Happy Birthday Nanaji

It's only one day late.

If you look closely, you will see that Pickle is actually singing along (and he really picks it up towards the end).

I am so pleased with how much vocabulary he is starting to use (today he told me:  want Gadget, I am playing with baby).  The words are not super clear, but he is really starting to pick things up.

Shy-shy is too.  She has quiet a few words, with 'carry-me' being her current 'high frequency' word.  

A is just finishing up her Eid break (impressive how smoothly 'Eid Mubarak' rolls off her tongue).  She was very disappointed by a sudden sandstorm that derailed her plans to go for a swim in the moat this afternoon. However, playing in the 'ball pen' helped her feel a lot better.  Back to school tomorrow--and the tears are already starting up about ballet.

I promise:  after this term, I am NEVER signing her up for another extra-curricular activity until she begs me. I just can't fight this fight anymore.  

Harold and the Purple Crayon

Pickle and his multiple crayons (don't worry--they are safe for glass)

My friend Shariza (who I got to spend a lovely morning play-date with--suffering a bit from her flu-shot but still lovely company) came back from a trip to Malaysia with loads of gifts for the kids (she always does!).  These have been the hands-down favourite of all the children (though Shy-shy hasn't gotten her little hands on the markers--she really did love the crayons though).

Yeen's baby is one month today.

First day of A's eid break, and it was a good one.

Now I have to go--after a three hour nap this afternoon--Smile-ah doesn't want to sleep (not with "Poppy" THAT's fo' sho').

xx

Ketch-UP (pronounced "Catch-up" at Sumo-sushi)

...by an Eastern European lady yesterday.

Prompted Peter to ask the question:  what could you possibly need ketchup for in a sushi place??

Forever Young
1975-2012

Our dear friend Kim died peacefully on October 15.  Though he will be greatly missed, and we are sad that he is gone, we are happy that his body has been freed from the pain and suffering.  I am so glad that Peter got to spend some time with him before he died, and I am thankful that Kimberly read him my letter, so that he knew how much I cared for him.  Kim--I toasted you with my su-mohito yesterday--you will always have a place in my heart.

Dragon Boat Racing

We have been keeping busy.  After a Friday breakfast, we managed to spend some time at the beach, and watch the Dragon Boat races kick off.  Though we hadn't planned for it (can you believe with three kids we can still be spontaneous?), we had a great time.

Returning to Abu Dhabi...?

Our friend Louise came to spend the night with us.  She used to live in Dubai, and returned to the region to get some closure...and now it looks like she wants to come back.  I would love to see her make a return back her.  It seems she has outgrown her life in England--and this place was a good fit for her.

The weather changes

I was driving home after dropping A off at school one morning.  It was a sunny morning...until I past gate 10 of ARG, and suddenly I was driving through this...FOG!!  This signifies the change of seasons--it is officially autumn now, and we are looking forward to cooler temperatures.

The monsters in the moat

All three littles enjoy spending time splashing around in 'the moat'.  It is a little shallow for A, but she doesn't mind at all.

The thing keeping me the busiest, is that I have taken on the role of 'classroom mom'.  Currently, we have a project that requires me to coordinate three other Kindergarten moms for the Harvest Festival.  This role is taking a bit more of my time than I expected, and so I will just have to work harder to delegate.

I have come back from a massage (thank-you again, Tod at Anahata).  Can you believe that my masseuse actually phoned me to tell me she was back from holiday and had not seen me?  I went out of guilt, and now as my body is relatively pain-free once again, I remember why I was hooked on these Thai treatments.  

Next month there is a free facial with the massage!!

Reason, Season or Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON...It is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a Godsend and they are! They are there for the reason you need them to be.

The, without any wrongdoing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. Sometimes they die. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. Your need has been answered, and now it is time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON...It is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Anonymous

Thanks Andrea--I appreciate your email.  I feel much better after getting it off my chest as well.

The good, the bad and the ugly...

THE GOOD:

1.  This young man joined us in the world this week.  Welcome baby Tien-Le (son of my friend Yeen)!  Little A and I went over (our maiden voyage to Al Reef) and visited him today.  He is adorable, and it is so crazy how quickly I have forgotten how teeny and precious a newborn baby is. 

2.  Today I managed to unload some of the weight (unfortunately--I am speaking metaphorically) that I have been carrying.  The expression goes that "God only gives us what we can handle."  In my experience, I find that the Universe not only gives you what you can handle, but also sends you people to help you on your journey.  Today, I managed to unload to my new friend Samar (who I met through little A's school, on her assessment day).  I felt so much better after talking to her, as I was able to talk through all of the little bits that had been troubling me.  

3.  Aumi is feeling better.  Heading in to round 2 of chemo treatments.  Look how beautiful she is!  Having no hair helps her smile to stand out just that much more.  

4.  I found these fuzzy peaches (from Turkey) in Lulu this week.  Surprisingly, they are juicy and sweet.  They reminded me of the peaches that used to get trucked into Forestburg when I was little (Fresh BC Peaches).  I was delighted to see N with a bowl, juice dripping down his chubby hands.  

