Ramadan ended last night at sundown. So today, at the club, they took down all the curtains they had around the pools. They set up a buffet for the feast. In yesterday's paper was a list of all the mosques I. Town where you could go and pray. Now the time period is called eid. The minister of something declared this week a holiday since Ramadan has ended for all public and private workers.in today's paper there were articles about buying new clothes, visiting your relatives etc. As a part of the celebration of the ending of the month long period of prayer and fasting. It must be similar to lent in the Christian religion. Ramadan though moves around the calendar. It is not always in august. I realize lent and easter are not always I. Te same month, but they are always in late winter and spring.
There was very little traffic on the streets today. We went to the club this morning and took a taxi home. Taxi's are plentiful and realitively easy to find. Although, I did call for one at the club, it cost me an extra 5 durhams because I was hot and unwilling to wait and see when one show up! Maybe tomorrow, I will be willing to try the wait and see method. It depends on how hot I am by the time i get to the gate house.
Stefan was very excited about taking a taxi home.
There is a lot of dust in the air. In fact, it looks like pollution and maybe it is a form of pollution.
I remember the dust storms that we used to have in Pecos, Texas, when I was a little girl. Those dust storms would blow through town and then the skies would be clear, these blow up every afternoon. I Think the dust in the air is causing me to cough a lot.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
She's arrived
The baby came today! She weighs 6 lbs and is 20" long. Apparently, she arrived in a hurry.
Today, I took a taxi to the grocery store. An interesting experience. It cost 15 durams to go and 13 to come back. I went to Spinneys on the corniche. There are an amazing number of USA products in their stores. Kraft, Newman's own dressing, USA beef, nectarines, cherries, driscoll strawberries and blueberries, Oscar Meyer to name a few. In the produce department you put your nectarines, lettuce etc in plastic bags and the you take them to a produce counter where a person weighs them for you and puts the price on the sack. The pork is in a special section of the store with a big sign that says for no -Muslims only. The chickens packaging says Hal el. That is not right but the predictive text won't let me write it. It's something to do with the way the chickens are processed.
The fish are in their own little icy bed. However, they are not behind glass. We had salmon from Tasmania a couple of nights ago.
So while I was I. The grocery store, I called Jennifer to ask her about the tomato sauce that was on the list, this was about 2 p.m., to find out what brand she usually buys, prego, barilla, or what. We were having a nice calm grocery store conversation. At 4:30 she calls and says
"she's here!" she said it went from 0 to here in about 30 minutes.
We're glad she arrived and will be home soon. The boys are doing great. Thank heavens for their nanny. She gets dinner on the table,, the boys bathed. I read and then she gets them to sleep. Tomorrow we will go to the club, and to camp. It is very hot here as usual. In today's
paper it wax 111 f here today and tomorrow.
Today, I took a taxi to the grocery store. An interesting experience. It cost 15 durams to go and 13 to come back. I went to Spinneys on the corniche. There are an amazing number of USA products in their stores. Kraft, Newman's own dressing, USA beef, nectarines, cherries, driscoll strawberries and blueberries, Oscar Meyer to name a few. In the produce department you put your nectarines, lettuce etc in plastic bags and the you take them to a produce counter where a person weighs them for you and puts the price on the sack. The pork is in a special section of the store with a big sign that says for no -Muslims only. The chickens packaging says Hal el. That is not right but the predictive text won't let me write it. It's something to do with the way the chickens are processed.
The fish are in their own little icy bed. However, they are not behind glass. We had salmon from Tasmania a couple of nights ago.
So while I was I. The grocery store, I called Jennifer to ask her about the tomato sauce that was on the list, this was about 2 p.m., to find out what brand she usually buys, prego, barilla, or what. We were having a nice calm grocery store conversation. At 4:30 she calls and says
"she's here!" she said it went from 0 to here in about 30 minutes.
