On the way home - closing in on repatriation

Well, we got THE letter. The husband's work is taking us home. It's official. It's really happening.  Wow. Too many emotions running through my head.

I'm deeply attached to my friends here. Along with my faith, my friends have helped me to learn, to grow, to laugh and to really understand living where I've been living.  There's no point in moving to a foreign country unless you are willing to 'get in there' and really learn from others about where they come from.  You have to want to learn about other cultures. I can't begin to explain how much I'm going to miss my friends here.  The blessing in disguise is that many of my friends eventually will return to their home countries.  I will then have a long list of awesome folks I can travel the globe visiting.

Part of all the traveling around as my husband's career has moved us from place to place has been the re-inventing of myself.  Meaning, that my core of who 'me' is doesn't change.  The skills and talents I have get the chance to express themselves in different ways each time we have moved. Living here in this region, my skills have been stretched and pushed to their utmost. That is a really good thing. I have had to now resign from some elected volunteer positions that have been extraordinary experiences.  Having to walk away from those types of things has been a very painful experience.  At the same time, I am deeply excited to go home and to try out my new found skills doing something else. It's time to re-invent again.

Watching what my kids are going through has also been profound and at times very difficult.  This school and this place, particularly for Munchkin #2, have been all they really have ever known.  To go back to the home country and to navigate through the school system there is going to be a learning curve. The fact that I am a trained educator should hopefully, enshallah, make a difference. My munchkins are having to decide what toys etc come on the plane with them and what goes on the ship and what goes to charity. It is a very tough time for them. Knowing how I feel about leaving my friends here, I can imagine what they might be going through.

I am very happy we are going home.  It feels very very 'right'.  But, the heart is just totally heavy raging with many emotions.

Peace.

There's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home.

Well, the wheels are still in motion. If things go as planned, I'll be 'home' by mid-December. What an adventure the last 5 1/2 years have been.

Listening to all the politicians in the States during this most recent campaign, it really bothers me when I hear things (I'm paraphrasing a bit...) like, "We're going to make America great again!"  I mean, wow. I think America is already great. For instance......

It's a long story, but years ago I played a very small part in the relief effort after Hurricane Katrina. It was a horrible tragedy, but it was amazing to see first hand how Americans pull together to help people they don't even know.  I've seen lots of money over the years given in places outside of the States to help various relief efforts, but I've never seen any place that is like the States where folks will stop what they are doing and lend a physical hand in helping someone out.  This is America's greatest asset; people who will help others.

America's roads are calm and orderly - seriously.  And I've been in taxis in New York and Chicago, and I can still say this!  When traffic gets backed up, generally folks just wait their turn.  You mostly don't see people trying to shove ahead.  I've seen people go off-road from interstates if it's at a total stop, but not to force ahead but to try to find another route.  There's a sense of, "Hey, it's going to be ok. We're all in this together.  We'll manage."  Again, another great asset.

It's an amazing thing to see folks in the States have political discussions that may get heated but at the end of the day there's still this "We're in this together" mentality.  What a major blessing. 

So as I listen to all the political blah blah blah going on, I can only hope that Americans realize just what a cool place they call home AND that it's cool because folks simply care about one another. 

Yes the U.S. has it's share of difficulties - all countries do.  But, it never stopped being a great country.

Peace.

btw...you can probably guess the country I call home.

How are ANA tests used?

Ok. First, I am not a doctor.  Second, I am just a mum.  Third, I am going to use my blog today to air my thoughts/comments/etc regarding my daughter's recent ANA test.

So, what is an ANA test?  It's a blood test.  It's used a lot to look/test for rheumatoid arthritis.

So.....my daughter had an ANA test recently.  It was done with the better IFT process in the lab and came back as a result of 1:100 and positive for mitoses.

Ok.  Now, here's my difficulty.  The lab results also said "We recommend to test for dsDNA quantitative."  Hmmm...ok. I don't really get that part.

Reading online, a result of 1:160 and up is sometimes considered positive for lots of different things.  My daughter's is flagged by the lab as 'high' being at 1:100.  What has me worried is the 'positive for mitoses'.  From what I can find, the titer number correlates to the level of dilution of the blood. So, antibodies are seen at a low dilution in some one who is at like 1:40.  But, if antibodies are seen at a high dilution like 1:160, than the person at 1:160 has more antibodies. 

Different folks with different autoimmune diseases (like various rheumatoid) are more likely to have higher levels of autoantibodies.  There is much debate out there amongst docs and scientists over the usefulness of these tests.

Ok. What I don't get is the "positive mitoses" bit on the laboratory result sheet.  What would have been more helpful was if they described what they saw like, "speckled" or "homogeneous" - at least for my uneducated brain. What I still can't figure out is if the 'mitoses' bit is related to the titer/dilution thing.

So...as an arthritis mum, I want to know if my kid is now ANA+. If so, it makes it more likely she could develope eye problems and could develope polyarticular rheumatoid as opposed to what she has now which is pauci-articular (the less severe form).  I'm only finding out about this now because it was my husband who took our daughter in to see the doc that day. Sigh....

So, I'll have to wait to see what the doc says next time.

The good, the bad, and dreaming of home



Before I really begin this post: If you'd like to leave a comment, just click 'comments' at the end of the post. Please note that I must approve the comment before I publish it on the blog.

There's a lot of stuff I totally love about living here in the Middle East.  I love my big villa, I love the volumes of cheap Lebanese food,  I love the Thai green curry with chicken, I love all the yummy vegetarian Indian food (I have a particular weakness for mutter paneer), but most of all I love the people.  I get to meet and hang out with other women from more countries than I can count. It's just way too cool to even attempt to explain.

But, then I have moments that make me just want to cringe and weep.  This morning, I had one of those moments.

I was out walking my Jesse Dog in the neighborhood.  As usual, there are a large number of housekeepers (maids as they are called here) out walking dogs as well.  Frequently, I see them gathered together enjoying a morning conversation just like any other women would do. You see someone you know, you stop and have a friendly little chat.  Well, this morning, Jesse and I came up behind two ladies we see all the time who were out with their employers' dogs. This morning, the two ladies didn't see Jesse and I coming because they were seated companionably on a large rock in the common garden area just enjoying the morning.  I said, "Good morning," so Jesse and I wouldn't startle them and cause the dogs under their care to bolt. When these ladies heard me, they both jumped up and immediately broke off their conversation.  They looked at me with total terror like two children caught sneaking into the cookie jar before dinner.  I felt terrible.  They then head to opposite areas of the park/garden as if it was this horrid thing to sit and chat with a friend. 

I can't change things here in how these women are treated. I wish I could change things so that these women are treated more like employees and less like property. But, this is a mindset change. This would take a change that would completely disrupt the lifestyles of many. I know not all the women working as maids here are treated poorly. But, there are a lot who are.

These are the moments that cause me to long for home. And, this is why I love to blog. It feels so good to rant about this.  Maybe, just maybe, my ranting will help.

Peace.

Random last bit: I just read this blog post.  I can't vouch for the accuracy or anything, and his opinions are not necessarily my opinions, if you get my meaning.  But, it's a very interesting read. I feel like I'm reading a collaboration of the bits I hear chatting with other mums before afternoon school pick-up. http://thelinoleumsurfer.blogspot.com/2012/10/when-everyone-is-wrong-war-on-truth.html

The Waiting Game

Well, we don't know what our status is - staying another 6 years or heading for the home country. In the business world in which my husband thrives, when they say, "Move," you move, and you usually only have about 6 weeks to do it.

As an ex-pat, repatriation is daunting. We've been away from the home country going on six years now.  A very wise friend here told me, "Just remember, you can't really go home again."  What he meant by this is that things change.  I have changed.  While I have had to have pages added to my passport to accommodate more stamps from more countries, friends and acquaintances back home may no longer 'know' me.  I've experienced many new cultures and languages.  My current mum friends come from more countries than I can count in my head. The question is not will my old friends be able to relate to me still, but will I be able to relate to them?  Will going back home keep my spirit happy?  Only time will tell.

