This is 40

post-party

I can see that my last post was back in January...and a lot has happened since then (obviously).  I will do my best to update (and entertain) you--but be sure and press play to the music, to stimulate your other senses (while you read).  PRESS PLAY!!  This is my theme song for turning 40...

Right after Christmas, after opening ALL the presents, little A went for a play-date at a friend's place and decided she needed to have one of these:

She even came home with a wealth of information (and a web-site) where we could buy it.  So, off we went to finfunmermaid.com, and nearly choked when we saw the cost!  However, after discussing it with her at length, we decided she could EARN the money, by selling our old toys on Facebook (with help from daddy--the Poster).  She managed to quickly raise all the funds she needed.  With a little help from our friends (Linda and Brian, who helped her save overseas shipping charges, and had the joy of trying to pack this tail into their luggage--thanks guys!)...she is the happiest little mermaid in the Middle East.  Now, Magoo wants one...thankfully, the minimum age for wear is 5.  

Next, I believe I should send out our best wishes for the "year of the sheep."  We celebrated in our usual manner:  putting on our Chinese finest, making dumplings with Aunty Yang (bless her!) and heading over to the Shangrila, to watch the Dragon Dance.  The kids loved it, and this year we were lucky enough to be joined by the lovely (and Chinese) Mr. Peter.  Which really gives us all some credibility when we show up at the Shangrila, dressed so very Asian (so Asian in fact, that Chinese guests to the Shang are moved to take pictures of the children), to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

Lieu Tan Clan

To update you on Jonesy, she is now enjoying living as a full-time outdoor cat (except for when I have company and she mixes it up too much with everyone and has to have a time-out).  We have had her spayed (she started up with some strange yowling one week...and I thought "Oh-oh!").  And, as you can see, Magoo already has her sites set on a ANOTHER cat (whom she met in the waiting room at the vet).  I don't blame her...just look how adorable that kitten is!!!

We really enjoyed the Terry Fox run this year (though it seems that we are always catching up a year).  We were joined by our friends Brian and Linda (who actually completed the entire walk and then caught back up with us, in time for Uncle Brian to lend his strong shoulders).  Afterwards, we had a great lunch at Nations Towers.  The kids couldn't figure out who their favorite was:  Uncle Brian or Aunty Linda--they laughed so much!  We all did!

 Raha School (home now to BOTH Pickle and Little A) had their annual International Day celebration.  Despite offers from the Indian booth, I decided to stay true to my heart, and coordinated my fellow Canucks.  Despite the small number of our team, we put out quite a popular offering!  I was disappointed (as I always am) by a certain 'Canadian' tangent at these events--it's always those PASSPORT HOLDERS who get me down--no loyalty--just a passport please!  Harper--can we PLEASE do something about this??  (sorry--bit of griping there)

I was impressed with Lulu (a major grocery chain here), who generously contributed any item they found in their stores labelled "made in Canada".  They even added Kraft Dinner (good ol' KD) because it is such a favourite!  Then we made them into gifts packs and gave them out as prizes.  The maple syrup shots were also a big hit (brain-child of yours truly)--I saw the South Africans had done something like that with sweetened condensed milk last year...and thought--why can't we do that with maple syrup??!!  The kids loved it, and we sold out the 100 we had in the first hour.

Then there was St. Patrick's Day in March.  Magoo totally rocks a red beard!

Our next big event was a GARAGE SALE, at my place.  My dear friend Shariza and her family were leaving for Malaysia.  We decided it might be a great time to clear out things, and donate money to charity (we raised funds for the Al Bahia Animal Sanctuary--which I still need to head out and deliver).  Shariza and I were on the same page--we weren't trying to make a profit--most everything was priced at either 2-5 dirhams, and we wanted everything to MOVE.

We did so well the first week, that I found some people who donated MORE items, and we set it up for a second week.  It was great to see so many people come together in our garage--it became a social space, rather than just a place where our cars chill.

