The Sand Blows In

"I can't see clearly now the sand has come. Are there obstacles in my way? It's gonna be a dusty, dusty, non-shiny day!" (Can ya place the tune I'm doing a parody of?)

Yesterday, the weather was spectacular. Munchkin #2 and a friend (who moved back to Sweden last night by the way) were able to swim in the pool. The water was still chilly, but they had fun jumping and splashing. Munchkin #1 spent last night at his mate's ('Australian' for friend) house. They played Legos most of the night. This friend/mate lives on the edge, essentially, of what is open desert. When we went to collect our munchkin #1 this morning, there was a hot serious wind blowing in off the desert. We had taken the roof/top down/off my vehicle of choice the previous day. By the time we made it home, I felt like I needed a bath. My vehicle certainly will need a bath!

Munchkin #2 had a trip in to see the dentist this morning. One of her fillings had come out (we had NO idea!). The dentist said that the nerve is dead because it has decayed further. So, Munchkin #2 is having a 'tiny little' root canal tomorrow morning. Poor kid. One of her best friends moves out of the country, and two days later Munchkin #2 has to have SERIOUS dental work.

The lease on our current place in this country is up for renewal. We've been given the go-ahead from the husband's company to sign a two year lease. So, we know we're in this country for a least another two years. The adventure continues........

(BTW: Can you see the huge sand dunes in the snap today? They were spectacular!)

And, one last bit.....

I was just reading the New York Times online. And, I came across this article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/28/business/economy/28recession.html?exprod=myyahoo I'd like to talk about a quote from this article:

"As troubled banks remain hesitant to lend, even healthy companies are laying off workers. As more Americans lose jobs, they are cutting spending, depriving businesses of revenue, and falling behind on house, car and credit card payments, multiplying losses in the financial system. As more homes land in foreclosure and would-be buyers fail to secure mortgages, housing prices fall further, adding to the losses of the banks — a downward spiral."

Ok. So the housing bubble has burst. But don't the banks understand that if they don't do business, they won't have any business to do? For instance, if I owned a pet shop and I said, "I'm nervous. I'm not selling any pets today." Then, how do I make money? How do I stay in business? Certainly, my animals would get older, and I'd have to pay vet bills. So then, I'd lose even MORE money. Why are the banks doing this? Maybe, I just don't get it.

Animals and kids

I love this snap. I don't know if you can see them, but there are two rhinos on the left and a giraffe in the center background. The munchkins so enjoyed this zoo. I think the two best parts were all the grassy areas to play in and the yummy slushies we drank!

I just read an article in the New York Times on a new type of desk being tried out in some classrooms. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/25/us/25desks.html?em&exprod=myyahoo The desks have swinging foot rests and stools. They allow the kids to stand or sit and to even 'wiggle' their feet a bit while they stand. I think these desks are brilliant. I can not tell you how many times (especially in middle school) I have seen students, especially boys, who can not sit still. When they are up on their feet working at laboratory stations, then they seem to focus so much better. When I have helped students after school who are struggling with math, we ALWAYS work on our feet and at a large dry-erase board or chalk board. I don't know why, but the info just goes into the brain better that way. To someone like me who's a BIG believer in setting up rotating 'lab' stations in the classroom (and yes, in a lab), these desks come as no surprise. Kudos to the teacher who did this, the furniture company and the SCHOOLS for taking this chance! Awesome!

Well, time to go get my hair 'styled.' I have not had it cut since November or early December? It's time! Then, it's on to playing taxi for the munchkins. At least I got a touch of shopping and a serious swim in this morning.

Peace.

More Oman dreams and other things

One of the family (can't remember who) took this snap last year on a visit to Oman. We were WAY up in the mountains when we came across this mummy and her baby. They were very sweet to watch (from a distance of course). Am I ready to get out into the countryside? For certain!

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/18/holder.race.relations/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

I found the news story above from CNN to be very interesting. This is a very hard conversation to have (for many people in many different places). But, I think the conversation needs to not be only about 'race,' but how we react to anyone who is different than what we perceive as the norm (or as 'different'). Living outside of my home country, I realized how truly narrow my view of what being a citizen of my home country meant to me. I have met many people who are citizens of and love 'the home country' the same way that I do. They are just as much a part of the home country as anyone else from the home country. But, when I first met some of these folks, I incorrectly assumed that they were not from my/our home country. I was personally horrified at how I made some very incorrect assumptions. I now know better, or so I hope.

So, as part of the conversation on dealing with glorious beautiful diversity, we all must look within ourselves. We need to look within ourselves and think about how we treat all our fellow human beings. Is that how I would want to be treated? Why do I react the way that I do when I first encounter someone who's 'different'? Before we can fully converse with others, we must first have a very deep conversation with ourselves.

Oman dreams and other things

Greetings! The snap for today is from mountains in Oman. Mum, this is where we're going to take you. It's awesome. And don't worry, the hotel is one of our all-time favorites! The hotel is an excellent place! Also, the road is quite good and not bumpy. This is where we took the 'cousins' last year, so they can also tell you all about it.

I'd been hearing chatter about surfing for some time. I finally found a news article on the subject:
http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Society/10287047.html If this is a topic on which you have an opinion, the article gives a website where you can lodge/post your opinion.

Also, if you want to do some reading, there's an interesting paper I read from time to time: "7days.ae". It's a free paper that one finds around certain areas. Reliable? I don't know, but it is usually interesting.