One of the biggest questions for me is what will I do with my time?  Will I go back to pursuing my master's degree?  Will I go back to work?  Which career path/service (because I do serve others in what I do - I am a person of deep faith) do I need to be on?  Again, only time will tell. 

So....I wait. I dream about not leasing anymore.  I've been spending time each night on the internet looking at homes. Drool, drool, drool.  Am I excited I may be going home? Sure. Will I miss stuff here?  Sure.  The friends I've made will be the hardest to say, "See ya later!" to. Thank goodness for social networking on the internet!

In the meantime, I'm posting a link to a blog a read.  This link is about an Emirati wedding.  But, it is pretty similar to most traditional weddings in the region (at least from what little I know).
http://thebest5beachesindubai.blogspot.com/2012/09/an-emirati-wedding.html

Now, I'm off to do a very ex-pat mum kind of thing - meet other ladies for a coffee at a cafe!

Peace.
 

Meds Change and thinking about other changes

 

First off, if any of my readers has comments on any of my posts, I now have opened the comments section. But, if comments or questions are not respectful, I will simply delete them.

This snap was from a recent snorkeling trip.

Well, it has finally happened.  Munchkin #2 was sent home from school this last week with a bad tummy ache.  As the school nurse put it, "She looked green."  The oral methotrexate my daughter takes for her rheumatoid arthritis was really bothering her stomach.

Since we can't have her missing school each week, the doc we've been using here who's an 'adult' doc, finally is letting Munchkin #2 try the injectable methotrexate. Never have I seen a kid actually excited about getting a jab each week. Munchkin #2 was actually excited.

Munchkin #2 has been back at her sports, but she's not as tip top feeling as she would like to be. We're all hoping that the injectable medication (same thing, same dose as the tablets) will work a bit better for her. And, hopefully, won't upset her tummy the way the tablets were starting to.

Now on to other changes.....

We are beginning to contemplate what it would be like if we headed for the home country, permanently. Is this even an option at this point?  Let's just say that I'm daydreaming. I have wondered if it would be hard to readjust to life 'back home' after being in such an exotic place. I know there would be readjustment, but I think it would be easier than it was to move to our current location.  We've been ex-pats so long, what would it cost to be repatriated? Hmmmm......let's think about that. Here's the list of what we'd have to buy or put money down on. 

• Deposit on a flat
• Utility deposits
• 2 cars (would like to leave the old vehicle at the farm)
• living room furniture (preferrably yummy leather sofa, big and comfortable, with a big matching chair)
• 3 beds
• 2 desks with chairs
• washer and hopefully a forced air dryer
• A bunch of kitchen junk
• bath towels
• shower curtains
• bathroom rugs

In other words, a lot of money. Kind of makes my head hurt. When one becomes an expat, one doesn't always think about the cost of going home. A friend of mine here, from the same home country, has nothing back in the home country. No house, no car, nothing. (We at least have a vacation home/family farm, an old but functional vehicle, and another house that is currently rented out.  And, the rented out house has all the appliances.) And, because shipping containers can take a while, one has to buy temporary furniture or find furnished housing. Finding affordable furnished housing is not easy when you have kids and pets. For us, it's cheaper and better to just buy some furniture (upgrading what we already own), IF we ever moved back to the home country.  I'm just glad that we thought at least a little bit 5 years ago about what it would take for us to be repatriated.

I'm know that I am homesick when I start making lists like this. I have no clue what the next year will bring, but I'm hoping for more time in the ocean at least. 

Peace.

The 'Video' and the Madness, and Marhaba

Ok. I'm going to talk about 'THE' video. If you have no clue what video I'm referring to, take you head out of the sand and pick up a newspaper from today or the previous couple of days.  Yes, THAT video.

Ok. Now that we're all on the same page....

Via the modern joy that is social networking, I'm seeing words of racism and hate in response to those who are protesting the video with violence. First, I understand that the video's message is bad. Second, I also know that it was of a very poor quality. Clearly, it was not done by some fancy Hollywood producer.

I am certainly not condoning violence. Got it? Violence is bad. Violence is way not cool. Violence does not solve anything. Again, got it?  Just in case you missed it: violence = evil.

If you are one of my readers in the States, sit and think about who these protesters likely are. They are likely uneducated about US laws regarding the freedom of speech. Many of the countries where these protests are taking place have censorship in some form or another. Folks outside of the US don't always understand or even begin to comprehend what freedom of speech means. Many people outside of the States would find it almost impossible to believe that 'the video' is allowed to be out in the public domain without approval from the US government or having been through some kind of censorship process.  Many people outside of the States just don't understand that the folks who were involved with the making of the video can't be arrested for making it. But, the fact that one guy involved in making the video was hauled in by police in the States for questioning to see if he violated his parole (ie his get out of jail card) says that there are folks in the States who really do care about what is happening. But, the folks who care have to work within the law.

Further....the question begs to be asked, "What other reasons would these people have to protest against the US?"  Are they being 'whipped up' by somebody with a political agenda? Are they angry at their own government about something? Are they simply uneducated?

The devout Muslims I know would never resort to or even condone violence. Are they offended by the video? Of course they are.  But, resorting to violence is never a way to have a conversation. Anybody who resorts to violence is only hurting themselves in the end.

There is a word in Arabic, 'marhaba', that is used as hello or welcome. So, if someone rings my door bell, I open the door,  I could say, "Marhaba! Please come in!" Some would say that the origin of 'marhaba' is Persian, and it originally meant, 'no harm can come from me to you'. Others would say that the word originated in Aramaic (the language of Jesus?) and originally meant, essentially, God is love.

'Marhaba' reminds me of the Middle East that I know.

Peace.

Edit (22 September) I just went and re-read this, and it could sound like I am defending those who are protesting the video. I am not defending their actions. I do not condone violence. Period.

Clearly, he just doesn't get it

First, let me begin with a link:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/11/mitt-romney-consulate-attack_n_1875906.html?utm_hp_ref=elections-2012

I find it totally amazing that the Romney campaign is trying to criticise the Obama administration over this. Really?  Wow.  I seriously don't think that the Romney campaign has a clue.

Ok. Here comes my not professional opinion. Ready?

When one is dealing with a group of fanatics, violence will only beget violence. Hate-filled language will only beget hate-filled language. 

Have a look at this quote from the article:
"The violence took a domestic political turn, in part thanks to a statement released early Tuesday by the staff of the Cairo embassy, which condemned the film and the "continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims – as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions." "

The statement was written by a member of embassy staff.  AND clearly that member of staff understands this type of situation. By doing the opposite of 'backlash', the situation is potentially diffused. If you just yell back at someone who is yelling at you, the yelling will only get louder.  If you say, "Yes. I see you have a point. That is very difficult and frustrating. I can see why you are so upset."  That is a statement that can't be cause for further fighting and yelling. 

Living where we live, we work/volunteer/go to school with people from many different cultures. In many cultures, there is a concept that may be unfamiliar to many Westerners - 'saving face'.  Meaning, that to apologize for something comes across as very very weak.  If you say you are sorry, you really lose face. This changes how disagreements are settled.  That means there's not 'compromise' in the way a Westerner thinks of compromise. 

So, in order to diffuse a situation, common ground must be found.  Than, find a common goal and work towards that.  Focus on what is shared and the same rather than what is separate and different.  It is clear to me that the embassy staffer 'gets' this.  Find the common ground and say, "Hey, I understand what you are saying."  Understanding is not agreement.  And, there is deep deep wisdom in 'turn the other cheek'. 

I can not fathom Romney running US foreign policy. Wake up and smell the coffee people.  Romney isn't that much smarter on foreign policy than the average American Joe. But, the American president needs to be.

Peace.

Mixed Emotions

Well, this is the start of year 6 for us here in the Middle East.  And, seriously, I approach this year with mixed emotions. 