It was very successful--we raised over 4000 dirhams, and I have had my fill of garage sales (well--the selling part anyways!).

the set-up

mummy's best helper

Peter bought us VIP tickets to go and see Michael Buble in Dubai.  Unfortunately, after he bought and paid for the tickets, he discovered that he had a business trip that same week, and would not be able to attend.  Fortunately, we managed to find someone to use Peter's ticket, and I still got to go.  Michael Buble makes great music and has a wonderful voice--and it was a great night.  

The event organizers could have done a better job, at differentiating 'doors open at' and 'concert starts at' on their ticket, as my friend and I got there much too early.  Nonetheless, Peter had arranged for a driver for us, so at least we didn't have to drive ourselves home afterwards!  Thanks Peter--it would have been a million times better if you could have been there too!

More amazing than the Buble concert, was Magoo's FOURTH birthday.  My baby is now FOUR, and we tried to make her celebration very special.  We took all the kids to see Cinderella in the theatre (mostly for the Frozen short at the beginning--which actually was a more realistic timing of their attention spans in the cinema).  Then we went to ROGOS, the roller coaster cafe, so she could continue her birthday celebration.  

Birthday present

Strike a pose

For her birthday, Magoo wanted a "Frozen princess tea party" (is that too specific?).  So--I did my best to oblige.  It was a lot of work, but I think everyone enjoyed themselves.  I dressed up as Queen Galadriel (thank-you Tolkien), Magoo was Princess Elsa, and Little A was Princess Rhianna (not to be confused with RiHanna).  

The Royal Court

All the little princesses

Prince Pickle

Sadly, after getting rid of all her things, it was time for Shariza to go.  I hosted a farewell coffee for her, and got a chance to meet some of her other friends, from different parts of her life.  I will miss her a lot, but she has promised me VIP status as a guest in her home in Kuala Lumpur anytime (and I look forward to many visits to KL).  Shariza is one of the dearest friends I have made while living abroad--truthfully, I never expected her to leave here before me (or ever...)--but it just goes to show that every ex-pat has an expiry date.  I hope to see her often enough not to miss her.  

Then there was Easter. For us, it's all about bunnies, eggs and chocolate.

Followed by my 'official' 40th birthday celebration.  Peter planned a wonderful evening, with Indian food at Ushna, followed by my favourite, KARAOKE!!  I was thrilled to be able to share the evening with so many of the friends we have made here, and everyone who stayed on til the end (after Karaoke) really seemed to enjoy themselves.  I like to think it was all me...but I am guessing the free- flowing beverages maybe had something to do with it.  We stayed up well past 2 AM, and the picture at the start of my post was taken before we literally collapsed in bed.  

The next morning, we welcomed this young man, Chewbacca (the pomeranian formerly known as Albert) into our family. His owner has developed a severe allergy to him, and is re-homing him after five years.  He is a dear, and has managed to bring some energy back into Phinn (Chewy's real purpose).  Now Phinn no longer spends entire days sleeping under the sofa.  Chewy is a lot of fun, follows me where ever I go (currently he is sleeping at my feet), and loves to play.  The kids all adore him!

Peter has had some wonderful recognition for his amazing brain--he is one of forty people considered the "Top 40 Under 40" to watch in his field.  I know that he is wonderfully intelligent man, and I am so proud that other people in his industry see him that way as well.

Finally, Fidelia!  I cannot write an update without including details on how wonderful it has been to have Fidelia here in Abu Dhabi.  She has come to stay with her parents, as she has just finished Uni. We have been blessed to share so much of her time, and to make many memories with her.  She can rock the mic like a pro (as witnessed at my birthday), the children all love spending time with her, and she has relieved me of much guilt by spending time with Magoo while I am at the gym.  A truly wonderful young lady--I am going to miss her a lot when she heads back to Germany!

Time to wrap it up (I'm sure that it's more than enough--is the song still playing?).  There are little bits and bobs left (like Little A has her RAD exam for grade 1 ballet this week, and I have entered a 30 day fitness challenge and am half way through...) but they will have to wait.

I've still got a lotta life left in me....;-)

Mamma Mia! Dubai

I have a dream, a song to sing...

