This week’s Into-yous features Sri Lankan expat Shifana Anver.

Tell us a little about yourself
I am a proud mom, wife, lover of all things creative and baker/ cake decorator. I am the founder of Melting Moments and I bake and decorate cakes, cookies and cupcake for all occasions. Decorating gives me a great outlet to put my imagination and creativity to work. The satisfaction I get is priceless.

When did you move to Dubai and what brought you here?
We moved here in 1999 when my husband accepted a job offer here.

Have you been an expat elsewhere and if so, where?
A very short one month in Oman before our move to Dubai. We have also lived for short periods of a year or less in Jordan and in Bahrain, when my husband was handling projects for the Dubai Company he currently works for.

The best advice you were given to prepare you for life in Dubai
The time it takes to really settle in….and once you do, it’s hard to imagine you lived anywhere else!

What surprised you most about Dubai?
Change! Everything from landscape to weather changes so quickly.

What area do you live in?
In my beautiful little Villa in Al-Baraha, Deira (and yes, they do have them in Deira!)

If money were no object, where would you most like to live in Dubai?
Umm Sequim….love the laid back feel of the place.

Your favorite Arabic word or phrase you have learned so far
Habibi 🙂

Your least favorite word or phrase you have adopted since moving to Dubai
A few unfortunately….but having to repeat a word or a sentence over and over again for someone really gets to me.

What has been your best experience in Dubai to date?
The people….all the different Nationalities and getting to know some incredible people here.

Where do you hope to spend your next holiday?
We are planning to get away for a few days in December, hopefully… Destination still unknown!

Who is the person you most miss when you are in Dubai?
All our extended family and friends….yes,even the in-laws!

What is your favorite restaurant in Dubai?
P.F Chang’s for now…just because we all can agree on it!

What grocery item do you most miss from your home country?
Can’t think of a grocery item, as you can get most of it right here. I do miss the sea food back home, somehow it doesn’t taste the same here.

When friends and family visit you in Dubai where will you absolutely take them?
Wild Wadi! What better way to keep kids and adults happy and occupied for a whole day than a water park!

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The team at Expat Echo Dubai would like to feature you in our Into-yous section

Please complete our 5 minute interview and submit your answers along with a profile picture (in JPEG format).