It is nice to be 'home' with our pets and our friends.  But, every year when I come back from summer holiday, yet another friend has moved away. It's great getting to meet and be friends with so many amazing women, but it's very hard saying 'see ya later' to people each year.  I recently went to a big 'women's meeting' where I sat with a group of ladies, two I knew and the rest were total strangers to me.  I did my best to be polite, happy and helpful to the newcomers, but for the first time I found myself not wanting to spend too much effort reaching out.  A good friend and I left the event/meeting the moment it was over and went and enjoyed a quiet coffee together.  I keep handing out my email and number to ladies new to the area, but I'm just feeling down like, "Hey, am I going to just have to say good-bye to you too?" 

My munchkins are happy and successful in school here which is a wonderful thing.  Yet I really wonder how it would affect them to live their entire childhoods in a country that they can never fully call 'home'?  Is this a good thing or a bad thing? When we came here, we thought 2 years for sure, maybe 3.  Things have sure changed as we begin year SIX!

I find myself constantly in need of 're-focusing'.  Meaning that I frequently have to remind myself about what is good here, what I like about being here.  As I think about the home country, I have to remind myself that the grass always looks greener on  the other side.  But wait! That's right! There is grass on the other side! You see?  I need to re-focus...constantly.

The husband and I are seriously beginning to contemplate a return to the home country. We are at a point in the munchkins' schooling that this is the 'do or die' year.  We either go back this year or we are committed to staying here another 6 years until we get them both off to university.  That's a daunting thought.  Do we really want to live here for a total of 12 years? I'm just not sure.

Within the next few weeks we are going to spend a weekend out on a beach and snorkeling.  The fish and sea turtles are one of the things I love about this place.  I told the husband that if we are going to stay here than we need to spend more time enjoying being here. Last year, with Munchkin #2's rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis was a rough year for me. We didn't do much roaming around. We need to do things differently this year.

And, if pursuing fun stuff and enjoying family time doesn't help, than maybe it will be time to go home.

Peace.

The Cost of Health Care

Very opinionated stuff....you've been warned. And secondly, you can probably guess where I'm from, but does it really matter?

As the parent of a munchkin with health issues that require long term maintenance (rheumatoid arthritis), I am deeply familiar with the cost of health care.

Let me quote you some cost comparisons. I am going to do this in US dollars since I think more folks are familiar with the $'s exchange rates.

This is a comparison of cost between tip top quality private health care we have experienced in the Middle East (by US or European trained/licensed doctors) and health care in the United States.  I am doing some minimal rounding, so please use this for discussion/thoughtfulness only. Ready?

Visit to pediatrician for very bad cold/flu with a throat swab test:
Middle East: $80   US: $200

MRI (top quality images) of a major joint (like a wrist or a knee):
Middle East: $390   US: $3,300

X-rays of a major joint (like a wrist or a knee):
Middle East: $150 [but need to make certain lead apron is used on patient]   US: $350

10mg/week of Methotrexate tablets for one month:
Middle East: $24 (no insurance)  US: $20 (that's the insurance co-pay)

Hmmmm.....really?  Yes. Wow.  Is health care here the most perfect in the world? Certainly not. But, the 'maintenance' kind of stuff is reasonable.

So, here's what I think are the major reasons for the cost difference.  First, the US has very high medical malpractice insurance rates because doctors get sued so very much. Second, many people in the States can't afford these types of health care rates. But they go get health care anyway.  I can't imagine not being able to get help for my child.  They then either don't pay their bill or only pay a small piece at a time thus putting hospitals/clinics into a cash pinch creating a vicious circle that keeps getting bigger and bigger. If it's your life or the life of your child, wouldn't you go into that clinic?

I am flabbergasted how many Americans whine about how they don't want socialized medicine.  I understand that.  But, if there was REAL and GOOD paid for health care for low and moderate income folks, AND if there was tort reform, the US wouldn't be in this mess. 

Suck it up folks.  Only a compassionate government with big deep pockets can fix this. Smaller government with shallow pockets is going to make the average American bankrupt and dirt poor as soon as sickness strikes. It's time to start taxing the rich and pass tort reform.  Years ago, I had to have a c-section.  The total cost was $20,000.  I was in-network everything.  Should have been a bill of about $2000 give or take as my portion, or so I thought.  I ended up paying over $8000 - even after fighting with the insurance company -and the constant phoning from the hospital creditors made me feel almost like someone was going to come repossess my son. It took a long time, but the bill was paid. But, it financially set my family back years.

Do I want to move back to my home country? Yes.  I am ready to give up lower cost health care yet? No.

Peace.

Back in the sand box

Well, we are back in the sand.

Came back to extreme heat and humidity, the irrigation pump, my glorious forced air clothes dryer and washing machine are all 'out'. The electrical circuit that they are all on is not functioning. I cut the electricity to all three and tried to reset the breaker. The breaker won't reset.

While we were gone, the landlord's 'fix' was to have a gardener (not an electrician) come out and cobble together a bunch of wires (of different gauges) using electrical tape. This 'newly minted' set of wires was sent run from our irrigation pump to the junction/breaker box (picture about 45 feet/14m) of wire running into other wires coming out of the bottom of the breaker panel. Really creepy. At least the grass wasn't dead but about half of my flowers were.

And....naturally, the husband is away on business.

So, I've called a local 'fix' company that came recommended by two people. We'll see how it goes. I'm not holding my breath.

In the meantime, my garden is dying and Munchkin #2 has offered to help me do the laundry in the bath tub. The cobbled together wire was just too creepy/scary to leave in place.

Welcome back!

Peace.

Stuff going on in Syria etc

Well, I am now the proud happy mum of a new laptop.  I love it. It weighs only a fraction of what my old ones weighs.  Now, no more aching back trudging through airports.

I have been hearing from friends lately about violence going on in Syria. I don't know who's doing the killing or why.  I just know that for me, it 'hits close to home.' One of my daughter's good friends is originally from Syria. Her family was going to go to Syria over the summer holiday to spend time with the grandparents.  The mum of my daughter's friend was very distressed because they had no way to get visas to relocate the grandparents to a safer country. Sad, tragic, horrid.

Now, I am hearing what the press would have to call 'unconfirmed accounts' of deaths in Damascus.  But, these unconfirmed accounts hit close to home because they were told to a friend of mine via Facebook chat. My friend was sitting having a nice cup of tea in his kitchen (in a much safer place than Syria is currently) while the person on the other end of the chat was in Damascus relating what has been happening to his/her family around him/her. It's not worthy of CNN or BBC but still....it hits close to home.  There are many many who are in need of prayers.

I am heading back to the sand box in a few days after a long glorious summer holiday. I know the husband and I are truly ex-pats because both of us are seriously thinking, "Golly gee, do we really want to stay in the sandbox for another 6 to 7 years until we get the munchkins off to university?"

Maybe I can find time to squeeze in one last morning out on my kayak.

Peace.

Time in the trees

I have been reading various Middle East blogs this morning. Am I ready to go back yet?  No, not even close. I do miss my friends, and I miss the friends who have had to move away, but I really really miss green and trees when I am out in the sand of my 'home' of five years now.

I also don't miss difficult mindless stuff, like the following.....

There is a circuit breaker in the breaker box that needs to be replaced. The husband is an engineer and told the landlord to have it replaced. The landlord sends a gardener to fix things. The gardener wants access to our pump room. Whah? Hunh? The irrigation system and pump are outside and the problem is the circuit breaker. CALL AN ELECTRICIAN! Wasting time, wasting money and just plain mindlessness.

In the home country, I could go to a proper hardware store, buy the part and replace it. Easy. Or I can make one phone call and have a competent electrician do it with in a few hours.

In the meantime, my garden in the desert is dying because the irrigation pump that is outside can not run. 

Time to head outside and sit amongst the trees.

Peace. 

Praying for friends with family in rough places

I am still here. I am very much still on holiday, but I am reading lots and lots of news. I pray for friends from Syria and Lebanon. Part of living in the Middle East as an expat is I know mums and kids who call these places home. I have a good friend on holiday in Turkey - our daughters are very close. Some of these mums are Christian, some are Muslim. But, we are all mums. We all love our families and strive to feed our kids, support our husbands, and maintain functioning happy homes. So, to all my mum friends.....I pray for safety for you and your families. Looking forward to smiles and coffees when the kids go back to school. Peace.