Yesterday, we took all the kids to a 4 pm matinee showing of Mamma Mia! (the musical) in Dubai.  This has been one of Little A's favorite movies, since we took her to the Stars and Strollers viewing, at Kingsway Mall, in 2008.  She couldn't walk yet, and I remember having to sit with her on the stairs, holding her up so she could bounce to all the music.  As she grew older, the movie quickly became one of her favourites, and she shared her love with Pickle and Magoo.  We were very excited when we found out about it from our friend Linda (who, as I come to think about it, seems to always be 'in the know' as far as the goings on around here).

We spent the morning running around, doing errands.  Peter is making a bed (I kid you not) for Ms. Zoila--she is Pickle's TA at school, and she is going to live in our second maid's room.  However, we need a custom bed, as the room is too small for any pre-fab bed to fit.  It is shameful--truly, how small the rooms are (Malou has the bigger one), but she has seen the space, and is really looking forward to reducing her commute to work (she currently rents a 'bed-space'--translation:  one bed out of six bunks--on the island, and commutes over an hour each way, by bus).  She is such a positive and lovely lady, and we wanted to help her out.  Our main concern is that Malou will be okay with a room-mate, and since Malou is the one who suggested the idea, I think she is interested in making a connection.  I am  hopeful they will be a good match (and that Zoila will guide Malou out of her current drama:  the American soldier).

While we were in IKEA, Peter found a mattress, and I found a lovely piece of lace fabric (for 21 aed--about $7).  Since we were going to Mamma Mia--I thought that the lace would make gorgeous wedding veils for the girls (who wanted to dress like Sophie).  We already decided that Pickle would get to wear my Mamma Mia t-shirt (the one I got when the musical came to Jubilee Auditorium--possibly in 2006).  SIDE NOTE:  to my husband who I love so much, and who bought us all tickets to go--I did not LOVE your comment asking when I was small enough to ever fit the t-shirt.  Ask Pussy-cat video uncle--I am sure he remembers that I used to fit that t-shirt...

I digress--so, Pickle got the Mamma Mia official t-shirt, and the girls felt a bit down (I only had ONE shirt), so I thought the lace (curtain?) would cheer them up.

They seem pretty happy, don't they?

They loved their veils (even though they kept falling off their heads, because I had them attached with clips), and I had so much leftover, that I added long skirts to their dresses.  Magoo said to me afterwards, "My dress was prettier than Sophie's".

We had great seats (Platinum section) but because we were on the floor it was hard for shorter people to see (which was pretty much all of us except Peter).  Magoo and I had a little window between two ladies heads, and Little A sat on daddy's lap.  Pickle seemed content with his view (and sometimes he seemed more interested in opening and closing the chair beside him), he was dancing and clapping at appropriate times, so we let him enjoy.  

What can I say about Mamma Mia! that hasn't been said before?  Not much.  It was an amazing experience, we all loved it (even Magoo, who kept her ears plugged the entire time because it was too loud).  We were all very tired, and hungry as we faced our 90 minute drive back to Abu Dhabi (did I mention there was school tomorrow?), our saving grace was the cd we purchased from the Merchandise Vendors.  That, and the cheese sandwiches and bananas that were packed for the kids to eat.  

I love the music, the musical and the movie, and I feel so lucky to be able to share it with my kids.  I look forward to taking them again (when they are older), maybe in New York (Magoo tells me knows New York, because that is where Giselle lands when she falls down the well, in Enchanted).  I loved watching all the kids dance it out at the end, when the cast came out for "you want another one??", and I loved hearing them sing down the halls as we walked back to our car.

I am also grateful to have a new CD to listen to over and over again in my car (because I am so tired of Lion King!).

ON A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT NOTE OF THANKFULNESS:

I am also so grateful for all of our friends who send Christmas wishes (the old-fashioned way) every year.  A visit to the post-office box yesterday, yielded most of these treasures--we love the collection of Christmas cards that we receive every year (no matter when they arrive).  Thank-you so much for taking the time to send them to us--we treasure them!  

