Apologies to any FB people who have already read this.
1. I carry in my purse a copy of the poem I read at my mother's funeral.
2. I keep my handbag very well organized
3. I have copies of all my drivers license dating back to when I moved from MN to WI
4. I don't like lip moisturizers with mint oil or menthol. Right now my favorite is Burt's Bees Honey Lip Balm.
5. I never balance my checkbook
6. I have 10 different currencies in my wallet right now.
7. I carry a camera wherever I go but rarely remember to "capture the moment".
8. I wish I was as groovy as my sunglasses would tell you I am.
9. I pay off the full balance of all my credit cards every month (a discipline I got from Russell).
10. I always carry an umbrella (and it has come in handy even in Dubai).
11. Even though I had Lasik surgery, I still wear glasses for night driving.
12. I love the breakfast burrito at the Mexican restaurant in Houston's airport.
13. My keychain has a bottle opener on it but I don't drink beer.
14. I have a lip liner that I've carried in my make up pouch that I haven't used since the 90s.
15. My blackberry has a nazar (evil eye) charm (just in case they work).
16. I carry Coach handbags and briefcases
17. I'm super anal about keeping my BB contact info up to date.
18. I lost my Mont Blanc pen about 6 months ago and I look suspiciously at my work collegues who have one wondering if they found it.
19. I like showing my passport for ID when I'm in the US - it always throws them off.
20. The first year I was married, I thought I would change my name. I lazily went about changing a few items of ID, but realized about a year in that I really would rather keep my maiden name. Last year, I finally finished changing my name on the last piece of identification BACK to Ragland.
21. The "just in case" tampons I carry around are old and in a barely usuable condition. Good thing there's not a "use by" date on them.
22. I have a Macy's credit card that I still can't get used to being used at Dayton's - which was for a while Marshall Field's.
23. After months of driving the same car nearly every day I still have to look at my key fob to know what button unlocks the doors.
24. At 16, I passed my US driving test on the first try. At 35, I had to take the UK test 4 times - picky buggers.
25. I modeled all these items on a theme - can you guess?
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Where Have All the People Gone?
Dubai feels like a ghost town these days. It's like it's summer holidays all the time.
I first started noticing right after Christmas as I was making the school run to drop off Lyra. The traffic queues used to back up right to the entrance into Mirdif. But in the past week, I've been able to run Lyra all the way to school with barely a traffic slow down. I'm not traffic expert, but certainly it seems as if there are about 30% less cars on the road. Feels like even less, but I know that even a 10% reduction results in lots less congestion. The odd thing is that the school isn't really reporting a huge reduction in the number of students. And certainly the playground seems as busy as always.
Since people are here on work visas - if they get laid off, then they have to leave. The news has been reporting the shut down or slow down of projects and many companies have been announcing lay offs. So, unless these folks have new prospects, then most of them have had to leave the UAE (no work, no visa). Since nothing is ever made official here, the rumor mill has been running rife. Some have said that over 250 cars a week are abandoned at the Dubai Airport. Others have reported 45,000 work visa cancellations last month.
But on the other hand, a villa went up for rent around the corner from us and within a couple days, the "To Let" signs were down. I can only imagine the place was rented. And the new villas across the street all seem to be filling up.
Down in the Marina area, where over 100 high rise towers are all being constructed at one time, there seem to be a lot of empty buildings. I've heard it's a combination of no water service or electricity service (someone forgot to plan some essential items). Or also just that there is an oversupply in the market. Last summer, I heard a report that over 140,000 new dwellings (houses, townhouses, or apartments) were going to be completed in this year. Even with a booming economy, one wonders how 140,000 new homes are going to be filled. And now, the population is shrinking.
Certainly, the big worry here is the real estate market. Some areas have seen 40% drops in values (mostly apartments in the high rise areas). But even in the upper end of the market there are 10-20% drops. And suddenly so many people are willing to negotiate their price - whereas before they were asking for premium. This market was full of speculators. People who expected to buy a property before it was built - own it for about 6 months or until it's close to being lived in - and then sell it on for massive profits. This is what was feeding the huge boom in prices here. Now, they're sitting on properties they never meant to own, can't sell them on, and are unable to make the payments to the bank. Hmmmm- sound familiar.
What will be interesting is to see how much the population drops. Lots of folks are predicting a huge drop when schools are finished. They're saying that people will go home for the summer and not come back. Perhaps they're right. I wonder if the schools will then stop jacking up their fees so much.
In the meantime, I'm enjoying the relative free flow of traffic (and now I've jinxed myself for the drive home.)
I first started noticing right after Christmas as I was making the school run to drop off Lyra. The traffic queues used to back up right to the entrance into Mirdif. But in the past week, I've been able to run Lyra all the way to school with barely a traffic slow down. I'm not traffic expert, but certainly it seems as if there are about 30% less cars on the road. Feels like even less, but I know that even a 10% reduction results in lots less congestion. The odd thing is that the school isn't really reporting a huge reduction in the number of students. And certainly the playground seems as busy as always.
Since people are here on work visas - if they get laid off, then they have to leave. The news has been reporting the shut down or slow down of projects and many companies have been announcing lay offs. So, unless these folks have new prospects, then most of them have had to leave the UAE (no work, no visa). Since nothing is ever made official here, the rumor mill has been running rife. Some have said that over 250 cars a week are abandoned at the Dubai Airport. Others have reported 45,000 work visa cancellations last month.
But on the other hand, a villa went up for rent around the corner from us and within a couple days, the "To Let" signs were down. I can only imagine the place was rented. And the new villas across the street all seem to be filling up.
Down in the Marina area, where over 100 high rise towers are all being constructed at one time, there seem to be a lot of empty buildings. I've heard it's a combination of no water service or electricity service (someone forgot to plan some essential items). Or also just that there is an oversupply in the market. Last summer, I heard a report that over 140,000 new dwellings (houses, townhouses, or apartments) were going to be completed in this year. Even with a booming economy, one wonders how 140,000 new homes are going to be filled. And now, the population is shrinking.
