Yesterday was our last day of school for a week AND we got paid.  There are a lot of happy teachers in the UAE right now — wait most of them are on vacation somewhere else in the world.  As I type this my friends are posting pics from Rome, Paris, Sri Lanka, Cambodia.  Other friends are en route to Bali, Seychelles, Jordan, Madrid — just to name the ones I can remember off the top of my head.

I’m sitting in my living room looking at above sign while sipping a special bevy and watching movies.  I’m doing this because my man is traveling 26 hours to finally see me again Sunday evening.  I’ve spruced up my apartment (and I’m in the process of sprucing up myself), went shopping and bought some of his favorite things (woo hoo I’m baking walnut brownies and boiling easter eggs for his arrival — my pantry hasn’t had cookies and chips in it since the last time he visited), and I took a break from all of this prep work by napping at the pool.  Tomorrow I’ll hit the gym, do more pool time, take a walk or two, make a ghoulash (to heat up while he’s here), read and spruce up some more.  Can I just say it’s nice not having to rush to do anything.

While I’m bummed that this time around I’m not adding any new countries to my ever-growing list of travels, I am so excited to see Joe again — and to once again share my temporary corner of the world.  It’s hard to believe that this time next year he’ll be here living with me full time again, adjusting to retirement.  I’m thinking our spring break vacation next year just may have to include Nepal and Tibet.  I’ve been saving those two countries to do with him.

And travel isn’t totally out of this break because a few days after Joe arrives, we are traveling with friends to add a new city to my “been there” list:  Muscat.  Plus, I have a lot of fun outings planned right here in the UAE — plenty of food and beach time.  Not to mention that I’m enjoying the hell out of my quiet time.

Oddly enough this was my favorite thing to do back home during break.  I rarely traveled during spring break because I couldn’t afford it (while all the cool places to visit are a short flight from here, they are quite a distance and cost from the U.S.), so instead I hiked, hung out at my pool, cleaned, caught up with friends, cooked nice meals for my family and enjoyed every second of it.

So my sign is right — happiness is just part of the trip wherever you are, and I’m so happy to have it in my life. I’m also pretty darned happy that travel is something I so easily get to do now — or choose not to do for special visitors!   And a big ole happy break, Easter, time-to-yourself to all my friends and family!