 

our treasures

Happy New Year-2015 Edition

Don't worry--there won't be any excessive wisdom shared today via my blog.  All we'll do is have a little catch-up, and then be on our way--so much to do, isn't there?

Seems we left off around Diwali, and since then, even though so much has happened, I would be hard-pressed to tell you what it was.

Yes--there was Thanksgiving, National Day and Christmas....but as for IMPORTANT things...

the biggest in my books:

1.  Pickle turned the big Oh-Five (so...he's FIVE now!).
I felt like a pretty negligent and lazy mom, throwing together his birthday party in under a week (in hindsight I realize I am super-mom and children's birthday party goddess, don't worry!).  I am not sure what I was planning--to let his birthday pass, without a special celebration for my special boy?  So, with the help of a close (small) group of friends, we had our little party.  With ornament painting, gingerbread man decorating and a trip to the playground--I think everyone had fun!

I love how Little A is holding him back from the flame

Afterwards, Peter and I were talking about our friends "Uncle Pete" and "Aunty Zana"--they have attended almost all of the birthdays for all of our children--they have known them their entire lives.  Uncle Pete picked Little A and I up at the airport when we first arrived in Abu Dhabi (and in fact, we had met him for a coffee before his flight home, the day Pickle was born).  Aunty Zana was one of my first friends who I met at a Khalifa Ladies Coffee morning (the group has long since folded), and she used to accompany me to my ob appointments when I was pregnant (that was how we managed to squeeze in visiting time).  They have both been such good friends to us, in our time here!  We are so grateful for you both, Peter and Farzana!

2.  Peter turned the big Three-Nine (so...he's 39 now)
The brief window where Peter no longer has to defer to me as the 'older and wiser one' is now open.
We took some butter tarts in to work (he STILL doesn't understand why they need to have raisins), and we had a very fun evening at ROGO's, the Roller Coaster restaurant at Yas Mall.  We all loved watching everyone's food get delivered (we were at the tornado table--the loop-de-loop one was amazing too!)

2.  The Reem Island Ghost
If you didn't hear about it in the news, this event shocked us all, here in 'the bubble'.  I was very shaken by the story (which we learned about through conversation with our American friends Brian and Linda at our lovely dinner at the Easter Mangroves).  We have come to feel so safe here...and after this incident, I can only imagine the increase demands on security companies and CCTV suppliers!  Here is the link (warning--it is FREAKY and not suitable for children):
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT5-j9YUGt4

3.  Our beloved "Kitten' died

For my children who may be reading this blog in the future as a way to connect with your old mom in her younger years--who have not been told the full story of how she died--you will find it here.  I apologize for keeping it from you, but I was unable to handle it as a 39 year old woman and I have no idea how you would have dealt with it.  Daddy and I opted to give you an easier explanation for Kitten's death (which was equally true--but just not as painful for me).  

Through the looking glass--I always envied her sleeps

Having to make the decision to euthanize this beautiful cat was probably the hardest thing I have done in my life.  If you remember--Kitten was the perfect cat for an allergy sufferer like myself--an OUTDOOR cat.  We fed her and gave her affection, and health care and in turn, she entertained us and interacted with us, through the glass (who am I kidding--we went out with her and gave her a snuggle or a play multiple times during the day).  It was always so cool to look out and see her there, sleeping paws up in the kids' play house, hunting birds, or just watching us through the glass.  We couldn't settle on a name for her, and "Kitten" stuck.

Unfortunately, she developed a habit of eating plastic, and we had already had surgery for her in April to remove foam (and the plug from Malou's flip-flop) from her stomache. She started to show signs that she was unwell again (there was a place she liked to go and hide in the bushes, under the water sprinkler), and so I had taken her to the vet.  He was shocked by the hard, corrugated plastic piece he removed from her stomache (he said he asked them to check the x-ray machine because he thought it was inaccurate--he couldn't figure out how she swallowed it and got it down her throat).