Greetings from 'Home'

For those of you who read this regularly, I am currently in the home country. 

As I read the news coming out of the region, as I watch posts from friends via various social media, I am repeatedly struck by how far away I feel from the rest of the world when I am 'home'.  But, all I have to do is think about friends back in the desert, read a post or two from blogs I enjoy, and I am right back in the sand. 

The world no longer feels like this huge place to me.  Having to fly/travel for hours at a time to reach 'home', knowing what to expect at each passport control desk in various countries, having friends scattered across the globe visiting family and summer homes, the world just isn't that big to me anymore.  It is however a comfortable place for me.

I know I'm finally feeling rested and 'back to normal' because the thought of getting on a plane to take a trip sounds like a good idea to me again.  Before the summer holiday, I was at a point where if someone had offered me two tickets to some vacation destination I probably would have said, "No thanks. I'm going home."

Hope all my readers are having a wonderful summer, and Ramadan Kareem.

Peace.

Traveling with injectable methotrexate? and a 'See you later'

Part of being an ex-pat is flying in commercial airplanes.  Lots of commercial airplanes.  I have so many frequent flier miles with one airlines that each time I get on one of their planes (without the Munchkins) I'm upgraded to business class.  Sweet....

Being a very frequent flier, I'm used to going through security in various airports, and I'm deeply appreciative that security personnel have difficult jobs. Nobody enjoys being searched, x-rayed, scanned, etc (at least nobody I know does).  I also am very used to following the rules.

So, I find myself in a bit of a tangle.  Munchkin #2 has been prescribed injectable methotrexate for her arthritis.  I must say, she and I are actually happy about this. We're ready to try something new that might stop or at least ease up on the pain.  The clincher is that for various reasons, we're going to have to travel with pre-filled syringes of methotrexate when we fly home.  Joy....not....

I'm very very confused.  I'm simply going to air my confusion here.  Please do not under any circumstances use my confusion as 'law' or a 'how to' guide.

The airlines say we can travel with my daughter's meds as long as she has a prescription.  The country we are flying into (or at least their websites) says we 'might' be able to travel with my daughter's meds as long as she has a prescription. Frankly, I just can't tell what's ok and what's not. 

So....

What does one do?

I can't fathom trying to do any of this without a reasonable reading level and a background in science. (I have a background in science if you hadn't figured that out already).  When I think about science education taking a backseat in schools, it makes me feel sick. How are those kids going to communicate with their doctors?  But, I'm hopping down a bunny trail....

So......I'm going to hop further down that bunny trail.....and totally change subjects.....

I wish to bid a very found see you later to my Dad's best friend, Jim.  Growing up, Jim was kind of a 'legend' to me.  I remember hearing stories of him and my dad slashing their way through the deep brush and deep woods literally creating new trails.  Jim, you were loved by many and will be missed.  And thanks for that excellent bottle of rum. I don't know if I will ever enjoy the cheap stuff again.

Peace.

I need to add a post-script to this. We've had no trouble traveling with meds. We put everything in a little travel bag designed for diabetics along with a photocopy of the doctor letter and photocopy of the script (I hold all originals with important docs). We have not had a problem yet. (Nov. 26, 2013)

Dust off the old resume

I was recently approached about taking on a full-time sort of paying job again.  I'm seriously considering the position. However, I don't want to turn in my resume until I know the status with this new pediatric rheumatologist we're taking Munchkin #2 to today.  If I'm going to have to head to the home country 4 times a year, there's no way I can work a full-time job. Plus, being a woman already in the country on a visa, employers think they can get away with paying way less than you are worth. Women getting low pay is a massive issue across the region.

It's interesting going through one's old resume.  Frankly,  there's stuff on there I had forgotten I'd done. I remember a time in my life when I struggled to fill a one page resume with anything meaningful.  Now, it's a struggle to keep it down to two pages.  And, how do you decide what parts of your life to delete and what not to delete?  Those 2 years you spent volunteering with low-income kids? Gone? Delete?

So much of what's really important to me, I can't put on a resume.  I'm a wife and a mom.  I get my kids to all their appointments and activities.  I keep a large house humming along and in good order. I'm a daughter, a cousin, a friend. 

I'll know after this afternoon if I'm sending that resume.  Who knows, maybe the job is already filled.

Peace.

Summer Dreaming and Happy Father's Day!

First, Happy Father's Day to those who celebrate it today.  See you in a few days, Dad!

Second, What I'm day-dreaming about:

1. A great new pediatric rheumatologist in town - appointment is set for early this week.

2. crisp evening air

3. bunny rabbits nibbling on clover outside my bedroom window

4. shopping malls where I can actually afford to buy stuff

5.  wearing shorts, scummy t-shirt and hiking boots to run errands

6. other women not thinking I'm some kind of freak for wearing shorts, scummy t-shirt and hiking boots to run errands

7. Mountains of breakfast foods that are familiar AND made at my fave breakfast restaurant

8. basic courtesies like holding a door open for a complete stranger AND saying 'Good morning'

9. no dust

10. sleeping for three days straight unless I'm out roaming around in the woods

I do enjoy living in this exotic environment, but lately the little things that put me on edge have really been piling up. It has been a hard year to enjoy the good stuff about being out here in the sand.  I'm hoping a few days/weeks back in the home country will help give me a much needed attitude readjustment. 

Peace.

Arthritis Advocacy

If you have political pull in the States or if you are a registered voter, please please please advocate for kids who have arthritis.  As an ex-pat, my family has good medical insurance because the company wants to keep us here.  I shudder in fear what that would mean for my daughter if that situation changed. 

I just learned that IF I was living in the States under 'good' US based health insurance, my daughter's meds if she starts on a biologic drug, could cost upwards of 30% of $2000US/month.  That's around $600/month WITH good health insurance.  Now, do I really know what our actual situation would be should we ever move to the States, not a clue.  But, for many families these costs are crippling.  And if the kids don't take the drugs than the kids would be crippled.

http://www.biocenturytv.com/player/1576037741001/1575734700001  Excellent little video explaining the difference in the States between a co-pay and co-insurance and what this can mean for someone with a chronic condition like rheumatoid arthritis. 

http://www.biocenturytv.com/player/1576037741001/1575734699001 Further explanation. 

We need more research and kids need good access to these very expensive but potentially life changing drugs. 

Peace.

Mowing the grass- what to do with the clippings?

Ok. This is just too crazy not to post.

The husband woke up early this morning to mow our grass in the back garden while it was still cool outside. Because the grass was long and we have a large garden, there were about 10 big bags of clippings to dispose of. The local community gardeners dump all the grass clippings and hedge trimmings in big piles around  the neighborhood.  Since we are not allowed to dispose of grass in the trash bins or large dumpsters, we bag it just like the gardeners and leave it where they leave it for the trash crews to come pick-up. We've been doing the same routine for the past year.

The husband and I had to run errands today. We had a very pleasant day. Bought blinds for our living room, a new pot for one of our indoor trees and visited furniture stores for a new sideboard to put in the room with the billiards table.  The munchkins stayed home finishing up last minute school projects and doing chores.  A community/neighborhood security guard rang at our gate while we were out. The munchkins didn't know how to communicate with him, so I phoned the guards' building once we arrived home.

Here's the conversation:

Me: "Hello, I was out running errands and the children said you came by our villa."

Security: [Very angry tone of voice] "Madam, you must move the black bags of grass clippings".

Me: "I am confused. What grass clippings?" 

Security: "Your grass clippings."

Me: "If they are my clippings, where do I put them?"

Security: "In your villa."

Me: "I can not put grass in my villa. Where do I put bagged grass for pick-up?"

Security: "You must move the clippings."

Me: "Where are grass clippings supposed to go?" {I'm thinking...we're only doing what EVERY gardener in the neighborhood does!!!!!!!  I KNOW the local gardeners are not hauling bags of grass off on their bicycles!!!!!!!  I passed 3 massive piles on our way home through the compound!  We're even using the neighborhood employed gardeners' piles!!!!!!!}

Security: "You must move the clippings. No grass clippings in common areas."

