Random thoughts

I live in a great flat; others do not. I eat great food; others do not. I can afford to eat in nice restaurants; others might only hope to work in such nice places. My kids go to an amazing school; others hope for a book or two and to maybe just learn to read. I have a voice that is loud and clear; others do not.

If you have a voice that can be heard, use it. If you live in a place where you are allowed to vote, then vote. Take nothing for granted.

Happy Diwali and Happy Halloween

I'm having trouble posting to my blog. I'm not sure what the problem is. I'm hoping this pic shows up.

Something is going on in blogger - I can't see my pics in my draft mode, and I can no longer change my font and color. Frustrating.

So, back to this picture. Don't you just love the outside of this classroom? What a place! A classroom decorated for both Diwali and Halloween. Most of you know what Halloween is, but many of you may not be familiar with Diwali. Diwali is a 'festival of lights.' Blogger is not allowing me to post links, but if you do a google search for 'diwali', there's an excellent article published by the BBC.

Hope blogger is fixed soon. This is really frustrating.

PS: It was user error. I was in 'edit html' mode instead of 'compose'. Sigh.... Here's the BBC link. It's actually kinda old. I may have posted this last year.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/diwali.shtml

Election Video

I tried to embed this video, but I could not. Here's the link (not sure if it'll work):
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/cc65ed650d

I know a lady who in order to vote in the U.S. election had to go through the following:

Drive to the consolate (about $27/100AED for cab fare) to send off request for absentee ballot; took about 1/2 a day. Walked a long way to and from cab area, and had to go through security screen.

Waited a while. Received ballot through a business address. Husband picked up ballots while at the business for a meeting.

Read through all special paperwork with the ballots. She and husband filled out the ballots/voted.

She then went back to consolate (about $27/100AED for cab fare) to make sure ballot was sent off in a timely fashion. Had to walk a long way to and from cab area, and had to go through security screen. Again, it took another 1/2 day.

Please, if you live in a country where it is available to you....VOTE. And don't take that right for granted.

Just being Mum

We've been running around taking snaps/pics of different things with a 'Flat Stanley' paper doll for Munchkin #2's school project. We came across this gorgeous wooden staircase at the Mina Al Salaam (I think that's what it's called) hotel when we were in town. Munchkin #1 had a bit of fun with the giant coffee pot pretending to have a drink! This style of coffee pot is a local symbol of hospitality. Maybe when/if we have family come visit us next spring, I'll have a good chance to take some folks tourist shopping and buy one for my home country house (a normal size one that is). I will email out the Flat Stanley snaps and post them to 'my other fave place to make postings.'

In a previous post, I voiced my displeasure at a photo of Senator John McCain. A relative of mine pointed out to me some very disagreeable (to put it mildly) things he has done in his life. To put it another way, this family member no longer thinks of McCain as a 'nice' man. I'm going to quote this family member, hope this family member doesn't mind! (If you do mind, email me and I'll change this post).

"I used to think McCain was a "nice" man. Don't anymore because: Obama attacks, Pallin appt., and history of womanizing which, unfortunately, may still influence his actions. (Would he have appointed Pallin if she had been in a car wreck and had become physically unattractive--like happened to his first wife?) He dumped his first wife for millionairess after first wife had stuck by him through thick and thin. That, and other info that has come out and the nature of his Obama attack ads and his letting Pallin make the kind of remarks she has made have turned me off completely." Well put, thanks.

Less than two weeks until the election.

Big Events

Weather forecast for today:
High of 93F
Low of 79F
Current temp 102F

I took this snap of Munchkin #1 looking down into a canal with sea turtles in it a while back (sorry, my camera doesn't do so well at night shots). Munchkin #1 had been invited to huge bash at a private/exclusive restaurant. We took a little boat (an abra) to get him to and from the event. Along the way, we saw this enclosure full of sea turtles being rehabilitated. A few of them were greens but most were hawksbills (here they call them arrow heads). It was really a night to remember for us.

Munchkin #1 has really been wanting a little critter/pet in his room. Before moving here, he had 'Blackie' the gerbil for almost 3 years. Blackie passed away from old age under the loving care of the grandparents back in the home country almost a year ago. And, we've all been missing have a dog to love on and cuddle.

