About 4 months into the Corona Virus Pandemic, the rest of the US is only a month or 6 weeks into it. I say I am 4 months in because my students in China have been at home since the end of December. Working at a grocery market has gone from a job that was stress free (best scenario for me) to one of the most stressful jobs and one of the most needed outside of healthcare jobs.
Watching people who are truly concerned, to those that are taking precautions, to those who are denying it is occurring (it= covid19) is a cycle that repeats itself several times over a day. It amazes me.
Me? I believe we do need to stand at least 6 feet apart, wash our hands often and not touch things and then touch our face or put our fingers in our mouth. Stay home or only go where you need to. I am only going to work, home and one drive up window for lunch when working (so as to not sit in the break room and expose myself or be exposed to others.
I have talked electronically (through text or IM) to both sons. One acts like all is fine. One is having a difficult time overall. A snapshot to how we are all doing I suppose. Myself, I have good days and bad, just as before, but different in what is causing how I view the day. The unknown of what will come in the next months and years as we don't know much about this virus and there are so many rumors going around.
Sunday, April 12, 2020
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Train of thought… today
Saturday morning, which is essentially my Sunday morning, filled with coffee, thoughts of the coming year and things I need to do and perusing Craigslist for my home town…
The bathroom in my Texas home is in need of being remodeled. I know what I want (as usual) and am finding it hard to get someone onboard with what I want to do.
So the latest plan, hatched about 2 months ago, is:
1. research and find the stuff (sink, toilet, accessories, tile, etc)
2. Source the stuff
3. Order the stuff to arrive by July 5.
3.5. Find the guys to do the work, carpenter, plumber, and tile expert and set them up for July.
4. Fly into Texas in July.
5. Get a new bathroom created while I am in Texas.
It should be simple right?
It is January 31st and I have found the sink online … lol that is as far as I have gotten, and I can't order it until I can have it delivered when I am there, as there is a 30 day return policy.
So today, rather than perusing FB (trying to par down to no more than 15-30 min a day) I looked at Craigslist to see if I can find some used, period style items for the summer.
You see, I will need to be able to be in my house during the remodel, in the middle of the summer, and I don't even have a bed in the house… (not buying on on CL, although I am looking for a bedroom suite that is dark cherry, four poster with a chest of drawers and bedside tables…)
Back to the bathroom and my thought process today. I didn't get far with the bath items needed.
The items below were some of the things I did look at a bit closer.
BTW there was one sink for the kitchen I would consider, but the kitchen is the last on the list for when I move into the house.
There was not anything related to the bathroom I would consider….
Now it is time to look at Retrorenovation.com to find some sources to look at online.
But thanks to CL for a morning of daydreaming. I enjoyed it.
Beautiful flooring, don't know if I could do the gray, but it is pretty.
Slabs of marble… I would love to cut it up and use it on a patio… haram
I miss my mom, she had flooring like this Saltillo tile… I don't want it in my house, but I would love to have it somewhere… someday…
Poor mans swimming pool… would be great to have this summer for an afternoon of relaxation.
Or this one because then I would know if I wanted one of these (as opposed to an in ground pool)
Great for my gardens and moving things around but now I need a small tractor to pull it.
This cherry wood flooring had me using the calculator to see what it would cost for the entire house, even though I wouldn't want but three rooms.
What a great outdoor fire "pit", not needed for the summer.
I miss these kinds of heaters. Don't even talk to me about safety or anything else, I loved these heaters and would have one if I could get it installed legally.
Hey, I could pull the garden cart with this, and I could drive it down to the Mexican Restaurant 3 blocks away as well (even if not legal).
Very cool. Great home sauna for relaxation, but the poor man's hot tub would probably be the better choice for me.
Lived with a swamp cooler most of my childhood, if not all of it. Cheaper electricity use, might need one of these this summer. We will see.
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Life Flies By
29 years ago today, I woke up, sat up in bed and was immediately surrounded by a soaked mattress.
It wasn't a water bed. It wasn't a leaking roof.
I was pregnant with my first born child, and it was, what I thought, was my water breaking.
My husband drove me to the hospital.
He waited while they examined me. I was very excited because I was ready to have my baby. It had been a rough few months in late November, all of December and half of January. Every time I stood up I would get dizzy and my heart would race after a minute or two. It took two days just to decorate the Christmas tree, because of how long I had to sit in between hanging ornaments on the tree.
The nurses then announced my water hadn't broken, I was dilated a little (2 or 3) and I could walk around for days like that, and the monitor didn't show me having any contractions.
So they sent me home.
My husband continued on to work an hour drive away.
I sat down on the couch to watch a little tv and could not get comfortable.
I wasn't comfortable sitting, I wasn't comfortable standing, I was miserable.
I went to the bathroom and was spotting.
I called the doctors' office.
I could be spotting due to the nurses checking to see if I was dilated. If I didn't feel better soon, then come to the office or the hospital.
After a while I was in pain and I drove myself to the hospital.
It was beginning to snow.
Again the nurses smiled and acted like I was being silly. It could be days before I had the baby, just because I was dilated a little meant nothing. The contraction monitor was not picking up any contractions.
The doctor ordered some pain meds and my mother showed up (I guess I called her, but I don't remember it).
Mother sat in the chair next to the bed and was stroking the back of my hand and I was in so much pain that i concentrated on the soothing stroke of my mothers hand on mine.
The nurses continued to treat me as if I was not having a baby that day.
I emphatically told them "I am having this baby today!"
I asked for more pain meds, they laughed and said I had been given too much already, especially since no contractions were registering on the machine.
My mother got up to do something or just sit back and she stopped stroking my hand and I asked her to come back… she poopoo-ed me and shushed me and told me she was tired of holding my hand.
Then Dr. Mary came in. A small woman, probably of Indian or Native American descent (I never asked but her last name was Birdsong), and checked me. I was fully dilated.
I WAS having a baby.
They whisked me into the delivery room, I started pushing, in dire pain and agony. My husband showed up and after a while (I don't remember how long, I just remember my mother telling me the harder I pushed the sooner I would have the baby. So… I PUSHED) the baby was here.
He was a boy.
Then my mom was silent, and my husband was silent and they were watching the doctor. I was just relieved to be finished with pushing and was unaware anything was out of the ordinary.
The baby needed an incubator to warm him up they told me. I didn't hold him right away, I don't think anyone else did either. When I saw him, he was grey, not bright pink or creamy.
They checked me for after birth and sewed up my episiotomy, pushing on my stomach many times. Then they took me to a hospital room.
Nurses came in and out and pushed on my stomach and took my vitals for quite some time, while Mother and my husband made small talk (I was pretty out of it). Each time they pushed on my stomach, I gushed blood all over the bed and they had to put pads and sheets to soak it up. Finally Dr. Mary came in and took me to an operating room and reached up into me to try to get all of the placenta that didn't break loose when I had the baby.
We hoped we had it all out. But we didn't.
They ended up calling a doctor in to give me a DNC. He came in the room to meet me. I was so low on blood I couldn't hardly hear anything he said, but I asked him what his credentials were and how many DNC's he had done before. My mother scolded me.
So, a baby boy, 10 inches of snow and a DNC later, I was in my hospital room recovering and receiving a total of 5 pints of blood.
Joshua was fine as well with few complications. Come to find out, the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck 7 times and his apgar test (newborn test) was a 3. Not a good score.
However, I am happy to say, it had no bearing on his development to this day.
I am very proud of him and all he has accomplished. He had the high score of 99 on a standardized test they give in Kindergarten to show he was always at the top of the class (even if his grades in high school didn't reflect it).
He was brave enough to leave home and move thousands of miles away with no family members living close by.
He broke the cycle of what is carried from generation to generation on my mother's side of the family in so many ways (and I am extremely proud of this accomplishment) by learning how to deal with people calmly and gently.
He followed his passion and became a game tester for many different companies that make video games. I love telling people because they think of it as a dream job.
But the things that make me the proudest is when the people in his life now, his friends, his wife or her family members comment on what a good man he is.
He turned out ok, and we are both here to tell the tale. It could have gone a completely different way, and I am so thankful it didn't. Dr. Mary and all the hospital staff received my thanks over and over.
Life flies by. I wish I had spent more time with my children when they were little and enjoyed them more. When you are a young parent and working so hard to make life easier for your kids by working or doing things. I hope you will stop and just play with them. Spend the time, so you are glad you did later…. when they are nearly 30 years old.