Me: "No grass clippings in common areas? Ok. Then where are grass clippings supposed to go because they are not allowed in the bins?"

Security: "You must move the clippings."

Me: "I am very confused. You need to speak to my husband." 

I should know by now that being a 'girl', I shouldn't even bother trying to talk with some folks about things.  But, I still try. I feel so frustrated and helpless here some days.  Security is coming by at 5pm today for a face to face meeting with the husband.  The really frustrating bit is how did security know they are ours? My guess? Well, my guess is our new neighbors are hacked that my husband was out mowing on a Saturday morning instead of at like 12 noon in +100F heat like the poor neighborhood gardeners.

It would be nice if I spoke more local languages. I'm so very ready to deal with one culture and one language for a few weeks.

Peace.

Venus and the Sand Box

Out here in the sandbox, I really get to contemplate just how hot the sun can be.

I loved this video.  Enjoy.

12 days and a wake-up until summer holiday.

Peace.

School Uniforms - the Horror Show

Ok.  I'm seriously going to show my stripes here.  I loathe school uniforms.  I know; I know.  They make it easy to get dressed, they are supposedly cheaper, yada yada yada. {Insert sound effect - Thhbbtttt!}

I seriously miss seeing my munchkins in normal 'street' wear. I miss their blue jeans, and the carefully selected t-shirts.  I miss the color and variety of their shoes.  No more....sigh...  Now, I get to see kids schlepping around the school with their shoes held together with tape because the assistant headmaster made them remove their shoelaces for being white laces instead of black laces. 

Today, in a bold brave attempt to avoid the rush, we tried to buy their uniforms for next year.  The week before school, you can't even get into the uniform shop.  Babies screaming, mummies screaming, kids groaning in the heat and the horror, "I have to wear that tie? It's ghastly! It'll choke me to death!"  And, for these supposed 'inexpensive' school shirts, I have to shell out the equivalent of like $30 US per shirt.  Umm yeah....right.  I'd rather hit the sales rack at a Macy's or Bloomingdales thank you very much! (Assuming one can get to the States!).  We'd get better stuff, and cheaper!

We always buy the shirts at the uniform shop because they have the school logo on them - no other choice.  The trousers, however, we always buy in the home country since they are usually cheaper/better quality.  This next year, they are changing the girls skirts.  They will have a single pleat in the front.  To quote a kid I overheard in the shop, "They're ghastly! Do I have to wear THAT?"  Not only are they not pleasant to look at, but they are going to be utterly impossible to find a version that is cheaper/better in the home country.  Rats, they figured us mums out! And, these school skirts are being made so we have to have them tailored to the correct length.  The horror!  We'll have to make trips to the shop for fittings amidst the smell of sweaty children, dust from the neighborhood blowing in the doors, a parking lot where 4X4 is necessary and all for the bargain price of about $35 US per skirt!  The horror!  And......since they moved the uniform shop to the new more convenient location (it is a better drive, just on packed sand road), there's no more stopping on the first floor for an ice cream as a light at the end of the long uniform store tunnel. 

Give me blue jeans or give me death? Ok, maybe that's exaggerating.....

13 days and a wake-up, but who's counting?

Peace.

Renting - the Bizarre Saga

We lived in a large flat our first 3 1/2 years in the Middle East.  When we needed to shift around a bit, we decided to change to a villa since the munchkins are growing, and it was getting crowded trying to have friends over.

We rented/leased a lovely villa in a very nice area. Because I loathe moving and trying to find places to live, we signed a two year lease.  Our landlord told us halfway through this lease that he is putting the villa on the market.  That was a couple of months ago.

Well....

Yesterday, a local Islamic bank tried to deliver papers to the villa via our local security guys.  I didn't take them because I know they are not for me - they did not have my name or my husband's name on them.  I don't know who they were for.  Which got me to thinking....

We have not heard anything from our landlord (and we know that he has a mortgage through an Islamic bank for this villa).  Not a single call from an estate agent - absolutely nothing.  We know he paid way more for the villa than it is currently worth (not unusual in the area).  We've seen all kinds of places drop in value.  But, we have seen some rise in value in the region.  So, real estate can be a tough game. 

I phoned our landlord's assistant this morning, a very nice lady.  I told her I just wanted to touch base with her because we'd be leaving on summer holiday. I also mentioned that we had yet to hear from an estate agent regarding the supposed possible sale of the villa.  I asked her what the current status was. She told me that only my landlord could answer these kinds of questions.  What a totally bogus response!  This is lady who does EVERYTHING for our landlord.  If anything breaks, we call her.  Before, if we were going on holiday, we'd call her.  The situation is so totally bizarre. 

So, we can only hope that nothing odd happens while we are on holiday.  If I did have to fly back to the sand box to deal with our landlord, it would just be a typical moment out here in the sand.  Hoping for the best, but I'm planning for the worst.

Peace.

Pool table and other bits (all Rheumatoid stuff)

15 days and a wake-up. The count down to summer holiday is running.

We are now the proud owners of a pool table.  It also is an air hockey table, but it needs a new motor.  Then...it has a top you put on it, and it's then a ping pong table.  The whole thing is in the room that is supposed to be our formal dining room.  It fits beautifully.  And nicely fills up what is otherwise totally wasted space.

We acquired the pool table from a friend of mine who is returning to her home country.  Great we got a pool table, bummed that my friend is leaving.  So goes the ex-pat life.

Now,  for the other bits....

Munchkin #2 has an appointment with a Germany based pediatric rheumatologist within the next week or so.  We're really hoping she's a great doc.  Munchkin #2's wrists were very painful last night.  The problem we are having besides seeing our kid in pain is that we don't know what is a 'normal' pain level for a kid with rheumatoid.  Do we push the docs?  Do we just keep her as comfortable as possible with heat packs and ice packs?  We don't know what 'normal' is anymore.

We're hoping that between this new doc coming into town and with Munchkin #2 getting to hang with other kids this summer who have RA, we'll be able to learn what 'normal' is supposed to be. 

So...we're all hopeful right now. 

Munchkin #1 should finish with his final exams this week.  Then, 'la la time' at school begins. 

BTW, the way our cat Max looks in today's snap kinda sums up how we're all feeling.  It is so time to take a rest.

Peace.

Weather Update and Countdown

It is currently 111F/43.8C outside.  Forecast said, "Plentiful sunshine. Hot."  Humidity is at around 10%.  In other words, it feels like an oven when you walk outside the front door.

We encountered a hotel with bed bugs a few months back.  We washed all our stuff, but I couldn't wash the luggage.  It's bagged now in black trash bags and 'baking' in our garage.  Heat is occasionally useful. 

18 days and a wake-up.  The countdown to 'home' is ticking.

Peace.

'Local' News

I've been so busy this morning and yesterday evening, that I hadn't read the recent press.  Here's the latest that caught my attention:
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/29/world/meast/qatar-fire/index.html 

I used to live in an apartment block where the fire alarm went off all the time.  The munchkins were well trained on how to get out.  However, it went off so much (ie false alarms) that our practice was jump to leave but contact building security down the hall before running out in our pj's. 

The other day, I was about to enter a 'whatever' kind of building where I frequent one of their ground floor shops.  The fire alarm was going off.  Nobody did anything.  The restaurant was still packed with people, folks were walking in and out of the building.  Nothing unusual except for the very loud alarm going off.  The alarm quit.  We waited.  I didn't see smoke, I didn't smell smoke.  We waited some more.  Then, went inside.  False alarm.

Most houses I've been in here have no smoke detectors.

This horrid tragedy needs to be a wake-up call to all of us who reside in the region about fire safety.  My volunteering puts me in touch several times a year now with residents of Doha. Praying for all.

And if I ever hear anyone from 'the West' ever complain about having to comply with building codes/standards? Well....I'll be giving them a piece of my mind. 

Peace.

Summer Time

Well, summer is here.  And I love to gripe about the weather.  The current temperature is around 102F/39C.  It's hot outside.

The air conditioning maintenance guys were here a few days ago.  But....pigs are flying...they did a great job.  The munchkins' rooms are now like refrigerators - very cold. 

