The Real World

I live in a region of the world that many would call 'volatile'. But, I take my kids to school, shop for groceries, clean my home. I live a pretty normal life in an extraordinarily beautiful and exotic place.

I remember when President Obama was first elected. The world I live in, surrounded by many people from so many different countries they are all too numerous to mention, erupted with joy.

I do believe that President Obama's Peace Prize was a bit 'premature'. But, watching from afar, he has been a great president. He has taken a lot of heat for doing stuff that needed doing, but many voters were just too ignorant to understand what was going on. Or just too used to only getting their news from a single news source. Folks, wake up and smell the coffee. You must READ if you are going to be a helpful part of a vibrant democracy. I live in an area that is not a democracy but even I know this. Wake up!

So America, what do you need to focus on next? I'd love to see the States focus further on eduction but from the family outwards. Meaning, the States needs to educate families on how important education is and educate families on how best to help their kids succeed. Kids with support at home do better in school. Full stop. Period. Yes, schools and teachers need funding. But, those schools would be able to do so much more for those kids if they were not having to fight with families like adversaries. If parents see it as their patriotic duty to help their kids succeed in school, if parents see it as their patriotic duty to raise their kids to be educated citizens ready to take on the demands and responsibilities of a democracy, the United States will become an even better place. And I mean education (reading, writing, and math) not ideology (are you red or blue, this or that news station is the devil).

If you vote in the States, take a hint from the real world, re-elect Obama.

Peace.

The Sweet Life

Social networking sites are strange things. I dearly love being able to keep in touch so easily with my family and friends. But, it is those unexpected things that make you go, whoah.

I came across a picture on a social site that was full of folks from my younger years. Living in the same town most of my life, I knew many people from our primary years up through university. Some, I dearly loved. Others, I never knew how to get along with. One of the folks in that particular picture was a girl who started off as one of my very dear friends. Then, something happened. I still don't know what. But, the ignoring me thing that she did when we were kids is still painful. What's weird is that I had not thought of her for many many years until I saw that photograph. I can think of more than a few times I did things as a kid to others that I deeply wish I could go back and undo - nothing illegal or anything - just not nice. Being a kid is really rough.

Growing up, there were always kids who seemed to 'have it all'. They had families with money, big houses, a car of their own, clothes from the best stores in town, and they got invited to all the parties. I wish I had known then what I know now.

1. Money isn't everything. Period. Full-stop. My best friends were the ones who loved me and whom I still love even if we've lost touch with one another over the years. And the friends I am still the closest with are the ones from my university years or friends I made as an adult. Money in the bank really is nice, but the friends money brings are not real. One of my best friends growing up lived in a two bed-room house. A group of us girls would lay/sleep on the floor of her living room and stay up all night watching TV and playing with kittens - awesome memories. And no large house required.

2. Big houses are a pain in the behind. I have one at the moment so I know. But does a big house make you happy? No, of course not. My munchkins want to do a family vacation to visit the grandparents in the house I grew up in because they LOVE that house. Of course, they love the grandparents who are in it, as well. And ultimately, the love in the house is what's important.

3. A car of my own. Sigh....ok.... I now own two vehicles of choice and one of them is the vehicle I dreamt of owning as a kid. But, I really really appreciate what I have because nobody handed it to me as a kid.

4. Clothes from the best stores in town - I had AMAZING clothes as a kid. I still remember my mum taking me into a very expensive trendy store and telling me, "Choose. Go pick out an outfit." But, it felt like the 'popular' kids never cared or noticed. You know what? It didn't matter. I was different; I still am. I march to the beat of a different drum. Why did I care about what others thought of me? My happiest years in school were the ones where I quit caring.

5. Invited to parties - I went to a few. And you know what? The 'popular' kid parties were the worst. All folks wanted to do was sit around and drink. They weren't even having fun (laughing, joking around etc) while they drank. Dismal. Horrid. So not worth the time.

I know I'm not a perfect person - never have been, never will be. But, I am in a very happy place in my life. The people who matter most - my family - love me. I have friends who've been in my life for years. I have friends I can talk with anytime about anything.