It wasn't a water bed. It wasn't a leaking roof.
I was pregnant with my first born child, and it was, what I thought, was my water breaking.
My husband drove me to the hospital.
He waited while they examined me. I was very excited because I was ready to have my baby. It had been a rough few months in late November, all of December and half of January. Every time I stood up I would get dizzy and my heart would race after a minute or two. It took two days just to decorate the Christmas tree, because of how long I had to sit in between hanging ornaments on the tree.
The nurses then announced my water hadn't broken, I was dilated a little (2 or 3) and I could walk around for days like that, and the monitor didn't show me having any contractions.
So they sent me home.
My husband continued on to work an hour drive away.
I sat down on the couch to watch a little tv and could not get comfortable.
I wasn't comfortable sitting, I wasn't comfortable standing, I was miserable.
I went to the bathroom and was spotting.
I called the doctors' office.
I could be spotting due to the nurses checking to see if I was dilated. If I didn't feel better soon, then come to the office or the hospital.
After a while I was in pain and I drove myself to the hospital.
It was beginning to snow.
Again the nurses smiled and acted like I was being silly. It could be days before I had the baby, just because I was dilated a little meant nothing. The contraction monitor was not picking up any contractions.
The doctor ordered some pain meds and my mother showed up (I guess I called her, but I don't remember it).
Mother sat in the chair next to the bed and was stroking the back of my hand and I was in so much pain that i concentrated on the soothing stroke of my mothers hand on mine.
The nurses continued to treat me as if I was not having a baby that day.
I emphatically told them "I am having this baby today!"
I asked for more pain meds, they laughed and said I had been given too much already, especially since no contractions were registering on the machine.
My mother got up to do something or just sit back and she stopped stroking my hand and I asked her to come back… she poopoo-ed me and shushed me and told me she was tired of holding my hand.
Then Dr. Mary came in. A small woman, probably of Indian or Native American descent (I never asked but her last name was Birdsong), and checked me. I was fully dilated.
I WAS having a baby.
They whisked me into the delivery room, I started pushing, in dire pain and agony. My husband showed up and after a while (I don't remember how long, I just remember my mother telling me the harder I pushed the sooner I would have the baby. So… I PUSHED) the baby was here.
He was a boy.
Then my mom was silent, and my husband was silent and they were watching the doctor. I was just relieved to be finished with pushing and was unaware anything was out of the ordinary.
The baby needed an incubator to warm him up they told me. I didn't hold him right away, I don't think anyone else did either. When I saw him, he was grey, not bright pink or creamy.
They checked me for after birth and sewed up my episiotomy, pushing on my stomach many times. Then they took me to a hospital room.
Nurses came in and out and pushed on my stomach and took my vitals for quite some time, while Mother and my husband made small talk (I was pretty out of it). Each time they pushed on my stomach, I gushed blood all over the bed and they had to put pads and sheets to soak it up. Finally Dr. Mary came in and took me to an operating room and reached up into me to try to get all of the placenta that didn't break loose when I had the baby.
We hoped we had it all out. But we didn't.
They ended up calling a doctor in to give me a DNC. He came in the room to meet me. I was so low on blood I couldn't hardly hear anything he said, but I asked him what his credentials were and how many DNC's he had done before. My mother scolded me.
So, a baby boy, 10 inches of snow and a DNC later, I was in my hospital room recovering and receiving a total of 5 pints of blood.
Joshua was fine as well with few complications. Come to find out, the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck 7 times and his apgar test (newborn test) was a 3. Not a good score.
However, I am happy to say, it had no bearing on his development to this day.
I am very proud of him and all he has accomplished. He had the high score of 99 on a standardized test they give in Kindergarten to show he was always at the top of the class (even if his grades in high school didn't reflect it).
He was brave enough to leave home and move thousands of miles away with no family members living close by.
He broke the cycle of what is carried from generation to generation on my mother's side of the family in so many ways (and I am extremely proud of this accomplishment) by learning how to deal with people calmly and gently.
He followed his passion and became a game tester for many different companies that make video games. I love telling people because they think of it as a dream job.
But the things that make me the proudest is when the people in his life now, his friends, his wife or her family members comment on what a good man he is.
He turned out ok, and we are both here to tell the tale. It could have gone a completely different way, and I am so thankful it didn't. Dr. Mary and all the hospital staff received my thanks over and over.
Life flies by. I wish I had spent more time with my children when they were little and enjoyed them more. When you are a young parent and working so hard to make life easier for your kids by working or doing things. I hope you will stop and just play with them. Spend the time, so you are glad you did later…. when they are nearly 30 years old.
Friday, January 8, 2016
Developing Skills
As part of my PDP (professional development plan) at work, I am to give staff development sessions on how to implement or ways we could use materials in our class in centers.
Disclaimer: Yes, this post is written from the professional side of my life and yes, we do more paperwork that has nothing to do with teaching than you can imagine.
So I wrote an email in November to my principal saying something to the effect that I am available for giving SDS (Staff Development Sessions) for the other teachers and if given the opportunity, I would, but if I wasn't given the opportunity, I would expect to not be "marked down" for not doing it.
So she gave me an opportunity. The week of Professional Development in the first week of January, before students return the next week.
It went very well. Teachers seemed to really enjoy it and the feedback was very positive.
I enjoyed it. I remembered how much I enjoy doing presentations as a facilitator and "expert" within my classroom. I honestly may choose to do something similar when I move back to Texas.
What I learned? Putting together 5 or more provocations (centers, materials, etc.) take a long time to set up and and break down and put up. I was exhausted the day I set up and the day I presented for our staff and packed up all the materials.
I was exhausted setting up, presenting to a neighboring school, and packing up the materials again.
I may need more practice…lol
I had a great time. I enjoyed sharing what I have experienced and talking to other teachers.
Next time, at least here, I will have a helper I hope.
What makes it worth it? The positive response by a coworker I respect and admire. That's right, just one person made it all worthwhile. Your peers are always the hardest to present information or stand up and speak in front of.
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Sometimes, Europe really Impresses Me
Today I am exhausted from a very busy day of facilitating two workshops at a neighboring school. So here is a picture I took while in Prague. We went on The Naked Tour, which was named for the honesty of the history they shared about the city of Prague.
Wikipedia says it best:
A stolperstein (German pronunciation: [ˈʃtɔlpəʁˌʃtaɪn] from German, literally "stumbling block") is a type of monument created by artist Gunter Demnig to commemorate victims of Nazi oppression, including the Holocaust. Stolpersteins are small, cobblestone-sized memorials for individual victims of Nazism. They commemorate individuals – both those who died and survivors – who were consigned by the Nazis to prisons, euthanasia facilities, sterilization clinics, concentration camps, and extermination camps, as well as those who responded to persecution by emigrating or committing suicide.
While the vast majority of stolpersteins commemorate Jewish victims of the Holocaust, others have been placed for Sinti and Romani people (also called gypsies), homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses, black people, Christians (both Protestants and Catholics) opposed to the Nazis, members of the Communist Party and the anti-Nazi Resistance, military deserters, and the physically and mentally disabled.
The list of places that have stolpersteins now extends to several countries and hundreds of cities and towns. As of 20 August 2014, over 48,000 stolpersteins have been laid in 18 countries in Europe,[1] making the project the world's largest memorial.
Our tour guide told us about them too. Of course, the geocacher in me wondered if these are virtual caches.
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
#Spoiled Rotten in the Sand Box
What is the first thing you do when you return from a vacation? I mean, after you sleep in your own bed, take a shower and put on some clean clothes you haven't been wearing for the last two weeks and unpack your bag enough to get down to your pajamas.
Go grocery shopping.
If you are in the sandpit I am in, going to the grocery store can be torturous. So you have to find a way to make it as painless as possible.
Why is it tortuous?
Well, first of all, most of them are attached to a mall and the entrance is in the mall. Most of the locals go to the mall for entertainment, so the parking lots are C.R.A.Z.Y. FULL anytime after 2 pm on ANY. GIVEN.DAY, but especially on the weekends.
So last night, some friends and I were going out for dinner at a great restaurant that just happens to be in my favorite mall in the Emerald City.
The rub is: My favorite Mall is also a nightmare for parking if you don't get there at 8am on Friday (your equivalent of Sunday).
After dinner the plan was to do a bit of grocery shopping to stock up on a few staples for them, for me and for my pets.
So we decided to try out ….
the VALET PARKING at the Mall.
