Attack of the Crab!

It was huge! It was eight feet long with giant red pinchers! It had huge fangs and....well, no not really. But we did see a large local crab species today. The U.S. coast equivalent would be a blue crab. While Munchkin #1 built a sand fort with an irrigation system/network of canals, the husband, Munchkin #2 and I went snorkeling. We came across a nice sized crab (back was 5-6 inches across). It was the same local species one finds in the fish markets for dinner here. Their 'claws/pinchers' are tipped with red. The front legs/pincher legs stretched out a total length across from tip to tip of about 12 inches. Well, the three of us decided to chase him when he scuttled off across the bottom. Since Munchkin #2 does not yet have the speed for that kind of chase, I hung back with her. The husband chased the crab and managed to get it to circle back towards Munchkin #2 and myself. Well, the water was about 3 1/2 feet deep. I was floating on my back with my legs stretched and spread out, yet under the water watching this crab head straight for me. Well, that little critter (who you just know was screaming to itself, "DON'T EAT ME!") ran right under me between my spread and outstretched legs. All I could think was, "OH NO! It's gonna pinch my behind!" I screeched through my snorkel and splashed quite a bit MUCH to the amusement of my husband and Munchkin #2. By the time we saw the crab, my camera's battery was used up (rats!). But, I did manage to get a picture of three of our well camouflaged little local fish with the yellow tails with a black tip (see above). They are swimming parallel to one another, and they are facing to the left. I had to 'doctor' the tint/color/contrast of the pic a bit because these little guys are almost the same color as the sandy bottom. The tide was very low when we went out today. The water wasn't super clear, but it was still fun. Wish I'd been able to get a snap of that crab though.
I found a nice little bit on this crab species at Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_swimmer

Thursday is Friday!

Well, it's the weekend. It's been a wonderful week. And, looking forward to a fun-filled weekend. Going to visit a gold souq with an acquaintance (they are planning on doing the spending, not me). The acquaintance needs to purchase a special piece of jewelry and has asked for suggestions and opinions. Should be great fun. And...relax and swim. I hope to find some time to go snorkeling a bit. This picture was up a 4X4 trail in Oman. Very rugged place, but also beautiful.

What lurks beneath?

So what is it? Is it the Loch Ness Monster? Is it a large mouth bass going after the floating frog? Nope. It's Munchkin #1. Ok, this looked like a bass going for a frog to me; really had me laughing. Another excellent day at work. I'm loving my job. Of course, it's only the 2nd day, but I am really having fun. It is a wonderful to feeling to come home at the end of day and having done something really worthwhile with one's time. I am glad I have something to type about. I think I'd go mad sitting like a vegetable on the sofa all day. Life is meant to be lived. Life is too great a gift to be squandered. Thinking of living, I am contemplating a brief holiday to India. It would only be for 4 or 5 days, but I have always wanted to see India. Airfare from this part of the world to India is extremely reasonable. It would be the hotel that would be the most costly bit of the trip. Well, I will just have to see what is in store for me. Time to feed Daisy Rat. I see a pink twitchy nose poking up through her cage.

Work to share, save and SPEND!

Today went well at work. I'm really enjoying what I do. It's an interesting experience so far. Loads of people who seem to be so similar to me. Really cool. And why does one work? Well, one, we need to share whatever we can. To whom much has been given, much is expected. Two, we need to save! As I've seen my grandparents age, their lives have been so much better because they saved. And last, we work so we can spend! Yeah, I like to shop. But I'm at a point in my journey where if I'm going to spend, I want a good price and fun stuff. And...to have fun in the spending! This picture is from the Central Souq or the 'Blue Souq' as some people refer to it. Awesome place. Two buildings connected by two walkways. All loaded with little shops; even the walkways are loaded with shops. A tiny bit touristy, but still has a lovely mid-east feel to it. Rugs, small wooden furniture pieces, shawls, jewelry, abayas....lots of stuff. Items from Pakistan, Afghanistan, India....all over. A very fun place to spend a few hours and some money! It's closed during the heat of the day for prayers and rest/break time. It's air-conditioned however. The architecture is most enjoyable. Yes, I like this place. But it has a vicious round-about next to it. I wouldn't want to be on that round-about in bad traffic. Round-abouts and I don't get on very well.

First day of work in how many years?

Well, had the first day of gainful employment in I don't know how many years. Had a very busy day! The munchkins really enjoyed being around other munchkins while mummy worked! And, now on to not thinking about work!

Daisy Rat is climbing all over me as I sit here working. She's happy to be free after a day of confinement. And, in the picture to the left, the husband is demonstrating how to blow rings without the use of tobacco. Ok, I thought this 'snap' (ie pic) was pretty cool. Here in this little corner of the mid-east, there are smokers everywhere - in the malls, in the restaurants. This takes a bit of getting used to as that one has to learn where the large ashtrays are located in the public buildings so that one can avoid those areas. Obviously by these pictures (snaps) on this little blog, this is a wonderful place to enjoy water sports. And, if you know my little family, all this water makes us quite comfy feeling here!

Sunday is 'Monday'

This is Izzy. Izzy is short for Queen Isabella. She is a very old kitty! Since I am now on the move, she resides with one of my best friends from my university days and his family. I miss

Izzy very much, but she would not be a compatible housmate for Daisy Rat! I have to have critters. Daisy Rat does not make up for missing my four cats and dog, but she's warm and furry and friendly.