Well, since we live in a flat and not a lovely big house with a garden, a dog is not a good idea. The local pet stores here are not nice places to buy little mammals (I've seen 2 dead hamsters and one very sick one in the last two days at 2 different shops). And I will not have cats again - they were hard on every bit of furniture.

We decided to go to our vet clinic (run by vets from the Netherlands and South Africa - lovely ladies). People move in and out so much, there are always animals in need of homes, even little rodents. No one had hamsters or gerbils, but the lady who works at the front desk has two guinea pigs (cavies) needing a good home.

So, here's the deal. The clinic knows us. So....we get the cavies, the cage, the food, everything for free. Just give them a good home. IF they are too much for us, then they go back 'up for adoption.' And since we're getting them via the vet clinic, they'll be healthy. And, we don't have to give a slimy pet shop business.

The munchkins are very excited. Guinea pigs (we call them 'reehreehs' because of the sounds they make) are animals you can hold and cuddle. The hall leading to the children's bedrooms is tile and rather large. You can close it off from the bedrooms and the main living area. I don't think it will take the munchkins long to figure out that they can sit in the hall with 'the pigs' loose and play. So, hopefully, the new pets will be a good thing. Daisy Rat is, really, Mum's pet. So, these will be more for the kids, but I'm sure Mum will doing a good bit of cage cleaning/maintenance.

I did some grocery shopping this morning. The front page of The Gulf News had a VERY inappropriate photo of Senator McCain on the front with the headline the was something like 'What's Wrong with McCain?'. The website has the photo (it's pic #7):
http://www.gulfnews.com/world/U.S._Election/10252302.html
Why did this particular paper choose this photo for it's front page? I don't know. It was just inappropriate and unkind. Senator McCain is a good man, and does not deserve that kind of treatment. Do I agree with him politically, no. But, the photo was in poor taste.

Everyday life and news on Turkey

This snap is of the kids playing a Pokemon card game with Dad. As you can see however, the need to mix in some playing with Legos was also there.

I found an article related to recent events regarding women in Turkey that some of you might find interesting:
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,,QUERYRESPONSE,TUR,,4885a91a8,0.html

Essentially, there is a huge to-do/debate/argument/fight over women wearing headscarves in Turkey for religious reasons. I understand points on both sides of the issue. Frankly, being from a 'Western' country, I find the whole discussion fascinating.

There are women in the world who would 'fight' to not be forced (by law or family or society) to wear a headscarf. There are women in the world who would 'fight' for their right to wear a headscarf and not be discriminated against.

I think the key here is the 'discrimination' bit. There is tremendous family and social pressure to wear a headscarf in certain places. I normally don't wear one, but I do in certain places and situations (I wear it VERY loosely wrapped) so I 'blend in' better. I notice the social aspect because of the smiles I receive from local women when I do so.

The fact is.....women should have the right to choose. Meaning, both 'sides of the aisle' on this issue should just let women make the choice for themselves. No pressure, no discrimination from any side. It's a personal choice. Period.

The Middle East Used Car Market

This is an armored truck. The husband found this while out used car shopping, seriously, really. Sitting in an average used car lot.

Do you suffer from road rage? Do you need extra help changing lanes in heavy traffic? Are you a mega-star plagued by paparazzi? Do you wish to travel in 'unusual' places? If so, then this is the car for you!

I found the website of the company that makes these:
http://www.armored-cars.com/index1.html

A most bloggable moment from life in the Middle East. Seriously, peace to the people having to live in the places where these vehicles are common.

And, we found a jacked-up Jeep with massive tires. The engine and transmission have been changed. The seller wants about $69K U.S. Think I'll pass.

Hair Styles and junk reading

Hi folks!

I just spent a fortune, but....I've got a decent hair cut I can live with and enjoy. I finally found a place here where I like what they do to my hair. I avoided a hair cut for about 6 months dreading sitting down in that chair to be butchered. But, I now can go to a lovely lady, and she's very close to my flat. Wonderful.....plus the conditioning treatment with scalp massage didn't hurt my mood either. I've got an appointment to go back in 6 weeks, and I may have to do the scalp massage thing again too - totally addictive. (I've only had one manicure in my life and 3 pedicures, so I'm not generally into this kind of stuff.)