As an expat, I wonder about the kind of upbringing my own kids are getting. The husband has been working for 2 weeks without a break, working 12+ hour days. He thought it would be fun to go out to dinner tonight at a fancy restaurant with the kids to celebrate a business deal. The kids just want to stay home but have Dad cook his famous 'Fry Night'. (Husband worked at McDonald's many many years ago. He can fry anything and make it taste good). So, Dad's Fry Night followed by a movie in our family room. Restaurants are not the treat for my kids - having Dad at home to cook is. Wow.

What is it in human nature that causes humans to want, to crave even, that which they can't have?

Here's to the sweet life.

Peace.

The Left

Ok.......loads to dump today....get ready......

Munchkin #1 is off on a school trip to finish up his dive certification. I am so very proud of him! Because the teacher assumed that all of the kids had their own mobile phones (a totally frustrating bit for me) we finally had to buy him a mobile. Needless to say, he's thrilled. At least they are really cheap here.

Munchkin #2 this morning was discussing birthday party ideas for her next birthday (months away). She asked if she could invite girls AND boys. Sigh....she's growing up.

Ok. Now for the rest of the unload.......

I took the husband's parents who are visiting us down to the souqs the other day. Contrary to what you might believe, many of the men who work in the souqs selling you stuff are not from this country. They come from all over the region. Well, I went into one little shop to buy these fabric things that come from India that you stuff and use as footrests with a sofa or chair. After arriving at a price, I bought two. Once the business was done, it is time for the friendly chat. The salesman told us he was from Afghanistan. He came to our current country because it was no longer safe for him at home because of the big bad T (sorry, don't want to type the name and attract unwanted attention to my little blog). When the 'western' forces pull out of Afghanistan, I can't imagine what that country is going to be like. Whenever I fly in this region and wander the airports seeking a Starbucks, I am always struck by the number of men I see who are likely 'western' soldiers or 'western' hired help (so to speak). And, with all these people working against the big bad T, what will that country be like when all those 'western' soldiers and hired help leave? That country has had war for something like 35 years. Sad, sad, sad.

I eat, sleep and breathe these kinds of stories. They are part of the fabric of my daily life here. Yes, I live in a rather posh neighborhood. Yes, I drive a rather comfortable vehicle of choice (I actually have two). But...because of my volunteering and not being afraid to enjoy exploring this place, I see another side of life. I do my best to support the education of others. I love seeing kids learn maths! I love to see them light up from within with a sense of accomplishment!

As I watch the American political process heat up, I am struck by how much nastiness is already being said. I see people spreading fear and nastiness and 'non-love' about others.

If I was in the States, I'd be part of 'the left'. I would probably even be labeled 'Liberal'. Well, guess what? That's ok with me. I live for helping others. I am pro-women's rights; I am pro-children's rights. My heart also aches when I speak to people in this region who've had to flee their home countries escaping horrors. I believe that those of us who have more should help more those who have less. If that marks me as a 'liberal' should I ever reside in the States, then so be it.

Peace.

Postscript 12March: I am personally horrified at the recent news about Afghanistan. My sincere hope is that all are one day able to live in peace. No hidden political agenda. Just a hope for peace.

The End of an Era and the Beginning

Well, it has been a very busy few weeks for me. Obviously, since I have not been blogging.

First, I attended meetings in Cyprus for all the volunteer stuff that I do. It was a great week. I have been 'voted' into further volunteer work. Very exciting stuff - at least for me.

Munchkin #2 is fast approaching the end of her primary school years. I just went with her and about another 150 kids on an over night desert safari. We went dune bashing, climbed around on rocks, slid down big dunes on 'sand boards' and just had fun in general. I am having a hard time believing that it was very likely the last field trip/school outing I will go on with one of my munchkins.

On the flip side, Munchkin #1 is taking dive certification lessons and doing open water dives this week as part of his schooling here. I am so excited for and proud of him. It was a very proud mummy moment for me going into the dive shop to buy him good fins, booties and snorkel. He already had a mask. Now, we are in a bit of a scramble to find good quality mesh bags to haul our expanding gear collection. What a lovely problem!

The husband's parents have been visiting us for more than a few weeks now. They were planning on staying only 3 weeks, but for their volunteer work they were still waiting on their special visas for that country. So....we had to extend their visas for our current country. The husband had to be in meetings all day to day so it was up to me to get the thing all sorted out. Thanks to friendly helpful people we got it sorted. But, I am tired out after being a bit stressed out about the whole thing! Ah, the weirdness of being an ex-pat.

Peace.