BUT Parking was D.I.V.I.N.E!!!! and it is very close to the entrance to the grocery store. I will use it again, especially so I don't have to traipse around a parking garage with a grocery cart full of groceries and I will have someone else who will load my groceries in the car for me. (Now if they will follow me home and haul them up to the 7th floor and put them away.
BUT Parking was D.I.V.I.N.E!!!! and it is very close to the entrance to the grocery store. I will use it again, especially so I don't have to traipse around a parking garage with a grocery cart full of groceries and I will have someone else who will load my groceries in the car for me. (Now if they will follow me home and haul them up to the 7th floor and put them away.
Yeah, I am spoiled now.
Dinner was great.
Grocery store was a nightmare full of people and long lines and it was only Tuesday, which was one of our considerations before we made a decision of where to go.
Monday, January 4, 2016
Role Reversal
I ran across this cartoon on the internet and it is so true. I think it is hilarious how coloring books for adults have taken off in the last few years. I have known for years the healing features of coloring, and as a kindergarten teacher, I color as often as I can. I also know technology is moving so fast that I am starting to have trouble keeping up (some may say I have been having trouble for years). I am one of those middle aged people (not so young I know all the ins and outs of the latest techno do dads and not so old that I can't even maneuver through FB or shop online) who has used enough technology to find it helpful and intriguing and fun, yet also remembers the simplicity of a world with out it. I miss some things about that world and yet I enjoy the convenience of connectivity.
Gotta go now, I have some coloring to do. When you can show me how to use my iPhone more efficiently, just let me know….
Sunday, January 3, 2016
Writing
Off and on all my life I have written down notes or stories, not like a true writer but one who aspires to document, share, keep things written to remember them for myself and sometimes a poor audience who has to deal with my style and imperfections (writing ones of course).
As I reflected this holiday, on my life and what is in it and what isn't, I thought of a story of a table and chairs I have in storage in Texas. It has a nice story as to how it became mine, as do most items I hold near and dear to my heart.
A few more items can be added to the list now that I traveled to Prague, Czech Republic (was once Czechoslovakia), Budapest Hungary and Vienna, Austria. Each has a short but sweet story of how I came to acquire them and why.
Then they remind me of the stories I do not have.
Like the story of the bells.
My mother owned a set of bells that was a big bell (size of an orange), with 4 smaller bells attached around the middle. So if you were looking from above, the main bell sat flat on the table and you saw the handle in the middle, with each of the four others at a slant out from the main one in an X or cross fashion. She bought them in Mexico in a border town on one of our many trips there.
When she died, my brother walked through the house, not really recognizing or having a sentimental connection to much there, because he hadn't visited much in the last several years. He saw the bells, recognized them and wanted them. I was fine with it as I had no real sentimental connection to them other than the fact they were always there since I was small and they had a nice sound. I don't know what prompted my mother to buy them or exactly where it was, Piedras Negras or Ciudad Acuna , or if they had a value I couldn't fathom. I cannot for the life of me find a picture on Google that looks anything like them. I clearly don't know my bells. My brother may know the story, I haven't asked him yet. But mostly my mom didn't share many stories with us and there were some we all experienced that we would like to forget.
Anyway, one of the things I hope to do this year is write. I intend to write the story of the antiques and other trinkets I hold near and dear to my heart that I have carried along through life and it's ups and downs. So whoever ends up with them will know where they came from, the story that makes them dear to me and hopefully will endear them to the next person who has them in their lives.
I also hope to write a bit of a reflection here several times a week. Or at least post a picture.
As I reflected this holiday, on my life and what is in it and what isn't, I thought of a story of a table and chairs I have in storage in Texas. It has a nice story as to how it became mine, as do most items I hold near and dear to my heart.
A few more items can be added to the list now that I traveled to Prague, Czech Republic (was once Czechoslovakia), Budapest Hungary and Vienna, Austria. Each has a short but sweet story of how I came to acquire them and why.
Then they remind me of the stories I do not have.
Like the story of the bells.
My mother owned a set of bells that was a big bell (size of an orange), with 4 smaller bells attached around the middle. So if you were looking from above, the main bell sat flat on the table and you saw the handle in the middle, with each of the four others at a slant out from the main one in an X or cross fashion. She bought them in Mexico in a border town on one of our many trips there.
When she died, my brother walked through the house, not really recognizing or having a sentimental connection to much there, because he hadn't visited much in the last several years. He saw the bells, recognized them and wanted them. I was fine with it as I had no real sentimental connection to them other than the fact they were always there since I was small and they had a nice sound. I don't know what prompted my mother to buy them or exactly where it was, Piedras Negras or Ciudad Acuna , or if they had a value I couldn't fathom. I cannot for the life of me find a picture on Google that looks anything like them. I clearly don't know my bells. My brother may know the story, I haven't asked him yet. But mostly my mom didn't share many stories with us and there were some we all experienced that we would like to forget.
Anyway, one of the things I hope to do this year is write. I intend to write the story of the antiques and other trinkets I hold near and dear to my heart that I have carried along through life and it's ups and downs. So whoever ends up with them will know where they came from, the story that makes them dear to me and hopefully will endear them to the next person who has them in their lives.
I also hope to write a bit of a reflection here several times a week. Or at least post a picture.
Saturday, January 2, 2016
Happy January the Second
I feel like I missed New Years Day.
I was traveling all day. Which brings me to my latest AHA.
I love traveling by train.
During the last two weeks I was able to travel from Prague to Budapest in a sleeping car on an international train. Actually it wasn't a sleeping car, it was a "couchette" with 6 mini beds and 5 other people to go in them. Actually we were lucky and there was only 5 of us in the car so we had a place for our luggage. It could have been a bit more cushiony, but I have to admit, I slept great.
I also traveled from Budapest to Vienna, where I learned a very important lesson. When you book a train, make sure you also RESERVE a seat. I was caught without a place to sit and sat on the steps by the door for most of the ride. Not the best but certainly not the worst… which brings me to…
The best experience was a First Class ticket from Vienna to Prague. I actually wished the ride wasn't over yet when it was time to get off the train.
So I don't remember the last time I DID NOT eat black eyed peas for luck on New Years, but I didn't have them this year. I may start a new tradition of riding a train on New Years day. Or I may just call a day in the next week my New Years Day and make a pot of them.
#1 Resolution- write blog post more often (goal is daily).
I was traveling all day. Which brings me to my latest AHA.
I love traveling by train.
During the last two weeks I was able to travel from Prague to Budapest in a sleeping car on an international train. Actually it wasn't a sleeping car, it was a "couchette" with 6 mini beds and 5 other people to go in them. Actually we were lucky and there was only 5 of us in the car so we had a place for our luggage. It could have been a bit more cushiony, but I have to admit, I slept great.
I also traveled from Budapest to Vienna, where I learned a very important lesson. When you book a train, make sure you also RESERVE a seat. I was caught without a place to sit and sat on the steps by the door for most of the ride. Not the best but certainly not the worst… which brings me to…
The best experience was a First Class ticket from Vienna to Prague. I actually wished the ride wasn't over yet when it was time to get off the train.
So I don't remember the last time I DID NOT eat black eyed peas for luck on New Years, but I didn't have them this year. I may start a new tradition of riding a train on New Years day. Or I may just call a day in the next week my New Years Day and make a pot of them.
#1 Resolution- write blog post more often (goal is daily).
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Traditional Chocolates
Traditions for life events in the UAE are very different from in the USA.
When you have a baby, get married, have something good happen for a family member, you don't receive any gifts… YOU GIVE chocolates.
A big, honking, gaudy, gold and/or silver tray filled with them. You set them out for others in a common area or you walk around and share them with everyone in the building (at work).
So the day I returned the rental car (the day after I picked up my new car), my friend said "Now you need chocolates."
What? Why do I need chocolates?
"You got a new car, you have to get chocolates".
OHHHHH you are right. I want a big tray of them, shaped like a car, in blue wrappers.
We laughed and drove to the chocolate shops.
Be wary when there is a red carpet ushering you into the shop of chocolates. The prices will be hefty and the service divine.
As we looked for a car shaped display (there wasn't one) with blue wrappers (only on the ones for newborns) a small serving tray of chocolates followed us (carried by one of the sales people). When we asked what was in the chocolate (filling? nuts?) we were told "corn flakes". We bit into the creamy deliciousness only to find it had something like Rice Krispies in one and nuts in the other. That is when I remembered that all cereal here is referred to as Corn Flakes by the locals. Corn flakes = cereal.