Our poor desert dog/saluki mix, Jesse, wants to spend more time outside in the heat.  She loves to lay on the hot bricks out in the sun.  This ice cold A/C is not her thing.  That would be kind of crazy - put a sweater on the dog so she's comfortable in the house.

As we reach the end of the school year and prepare to get on that plane to go 'home' for a few months, I always feel a bit odd.  I'm happy living here in the desert, I love this region, and we have many great friends here. But, there's just something about going 'home'. 

This year, we're all feeling a bit burned out.  I don't think it's where we're living.  It's just been a really crazy year.  But, we're here for the long haul, so I think it's seriously time for vacation.

Peace.

Feeling deeply frustrated about rheumatoid

I'm writing about all this for two reasons:
#1 It feels good to vent
#2 Maybe something somewhere in my/our story will help someone else.

So very frustrated.  Munchkin #2 had her worst headache yet this morning.  We made it out the front door and to school but never made it into the school.  She's now crashed out on the living room sofa snuggled up with a homemade heat pack and two fleece blankets.  The A/C is really cold when it's over 100F outside. 

She's taking 10mg of Methotrexate each week, up to 750mg of Naproxen each day as needed, and Cyproheptadine (I can't remember the dosage at the moment). 

It's frustrating because I have to fight with her to take the Cyproheptadine (which is for the headaches).  The neuro guy we saw here (who came across with a less than 0 bedside manner) thinks they are migraines.  The rheumy here thinks they are caused by the methotrexate.  I think they are totally 100% arthritis related because these headaches started about the same time her joint pains did 3 years ago.  And I've been saying that all along to all the docs!  But, never mind me, I'm just the mum.  I'm just the one taking care of  this child day in and day out.  What could I possibly know? 

So now, poor kid, is crashed out on the sofa and the worst bit is that she's missing two periods of Art class at school today.  Art is totally her fave subject next to math and she's missed art off and on for weeks because of doc appointment times.  But, I don't have the heart to wake her up.  She never ever sleeps during the day, so I know something is really not right. 

I called a good friend of mine here this morning.  She has Lupus which is in the same kind of disease family as rheumatoid.  I also should add that she has a successful career, a husband and two great kids - Lupus did not stand in her way.  I can always count on her to be 'real' with me.  She reminded me that we're almost ready to head to the home country for the summer where there is super support for diseases like this.  She also picked up on the fact that I have been totally alone in dealing with this for my kid.  There is basically zero support here for families of kids with rheumatological issues.  There is totally zero support for the kids.  My friend who has Lupus has lived here for two years yet has never been to a local doc; she does it all in the home country. 

I have seriously felt like moving back to the home country because of this.  There would be good to that because we'd have easy access to pediatric rheumatologists.  It would be bad because we'd lose our lovely private school.  Public schools back home can be totally utterly brutal to kids with any kind of medical anything.  The public schools are brutal about sticking labels on kids.  My friend tells me not to project; don't worry about possible future.  Just get through today.  Get through the week.  Get on that airplane.  Things always feel and look better after time in the home country.

Peace.

PS I have enabled comments for the first time.  But, I have to approve them before they will be published.

Rippers Again

This may just be an average reader, but the fact that they are using a VPN AND Rippers?  Not that there is anything wrong with using a VPN but....I don't know....looks potentially dodgy so here's the data:

Number of Entries:1


Entry Page Time:26 May 2012 11:17:41

Browser:Rippers

OS:Unknown

Resolution:Unknown Total Visits:1

Location:Absecon, New Jersey, United States

IP Address:Linode (173.255.228.68) [Label IP Address]

Referring URL:(No referring link)

Visit Page:

Rippers Browser

I was checking my stats for this blog when I came across the following info:

Number of Entries:2 (1 this visit)


Entry Page Time:24 May 2012 12:06:52

Browser:Rippers

OS:Unknown

Resolution:Unknown Total Visits:2

Location:Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

IP Address:The Procter And Gamble Company (137.183.232.24) [Label IP Address]

Referring URL:(No referring link)

Visit Page:
 
It is written at the top of this blog that if I think you are 'ripping' this site I will publish everything I can about your IP.  If you visit this site using a 'ripping' browser, I will publish it.  Period.  And, I get loads and loads of hits from people seaching about this stuff in Google. 
 
If you use a ripping type browser, read elsewhere.

CORRECTION TO ORIGINAL POST:
It seems that this software, Rippers, is frequently used by large companies to track and to cache what their employees are doing on the web.  So, my apologies if you (IP 137.183.232.24) are just a nice average reader.  But, if I think/suspect someone could be 'ripping' my blog, I will post about it.

Walking the Line

I feel living here that I am always balancing on a painted line.  If I stray from the line, I might find adventure or I might find trouble.  It can be hard to tell how to go.  Thank goodness for 'higher' guidance.

First, yes a bit on rheumatoid arthritis.  Yesterday, Munchkin #2 achieved a massive sports victory.  She was competing with other girls from this country and one of our neighboring countries.  It was a big competition.  She came home with three medals.  The last part of the competition, she had to wear wrist braces to physically hold her wrists up to what they needed  to do.  I know it hurt.  But, she did it anyway.  I'm not proud of her for the medals, but I am proud of her for sticking with something she loves when others have told her she'd probably have to give it up some day.  Well, it isn't some day yet.  You go, Girlfriend!

I found this news item that speaks to this:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/californian-jeffrey-gottfurcht-person-rheumatoid-arthritis-conquer-everest/story?id=13948597  Great story.  I also liked the videos along the left side on RA.  Very few people in this region know and understand this disease - especially in kids. 

Part of walking the line here is trying to figure out how to dress - especially if you are a woman.  Now, coming from 'the West' I do have times I am frustrated by this.  There is this idea that if a woman doesn't cover up than a man might think or do something bad and/or do something bad to that woman and thus it's the woman's fault. A very foreign concept to me. 

So, when we moved out here I was very worried about how I dressed.  What was appropriate?  How much should I cover? (Obviously, I don't live in Saudi).  I must admit, I still travel with a scarf in my car when I leave my usual city.  Not as a religious statement, but I have that scarf handy to cover my hair just so I don't look so unlike everyone else in case I have car trouble or something.

I found this article on CNN:
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/24/world/meast/uae-dress-code/index.html?hpt=hp_mid

I think this issue of women's dress is particularly acute in the UAE.  How does a modern country balance the influx of  expat workers (particularly the plane-loads of suddenly unemployed women/spouses with loads of money to spend in fancy shops), and European tourists with a conservative culture?  It must be intensely tricky.  Having spent time in Dubai, I'd also like to throw in that pic #6 was taken at Dubai Mall. 

As just an extra bit, I loved the following post.  The pictures are amazing.  No other commentary other than a great little read:
http://susiesbigadventure.blogspot.com/2012/05/old-church-in-jeddah.html 

Living in any country that is not 'your own' is always going to be an adventure in how to behave, how not to behave and knowing how to just walk the line.

Peace.

Gearing up

I am so ready to go home for the summer.  I went to the market today for bread, milk, kitty litter and hay for the guinea pigs (you know, the necessities) when my car thermometer read 112F.  When it's really really hot out it feels like it's hard to breathe.  It's a little like standing in front of a hot open oven or when you open a still running dishwasher - bam in your face hot air.  Yucko.....

We've been cleaning house and doing homework all day.  I think I've done 6 loads of laundry.  We have a beautiful forced air/hot air/vented dryer which is a hard core unusual luxury item here.  LOVE IT!!!!!  Otherwise, I could only do about two loads of laundry at time before the drying racks filled up.  The 'condensation' dryers they have here I really don't like.  Nothing like fluffy towels with a Bounce sheet.  Excellent......

The whole house is moving in the direction of summer.  Cleaning rooms, shoveling out closets, and making plans with family - all very important.  We still have a few more plane tickets to buy for summer travel, but we're almost totally done.  I keep thinking we're done, but more work looms before the summer party can begin.

The first morning we are home we're going to be up at the crack of dawn and head to our favourite all you can eat joint and snarf bacon, sausages, pancakes, biscuits, eggs, hash browns and still hot bottomless bowls of donuts.  Bring it on. 