Certainly, the big worry here is the real estate market. Some areas have seen 40% drops in values (mostly apartments in the high rise areas). But even in the upper end of the market there are 10-20% drops. And suddenly so many people are willing to negotiate their price - whereas before they were asking for premium. This market was full of speculators. People who expected to buy a property before it was built - own it for about 6 months or until it's close to being lived in - and then sell it on for massive profits. This is what was feeding the huge boom in prices here. Now, they're sitting on properties they never meant to own, can't sell them on, and are unable to make the payments to the bank. Hmmmm- sound familiar.
What will be interesting is to see how much the population drops. Lots of folks are predicting a huge drop when schools are finished. They're saying that people will go home for the summer and not come back. Perhaps they're right. I wonder if the schools will then stop jacking up their fees so much.
In the meantime, I'm enjoying the relative free flow of traffic (and now I've jinxed myself for the drive home.)
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Dim Sum for the Girls
Today, Lyra and I went for Dim Sum. An early celebration of the Chinese New Year (Gong Hai Fat Choi). We went with a family that just moved here from Florida. Grace joined Lyra's class after the Christmas break. Lyra came home on that first Tuesday back and said, "I have a new friend I want to invite to my birthday. Her name is Grace." We have to call her new-Grace to differentiate from neighbor-Grace next door.
I asked Lyra how she had become friends so quickly with Grace. She said, "Well, when she came to school she didn't know anyone. So, when I was in the toilet I saw her and I said, 'Do you want to be my friend?' and she said she would." That was one of my proudest moments as a parent - to hear her be so empathetic.
Several weeks ago, she asked me "Mama, do I have any gifts?" I asked her if she meant like "talents" and she said yes. "Of course you do, you have many gifts." And ever since then I've been trying to help her see what talents and gifts she has. I pointed out to her - you have a terrific gift of being able to see how other people feel. That's a terribly important gift.
Grace, her sister, Mae, and mother, Liza joined us at the China Club for Dim Sum. Their dad is also out of town for a couple weeks. So all us girls had fun stuffing ourselves on little steamed buns and dumplings. Lyra ate about a half-dozen dumplings. They're always her favorite.
Tomorrow is a school day. It's a make up day on a Saturday to help recover from the extra holidays we had earlier in the school year. I'm going to have my hair done and go to yoga while she's in school.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
No Train Songs in Arabic
The other night, I was laying in bed and was hearing this long wail of a horn in the distance. In my half conscious state, I thought "it's a train". But the wailing continued and eventually I woke enough to realize it was someone leaning on the horn of their car at about 4am. Who knows why they felt this was necessary. At least it was off in the distance. And I was able to float in and out of a doze. Each time that I fell asleep, I kept thinking it was a train - only to wake enough to realize it was a car.
As I lay there pondering during one of my wakeful moments I had a realization: They have NO TRAINS here. Don't ask me why it took 18 months for me to realize. No WONDER the semi trucks are lined up along the freeways like freight trains. They ARE the freight trains.
Boy, it made me realize what a logistical nightmare has been created by their lack of freight trains. Try to imagine if each and every car on a freight train was instead a semi truck on the freeway. Every. Single. freight car. Think of how dangerous it would be to have the entire right lane (or right 2 lanes on extra wide freeways) dedicated to freight trucks. Think of how tricky it would be to figure out how to cut into a queue of slow-moving trucks to find your exit. Or to enter into a freeway to a slow moving lane and try to zip quickly into the lane for cars so you can speed up. Think of how much this would clog up all traffic.
You have now imagined traffic on the main freeways of Dubai. They've actually made laws that limit the hours truck can drive on the freeway (during the week it's only during nighttime hours). They've actually built a huge by-pass WAYYY out in the sand that trucks can use during the daytime hours. Why don't they build railroads? It makes so much sense.
As I lay there pondering during one of my wakeful moments I had a realization: They have NO TRAINS here. Don't ask me why it took 18 months for me to realize. No WONDER the semi trucks are lined up along the freeways like freight trains. They ARE the freight trains.
Boy, it made me realize what a logistical nightmare has been created by their lack of freight trains. Try to imagine if each and every car on a freight train was instead a semi truck on the freeway. Every. Single. freight car. Think of how dangerous it would be to have the entire right lane (or right 2 lanes on extra wide freeways) dedicated to freight trucks. Think of how tricky it would be to figure out how to cut into a queue of slow-moving trucks to find your exit. Or to enter into a freeway to a slow moving lane and try to zip quickly into the lane for cars so you can speed up. Think of how much this would clog up all traffic.
You have now imagined traffic on the main freeways of Dubai. They've actually made laws that limit the hours truck can drive on the freeway (during the week it's only during nighttime hours). They've actually built a huge by-pass WAYYY out in the sand that trucks can use during the daytime hours. Why don't they build railroads? It makes so much sense.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Islands for Sale or Rent
Recently, it was announced that the island of Great Britain on The World Dubai has been sold. The World is a grouping of man made islands that are being built off the coast of Dubai. I can see them from my office. Well not from MY office - but when I walk around to the other side of the building I can see them.
How much does an island cost? Well, according to the fellows that bought Great Britain, they paid about 250 Million Dirhams for about 100,000 sq. feet. That is for what is essentially a small piece of sand in the ocean. No electricity, no sewage (not that the rest of Dubai has that sorted either), no water, no plants, no buildings. They were pretty vague on the radio describing what they're going to do with this island. Possibly sounded like luxury holiday homes or hotel villas or something like that.
Rumor has it that Brangelina have bought Ethiopia. And maybe that Vijay Singh bought Fiji? Who knows, they're very hush hush about these things here.
You can see them on Google Satellite images. I wonder which on is Great Britain.
View Larger Map
Monday, January 19, 2009
"Being a Single Parent"-Nerves
Starting Wednesday, I'm going to be a single parent for a week. And for some reason, I'm pretty nervous about it. I asked Russell to make sure that we had enough easy food for dinners so that I don't have to worry about what we'll eat. He's got us well stocked:
1. 3 Gallons of 3-bean soup (which I tasted this morning and is delicious)
2. 5 lb Pot Roast - along with roasted vegetables
3. 3 Frozen Pizzas
4. 12 Veggie Patties
5. A roasted Chicken
I told him maybe we're set and the roasted chicken isn't necessary. He said that he's already thawed it, so he'll go ahead and make it. Well, that's one worry that's definitely sorted.