THE BAD:

1.  I have to write my first "Goodbye, I love you" letter to my friend Kim.  Peter is flying out on Friday morning.  I have no idea how to write something like this, or even how to begin.  I cannot imagine a world where he no longer exists.  I will just write from the heart.  

THE UGLY:

I have three 'friends' here in Abu Dhabi (see how that word is in quotation marks) who are currently not returning my text messages, picking up the phone when I call, or responding to my emails.  How old AM I??

I have seriously considered what I might have done to warrant such treatment, and can't come up with anything worthy of this kind of disregard.  Obviously, there is something that I have done, that I am completely unaware of, but then, wouldn't the right thing to do be to bring it to my attention so that I could address it?  Since I am unable to get in contact with any of them, I am unable to ask the question 'have I offended you in some way?' myself (and because I am not 8, I don't feel like sending an intermediary on my behalf).

I would be lying if I said it didn't bother me to be treated this way.  I am 37 years old, pretty much keep to the company of myself, my family and the few true friends I have made here, and go out of my way to avoid confrontation as much as possible.  My mom always told me to be nice to everyone.  This doesn't mean that I need to be 'besties' with everyone that I meet, but it does mean that I smile, act friendly and RETURN phone calls and text messages.

I have known all three of these ladies for the entire time that I have lived here, and have been friendly with them all (closer at some times than others).  I have been told in the past that I am an 'ungrateful' person, and that I take people's generosity for granted.  Nobody likes to think of themselves this way (and believe me--I did some surveys and self-analysis after I received that feedback).  At that time, I came to the conclusion that those comments reflected the state of the person from which they originated more than they did me.  I think that I will have to come to a similar conclusion here, as I write off these 'friendships' as 'their loss'.

MORE GOOD (b/c why end on an UGLY NOTE??)

We have had "Jake the Snake" this week.  We have been trying to come up with "Photo Opps" so that it looks like we have a very exciting lifestyle (here we are at the school library, where little A and I go almost every day to get a book).  Look at Magoo in the background--I can't believe she kept her hat on the whole time!  I also spent an hour in A's class this morning (after a lovely breakfast with Samar), and I have to say "HATS OFF" to Ms. Kathryn, Anne Marie, and all the other K-teachers of the world!!

Pickle, Magoo and I went to Zayed Sports City to play (I know...it's a little late in the game for me to become part of the Abu Dhabi Mums group).  They had a great time once again.  We will have to make this a weekly event.

Graduate of the Britney Spears Driving School

UP and DOWN

Does your back hurt?

Peter's does.  It hurts A LOT.  It's hurt for YEARS.  He often switches sleeping mattresses two to three times a night.  One is too soft.  One is too firm.  We haven't found the one that is 'just right' yet for our Goldilocks.

It occurred to me today that there is possibly another reason why his back hurts.  See if you can find a clue in the above pictures (all taken before 8:00 this morning).  And yes...that is all three of our kids in the last photo.

A's purple moustache is finally starting to fade.  Apparently, Ms. Kathryn thought that she sustained this injury at home.  She was horrified to discover that it happened at school, and offered me her apologies.

How is it these glasses look so great on him??  Doesn't matter what he wears...even if he's in the buff.  Could it be because he is adorable...?

Today, we are going to Arysha's birthday party.  First, I am off to get my legs waxed (it's a basic need).  I am hoping to actually straighten my hair and put on some make-up for this event.  If it happens, I will be sure and post a picture.

The gloom that hovers comes and goes.  I can almost ignore it now (got the usual magoo-interrupted sleep last night--which is acceptable).

Today I am proud of myself for helping out Malou's friend Lily.  On Thursday, she was seven days away from losing her visa.  Today, she is a proudly employed housemaid.  She found a lovely American family (the lady of the household is Indian-American and has emailed me--she has to be pretty nice to have taken the time to do that).  Hopefully, they will all be happy.

Drainage

We have hit a bit of a 'bump in the road' so to speak here, in our enchanted life.

The last two days have been emotionally taxing for me.  My last 'good' sleep was on Tuesday night.  Since Wednesday morning, I have slept two hours (and I think that number is generous).

I am not quite sure how I am awake, and functioning, but I am.

I have been unable to breathe properly, and can't seem to redirect my mind anywhere else.  When I try to meditate, my thoughts just wander back.  The word "Om" which is meant to bring peace to a frantic mind, only brings me thoughts of my friend Aum, who is experiencing neutropenia as a result of her chemo treatments.

Tonight, I just received a message telling me that my friend Kim's cancer has spread to his brain.

I have only numbness.

I am hopeful that Kim will be able to hold on until Peter gets to Edmonton next week.  

This is a very strange time in my life.  I cannot think of another time that I have experienced emotions (or lack thereof) like this before.

Today we visited with friends Rajeev and Mira, who are expecting a baby girl next week (Sept 27).  I was able to put aside my 'fog' and be there with them today.  I started to feel a little normal again, and then got home, checked email, and got the news about Kim.