for lunch. It's been open in Al Ain for a couple of years now, but we just had never bothered. I've been hearing a lot about it on different blogs I like (mostly British blogs, I don't even know if the US has Nando's) and decided I wanted to try it. It was really good! I had a chicken pita and Bryn had chicken and rice. I think I enjoyed it more than he did, but that's ok. They do take out (and delivery) so I think that might become a go-to meal for me when I can't be bothered cooking.
Last night we watched The Grand Budapest Hotel. It was good! I used to go see indy films like that all the time when I was a graduate student at Florida State. I really miss that. Living overseas I am totally out of the loop when it comes to new releases (movies, music, anything!). I watch movie trailers online all the time, but it has been forever since there has been anything that looked good to me - at least that was showing where I was. Hopefully there will be some good movies that I can go see this summer while I'm in the states!
I baked myself an early birthday cake! Since I'll be busy on my actual birthday (I'll be going to Dubai to get my hair highlighted and cut) I decided I should have an early birthday cake. I baked it from scratch, mostly because I wanted to use up butter, sugar and flour before we leave. Now, I'm an American and was raised on box cake mixes. I know there are so many people out there who swear that box mixes are horrible and frown at people who use them. Well you know what? I prefer the box mix. Not only are they quick and easy (and pretty much fool proof), but they also taste better if you ask me! My made-from-scratch-took-all-day Southern Living "white cake" and matcha buttercream frosting looked really great, but tasted...eh. Perhaps I just chose the wrong recipes, but Betty Crocker and Duncan Hines, you have a fan for life.
It is so hot and dry here. My skin keeps reminding me of that. Do you know how difficult it is to really stay hydrated when the dry heat just sucks it out of you? I feel like I am drinking water non-stop, but will end up with a headache, crazy-chapped lips and my skin feeling dry and tight. I've started drinking out of a Camelbak water bottle since it holds more, and I can have a better idea of how much I'm drinking. You'd think 2+ liters a day would be enough, but I'm still always feeling slightly dehydrated! It's crazy. I'm actually looking forward to Alabama's humidity!
Over the next few days we really need to start prepping for our trip. I said before that I have a long to-do list in order to get our apartment ready, but I'm sort of having second thoughts. I really want to clean everything really well so that it's nice to come home to and we can just relax, but I know that won't be the case. No matter how tightly sealed you think the house is, desert sand gets everywhere. If we're not here to keep it under control, everything will have a layer of orange dust on it by the time we get back and we will have to clean it all over again!
Anyways, time to go refill my water bottle. Sorry about today's random, slightly rambly post, I just kind of felt like having a chat! I hope you're having a good week!
I took the top picture on the way to Dubai the other day. It sort of brings a whole new meaning to the camel crossing sign! One camel was literally stepping out onto the road just as we passed it. Not sure if a fence had broken or they were really trying to move them. It's definitely not something you see everyday! Oh, and there was no camel crossing sign in sight!! The one below is near our house.
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