We're gearing up.

Peace.

Homecountry Weather

Well.....

I'm very excited.  We changed around the husband's plane tickets home and now....we all get to spend a few  hours together in Paris en route to the home country. He's been there before and used the mass transit, so all in my little world will be well.

Just the other day, the temp here using my car's thermometer was 113F (that's 45C).  That's insanely hot.  You can't imagine how hot that feels.  Current temp at 'home'? High of 82F with a low of 57F and rain in about two days.  Can I go now? Please?

While I struggle to get Munchkin #1's Arabic language teacher at school to respond to my emails, it's cooking hot outside, and I have day dreams of moving back to the home country simply to have no more traffic to deal with, my parents are heading for their 'summer home' which happens to be my 'home home'.  Lucky buggers.

Peace.

Really? Really?

Yes, folks.  That's right.  I'm getting very political.  So, hang on to your socks or stop reading.  'Cause here it comes.

I am very concerned for the United States and what I see as its government gridlock.  I see so much coming out in the conservative press blaming President Obama for problems in the country? Really?  Seriously?  I don't think so.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/13/us/politics/tea-party-focus-turns-to-senate-and-shake-up.html

To quote from this recent article in the New York Times:
"But Mr. McConnell’s room to maneuver is shrinking with the rising calls against compromise and the diminishing ranks of Republican deal makers."  Yes folks.  That's right.  The Republicans - the more conservative Tea Party people - are causing grid lock.  The country can't function if the parties don't play nice with each other. 


Clearly, I've been reading the New York Times.  Here's the other bit:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/13/us/politics/romney-woos-evangelicals-treading-lightly-on-gay-marriage.html/

I find it very troubling to see a potential leader of a major democracy pander to a specific religious group - especially in the United States.  Enough said.

Peace.

RA drugs and other things

First, I'd like to begin with this sofa. It's color is called 'Blueberry'; the fabric is satin. It is a twin size sleeper (folds down kinda like a futon) AND once it is flat, you can fold up the head a little like a chaise lounge chair.  This is for Munchkin #2's room.  We paid around the equivalent of $230 US for it.  When I asked Munchkin #1 if he wanted one for his room, he looked at me like I was crazy.  He likes lots of extra space to set up his Lego sets to film his stop-motion animation movies.  He's even got a microphone stand to attach his camera to in order to turn it into a working boom cam.  And, joyous happiness....school is requiring him to have a kickin' awesome new laptop next year.  Which means better software, better graphics card, better movies.  (Sorry.....hopping down a bunny trail....la la la la!)

Ok.  There's way too much knocking around in my head for me to even begin writing about it, but I'm gonna try.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/10/health/panel-supports-arthritis-pill.html?_r=1&smid=fb-share

A very interesting article on a possible new arthritis drug. Really shows the risks of some of these medications.  At this point, the milder stuff is working for Munchkin #2, but she's now had to double her dosage back to where we started, 10mg Methotrexate.  The rheumatologist tried for a while to put her on 5mg, but it just didn't work.  Because of what the 10mg does to her bloodwork, she's supposed to take Folic Acid once a week.  But, even one little 4mg of Folic Acid is enough to counteract the 10mg Methotrexate and she has joint pain if she takes it.

On to other things.......

The temperature here is starting to do its march upwards.  When I left the villa this morning for the drive into school, the temp was a beautiful 81F.  After only 45 minutes, the temp was up to 96F at around 7:30am. Not a clue what the temp is currently, but I know that when I go outside to walk Jesse, the wind is hot.  A cool breeze would be delicious, but this breeze feels something like standing in front of a forced-air dryer vent that is desert scented instead of dryer sheet scented.

Next brain dump.....

It is utterly fascinating to me from a 'historian' point of view to read how people are talking about American politics on various on-line social media.  What I find particularly fascinating, is how some folks believe that current political happenings in the States point towards the Book of Revelation in the Bible.  Throughout the history of the Church, there have always been people who pointed to current events and thought, "This is what Revelation is talking about!"  Really really fascinating stuff. 

Well, I better get to doing laundry and other mummy type chores.  We've got a busy weekend coming.  We're hoping for a movie out and a run to a water park.  Oh yeah.....

Peace.

Oh yeah....one more thing....interesting piece if you've got the guts to read liberal media type stuff:
http://www.southernstudies.org/2012/05/what-happened-in-nc-lessons-from-the-amendment-battle.html

What to think? (Seriously offending stuff coming at ya)

IF YOU ARE A KID OR ARE EASILY OFFENDED, STOP READING THIS!

The munchkins and I listen to the radio every morning on the way into school.  Today, the forecast was actually for 'stifeling'. At 7am, the temperature was already at 95F. I'm just thankful that 'blowing dust' wasn't also a part of the forecast.

Now....I'd like to talk a bit about news I am seeing coming out of the United States. This is about the UNITED STATES not the Middle East. 

I am definitely a person of faith. If you regularly read this blog, then you know that. And, you can probably easily figure out what that particular faith is. 

Here's the news story:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/09/north-carolina-passes-amendment-1

What is mind-blowing to me is that this particular state already had a law that said gay people couldn't get married.  I just don't get why they would go to all this trouble and money spending on a constitutional amendment.  And....this constitutional amendment could end up hurting a lot of victims of domestic violence. Where is the compassion and love of all in that?  It's like there are people out there who think they can legislate someone's sexuality away.  At the end of the day, behind closed doors, people are going to be themselves no matter how much legislation gets written. For instance, even though there are many laws in one form or another that prohibit sex in automobiles, I wonder how many Americans have still had sex in an automobile?

Now, I'm really going to show my liberal stripes....get ready....here comes.....

It feels to me like this constitutional amendment thing is really about religion and how certain Christians feel about this issue.  Because evangelical Christian 'big names' were vocal and involved with this says that what this is really about is further blurring of the line the separates 'church and state'.  I really wonder how long it would take these 'big names' to scream, "Hey, separation of church and state!" if it were folks of a different religion forcing their values and ideas on them? For instance, "We need a constitutional amendment that women will be under male guardianship." (Oh but wait, they are already heading down that trail with changes in the credit law and the concept of 'Biblical' marriage.)  Or how about, "We need a constitutional amendment that eating beef and other animals is unethical." (No more Sunday afternoon fried chicken!  You'd have to go into a 'back room' to buy your pork!)  You get the idea? 

If the States is going to be true to it's core values of  "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,"  then folks need to realize that part of that is protecting EVERYBODY not just the folks you like or agree with. 

At the end of the day, this is an amendment that says loud and clear, "We don't love you.  We don't like you."  Well, you 'big named' and 'big name' followers, you don't speak for me.

Peace.

Feeling hot hot hot!

Yes, it's starting to cook outside.  After a visit to a hotel we totally love, Munchkin #1 had bedbug bites, and I killed one of the critters as it crawled away from his bed engorged with blood.  Gross.  Well....there had been a stuffed animal toy or two on the bed.  I bagged them and stuffed them in the freezer for four weeks.  Now that weather is nice and hot, we put the toys in a black plastic bag and laid them out in the sun to cook hopefully frying the last of any possible buggy eggs.  Cheers to the hot weather! (?)

I needed to make a run today to my favorite grocery store. It's kinda pricey, but they have the best bread in town along with harder to find items.  Besides the bakery section, the best part is the parking garage.  It's relatively cool, and when I go first thing in the morning, I can park right next to the mall entrance.  I bought about 4kg of sausages for the freezer, a beautiful beef roast, a lot of bread, and a jar of already made Carbonnora sauce with real bacon in it to do a pasta bake.  Yummy! My total bill was over $100 U.S.  That is why I can't go there very often, but my house is now stocked with supplies for 3 full dinners that everyone will happily eat. 

We're hoping to squeeze in one more snorkel trip before the summer holiday.  Here's hoping for lots of happy fishies, and the time to go!

Peace.

Meetings, heat and stuff

Well......

