News that makes you ill....but there is a way to help!

The husband is trained as a 'seafarer'. When we met, he was in training to work on huge ships. I'm so thankful that he ended up in a different line of work.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2010/sep/30/slavery-trawlers-europe The thing is....the Guardian published this like this is 'big' news. Of course, there are many folks out there who have suspected as much for a long time - maybe not about food on European tables, but certainly the bad working conditions. I have many friends in the maritime industries.

Does this kind of news make you ill? Do you want to help? Here's a suggestion:
http://www.missiontoseafarers.org/ I don't know of another organization that does the work that this one does (if you know of one - please email me). I have had personal contact with this organization off and on over the years, and they really provide amazing help and kindness to seafarers in need.

Are you frustrated with the ugly disregard our world shows many people? Then find a reputable aid organization and get involved.

Peace.

Sustainability....Is it possible or just a dream?

Ok. I just had to write something about this.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/26/arts/design/26masdar.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

Please read the above article and click to view the 10 picture slide show.

Ok. Ready to read on to my not always so humble thoughts?

Obviously, I live in the Middle East. I sat in the foyer of the munchkins' school building chatting with a few other mums just the other day. They were all moaning about how villas in a certain area of town are getting broken into in the middle of the night while the occupants are asleep. Very frightening stuff. They feel that this type of crime is on the rise. Hmmm....not sure I agree with that.....but moving on...... Oh yeah....and the school is in a compound with a huge wall around it - very typical. A new school in the area has an even bigger wall and looks like a fortress to me. Sigh....

I know MANY people here who live in big walled off compounds. I know MANY people here who live in flats with 24 hour security, and loads of constantly recording security cameras. This is a region of extremes. The man who is washing the Ferrari is only getting paid the equivalent of maybe a dollar or two (not even a whole 2 euros I think) to wash that car. The man washing that Ferrari probably dreams about one day having a little money to be able to get married - a simple basic joy of being a human being. The feelings of the mums moaning about the break-ins - as the world economy changes, the crime is going to rise. Wow. I just can't think and live that way.

When the husband traveled to India on business recently, he stayed in huge fancy hotels. He didn't feel safe walking the streets alone, so he stayed in hotels that had big green areas to roam in. The photos he took (sorry I can't post them) show a stark contrast between his hotel and the slums beyond. And what's worse, the 'slums beyond' were not really slums but typical housing. Again, wow.

The world is heading more towards the 'gated community' thing because I think "rich" people are scared. When I go shopping in certain areas, I 'dress down.' I wear scruffy baggy clothes and old shoes. I carry only a basic bag for my money and my purchases. I try not to look like a target. Do I feel safe? Yes, absolutely. But, why walk around begging for trouble? Hmmm....

Right now, what I miss most about the home country is walking a dog outside. I know, I know...dogs are 'haram' but I really miss having one.

The pictures I saw of the new development in the article just doesn't look like a place I'd want to go strolling with a dog. What about if friends want to visit? I have a friend with a new baby. What does she do? Park her car outside, unload all the baby stuff, put all the baby stuff with baby in little itty bitty car (what about if you have more kids), and drive to see the friend living in the new development. If I lived in the new development, then I don't think anyone would ever want to come see me. Where I currently live, it is hard to find parking for visitors. Not many of my friends visit me. We just meet up somewhere for a coffee.

I spend a lot of time with this kind of stuff jumbled up in my head. It's therapeutic to spit it out once in a while.

Peace.

Wow...what a totally crazy awesome day!

Ok. Here's how the day went.

Had a rushed morning haul to get the kids to school. What should have been a brief drive, took an hour. Loads of car horns; very frustrating. Thank goodness for good music in the CD player and a travel mug of good coffee.

I had to then scurry into a big city for a morning 'appointment'. Now, many good places in this region (restaurants, places to have a coffee, beauty salons, health clubs etc..you get the picture) are in fabulous 5star hotels. Well, as I was waiting for my car (valet is 'free' most places if you've spent some money on a coffee etc...) a man came out - wrinkled clothes, messy hair. There were two women with him. These women were wearing very tight jeans, very tight shirts, and very high high-healed blingy sandals. They were speaking Russian - I think. The women each got into their own (I assume they were theirs) slightly run-down looking vehicles. The women then drove off. The man went back into the hotel. Now, this is a place where I have frequent appointments (it's one of my favorite places to have a coffee too!) so the guys working valet and I recognize each other. One of the valet guys glanced in my direction; I told him, "Interesting place some days." He looked towards the door of the hotel, shook his head and replied, "God help that man." My reply was, "And God help those women." We both nodded in understanding.

Just like any other big city, there are days when we encounter situations that really make us think. And all we can do is focus on what's important and support those around us.