I also worry about leaving work early enough for school pick-up. I need to leave by 2:30 (at the latest) to make sure I'm at the school on time. I know how things go at work - and leaving by 2:30 could be difficult. There's bound to be one person who wants to talk to me for "just a second". Because of the time difference with the US, the busiest part of my day is usually the evenings. I've already warned my team members they may hear odd background noises if I'm on a conference call.
In the mornings, I'm used to rushing off for yoga. This week, I'll be giving up the yoga for the am routine of feeding the kid, walking the dog, fixing lunch boxes, and making sure we're out the door by 7:25. And then after school I'll be running around for ballet, theater, and piano lessons. I'm wiped out just thinking about it.
Under normal circumstances, I'm always in awe of single parents - it's a tough job. Now that I'm getting a taste of it, I'm even more impressed.
Edited to add:
Last night Lyra announced that the 3-bean soup Russell made was the best thing he's EVER made in his WHOLE LIFE. So, definitely my girl is going to be happy with the dinners Russell has prepared. Good thing we have nearly 5-gallons - although the three of us put a dent in that for last night's dinner.
1. 3 Gallons of 3-bean soup (which I tasted this morning and is delicious)
2. 5 lb Pot Roast - along with roasted vegetables
3. 3 Frozen Pizzas
4. 12 Veggie Patties
5. A roasted Chicken
I told him maybe we're set and the roasted chicken isn't necessary. He said that he's already thawed it, so he'll go ahead and make it. Well, that's one worry that's definitely sorted.
I also worry about leaving work early enough for school pick-up. I need to leave by 2:30 (at the latest) to make sure I'm at the school on time. I know how things go at work - and leaving by 2:30 could be difficult. There's bound to be one person who wants to talk to me for "just a second". Because of the time difference with the US, the busiest part of my day is usually the evenings. I've already warned my team members they may hear odd background noises if I'm on a conference call.
In the mornings, I'm used to rushing off for yoga. This week, I'll be giving up the yoga for the am routine of feeding the kid, walking the dog, fixing lunch boxes, and making sure we're out the door by 7:25. And then after school I'll be running around for ballet, theater, and piano lessons. I'm wiped out just thinking about it.
Under normal circumstances, I'm always in awe of single parents - it's a tough job. Now that I'm getting a taste of it, I'm even more impressed.
Edited to add:
Last night Lyra announced that the 3-bean soup Russell made was the best thing he's EVER made in his WHOLE LIFE. So, definitely my girl is going to be happy with the dinners Russell has prepared. Good thing we have nearly 5-gallons - although the three of us put a dent in that for last night's dinner.
Friday, January 16, 2009
"I'm Glad I'm Human"
Lyra said to me the other day. "But sometimes it's a good thing and a bad thing."
"Oh, what's bad about it?" I asked.
"Vomiting. I hate vomiting," she said.
"And what's good about it?"
"Having friends. Playing with your friends," she said.
"Anything else that is good?"
"Having pals and friends at school. That's what's good."
"Is there anything else that is bad about being human?" I wondered.
"No. Just vomiting. It's disgusting."
"Oh, what's bad about it?" I asked.
"Vomiting. I hate vomiting," she said.
"And what's good about it?"
"Having friends. Playing with your friends," she said.
"Anything else that is good?"
"Having pals and friends at school. That's what's good."
"Is there anything else that is bad about being human?" I wondered.
"No. Just vomiting. It's disgusting."
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Gaza
I hesitate to write about this. I'm sure it will be controversial, no matter what I say. But I think it's important for those living outside this region to know how this is being reported here.
The press here is more willing to display photographs of bloody bodies, body parts in the street, dead children crushed by buildings, parents wailing over the inert bodies of their children, and all the other horros of war. These pictures are daily on the cover of newspapers, on the television, and in magazines. So, we get a much more realistic perspective on how horrible this is. And as a result the war is connecting in a very emotional and visceral way with people here - both Arab and non-Arab.
Recent reports are that the death toll has reached 970 with 40% of casualties being women and children. There are reports that bombs are aimed at UN safe havens, at schools, and hospitals. UN Humanitarian aid workers report bodies being burned with white phosphorus and usage of other chemicals against Hague convention. I have no way to know what is or isn't slanted toward the Hamas perspective - but there's no doubt that this war and it's conduct is creating huge anti-Israeli and anti-American sentiment.
There is little perspective or reporting on any sense of outrage within the American population. The reporting focuses exclusively on the official American response which is deemed to be 100% in support of Israel. If there are any protests or sentiments in America that denounce these actions, none of that is making the news here. So, where it might have been "cool" to be an American for a few weeks after Obama's elections - there's now a re-emergence of anti-American emotion and sentiment.
All I know is it's horrible. There's no way that this war is achieving a positive outcome. We've got to start participating in a constructive way in this region to bring compromise and peace. There are peace-seeking countries and leaders here. There is a way to peace - but it's not through war.
The awareness that we are all human beings together has become lost in war. - Albert Schweitzer
The press here is more willing to display photographs of bloody bodies, body parts in the street, dead children crushed by buildings, parents wailing over the inert bodies of their children, and all the other horros of war. These pictures are daily on the cover of newspapers, on the television, and in magazines. So, we get a much more realistic perspective on how horrible this is. And as a result the war is connecting in a very emotional and visceral way with people here - both Arab and non-Arab.
Recent reports are that the death toll has reached 970 with 40% of casualties being women and children. There are reports that bombs are aimed at UN safe havens, at schools, and hospitals. UN Humanitarian aid workers report bodies being burned with white phosphorus and usage of other chemicals against Hague convention. I have no way to know what is or isn't slanted toward the Hamas perspective - but there's no doubt that this war and it's conduct is creating huge anti-Israeli and anti-American sentiment.