Finally, after deciding on a tray of a variety of shapes and sizes with no outer wrappers (tray was covered in shrink wrap) and paying, they put it in a huge shopping bag with handles and carried it to the car for us, we felt like royalty.
The next day at school when there was a lull, I walked around to share the chocolates with others. It was so interesting to see the different responses. All the western teachers were curious what kind of car I had purchased and the color. The local teachers were either not interested in knowing anything or they were excited for me but didn't ask what kind of car (remember, they drive really high end vehicles I could not have afforded even if I wanted to). It was very sweet for some of them to share in my excitement and showed me who is truly a friend and who is merely someone I work with.
Another traditional experience I had the opportunity to enjoy.
I will appreciate the trays of chocolates from others a bit more now.
When you have a baby, get married, have something good happen for a family member, you don't receive any gifts… YOU GIVE chocolates.
A big, honking, gaudy, gold and/or silver tray filled with them. You set them out for others in a common area or you walk around and share them with everyone in the building (at work).
So the day I returned the rental car (the day after I picked up my new car), my friend said "Now you need chocolates."
What? Why do I need chocolates?
"You got a new car, you have to get chocolates".
OHHHHH you are right. I want a big tray of them, shaped like a car, in blue wrappers.
We laughed and drove to the chocolate shops.
Be wary when there is a red carpet ushering you into the shop of chocolates. The prices will be hefty and the service divine.
As we looked for a car shaped display (there wasn't one) with blue wrappers (only on the ones for newborns) a small serving tray of chocolates followed us (carried by one of the sales people). When we asked what was in the chocolate (filling? nuts?) we were told "corn flakes". We bit into the creamy deliciousness only to find it had something like Rice Krispies in one and nuts in the other. That is when I remembered that all cereal here is referred to as Corn Flakes by the locals. Corn flakes = cereal.
Finally, after deciding on a tray of a variety of shapes and sizes with no outer wrappers (tray was covered in shrink wrap) and paying, they put it in a huge shopping bag with handles and carried it to the car for us, we felt like royalty.
The next day at school when there was a lull, I walked around to share the chocolates with others. It was so interesting to see the different responses. All the western teachers were curious what kind of car I had purchased and the color. The local teachers were either not interested in knowing anything or they were excited for me but didn't ask what kind of car (remember, they drive really high end vehicles I could not have afforded even if I wanted to). It was very sweet for some of them to share in my excitement and showed me who is truly a friend and who is merely someone I work with.
Another traditional experience I had the opportunity to enjoy.
I will appreciate the trays of chocolates from others a bit more now.
Sunday, November 29, 2015
It is Mine, all MINE, well after 24 payments it will be…
So, last Sunday (a week ago), I came home from work (work week is Sunday to Thursday), tired, but I had everything in place to pick up my new car.
The anticipation and excitement were lack luster. I thought about putting it off a day… but then the salesman called and asked when I would be there.
I am on my way to pick up paperwork from him and come back home to meet a friend who knows where the UAE version of the DMV is. She meets me out front and we are off to get the license plates. A number machine and 3 counters later, we have the plates (no choices on numbers or style) and are on our way to get the car.
It is dark, just after 6 pm and the next step was the hardest. I had to sit and listen to all the great service that will come with the car before I was able to sit in it.
An eternity, ok, an hour, ok, 20 minutes later I finally was in my car, looking over all the amenities and getting to know it.
Finally, I pulled out of the dealership and onto the street, thinking… OMG what have I done now? I am finally settling into life in Abu Dhabi. What can I say, I am a late bloomer.
My friends who want me home, don't get too discouraged, things change on a dime here, and you never know what is around the corner. I will be home before you know it (after 24 payments).
The anticipation and excitement were lack luster. I thought about putting it off a day… but then the salesman called and asked when I would be there.
I am on my way to pick up paperwork from him and come back home to meet a friend who knows where the UAE version of the DMV is. She meets me out front and we are off to get the license plates. A number machine and 3 counters later, we have the plates (no choices on numbers or style) and are on our way to get the car.
It is dark, just after 6 pm and the next step was the hardest. I had to sit and listen to all the great service that will come with the car before I was able to sit in it.
An eternity, ok, an hour, ok, 20 minutes later I finally was in my car, looking over all the amenities and getting to know it.
Finally, I pulled out of the dealership and onto the street, thinking… OMG what have I done now? I am finally settling into life in Abu Dhabi. What can I say, I am a late bloomer.
My friends who want me home, don't get too discouraged, things change on a dime here, and you never know what is around the corner. I will be home before you know it (after 24 payments).
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Car Purchasing at it's Finest
Last Wednesday I walked into a car dealership in Abu Dhabi. I had pretty much already made up my mind what I was going to do… little did I know what would ensue.
So after meandering around the showroom looking at the podiums next to each car with the price (better known as the sticker price) and the specs for each vehicle, I was finally approached by the only other soul in sight.
After learning I wasn't sure what I wanted but I had a friend who owned a Jetta and I really liked it, he proceeded to give me the comparison of a Jetta and a Passat.
I interrupted to let him know I wasn't interested in a bigger car unless it was somewhat of an SUV, my interests were:
Power to get up and go (to get out of the way of the speed demons (and I drive fast myself))
Sunroof
cruise control
arm rest
comfortable seat with enough leg room
usb port
and I asked what car colors were available other than white, black, brown, and silver.
and no, gas mileage was not something that came to mind, and it was also not anywhere on the spec sheet.
I also forgot to mention that I wanted a great stereo system as I want to turn my music up loud… which I have noticed is something else I don't see here, car stereo shops for speakers.
So after ascertaining there was a Blue Jetta with white and black leather interior (actually leatherette, whatever that is) and a Red Tiguan with beige interior, I decided to go for a test drive.
The only vehicle I could drive was a brown Jetta but with all the same amenities of the blue one.
The Tiguan was not available to drive until next week.
After 20 minutes of waiting, he drove up in front of the building in the Jetta and we took it for a spin.
Rear camera, sun roof, adjustable arm rest for the driver, cruise control, adjustable seat for my long legs, blue tooth, memory card, usb, 6 cd changer (guess I will be buying some now) and so much more… I liked it
So when we sat down after the test drive, I asked about the Tiguan, and he basically talked me out of a vehicle that cost more than 10 grand USD more by asking why I wanted it for that much more money and did I need an SUV….
30 minutes later, after learning how they take a deposit on the car (2000 aed or about 540 USD), I have to get a check from the bank, email the loan officer at the bank a copy of my Emirates ID, my passport, my visa and a salary certificate from my employer stating what I make.
Then I pay 20 percent down, my insurance for a year up front and for the window tinting of the vehicle to be done by the time I pick it up.
Then after he processes all the paper work, I left with the agreement paper and the specs of the car.
A trip to the bank ensues to order ONE check, as I have to write a check for the full amount of the car and sign it. They will hold it until I pay off the car.
Ordering a check is a 2-4 day process. I wait to talk to a business teller and he has to copy my emirates id front and back, fill out a form and have me sign it. A courier deliver service will bring it to me after it is processed.
They sent an sms to me 2 days in to arrange delivery.
I emailed the paper work to the loan officer.
After I get the check (today), I am to call the loan officer and set up a time to meet to sign the loan, etc.
Then I can go back to the dealership to get everything signed and in order and the dealership will then process the car for delivery which will take 2 days.
My friends tell me that when the car is ready, I will go to the dealership, get all the paperwork for the registration and license plates and take it to the equivalent of the DMV to pick up the tags. Then I have to take them back to the dealership to have them install them.
THEN I will have my car and drive it home.
We are 6 days in… I can now tell people why I haven't purchased a car here before now…
I know you are jealous that you don't get to have all the fun, but now you know what it takes to buy a car in the UAE.
So after meandering around the showroom looking at the podiums next to each car with the price (better known as the sticker price) and the specs for each vehicle, I was finally approached by the only other soul in sight.
After learning I wasn't sure what I wanted but I had a friend who owned a Jetta and I really liked it, he proceeded to give me the comparison of a Jetta and a Passat.
I interrupted to let him know I wasn't interested in a bigger car unless it was somewhat of an SUV, my interests were:
Power to get up and go (to get out of the way of the speed demons (and I drive fast myself))
Sunroof
cruise control
arm rest
comfortable seat with enough leg room
usb port
and I asked what car colors were available other than white, black, brown, and silver.
and no, gas mileage was not something that came to mind, and it was also not anywhere on the spec sheet.
