This is it now- really. We are not moving again until we return back to Minnesota in June of 2010. Now that we know we can be on a longer term lease, we had to make yet another move. That’s three moves within one year, but who’s couting!?!? With each move, we continue to improve our situation slightly. This time, we moved beach-side. So instead of taking short walk across the street, we just walk right downstairs and out our back door. Not bad-- now that it’s all over.
Anna and her fellow Daisy Girl Scout friends officially became “Daisies” on January 19th. The two Daisy troops invited parents, school officials, and teachers to their first formal ceremony where they were ‘pinned’ by their Daisy leaders. The girls now know the Girl Scout Promise and are nearly half way there to understanding each portion of the Girl Scout Law. Soon, they’ll be bridging to Brownies!
Steve’s sister, Pamela and our nephew Henry, live in Brussles, Belgium. We have all been wanting to visit them and couldn’t think of a more exciting time to bring the kids together than Christmas. Pamela and Henry made this a Christmas to remember. We explored Brussles neighborhoods and Christmas markets, sampled traditional Belgian foods, met many of their friends, and relaxed in their quaint turn-of-the-century brownstone. They have a spacious backyard and the cousins spent many hours back there turning Pamela’s firewood stacks into an American/Belgian fort. Pamela is without a doubt the best cook that we know. Actually, it would belittle her efforts to call her a cook. Chef is a better term. If you ever get a chance to have her cook you a dinner—do not miss it. We were lucky to have had the most amazing five days of meals. We are looking forward to future visits on our way back to the States. . . . and maybe we’ll invite ourselves again next Christmas!!
Maria’s parents, Jan and Gordie arrived a week after the Woolley’s for another fantastic 10 day tour. The highlight of this visit was the weekend trip to Musandam, Oman—a quiet and beautiful country to the east of the UAE. Our trip there was eventful at every turn. . . . from navigating our way north east, going through boarder control, checking into our hotel, and arranging for a boat tour. The stories that could be told for years to come. . . . Needless to say, Jan and Gordie were most adventurous travelers! The fjords in Oman were breathtaking. Through Grandma Jan missed the boat tour because of food poisoning (and it was my cooking that did it), this was truly the best way to appreciate Oman’s beauty. The girls and Maria went snorkeling in the colorful coral reefs. We saw some of the most remote land-locked villages, and watched two dolphins and their baby cruise along side our dhow (traditional UAE boat used for trading goods). We also took a day trip to Abu Dhabi for Anna’s very first orchestra concert. Yes, she played third violin! We found Abu Dhabi to be slower, less glitzy, and more local than Dubai. We all loved it. It’s definitely worth a trip to compare the differences. Jan and Gordie also saw all the Dubai hot spots before heading home just in time for Christmas. Jan will be back to Dubai next year and though Gordie appreciated the experience here, I think we’ll have to lean on him hard to come back. We might have to entice him with a stop-over before heading on a real vacation to Vietnam!
The weather was perfect—75 degrees and sunny—both days that we celebrated Thanksgiving. Since our work/school-weeks are Sunday through Thursday and it was an American holiday, most people were at school and working that Thursday. However, the American School had off so the girls and I were able to join our friends: Andy and Patti Veith (from Rhinelander, WI), their three children and a host of friends from many nations to experience a traditional Thanksgiving meal. The following day we were invited to Nael and Deanna Said’s (from Milwaukee, WI) home. The gathering was intimate with a number of American families and their children. The food and company was terrific at both events. I sure hope they host again next year!
We just LOVE having visitors, especially family. Steve’s parents, Bill and Jean, plus our lovely sister-in-law, Mindy, arrived in Dubai mid-November to spend 10 days with us exploring the UAE. One of the highlights of their visit was our weekend to Liwa in the ‘Empty Quarter’. Named only for the fact that there are no buildings and people, its emptiness holds tremendous beauty. It is the largest sand desert outside the Sahara, stretching through the UAE, Oman, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia. (We visited the UAE portion.) The dunes looked like mountains; some of them reaching as high as 300 meters. The geological formations were fascinating as well. There were salt beds to be explored and the elusive ‘desert rose’ to be found. (These are crystallized rock salt and rock formations that take thousands of years to formed deep under the desert, later to be uncovered by the sand erosion). We were taken on a sunrise tour by a fabulous Egyptian/German guide named Kareem who was a plethora of knowledge. (We have sent many friends his way since then. You should come too.) In addition to this trip, we took Jean and Bill to another Emirate called Fujairah on the Indian Ocean for a relaxing weekend by the sea. Don’t worry. . . they had a chance to explore the city of Dubai too by visiting the souks, a mosque, the Dubai Museum, breakfast at the Burj Al Arab, and plenty of opportunity to shop, shop, shop!