Where do I begin?  First, I am so totally proud of my munchkins.  They never cease to amaze me. Munchkin #2 did amazing in her last sports competition despite having had an arthritis flare that week, Munchkin #1 is becoming more mature in his attitudes towards life by the minute and they both just so totally ROCK!

The husband has been traveling on business.  I am so ready to have him home. So are the kids! 

In the meantime, things are starting to cook here. The temp the other day hit 110F.  At the moment, it is sitting at around 106F.  Feel the heat! 

I'll be escaping the heat for a few days to attend volunteer type meetings in Cyprus - so looking forward to going.  I have never been to meetings like the ones I'll be attending.  I have no clue what is in store.  I just hope that I'll be able to do some good for the world by being there. 

It is kind of a long story, but we bought a small sleeper sofa/futon kind of thing for Munchkin #2's room.  She currently has a loft type bed, but really doesn't like using it some nights. Rather than have her continue to sleep on the floor at those times, we thought a cool futon type thing was the answer since she didn't want to give up her loft.  Well......furniture shopping here is a serious experience for the unintitiated.  Many furniture stores will put the purple velvet with silver trim sofas front and center! It tends to be a long search for something that is both good quality and neutral colors and fabrics. (We do have an Ethan Allen here.  Love it, but so can't afford it!)  Munchkin #2 settled on a teal blue satin kind of thing.  Note to my family:  Remember the old 'green' sofa next to the kitchen table at the Farm?  This thing is kinda like that but smaller and made of teal blue satin.  But for around $230 U.S., I can't complain.  And my Munchkin #2 is happy with it.

I have been threatening to hire a cleaning service to help me around our villa (Yes, pigs are flying.  I detest the idea but the husband really wants me to look into it.  We'll see.....).  Munchkin #2 doesn't care one way or the other.  Munchkin #1, however, is very upset at the idea.  It's not that he is worried about losing out on the money he makes doing chores around the house, he's worried about what unspeakable horrors a cleaning service would do to his room.  I explained to the kids that if they can't do chores the first time I ask, then they leave me no choice.  I have a life outside of cleaning house.  I desperately need to be involved in the world in a very real and constructive way.  So, either the family helps do the unsavory things like scrubbing floors and toilets, or I hire help.  This morning, Munchkin #1 was up before me, doing dishes and cleaning in the kitchen.  We'll see how this goes.....

Well, I better get back to floors and laundry.

Peace.

That time of year

This is that time of year when we are gearing up for our countdown to heading 'home' for the summer.

Today's high temp here was 110F and some blowing dust.  The high temp back 'home' was 77F with rain. 

With the crazy temperature changes here, lack of sleep etc...I have a roaring head cold.  Must sleep.

Soon...let the countdown begin.

Peace.

Juvenile RA - 'the flare'

Well, Munchkin #2 is officially having a 'flare'.  Last night was two heat pack and one ice pack night.  She willingly/without being told, took 500mg of naproxen.  This morning, she woke up crying. Suddenly the disease has ramped up.  It was pain in her left ankle, wrist and knee, and pain in both shoulders.  Went into the rheumatologist today, found fluid in both left wrist and left knee.  So....she goes back up to 10mg of Methotrexate once a week. And, the doc in the home country was emailed. 

So very frustrating to see her go through this.  She has quit sleeping in her loft.  She made a bedsheet tent on her floor and sleeps on a camping pad.  We're going to buy her a different bed and turn the loft into a sitting area.  She LOVES sleeping on her floor.  I think climbing down in the morning is too hard.

Must say, Munchkin #1 has been amazing.  Does dishes, takes care of pets, helps in the mornings since Munchkin #2 is having a hard time with morning stiffness and pain. 

It will be ok, but days like today make me wish I was 'home'.  Husband is on the road, and I'm fighting a bad cold.  Not fun.  Ex-pat life is good, but it certainly has its lonely moments.  I am so thankful for my friends here and my place of prayer or I'd never make it.  Oh yeah, and so thankful for my dog Jesse. Wagging tail and warm brown eyes really helps.

Peace.

Women wearing trousers

I just watched a movie this morning with Munchkin #2 - "Impromptu".  We watched it because it starred Hugh Grant, but he wasn't really on screen a lot.  But, it introduced me to the writer 'George Sand'.  'George' was actually not her real name.  Her real names were Lucile Aurore Dupin and Baroness Dudevant.  She was from 'high society' but divorced her husband and wore men's clothing in public.  By 'donning trousers', she was able to roam more freely and hang out in places not considered suitable for a woman - or at least a 'proper woman'.  Cool.  {BTW for anybody who cares - I am not encouraging cross dressing in places where it is illegal. I am not encouraging 'cross dressing' ,simply saying that I understand the whole shunning dresses thing.}

As a kid, I always had to wear a dress or skirt to our family's preferred place of prayer.  It was just not really appropriate to wear trousers/slacks/pants.  (As a university student, I wore a very nice blazer and blue jeans one time to this place on a trip home, and ladies asked me if I had left all my dresses in my dormitory.) My mother and I would spend a lot of time combing sale racks for appropriate yet affordable clothes for me to wear there each week. My favorite was made by Gunne Sax.  It was a slate blue with a plunging neckline, simple collar, tea length, princess waist and like 40 buttons all down the front.  It was cotton, washable and very very comfortable.  I wore it for my high school graduation photos, and I'm wearing it in the portrait that was drawn of myself and the husband when we got married as a gift from my Aunt J.  I was raised around and in dresses.  By university, I was changing my attitude towards them.

But, totally awesome amazing dress aside, I now tend to prefer trousers/pants/jeans.  I feel more able to 'be me' in blue jeans.  If I do wear a dress or skirt, it is usually paired with a nice pair of boots.  Munchkin #2 only owns a couple, and she never wears them. 

For me, I have times that I tend to think of dresses as froofy and silly.  We women spend way too much time trying to find ones we like, that we can afford, and that fit. I recently had a big party/event to attend with the husband.  I wore black trousers, comfortable high heels that are now so old only my bad glue job is holding them together, and a fancy sequined covered top.  I had a blast at the event.  No worries about straps slipping off shoulders, no worries about bending over and showing parts I don't ever want to show.  I just danced and danced. 

I tend to feel more free, stronger when I'm wearing blue jeans.  I have no idea why.  But I do know that I would have been very interested in meeting 'George Sand' if I had a time machine.

Peace.

Evil

I have many days that I wonder 'Why?' when I think about evil in the world.  Why do some kids have to get sick? Why do bad things happen to good people? I could write pages and pages of theological stuff, and stuff based on my religious faith discussing evil, but I'm not going to. For the simple reason that some days it still doesn't make you feel better to believe that you 'know' the answer to 'why?'.

Living in this region, one has to be very careful who and how one compliments.  You see many blue glass eyes for sale for warding off the 'evil eye'.  I have close girlfriends who wear glass blue eyes on their bracelets.  I think it is mostly as a fashion statement within my circle of friends, but for many here it is to ward off evil. 

Here's a great blog post from an Omani blogger on the subject.  She's does a much better job of explaining this than I can.
http://susanalshahri.blogspot.com/2012/04/evil-eye.html

I feel that when we humans do things like wear things or hang things up to ward off evil, we are trying to control what we cannot control.  We have a desperate need to feel that we are doing something.  There is an old Calvin and Hobbes cartoon where Calvin is standing outside looking up at a star filled night sky.  Calvin proclaims, "I AM SIGNIFICANT! ....screams the speck of dust."  But, for many, and for those of  us who are people of faith, I know that I AM significant.

A different twist on this discussion is the recent news coming out of S.A. The report is that a woman was arrested in a shopping mall (?) and is being held on suspicion of casting a spell.  I believe the report was originally brought to light in the West by Reuters.  The Chicago Tribune picked up the story and has it published on their website.

How do we as parents deal with the sadness, the horror, of having a child fall ill?  When my munchkin #2 is in pain, when she is frustrated by headaches and joint pain, I ask 'why her?'.  When good friends, loved ones fall ill with some horrific disease, I want to cry out, 'Why?'.  Again, I could type tons and tons of theological stuff.  But, it would come up short.  My comfort comes not through my own words but through my faith.

Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.

Peace.