After chatting with a new buddy out by the pool (my life so does not 'hoover'), I sat down here at the computer to read the news. I came across a goofy little piece on the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/weekinreview/05schwartz.html?em&exprod=myyahoo
No matter what you feel about the American presidential race, hopefully, you'll find the history interesting in the above article.

We're going to go test drive and hopefully make an offer on a car tonight. I'm so ready to have 'my own' car again. The rental/hire vehicle I'm driving is nice, but I know it's not really mine thus making it difficult to fully enjoy. Not to mention, I'm really needing some time in the mountains in 4X4 mode.

Peace.

Wolves, bears and politics

Ok. This has nada to do with life in the Middle East. I'm just angry and frustrated.

A very beloved member of family posted a link to a youtube video (it made me sick) of hunters shooting wolves in Alaska from airplanes. According to the video, Sarah Palin is in FULL support of this activity as a wildlife management method. Here's the link to the video, but it's graphic and disgusting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6T85cOGc8L0

I decided to dig further. I found an article at Salon.com that confirmed the video.
http://www.salon.com/env/feature/2008/09/08/sarah_palin_wolves/

Within the above article, I also found this:
"Yet it is not hard to find Alaskans who say Palin's enthusiasm for predator control fits a broader narrative of how she edits science to suit her personal views. She endorses the teaching of creationism in public schools and has questioned whether humans are responsible for global warming." I knew the bit about global warming, but not the bit about creationism. But, I shouldn't be surprised.

I also happened across this article at Salon.com:
http://www.salon.com/env/feature/2008/10/07/john_mccain_bears/ For those of us who care about wildlife, reading this article was an exercise in frustration.

This is a quote from the article:
"McCain has been campaigning on restoring scientific integrity to the White House, after the current Republican administration's history of attacking science. In answering questions for Science Debate 2008, McCain pledged that if he is elected president, "policies will be based upon sound science, and that the scientific integrity of federal research [will be] restored." " [The links in the quote are off the Salon website.] Well, not if he agrees with Sarah Palin and how she does things.

Check the facts for yourself. There's some scary stuff going on.

Regional news and some personal bits

First, the regional news.
http://www.gulfnews.com/region/Middle_East/10249973.html
http://www.gulfnews.com/region/Iraq/10249628.html
It's fascinating to me to compare what is written about in the Western press with what's written in the Middle Eastern press.

Forecasters here are saying we may be due for some 'heavy dust'. Some folks here call a sandstorm a 'shamal' which means 'north' which makes sense. The worst ones are brought on by northerly type winds.

I was asked today to consider/think about a full-time work position. But, after the first glance at the job description, it would need tweeking or it won't work for my family. So....we'll see. I'm kinda doubtful. Grandma's: email me if you want all the juicy details. In the meantime, I will stay very busy with my volunteering, thank you. As long as I have a positive impact on the world.

We are also digging around for another car. Sigh....I hate to wait.

Peace.

Fact Checking

Just read a story on CNN.com that Sarah Palin is attacking Barack Obama as someone who associates "with terrorists who targeted their own country." (Hope I got that quote right...just read the story here just in case.....)

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/04/palin.obama/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Within the body of this story you read:
"Palin cited an article in Saturday's New York Times about Obama's relationship with Ayers, now 63. But that article concluded that "the two men do not appear to have been close. Nor has Mr. Obama ever expressed sympathy for the radical views and actions of Mr. Ayers, whom he has called 'somebody who engaged in detestable acts 40 years ago, when I was 8.' ""

Further....
"Several other publications, including the Washington Post, Time magazine, the Chicago Sun-Times, The New Yorker and The New Republic, have debunked the idea that Obama and Ayers had a close relationship."

Since a New York Times article seems to have started this whole thing, I thought, well, see what the NYT is saying:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/us/politics/05palin.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=obama%20ayers&st=cse&oref=slogin

I encourage you to check the facts.

Peace.

Back to Our Regularly Scheduled Programming

Well, the Eid Holiday and break is over. We relaxed, swam, ate out, took naps, and basically had a nice quiet week.

We're still on the hunt for a new vehicle of choice for me/mum. Sigh....I'd rather go to the dentist for a filling then deal with buying a car. I hate auto shopping.

