New Everything

The whole thing exploded. Honestly, it was time. I wrote the last post about my valve replacement and so that’s the first thing: I have a new heart. Besides the obvious, physical valve, which came from an animal, thereby bringing my heart rate back down to sinus rhythm, it’s a new heart in every sense. It was quite a “life changing” experience and I hate to write that because it’s an overused term, but it’s true, in every sense. I spent some time dead, although I’m sure people will say it’s not technically dead or whatever, but it’s so. The heart was on a table. And later over 24 hours in a medical coma. I consider that a form of death but i admit I was bummed that I didn’t get to remember any visits to my dead loved ones. I was actually kind of excited about that, but I have no memory of it. I find that I feel clearer, and surer of myself, if that’s possible, and more intent on living authentically, instead of putting up with stuff, and soul sucking or dangerous people, thinking I had to. (I hate that “living authentically'“ phrase too because it’s so overused, and out of context, like “amazing”. But it fits.

I changed countries and cities. For various reasons, Oman became impossible to live in and it did damage to my mental health, as well as physical and emotional health. The reasons are many and this isn’t the place to go into them. But suffice to say, my place as a long time frankincense distiller, and a foreigner, and a stand alone female created some incredible situations. And Oman is going through a period where they need to Omanize everything, despite the aptitude people might have for any position. So they changed a lot of rules and increased fees 10x times and etc etc. Didn’t help. There was also a lot of resentment of foreigners like me. Tourists are still wanted and Oman is a beautiful and safe country to visit on the short-term though.

I was not keen at first, on coming to Dubai, but it seemed to make sense and it’s easier to just fling oneself over the border rather than schlep a container load across the world. But I am thrilled thrilled thrilled to be here. It changed a lot, I think even more so since the pandemic. I have a cute place to live, and Professor Pimblebrook (the orange cat) lives with me and we set up Enfleurage here too, but due to the medical situation, things have gone slowly. We have a big stock of frankincense essential oil here. I changed cars, which really is a big deal. I was driving a mini cooper since 2016, in Santa Barbara and then in Muscat. Too many associations. I just bought a jeep.

I changed my phone number—16 years with the Omani one and I switched my whatsapp to the new, and similar Dubai one last week. That’s actually a huge statement because anyone who lives or lived in the Gulf, gets the connotation immediately.

I threw out a lot of my clothes, and am taking a hard look at how much time I spend tethered to these devices. I have never been too much into “social media” but I’m making an effort to read books, like I used to. And taking classes in non-essential oil things. I’m out walking in my neighborhood at night. Incredible difference between these two places. I don’t understand how two countries can be so different. Dubai has been a constant pleasure so far, with nice surprises around many corners. The food is fantastic—very high quality, efficient, beautiful metro, nice people, politeness, I could go on and on. I never would have thought I’d find a sanctuary in the United Arab Emirates. But it feels more and more like that, especially when I hear about how it is in the US now.

And as my surgeon said, “Your heart is ticking like a Ferrari!”