Oh now that has gotta hurt

Matt: It's now official, I am the IT Manager for one of our companies, great news. This could lead to quite a few opportunities in the future. Manager? all sounds a bit serious doesn't it? Well it's not - it's just a title, I'll still be the one plugging cables in and clearing paper jams!! but it's pretty exciting and it seems like I'll be working within a good team!

You know I said before that I was still in one piece after snowboarding, well I am kinda - but I did have a breif visit to the hospital to ensure that I hadn't broken my shoulder!! ouch!! had a pretty nasty fall just the other day which renedered my right arm pretty useless as it was so painful to move! Nothing was broken so that's all good! Slowly feels like it's getting less uncomfortable now, so I'm hoping to be back on the slopes next week!! Also chucking a frisbee has become tricky too!!

Good news: My camera has been repaired! Yey!! Now I just have to get it back from England? Anyone fancy flying it over for me??

New Opportunities

Matt: Some good news from the Middle East, I'm changing jobs!! I've been offered a position with another division/company within the Sovereign group of companies that I currently work for. My official title hasn't yet been finalised but I'm sure it will be a step up from "Tea Boy". I'm pretty excited and nervous about the opportunity, a change is as good as a rest right?? and this new path has no strictly define route, so it could go one of many ways with my influence!!
Wish me luck..

Snow fun

Matt: Well we are getting there!! Kelly is really looking confident on the snowboard now. She comes flying down the slopes and rarely wipes out. Me? Well I come flying down the slopes too, on my arse, my elbows, my head...I've done some pretty spectacular falls but i'm still in one piece.



Here we are Geared up and ready to go.
(Rochelle, Moi, Kelly,Jo)



Kelly looking Board!! See what I did there??

Having great fun learning, even if it does sound a bit painful, Afterwards we had a debreifing at Barasti Bar on the beach, Where else could you Snowboard and lap up the sun?? Fantastic!!

Eid Again

Matt: It's Eid again!!! This time kelly and I have both got the next 4 days off work, marvelous. So Jo and Rochelle have come to stay with us for a few days from Abu Dhabi. Please help me - I sware these 2 are trying to kill me - death by shopping!!!

Well as an escape today Kelly and I are taking them to Ski Dubai, well we're going to dump them in the kids play area while we go practice snowboarding!! Excellent - a camera may be involved so I'll be sure to post some pictures when we return.

After the snow, guess what? yep - Shopping!!

But I have booked Kelly and I into the Al Aqah hotel in Fujairah for a period of relaxation and recovery once the have left. I Can't wait!

Out of date, but never out of time

Matt: As I was rubbish and I didn't manage to put any pictures up when Julia and Tim were here, I thought I ought to. So here ya go.

In case you Didn't know, Tim asked Julia to Marry him whilst they were on holiday here...Ahhhh and she said yes. The whole thing was cunningly planned all week and finally executed at the Burj Al Arab.


Tim on his Knees...


Dinner at the Burj..

Kelly and I..

Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum dies

Matt: The UAE has entered into a period of mourning today with the sad death of Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai. He was a much loved and respected ruler and tragically died at the young age of 62.













See Gulf News for more info.

This does mean that many offices and businesses will be closing out of a mark of respect for up to 7 days.

Happy New Year, I'm Rubbish

Matt: Does it seem like the millennium celebrations were 6 years ago?? No, nor to me, I can't believe it. Well I will take a moment to wish you all a Happy and prosperous New Year and hope that any resolutions stick!

I admit I've been a bit rubbish at updating the blog over the past few months and even worse at taking photo's for it. So I will be making more of an effort to keep you all informed as to "What's going on my world" - And as soon as I get my Camera back from the service centre I'll get snapping too.

So, I'm back in Dubai now after a holiday in the UK and things are in full swing already. Best get back to it and make some news for the blog, or I could make it up!! Hmmmm interesting thought!!

Get happy people!!