Well, time to go clean house. We have guests coming for a visit this afternoon, and there's about an entire meal of crumbs under the breakfast counter! Yuck! At least I can daydream about visiting with my Mum and Oman.

Dust, death and looking ahead

This snap is one the husband took at a petrol station during a dust storm in Saudi Arabia. Just looking at it I can feel the dust on my face.

My great-aunt Marj just passed from this life into the next. I know; some would say, "Great-aunt? How could you have been that close?" Well, I remember her and her husband, Uncle Eddie, giving me a little toy rabbit when I was very young. Eddie passed on some years ago. They were always fun and friendly, and I greatly enjoyed the time I got to spend with them. I remember how I would make tea for Marj, and she would become a bit distressed with me when I'd only use the tea bags once (I still chuckle about that). She was a lovely special lady. She will be missed and not forgotten.

It is times like these when it is very hard living far from home. I looked at the price of a plane ticket to fly home. Even in the current economy, the price has gone up by $500 from the ticket price for the same route last year. At least I get to go home this summer. It feels very frustrating not to be able to be there for people.

In thinking about looking ahead......

Munchkin #2 is having yet another close friend move back to her home country. But, Munchkin #2 is making new friends of the new students coming into her class at school. We even have a playdate scheduled for tomorrow at our flat. So, life is moving forward.

And, my mum is still planning on visiting us in March. I just made hotel reservations for us at our family's favorite spot in Oman. My cousins, who came to visit last year, I think really enjoyed the place. I hope my mum has a very fun and relaxing trip. We're all so grateful that she's coming to see us. I have made friends here, but it can still feel very isolating being so far from family.

Peace and much love and many hugs to all the family back home. I miss you.

Today's Bits

Greetings! And special greetings to my Mum!

My mum is going to come see us next month (Enshallah). Munchkin #2's sport of choice is having a BIG sporting event next month, which was news to me today. So, Mum, you might be here to see it! But, it may mean staying close to home for my family for that day.

And, just wanted to let you know that today's forecast is for widespread dust! Oh, yeah.

And, just wanted to let you know...I found out from security that four families moved out of our building yesterday. Why? Not sure. Job loss? Rent too high? I don't know, but I have my suspicions. I've seen a moving van moving items out each day in the block of flats along our road, but I have not noticed moving vans bringing stuff in. Interesting....

Well, time to clean out my rat's cage. She's a stinky rat. I think I'll let her swim in my tub.

Crazy Times.....

(The husband took the above snap on a recent trip to Saudi Arabia. Hope you can read the road sign. It's awesome. It's showing the way, essentially, to Riyadh.)

My husband was telling me that he has noticed a recent reduction in traffic...crazy.

The weather forecast is currently 'haze' but should read 'heavy dust'...crazy.

The munchkins were celebrating 'Friendship Day' today so I baked 4 batches of cookies last night, and I only got to eat one...crazy.

Recently, I've been frequenting a place out of necessity, ahem (clear the throat), that the best parking available is valet, and it's free...crazy.

I just 'worked' four days straight but feel strangely rested...crazy.

The New York Times recently published a VERY interesting story on where I currently find myself and guess what? It's crazy. Go see if you can dig it up. It's seriously worth a read. Or, email me if you'd like the link.

Hope things are as interesting (but not bad of course!) wherever you are.

My Mum is coming!!!!!

I'm so very excited! My mum is coming to see me! She hasn't bought the plane tickets yet, but still she's coming! I'm so thrilled I just can't stand it. It is so much fun having my mum here and getting to show her around. And, unlike the last time she was here, I'm not working full-time outside the home. So now, we'll have time to run around together. I'm just so excited.

The above snap is of a glass pyramid ceiling at Wafi shopping mall. I just love the fish! The whole mall has an 'Egyptian' theme. I have not bought much in this particular mall, but it's a lovely place to go walk around.

The above is really nice news after the goofy day I had today. I needed to run an errand, but the place was 'closed' today. I had to take a strange detour to get there since the road was completely torn up. Then, trying to get home, I could not exit the 'freeway' because traffic was so backed up at the exits I couldn't get into the exit lanes. So, instead of it taking me 20 minutes to get home, it took me over 45 minutes. Sigh, just gotta roll with it.

I have no idea what I'm feeding my family for dinner tonight. Spicy, greasy, cheese laden Mexican is sounding really good.

Hope the traffic is good where you are!

Peace.

Munchkins and School

I love this snap of a boat basin in Oman. Don't you just love the two wooden vessels?

Munchkin #2 is home from school today with a fever, sore throat and an ear infection (huge thanks to the lovely ladies in the school health office who helped a mum with a broken thermometer this morning). We are taking her to the doctor this afternoon.

While Munchkin #2 is watching television, I've had some time to read news.
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/02/03/pakistan.girls.school/index.html?eref=rss_topstories Please do not take access to education for granted. There are many who don't have the same access that you do. This story hits close to home for me because I have a dear friend from Pakistan who is in education here locally.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/05/sports/othersports/05hunt.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss And yet, in an entirely different part of the world, we see women participating in a sport that many would think of as being 'for men.' Why do you think there are these differences in women's activities and access to education when one crosses from one country to another? Interesting stuff to ponder....

Time to go sit with my girl munchkin on the sofa and watch movies.

Peace.