TDY in Dubai! it's fun because it rhymes

I'm watching a news conference coming out of Cairo right now in response to the interim government's crackdown on Morsi-supporter protests.  This past week in Egypt was the bloodiest since the revolution in 2011, and the pictures are heartbreaking, regardless of which side one supports.  It seems as though the political situation is deteriorating rapidly into a military state and I hope all the bloodshed hasn't been for nothing. 

Last week was the end of Ramadan - I didn't fast this year but I did give up alcohol for the month as a gesture of good faith (hehe, get it?).  I realize celebrating the Eid with a glass of bubbly is wrong but I did it anyway, and I had some folks over to the front porch to help me.  Being surrounded by good friends, breaking bread, laughing together - that is holy to me.  Eid Mubarak!

A couple of weeks ago the State Department issued the closing of all US embassies and consulates in the Middle East and North Africa because of a security threat.  All but the embassies in Egypt and Yemen have since reopened.  A lot of people ask me how I’m dealing with all of this limbo and commenting on how difficult and frustrating it must be.  Setting aside the real-world strife in the region right now, yes, not being able to plan anything more than two weeks out (just in case) is troublesome for someone like me who likes to plan (#firstworldproblems).  But in order to keep my sanity levels in check, I decided to stop waiting and just be here until I’m not.  I have to live my life in a way that isn’t so temporary and in-between, and changing my outlook has made all the difference.  Funny how that works... 

It's SO funny that my options have literally tripled in the last 48 hours.  The folks in UAE, Bahrain and Oman are all willing to let me come hang out on a TDY (Temporary DutY - although, Wikipedia says it means "temporary duty yonder" which I think is hilarious).  No one wants to create a new full-time position for me at their embassy because it's a huge pain, but apparently finding space for me for 30-90 days is no problem so that's what I'm going to do.  I'm more than happy to wander the desert like a Beduin since we don't know whether my home in Cairo will ever be an option.  

So yes, I'm 99% sure I'll be in Dubai for the month of September.  (!!!!!!!)  It's unclear how these back-to-back TDYs will work, whether I'll return to DC in between or just move from Dubai to Manama(na) to Muscat to wherever else.  Also, since these are temporary assignments and not diplomatic posts I can't travel on my diplomatic passport.  I have to get an official passport.  With my tourist, official and diplomatic, I will have the trifecta of passports.

I'm beyond excited about these new possibilities, but I’m also really grateful for all the time I’ve been able to be the Attaché from my stateside office.  It’s been my very own independent study on what works and what doesn’t, with all the support I need from the people here in DC I’ll be working with the most once I’m gone.  There’s a lot to be said for good working relationships and I’m creating more and more of them every day.  I've been thoroughly enjoying another DC summer, too: outdoor movies, concerts, backyard BBQs, drinks on the front porch, new friends, old friends, brunches, golf, etc. etc.  I say thank you every day for all the goodness in my life.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Deep breaths, one thing at a time, everything is as it should be. 

My new business card, 4 months later.