There is little perspective or reporting on any sense of outrage within the American population. The reporting focuses exclusively on the official American response which is deemed to be 100% in support of Israel. If there are any protests or sentiments in America that denounce these actions, none of that is making the news here. So, where it might have been "cool" to be an American for a few weeks after Obama's elections - there's now a re-emergence of anti-American emotion and sentiment.
All I know is it's horrible. There's no way that this war is achieving a positive outcome. We've got to start participating in a constructive way in this region to bring compromise and peace. There are peace-seeking countries and leaders here. There is a way to peace - but it's not through war.
The awareness that we are all human beings together has become lost in war. - Albert Schweitzer
Friday, January 9, 2009
Now We Are Six
Lyra turned six today. I always planned to buy her A.A. Milne's "Now We Are Six", but I forgot. Luckily for me, I have at least a year to get it. We also have plans to measure her against her bookshelf. She loves to see how much taller she's become. I eyeballed her height against last year's birthday and she's at least 2 inches taller.This year, we went to the park and had a magician. Lyra decided that she's done with bowling for a while. But we informed her that when we get back to Milwaukee, it's back to Bay View Bowl. It's just too perfect. The kids get to bowl a few games and the parents get to have Bloody Mary's with a chaser.
This year's turn out was far better than last. We were unfortunate enough to plan Lyra's party on a day the city's traffic was paralyzed by a huge rainstorm that had most of the roads flooded. In the end, only 2 brave families made it. We had one family call us to tell us they were turning around after 3 hours on the road - and the kid was asleep in back of the car. This year, we were blessed with beautiful weather. Cool in the shade, warm in the sun. Hooray!
Russell did most of the running around, catering and organizing. I did the fretting. I'm not sure who of us was the most exhausted at the end of the day.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Pedestrians Keep Right
I'm a firm believer that pedestrian "rules of the road" should mimic those of driving. So, when in a country that drives on the left, I'm ready to modify a lifetime of walking habits and also keep left. It's much harder to modify your pedestrian habits than driving habits. I wonder why. Maybe it's because you've been walking since before you can remember and these "rules" are embedded in a deeper part of your brain. Or maybe it's because we're more apt to go into a daze when walking and function on auto pilot. But for whatever reason, modifying your walking habits is pretty hard.
The folks in London know this and have actually painted onto the kerbside "Look Right" at pedestrian crossings. Too many tourists from Europe and the Americas were getting mowed down by busses or taxis as they blithely stepped into flowing traffic while looking the wrong direction. Russell even witnessed such a tragedy.
Here in Dubai, we drive on the right. So, as a pedestrian I follow the same rules. And about 70% of Dubai-ians agree with me. Thing is, there are so many expats from Britain, India, South Africa, and other left-driving countries that there is a huge population whose natural inclination is to walk on the left.
Walking down the sidewalk here is like playing chicken. Who will veer first? I try try try to stay right. But no matter what I do, there is always someone who is more determined to stay left. And short of a dodge 'em cars smash up on the pavement, I give way. It's especially irritating when it is a whole group heading my way staying to their left and requiring me to nearly leap to the other side of the sidewalk.
I wonder if they're just unaware that pedestrian courtesies are to walk on the right. After all, many people here don't have a license. So, they haven't had to make the shift in driving habits and maybe it just hasn't occurred to them to shift their walking habits.
There also seems to be a similar difference in the "rules" about whether to go clockwise or anti-clockwise when ice skating (or roller skating or horse racing). I don't know about you, but if I were to step onto a deserted ice rink and start doing some laps, I'd instinctively head to my right and start skating in an anti-clockwise direction. At the rink, there were an amazing number of people who seemed determine to head clockwise. Really, this was an exercise in frustration on their part. There was a wave of people all heading straight toward them. Even if your natural inclination would be to head off clockwise, wouldn't you modify this when you saw hundreds of skaters coming at you?
I really wonder what was going through their mind. "Hmmm - all these people are headed in the wrong direction. I wonder what has possessed them to adopt these strange practices. I will skate upstream against the crowd and see if I can convince everyone to turn around. Never mind that there are three foot high arrows pointing me in the anti-clockwise direction. Those sign painters were obviously confused."
The folks in London know this and have actually painted onto the kerbside "Look Right" at pedestrian crossings. Too many tourists from Europe and the Americas were getting mowed down by busses or taxis as they blithely stepped into flowing traffic while looking the wrong direction. Russell even witnessed such a tragedy.
Here in Dubai, we drive on the right. So, as a pedestrian I follow the same rules. And about 70% of Dubai-ians agree with me. Thing is, there are so many expats from Britain, India, South Africa, and other left-driving countries that there is a huge population whose natural inclination is to walk on the left.
Walking down the sidewalk here is like playing chicken. Who will veer first? I try try try to stay right. But no matter what I do, there is always someone who is more determined to stay left. And short of a dodge 'em cars smash up on the pavement, I give way. It's especially irritating when it is a whole group heading my way staying to their left and requiring me to nearly leap to the other side of the sidewalk.
I wonder if they're just unaware that pedestrian courtesies are to walk on the right. After all, many people here don't have a license. So, they haven't had to make the shift in driving habits and maybe it just hasn't occurred to them to shift their walking habits.
There also seems to be a similar difference in the "rules" about whether to go clockwise or anti-clockwise when ice skating (or roller skating or horse racing). I don't know about you, but if I were to step onto a deserted ice rink and start doing some laps, I'd instinctively head to my right and start skating in an anti-clockwise direction. At the rink, there were an amazing number of people who seemed determine to head clockwise. Really, this was an exercise in frustration on their part. There was a wave of people all heading straight toward them. Even if your natural inclination would be to head off clockwise, wouldn't you modify this when you saw hundreds of skaters coming at you?
I really wonder what was going through their mind. "Hmmm - all these people are headed in the wrong direction. I wonder what has possessed them to adopt these strange practices. I will skate upstream against the crowd and see if I can convince everyone to turn around. Never mind that there are three foot high arrows pointing me in the anti-clockwise direction. Those sign painters were obviously confused."