We're glad she arrived and will be home soon. The boys are doing great. Thank heavens for their nanny. She gets dinner on the table,, the boys bathed. I read and then she gets them to sleep. Tomorrow we will go to the club, and to camp. It is very hot here as usual. In today's
paper it wax 111 f here today and tomorrow.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Still waiting
No baby yet! She's definitely being a contrarian. The reason we were in Dubai is because Jennifer thought
she was having contractions. We had a nice time there going to the water park, to the pool etc. First off their hasn't been a girl born in this family ever. So first girl, jennifer's boys arrived 6 weeks early. Her actual due date is sept. 25 but the Dr. Said if she
doesn't come on her own he will induce her around the 13th of September.
We went to "the club" today. A great place. Two pools for the children and a big pool for adults with 2 lanes
For lap swimming. Pool is 25 meters. A bit longer than 25 yards. We had the car washed there. The dry cleaners
is there. There is a beach and swimming in the sea. It's blocked off so big boats can't come into the area and there
are two docks to swim too. There is also beach side seating. They have a children's club area where they show
movies, and serve food. Tennis courts and today they had a bouncy castle for the children. Of course they serve
food for the adults, buffet and order from the menu.
It's been another hot day here around 100 f. They measure their temperature in Celsius and they said
It was 40. So it was gear to go to the club, they chill the water.
They had friends over for dinner. We had burgers cooked on the grill, with vanilla ice cream and blueberries!
We are going to watch a movie on Netflix!
I feel like I am in the twilight zone, because no paper is delivered so am unsure of the day, and their weeks
start on Sunday. Sunday is their Monday. The weekend starts on Thursday night. It just seems off to me.
Until we came back to Abu Dhabi, I never knew what time it was, no clocks! Of course if the Internet was up
I could look at the time on the iPad. The children are definitely earlybirds. No matter what time they go
to bed they are usually up by 6:30 in the morning.
Tomorrow I will download the picture of the Burge hotel and include it in my post. Remember it was the hotel
That looked like sailboat and tea was $139 per person.
she was having contractions. We had a nice time there going to the water park, to the pool etc. First off their hasn't been a girl born in this family ever. So first girl, jennifer's boys arrived 6 weeks early. Her actual due date is sept. 25 but the Dr. Said if she
doesn't come on her own he will induce her around the 13th of September.
We went to "the club" today. A great place. Two pools for the children and a big pool for adults with 2 lanes
For lap swimming. Pool is 25 meters. A bit longer than 25 yards. We had the car washed there. The dry cleaners
is there. There is a beach and swimming in the sea. It's blocked off so big boats can't come into the area and there
are two docks to swim too. There is also beach side seating. They have a children's club area where they show
movies, and serve food. Tennis courts and today they had a bouncy castle for the children. Of course they serve
food for the adults, buffet and order from the menu.
It's been another hot day here around 100 f. They measure their temperature in Celsius and they said
It was 40. So it was gear to go to the club, they chill the water.
They had friends over for dinner. We had burgers cooked on the grill, with vanilla ice cream and blueberries!
We are going to watch a movie on Netflix!
I feel like I am in the twilight zone, because no paper is delivered so am unsure of the day, and their weeks
start on Sunday. Sunday is their Monday. The weekend starts on Thursday night. It just seems off to me.
Until we came back to Abu Dhabi, I never knew what time it was, no clocks! Of course if the Internet was up
I could look at the time on the iPad. The children are definitely earlybirds. No matter what time they go
to bed they are usually up by 6:30 in the morning.
Tomorrow I will download the picture of the Burge hotel and include it in my post. Remember it was the hotel
That looked like sailboat and tea was $139 per person.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Abu Dhabi
Hi-
We are in Abu Dhabi. Still Waiting for the baby!
The boys were really glad to see daddy. We went to the club last night, swam and had dinner.
The baby might be on the move! Jennifer has felt nauseated most of the day. She looked it up on the intent and apparently it might be a sign of impending labor. So in anticipation that she might be about to make an appearance, we went through the clothes, tossed some toys that no one has ever played with, and put the covers on the bassinet.
We got the baby clothes that are 0-3 months out and put the new pink dresser in the
play room along with the changing table.
