Life is a Fantasy....

I wish.  If my life matched my fantasy world, I would be living rent-free, teaching kids who had respect, be able to have a parent at home with the baby, and not have to deal with my ex on a daily basis.  Oh wait.  That's coming in August!!!

That's right.  When we move to Abu Dhabi, our housing will be paid for, my substantially higher income will be tax free, my husband will be home with the baby, and I'll be thousands of miles away from the ex.  Hurray!

But the real fantasy right now is fantasy baseball.  I still can't believe I'm crazy enough to attempt to manage a fantasy baseball team, but it should be interesting.  I did manage to snag Evan Longoria and David Price, so I'm in good shape there.  I do love baseball.  I love everything about the game.  Some may say that the pace is too slow, but for me it's a chance to slow down and enjoy the ride.  We all move way too fast in this world nowadays that it's a good idea to go slow. 

Again, linking back to Abu Dhabi:  Life there is apparently done at a different speed than life here.  If I felt inspired, I could list some ways that baseball, is, indeed, like Abu Dhabi (lucky thing I feel inspired):

1. The game/country goes at its own pace:  Don't even try to speed things up.  You'll just end up making the fans mad and compromising the integrity of the game. 

2. When the superstars show up, just try and stay out of their way.  I've heard that the royal family rides around in cars with crowns on the license plates.  Everyone pulls off to let them through.  Kind of like when Derek Jeter or Chris Davis takes the plate and the pitcher decides to intentionally walk them rather than risk a home run.

3. You have to immerse yourself in the culture:  In the words of Crash Davis from Bull Durham, "You have to know your cliches."  Accept the fact that you will have to cover shoulders and knees, that people will drive crazy, and that everything will be different from America.

4.  On the other hand, don't be afraid to be yourself.  Just as every batter has a distinctive swing, every person has a creative and independent way of looking at the opportunities in Abu Dhabi.  Some will travel, some will try new foods, and some will try and keep things as close to "normal" as possible.  Everyone's way of coping is legitimate.

5.  Finally, remember it's not over till it's over.  Baseball games, as much as I love them, can stretch on interminably at times.  But eventually it will end and there will be a winner.  I am sure that Abu Dhabi will strain my patience at times, but when it's over, my family and I will be the winners.  We will have savings, be debt free, have lots of stamps in our passports and so many valuable experiences and memories that will last for the rest of our lives.