Nxt Blog Index
November 05, 2007
Dubai? I do.

It's Monday and I think everyone should be allowed a pun allowance. I am using it now.

If I go over three puns this week, feel free to call shenanigans.

In today's iHerald we went a little global thanks to Josh Edwards and Elizabeth Greason.

On the surface they're a typical young couple, the type you might meet out having a beer at Gritty's or the Downtown Lounge.

She's a teacher, he's an animator/marketing monkey/student, and very much in love.

The thing is, they live in Dubai.



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That Dubai.

Edwards and Greason have been living and blogging at Newlywed in Dubai for over a year.
(That's only half true. Greason, a college professor at American University in Dubai, has lived there since 2003.)

Since I started this iHerald gig, I regularly look for Web sites and blogs written or produced by Mainers or people with a Maine connection, and was surprised when I came across this one.

On its face the blog is a way for the couple to keep in touch with their friends and family.

But reading it as an outsider I thought they offered a realistic glimpse into the day-to-day realities of what it's like trying to live in a foreign country.

Of course in Dubai they have a place that seems to offer the best of both worlds. Edwards is able to find a Subway or McDonald's when he's hungry while Greason can go looking for out-of-the-way local cafes and restaurants.

If you're not familiar with Dubai, it's something like a Western wonderland right in the heart of the Middle East.

It's a growing international hub for business and the uber-rich. I say uber rich because we're talking about people who can build islands and 7-star hotels. (Who knew hotel stars went past five?)

Greason and Edwards look at all of that as well as some of the day-to-day things that most of us would be dealing with if we had a chance to live overseas:

Trying to go grocery shopping and discovering a whole new universe of fruits.

Going to see "The Kingdom," in an predominantly Arab city.

Also, observations on the Red Sox World Series win from thousands of miles away.

Check it out when you have some time to read. I would recommend The Barracuda, a story that many of us could probably relate to.


Also, don't forget to vote...in the newest 'Stache poll.

And don't forget to do the real thing tomorrow.

Posted by at 12:21 PM

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Comments

My brother is moving to Dubai in a couple of weeks to double his income as a pilot (and make it tax free). The thought of thriving off the rape of the Earth (aka oil production) doesn't settle well with me, but indoor skiing (www.skidubai.com) and underwater hotels (http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/711.php) are all very exciting.

Posted by Jonathan
November 5, 2007 03:30 PM

"On it's face the blog is a way for the couple to keep in touch with their friends and family."

That should be "its." No apostrophe. I'm not usually the typo police, but this is my pet peeve. The apostrophe indicates a contraction - "it is." It's a simple rule to learn.

Thanks!


Posted by Teresa
November 6, 2007 09:37 AM

In Dubai, it's illegal to criticize typos.

Posted by Jonathan
November 6, 2007 05:30 PM

Rather, its illegal to criticize typos.

Posted by Jonathan
November 6, 2007 05:32 PM

Enjoyed your story on my good friend Liz, and he husband Josh. Thanks for writing it.

Posted by Tom
November 7, 2007 08:36 PM

Oops, that was supposed to be "her husband" in the above post. Me and fat fingers always getting me into typos. And now I'm sure that the typo police from above might be back, probably not, but you never know.

Posted by Tom
November 7, 2007 08:37 PM

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Justin is a former newspaper intern and has the scar tissue to prove it. Justin has been a staff writer for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram since 2003, and in 2004 began writing a weekly column in the Monday Magazine.

If he had to pick a label, the column would fall under "youth culture," covering everything from high school dance etiquette, dealing with college debt, the resurgence of Roller Derby and Portland's one-of-a-kind music scene. This of course has not stopped him from answering letters to Santa Claus or writing about his experience riding shotgun in a drift car.

Justin is an export from the Midwest. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri and is originally from Minnesota. He enjoys bacon, cheap beer, redheads, Burt Reynolds jokes and wondering what the soundtrack to his life would sound like.

When he grows up he wants to be an international art thief. Or Captain America.

Until then he'll be bringing you dispatches about "the young people" and what they do.






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Bring on the Tights: Free Comic Book Day
Celebrating Vinyl at Enterprise Records
The NXT Roundtable: The economy & doughnuts
South by Southwest Interactive: Talking with Jay Smooth
The Night at Greendrinks
The NXT Roundtable
Day at the Newseum
Subject Bias: How to Feel
ROFLing with "Stuff White People Like"
Geekspeak with Pop Candy
A Green Eye for Fashion
Not My Job
What's next for Justin Alfond
Sittin' down with Stew n' Crew
Lessons with the Portland Music Foundation
Catching up with Opportunity Maine
Discussing Freedom Space
Spinout's Class of 2007
Free for All in Space
Flipping Records: WMPG's Annual Record Sale
An evening at the MECA art auction
Beats, award shows and life with Mike Clouds
The NXT Halloween Special
Chat with Davy Rothbart of FOUND Magazine
When Turtles Make Love *Warning: mature material
Derby night in America
The debut of Halo 3
A sit down with Santiago




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