I also forgot to mention that I wanted a great stereo system as I want to turn my music up loud… which I have noticed is something else I don't see here, car stereo shops for speakers.
So after ascertaining there was a Blue Jetta with white and black leather interior (actually leatherette, whatever that is) and a Red Tiguan with beige interior, I decided to go for a test drive.
The only vehicle I could drive was a brown Jetta but with all the same amenities of the blue one.
The Tiguan was not available to drive until next week.
After 20 minutes of waiting, he drove up in front of the building in the Jetta and we took it for a spin.
Rear camera, sun roof, adjustable arm rest for the driver, cruise control, adjustable seat for my long legs, blue tooth, memory card, usb, 6 cd changer (guess I will be buying some now) and so much more… I liked it
So when we sat down after the test drive, I asked about the Tiguan, and he basically talked me out of a vehicle that cost more than 10 grand USD more by asking why I wanted it for that much more money and did I need an SUV….
30 minutes later, after learning how they take a deposit on the car (2000 aed or about 540 USD), I have to get a check from the bank, email the loan officer at the bank a copy of my Emirates ID, my passport, my visa and a salary certificate from my employer stating what I make.
Then I pay 20 percent down, my insurance for a year up front and for the window tinting of the vehicle to be done by the time I pick it up.
Then after he processes all the paper work, I left with the agreement paper and the specs of the car.
A trip to the bank ensues to order ONE check, as I have to write a check for the full amount of the car and sign it. They will hold it until I pay off the car.
Ordering a check is a 2-4 day process. I wait to talk to a business teller and he has to copy my emirates id front and back, fill out a form and have me sign it. A courier deliver service will bring it to me after it is processed.
They sent an sms to me 2 days in to arrange delivery.
I emailed the paper work to the loan officer.
After I get the check (today), I am to call the loan officer and set up a time to meet to sign the loan, etc.
Then I can go back to the dealership to get everything signed and in order and the dealership will then process the car for delivery which will take 2 days.
My friends tell me that when the car is ready, I will go to the dealership, get all the paperwork for the registration and license plates and take it to the equivalent of the DMV to pick up the tags. Then I have to take them back to the dealership to have them install them.
THEN I will have my car and drive it home.
We are 6 days in… I can now tell people why I haven't purchased a car here before now…
I know you are jealous that you don't get to have all the fun, but now you know what it takes to buy a car in the UAE.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Decision Made
For the last four years I have lived abroad in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. For the most part it has been ok. Well, not ok in the sense that it was easy… it wasn't. It isn't. But the last 14 months have been the best I have had since I arrived.
School reform and changing from a third world to a first world country takes time, patience and, with out saying… education. The road is long and the end of it is not in sight. I doubt I am here to see it.
Should I stay, or should I go? One of my favorite dance tunes and lyrics has been my mantra of late.
The original plan was the two year contract with hopes of it lasting 5 years.
The end of this year will be 5 years.
I bought a house in my home town in Texas, 3 ish years ago, so I added a year to get it paid for before I leave (5 year loan).
Most of my friends have gone, making new friends requires more here than you could ever expect… so not an easy task.
In August, some friends of mine asked me to watch their dog while they were out of town, oh and drive their car until they returned in 3 weeks. They have a VW Jetta. I liked it, I liked it a lot.
I did.
I told them I hadn't considered a VW as a car choice (unless it was a vintage one) until I drove theirs.
They got a great deal, on 0% financing and said it was a promotion that comes around in the fall.
Last week, as I was driving to work in my rented POS that is the cheapest I can get, and even for a Honda, is like driving a cracker box.
No cruise control
No USB port
No Window tinting (really important in the hot desert)
No camera or backing up warning signals
No road noise reduction
No sunroof (I know, silly me, even in the desert I want one)
No arm rest
No No No
but I digress, as I was driving to work, the advertisement for the VW promotion was playing on the radio.
Without missing a beat, I said, out loud "I am buying a car".
The bigger picture?
I am staying at least two more years, which means three school years including this one. Maybe more.
I could go home, and I know plenty of people who have. Many who are doing fine and many who wish they hadn't left.
I cannot work the hours I work, live with the low bills I have and make the money I make here if I move home to Texas. So… work more hours, make less money, probably not teaching as they don't want to pay me for my years… ? why would I do that?
So yes, I made a decision. I bought a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta, Blue with white and black leather interior and I haven't even seen it in person yet.
School reform and changing from a third world to a first world country takes time, patience and, with out saying… education. The road is long and the end of it is not in sight. I doubt I am here to see it.
Should I stay, or should I go? One of my favorite dance tunes and lyrics has been my mantra of late.
The original plan was the two year contract with hopes of it lasting 5 years.
The end of this year will be 5 years.
I bought a house in my home town in Texas, 3 ish years ago, so I added a year to get it paid for before I leave (5 year loan).
Most of my friends have gone, making new friends requires more here than you could ever expect… so not an easy task.
In August, some friends of mine asked me to watch their dog while they were out of town, oh and drive their car until they returned in 3 weeks. They have a VW Jetta. I liked it, I liked it a lot.
I did.
I told them I hadn't considered a VW as a car choice (unless it was a vintage one) until I drove theirs.
They got a great deal, on 0% financing and said it was a promotion that comes around in the fall.
Last week, as I was driving to work in my rented POS that is the cheapest I can get, and even for a Honda, is like driving a cracker box.
No cruise control
No USB port
No Window tinting (really important in the hot desert)
No camera or backing up warning signals
No road noise reduction
No sunroof (I know, silly me, even in the desert I want one)
No arm rest
No No No
but I digress, as I was driving to work, the advertisement for the VW promotion was playing on the radio.
Without missing a beat, I said, out loud "I am buying a car".
The bigger picture?
I am staying at least two more years, which means three school years including this one. Maybe more.
I could go home, and I know plenty of people who have. Many who are doing fine and many who wish they hadn't left.
I cannot work the hours I work, live with the low bills I have and make the money I make here if I move home to Texas. So… work more hours, make less money, probably not teaching as they don't want to pay me for my years… ? why would I do that?
So yes, I made a decision. I bought a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta, Blue with white and black leather interior and I haven't even seen it in person yet.
Friday, January 16, 2015
Getting Started #NewYearNewMe
January 9, 2015, I gave up processed sugar
January 14, I gave up wheat flour
If you know me, you know I love sweets and for the last few years I haven't had any reason I could find to stop eating them... no men to impress. Wearing loose clothes and fully covering my body for work made it easy to not pay attention to the weight I was gaining. Stress. From. Work. the last TWO years.
This school year is great, the stress is "normal" work stress and life is good...
Then I looked down...
WHERE THE HELL DID ALL THIS FAT COME FROM?
Ugh!
So, #NewYearNewMe is in full force.
The idea is to whittle down the sugar to nearly non existence, stay off it in entirety for 3 weeks, then add it back in with healthy choices.
One step at the time. The next step is Dairy. It will occur next week.
I haven't really had any big cravings, just one on my last day of work this week, Red Velvet Cupcakes from the local grocer. They are my new favorite.
That quickly went away as I was planning my salad for the afternoon with roasted pecans, strawberries and pineapple.
I imagine the hardest part will be when I give up the fruit. We will see.
January 14, I gave up wheat flour
If you know me, you know I love sweets and for the last few years I haven't had any reason I could find to stop eating them... no men to impress. Wearing loose clothes and fully covering my body for work made it easy to not pay attention to the weight I was gaining. Stress. From. Work. the last TWO years.
This school year is great, the stress is "normal" work stress and life is good...
Then I looked down...
WHERE THE HELL DID ALL THIS FAT COME FROM?
Ugh!
So, #NewYearNewMe is in full force.
The idea is to whittle down the sugar to nearly non existence, stay off it in entirety for 3 weeks, then add it back in with healthy choices.
One step at the time. The next step is Dairy. It will occur next week.
I haven't really had any big cravings, just one on my last day of work this week, Red Velvet Cupcakes from the local grocer. They are my new favorite.
That quickly went away as I was planning my salad for the afternoon with roasted pecans, strawberries and pineapple.
I imagine the hardest part will be when I give up the fruit. We will see.
Sunday, January 11, 2015
I Admit It, I Am Addicted
That's right. I have an addiction that is truly harmful to me. I am addicted to sugar. It is causing me great harm in the shape of my body and will possibly lead to worse scenarios if I don't do something about it now.
