Xmas day

Xmas day finally arrived - at last,

wot a nifghtmare getting gifts back and forth from Aussie,

Anxiety sets in , will they get there, should I send more.....Oh well, cant worry now.

Boys enjoyed their gift, just a few things and some travellign gear.

Thankyou for thinking of us over xmas, we are so far away and we miss everyone sooooo much.

It was great for the boys, they loved all the gifts, particularly the aussie flag boardies......

We had a lovely day with great friends, magicians, carols, lots of laughs and fun, and of course ate way too much, Josh and I sat at the end of the day - after 5 hours of eating, with a bowl of strawberries, marshmellows and a bowl of warm dark chocolate and enjoyed ourselves. Nath went back for more freshly baked pizza, and at 5 o'clock Darren found the lasangna and salad - after he had yorkshire pudding and roast.

Thanks to our great mates in Dubai, Muz and Wendy and boys, Silvia and George and co., Lachy, Puck, Jen and of course Ian and everyone who

came to make our day warm and wonderful.

Chucked out of Class

Yep Josh got chucked out of class last week for saying soccer, and the teacher said noooooo footy, and when Josh wouldnt change his mind , he sent him out of class. 5/10 mins later Josh tried to go back into class, but when asked again what do you call it, he said - Soccer - and wasnt let back in !!!!!!Im so proud.

Early Dec 2007

17-22/12/07

Oman - Muscat and Turtle Beach

Sorry been off the air for a while, sorry, so heres some catchup. info for those who havent got emails and photos for those I promised to post.

Our short holiday before xmas and before the big holi. Darren got 5 days off for Eid Break. So we packed the car full of bits and peices - tents and fold up beds, burners for cooking.

Gt thru the border at a good time - darren was worried wed have another 3 hr delay but no alot quiter. Went down along the Oman coast and the sea, to Swadi, then Muscat and finally Turtle beach camping, about 12hrs drive from Dubai to turtle beach, then the return trip. Beautiful coast line, islands and the ocean water.

Initially got to Muscat and had a look around, saw a black car go by, and I started yelling at it to stop, the kids thought id gone nuts. But I said look - its an explorer car - he might have some books - guide books for the area - then said dont be foolish - any way the guy stopped an d said sure no probs and handed us the explorer Oman book and a map of the region - fantastic - and thats when Darren said hey lets keep going to Turtle beach - OK. What a drive the cyclone had just been through so in some place no roads, then we got there and it was dark and the we had to plead in broken arabic to let us in. and then we went around the mountain and found ourselves in a little alcove haven and camping spot - only about ten other families there.

To see the turtles we had to wait until 9pm - hard one for Darren after driving. We had an information session with a local, told to be absolutly quiet and then followed on a hunt up the beach to find the turtles. Watched a large ocean turtle giving birth into its sand hole - orsome and followed another along the beach and watched it glide into teh sea. In the morning the beach was covered with large turtle tracks and filled in holes where turtles had come over the night to lay.

Off back to Muscat - what a beautiful, romantic place, chockers with forts all along the the front line - the guard port and still the forts - more like castle - are in active use by the military. Kids loved it. wandered around, climbing the fort walls and walking through the mountain tunnels to teh next part of the beach. Then left and headed back to Swadi for the night camping on ocean beaches and some snorkling off boats.

By this time, had enough of trying to cook on a tiny bunson burner, so hopped into the next door hotel, for RnR, xmas carols and fine food - yummy.

Then back to real life and xmas shopping . I feel very relaxed - five weeks break for me, then back to work on 15th Jan. and here I was thinking about moving into a corporate job....dont think so. lol.

Catwalk Fashion

Hey there, what a night I had,

I'm crossing this off my list of things to do before i die,

at a real fashion gala night, Dubai Austyle fashion night, with pink champagne, a white catwalk, real models who are on the front of the mags, and the top Aussie designers,
even sat in front row, Felt very special and the cameras were clinking all around us, nowhere to hide, and videos,

got a youbeaut gift bag full of makeup,

Had my photo taken by a number of magazine photographers,

felt like a Star,

Great fun, great laughs and even Darren couldnt keep his eyes off the models, beautiful, yes he actually enjoyed himself, very special and very nice indeed

Thanks so much to Claudia and Mat for our VIP seats. And above a photo Claud saids is of yummy mummies....well .... ok.

