My trainer Pernille played this song on a very gray and warm morning last week--March 9. I hadn't heard the song for so very long, and she said the weather just put her in the mood for a little MJ. He gifted us with so much powerful music in his lifetime--and once again, I was struck by how the Europeans continued to enjoy Michael's music, guilt-free, despite all of the controversy surrounding him in the later years of his life. Unlike in North America, where it felt taboo to admit to supporting MJ during his troubles--nevermind playing his music (at least until after he departed this plane), here I have always heard his songs on the radio (quite frequently) and I feel comfortable to tell people that I (like Pernille) am a fan.
Suffice it to say, it was a great class (as usual--and Pernille's voice is constantly in my head yelling "MORE BACK!" to me when I am doing squats). My day continued with a baby shower, Abu Dhabi style--at the golf club, for my friend Raquel. Like my wedding, it was a catered affair complete with white seat covers and table cloths, guests dressed in their fancy whites and the mom-to-be looking gorgeous and FIT (as Brazilian fitness trainers are wont to look at 7 months in).
As one shower wound down, another bigger one picked up and I found myself stuck at the golf club, as one of the most violent storms in Abu Dhabi's history began (they wouldn't let us leave). I found myself getting more stressed and needing to leave, once I had been told by the staff that I could not...fallen trees, flooded roads and electrical wires all over...that's what they claimed (I only encountered the first two on my risky drive home).
We did have warning about the coming storm, and school was cancelled for two days--as we had a sampler of the rain to come the day before, when I picked up three soaking children from school. Since we were already dripping, and have boots needing to see some action, we went out for some much-loved puddle-jumping. As you can see from the photos, Little A is not as enthusiastic as she once was wrt to splashing around. She was much more subdued and just seemed to enjoy gently wading through the water. Unlike Magoo and Pix, who had to have their boots emptied before we went home.
Living in the desert, we don't have a lot of rainfall, and so we are not really equipped for this type of weather (we refer to our umbrellas as "sun-brellas" and use them to block the sun). Windows and doors all tend to leak, drains on the side of the road get overwhelmed and back-up...and because it passes so quickly and comes so infrequently, we usually just suck things up and forget all about it until the next year. I have plans to pay to have a cover placed over my front door, to stop next year's rain from leaking in...but let's see...
Here is some footage from Peter's office window:
It was a crazy storm! The big nor'easter of '16 will go down in history, and I am sure we will talk of it for years to come.
In other news:
Pickles had to find a new hairdresser. Ramila moved on from the Kid's Saloon, but fortunately, we managed to meet Julia. Now Pix will only trust his poof-ball locks to this lovely lady (who did not nick his ears or back of his neck with the razor).
The entire time, I was reminded of my aunt, who experienced the same eye mosquito bite when she came to visit us when I was a little girl, and lived in Forestburg. She was my favourite aunt, and I loved her greatly (considering how little I saw her, as she lived in England). I remember feeling so uncomfortable and scared looking at her swollen eye, and bringing her ice and sitting beside her bed, wishing for her quick recovery. I wanted to help her, but felt helpless to do anything to speed things along.
In about three days, Magoo's eye returned to normal. I stayed calm and kept it together, offering her ice and counsel, so that she would not stress about the experience. I am proud of both of us for making it through.
Though he is a bit of a nipper. everyone loves Chewbacca. Lately he has become Pickle's at home speech therapist and helps him with his bite block practise. I guess he also helps him with his O/T as Pix has to move his legs quite fast to ensure that Chewy's little teeth don't give him a little pinch. In the last three weeks Pickles has made great progress with his speech exercises.
We took Chantal to the Ritz to celebrate her birthday (belated from January 3). There was cake, coffee and presents. It was a lovely way to spend the afternoon, and I loved being able to do something nice for this wonderful lady who takes such care and gives so much to my precious son-shine.
Today we are back to Sunday again. Back to Pernille and LBT, and then I had a delicious breakfast at Jones with my friend Gopa (is it good or bad that the waitress asked me if I was ordering my "usual"?). We were joined by Sharee, my newest Canadian friend. Started my blog update this morning, and will conclude it this afternoon, while Little A works on her '15 minutes of daily homework' (which actually is about 2 hours...), and Magoo rolls around and distracts everyone.
Speaking of Magoo, while we were waiting for Pickles at speech, I asked her to check out this spread of fine looking young men and pick the 'most handsome'. I was truly curious to see her perspective on male beauty, and did not steer her in any direction. Keep in mind that she has no idea who any of these people are (and to be honest, some of them I don't know either).
She picked out her favourites in the order indicated. I don't even recognize the name of her first pick (possibly he is a European footballer?). Then she changed her mind and picked Zac Efron (who is still on my radar as a 40 year old woman). Finally she settled on 3--who she said looks like Bon Jovi (so obviously she knows how I define handsome), although I am not sure Jon would approve the likeness. I told her that it was Justin Bieber, and she said "Oh! So that's Justin Beaver!"
And, because I likely won't be updating before St. Patrick's Day, here is one handsome man that they somehow missed in the above spread (a pic that will most definitely feature in my family calendar for 2016).
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| Erin Go Bragh! |