My first step started a while back. I stopped drinking soda, pop, cokes, specifically Diet Coke. I then reverted to Coke, once living overseas where they are still made with sugar not corn syrup. I have cut back on them considerably, even though I wasn't drinking that many (3-4 a week). Now it is a rare treat and I no longer crave them.
My next step is to cut out all processed sugar. Cakes, candy, cookies, chocolate, and sugar in my tea or coffee (the hardest to deal with). I am still eating fruit and limited amounts of bread/potatoes and they will be the next to go.
So far I have made it two days. Is there a two day chip? I deserve one! lol I am hoping to stay off it until I am through the full 3 steps, with fruit being the last to be eliminated, about a total of a month, but we will just have to see how it goes and if I fall off the wagon.
It hasn't been overly tempting at this point. At least most people at work are dieting, so there aren't many sweets in plain sight to call my name.
The headache has come... the crabbiness has increased... pray for those around me until it all subsides.
My first step started a while back. I stopped drinking soda, pop, cokes, specifically Diet Coke. I then reverted to Coke, once living overseas where they are still made with sugar not corn syrup. I have cut back on them considerably, even though I wasn't drinking that many (3-4 a week). Now it is a rare treat and I no longer crave them.
My next step is to cut out all processed sugar. Cakes, candy, cookies, chocolate, and sugar in my tea or coffee (the hardest to deal with). I am still eating fruit and limited amounts of bread/potatoes and they will be the next to go.
So far I have made it two days. Is there a two day chip? I deserve one! lol I am hoping to stay off it until I am through the full 3 steps, with fruit being the last to be eliminated, about a total of a month, but we will just have to see how it goes and if I fall off the wagon.
It hasn't been overly tempting at this point. At least most people at work are dieting, so there aren't many sweets in plain sight to call my name.
The headache has come... the crabbiness has increased... pray for those around me until it all subsides.
Friday, January 9, 2015
New Life, New Me
So excited to look forward to a great new year. 2014 started off rough and ended up great. I am hoping 2015 ends up as great as it has started out.
I love my job.
I am happy where I am.
I need to do some remodeling of me, other than that... everything is PERFECT.
Now if any of you have ever done some remodeling, you know you start with peeling back to the bare bones and rebuilding.
So... This year is all about utilizing strategies to make healthy new habits part of my life and letting go of unhealthy habits.
One of my new strategies is to write daily. Either here or pen and paper.
Happy New Year Everyone.
I love my job.
I am happy where I am.
I need to do some remodeling of me, other than that... everything is PERFECT.
Now if any of you have ever done some remodeling, you know you start with peeling back to the bare bones and rebuilding.
So... This year is all about utilizing strategies to make healthy new habits part of my life and letting go of unhealthy habits.
One of my new strategies is to write daily. Either here or pen and paper.
Happy New Year Everyone.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Reconstructing My Life
My little house on the prairie is coming right along
at a snail's pace. Which may be the case for the rest of my life.
Change takes time.
Change takes money.
Change takes willingness to accept change.
Humans, for the most part, fight change.
I know I do.
As I plan the steps and the order of what to "do" next is constantly changing,
the revelation of how it is the same as my life came to mind.
When I first came over to the Sand Box, I had a number of years in mind (5) and a monetary amount affixed to my thinking of when this adventure would end.
Last week… after getting a restoration bid (way more money than I will pay for a restored kitchen, but I will have a professional do the bathroom) for my little house on the prairie, the re-evaluation of my original thinking began.
I work half as much as I did in Texas. I work just as hard, or harder, but half as much time is spent at my work.
My pay is more than any job I had in Texas, and my housing is paid for.
THAT IS ALMOST TWICE WHAT I MADE IN TEXAS.
So that is twice as much compensation for half as much time.
Why am I counting the years or the monetary amount? Silliness.
This adventure will end when it is time for it to end.
Hopefully I will have a beautifully restored home and a fat bank account when it does, but just as everyone's ideas of "what is in store for me next" changes,
so does life, and here, in the shifting sands, it can happen before you know what hit you.
In the mean time, it is time to reconstruct me. Letting my hair grow out in it's natural color for the first time is nearly 30 years (started going gray in my early 20's). Finding my new hobbies which can be followed in any country in the world, and revising my musical enjoyment that has gone to the wayside and is not healthy for me.
It isn't that I don't want to return to my home country, state, or town, I just want to make the most of this adventure called life and see where it goes without the previous preconceived notions of what it has to be, or what it can't be… It can be whatever we make of it.
I will ride these sand dunes as long as they will let me…
What will you do?
at a snail's pace. Which may be the case for the rest of my life.
Change takes time.
Change takes money.
Change takes willingness to accept change.
Humans, for the most part, fight change.
I know I do.
As I plan the steps and the order of what to "do" next is constantly changing,
the revelation of how it is the same as my life came to mind.
When I first came over to the Sand Box, I had a number of years in mind (5) and a monetary amount affixed to my thinking of when this adventure would end.
Last week… after getting a restoration bid (way more money than I will pay for a restored kitchen, but I will have a professional do the bathroom) for my little house on the prairie, the re-evaluation of my original thinking began.
I work half as much as I did in Texas. I work just as hard, or harder, but half as much time is spent at my work.
My pay is more than any job I had in Texas, and my housing is paid for.
THAT IS ALMOST TWICE WHAT I MADE IN TEXAS.
So that is twice as much compensation for half as much time.
Why am I counting the years or the monetary amount? Silliness.
This adventure will end when it is time for it to end.
Hopefully I will have a beautifully restored home and a fat bank account when it does, but just as everyone's ideas of "what is in store for me next" changes,
so does life, and here, in the shifting sands, it can happen before you know what hit you.
In the mean time, it is time to reconstruct me. Letting my hair grow out in it's natural color for the first time is nearly 30 years (started going gray in my early 20's). Finding my new hobbies which can be followed in any country in the world, and revising my musical enjoyment that has gone to the wayside and is not healthy for me.
It isn't that I don't want to return to my home country, state, or town, I just want to make the most of this adventure called life and see where it goes without the previous preconceived notions of what it has to be, or what it can't be… It can be whatever we make of it.
I will ride these sand dunes as long as they will let me…
What will you do?
Saturday, October 19, 2013
That Looks Better... and it SHOULD
Before Pictures
The front of the house was neat enough, but the shrubbery and ivy around the front door were a liability if anyone was thinking about breaking in. Although, I have to say, there isn't anything inside, so no need to break in.
Welcome to the garden area that will not be a garden.
A sundry of odds and ends (mostly trash)
Wood, windows, bad fencing
A cedar tree hiding a tree with a bad trim job and an ugly alley.
The AFTER Pictures... after 1 K worth of work by someone else.
Brush and Cedar tree removed, along with all ivy off the house.
The two junk piles cleaned up. The fencing has also been removed even though in this pic it is still there.
The view from the back door now.
Where the salvageable wood lives now. (BTW, that is the well house... yes, water well)
Friday, October 18, 2013
Foodie Friday
Stress relief in cooking. Others often tell me it makes them more stressful, but for me it just takes my thoughts to something simple... food. This morning I saw this great idea for breakfast.
They were enjoyed by all brunch guests...
The hollandaise would have been better if I had not used ghee and had used unsalted butter, but I didn't have any.
So I started with knowing I didn't have any spinach, but I did have bacon, smoked salmon, English muffins, and enough eggs to make poached eggs and hollandaise sauce.
Here are the pictures in progression and the final product. Not quite as beautiful as the one above, but still very tasty.
The eggs here are that much orange-er than eggs in the states, and much tastier too.
Fresh lemon juice for the hollandaise
Melting the Ghee
Plate garnish and a bit of flavor to add to the dish.
Not as much as salmon as in the inspirational picture but still just as tasty.
Mixing in the ghee
Toasted the muffins with cheese and smoked salmon to prepare them for the eggs and sauce.
It has been a long time since I poached eggs but I thought they turned out pretty well.
The hollandaise would have been better if I had not used ghee and had used unsalted butter, but I didn't have any.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Home Sweet Home
I bought a house.
I bought a house a year ago.
I have yet to live in the house.
I probably won't live in it until it is paid for (5 year note), but shhhh don't tell anyone that it is not occupied at the moment.
In the mean time, I am updating, remodeling, refurbishing it.
It is a small house.