RUGBY

MY RUGBY STAR

So here I am at a Rugby 7s tournament. Knowing absolutley nothing and having to support and encourage a son who has found his gift in sport. Like a duck to water he moved swiftly onto the field and no-one or nothing was getting in his way to make tries (is that the right word??). Well i enjoyed it. Met some really nice people, and watch Josh score, score and the team congratulating each other, and yes although I thought hmmm, not much thought goes into this game, I soon learnt that spin passing is actually difficult, and that tatics tactics tactics and very important, so although not much kicking, certainly not just a catch and run game. You really need to have your wits about you, cause if you dont, pain and agony follow fast.

Just when I thought i know the Rugby, they tell me the next tournament in 2 weeks is Rugby with 15 a side, Maddy I think I'm gunna need some tips on that from you fans. At least Ill be ready to watch the Dubai Rugby 7s. Its great to pick up new sports and news ways to live, it keeps you on your feet and makes life very interesting. No-one could believe that Josh had never played let alone never watched a game before. Very technical though and he picked up quick. Im a proud mum with a very happy and content son, yipppeeee.

Eid Mubarak !

Festival Time,

Yes Ramadan is ending, ended and now behind us. It wasnt anywhere near as bad as last year. I think we are use to it now, but we knew to sneak our Maccas and Icereams into the car and eat below the windows during daylight hours. We had a lot of time together, Darren taking the boys to school at 8.00am and then all home by 3pm, so lots of time going to the beach and across the road to the club, where Darren and the boys did some gym/squash and I sat by the pool, Yea well no, I had to join in the squash, but not all the time. Cant believe we have used our own pool a few doors up. Well we might be soon they've doubled the club fees.

So after 10 weeks of holis, were 4 weeks into term and yes another week off, Yipppeee never had that before in my working career, paid for more than 4 wks a year holis........You know this time is like the Arabic xmas time, much partying and gift giving.

So where to go, hmmm Darrn co. cant make up their mind how long they should give their staff off of an Arabic public holi, damn Aussies. Was going to go to Jordan great specials, but needed to know exact dates...too late....Shall we go to Muscat teh home of Ali Barber and forty theives . Next time.....Everyone has enticed us into a camping trip in Oman Acacia forest.

Hmmm, buying tents, chairs, hey dont we have this stuff at home !!!!

Seven familes head off. Can you beleive it mum and Kel, 3.5 hrs at border....best way I can describe the road to Kansab, Great Ocean road without any vegitation. Beautiful. Got to our spot down unmade roads and into the forest, A friend who is a security specialist, (hmm, yes your thinking would be correct...... ) tells us it is much like the plains in Africa. well heres a picture,

This is our tents, same as home, very very dusty, no water.

Hmmm, what shall we do with the rubbish, while we go off to the beach, yea....we'll put it in the trees the goats cant get up there...yea....right !!!!

After the beach, everyone was going on the boats, Josh decided to go out on the boats again with his mate and their family snorkeling and watching dolphins, while Darren Nath and I went for a drive up the mountains.

Unbelieveable. We drove all the way up to the plateau, I think I read 3,000mt above sea level !! You can see in the far distance the top first point where the plateau is, a farming village was there, then a little further to the top, you cant see it in the picture, to the listening area, where the defence notice said to KEEP OUT! So we did.

By the time we got to the top the temp had dropped from 38 down to 31, wow and a cool

Its actually hard to see from the pictures but we drove up the mountains on a verticle dirt road, very hair raising, at one point Darren click the shift down and a big clunk was heard and i screamed thinking we lost the breaks and were going to go straight over the clift, I reckon it was about a 1000mt drop at the end.

In this picture you can make out the road we drove along and at the very bottom, in front of the furtherest mountains , you can see the flat land where we drove up from.

A spot of cricket then pack up and on our way home.

And a great chat with my mate maddy when I got home, finished off a good weekend.

Hi All,

I'm not even sure how longs its been since I had time to sit down and type. Since summer break its been quiet hectic and I havent really stopped. The boys have moved to new schools with Josh now in Grade 7 high school and Nath G5. They both love it and enjoy the greater amount of sport on offer. Josh is loving Rugby and his coach says he is a natural, straight into the forward line, had a bit of problems with the NZers at the school, I think they thought they were pretty hot at the rugby until the Aussie boy came along and gave them a run for their money...they werent impress initially and now I think they have warmed to the new kid on the block, their pride dinted a little.