So....got back home, eventually after another meeting - this time with a close friend - so it wasn't really a meeting. Got the kids all taken care of....changed clothes and went off for my next adventure.

I had an evening where I finally finally got to use some of my higher education. It felt amazingly good. And, last night was one of best night's sleep I've had in a while. I know I was relaxed because when I woke this morning, I wanted more sleep. I didn't feel this pressing 'Oh no! I've got to accomplish some good today!' I hope the husband is feeling some peace with all this swirling around.

Peace.

Restlessness

Today, I can only describe how I feel as a sense of restlessness. Are we staying in the Middle East 'forever'? I see so much terrible stuff and some days I just feel so powerless. I go to the gym, do the grocery shopping, watch some junk on TV, and do some work on the computer. I work to do what I can to care for my family. I volunteer my time for various 'things'. I do what I can to serve and give back to the world. Where does this sense of restlessness come from?

The husband, munchkins and I are planning a trip to do a bit of snorkeling. Nothing big or dramatic, just a weekend of family and fish. I wish it was this weekend.

Peace.

What is reality?

Living in the region in which we find ourselves, whenever we travel around these days we usually stay in a 4 or 5 star hotel. Back in the home country, we've always stayed in comfortable places, but not usually 4 or 5 star places! I find myself constantly explaining to my children that the 'ex-pat lifestyle' is not real. We don't really live in reality. I don't want my munchkins to grow up thinking that valet parking, massive breakfast buffets, and giant swimming pools are 'normal' living. That is just not how most of the world lives. So, what is reality? A most excellent question....

When I drive into the 'big city', I am struck by the massive number of buildings going up. I then ponder further, upon the dropping rental prices. I mean wow, what's going to happen? Who's going to rent these places? Hmmm.... me thinks that there are gonna be some bargains around! Happy shopping! I know that I love a good sale (preferably on designer handbags, but that's changing the subject a bit).

In further thinking about the current world economy, I came across this:
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/housing-property/empty-pools-in-discovery-gardens-annoy-residents-1.679484 I have seen this development. Its location is fabulous if you work in a certain area, and it's very close to excellent shopping and mass transit. It is so very sad to see an empty swimming pool in such a hot climate.

After further on-line news skimming, I came across this story:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jU1Hoflsvxcjus-_cWkikkiJHHwwD9I71AAO0
I have heard via the 'grape-vine' about more than a few women who were in a steady relationship but not yet married. And...surprise, they find themselves expecting a baby (You know how mums sit and talk. I 'hear' things). There then seems to be from these women tremendous concern and worry. Are they about to encounter legal trouble? Frankly, I don't know. I don't have the answer to that question. I am not a lawyer. I have only heard rumours of worries. I am not defending the actions of a mother leaving a newborn in the trash by any means! But...I can only imagine what desperation would drive a new mother to do such a horrific thing.

Different women, different realities. Knowledge is power. We must educate our daughters.

Peace.

The End of the Holiday

I couldn't remember if I'd ever posted a picture of this guy before. It was a totally awesome experience being able to swim next to a sea turtle (this is a green sea turtle by the way).

Well, the munchkins' Eid break from school is just about over. I so enjoy having them home. I could never 'home school' (I think kids get a much better over-all education in a school setting), but it sure is fun having them around to play and go to movies etc....

Living outside of the home country, at times, is a total pain. A final bill on a telephone account I had back in the home country finally showed up - a month and a half after I canceled the account. Now, they are saying pay up or face collections. Sheesh.... What a pain.

I'm currently living in my current country on a temporary type visa. The process to get a renewed visa looks simple enough. But, true to form, it's much more complicated than it appears on the surface. I'm happy living here, but certain paperwork is just plain frustrating.

I need to cheer up a bit. Our home here is a total mess (we really need to clean house), Munchkin #2 is aching from starting back at her sport of choice, and I'm freaking out about the whole visa thing. Time to make reservations for a weekend 'sneak-away' to do some snorkeling.

As a last minute addition:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/12/sarah-palin-iowa-republicans-2012 What I found most interesting about this article was the CV (resume for you Americans) at the end of the article and the reader comments. The history in the States is that when a 3rd party crops up, it causes a split in the party it arises from, and the other major party wins. 3rd party polictics in the States certainly makes for interesting/entertaining politics, but it's never a totally good thing for the original major political party it splits. Americans should take note: the world is laughing and horrified at Palin and her supporters. Palin would never be taken seriously by world leaders.

Peace.

Investelektrosviaz and Posting IP's: Does it help?