We hooked the water toys up to the hose to try them out. I think the picture on the front was deceptive. They aren't
as much fun to play with as the box makes them out to be.
Anders and dad went to the club to play and swim. Stefan helped go through the toys and helped Cathy fix dinner.
When we got home from Dubai yesterday, Jennifer discovered the ac wasn't working upstairs.
The repairman came at 10 last night.
We went to the grocery store and maybe bought enough food for the week.
Jens got this fabulous box of dates as a present from his company for the ending of Ramadan. One is supposed to fast, pray and do good deeds during the month of Ramadan. When ramadan is over one is supposed to feast on dates.
We are in Abu Dhabi. Still Waiting for the baby!
The boys were really glad to see daddy. We went to the club last night, swam and had dinner.
The baby might be on the move! Jennifer has felt nauseated most of the day. She looked it up on the intent and apparently it might be a sign of impending labor. So in anticipation that she might be about to make an appearance, we went through the clothes, tossed some toys that no one has ever played with, and put the covers on the bassinet.
We got the baby clothes that are 0-3 months out and put the new pink dresser in the
play room along with the changing table.
We hooked the water toys up to the hose to try them out. I think the picture on the front was deceptive. They aren't
as much fun to play with as the box makes them out to be.
Anders and dad went to the club to play and swim. Stefan helped go through the toys and helped Cathy fix dinner.
When we got home from Dubai yesterday, Jennifer discovered the ac wasn't working upstairs.
The repairman came at 10 last night.
We went to the grocery store and maybe bought enough food for the week.
Jens got this fabulous box of dates as a present from his company for the ending of Ramadan. One is supposed to fast, pray and do good deeds during the month of Ramadan. When ramadan is over one is supposed to feast on dates.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
No baby yet
Here we are waiting for baby, thankfully not sitting around on bed rest or in the hospital but out and about doing as much as possible with two boys in tow. I don't know how jennifer did it but the key board reappeared. Yeah!
We went to Aquadventure at Atlantis which is on The Palm. Both boys slid down the slides, with great abandon. Stefan didn't much like the big bucket when it dumps out. It's a lot of water dumping. Fortunately they ring a bell so you know when it's coming. I have been here a week.
It's Ramadan and what that means for us is that you can't eat or drink in public, or in your car. There are some restaurants open that have film on their windows, so that people on the outside can't see you eating and if you are inside you can see out. At the malls, no music was playing.We went to get our toes done, and jennifer had to go into the massage room to drink some water.
After it gets dark, the natives come out in their black dresses for the women and white dresses for the men.
Starbucks fills up, the restaurants are hopping, and you can buy popcorn at the movies!
Anders and I went to see Mr. Poppers penguins, jennifer and I went to see bridesmaids. Mr. Poppers penguins was much more entertaining.
We walk on the path in the back nearly every day. We measured it last night and it is about 1/4 of a mile. We are usually walking around 7:30. No sleeping in for this group. Anders rides his bike, Stefan rides his scooter and Jennifer and I walk. Sometimes, Cathy comes, she's the nanny, cook and all around wonderful person to have on staff.
The malls are big and have many levels. They usually have a playground for the children. Not like the play areas at some of the malls in Dallas. You have to pay to get into these play areas.
Dubai is also famous for the tallest building in the world. There is also a hotel here called the Burg (sp)! It looks like a sailboat. We were going to have tea there but it costs $135 per person for tea and that's the only way you can come in and look around, is if you want to eat something there.
Dubai's population is 80% expats. Fortunately, their signs are written in English as well as Arabic.
All of the food is imported. We have had wonderful nectarines from California.
Jennifer continues to study the 100,000 name book. I am still calling her Matilda, it won't be her name but in like it better than baby girl.
So we go to the pool after walking and breakfast. Stefan takes a nap and then we make scooter movies with the iPad.
We went to see the world's larges piece of plexiglass in the aquarium at the Dubai mall. And then today at the aqua park they also had an aquarium. With rays, sharks, purple and yellow and blacks zebra striped fish.