We have met an absolutely fantastic family, they are wonderful, friendly and a joy to be with. From the yarra valley they have 5 boys (so they know all about my woes and trials) 2 boys are here with them and the others home. Both are Josh and Naths age and get along like long time mates, yippppeeee, it really makes me feel more settled here. Jen and I have so much in common, she is an easy target like me and we get into a lot of funny trouble but we laugh and move on. I think if i had my time again I would have moved out to the country with my boys they would have loved the space too.

School for me is going great. Alot of organising, planning and teaching though. But we are moving forward so I suppose Im OK, I often think of a missed mate during work as he got me into this work, So my love and thoughts are always with him.........I think its because he helped me so much, that this week, my boss is nominating my department for an award, the best run team in the companies group - hotel, construction, schools and cars. I was touch and my buddy Silvia was rapt, all our hard work has been worth it. So who knows, well at least we may get a free night out at the formal award function....stay tune. Oh and we just had an award night for Darrens company, very nice, got to frock up and everything . And Darren's mate Muzza won an award. So the spot light fell on our table. Well it fell three times, we seem to be with the winners.

We headed up to Oman in Aug. with Wendy, Murry and family and stayed at the Golden Tulip again, very nice.

and checked out the fort while we were there. Heres the boys hunging around.

And here I am, caught eating the dates off he date palm, Yummm, you havent had a date until you eat one straight from the tree, So sweet, my dad would love them. Like soft warm toffee.

The view out the fort window looking toward the beach, about 42 dgrees in the shade.

Can you count the sea birds along the rocks??

They were lined all along the waters edge, as it is breeding time for them. They were also all on the water and our boatman drove straight through them and they flew all around us.

Wendy and Josh watching the birds take off. What a great day, snorkelled and saw Dolphins, The colour fish and coral fantastic. No stingers this time Kel!

Just when you think your doing the right thing !

Sad but true, a religious experience.

So, there I was at the supermarket with my trolley full of items excited because I was going to make an effort in my cooking that night. I have been so lazy with my cooking since leaving home. SO that night I was making, Japanese, beef tataki then chicken terriaki, our favourites, would have loved to make Goyza but i haven't been able to find the pastry.

Anyways, a lady was standing , very regal in all her black garb (which incidentally was lined with a lot of gold bling bling) finishing loading her items onto the conveyor belt. I thought to myself, what is the right thing to do, having had a number of experiences, and read all the local customs and visited all the local religious spots and asked all the questions, I waited for her to finish. Once all items were scanned and she had moved her trolley forward, then waited for her counterparts (other women in black) to drop their favourite lollies on the counter, post groceries scanned, two more dropping things, cashier told her her bill was totalled to 800 or so dhms (about 265 aussie bucks), she looked at me, she looked at the bag packer, she looked at the roof, ignoring all around her. Hmm, i thought to myself and still waited patiently, not putting anything on the conveyor belt. The cashier again mentioned the amount to be paid, and the lady glared, the packer then also mentioned the amount to be paid. I thought, well all her things are packed, the money asked for, nothing on the conveyor belt. I will commence loading the conveyor belt.

SO i loaded and packed the conveyor belt full of my things, still the lady stood, ignoring everyone. I think, like the cashier may have, she was waiting for the man to come and pay!!

NO, I was so wrong.

She glared at me, and yelled in a loud voice, get your things off here, i have not finished.

Imagine my shock, the cashiers shock, the packers shock, who by now was standing with the trolley ready to take it to her car.

Sorry I said. GET IT OFF. Sorry I said. YOU - GET THAT OFF.

You have finished i said. I HAVE TROLLEY COMING. (oh i forgot to say she stood at about 6ft2)

I then said , no I'm sorry you have finished and there is no trolley in sight and i have loaded my things. I DON'T CARE, GET IT OFF. At which time, she commenced pushing my items off the conveyor belt, being quick i caught the couple of items that fell off the back.

I said i don't think so. You have finished - HALLAS. Using one of the Arabic words i am comfortable with. She glared at me YOU GET IT OFF NOW and started to push me away.

The things that went through my head were not pretty i have to say, and if you know me i am very forthright and always say my peace, well when i am being wronged by a stranger, or having to pay for things i shouldnt (but too shy when people i know do it to me). So i took the submissive approach I tend to take when friendships and family (and possibly my freedom) are at stake. I bowed my head and looked at my trolley....what to do, what to do, what to do.....pop my bacon on the counter....!!!!!maybe not.

