Jeff's Birthday!!!

Saturday: Today is my brother Jeff's birthday!!!  I sure do miss you!  I hope you have a great day planned with Leslie and Mase Mase:)  Wish I could be there to have chocolate cake with you but you're with me in spirit today.

My "older" brother Jeff and I

While I knew this would be tough being away from my family, it's days like this that I wish I were home to hug my family and tell them Happy Birthday.  But then reality sets in and I know they support my decision to be across the world and live a life I never could have imagined.  I made the right choice as Abu Dhabi certainly is starting to feel like home.  Last night, I found myself saying let's go home!  Well the hotel is no home but it sure is NICE!

After breakfast, we headed back to Marina Mall!!!  Yes, I have memorized the way there already.  Today is the last day of Ramadan!  Tomorrow will be EID and time to celebrate!  We went to the Mall today with a mission to find a place for manicures/pedicures.  Another person had recommended Tips and Toes.  This was the place to be as it was packed!!!  Only two of us could get so Martha and Julie were the lucky ones today.  So, Krista, Maria, Justine, and Jen went shopping.  We found an accessory store, Forever 21!!!  And look what I found in the UAE...

Yes, that's LSU gloves and a scarf!  Of course I purchased them even if I live in the desert and will never wear them (well, maybe in my villa watching reruns of the game).  Geaux Tigers!!!

The door to enter the chaos - Tips and Toes

After shopping, we went back to Justine and Julie's hotel, The Intercontinental.  It was super nice!  We went to the pool and hung out for awhile.  The water was a little chilly but step back outside and you're sweating.  We ventured out and went into the spa area to go the jacuzzi.  Usually it's mens and women's.  This was co-ed and we almost thought we were in the wrong place as all the men stopped dead in their tracks and stared at us as we entered.  We asked again if we were in the right place and they told us yes.  It sure was nice though!

View from The Intercontinental

We went back to Julie's room and got dressed for dinner.  Tonight's dinner was a treat...Chamas!  For those of you in Houston, it is like Fogo de Chao.  I had never been to Fogo so this was an experience.  See pictures below for captions on this delicious dinner!

Caipirinhas...yes, please!  Round for my friends on me...they came with dinner so free:)

Jen's all smile with her drinks!

This coaster is two-sided.  One side is green to signal the waiter to bring on the meat and the other side is...

RED...absolutely can't eat anything else!!  STOP

Slicing the beef - you take your tongs as he's slicing to hold onto your beef.  They had "baby beef" that was absolutely delicious.  Then garlic and beer "baby beef", chicken, lamb, round steak and much more.

Julie and I, happy and full!

The ladies after dinner - Jen, Maria, Krista, Justine, Julie, me and Martha.  Thanks Steve for coming and taking the picture - he joined the ladies for dinner solo!

After dinner, we took a taxi back to our hotel and I slept just right:)