Today's video is of the husband blowing bubble rings under Munchkin #2 in the pool. The munchkins love doing this. Daddy blows the rings, and the kids swim over them. In this instance, the husband and Munchkin #2 devised a method so the bubbles broke right over her face. Ah, simple fun.

Yesterday, we spent the entire day in Dubai at Wild Wadi Water Park. This link is for a map of the park. http://www.wildwadi.com/map/default.asp Not a cheap place. The day cost us around 800AED total. That's close to $300U.S. But, it was the cleanest and best laid out water park we've ever seen (and we've seen a lot of water parks). We were there from 8am until 4pm. After the water park, we popped on over to Madinat's 'Souq' area where we had dinner at Noodle House (Asian food, the Thai was yummy).

To detour in topic now....

I found two articles in the Gulf News about traffic accidents and driving in the region. Truly, the numbers were mind blowing. When you read the articles, Sharjah is an Emirate in the UAE. I just found a figure putting the population of Sharjah at around 750,000. http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Police_and_The_Courts/10249832.html

http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Traffic_and_Transport/10249803.html

How to fix these kinds of problems? No idea. Maybe greater respect for others on the road? Maybe not to be in such a rush all the time? But how does one impart a different way of thinking about the world and others in relation to one's self? Hmmmm....

Peace.

Night swimming and U.S. Markets

I just read a 4 page article via the New York Times that did a fairly easy to understand explanation about what's been happening in the U.S. markets that led to the big +700 drop. Have a read: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/02/business/02crisis.html?pagewanted=1&exprod=myyahoo

We attempted yesterday to go visit car dealerships in town, but they were all closed. I wanted to go test drive new stuff, but then buy used. We ended up at a great garden shop, and I bought an aloe vera plant, two new very large ceramic blue glazed pots, and a large metal tower/obelisk kind of thing for my rapidly expanding pothos ivy. The house plants we have here are growing at an astounding pace. We've planted them in what doubles here for potting soil (which doesn't exist). It's a composty mix of stuff. We add some old fashioned plant food sticks and coffee grounds. And voila, gigantic house plants. Also, the husband has created these self watering things out of old plastic water bottles.

It was great fun eating out yesterday for lunch. The kids each had a Subway and the husband and I shared a MASSIVE plate of tempura chicken with rice. It was just so wonderful to be able to eat during daylight!

After lunch and the garden center, we went to a fave little grocery store in the city. There were the usual notices up posted by fellow ex-pats trying to sell stuff. A notice for a newer Jeep Wrangler with large push bar, a rack of lights and 4 1/2 inch lift caught my eye. The guy wanting to sell it drove to the little store the moment I called him. I loved that Wrangler. As we get our cash together, I think we'll end up with another Jeep. The 4door ones are just way out of financial reach. And a Wrangler is easy to resell here. So...the car hunt continues.

And....some hopeful upcoming trips for us: Drum roll please......

Assuming money stays ok for us, we really are hoping to visit the Maldives in the Spring. I'd love to do the whole 'take a float plane to the hotel on a private island thing', but I think I scared my dad a bit too much with that idea! That's ok; we probably will have to stay on the main island just because of cost. But, I'm determined to stay in a room on a pier where I can just jump in the water and still avoid the bugs etc...Hope, hope, hope! http://www.caranddriving.com/features2/300/Travel%20-%20Maldives%20-%20Land%20Without%20Roads.jpg

http://www.silkroadandbeyond.co.uk/images/360_maldives_b_004.jpg

And, it's looking like next fall we will spend about a week in Switzerland on Lake Geneva. The husband, more than likely, will need to make the trip for work. So, the kids and I will fly with him and share the hotel. He can do all the business he wants/needs, and the kids and I will pack boots and back packs and say, "See ya later Dad!" It's a French speaking region, but I'll try to brush up on my very dusty rusty Deutsch just in case it could help. This is just the link for a google seach of images: http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:*&resnum=0&q=lausanne&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

The video post today is Munchkin #2 diving down in the pool swimming to Dad. We love swimming at night. It's still warm out, but not cooking!

I just have remind myself daily that I am not in control! Why I've been blessed with this life is beyond me. But, I'm trying to use it as best I can! As my volunteering gets busy, I'll keep folks posted. Email me if you'd like the details.

And, check the left side of the blog page for new pics.

Peace.