Match vs. Kuwait & Birthday Celebration

Wednesday:

I think I am becoming the professional packer and hotel changer! We packed up again today and headed to a really nice hotel called Radisson Blu- in UAE standards it is a 5 Star hotel, which by the looks of the rooms I am really not sure what their standards are. My room smelled like smoke and was just an average room. But the amenities were what I think got them to 5 star status! The hotel is right on the beach with a fantastic pool and workout facility.  After hanging out and getting settled in the new hotel, we piled in the car and went to the Sharjah Ladies Club to play our crossover match vs. Kuwait. Since we got 1st place in our pool, we have to play the 2nd place team in the other pool which is Kuwait. This match was super important because if we won, we would be playing in the championship. But...our team decided not to show up 100%, we lost 0-3 to Kuwait. Yeah, they were good, they had a Bulgarian girl that was pretty good, but we also didn't play our best match. The team was really bummed. Asma was screaming in the hotel in Arabic to some of our teammates (not at them but just in general) and she was just venting about the game, that is about all I got! As bummed as we all were, we still had the chance to get 3rd place in the tournament, which meant that I would get to bring home a bronze medal..we have to face Bahrain again tomorrow, and we all knew that isn't the easiest task. Kaptin Amina still bought us food even though we lost (ha..ha.) and it was rice and meat once again. The girls all gathered around on the floor and ate with their hands...and of course, I had my own separate plate and fork. :)

After hanging out with the team for a bit, a girl comes up from the elevator with gifts and a sleigh (yes, literally a mini sleigh) with presents all over it and balloons. I was so confused, but then they said she was JoJo's best friend and it was JoJo's birthday..I was like ohhhh wow, friends are pretty amazing here. So we set up the room and made it all 'birthday like' and surprised JoJo with decorations, gifts and a cake! She was so surprised and thankful. We celebrated, talked, hung out..it was a perfect night. Probably the day where I officially realized how blessed I am to be here. These girls are amazing..they embrace me like a sister and friend even though we have only known each other for a a little over a week. They are special!

JoJo with her British themed cake and cupcakes!

 I had a mountain dew, yes mountain dew, that was spelled in Arabic (obviously), I was so excited that I had to take a picture.. 

Well after that mountain dew I was pretty wired, so that made for a pretty fun rest of the night. We took a ton of pictures and goofed around like teenagers. The girls even decided to put the wrap on my head and take pictures..they thought it was so funny. I thought I looked a little scary but they told me I looked "beautiful"! They are way too kind.

I think I fit right in...except for the blue eyes

Probably my favorite night so far! Even better, is that JoJo decided to stay over in the hotel (she always goes home) and we were roommates! Her english isn't as strong as the other girls, so it was definitely a challenge to make conversation..but we made it work! She is an incredible woman and I was so happy to get to know her a bit more, she is my setter after all :) Great great night..I can't believe I only have 2 more days in this wonderful place. Until tomorrow..