It is a small cozy house, just the right size with plenty of land for crazy ideas.
Here is my house when I bought it.
I bought a house a year ago.
I have yet to live in the house.
I probably won't live in it until it is paid for (5 year note), but shhhh don't tell anyone that it is not occupied at the moment.
In the mean time, I am updating, remodeling, refurbishing it.
It is a small house.
It is a small cozy house, just the right size with plenty of land for crazy ideas.
Here is my house when I bought it.
It has a red roof now. One day it will have newly painted trim. I haven't decided on a color yet. I did choose the red roof because it felt like that should be the color of an original stucco farm house. When the previous owner gave me a set of pictures of the house, low and behold, the roof was red when she bought it.
So among my many ramblings, there will be stories of my house and the trip we are making together to become my oasis, when I leave the Sahara for another one.
See, just looking at this picture I get excited about all the possibilities, without taking away from the original style and grace of a handmade home by a local man who married one of the girls of the town's namesake family.
Welcome to my home.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
What You Don't Know Can Hurt You
Fried Chicken cooked in Crisco with gravy made with Gold Medal Flour, Sweet tea make with Pure Cane Sugar and fresh potatoes mashed with Plains Dairy Milk and Country Crock spread. One of my favorite meals my mother would cook. As I grew up and became my own cook, I did the same. From an early age, I learned the brands she preferred and I bought them too. Never a thought crossed my mind that the companies I was doing business with had anything other than my best interests at heart. A huge mistake that many people have made as well.
As I wandered the aisles of a grocery store in the UAE and found some of my favorite brands, a sadness like I have never known came over me.
In the US so many of my favorite brands have gone to the dark side. Guided or prodded by the lure of money, the corruption of government by giant companies that are changing our world right under our noses while we were not paying attention to it or reading the labels on our food products. Now we let them stuff us full of corn syrup grown from the worst grade of corn in the world. We are choked with corn syrup sugars in most of the products we ingest, and many of the ones you would least expect.
After some friends told me about how all of the sugar beets in the US are now genetically modified and they only buy organic sugar now, I decided to check out the local sugar packaging. Sure enough, all of it is organic, made from sugar cane and not from anywhere near the USA. A local woman asked me why I wasn't buying the sugar but I was reading the bag, she was scared to buy it because I didn't. I explained I didn't need sugar, I just wanted to know what was in it and where it was from. She looked at me like I was crazy as she plopped the bag of sugar in her basket.
The green signs above all the produce announced their country of origin... Tunisia, North Africa, Australia, and India, to name a few. My thoughts flit from one scenario to another as I look for basics to get back in the groove after my month long holiday. Everyone asked me how long I would stay overseas when I was in the US and I couldn't honestly answer. I am almost scared to return to the US, and I am very comfortable where I am. Yet I continue to plan on making a home in my hometown upon my return.
I prefer this cleaner world, that is not so clean. The fruits and vegetables don't look perfect or stay fresh for weeks, but they taste so good. They contain only what Mother Nature intended and they haven't been "changed" by a corporation who just wanted to make money off the hard working farmers who grew the produce.
Money is the root of all evil, and it will be the end of us as a Nation in the US of A. Fight, fight for your lives, for what is right, for a better world and not the one we have let a select few choose for us. Don't wait, don't sit and let someone else do it. Even if it is small, do something.
As I wandered the aisles of a grocery store in the UAE and found some of my favorite brands, a sadness like I have never known came over me.
In the US so many of my favorite brands have gone to the dark side. Guided or prodded by the lure of money, the corruption of government by giant companies that are changing our world right under our noses while we were not paying attention to it or reading the labels on our food products. Now we let them stuff us full of corn syrup grown from the worst grade of corn in the world. We are choked with corn syrup sugars in most of the products we ingest, and many of the ones you would least expect.
After some friends told me about how all of the sugar beets in the US are now genetically modified and they only buy organic sugar now, I decided to check out the local sugar packaging. Sure enough, all of it is organic, made from sugar cane and not from anywhere near the USA. A local woman asked me why I wasn't buying the sugar but I was reading the bag, she was scared to buy it because I didn't. I explained I didn't need sugar, I just wanted to know what was in it and where it was from. She looked at me like I was crazy as she plopped the bag of sugar in her basket.
The green signs above all the produce announced their country of origin... Tunisia, North Africa, Australia, and India, to name a few. My thoughts flit from one scenario to another as I look for basics to get back in the groove after my month long holiday. Everyone asked me how long I would stay overseas when I was in the US and I couldn't honestly answer. I am almost scared to return to the US, and I am very comfortable where I am. Yet I continue to plan on making a home in my hometown upon my return.
I prefer this cleaner world, that is not so clean. The fruits and vegetables don't look perfect or stay fresh for weeks, but they taste so good. They contain only what Mother Nature intended and they haven't been "changed" by a corporation who just wanted to make money off the hard working farmers who grew the produce.
Money is the root of all evil, and it will be the end of us as a Nation in the US of A. Fight, fight for your lives, for what is right, for a better world and not the one we have let a select few choose for us. Don't wait, don't sit and let someone else do it. Even if it is small, do something.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Thought for the Day
However, if thinking of eating is the same as eating, then I am guilty as charged.
Today is the first time I am attempting to fast for 24 hours in order to improve my health and lose weight.
Here is how it all started... before you say anything, hear me out.
Every time I see a doctor, my lab results, my blood pressure, my oxygen saturation levels, everything, I mean EVERYTHING, comes back in "NORMAL" range, what ever that is...
until...
TODAY
Last week whilst
Hmmm do I think I have diabetes or high cholesterol? Uh... NO and probably...
So the lab calls this morning.
"Miss Cindy?" (a woman of asian or Philippino descent, you do the accent, it makes it worth it)
"Yes"
"Miss Cindy?"
"Yes, I am Miss Cindy"
"Miss Cindy, this is blah blah blah from Dr. Dah dah dah's office"
long pause
"Yes?"
"Yes..."
"Ok, are you calling about an appt?"
"Miss Cindy, you had lab work done?"
"Oh yes, I did"
"Miss Cindy, your lab work has come back and Dr. Dah Dah Dah would like you to make an appt. to see her and she can give you your lab results."
Ok, right about here I am thinking... I have never had a call like this before.. Shit, I am getting old and am going to have to start taking better care of this shell I am hauling around with me... CRAP! I HAVE DREADED THIS DAY ALL MY LIFE AND NOW IT IS HERE... EXPLETIVE EXPLETIVE!
"um, can't you just give the results to me over the phone? I don't live close to Abu Dhabi and it will be a few weeks before I come back to the city... "
* stall... talk her into the info... act like it is impossible... stall...
"Miss Cindy, I do not have your results in front of me..."
*crap, it was worth a try
"It is not an emergency, but the doctor would like to see you..."
*whew, it is the cholesterol probably
"would you like to make an appt Miss Cindy?"
"No, I will just call when I get to Abu Dhabi in a few weeks...."
*don't make an appt., get off the phone, be polite
*hurriedly
"Thank you for calling, I will make the appt. blah blah blah, bubye"
CLICK
SEVERAL EXPLETIVES
Then I forgot about it...
Until I got home from work
Hey, a friend of mine sent me a link to a video about a man who wanted to start watching his health as he was getting
http://www.disclose.tv/action/viewvideo/110651/BBC_Horizon_2012_Eat_Fast_and_Live_Longer/
So... when did I last eat something and what was it?
A breakfast bar and a little peach cobbler I made last night, and about 10 am.
Hmmm, I can wait til tomorrow morning to eat again, piece of cake right? NO, glass of water.
Now usually, I can sit and read and surf and watch and talk and I don't think I eat or drink while I do those for an entire evening or not much...
I have now figured out, at 8 pm in the evening, my thoughts turn to food about every 10 minutes if I think I can't have any... however, in the video it is stated that if you wait 15 minutes, the hunger thoughts will end.
Hmmm, I am not a mathematician, even though I play one with 5 year olds, but even I can figure out THAT DOESN'T ADD UP.
So, let's do some Pinning (yes I am addicted)
hmmm, how many food pins did I "Pin It"? I don't know,
Ok, that wasn't a good idea. Let's watch a movie... oh look, they are picking apples, and crabs.. yeah, it is all about the food for me.
Now it is late, and I am sleepy, so after my revelation of how much food does rule my life and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
I am going to make it. Of course, I still have my head in the sand about the lab results. Please don't take my bacon away, or my peach cobbler.