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Hello, I'm Senator Franken
Because I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and gosh darn it, people like me!!!
I refer to Minnesota as my home state - even though I haven't lived there in 20 years. It's where I grew up (well, mostly) and my family is still there and when I go visit I say I'm going "home". You gotta love a state that has had Jesse Ventura as Governor and now Al Franken as Senator-elect (as declared today by the state canvassing board).
Jesse's term was spotty at best. He made some bold moves - and sometimes bold moves can be seen as bold gutsy but other times as bold stupid. And in the end, I think the bold stupid prevailed. But it's because of him that Minneapolis has their mass transit system - that is much more popular than projected.
Franken's got a lot to live up to. He'll be filling the seat Paul Wellstone left after he was killed in an airplane accident. Paul Wellstone is up there with the big-JC in the mind of some Minnesotans. I've even seen bumper stickers saying, "What would Wellstone do?" Let's hope he is the same champion for peace as Senator Wellstone. These days, we need it!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Day of Mourning
They say, "Bad news comes in three's". Well, we've had our three. First, my grandma died and then in 24 hours we got news of two of Russell's auties dying. Now we're trying to figure out how Russell can head back to the US for some time to help sort his aunt's possessions. He probably doesn't need to head out there for about 30 to 40 days, so that gives us some time. Preferably, we'll figure out how to keep Lyra here and in school even though she's out before my work-day ends.
Since November 27, she's had 4 days of school. That's all that was scheduled. First, we had an extended break because of Eid al Fitr and then the UAE National Day. Then she went back for four days and has now been off since December 18th for Christmas/Winter break. She was supposed to go back today - but there has been a national day of mourning declared in the UAE.
The ruler of Umm al Quwain, a neighboring emirate, died on Friday. My first clue that something was up was driving Lyra to a birthday party. There was nothing on any radio station except for classical music. Evidently, as a show of mourning, radio stations are not to broadcast their regular programming. This happened a few months ago when some cousin of a Sheikh was killed in an accident. So, I knew that someone must have died. Then they announced that it would be 3 days of mourning starting on Saturday.
They even cancelled the celebrations for Sheikh Mohammed who's anniversary for becoming the Ruler of Dubai was yesterday. All the government offices are closed and some private companies. But not mine - oh well. Whenever the government offices close, then schools are required to also be closed. So, late last night we got a text message from the school announcing they were closed. Gotta love text messaging - they use it for so much here that we would never think of. Not sure about tomorrow. If it's supposed to be 3 days of mourning starting Saturday, then we've only had 2 so far. So, are they also closed tomorrow? We'll find out later I guess.
Since November 27, she's had 4 days of school. That's all that was scheduled. First, we had an extended break because of Eid al Fitr and then the UAE National Day. Then she went back for four days and has now been off since December 18th for Christmas/Winter break. She was supposed to go back today - but there has been a national day of mourning declared in the UAE.
The ruler of Umm al Quwain, a neighboring emirate, died on Friday. My first clue that something was up was driving Lyra to a birthday party. There was nothing on any radio station except for classical music. Evidently, as a show of mourning, radio stations are not to broadcast their regular programming. This happened a few months ago when some cousin of a Sheikh was killed in an accident. So, I knew that someone must have died. Then they announced that it would be 3 days of mourning starting on Saturday.
They even cancelled the celebrations for Sheikh Mohammed who's anniversary for becoming the Ruler of Dubai was yesterday. All the government offices are closed and some private companies. But not mine - oh well. Whenever the government offices close, then schools are required to also be closed. So, late last night we got a text message from the school announcing they were closed. Gotta love text messaging - they use it for so much here that we would never think of. Not sure about tomorrow. If it's supposed to be 3 days of mourning starting Saturday, then we've only had 2 so far. So, are they also closed tomorrow? We'll find out later I guess.
Basil LOVES Carrots
He goes mad for them! Watch as he tries every trick in his book to get me to feed him a tidbit of carrot. Every dog trick he has learned has been taught with the promise of carrot rewards. Some dogs want liver sausage, but Baz is a carrot fanatic.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Do you prefer . . .
Lyra and I play a game called "What Do You Prefer". It goes like this.
I will say, "Do you prefer gummi bears or M&Ms?" and then she'll answer. If she answers M&Ms, I'll then ask "Do you prefer M&Ms or candy canes?" If she answers candy canes, I'll then ask "Do you prefer candy canes or licorice?" We can play this game about candy, animals, any other foods, you name it. We were playing in the car last night and she told me that now she'd like to play it where she asks the questions. OK, sounds good.
"Do you prefer sweaters or bacon?" she asked. I giggled. "Umm, I guess I prefer bacon." "Why?" "Well, bacon is so good."
"Do you prefer an ant to crawl on your hand or a cockroach to crawl on your leg?" was next. "An ant," I said. "Why?" "Well, they're smaller than a cockroach so I won't feel it as much." "Yes, but you can pet a cockroach." True, very true. I had not considered that.
"Do you prefer a cockroach crawling on your leg or a spider crawling on your leg?" I went with the choice that had fewer legs (the more legs, the more a thing will creep me out). "Cockroach." "Why?" she asked. "Because they have fewer legs." "Yes, but it's only a little tickle." She definitely doesn't have the bug phobias I have. "True, but I'd rather have a cockroach tickle than a spider." Truly the thought of either puts chills up my leg (a tribute to Chris Wallace there).
"Do you prefer a cockroach that I point out is behind you and startles you or a lion living in the house?" "A cockroach behind me that startles me." "Why wouldn't you want a lion?" "Well, having a lion in the house would be very dangerous. So, even though I'd be startled, I'd prefer a cockroach."
It's a much more interesting game when she asks the questions.
I will say, "Do you prefer gummi bears or M&Ms?" and then she'll answer. If she answers M&Ms, I'll then ask "Do you prefer M&Ms or candy canes?" If she answers candy canes, I'll then ask "Do you prefer candy canes or licorice?" We can play this game about candy, animals, any other foods, you name it. We were playing in the car last night and she told me that now she'd like to play it where she asks the questions. OK, sounds good.