Greetings! I can not believe the number of hits my blog gets from folks doing internet searches on Investelektrosivaz. But, since I've started posting the suspicious looking IP's, I have not had anyone 'rip.' So.....just in case....here's a recent hit to my blog that looked suspicious:

Investelektrosviaz Ltd. (IP 95.25.178.51)
IE 5.01 Win2000
6th September 2010

I thought this IP looked suspicious because it's an old version of Internet Explorer and Windows in addition to that the only 'ripping' I've had happen was from Russia and Saudi (I can't remember if I posted the Saudi ones or not).

I started this blog as a way to inform my family and friends about my adventure of living in the Middle East (a blog works so much better than large emails). I'm hoping that these 'extra' postings on Investelektrosviaz are helpful to my fellow bloggers.

Peace.

The Insanity of Burning Books

Wow, what can I say? I'm simply stunned.

Have you ever seen the movie "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade"? In it, Indiana Jones and his father have to go to Berlin to get a diary back. In one of the Berlin scenes, there is a huge group of people, mostly Nazis, who are burning books. Whenever I see that scene, I'm really bothered by it. Do I agree with everything I see written? No, of course not. Do I agree with every piece of religious text I have ever read? No, of course not. But....I'd never purposefully destroy a book.

Science types and philosophy types love to discuss what 'really' separates humans from the rest of the critters on the planet. For me, it's humanity's ability to record our ideas, our thoughts, our grocery lists. It is the written word. Where would we be without the written word? I certainly wouldn't be typing this up on a computer sitting in the middle of a desert!

There is a really great term used in certain religious circles: anathema. Borrowing from merriam-webster.com: "Definition of ANATHEMA
1
a : one that is cursed by ecclesiastical authority b : someone or something intensely disliked or loathed —usually used as a predicate nominative
2
a : a ban or curse solemnly pronounced by ecclesiastical authority and accompanied by excommunication b : the denunciation of something as accursed c : a vigorous denunciation "

Burning books should be 'anathema'. It is an act that is not only physically damaging to human history, but it is an act that is demeaning to the people who take place in such an act.

I wonder what the planet would be like if cuttlefish could write? I wonder what they'd write about. Would they burn books? No, of course they wouldn't; cuttlefish are an intelligent species. I wonder what that says about people?

Peace.

Garbage and I miss chipmunks

Well, I'm totally back - at least physically at any rate. My heart is still in the home country, and I'm really missing seeing chipmunks/ground squirrels. The little critter in today's snap was kind of a guardian of the bridge on a hike we took over the summer.

Ok. Here goes. These are 'only here' kind of garbage stories.

My resident permit/visa (whatever you want to call it) needs to be renewed. No problem......

My dear wonderful husband has all the paperwork ready. We went to an ATM machine to get all the cash we needed to complete the next part of the process. He takes part of the day off from work to take me down to an office that needs to see me in person as part of this process. We get there, park the vehicle, and proceed to exit the vehicle. We are bothered by men wanting to 'type' for us, wash the vehicle and whatever else. 'GO AWAY' - they were waiting for folks to appear in the parking lot headed for this office. Aggravating..... We get into the office. It is smashed full of people, and not really air conditioned. We go to get a number to get in the que, and a security officer approaches us. He asks if we have cash. Yes, we have cash. He tells us that they no longer take cash; we must pay on-line. But....the website didn't say ANYTHING that they no longer take cash! The security guard points to the little sign that states the no cash thing. We leave. We go back through the men wanting to 'help' (GO AWAY I think!!!!!!!) and get back in the car. We leave. We'll try again. Of course, all this needs to be done quickly and before the Eid holiday. Sigh.... The husband says that most things here take at least 3 tries....

The munchkins are back in school. Munchkin #1 needed A LOT of school supplies including loose paper with holes punched in it with lines for writing in English and Arabic. We go to the big 'hyper market'. No notebooks for writing Arabic. Say what???????? No loose paper with lines - only notebooks too small to be worth anything. There were MANY dazed looking parents walking around wondering why there's all this stuff in the store and nothing to buy. So...on to the second store. The second store is a VERY scruffy local type place (of course, I love it and shop there regularly). I walk in and buy an Arabic writing notebook and 5 tablets of writing paper for English. When the nice fancy big stores run out, try the local scruffy places the rich expats don't like. Sheesh....

Some days here are just garbage. At least I got to spend part of the morning with a great friend. Chocolate covered dates for Iftar? Yes, please.

Peace.

Back again

Greetings all!

I'm still totally messed up from all the travel, but we're 'home'. I need to go find a coffee and get the brain in gear. It's always hard to come home after a long time on holiday. Plants on the patio need a little TLC, but I'm so thankful for the friends who helped watch our place. And, I know I've been here for a few years because my allergies where NOTHING back in the home country and now my nose is running and my eyes are watering. Sigh.... But, it's good to back together again with the husband and munchkins all in the same place.

Peace.