We went to Aquadventure at Atlantis which is on The Palm. Both boys slid down the slides, with great abandon. Stefan didn't much like the big bucket when it dumps out. It's a lot of water dumping. Fortunately they ring a bell so you know when it's coming. I have been here a week.
It's Ramadan and what that means for us is that you can't eat or drink in public, or in your car. There are some restaurants open that have film on their windows, so that people on the outside can't see you eating and if you are inside you can see out. At the malls, no music was playing.We went to get our toes done, and jennifer had to go into the massage room to drink some water.
After it gets dark, the natives come out in their black dresses for the women and white dresses for the men.
Starbucks fills up, the restaurants are hopping, and you can buy popcorn at the movies!
Anders and I went to see Mr. Poppers penguins, jennifer and I went to see bridesmaids. Mr. Poppers penguins was much more entertaining.
We walk on the path in the back nearly every day. We measured it last night and it is about 1/4 of a mile. We are usually walking around 7:30. No sleeping in for this group. Anders rides his bike, Stefan rides his scooter and Jennifer and I walk. Sometimes, Cathy comes, she's the nanny, cook and all around wonderful person to have on staff.
The malls are big and have many levels. They usually have a playground for the children. Not like the play areas at some of the malls in Dallas. You have to pay to get into these play areas.
Dubai is also famous for the tallest building in the world. There is also a hotel here called the Burg (sp)! It looks like a sailboat. We were going to have tea there but it costs $135 per person for tea and that's the only way you can come in and look around, is if you want to eat something there.
Dubai's population is 80% expats. Fortunately, their signs are written in English as well as Arabic.
All of the food is imported. We have had wonderful nectarines from California.
Jennifer continues to study the 100,000 name book. I am still calling her Matilda, it won't be her name but in like it better than baby girl.
So we go to the pool after walking and breakfast. Stefan takes a nap and then we make scooter movies with the iPad.
We went to see the world's larges piece of plexiglass in the aquarium at the Dubai mall. And then today at the aqua park they also had an aquarium. With rays, sharks, purple and yellow and blacks zebra striped fish.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Hi-
I am at the apple store for last minute twitter, blogger, webpage adjustments before taking off for my around the world adventure. In case your interested, Vietnam doesn't let it's currency out of the country and you have to let banks, american express and other money changers know ahead of time that you want other countries money to get it. I did find India Rupees, so when I get to India in October I will have money.
I have bought 3 suitcases from Whole Earth Provision Company and taken two back. I started out with one that was 80 Liters. I think that is an odd way to measure how much stuff you can get in a suitcase. Last spring I went on an Alaskan cruise and took way too much stuff. So since I have a tendency to take too much stuff, I took the 80 Liter suitcase back and got a smaller one. The next version was 60 L with a zip off day. Now that sounds like a good idea right. It had a slot for the ipad2. That also sounds like a good idea. Even though I had already bought a blackberry sleeve for my ipad2 (we should tell apple they could make a case that has a zippered pocket)because it was the only one I could find that had a zippered pocket for all the various, plugs, camera connectors, ear buds. It got the pink personalization touch. The up side to this suitcase model was it had lots of zippered pockets, nooks and crannies to put your stuff in. The down side was all the zippered pockets went into the middle of the suitcase and there was no room for my tennies, etc. So back to Whole Earth Provision Company for version three. And it seems to be perfect. I am packed. I have everything in there. I am sure I have too much stuff. I took out the white crop pants and added a couple of extra tops. It is an Osprey. It is guaranteed, whatever that means. Supposedly, if you have the label and it breaks they will fly you a new suitcase to wherever you are.
Travel insurance for your luggage. A novel concept.
So I need to personalize it because there is no way I can travel luggage that doesn't have a flower or star painted on it.
Super Shuttle is picking me up at 2:30 a.m. to take me to the airport. I fly to Chicago. Change Planes in Chicago and on to London. Spend the night in London and then on Monday, fly to Abu Dhabi. I will be in Abu Dhabi for 6 weeks, awaiting the birth of "Matilda." That is not her proper official name, it is what I am calling her until she is born.
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