There are large beautiful aquariums available for purchase here. I'm toying with the idea of a salt tank. I still would like a stingray as a pet. I saw one in a petshop not two days ago. The price was very low for the little girl ray. I was informed by the shop clerk that the little girl ray was born in the 'wild' near Singapore. I don't believe I would be comfortable with a wild caught ray possibly taken from a habitat that is so sensitive to human interference. Rays are among my favorite salt water critters: so beautiful and rather intelligent. I just would not want to step on one. I may just go back to keeping chiclids (did I spell that correctly?); we'll see.

This has been a blissfully relaxed morning. I've had a cup of chocolate flavored coffee, a reheated local bread thing filled with white salty cheese topped with sesame seeds, and something called a roti. The roti was this square shaped bread thing filled with spicy chicken/potato/curry mix. Yummy. Gastronomic bliss. Things like the roti make up for the lack of familiar morning pork consumables! I don't know if the salty cheese thing and the roti are supposed to be breakfast foods, but oh well.

The temperatures here are coming down a bit. The thermometer currently reads 37 (that's about 100 F). Yes, that is a lower temperature compared to a few weeks ago. Hot isn't it?

FYI The pick of me and the munchkins at the bottom is actually from Central America. But, I liked it so here it is!

No work today!

Say hi to Daisy Rat! She's had a busy day; she keeps trying to help her mummy type this! My desk must be an interesting place to her - junk everywhere.

Well, thought I started work today. Two people at work told me I was supposed to start today. Well, went in this morning and SURPRISE I don't have to start for a couple of days. Cool with me. The husband is off today, so we get more beach time hopefully.

The wind is already up today, and it looks like it can't make up it's mind to blow off the water or 'the land'. It's very hazy/dusty looking out today. The husband had a trip to Saudi here a bit ago, and I know some of you might be interested in that. He told me that all the restaurants are divided into 'family' sections and 'men'. Women there go no where by themselves. The hotel front desk would make arrangements for their lady guests to have an abaya and a head covering if they needed one. The hotel pool was men only. Truly a unique place. I would like to visit just once to see what it is like for myself. When my husband was out and about in Saudi, he said he rarely saw women. I have read about a term in Arabic that essentially translates into (I think) something like '4 walls and the veil' to describe the lifestyle of women in Saudi. I wish I knew more about it. I like to know as much as possible about cultures other than my own. Daisy is now back in her house and knocking her water bottle around. I need to see if it needs a refill.

Underwater Camera Housing

The new underwater camera housing works great! The video is Munchkin #1 in the pool. We took some beach pics as well, but it was a bit choppy today. The sand was pretty churned up. Not great clarity for photos. The waves were big enough out at around 8 feet deep that Munchkin #2 kept getting swamped, so she hung out close to shore. She found 2 cuttle bones - one huge, the other little. The water was very warm today - like swimming in bath water. The hubby saw an 18inch long cuttlefish, and I had a VERY fast moving little squid go screaming about 5 inches from my face. Fast moving little suckers. Great fun. Not much for actual fish - just the little local yellow tailed guys. We always see them for sale in the markets to be made into dinner. Sigh....I prefer them swimming and happy. It just never ceases to amaze me how many different critters we see just a few yards out from the beach here. Way cool. It's not coral reefs, but I sure am happy here.

Lazy Friday

Well, it begins. My first time to post a blog. My hubby is cleaning the yuck out of the AC of my preferred mode of transport, the munchin are vegging in front of their electronic devices, and the beach beckons.
We are now, finally, full residents of where we reside. The final hang-up was getting the proper documentation to prove we've actually been married for, like, forever. Sigh.....never mind that I have the munchin who look vaguely like the hubby. But, the one trip out of the country that we had to make to renew the visitor visas was so worth it. Awesome coast, and fabulous 4x4 driving. Gotta go back with a wet suit.
Later, at high tide, we're going to test out the new underwater camera housing. I may even try to post fish pics if I can get any.
Missed our worship time/place of choice this morning. The head in the master bath is messed up yet again. First, it wouldn't take what we put in it. Now, it sucks all the water out within seconds. Because all the water gets sucked out, we've had 'sewer' gases and funny little flies enjoying my spacious master bath. Two plumbing/maintenance guys came to our door this morning (why we missed worship time), and proclaimed that they did not have the part and would be back tomorrow. Apparently, when the head in question was installed, an important part was not installed under it connecting it to the sewer line. Eewww. Yuck. I'm grateful that I live in a 'luxury' building. I can't imagine what other less costly places would be like.
Munchin/Munchkin #1 has just brought in a new Lego creation. He informed me yesterday that he just KNOWS that the scientists/engineers who design and build things like the U.S. space shuttle began with things like Legos.
Munchkin #2 has just informed me that food is required (the homemade chocolate chip cookies were immediately suggested by Munchkin #2 as an excellent way to fulfill this requirement). Daisy Rat is currently lounging on Munchkin #2's shoulder. They make quite a pair. Munchkin #2 informed me yesterday that when she grows up she wants to study "The Earth". I asked her what specifically she'd like to study. The animals, the rocks, what? The reply back was, "Everything. I want to know HOW the earth was created. Where did the animals come from? How did we get rocks? Just, everything."
And.....a bit of recommended reading: Just read the Time magazine article by John Cloud "Failing our Geniuses." Wow. Talk about an article going against the flow, but oh so true. When I did my student teaching, I was required to use 'groups' where basically the high achievers helped the low achievers. It didn't work. All the students, for various reasons, seemed to just suffer through the experience. Ok, time for a chocolate chip cookie. And, if you know anyone who you think my like to have access to my posts/rants, send me an email.