Musing the mundane

Ahhh the life of an expat. Each morning I wake up and peek out at a glorious view of the Arabian gulf. I drive past the billowing seven-star Burj Al Arab as I take the kids to school. On the drive home I glimpse the the silver slope of the indoor ski field and the shooting towers of the marina. The sun at this stage is glowing, just having popped up from the horizon.

Then I arrive home and there's toast crusts to pick up off the floor. Breakfast dishes to be washed. Loads of washing to be put on. Beds to be made.

Glam, huh?

In so many ways, life is exciting and new here. There are so many exotic adventures and experiences to be had, I feel inspired and blessed. Despite this, something hit me this week, my life has become focused on the mundane.

In Sydney, housework and chores were something I slotted in around the rest of my life. Quickly tidy up before meeting someone, throw some washing on before going somewhere. At the moment, they're the focus of my life. My purpose for the day.

It slapped me in the face when Skip asked what I had on the other day and my reply? "The cleaner is coming." So my whole purpose for the day was to open the door for the cleaner to clean, pay her and see her out again. Wow.

Well, it was actually a little bit more than that. First, I had to clean for the cleaner (because I'm odd like that, even when cleaners here will do all sorts of cleaning). Pay some bills. Put some washing on. Do some ringing around about getting the car fixed. I know. Crazy stuff.

You see, I can't have a full-time maid like many so here, because what would I do? I'd have to become a gin-swilling expat wife at the club. I don't actually know if there are any gin-swilling expat wives clubs, but I'm sure I could find something if need be.

I've made friends and have social connections of lunches and coffees and playdates, but still there feels like something is missing.

Anyhow, I think this is a sign that it's time to start filling in the finer detail of my Dubai life. Get involved in something. It doesn't seem like work is an option, but there has to be something...