"Do you prefer sweaters or bacon?" she asked. I giggled. "Umm, I guess I prefer bacon." "Why?" "Well, bacon is so good."
"Do you prefer an ant to crawl on your hand or a cockroach to crawl on your leg?" was next. "An ant," I said. "Why?" "Well, they're smaller than a cockroach so I won't feel it as much." "Yes, but you can pet a cockroach." True, very true. I had not considered that.
"Do you prefer a cockroach crawling on your leg or a spider crawling on your leg?" I went with the choice that had fewer legs (the more legs, the more a thing will creep me out). "Cockroach." "Why?" she asked. "Because they have fewer legs." "Yes, but it's only a little tickle." She definitely doesn't have the bug phobias I have. "True, but I'd rather have a cockroach tickle than a spider." Truly the thought of either puts chills up my leg (a tribute to Chris Wallace there).
"Do you prefer a cockroach that I point out is behind you and startles you or a lion living in the house?" "A cockroach behind me that startles me." "Why wouldn't you want a lion?" "Well, having a lion in the house would be very dangerous. So, even though I'd be startled, I'd prefer a cockroach."
It's a much more interesting game when she asks the questions.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Getting Directions
Boy, I miss how the Brits give fantastically accurate directions. They are always precise and correct. "At the first roundabout, take the third exit signposted to Henley. Follow the dual carriageway for a mile and after you go over a little rise, you'll see the entry for the Fox & Grapes pub on your left. Just after this entry is a small gravel drive on the left." The amazing thing is that they will do this from memory.
Here, never ask directions from a stranger. I repeat, NEVER ask directions from a stranger. More than half the time they have no idea what you're talking about or where you want to go. Nevermind that they probably don't understand your American English accent. But it is considered rude to say "I don't know". So, they make something up. They'll give a vague gesture in a direction and mutter something like "Yes, that way, madam."
Yesterday, I was going to a shop I hadn't visited before. I asked the store clerk how to get there. She was giving me very good directions and I knew the area the store was in. She got to a point where she said, "When you get to the stoplight at Lulu's call me and I'll give you the rest of the directions." I know there is a lot of construction in that area, so I imagined that she'd want to be on the phone to help me look for a possibly difficult to find driveway or parking entrance. So, as I was nearing the Lulu's hypermarket, I called. She proceeded to tell me, "Turn right at the stop light. Go until you see the next stop light and turn right. Go past the first right and at the second turning take a right. You'll come to the first round about. Go straight. At the second roundabout, turn left. Our shop is on the right side."
Now, what about these directions could not be given to me when I was sitting in my office with a piece of paper to write them down? Now that she's rattling them off and I'm driving through heavy traffic I'm trying desparately to stuff them into my memory in the right order so that I don't get lost in the maze of this neighborhood. There was nothing tricky - no hidden driveway - no manouvering around construction detours. Just plain ol' directions. I have no idea why she felt she couldn't give these to me when I called the first time.
I made it! A victory for me and my desperately unreliable 40+ year old memory.
Here, never ask directions from a stranger. I repeat, NEVER ask directions from a stranger. More than half the time they have no idea what you're talking about or where you want to go. Nevermind that they probably don't understand your American English accent. But it is considered rude to say "I don't know". So, they make something up. They'll give a vague gesture in a direction and mutter something like "Yes, that way, madam."
Yesterday, I was going to a shop I hadn't visited before. I asked the store clerk how to get there. She was giving me very good directions and I knew the area the store was in. She got to a point where she said, "When you get to the stoplight at Lulu's call me and I'll give you the rest of the directions." I know there is a lot of construction in that area, so I imagined that she'd want to be on the phone to help me look for a possibly difficult to find driveway or parking entrance. So, as I was nearing the Lulu's hypermarket, I called. She proceeded to tell me, "Turn right at the stop light. Go until you see the next stop light and turn right. Go past the first right and at the second turning take a right. You'll come to the first round about. Go straight. At the second roundabout, turn left. Our shop is on the right side."
Now, what about these directions could not be given to me when I was sitting in my office with a piece of paper to write them down? Now that she's rattling them off and I'm driving through heavy traffic I'm trying desparately to stuff them into my memory in the right order so that I don't get lost in the maze of this neighborhood. There was nothing tricky - no hidden driveway - no manouvering around construction detours. Just plain ol' directions. I have no idea why she felt she couldn't give these to me when I called the first time.
I made it! A victory for me and my desperately unreliable 40+ year old memory.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy New Year!! Oh wait . . . CANCELLED!
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has ordered the cancellation of all forms of celebrations marking the New Year in Dubai emirate, as an act of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Government/10271287.html
Hotels are NOT going to be happy about this. They're already complaining that the financial crisis has brought a 25% reduction in their occupancy rates. Mind you - this means that occupancy has gone from 90% fill rate to 70% fill rate. Hotels in the US would give their eye teeth for 70% fill rate.
I only heard by accident as I was walking into the office. I'm sure there will be lots of people who show up tonight at the hotels all dolled up for the evening out only to find that their evening has been cancelled. I can't WAIT to read the letters section of our local paper. This is bound to stir up the debate.
Russell and I had nothing planned - so little impact on us. We'll quietly raise a glass in toast at the stroke of midnight. That is, if we're still awake.
Update:
Turns out that the "cancellations" applied to outdoor events. Hotels and other indoor venues were allowed to continue their parties, but we asked to hold a more subdued event. I don't know exactly what subdued means. I think that all live music was cancelled - but maybe DJs were allowed. We ended up going over to the neighbors and had a great time. Lyra stayed up until midnight and was thrilled to see in the new year.
http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Government/10271287.html
Hotels are NOT going to be happy about this. They're already complaining that the financial crisis has brought a 25% reduction in their occupancy rates. Mind you - this means that occupancy has gone from 90% fill rate to 70% fill rate. Hotels in the US would give their eye teeth for 70% fill rate.