I was supposed to pick her up on Wednesday, but then she started having a fever, so the vet opted to keep her.  Wednesday night they called me and said her eyes were jaundiced, and they wanted to run extra tests to figure out what was causing it.  As the costs were growing, I asked to speak to Fadey (who owns the clinic) to see if he could offer me a discount.  When I spoke to him the next day, the decision I had made (en-route, in tears, while talking with my friend Shariza), was that I would pay whatever for the tests, get her fixed up, and re-home her to a sanctuary in Al Bahya, where they could keep her away from plastic.  However, during my visit I asked to see Kitten--and upon seeing her, it became very obvious to me that she was suffering, and that there would be no recovery for her.

 Kitten's pretty pink pads, and nose and lips had all turned pastel yellow.  Her yellow eyes were rolled back in her head, and she could barely breathe.  She vomitted blood on the table (though she couldn't lift her head to do it).  I doubt she even registered the sound of my voice, or my touch.  Through tears, I asked Fadey "can you fix her?" and he told me "it's not very likely....the kindest thing you could do for her now..."and he didn't have to finish, because I already knew.  I sat with her while they injected her with the liquid to stop her heart, and then for a few minutes afterwards too, stroking her soft ears, and trying to remember all the details of our Kitten (my favourite will always be that black mark on her nose, that looked just like a mole)  Just under ten seconds, and she was gone.  It was heartbreaking, and even now, I am filled with sadness.  However, at the time, despite how sad I was to let her go, I knew that at this point, letting her die 'naturally' would be so cruel and painful for her, and our Kitten didn't deserve that.

It is still awful, thinking about it.

The vet continued to assure me that it was the best decision.  He said there was a very slim chance they could have fixed her--all the tests they wanted to run were just to know what had caused her very fast decline.  Could've been that she had feline HIV, and that a virus got activated by all the stress of being sick and having a surgery.  Also could have been that the plastic did more damage than they realized and hurt her in more places than they could fix.  Which is what we chose to tell the kids.

That happened on Thursday, December 18, about 2:30 pm.

On Saturday, Peter went to the gym in the morning, at Garden's Plaza.  He came home and reported that there was a little homeless kitten there.  We debated about bringing her home...did we really want another cat?

In the end, we welcomed "Jonesy" (named after Jones the Grocer, the cafe where she was found) that evening.  She is a three month old Arabian Mau mix. Though she did not ease the children's pain, when they discovered that Kitten had died (the euthanization is the only detail we held back), she has helped them heal a lot faster.  Jonesy has helped them to remember Kitten (who lives in our hearts now), and to heal and make new experiences.

I think pets are amazing for children's development and growth.

And kittens are ADORABLE (and it doesn't hurt as much when they bite and scratch you!)

Jonesy ended up making our Christmas much happier (otherwise it would have been turkey and tears), which we shared with friends (new and old).

Peter and I shared a quiet New Year, watched Love Actually, and had a "family sleepover" (all five of us slept in one room--by CHOICE). 

As for 2015...I don't know what will happen.  I know that some of our friends will move away, and new friends will come into our lives.  I know that the children will keep growing and having their life's dramas, and my world will revolve around it.  I know I will spend a lot more time at Yas Mall (grocery shopping) than Mushrif (it's TEN MINUTES door to door!).  

We are looking forward to a lot of things:  more birthday celebrations, seeing my parents in Austria this summer, Magoo starting school in September (both a joy and a sadness) and having good friends come and visit us in December (Sandy and FIONA!!).  I will NOT be attending the Michael Buble concert--I have been trying to get tickets but the site crashed as soon as sales were open--and somehow, though I have never managed to connect even ONE TIME--the concert has SOLD OUT.  

And I am sure there will be lots of other events that we will be grateful for throughout the year (perhaps a wedding???).  

I am no longer into 'making resolutions' and feeling guilty when I fail to keep them. I know I need to make some changes in my life, I know what they are, and I need to make a commitment, have some discipline and do it.   Sending best wishes for 2015 to all of our family and friends, near and far--we love you and are grateful for your love.