I stood and looked at her, i then started to pack my things pack in my trolley. Can you imagine,
the lady in black with gold trim (obviously head lady in the house), three or four sub ladies, a couple of their kids in national clothing, the cashier, the packer, the customers, staring at me, waiting to see what i would do. I felt like crying.

The lady pushed me, telling me to hurry and shoving her body in front of me, I glanced up to see two trolleys coming, stacked high, Filipino maids pushing them....Ohh i felt so sorry for them.

When the trolley got there she started pushing it past me and again shoving me into the counter. OK THAT'S ENOUGH... I turned to her and said this is disgraceful, that she should have told me she wasnt finished and that this was not right. I was feeling very intimidated and . She said YOU ARE IN MY COUNTRY AND YOU DO WHAT I SAY. I just repeated this is not right.

A boy - one of the sons, Nath's age - 10 , came up from behind the lady and started laughing in my face. I said to him, it is not a right thing to do this, you should have some respect. The woman said, YOU STUPID WOMAN, you talked to the baby, you are nothing. Oh boy. what the !!!

I replied, you are a disgrace to your people, and you show me no honor (yep i heard that this is The best way to speak, better than ###****++++)

She was horrified and stared at me. I pushed her trolley back, I slowly unloaded and gracefully moved to the next counter. The people waiting in the queue behind me were so shocked they just stood there in the queue while the two trolleys were pushed pass them.

I looked back to make sure i had everything and she then, caught my eyes and swore at me in Arabic, i recognised some of the words. I couldnt believe it, it was like she had just spat at me. I stared at her, told her i thought i was in a Muslim country and that swearing was against their religion. As her mouth dropped, I turned away and didn't look back.

I know I should have walked away while my things were on the belt, but i so wanted to make our favourite meal.

You know its fear built in here, I should have reported her, but then who am I!


HAPPY SUPERMARKET SHOPPING.

WarHammer 400000

Warhammer 40,000

frustration is upon us.......

So we unpacked our gear and set up for model building....let see, 27 Necrons, an army tank, pods, flying machines, scary motorbikes. Off and running. Wow! Little fingers working feverishly and mine. How long will it take? Hopefully until the end of holidays...

To recap.......I encouraged both boys to take up a game we played a lot last summer. Warhammer 400000. Not sure if you know it, a model game of waring armies and battles, with 5cm tall model armies, tanks, spore mines etc. So the boys have their armies to make and paint, (mine and most of Josh's are done from last year)

Nath chose the Necrons quite creepy skeleton things. He just got for his birthday. Gemma you can see the book you gave him..yes very educational - reading, following directions and problem solving..well done

Oh and when we opened Josh's extra box of space marines we found we had purchased a whole other army..so it seems he is passing his old army off to his dad and he will spend his time constructing and painting his new army. Chaos Space Marines.

We built a desert model / battle field last year (easy in a country full of sand). Which worked well but the boys are hoping to create a forest/green/hilly model / battle field this year.

Josh is playing with his space marine army (blue and gold men) and Nath is playing with mine army Tryanids - insect like spiky-ant-lizard men (red and blue)

Lets see what battle ground we build this time...for now its building armies.

Time to get creative - but its pushing it a bit....why didn't I have girls...barbie dolls are looking good at the moment.

Registration

I thought I was on Dubai Time...but it seems more like Fiji Time !!!!

So its re-register the car time. Wot to do. Feeling slightly anxious, you know girls dont get much intellectual attention here so maybe i shouldnt be doing this mans job..and oh yea remember nothing in this counrty is in my name ...so hey...what am i doing in a vehicle unregistered by a whole month and its not even mine......!!!!!.....wait for Darren..wait for Darren...OK not impressed I didnt do it myself...but too anixous..OK. Head off to Rego place..Servo..where to go..hmmm. OK go to this window. OK need ticket and drive through to garage for inspection. leave car and go wait with all the men..not one other woman in sight. OK. Ticket no. comes up to go to counter. Failed! Have slight indent in frnt side panel.

(Yea. another accident in car...two months ago..parked under school in garage..everyone always parks you in and then you can wait up to 1.5 hr for them to come and move..so decide to navigate way out with help of security guard....keep coming...keep coming. bang..sorry was that the column u hit.....sorry ....yep...Security guard has a little laugh.....oh well. only small indent in panel ..will get it fixed later.)