I only heard by accident as I was walking into the office. I'm sure there will be lots of people who show up tonight at the hotels all dolled up for the evening out only to find that their evening has been cancelled. I can't WAIT to read the letters section of our local paper. This is bound to stir up the debate.
Russell and I had nothing planned - so little impact on us. We'll quietly raise a glass in toast at the stroke of midnight. That is, if we're still awake.
Update:
Turns out that the "cancellations" applied to outdoor events. Hotels and other indoor venues were allowed to continue their parties, but we asked to hold a more subdued event. I don't know exactly what subdued means. I think that all live music was cancelled - but maybe DJs were allowed. We ended up going over to the neighbors and had a great time. Lyra stayed up until midnight and was thrilled to see in the new year.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Christmas in Dubai
I think that this was the first year EVER in my entire life that I didn't go anywhere for Christmas. Usually, I travel to my parents' or my grandmother's or last year we went on a trip. But this year, we stayed home. And boy, was it relaxing and nice. I slept a ton - trying to work off the jet lag and end-of-year exhaustion. Had lots of energy - as evidenced by the morning I got up, walked Basil for a long walkie, washed my car, mopped down the garage door (I think I've mentioned how dusty things get here), fiddled with the washing machine (which is not fixed, but at least we know how to use it so that the clothes aren't soaking wet when they come out), and futzed with the hosepipe (which due to the mystery shut-off valve we cannot find is still not fixed). And then it was 1pm.
What with the vacation to Africa and my unexpected trip to the US for my grandmother's funeral, we forgot to pick up an Advent calendar. Without that, Lyra was pretty unaware of the impending arrival of Father Christmas when I got back from the US on the 23rd. As I put her to bed, she asked me, "When will Santa come?"
"Tomorrow night," I said.
"Are you joking?" she asked.
"Nope, I'm serious. He's coming tomorrow night."
"But I haven't told him what I want, yet." (see previous post about missing Santa).
"Well, we can write him a letter."
So, on Christmas Eve, to hype it up a bit we had a very nice dinner. Surf & Turf for the adults. Russell made steak en croute (ribeye covered with pate in a puff pastry shell) and broiled lobster tails. Yummy! Lyra had a veggie cutlet with Gruyere cheese. Neither surf nor turf are on her list of favorites. After dinner, we all got into our jammies to watch the Grinch that Stole Christmas. I forgot that I now have Charlie Brown Christmas on DVD - it will be on next year's movie list. Then we read Twas the Night Before Christmas (a year-round favorite for Lyra).
Christmas morning - Lyra slept until 9. At her age, I could never have slept that long. She discovered her Plasma Car hidden by Santa behind the Christmas tree. "I didn't tell him what I wanted. How did he know I wanted a Plasma Car?" "Well, Santa knows. He knows if you've been bad or good and he knows what you want for Chirstmas." She worried a bit that maybe it was someone else's Plasma Car. Soon, she was demonstrating her expertise by driving the car around the living room and weaving in and out of the furniture.
After our morning gift openings, we got ready for Christmas lunch with the next door neighbors. We had reservations at a local hotel for their buffet. When we arrived, we were seated in the Tepanyaki area of the Bennihana's. Turned out to be a perfect location for us. For most of the time, it was just us in the back area. Nice and quiet. All of the hotel restaurants were participating in the buffet. So, we had Japanese, Thai, Lebanese, traditional English, Arabic, cold seafood buffet, Italian (and a smattering of Mexican). There was a special kids buffet with fish and chicken fingers, fries, cookies, etc. And everywhere were dessert tables with chocolate fountains, Christmas puddings, Um Ali, Ice Cream buffet (like Cold Stone Creamy). WOW - a real feast. At first I thought it was amusing to see so many locals at the buffet. But then I thought - well hey, we go to their Iftar buffets - so, I'm sure they enjoy experiencing our holiday traditions, too.
The next day, we went to the new mall that opened. Aptly named The Dubai Mall. They have an ice skating rink and an aquarium. I still can't get used to going to the malls for entertainment. But that's what you do here - especially in the summer. Lyra has wanted to try ice skating for ages and I even tried to take her during Ramadan - only to find that the rink we went to was closed. We paid for 2 hours, but I knew after putting on those horrible skates there would be no way I'd make it that long. But, we did skate for over an hour - and she improved tremendously during that time. In the first 15 minutes, she was ready to quit. But she kept with it and was doing pretty well by the end. Now she wants lessons, but I'm not sure if we can fit that into her busy schedule without giving up either theatre or ballet.
On Saturday, a trip out into the desert to build a campfire. There are sand dunes about 2 miles from our place that are fun for a bit of dune bashing. And then we set up a fire - one match is all it takes for the wood that has been drying in our garage. Basil becomes obsessed with trying to dig the tennis ball out of the sand and will dig a cavern the entire time we're there. We were once again accompanied by the neighbors. The kids had a blast! Next time, we'll bring the fixin's for s'mores.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
A Year Without Santa Claus
What's up with Dubai this year? No Santas anywhere. Last year, there were Santa's a-plenty. But this year, the pickin's are few.
While I was in the US, Russell took Lyra to two separate malls to find Santa. The first was the mall where we went last year. Last year, they had a fantastic Christmas set up following the theme of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. You even entered Santa's grotto by opening up the wardrobe doors and going in past a set of hanging coats. Very magical! But this year - no sign of Santa there.
They did find a Santa at a nearby mall, but you had to pay entrance fee to the cheezy indoor amusement area in order to gain access to Santa. Now, that's taking Christmas commercialization a bit too far.
So, today I called a couple of the malls focusing on those in the "expat" areas - no luck. No Santa. Hmmmm. How grinch-ey is that?!? I guess she'll have to write Santa a letter. Russell says that's not even necessary - "Santa knows". Yes, he does know. So, perhaps we'll explain it that way. Lyra doesn't seem too concerned about it.
At least she saw Santa last week at school. He came by to say hello to the children on the last day before winter break. Lyra told me, "Mr. Dolesch (her principal) came by our classroom dressed like Santa Claus. I knew he wasn't the real Santa." I asked her, "How did you know?" "Well, the only real Santa is the one that comes to your house. The others aren't the real Santa." OK - well I'm glad we got that sticky question out of the way.