My momma, bless her soul, had a hunger for good food right up to the end, of course, it was the tumors in her head making her think she was hungry. Or was that just what she told me so I wouldn't give up the good
My body is a temple and it is high time I started treating it that way.
Now if my will can overcome temptation.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Teach Me
Kumquats are something I have had never tried. While traipsing around Abu Dhabi in search of beets and fennel for her salads, my friend picked these up at the local Lulu's. As we were leaving she grabs the package out of the bag in shopping cart, tears open the plastic and plucks one out.
"Here, try this." she states in a calm demeanor.
In no way preparing me for the explosion of flavor and confusion about to overcome my taste buds.
The contorted look of exponential sour-ness on my face tells her some explanation is in order.
Yep, tried my first kumquat, like the nickname "squats" another friend taught me, and liken them to natures own sour gummy, and better for you.
Margaritas you say? why yes, that is a great idea for them as well.
A tree I can have in my garden? even better.
Going "All In"
Why make a simple decision difficult?
Because it is what I do best, and unintentionally.
As I rose out of an incredible slumber this morning, a brave decision was made. My little Shasta will come home with me in July/ August, and roost in it's new home until our next great adventure.
What should we see on our way down Route 66 from Chicago? or while we are Niagara Falls? or when we traipse through the southern part of Canada on our way to Chicago, just so we can say we were in Canada?
Let me know and cheer us on... it might be a one woman show... unless you want to tag along.
It will be an adventure for sure... and after all, shouldn't life be about the journey, not the destination?
Because it is what I do best, and unintentionally.
As I rose out of an incredible slumber this morning, a brave decision was made. My little Shasta will come home with me in July/ August, and roost in it's new home until our next great adventure.
What should we see on our way down Route 66 from Chicago? or while we are Niagara Falls? or when we traipse through the southern part of Canada on our way to Chicago, just so we can say we were in Canada?
Let me know and cheer us on... it might be a one woman show... unless you want to tag along.
It will be an adventure for sure... and after all, shouldn't life be about the journey, not the destination?
Friday, February 1, 2013
February Fools Day
Rough week. REALLY ROUGH week.
So after almost three months of no posts, here is one.
So, what do you think?
Are all those cute little sayings,
like:
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
really true
or are they just there to make you not feel like such a failure?
Sometimes, I think things truly happen for a reason, like a greater power showing me a sign.
This morning it was a movie I would have never chosen to watch. I don't think I had ever seen it before either, because I thought the storyline was completely different.
But, when it came on, I didn't change the channel.
As I watched, I saw undercurrents of people acting for their own agendas,
leading others astray of their true intentions.
Using someone for their own self-promotion, as the main character simply worked to do what they had always wanted to do for the good of others around them.
There were too many parallels for me to mention them all, but it certainly showed me that even
when I am the underdog,
when I am doing my best for the situation I am in
when I make mistakes and try to pick myself up and correct them
that others that I think are on my side may or may not be.
There are things about my life where I am that are not easy, right now they are down right difficult. However, just like the main character in the movie, I will persevere and take the hurdles, setbacks and consequences as they come.
The movie? G.I. Jane
So after almost three months of no posts, here is one.
So, what do you think?
Are all those cute little sayings,
like:
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
really true
or are they just there to make you not feel like such a failure?
Sometimes, I think things truly happen for a reason, like a greater power showing me a sign.
This morning it was a movie I would have never chosen to watch. I don't think I had ever seen it before either, because I thought the storyline was completely different.
But, when it came on, I didn't change the channel.
As I watched, I saw undercurrents of people acting for their own agendas,
leading others astray of their true intentions.
Using someone for their own self-promotion, as the main character simply worked to do what they had always wanted to do for the good of others around them.
There were too many parallels for me to mention them all, but it certainly showed me that even
when I am the underdog,
when I am doing my best for the situation I am in
when I make mistakes and try to pick myself up and correct them
that others that I think are on my side may or may not be.
There are things about my life where I am that are not easy, right now they are down right difficult. However, just like the main character in the movie, I will persevere and take the hurdles, setbacks and consequences as they come.
The movie? G.I. Jane
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Good Morning Sunshine?
The other day, someone was discussing their inability to breathe in the UAE. After researching the reasons why, she found out the UAE is the 4th worst country in the world for air pollution. OK, maybe pollution overall. So the lovely sunrise photo above is brought to you by the disgusting haze on the horizon toward one of the largest petroleum plants in the UAE. Each day the sun rises through the haze to the clear sky and sets before I can see it sink into the sea behind a thicker haze in the west. Beautiful photos indeed, but what is it doing to my body? Why do I not have the breathing issues that others here have?
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
A is for Apple
It is dark, and has been for what seems an eternity, but in reality, but a few hours. My inability to move from the couch to find the Halloween candy I hear whispering my name should attest to my lack of energy and pure exhaustion.
Tomorrow's agenda holds for me, a full day of work, but before I can go to work, I must:
Pack a suitcase for the weekend in Abu Dhabi
Print out all documents I must have notarized at the Embassy
Make sure I have all my ducks in a row and am ready to have all i's dotted and t's crossed.
Take out the trash
Water all plants
make sure all perishables are in the refrigerator or thrown away
set all electronics to charge so I will have something to entertain me while in transit
and then,
well then I can trek off to work to see what the day holds for me.
After work, I must make sure all is in the car that needs to go, fill up the gas tank, buy some water and snacks for the road.
Then the trek to take care of business I am not in the least excited about will ensue.
30 minutes to buy a ferry ticket, get the car in the queue (line for my American friends) and board the ferry. Once it begins to churn through the water, I will happily see the other side and drive away from the port a mere 90 minutes later.
Whew, only 2 and a half hours before I arrive in Abu Dhabi. Now all that has to be done is drive 140 km/h weaving out of trucks driving almost half that and locals driving much faster than I am, and want me out of their way.
All so I can go to the Embassy to get a piece of paper signed and notarized and mailed to the US within the next 24 hours.
Now if I were living elsewhere, the overnight bag just to get something notarized, or grocery shop, or attend a brunch with friends would not be necessary. But I am not, I am living on Delma Island, where you have to travel a long distance to go anywhere.
Of course, this is the regular MO for every trip to Abu Dhabi, and yes, I will be doing other things, but not because I would have anyway, (I wouldn't have been traveling this weekend) but because I am already there.
That is what happens when my mother implanted her voice in my head and all I can hear is what she wanted me to do rather than what I want to do. Yes, she can control me from the grave.
Perhaps now my friends, you will understand where the part of me that wants things a certain way comes from... the apple sitting right next to the tree.... although I am trying to roll away from it as much as I can.
Tomorrow's agenda holds for me, a full day of work, but before I can go to work, I must:
Pack a suitcase for the weekend in Abu Dhabi
Print out all documents I must have notarized at the Embassy
Make sure I have all my ducks in a row and am ready to have all i's dotted and t's crossed.
Take out the trash
Water all plants
make sure all perishables are in the refrigerator or thrown away
set all electronics to charge so I will have something to entertain me while in transit
and then,
well then I can trek off to work to see what the day holds for me.
After work, I must make sure all is in the car that needs to go, fill up the gas tank, buy some water and snacks for the road.
Then the trek to take care of business I am not in the least excited about will ensue.
30 minutes to buy a ferry ticket, get the car in the queue (line for my American friends) and board the ferry. Once it begins to churn through the water, I will happily see the other side and drive away from the port a mere 90 minutes later.
Whew, only 2 and a half hours before I arrive in Abu Dhabi. Now all that has to be done is drive 140 km/h weaving out of trucks driving almost half that and locals driving much faster than I am, and want me out of their way.
All so I can go to the Embassy to get a piece of paper signed and notarized and mailed to the US within the next 24 hours.
Now if I were living elsewhere, the overnight bag just to get something notarized, or grocery shop, or attend a brunch with friends would not be necessary. But I am not, I am living on Delma Island, where you have to travel a long distance to go anywhere.
Of course, this is the regular MO for every trip to Abu Dhabi, and yes, I will be doing other things, but not because I would have anyway, (I wouldn't have been traveling this weekend) but because I am already there.
That is what happens when my mother implanted her voice in my head and all I can hear is what she wanted me to do rather than what I want to do. Yes, she can control me from the grave.
Perhaps now my friends, you will understand where the part of me that wants things a certain way comes from... the apple sitting right next to the tree.... although I am trying to roll away from it as much as I can.
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