OK . Go chat to car inspector. First guy said yep i would have passed it..next guy, who did it says you must have it fix before registration. but this doesnt effect the operation of the car..NO car in excellent working condition...but must be fixed. Speak to supervisor..you people have lots of money get it fixed.. but.. sorry it doesnt look good on our roads...but.. oh do you have police report..but i hit a pole backing out, what does this have to do with police...U need report, u must go back to where it happened call police. bring report..i see what i can do when you come back....

OK.. on my own again. early morning. sitting outside the school. rang police...hmm. no residency..no man to help..no support..very anxious..thinking about wot its like inside womens prison .. if they have one...maybe I'd have to go in with the men...betcha no tellies or swimming pools in these prisons.....hmmm..driving unregistered car. which is not mine. no residency only on tourist visa (can only drive hire car if on tourist visa) ..no cover at all...wot will they say...

Flag down police car going past. very nice helpful. have a joke or two...police man tells me maybe i need glasses to see...(you now i do) ... standing in the heat - 42 - looking into large 4wd Police vehicle...trying to speak in bestest broken English... saying nice easy things, heart pounding sweat dripping.. stick head inside car to see paperwork...nice and cold... hmmm. waiting waiting...more paper work....passes me paper...tells me to have a good day..PHEW....

Back to rego dept. Go to inspector, give report...tells me go wait in room, go wait with even more men this time....eyes staring....finally number comes up......yep passed now.......sent to insurance section...I have my own insurance...sent to typing pool to have invoice typed for payment.....Only 1 month insurance left on car, needs to be twelve months...but i will do it at the end of policy...bad luck...must have full twelve month comprehensive insurance or no registration....OK..Leave... have to go to insurance and pay next twelve months......

Drive to other end of Dubai..Twelve months insurance fee in advance thankyou.........pay mine and while im there pay Darrens..........drive back to rego dept (Check boys OK at home)

Ok back to typing pool.....is this your vehicle ...ummmmm ... no......oh whose is it...husband...looks into my eyes....OK No problems i will help you !!!!!!!! Types out doc..pay fee for typing...ok next desk......(the place is now jam packed with men....to the point i cant move).......I think the guy at the desk realises my panick.....do straight to next counter NO.10...but gives me a no. anyway......im no. 6224 and they were currently serving ticket no. 6011...thank you...straight up to counter, pay rego fee.......sent to next couter for rego card.......men packed around counter...try to sqeeze through.....yuk..yuk..yuk......ok at desk....looks at me....tells me to go sit and he will call me..squeeze back thru crowd....everyone looking at me....waiting waiting waiting..........."Derrringng"......."derrrringing"...........young man waiting at counter in amongst all the others...pokes his head out of the crowded area...and says to me...i think this is you.....OH........thankyou...i said.........is this all i have to do...yes saids the man behind the counter...hallas - finished.......

Get in car wipe sweat from my brow and think thank goodness....three quarters way home...ssssshiiiiii !!!!!!! didnt get new sticker for rego plate...at next counter......baddddddd luck...

Get home 2pm............airconditioning problem...a whole other sagga from day before...where i couldnt get anyone in Dubai to come service our aircon......ended up sending email complaint about services........get a call, from customer relations yes we are coming dont go anywhere.......

hmmm friend waiting at pool,,,, boys yelling...gone stir crazy inside, said i would take them to the pool....wait 1.5 hrs. no show...send email...no response... leave go to pool....get call....coming to look at it, come home........but not going to fix it will only tell you if it is an issue from our previous replacement of motor 7 months ago.........coooking tea.......air guys come...Talk with me......Darren takes over...no problems sir we will fix it for you....(the power of men)....so wot next......Darren booked his own car in for service...hmmmm this will be his cars 4th service...mine hasnt had one yet...........Wait for aircon service men to finish in house while Darren drops off car............then have to go and pick him up when aircon guys are finshed.........

Hmmmm, do dishes...........aircon guys go...i head off to get Darren from dropping off his car for service.......ahhhhhhh...finally get home......sit down........8.30pm..

Darren comes down...wheres a clean pair of pants for me for work rrrr!!!!!

...........hmmmmmm I wonder how many emotions i went through this day ????

just another boring day in the life of a housewife in Dubai..........

5weeks until I get to go to work and have a break too.