And I know it's a bit late, but if you don't know about the NORAD website - this is great fun for tracking Santa's arrival tonight.
While I was in the US, Russell took Lyra to two separate malls to find Santa. The first was the mall where we went last year. Last year, they had a fantastic Christmas set up following the theme of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. You even entered Santa's grotto by opening up the wardrobe doors and going in past a set of hanging coats. Very magical! But this year - no sign of Santa there.
They did find a Santa at a nearby mall, but you had to pay entrance fee to the cheezy indoor amusement area in order to gain access to Santa. Now, that's taking Christmas commercialization a bit too far.
So, today I called a couple of the malls focusing on those in the "expat" areas - no luck. No Santa. Hmmmm. How grinch-ey is that?!? I guess she'll have to write Santa a letter. Russell says that's not even necessary - "Santa knows". Yes, he does know. So, perhaps we'll explain it that way. Lyra doesn't seem too concerned about it.
At least she saw Santa last week at school. He came by to say hello to the children on the last day before winter break. Lyra told me, "Mr. Dolesch (her principal) came by our classroom dressed like Santa Claus. I knew he wasn't the real Santa." I asked her, "How did you know?" "Well, the only real Santa is the one that comes to your house. The others aren't the real Santa." OK - well I'm glad we got that sticky question out of the way.
And I know it's a bit late, but if you don't know about the NORAD website - this is great fun for tracking Santa's arrival tonight.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Lenoir June Ragland
I'm back in the US for a short visit. My grandmother died and the funeral was yesterday.
She lived a long full life. She was 95 and there were several times over the past 5 years when we thought she wasn't going to make it. I'm looking forward to the times with family over the next couple of days to remember her. She was a strong woman and it was a lot of fun to be her granddaughter.
When I was about 8 (I was the oldest grandchild), my grandparents started taking all us grandchildren to a family church camp for a week. The first year there were 5 of us: me, Amy, Ron, and my cousins Tom and Mike. A couple years later, my younger cousins Brad and Sam also came. We stayed at a lake in Missouri. The bullfrogs were voluminous! The boys did tons of fishing and frog hunting. We all got lots of chiggers, poison ivy, and mosquito bites and spent as much time as possible swimming. Every year until I was 16 or 17, my grandparents took us. Afer a couple of the first years, they built a lodge and we were able to stay in air conditioned rooms. So, it was 7 grandkids for a week at summer camp with my grandparents. These are some great memories.
My grandma was always a baker. Each holiday visit we'd arrive to find tubs and tubs of our favorite cookies filling the house. Then for the meal, there'd be at least a couple of varieties of pie. Ron's favorite was pumpkin, so there were always at least a couple pumpkin pies and then maybe a pecan pie to go with it. For a few years, she was making cinnamon rolls for everyone. Her rolls were always rolled out so that the layers of bread between gooey cinnamon sugar were nice and thin. She'd buy some special sweetened flour from the donut shop to make her bread and rolls. I don't know what was in that flour, but it made the bread extra sweet and soft.
One of my favorite memories of Lyra with my grandma was of preparing pie crusts for Christmas pies. She worked with grandma to help get the crusts into the tins and crimp the edges. For us adults, it was great to see them working together. But I asked her, and its not something she remembers. It's funny how the memories for kids and adults are significant in different ways. Grandma always had lots of patience with her and enjoyed when Lyra would climb into her lap for a ride in the wheel chair from the car into the restaurant.
Grandma loved to have the house full, there was no such thing as too many people in the house. At family gatherings you'd find people in the living room, dining room, kitchen, breezeway, basement and spilling out into the back yard where there was a trampoline to entertain us kids. She had 4 spare beds in the old house that were often full with visiting family or friends. For her, life was meant to be shared with as many people as possible.
She lived a long full life. She was 95 and there were several times over the past 5 years when we thought she wasn't going to make it. I'm looking forward to the times with family over the next couple of days to remember her. She was a strong woman and it was a lot of fun to be her granddaughter.
When I was about 8 (I was the oldest grandchild), my grandparents started taking all us grandchildren to a family church camp for a week. The first year there were 5 of us: me, Amy, Ron, and my cousins Tom and Mike. A couple years later, my younger cousins Brad and Sam also came. We stayed at a lake in Missouri. The bullfrogs were voluminous! The boys did tons of fishing and frog hunting. We all got lots of chiggers, poison ivy, and mosquito bites and spent as much time as possible swimming. Every year until I was 16 or 17, my grandparents took us. Afer a couple of the first years, they built a lodge and we were able to stay in air conditioned rooms. So, it was 7 grandkids for a week at summer camp with my grandparents. These are some great memories.
My grandma was always a baker. Each holiday visit we'd arrive to find tubs and tubs of our favorite cookies filling the house. Then for the meal, there'd be at least a couple of varieties of pie. Ron's favorite was pumpkin, so there were always at least a couple pumpkin pies and then maybe a pecan pie to go with it. For a few years, she was making cinnamon rolls for everyone. Her rolls were always rolled out so that the layers of bread between gooey cinnamon sugar were nice and thin. She'd buy some special sweetened flour from the donut shop to make her bread and rolls. I don't know what was in that flour, but it made the bread extra sweet and soft.
One of my favorite memories of Lyra with my grandma was of preparing pie crusts for Christmas pies. She worked with grandma to help get the crusts into the tins and crimp the edges. For us adults, it was great to see them working together. But I asked her, and its not something she remembers. It's funny how the memories for kids and adults are significant in different ways. Grandma always had lots of patience with her and enjoyed when Lyra would climb into her lap for a ride in the wheel chair from the car into the restaurant.
Grandma loved to have the house full, there was no such thing as too many people in the house. At family gatherings you'd find people in the living room, dining room, kitchen, breezeway, basement and spilling out into the back yard where there was a trampoline to entertain us kids. She had 4 spare beds in the old house that were often full with visiting family or friends. For her, life was meant to be shared with as many people as possible.
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